Crossroads League Announces Athletes of the Week
AVON, Ohio – The Crossroads League announced its athletes of the week on Monday, recognizing the top performers from the week of October 2 through 8. In order to be considered for the award, a student-athlete must be nominated by their institution’s Sports Information Director.
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Josh Roth, Taylor
Roth finished fifth of 178 at the Bethel Invite to lead No. 13 Taylor to a second-place finish. Roth’s time of 25:42 was TU’s fourth-best this season and tops among all Crossroads League competitors at the event.
Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Livy Schroder, Taylor
Schroder ran the fifth-best individual time in Taylor history and ended third among 203 racers at the Bethel Invite with a time of 18:18. Schroder helped No. 10 Taylor finish second and only six points back of No. 2 Aquinas at the meet with its third-best team time in program history.
Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Alex Sokalski, Spring Arbor
Sokalski anchored No. 19 Spring Arbor’s defense in wins over Indiana Wesleyan and Saint Francis. In addition to his work on defense, Sokalski scored twice, including the game-winner in the final minute of regulation against IWU.
Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Jacob Crull, Spring Arbor
Crull scored one goal and assisted three more to help 19th-ranked Spring Arbor remain unbeaten in league play with wins over IWU and USF. Crull assisted the game-winner against Indiana Wesleyan, before striking for one goal and two helpers in the win over Saint Francis.
Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Catherine Schmidt, Marian
Schmidt picked up two wins in goal for No. 17 Marian, racking up a combined 10 saves in the pair of 2-1 victories over Grace and Mount Vernon Nazarene to keep the Knights tied for first in the Crossroads League.
Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Aubrey Schierbeek, Spring Arbor
Schierbeek’s play helped No. 2 Spring Arbor post key Crossroads League wins over RV Indiana Wesleyan and No. 21 Taylor, as the senior forward scored once and assisted two goals in SAU’s 4-1 win over IWU.
Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Eli Steiner, Indiana Wesleyan
Steiner helped Indiana Wesleyan finish off an unbeaten fall season with the Crossroads League Tournament Championship. Steiner won his lone match at No. 1 singles and went 3-0 at No. 1 doubles during the league tourney to pace the Wildcats.
Women’s Tennis Player of the Week
Lizzie Bauss, Indiana Wesleyan
Bauss led Indiana Wesleyan to the Crossroads League Tournament Championship by going 4-0 to close her fall season at 14-0 in singles play and 19-0 in doubles action. Bauss was 1-0 at No. 1 singles and 3-0 at No. 1 doubles for IWU during the league tourney.
Volleyball Attacker of the Week
Frannie Stephenson, Marian
Stephenson highlighted No. 25 MU’s two sweeps with double-digit kill totals in each outing. Stephenson slammed 12 kills in a win over Taylor and added 11 more against Lourdes, while hitting .228 on the week with 3.8 kills and 0.7 blocks per match.
Volleyball Defender of the Week
Vanessa Lay, Marian
Lay recorded a pair of 20-dig efforts in No. 25 Marian’s wins over Taylor and Lourdes. For the week, Lay averaged 7.5 digs per match, totaling 45 in the two victories without committing a receiving error.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Maria Pelak, Saint Francis
Pelak tossed up a pair of 50-plus assist performances for Saint Francis, ending with 130 helpers at a clip of 11.8 assists per match over three league outings. Pelak added 3.2 digs and 0.45 blocks per match for the Cougars.
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