CORVALLIS, Ore. – The following ten CCC student-athletes have been recognized as the Rize Laboratory Players of the Week for their performances during competition from Jan. 22 – 28, 2024.
Men's Basketball – Player
No. 3- ranked College of Idaho's Drew Wyman was named the Rize Laboratory Men's Basketball Player of the Week.
Wyman, a junior guard from Great Falls, Mont., led the Yotes to a weekend home sweep over No. 24-ranked Oregon Tech (83-59) and Southern Oregon University (82-50). He shot an impressive 81 percent from the field and 73.3 percent from the 3-point line over the weekend. Across both games he totaled nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal on top of 45 total points in 37 minutes played.
Women's Basketball – Player
Bushnell University's Aspen Slifka was named the Rize Laboratory Women's Basketball Player of the Week for the second time this season.
Slifka, a senior guard from Banks, Ore., had another monumental week for the Beacons, averaging over 25 points per game across three victories against Corban University (77-52), Multnomah (72-58), and Warner Pacific University (68-49). Over the week she shot 51.8 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from behind the arc, tallying 76 total points. She made 11 of her 13 free throws and grabbed 19 rebounds, 11 assists, four steals, and two blocks across the games.
Men's Wrestling – Wrestler
No. 15-ranked Southern Oregon University's Andrew Herrera was named the Rize Laboratory Men's Wrestler of the Week.
Herrera, a 197lbs senior from South Lake Tahoe, Calif., is ranked 16th individually and went undefeated this weekend against two ranked opponents. On Friday he won a 7-6 decision over No. 21 ranked Carl Hansen of No. 20-ranked Montana State University-Northern. The next day he defeated No. 16 Liam Swanson of No. 6-ranked University of Providence in a 5-3 decision. His efforts led the Raiders to two dual victories.
Women's Wrestling – Wrestler
No. 1-ranked Menlo College's Ajayzee Zaballos was named the Rize Laboratory Women's Wrestler of the Week.
Zaballos, a junior from Castro Valley, Calif., sits at 116lbs and is ranked 7th individually. She was dominant on Sunday with five victories at the Warrior Open, including an upset of No. 5 Icart Galumette of No. 9-ranked Campbellsville University. She completed four technical falls and a 13-4 decision, leading to the 116-Champion Title with a total score of 60-9.
Men's Indoor Track & Field – Track Athlete
Multnomah's Deron Roberts was named the Rize Laboratory Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.
Roberts, a junior sprinter from Georgetown, Guyana, had a speedy weekend at the UW Invitational. He finished 3rd in the 60m with a time of 6.75 for an "A" standard which ranked fifth in the NAIA this season.
Men's Indoor Track & Field – Field Athlete
Eastern Oregon University's Mark Church was named the Rize Laboratory Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week.
Church, a sophomore thrower from Fruitland, Idaho, set a new personal record in the weight throw at the Inland Northwest Invitational. He reached a distance of 17.32m to secure an "A" standard and a 2nd place finish against 27 other opponents.
Women's Indoor Track & Field – Track Athlete
College of Idaho's Abbey Shirts was named the Rize Laboratory Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.
Shirts, a graduate student runner from Weiser, Idaho, began her season right where she left off at the Stacy Dragila Open. Out of 33 total runners, she finished as the top collegiate finisher in the mile with a time of 5:00.35 to secure an "A" standard which ranks second in the NAIA this season.
Women's Indoor Track & Field – Field Athlete
Eastern Oregon University's Kenna Woodward was named the Rize Laboratory Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week.
Woodward, a senior thrower from Prineville, Ore., had a standout performance at the Inland Northwest Invitational. She reached an "A" standard with a distance of 16.39m against 28 total competitors in the weight throw, only trailing one NCAA D1 athlete.
Baseball – Player
Oregon Tech's Tyler Horner was named the Rize Laboratory Baseball Player of the Week.
Horner, a junior catcher from Twin Falls, Idaho, was dominant all over home plate in the Owls opening weekend. He recorded 10 hits with six being for extra bases including two home runs. He averaged an outstanding .588 at the plate with six RBIs, five runs, and two walks while touching 21 total bases. He was perfect behind the plate while adding 15 putouts and throwing out four runners.
Baseball – Pitcher
Eastern Oregon University's Jake Herrera was named the Rize Laboratory Baseball Pitcher of the Week.
Herrera, a junior from Elk Grove, Calif., opened the Mounties season with a tremendous appearance on the mound. He threw the final two innings of EOU's 11-8 victory over Simpson University, earning a save after blasting four strikeouts to begin the year with a perfect ERA.