FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has announced its Athletes of the Week for the period covering August 25–31. 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 Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week - Logan Begeman, Hope College
Sophomore Logan Begeman opened the 2025 campaign at the Pre-National meet, hosted by the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg. Begeman led the Flying Dutchmen to the top Division III team finish, landing behind Division I powerhouses Furman and Clemson. He was the top DIII finisher, trailing only DI runners from Clemson and Furman, and ran an 8K personal-best time of 25:06 on a challenging cross country course in very hot and humid conditions.
MIAA Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week - Hailey Erickson, Calvin University
Junior Hailey Erickson opened the 2025 campaign at the Olivet Comet Open on Friday. Erickson won the 5K in a time of 18:29.8. Her next four teammates, including three freshmen, finished within 10 seconds of Erickson for a perfect score of 15.
MIAA Men's Golf Athlete of the Week - Jack Vogel, Adrian College
Freshman Jack Vogel opened his collegiate career at the Lou Collins Memorial Tournament, hosted by the University of Olivet, on Saturday. Vogel shot 74-77 for a two-day total of 151 which was good enough for a second-place finish.
MIAA Women's Golf Athlete of the Week - Rylee Smith, Trine University
Sophomore Rylee Smith opened the 2025-26 schedule at the Trine Kick Off Classic last Tuesday. Smith won the tournament by shooting a 78 and assisted the host Thunder to a first-place finish. She also placed second at the IU East Fall Invitational by finishing with a 78 on Friday and a 74 on Saturday.
MIAA Men's Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week - Esteban Mercado, Albion College
Sophomore midfielder Esteban Mercado led Albion in the 4-1 season-opening victory at Rochester Christian on Saturday. Mercado scored two goals, including the game winner. He currently leads the league with two goals per game and four points.
MIAA Women's Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week - Chloe Salo, Albion College
Freshman Chloe Salo is already making a mark on the Briton squad, assisting Albion to an 8-1 season-opening win against Bluffton and a 5-0 shutout versus Michigan-Dearborn. Salo had a hat trick in her first collegiate game with three goals vs. Bluffton. She also had an assist in their second game of the week. Salo is currently tied-for-first in the league with the three goals and is leading the MIAA with seven shots on goal.
MIAA Men's Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week - Jackson Janderwski, Kalamazoo College
Freshman goalkeeper Jackson Janderwski started his first collegiate season off strong with a 2-0 shutout versus Michigan-Dearborn. In playing all 90 minutes, Janderwski totaled two saves and finished with a perfect save percentage.
MIAA Women's Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week - Adelyn Raad, Hope College
Sophomore defender Adelyn Raad helped the Flying Dutch earn back-to-back 3-0 shutouts against MSOE and Wartburg to open the season. Raad played a key role in shutting down both opponents’ attacks, while also scoring a goal against Wartburg to spark Hope's offense and keep the momentum on their side.
MIAA Volleyball Player of the Week - Caroline Carens, Saint Mary's College
Junior middle hitter Caroline Carens helped the Belles open their 2025 campaign with a 4-0 run at the Cedar Point Tournament. Carens hit .374 in the four matches, hitting .400 against both Oberlin and Hiram. She averaged 3.20 kills per set and had double-digit kills in all four matches. Carens' high kills of 15 and high points of 19.5 came at the end of the long day in Saint Mary's last match against Kenyon. Carens also contributed three aces, 16 digs, 15 total blocks (1 b/s), and scored 60 points (4.0 p/s).
MIAA Volleyball Specialist of the Week - Molly Edmunds, Albion College
Sophomore setter Molly Edmunds propelled the Brits to a 3-0 start to the season, including 3-0 sweeps against Wisconsin Lutheran and Anderson. For the first time in her career, Edmunds took on the starting setting role and had two double-doubles while also giving Albion two matches where the team hitting percentage was over .200. She had a career-high 37 assists against Anderson and is currently ranked second in the league with 9.1 assists per set.