INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for February 22nd, 2026 are based on student-athlete performance from February 16th, 2026- February 21st, 2026.
Baseball
North Division
Pitcher:
Colin Becker / University of Findlay / Sr. / Pitcher / Centerville, Ohio
Colin Becker earned two wins in two appearances for the Oilers this week. Over 8.0 innings, Becker allowed just seven hits and one earned run while striking out 14 batters. He finished the week with a 1.13 ERA, helping lead Findlay to a 4-2 record.
Player:
Casey Maruniak / University of Findlay / Sr. / Center Field / Hilliard, Ohio
Casey Maruniak powered the Oilers to a 4-2 week, hitting .500 with nine runs scored, three doubles, one home run, and five RBI. Maruniak added eight stolen bases, drew two walks, and was hit by three pitches, finishing with an impressive .593 on-base percentage.
South Division
Pitcher:
Evan Oakley / Kentucky Wesleyan College / Sr. / Pitcher / Gilbertsville, Ky.
Evan Oakley struck out a season-high 10 batters across 7.0 innings of work. Oakley allowed just four hits and did not surrender an extra-base hit for the second consecutive start.
Player:
Brodey Acres / Walsh University / Sr. / Shortstop / Sylvania, Ohio
Brody Acres helped Walsh to a 3-1 start by going 9-for-16 at the plate with three doubles, one home run, seven RBI, and three walks. Acres posted a .938 slugging percentage and did not strike out all weekend, while also delivering strong defensive play.
Men’s Basketball
Gio Moore / Lake Erie College / Jr. / Forward / Silver Spring, Md.
Gio Moore guided the Storm to a 2-0 week as they continue their push for a G-MAC regular season championship. Moore averaged 18.0 points per game while shooting 65% from the field (13-of-20), adding 6.5 rebounds per game and three total blocks.
Women’s Basketball
Erin Kaufman / Malone University/ Sr./ Forward / Glandorf, Ohio
Erin Kaufman delivered a career-high 33 points in a win over Ashland, securing Malone’s first home victory against the Eagles since the 1986-87 season. For the week, Kaufman averaged 23.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 steals while shooting 10-of-19 from the field in her record setting performance.
Men’s Lacrosse
Defensive:
Cullen Green / Seton Hill University/ Jr. /Defense/ Endicott, N.Y.
Cullen Green anchored the Griffin defense in a home-opening win over Chestnut Hill, recording four caused turnovers.
Offensive:
Ryder Mulvey / Northwood University/ So. / Attack/ Caledonia, Mich.
Ryder Mulvey led Northwood to its first win of the season with a standout performance against Quincy. Mulvey scored five goals and collected nine ground balls in the Timberwolves’ 17-11 victory.
Women’s Lacrosse
Defensive:
Sydney Atkinson / Malone University/ So. /Goalkeeper/ Chardon, Ohio
Malone Pioneer Sydney Atkinson found six saves and nine shots with a .750 save percentage.
Offensive:
Karissa Allbright / University of Findlay/ Jr. / Midfield/ Hilliard, Ohio
Findlay Oiler Karissa Allbright led the team in scoring four goals on four shots and led her time with nine draw controls.
Men’s Indoor Field
Ben Haas / Hillsdale College / Sr. / Clarkston, MI
Hillsdale Charger Ben Haas held onto his NCAA Division II lead in the weight throw as he found a season’s best mark of 22.31 meters to win his event over the weekend.
Men’s Indoor Track
KJ Upshaw / University of Findlay/ Sr. / Lima, Ohio
Findlay Oiler KJ Upshaw won the Flag City Tune Up as he found a new personal best in the 60-meter dash and won the race with a NCAA provisional time of 6.73, making it the 17th best in Division II.
Women’s Indoor Field
Colleen Steinmetz / University of Findlay/ So. / Ansonia, Ohio
Findlay Oiler Colleen Steinmetz won the pole vault at the Flag City Tune Up with a height of 4.11-meters which is a personal best and the seventh best in Division II this season. It was just .01-meters shy of the meet record that was set in 2013 by Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Moon.
Women’s Indoor Track
Leah Smith / University of Findlay/ Jr. / Tiffin, Ohio
Findlay Oilers Leah Smith was the winner in the 60-meter dash at the Flag City Tune Up with a time of 7.37, allowing her to find a conference, school, meet and facility record in the event and the sixth fastest time in the country this season.
Softball
Pitcher:
Kayla Dykin / University of Findlay / Sr. / Pitcher / Avon, Ohio
Findlay Oiler Kayla Dykin found a 1-0 record and a save this week in two appearances. She found an ERA of 0.75, a WHIP of just 0.64 and pitched three innings in the second-half of a combined no hitter against IUP to begin the season; additionally, she threw 9.1 innings and allowed just one run and one walk while striking out 14.
Player:
Annika Bredel / University of Findlay / Sr. / Catcher / Jasper, Ind.
Findlay Oiler Annika Bredel started the year 6-6 at the plate as she finished the week 9-17 (.529) with two doubles, a triple, eight RBI and no strikeouts. Her on base percentage was .600 and she stole three bases.
STUNT
Makiah Francis / Ashland University/ Jr. / Clyde, Ohio
Ashland Eagle Makiah Francis collected 59 points on Sunday and contributed 22 of the 31 points against the Dragons allowing her season rating to go up 30.4.
Men’s Tennis
Jose Portillo / Tiffin University/ Sr. / Oaxaca, Mexico
Jose Portillo went 1-0 in singles play, earning a 7-6, 7-5 victory to help lead Tiffin to a 6-1 road upset over 20th-ranked Charleston.
Women’s Tennis
Ane Dannhauser / Hillsdale College / Jr. / Johannesburg, South Africa
Ane Dannhauser went 3-1 in No. 1 singles and doubles action against regional opponents Ferris State and Davenport. Dannhauser remains undefeated this spring in seven No. 1 singles matches, earning wins over Ferris State’s Madeline Peisley (6-4, 7-5) and Davenport’s Skye Vandeleur (6-4, 6-3).