INDIANAPOLIS--The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for January  23, 2023 are based on student-athlete performance from January 16, 2023-January 22, 2023.
 
Men’s Basketball
Nathan Bruns / University of Findlay / Sr. / Forward / Chicasaw, Ohio.
For the second time this season, Findlay’s Nathan Bruns has been named the Great Midwest Men’s Basketball Athlete of the week. Bruns recorded stellar performances for the Oilers in games against Ashland and Malone. Bruns scored 20 points and grabbed four rebounds in a loss to Ashland. Against Malone, he led the Oilers with 24 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. On the week, Bruns averaged 22.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.
 
Women’s Basketball
Tahlia Walton / Kentucky Wesleyan College/ Sr. / Forward / Stanley, Wisc.
Through two games, Tahlia Walton averaged 18.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, three steals, and three assists for the Panthers. In a win over Hillsdale, she collected 17 points and six rebounds. Walton posted a 19 point, eight rebound performance against Northwood to help Kentucky Wesleyan improve to 10-1 in the Great Midwest.
 
Men’s Indoor Field
Eliot Cummings / University of Findlay / Jr. / Jumps / Toledo, Ohio.
Cummings finished first in two events at the Findlay Alumni Classic over the weekend. He won the men’s long jump with a 7.47 mark, which broke the previous school record. The 7.47 mark also qualified as an NCAA Provisional marl and ranks 5^th in Division II this season. Cummings also won the triple jump with a 14.12 mark, another NCAA Provisional.
 
Men’s Indoor Track
Zach Kreft / Walsh University/ Gr. / Distance / Sunsbury, Ohio.
Kreft set a new school record over the weekend in the 5K. He registered a time of 4:03.7, which is a personal best. His 4:03 time ranks fifth in Division II.
 
Women’s Indoor Field
Carrol Pauley / Ashland University/ Sr. / Throws / Kenton, Ohio.
Pauley moved up in the national rankings in the women’s weight throw this past weekend at the Youngstown State Invitational. Pauley finished second place with an improved provisional mark of 19.81 meters. The 19.81 mark ranks third at the Division II level.
 
Women’s Indoor Track
Alaysia Brooks / Ursuline College/ Jr. / Mid-Distance / Cleveland, Ohio.
Brookes won the 600 meter race at the Spire Midwest Open. She recorded a time of 1:32.89, which moves her to 4^th All-Time for this event in NCAA DII history. The 1:32.89 time also broke the Ursuline school record.
 
Men’s Swimming
Matteo Fillipi / University of Findlay /Fr. / Bologna, Italy.
Fillipi helped the Oilers defeat the Ashland Eagles by a score of 139-79. He won the 1650 free with a time of 15:52.83, an NCAA D2 B-cut time. 
 
Women’s Swimming
Elise Mason / Hillsdale College/ So. / Zeeland, Mich.
Elise Mason was victorious in the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 5:03.95. Her time qualified as an NCAA B-cut and currently ranks as the best in the Great Midwest for this event.