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, men’s and women’s tennis, and softball for the week of February 12-18, 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 dominated the week with a 44-point performance and a 27-point game.
- The junior shot over 60% from the field and totaled 17 rebounds, five assists, and one block.
- He averaged 35.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
- Also set the school record for points in a game and made field goals in a game.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Charlotte Ferstl, Freshman, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Plain, Wis. / River Valley
- Ferstl secured her third double-double Friday with 16 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 70 percent from the field against Martin Luther.
- Against the Vikings on Saturday, she shot 66.7 percent from field goal range while adding six rebounds and 21 points.
MEN’S INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Aaron Stewart, Freshman, Bethany Lutheran College
Mankato, Minn. / Mankato East
- Stewart broke his own school record on Friday night when he competed in the 60m dash at MSU Mankato.
- Finished in a time of 7.01, which currently leads all UMAC runners.
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Simone Stephens, Freshman, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Scottsdale, Ariz. / Saguaro
- Stephens ran a lifetime personal-best Friday evening at the Maverick Invite.
- Her mile time of 5:19.77 also earned her medalist honors in a group of Division II and III runners.
- This time also leads the UMAC.
MEN’S INDOOR FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Cody Nye, Senior, University of Minnesota Morris
Soldotna, Alaska / Soldotna
- Cody Nye was just off his season best on Saturday at the Gene Glader Classic, but he still topped a field of 22 in the shot put with a distance of 51-6.25 (15.70m) while also finishing ninth in the weight throw at 47-7.25 (14.51m).
WOMEN’S INDOOR FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Stephanie Witbrod, Junior, Bethany Lutheran College
Douglas, Wyo. / Douglas
- Witbrod competed in the triple jump and shot put on Friday at MSU-Mankato, finishing third and fourth in the events, respectively.
- Her shot put throw of 12.60m is the top mark in the UMAC this year while her triple jump of 11.15m trails only her own jump of 11.22m earlier in the season.
MEN’S TENNIS NORTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stewart Morrell, Senior, University of Northwestern
Elk River, Minn. / Homeschool
- The senior went 4-0 in his matches on Saturday and tied UNW's all-time combined wins record with 116.
- Won 8-7 (11-9) at #1 doubles and 6-0, 6-4 at #1 singles at Edgewood.
- Followed that up with wins of 8-5 at #1 doubles and 8-1 (pro set) at #1 singles vs. Buena Vista.
- The Eagles are 5-0 as a team this season and Morrell is 10-0 as UNW's #1.
WOMEN’S TENNIS NORTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Analise Marquardt, Junior, University of Northwestern
Parkers Prairie, Minn. / Parkers Prairie
- Marquardt went 4-0 in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday.
- Picked up tight victories of 8-7 (7-4) at #2 doubles and 5-7, 6-3, 1-0 (10-8) at #4 singles versus a strong Edgewood program.
- Capped off the day against Buena Vista with an 8-5 win at #1 doubles and an 8-2 win at #3 singles.
MEN’S TENNIS SOUTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nacho Cachaza, Junior, Principia College
Buenos Aires / Argentina
- Nacho went 4-0 in two matches playing at #2 singles and #2 doubles.
- Against Monmouth College, he won singles 6-0,6-0 and doubles 8-1.
- Against Illinois Wesleyan University, he won singles 6-4,6-4 and doubles 8-5.
WOMEN’S TENNIS SOUTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Addison Brannon, Senior, Greenville University
Alhambra, Ill. / Home School
- Brannon won her only singles match this week.
- She beat #2 player from Transylvania 6-0, 7-6.
- Had been ranked in region in doubles last season.
SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sydney Jacobs, Freshman, Bethany Lutheran College
Mankato, Minn. / Mankato East
- Jacobs had a great start to her collegiate career this weekend, hitting .417 and reaching base in 10 of her 17 at-bats for an on base percentage of .588.
- Batting in the No. 2 spot, she scored eight runs for the Vikings while also knocking two extra base hits with a double and a triple.
SOFTBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Kayla Senne, Junior, Bethany Lutheran College
Northwood, Iowa / Northwood-Kensett
- Senne threw 10 innings Saturday for the Vikings, amassing a 1-0 record and allowing just one earned run.
- She threw the first three innings of a 10-4 win over Concordia, striking out seven and earning a no decision before tossing all seven innings in an 8-2 win over Macalester allowing no earned runs and striking out 10.