Cal Pac Selects Players of the Week for Oct. 9
The following California Pacific Conference student-athletes have been recognized as the conference Players of the Week for their performances during the period of Oct. 2- 8:
CROSS COUNTRY
Women's Runner of the Week
Maryan Sharif of Park-Gilbert continued her outstanding run through the 2023 season. The grad student from Garland, Tex., finished the Dave Murray Invitational 6k with a time of 25:11 and followed that up with a 5th place finish at the George Young Invitational 5k, crossing in 20:38—the fifth-fastest time in the Cal Pac.
Also nominated:
Kailea Lucy (Westcliff)
Alexa Martinez (La Sierra)
Men's Runner of the Week
Davin Soto of Park-Gilbert turned in back-to-back solid performances. The junior from Casa Grande, Ariz., ran a 27:03 8k at the Dave Murray Invitational, and one week later clocked a 27:27 to take 7th place at the George Young Invitational.
Also nominated:
Emmanuel Cheruiyot (Westcliff)
Alex Navarro (La Sierra)
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Offensive Player of the Week
Chloe Tague stood out on Simpson's offensive attack last week, helping the Red Hawks to a pair of wins with three goals and an assist. The sophomore midfielder put up four shots, all on goal, that netted one goal against Pacific Union and a brace against Providence Christian.
Also nominated:
Emma Alvarez (Park-Gilbert)
Alberte Angersbach (Westcliff)
Sabrina Benjamin (Soka)
Jamie Black (Embry-Riddle)
Alyssa Felix (La Sierra)
Kaamna Shankar (Saint Katherine)
Defensive Player of the Week
Kiah Gridley of Simpson played a key role in the Red Hawks' two wins that kept them in the hunt for a regular season title. The junior from Red Bluff, Calif., picked up a total of six saves to help her squad garner wins over Pacific Union and Providence Christian.
Also nominated:
Jadan Campbell (Benedictine Mesa)
Catherine Corlett (Park-Gilbert)
Cienna Irwin (Soka)
Hannah Masterson (La Sierra)
Annabelle Ruckle (Embry-Riddle)
Christine Thorvaldsen (Westcliff)
Charlize Wolf (Saint Katherine)
MEN'S SOCCER
Offensive Player of the Week
Simpson's Michel Hampe scored a goal in the Red Hawk's 3-2 loss at Pacific Union, and two days later the junior from Cologne, Germany, punched home two goals to help defeat Providence Christian. For the week, he got off 10 shots, eight on goal.
Also nominated:
Anthony Antunez (La Sierra)
Jose Diaz (Cal Maritime)
Diego Fresquez (UC Merced)
Alan Garibaldy (Benedictine Mesa)
Rudy Garcia (Soka)
Bryant Guerrero (Saint Katherine)
Konstantin Papanikaolaou (Park-Gilbert)
Martin Slatsve (Westcliff)
Riley Timko (Embry-Riddle)
Defensive Player of the Week
Westcliff's Noah Schwengeler is honored for the second week in a row after his outstanding performance in a 1-0 win over Soka, which entered the match on a five-game win streak. The sophomore keeper from Irvine, Calif., anchored a defense that only allowed two shots while recording its eighth shutout of the season.
Also nominated:
Noah Alexander (Soka)
Elias Ammon (Embry-Riddle)
Xavier Barajas (UC Merced)
Viktor Gying (Park-Gilbert)
Andres Hueso (Saint Katherine)
Aidan Klein (Benedictine Mesa)
Daniel Morales (Simpson)
Caden Stephens-Bennett (La Sierra)
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Attacker of the Week
Despite it being a week with only two matches for one team, Benedictine Mesa, the Redhawks had some outstanding performances. Kylie Bartel knocked down 28 kills, an average of 4.67 per set, with a .328 hitting percentage to help the Redhawks pick up two more wins.
Setter of the Week
The only Cal Pac setter competing last week, Benedictine Mesa's Karson Davis, was instrumental in the Redhawks' two victories. The sophomore from Conroe, Tex., handed out 30 assists over six sets and added 13 digs.
Defender of the Week
Benedictine Mesa rightside hitter Amanda Klotz had a strong defensive performance in the Redhawks' two wins. The senior from Queen Creek, Ariz., was in on seven blocks in two matches, and she added eight kills on the offensive side.