MACOMB, IL — Western Illinois Athletics is proud to announce women's basketball senior forward Mia Nicastro and football junior running back Markell Holman as the newest Student-Athletes of the Month, recognizing their exceptional performances and impact on their respective programs.

Nicastro has burst onto the scene to open the 2025–26 campaign, powering the Leatherneck women's basketball team to a 4–1 start. The senior forward is averaging a dominant 25.0 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, one of the top early-season double-double averages in the country. Her scoring efficiency, presence on the glass, and leadership on both ends of the floor have set the tone for a strong start to the season.

On the football field, Holman put together one of the most productive seasons in the OVC-Big South. The junior running back led the conference in rushing while earning First Team All-Conference honors. Holman finished the season with 1,063 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, adding 314 receiving yards and two touchdowns as a reliable threat in the passing game. His versatility and playmaking ability fueled the Leathernecks' offense throughout the fall.

Western Illinois Athletics congratulates Nicastro and Holman on their outstanding achievements and the example they continue to set for Leatherneck student-athletes on and off the field.