Posted: Oct 29, 2018
The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has announced the student-athletes selected as Athletes of the Week, for the week of competition ending on October 21, 2018.
The MIAA Athlete of the Week awards are nominated by coaches following one week of competition, and selected by a panel of MIAA Sports Information Directors, including the MIAA Director of Media Relations.
This week's winners are listed below with their respective achievements during last week's competition.
MIAA Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Addison Smith, Calvin
Junior
Seoul, South Korea
Smith led a Calvin sweep at the 2018 MIAA Men's Cross Country Championships Oct. 27, crossing the line in 25:09.3 to win by seven seconds and earn Most Valuable Runner accolades; Smith and the Knights posted the first perfect score at the MIAA Men's Cross Country Championships since 2009.
MIAA Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Cassie Vince, Albion
Senior
Amherst, Ohio
Vince became the first runner in Albion history to earn Most Valuable Runner honors at the 2018 MIAA Women's Cross Country Championships Oct. 27. Vince led the entire way to post a time of 21:29.7 on the 6K course, 48 seconds faster than the field.
MIAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Jamaul Martin, Olivet
Senior, Running Back
Inkster, Mich.
Martin rushed for 196 yards on 36 carries against a Kalamazoo defense that entered Saturday's game allowing just 105.8 rushing yards per game to aid Olivet in their 21-17 win over the Hornets Oct. 27. Martin scored two touchdowns in the win, including the game's final score with his two-yard run in the fourth quarter. Martin's first touchdown was a 22-yard scamper in the first quarter on Olivet's second drive of the game.
MIAA Football Defensive Player of the Week
Anthony Merriman, Olivet
Freshman, Defensive Back
Ferndale, Mich.
Merriman led Olivet with seven tackles, including six solo stops, with one tackle for loss and a broken up pass to help the Comets post a 21-17 win over Kalamazoo Oct. 27, handing the Hornets their first loss of the season. Six of Merriman's tackles came in the second half, including two tackles during Kalamazoo's final drive of the game.
MIAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Jeffery Barnett, Trine
Senior, Returner/Wide Receiver
Fremont, Ohio
Barnett racked up 177 return yards on five returns, including a 92-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter to help seal Trine's 59-42 victory over Albion Oct. 27 to keep the Thunder unbeaten on the year. Barnett added kickoff returns of 35, 25, 14, and 11 yards. On offense, Barnett also caught a 76-yard touchdown pass to start the second quarter, giving Trine the lead for good.
Hilary Curry, Hope
Senior, Forward
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Curry scored the game-winning goal in Hope's 2-0 win at Alma Oct. 24, resulting in the Flying Dutch earning the 2018 MIAA Championship. Curry was efficient in the attack with three of her four shots finding the frame, including her goal in the 27th minute.
Rachel Rodeheffer, Adrian
Senior, Defender
Commerce Twp., Mich.
Rodeheffer was a key factor in Adrian tallying three shutouts on the week to conclude the regular season as the No. 2 seed in the MIAA Women's Soccer Tournament. Against Albion Oct. 24, Rodeheffer tallied an assist while helping hold the Britons to just five shots on goal. Rodeheffer added two insurance goals in Adrian's 3-0 shutout over North Central Oct. 22 and a goal in a 6-0 win over Finlandia Oct. 26 as part of a defense that allowed only 10 shots on goal in three outings.
Jake Burris, Albion
Senior
Chelsea, Mich.
Burris was a two-time winner in Albion's dual meet win over Kalamazoo Oct. 27. Burris scored 291.55 on the 1-meter board and added a score of 279.16 on the 3-meter board.
Julian Iturbe, Calvin
Sophomore
Caracas, Venezuela
Iturbe was a three-time winner at the MIAA Relays Oct. 26, including the freestyle knockout 50s, at the non-traditional, non-scoring event to unofficially start the swimming and diving season. Iturbe led off Calvin's winning 3x500 Free Relay (4:48) and then anchored the Knights' come-from-behind win in the 500 Progressive Free Relay. Iturbe touched first in three of the four freestyle knockout 50s rounds, posting the top preliminary time (21.63) while touching first in the quarterfinals (22.31) and finals (22.33).
Meghan Peel, Hope
Sophomore
Spring Lake, Mich.
Peel swam the first leg of Hope's 3x500 Free Relay in 5:13.31, a time that is in the top 10 in the 500 free nationally. Peel had the top time in the backstroke knockout 50s for the prelims (27.23), quarterfinals (27.64), semifinals (28.29), and final (28.66), with her prelim time ranking seventh nationally. Peel also swam the leadoff leg of the 200 Mixed Medley Relay (28.22) and a leg of the Mixed 200 Free Relay.
Madi Goodman, Kalamazoo
Sophomore, Middle Hitter
Portage, Mich.
Goodman registered 15 kills in both of Kalamazoo's MIAA contests last week, including the Hornets' 3-1 home win against Adrian Oct. 27 in the season finale. Against Adrian, Goodman hit .314 while adding two digs and a block. Earlier in the week against Saint Mary's Oct. 24, Goodman tallied 15 kills, five digs, and four blocks.
Sarah DeVries, Calvin
Junior, Middle Hitter/Setter
Grand Rapids, Mich.
DeVries was a key factor in a 3-0 week for Calvin, including the Knights' 3-0 victory over Alma Oct. 27 to secure the MIAA Championship outright. DeVries registered 14 kills, 19 assists, seven blocks, and five digs against Olivet Oct. 24, and followed up with nine kills, 19 assists, 10 digs, and four blocks in a non-conference win over Hope Oct. 26. DeVries concluded the week with 10 kills, 25 assists, five digs, and five blocks against Alma.