ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Athletics annual Gold Coat campaign begins this year with the #GoldCoatGiving week. The opening week of the drive begins Thursday, May 17 and concludes on May 24. Missouri Western Athletics will provide a VIP Gold Coat experience during the 2018 Chiefs Training Camp for any new member who joins, or existing member who renews, prior to May 24.

A new social media blitz will be unveiled this year with a goal to reach $10,000 through social media/online donations. The overall goal of this year’s campaign is to raise $400,000 with more than 500 members. Inspiring messages from student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans will be posted on social media throughout the campaign. Gold Coat members are encouraged to use the hashtag, #GoldCoatGiving during this year’s drive.

The Gold Coat Club is the athletics booster organization of Missouri Western State University. Founded in 1969, the club raises funds to support the endeavors of all 16 sports programs of the University. Membership in the Gold Coat Club helps provide coaches and student-athletes with the necessary resources to help Missouri Western compete at the highest level of NCAA Division II. All Gold Coat gifts provide direct support for the athletic department’s nearly 400 student-athletes.

New features of membership for the 2018-19 seasons include seating improvements inside the Looney Complex that will also bring the addition of a “Courtside Club” on the floor of the MWSU Fieldhouse. Also new for 2018-19 will be the pavilion in the end zone of Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium.

Donations and membership will remain open throughout the summer. For more information on the Gold Coat Club, click here.

— MWSU Athletics —

HOUSTON, Texas – Missouri Western’s Shi Qing Ong finished the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf National Championships in the middle of the pack.

Shi Qing’s 5-over, 77 left her in an 11-way tie for 38th place. The Griffon junior was eight strokes behind the leaders with three rounds to play. She recorded one birdie on the day, on the 543-yard, par-5 No. 16. There were a total of 117 birdies and just one eagle recorded among 72 competitors on day one at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Just 11 competitors turned in under-par scores in round one, led by three at 3-under. Four others were even through the first 18 holes. Tilda Larson (Barry), Casey Wild (Tarleton State) and Kiira Riihijarvi (Tampa) led the field after day one. Indianapolis took the team lead after one round with a 286.

Shi Qing is competing in her second NCAA Division II National Championship after the Griffons qualified as a team in 2016. Round two begins Thursday morning.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western’s Phil Thompson will be remembered as the first Griffon to qualify for both the indoor and outdoor NCAA Division II Track and Field National Championships. The senior qualified for the triple jump at the outdoor national championships as announced, Tuesday, by the NCAA.

Thompson’s 15.54m jump is 11th best in DII, making him one of 20 competitors in the event at the national championships May 24-26 at the Irwin Belk Complex in Charlotte, North Carolina. The senior finished third in the triple jump at the indoor national championships earlier this year after being seeded 14th. As a sophomore at St. Joseph’s College, Thompson finished 12th in the triple jump at the 2016 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.

— MWSU Athletics —

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Nine Griffons were named to the 2018 All-MIAA baseball team.

Dusty Stroup was named to the second team. It was Stroup’s second-straight All-MIAA selection after being named honorable mention and the MIAA Co-Freshman of the Year in 2017. Stroup entered the MIAA Championships second on the team with a .313 batting average and led the team with 42 RBIs.

Jacob Miller was named third team All-MIAA. In his first season at MWSU, Miller finished the regular season with the lowest ERA, 3.98, among regular Griffon starting pitchers. His 8-2 record was the best on the staff heading into the postseason.

Honorable mention selections included Nate Hunter (starting pitcher), Preston Bailey (relief pitcher), Kellan Richards (relief pitcher), Brooks Day (second base), Casey Danley (third base) and Levi Schreiner (utility). Hunter, Bailey and Schreiner all became two-time All-MIAA selections. Hunter led the team with 95 innings pitched. Bailey’s 2.49 ERA was a team-low among qualifying pitchers. Richards broke MWSU’s single season appearance record and entered the postseason with the most appearances in Division II (32). Day finished the regular season third on the team with a .308 batting average and second in many other offensive categories. Danley led the Griffons in practically every offensive category and was the only player in the MIAA with at least 11 home runs and 15 stolen bases. Schreiner played all over the field for the Griffons in 44 games, he batted .289 and drove in 22 runs.

Receiving gold glove awards from the MIAA were Day and pitcher Levi Abrahamson. Day started all 50 games this season and recorded a .962 fielding percentage with 133 putouts and 118 assists. He committed 10 errors in 261 chances and was a part of 36 double plays. Abrahamson recorded four putouts and had 10 assists in his 14 chances. He did not record an error.

