FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has announced its Athletes of the Week for the period covering January 19-25. 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 Basketball Athlete of the Week - Porter Kretschman, The University of Olivet
Sophomore forward Porter Kretschman helped lead the Comets to a 78–64 win at Adrian and an 89–77 victory over Trine, recording back-to-back double-doubles. He posted 19 points and 17 rebounds against Adrian, with the 17 rebounds standing as the second-most by an MIAA player in league games this winter. Kretschman followed that effort with 10 points and 14 rebounds against Trine, continuing a strong week on the boards.
MIAA Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week - Meghan Trewhella, Albion College
Junior guard Meghan Trewhella helped Albion secure two key road wins last week, defeating Alma 81–61 and Saint Mary’s 75–56. Against Alma, she scored 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting (.529), added three rebounds and two assists, and went 5-of-7 (.714) from the free-throw line. Trewhella followed with a double-double at Saint Mary’s, posting 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting (.462) and pulling down 11 rebounds (five offensive, six defensive), along with two assists and three steals. She currently leads the MIAA with 357 points (19.8 per game), 135 field goals, 81 free throws, and a field-goal percentage of .531.
MIAA Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week - Braden Estep, Trine University
Senior sprinter Braden Estep had a record-breaking day at the Hillsdale Wide Track Classic on Friday. Estep ran an indoor personal-best 22.10 in the 200m dash. His time is currently ranked 15th in the nation. Estep also matched his personal-best time of 6.90 in the 60m dash.
MIAA Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week - Sophie Bull, Calvin University
Senior Sophie Bull ran at Grand Valley State's Bill Clinger Invite over the weekend. Bull won the 3000m run in a time of 8:47.50, topping a field of 62 runners which included 11 Division I student-athletes and 16 Division II runners. Her mark is currently ranked eighth in the nation.
MIAA Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week - Owen Fremeau, The University of Olivet
Junior Owen Fremeau competed at the Hillsdale Wide Track Classic over the weekend. Fremeau was the runner-up in the shot put, throwing a school-record mark of 17.12m. His performance in the shot put is currently tied-for-third in the nation. Fremeau also finished fourth in the weight throw with a toss of 17.46m.
MIAA Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week - Helena Snyder, Alma College
Senior Helena Snyder had a standout meet at Saginaw Valley State's Doug Hansen Open over the weekend. Snyder won the high jump with a leap of 1.62m. Her mark broke Alma's indoor school record of 1.60m which she set last season and is currently tied-for-28th in the country. Snyder also placed eighth in the long jump with a leap of 4.57m.
MIAA Men's Swimming Athlete of the Week - Jackson Merkel, Calvin University
Freshman Jackson Merkel turned in a standout performance at Saturday’s MIAA Invite in Grand Rapids, emerging as the meet’s only double-event winner in men's swimming. He claimed first place in the 50 freestyle with a time of 21.0 and followed with a victory in the 100 freestyle, clocking 45.5. Both swims were near his season-best marks.
MIAA Women's Swimming Athlete of the Week - Emma Merkel, Calvin University
Junior Emma Merkel was the only double winner in women’s swimming at Saturday’s MIAA Invite, capturing victories in the 200 freestyle (1:52.5) and the 200 backstroke (2:01.2). Her 200 backstroke time was faster than last year’s NCAA invited standard. Merkel also helped the 200 freestyle relay finish runner-up, posting the fastest split of the meet at 23.2.
MIAA Men's Diving Athlete of the Week - Zander Ligman, Kalamazoo College
Sophomore Zander Ligman delivered a strong performance at the MIAA Invite this past weekend, sweeping both boards. He won the one-meter dive with a score of 284.20 and followed with a first-place finish on the three-meter board, posting a score of 312.10.
MIAA Women's Diving Athlete of the Week - Wen Wadsworth-Curcuru, Albion College
Junior Wen Wadsworth-Curcuru delivered a strong performance at Saturday’s MIAA Invite, sweeping both diving events. She claimed first place on the one-meter board with a score of 254.70 and followed with a win on the three-meter board, posting a score of 267.75.
MIAA Wrestling Athlete of the Week - Jayden Lewis, Albion College
Freshman Jayden Lewis helped the Brits to a league-opening 31-17 win at Alma. Lewis delivered a pivotal performance, earning a first-period pin at 157 pounds. He secured the maximum six team points with a fall in just 1:14 over Vincent Provo, providing a quick and impactful boost for Albion in the dual.
MIAA Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week - Rodrigo Alipio, Calvin University
Junior Rodrigo Alipio opened the spring season with an exhibition match against Division II Grand Valley State last Friday. He earned the Knights’ lone point at No. 1 singles with a three-set victory over Lawrence Ivanov, winning 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-5.