Missouri Western head volleyball coach Cory Frederick announces the signing of two high school student-athletes, Kelsey Olion and Sara Vitito, to play for the Griffons beginning in the 2013 season.

Kelsey Olion is a 5-9 outside hitter from Champaign, Ill. She attends Centennial High School where she is coached by Stan Bergman. She helped her team to a 3rd place finish at the state tournament as a senior. It was the first time in school history that Centennial made it to the state tournament. She earned numerous academic awards such as Big 12 All-Academic, ISHA All-Academic as well as earning an Academic letter at her high school. Kelsey is the daughter of Keith and Beth Olion. She is a member of the National Honor Society and plans on majoring in chemistry at Missouri Western.

“Kelsey will add to our roster as the only left handed hitter we will have on our roster,” commented Coach Frederick. “She’s a great athlete who jumps well and has tremendous speed in the back row. She’s played both as an opposite and as a libero which will give her opportunities to earn multiple playing time at multiple positions in 2013. She’s a strong competitor and will be a great addition to the Griffon Volleyball team.”

Sara Vitito is a 5-10 middle hitter from Omaha, Neb. Vitito attends Millard North High School and is coached by Lindsay Mohon. She led her team to state last season and plans on majoring in nursing while at Missouri Western. She was named All-State Honorable Mention in 2010 and is a 4-year starter at Millard North.She was on the national honor society the past two years and honor roll every semester of high school. Vitito is the daughter of Don and LeAnne Vitito.

“Sara will immediately compete for a starting position in the middle next year,” state Coach Frederick. “She brings a high level of club and high school experience and a competitive nature that will make her an impact player immediately. She has a powerful offensive attack with a wide range of hitting options which will open up our front line attacking patterns. Sara will be a welcome addition to our team and will make competition for our middles very intense.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western head baseball coach Charles “Buzz” Verduzco announces the signing of two high school student-athletes, Mitchell Thorman and Andrew Ramirez to play for the Griffons beginning in the 2013-2014 season.

Mitchell Thorman is a 6-0 pitcher/outfielder from Overland Park, Kan. He attends Blue Valley Southwest High School where he is coached by Rick Sabath. He has been a three year starter for BVSW and is a member of the honor roll.  Mitch is the son of Terry and Mary Thorman and is planning on majoring in criminal justice at Missouri Western.

“Mitch is a very athletic, two way player who can have an immediate impact his first year as either a pitcher or an outfielder,” stated Coach Verduzco. “He has been very well coached in high school and summer and has been very successful versus high level competition.”

Andrew Ramirez is a 5-9 infielder from Kansas City, Kan. Ramirez has a .343 career hitting average and was placed on the 2012 All-Kansas Team as a second baseman. In 60 career games he has 67 hits, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs and 44 RBI. He is on the honor roll and a member of the 2012 Kansas City Royals Elite Scout Team. He is the son of Jessica and Michael Ramirez. He plans on majoring in criminal justice at Missouri Western.

“Andrew is one of the best true hitters coming out of the Kansas City area,” commented Coach Verduzco. “He is an intense, and hard nosed player with very good baseball instincts. He will compete for an infield position next year and we are blessed to have him.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western women’s soccer team earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2011-12 academic year.

The Griffons finished with a 3.02 grade point average, earning the award after placing past the 3.0 GPA mark. 504 women soccer teams also won the award.

This is the third year in a row and the fourth time in the past five years in which the soccer team earned the award.

The Griffons finished their 2012 season with a 6-9-1 overall record and 4-7-1 in MIAA play, including two straight victories to end the season.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western football team advanced to the regional final for the first time in school history with a 45-21 victory over 6th ranked Henderson State University on Saturday afternoon. The Griffons had 233 yards rushing and forced Henderson State’s quarterback Kevin Rodgers into throwing four interceptions. The Griffons improve to 12-1 on the season and will travel to Mankato, Minn. to take on the Mavericks of Minnesota State-Mankato. Game time is set for 12:00 pm on Saturday, December 1st.

Two of the most prolific offenses in Division II were held scoreless on their first possessions of the game. From there the two teams put up a total of 24 combined points in the first quarter. The Reddies took their second possession of the game 66 yards on nine players which was capped by a Kevin Nichols one yard run.

