INDIANAPOLIS – The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for October 9th, 2023 are based on student-athlete performance from October 2nd, 2023- October 8th, 2023.
Football
Defense: Brandon Ross / Northwood University / Jr. / Defensive end / Hamilton, Mich.
Ross finished the week with six tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble in Northwood's 36-33 win over Findlay. His forced fumble came late in the fourth quarter that set the NU offense up for a chance to win the game.
Offense: Michael Herzog / Hillsdale College / So. / Running Back / Gahanna, Ohio
Herzog rushed for 146 yards and all three of Hillsdale's touchdowns on 5.4 yards per carry in Hillsdale's 35-21 loss at undefeated Tiffin. That’s the most rushing yards conceded by the Dragons to a single player in 2023. The sophomore currently leads the G-MAC in rushing touchdowns (9), all-purpose yards (1,019, 169.8 per game) and scoring (54 points) and is second in total rushing yards (628). That gives the running back four 100-yard rushing games in 2023 and a streak of seven straight games dating back to 2022 with at least one rushing touchdown.
Special Teams: Logan Ortt / Ohio Dominican University/ Sr. / Punter / Bellfontaine, Ohio
Ortt totaled four punts for 166 yards, averaging 41.5 yards per punt in ODU's win over Lake Erie. His long punt was 56 yards and he pinned three punts inside the 20-yard line.
Men’s Cross Country
Noah Fisher / University of Findlay / Jr. / Defiance, Ohio
Fisher finished this week’s race in 5
th place out of 337 runners. He crossed the finish line in 23:57.1 (8k) which is the second-fastest time in program history.
Women’s Cross Country
Hannah Rhem / Cedarville University/ Jr. / Newark, Ohio
Rhem won her second individual title of the season and the USTFCCCA Division II No. 17 Lady Jackets were the runner-up at the Alabama-Huntsville Invitational. Rhem covered the 5,000 meters in a winning time of 17:24.0.
Men’s Golf
Gunnar McCollins / Malone University / Gr. / Massillon, Ohio
McCollins won Kyle Ryman Memorial last week. The Pioneer shot rounds of 68, 66, 71 for a 72-hole total of 205 putting him -11 for the tournament.
Women’s Golf
Lisa Marie Schumacher / Tiffin University / Jr. / Leipzig, Germany
Schumacher finished William Beall Classic in first place. The junior shot rounds of 71, 70, 74 to give her a 72-hole total of 215 which put her -1 for the tournament.
Men’s Soccer
Defense: Ty Bowden / Ashland University / Jr. / Goalkeeper / Pickerington, Ohio
In 2-0 week for the Eagles, Bowden finished 2-0 in the goal with a 0.50 goals-against average. The junior racked up 11 saves and a clean sheet at home against Thomas More.
Offense: Vander Rocha / Ashland University/ Jr. / Midfield / Zaragoza, Spain
Rocha finished the week with three goals for total of six points. That performance included a game-winning goal at Lake Erie to keep the Eagles 2-0 for the week on the pitch.
Women’s Soccer
Defense: Hannah Jatczak / Northwood University / Fr. / Goalkeeper / St. Clair Shores, Mich.
Jatczak led the Timberwolves to a 2-0 record this week with shutout victories against both Thomas More (2-0) and Ursuline (3-0). Jatczak scored her second career goal Wednesday versus Thomas More. The Timberwolves staple in the back row allowed just four shots on goal to TMU and two on goal versus UC.
Offense: Dani Hicks / Ashland University / Gr. / Forward/ Lebanon, Ohio
Hicks led the No. 1 ranked Eagles with three goals for six points including a game-winning goal at home vs. Thomas More.
Volleyball North Division
Defense: Grace Lindquist / Walsh University / So. / Middle back / Ft. Loramie, Ohio
Lindquist was dominant on the defensive end, helping the Cavs stay undefeated this week. She totaled 16 blocks (1.3 per set), six solo blocks, and six digs. Grace's 1.3 blocks per set this week was higher than the conference leader in blocks at 1.25.
Offense: Sammie DiBease / Walsh University / So. / Outside Hitter / Clarkston, Mich.
DiBease helped lead the Cavs to three more wins this week, moving to 17-0 on the season. This week, Sammie had 38 kills (3.2 per set), 6 aces, 21 digs (1.75 per set), and 4 blocks. She also had 0 passing errors on 24 attempts.
Volleyball South Division
Defense: Katie Thompson / Ashland University / Sr. / Libero / Independence, Ohio
In 3-0 week for the Eagles, Thompson finished with 46 digs (4.6/set) while adding 11 assists and 4 service aces. Opponents hit just .065 for the week against the Eagles.
Offense: Jenna Peters / Ohio Dominican University / Jr. / Outside Hitter / Ashland, Ohio
Peters appeared in seven sets as Ohio Dominican went 2-0 over the weekend. The sophomore recorded 28 kills, averaging 4.00 kills per set. She tallied 17 against Lake Erie and 11 against Ursuline. Peters added seven digs and three blocks. She had an overall hitting percentage of .404.