ST. PAUL, Minn.-- The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) announced their Athlete of the Week award winners Tuesday in the sports of men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s track and field. The awards are nominated by UMAC coaches and athletics communications staff and selected each week by the latter group.
Men’s Basketball Athlete of the Week
Tyler Smith, Jr, Crown, F
Columbia Heights, Minn./Irondale
Smith averaged 14.5 rebounds per game, 7.5 assists per game, 7 ppg, and 7 blocks per game to lead Crown to two victories. Smith currently is first in all NCAA D3 in blocks and fifth in rebounds.
Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week
Mya Morris, So, Martin Luther, G
Perham, Minn./Perham
Morris averaged 26.5 ppg in two games against Luther and Carleton this past week. She had a big night against Carleton and nailed eight 3-pointers in a 72-51 win over the Knights which broke her own MLC record of made 3-pointers in a game. Morris continues to lead all players in the UMAC in scoring (20.5 ppg).
Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
Kyle Peterson, Fr, UW-Superior
Brainerd, Minn./Brainerd
In his collegiate debut at the St. Scholastica Opener, he competed in the 60-meter hurdles and set a new school record of 8.56 seconds. In the finals, he bested his previous mark and finished in 8.39 seconds. This time not only leads the UMAC, but also ranks 22nd in NCAA Division III.
Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
Rene Sems, So, UW-Superior
Ashland, Wis./Ashland
Sems logged a new personal best at the CSS Opener this past Saturday. Competing in the pole vault, he garnered a mark of 4.10 meters, a mark that leads the UMAC.
Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
Lillianna Jones, So, UW-Superior
Portage, Wis./Portage
Jones took eighth place in the 400-meter dash this Saturday at the CSS Opener. Her time of 1:09.77 leads the UMAC.
Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
KelliJoy Manninen, Fr, UW-Superior
Duluth, Minn./Proctor
Manninen jumped to third-place this weekend at the CSS Opener. Her mark of 1.50 meters nearly beats her lifetime best and leads the UMAC. She jumped to three-straight personal bests and improved her PR by .4 meters. Kedsch also finished eighth overall in this event.