TOWSON, Md. - The Landmark Conference has released the Athletes of the Week. The conference will recognize a student-athlete for each sport based on their contributions to their team throughout the season.
During the fall season, football, field hockey, soccer, and volleyball will be announced on Monday, and cross country, golf, and tennis will be announced on Tuesday.
Men's Cross Country: Toby Gaynor (Drew University)
Gaynor picked up right where he left off from his excellent debut season at Drew last season, taking third out of 120 runners at the Misericordia Invitational. He was clocked at 12 minutes, 49 seconds for the 4,000-meter course and ran eight seconds faster than he did on the same course a year ago. Gaynor finished just three seconds behind race winner Matthew Santana of Lebanon Valley and two seconds behind runner-up Brandon Fleschut of Marywood.
Women's Cross Country: Kelty Oaster (Elizabethtown College)
Elizabethtown senior Kelty Oaster ran to a top 10 finish to start off her 2023 Friday night at Shippensburg. Oaster finished 10th overall in 15:26.1 and was fifth among Division III runners in the 4,000-meter race.
Field Hockey Offensive: Niki Micciche (Catholic University)
Niki Micciche had a hand in both goals for Catholic as the Cardinals took down #3 Rowan on Sunday afternoon in Washington, D.C. Micciche scored the game's first goal just 3:26 into the contest, putting Catholic ahead early on. After a back-and-forth battle across three quarters, Micciche deflected a ball towards Kellie Caputo early in the fourth quarter and Caputo scored to put Catholic ahead 2-0.
Field Hockey Defensive: Mary Rojack (Catholic University)
Sophomore Mary Rojack played an instrumental role in Catholic's 2-0 week against top-15 opposition. On Friday evening in New Jersey, Rojack scored two goals, including the winning penalty stroke in double overtime against #11 TCNJ as Catholic earned its first-ever victory against the Lions. On Sunday, Rojack contributed to a massive defensive effort, holding #3 Rowan to just one goal in a 2-1 victory for the Cardinals as they took down the Profs for the first time since 2017.
Football Offensive: Preston Jeffrey (Catholic University)
Senior wide receiver Preston Jeffrey started the 2023 season out with a bang. Jeffrey hauled in five passes for 177 yards (a new career high) and two touchdowns in a 34-7 victory over the McDaniel Green Terror on Friday night. Jeffrey caught the longest ball of his career, a 93-yard TD, just before halftime in the effort.
Football Defensive: Garrett Carter (Susquehanna University)
Junior linebacker Garrett Carter helped the River Hawks open the 2023 campaign with a 51-19 victory at Bridgewater College on Saturday. Carter totaled five tackles, including a solo tackle, a tackle for loss, and a half sack.
Football Specialist: Josh Lesesne (Susquehanna University)
Sophomore Josh Lesesne put on an impressive performance Saturday to help the River Hawks to a 51-19 road victory at Bridgewater College. Late in the second quarter, Lesesne recovered a fumble off a botched punt snap and ran it back for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Lesesne scored his second touchdown of the day after snatching a blocked punt for the 42-yard return.
Men's Soccer Offensive: Michael Adekanmbi (Goucher College)
Junior Michael Adekanmbi totaled a goal and two assists as Goucher opened its season 2-0. In the 3-1 win over Cairn on Friday, Adekanmbi had a hand in two of the Gophers' three goals, providing a goal and an assist. On Saturday, he added an assist in the 2-0 shutout of Notre Dame (Md.).
Men's Soccer Defensive: Andrew Remias (Moravian University)
Remais posted a pair of shutouts and made 13 saves in a 1-0-1 weekend at the Athey Cup hosted by Washington (Md.) College to open the 2023 season. Remais made five stops in a 0-0 draw against the host Shoremen in the season opener, and he posted a career-best eight saves in a 2-0 victory over Stevenson University on Saturday.
Women's Soccer Offensive: Aubrey Williamson (Lycoming College)
Williams led all Landmark Conference players with seven points through the first weekend of the season. She posted a goal and three assists, which tied for second-most in a game in program history to help pace the Warriors to a 7-0 win against Penn State Altoona. She then added a goal against Westminster College (Pa.) on Saturday.
Women's Soccer Defensive: Marissa Spacht (Goucher College)
Spacht was a key player in the Gophers' opening match against Gettysburg. The senior stopped seven of the eight shots, including five in the second half, to help Goucher secure a 1-1 draw against the Bullets.
Volleyball: Courtney Williams (Juniata College)
Williams had an efficient week to help the Eagles go 3-0. In the opening match against ninth-ranked Johns Hopkins, Williams tallied seven kills to go along with two block assists. Then, against No. 19 Wittenberg, Williams put on a dominant performance with 12 kills on 18 swings with no errors. She also added two block assists. On the week, she posted a .486 hitting percentage with 21 kills and four blocks.