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Category: Missouri Western

Western names Roger Smith assistant women’s basketball coach

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Missouri Western State University Director of Athletics, Kurt McGuffin has announced Roger Smith as assistant women’s basketball coach. Smith was an assistant at Oklahoma City for one season under current Western coach Rob Edmisson.

Smith served as Oklahoma City’s video coordinator, managed a large part of scouting and assisted in daily practices. During his one season at OCU the Stars went 35-1 winning the 2011-2012 NAIA National Championship.

“Roger is one of the best coaches I have ever been around in regards to instructing and teaching kids on the floor,” commented Edmisson. “His detail with film work and game planning was a huge factor in our run last year to the NAIA National Championship,” stated Edmisson.

Previously, Smith spent a season as assistant coach for the OCU men’s basketball program in 2009-2010. The Stars went 17-10, finished third place in the Sooner Athletic Conference and advanced to the NAIA Division I Tournament.

Smith has experience coaching in the Oklahoma City area on the high-school level, winning a state championship while on the staff at Putnam City High School. Roger served as the head coach at Casady School (2008-2009) and Little Axe High School (2005-2006). While on the staff at John Marshall High School (2007-2008) the team made it to the state semifinals and was on the staff at Okarche High School, which made the state tournament in 2010-2011.

“I am very excited to get the chance to continue coaching under Edmisson,” commented Smith. “We share a similar philosophy when it comes to both ends of the floor. We feel comfortable with each other as he gives me a lot of freedom when it comes to scouting and breaking down film. We will play an exciting brand of basketball that is fun to watch,” said Smith.

Roger has been married for 17 years (Cristina) and has three children – Isabella (9), Griffin (7) and Price (2).

— MWSU Sports Information —

Johnson, Koch earn MWSU Student-Athlete of the Year honors

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The Missouri Western athletic department honored its student-athletes at the 13th Annual Missouri Western State University/St. Joseph News-Press Student-Athlete Honors Banquet on Monday evening in the Faulkerson Center. Western basketball swept the student-athlete of the year awards as women’s basketball player Jessica Koch was named Female Student-Athlete of the Year while men’s basketball player TJ Johnson was named Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

This year’s banquet featured the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs Mitch Holthus as the keynote speaker. Holthus has been with the Chiefs organization since 1994 and previously was the radio voice of the Kansas State Wildcats for 14 years. Holthus also does television work for the Big 12 Basketball Network, the Missouri Valley Conference and other select broadcasts on ESPNU.

Western also honored one Silver Anniversary Award winner who attended the institution for outstanding achievements and representation throughout the past 25-plus years. Former student athletic trainer and longtime Head Athletic Trainer of the Kansas City Chiefs Bud Epps will received the award which exhibits the characteristics of Integrity, Dedication, Leadership, a Commitment to Excellence and an obligation to serve as a concerned partner in their community.

Current Western student-athletes were chosen as their respective sports’ Student-Athlete of the Year include; TJ Johnson (Men’s Basketball), Tony Loeffler (Baseball), Tom Madget (Football), Tyler Gast (Men’s Golf), Taylor Kram (cheer squad), Jessica Koch (Women’s Basketball), Natalie Bird (Women’s Golf), Leah Steele (Softball), Molly Slattery (Women’s Soccer), Nicole Kerr (Women’s Tennis) and Tahler Johnston (Volleyball).

All of the above individuals were finalists for the Missouri Western State University/St. Joseph News-Press Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award which was announced during the banquet. Western also recognized the top graduating senior based on highest cumulative GPA with the James J. McMillen Award. The winner was Taylor Krahm with a 3.95 GAP.  The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s Volunteer of the Year was given to baseball player Harrison Cobb and the MWSU Award for Valor was given to football players Jack Long and Shane Simpson. The award recognized an individual(s) for an outstanding act of courage.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western blows three-run lead in ninth inning at Truman

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The Missouri Western baseball team (29-13, 22-10) surrendered a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth to drop the final game of a four game series at Truman State (14-26, 13-23) Sunday afternoon.

Western extended a one run lead by scoring two runs in the top of the ninth on a Nate Ramler home run. Jake Jones entered in the bottom of the ninth and walked the leadoff batter. The Bulldogs follwed with two straight singles before Pete Jurich drilled a three-run double that cleared the bases and tied the game. Paul Trenahile’s sacrifice fly to center brought in the winning run and earned a series split for Truman.

Ramler got the Griffons on the board in the first with an RBI double that scored Grant Fink from second base. Truman tied it up in the third on an RBI single from Devon Meyers. Western grabbed the lead again in the sixth on RBI singles from Shawn Egge, Michael Shulze and David Chew.

