CORVALLIS, Ore. –
The following eight CCC student-athletes have been recognized as the Rize Laboratory Players of the Week for their performances during competition from Jan. 23-29, 2023.
Men's Basketball – Player
Bushnell University's Stevie Schlabach was named the Rize Laboratory Men's Basketball Player of the Week.
Schlabach, a junior guard from Tigard, Ore., had a big week for the Beacons as they won three in a row. Bushnell upset Corban University in its first battle while Schlabach scored 13 points and hit 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. In the second win over Northwest University, he broke Bushnell's career record for field goals with 536 baskets. The team's third victory over The Evergreen State College was their largest ever and led Schlabach into third place on Bushnell's career scoring list with 1458 points, 54 of them on the week.
Women's Basketball – Player
Southern Oregon University's Kami Walk was named the Rize Laboratory Women's Basketball Player of the Week.
Walk, a junior forward from Eugene, Ore., led the Raiders to three consecutive victories, resulting in a third-place conference standing and clinching a playoff berth. She grabbed back-to-back double-doubles in their two-weekend games. Walk recorded an impressive 42 points and 29 rebounds on the week.
Men's Wrestling – Wrestler
No. 16-ranked Embry-Riddle Aeronautic University's Keller Rock was named the Rize Laboratory Men's Wrestler of the Week.
Rock, a 165-lb Sophomore wrestler from Chino Valley, Ariz. is ranked No. 5 in his weight class by the NAIA and has an individual overall record of 20-3. This weekend Embry-Riddle had a dual against (RV) Corban University. Rock upset David Rubio who is ranked one place above him in the NAIA polls. He Faught hard, resulting in a 9-7 decision in his favor, leading his team to victory in a 21-17 win.
Women's Wrestling – Wrestler
(RV) Vanguard University's Piper Hall was named the Rize Laboratory Women's Wrestler of the Week.
Hall, a 131-lb Freshman wrestler from Plymouth, Pa. had a stellar weekend at the Cerritos JC Open. She started with an 11-0 win over Lety Sanchez of San Antonio College. Then, she pinned Anya Rodriguez of Palomar College, putting her up against Sofia Vergara of San Antonio. The high-scoring matchup resulted in a 20-11 victory for Hall. She walked away with a first-place gold finish in her weight class.
Men's Indoor Track & Field – Track Athlete
Multnomah University's Freider Fornasari-Banguera was named the Rize Laboratory Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.
Fornasari-Banguera, a junior sprinter from Modena, Italy is currently ranked #2 in the NAIA and had a speedy weekend at the UW Invitational. He went in ranked first at the meet, ran a 6.75 in prelims, and then 6.71 in the finals. This led him to win the meet in the 60m with an "A" standard mark. Fornasari-Banguera also ran the 200m in 21.95.
Men's Indoor Track & Field – Field Athlete
Eastern Oregon University's Tanner Nett was named the Rize Laboratory Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week.
Nett, a sophomore from Boise, Idaho finished third in the shot put with 15.3m and a "B" standard mark at the Inland Northwest Invitational. Nett is fighting his own records as this throw ranks third all-time in Eastern Oregon history, while the top spot also belongs to him.
Women's Indoor Track & Field – Track Athlete
College of Idaho's Sage Martin was named the Rize Laboratory Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.
Martin, a junior from Meridian, Idaho started her season hot at the Stacy Dragila Open. She reached a fifth-place finish in a field full of NCAA Division I competition and an NAIA "A" qualifying mark in the mile (4:57.80). Her time is the third fastest in the NAIA to date.
Women's Indoor Track & Field – Field Athlete
Eastern Oregon University's Maggie Ledbetter was named the Rize Laboratory Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week for the third consecutive week.
Ledbetter, a graduate student thrower from Cove, Ore., had another strong performance at the Inland Northwest Invitational. She took two second-place finishes in the shot put (13.42m) and weight throw (16.44m). Both throws reached "B" standards, narrowly missing "A" standards by centimeters in each event.