The Griffons responded nicely scoring 17 unanswered points taking a 17-7 lead after one quarter. Michael Hill scored the Griffons first touchdown on a 15 yard run capping a five play 58 yard drive with 8:40 to play. Raphael Spencer had a 25 yard run to help set up the score for the Griffons. For Hill that was his school record 19th touchdown of the season and 44th of his career. Hill also has 114 points in a season which breaks the season record of 112 which was done by Bubba Hopkins in 1975. The rushing touchdown also set the career record for most rushing touchdowns with 35. Tony Williams had the record of 34 from 1994-97.

On the Reddies very next snap linebacker Stephen Juergens intercepted a Kevin Rodgers pass setting the Griffons up on the Henderson State 16 yard line. The interception was only Rodgers ninth of the season. MWSU proceeded to go 16 yards on four plays which was capped by a Travis Partridge one yard plunge. The final score of the first quarter was when Taylor Anderson connected on a 45 yard field goal with 29 seconds to play in the quarter giving MWSU the 10 point lead. Anderson now holds the record for most points by a kicker in a season with 106 which breaks Brad Beckwith’s record of 97 set in 20009.

The Reddies cut the lead to 17-14 with 8:50 to play in the second quarter when Jarvis Smith went 14 yards capping an eight play 55 yard drive.

The final four minutes of the second quarter belonged to the Griffons as Partridge connected on three third down pays which included an six yard pass to Reggie Jordan giving MWSU the 24-14 lead with 3:42 to play in the half. MWSU stopped the Reddies and once again the Griffons used Jordan as the weapon as Partridge threw a one yard fade with 5 seconds to play giving MWSU the 31-14 lead at the half.

The Griffons had 254 yards at the half with 96 coming on the ground and 158 threw the air. Hill carried for 77 yards on 15 carries while Partridge connected on 15-of-19 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Tyron Crockom had five receptions for 40 yards. Marc Harrision and Juergens had four tackles apiece for the Griffons.

The Reddies had 234 yards with 191 coming threw the air. Rodgers connected on 17-of-29 passes with two interceptions. Dustin Holland had six receptions for 57 yards while Robert Jordan had three for 64. Defensively Maxie Graham had 10 tackles for the Reddies.

The second half did not start well for the Griffons as Crockom fumbled on the second play of the half giving the Reddies the ball on the Griffons 19 yard line. MWSU’s defense forced a field goal opportunity which hit the right upright. The Griffons proceeded to go 80 yards on four plays which was capped off by a 63 yard touchdown run by Spencer giving the Griffons the 38-14 lead.

The Griffons tacked on another touchdown in the fourth when Partridge went in from five yards out capping an six play 40 yard drive giving the Griffons a 45-14 lead with 6:46 to play. The Reddies scored one more touchdown but it was to late as they finished the season 10-1.

The Griffons finished with 437 yards of total offense. Partridge finished with 204 yards connecting on 22-of-29 passes and two touchdowns. Crockom had six catches for 40 yards while Kyle Knox and Brandon Wright had four apiece. Hill rushed for 122 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries while Spencer had six catches for 95 yards. Hill has rushed for over 100 yards 12 times this season and 20 times in his career. Defensively Ray Cottman and Harrison had seven tackles. The Griffons had nine pass break-ups with David Bass getting two.

The Reddies had 480 yards with 412 coming in the air. Rodgers connected on 37-of-65 passes with four interceptions and one touchdown. Holland had 10 catches for 103 yards while Jordan had nine for 125. Keaton Stigger had 16 tackles with 10 being solo.

— MWSU Sports Information —

For the second straight week the Griffons held the Rockhurst University Hawks to under 15 points in the second half which helped them to victory. The Griffons held the Hawks to just 13 second half points as they cruised to a 63-35 victory on the second day of the Rockhurst University Harvesters Classic. This is the first time the Griffons have held an opponent under 40 points since 11/26/02 when they beat Benedictine 80-39. The Griffons improve to 3-2 with the victory.

The Griffons came out in the first half on fire scoring the first ten points and taking a 28-4 lead after a Freddie Manyawu three with 7:39 to play in the first half. The Hawks were able to outscore the Griffons by ten the rest of the half but MWSU still took a 14 point lead at 36-22 in the locker room.

