INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for January 20th, 2026 are based on student-athlete performance from January 12th, 2025- January 19th, 2026.
 
Men’s Basketball
Mekhi Elmore / University of Findlay/ Sr. / Guard / Dayton, Ohio
Findlay Oiler Mekhi Elmore averaged 28.5 points per game, six rebounds and shot 56% from the floor (19-34) as the Oilers went 1-1 playing against two of the top teams in the conference.
 
Women’s Basketball
Jenna Slates / Ashland University / Fr./ Forward / Hartville, Ohio
Ashland Eagles Jenna Slates aided in the Eagles extending their winning streak to five.  Slates ended with 14 rebounds for a second straight game and scored a game-high 23 points for her ninth double-double of the season.  Slates shot eight-of-14 from the field creating a career best of seven-of-seven from the free-throw line and adding three assists and two steals.
 
Men’s Indoor Field
Ben Haas / Hillsdale College / Sr. / Clarkston, Mich.
Ben Haas put together an outstanding performance at the Akron Al Campbell Invite, capturing victories in both the shot put and weight throw on Friday. Haas recorded a season best mark of 21.55 meters in the weight throw, which currently ranks second in NCAA Division II. He followed that effort with another season best throw of 17.79 meters in the shot put, placing him ninth nationally in DII.
 
Men’s Indoor Track
KJ Upshaw / University of Findlay/ Sr. / Lima, Ohio
KJ Upshaw sprinted to a win in the 60-meter dash at the Findlay Alumni Classic on Friday. Upshaw crossed the line in 6.78 seconds, a time that currently ranks 16th in NCAA Division II this season.
 
Women’s Indoor Field
Amelia Lutz / Hillsdale College / So. / Celina, Ohio
Amelia Lutz delivered a record-breaking performance at the Akron Al Campbell Invite, setting new school and G-MAC records in the shot put with a throw of 16.42 meters. The mark ranks second in NCAA Division II and surpasses the previous G-MAC record held by national champion Trista Fintel of Findlay by 0.30 meters.
 
Women’s Indoor Track
Anna Roessner / Hillsdale College/ Fr. / Fort Recovery, Ohio
Freshman Anna Roessner continued her impressive start to the indoor season with a standout performance on Friday, winning the 200-meter dash and finishing second in the 60-meter dash. Her time of 24.62 seconds, in the 200m, ranks 20th in NCAA Division II and is the second fastest mark in the G-MAC this season. Roessner also clocked 7.50 seconds in the 60m, finishing second only to a professional athlete, while her season best 7.36 remains the fastest time in NCAA Division II.
 
Women’s Swimming & Diving
Sasha Babenko / Hillsdale College/ Fr. / Fort Lee, NJ
Hillsdale Charger Sasha Babenko won five events to aid in the Chargers winning both the Winter Frenzy and the Vulcan Invite.  She took first in the 100 freestyle (53.78), the 50 freestyle (24.75) and 100 backstroke (58.77).  She also swam in the winning 400 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.
 
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Camilo Marrugo / University of Findlay/ Gr. / Soledad, California
Findlay Oiler Camilo Marrugo found three first place finishes as the Oilers beat Wayne State in a dual match.  He found first in the following events: 100 fly (49.99), 200 free relay 1:23.53 and in the 20 medley relay (1:31.69).
 
Wrestling
Giulian Bodiu / University of Findlay/ Sr. / Canton, Mich.
Findlay Oiler Giulian Bodiu won his fifth consecutive win of the season after a 9-1 decision.