INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for April 8, 2024 are based on student-athlete performance from April 1, 2024- April 7, 2024.
 
Baseball
Pitcher
Evan Oakley / Kentucky Wesleyan College/ So. / Pitcher / Gilbertsville, KY
Kentucky Wesleyan’s Evan Oakley pitched a complete game shutout in a win over Thomas More. In seven innings of work, Oakley allowed just two hits while striking out 10 batters. He did not walk a batter in the 4-0 victory.
 
Player
Will Shannon / Hillsdale College / Jr. / First Base / Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Will Shannon was 8 of 13 from the plate for .615 for the week. Shannon’s eight hits included four doubles, a triple, and two home runs for seven RBIs. The Chargers won three games in the four game series against Lake Erie as Shannon led the way, scoring six runs on the week.
 
Women’s Golf 
Gabby Woods / University of Findlay/ Sr. / Sabina, Ohio
Findlay’s Gabby Woods had a record-breaking weekend for the Oilers at the Findianapolis Intercollegiate. Woods earned medalist status with a score of 208 (-8), shattering a Findlay program record as well as a Great Midwest record. She fired rounds of 69, 71, and 68 to help lead the Oilers to a first-place team finish.
 
Men’s Lacrosse
Defensive:
Justin Dian / Seton Hill University / Jr. /Midfield/ Lemont, Ill.
Dian scooped up three ground balls and caused three turnovers in a win over Malone. The junior midfielder also dished out one assist in the win.
 
Offensive:
Colby Bowman / Walsh University / Sr. / Attack/ Nanaimo, B.C.
In a split week for the Cavaliers, Colby Bowman was a offensive force, tabbing 20 points on the week. Against Malone, Bowman led the Cavaliers with five points, including four goals and one assist. In a win versus D’Youville, he found the back of the net eight times to set a new program record for most goals scored in a single game.
 
Women’s Lacrosse
Defensive:
Maria Mancuso / Ashland University / So. /Goalkeeper/ Brecksville, Ohio
Maria Mancuso led the Eagles to a 21-5 victory over Tiffin. In just 45 minutes in goal, Mancuso made four saves while giving up just three goals. She is fourth in the league in goals-against average at 10.51 this season.
 
Offensive:
Madeline Shewbridge / University of Findlay / Sr. /Attack/ Cincinnati, Ohio
Madeline Shewbridge led the Oilers to a 2-1 week with wins over Lake Erie and Ursuline. Shewbridge scored 11 goals while tallying nine assists to finish the week with 20 total points The senior attack also picked up five ground balls and had two draw controls.
 
Men’s Outdoor Field
Alex Mutchler / University of Findlay / Sr. / Bucyrus, Ohio
Alex Mutchler took home the gold in the pole vault at the Michigan State Spartan Invite. He cleared a provisional mark of 5.12m and currently ranks fifth at the D2 level.
 
Men’s Outdoor Track
Josh Verhoff / University of Findlay / Sr. / Kalida, Ohio
Verhoff finished third in the 200m dash at the South Florida Invitational. His personal-best time of 20.62 is the fastest time in Division II this season. Verhoff was also a member of the 4x100m relay team that finished fifth with a provisional time of 40.48.
 
Women’s Outdoor Field 
Tru Buddenberg / University of  Findlay / Fr. / Enon, Ohio
Tru Buddenberg finished tied for fifth in the pole fault in a field of Division I opponents. Buddenberg cleared a mark of 3.85m that ranks as the highest mark in the conference this season and t-16^th in the nation.
 
Women’s Outdoor Track
Kylie Ray / University of Findlay / Sr. / Pinckney, Ohio
Findlay’s Kylie Raye finished second in the 400 hurdles with a time of 59.74 seconds. Her time ranks as the second best in D2 this season. Ray was also a member of the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams that set program records and cleared provisional marks.
 
Softball
Pitcher:
Ashlan Sensing / Trevecca Nazarene University / Jr. / Pitcher / Dickson, Tenn.
Ashlan Sensing had another phenomenal week for the Trojans, who completed a perfect 4-0 week. Sensing went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. She struck out 16 batters over 12 innings pitched. She allowed just four hits with opponents hitting .100 on the week. Sensing ranks in the top 10 in the country in complete games, shutouts, and strikeouts.
 
Player:
Sydney McCormick / Trevecca Nazarene University / Sr. / First Base / Watertown, Tenn.
Trevecca swept the softball awards this week as Sydney McCormick earned player of the week honors. The senior first basemen hit .545, going 6-11 from the plate. Her six hits included two home runs and a double for five RBIs.
 
Men’s Tennis
Tyler Conrad / Hillsdale College / Sr. / Hillsdale, Mich.
Tyler Conrad earned player of the week honors for the second time this season. Conrad had a perfect week, winning at No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles to help the Chargers defeat Northwood. He recorded his 122^nd and 123^rd career win to become Hillsdale’s all-time wins leader.
 
Women’s Tennis
Yasmina Mayer / Walsh University / So. / Aalen, Germany
Walsh’s Yamina Mayer went undefeated for the Cavaliers at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. She won singles matches by scored of 6-3,-6-4, 6-0, and 6-0. At doubles, her and her partner won in straight sets.