INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for January 21st, 2025 are based on student-athlete performance from January 13th, 2025- January 20th, 2025.
Men’s Basketball
Derrick Anderson / Lake Erie College/ Sr. / Guard / Youngstown, Ohio
The Storm had a huge 2-0 week off the back of Anderson who averaged 20.5 PPG, 3.5 assists per game and two steals per game. He was able to shoot 55.5 percent from the field and 55.5 percent from beyond the arc through the two-game stretch, including leading the Storm past No. 20 nationally ranked Hillsdale.
Women’s Basketball
Zoe Miller/ Ashland University / Sr. / Forward / Berlin, Ohio
The Eagles have now won double-digit games straight, and this past week Zoe Miller was outstanding for Ashland. In wins over Findlay and Ursuline, Miller averaged 15.5 points, one assist and two steals per game while shooting 60 percent from the field. Going into a new week, she has now recorded three consecutive double-doubles.
Men’s Indoor Field
Ben Haas/ Hillsdale College / Jr. /Clarkston, Mich.
The NCAA Division II's top-ranked weight thrower in the nation, Ben Haas, finished second at the Hooser Horsepower Classic. His throw of 21.42 meters came just behind a first-place finish from a Division I athlete. At the same meet, Haas earned a second NCAA D-II provisional qualifying mark in the shot put, placing sixth with a mark of 17.10 meters. His throw currently ranks 12th in the nation at the D-II level.
Men’s Indoor Track
Colton Thress/ Ashland University / So. / Lancaster, Ohio
Colton Thress stood out at the Kent State Jud Logan Memorial meet as he won the men's 800-meter run with a new provisional mark of 1:51.64. His time pushed him to No. 9 in the nation at the D-II level.
Women’s Indoor Field
Molly Winner/ Ashland University / So. / Yorkshire, Ohio
Alongside Thress, the Eagles were able to get a standout performance from Molly Winner. She came into the day ranked No. 2 in the nation in the weight throw and No. 7 in the shot put. Her performance at the Kent State Jud Logan Memorial meet was incredible, winning the shot put (15.10m/49-feet-6 1/2) and placing second in the weight throw (19.13m/62-feet-9 1/4).
Women’s Indoor Track
Alaysia Brooks/ Ursuline College / Sr. / Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Brooks was able to take home a win in the 800-meter run at the University of Akron's Al Campbell Invitational. She recorded an NCAA provisional mark with a time of 2:09.47, placing her third in the nation in D-II. On Saturday at the Muskie Meet #1, she won the 500-meter run in a school-record time of 1:15.26, placing her 9th all-time in D-II history.
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Seth McMillen/ Malone University / Fr. / Uniontown, Ohio
The Pioneers got a great showing from McMillen this past week. He recorded a pair of fourth-place finishes in the 100-yard Breaststroke (1:02.29) and the 50-yard Freestyle (22.56) at the Oberlin Double Duels.
Women’s Swimming & Diving
Payton O’Toole/ Ashland University / So. / Pittsburgh, PA.
Payton O'Toole earned herself three wins this past week. She won the women's 1,000-yard Freestyle (11:15.28) and 100-yard Freestyle (56.10), while being a part of the women's 200-yard Freestyle relay (1:43.91).
Wrestling
Wyatt Bailey/ Ashland University / Jr. / Eau Claire, Mich.
Wyatt Bailey was a hero in the Eagles' wins over the No. 2 Glenville State Pioneers and the No. 6 McKendree Bearcats. Both wins for the Eagles came in defying fashion, with the Eagles winning 22-20 against the Pioneers and 19-18 over the Bearcats. Bailey pinned Devan Gauldin of Glenville State in 5:35 on Friday and decisioned Tyler Kaynes of McKendree, 6-5, for the win on Sunday.