William Penn Athletic News November 9
William Penn University Athletics
Kerrigan’s Perfect Ten Nets League Honor
Oskaloosa—Marcus Kerrigan (Fr., Cary, Ill., Cary-Grove HS) did not miss on a single kick last weekend and for his efforts he was named Midwest League Special Teams Player of the Week announced by the league office yesterday.
Kerrigan, now a four-time winner of the award, helped the #14 nationally-ranked Statesmen (9-1, 5-1 MWL) to a 58-10 victory against Waldorf Saturday.
The freshman placekicker was 3-for-3 in field goals (20, 20, and 32 yards) and 7-for-7 in extra points to account for 16 of Penn’s points.
He kicked off 11 times as well for a 51.7 yard average (one touchback) and also punted once for 27 yards (inside 20-yard line).
For the season, Kerrigan is 45-for-50 in point-after-attempts, 6-for-8 in field goals, and owns a 33.5 yard punt average over 12 tries. In 17 kickoffs, the freshman has averaged 53.8 yards with two touchbacks.
The award is the eighth of the year for the football program.
Softball to Start 2011 Campaign Just Outside Top 25
Oskaloosa–The Lady Statesmen softball team has the respect of not only its conference but of the entire nation as the NAIA’s softball preseason poll was released today.
Penn, who was 44-13 (16-6 MCC) a year ago, is unofficially tied for 30th with 46 points. The Lady Statesmen have been picked as the preseason favorite to win the nine-team Midwest Collegiate Conference race next spring.
California Baptist, who was #1 for much of last year, heads the poll with 550 points and nine first-place votes. Defending national champion Simon Fraser (B.C.) is a very close second with 547 points and the other 11 first-place votes. William Carey (Miss.), Concordia (Ore.), and Lubbock Christian (Texas) round out the top five.
Morningside is the only other team from the state of Iowa receiving votes as the Mustangs are unofficially 39th with 11 points.
Looking ahead to the 2011 season, the Lady Statesmen will have a stiff opening weekend, facing #3 William Carey, #10 Shorter (Ga.), and #12 Belhaven (Miss.) on February 12-13 at the Belhaven Sweet 16 tournament in Ridgeland, Miss. Penn also takes on Bellevue (Neb.), another program receiving votes, in non-conference play later in the spring.
Statesmen Defeat Faith Baptist Bible 107-61
Ankeny–Six players reached double figures as the Penn men’s basketball team beat up on Faith Baptist Bible 107-61 in non-conference play Tuesday.
The Statesmen (2-1), who eclipsed the century mark for the first time since a 103-78 win over Iowa Wesleyan on January 26 of this year, started slow but quickly hit their stride and outshot their hosts 51.8%-41.4%.
Penn trailed 11-4 less than five minutes in, but utilized an 11-3 run to take the lead back. Holding a slim 31-25 edge later in the half, the visitors scored 16 of the next 19 points and cruised to victory. The Statesmen led 51-32 at the break, but blew the contest wide open with a blistering 63.9% second-half clip.
Huzie Hambrite (Jr., Indianapolis, Ind., Ball State) paced his squad with 18 points, while Ryan Wilson (Sr., Ballwin, Mo., Missouri-Kansas City) continues to be a beast as a scorer and a rebounder, posting his second double-double of the year with 17 points (8-of-11 FG) and 12 rebounds.
Wiebe Goodyk (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa Central CC) tallied 12 points and Blake Walker (Fr., Smyrna, Ga., Campbell HS) and Adam Hodge (Jr., South Elgin, Ill., Rock Valley CC) contributed 11 points apiece. Deon Bergeron (Sr., Lake Charles, La., Grand Lake HS) met the mark as well with ten.
Penn dominated the boards with a 53-28 edge, leading to a 31-8 margin in second-chance points. The defense also forced 27 turnovers, resulting in a 32-11 advantage in points off turnovers. The Statesmen bench, led by Hodge and Bergeron, outscored the Eagle bench 46-10.
Boris Bobic (Sr., Subotica, Serbia, Lakeland CC) finished the night with eight points, while Nick Coffey (Sr., Hinsdale, Ill., Hinsdale Central HS) managed seven and Ross Howe (Fr., State Center, West Marshall HS) had a half dozen. All 11 players that hit the hardwood for the navy and gold scored in the win.
Hambrite matched Alan Douglas (Jr., Champaign, Ill., Lakeland CC) with a team-best five assists, while Hodge blocked a squad-high two shots. Walker topped Penn with five steals.
Next: Penn returns home Friday to host Hastings (Neb.) in non-conference action at 8 p.m.
Wade Steinlage
