Crossroads League Announces Athletes of the Week | January 26-February 1
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League Athletes of the Week were announced on Monday, recognizing the league’s top individual performances from January 26 through February 1. Sports Information Directors from the league institutions nominate student-athletes for the awards and vote on each week’s winners.
Women’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Week
Liv Raby, Huntington
Raby led RV Huntington to wins against Mount Vernon Nazarene and Grace with 25.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. Raby shot 66.7 percent from the field in the two wins and also secured a milestone with her 1,000th-career point.
Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Week
Madisyn Bailey, Marian
Bailey powered fifth-ranked Marian to two more wins, recording 2.5 steals, 9.0 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game for the Knights. In addition to her work on the defensive end, Bailey averaged 11.0 points, 4.0 assists and shot the ball at a 53.3-percent clip.
Men’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Week
Travis Grayson, Spring Arbor
Grayson led Spring Arbor past Marian and Mount Vernon Nazarene with a pair of big performances. The senior guard had 26 points and five assists against MU and then had 27 points and eight helpers in a win over MVNU.
Men’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Week
Dante Favor, Spring Arbor
Favor recorded seven steals, three blocks and 11 defensive rebounds for Spring Arbor in wins over Marian and MVNU. For the week, the junior averaged 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.5 steals and 1.5 blocks, while shooting 60.9 percent from the floor.
Women’s Indoor TF Track Athlete of the Week
Katie Woods, Marian
Woods ran the fastest mile in the NAIA this season, crossing in 4:47.06 at the Louisville Open. The senior finished sixth-of-101 in the race, hit the NAIA A-standard and set a new Marian program record with the performance.
Women’s Indoor TF Field Athlete of the Week
Delaney Teachnor, Marian
Teachnor hit the NAIA-A standard in the pole vault for Marian at the Notre Dame Meyo Invite. The sophomore cleared 3.68 meters and finished eighth out of 17 in the event at the NCAA Division I meet.
Men’s Indoor TF Track Athlete of the Week
Camden Khon, Spring Arbor
Khon took wins in the mile and distance-medley relay for Spring Arbor, automatically qualifying for Nationals in the mile and provisionally qualifying in the relay. Khon also set SAU’s record in the mile and posted the top mark in the NAIA this season at 4:03.99.
Men’s Indoor TF Field Athlete of the Week
Tyler Shipley, Mount Vernon Nazarene
Shipley hit the NAIA-A standard in the pole vault with a height of 4.85 meters at the Muskie Meet. Shipley’s performance earned him second place in the event.
Women’s Bowler of the Week
Kayla Tafanelli, Spring Arbor
Tafanelli helped the Cougars to team titles at three different events on the week, while posting individual finishes of second and seventh. The junior averaged 195.5 pins over six games on the week.
Men’s Bowler of the Week
Carson Kohler, Spring Arbor
Kohler took first place overall at the Alma Scotty Classic with a 239.7 scoring average over three games to lead SAU to a second-place team finish. Kohler then helped the Cougars take the Crossroads League Tournament Championship.
Baseball Player of the Week
Tanner Reinartz, Huntington
Reinartz swatted three solo home runs in his first collegiate series, helping Huntington take two-of-three at Truett-McConnell. The freshman ended the series with three runs scored, three homers and five runs batted in, while walking twice and not striking out.
Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Jake Boyer, Taylor
Boyer tossed 5.1 innings of relief in a combined one-hitter for No. 9 Taylor during an 11-1 win at Benedictine-Mesa. The senior righty fanned four and retired the final 11 batters he faced, posting a 0.19 WHIP and 0.00 ERA in the outing, while being credited with the win.