INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for January 26th, 2026 are based on student-athlete performance from January 20th, 2025- January 25th, 2026.
 
Men’s Basketball
Jorge Sanchez-Ramos / Kentucky Wesleyan College/ Jr. / Guard / Madrid, Spain
Kentucky Wesleyan Panther Jorge Sanchez found an average of ten points, nine assists, 2.5 rebounds and two steals as the Panthers found two victories for the week against the Thomas More Saints and Cedarville Yellow Jackets.
 
Women’s Basketball
Erin Kaufman / Malone University / Sr./ Center / Glandorf, Ohio
Kentucky Wesleyan Panther Jorge Sanchez found an average of ten points, nine assists, 2.5 rebounds and two steals as the Panthers found two victories for the week against the Thomas More Saints and Cedarville Yellow Jackets.
 
Men’s Indoor Field
Ben Haas / Hillsdale College / Sr. / Clarkston, Mich.
Ben Haas reclaimed the top spot in the nation over the weekend, posting a season-best weight throw of 21.65 meters to claim victory at the Hillsdale Wide Track Classic.
 
Men’s Indoor Track
Julian Griffin / University of Findlay/ Gr. / Lebanon, Ohio
Julian Griffin cruised to a first-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles at the Hillsdale Wide Track Classic, clocking an NCAA provisional mark of 8.14.
 
Women’s Indoor Field
Colleen Steinmetz / University of Findlay / So. / Ansonia, Ohio
Colleen Steinmetz vaulted her way to a first-place finish, clearing 4.02 meters at the Hillsdale Wide Track Classic. Her mark currently ranks sixth in Division II this season.
 
Women’s Indoor Track
Jade Avance / Ashland University/ Sr. / Milford, Ohio
Jade Avance recorded a time of 2:09.16 in the 800 meters, earning an improved NCAA provisional mark for nationals. Her performance ranks No. 6 in Division II.
 
Women’s Swimming & Diving
Ashtyn Rickel / Malone University/ Fr. / Crestline, Ohio
Malone Pioneer Ashtyn Rickel won three events as the  Pioneers found a victory over Fairmont STate.  She placed in the following: 100 Back (1:02.91), 200 Back (2:18.47) and 200 IM (2:19.60) and was second in the 200 Medley Relay (1:55.96).
 
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Joey Lenczyk / Ashland University/ Sr. / Huron, Ohio
Ashland Eagle  Joey Lenczyk will be heading to the NCAA Division II Championships  as he placed first in the men’s one-meter dive as he scored 315.40 points.
 
Wrestling
Emilio Arellano / Tiffin University/ So. / Toledo, Ohio
Tiffin Dragon Emilio Arellano found a dramatic come-from-behind, last-second win over the 2nd-ranked wrestler in the nation Sevriano Garza of Ashland as the Dragons beat the Eagles 29-12 to improve to 3-0 in the conference.  He tied the bout with three points in the final seconds of regulation and then got three more points in sudden victory to win 7-4.