INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for September 22nd, 2025 are based on student-athlete performance from September 15th, 2025- September 21st, 2025.
 
Football
 
Defense: RJ Maddox / Ohio Dominican University/ Jr. / Defensive Back / Toledo, Ohio
During Ohio Dominican University's win over Tiffin University, RJ Maddox found two interceptions. One came with 1:22 remaining in the game to solidify the win.  Maddox is tied in the league with three interceptions. This is also the first time in seven years that ODU defeated the Dragons.
 
Offense: Hayden Wickard / Walsh University/ R-So. / Quarterback / Wayne, Ohio
As Walsh University found their third consecutive win over Kentucky Wesleyan College, Hayden Wickard led the Cavs to victory in a final score of 31-7.  He found 124 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.  He’s tied as the Cavaliers leading rusher with 65-yards and two touchdowns. He leads all G-MAC quarterbacks in touchdown passes, while throwing zero interceptions.
 
Special Teams: Jarrad Kerekes / Walsh University/ R-Sr. / Kicker/Punter  / Akron, Ohio
Jarrad Kerkes was 4/4 on extra points and made a 44-yard field goal during Walsh University’s 31-7 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan College.  He found four punts that averaged 52.5 yards with the longest ball being 59-yards. His six kickoffs averaged 55.5 yards. 
 
Men’s Golf
Mark Pillar / Ashland University/ So. / Independence, Ohio
Mark Pillar earned individual medalist honors after topping Gannon’s Rasmus Seppanen on the second playoff hole at the Malone-Glenmoor Fall Invitational.  He ended regulation at 74-67-71-212 to force the playoff and earned an eagle and 11 birdies for the tournament.  His effort earned Ashland a team finish of third place in the 19-team field.
 
Men’s Soccer
Offensive:
Yaw Turkson / Tiffin University/ Jr. / Midfield/ London, England
Yaw Turkson found two goals and an assist during Tiffin University's 2-0 week.  In their 2-1 win over Ashland University, Turkson had the game-winning goal during the 90-minute mark while also finding an assist during their first goal that tied the game during the 85-minute mark.  In their 2-0 win over Malone, he scored the second goal on a penalty kick.
 
Defensive:
Mamadou Keita / Tiffin University/ Sr. / Defense/ Monrovia, Liberia
Mamadou Keita led a Tiffin University defense that allowed only five shots on goal for the week.  The Dragons allowed just three shots on goal during their 2-0 shutout over Malone and two shots on goal in a 2-1 victory over Ashland University.  He also added an assist on the game-winning goal during the 9–minute mark against Ashland.
 
Women’s Soccer
Offensive:
Dani Hicks / Ashland University/ Sr. / Forward / Lebanon, Ohio
As Ashland University went 2-0 for the week, both being 7-0 home wins against Tiffin University and Ursuline College, Hicks found four goals and three assists for 11 points for the week.  Hicks scored four goals against Tiffin and after that game leads all of Division II in goals.
 
Defensive:
Sophie Browndyke/ Cedarville University/ Sr. / Defense / West Harrison, IN.
Sophie Browndyke led the Cedarville University backline that posted back-to-back shutouts over the University of Findlay and Thomas More. The Yellow Jackets allowed just four shots on goal combined.  Browndyke also added an assist in the 2-0 win over Findlay.
 
Women’s Tennis
Anamarija Kovacevic / University of Findlay/ Sr. / Belgrade, Serbia
Findlay’s Anamarija Kovacevic finished the Hillsdale Summer Invitational with a perfect 6-0 record, winning the A draw in singles with three consecutive wins. She then teamed up with Audrey Ouellet to win the A draw in doubles.
 
Volleyball
North Division
Emma White / University of  Findlay/ Sr./ Setter / Tiffin, Ohio
As the University of Findlay beat Tiffin University in three sets (25-18, 25-20, 25-16), White found 36 assists to feed the offense which hit .321. She collected a team-high three aces and 11 digs.
 
South Division
Madelyn Hensley / Cedarville University / Jr. / Outside Hitter / Dover, DE
Madelyn Hensley led Cedarville University to back-to-back road wins to open their Great Midwest Athletic Conference play. She 17 kills against Northwood University and 21 more against Hillsdale College.
 
East Division
Sammie  DiBease / Walsh University / Sr. / Outside Hitter /Perry, Ohio
Sammie DiBease played in all nine sets during Walsh University's 3-0 week.  Her stats are as follows: 26 kills (2.9/s), .295% hitting percentage, 23 digs (2.6/set), 35-points (3.9/s), 7 blocks (.8/s) and five aces (.6/s).