ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) announced its Player of the Week award winners Tuesday in the sports of men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s track, and men’s and women’s field for the week of January 15-21, 2024. The UMAC Player of the Week awards are nominated by UMAC coaches and athletics communications/sports information staff and selected each week by the latter group.
MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tyrus Buckner, Junior, Crown College
Richton Park, Ill. / Homeschool
- Buckner scored 43 points and 18 rebounds over two games an average of 21.5 points per game and nine rebounds per game.
- He went 18-27 from the field and he finished with a double-double 28 points & 10 rebounds against North Central.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Erika Mattson, Senior, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Ely, Minn. / Ely Memorial
- Mattson carried the offensive output for the Yellowjackets this weekend, scoring 19 points against Bethany Lutheran and 18 against Martin Luther.
- Shot 57.1 percent from the field against the Vikings and 75 percent against the Knights.
- Made five-of-six three point attempts to propel the 'Jackets to a 2-0 weekend.
MEN’S INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Caden Swoboda, Sophomore, Crown College
Mountain Lake, Minn. / Mountain Lake
- Swoboda finished 10th in the men's 600m at the Ole Opener with a time of 1:29.91 for a school record.
- Currently leads the UMAC in the 800m.
- Also ran in the 4x400m relay and set a school record time of 3:44.02.
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Halle Barker, Junior, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Superior, Wis. / Superior Senior
- Barker continues to make new PRs in each race she runs in, this time finishing third in the 3k race with a 10:50.26, shaving 37 seconds off her previous best.
- Her time is the fastest UMAC indoor 3k time since the 2018-19 season.
- The time also holds a 24th overall in the NCAA Division III North Region rankings this season.
MEN’S INDOOR FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Garrett Lynch, Junior, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Portage, Wis. / Portage
- Lynch had a strong showing in the Twin Ports Open, securing a first-place finish in the pole vault.
- Finished with a mark of 4.10 meters, which places him first within the UMAC and 13th overall in the NCAA Division III North Region.
- Also placed fifth in the long jump with a mark of 6.20 meters, good for fifth in conference action and 45th in the NCAA Division III North Region.
WOMEN’S INDOOR FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Anna Schwartz, Freshman, Bethany Lutheran College
Mankato, Minn. / Minnesota Valley Lutheran
- Schwartz set a new program best this weekend for Bethany Lutheran College with her mark in the pole vault of 2.75m.
- That mark is the highest in the UMAC since the 2020-21 season.