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, men’s and women’s field, and men’s and women’s tennis for the week of February 5-11, 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
Drew Sagedahl, Junior, Bethany Lutheran College
Olivia, Minn. / BOLD
- Sagedgahl had a strong weekend for the Vikings, averaging 22.5 points on efficient shooting splits.
- The junior scored 11 of his 18 points in the final seven minutes at Northwestern to help the Vikings overcome a seven-point deficit before posting a season-high 27 in Saturday's win over North Central.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Gianna Klarenbeek, Freshman, Bethany Lutheran College
Inwood, Iowa West Lyon
- Klarenbeek had a big weekend leading the Viking offense as she averaged 22 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
- The freshman opened up the weekend with a career high 26 points in a high scoring loss to Northwestern before posting a team-high 18 points and nine rebounds in Saturday's win over North Central.
MEN’S INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Izayah Boss, Junior, University of Minnesota Morris
Bothell, Wash. / North Creek
- Boss set a new PR in the 60 Meter Dash and tied for the UMAC lead in the event, finishing as the runner-up at the Saint John's Invitational with a time of 7.05 seconds.
- That is now fourth all-time in UMN Morris program history.
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
4x1600 Relay Team, University of Wisconsin-Superior
- The relay team of Simone Stephens, Cora Hudella, Tea Boerner, and Halle Barker set both a facility and school record at the Maday Classic.
- Their finish of 22:34.96 was more than 90 seconds faster than the previous record set in 2018.
- Additionally, this time is also the top 4x1600 finish in all of the NCAA.
MEN’S INDOOR FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Samuel Plocher, Freshman, Martin Luther College
Kent, Wash. / Evergreen Lutheran
- Plocher represented the Knights in the National Qualifier on Friday at Minnesota State.
- The freshman competed in the men's high jump and snatched a personal record with his jump of 2.03 meters.
- His performance helped greatly and the freshman is now in an 8th-place tie among all Division III jumpers.
WOMEN’S INDOOR FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Emma Johnson, Freshman, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Centuria, Wis. / Unity
- Johnson earned two fourth-place finishes at the Maday Classic that featured a deep field of top NCAA Division II and III throwers.
- She finished with a mark of 14.65 meters in the weight throw and a mark of 11.25 meters in the shot put.
MEN’S TENNIS NORTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stewart Morrell, Senior, University of Northwestern
Elk River, Minn. / Homeschool
- Dominated #1 singles at Concordia (MN), earning a 6-0, 6-0 win.
- Won a tight match in #1 doubles, 8-7 (7-3).
- Morrell remains undefeated in singles and doubles matches for 3-0 Northwestern in 2024.
WOMEN’S TENNIS NORTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Abigail Ross, Freshman, University of Northwestern
Chico, Calif. / Central
- Ross had an impressive showing Saturday at Concordia (MN), going 2-0 in just her second collegiate match.
- The freshman earned a convincing, 6-2, 6-0 win at #6 singles and also teamed with Madeline Troolin for an 8-3 win at #3 doubles.
MEN’S TENNIS SOUTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ernesto Botero, Sophomore, Principia College
Cartagena, Colombia
- Ernesto only lost 3 games combined in 2 wins at #3 singles (6-1,6-1) and #2 doubles (8-1) in Principia's season opening victory over University of Saint Mary.
WOMEN’S TENNIS SOUTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Mafe Quintero, Freshman, Principia College
Bogotá, Colombia / Colegio RR Oblatas al Divino Amor
- Mafe Quintero completed in her first collegiate dual matches, winning 8-5 at #2 doubles and 6-1, 6-3 at #3 singles.
- Overall, the team defeated St. Mary Kansas 5-4.