Ashland University's fall student-athletes earned the biggest haul of Great Midwest Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week honors so far in 2026-27, as, on Monday (Sept. 21) afternoon, four Eagles were lauded in their respective sports.
BRAEDEN GEIST, MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
On Friday (Sept. 18) night at the annual All-Ohio Intercollegiate Classic at Cedarville, the fifth-year runner turned in the best time in the D-II/NAIA men's 8K division, crossing the finish line in 25:09.1 – the second-best time for all men's runners on Friday night, regardless of division.
Geist's effort helped the Eagle men finish in third place in the D-II/NAIA standings.
The All-Ohio meet was the first of three consecutive Friday meets for the Ashland men and women, who will compete this Friday (Sept. 25) at 6 p.m. at the Great Midwest Preview Meet at Tiffin.
JENNA SHEDDEN, VOLLEYBALL EAST DIVISION
This is the third time in four weeks Shedden has earned the weekly East Division volleyball award. For the 3-1 Eagles last week, she collected 56 kills, 44 digs and 10 total blocks.
Shedden recorded double-doubles in both of the Eagles' matches on Saturday (Sept. 19) – 16 kills and 13 digs at Hillsdale, then 12 kills and 18 digs vs. No. RV Gannon at Hillsdale.
Ashland volleyball is 10-2 overall and a league-best 5-0 in the Great Midwest. Next up for the Eagles will be a conference match at Lake Erie (5-6, 3-2) at 6 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 25).
JACK TALKINGTON, FOOTBALL DEFENSE
In the No. RV Eagles' first win of the fall on Saturday, a 24-3 victory over Ohio Dominican at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field, Talkington finished with nine total tackles (two for loss), 1½ sacks and a 17-yard interception-return touchdown.
He paced an AU defense which kept the Panthers to three points, minus-20 rushing yards and 135 total yards of offense.
Ashland football (1-2 overall, 1-0 Great Midwest) will play its first road game of 2026 at noon on Saturday at Walsh (3-0, 1-0).
TOM WOODWARD, MEN'S SOCCER OFFENSE
In a 4-0 win at Walsh on Thursday (Sept. 17), Woodward collected his first collegiate hat trick, scoring in the 34
th, 73
rd and 83
rd minutes.
Woodward also assisted on the other Eagle goal in the victory over the Cavaliers.
The Eagle men's soccer team (2-5 overall, 1-3 Great Midwest) will return to Ferguson Field at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday (Sept. 24) to host the Cavaliers (1-5-1, 0-3-1).
2026-27 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY GREAT MIDWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
AUG. 31 –
Jaime Duran (men's soccer defense),
Jenna Shedden (East Division volleyball).
SEPT. 8 – Ava Parrett (women's cross country).
SEPT. 14 – Tessa Blain (women's soccer offense),
Jenna Shedden (East Division volleyball).
SEPT. 21 – Braeden Geist (men's cross country),
Jenna Shedden (East Division volleyball),
Jack Talkington (football defense),
Tom Woodward (men's soccer offense).
