10/28/2026 1:49:00 PM | Men's Tennis, Women's Soccer, Athletics Department
MACON – Maria Karipidis and Raphaël Rousson headlined their respective teams to receive Mercer Scholar-Athlete of the Week recognition for the week of October 19-25.
Karipidis, a senior midfielder from Henrietta, New York, scored Mercer's opening goal in a 2-2 draw against Western Carolina this past Friday. Karipidis now has two goals on the season and 10 in her career after she scored in back-to-back matches for the first time in her four-year tenure as a Bear. Karipidis also completed the entire 90 minutes for the first time this season and surpassed 1,000 minutes played on the year.
Rousson, a sophomore transfer from Flagler, made a trip to the finals at the Wake Forest Invitational this past weekend. The Saint-Cyprien, France, native downed UNF's Kyle Piqueras in the opening round before thwarting JMU's Theodor Lorentzon and Xavier's Andrew Spurch. Rousson's run was shut down by JMU's Zachary Fleishman in the championship match on Sunday.
Karipidis and the women's soccer team return to Betts Stadium for their penultimate match against Furman on Thursday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Rousson and the men's tennis team conclude their fall slate at the Wofford Challenge in Spartanburg, South Carolina, at the Reeves Tennis Center from Friday, November 6, through Sunday, November 8.
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Karipidis, a senior midfielder from Henrietta, New York, scored Mercer's opening goal in a 2-2 draw against Western Carolina this past Friday. Karipidis now has two goals on the season and 10 in her career after she scored in back-to-back matches for the first time in her four-year tenure as a Bear. Karipidis also completed the entire 90 minutes for the first time this season and surpassed 1,000 minutes played on the year.
Rousson, a sophomore transfer from Flagler, made a trip to the finals at the Wake Forest Invitational this past weekend. The Saint-Cyprien, France, native downed UNF's Kyle Piqueras in the opening round before thwarting JMU's Theodor Lorentzon and Xavier's Andrew Spurch. Rousson's run was shut down by JMU's Zachary Fleishman in the championship match on Sunday.
Karipidis and the women's soccer team return to Betts Stadium for their penultimate match against Furman on Thursday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Rousson and the men's tennis team conclude their fall slate at the Wofford Challenge in Spartanburg, South Carolina, at the Reeves Tennis Center from Friday, November 6, through Sunday, November 8.
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| 2026-27 MERCER SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | |||
| Week Ending | Female Honoree | Male Honoree | Official Release |
| October 25 | Maria Karipidis, Soccer | Raphaël Rousson, Tennis | October 28 |
| October 18 | Payton Nutzman, Soccer | Henry Hampshaw, Soccer | October 21 |
| October 11 | Tea Zivic, Tennis | JP Pickles, Football | October 14 |
| October 4 | Kayleigh Didderiens, Tennis | Simon Zeidan, Football | October 7 |
| September 27 | Sammi Bergjans, Volleyball | JP Pickles, Football | September 30 |
| September 20 | Nikki Harris, Cross Country | Cooper Franklin, Golf | September 23 |
| September 13 | Aubri Martin, Volleyball | Phillips Swift, Golf | September 16 |
| September 6 | Olivia Bori, Soccer | Jaylen King, Football | September 9 |
| August 30 | Lara Matta, Volleyball | Simon Zeidan, Football | September 2 |
| August 23 | Olivia Bori, Soccer | Chris Nezianya, Soccer | August 26 |
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Players Mentioned
Monday, October 26
Sunday, October 18
Sunday, October 18
Sunday, October 18
