Statesmen Receiving Votes in Fifth Poll

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–On a six-game winning streak, including an upset over a top-five program, the William Penn women’s basketball team is finally in the discussion as the fifth NAIA Division I poll was released Tuesday.

WPU (19-5, 13-2 Heart) moves into the rating at #30 with 14 points. It is the first time the squad has been ranked this season; the last time William Penn was rated was last year’s final poll.

The navy and gold join four other Heart of America Athletic Conference programs, including #6 MidAmerica Nazarene (which WPU defeated on the road last Saturday), #16 Central Methodist, #19 Benedictine, and #27 Baker.

Shawnee State (Ohio) is the new #1 with 219 points and all nine first-place votes. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.), Campbellsville (Ky.), Westmont (Calif.), and Wayland Baptist (Texas) round out the top five.

William Penn travels to Canton, Mo. Wednesday to face Culver-Stockton in Heart play at 5:30 p.m.