UTICA, NY - Aydin Parekh (Nobleton, Ontario/Blyth Academy) and Claire Draper (Watertown, NY/Watertown) have been named the Pioneer Athletes of the Week for the week of September 22nd, 2025. Both athletes played well in last week's SUNY Poly Invitational, even capturing the Empire 8 Golfer of the Week awards. 

Parekh led the way for the Pioneers during their outing at the Teugega Country Club during last week's SUNY Poly Invitational, winning the individual scoring among the men from each participating team. As a team, the men's squad finished second of seven teams, falling just one stroke behind Nazareth, the winner of the team scoring. Parekh won the event as an individual, turning in a +3 scorecard that saw three birdies and an on-par back nine, securing 10 pars in total. 

Parekh and the men's golf team will be in action a few times this week, traveling to Keuka on Wednesday for a single-day meet before heading to Oswego on Saturday and Sunday for the annual Oswego Invitational. 

The rookie Draper led the women in her Utica debut. Finishing third overall with a +13 round, Draper came out hot, earning a birdie on hole one, followed by two pars. She finished with two birdies and seven pars over the 18-hole course. 

Draper and the women's golf team will head to Keuka on Wednesday for an early-morning meet beginning at 10:00 AM.