INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for September 23rd, 2024 are based on student-athlete performance from September 16th, 2024- September 22nd, 2024.
 
Football
Defense: Jack Talkington / Ashland University/ So. / Linebacker / Magnolia,Ohio
AU’s Jack Talkington was outstanding against Hillsdale this past weekend. The Eagles were able to secure their first win of the 2024 season as Talkington led the defense with nine total tackles. He also recorded six points of his own with a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown.
 
Offense: Matthew Rueve / University of Findlay/ Sr. / Quarterback / Cincinnati, Ohio
Rueve and Findlay’s offense yet again continued to thrive through another week. He tossed for 236 yards and four touchdowns on 21 passing attempts to help lead the Oilers past Lake Erie in a 42-6 win. His recent play has also been some of the best in Findlay’s history as he became just the second Oiler quarterback to have nine passing touchdowns in his first three career starts. 
 
Special Teams: A.J. Rhodes / Ashland University / Jr. / Kicker / Wooster, Ohio
Rhodes helped to lead AU to a victory over Hillsdale, knocking through the game-winning field goal with 1:46 left to go in the fourth quarter. He also cleanly kicked through three extra points in the 24-21 victory.
 
Men’s Cross Country
Talel Khalfi / Tiffin University / Gr. / Mansoura, Kairouan, Tunisia
Khalfi was the top finisher for TU at the All-Ohio Championships, finishing in 4th place out of 432 runners. He posted a time of 24:50.9, helping the Dragons finish 7th place overall.  
 
Women’s Cross Country
Corinne Lynch / Cedarville University / Jr. / Perry, Ohio
With a 6K time of 21:41.8, Lynch was the individual runner-up at the All-Ohio Classic this Friday. Lynch was one of three Lady Jackets in the top six finishers, leading Cedarville to their third straight All-Ohio trophy.
 
Men’s Golf
Luke Metzger/ University of Findlay / Jr. / Mason, Ohio
Metzger placed second in Hillsdale's Get To Foundation Invitational with a score of even par (216) with rounds of 73,70, &73. His consistent play helped the Oiler's finish second as a team.
 
Women’s Golf
Mary Kelly Mulcahy/ University of Findlay / Sr. / Lima, Ohio
In her 11th career win, Mulcahy came away with the Folds of Honor Challenge title, winning by three shots and shooting an even par (213). Against a very competitive pool of nationally-ranked opponents, Mulcahy's medal also led the Oilers to an exciting team victory. 
 
Men’s Soccer
Defensive:
Soufian Khaloufi/ Kentucky Wesleyan College / So. / Goalkeeper/ Madrid, Spain
In both of Wesleyan's road wins, Khaloufi tallied 90-minute shutouts with a combined 13 saves. Khaloufi notched a season-high eight saves against Findlay, leading the Panthers to a notable 2-0 victory. 
 
Offensive:
Luke Peperak / Lake Erie College / Gr. / Forward/ Connelsville, PA
With two goals, one assist, and five points on five shots, Peperak played an integral role in the Storm's 2-1 record this week. Peparak's goal in the 50th minute against Ohio Dominican sealed LEC's 3-1 victory against the Panthers. 

Women’s Soccer
Defensive:
Amelia Henderhan / Malone University / So. / Goalkeeper/ Louisville, Ohio
Henderhan tallied 14 saves on 27 shots faced in the Pioneer's two conference wins on the road this week. Both victories were shutouts because of Henderhan's consistent presence in goal. 
 
Offensive:
Dani Hicks / Ashland University / Jr. / Forward/ Lebanon, Ohio
Hicks tallied three goals and one assist in the Eagle's two victories this week. Her lone goal in the 54th minute against Findlay contributed immensely to Ashland's home win. 
 
Women’s Tennis
Jemimah Choi / Tiffin University / So. / Wrexham, U.K.
Choi stapled her name into Tiffin's history books, teaming up with doubles mate Emily Barrett to reach the ITA Championships semifinals in Allendale, Mich. They became the first doubles team to reach the semifinals in Dragon’s history. The pair won three matches to reach the semi-final round, before falling to Wayne State, 8-4. In solos play, Choi beat Findlay, 7-5, 6-7 and Purdue Northwest 6-4, 6-3.
 
Volleyball
North Division
Sydney Hasenfratz / Northwood University/ R-Jr. / Middle Back/ Clarkston, Mich.
Northwood has continued to sit towards the top of the North standings with a 7-1 overall record, and Hasenfratz has been a staple for the Timberwolves. She averaged 3.56 kills, 1.33 blocks and 4.33 points per set this past week through conference play. She recorded an impressive 13 kills and five blocks against Cedarville before putting up 19 kills in a 3-2 comeback win over Ohio Dominican.
 
South Division
Ebony Gomez / Thomas More University / Jr. / Outside Hitter/ Merida, Venezuela
Yet again, Gomez takes home Player of the Week honors. This past week, she helped lead the Saints to a perfect 3-0 record while posting 47 total kills and six blocks. Against Malone, she recorded a career-high of 27 kills.
 
East Division
Abbey Queen / Ashland University / So. / Libero / Powell, Ohio
In her sophomore season, she has taken flight for the Eagles. Queen helped to rally the team down 2-1 to Tiffin, responding with AU taking the next two sets in a 3-2 win. She finished with 37 digs, the second-most in a match in Eagle volleyball history. Due to her recent play, she leads all G-MAC players in digs per set in 2024.