FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has announced its Athletes of the Week for the period covering October 13-19. Each week throughout the academic year, the conference recognizes standout performances from student-athletes across its member institutions.
The MIAA Athlete of the Week honors are selected from nominations submitted by head coaches at each school. These awards spotlight the top individual efforts in competition and showcase the high level of play within the conference.
Selections are released every Monday at 4:00 p.m., with the exception of weeks impacted by federal holidays.
MIAA Football Offensive Athlete of the Week - Eddie Williams, Alma College
Senior running back Eddie Williams powered the Scots to a 53-21 victory at Olivet. Williams rushed 15 times for 183 yards -- an impressive 12.2 yards per carry -- all in the first half. He also recorded both a rushing and a receiving touchdown. In conference play alone, Williams leads the MIAA with 128 rushing yards per game, 512 total rushing yards and 70 attempts, nine touchdowns, and 54 points.
MIAA Football Defensive Athlete of the Week - Kaden McCullough, Calvin University
Sophomore linebacker Kaiden McCullough was a difference-maker in Calvin's 34-31 victory over Trine. McCullough recorded 11 total tackles, including sacks for a loss of 32 yards, four tackles for loss, a pass break up, and two quarterback hurries. He was everywhere on the field, leading the Knights' defensive effort against both the run and the pass. In conference play, McCullough leads the league with 45 tackle yards, six solo tackles for loss, four solo sacks, and 40 sack yards.
MIAA Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week - Hudson Shoup, Calvin University
Freshman kick returner Hudson Shoup played a key role in Calvin's 34-31 edge over Trine. Shoup returned two kickoffs for a total of 75 yards, averaging 38 yards per return. After his first two explosive runs, the Thunder stopped kicking his way. Shoup's returns provided excellent field position that helped set up the Knights' offense for success.
MIAA Men's Golf Athlete of the Week - Garrett James, Trine University
Senior Garrett James captured the title at the 2025 Region V Showcase this past week, earning his fourth win of the fall season and his second decided in a playoff. James posted rounds of 76 and 75 in challenging, windy conditions.
MIAA Men's Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week - Ivan Murillo, Albion College
Sophomore forward Ivan Murillo led the Brits to a 4-3 victory at Calvin, followed by a 2-0 shutout against Olivet. Murillo scored two twice in the win over Calvin, marking his second-consecutive week recording a road double. In conference play, he ranks among the league's top ten with four goals and eight points.
MIAA Women's Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week - Liz Williams, Calvin University
Graduate student forward/midfielder Liz Williams led Calvin to a 4-1 win at Kalamazoo. Williams recorded two goals and one assist against the Hornets for a total of five points. In league competition, Williams is currently ranked third with four assists and tied-for-seventh with eight points.
MIAA Men's Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week - Benjamin Smitley, Hope College
Sophomore defender Benjamin Smitley anchored a defensive line that posted two shutouts during the week. In Hope's 4-0 win over Alma, the Flying Dutchmen allowed just three shots on goal, and they held Adrian without a single attempt in a 2-0 victory.
MIAA Women's Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week - Adelyn Raad, Hope College
Sophomore defender Adelyn Raad was a standout on both sides of the ball last week in Hope's 2-0 shutout at Adrian and 3-2 edge over Kalamazoo. Raad anchored the backline in a gritty performance in the rain against the Bulldogs, helping limit one of the leading goal scorers in the MIAA and keeping Adrian scoreless. She also scored the second goal for the Flying Dutch to seal the win. Against Kalamazoo, Raad continued her impact from the back, collecting two assists in a tight victory. Her ability to defend with discipline, stay composed under high-pressured games, and create opportunities going forward made her an invaluable two-way player.
MIAA Men's Swimming Athlete of the Week - Brent Riehl, Alma College
Senior Brent Riehl earned 52 points for Alma at the MIAA Fall Invite with three season-best times. Riehl earned the Scots' lone win of the meet with a 21.33 in the 50 free. He was also the runner-up in the 100 free after clocking in at 47.30 and finished fourth in the 100 breast (58.73) with a time that was .01 off his own school record.
MIAA Women's Swimming Athlete of the Week - Zoe Poe, Calvin University
Sophomore Zoe Poe continued her strong performance at the MIAA Fall Invite on Saturday, winning two events in dominant fashion. She captured the 1000 free by 30 seconds (10:32.91), posting the third-fastest time in the NCAA so far this season. Poe went on to win the 500 free by nearly 15 seconds (5:09.10) -- a time that ranks among the NCAA's top ten.
MIAA Men's Diving Athlete of the Week - Zander Ligman, Kalamazoo College
Sophomore Zander Ligman placed first in both of the diving events at the MIAA Fall Invite on Saturday. Ligman earned a first-place finish on the one-meter board with a score of 267.95. He then won the three-meter dive by over 40 points with a regional-qualifying score of 300.75.
MIAA Women's Diving Athlete of the Week - Wen Wadsworth-Curcuru, Albion College
Junior Wen Wadsworth-Curcuru swept the diving competition at the MIAA Fall Invite on Saturday. She claimed first place on the one-meter board with a score of 241.55, then went on to win the three-meter event by more than 25 points (268.65 total) -- also achieving her first regional-qualifying score.
MIAA Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week - Rodrigo Alipio, Calvin University
Junior Rodrigo Alipio went 2-0 in Calvin's match versus Division II Davenport on Saturday. At the top doubles flight, Alipio and partner Mario Neto notched a 6-4 victory to clinch the doubles point for the Knights. Alipio went on to win his No. 1 singles match in a tiebreaker (6-3, 4-6, 10-8).
MIAA Volleyball Player of the Week - Carly Frank, Albion College
Junior opposite hitter Carly Frank helped the Brits to a 3-0 week, including a 3-1 victory at Trine, a 3-0 shutout versus Manchester, and a 3-2 edge over Earlham. Frank led Albion in both kills (53) and points (54) over the three matches, while hitting a .609 versus Manchester. Overall, she currently leads the MIAA with 391 kills (4.30 k/s) and 409 points (4.49 p/s), while ranking fourth with a .319 hitting percentage.
MIAA Volleyball Specialist of the Week - Molly Edmunds, Albion College
Sophomore Molly Edmunds assisted Albion to a 3-1 victory at Trine, a 3-0 win versus Manchester, and a 3-2 edge over Earlham. Edmunds recorded a double-double against Earlham with 55 assists and 16 digs. Over the three matches, she totaled 126 assists (10.50 a/s), 19 digs, eight kills, three block assists, and 9.5 points, with a hitting percentage of .300. Overall, Edmunds leads the conference with 929 assists.