William Penn Athletics News February 20
William Penn University Athletics
Diaz Qualifies, Burgey Second at Central Qualifier
Marshall, Mo.–Chris Diaz (Jr., Montrose, Colo., Olathe HS) took advantage of his final opportunity to qualify for nationals as Penn competed in the NAIA Central National Qualifier Saturday.
According to the NAIA’s criteria, a wrestler can advance to nationals by placing in the top four in his weight class at any of the regional qualifiers and Diaz did just that, taking third at 184 pounds.
The unseeded junior opened his day with a 3-2 loss to the #3 seed Jamel Wheatley of York (Neb.), falling to the consolation bracket. He was strong from there though, knocking off an unseeded grappler 7-2 before taking down the #4 seed James Brigance of Oklahoma City 6-4.
In reaching the third-place match, Diaz had become a national qualifier, but his day was not done as he avenged his earlier loss to Wheatley with a 6-1 victory to claim bronze (3-1 mark).
For 149-pounder Eric Burgey (Fr., Easton, Pa., Easton HS), Saturday’s tournament was just another meet as he had already qualified, but it was a chance to possibly better his seed for nationals.
The freshman, seeded #2, pinned his first foe in 1:34 and then held off Jarell Price of Baker (Kan.) 5-1 to advance to the finals. In one of the most anticipated matches of the day, #6 Burgey took on #3 Matt Burns of Grand View. The lower seed could not pull off the upset, however, being saddled with a 4-3 loss (2-1 mark). The setback is just his second of the year (28-2) and snaps a 28-match winning streak.
David Crow (Sr., Baumholder, Germany, Baumholder HS) won his first two matches at 133 pounds (one by fall in 2:52 and the other by a 16-7 major decision) and appeared on his way to grabbing a national tournament ticket of his own.
Unfortunately, a loss in the semifinals spiralled into another loss in the consolation semifinals to stop his qualifying dreams in their tracks. The senior was also on the short end in the fifth-place match to end the tourney in sixth position (2-3 mark).
Jason Mozley (Fr., Arlington, Texas, Martin HS) was victorious once at 141 pounds as was 174-pounder T’Oddre Owens (Fr., Burlington, Burlington HS) (by fall in 4:25) and 285-pounder Nathan Craig (Jr., Yale, Iowa Central CC) (by fall in 4:48).
The Statesmen placed eighth out of ten teams with 41 points. #2 Grand View held off host and #7 Missouri Valley by just one point, 167.5-166.5. The teams claimed all ten tournament champions (GVU with six, MVC with four). Baker was a distant third with 98.5 points.
Next: Burgey, Diaz, 125-pounder Taylor Louie (Sr., West Covina, Calif., West Covina HS), and 157-pounder Brandon Smith (Fr., Malcom, BGM HS) will represent Penn at the NAIA Wrestling National Championships in Cedar Rapids on March 3-5.
Tracksters Try Final Time to Qualify
Cedar Falls–A select few individuals failed in their attempts to extend their indoor track and field seasons a few more weeks as Penn competed at the UNI-Dome Open hosted by Northern Iowa Friday.
Josh Roudabush (Sr., Brooklyn, BGM HS) tallied the best finish of the day, taking fourth in the 600-meter run in a time of 1:24.03. The time unfortunately was still over a second too slow to reach the qualifying standard.
Gabriel Green (So., Anniston, Ala., Anniston HS) had already punched his ticket for the NAIA nationals in the 60-meter dash, but wanted to put in one more competition. The sophomore qualified for the finals with a time of 7.07 seconds, while his championship time was .03 slower at 7.10 seconds (ninth overall).
Michael Fulton (Jr., St. Louis, Mo., Eureka HS), with a toss of 40-6.25 and George Calvert (Sr., Woodbridge, Va., Garfield HS), at 37-0.5, competed in the weight throw.
Laura Gentry-Jones (Fr., Fruitland, Idaho, Fruitland HS) and Ashley Lyons (Fr., Wichita, Kan., Wichita Collegiate HS) represented the Lady Statesmen in Friday’s shot put. Gentry-Jones topped her teammate with a season-best throw of 36-7.75, while Lyons recorded a mark of 33-10.75.
Next: Five individuals will represent Penn at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships in Geneva, Ohio on March 3-5.
Green will compete in the 60 and 200-meter dashes, while Carlos Stepter (Sr., Highland Park, Mich., Highland Park HS) will join him in the 60.
Jonathan Pope (Sr., Starkville, Miss., Starkville HS) has locked up a spot in the high jump, while Royce Clay (Sr., Miami, Fla., Booker T. Washington HS) is set to compete in the triple jump.
On the women’s side, Katie Burnett (Sr., Mesa, Ariz., Arizona) will face the field in the 3,000-meter race walk.
Indoor Track All-Conference Honors Announced
Oskaloosa–Several Penn names dot the list as the all-Midwest Collegiate Conference indoor track and field honors were announced earlier this week.
To be considered for all-conference recognition, an athlete had to finish in the top three of their event or a relay team had to place in the top two of its race at the MCC Championships.
Gabriel Green (So., Anniston, Ala., Anniston HS) was honored for winning the 200 (22.42 seconds) and 400-meter dashes (50.54 seconds) as well as finishing second in the 60 (6.49 seconds).
Carlos Stepter (Sr., Highland Park, Mich., Highland Park HS) joined him as a sprints honoree, taking the gold in the 60 (6.45 seconds) and the silver in the 200 (22.45 seconds).
Javaras Thomas (Sr., Miami, Fla., Miami Beach HS) was another Statesmen champion, beating all competitors in the triple jump (45-7.75), while Royce Clay (Sr., Miami, Fla., Booker T. Washington HS) was second in the event (44-10.75) and third in the long jump (21-5.25).
Josh Roudabush (Sr., Brooklyn, BGM HS), in the 600-meter run (1:23.97), Kipp Schuler (Sr., Haviland, Kan., Dana), in the 5,000-meter run (16:12.22), and Jonathan Pope (Sr., Starkville, Miss., Starkville HS), in the high jump (6-2.75), also earned laurels.
John Darmody of St. Ambrose was named MCC Track Athlete of the Year, while Grand View’s Tyler Wells was MCC Field Athlete of the Year. Grand View’s Jerry Monner was tabbed as MCC Coach of the Year.
On the women’s side, Katie Burnett (Sr., Mesa, Ariz., Arizona) was honored for her earlier-season performance in the 3,000-meter race walk (15:22.18).
Obsie Birru of Grand View received MCC Track Athlete of the Year accolades, while St. Ambrose’s Mandy Streu collected the title of MCC Field Athlete of the Year. Monner swept the honors as he was again picked as MCC Coach of the Year.
