Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – The Midwest Conference (MWC) announced its Performers of the Week award recipients for games played October 20-26, 2025, 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, swimming and diving) 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
Drake Stuart, Illinois College
Stuart filled the entire defensive stat sheet while leading IC to its second shutout in the past four games and limiting Ripon to 122 yards. The senior linebacker led IC with seven tackles, including a TFL and a sack. Stuart also added a forced fumble, an interception, and a pass breakup on the day.
Football Offensive Performer of the Week
Ethan Springer, Lake Forest College
Springer was extremely efficient in Lake Forest's 49-24 victory at Cornell on Saturday. The sophomore signal-caller completed 28 of 33 passes for 320 yards and a pair of touchdowns without an interception. He also added 27 rushing yards on five attempts. Springer's 84.8 completion percentage is the fourth-highest single game mark in program history.
Football Special Teams Performer of the Week
Cole Ostendorf, University of Chicago
Ostendorf was the leader on both defense and special teams on Saturday for the Maroons as he helped lift UChicago past Grinnell. His impact was fully felt on back-to-back plays in the second quarter to put the game out of reach. The Maroons blocked a punt in the Grinnell endzone, and Ostendorf was able to beat everyone to the ball to recover it in the endzone for the touchdown. Then, on the first offensive play for Grinnell on the ensuing series, Ostendorf picked off a pass and returned it into the red zone to set up UChicago in great field position. Ostendorf also added 8 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in the win.
Men’s Soccer Offensive Performer of the Week
Justice Toledo, Cornell College
Toledo accounted for two goals and one assist during Cornell's 2-0 week as the Rams climbed to second place in the MWC standings. The sophomore scored twice and had one assist in a 5-2 win over North Central (Minn.), improving his team-leading points total to 19.
Men’s Soccer Defensive Performer of the Week
Jack Massey, Cornell College
Massey allowed only one goal over 167 minutes during Cornell's 2-0 week, highlighted by a 1-0 complete-game shutout over Monmouth that strengthened the postseason chances for the second-place Rams. The freshman goalkeeper had four saves for the week.
Women’s Soccer Defensive Performer of the Week
No nominees this week
Women’s Soccer Offensive Performer of the Week
Mariah Hobson, Monmouth College
Mariah Hobson scored two goals and added an assist for the Scots in a 3-2 road win at Cornell. She tied the game 1-1 in the first half and scored early in the second half for a 2-1 lead. Her assist to Morgan Kistler put the Scots up 3-1 in the 41st minute. Hobson finished with three shots on goal, scoring on two of them as Monmouth moved into sole possession of 4th place.