LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East conference has announced its Athletes of the Week for October 17, 2023. Today will include Athletes of the Week for Field Hockey, Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, Women’s Tennis, and Men’s Tennis.
This week’s selections included contests from Monday, October 9 through Sunday, October 15. A total of 7 student-athletes were recognized for their performances.
Field Hockey
Offensive Player of the Week
Paige Ney / So / Wilson College / Biglerville, Pa. / Biglerville HS
Ney led Wilson to a pair of wins this week with two goals and two assists. The two goals, her eighth and ninth of the season, came in a 4-0 victory over Southern Virginia on Wednesday. She followed up with two assists in a 7-2 win against Meredith in the cold and rain on Saturday for homecoming. Ney currently leads the United East in Goals (9) and Points (20) while being tied for first in Game-Winning Goals (3). This is the third Athlete of the Week for Ney who previously won the award on September 12, 2023, and September 12, 2022 as well as a Second Team honor for the 2022 season as well.
Defensive Player of the Week
Jill Ahlgren / Sr / Wilson College / Mercersburg, Pa. / Mercersburg HS
Ahlgren held down the middle of the field for the Phoenix as Wilson went 2-0 on the week in non-conference action allowing only 4 shots all week.. On Wednesday, the Phoenix defense allowed one shot, none on goal, in the 4-0 shutout against Southern Virginia. Saturday’s homecoming game against Meredith yielded 3 shots, 3 on goal, as the Phoenix rolled to a 7-2 victory. This is the first Athlete of the Week in Field Hockey for Ahlgren who currently ranks 3rd in the United East for Assists (4), 6th in Shots (25), and tied for 10th in Goals (2)
Women’s Cross Country
Runner of the Week
Kathe Wilken-Yoder / So / Gallaudet University / Oviedo, Fl. / Hagerty HS
Wilken-Yoder was Gallaudet's top runner last Saturday at the Aubrey Shenk Invitational hosted by Gettysburg College. The sophomore runner finished 58th overall out of a field of 243 runners with a time of 24:10.3 the second fastest time in school history for GU. The Bison finished 26th out of 28 teams that placed on a cool and rainy day. This is the second Athlete of the Week award for Wilken-Yoder who previously won for the week of October 3, 2023.
Men’s Cross Country
Runner of the Week
Michael Wade / Jr / St. Mary’s College of Maryland / Woodstock, Md. / Marriott Ridge HS
Wade finished 28th out of 267 runners at the Aubrey Shenk Invitational hosted by Gettysburg College. Wade completed the 8K course with a PR of 26:10.1 to lead the Seahawks to an 18th-place finish in the 26-team field. His previous PR was 26:28.4 clocked at the Don Cathcart Invitational on Sept. 30. This is the fourth Runner of the Week honor for Wade who previously won the award on the week(s) of: October 3, 2023, September 14, 202, and October 5, 2021. Wade is a two-time First Team All-United East honoree after finishing second at the conference championships in 2022 and fourth in 2021.
Men’s Golf
Player of the Week
Kolin Grogesky / Jr / Penn State Berks / Exeter, Pa. / Exeter
Kolin Grogesky turned in his finest performance of his career at the Arcadia Invitational on Thursday afternoon. The junior finished with a 2-over 74 to finish second in the field of 68 golfers. Grogesky had a par on seven holes and recorded three birdies and one eagle during the round. This is the first Athlete of the Week award for Grogesky.
Men’s Tennis
Player of the Week
Wenxu Gu / FY / Penn State Abington / Nanjing, Jiangsu / Laurel Springs School
Gu went 2-0 in the team's final match of the fall season. The Nittany Lions defeated Immaculata, 6-3, in their lone match of the week. Gu teamed up with Josh Kurek at #1 doubles and the duo came away with a 8-7 victory. Gu went on to win his #1 singles match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. He finished the fall season 2-0 in singles play and 2-0 in doubles play.
Women’s Tennis
Player of the Week - Volt Division
Laurrie Flemming / FY / Penn State Abington / Philadelphia, Pa. / Archbishop Ryan
Flemming finished the fall season with a perfect 3-0 record at #1 singles. In the team's lone match of the week, a setback at Immaculata, Flemming won her #1 singles match in straight sets by identical 6-3 scores.
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.