Athletes of the Week for January 30, 2023
Women’s Basketball
Maya Arnott — Washington University — New York, NY (The Beacon School)
Senior forward Maya Arnott averaged 19.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game as Washington University took sole possession of first place in the UAA with road wins over nationally ranked University of Rochester and Emory University. She registered back-to-back double-doubles with 23 points and 12 boards in a 75-67 victory over the Yellowjackets, and 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 60-57 win over the Eagles. Arnott shot 69.6 percent from the field (16-for-23) and 87.5 percent from the free throw line (7-for-8) in the two games.
Men’s Basketball
Mason Johnson — Emory University — Phoenix, AZ (Pinnacle)
Senior forward Mason Johnson averaged 22.0 points and 6.0 rebounds as Emory University split two home games to finish the first half of the UAA schedule tied for first place. He netted 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the Eagles’ third overtime win in four games, 79-75 over University of Chicago on Friday. Johnson scored 24 points and pulled down five rebounds in a 72-69 loss to Washington University on Sunday. He shot 69.2 percent from the field (18-for26) in the two games.
Women’s Swimming and Diving
Caroline Maki — Emory University — Chester Springs, PA (Downington STEM Academy)
Emory University senior Caroline Maki won the 100-yard freestyle in 50.48 seconds at the Eagles’ final dual meet of the season at University of Georgia on Saturday. She currently ranks first in NCAA Division III in the event and her time on Saturday would rank fourth. Maki and teammate Taylor Leone tied for second place in the 100-yard butterfly in 58.55 seconds. Maki swam the anchor leg of the Eagles’ runner-up 200-yard medley relay (1:42.01) and swam leadoff on the runner-up 200-yard freestyle relay (1:33.61).
Taylor Leone — Emory University — Hilliard, OH (Hilliard Darby)
Emory University graduate student Taylor Leone won the 50-yard freestyle in 23.08 seconds at the Eagles’ final dual meet of the season at University of Georgia on Saturday. She currently ranks second in NCAA Division III in the event and her time on Saturday would rank fourth. Leone and teammate Caroline Maki tied for second place in the 100-yard butterfly in 58.55 seconds. Maki swam the butterfly leg of the Eagles’ runner-up 200-yard medley relay (1:42.01) and swam the anchor leg on the runner-up 200-yard freestyle relay (1:33.61).
Kelli Kuramoto — Carnegie Mellon University — Los Altos, CA (Los Altos)
Carnegie Mellon University junior Kelli Kuramoto earned a pair of top-three finishes at the Western Pennsylvania Invitational against divers from NCAA Division I Duquesne University. She recorded 292.15 points on the three-meter board to finish third and 283.75 points on the one-meter board to place second.
Veronica Fong — University of Chicago — West Vancouver, Canada (West Vancouver Secondary)
University of Chicago first-year diver Veronica Fong won one event and finished second in another as the Maroons faced Calvin University in a dual meet. She won the three-meter board with a score of 317.70 points and placed second in the one-meter event with 259.13 points.
Men’s Swimming and Diving
Jason Hamilton — Emory University — Roanoke, VA (Hidden Valley)
Emory University graduate student Jason Hamilton won the 200-yard breaststroke in the Eagles’ final dual meet of the season at University of Georgia on Saturday. He captured the 200-yard breaststroke in 1:57.03, the only swimmer under two minutes and in a time that would rank third in NCAA Division III this season if he did not already hold the top spot. Hamilton placed fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke (56.73 seconds).
Lucas Bumgarner — Emory University — Pittsburgh, PA (Mt. Lebanon)
Emory University senior Lucas Bumgarner posted a pair of runner-up finishes in the Eagles’ dual meet at University of Georgia on Saturday. He posted a score of 361.88 points on the one-meter board and 342.90 points in the three-meter event.
Women’s Indoor Track and Field
Maddie Kelly — University of Chicago — Maple Grove, MN (Providence)
Junior Maddie Kelly of University of Chicago registered the fastest mile time in NCAA Division III this season at the Aurora University Grand Prix. She broke her own program record with a time of 4:53.94.
Susannah Truitt — University of Chicago — Cary, NC (Panther Creek)
Junior Susannah Truitt of University of Chicago won the pole vault at the Aurora University Grand Prix. Her clearance of 3.80 meters tied for third in the NCAA Division III rankings for this season.
Men’s Indoor Track and Field
Juan Perez — Case Western Reserve University — Guaynabo, PR (American Military Academy)
Graduate student Juan Perez broke his own Case Western Reserve University program record in the 55-meter dash on Saturday at the Dr. Taraschke Team Challenge in Berea, Ohio. His preliminary time of 6.53 seconds bettered his previous mark by .01 seconds.
Tommaso Maiocco — Washington University — St. Louis, MO (MICDS)
Junior Tommaso Maiocco of Washington University won the pole vault at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Engineer Invitational. He cleared 4.86 meters, which is tied for third-highest mark in program history and ranks 10th in NCAA Division III.
Wrestling
Cole Fibranz — University of Chicago — Sartell, MN (Sartell)
University of Chicago senior Cole Fibranz reached the championship match at the Wheaton College Pete Willson Invitational, the nation’s oldest and largest small college tournament. He finished 4-1 with two pins, falling only in overtime to the top seed in the final. His pins came in the first two rounds over opponents from Defiance College and John Carroll University before earning decisions over opponents from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and North Central College. The Maroons placed sixth out of 33 teams.
Men’s Tennis
Andrei Leonov — University of Chicago — Tampa, FL (Berkeley Prep)
Sophomore Andrei Leonov earned wins at No. 5 singles and No. 1 doubles as defending NCAA Division III champion University of Chicago defeated NAIA opponent Holy Cross College, 5-2. He won 6-3, 6-4 in his singles match and teamed with Derek Hsieh for a 6-3 victory in doubles.
Athlete of the Week selections are drawn from nominees submitted by member institution coaches and sports information directors. UAA Athletes of the Week are selected in each sport in which the UAA sponsors competition. They are selected on the basis of their individual performances and contributions to team efforts during the past week in both Association and non-Association competition.