CORVALLIS, Ore. – The following twelve CCC student-athletes have been recognized as the Rize Laboratory Players of the Week for their performances during competition from Jan. 29 – Feb. 4, 2024.
Men’s Basketball – Player
Bushnell University’s Spencer Hoffman was named the Rize Laboratory Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.
Hoffman, a senior center from Eugene, Ore., recorded two huge double-doubles for the Beacons in dominant road wins against Northwest University (101-93) and The Evergreen State College (97-81). He shot an impressive 75.8 percent from the field and made 6-of-7 free throws over the weekend. Across both games he totaled 33 rebounds, two steals and an assist on top of 56 points in 72 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 fourth time this season.
Stevens, a senior guard from Puyallup, Wash., continues to light up the court for the Warriors, averaging 22 points per game in two more victories over College of Idaho (65-46) and Eastern Oregon University (63-59). Over the weekend she shot 50 percent from the field by tallying 44 total points. She added seven rebounds, nine assists, and three steals across 70 minutes played.
Men's Wrestling – Wrestler
No. 9-ranked Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Keller Rock was named the Rize Laboratory Men's Wrestler of the Week for the third time this season.
Rock, a 165lbs junior from Chino Valley, Ariz., is ranked at the top of his weight class and went undefeated this weekend against two ranked opponents. In Embry-Riddle’s first dual on Friday against No. 6-ranked University of Providence, he won in sudden victory over No. 14 Jordan Komac. The next day in the Eagles dual against No. 20-ranked Montana State University-Northern he moved up a weight class (174lbs) and defeated No. 2 NaKoda Siegel in an 8-1 decision.
Women's Wrestling – Wrestler
No. 1-ranked Menlo College’s Kayla McKinley-Johnson was named the Rize Laboratory Women's Wrestler of the Week.
McKinley-Johnson, a sophomore from Des Moines, Wash., sits at 101lbs and is ranked 8th individually. She was dominant on Saturday with three victories against ranked opponents for an individual Champion Title at the Grand View Open. She completed two technical falls and a pin, including two upsets over No. 3 Esther Walker of (RV) Midland University and No. 4 Alyssa Quezaire of No. 8-ranked Missouri Baptist University.
Men’s Indoor Track & Field – Track Athlete
Eastern Oregon University’s TJ Davis was named the Rize Laboratory Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.
Davis, a graduate student runner from Sandpoint, Idaho, had a speedy weekend at the EOU Lew Thorne Invite. He finished 1st in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.13 seconds for an “A” Standard and set a EOU program and facility record.
Men’s Indoor Track & Field – Field Athlete
Eastern Oregon University’s Tyler Jones was named the Rize Laboratory Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week.
Jones, a junior jumper from Richland, Wash., set a new personal and facility record in the high jump at the EOU Lew Thorne Invite. He reached a height of 2.10m to secure an “A” Standard and a 1st place finish which ranked 7th in the NAIA this season.
Women’s Indoor Track & Field – Track Athlete
College of Idaho’s Ellyse Tingelstad was named the Rize Laboratory Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.
Tingelstad, a junior runner from Joseph, Ore., placed 1st at the Riverfront Invitational and Multis. She completed the 5,000m with a time of 17:09.34 for an “A” Standard which currently ranks 2nd in the NAIA this season.
Women’s Indoor Track & Field – Field Athlete
Eastern Oregon University’s Elizabeth Grandle was named the Rize Laboratory Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week.
Grandle, a sophomore jumper from Molalla, Ore., had a fantastic outing at the EOU Lew Thorne Invite. She finished 1st in the long jump with a distance of 5.34m, surpassing the runner-up by 0.22m to set a new personal record.
Baseball – Player
Lewis-Clark State College’s Charlie Updegrave was named the Rize Laboratory Baseball Player of the Week.
Updegrave, a junior first baseman from Oakridge, Ore., was an offensive machine over the weekend against some of the nation's top teams. He recorded five hits and nine RBIs for a .455 batting average as the Warriors opened their season with a 3-1 record. He recorded a .727 slugging percentage and a .650 on-base percentage while drawing five walks, tallying five runs, and knocking one over the fence. Defensively, he recorded 27 putouts and an assist for a near perfect fielding percentage (.933).
Baseball – Pitcher
Lewis-Clark State College’s Drake George was named the Rize Laboratory Baseball Pitcher of the Week.
George, a junior from Riddle, Ore. opened the Warriors season with a tremendous appearance on the mound. He threw 4.2 shutout innings in LC State's 13-7 victory over Tennessee Wesleyan University. He only allowed three hits and two walks while striking out seven batters to hold a perfect ERA.
Softball – Player
College of Idaho’s Lolo Walker was named the Rize Laboratory Softball Player of the Week.
Walker, a sophomore utility player from Meridian, Idaho, was dominant in C of I’s opening weekend. She recorded seven hits with five being home runs for an outstanding .350 batting average as the Yotes started their season with a 5-3 record. She recorded a 1.100 slugging percentage and a .533 on-base percentage while drawing eight walks, tallying nine runs, and driving in 12 RBIs. She topped off her stellar week with an errorless effort in the field.
Softball – Pitcher
Eastern Oregon University’s Kaylie Hoskins was named the Rize Laboratory Softball Pitcher of the Week.
Hoskins, a junior from Lake Stevens, Wash., started her season right where she left off on the mound. She threw a shutout in EOU’s 3-0 victory over Simpson University. She only allowed one hit and one walk while striking out 14 batters to hold a perfect ERA.