Crossroads League Announces Athletes of the Week | February 12-18
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League Athletes of the Week were announced on Monday, recognizing the league’s top individual performances from February 12 through 18. Sports Information Directors from the league institutions nominate student-athletes for the awards and vote on each week’s winners.
Women’s Basketball Player of the Week
Ella Collier, Marian
Collier helped No. 2 Marian improve to 16-0 in league play with 21.5 points, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals per game in a pair of wins. Collier shot 51.6 percent from the field and committed just one turnover in her 79 minutes of action.
Men’s Basketball Player of the Week
Zach Goodline, Huntington
Goodline posted a monster game in Huntington’s 99-79 upset of No. 1 Grace, ending the Lancers’ bid of a perfect season with 39 points, seven assists and three steals. Goodline added 23 in a win at SAU and averaged 31.0 points, 6.0 assists and 2.5 steals in the two critical wins.
Women’s Indoor TF Track Athlete of the Week
Claire Lange, Marian
Lange was named the Most Outstanding Female Track Athlete of the CL Championships, helping Marian to the title with wins in the 600, 4×400-relay and 4×800-relay. Lange hit A-standards in all three and added a runner-up showing in the 800.
Women’s Indoor TF Field Athlete of the Week
Arriana Benjamin, Marian
Benjamin’s performance led Marian to the Crossroads League Championship and resulted in being named the Most Outstanding Field Athlete of the meet. Benjamin won the weight throw and shot put with A-standard efforts to fuel MU’s championship weekend.
Men’s Indoor TF Track Athlete of the Week
Olivier Lifrange, Marian
Lifrange was named the men’s MVP of the CL Championships after posting a trio of A-standards in Marian’s dominant team title. Lifrange won the 400 and 4×400-relay and finished second in the 200.
Men’s Indoor TF Field Athlete of the Week
Ridge Willard, Indiana Wesleyan
Willard was named the CL Championships Most Outstanding Field Athlete on the men’s side after winning the heptathlon with the third-best point total in the NAIA this season and adding an A-standard performance and third-place showing in the pole vault.
Women’s Bowler of the Week
Amanda Kouros, Indiana Wesleyan
Kouros took home first place in the final Crossroads League Bowling Tournament of the season. Kouros led Indiana Wesleyan with a 246 in the first game and finished with 847 pins for a 211.0 average.
Men’s Bowler of the Week
Daniel Burzynski, Huntington
Burzynski won the individual title at the fourth and final Crossroads League Tourney of the season. The HU senior knocked down 897 pins and averaged 224.3 over his four games.
Baseball Player of the Week
Austin Carr, Grace
Carr powered Grace to a 3-1 series win at Tennessee Southern by hitting .500 over 12 at bats. Among his six hits were one double and two home runs, as the senior knocked in eight and scored three runs of his own.
Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Gage Gongwer, Taylor
Gongwer took the win in relief of No. 9 Taylor’s upset win at No. 1 and previously unbeaten Southeastern. Gongwer tossed 2.1 scoreless innings of relief after entering in the fifth and saw TU rally from a 6-3 deficit to secure the 11-9 win.
Softball Player of the Week
Bianca Diamond, Goshen
Diamond continued her strong start to the year by collecting hits in three-of-four at bats during a split against Saint Francis (IL). The sophomore outfielder homered once, drove in three and stole two bags in the doubleheader.
Softball Pitcher of the Week
Emmalee Hamp, Spring Arbor
Hamp picked up 26 strikeouts in 11.2 innings of work over two starts for Spring Arbor and went 1-1 in the circle with a 1.20 earned-run average in those outings. Hamp fanned 15 in a 3-2 loss at Oakland City, before retiring 11 on strikes in five shutout innings to earn a win at Brescia.