GALESBURG, Ill. — The Knox College athletics department announced its Male and Female Athletes of the Week for events that occurred between April 21-27, and the honors went to a pair of first-years in Chelsea McKee of the softball team and Thomas Lyaudet of the men's golf team.
McKee, an outfielder from Twinsburg, Ohio, hit .286 while slugging .571 over six games last week as the Prairie Fire softball team won their first two contests of the 2025 season. It was her performance in the 13-9 victory over Mount Mary University that secured her selection, however, as she was a double shy of the cycle, going 3-for-5, scoring twice and driving in five, the most by a Knox player in six years. Those five RBIs also came in one inning as she hit an RBI triple and an inside-the-park grand slam, the first home run for the Prairie Fire this year. She also had three spectacular diving catches in center field during the week, one of which ended the win over the Blue Angels.
Hailing from Santiago, Chile, Lyaudet finished second at the Viking Invitational over the weekend, carding a 68-76—144 (E) over the two rounds. He held a two-stroke lead after the first 18 holes with his season-low, 4-under 68. Lyaudet had six birdies and an eagle during the tournament, and he finished up just one stroke behind the medalist in a three-way tie for second. With his efforts, Knox was able to finish second at the invitational. This is the second time he has earned this honor, picking it up for the first time back on Oct. 15 last fall.
- The last Prairie Fire softball players with five RBIs in a game were Katy Coseglia (twice) and current head coach Casey Hipp '21 during the 2019 campaign.
- Lyaudet's 4-under 68 matches the lowest score in relation to par by a Knox golfer this season, joining classmate Diego Carrillo (4-under 67 last September).
- The last Prairie golfer with a lower round was Ryan Meier '07 in April of 2005 with a 5-under 67.
The Knox Athletes of the Week will continue every Tuesday afternoon throughout the athletic calendar.
