INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for September 11th, 2023 are based on student-athlete performance from September 5th, 2023- September 10th, 2023.
 
Football
 
Defense: Cam Hollobaugh / Walsh University / R-Jr. / Linebacker / Warren, Ohio
Junior linebacker Cam Hollobaugh led the Cavaliers to their second straight victory, and best start since 2013 at 2-0. Hollobaugh registered 12 tackles, including seven solo. He tabbed four tackles for loss, one sack, and two interceptions, returning one back for a touchdown.
 
Offense: Christian Arrambide / Kentucky Wesleyan College / Sr. / Quarterback / Memphis, Tenn.
Kentucky Wesleyan’s Christian Arrambide had a record-breaking weekend for the Panthers. He set a new Great Midwest record with 499 passing yards in a 41-34 win over William Jewell. Arrambide set a new career-high, connecting on five passing touchdowns , including a 78-yard pass to teammate Camden Williams with 33 seconds left to seal the victory.
 
Special Teams: Luke Iden / Thomas More University / So. / Kicker / Taylor Mill, KY
Luke Iden of Thomas More University was a perfect three-for-three on field goals and four-for-four on extra points for the Saints. Iden accounted for 13 of Thomas More’s 37 points in their first win of the year.
 
Men’s Cross Country
Talel Khalfi / Tiffin University / Fr. / Kairouan, Tunisia
Khalfi was named the men’s cross country Athlete of the Week for the second consecutive week. He won his second straight race,crossing the line with a time of 23:40.60, nearly a full minute ahead of the second place finisher. Khalfi also set a new school 8K record and led the Dragons to a first place finish at the Tiffelberg Open.
 
Women’s Cross Country
Charlotte Campbell / Tiffin University / Jr. / Newark, Ohio
Campbell claimed the women’s cross country Athlete of the Week for the second straight week after clocking a 18:53.35 time at the Tiffelberg Open. She finished fourth in a field of 62 runners.
 
Men’s Soccer
Defense:  Amara Kamara / Tiffin University / Jr. / Defense / Montserrado, Liberia
Kamara led the Dragon defense that held Davenport to just three shots on goal in a 3-1 victory. Tiffin is 1-1 on the year with a 2.50 goals-allowed average.  
 
Offense: Christian Palushajn / University of Findlay / Jr. / Midfield / Macomb, Mich.
Findlay’s Christian Palushajn led Findlay to an 8-0 win over Wheeling, accounting for three of the Oilers’ eight goals. Palushajn ranks fifth in the conference in goals scored, averaging 1.00 per game.
 
Women’s Soccer
Defense: Mackenzie Simon / Ashland University / Sr. / Goalkeeper / Olmstead Falls, Ohio
Mackenzie Simon was credited with two wins, including one against No. 4 Ferris State. She allowed just one goal through two matches and made four total saves. Against Ferris State, Simon allowed just one shot on goal and recorded her third shutout.
 
Offense: Grace Ashton / Malone University / Fr. / Forward/ Strasburg, Ohio
Grace Ashton of Malone University has led the Pioneers to their best start since 2019 at 3-0 on the year. She scored two goals and assisted in two to total six points.

Volleyball
North Division
Defense: Alli Wiese / Hillsdale College / Jr. / Libero / Mattawan, Mich.
Wiese was named Outstanding Libero at the Findlay Classic, leading the Chargers to a 4-0 weekend. She averaged 4.5 digs per set, including a weekend-best 23 in a four-set win over Wayne State. Wiese also added six service aces.
 
Offense: Marilyn Popplewell / Hillsdale College / So. / Outside Hitter / Mason, Ohio
Popplewell received all-tournament honors for the second consecutive week at the Findlay Classic. She averaged 3.35 kills and two digs per set, including a 13 kill, 10 dig double-double in Hillsdale’s win over Saginaw Valley State. The Mason, Ohio native broke the Hillsdale single-match record for aces with eight against Wayne State, while also recording a weekend-best 15 kills against the Warriors.
 
Volleyball
South Division
Defense: Olivia Karhoff / Tiffin University / Sr. / Outside Hitter / Columbus, Ohio
Olivia Karhoff led the Dragons in digs in each of Tiffin’s last four matches. Karhoff totaled 68 digs, averaging 4.25 per set.
 
Offense: Makenna Belcher / Ashland University / Jr. / Outside Hitter / Marengo, Ohio
Ashland’s Makenna Belcher registered 67 kills at a .304 hitting percentage at the UIndy Invitational. Belcher also added five assists, eight service aces, 46 digs, and three total blocks as the Eagles went 2-2 on the week.