William Penn Athletics #10 Story of the 2013-2014 Year
William Penn University Athletics
Now that summer is more than halfway in the rearview, the William Penn Sports Information office has decided it is a perfect time to reminisce on the fun and excitement that the 2013-2014 sports year delivered. Over the next several days, the top ten stories from last year will be revisited.
Starting things off at #10 is the honorable-mention list–story lines that while impressive, came up just a bit short of making it on their own.
–The best start in school history (8-2 after ten games) helped the men’s soccer team to its fourth double-digit win season (first since 2006) and first winning campaign since 2003 (third all-time). The Statesmen advanced to the Midwest Collegiate Conference Tournament semifinals for the second-consecutive year.
–Tarah Alexander was incredible in her lone cross country competition, qualifying for nationals by placing ninth at the MCC Championships.
–Headlined by three MCC Gold Glove recipients (Enrique Alvarado, Stan Simmons, Sho Serrano), WPU’s baseball team broke a program record with a .972 fielding percentage. At 6-0 with a 1.16 Earned Run Average, starting pitcher Josh Ruiz joined left fielder Kyle Mauricio on the league’s first team. Pitching paced the team as its cumulative ERA was one of the best in the NAIA all spring.
–A team title at the Midland Classic highlighted the navy and gold women’s bowling team’s season. William Penn had a handful of other high finishes as well.
–Youth dominated a men’s golf roster void of a single senior. The squad developed as the year grew on to tally four top-half finishes in the spring.
–Dani Stahle made an impact in her only year in the women’s basketball program. The senior transfer won MCC Newcomer of the Year honors and helped WPU dash out to a 3-0 start.
–Both the competitive dance and cheer teams competed well at the NCA/NDA College Nationals. The dance squad brought home the bronze out of ten teams, while the cheer team was tenth overall.
–A five-game winning streak (longest since 2004) propelled the women’s soccer team to above .500 after nine games for the first time since 2005.
–Five women’s track and field school records fell by the wayside in 2014, including three by outdoor national qualifier and distance runner Rosemary Bailey. Thrower Meaghan Foster also qualified for nationals in the indoor season.
–One of the most brutal schedules in the nation took its toll on the football team, but WPU fought hard and found itself in the middle of the pack in a perennially-powerful MSFA Midwest League. The Statesmen also gave Grand View one of its closest games, falling 25-17 on the road to the eventual national champion.
–Deane Wichelt and Saromo Mugisha capped off solid men’s cross country campaigns by earning honorable-mention all-MCC laurels at the league championships.
–Guided by two-time MCC Athlete of the Year Alex Edwards, William Penn’s men’s track and field squad had a pair of third-place finishes at the conference championships. Hurdler Sam Taylor joined the middle distance star by qualifying for nationals in both indoor and outdoor, while thrower Derek Seddon and jumper Cornelius McCastle also showed off their skills at outdoor nationals.
–Under new leadership, three Statesmen volleyball players earned all-MCC honors (Jeanette Cunningham, Kylie Giger, Kristal Campos).
–Four grapplers competed on the big stage as Scottie Bonds and Joao Vicente (133 pounds), Brad Watson (141), and Ishmael Rempson (174) all won at least one match at the national championships. Bonds earned All-American status, but more on that in the upcoming days.
#10 Performance of the 2013-2014 Year
In addition to the top ten stories, Statesmen individuals will also get their time in the sun as the top ten performances will be recognized one more time.
Tying at #10 are some great showings that narrowly missed the mark.
–Meaghan Foster scored big points for the Statesmen women’s track and field team at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Indoor Championships. The sophomore thrower was second in the shot put (39-8.5) and fifth in the weight throw (51-9.75) to score 12 of the squad’s 37.5 points. Original story at http://www.statesmenathletics.com/article/5026.php
–Junior men’s soccer goalkeeper Mason Bandy was nearly perfect as his six regulation time saves helped WPU to reach penalty kicks against #4 seed Mount Mercy in the MCC Tournament quarterfinals. In PKs, he stepped up once more, stopping the final Mustang attempt to secure the victory. Original story at http://www.statesmenathletics.com/article/4852.php
–Senior Dani Stahle went off against rival Grand View in the regular season finale for the women’s basketball team. She hit 12 of her 14 field goals and was 11-for-11 at the line on her way to a 35-point game. The 35 points were the most by a navy and gold player since February 2009. Original story at http://www.statesmenathletics.com/article/5053.php
–Junior men’s cross country runner Deane Wichelt was only one spot away from advancing to nationals. He placed ninth at the MCC Championships in a time of 29:14 on the 8K course. Original story at http://www.statesmenathletics.com/article/4864.php
–Freshman Stephanie Adams was also one spot away from a major accomplishment, taking home runner-up honors at the MCC Women’s Bowling Championships. Adams tallied a 194.0 average in six games, trailing the winner by only 48 pins. Original story at http://www.statesmenathletics.com/article/5079.php
–Four months before he competed at nationals, junior wrestler Ishmael Rempson opened his season on a stellar note by winning the 165-pound title at the NIACC Open. He defeated two foes by fall and took the championship match 3-2 for his first collegiate crown. Original story at http://www.statesmenathletics.com/article/4851.php
–Sophomore Kylie Giger had her way on both sides of the net as William Penn defeated Buena Vista in volleyball. Giger had 13 kills with a .632 attack percentage. She came very close to a triple-double, also managing nine digs, seven blocks (one solo, six assists), and one ace. Original story at http://www.statesmenathletics.com/article/4720.php
–William Penn would have loved to have had Zach McGriff in its varsity lineup at the AIB Men’s Golf Invitational. Unfortunately, the freshman was playing as an individual as he tore through Lake Panorama Golf Course with a pair of 75s to tie for first place. Original story at http://www.statesmenathletics.com/article/4762.php
