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, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s indoor 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
Japheth Nyamari, Sr, Northwestern, G
Anoka, Minn./Anoka
Nyamari had a historic week, averaging 35 points, 5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game. In Wednesday's win over UW-Superior, the senior scored a career-high 40 (tied for 5th in program history) and set a new program record with 10 three-pointers in just 13 attempts (one shy of the UMAC record). The Anoka native followed that up with another 30 points and 7 rebounds at Minnesota Morris on Saturday.
Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week
Grace Perry, Jr, Minnesota Morris, G
Moorhead, Minn./Moorhead
Perry started the week with 15 points and five rebounds in the win against Crown College. The junior guard converted from behind the arc three times and added one assist. In the following game, Perry scored a career-high 24 points. She shot 9-for-11 from the field and 6-of-7 from behind the arc. Perry also added eight rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal.
Men’s Tennis North Division Athlete of the Week
Declan Jones, Fr, Bethany Lutheran
Salisbury, South Australia/Paralowie
Jones won both his singles and doubles matches Friday as Bethany defeated UW-Stevens Point 6-1. Jones started the match with a 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles, followed by a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 win at No. 2 singles.
Men’s Tennis South Division Athlete of the Week
Jean Sanabria, Jr, Greenville
Tunja, Colombia/Los Angeles Tunja
Sanabria helped kickoff the opening matches of the spring for the Panthers by going 2-0 in singles at the #1 position. Against Millikin University, Sanabria won 6-3, 6-3. In the second match against Illinois Tech, Sanabria put in a dominating performance winning with a score of 6-1, 6-4.
Women’s Tennis North Division Athlete of the Week
Rein Hayashi, Fr, Northwestern
Kyoto, Japan/Kansai Christian School
Hayashi was responsible for Northwestern's lone point of the weekend in two matches in Wisconsin, and went 2-2 on the day. Against Loras, the freshman went 2-0, winning 6-4, 6-4 at No. 2 singles and 6-2 at No. 1 doubles with the help of teammate Sarah Langridge.
Women’s Tennis South Division Athlete of the Week
Kayleigh Griffin, Fr, The W
Houston, Miss./East Webster
Griffin opened her collegiate career this past weekend and saw action at No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles in the match against Rust.
Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
Ben Plackner, Jr, UW-Superior
Bovey, Minn./Greenway
Plackner placed third in the mile at the UWRF Winter Classic Saturday. His time of 4:33.39 marked a season-best and was the top Division III runner in that event.
Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
Carson Wilhorn, Jr, UW-Superior
Necedah, Wis./Necedah
Wilhorn took home medalist honors at the UWRF Winter Classic this past Saturday. His heave of 17.75 meters not only set a new high-water mark and leads the UMAC by over two and a half meters, but he ranks 25th in all of NCAA Division III.
Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
Alaina Wojtowski, Fr, Northwestern
Oshkosh, Wis./Valley Christian
Wojtowski continued to hit her stride in the 60 meters and 200 meters. Wojtowski finished sixth in both events on Saturday at the UW-River Falls Winter Invitational. Her sixth-place finish in the 60-meter prelims qualified her for the final and marked a new personal best of 8.11, which is tied for first in the UMAC. In the 60-meter final, she placed second overall with her time of 8.18 seconds, her best finish of the season. In the 200 meters, Wojtowski is now ranked second in the UMAC after recording a season-best time of 27.85 seconds.
Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
Amaya Willis, So, Minnesota Morris
Bismarck, N.D./Legacy
Willis competed in the weight throw at the Gopher Classic last week. Her throw of 14.75 meters placed her in 14th, where she beat four Division II athletes. Her throw was the best across the UMAC.