ST. PAUL, Minn. - The second round of Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week awards for the 2026-27 school year have been announced, and five University of Northwestern student-athletes were among the recipients, bringing UNW's total for the year to 11 so far. Northwestern's five awards came in five different sports, with three first-time winners featured. For the second-consecutive week, UNW once again boasts the most selections of any UMAC school.

The full UMAC press release can be found here.

Natalie Van De Riet (Albertville, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville) received the UMAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week award for the first time in her career after her first individual collegiate win came Friday night at the Cougar Twilight. The 2025 First Team All-UMAC selection ran a 6k time of 24:21.1 to win by a whopping 42 seconds and lead the Eagles to the team title in the event as well. Jaquan Ellington (Richland, Ga./Chattahoochee County) also makes his debut in the weekly awards as the UMAC Football Defensive Player of the Week. The freshman defensive back made five tackles throughout the course of the game and jumped a route in the second quarter for a 45-yard pick six to pull Northwestern within three points of Central (IA).

Bri Brandt (Blaine, Minn./Legacy Christian Academy) makes her second appearance on the UMAC Athlete of the Week list after picking up her second-career individual win at the UMAC Preview on Thursday. The sophomore fired a 74 (+2) to match her career-low and win medalist honors by three strokes. She also led UNW to the team crown by 29 shots. The third and final first-time winner is Britta Holter (Hudson, Wis./Hudson), the UMAC Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week. The sophomore played all 90 minutes of Northwestern's match against Concordia-Moorhead, and scored an 86th-minute equalizer (the first goal of her career) to polish off an impressive comeback for the Eagles in a 2-2 draw. Rounding out the Eagles's week is Ana Egge (Rapid City, S.D./Rapid City Christian), who repeats as UMAC Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week. The junior outside hitter powered UNW's offense once again, logging 42 kills (4.67 per set), 17 digs, 5 blocks, and 2 aces on .400 hitting, including a 16-kill outing against (RV) Dubuque on Friday night. In Saturday's sweep over Concordia-Moorhead, the South Dakotan hit .542, logging 14 kills and 8 digs.

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Northwestern's 2026-27 UMAC Athlete of the Week Honors (11)

Football Offensive Player of the Week (1)
9/9: Elijah Alexander (Minneapolis, Minn./Andover)

Football Special Teams Player of the Week (1)
9/9: Gideon Cruver (Fayetteville, Ga./Landmark Christian)

Women's Golf Player of the Week (2)
9/9: Morgan Philyaw (Jordan, Minn./Jordan)
9/15: Bri Brandt (Blaine, Minn./Legacy Christian Academy)

Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week (2)
9/9: Sam Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy)
9/15: Britta Holter (Hudson, Wis./Hudson)

Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week (2)
9/9: Ana Egge (Rapid City, S.D./Rapid City Christian)
9/15: Ana Egge (Rapid City, S.D./Rapid City Christian)

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week (1)
9/9: Miranda Wyatt (Manhattan, Mont./Manhattan Christian)

Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week (1)
9/15: Natalie Van De Riet (Albertville, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville)

Football Defensive Player of the Week (1)
9/15: Jaquan Ellington (Richland, Ga./Chattahoochee County)