CCC Players of the Week Named for Sept. 21-27
The following Cascade Collegiate Conference student-athletes were recognized as conference Players of the Week in their respective sports for the period Sept. 21-27:
Women’s Soccer
Offensive – College of Idaho’s Erika Mouritsen (Wellsville, UTE), a 5-6 junior forward, was credited with the game-winning goals in victories over Evergreen and Northwest, helping the Lady Yotes to their best start (7-1) in program history. Other nominees: Tennly Paul-Bowden, Eastern Oregon; Jessica Matthews, Corban; Lisel Frazier, Oregon Tech; Jessica Ramback, Concordia.
Defensive – College of Idaho’s Colleen Smith (Boise, Idaho), a 5-9 junior defender, was outstanding as the Yotes’ sweeper, helping C of I extend its shutout streak to five matches and 451 minutes. C of I recorded wins over Evergreen and Northwest. Other nominees: Kalah Minter, Eastern Oregon; Jennifer Bassett, Corban; Brittany Orr, Concordia.
Men’s Soccer
Offensive – Concordia’s Jared Brace (Vancouver, Wash.), a 5-8 freshman midfielder, came up with three goals and two assists in a pair of CCC wins. He scored in the first minute against Northwest Christian and had both assists in the first half of play. Other nominees: Jesus Lopez, College of Idaho; Ayouba Moussa, Corban; Mirza Memic, Evergreen.
Defensive –.Concordia’s James Gaynor (Vancouver, Wash.), a 5-8 freshman midfielder, has been a force in the middle for the Cavs, helping CU to its third shutout of the season against Northwest. Gaynor also scored a goal this week as a defensive midfielder, generating a go-ahead score in a 6-3 win over Northwest Christian. Other nominees: Aaron Reynolds, College of Idaho; Aaron Franklin, Corban.
Volleyball
Hitter – Corban’s Chandra Baskoro (Gresham, Ore.), a 5-7 freshman outside hitter, registered a combined 36 kills in three matches. The first-year Warrior posted a career-high 16 kills against No. 16-ranked Southern Oregon. She had three double-doubles (kills, digs) during the week. Other nominees: Kathryn Ely, College of Idaho; Grace DeBoodt, Eastern Oregon; Megan Christensen, Oregon Tech; Chelsea Hartman, Southern Oregon; Mariana Toscano, Concordia.
Setter – Concordia’s Skyler Kamaka (Kaneohe, Hawaii), a 5-8 sophomore, averaged nearly seven assists per game as the Cavaliers posted 3-0 sweeps over Northwest and Evergreen. She also had two aces and 10 digs. Other nominees: Madie Machurek, College of Idaho; Chelsea Herron, Eastern Oregon; Angela Spieker, Southern Oregon; Karisa Calderon, Corban.
Libero – College of Idaho’s Whitney Owen (Caldwell, Idaho), a 5-11 junior, had 31 digs in a 3-2 win over Eastern Oregon, a team receiving votes in last week’s NAIA Top 25. It was the fifth time this season she has recorded at least 30 digs in a match. Other nominees: Mercedes LeClaire, Northwest Christian; Kaitlyn Duncan, Eastern Oregon; Rebecca Franke, Corban; Becky Johnstone, Southern Oregon.
Cross Country
Men – Evergreen’s Brian Rakestraw (Woodinville, Wash.), a senior, posted his first sub-26 minute time on a challenging course at the Pete Steilberg Cross Country Classic in Olympia. Rakestraw finished third in a time of 25:56. He has finished no lower than fifth in his three races this season.
Golf
Men – Northwest Christian’s Justin Ahrens (Eugene, Ore.), a senior, went birdie-birdie over the final two holes (including a 15-foot birdie putt on 18) to claim a one-shot victory in the Pacific University Invitational. NCU won the team title on a card playoff (determined by top four scores on 18th hole) over host Pacific. Other nominees: Tyler Thurston, College of Idaho; Joey Duwe, Corban; Jed Dalton, Concordia.
Women – Concordia’s Lindsay Aho (Brush Prairie, Wash.), a senior, fired back-to-back 75’s to place second at the St. Martin’s Invitational. Aho helped CU to a second-team team finish.