CORVALLIS, Ore. –
The following 10 CCC student-athletes have been recognized as the Rize Laboratory Players of the Week for their performances during competition from Sept. 26 through Oct. 2, 2022.
Women’s Soccer – Offensive Player
Oregon Tech’s Kiah Wetzell was named the Rize Laboratory Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week.
Wetzell, a junior forward from Clackamas, Ore., had a phenomenal weekend against the Montana schools. She scored the game-winning goal late in the second half against Rocky Mountain College, while scoring a pair of goals in the first six minutes (one on a set piece header, the other 1-v-1) and adding an assist in the win over the University of Providence.
Women’s Soccer – Defensive Player
(RV) Northwest University’s Hanne Breur was named the Rize Laboratory Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week for the third time this year.
Breur, a freshman goalkeeper from deBilt, Netherlands, helped the Eagles grab a 1-0 victory over Carroll College to keep Northwest undefeated on the year. She made seven saves to pick up her ninth shutout of the season, which leads the CCC and the NAIA.
Men’s Soccer – Offensive Player
The Evergreen State College’s Kainoa Wong was named the Rize Laboratory Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week.
Wong, a junior defender from Pearl City, Hawaii, finished the weekend with three goals and three assists. His performance Sunday places him No. 2 all-time in TESC’s men's soccer history for total points in a single game (one point behind Geoduck Hall of Famer, former MLS player and NAIA All-American Joe Gjertsen).
Men’s Soccer – Defensive Player
(RV) Warner Pacific University’s Kevil Marin-Mendez was named the Rize Laboratory Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week.
Marin-Mendez, a freshman defender from Troutdale, Ore., was an anchor for a Knight defense that earned two shutouts this weekend. Marin-Mendez and the Knights' defense didn't allow Bushnell to attempt a single shot all game and held one of the highest ranked offenses in the conference in Corban to only four shots on goal.
Volleyball – Attacker
No. 5-ranked Corban University’s Avari Ridgway was named the Rize Laboratory Volleyball Attacker of the Week for the second time this year.
Ridgway, a senior outside hitter from McMinnville, Ore., was untouchable this weekend in the No. 5 Warriors' two wins over Walla Walla University and Lewis-Clark State College, crushing 27 kills at the net and leading the backcourt with 20 digs. The combination of 27 kills and only five errors resulted in a .393 attacking percentage on the week and she earned five blocks at the net as well. Her game-highs in kills (19) and digs (15) in the Warriors' five-set thrilling win at LC State marks her 10
th double-double of the season in 18 matches played.
Volleyball – Defender
Lewis-Clark State College’s Jada Wyms was named the Rize Laboratory Volleyball Defender of the Week.
Wyms, a senior middle blocker from West Haven, Utah, helped the Warriors through a strong weekend with an upset over (RV) Bushnell and a near-upset of No. 5 Corban. She led each match in blocks with five on Friday and six on Saturday for a total of 11, averaging 1.22 per set. She was dynamic offensively and defensively in the five-setter against Corban with 12 kills on a .529 attack percentage.
Volleyball – Setter
Oregon Tech’s Courtney Isom was named the Rize Laboratory Volleyball Setter of the Week.
Isom, a senior setter from Brownsville, Ore., had the best weekend of her career to help the Owls grab back-to-back three-set sweeps, averaging 10.83 assists per set. She had upped her career high for kills each night (six on Friday and eight on Saturday) with great decisions on second contacts. Isom added 3.00 digs per set and two blocks and was outstanding in helping OIT's offense hit above .300 in each match.
Women’s Cross Country – Runner
No. 6-ranked College of Idaho’s Sage Martin was named the Rize Laboratory Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week.
Martin, a junior from Meridian, Idaho, led a 72-runner field with a time of 21 minutes, 35.6 seconds to win the Mike Johnson Classic. She was the first of five Coyotes who finished in the top five to win the meet in a field full of NCAA talent.
Men’s Cross Country – Runner
No. 13-ranked Eastern Oregon University’s Justin Ash was named the Rize Laboratory Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week for the third time.
Ash, a sophomore from Baker City, Ore., ran another great race and took 10th at the Charles Bowles Invitational, competing against 208 other competitors. Ash averaged 3:05.5 per km, finishing the 8K with a time of 24:44.2.
Women’s Golf – Golfer
No. 23-ranked Oregon Tech’s Payton Canon was named the Rize Laboratory Women’s Golfer of the Week, her second of the year.
Canon, a senior from Greenwood Village, Colo., continued her stellar 2022 season, recording her third-consecutive Top-5 finish. She finished with a 36-hole score of 150, carding back-to-back 75s.