William Penn Athletics News–March 17
William Penn University Athletics
Bonds Ranked Third in Postseason Poll, WPU 21st
Oskaloosa–Scottie Bonds (Fr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) guides the William Penn wrestling team in the NAIA’s postseason poll which was released today.
The polls are based off results from nationals two weekends ago. Bonds is ranked third at 133 pounds to help the Statesmen to a tie for 22nd with 20 points.
National champion Grand View leads the rating with 193 points, while Great Falls (Mont.) (84.5), Montana State-Northern (83.5), Southern Oregon (80.5), and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (73.5) round out the top five.
Smith Garners Second Scholar-Athlete Honor
Oskaloosa–Susan Smith (Sr., Eugene, Ore., Biology) was honored for her excellence in the classroom as she was named a 2013-2014 Daktronics-NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete Monday.
Smith, who owns a 3.64 GPA, was among a list of 243 Division II women’s basketball players from within the NAIA to be awarded the laurel. It is her second S-A award.
To be eligible for the award, athletes must be of at least junior academic standing, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale, and have attended the nominating institution for at least one full academic year.
Zerley and Whitehead Win MCC Awards
Oskaloosa–Bri Zerley (Jr., Monroe, Iowa, Biology) and Jennifer Whitehead (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology) had a great league-opening twinbill as they swept the Midwest Collegiate Conference Softball Player of the Week honors Monday.
Zerley’s Player award was her first, while Whitehead now has 11 Pitcher laurels in her career (two this season). The duo guided William Penn (9-6, 2-0 MCC) to victories over Mount Mercy on Saturday, 6-0 and 10-2 (5 innings).
Zerley was 1-for-3 in the opener with a three-run home run. She then went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and three runs scored in the nightcap. For the year, the junior is hitting .365 (19-for-52) with six doubles, two home runs, 12 RBIs, and ten runs. She is currently on a four-game hitting streak.
Whitehead’s senior season could not be starting any better as she posted her fourth shutout Saturday. The southpaw only gave up five hits, struck out eight batters, and walked just one. It was her second-highest strikeout tally of the year.
For the year, Whitehead is 7-0 with a 0.29 Earned Run Average in 49 innings. She has 44 strikeouts against ten walks. Opponents are hitting just .085 this year.
William Penn now has four POW awards.
League Honors Vazquez and Davis
Oskaloosa–William Vazquez (Fr., North Hollywood, Calif., General Accounting) and Jon Davis (Jr., Hayward, Calif., Undecided) had prominent roles last week and their efforts helped them to sweep the Midwest Collegiate Conference Baseball Player of the Week honors Monday.
Vazquez was named Player of the Week, while Davis claimed the Pitcher of the Week accolade. The awards are the first for both individuals and are the first two for the baseball program this year.
The duo was strong as William Penn (11-5) fell to Great Plains Athletic Conference favorite Northwestern by scores of 6-5 (8 innings) and 3-1. Vazquez went 3-for-6 in the double dip, including a 2-3, three-RBI effort in the opener. Davis tossed six innings in the nightcap, giving up two runs (both earned) on four hits. He managed two strikeouts with two walks.
For the year, Vazquez is hitting .347 (17-for-49) with two doubles, nine RBIs, and three runs scored. The junior is riding a five-game hitting streak. Davis does not yet have a decision to his credit, but owns a 1.69 Earned Run Average in 26 2/3 innings (five starts). He has struck out 14 with three walks and is only allowing opponents to hit .230 against him.
Bailey Opens Outdoor Season by Qualifying in Half-Marathon
Fremont, Neb.–Rosemary Bailey (Jr., Fayetteville, Ark., Communications) started William Penn’s outdoor track and field campaign by giving the women’s squad a national qualifier out of the gate at the Midland Half-Marathon Saturday.
Bailey finished second out of seven runners with an NAIA ‘B’ standard time of 1:31.46. The performance also broke the school record and was a near nine-minute improvement from her previous time in December.
Yonas Desta also competed, finishing seventh out of ten individuals in the men’s race. His time of 1:19.32 was five minutes better than his previous personal best.
Next: William Penn will host Grand View in a dual meet next Friday, March 28 in Oskaloosa at Lacey Complex Stadium.
