Fourteen EOU athletes earn All-Conference Selections
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, November 13th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – With the fall sports seasons winding down and the championships starting to wrap up, EOU’s athletes have had a busy past few weeks. During the week of November 6, the university announced that no less than 14 different athletes from three separate teams made the CCC’s All-Conference selections for their recent performances: three women’s soccer players, six men’s cross-country runners, and five volleyball players.
For the soccer team, Erika Skindiov and Darby McDevitt were selected for the First Team All-CCC while Kana Mateaki was named to the Second Team All-CCC. In the announcement, EOU gave the following details on these athletes’ prior performance:
“Skindlov earned her second All-CCC First Team selection and her fourth All-CCC award as a Mountie, earning First Team in 2022 and Second Team All-CCC in 2020 and 2021. Starting 17 games for the Mountaineers this season, Skindlov played a pivotal role on both offense and defense. Scoring five goals on the season along with three assists. Skindlov finished the season with 50 total shots and had 24 on goal. On the defensive side of the ball, Skindlov played a key part in a Mountie defense that was able to post eight scoreless matches.
McDevitt earned her second All-CCC honor and first as a member of the First Team All-CCC after being selected to the Second Team in 2022. Starting 15 matches for the Mounties this season, McDevitt was an anchor for the Mountaineer defense. This is not the first honor she was able to earn this season, earning Rize Laboratory Defensive Player of the Week for her stellar play earlier this season. McDevitt scored two goals on eight total shots as a defender this season.
Mateaki earned her first All-CCC honors being a part of the Second Team All-CCC. Starting 15 matches for the Mounties this season, Mateaki was a huge part of the Mountie offense. This is not the first honor she earned this season as she was named Rize Laboratory Offensive Player of the Week earlier this season. Makeaki led the Mountaineers with eight goals on 46 total shots.”
For the cross-country runners, Justin Ash, Cristian Mendoza, Hunter Nichols, Thomas Ogden, Winston Telford and Johnny Wind made the cut. Their selection to the All-Conference was made for coming in the top 15 during the recent CCC 8k championship race. Their specific performance, as provided by EOU, was:
#3 – Justin Ash – 24:35.1
#9 – Cristian Mendoza – 24:58.4
#11 – Hunter Nichols – 25:00.6
#12 – Thomas Ogden – 25:00.9
#13 – Winston Telford – 25:04.2
#15 – Johnny Wind – 25:18.7
EOU also issued the following comment:
“These exceptional athletes displayed not only individual excellence but also contributed significantly to Eastern Oregon’s team success. Their performances powered the Mounties to its first CCC Title since 2007, with the team now set to compete in the 68th Annual Men’s Cross Country National Championships, scheduled to take place on November 17th in Vancouver, Washington.”
Lastly, the volleyball team has continued to make waves, with the recent performance of six of its players reflecting that. Mylie Mills, Alexius McMurtey, Sade Williams, Madison Morgan, and Ashton Haughton all made the All-Conference cut. EOU provided the following details on their recent performances:
“Freshman of the Year – Mylie Mills
Mylie Mills, a freshman middle hitter hailing from Nampa, Idaho, emerged as the Freshman of the Year for the No. 3-ranked EOU team and was placed on the CCC First Team All-Conference. Mills had a remarkable collegiate debut, recording a .344 hitting percentage, ranking second in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. Her contribution of 79 total blocks places her at third in the CCC and ninth in the NAIA. Her exceptional performance earned her the CCC Attacker of the Week three times, including one NAIA Player of the Week honor.
Setter of the Year – Alexis McMurtrey
Alexis McMurtrey, a junior setter from Idaho Falls, Idaho, was voted Co-Setter of the Year and named CCC Second Team All-Conference. McMurtrey’s outstanding leadership guided the Mounties to a stellar 21-1 conference record, entering the postseason on an impressive 17-game win streak. McMurtrey, averaging 5.58 assists per set and recording 25 aces, holds the fifth and sixth positions within the CCC rankings, respectively. McMurtrey’s exceptional season was recognized with five CCC Setter of the Week Honors.
First Team All-Conference – Sade Williams
Sade Williams marks another milestone in her impressive five-season career with the Mounties, landing on the All-Conference First Team. Recently recording her 1,000th career kill, Williams has achieved four-digit milestones in both kills and digs. Williams earned All-CCC First Team honors in 2021, an Honorable Mention in 2022, and Academic All-CCC recognition in the same year. Her outstanding performance is underscored by impressive career stats, with a total of 1,036 kills and 3,158 digs.
First Team All-Conference – Madison Morgan
Madison Morgan secures a well-deserved spot on theAll-Conference First Team, adding to her list of accomplishments that includes Academic All-CCC and Daktronics NAIA Women’s Volleyball Scholar-Athlete recognition in 2022. In the current season, Morgan has notched an impressive 93 kills, 29 blocks, and a notable hitting percentage of 0.274.
All-Conference Honorable Mention – Ashton Haughton
Ashton Haughton has excelled for the Mounties this season, clinching an All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition in her senior season. Notably, Haughton recorded 93 kills, 29 blocks, and 198 digs, showcasing her versatility on the court. With a hitting percentage of 0.176 and a consistent display of skill, Haughton has been a key contributor to the team’s success.”
Congratulations to all players and good luck to those that still have their final games to look forward to.
