INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the Week for November 9th, 2026, are based on student-athlete performance from November 2nd, 2026, to November 8th, 2026.
Football
Defense: Luke Penola / Hillsdale College / Jr. / Linebacker / Zionsville, IN
Penola recorded nine tackles, one TFL, a QB hurry, and had a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter that sealed Hillsdale's victory over Ashland, 28-17, to reclaim the Traveling Trophy in the 50th meeting between the two squads. He currently ranks sixth in the G-MAC and leads Hillsdale on the season with 81 tackles.
Offense: Brendan Zurbrugg / Walsh University / Jr. / Quarterback / Alliance, OH
In the Cavs' dominant win over KWC, Brendan accounted for 383 all-purpose yards, including 190 rushing yards (17.3 per carry) and 193 passing yards (10/14). He also accounted for 4 touchdowns, 2 passing and 2 rushing.
Special Teams: Cameron Wright / University of Findlay / Jr. / Wide Receiver / Twinsburg, OH
Oilers dominated Lake Erie in a 54-6 win. Wright had 4 punt returns for 87 yards, including a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown, making him one of only two players in the country with multiple punt return TDs this season. He also had 6 receptions for 56 yards and another touchdown.
Volleyball
North Division
Stephanie Smith / University of Findlay / Jr. / Outside Hitter / Avon Lake, Ohio
Findlay went 2-0 last week, with wins at Northwood and Hillsdale to clinch the North Division title. Junior Stephanie Smith had 29 kills (3.63/s) to lead the Oilers while hitting .304. She also had 9 digs and two blocks through eight sets.
South Division
Logan Rubel / Ohio Dominican University / So. / Outside Hitter / Cottleville, Mo.
Ohio Dominican went up against top-seeded Ashland to close out their regular season, falling 3-1 to the Eagles. Logan Rubel tallied 15 kills and 15 digs throughout the four sets.
East Division
Brynn Egbert / Walsh University / So. / Middle Blocker / New Knoxville, Ohio
Sophomore Brynn Egbert totaled 30 kills (3/s), had a hitting percentage of .390, had thirteen blocks and three digs over the Cavaliers' three games last week. Walsh went 2-1, sweeping Malone, defeating Cedarville 3-1, and then being swept by Ashland.
Wrestling
Peyton Lemon / Ashland University / Redshirt Sr. / Fredericksburg, Ohio
No. 12 Ashland opened their season with an 18-16 win over No. 10 Indianapolis at the Ohio Showcase hosted by Ohio University. Redshirt senior Peyton Lemon, No. 6-ranked at 197 lbs. Outlasted No. 4-ranked Ethan Farnell in the only Top 15 dual of the night, 14-11. Lemon is currently 5-0 through the first two weeks of competition.
Men’s Swimming/Diving
Juan Blandon / University of Findlay / So. / Cali, Colombia
Juan Blandon led the Oilers with a first-place finish in the 50 Free with a time of 20.47. He also had a second-place finish in the 100 Free with a time of 45.82 and contributed to first-place finishes in both the 400 Free Relay (3:02.74) and the 200 Free Relay (1:22.80). His performances helped the No. 10 Findlay men finish as runner-up in a competitive field behind No. 11 Wayne State and ahead of No. 17 Northern Michigan at the Hard Hat Invitational in Detroit, Mich.
Women’s Swimming/Diving
Giannitsa Garcia Lopez / University of Findlay / Fr. / Mexico City, Mexico
Giannitsa Garcia Lopez led the Oilers with a first-place finish in the 200 IM with a time of 2:10.21. She also had a first-place finish in the 400 IM with a time of 4:39.35, a second-place finish in the 500 Free with a time of 5:14.81, and helped the 400 Medley Relay team to a first-place finish with a time of 3:53.93. Her efforts helped propel the No. 8 Findlay women to team victories over T-11 Northern Michigan and No. 17 Wayne State at the Hard Hat Invitational in Detroit, Mich.