Grace women’s soccer goalkeeper Bethany Blackwood was named the Crossroads League Defender of the Week. Photo courtesy Jeff Nycz, Mid-South Images

By Josh Neuhart
Grace College Sports Information

WINONA LAKE – Grace College athletics had a host of athletes named to various Player of the Week lists for the week that was in their respective sports.

Wilburn Honored As NCCAA Golfer Of The Week

Parker Wilburn made history for Grace’s men’s golf team and was duly honored as the NCCAA Golfer of the Week on Monday.

Wilburn became the first individual national champion in team history at last week’s NCCAA National Championship.

He shot a three-round total of 223 (69, 74, 80) to finish 7-over par and tie for first. Wilburn claimed medalist honors after winning a playoff on the third playoff hole.

The Lancers ended the fall season at NCCAAs, tying a team-record finish by placing fourth overall. Grace will resume competition in the spring.

Lancer Duo Named NCCAA Runners Of The Week

A pair of Grace cross country athletes were named NCCAA Runners of the Week on Monday.

Bryan Hernandez-Rios was the NCCAA men’s recipient, while Mallory Hiatt earned the award for the women.

Hernandez-Rios helped the Lancers to a strong finish at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. Grace set a school record for best team time (2:09.01) thanks to Hernandez-Rios’s stellar time of 24:30. He is now the second-fastest runner in program history.

Hiatt led Grace to a breakout performance at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. The Lady Lancers finished seventh in the race, defeating three NAIA Top 25 teams in the process (IWU, St. Francis, Huntington). The squad produced the fastest team time in school history at 1:34.21.

The Lancers now turn their attention to the postseason, beginning with the Crossroads League Championships on Nov. 6 at Huntington.

Mens Soccer Sweeps Weekly League Awards

Grace’s men’s soccer team swept the weekly Crossroads League awards on Monday.

Matteo Conci was named the CL Defensive Player of the Week, and Martim Cardoso was the league’s Offensive Player of the Week.

The Lancers secured their fourth straight win last week, beating Taylor 2-0 on Saturday. Grace is the only team in the league with a winning streaker of more than one.

Conci recorded the shutout — his fifth of the season — as Grace’s goalkeeper. Cardoso handled the scoring, netting both goals in the 2-0 victory. He has a team-leading nine goals to date.

The Lancers end the regular season next week with a pair of road matches. Grace plays at Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday and at Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Saturday.

Blackwood Tabbed As CL’s Defensive Player Of Week

Bethany Blackwood of Grace’s women’s soccer team was selected as the Crossroads League Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

The No. 15-ranked Lady Lancers (10-4-1) picked up a narrow 1-0 road win at Taylor on Saturday. Blackwood played a key role by securing five saves. Grace’s defense has now recorded eight shutouts on the season.

The Lady Lancers have an important week ahead to close out the regular season. Grace will host No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The regular season finale is also at home against Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Saturday at 7 p.m.