INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for October  27th, 2025 are based on student-athlete performance from October 20th, 2025- October 26th, 2025.
 
Football
Defense: Eddie Nichols / Walsh University/ RS-So. / Linebacker / Rockford, Ohio
During the Walsh Cavaliers victory over the Thomas More Saints, Walsh’s Eddie Nichols found eight tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery that was taken 90-yards for a touchdown.
 
Offense: Denny Furlong / University of Findlay/ Jr. / Wide Receiver / Evergreen Park, Ill.
The Findlay Oilers took down the Ohio Dominican Panthers, 27-20, improving to 8-0 for the sixth time in program history.  Leading the charge was Oilers’ Denny Furlong with six receptions for 136-yards and three touchdowns. He continues to lead the conference in total receiving yards, yards per game, and is second in touchdowns.  He’s the first Oiler with four 100-yard receiving games in a season since 2019.
 
Special Teams: Shea Ruddy / Hillsdale College/ Jr. / Wide Receiver / Temperance, Mich.
Hillsdale Chargers’ Shea Ruddy became the only player in the conference with multiple kickoff returns this season, running back a kickoff 90-yards for a touchdown in a 35-10 win over the Lake Erie Storm.  His 582 total kickoff return yards this season are more than double the second-place total in the conference. Ruddy also caught a 74-yard touchdown pass against the Storm and finished with a team-leading five catches for 107 yards on offense.
 
Men’s Golf
Luke Metzger / University of Findlay/ Sr. / Mason, Ohio
The Findlay Oilers finished as runner-ups at the Intercollegiate at Nemacolin behind the number seven Grand Valley State Lakers.  Findlay’s Luke Metzger made the all-tournament team as he finished fifth firing rounds of  75, 71, 73 (219 | +3).
 
Women’s Golf
Ashleigh Duflo / University of Findlay/ Jr. / Ada, Mich.
The Findlay Oilers tied for third at the Intercollegiate at Nemacolin behind the number three Grand Valley State Lakers and University of Indianapolis Greyhounds, and tying with the North Georgia Nighthawks.  Findlay’s Ashleigh Duflo made all-tournament team with rounds of 77, 77, 76 (230 | +14).
 
Men’s Soccer
Offensive:
Jersey Lopez / Kentucky Wesleyan College/ So. / Midfield/ Wolverhampton, England
During the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers 4-2 victory over the Northwood Timberwolves, Panthers Jersey Lopez tallied two goals and an assist for a total of five points in the match.  The Panthers have now won six of their last eight games with the other two being draws.
 
Defensive:
Kirk Wilson / Cedarville University/ Sr. / Defender/ Walnut Creek, CA.
During two victories, 4-0, against the Northwood Timberwolves and Malone Pioneers, Cedarville Yellow Jackets extended their shutout to seven straight games.  Kirk Wilson led a defensive effort that allowed for just three shots on goal for the week. Wilson was also credited with the game-winning goal against the Pioneers. 
 
 
Women’s Soccer
Offensive:
Addison Williams / University of Findlay/ Fr. / Forward/ Waterville, Ohio
The Findlay Oilers beat the Kentucky Wesleyan College 6-0.  Oilers Addison Williams found three goals and her second hat trick of the season.  She scored those goals in 39-minutes of play.
 
Defensive:
Jaya Daniel/ Ashland University/ Fifth Year / Goalkeeper / Charlottesville, VA.
The Ashland Eagles won two home matchups versus the Walsh Cavaliers and the Ursuline Arrows.  Eagles Jaya Daniel allowed zero goals and made four saves against the Cavaliers and allowed just one goal and made three saves against the Arrows.
 
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Sebastian Camacho / University of Findlay/ Fr. / Cali, Colombia
Findlay Oilers Sebastian Camacho set three school records for the Oilers weekend in the following events: 1650 free (15:11.35 | NCAA A Cut), the 1000 free (9:14.32) and the 200 free (1:36.85 | NCAA B Cut).  He also won the 400 IM (3:58.05), the 500 free (4:30.29) and the 400 free relay (2:57.79).
 
 
Women’s Swimming & Diving
Emily Mears-Bentley / University of Findlay/ Sr. / Leicester, England
In the Findlay Oilers Emily Mears-Bently won with the NCAA B-Cut in the 200 butterfly (2:00.89), won 400 medley relay (3:44.53 | NCAA B Cut), won 200 free relay (1:35.11), won the 200 medley relay (1:42.34), 100 butterfly (54.09) and 400 free relay (3:24.79).
 
 
Volleyball
North Division
Grace Auer / University of Findlay/ So./ Right Side / Lisbon, Ohio
Findlay Oilers Grace Auer aided the Oilers to a 3-0 week with straight sweeps against the Ursuline Arrows, Lake Erie Storm, and the Clarion Golden Eagles.  Auer led the team with 30 kills (3.33/s) while hitting an astounding .609 (just 46 attacks). She led the team with 25 digs, was tied for second on the team with four blocks and also added three aces.
 
South Division
Madelyn Hensley / Cedarville University / Jr. / Outside Hitter / Dover, DE.
Cedarville Yellow Jackets Madelyn Hensley averaged 4.33 K/S with a .311 attack percentage that led the Yellow Jackets to victories against the Ohio Dominican Panthers and the Gannon Knights.  She hammered 20 kills against the Panthers that ended the Panthers nine-match winning streak and moved the Yellow Jackets to lead the South Division again.  Against the Knights she added 19 kills that halted the Knights 12-match winning streak.
 
East Division
Kameron Stover / Walsh University / Fr. / Right Side /Centerburg, Ohio
Walsh Cavaliers Kameron Stover helped the Cavaliers pick up three more conference wins that moved them to 10-0 in conference play.  Her stats are as follows: 43 kills; 4.3/s, hitting % of .286, 27 digs; 2.7/s, 47.5 point; 4.7/s, 4 aces and having one double-double.