ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Missouri Western women’s golf team sits in seventh after the first round of the NCAA Division II Women’s Regional at Missouri Bluffs in St. Charles, Missouri.

As a team the Griffons turned in a 312 in Monday’s first round and are 11 strokes back of Arkansas Tech, the leaders. Shi Qing Ong turned in a 1-over par 73 to tie her for seventh. The junior is just three strokes back of the leaders, Josefina Haupt of Lindenwood and Ellin Wahlin of Southwestern Oklahoma State.

The Griffons finished in their playing order with Tiffanie Yabut carding an 8-over 79 to tie her for 29th with teammate Chong Yong and others. Jenna Kosmatka shot and 81 and Katie Irvin finished round one with an 84.

Irvin will tee off first for Missouri Western, Tuesday, at 9:50 a.m. The rest of her team will follow in order every 10 minutes leading to Shi Qing Ong at 10:30 a.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Baseball (26-22, 18-16) dropped the first game of a three-game series against Nebraska Kearney (28-20, 21-13), but clinched its spot in the MIAA Championships with Lindenwood’s loss to Emporia State.

Nebraska Kearney touched the Griffons for 12 runs while Missouri Western scratched three across. The Griffons led 2-1 after one inning on a Casey Danley solo home run and a two-out RBI double by Dusty Stroup in the first. UNK answered with two runs each in the second, third and fourth before a four-run fifth really opened the game up.

Despite the loss, Lindenwood’s 7-2 loss in the first game of a three-game series with Emporia State clinched the Griffons’ spot in the MIAA’s postseason tournament.

Michael Miller went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Danley also went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a runs scored. Nate Hunter (8-3) took the loss.

UP NEXT
Game two of the Griffons’ final series of the regular season will begin at 7 p.m., Saturday. It will be senior day with 10 Griffon seniors recognized prior to Saturday’s game.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University will serve as the host site for the Aussie Spirit of the National Pro Fastpitch league this spring and summer with the NPF’s Opening Day coming at the Griffon Spring Sport Complex.

The Missouri Western campus will be the official training home for the Australian team that will compete in the professional softball league in preparation for the Women’s Softball World Championship in Chiba, Japan and the return of softball to the Summer Olympics in 2020. Aussie Spirit will conduct practices and training sessions on campus in addition to playing five of its NPF games at the Spring Sports Complex.

The NPF has chosen Spirit’s inaugural game at Missouri Western on May 19 as the league’s Opening Day. Spirit will host the NPF’s other international team, the Beijing Eagles ,in the league’s first game of the 2018 season. It will bring an Olympic-type environment to the Spring Sports Complex. Much like the Spirit, the Beijing Eagles are a Chinese national team preparing for international competition through NPF games and are coached by northwest Missouri native and Mizzou softball legend Teresa Wilson.

“Missouri Western is proud to partner with Softball Australia and National Pro Fastpitch to provide a top-tier training environment as Australia prepares for the 2018 World Championship and qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo,” MWSU Director of Athletics Josh Looney said. “Hosting international competition and NPF’s 2018 Opening Day is an incredible opportunity to showcase our campus and community to softball fans across the globe. From serving as the home base of the Aussie Spirit, to hosting our ninth consecutive Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in July and August, more than 100 professional athletes will call MWSU home this summer.”

In addition to games in St. Joseph, the team will play games in the Kansas City area and around the Midwest as part of a 48-game NPF schedule. The professional softball league is in its 15th season and is led by a familiar name in Griffon Softball lore. Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame member and St. Joseph native Cheri Kempf serves as the league’s commissioner.

“A key for international growth in the NPF is quality partnership with U.S hosting entities. Missouri Western has been enthusiastic about a hosting opportunity since we first approached them with the idea,” Kempf said. “MWSU is a campus that is accustomed to hosting professional sports training and St. Joseph has always been an enthusiastic fastpitch softball community. I look forward to the Aussie Spirit calling St. Joseph and Missouri Western State University home for the 2018 season and know they will love it there.”

