Athlete of the Week - April 21, 2025

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) announced the Athlete of the Week awards for the week of April 14-20.

The MIAA Athlete of the Week awards are nominated by head coaches and released each Monday at 4:00 p.m. (unless a federal holiday).
MIAA Baseball Pitcher of the Week - Logan Lockhart, Kalamazoo College
Junior pitcher Logan Lockhart earned a win and a save in the doubleheader sweep against Trine. In his start, Lockhart pitched six innings and only totaled two hits, zero runs, and two walks, while striking out eight batters for the 13-7  win. In the second game versus the Thunder, Lockhart didn't allow any hits or runs in order to get the 8-7 save for Kalamazoo. Over the week, Lockhart totaled seven innings pitched, two hits, zero runs, two walks, and nine strikeouts. He is currently in the MIAA's top three with an earned-run average of 2.41.

MIAA Baseball Position Player of the Week - Ryar Rinehart, Kalamazoo College
Junior first baseman Ryar Rinehart assisted the Hornets to a 4-1 record over the week, including a doubleheader split against Hope and a series sweep versus Trine. In the last five games, Rinehart slashed a .579/1.368/.692 with 19 at bats, 11 hits, and nine runs. He also totaled 14 runs batted in, three doubles, four home runs, six walks, 27 putouts, and three assists. Rinehart set his program's single-game record for RBIs (9 vs. Hope) as well as Kalamazoo's single-season record for home runs (currently 12). He currently leads the league with 49 hits, 12 home runs, 52 RBIs, 101 total bases, and a slugging percentage of .828.

MIAA Men's Golf Athlete of the Week - Jack Besner, Trine University
Freshman Jack Besner led the Thunder at their annual A.C. Eddy Spring Classic last Tuesday. Besner shot a 72 on a windy, cold day. Not only was Besner a medalist but he also helped Trine to the team victory.

MIAA Women's Golf Athlete of the Week - Rylee Smith, Trine University
Freshman Rylee Smith competed at the Trine Spring Classic last Friday. Smith was the runner-up after shooting a 77 -- one stroke behind the first-place golfer. Additionally, Smith placed first out of all the MIAA teams that competed at the event.

MIAA Men's Lacrosse Offensive Athlete of the Week - Sam Bowen, Hope College
Senior attacker Sam Bowen led the Flying Dutchmen to back-to-back victories with a 13-7 win at Kalamazoo, followed by an 8-5 victory over Trine. Bowen totaled five goals and two assists, while also grabbing a ground ball and causing a turnover. He is currently in the conference's top 10 with 17 assists.

MIAA Women's Lacrosse Offensive Athlete of the Week - Tessa Fuller, Kalamazoo College
Sophomore attacker Tessa Fuller led the Hornets to a 16-4 victory over Saint Mary's, followed by a 14-13 edge at Trine. Over the week, Fuller totaled 10 goals (including the game-winner) and a perfect shots on goal percentage, two assists, and a ground ball. She is currently in the league's top 10 with 34 goals, 26 assists, and 60 points.

MIAA Men's Lacrosse Defensive Athlete of the Week - Logan Bride, Albion College
Junior defender Logan Bride helped the Brits to a 15-14 edge over Calvin on Saturday. Scoring a key goal off of a faceoff win to go up early in the fourth, Bride had seven ground balls and six caused turnovers. He guarded the top Calvin threat in midfield, holding him to just one goal. Bride is currently in the MIAA's top six with 70 ground balls and 40 caused turnovers.

MIAA Women's Lacrosse Defensive Athlete of the Week - Alex Petrusha, Calvin University
Sophomore defender Alex Petrusha assisted Calvin to an 18-2 victory over Saint Mary's. Petrusha caused a game-high eight turnovers while also tallying a ground ball.  She is currently ranked second in the MIAA with 29 caused turnovers this season and eighth with 37 ground balls.

