William Penn Athletics News–April 10

William Penn University Athletics

Hutt, Walker Claim Team Honors

Oskaloosa–Student Assistant Coach Zach Hutt picked up a big honor as the William Penn men’s basketball team announced its team awards.

Hutt was this year’s recipient of the Jackson Drost Team Award. The award is given annually to the member of the varsity team that exemplifies pride in the program, hard work, academic achievement, and coachability. The award was created and named after former Student Assistant Coach Jackson Drost for his and his family’s devotion to Statesmen Basketball.

“Zach was such a hard worker all season and was so important daily to what we ultimately achieved as a team,” Head Coach John Henry said.

Senior Blake Walker (Rose Garden, Physical Education) was named Team MVP as he received Third-Team All-America and Midwest Collegiate Conference Player of the Year recognition this year. William Penn finished 24-10 this winter (9-3 MCC), winning the MCC Tournament title and advancing to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division II National Championships.

“Blake goes down as one of the all-time greats to have played here at William Penn,” Henry said.

Statesmen Announce Cross Country/Track Signees

Oskaloosa–William Penn University Track and Field Coach Allen Friesen has announced the signings of numerous individuals to National Letters of Intent to attend the University in the fall and compete for the cross country and/or track and field programs.

Malik Brown, the son of Carrie Jones-Brown, is a native of Long Beach, Calif. and will come to William Penn from Millikan HS. He has top times of 10.96 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 22.4 seconds in the 200. He has also received a service learning medallion and claimed the Peace Academy’s Most Athletic honor.

Mikayla Carey is a native of Des Moines, Iowa and will come to William Penn from Des Moines North HS.

Eric Cooper, the son of Donald and Robin Cooper, is a native of Aguanga, Calif. and will come to William Penn from Hamilton HS. He also plans to play football at William Penn.

Guadalupe Gonzalez, the son of Victor Gonzalez and Maria Hernandez, is a native of Houston, Texas and will come to William Penn from Klein Forest HS. A three-year varsity letterwinner in track and cross country, he has top times of 5:50 in the 1600-meter run, 12:45.07 in the 3200-meter run, 21:10.79 in the 3-mile run, and 21:15 in the 5000-meter run. He also competed in the soccer and wrestling in high school.

Garrett Heckman, the son of Wendell Heckman, is a native of New Virginia, Iowa and will come to William Penn from Interstate 35-Truro HS. A four-year letterwinner in track, he has top times of 5:14 in the 1600-meter run and 10:54 in the 3200-meter run. He earned an academic all-conference award in track. Heckman also competed in football.

Elizabeth Hurley, the daughter of Patrick Hurley and Kevin Boyd, is a native of Windsor Heights, Iowa and will come to William Penn from Southwestern CC via West Des Moines Valley HS. She has top times of 23:40 in the 5K and 29:00 in the 6K at Southwestern and 19:40 in the 4K in high school.

Aaron Jesel, the son of Sherry-Stewart-Jesel, is a native of Houston, Texas and will come to William Penn from Captain John L. Chapin HS. A letterwinner in track, he has top times of 11.31 seconds in the 100-meter dash, 22.90 seconds in the 200-meter dash, 10.44 seconds in the 4×1 split, 22.10 seconds in the 4×2 split, and 52.97 seconds in the 4×4 split. He also competed in three Junior Olympics, was a member of the football team, and participated in band. He is a member of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars, Who’s Who, and was an All-American Scholar. He qualified for band state in the solo and ensemble, was the marching band section leader, and received a jazz scholarship as well.

Zachary Johnson, the son of David and Laurie Johnson, is a native of Decatur, Ill. and will come to William Penn from MacArthur HS. He has top times of 54 seconds in the 400-meter dash, 2:04 in the 800-meter run, 4:44 in the 1600-meter run, 10:45 in the 3200-meter run, and 16:46 in the 3-mile run. He is also involved in many non-athletic activities, including being National Honor Society President, yearbook editor, Academic Scholar, AP Scholar, member of the Youth Leadership Institute, and Illinois State Scholar. He also received awards for English, Math, and Social Studies.

Addison Kepner, the daughter of Donald and Meredith VanBlaricom, is a native of Cincinnati, Iowa and will come to William Penn from Indian Hills CC via Centerville HS. A two-time state qualifier in track, she had top times of 2:26 in the 800-meter run, 5:08 in the 1500-meter run, and 16:12 in the 2 1/2 mile run. She was in the Top 10% Honor Roll and a member of the National Honor Society. At IHCC, she was a national qualifier, ran the 5K in 21:44, and placed in the top 20 at the conference meet. She continues to be a strong student, being named to the Dean’s and President’s Lists.

Lino Lovoth, the son of Janae Shreve, is a native of Redding, Calif. and will come to William Penn from University Preparatory School. He has top times/marks of 24.95 seconds in the 200-meter dash, 56.92 seconds in the 400-meter dash, 5-6 in the high jump, 19-3 in the long jump, and 40-6 in the triple jump. He was named his team’s Jumper of the Year, was a Northern Section Finalist, and was league champion in the triple jump and as a member of the 4×400-meter relay team.

Bryan Quintero, the son of Micheal and Sandra Ospina, is a native of Hinesville, Ga. and will come to William Penn from Leihehua HS. A team captain in track, he has a top time of 10.61 seconds in the 100-meter dash. He also competed in soccer and football.

Amani Richardson, the son of Stephen and Stephanie Richardson, is a native of Carrollton, Va. and will come to William Penn from Smithfield HS. He has top times of 50.2 seconds in the 400-meter dash and 1:58.60 in the 800-meter run.

Caleb Schnekleth, the son of Les and Lisa Schnekleth, is a native of Clarence, Iowa and will come to William Penn from Tipton HS. A varsity letterwinner in track, he has top times of 11.1 seconds in the 100-meter dash, 23.6 seconds in the 200-meter dash, and 52.0 seconds in the 400-meter dash.

Jacqueline Valles, the daughter of Arturo Valles and Norma Camargo, is a native of Brownsville, Texas and will come to William Penn from Rivera HS. She has a top time of 19:38 in the 5K and is also in the top 10% of her class.

Cindy Walker is a native of New Sharon, Iowa and will come to William Penn from Indian Hills CC.

Nykitta Williams, the daughter of Robert Williams and Marva Belle-Williams, is a native of Killeen, Texas and will come to William Penn from Ellison HS.

Tyler Weems, the son of Jason and Shelly Connelly, is a native of Trenton, Texas and will come to William Penn from Trenton HS. He is a four-time regional and one-time state qualifier in cross country and a two-time regional qualifier in track. He also qualified for the USATF Junior Olympics. He has top times of 55 seconds in the 400-meter dash, 2:08 in the 800-meter run, 4:44 in the 1500-meter run, 5:00 in the 1600-meter run, 6:56 in the 2000-meter steeplechase, 10:12 in the 3000-meter run, and 16:26 in the 5K. He also played basketball and was a four-year member of the Beta Club.