INDIANAPOLIS--The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for October 3rd, 2022 are based on student-athlete performance from September 27th, 2022-October 2nd, 2022.
Men’s Cross Country
Zach Kreft / Walsh University / Gr. / Sunbury, OH
Kreft had another record-breaking performance this past weekend at the Paul Short Invitational. The graduate student registered an 8K time of 23:14.9 that earned him 8
th place overall among 500+ runners across all divisions. The 23:14.9 time shattered both Walsh’s school record and ranks as the fastest time in Great Midwest History.
Women’s Cross Country
Liz Wamsley / Hillsdale College / So. / St. Louis, MO
Liz Wamsley was the top G-MAC finisher in the highest division race at the Live at the Lou Classic. Wamsley placed 51
st overall and posted a personal-best time in the 5K race at 17:38.5. She helped the Chargers finish 24
th out of 41 teams.
Football
Defense: Ramond Jackson/ Kentucky Wesleyan College / Sr. / Defensive Back / Lexington, KY
The senior defensive back helped the Panthers upset Hillsdale College in their first conference win of the season. Jackson registered seven total tackles, including three solo. He stuffed the stat sheet with two pass breakups, one QB hurry, and 0.5 tackles for loss. Ramond Jackson also caught two interceptions on the day, including one in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory for Kentucky Wesleyan.
Offense: Austin Brenner / Ashland University / Gr. / Quarterback / Copley, OH
No. 6 Ashland University remained undefeated behind fifth-year quarterback Austin Brenner. He was 17-25 on the day for 306 yards. Brenner accounted for two of Ashland’s touchdowns and recorded 32 rushing yards for the Eagles.
Special Teams: Anthony Lowe / Tiffin University / Jr. / Wide Receiver / Grove City, OH
Lowe tabbed 336 all-purpose yards for the Dragons as they defeated the Lake Erie Storm in a 52-27 victory. He recorded a game-high 139 receiving yards, 106 yards in punt returns, and 88 yards in kick returns. Lowe averaged 53.0 yards per punt return, including a 91-yard return for a touchdown. In kick returns, he posted an average 44.0 yards per return as well as an 85-yard touchdown.
Women’s Golf
Emily Liptak / Walsh University / Fr. / Akron, OH
The Freshman recorded her second win of the fall season at the Gilda’s Club Laker Invite, which consisted of a strong regional field of golfers. Liptak shot an opening round of -1 under par at 71 and finished at 76 on the final day.
Men’s Soccer
Defense: Ty Bowden / Ashland University / Goalkeeper / So. / Pickerington, OH
Bowden helped the Eagles go 2-0 on the week with wins over Kentucky Wesleyan and Trevecca Nazarene. He registered four saves and had one shutout between the two matches. Bowden allowed only one goal and sits at third in the conference in goals against average at 1.2.
Offense: Anthony Birus/ Malone University / Midfield / Fr. / Ontario, Canada
The Pioneers secured their first conference victory in an upset over #11 Walsh University. Freshman midfielder Anthony Birus was credited with the game-winning goal against the Cavaliers. Birus also scored two goals in a 4-2 loss at Findlay.
Women’s Soccer
Defense: Bri Rogers/ Ashland University / Goalkeeper / Sr. / Dublin, OH
The senior goalkeeper helped the Eagles improve to 8-3 on the season. Rogers recorded two clean sheets as she had shutouts against Kentucky Wesleyan and Trevecca Nazarene. She totaled six saves on the week and leads the Great Midwest in shutouts at five on the year. Rogers also ranks in the top-ten in saves and goals against average.
Offense: McKinley Mendenhall /Ashland University / Forward / So. / Ashland, OH
Mendenhall scored two goals on the week in victories over Kentucky Wesleyan and Trevecca Nazarene. In each match, she scored one goal and was credited with one assist. She currently leads the Great Midwest in assists at eight on the year and .727 per game.
Men’s Tennis
Brennan Cimpeanu / Hillsdale College /Jr. / Troy, MI
Brennan Cimpeanu went undefeated (4-0) in singles. He was victorious over both Northwood and Walsh’s top singles players. Cimpeanu also went 2-0 in doubles with partner Sean Barstow.
Women’s Tennis
Anamarija Kovacevic / University of Findlay /Fr. / Belgrade, Serbia
Kovacevic earned runner-up status at the ITA Regionals. She went 5-1 overall and reached the quarterfinals of the doubles tournament.
Volleyball
North Division
Defense: Emma Meyer / University of Findlay / Middle Hitter / Sr. / Anna, OH
Findlay extended their win-streak to 10 with three victories over Malone, Ohio Dominican, and Cedarville. Emma Meyer had a strong defensive performance in all three matches as she posted 19 blocks at 1.58 per set. She also added 17 kills and seven digs.
Offense: Journey Blevins / University of Findlay / Outside Hitter / So. / Richwood, OH
Blevins has been named the Great Midwest Athlete of the week for the North Division for the fourth straight week. The sophomore was dominant in Findlay’s wins as she recorded 55 kills, seven blocks, and 25 digs. She leads the conference in kills per set at 4.56 as well as in points at 311.25 on the year.
South Division
Defense: Emilee McDonald / Trevecca Nazarene University / Setter / Jr. / Lebanon, TN
Emilee McDonald has been name Athlete of the Week for the South Division for the second consecutive week. McDonald had 100 assists at 10.0 per set. She also had two double-doubles with a .333 hitting percentage for the week with 13 kills, 26 digs, four service aces, and two blocks.
Offense: Kaley Matney / Cedarville University / Setter / Fr. / Fort Wayne, IN
Matney has been named Athlete of the Week for the South Division after performances against Ohio Dominican, Hillsdale, and Findlay. Against the nationally-ranked Chargers, Matney had a career-high 54 assists and 16 digs in the upset. On the week, Matney totaled 136 assists, 22 digs, and four kills.