INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for November 4th, 2024 are based on student-athlete performance from October 28th, 2024- November 3rd, 2024.
Football
Defense: Jon Slaper / University of Findlay / Fr. / Linebacker / Perry, Ohio
Jon Slaper was unstoppable on the defensive side of the ball for the No. 24 nationally-ranked Findlay Oilers this past weekend. He flew sideline to sideline en route to 11 tackles, 5.5 for a loss and two sacks. In the passing game, he deflected two balls as well. His 5.5 tackles for a loss is the most by an Oiler since 2010 and the second-most by any G-MAC player in history. His efforts helped Findlay take down Walsh, 28-17.
Offense: Ty’aris Stevenson / Ashland University / So. / Tailback / Cincinnati , Ohio
The ground game excelled early and often for the Ashland Eagles on Saturday. Running back Ty’aris Stevenson led the charge with an impressive 246-yard rushing game and four touchdowns. Of his four touchdowns, two came within the 10-yard line while the others came from 84 and 39 yards out. Stevenson is the first Eagle to score four touchdowns in a game since 2016, and the first Eagle to rush for at least four scores since 2013. In the 41-14 victory over the Lake Erie Storm, his efforts helped push the Eagles to seven wins straight.
Special Teams: Joseph Weiers / Tiffin University / Jr. / Punter / Atlanta, GA
Punting can change a game, which it did for the Dragons this past weekend against Kentucky Wesleyan. Tiffin’s Joseph Weiers had a strong outing, averaging 45 yards per punt including three inside the 20-yard line. Two of his punts deep into Panthers territory directly led to a safety and interception returned for a touchdown.
Women’s Golf
Ashleigh Duflo / University of Findlay/ So. / Ada, Mich.
The Oilers finished fourth as a team in the Ralph Hayes Toyota D2 Elite Invitational, led by Duflo’s finish tied for eighth. This is the most competitive D2 tournament the Oilers have seen this fall. Duflo fired rounds of 73-79-74 to finish with a score of 217.
Men’s Soccer
Defensive:
Ty Bowden / Ashland University/ Sr. / Goalkeeper/ Pickerington, Ohio
Bowden clinched two clean sheets in the Eagle’s victories this week, with two saves against Malone (1-0) and four saves against KWC (2-0). Bowden has a 74.6 save percentage for the season.
Offensive:
Cedrik Rodach / University of Findlay/ Gr. / Defense / Meckenheim, Germany
Rodach had an impressive week, notching one goal and an assist against Northwood (6-0), then going on to score the game-tying goal against Lake Erie in the 50th minute (2-2). These performances secured the Oilers as the #2 seed in the G-MAC tournament, the team’s highest-ever regular season finish.
Women’s Soccer
Defensive:
Sophie Browndyke / Cedarville University / Gr./ Defender/ West Harrison, IN
Browndyke played a pivotal role in the net during Cedarville’s two shutouts against Ashland (0-0) and Tiffin (0-0). She leads a Lady Jacket defense that has allowed one goal in the last seven games, and their fifth straight shutout matches the school record.
Offensive:
Alyssa Stark / University of Findlay/ Gr. / Defense/ Sylvania, Ohio
Stark contributed two goals to the Oilers road victory against Ursuline this week, the first collegiate goals of her career. The Oilers also defeated the previously undefeated Northwood Timberwolves 1-0, bringing them to 2-0 this week.
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Nick Girz / Ashland University/ Jr. / Ceterville, Ohio
The Eagles competed against the Oberlin Yeos. Junior Nick Girz won the men’s 50-yard free with a time of 22.02 seconds, and the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 59.16 seconds. He also was a part of the men’s 200 free that won with a time of 1:26.35.
Women’s Swimming & Diving
Matilyn Wilhelmsen / Hillsdale College/ Fr. / Mesa, AZ
Wilhelmsen won both the 1,000 and 500 freestyle events to help the Chargers take down Malone and Wooster on Saturday. Prior to Saturday, Wooster had a 33-dual winning streak which was snapped by Wilhelmsen and Hillsdale due to the victory. Since starting her collegiate journey, she has now taken first place in every 1,000 and 500 freestyle race she has competed in.
Volleyball
North Division
Sydney Hasenfratz / Northwood University/ R-Jr./ Middle Blocker/ Clarkston, Mich.
Yet again, Sydney Hasenfratz has found herself being lauded with AOTW honors. She helped lead the Northwood Timberwolves to three sweeps this past week where she averaged 3.5 kills, 1.25 blocks and 4.69 points per set. Her hitting percentage also was top-notch, finishing at .543 for the week and 28 total kills.
South Division
Jenna Peters / Ohio Dominican University / Jr. / Outside Hitter / Vermilion, Ohio
Peters tallied 23 kills, six service aces, 11 digs and three blocks in the Panthers’ 2-0 week. Against the Thomas More Saints, she had 10 kills and in the win over Kentucky Wesleyan recorded 13 more kills, six aces and three blocks.
East Division
Arora Levengood / Walsh University / Sr. / Libero /Bolivar, Ohio
The Cavaliers were able to leave this past week with a 2-1 record. The efforts of Levengood could not be ignored as she was stout recording 44 digs, averaging out to 6.3 per set. Against the Tiffin Dragons, she had a match-high of 27 digs in the four-set win. With her consistency, she was able to set a new school record for career digs.
Wrestling
Giulian Bodiu / University of Findlay/ Jr. / Canton, Mich.
Giulian Bodiu of Findlay earned the first wrestler of the week honors of the 2024-25 season. Bodiu finished runner-up in the heavyweight bracket at the Glennville State Invite. He won his first match with a pin in 33 seconds and then went on to pin the nation’s No. 7 heavyweight wrestler in 42 seconds before falling in the championship match.