WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 9, 2026) -- Following another strong week of competition, King's College Athletics has named junior Claire Aufiero of women's basketball and sophomore Jeffrey Spofford of wrestling as the Monarchs of the Week.

Aufiero, a junior forward from Greater Nanticoke, Pa., turned in an impressive opening weekend to the 2026-27 season, leading the Monarchs in a pair of games at the season-opening tournament.

Aufiero opened the weekend with her first double-double of the season against the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on Saturday evening, recording 14 points and 10 rebounds. She followed that performance with a career-best 15 points on Sunday afternoon against Suffolk University. Her efforts across the two games earned her a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Spofford, a sophomore from Yardley, Pa., delivered a strong performance at 125 pounds on Saturday, earning a second-place finish at the Ned McGinley Invitational, hosted annually by King's College inside McGrane Gymnasium.

Competing against a field of 12 teams, Spofford won three consecutive bouts to advance to the championship match. Along the way, he recorded three consecutive tech fall victories by scores of 16-1,19-4, and 22-6 before finishing as the runner-up following a decision in the final. The second-place finish marks an impressive start to Spofford's sophomore campaign after competing in just one match as a freshman last season, earning a pin victory in 1:07.

Women's basketball returns to action Wednesday, November 11, as the Monarchs host Penn State Abington inside McGrane Gymnasium in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., at 6:00 p.m. Wrestling returns to the mat Wednesday, November 18, traveling to Doylestown, Pa., for a dual against Delaware Valley University inside James Work Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m.

--MONARCHS--