INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for March 9th, 2026 are based on student-athlete performance from February 2nd, 2026- March 8th, 2026.
Baseball
North Division
Pitcher:
Jackson Grine / Ashland University/ Jr. / Pitcher / Ney, Ohio
Jackson Grine made two appearances on the mound this week for the University of Ashland, totaling eight scoreless innings. He allowed just six hits and one walk while striking out four. Grine earned the win in relief against Winona State, tossing 5.2 shutout innings to secure the victory. Ashland has a perfect 4-0 record in Florida so far.
Player:
Nick Palm / University of Findlay/ Jr. / Infield / Tiffin, Ohio
Nick Palm powered the University of Findlay offense, batting .529 (9-for-17) with two doubles, two triples, 10 RBIs, and 12 runs scored. He was also flawless defensively, posting a 1.000 fielding percentage on 25 chances. Findlay went 3-1 against Gannon, scoring 49 runs in the four-game series.
South Division
Pitcher:
Shane Coblentz / Malone University / Fr. / Pitcher / Holmesville, Ohio
Shane Coblentz delivered four scoreless innings in relief for the University of Malone to help secure an extra win over CSP. He allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out six batters.
Player:
Ryan Bruni / Walsh University / So. / Catcher / Alliance, Ohio
Ryan Bruni was a key contributor to the Walsh offense during its weekend trip to Cary, North Carolina. In three starts, Bruni went 8-for-11 with seven RBIs, two doubles, and a triple. He also added a hit-by-pitch and a stolen base. In a 10-4 win, he went a perfect 5-for-5 with three RBIs, a double, and a triple finishing just a home run shy of the cycle.
Men’s Golf
Aiden Hibbard / Cedarville University/ So. / Elkhart, Ind.
Cedarville Yellow Jacket Aiden Hibbard claimed medalist honors at the Sapona Intercollegiate with rounds of 69-72-68-209 (-4) at the 6,620 yard, par 72 Sapona Golf Club in Lexington, NC. It is his second individual title in six tournaments this season.
Women’s Golf
Sydney Hugo / Walsh University/ Sr. / Chonburi Pattaya, Thailand
Cedarville Yellow Jacket Sydney Hugo went 75-83-76 to finish second at the Saddlebrook Spring Kickoff.
Men’s Lacrosse
Defensive:
Sean House / Davenport University/ RS- Jr. /Goalkeeper/ Crofton, Md.
Sean House, a redshirt junior goalkeeper from Crofton, Maryland, recorded a career-high eight ground balls in Davenport’s win over Point Park. He also made 14 saves while playing all 60 minutes in goal to anchor the defensive effort.
Offensive:
Andrew Rogers / Northwood University/ So. / Attack/ Lowell, Mich.
Andrew Rogers, a sophomore attack from Lowell, Michigan, led Northwood to a 12-11 victory over Walsh on March 7 with a game-high seven points on five goals and two assists. Rogers scored on five of his nine shots, accounting for more than half of the team’s goals in the win.
Women’s Lacrosse
Defensive:
Annie Duncan / Ashland University/ Sr. /Goalkeeper/ New Albany, Ohio
Ashland Eagle Annie Duncan aided in the Eagles victory over Quincy, 18-10. She played in the first three quarters making six saves and allowed six goals. She has 50 saves on the season across five games.
Offensive:
Jossalyn Welch / Walsh University/ Jr. / Midfielder/ Homer Glen, Ill.
Walsh Cavalier Jossalyn Welch was a vital part in the Cavaliers 1-1 week, including their first season win against Davenport. She found 12 points with six goals and six assists; additionally, she caused two turnovers against Davenport.
Softball
Pitcher:
Maya Merrill / Cedarville University/ So. / Pitcher / Louisville, Ky.
Yellow Jacket Maya Merrill aided in the team's 3-1 week at the Space Coast Spring Games in Florida. She posted a 3-1 record with a 1.40 ERA inside the circle. She struck out 28 batters in 30 innings pitched with just seven walks.
Player:
Ashley Ziel / Northwood University / Sr. / Designated Player / Vassar, Mich.
Northwood Timberwolf Ashley Ziel led the team's offensive efforts as she batted .500 (10-for-20) across six games in the Space Coast Spring Games in Florida. She totaled eight RBIs, two doubles and a home run while helping lead the Timberwolves to three wins.
STUNT
Makiah Francis / Ashland University/ Jr. / Clyde, Ohio
Ashland Eagle Makiah Francis aided the Eagles in going 3-1 in Texas, including a win over Division I Central Arkansas. She had the team;s highest average rating for the weekend (36.25), contributing to her overall season rating of 30.11. After the weekend, Francis has played 249 rounds and contributed 192 points.
Men’s Tennis
Harry Senior / Tiffin University/ Fr. / Wigan, U.K.
Harry Senior went 3-1 in singles play and 2-1 in doubles during Tiffin’s 4-2 spring break trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina. The nationally ranked No. 14 Dragons earned clutch wins from Senior against Marian in a decisive three-set match and against No. 10 Assumption in a 6-1 upset victory.
Women’s Tennis
Maria Batinic / University of Findlay/ Fr. / Shelby Toenship, Mich.
Maria Batinic helped lead the University of Findlay to a 2-0 week with wins over Queens and No. 21 Adelphi. She posted 2-0 records at No. 3 doubles and No. 2 singles, including a victory over Queens’ Maria Nertran De Balanda, who is ranked sixth in the East Region.