Pioneers name athletes of the week, Heiden earns WIAC honors

Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week – Logan Steinhoff, Jr., (Mt. Horeb, Wis.) - Steinhoff was the Pioneers’ fourth finisher at the Brissman/Lundeen Invitational hosted by Augustana. He crossed the finish in 26:46.0. Despite the hot and humid conditions, Steinhoff was able to finish only two seconds off of his time last year at this race. The toll of the weather was evident as this year's winner ran over a minute slower than last year's winner. Steinhoff was also only four seconds from his career best time.

Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week – Chelsey Heiden, Sr., (Greendale, Wis.) - Heiden finished fourth at the Brissman/Lundeen Invitational hosted by Augustana. Heiden crossed the finish in 22:50.5. This was Heiden's fastest 6K time in September by 54 seconds, despite the hot and humid conditions. This year's winner finished 23 seconds ahead of Heiden in a time of 22:27.4 compared to last year's winner crossing the finish in 21:26.2.

Football Defensive Athlete of the Week – Austin Young, Sr. (Shannon, IL/Eastland) Defensive Line – Young was all over the field in UW-Platteville's 56-0 shutout of Lakeland University on Sept. 24.  The senior recorded six tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for a loss as the Pioneers improve to 3-0 on the year. 

Football Offensive Athlete of the Week – Tim Jansen, So. (Pingree, IL/Hampshire) Wide Receiver – Jansen’s three receptions were all touchdown grabs in the Pioneers’ 56-0 route of Lakeland University on Sept. 24.  The sophomore’s three catches totaled 164 yards, good for an average of 54.7 yards per catch as UW-Platteville improved to 3-0 on the year.  

Football Special Team Athlete of the Week – Connor Foley, So. (Cedar Rapids, IA/Xavier) Punter – Foley punted the ball twice in the Pioneers’ 56-0 victory over Lakeland University on Sept. 24.  The sophomore averaged 43.5 yards a punt, marking one inside the Muskie’s 20. 

Women’s Golf – Stephanie Baribeau, Sr. (Cameron, WI/ Rice Lake) – Baribeau finished tied for fourth place in a 96 player field at the Whitewater Fall Classic Friday and Saturday in Delavan, Wisconsin. The senior carded rounds of 76 and 80 at Delbrook Golf Course, just three strokes behind medalist Allie Girard from Lake Forest College. Stephanie’s efforts led her team to a fourth place finish in a 15 team field.

Men’s Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week – Nick Hoklas, So. (Crystal Lake, IL/Prairie Ridge) Defender – Hoklas anchored a defense that allowed one goal and only eight shots in two games as the Pioneers improved to 10-2 on the year.  The sophomore controlled the left flank with authority and was a threat when joined the attack in the Pioneers’ wins over Augustana and Minnesota-Morris.    

Men’s Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week – Jake Stevens, Fr. (Plainfield, IL/East) Defender – Stevens has been a constant threat for opposing defenses.  The freshman commanded the left attacking flank and scored the go-ahead goal with a beautiful shot from the right corner of the box to the opposing side of the goal in win over Minnesota-Morris on Sept. 25. 

Women’s Soccer Co-Defensive Athlete of the Week – Alex Carlson, Jr. (Wauwatosa, WI/East) Center Back – Carlson anchored the Pioneers’ defense in the 1-0 overtime loss to Carroll on Sept. 24. The junior’s timely tackles, along with her ability to anticipate, made it extremely difficult for Carroll's offense to break through the Pioneers’ defense. Alex stepped up and dominated the air game out of the back to keep Carroll's attack at bay.

Women’s Soccer Co-Defensive Athlete of the Week – Alyssa Sickler, Jr. (Roscoe, IL/Stockton) Goalkeeper – Sickler made eight saves in the Pioneers’ 1-0 overtime loss to Carroll. The junior came up with an impressive save off a free kick late in the game that kept the score tied 0-0, and after Carroll's missed penalty kick attempt the momentum shifted. Alyssa's ability to own the box and come off her line took pressure off our defense and sparked the transition to offense.

Volleyball Defensive Athlete of the Week – Lidia Frias, Sr. (Iola, WI) Middle Blocker – Frias registered 15 blocks to go along with 19 kills and four digs in fourteen sets played against UW-Stevens Point on Sept. 20, the University of Chicago on Sept. 23, and UW-River Falls and Cornell College on Sept 24.  The senior had 6 total blocks (2.0 per set) in UW-Platteville’s 3-0 win over UW-River Falls.