INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for January 5th, 2026 are based on student-athlete performance from December 29th, 2025- January 4th, 2026.
 
Men’s Basketball
Sam Johnson / Cedarville University/ So. / Forward / Worthington, Ohio
Cedarville’s Sam Johnson led the Yellow Jackets to a victory over Kentucky Wesleyan, pouring in a season-high 27 points. Johnson was 9-10 from the field, including a perfect 2-of-2 from outside the arc. The Yellow Jackets win important

Women’s Basketball
Emma Ruhlman/ Hillsdale College / Sr./ Guard / Warren, Pa.
Emma Ruhlman led the Chargers to an upset over No. 19 Malone to help Hillsdale improve to 6-3 on the year. Ruhlman recorded her first double-double in the win with 16 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 60% from the floor and a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc.