2013-2014 William penn Bowling Preview

William Penn University Athletics

2013-2014 William Penn Men’s Bowling Preview

2012-2013 MCC Finish: 4th out of 6
Letterwinners returning/lost: 7/1

Notable returners:
Cameron Foster Sr. West Jordan, Utah
(Three-time All-America, 211.1 avg., high of 269)
Brandon Barboza Jr. Brick, N.J.
(All-MCC, 201.2 avg., high of 279)
Drew Balta Sr. Walford, Iowa
(Letterwinner, 193.7 avg., high of 258)

Notable losses:
Nathan Namanny
(Three-time letterwinner)

Notable newcomers:
Stian Hoff Fr. Orkanger, Norway
Spencer Werthmann Fr. Davenport, Iowa
Ryan Howard Fr. King, N.C.

Fresh off its first trip to nationals, the Statesmen men’s bowling program is looking to build to unprecedented heights in 2013-2014

William Penn, under the leadership of Head Coach Mark Van Wyk, reached the consolation semifinals of the USBC Team Championships last spring. The navy and gold expect to get back there again with all but one varsity member returning this season.

Headlining the crew is Cameron Foster (Sr., West Jordan, Utah, Business Management), who earned three All-America honors last year. Fellow 2013 all-MCC performer Brandon Barboza (Jr., Brick, N.J., Sociology) and 2011 all-league roller Drew Balta (Sr., Walford, Iowa, Education) will flank him at the top of the lineup. Foster and Balta will lead both on and off the lanes as co-captains. Barboza had the best individual finish of anyone in the navy and gold by advancing to the USBC Singles Championships.

“Cameron was amazing last year and excels in all aspects of our team,” Van Wyk said. “Drew is extremely talented; his dedication to his game should propel him to a great senior year.”

“Brandon was an essential part of our team last year and really stepped it up as an individual in the postseason,” Van Wyk said.

Piet Schaeffer (Sr., Livingston, Scotland, General Mathematics), Conan Mackey (Jr., Bray, Ireland Public Accounting), Jacques Kaune (So., Anchorage, Alaska, Business Management), and Kyle Clark (Sr., Aurora, Ill., Physical Education) also hit the lanes once again.

“Conan and Piet bring a large base of experience,” Van Wyk said. “Kyle is our inspirational leader and has a great skill set. His knowledge of the game makes him a great teacher for his teammates. Jacques has continued to build his game and should have an even better sophomore year.”

Travis Scott (So., West Saint Paul, Minn., Physical Education) and Michael Applegate (So., Council Bluffs, Iowa, Undecided) headline a list of other returners who will push for varsity time, while Kevin Wesely (So., Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Industrial Technology) is back healthy from a medical redshirt season and looks to provide WPU with even more experience.

“Travis and Michael spent last year improving and building their skill set on our second team,” Van Wyk said. “Kevin learned a lot as a student coach last year, and is eager to compete.”

“All of our returners possess a great amount of talent and experience,” Van Wyk added. “We cannot be happier with the depth of our returning group.”

While this year’s team should be outstanding, Van Wyk was also looking to the future during the offseason and signed another great recruiting class.

Topping the list are Stian Hoff (Fr., Orkanger, Norway, General Accounting), Spencer Werthmann (Fr., Davenport, Iowa, Business Management), and Ryan Howard (Fr., King, N.C., Music), while Lucas Perdieu (Fr., DeWitt, Iowa, Public Accounting), Kyle Reese (Fr., Dolton, Il., Human Services), Cody Adair (Fr., Kearns, Utah, Undecided), and Luke Smith (Fr., Pella, Iowa, Software Engineering) should also figure into the battle for the top positions.

“Stian has impressive international experience, while Spencer was awesome at the high school level and owned the highest average of any player in Iowa last year,” Van Wyk said. “Spencer and Ryan both competed at the Junior Gold Championships so they are seasoned at a high level.”

“Our newcomers are also extremely talented and should fight for the spots on our travel squad,” Van Wyk added. “From top down, we are really strong and a lot of guys should get an opportunity to help us reach our goals of again being a major player on the national scene.”

2013-2014 William Penn Women’s Bowling Preview

2012-2013 MCC Finish: 4th out of 6
Letterwinners returning/lost: 3/7

Notable returners:
Kelsey Johnson Jr. Montgomery, Ill.
(All-MCC, 187.3 avg., high of 258)
Kirstin Newberry Sr. Holland, Mich.
(Letterwinner, 187.8 avg., high of 267)

Notable losses:
Breanne Underwood
(All-American, two-time all-MCC)
Samantha Powell
(Two-time all-MCC)

Notable newcomers:
Stephanie Adams Fr. Souris, Manitoba
Brittany Johnson Fr. Schuyler, Neb.

Quality looks to trump quantity as a thin William Penn women’s bowling team will seek to stay at the top.

Head coach Mark Van Wyk and assistant coach Breanne Underwood return a pair of great anchors for this campaign in Kelsey Johnson (Jr., Montgomery, Ill., Secondary Education) and Kirstin Newberry (Sr., Holland, Mich., Secondary Education).

Kelsey owned a 187.3 pin average last year with a high of 258 en route to an all-Midwest Collegiate Conference honor. Newberry posted a 187.8 mark with a high of 267.

“Kelsey and Kirstin have been on our varsity for their entire careers and should be great leaders this year,” Van Wyk said. “Kelsey is passionate for the game and is coming off a stellar sophomore campaign. Kirstin brings leadership and experience to the lanes as team captain.”

Emily Braga (So., Newton, Iowa, Communications) and Blair Farris (So., Washington, Iowa, Elementary Education) also return and will be vying for playing time.

Last year, Braga averaged 173.2 pins during her six-game season (high of 223).

“Emily and Blair have both spent time growing and building their games and experience levels,” Van Wyk said.

Kaelee Fountain (So., Ottumwa, Iowa, Psychology) rejoins the program after being gone one year.

“We are glad to have Kaelee back,” Van Wyk said. “She should be in the mix to compete for a varsity position.”

A handful of newcomers will help to push the navy and gold to the top with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Stephanie Adams (Fr., Souris, Manitoba, Business Management), Mackenzie Boyd (Fr., Knoxville, Iowa, Biology), Brittany Johnson (Fr., Schuyler, Neb., Business Management), and Montana Pence (Fr., Stronghurst, Ill., Elementary Education) will be battling for travel spots with the returners and will add great depth and support for the squad.

“Brittany and Stephanie have competed at the Junior Gold Championships, and have experience competing at an elite level on sport-conditioned lanes,” Van Wyk said. “Both Mackenzie and Montana are solid players as well who we expect to grow and contend for playing time.”

“We do not have a lot of room for error with a smaller squad, but what we do have it a lot of talent,” Van Wyk said. “We expect everyone to work hard and get better each day. If everything turns out as it should, we should be right in the mix.”