ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) announced their Athlete of the Week award winners Wednesday in the sports of men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball. The awards are nominated by UMAC coaches and athletics communications staff and selected each week by the latter group.
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Dylan Uitto, Jr, UW-Superior
Ashland, Wid./Ashland
Dylan led the Yellowjackets at this weekend's Toni St. Pierre Invite. He finished fourth against a tough field of regional opponents with a mark of 16:00.6, which now serves as a lifetime best in the 5k. As a team, the Yellowjackets finished third in the race and logged the best finish in the UMAC this weekend.
Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Ella Dufault, Jr, Crown
Waseca, Minn./Waseca
Ella finished 12th at the MSUM Twilight with a 5K time of 18:28.7, and only finishing behind NCAA DI and NAIA runners.
Football Offensive Athlete of the Week
Jamarrius Courtney, So, Crown, QB
Minneapolis, Minn./Chaska
Courtney totaled 2 touchdowns, 171 rushing yards on 21 carries, and 150 passing yards on 14 completions to lead the Crown offense in a one score loss to Hamline.
Football Defensive Athlete of the Week
Chayce Meyer, Sr, Minnesota Morris, DL
Osakis, Minn./ Osakis
Chayce set a program record in the season opener for the Cougars totaling 48 TFL in his career with UMM. The senior also intercepted a pass and returned it for 42 yards. Meyers tallied two tackles, one sack, one interception, two pass breakups, and two QB hurries.
Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week
William Corley, Jr, Westminster, K
Tipton, Mo./Tipton
Liam went 3-for-3 on field goals, connecting from 33, 34, and a long of 44 yards. He also handled punting duties, with 3 of his 6 punts landing in the 20-yard line. Liam's ability to flip the field played a key role in securing Westminster's first victory of the season.
Men’s Golf Athlete of the Week
Keaton Ginter, Sr, Bethany Lutheran
Faribault, Minn./ Faribault
Keaton had two first place finishes and one runner up throughout the week. On Tuesday, Sept. 2, Ginter tied for medalist honors at the UNW Invite with a score of 69, helping Bethany to a school record 18-hole team score of 290, which also won the event. On Thursday, Sept. 4, Ginter earned medalist honors at the annual Wittenberg Cup for the fourth consecutive year with a score of 73. Over the weekend, Ginter was runner up at the Twin Ports Invite, with a 144 (71-73).
Women’s Golf Athlete of the Week
Paige Johnson, Jr, Northwestern
Zimmerman, Minn./Homeschool
Paige took home medalist honors at the UNW Invite last Tuesday by firing a 77 (+5) at Fox Hollow Golf Club. She birdied holes 3, 5 and 10 to edge out two of her teammates for the win. Her performance also helped deliver Northwestern the team title with a score of 318, 17 shots clear of second place.
Men’s Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week
Aaron Mackall, Sr, Minnesota Morris, F
Nerstrand, Minn./Woodbury
Aaron had his second two-goal game of the season against NCAA Division II Jamestown. He found the net twice highlighted by a volley from outside of the box soaring into the top right corner. The senior would finish the week with two goals on seven shots on target.
Men’s Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week
Troy Johnson, Jr, Northwestern, D
Killeen, Texas/Killeen
Troy held down the back line for the Eagles in their win against Emmaus. Holding a majority of the possession, Johnson shut down any forward advances from Emmaus. The junior also took 2 shots, landing 1 on target.
Women’s Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week
Katie Schoeneck, Jr, Martin Luther, F/M
College Station, Texas/Luther Prep
Katie has been a big part of the Knights' three-game winning streak, scoring four goals this past week in three games played. The junior hit a goal late in the second period of MLC's 5-3 win over Minnesota Morris and broke a 3-3 tie with her shot. Schoeneck completed the hat trick against Maranatha Baptist in the Knights' 4-0 win.
Women’s Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week
Marie Kendall, Fr, Northwestern, M
Dakar, Denegal/ Dakar Academy
Marie had an impressive weekend for the Eagles in their split against Concordia Moorhead and Nebraska Wesleyan. Her lone goal sealed the Eagles' first win of the season against the Cobbers on Friday. Her goal came from nearly 30 yards away. In both games, the defensive midfielder stole the ball in the Eagles' defensive third and wove her way to the attack, finishing the weekend with 11 shots and 7 shots on target. Kendall also delivered the corner kick leading to a UNW goal on Saturday.
Volleyball Offensive Athlete of the Week
Makenna Hohbein, So, UW-Superior
Holdingford, Minn./ Holdingford
Makenna’s offense came to play this weekend at the Saint Paul Tournament. She fired 47 kills while being responsible for 39 points across the four matches. Additionally, her defense was equally present, helping the Yellowjackets to a 2-2 record on the weekend.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Abby Distad, So, Bethany Lutheran
Kasson, Minn./ Kasson-Mantorville
Abby helped Bethany go 3-1 over the week, and eclipsed the 1,000-assist career milestone. She averaged 9.6 assists per set with a season-high 47 assists in a five-set win over Coe at the Sugar Loaf Classic. Abby was also sharp on the serve and had six aces against Buena Vista in the straight-set victory. She also posted her first double-double of the season against the Beavers with 25 assists and 11 digs. In the four set-win over Concordia on Friday, Abby became the seventh player in program history to reach 1,000 career assists.
Volleyball Defensive Athlete of the Week
Marley Aune, Sr, Northwestern, MB
New Brighton, Minn./Avail Academy
Marley once again was a brick wall at the net, totaling 23 blocks (1.91 per set) in 3 matches at the KTIS Classic. Her best showing of the weekend came against St. Olaf, when the senior racked up 12 kills, 10 blocks and 8 digs. For the weekend, the New Brighton native also finished with 32 kills, 13 digs and a pair of aces to go along with the 23 blocks.