INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for September 16th, 2024 are based on student-athlete performance from September 9th, 2024- September 15th, 2024.
 
Football
Defense: Brock Cook / Northwood University/ R-Sr. / Defensive End / Birch Run, Mich.
Cook was on fire Saturday for the Timberwolves on his way to recording nine tackles, 1.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry. In a nail-biting 10-7 win over Northwood-rival and non-conference foe, Saginaw Valley State, he helped lead the defense to shutting out the Cardinals for 52:21
after the opening score.
 
Offense: Matthew Rueve / University of Findlay/ Sr. / Quarterback / Cincinnati, Ohio
The Oilers are 2-0 to start the 2024 season, and Rueve has been a critical part of that success. On the road against Wayne State this past weekend, he tossed for 281 yards and three touchdowns. He only threw nine incompletions of 35 passes and avoided being sacked against
the Warriors.
 
Special Teams: Jaffer Murphy / Lake  Erie College / Sr. / Kicker / Marion, Iowa
Murphy stood out in a number of ways for the Storm. On Saturday, he knocked through three field goals from 28, 44 and 53 yards out, helping the Storm squeak out a 28-27 win. In the victory over Post University, his 53-yard boot set a school and G-MAC record while also being
the longest-made NCAA D-II field goal in the 2024 campaign.
 
Men’s Cross Country
Mitchel Dunham / Walsh University / Sr. / Boardman, Ohio
In his first race of the season, Dunham won the RMU Colonial Invitational. His time of 24:55.5 led the Cavaliers to a 2nd place team finish out of 11 teams. 
 
Women’s Cross Country
Claire Rethman / Walsh University / Jr. / Fort Loramie, Ohio
In the Cavaliers team victory at the RMU Colonial Invite, Claire Rethman finished in 3rd place with a time of 17:36.62 (10th all time in G-MAC). Both the 1st and 2nd place finishers were from respective Division 1 schools.
 
Men’s Golf
Matthew McMullen/ Kentucky Wesleyan College / Sr. / Galion, Ohio
At the Malone-Glenmoor Fall Invite, McMullen tied for fourth individually. He carded 71-75-74—220 for the tournament, ending 4-over par to lead the AU effort.
 
Women’s Golf
Lisa Marie Schumacher/ Tiffin University / Sr. / Leipzig, Germany
Schumacher started the season off strong, winning the Midwest Ladies Collegiate with a 54-round total of 212. Schumacher’s new personal best overtakes her previous school record of 220. 
 
 
Men’s Soccer
Defensive:
Khaloufi Soufian / Kentucky Wesleyan College / So. / Goalkeeper/ Madrid, Spain
Soufian recorded a 90-minute shutout during KWC’s game against Brescia on 9/11. His two tallied saves contributed to the Bearcat’s 4-0 win.

Offensive:
Calum Newson / Kentucky Wesleyan College / Sr. / Forward/ London, England
Newson notched two goals in the Bearcats win against Brescia for the second straight season. Both goals came in just 46 minutes of play, contributing to his totaled 6 shots, 3 of which were on goal.  

Women’s Soccer
Defensive:
Lauren Welsh / Thomas More University / Jr. / Goalkeeper/ Ballyclare, Northern Ireland
Welsh recorded a shutout and had six saves in the Saints win over UIndy. These key saves helped TMU come away with a 1-0 victory.

Offensive:
Leonie Witt / Lake Erie College / Jr. / Forward/ Dortmund, Germany
In the Storm’s home opener against D’Youville, Witt’s two goals helped guide the Storm to a 4-0 victory. She totaled six shots, four of which were on goal, and also contributed an assist.
 
 
Men’s Tennis
Janis Auslands / Tiffin University / Gr. / Riga, Latvia
Auslands was a perfect 2-0 through singles play in the Northwood Hidden Duals for the Pioneers. His wins came against Northwood and Ferris, 7-6, 6-3 and 6-4, 6-4 respectively.
 
Women’s Tennis
Anaelle Lepinay / Tiffin University / Sr. / Saint Barthelemy Anjou, France
On her way to being unbeaten in singles and doubles, Lepinay was on fire at the Northwood Hidden Duals. She finished with a record of 3-0 through singles play and 2-0 in doubles. Against Saginaw Valley State she found a 6-1, 6-4 win, while taking down Northwood 6-0, 6-1. She
continued to dominate en route to a 6-0, 6-4 win over Lake Superior State, all in singles play. In doubles, she defeated the Lakers, 7-5, and beat the Cardinals, 6-4.
 
Volleyball
North Division
Hannah Miller / University of Findlay / So. / Outside Hitter/ Tiffin, Ohio
Miller helped lead the Oilers to a 2-2 record this past weekend, with tough matches against nationally ranked opponents. They were able to take down Northern Michigan and No. 20 Michigan Tech. Statistically, she led the team with 48 kills and seven aces, while garnering
attention with 37 digs.
 
South Division
Ebony Gomez / Thomas More University / Jr. / Outside Hitter/ Merida, Venezuela
This past weekend, Gomez and the Saints competed in four matches at the Kentucky Wesleyan Tournament. They went 2-2, finding wins over the University of West Alabama and Lake Superior State en route to totaling 51 kills. She now has a team-high 113.5 points and 104 kills
through eight games to start the season.
 
East Division
Kylee Urban / Ashland University / So. / Setter/ Olmsted Township, Ohio
Urban has now taken home the award in back-to-back weeks, continuing her consistent play on the court. She helped charge the Eagles to a 3-2 record this past week while totaling 169 assists, 21 kills, 11 service aces and 41 digs. Her standout game occurred against Shippensburg, nearly recording a triple-double with seven kills, 40 assists and 12 digs.