Pioneers name athletes of the week; Foley and Phillips earn WIAC honors

Pioneers name athletes of the week; Foley and Phillips earn WIAC honors
September 7, 2016

Football Defensive Athlete of the Week – Brandon Johnson, Sr. (Thor, IA/Eagle Grove) Defensive Back – Johnson had one sack, one forced fumble, and three tackles in the Pioneers 35-0 victory over George Fox University on Saturday.  

Football Offensive Athlete of the Week – Tom Kelly, Sr. (Chicago, IL/ Guerin Prep) Quarterback – Kelly completed 30 passes for 331 yards in the Pioneers 35-0 win over George Fox University.  In the Pioneers 18th-straight season-opening victory, the senior threw five touchdown passes to three different receivers.

Football Special Team Athlete of the Week – Connor Foley, Fr. (Cedar Rapids, IA/Xavier) Punter – Foley punted six times and averaged 44.7 yards per punt in the Pioneers victory over George Fox University.  In the 35-0 victory, Foley’s punts helped keep the Bruins’ field positioning in check, including his long punt of 53 yards. 

Men’s Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week – Will Pretto, Sr. (Madison, WI/Madison West) Defender – Pretto was tremendous on both sides of the ball this week as the Pioneers opened their season 2-0.  The senior anchored and led a stingy defense in the Pioneers’ shut-out wins over Cornell College and Coe College.  Will was also sharp on the offensive side, scoring three goals in two games.

Men’s Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week – Logan Rinderknecht, So. (Cedar Rapids, IA/Prairie) Forward – Rinderknecht scored three goals in the Pioneers’ two wins this past week.  The sophomore scored two goals in the Pioneers’ 3-0 win over Cornell. On Saturday, Logan scored the go-ahead goal in the 3-0 shutout over Coe College.  

Women’s Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week – Emily Phillips, Sr. (La Porte City, IA) Defender – Phillips’ defensive patience and ability to transition into offense was a big reason for the Pioneers 2-0 start. From the center back position, Phillips assisted the game-winner in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Cornell.  She also scored a goal in  4-2 triumph over Coe College on Sept. 3.

Women’s Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week – Yamilex Jaramillo, Jr. (Houston, TX/MacArthur) Forward – Jaramillo scored two goals against for the Pioneers as they opened their season with wins over Cornell College and Coe College.  The senior scored the tying goal in the 2-1 win over Cornell on Thursday.  Jaramillo also scored the game-winner in the Pioneers’ 4-2 win over Coe College on Saturday.  Yami’s work rate disrupted both opponents’ defenses, getting the Pioneers off to a 2-0 start.

Women’s Volleyball Athlete of the Week – Grace Austin, So. (Wilton, IA/Pleasant Valley), Libero – Austin recorded 56 digs (4.33/set), six aces (0.46/set), and five total blocks (0.83/set) in the Pioneers four matches last weekend.  The sophomore finished with 15 digs and four aces in the Pioneers’ loss against UMass Boston.  Grace followed that performance up with 19 digs and two aces in the loss to Lawrence University.  She finished the weekend with a combined 22 digs against 12th-ranked Christopher Newport and Stevenson College.