“We are so proud to boast a facility that Cheri Kempf felt welcomed the needs of the Australian National team,” Griffon Softball Head Coach Jen Bagley Trotter said. “St. Joseph, Missouri Western and the fastpitch community have a special opportunity to see the top level of competition in our sport. We couldn’t be more excited.”

Aussie Spirit is one of two international teams in the league that features five teams. Currently, Spirit is scheduled to play games at the Spring Sports Complex on May 19 at 7 p.m.; a doubleheader on May 20 beginning at 4 p.m.; and another doubleheader at 4 p.m. on July 13. A complete schedule and ticket information can be found on the official website of the NPF, profastpitch.com.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western head men’s basketball coach Sundance Wicks has announced the hiring of Will Martin as assistant coach.

“To say Coach Martin is a perfect fit for what we are trying to do here at Missouri Western would be a massive understatement,” Wicks said. “I have five key components that I look for in someone that will help lead our young men: Will brings the juice every day. He fights to make a difference in the lives of those he interacts with daily. He views what we do as art and is constantly improving the way he teaches the game and relates to people. Will acts with intention and gets things done. Coach Martin is fiercely loyal, brutally honest, completely transparent and relentlessly optimistic in his approach to life.”

“For our program to head in the right direction, I wanted to have this caliber of a man by my side, daily.”

Martin comes to Missouri Western after spending the past season as an assistant coach and director of athletic admissions at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee. Wicks and Martin worked together at the University of San Francisco where Martin served as the director of basketball operations on Rex Walter’s staff.

“It is an absolute honor to be welcomed into the Missouri Western family,” Martin said. “I am beyond excited to join in the vision of Coach Wicks for this program. The foundations of Energy, Transparency, and Relentless Optimism are standards I look forward to help implementing as we embark on this incredible journey of building culture at Missouri Western.”

“The opportunity to serve under a man like Sundance Wicks is once in a lifetime. I can’t thank him enough for putting his trust in me as we lead these young men through the GRIT and the GRIND with true LOVE and PASSION.”

Prior to San Francisco, Martin was a graduate assistant and video coordinator at the University of Tulsa from 2013-15. During his time at Tulsa, Martin worked with both Danny Manning and Frank Haith. Martin also served as Senator for the College of Education during his time at Tulsa.

“Will Martin is very knowledgeable, smart, organized, honest and passionate about the game of basketball,” Wake Forest head coach Danny Manning said. “His honesty and loyalty will continue to set him apart.”

As an undergraduate, Martin served as a men’s basketball manager at the University of Kentucky under head coach John Calipari. During Martin’s tenure with the Wildcats, the team reached the Elite 8 on three occasions, the Final Four, twice, and Martin served as the head manager of the 2012 National Championship team.

“Will was a valuable member of our program during his time at Kentucky,” Kentucky head coach John Calipari said. “His passion for the game and genuine care for the kids are exemplified in his work ethic. We are excited for Will and look forward to his continued success in coaching.”

In addition to his duties with the men’s basketball program, Martin served as captain of the University of Kentucky Ethics Debate team from 2009-11. Under his direction, Kentucky claimed its first-ever regional championship and national appearance in the team’s history.

Martin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kentucky in 2012 and obtained his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Tulsa in 2015.

Off the hardwood, Martin also is involved in a prison ministry project – “Against the Grain” – where he serves as a volunteer teacher of the “180 Project.”

Martin replaces Aaron Coombs who was named head coach at Oklahoma Panhandle State on April 16.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WILL MARTIN
“I was really fortunate to get to work with Will Martin for a year in San Francisco. With Will as my director of operations, I knew that my players were going to be taken care of each and every day. No one cares amore and is more willing to bend over backwards to make sure his student athletes have what they need to be successful. Will is going to be a great assistant coach. The student athletes at Missouri Western got a great one in him.” – Detroit Pistons assistant coach Rex Walters

“Will Martin did an awesome job for us. He has a great passion and energy for the game that is evident by his ability to relate and connect with team members and staff. I enjoyed learning from Will and watching him grow. We are super excited for his next opportunity. I look forward to following Will throughout his career and would love one day for our paths to cross again.” – Martin Methodist head coach Scott Combs

