Two Ashland University student-athletes – seniors
Jade Avance (women's indoor track) and
Joey Lenczyk (men's swimming and diving) – are among those honored as the latest Great Midwest Athletic Conference Athletes of the Week.
As released by the conference on Monday (Jan. 26) afternoon, Avance and Lenczyk were lauded for their efforts over the weekend.
At the Ashland Invitational on Saturday (Jan. 24), Avance won the women's 800-meter run in 2:09.16, earning new Niss Athletic Center and meet records in the process. That mark ranks No. 6 in NCAA Division II.
She also was part of the winning women's 4x400 relay team which ended in 3:51.62.
Ashland's men and women will compete at Louisville's PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 30-31).
Lenczyk qualified for the 2026 NCAA Division II Championships during AU's dual at Ohio Northern on Saturday, as he took first place in men's 1-meter diving with 315.40 points. He also won men's 3-meter diving with 349.05 points.
During the Eagles' win at Bluffton on Friday (Jan. 23), Lenczyk won men's 1-meter diving (186.85 points).
The regular season will conclude on Friday (Jan. 30) at the diving-only Clarion meet. The 2026 Great Midwest Athletic Conference/Mountain East Championships will be Feb. 10-13 in Canton, Ohio.
2025-26 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY GREAT MIDWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
SEPT. 8 – Ravin Morgan (volleyball),
Michael Shimek (football),
Nate Slater (men's cross country),
Tom Woodward (men's soccer).
SEPT. 15 – none
SEPT. 22 – Dani Hicks (women's soccer),
Mark Pillar (men's golf).
SEPT. 29 – Cameron Blair (football),
Damien Johnson Jr. (football).
OCT. 6 – none
OCT. 14 – Jaden Cook (football),
Joey Lenczyk (men's swimming and diving),
Yasmim Tomita (women's swimming and diving).
OCT. 20 – Emily Pate (women's soccer),
Manaki Watanabe (football).
OCT. 27 – Jaya Daniel (women's soccer).
NOV. 3 – Manaki Watanabe (football).
NOV. 10 – Wyatt Bailey (wrestling),
Evan Kemp (men's swimming and diving).
NOV. 17 – none
NOV. 24 – Maceo Williams (men's basketball).
DEC. 1 – Jenna Slates (women's basketball).
DEC. 8 – Cooper Davis (men's basketball),
Jon Lutz (men's indoor track),
Molly Winner (women's indoor field).
DEC. 15 – none
DEC. 22 – none
JAN. 5 – none
JAN. 12 – none
JAN. 20 – Jenna Slates (women's basketball).
JAN. 26 – Jade Avance (women's indoor track),
Joey Lenczyk (men's swimming and diving).
