INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for September 5^th, 2022 are based on student-athlete performance from August 30^th, 2022- September 4^th, 2022.
 
Football
 
Defense: Jaylin Garner / Ohio Dominican University / Gr. / Defensive Line / Shaker Heights, OH
Jaylin Garner led the Panthers to a 28-14 victory over the defending Great Midwest Champions Findlay. Garner registered four sacks, tying the G-MAC single-game record for sacks and breaking the ODU record in this category. The graduate student also posted four tackles for loss, one pass breakup , and one QB hurry.

Offense: Luke Keller/ Hillsdale College / Sr. / Quarterback / Zionsville, IN
In his first game back after a season-ending injury in 2021, Quarterback Luke Keller accounted for all five of Hillsdale’s touchdowns as they beat the Lake Erie Storm in a thrilling 35-31 victory. Keller was 15 for 20 on the day for a total of 279 yards. The Senior came in clutch for Hillsdale as he scored two touchdowns in the final seven minutes of play, including a 70-yard touchdown pass to win the game.

Special Teams: Max Gonos / Northwood University / So. / Kicker / Pinckney, MI
In their G-MAC debut, the Northwood University Timberwolves beat the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers 55-13. Sophomore Kicker Max Gonos accounted for 13  points as he connected on all nine of his kicks. Gonos went 2-2 in field goals and 7-7 in extra points.
 
Men’s Cross Country
 
Evan Leist / Cedarville University / Sr. / Beaver, OH
A top-performer from the 2021 season, Leist led the Yellowjackets to a third place finish at the Wright State Classic. Individually, he finished 7^th of 174 runners with a 15:15.9 in the 5K race.

Women’s Cross Country
 
Liz Wamsley / Hillsdale College / So. / St. Louis, MI
The 2021 First-Team All-GMAC honoree finished second in the 5K race with a time of 18:47.0. Wamsley led the Chargers to a first-place finish at the Olivet College Comet Open with a team score of 27.
 
Men’s Soccer
 
Defense: Jared Zacharias- Cedarville University / Sr. / Goalkeeper / Bellbrook, OH
The Senior Goalkeeper led Cedarville as they went 1-0-1 over the weekend with a win over CalU of PA. Zacharias recorded two shutouts over the weekend including three saves in a tie against McKendree. He tabbed his 11^th career shutout, making this the first time the Yellowjackets have started a season with three shutouts since 2013.

Offense: David Hug- University of Findlay / Sr. / Midfield / Stuttgart, Germany
The Oilers improved to 2-1 over the weekend with a 4-1 win over Purdue Northwest. Senior David Hug led the way as he scored two goals, including the game-winner. Hug ranks first in the conference in goals-scored and game-winning goals.
 
Women’s Soccer
 
Defense: Bri Rogers- Ashland University / Sr. / Goalkeeper / Dublin, OH
Rogers had five saves over the weekend, including three against #18 Ferris State. She helped the Eagles improve to 2-2 on the season and ranks third in the conference in shutouts per game.

Offense: Nicola Ehrbar- Ursuline College / So. / Forward / Chesterland, OH
The sophomore forward proved a dominant offensive-force for the Arrows in a 4-0 victory over Wheeling University. Ehrbar scored three of four Ursuline goals, all in the first half. Ehrbar ranks fifth in the conference in goals scored and third in points.
 
Volleyball
 
North Division
Defense: Alli Wiese- Hillsdale College / So. / Libero / Mattawan, MI
The reigning Athlete of the Week posted another strong defensive effort for the Chargers as they went 3-1 in their home invite, including a sweep over #17 Gannon University. Wiese finished with 85 digs at 5.67 per set and also added five service aces. She currently ranks fourth in the conference in digs per set at 5.16.

Offense: Marilyn Popplewell- Hillsdale College / So. / Outside Hitter / Mason, OH
Popplewell earned Invitational MVP as she finished the weekend with 50 kills and a hitting percentage of .233. She tied her career-high in kills against #17 Gannon at 18. Popplewell sits at ninth in the G-MAC in kills per set at 2.80
 
South Division
Defense: Katie Thompson- Ashland University / Jr. / Libero / Independence, OH
The Junior Libero registered 101 digs in five matches as the Eagles went 3-2 over the weekend. Thompson had 34 digs against Bentley, which is the second most in program history. She ranks second in the conference in digs at 142 on the year and 5.26 per set.

Offense : Erin Krupar – Ashland University / Gr. / Outside Hitter / East Sparta, OH
Erin Krupar posted an impressive stat line over the weekend with 72 kills, four assists, three service aces, and 58 digs. The graduate student recorded a hitting percentage of .287 and also added 14 total blocks. Krupar sits at fifth in the conference in kills at 3.15 per set.