William Penn Athletics News–March 8
William Penn University Athletics
Edwards Takes Fifth in 600
Geneva, Ohio–Alex Edwards (Jr., Knoxville, Iowa, Secondary Education) became William Penn’s eighth male All-American at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships Saturday.
The junior placed fifth in the 600-meter run with a time of 1:20.44. His time, though not as good as Friday’s school record of 1:19.18, was still faster than he had ever been before nationals. Edwards was fourth temporarily, but a disqualification of another runner was overturned.
Indiana Tech’s John Hester earned the national title with a time of 1:18.29.
It is the third-consecutive nationals (2013 indoor and 2013 outdoor) in which WPU has had an All-American on the men’s side.
Meaghan Foster (So., Centerville, Iowa, Undecided) was also in action Saturday, finishing 23rd in the shot put with a toss of 41-4.25. Jennifer Maag of Hastings (Neb.) won the event at 50-2.5.
Back on Friday, Sam Taylor (Jr., Eddyville, Iowa, Industrial Technology) placed 16th out of 22 runners in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.33 seconds. He was .10 seconds off from qualifying for the finals. Logan Moore of Siena Heights (Mich.) won Saturday’s final with a time of 7.93 seconds.
With four points from Edwards, the men tied for 34th, while Indiana Tech won the team title with 82 points. Oklahoma Baptist edged the ITU Warriors 133-123 for the women’s crown.
Bronze Earned by Bonds
Geneva, Ohio–Although he did not get a chance at gold, Scottie Bonds (Fr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) still took home a high medal at the 57th Annual NAIA Wrestling National Championships Friday.
Bonds was 2-0 at the start of Saturday morning’s third session, but never got on track against #5 Bryce Shoemaker of Baker (Kan.) in the semifinals. He dropped into the consolation bracket after falling 8-2 to Shoemaker.
The freshman bounced back impressively, though, pinning #4 Brandon Benvenuti of Grand View in 4:56 to reach the third-place match. Bonds then finished off his first trip to nationals with his longest match, defeating #9 Richard Rios 2-0 in triple overtime.
En route to becoming the 41st All-American in program history, Bonds, who came in at #10 in the NAIA, defeated a #4, two #6s, and a #9-ranked grappler. He was 23-9 in his freshman campaign.
133-pounder Joao Vicente (So., East Providence, R.I., Secondary Education), 141-pounder Brad Watson (So., Rolla, Mo., Physical Education), and 174-pounder Ishmael Rempson (Jr., Olympia Heights, Ill., Industrial Technology), also recorded wins at the national tourney. Vicente and Rempson were 2-2 and just one victory shy of All-America status, while Watson finished 1-2.
Entering Saturday night’s championship matches, WPU was tied for 22nd with 20 points. Grand View, which had 175.5 points and was 91 points ahead of second-place Great Falls (Mont.) going into Saturday night, will be crowned for the third year in a row.
Four Receive MCC Recognition
Oskaloosa–Cameron Foster (Sr., West Jordan, Utah, Business Management) was the best bowler in the league for the second-straight year and was rewarded for his efforts as the all-Midwest Collegiate Conference men’s bowling teams was announced Saturday.
Foster topped the five-person first squad as the league’s Player of the Year for the second season in a row. His teammates Jacques Kaune (So., Anchorage, Alaska, Business Management) and Brandon Barboza (Jr., Brick, N.J., Sociology) were also honored. Kaune, who garnered his first honor, joined Fosters as a top-team pick, while Barboza was an honorable mention (second award, first time as HM). Seven individuals garnered honorable mentions.
Darren Stanley of Mount Mercy was named the league’s Newcomer of the Year, while WPU Head Coach Mark Van Wyk earned MCC Coach of the Year honors from his peers for the fourth year in a row.
Through 72 games, Foster has posted an MCC-leading 212.4 average, including a season-high game of 290. The senior has six top-25 finishes and won the Glenn Carlson Las Vegas Invitational in December. He currently ranks 23rd in the nation according to collegebowling.com
Kaune is ranked 83rd in the nation and has a 204.9 average in 72 games (twice at 279). The sophomore has six top-25 placings, including being fifth three times. Barboza is 172nd nationally with a 198.8 clip (67 games). His high game is 266. The junior has been in the top 25 on five occasions with a season-best placing of eighth at the Las Vegas Collegiate Shootout in December.
