A Community Honors Its Student Athletes
Head William Penn Men’s Basketball Coach John Henry talks with supporters Thursday about the experience and the support they received on their journey.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The community welcomed home NAIA Division II National Runner-up William Penn Statesmen Men’s Basketball Team last week from their school record setting run for a national title.
On Thursday, William Penn University, The City of Oskaloosa and community members not only honored the basketball team, but all those athletes who have attained national recognition for their efforts in the past year.
In addition to recognizing the effort of the men’s basketball team for their run, the football team as well as the bowling team were also honored for making it to the national tournament in their respective sports.
Individual athletes were recognized as well: Outdoor Men’s Track and Field (2012) – Jalen Wilson and Gabriel Green; Men’s Cross County (2012) – Yanni Gallagher; Women’s Cross County (2012) – Valinn McReynolds; Wrestling (2013) – Joao Vicente and Kyle Soderblom; Indoor Men’s Track and Field (2013) – Samy Taylor, Gabriel Green, Jalen Wilson; Indoor Women’s Track and Field (2013) – Meghan Foster; Women’s Bowling (2013) – Breanne Underwood.
All-Americans from William Penn University were also recognized: Sean Rangel (Men’s Bowling, 2012) – 1st Team; Breanne Underwood (Women’s Bowling, 2012) – 1st Team; Khyia Lewis (Softball, 2012) – 2nd Team; Jen Whitehead (Softball, 2012) – Honorable Mention; Kyle Soderblom (Wrestling, 2013); Brandon Beasley and Keith Steffeck (Men’s Basketball, 2013) – 1st Team; Orielle Thomas (Women’s Basketball, 2013) – Honorable Mention; Jalen Wilson (Men’s Indoor Track and Field, 2013).
The NAIA also honors teams with National Champions of Character Awards. This past year, the William Penn University Women’s Golf (2012) team was honored with the award. This year, the Women’s Indoor Track and Field (2013) team was honored.
Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt honored the team with a proclamation where he said, “We are very proud”.
“Whereas, the William Penn University Men’s Basketball Team members distinguished themselves throughout the season with sportsmanship, integrity and true teamwork. Now, therefore I, Dave Krutzfeldt, Mayor of Oskaloosa, do hereby proclaim March 21, 2013 to be William Penn University Men’s Basketball Team Day in Oskaloosa.” Krutzfeldt said, in reading from the proclamation.
“It’s been quite a ride. October 3rd was our first practice. To win 34 games in a season is unreal,” said Coach Henry. He then paid tribute to the 1981 women’s basketball team that won 43 games in a single season, who eventually won a national championship. “You can’t even play 43 games anymore, there is a rule against it.”
“I can’t thank everybody,” Henry said after he and the team became inundated with well-wishers. “I just want to say it one more time- thank you to everybody.”
The team then received medals of recognition and, before the ceremony came to a close, they pulled the covering off the banner recognizing their efforts. The banner will hang in Penn Gymnasium.