Oliver Kadey held the Bulldogs to one run on four hits through five innings, but Truman got to Kadey in the sixth. Jurich led off the inning with a home run to left field. Kadey retired the next batter, but then hit a batter and gave up a single. Chris Allen entered in relief and retired the first batter he faced.

The Bulldogs then took advantage of two Griffon miscues to tie the game at four apiece. A wild pitch allowed a runner to advance to third base, then score on a single to right field, and a throwing error allowed the tying run to score.

Ramler had three extra base hits and finieshed 3-4 with two runs scored and three RBI. Spencer Shockley was 3-5 with two runs scored. Tony Loeffler went 2-3 and scored a run, while Bubba Dotson was 2-4 with one run scored. Kadey went 5 1/3 allowing seven hits and three earned runs, while striking out three. Allen went 2 2/3, allowing two hits and one run. Allen also struck out three. Jake Jones took the loss, allowing four runs on four hits .

Western returns home this weekend for the team’s final home series of the season. Southwest Baptist visits the Griffon Spring Sports Complex beginning on Friday with a doubleheader.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffons and Bearcats will meet in MIAA softball tournament opener

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Emporia State earned the 2012 MIAA Regular Season Championship with a perfect 20-0 conference record and will be the top seed in the upcoming MIAA Centennial Softball Tournament.

Missouri Western will be the No. 2 seed after posting a 18-2 league record, while Fort Hays State is the No. 3 seed with an 13-7 conference mark.

Central Missouri will be the No. 4 seed with a 9-11 MIAA record, as the Jennies hold the tiebreaker over No. 5 seed Washburn, which also posted a 9-11 conference record.

Pittsburg State will be the No. 6 seed. The Gorillas’ seed was adjusted following a self-reported eligibility violation. In accordance with NCAA and MIAA policy a nullification penalty was applied to PSU’s won-lost percentage.

Northwest Missouri is the No. 7 seed after recording a 7-13 MIAA record, and Lincoln will be the No. 8 seed after finishing 6-14 in the conference. The Blue Tigers held the tiebreaker over Southwest Baptist and Truman to earn the final spot in the tournament.

All first round matchups will be played Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Blue Valley Sports Complex in Overland Park, Kan.

Top seeded Emporia State will take on No. 8 seed Lincoln, No. 2 seed Missouri Western will play No. 7 seed Northwest Missouri, No. 3 seed Fort Hays State will match up with No. 6 seed Pittsburg State, and No. 4 seed Central Missouri will face off with No. 5 seed Washburn.

— MIAA Release —

No. 17 Western splits regular season finale at Central Oklahoma

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The 17th ranked Griffons split a non-conference double header with future MIAA opponent the 3rd ranked Bronchos of Central Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon. Western took game one 3-2 before falling 5-0 in game two. The Griffons end the regular season with a 38-9 overall record and will be the 2nd seed in next weekend’s MIAA Tournament.

Game 1: MWSU 3, UCO 2
The Griffons softball team got a much needed victory in game one against the 3rd ranked Bronchos. Jackie Bishop let up just six hits to the powerful Broncho lineup stranding nine runners in the complete game. She improves to 22-2 on the year as she struck out just two batters.

The Bronchos took the early lead in the second inning when Devyn Frazier singled to left scoring Brittany Weaver giving UCO the 1-0 lead.

Westerm left eight runners on base which included five in the first four innings of play. In the fifth Western got the bases loaded with no one out but were unable to capitalize as a soft liner by Taylor Anding hit Leah Steele in the foot and then a pop fly by Tiffany Gillaspy turned into an inning ending double play as pinch runner Kim Robinson got tossed out at the plate.

In the fifth Western finally got the timely hits they have been looking for when  Blair Stalder doubled to right center scoring Kendall Sorenson and Sarah Elliott giving Western the 2-1 lead. The Griffons next batter Keri Lobert singled scoring Stalder putting Western up 3-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth.

Central Oklahoma cut the lead to one in the fifth when Nathalie Timmermans hit her 20th homer of the season cutting Western’s lead to 3-2.

That would be all the Bronchos would get as Bishop shut them down in the sixth and then stranded two runners on base in the seventh getting the victory.

Western had nine hits with Breanna Fleschner, Elliott, Stalder and Lorbert each collecting two.

UCO had six hits with Timmermans going 3-for-3. Rachael Steverson falls to 20-4 going 4.1 innings giving up nine hits with three earned runs. Amanda McClelland went 2.2 innings in relief not giving up any hits.

Game 2: UCO 5, MWSU 0
Western put runners on base in the first four innings but could not get a hit to give them the lead. Things started good for Western as the first two batters reached base but Fleschner was tossed out at third after an Elliot single ending  the threat.

Annalee Rubio pitched well keeping the Bronchos off balance holding them to just one hit in the first three innings. In the third she pitched around some trouble but gave up one run. In the fifth and sixth the Griffons defense struggled making two errors giving up four more runs falling 5-0.