MIAA Men's Lacrosse Specialist Athlete of the Week - Nico Palazzolo, Adrian College
Freshman faceoff midfielder Nico Palazzolo had two big games at the faceoff dot for the Bulldogs in their 12-7 win at Trine and 26-2 victory over Alma. Palazzolo went an impressive 55% with eight ground balls against the Thunder. He followed that with an even more impressive 88% on faceoffs, 12 ground balls, and a goal against the Scots. Palazzolo totaled 27 faceoffs won over the week and 20 ground balls. He is currently fourth in the conference with 80 ground balls.

MIAA Women's Lacrosse Specialist Athlete of the Week - Ella Spooner, Kalamazoo College
Junior attacker Ella Spooner helped Kalamazoo to a 16-4 win against Saint Mary's and a 14-13 victory at Trine. In addition to her 13 draw controls, Spooner totaled 12 goals, five assists, three caused turnovers, and three ground balls. Spooner is currently in the MIAA's top 10 with 41 goals and 50 points.

MIAA Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week - Rodrigo Alipio, Calvin University
Sophomore Rodrigo Alipio went undefeated (4-0) over the week against Olivet and Albion, while only dropping five games. At No. 1 doubles, Alipio and partner Mario de Lima Neto defeated Comets Lucas Anderson and Alex Jonas, 6-2. Alipio went on to sweep Anderson 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles. Against Albion's No. doubles partners Josh Doyle and Jacob Doyle, Alipio and Neto won their match 6-2. Alipio closed out the week with a 6-1, 6-0 win versus Briton Brendan Morrison.

MIAA Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week - Tessa Holman, Calvin University
?Junior Tessa Holman went undefeated (4-0) over the week against Olivet and Albion, while only dropping five games. At No. 3 Doubles, Holman and her partner Rachel Grissom swept Comets Amelia Guerra and Willow Evans, 6-0. Holman then went on to win her No. 1 singles match 6-0, 6-2 against Rylee Lewis. In the No. 3 doubles matchup against the Britons, Holman and Grissom earned a 6-3 victory over Karina Nigg and Lynsey Brearley. Holman finished the week with a 6-0, 6-0 sweep against Abbie Hubbard at No. 1 singles.

MIAA Men's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week - Braden Estep, Trine University
Junior Braden Estep competed at the Hillsdale GINA Relays last week. Estep ran a personal record in the 100m dash with a time of 10.66 and also a personal best 21.63 in the 200m dash. On top of that, he was the anchor leg of the 4x100m relay that set a new school record with a time of 41.30.

MIAA Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week - Bailey Puckett, Trine University
Junior Bailey Puckett participated in the GCSU Al Owens Classic last weekend. Puckett ran a new personal record in the 1500m run, finishing in a time of 4:30.97. This time currently has her sitting first in the MIAA and 15th in the nation.

MIAA Men's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week - Eddie Hines, Albion College
Senior Eddie Hines participated at the Hillsdale GINA Relays. He earned a third-place finish in the shot put with a toss of 17.14m. His performance is currently ranked eighth in the nation. Hines also placed seventh in the discus with a throw of 42.57m.

MIAA Women's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week - Alysia Townsend, Adrian College
Freshman Alysia Townsend competed at the Otterbein Twilight Invite over the weekend. Townsend jumped 1.63m in the high jump to claim the runner-up spot. This mark takes over the first-place spot in the MIAA, along with currently placing her at 24th in the country. Her performance also moves her up in school history as the fourth All-Time in the women’s outdoor high jump.

MIAA Softball Pitcher Athlete of the Week - Brooke Hunderman, Calvin University
Junior pitcher Brooke Hunderman had a stellar week in the circle in three appearances totaling 13.2 innings. Hunderman picked up two wins, one save, and allowed no earned runs. She also had two one-hitters versus Albion and Olivet. Hunderman struck out 20 batters with no walks. She currently leads the conference with 19 games started, 14 complete games, four shutouts, 116.1 innings pitched, 126 strikeouts, and 437 batters faced.

MIAA Softball Position Player of the Week - Abbie Hoff, Adrian College
Junior first baseman Abbie Hoff helped the Bulldogs to a 3-1 record over the week, including a split against Hope and a series sweep versus Albion. In the last four games, Hoff had a batting average of .600 and an on-base percentage of .667, while totaling 15 at bats, four runs, nine hits, 12 runs batted in, four doubles, a grand slam, and three walks.

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