William Penn Athletics News–September 15
William Penn University Athletics
Samek Wins MWL POW
Oskaloosa–Isaac Samek (Jr., Bolivar, Mo., Industrial Technology) was an integral part of a huge Statesmen football upset last week and he was honored for those efforts as he won Midwest League Defensive Player of the Week laurels Monday.
Samek won his first-ever honor as William Penn (2-1) knocked off #6 Saint Francis (Ind.) 28-27 on the road last Saturday.
The junior paced a defense that allowed only 356 yards, including just 116 yards and seven points after halftime. He had a squad-best 11 tackles (three solos, eight assists) in addition to two interceptions. His second pick came in the final minute of the game to secure the victory.
The 2013 team leader in tackles, Samek is again at the top this fall with 28 stops (11 solos, 17 assists), including one for loss. He also has two interceptions to his credit.
The award is the third of the year for WPU.
Lundsgaard Wins POW Honor After Win in Collegiate Debut
Oskaloosa–Frederik Lundsgaard (Fr., Jebjerg, Denmark, History/Government) had a dream start to his collegiate career and for his efforts he earned Midwest Collegiate Conference Men’s Golfer of the Week laurels Monday.
Lundsgaard won last week’s 49-person Midwest Collegiate Invitational with a two-day total of three-under-par 141 (71-70), going under par on both days.
Competing as a JV player in his first collegiate tournament, the freshman took the title by three strokes. He paced all participants in par-4 scoring (even par), par-5 scoring (-6), eagles (2), and birdies (10).
The award is the first of the year for WPU.
Coertze Continues Dominant Start with Another POW
Oskaloosa–Demi Coertze (Jr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Digital Communication) topped the leaderboard again last week and again was picked as Midwest Collegiate Conference Women’s Golfer of the Week Monday.
Coertze, now a four-time honoree (two this year), was the best player at the 42-person Midwest Collegiate Invitational with a two-day total of 148 (74-74). Her 36-hole mark broke the school record by three shots.
The junior was steady throughout and led all linksters with 26 pars and was also in the top five in par-3 scoring (T-2nd, +2), par-4 scoring (T-3rd, +3), par-5 scoring (T-2nd, -1), and birdies (T-3rd, 4).
For the year, Coertze owns a 75.0 average over three rounds (all in the 70s).
The award is the second of the year for WPU.
Upset Bumps William Penn to #20
Oskaloosa–Following an upset win over a top-ten program, the Statesmen football team is back in the top 25 for the first time in nearly a year as the NAIA released its first poll Monday.
William Penn (2-1), which defeated then-#6 Saint Francis (Ind.) 28-27 last Saturday, is ranked for the first time since last September 30. The navy and gold earned 81 points to be #20.
Defending national champion Grand View remains #1 from the preseason poll with 340 points and all 15 first-place votes. 2013 runner-up Morningside is second, while Baker (Kan.), Tabor (Kan.), and Rocky Mountain (Mont.) round out the top five.
The MWL is also represented by #10 Saint Xavier (Ill.) and #25 St. Ambrose. The league is tied with the Heart of America Athletic Conference and the Frontier Conference with four teams each in the top 25.
WPU travels to St. Louis, Mo. Saturday to face Missouri Baptist in non-conference play at 1 p.m.
NAIA Football Rating #1 – September 15, 2014
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Grand View (15)
2. Morningside
3. Baker (Kan.)
4. Tabor (Kan.)
5. Rocky Mountain (Mont.)
6. Faulkner (Ala.)
7. Carroll (Mont.)
8. Georgetown (Ky.)
9. Southern Oregon
10. Saint Xavier (Ill.)
11. Cumberlands (Ky.)
12. Saint Francis (Ind.)
13. Missouri Valley
14. St. Francis (Ill.)
15. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)
16. Ottawa (Kan.)
17. Benedictine (Kan.)
18. Northwestern
19. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
20. William Penn
21. Cumberland (Tenn.)
22. Peru State (Neb.)
23. Langston (Okla.)
24. Friends (Kan.)
25. Eastern Oregon
25. St. Ambrose
Others receiving votes: Oklahoma Baptist 19; Taylor (Ind.) 17; Midland (Neb.) 15; Robert Morris (Ill.) 12; Hastings (Neb.) 10; Bacone (Okla.) 9; Kentucky Christian 5; Sterling (Kan.) 3.