Western had five hits with Taylor Anding going 2-for-3. Rubio falls to 13-7 giving up eight hits and four earned runs.
UCO improves to 38-5 with the win. They had eight hits with Kaylee Brunson and Kayce Raines each getting two hits. McClelland improves to 18-1 going all seven innings giving up five hits.

Western will be in action next Thursday playing the first round of the MIAA Tournament. Western will play the 7th seed at 6:00 pm and will take on the 3rd or 6th at 8:00 pm depending on the outcome. Game are played at Blue Valley Receation Complex in Overland Park, Kan.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffons close spring football with scrimmage at Spratt Stadium

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Spratt Stadium was littered with sunshine and fall like temperatures as Griffon Football wrapped up spring practice with their annual scrimmage.  A crowd of about 500 fans looked on as all three phases of the game; offense, defense and special teams looked sharp.

The scrimmage opened with the first team offense and defense going at each other.  The opening series was a steady diet of running back Michael Hill.  The senior to be looked his usual speedy, strong self with two carries of ten yards or more in the first four plays.  On Hill’s third carry, he galloped 50 yards to the five yard line when two plays later quarterback Travis Partridge hit redshirt freshman tight end Alek Ferbet from two yards out for the scrimmages opening score.  Three possessions later, Hill scored again, a 40 yard scamper for the Griffons’ second touchdown of the day.

Later in the scrimmage, the offense scored the final of their three touchdowns on the day as backup quarterback Tyler Harrison hit tight end Reggie Jordan on a 21 yard strike.

Speaking of quarterback Travis Partridge, he looked sharp as well.  Stating several times during the offseason that he needed to improve in the passing game, he consistently hit his receivers in stride while looking especially accurate in the two minute drill constantly throwing precise out routes to the sideline to stop the clock.

The Griffon defense had a solid day as well forcing two turnovers, the first of which came on the sixth offensive possession of the day when cornerback Jeremy Weston picked off a Partridge pass over the middle.  Late in the scrimmage, with younger players in the game redshirt freshman Jon Trocosso recovered a Ricky Thomson fumble.  Another turnover was negated by an offside penalty as defensive back Stephen Juergens picked off a fourth down Partridge boot leg pass.  The defense line also made their presence felt with numerous stops in goal line situations.

With 17 starters and 26 seniors returning, the Griffons don’t have a lot of holes to fill.  One of them however is that of placekicker.  With NFL draft hopeful and First Team All-American Greg Zuerlein on hand, his replacement Taylor Anderson showed well.  Anderson, who filled in for Zuerlein early last year and went 6 for 6 in kicks attempted put his talents on display going 3 for 6 in 50 + yard kicks while not missing a kick from shorter distances.

With spring practice concluded, the Griffons can now set their sights on fall camp which will begin around August 8 with the season opener set for Thursday, August 30 at 6 PM as the Griffons host Central Missouri in Spratt Stadium.

2012 season tickets are on sale now by joining the Gold Coat Victory Fund.  You can join on-line at gogriffons.com or for more information contact the athletics department at 816-271-5926.

2012 GRIFFON FOOTBALL SPRING GAME STARTING LINE-UPS
Offense
QB  #12 Travis Partridge
RB #22 Michael Hill
WR #3 Tyron Crockom
WR #9 Derek Libby
WR #11 Tarrell Downing
TE #89 Reggie Jordan
LT #67 Nick Clark
LG #70 Brian Chiles
C #64 Michael Yardley
RG #74 Jeremy Jacobson
RT #71 Macon Allan

Defense

DE #91 David Bass
DT #88 John Brown
DT # 89 Austin Baska
DE # 93 Ben Pister
LB #47 Wallace Carter
LB #25 Yomi Alli
LB #5 Dan Ritter
CB #1 Jeremy Weston
CB #2 Ben Jackson
S #37 Stephen Juergens
S 35 Kirk Resseguie

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffon tennis falls 5-0 to Truman State at MIAA Championships

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The Griffon tennis team fell in the consolation side of the MIAA Championships by a score of 5-0 against the Truman State Bulldogs. Western will play its final match of the season at 3:00 pm against the Lincoln Blue Tigers. The Griffons have beaten the Blue Tigers twice this season.

Western played better today but it wouldn’t be enough as Nicole Kerr and Katie Field fell 8-6 against Kim Birenbaum and Maggie Schutte in No. 2 doubles while Ceara Boldridge and Kayla Dysart fell 8-4 against Ellen Russell and Dagmar Velez in No. 1 doubles while Alecia Jenkins and Erin Ward fell 8-1 against Kelsey Porter and Jessica Gunnuso.

In singles Erin Ward fell 6-1 and 6-1 against Maggi Schutte while Jenkins fell 6-1 and 6-0 against Jennifer Hawkins.

