Statesmen Ranked 16th by BSN

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–Even if it is totally unofficial, being ranked is always a good thing and the William Penn football team is glad to put another feather in its hat as Beyond Sports Network announced its preseason NAIA top 25 poll Wednesday.

The Statesmen, who were 9-2 last fall (5-2 MWL), come in at #16. The navy and gold hold the #14 position in the NAIA’s official poll.

Defending national champion Saint Xavier (Ill.) is the preseason #1, while fellow MSFA Mideast League squad Marian (Ind.) is second. 2011 runner-up Carroll (Mont.) is third with Georgetown (Ky.) fourth and St. Francis (Ill.) fifth.

Grand View, in 14th, and St. Ambrose in 24th, also represent the Midwest League. The Statesmen are the fourth-highest team from the state of Iowa behind #8 Morningside, #9 Northwestern, and Grand View.

William Penn opens its 2012 season next Saturday, August 25 by traveling to Mount Pleasant to face Iowa Wesleyan in non-conference action at 6 p.m.