2018 All-MIAA Awards
Coach of the Year – Damon Day, Nebraska Kearney
Player of the Year – Alex Achtermann, Nebraska Kearney
Pitcher of the Year – Seth Holman, Emporia State
Freshman of the Year – Tyler Cassmeyer, Lindenwood

All-MIAA First Team
Pitcher- Seth Holman, Emporia State
Pitcher – Joseph Hieptas, Northwest Missouri
Pitcher – Dalton Morrow, Southwest Baptist
Relief Pitcher – Trevor Dudar, Northwest Missouri
Catcher – Hudson Bilodeau, Northwest Missouri
First Base – Collin Nevil, Central Missouri
Second Base – Dallas Reed, Pittsburg State
Shortstop- Colton Pogue, Pittsburg State
Third Base – Drew Quinones, Lindenwood
Outfield – Bryce Fischer, Emporia State
Outfield – Wes Degener. Lindenwood
Outfield – Brandon Hernandez, Nebraska Kearney
Designated Hitter – Reece Garvie, Pittsburg State
Utility – Alex Achtermann, Nebraska Kearney

All-MIAA Second Team
Pitcher- Ryan LeMoine, Central Oklahoma
Pitcher – Josh Cooper, Nebraska Kearney
Pitcher – Tyler Cassmeyer, Lindenwood
Relief Pitcher – Cody White, Pittsburg State
Catcher – Hunter Hisky, Southwest Baptist
First Base – Paul Kropf, Central Oklahoma
Second Base – Kyle Miskovsky, Central Oklahoma
Shortstop – Dusty Stroup, Missouri Western
Third Base – Alex Weiss, Fort Hays State
Outfield – Erik Webb, Central Missouri
Outfield – Brett Young, Nebraska Kearney
Outfield – Mason Janvrin, Central Missouri
Designated Hitter – Travis Able, Central Missouri
Utility – Josh Crosby, Washburn

All-MIAA Third Team
Pitcher- Brad Roberts, Northwest Missouri
Pitcher – Tanner Cairns, Emporia State
Pitcher – Jacob Miller, Missouri Western
Relief Pitcher* – Luke Mercer, Central Missouri
Relief Pitcher* – Cooper Gardner, Pittsburg State
Catcher – Mason Brown, Emporia State
First Base – Ty Roseberry, Nebraska Kearney
Second Base – Scott Platt, Nebraska Kearney
Shortstop – Justin Brown, Central Oklahoma
Third Base – Cody White, Pittsburg State
Outfield – Jovan Afenir, Pittsburg State
Outfield – Jake Dyer, Central Oklahoma
Outfield – Cory Canterbury, Missouri Southern
Designated Hitter – Luke Hassman, Northwest Missouri
Utility – Addison Kaasch, Fort Hays
*-Denotes Tie in Voting

2018 MIAA Gold Glove Team
Pitcher – Levi Abrahamson, Missouri Western
Catcher – Mason Brown, Emporia State
First Base – Kaden Shaffer, Emporia State
Second Base – Brooks Day, Missouri Western
Shortstop – Justin Brown, Central Oklahoma
Third Base – Cody White, Pittsburg State
Outfield – Mason Janvrin, Central Missouri
Outfield – Bryce Fischer, Emporia State
Outfield* – Jovan Afenir, Pittsburg State
Outfield* – Johnny Balsamo, Missouri Southern
Outfield* – Clint Jack, Southwest Baptist
Outfield* – Carl Schwettman, Southwest Baptist

*-Denotes Tie in Voting

2018 MIAA Honorable Mentions

Central Missouri – Luke Lucas-Starting Pitcher, Zak Whalin-Catcher, Harrison Schnurbusch-Shortstop, John Fairchild-Third Base

Central Oklahoma – Tyler Culver-Starting Pitcher, Josh Rutland-Relief Pitcher, Ben Wusterbarth-Relief Pitcher, Dayne Sommer-Catcher, Xavier Freeman-Outfield

Emporia State – Kaden Shaffer-First Base, Brian Grove-Second Base, Mack Gowing-Outfield

Fort Hays – Dayton Pomeroy-First Base

Lindenwood- Kyle Hentis-Starting Pitcher, Brett Anderson-Second Base, Dominic Revetta-Designated Hitter

Missouri Southern – Zac Shoemaker-Starting Pitcher, Corbin Osburn-Starting Pitcher, Logan VanWey-Relief Pitcher, Alex Phillips-First Base, Denver Coffee-Shortstop, Johnny Balsamo-Outfield, Mike Million-Outfield, Alec Alvarez-Utility

Missouri Western – Nate Hunter-Starting Pitcher, Preston Bailey-Relief Pitcher, Kellan Richards-Relief Pitcher, Brooks Day-Second Base, Casey Danley-Third Base, Levi Schreiner-Utility

Nebraska Kearney – Alex Achtermann-Starting Pitcher, Eric Sandoz-Relief Pitcher, Dallas Schramm-Catcher,

