William Penn Athletics #1 Story of the 2013-2014 Year
William Penn University Athletics
A year after getting to the national title game, the Statesmen men’s basketball team’s incredible and improbable quarterfinal run was named the #1 story from 2013-2014.
After going 34-2 with what many referred to as a ‘Dream Team’, WPU was hoping to just be in the mix with a lovable band of misfits that included only two players who played a year earlier.
Unfortunately, the navy and gold dropped their first four games of the campaign and any hopes of being respectable seemed like a pipe dream. The page turned quickly in William Penn’s favor, though, with a nine-game winning streak.
Entering Midwest Collegiate Conference play at 10-5, the Statesmen believed they had a brand new season in front of them. But a few more games down the road, the rollercoaster ride had another downturn. At 14-9 overall and 4-3 in the MCC, WPU was nearly back to square one, but a 100-81 home thrashing of Clarke started a stretch of dominance that was reminiscent of 2012-2013.
The Statesmen reeled off five wins entering the league tourney and then with some help from upsets, easily ran the table at home to earn a berth to nationals. As the #27 seed, few envisioned WPU having much success in Point Lookout, Mo., so crow was served to the multitudes after the nine-man roster, led by 38 points from junior Kelly Madison, held off #6 seed Dordt for a 118-116 double-overtime win.
A 106-83 pounding of St. Thomas (Fla.) ensued in round #2, but the clock officially struck midnight on Cinderella in the ‘Elite 8’ in a 79-78 heartbreaking loss to Robert Morris (Ill.).
Senior Blake Walker was a threat in every facet during the winter as he was named MCC Player of the Year. Madison and fellow junior Alec Schwab also netted first-team laurels (Schwab was Newcomer of the Year), while junior Erik McGee and sophomore Roberts Baltruns received honorable mentions. Walker finished his career as an NAIA Third-Team All-American.
#1 Performance of the 2013-2014 Year
A three-title day by Alex Edwards dominates all as the trackster takes the #1 performance of 2013-2014.
The junior won three different events at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships on February 14 to receive Track Athlete of the Year laurels.
Edwards was first out of 20 runners in the 400-meter dash in 50.43 seconds, took the crown in the 16-person 600-meter run in 1:20.49, and also led the19-competitor field in the 800-meter run in 2:00.34. His 600 time set a new meet and school record. He also helped the 4×400-meter relay group to fourth place.
The AOY honor was the eighth for William Penn since 2009. Edwards went on to also win the Outdoor AOY accolade in May.
Original story can be found at http://www.statesmenathletics.com/article/5027.php
