OXFORD, Ohio - The River States Conference is pleased to announce the Player of the Week honorees for the past week.
All awards represent contests played from Monday, January 26 through Sunday, February 1.
Men's Basketball Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Amari Wales, Midway | Jr. - Guard - Owensboro, Kentucky
Wales had a fantastic week on both ends of the court, averaging 27 points on 56 percent shooting while also pulling down 7.5 rebounds per-game in a pair of Eagle wins, including a road upset of No. 25 IU Kokomo, the first road win against a ranked team in men's basketball history
Defensive Player of the Week
Dontavius King, Midway | Jr. - Forward - Decatur, Georgia
The junior forward had a pair of double-doubles in road wins over IU East and No. 25 IU Kokomo. King had nine defensive rebounds and three blocks to help Midway get its second-ever win over a ranked opponent on Saturday against IU Kokomo, and added 19 points and 12 rebounds on Tuesday against IU East.
Women's Basketball Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Sophia Kline, Rio Grande | Jr. - Forward - Sugar Grove, Ohio
Kline averaged more than 20 points per game in wins over Shawnee State and Oakland City, helping the RedStorm move closer to the RSC's first automatic berth to the NAIA Tournament. The forward shot 68 percent from the field, and pulled down 8.5 rebounds per game for good measure.
Defensive Player of the Week
Morgan Cross, Midway | So. - Guard - Goshen, Indiana
The guard was an absolute terror on both ends in a 21-point, 11-rebound, seven-steal performance against IU Kokomo, helping the Eagles overcome an 11-point third-quarter deficit to win over IU Kokomo Saturday. Cross helped the Eagles force 15 turnovers in the final 12:38 of action.
Indoor Track Athletes of the Week
Male Track Athlete of the Week
Angel Montes, Rio Grande | Fr. - Mexico
The freshman posted one of the nation's best times in the race walk, winning the Walter Cramer Invitational by crossing the finish line with a time of 12:26.60. Montes is the RSC leader in the event entering the RSC Championships, and ranks second in the nation in the event, just 1.56 seconds behind the national leader.
Male Field Athlete of the Week
Gabe Wedmore, IU Kokomo | Sr. - Summittville, Indiana
Gabe Wedmore claimed the shot put title at the IWU Midwest Classic with an NAIA B standard throw of 16.34 meters, continuing to lead the conference in the event. He also placed seventh in the weight throw and remains second in the conference standings.
Female Track Athlete of the Week
Becca Spohn, Rio Grande | Jr. - New Concord, Ohio
Spohn announced herself as an All-American contender in the race walk on Friday, winning the Walter Cramer Invitational with a time of 16:05.35. Spohn's time is currently tops in the River States Conference, and ranks fourth nationally.
Female Field Athlete of the Week
Emerson VanScoy, Midway | Jr. - Teays Valley, West Virginia
Already a national qualifier in pole vault, VanScoy not only clinched a spot in long jump, but also hit an 'A' standard while also winning the long jump at the MSJ Alumni Open. The junior won the high jump with a jump of 1.69 meters, and took gold in the long jump with a mark of 5.15 meters.
Men's Volleyball Players of the Week
Attacker of the Week
Arthur Barreto, IU East | Sr. - Outside Hitter - Sao Paolo, Brazil
Barreto tallied 16 kills to help the Red Wolves move to 3-0 on the season with a sweep of Calumet. He had 16 kills on 20 attacks, good for a .700 hitting percentage. The senior averaged more than five kills per set in the victory on Wednesday evening.
Setter of the Week
Alonzo Vega, Campbellsville | Jr. - Setter - Toa Alta, Puerto Rico
Vega orchestrated the Tigers' offense to a perfect weekend, dishing out over 11 assists per set in the team's marquee victories. His distribution was flawless against #10 Benedictine Mesa, guiding the team to a .357 hitting percentage and a sweep.
Defender of the Week
Mustafa Yildiz, Brescia | Sr. - Right Side Hitter - Adana, Turkey
In two matches this past week, Yildiz racked up 17 total blocks in matches against Truett McConnell and Life. The senior had eight blocks in a sweep of Truett McConnell, then added nine move in a five-set thriller against Life. He also added 15 digs in the doubleheader on Saturday.
Baseball Players of the Week
Player of the Week
Byson Arthur, Shawnee State | Jr. - Utility - Westerville, Ohio
Arthur went 7-for-15 (.467) in four games over the weekend, leading the Bears to a series victory over Point University in Georgia. The Ohio native hit two doubles, drew one walk and drove in a team-high four RBI while scoring two more for Shawnee State.
Pitcher of the Week
Brayden Furnish, IU Columbus | So. - Pitcher - Austin, Indiana
Furnish was sensational on Sunday, leading IU Columbus to a victory over Lindsey Wilson. The sophomore allowed just three hits across seven innings of work, striking out seven without walking any Lindsey Wilson hitters as the Crimson Pride picked up a 5-3 victory over the Blue Raiders.
Softball Players of the Week
Player of the Week
Cierra Cramer, IU Columbus | Fr. - Infield - Mooresville, Indiana
Cramer was impossible to retire in IU Columbus' first doubleheader of the season, going 5-for-5 in the Crimson Pride's games with Montreat. The freshman infielder scored in three of her five plate appearances, and was successful in her lone fielding opportunity.
Pitcher of the Week
Chloe Linn, IU Columbus | Fr. - Pitcher - Kokomo, Indiana
Linn was the winning pitcher in the Crimson Pride's victory over Montreat on Friday, allowing just one hit across 2.2 innings of work. The freshman struck out four hitters in her 2.2 innings in the circle, allowing just one run to secure an 8-6 victory over the Cavaliers.