INDIANAPOLIS--The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for October 10, 2022 are based on student-athlete performance from October 3, 2022-October 9, 2022.
Men’s Cross Country
Evan Leist / Cedarville University / Sr. / Beaver, Ohio
The 2021 First-Team All-Conference runner placed third out of 128 this past weekend at the Wisconsin-Parkside Invitational. Leist recorded an 8K time of 25:04.11 and helped the Yellowjackets earn a fourth place finish.
Women’s Cross Country
Bethany Sholl / Cedarville University / Gr. / Scarborough, Maine
The graduate student helped the Yellowjackets earn first place at the Wisconsin-Parkside Invitational. Sholl registered a 6K time of 21:32.7 to finish second overall out of 135 runners.
Football
Defense: Sam Weihrauch / University of Findlay/ Fr. / Linebacker / Findlay, Ohio
The Freshman Linebacker led the Findlay defense in a 34-14 win over Northwood University. Weihrauch recorded a career-high 14 tackles, including nine solo tackles. He also had one forced fumble and one QB hurry.
Offense: Darius Pinnix / Tiffin University / Sr. / Running back / Burlington, N.C.
Darius Pinnix led both teams in rushing in a 41-0 victory over Hillsdale College. Pinnix rushed for 116 yards on 13 carries and averaged 8.9 yards per rush. He also caught three passes for 29 yards and powered an offense that outgained the Chargers 419-164.
Special Teams: Darryl Sinclair / Ohio Dominican University / Gr. / Defensive Back/ Solon, Ohio
Darryl Sinclair has been named the Great Midwest Special Teams Athlete of the Week after a dominant performance against Lake Erie. Sinclair tabbed 132 all-purpose yards on three returns. He had a 99-yard kickoff return to open the game, which ranks as the second-longest return in program history.
Men’s Golf
Connor Curry / Malone University / Gr. / Mount Vernon, Ohio
The graduate student helped the Pioneers earn a third-place finish at the Kyle Ryman Memorial Invite. Individually, Curry was awarded Medalist Honors with a score of 216 (-6). Over the course of 54 holes, he made 16 total birdies and one eagle.
Women’s Golf
Mary Kelly Mulcahy / University of Findlay/ So. / Lima, Ohio
Mary Kelly Mulcahy finished third in a competitive field of golfers at the William Beal Fall Classic. She shot rounds of 71-69-77 (+1 total) to help the defending National Champions earn runner-up status.
Men’s Soccer
Defense: Adan Gonzalez / Trevecca Nazarene University / Goalkeeper / So. / Nashville, Tenn.
The Trojans went 2-0 this past week with wins over Walsh and Ohio Dominican. Sophomore Goalkeeper Adan Gonzalez produced another shutout and allowed just one goal on the week in 180 minutes.
Offense: Marlon Grossmann / Trevecca Nazarene University / Forward / Senior / Schwaebisch, Germany
Grossman proved an offensive threat for the Trojans as he posted two goals and an assist to help Trevecca improve to 5-7 on the year. He scored one goal in each match, including the game-winning-goal against Ohio Dominican. Grossman sits at second in the Great Midwest in goals-scored and points.
Women’s Soccer
Defense: Bri Rogers / Ashland University / Goalkeeper / Sr. / Dublin, Ohio
The No.24 ranked Ashland Eagles improved to 8-1 on the year with wins over Malone and Lake Erie. Reigning Athlete of the Week Bri Rogers added two clean sheets in the victories with two total saves. Rogers leads the conference in shutouts with seven.
Offense: McKinley Mendenhall /Ashland University / Forward / So. / Ashland, Ohio
For the second consecutive week, McKinley Mendenhall has been named the Great Midwest Offensive Athlete of the week. Mendenhall connected on three goals in two games, including a game-winner. She currently ranks fourth in the conference in goals-scored, averaging .462 per contest.
Volleyball
North Division
Defense: Macy McCauley / Malone University / Libero / So. / North Canton, Ohio
The North Canton native posted an impressive 48 digs in matches against Trevecca Nazarene and Kentucky Wesleyan. McCauley ranks second in the Great Midwest in digs at 365 on the year and averages 5.29 per set.
Offense: Journey Blevins / University of Findlay / Outside Hitter / So. / Richwood, OH
Blevins tabbed 33 kills at 4.13 per set as Findlay went 1-1 on the week. She leads the league in kills at 4.51 per set and 320 total.
South Division
Defense: Stephanie Smith/ Ashland University / Defensive Specialist / Sr. / Oakland, Mich.
Smith totaled 29 digs, three assists, and one service ace in sweeps against Findlay and Hillsdale. She recorded a team-high 20 digs in a 3-0 win over Hillsdale. Smith and the Eagles are currently on a 13-match win streak with an undefeated record in league play.
Offense: Ellie Buffler/ Trevecca Nazarene University / Outside Hitter / Sr./ Nashville, Tenn.
Ellie Buffler posted a pair of double-doubles in road wins over Malone and Walsh. She totaled 39 kills, 23 digs, and seven aces with a .266 hitting % on the week. Buffler is the service ace leader in the conference, averaging .69 per set.