Northeastern State – Ben Strahm-Starting Pitcher, Dustin Berrong-Starting Pitcher, Tristian Ridenour-Catcher, Jaxon Phipps-Second Base, Erick Espinosa-Shortstop, Michael Rhea-Outfield, Zach Henderson-Designated Hitter

Northwest Missouri – Jacob Wagner-Relief Pitcher, Kevin Handzlik-First Base, Mondesi Gutierrez-Second Base, Aaron Rycraft-Shortstop, Landon Figg-Third Base, Aaron Barratt

Pittsburg State – Brendan Stanek-Starting Pitcher, Josh Whisler-Catcher, Hunter Clanin-Outfield, Andrew Vogelbaugh-Outfield

Southwest Baptist – Tyler Mathys-Shortstop, Andrew Meier-Outfield, Clint Jack-Outfield, Carl Schwettman-Outfield,

Washburn – Josh Ramirez-Starting Pitcher, Darian Abram-Outfield, Javis Larson-Outfield

— MWSU Athletics —

FINDLAY, Ohio – The Missouri Western men’s golf team finished the 2018 NCAA Division II Midwest/Central Regional with a top-10 finish in the team’s first regional appearance since 2008.

Missouri Western carded a 296 on the third and final round Wednesday at Findlay Country Club to move up five spots from the second round. Missouri Western tied for ninth with MIAA member Central Oklahoma. The two were the highest finishers of four MIAA teams competing in the regional.

For the third-straight day, the Griffons had a player turn in a 70 or better. Wednesday it was Lucas Horseman’s turn with a 1-under par 70. Missouri Western’s No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 golfers turned in the team’s lowest rounds of the regional. First it was Cole Roberts’ (5) 3-under 69 on day one. Tom Buffington (3) improved by 10 strokes from day one to day two with a 1-under 70 on Tuesday.

Roberts finished with the team’s lowest individual score. He turned in a 79 on Wednesday to finish with a 221 and a tie for 28th place. Patrick McCarthy carded a 78 in the final round to finish with a 223. Buffington was at 74 on Wednesday for a 224 total and Horseman’s 70 brought his three-round total to 230.

— MWSU Athletics —

FINDLAY, Ohio – Griffon Men’s Golf improved by five shots on day two of the NCAA Division II Midwest/Central Regional Tuesday.

Missouri Western turned in a 292 on Tuesday after a 297, Monday. The Griffons weren’t the only ones showing improvement from day one to day two. Despite the improvement, Missouri Western dropped to a tie for 14th place in the overall standings. Missouri Western was just nine shots behind fifth place Missouri-St. Louis after day two, though.

Tom Buffington was the big mover for the Griffons, shooting a 2-under 70 after carding an 80 on day one. Kevin Kim also improved, Tuesday, turning in a 4-over 75 after a 77 on Monday. Cole Roberts sat eighth after a 1-over 73 on day two for a two-round total of 142. Patrick McCarth was 2-over on day two and sat tied for 22nd with a 148. Lucas Horseman shot an 81 on Tuesday.

The tightly contested field will fight for NCAA Division II National Championships qualification on the third and final day of competition Wednesday.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Missouri Western Women’s Golf team ended the second round and day of the NCAA Central Super Regional in ninth place.

The Griffons’ round two 313 was just one stroke more than their round one score, but dropped the team two spots in the overall standings. Most scores were down, Tuesday, with the overall leader Lindenwood carding a 293 on day two.

Shi Qing Ong sat tied for eighth after a 5-over 77 on day two. After two days, Ong had a 150. Chong Yong turned in the low round for the Griffons, Tuesday, with a 2-over 74, five strokes better than her round one score. Tiffanie Yabut and Jenna Kosmatka both turned in 81s in round two with Katie Irvin carding an 86.

The third and final round begins Wednesday at 8 a.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

FINDLAY, Ohio – The Missouri Western men’s golf team is tied for ninth after its first round of regional play in 11 years.

The Griffons turned in a 297 in round one at Findlay Country Club to tie for ninth with Saginaw Valley State. Missouri Western was just eight strokes behind third place Bellarmine, but Tiffin has a six-stroke lead on second place Indianapolis with an incredible, 7-under, 281 on day one. Missouri Western was second among MIAA teams in the field, just two shots behind Central Oklahoma for eighth place.

Two individuals sat inside the top-10 after Monday’s play. Cole Roberts was tied for third and just two shots off the lead with a 3-under par in his first-ever round of regional golf. Patrick McCarthy was tied for 10th with a 1-under in his second-straight regional appearance. Kevin Kim turned in a 78; Lucas Horseman a 79 and Tom Buffington carded an 80.

— MWSU Athletics —