INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for April 1, 2024 are based on student-athlete performance from March 25th, 2024- March 31st, 2024.
Baseball
Pitcher
Jake Carroll / Northwood University/ Sr. / Pitcher / Mattawan, Mich.
Northwood’s Jake Carroll earned pitcher of the week honors after earning one win in two relief appearances for the Timberwolves. Carroll tossed 5 ? innings, allowing just one hit and striking out 10 batters. In his six appearances this season, Carroll has posted two wins and a save while registering an ERA of 0.00.
Player
David Milam / Trevecca Nazarene University / Sr. / Catcher / Murfreesboro, Tenn.
David Milam recorded a batting average of .700 in a 4-0 week for the Trojans. Milam had a on-base percentage of .824, reaching base 14 of 18 at-bats. He then went on to add seven runs scored with two doubles and five RBIs.
Men’s Golf
Kyle Buzaki / Walsh University/ Gr. / Stow, Ohio
Kyle Buzaki of Walsh University had an impressive performance at the Findlay Spring Invite. Buzaki was the top-individual finisher and earned medalist status after shooting -7 par. In a field of regionally-ranked opponents, Buzaki fired rounds of 68,74, and 67. His 209 score included 14 birdies and a 20 foot par putt on the 54
th hole to secure the win.
Men’s Lacrosse
Defensive:
Phillip Bell / Malone University / Sr. /Goalkeeper/ Powder Springs, GA
Philip Bell led Malone to a 26-9 victory over Davis & Elkins. The senior goalkeeper gave up just six goals in 45 minutes of play while also tabbing three saves and picking up one ground ball.
Offensive:
Talon Heath / Malone University / Jr. / Attack/ Elk River, Minn.
Malone’s Talon Heath had a record-breaking weekend for the Pioneers, tying the fifth-most points in a single game with 15 points. Heath helped the Pioneers by nettings seven goals and contributing eight assists in a 26-9 conference victory over Davis & Elkins.
Women’s Lacrosse
Defensive:
Maria Mancuso / Ashland University / So. /Goalkeeper/ Brecksville, Ohio
Maria Mancuso led the Eagles to a 2-0 week with wins over Lake Erie and Ursuline. Mancuso played 75 minutes in goal, allowing just three goals and making four saves.
Offensive:
Ashley Fisher / Ashland University / So. /Midfield/ Sunbury, Ohio
Ashley Fisher led an Eagle offense that tabbed two 19-goal wins on the week. Fisher found the back of the net seven times while adding two assists for a total of nine points.
Men’s Outdoor Field
Jesse Houle / Ashland University / Jr. / Woonsocket, R.I.
Jesse Houle took home the gold in the men’s hammer throw at the Tiffelberg Open. Houle improved his provisional mark with a 64.58 meter mark to improve to No. 3 in Division II.
Men’s Outdoor Track
Brenden Jackson / Ashland University / Sr. / Sagamore Hills, Ohio
Ashland swept the outdoor track & field awards as Brenden Jackson won the track athlete of the week honors. Jackson earned a first-place finish in the men’s 400 hurdles, registering a time of 51.56 seconds. His time ranks as the fourth-best time in D2 this season. The senior also ran a leg of the 4x400 relay team that hit a new provisional mark of 3:13.62 and ranks No. 17 in the nation.
Women’s Outdoor Field
Trista Fintel / University of Findlay / Jr. / Deshler, Ohio
Trista Fintel of Findlay placed second in the shot put at Cincinnati’s Oliver Nikoloff Invite. In a field of Divison I student-athletes, Fintel threw a mark of 14.60m. She then went on to place fourth in the discus with a mark of 45.13m.
Women’s Outdoor Track
Kiersten Franklin / Cedarville University / So. / Albany, GA
Kiersten Franklin helped Cedarville finish second of 14 schools at the Yellow Jacket Collegiate Open. Franklin earned three first place finishes in the 200 meter dash (24.33), 100 meter dash (11.78), and 4x100 relay (46.57). Franklin’s 100 time tied the Cedarville program record.
Softball
Pitcher:
Emily Cox / Northwood University / Sr. / Pitcher / Troy, Ontario
Northwood’s Emily Cox went 3-0 on the week with wins over Malone, Trevecca, and Kentucky Wesleyan. Cox tossed a no-hitter versus KWC in a 10-0 win over the Panthers. For the week, she totaled 19 innings pitched, three complete games, 20 strikeouts, and just four earned runs.
Player:
Molly Koesters / Tiffin University / So. / First Base / Beavercreek, Ohio
Molly Koesters of Tiffin batted an impressive .643 in a 3-1 week for the Dragons. Koesters nine hits included three doubles and a home run for six RBIs.
Men’s Tennis
Max Wild / Northwood University / Jr. / Vienna, Austria
Max Wild posted a 4-0 combined record in both singles and doubles, leading Northwood to two conference wins over Ashland and Cedarville. Wild went 2-0 at No. 1 and then went on to tab two more victories at No. 2 doubles.
Women’s Tennis
Rafaella Platsiota / Northwood University / Jr. / Athens, Greece
Rafaella Platsiota went undefeated for the Timberwolves with a 2-0 record at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. She earned a pair of straight set victories in singles to improve to 24-6 on the year.