KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Southern student-athletes Cedric Pearson and Dailynn VanDeren were named the MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) Men's and Women's Outdoor Field Athletes of the Week, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.
 
Dailynn VanDeren
Dailynn VanDeren led the Lions women with a win in both the shot put (15.72m) and the hammer throw (56.55m) at the 18th Annual David Suenram Gorilla Classic. Both marks were NCAA qualifying standards. She leads the nation (NCAA DII) in shot put and is sixth for hammer throw.

The weekly MIAA honor is VanDeren's third of her collegiate career as she previously earned the laurel during indoor season on both Jan. 20 and Feb. 10.
 
Cedric Pearson
Cedric Pearson swept the shot put (18.38m) and discus (56.11m) at the 18th Annual David Suenram Gorilla Classic this past weekend. Both marks were NCAA qualifying standards. He ranks first in the country (NCAA DII) for shot put and is third for discus.

The weekly MIAA honor is Pearson's fourth of his collegiate career and first of the 2026 season (three-time MIAA Athlete of the Week over 2025 season).