MIAMI, Fla. (September 5, 2022) – The Sun Conference had an eye opening week displaying the overall talented conference. Two top-five upset victories in Women’s Soccer as no. 6 Keiser and no. 20 Southeastern team up to take down no. 1 Tennessee Southeastern and no. 2 William Carey. Southeastern Football took down NCAA DII Savannah State. Cross Country had all teams at full go and competing against NCAA opponents. It was a full week of action with Volleyball also bring home numerous victories in different states.
Southeastern swept the cross country runners of the week and led the way with four award winners. Ave Maria was right behind with three award winners, two in volleyball. St. Thomas Soccer brought home both offense awards while Keiser also had two separate award winners.
These awards are for stats based on August 29 to September 4.
Cross Country Runners of the Week
Sun Conference Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
John Perez-Dunn – Southeastern | Sr. – Port Charlotte, Fla.
Perez-Dunn was first overall at the Short Course Invitational, posting a 16:48 5K to win the race by seven seconds.
Sun Conference Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Julia Rohm – Southeastern | Gr. – Riverview, Fla.
Rohm cruised to victory in 10:58 to help the Fire win the team title.
Volleyball Players of the Week
Sun Conference Volleyball Attacker of the Week
Cabriella Bouterse – Ave Maria | Sr. – Outside Hitter – Paramaribo, Suriname
Bouterse played a major role in Ave Maria's dominance on the week, racking up 45 kills in five consecutive sweeps. The senior also added 13 total blocks, and posted a .321 attack percentage.
Sun Conference Volleyball Defender of the Week
Abigail Costlow – Ave Maria | So. – Middle Blocker – Monroe, Mich.
Costlow was an absolute menace at the net, racking up 22 total blocks over five matches on the week. The sophomore had seven blocks in back-to-back wins over Georgetown and Truett McConnell, and added 29 kills as well.
Sun Conference Volleyball Setter of the Week
Hannah Heide – (RV) Keiser | So. – Setter – Jupiter, Fla.
Stuffed the stat sheet again with 19 kills, nine blocks, four service aces, and 159 total assists in six games. (8.37 per set). Moved into third all-time in school history for career assists.
Men’s Soccer Players of the Week
Sun Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Fernando Arzeno – (11) St. Thomas | Gr. – Forward – Buenos Aires, Argentina
The reigning Sun Conference Player of the Year continued his offensive dominance in the 2022 season opener. Arzeno just played one half and it was all he needed to get two goals in. The first goal was within five minutes of the match. The Bobcats took down reigning NCAA DII runner-up Nova Southeastern 3-0. Both shots taken by Arzeno led to goals.
Sun Conference Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Sebastian Lago – Webber International | Jr. – Defender – Miami, Fla.
Lago helped strengthen a Webber defense that allowed just one shot on goal all game long while also showcasing his playmaking ability going forward, scoring a goal and recording an assist in the Warriors' 4-1 win.
Women’s Soccer Players of the Week
Sun Conference Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Karina Medina – (RV) St. Thomas | Gr. – Forward – Miami, Fla.
Karina Medina has been off to the hottest start in her career scoring goals in three straight matches and in four of five games this year. This week the captain had back to back multi-goal games and also tallied an assist for nine points on the week. Medina leads the conference with six goals scored on the early season and is second in points with 13. STU went 2-0 on the week to improve to 4-1 on the year.
Sun Conference Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Grace McClellan – (6) Keiser | So. – Goalkeeper – Southside, Ala.
Grace McClellan made a season-high six saves against the No. 1 ranked Tennessee Southern Firebirds and earned her fourth straight shutout of the season. It is the first time in program history that the Seahawks have started 4-0 without allowing a goal. McClellan is one of three goalkeepers to have three solo and one combined shutouts so far this season and the only one to do it in just four games.
Football Players of the Week
Sun Conference Football Offensive Player of the Week
Kaylan Wiggins – (RV) Southeastern | Sr. – Quarterback – Sanford, Fla.
Wiggins led the offense to a 20-point win at NCAA Division II Savannah State, racking up 187 yards and two touchdowns through the air and added a team-high 62 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Sun Conference Football Defensive Player of the Week
Marc Viechec – (RV) Southeastern | Sr. – Linebacker – Naples, Fla.
Viechec led the Fire with a team-best eight tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown in a 34-14 win at NCAA Division II Savannah State.
Sun Conference Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Brunel Desinor – Ave Maria | So. – Defensive Back – Pompano Beach, Fla.
Desinor blocked two kicks for the Gyrenes on Saturday night, making the difference in a one-point game. The sophomore blocked an extra point in the first quarter, then got his hands on Lawrence Tech's go-ahead field goal attempt with two minutes to play.
ABOUT THE SUN CONFERENCE
Now entering its 33rd year, The Sun Conference, a 501c3 organization, continues to be one of the most successful intercollegiate athletic conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Under the guidance of Commissioner Dustin Wilke, the league sponsors championships in 20 NAIA sports: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Football, Flag Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field, Women's Lacrosse, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field and Women’s Volleyball. Learn more at thesunconference.com
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