Aurora University Athletics in conjunction with BSN Sports proudly announces the inaugural recipients of the BSN Spartan Athletes of the Week award. The honors are earned based on the student-athletes performances on their respective playing surface the previous week.

This week's honors go to AU freshman women's golfer Avery Arendell and senior men's cross country runner Armando Acosta.

Avery Arendell, freshman, women's golf - 
Arendell earned the award after she captured medalist and Freshman of the Year honors at the 2026 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Women's Golf Championships at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club. She completed the 54-hole event with a 1-over 217 total, setting a championship record for aggregate total. Arendell also fired a 2-under-par 70 in the final round, tying the championship single-round low aggregate total (70) and the championship single-round mark for score in relation to par (-2).

Armando Acosta, senior, men's cross country - 
Acosta earned the award after he ran fourth overall and second collegiate athlete at the Brissman-Lundeen Invitational.  He ran 25:56 - becoming only the 5th XC runner from the NACC to run sub 26:00 in 2026.