“It was great working with Will at the University of Kentucky. He was a passionate and loyal worker for the program. He has a gift of communicating with young players. I knew there would come a time when will would be coaching young men. I believe he is going to do a fabulous job at Missouri Western.” – Tony Delk, SEC Network

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The accomplishments of Missouri Western teams, student-athletes and coaches were honored Monday night at the 19th Annual St. Joseph News-Press Golden Griffon Awards.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the event was held at the historic Missouri Theater in downtown St. Joseph. The big honors of the night went to the 2017-18 male and female Student-Athletes of the Year. Griffon Football’s Jonathan Owens was named Male Student-Athlete of the Year while Griffon Soccer’s Bridget Blessie was named Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

Another highlight of the night came when director of athletics Josh Looney surprised members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee panel with the announcement of a matching donation, allowing SAAC to grant a wish for a child during the 2018-19 academic year as part of the organization’s Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraising efforts.

Award Winners and Nominees
Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Jonathan Owens (Football)
Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Bridget Blessie (Soccer)
Dr. James J. McMillen Award: Kayla Ruff (Volleyball)
Baseball Nominee: Kellan Richards
Men’s Basketball Nominee: Cole Clearman
Women’s Basketball Nominee: Melia Richardson
Cheer Squad Nominee: Kaley Dittemore
Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field Nominee: Phil Thompson
Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field Nominee: Kaitlyn Shoemaker
Football Nominee: Jonathan Owens
Men’s Golf Nominee: Patrick McCarthy
Women’s Golf Nominee: Tiffanie Yabut
Soccer Nominee: Bridget Blessie
Softball Nominee: Shelbie Atwell
Tennis Nominee: Karolina Ström
Volleyball Nominee: Kayla Ruff

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Choice Awards
SAAC Volunteer of the Year: Audrey Keim (Volleyball/Tennis)
Coach of the Year: Chad Edwards (Soccer)
Team of the Year: Volleyball
Best Actor in a GSI Feature: Marian Carbin for “The Prank”
Griff Up Award: Paige Phipps (Soccer/Women’s Basketball)
Most Intriguing Moment: Football ringing the bell for the first time

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – For the first time in Missouri Western history, both the men’s and women’s golf teams will compete in NCAA Division II Regionals. The women’s team was the latest to receive the news it is in the field of 12 teams at the Central Regional to be played at Missouri Bluffs Golf Club in St. Charles, Missouri, May 7-9.

It was the third-straight regional bid for the women’s squad that is led by MIAA Golfer of the Year Shi Qing Ong. Missouri Western was one of six MIAA members selected for the women’s regional, joining Northeastern State, Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood, Central Missouri and Nebraska Kearney. Fort Hays State’s Hannah Perkins qualified for the regional as an individual.

The Griffons turned in six top-five finishes as a team this season, including a tie for first at the Northeastern State Women’s Golf Classic in September.

— MWSU Athletics —

HAYS, Kan – The Missouri Western baseball team (26-21, 18-15) swept Fort Hays State (13-34, 5-28) with a 13-5 win on Sunday afternoon.

Missouri Western wasted little time in getting the brooms out for the sweep as it scored six runs in the first inning. MWSU added three runs in the third inning with an RBI single from Fahd Shakeel and a two-run home run from Brooks Day. The Griffons added a run in the eighth inning and finished with three runs in the ninth. 

Ryan Smith pitched three innings and struck out four of the nine batters he faced to earn his first save of the season. Smith played the game’s first six innings in left field before his relief appearance. He also recorded a hit and scored a run for MWSU.

NOTABLES

• Nine different Griffons recorded a hit in the game
• MWSUs outhit FHSU 15-6
• Casey Danley and Brooks Day combined to go 5-for-9 with six runs scored and three RBIs
• Levi Schreiner was 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and run scored
• Bailey Zimmer and Dusty Stroup combined for five RBIs

UP NEXT
Missouri Western hosts Nebraska Kearney, for the last regular season series of the season, on Friday, May 4. Game one of the series is set for 7 p.m. at the Spring Sports Complex.

— MWSU Athletics —