Crossroads League Announces Athletes of the Week | March 25-31
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League Athletes of the Week were announced on Monday, recognizing the league’s top individual performances from March 25 through 31. Sports Information Directors from the league institutions nominate student-athletes for the awards and vote on each week’s winners.
Baseball Player of the Week
Grant Hartley, Grace
Hartley hit .714 for Grace during a trio of wins over Goshen. The senior outfielder went five-for-seven at the plate, collected one double, one homer and six runs batted in, while also scoring four times.
Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Chris Adams, Marian
Adams fired a two-hit shutout in a seven-inning game, leading Marian to an 8-0 victory against MVNU. Adams fanned 10 over the seven frames and did not allow a run.
Softball Player of the Week
Brylee Bilger, Indiana Wesleyan
Bilger continued her power surge, adding four more home runs and another two doubles during a 5-1 week for No. 17 IWU. Bilger hit .450 and slugged 1.150 in the six games, scoring six runs and driving home 10 for the Wildcats.
Softball Pitcher of the Week
Alyssa Wagner, Indiana Wesleyan
Wagner won all four of her starts for No. 17 Indiana Wesleyan, going 4-0 on the week with just one earned run allowed in 18.1 innings. Along with the 0.38 ERA, Wagner had a sub-one WHIP and picked up 12 strikeouts.
Men’s Outdoor TF Track Athlete of the Week
Matthew Riehle, Marian
Riehle won the 400-meters and 4×400-meter relay for Marian on his home track. The senior posted a time of 49:08 in the 400 and helped the Knights to a time of 3:19 in the relay.
Men’s Outdoor TF Field Athlete of the Week
Christian Rios, Marian
Rios dominated his home meet, winning the hammer, shot put and discus. Rios hit A standards in each, breaking MU’s record and posting the top mark in the NAIA this season with a distance of 64.03 meters in the hammer.
Women’s Outdoor TF Track Athlete of the Week
Riley Hershberger, Bethel
Hershberger highlighted Bethel’s showing at the Marian Open, topping a field of 34 in the 100-meters by crossing with a time of 12.37.
Women’s Outdoor TF Field Athlete of the Week
Arriana Benjamin, Marian
Benjamin won two of her events and finished third in another at the Marian Open, scoring wins and A-standards in the shot put and discus to pace the Knights.
Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Marc Soriano, Marian
Soriano went unbeaten for Marian in two matches, going 2-0 at No. 4 singles and 2-0 at No. 2 doubles for the Knights. In MU’s loss to No. 22 Holy Cross, Soriano recorded the team’s lone singles victory and also won in doubles play.
Women’s Tennis Player of the Week
Yasmin Imamniyazova, Marian
Imamniyazova went 2-1 at No. 1 singles and 1-1 at No. 2 doubles for No. 22 Marian, highlighting her week with a 6-3, 6-1 win in singles play against No. 14 Holy Cross. The freshman’s lone setbacks were to NCAA Division I Butler.
Men’s Golfer of the Week
Augie Mann, Marian
Mann led No. 24 Marian at the Garn Invitational, ending eighth out of 116 golfers on the individual leaderboard. Mann closed well, carding back-to-back rounds of 76 in the final two rounds.