Crossroads League Announces Athletes of the Week | October 11-17
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League Athletes of the Week were announced on Monday, recognizing the league’s top athletes from October 11 through 17. Sports Information Directors from the league institutions nominate student-athletes for the awards and vote on each week’s winners.
Volleyball Attacker of the Week
Jai-Lyn Norwood, Marian
Norwood hit .587 over three wins by No. 7 Marian, posting 30 kills and just three miscues in 46 attempts. In addition to averaging 3.3 kills per set, Norwood added 1.1 blocks per game and hit over .700 in two of the three outings.
Volleyball Defender of the Week
Claudia Ellis, Spring Arbor
Ellis posted 17 total blocks to help Spring Arbor to a 2-1 week, including an 11-block, 15-kill gem in SAU’s five-set upset of No. 18 Taylor. The senior finished the week with 1.4 blocks and 3.1 kills per set, while hitting .333.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Olivia Zawadzki, Indiana Wesleyan
Zawadzki highlighted No. 22 Indiana Wesleyan’s 3-0 week with 11.5 assist, 3.4 digs and 0.6 blocks per set for the Wildcats. The sophomore setter had at least 35 assists and 10 digs in all three matches.
Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Erin Oleksak, Marian
Oleksak had a day against Huntington, tallying four goals in a 10-1 victory over the Foresters for No. 6 Marian. The four-goal game was the first for Oleksak, who now leads the Crossroads League with 18 goals scores this season.
Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Emily Ponstein, Spring Arbor
Ponstein had a hand in two more shutout victories for No. 4 Spring Arbor, playing 135 total minutes of scoreless ball in the net for wins over Saint Francis and No. 8 Indiana Wesleyan. Ponstein posted five saves against IWU and has allowed just one goal in net this season.
Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Felipe Gruber, Grace
Gruber scored once in each of Grace’s wins this week, posting a goal in GC’s 3-2 win over Goshen and adding another in the team’s 2-0 shutout victory against RV Bethel.
Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Matteo Conci, Grace
Conci helped the Lancers post wins over Goshen and RV Bethel, assisting on two goals in a 3-2 victory against Goshen, before helping the Grace defense blank the high-powered Bethel offense in a 2-0 upset.
Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Macy Weaver, Mount Vernon Nazarene
Weaver ran a time of 19:14.3 to lead Mount Vernon Nazarene at the Jenna Strong Classic. Weaver finished sixth-of-258 overall to pace the Cougars at the event.
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Justis Paul, Mount Vernon Nazarene
Paul finished 13th overall for Mount Vernon Nazarene out of 325 runners with a time of 26:21.5 at the Jenna Strong Classic.
Women’s Bowler of the Week
Tanneill DeJongh, Spring Arbor
DeJongh took sixth place out of 138 bowlers at the Cornerstone Tournament to highlight SAU’s first-place team finish at the 15-team event. The senior averaged 183.8 pins and posted a high-score of 201.
Men’s Bowler of the Week
Zachary Gietzel, Spring Arbor
Gietzel finished ninth-of-131 bowlers at the Cornerstone Tournament to help Spring Arbor to a second-place team finish at the 16-team event. Gietzel averaged 204 pins per game and had a high-score of 264.