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 north division for the week of January 29 - February 4, 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
Xavier Patterson, Senior, Bethany Lutheran College
Superior, Wis. / Superior
- Patterson had a big week for the Vikings, averaging 20.5 points per game, five assists, and four rebounds while also scoring his 1,000th career point in Saturday's comeback win over Minnesota Morris.
- After a slow start on Saturday, Patterson would go 9-of-10 from the Held and 8-of-9 from the charity stripe the remainder of the game to match a career-high with 29 points as the Vikings defeated Minnesota Morris 86-79.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jordyn Heckendorf, Senior, Martin Luther College
Kewaskum, Wis. / Kettle Moraine Lutheran
- Jordyn Heckendorf was instrumental in MLC winning its two games this week and as a result, the Knights are on a 5-game winning streak.
- The senior had 15 points, six rebounds, and two steals in a 56-53 overtime win over Minnesota Morris, who were atop the UMAC standings entering the game on Friday. Heckendorf scored seven of her 15 points in the overtime period.
- The guard followed up that performance with 12 points, seven boards, and five assists in a 60-51 win against Crown on Saturday.
MEN’S INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Cale Newby, Freshman, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Bemidji, Minn. / Bemidji
- Newby won the 5k at the Lake Superior Challenge, finishing with a personal-best time of 17:42.
- This mark places him fourth in the UMAC.
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Camille Ring, Freshman, Crown College
Waseca, Minn. / Waseca
- Ring set three Crown program records with three first-place finishes in the 60m, 60m hurdles, and the 200m run.
- Her time of 27.08 in the 200m puts her first in the UMAC.
- Her time of 8.18s in the 60m and 9.72s in the 60m hurdles puts her second in the UMAC for both events.
MEN’S INDOOR FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Jason Thomas, Freshman, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Soldotna, Alaska / Soldotna
- Thomas picked up a lifetime PR in the pole vault, finishing with a mark of 4 meters (PR'd by over a half foot).
- His mark was second in the UMAC, just behind teammate Garrett Lynch.
WOMEN’S INDOOR FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Cassidy Gibson, Freshman, Bethany Lutheran College
Decatur, Ga. / DeKalb
- Gibson continues the impressive start to her first-year campaign, setting a new program best in the high jump with a mark of 1.65m.
- She continues to climb the national rankings as well, currently sitting in 15th place in Division Ill.
- Her 1.65m high jump is the best UMAC Indoor mark since 2016.
MEN’S TENNIS NORTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sharan Kanugovi, Freshman, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Bangalore, Karnataka / New Baldwin International School
- Kanugovi had a strong showing this weekend, defeating Wartburg (6-1, 6-2) and Macalester (6-3, 6-4) in singles action.
- Partnering with teammate Davide Pelletti, the duo won their doubles matches as well on the weekend.
WOMEN’S TENNIS NORTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brooke Wilfong, Sophomore, University of Wisconsin-Superior
St. Cloud, Minn. / St. Cloud Tech
- Wilfong picked up a victory against Macalester in singles action, winning 7-5 and 6-2 Saturday.