PORTLAND, Ore – Central Washington University student-athlete junior defensive back Omar Lazcano was named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week the conference announced Monday morning. Also joining Lazcano in distinctions earned this week is sophomore cross country runner Maddy Harrison who earned Great Northwest Athletic Conference runner of the week and volleyball sophomore libero Brooklyn Parker who was tabbed the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week. 
 
Lazcano has stepped up into a starting role this season and ha made the most of it including this past Saturday during a critical game against the visiting UT Permian Basin Falcons. He tallied eight total tackles: six solo and two assisted and returned an interception in the third quarter 75 yards to seal the deal for the 'Cats victory. He has tallied 50 tackles on the season so far: 27 solo and 23 assisted and has added 4.5 tackles for loss for eight yards while tacking on an interception, two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.  
 
Lazcano and the 'Cats are back in action next Saturday when they travel to Portales, N.M. for a spooky Halloween matchup at Eastern New Mexico (0-8, 0-6 LSC). The 'Cats and Greyhounds meet at 1:00 p.m. next Saturday from Al Whitehead Field at Steve Loy Family Foundation Stadium. 
 
Maddy Harrison once again led the way for women's cross country with another lightning-fast run. Her time of 21:02.3 not only led the Wildcats squad but also led all runners participating in the Tyson Invitational Women's 6000m, earning her the individual win at the event. That's not the only win she left the invitational with, as her Wildcat teammates also saw plenty of success in their runs, which was good enough to earn them a team score of 43 and first place as a team at the event.  
 
The women's team came into the event ranked #26 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Women's National Poll. At the Tyson Invitational, they even outran #13-ranked Washington State University as they finished third with a team score of 62. The Wildcats will look to rise up the USTFCCCA Women's National Poll thanks to the 'Cats' strong performance this past week, led by Harrison. Harrison and the 'Cat's will take their talents to the GNAC Championships in Monmouth, Ore. at the Ash Creek Preserve on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 10:00 a.m. 
 
Parker helped the Wildcats extend their 11-game winning streak with a pair of conference victories over Saint Martin's and Western Oregon last week. The Allen, Texas native anchored Central's back-row defense, totaling 31 digs across the two sweeps. 
 
Parker recorded a match-high 18 digs and two aces in Thursday's win over Saint Martin's before adding 13 digs and one ace against Western Oregon on Saturday. She also contributed two reception assists and committed just one reception error during the week. 
 
Over the two matches, Parker averaged 5.17 digs per set, helping fuel a Wildcat defense that limited opponents' opportunities and kept Central rolling atop the GNAC standings. Her steady play in serve receive and defensive coverage was instrumental in securing another unbeaten week for the Wildcats. 
 
The Wildcats continue conference play Thursday when they travel to Seattle to face RV Seattle Pacific at 7 p.m. in RoyalBrougham Pavilion. 
 
Read the full GNAC release HERE
Read the full LSC release HERE