REGION COLLEGIANS

Julie DeMuth (Merrillville) was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week after leading Ball State's women's basketball team to the La Quinta Inn and Suites Tournament title recently.

The Cardinals' senior forward was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player for her play in victories over Vermont and host Northern Arizona.

The MVP honor was the fourth tourney MVP award DeMuth has received, dating back to her sophomore year.

DeMuth averaged 21 points per game in BSU's two wins. She shot 50 percent from the floor (12-of-24) and 82 percent from the free throw line (16-of-19) and averaged nine rebounds per game.

For the season, DeMuth is averaging 14.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per outing.

Aric Van Weelden (Munster) matched his career-high with five points and recorded personal-bests with five rebounds and four assists in Loyola's 76-72 overtime win over Northern Illinois.

The 6-foot-3 sophomore guard came off the Ramblers' bench and played a career-high 29 minutes with no turnovers. In Loyola's last two games, Van Weelden has averaged five points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal, while playing an average of 27 minutes.

Andrew Zimmer (Hobart) and Gary Simkus (Highland) are two of the top players at Wabash College.

Zimmer is averaging 15.9 points and seven rebounds and two blocks per game while shooting 52.6 percent from the floor.

Simkus averages 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 45.9 percent from the floor.

DaShawn Wright (West Side) is averaging 7.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 47.6 percent for San Jose State.

Noelle Kreykes (Illiana Christian) has played in seven games for the Dordt (Iowa) College basketball team. The freshman guard is averaging 3.9 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. She also plays on the NAIA school's soccer team.

Karissa Walter (Boone Grove) played 40 minutes and recorded team highs of 21 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal in Oakland City's 66-55 loss to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville last week.

Junior guard Gary Patterson (Bishop Noll) is averaging 11.6 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds for IUPUI, while shooting 46 percent from 3-point range and 45 percent overall.

Aurora University senior Larry Welton (Thornwood) was named the Northern Athletics Conference men's basketball student-athlete of the week for the week ending Dec. 15. Welton averaged 27.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 blocks in leading the Spartans to two wins.

Football

DePauw freshman defensive lineman Tyler Doane (Valparaiso) received a varsity letter at the team's annual football banquet recently. He recorded 15 tackles and totaled 4 1/2 sacks while making two starts this season.

Wrestling

Mario Morgan (Mt. Carmel), who was named the 2006 Times Braggin' Rights Outstanding Wrestler, is 13-5 overall for Nebraska-Omaha's wrestling team, which is ranked No. 7 in Division II.

The redshirt freshman has recorded six points and two technical falls for the Mavericks while placing in the Iowa State Cyclone Open and the Nebraska Kaufman Brand Open.

Morgan has rebounded from ACL surgery that forced him to the sidelines early last season with a 4-2 record.