The Griffons dominated the points in the paint outscoring RU 22-4 in the first half. MWSU also had 10 points off nine first half turnovers. The Griffons shot 44.4-percent (16-36) in the half with Adarius Fulton leading the charge with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting which included two long range shots.

The Hawks struggled shooting just 22.2-percnet (6-27) from the field. Rockhust took 17 long range shots making just four. Brandon McCann led the way with 11 points on 2-of-5 shooting from long range. He also went 5-for-5 from the free throw line.

The Hawks were able to cut the Griffon lead to 11 at 37-26 after a Cooper Beckett layup with 17:25 to play in the game but the rest of the game would be all Griffons.

MWSU outscored the Hawks 27-9 the rest of the game picking up their third victory of the game. Rockhurst falls to 1-6 with the loss.

MWSU had three players finish in double figures with Fulton leading the way with 15 points and four rebounds. Dzenan Mrkaljevic finished with 12 points and James Harris pitched in 11 off the bench. The Griffons finished shooting 44.6-percent (25-56) from the field and had 32 points in the paint and 19 points off RU turnovers.

The Hawks were led by McCann with 11 points as they made just 10 field goals in the game.

The Griffons return to action next on Saturday, December 1st when they host Illinois-Springfield. Tip time is set for 7:30 pm from the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western women’s basketball team used a balanced attack to defeat the Lincoln Blue Tigers in non-conference action by a score of 65-57 in the Lincoln Thanksgiving Classic. All ten of the Griffons that played scored with Heather Howard recording her fifth straight double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Griffons improve to 5-1 with the victory.

The first half went back and forth as they Blue Tigers took advantage of poor MWSU shooting to claim a 13-6 lead with 11:04 to play in the first frame after two Freddie Sims free throws.

The Griffons got things going the next few minutes going on a 14-4 run to claim a 20-17 lead after a three by Sharniece Lewis with 6:36 to play in the half. MWSU continued to put on the pressure outscoring Lincoln 14-10 to take a seven point lead at 34-27.

The Griffons shot 43.3-percent (13-30) from the field and 4-of-6 from long range. Jallisa Lewis led the way with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting while Howard dumped in seven.

Lincoln made 10-of-23 field goals with Arriana Walker dumping in seven points. The Griffons forced 17 turnovers and scored 16 points off the Blue Tiger turnovers.

Early in the second half the Griffons extended the lead to 11 after a Kallie Schoonover three and a Brittany Griswold free throw giving MWSU the 38-27 lead with 17:47 to play.

The Blue Tigers cut the Griffons lead to three at 38-35 after two Sims free throws with 14:07 to play. Once again the Griffons used a big run claiming its second 11 point lead at 53-42 after Howard nailed a jumper with 5:26 to play.

Lincoln did not give up and with a Walker layup and three pointer and two Dahlia Booker layups the Griffon lead was cut to 53-51 with 3:43 to play.

Once again the Griffons remained calm and picked up the defense holding the Blue Tigers to just six point down the stretch while MWSU dumped in 12 to pick up its fifth victory of the season.

The Griffons dumped in 23 bench points with 17 coming in the second half to Lincoln’s four. The Griffons also had 23 points off 24 Blue Tiger turnovers. The Griffons made 22-of-56 field goals and 14-of-18 free throws. They also made 7-of-14 long range shots.

Griswold was the only other Griffon in double digit scoring as she dumped in a season high 10 points. Howard finished with four blocks.

The Blue Tigers fall to 3-2 with the loss. They had four players in double digits with Walker pitching in 18 points ans snaring nine rebounds.

The Griffons return to action on Tuesday, November 27 when they host the Quincy Hawks. Tip time is set for 7:00 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —

A last second shot by Missouri Western’s Lanicia Lawrence came up short as the Griffons fell for the first time this season. MWSU fell to fellow MIAA opponent Truman State University in non-conference action by a score of 67-65 in the Lincoln University Thanksgiving Classic. The Griffons fall to 4-1 with the loss.

