INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for August 31st, 2026 are based on student-athlete performance from August 24th, 2026- August 31, 2026.
 
Football
Defense: Sean Westmoreland  / Ohio Dominican University / So. / Defensive Back / Dayton, Ohio
Westmoreland grabbed two interceptions in the Week 0 win over FCS Morehead State. He was one of five players in Division II with two picks in a game for Week 0. He finished the game with eight tackles, including six solo tackles.

Offense: Ronald Blackman / Tiffin University / Grad. / Running Back / Gahanna, Ohio
Fifth-year running back Ronald Blackman opened the season in explosive fashion, rushing for 144 yards and two touchdowns in Tiffin's 41-38 last-second loss at (RV) Carson-Newman. Blackman eclipsed the 3,000-career rushing yard mark in the first quarter and averaged 5.4 yards per carry, highlighted by a 54-yard run.

Special Teams: Ian Furlong / Ohio Dominican University / Jr. / Punter / Saline, Mich.
Furlong averaged 43.3 yards per punt over eight attempts with a long of 55 yards. He had two punts inside the 20-yard line and two punts of over 50 yards.

Men’s Soccer
Offensive:
Leo Egerer / University of Findlay / Sr. / Forward / Erlangen, Germany
 Eger helped the Oilers start the year 2-0 with wins over West Virginia Wesleyan and at home vs Lock Haven by scoring a goal in each game.

Defensive:
Jaime Duran / Ashland University / Jr. / Goalkeeper / Madison, MS.
 In his first start and action for the Eagles, junior goalkeeper Jaime Duran earned the clean sheet, ending with three saves.

Women’s Soccer
Offensive:
Raegan Smith / University of Findlay / Graduate Student / Forward / Zionsville, Ind.
Findlay split their opening games this year, defeating Point Park 2-0 then losing to Fairmont State 2-1. Raegan Smith scored both of Findlay’s goals in their win versus Point Park. 

Defensive:
Gianna Parmentier / Tiffin University / Freshman / Goalkeeper / Rochester Hills, Mich.
 In Gianna Parmentier’s first two collegiate games, she went 1-0-1 in goal. She made a total of seven saves in Tiffin’s two games across 176:11 for a save percentage of 77.8. 

Volleyball
North Division
Ellie Fles / Hillsdale College / Jr. / Middle Hitter/ Outside Hitter / Byron Center, Mich.
Ellie Fles led Hillsdale to a 3-0 weekend at the Wayne State Warrior Invite, averaging 3.73 kills, 3.09 digs, and 0.64 blocks per set while earning Tournament MVP honors. She led or tied for the team lead in kills in all three matches, including a 16-kill, 14-dig double-double against RV Wayne State. 
 
South Division
Lauren Dinunzi / Ohio Dominican University / Sr. / Libero / Louisville, Ky.
Lauren Dinunzi had 44 digs in 11 sets for a 2-1 weekend at Trevecca Nazarene while averaging 4 digs per set with four service aces.
 
East Division
Jenna Shedden / Ashland University / So. / Outside Hitter/ Defensive Specialist / Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Jenna Shedden assisted Ashland to a 3-0 weekend at the Findlay Classic, where she earned tournament MVP honors. In the teams 3 matches, Shedden totaled 49 kills, 1 assist, 21 digs, 5 total blocks, and a .261 hitting percentage. She also had no fewer than 12 kills a match, leading to an upset over Findlay.