PORTLAND, Ore. – Standout performances from indoor track & field and basketball athletes were recognized with the latest batch of Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards announced on Monday.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Olivia Hodges – Western Washington University
Second-career player of the week, second this season.
Hodges lifted the Vikings to a pair of wins at the outset of conference play, as WWU topped both Montana State Billings and Seattle Pacific on the road. She started her big week with a 29-point, 10-rebound double-double on Thursday against the Yellowjackets, making 10 of 17 shots. She followed with a 21-point, 17-rebound double-double in the win over the Falcons, and she played all but four minutes on the weekend. Hodges leads Division II women’s basketball with 142 total rebounds and her average of 13.4 rebounds per game ranks fourth nationally. She also ranks third in the GNAC with 18.9 points per game and has completed nine double-doubles this season including seven in-a-row.
WWU Head Coach Carmen Dolfo: “Olivia continues to dominate the boards and works so hard in finding a way to score. Her team does a great job in getting her the ball. She is also very committed on the defensive end of the court. Olivia is such a great teammate and is a pleasure to coach. She is a force.”
Also Nominated: Lillee Duffin, Alaska Anchorage; Ashlyn Waggoner, Alaska; Fiona Snashall, Central Washington; Tailey Harris, Montana State Billings; Kendall Clark, Northwest Nazarene; Avery Oaster, Saint Martin’s; Layne Kearns, Seattle Pacific; Sophie Bergeron, Simon Fraser; Kylani Rookstool, Western Oregon.
MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Aidan Rice – Western Washington University
Second-career player of the week, second this season.
Rice was stellar on the opening weekend of conference play, posting back-to-back 30-point games. The sophomore had a career-high 37 points against Northwest Nazarene on Thursday, making 12 of 17 field goals and 6 of 10 threes in 37 minutes played. He followed with 32 points on 10-for-16 shooting including 4-for-5 from long range, while adding six assists in WWU’s win over Central Washington. Overall on the week Rice shot 66.7% (10-for-15) from 3-point range and 66.7% (22-for-33) from the floor overall. His average of 34.5 points per game was 10 points higher than the next-closest GNAC player that played two games last week. Rice ranks third in the GNAC this season with 21.3 points per game, and his 3.3 made threes per game and 30 total are most in the conference.
WWU Head Coach Tony Dominguez: “Aidan was very determined to help our team get back on track. He had laser focus on both ends, but his leadership really stood out. He has been working on helping our team with focus on each possession. He did have standout performances on offense which helps us for sure, but his intangible plays really helped us Saturday against a very good team.”
Also Nominated: Sylas Williams, Alaska Anchorage; Davis Crilly, Alaska; Chae Haynes, Central Washington; Mason Landdeck, Montana State Billings; Jaden Byers, Northwest Nazarene; Kaden Hansen, Saint Martin’s; Julian Mora, Seattle Pacific; Mikyle Malabuyoc, Simon Fraser; Jadin Penigar, Western Oregon.
WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Jazmine Dotson – Western Oregon University
First-career athlete of the week.
Dotson had a strong opening meet at the Silver State Invitational, posting a pair of low times in the sprints. Her top effort of the meet came in the form of a PR in the 60 meters, as she clocked a time of 7.74 seconds. Dotson also showed promise in the 200 meters, running 25.68 seconds.
WOU Head Coach Zach Holloway: “Jaz has been improving rapidly and working hard. This was her earliest double weekend to date with two PRs and improvements on our all-time list. Coach (Cody) Warner has been doing a fantastic job with the entire sprints crew.”
Also Nominated: Micah Strong, Montana State Billings; Kayla Baniaga, Northwest Nazarene; Bec Bennett, Western Washington.
MEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Brennen Murphy – Western Oregon University
First-career athlete of the week.
Murphy came out of the gates on fire in his season opener, clocking a 400 meters time of 47.48 seconds. It was the second-fastest 400 meters time in GNAC indoor history, with only Joshua Caleb’s 2025 time of 47.22 seconds being faster last winter for Alaska Anchorage. Murphy is the reigning GNAC champion in the 400 meters for both indoor and outdoor track.
WOU Head Coach Zach Holloway: “Brennen has been working very hard and extremely consistently over the past two years. This was his first early bird indoor meet in his career, and he showed that he is ready for an exciting 2026 indoor and outdoor season.”
Also Nominated: John Peckham, Alaska Anchorage; JayCee Herbert, Montana State Billings; Jacob Allen, Northwest Nazarene.
WOMEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Guinevere Rydberg – Western Oregon University
First-career athlete of the week.
Rydberg had a strong showing in her season-opening meet at the Nevada-hosted Silver State Invitational. She posted a personal-best weight throw of 53-8.5 feet (16.37 meters), placing fifth among a field of 22 performers in the event. She also had a top-10 performance in the shot put, finishing ninth at 38-4.75 feet (11.70 meters).
WOU Head Coach Zach Holloway: “Gwen was ready for a big breakthrough and Coach (Darren) Flynt has been doing an amazing job with the throws crew this year. Gwen had three throws over her previous PR and hit a big one on her last throw of finals. She is ready for a big year.”
Also Nominated: Hannah Cooper, Montana State Billings; Emma Kwok, Northwest Nazarene.
MEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Kody Biggs – Montana State University Billings
First-career athlete of the week.
Biggs had a strong showing at the Montana State Bobcat PReview meet last week, posting strong marks in both the weight throw and shot put. His meet was highlighted by a personal-best weight throw of 53-10.5 feet (16.42 meters), which was the best performance by a non-Division I athlete among a field of 26 competitors. Biggs also had a shot put toss of 42-11.5 feet (13.09 meters) in his season opener.
MSUB Head Coach Jonathan Woehl: “Kody has worked hard this fall and is making huge improvements with the weight throw. On Thursday he was able to put it all together.”
Also Nominated: Quincy Malacas, Northwest Nazarene.