Singles competition

1. Kerr,Nicole (MWSU) vs. Russell,Ellen (TSU) no result
2. Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) vs. Velez,Dagmar (TSU) no result
3. Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) vs. Birenbaum,Kim (TSU) no result
4. Schutte,Maggi (TSU) def. Ward,Erin (MWSU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Hawkins,Jennifer (TSU) def. Jenkins,Alecia (MWSU) 6-1, 6-0
6. Field,Katie (MWSU) vs. Austin,Katie (TSU) no result

Doubles competition

1. Russell,Ellen/Velez,Dagmar (TSU) def. Boldridge,Ceara/Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) 8-4
2. Birenbaum,Kim/Schutte,Maggi (TSU) def. Kerr,Nicole/Field,Katie (MWSU) 8-6
3. Porter,Kelsey/Gennuso,Jessica (TSU) def. Jenkins,Alecia/Ward,Erin (MWSU) 8-1

— MWSU Sports Information —

Simmons, Griffons shutout Truman for seventh straight victory

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The Missouri Western baseball team (28-11,21-8) took advantage of offensive opportunities and Brandon Simmons went nine scoreless innings on the way to the team’s seventh consecutive victory.

Simmons (9-2) had not went past the seventh inning in any of his previous nine starts, but his efficiency Friday at Truman (12-25, 11-23) allowed him to get through the ninth. Simmons put the Bulldogs down in order, striking out the final batter in the bottom of the ninth to secure the 5-0 win.

Michael Shulze led off the game with a home run to left field. The sophomore shortstop drove in two on the day with his double to center in the fifth scoring Bubba Dotson. Dotson had an RBI of his own in the second with a single up the middle that scored Nate Ramler from second.

Ramler was 1-4 on the day with a double and a run scored. Western added an unearned run in the fifth on Shawn Egge’s RBI bunt. Smelcer led off the inning by reaching on a fielding error by the third baseman. A bunt single from Dotson moved Smelcer to second and Smelcer got to third on a sacrifice bunt from Tony Loeffler. Spencer Shockley was 2-4 and Dotson finished the game 2-3 at the plate.

Simmons allowed eight hits and walked just one, while striking out eight. The Griffons and Bulldogs face off in a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. in Kirksville.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Western football concludes spring football with scrimmage Saturday

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Fans can get their first look at the 2012 edition of the Griffon Football team at Spratt Stadium this Saturday, April 20 as they host their spring scrimmage at 1 PM. Admission is FREE and stadium gates will open at 12 PM. Fans are encouraged to tailgate if they wish. Fans that aren’t able to make it to the scrimmage can listen live on KFEQ 680 AM as Dave Riggert, Bob Orf, Ryan Menley and Brett Esely will provide insight on all of the days action. Roster sheets complete with the 2012 schedule will be available in the main concourse.

The Griffons return 17 starters and 26 seniors from last years team that went 9-3 and qualified for the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the second straight season. The 2012 regular season kicks off Thursday night August 30th as the Griffons host Central Missouri in Spratt Stadium at 6 PM.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Western softball moves up to No. 4 in Regional Rankings

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The Missouri Western softball team moved up to 4th in the second South Central Regional poll of the 2012 season which was released Wednesday afternoon. The Griffons are 36-7 overall and 34-7 in regional play after going 4-1 in regional play last week. The Griffons are also 17th in the latest NFCA Division II Coaches Poll.

The top eight teams earn a regional bid with the first and second seeds hosting four team regionals which will be played the first weekend in May. The #1 seed will host the #8, #4 and #5 seeds while the #2 seed will host the #7, #3 and the #6 seeds. The winners of each regional will take on each other in a best of three series the second weekend in May at the highest seed for a chance to go to the elite eight.

The Griffons have been to a regional five of the last seven season (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011) which includes being the #5 seed in 2011.

SOUTH CENTRAL
1     Angelo State         38-8     38-7
2     Emporia State         31-7     30-7
3     Central Oklahoma     34-3     34-3
4     Missouri Western State     36-7     34-7
5     Abilene Christian     28-12     27-12
6     Southeastern Oklahoma     31-14     31-14
7     Texas Woman’s         33-13     29-13
8     Tarleton State         26-17     26-17
9     West Texas A&M         30-13     27-11
10     St. Mary’s (Texas)     28-16     27-15

The Griffons return to action this weekend for a pair of non-conference doubleheaders against future MIAA foes. Western travels to Talequah, Okla. on Saturday, April 21 to take on the Northeastern State RiverHawks at 12:00 pm. Western swept the RiverHawks earlier this season by scores of 3-1 and 9-0 in Talequah on February 19. On Sunday, April 22 the Griffons wrap-up the regular season against #3 Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. Game time is set for 12:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

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