CORVALLIS, Ore. – The following four CCC student-athletes have been recognized as the Rize Laboratory Players of the Week for their performances during competition from Jan. 8 – 14, 2024.
Men’s Basketball – Player
Northwest University’s Luke Howard was named the Rize Laboratory Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.
Howard, a junior forward from Vancouver, BC, Canada, was dominant for the Eagles in a weekend sweep over Warner Pacific University (95-93) and Multnomah (94-92). On Friday, he scored a career-high 30 points with 10 rebounds in the overtime victory. The next day, he recorded 26 points and 11 rebounds. Howard ended the weekend with a 52.5 field-goal percentage, 45.5 from the 3-point range, and made 9-of-11 free throws. He added a block and four assists in 59 total minutes played.
Women’s Basketball – Player
No. 7-ranked Lewis-Clark State College’s Callie Stevens was named the Rize Laboratory Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the second time this season.
Stevens, a senior guard from Puyallup, Wash., led LC State to two more wins over the weekend. In the Warriors' victory over No. 20 Southern Oregon University (68-42), she scored a game-high 25 points. She then recorded 17 points in the win against Oregon Tech (61-42) in OIT’s first loss of the season. On the weekend, Stevens added three rebounds, three assists, and two steals while making all four of her free throws. She shot 41.7 percent from the field in 67 total minutes played.
Men's Wrestling – Wrestler
No. 16-ranked Southern Oregon University’s Aaron Gandara was named the Rize Laboratory Men's Wrestler of the Week.
Gandara, a 157lbs junior from Somerton, Ariz., is ranked 13th and performed impressively for the Raiders, leading to three big wins on the mat. He earned a Tech Fall in his first bout against his (RV) Simpson University competitor. Then, he pinned his next opponent of No. 3-ranked Menlo College. Finally, Gandara highlighted the Tri-Dual with an upset of No. 9 Sheldon Cole of No.11-ranked Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, helping Southern Oregon to an undefeated week.
Women's Wrestling – Wrestler
No. 4-ranked University of Providence’s Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp was named the Rize Laboratory Women's Wrestler of the Week.
Estrella-Beauchamp, a junior from Kahului, Hawaii, sits at 136lbs and is ranked 2nd individually. On Saturday she took over the mat, going undefeated at the Golden Bear Open. Her first two wins were by pin and the final one ended in an 8-4 decision, leading to a first-place victory.