INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for October 24^th , 2022 are based on student-athlete performance from October 18^th, 2022- October 23rd , 2022.
 
Men’s Cross Country
Zach Kreft / Walsh University / Gr. / Sunsbury, Ohio
Zach Kreft from Walsh University is this week’s Great Midwest Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week. Kreft dominated at the Go Fast River Run this past weekend. He won the 8K event with a time of 20:03.27. Kreft’s time broke the course record and helped the Cavaliers earn first-place status at the meet.
 
Women’s Cross Country
Savannah Ackley / Cedarville University / So. / Hart, Mich.
With a 5K time of 17:25.7, Savannah Ackley placed fifth out of 400 runners at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Invitational. As a team, the Yellowjackets were victorious over 44 teams.

Football
Defense: Michael Powers/ Ohio Dominican University/ Jr. / Linebacker / West Mansfield, Ohio
Michael Powers was a dominant defensive force for the Panthers in a 49-7 win over Kentucky Wesleyan. Powers registered six total tackles (three solo) and 0.5 tackles for loss. On the first play of the game, Powers scored on a 20-yard fumble recovery. He also had one 57 yard- interception return for a touchdown.
 
Offense: Gerald Gardner / Lake Erie College / Sr. / Quarterback / Houston
The Houston, Texas native led the Storm in their second-consecutive victory of the season. Gardner threw for 344 yards and accounted for three of Lake Erie’s touchdowns. He was 23-37 on the day in a 21-18 victory over Northwood.
 
Special Teams: Izzy Ogunmoyero/ University of Findlay /Fr. / Linebacker / Indianapolis
Freshman Izzy Ogunmoyero recovered and scored a blocked punt to put the Oilers up 34-13 against Hillsdale.

Women’s Golf
Sydney Hugo/ Walsh University / Fr. / Chonburi Pattaya, Thailand
For the second time this season, Freshman Sydney Hugo has been named the Women’s Golf Athlete of the Week. Hugo fired an opening round of two under par 70 and was tied for first place after day one at the Music City Invite. She carded a 77 in round two for a seventh place finish overall.
 
Men’s Soccer
Defense: John Oshakpemhe / Tiffin University /Jr. / Defender / Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria
Oshakpemhe led a defense that recorded their ninth shutout of the season. The Dragons won 2-0 against Malone and held the Pioneers to just one shot on goal. Oshakpemhe connected on one goal in the victory.
 
Offense: Tom Akinola / Lake Erie College / Sr. / Forward / Caledon, Ontario
The Senior Forward helped the Storm go 2-0 on the week with wins over Malone and Northwood. Akinola scored four goals and had one assist to help Lake Erie clinch a spot in the Great Midwest tournament.  
 
Women’s Soccer
Defense: Brooke Ackley / Cedarville University / Jr. / Goalkeeper / Worthington, Ohio
Ackley tabbed two shutouts on the week. She currently has five this season and 15 in her career as a Yellowjacket. The Worthingon, Ohio native led Cedarville to a regular season championship and extended their win-streak to 11.
 
Offense: Kristen Dickison / Tiffin University / Sr. / Forward / Pleasasnt Hill, Ohio
Dickison had a record-breaking performance for the Dragons. In two matches, she scored four goals on nine total shots. She broke Tiffin’s DII All-Time Career Goals record with 29 and leads the conference in goals with 18 and in points with 37.
 
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Matteo Filippi / University of Findlay/ Fr. / Bologna, Italy
The Freshman helped the Oilers defeat Saginaw Valley State University by a score of 548.5 to 547.9. Filippi won the 500 free with a 4:44.73 time as well as the 1000 free. His 1000 free time of 9:23.84 broke both the Great Midwest and Findlay’s record in the event.
 
Women’s Swimming & Diving
Emily Mears- Bentley / University of Findlay/ Fr. / Leicester, England
Emily Mears-Bentley is this week’s Women’s Swimming & Diving Athlete of the week. She won both the 100 and 200 free. Mears-Bentley finished the 100 free event with a time of 52.58 and a 1:55.13 time in the 200 free.
 
Volleyball
North Division
Defense: Alli Wiese/ Hillsdale College/ Libero/ So. / Mattawan, Mich.
Wiese helped Hillsdale move into a first-place tie in the Great Midwest with wins over Northwood, Ursuline, and Lake Erie. She averaged 5.72 digs per set  at 63 total across three matches. Wiese also tied her career-high with 38 digs in a five-set win over Northwood. The Sophomore Libero also posted 12 aces and tied her career-high with six against Northwood. Alli Wiese currently leads the Great Midwest in digs per set and is third in service aces.
 
Offense: Sydney Hasenfratz / Northwood University/ Middle Blocker / Fr. /Clarkston, Mich.
The Freshman posted an impressive statline with 5.42 kills per set and a .491 attack percentage. Hasenfratz also tabbed 1.5 blocks per set and 2.08 digs per set. Her 34 kills against Hillsdale are the second-most of any Division II player this season. It is also the second-most in Great Midwest History.
 
South Division
Defense: Kaylee Freund/ Tiffin University / Outside Hitter / Fr. / New Bremen, Ohio
Freund tallied 16 kills with a .294 hitting percentage. She led the team with one solo block and 12 blocks assists.
 
Offense: Zoey Peck/ Ashland University / Setter / Gr. / Homeworth, Ohio
Peck dished out an impressive 61 assists at 10.71 per set. She also added 1 service ace, 15 digs, and three block assists. Zoey Peck ranks second in the Great Midwest in assists at 856 on the year and 10.31 per set.