The first half was a back-and-forth battle with neither team leading by more than six points. The Griffons were able to hold the Bulldogs without a field goal in the final 5:08 of the first half which allowed them to outscore the Bulldogs by two claiming a 34-33 lead at the half.

The Griffons took its largest lead of the half at the 18:26 mark when Heather Howard nailed a three giving MWSU the 5-2 lead. The Bulldogs used a 7-0 run midway through the first frame claiming their largest lead at 22-16 after a Courtney Srait long range shot with 9:01 to play. The rest of the frame belonged to the Griffons outscoring the Bulldogs 18-11 taking the one point halftime lead.

The Griffons shot 50-percent (15-30) from the field with Howard scoring nine points on 4-of-7 shooting. She also snared seven of the Griffons 15 rebounds. Eight different Griffons scored for the Griffons in the half.

The Bulldogs were led by Nicole Gloor with 11 points and seven rebounds. Eight different Bulldogs scored in the frame.

The Bulldogs opened the second half on a 13-4 run which gave them an eight point lead at 46-38 after a jumper by Jessica Redd with 13:55 to play in the game. The Griffons responded nicely going on a 8-0 run tying the score at 46 after a lay up by Kallie Schoonover with 10:46 to play.

The Bulldogs once again went on a mini run with the Griffons answering right back tying the score at 55 with 4:39 to play. The Bulldogs went up 62-57 after an Allie Norton three with 2:03 to play but an old fashioned 3-point play by Lawrence cut the lead to two with 1:55 to play.

MWSU cut the lead to one with 1:25 to play on another Lawrence three point play at 64-63 but a three pointer by Amy Briggs with 55 seconds put TSU back up 67-63. Howard cut it to two with 42 second left but Lawrence’s lay up at the buzzer bounced out as TSU improved to 3-0 with the victory.

The Griffons shot 49.1-percent (27-55) from the field but made just one three and 10-of-19 free throws. Lawrence finished with 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting while Howard collected a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

The Bulldogs had 12 assists on its 21 field goals with Becka McHenry leading the way with six assists. Gloor finished with 17 points making all seven of her free throws. Amy Briggs and McHenry finished with 16 and 10 points respectively.

The Griffons return to action tomorrow when they face another MIAA opponent in non-conference action. This time they take on the Lincoln University Blue Tigers at 4:00 pm in Jefferson City, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western men’s basketball team struggled offensively falling 60-59 against Park University in the first game of the Rockhurst University Harvesters Classic.

MWSU shot just 39.0-percent (23-58) from the field and 23.8-percent (5-of-21) from long range.

Cedric Clinkscales had another outstanding game finishing with a game high 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting.

The Griffons fall to 2-2 with the loss.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western women’s basketball is receiving votes in the most recent USA Today Sports Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll released Tuesday afternoon.

The Griffons are off to their best start since opening the 2004-2005 season with seven consecutive victories on its way to a 20-9 overall record.

The Griffons (4-0) opened the 2012-13 campaign with wins over Division I opponent Missouri-Kansas City (68-51), #7 Metro State University (66-55), Illinois-Springfield (57-54) and Maryville University (Mo.) (74-68). Three of the four victories were on the road.

MWSU received 22 votes this week and this is the first poll the Griffons have received votes or been ranked since the final poll of the 2006-2007 season where they were 9th. Unfortunatly all the victories during that season were vacated due to NCAA violations.

Missouri Western is one of 13 teams from the Central Region to receive mention in the poll joining No. 3 Pittsburg State, No. 10 Wayne State (Neb.), No. 12 Augustana (S.D.), No. 13 Washburn (Kan.) and No. 20 Emporia State (Kan.),  while Northeastern State (Okla.), Arkansas Tech, Central Missouri, Fort Hays State (Kan.), Minnesota State-Mankato, Minnesota-Duluth and Harding (Ark.) are receiving votes.

The Griffons hit the road this weekend to take part in the Lincoln Thanksgiving Classic in Jefferson City, Mo. MWSU will play two MIAA opponents in non-conference action with their first game coming on Friday, November 23 against Truman State at 5:00 pm. The Griffons take on host school Lincoln on Saturday, November 24 at 4:00 pm. Both games are in Jason Gym on the campus of Lincoln University.

— MWSU Sports Information —