INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for December 9th, 2024 are based on student-athlete performance from December 2nd, 2024- December 8th, 2024.
Men’s Basketball
Maceo Williams / Ashland University/ Jr. / Forward / Gahanna, Ohio
Williams averaged 22 points across Ashland’s two conference victories this week, as well as 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.5 steals per game. He had a career high 6 assists against Tiffin (79-61) and shot 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
Women’s Basketball
Maeve St. John/ Northwood University / Jr. / Guard/ Howell, Mich.
St. John led Northwood to a big conference upset over No. 10 Ashland (69-58), finishing with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. She set the tone early for the Timberwolves, scoring 11 points in just the first quarter and 18 total points by the end of the first half.
Men’s Bowling
C.J. Herbers / Thomas More University / Jr. / Cincinnati, Ohio
C.J. Herbers on fire in the three tournaments he competed in this past month. He placed 29th, 61st and 67th, averaging 195 pins per game over the course of 14 games. He is the only Saint to place Top 3 for the team in each tournament.
Women’s Bowling
Lucille Petkac/ Ursuline College / Gr. / Hinckley, Ohio
Petkac was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Muskie Mash on November 2 after placing third overall with an average score of 183.4. In her fourteen individual games bowled in November, she had an average score of 180.92 and broke 200 four times.
Men’s Indoor Field
Cass Dobrowolski / Hillsdale College/ Sr. / Burtchville, Mich.
Made a big impact for the Chargers at the Findlay Opener. He was able to win the high jump with a clearance of 2.20 meters, breaking Hillsdale's 31-year-old indoor school record, a mark of 2.16 meters. It also set the new G-MAC record which was previously set by Cameron Burrows of Tiffin at 2.19. Dobrowolski now has the second highest jump at the NCAA Division II level in high jump.
Men’s Indoor Track
D.J. Duncan / Ashland University/ Sr. / Mansfield, Ohio
Duncan was impressive at the Saginaw Valley State Holiday Open where he earned a provisional mark in the men's 60-hurdle prelims. He crossed the finish line at 8.03, followed by a win in the finals with a time of 8.05. His 60-hurdles provisional mark places him No. 6 in D-II.
Women’s Indoor Field
Molly Winner / Ashland University/ So. / Yorkshire, Ohio
Winner took home the title at the Saginaw Valley State Holiday Open in both shot put (14.99 meters/49-feet-2 ¼) and women’s weight throw (18.95 meters/62-feet-2 1/4). Her weight throw mark is currently No. 1 in D-II and shot put is No. 7.
Women’s Indoor Track
Jordan Taylor / University of Findlay/ Gr. / Loudonville, Ohio
The graduate student had a successful weeekend at the Oiler Open. Taylor hit two provisional marks in the 200m (23.99) and 60m (7.29). Her 200m time is the fastest in Division II to date while her 60m time ranks 6th in the nation.
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Randy Keener / University of Findlay/ Jr. / Shinnston, W.V.
Findlay competed in the Calvin Winter Invite, featuring some of the top programs across D-II and D-III. Keener's efforts over the weekend led to him winning the 200 backstroke (1:45.57), finishing second in the 100 backstroke (47.81), and second as a member of the 200 Medley Relay (1:27.02). He also was apart of the 400 Yard Medley Relay that finished third for Findlay with a time of 3:13.08, an NCAA Provisional Standard.
Women’s Swimming & Diving
Emily Mears-Bentley / University of Findlay/ Jr. / Leicester, England
Alongside Keener, Mears-Bentley was top-notch for Findlay. She finished second in the 100 Butterfly (54.73), which was an NCAA B Standard. Alongside her stellar showing in the 100 Butterfly, she set a school record and NCAA B Standard in the 100 Freestyle (50.00). She also helped set a school record and NCAA Provisional mark of 3:23.51 as a part of a 400 Freestyle Relay that finished first. Her other top placements came in the 800 Freestyle Relay, the 200 Medley Relay and the 400 Medley Relay, all of which were top two finishes.
Wrestling
Gulian Bodiu / University of Findlay/ Jr. / Canton, Mich.
The Oilers just could not stop winning this past week. On the wrestling side, Bodiu helped lead Findlay to wins over Thomas More, Kentucky Wesleyan, and Davenport. He defeated Wyatt Walker, Gavyn Uribes and Raymond VanDyke. All his wins came by fall.