Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Associate Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
GRINNELL, Iowa – The Midwest Conference (MWC) announced its Performers of the Week award recipients for the week of September 25 through October 1, 2023 on Monday.
MWC sports information directors nominate student-athletes for the Performer of the Week honor by sport and vote as a committee to select the winners.
For the fall season, Performers of the Week will be recognized every week on Monday (football, soccer) and Tuesday (cross country, women’s tennis, volleyball) once their seasons have been triggered (three MWC institutions competing) and will conclude the week prior to the sport-specific Conference tournament/championship.
The Performer of the Week award winners are as follows:
Football Defensive Performer of the Week
Charlie Patterson, Illinois College
Charlie Patterson was the standout for IC on defense in the 20-17 victory over Monmouth College last Saturday afternoon. Patterson recorded a game-high 13 tackles (10 solo, 3 assisted), included five tackles for loss that accumulated 24 yards. Patterson dominated the line of scrimmage and was able to record two sacks and four quarterback hurries. Patterson was the leader of the IC defense that held Monmouth to just three points in the second half.
Football Offensive Performer of the Week
John Smith, Cornell College
Smith had a career day in Cornell's 36-33 comeback win at Ripon. The senior quarterback accounted for five touchdowns, including a game-winning 47-yard TD pass with 3:55 remaining. Smith threw for 255 yards and four TDs, and another rushed for one score.
Football Special Teams Performer of the Week
A.J. Jackson, Lake Forest College
Jackson started the scoring in the Foresters' 50-0 victory at Knox College on Saturday. He fielded a punt at the Prairie Fire 49 and returned it to the end zone for ninth career punt return touchdown, extending his NCAA Division III record in that category. He finished the game with 63 yards on two punts returns, 46 on two kickoff returns, and 24 on his lone reception.
Men's Soccer Defensive Performer of the Week
Floris Huiskers, Cornell College
Huiskers had back-to-back shutout wins for the Rams against Central, 3-0, and Lawrence, 3-0. The Rams move to 2-0 in the conference after the win against Lawrence. Huiskers played each game to completion and collected a combined 12 saves.
Men's Soccer Offensive Performer of the Week
Allan Hernandez, Beloit College
Hernandez scored three goals in 52 minutes off the bench on Saturday en route to the Buccaneers' first win of the season. This was his first career hat trick. His three goals now tie him for the team lead this season. Hernandez was 3 for 3 on shots and goals.
Women's Soccer Defensive Performer of the Week
Anna Caster, Monmouth College
Goalkeeper Anna Caster made a career-high 17 saves on Saturday against Beloit. She single-handedly kept the Scots in the game as they drew 1-1 with the Bucs.
Women's Soccer Offensive Performer of the Week
Izzy DeStefano, Lake Forest College
DeStefano led Lake Forest to a pair of conference victories last week. She scored the only goal of Tuesday's 1-0 triumph at Ripon on a set piece midway through the first half. She was also responsible for the first and fourth goals of Saturday's 5-0 victory at Knox. The sophomore now leads the Foresters with 7 scores and 17 points on the season.