KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Eleven Griffon football student-athletes received a total of 12 All-MIAA honors as announced by the conference office Tuesday morning.

Cody Lindsay was named first team linebacker. The three-time honorable mention All-MIAA selection led all MIAA linebackers with 17.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Lindsay, a senior, led Missouri Western with a career-high 97 total tackles while also returning his lone interception for a touchdown, breaking up four passes, recording seven quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries.

Hayden Eatinger (OL), Max Oeser (OL), Tyler Basch (K), Darrian Bass (DL) and Jonathan Owens (DB) were named second team. Starting every game the last two seasons at right guard, Eatinger helped the Griffons rank second in the MIAA in rushing yards. The sophomore was an honorable mention selection one season ago. Oeser picked up his second-straight second team nod after starting every game the last three seasons at center. Basch made more field goals than any other MIAA kicker in his first season as the Griffons’ full-time field goal kicker. The senior was 17-of-20, making his last 10 field goal attempts of the season. Bass recoded his best season as a senior, finishing second among MIAA defensive linemen with 7.5 sacks. Owens finished second on the team with 95 total tackles and added two interceptions. The senior safety was a three-year starter for the Griffons.

Brandin Dandridge picked up third team honors after leading Missouri Western with four interceptions and finishing second in the MIAA in both interceptions and passes defended. Dandridge added 41 total tackles and a fumble recovery from his cornerback position.

Five Griffons picked up their first-ever All-MIAA honors with honorable mention distinction, while Owens added a second 2017 honor. Shawn Rouse (OL) completed his second season in a row of starting all 11 games at left tackle for the Griffons. Returning to the field for the first time since 2014, Austin Burau was named honorable mention tight end, catching six passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns. Ian McIntosh went from walk-on to honorable mention fullback. The senior rushed 22 times for 72 yards and a touchdown, but was also a special teams ace, recording eight tackles and two fumble recoveries as a special teamer. Nate Iloilo made his presence felt in his first season as a Griffon. The defensive tackle finished third on the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks while blocking four field goal attempts. Shamar Griffith finished second in the MIAA with 22.7 yards per kick return as a true freshman and was named honorable mention for his efforts. Owens led the MIAA with a 12.5-yard per punt return average to earn honorable mention distinction as a return man.

MIAA Offensive Player of the Year – JT Luper, WR, Central Oklahoma
MIAA Defensive Player of the Year – Nathan Shepherd, DL, Fort Hays State
MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year – Brandon Brown, K, Fort Hays State
MIAA Freshmen of the Year – Devante Turner, RB, Central Missouri
MIAA Coach of the Year – Chris Brown, Fort Hays State

First Team (Offense)
QB – Brook Bolles, Central Missouri
RB – Kenneth Iheme, Fort Hays State**
RB – Devante Turner, Central Missouri
WR – Justin Brown, Emporia State
WR – Monterio Burchfield, Fort Hays State
WR – JT Luper, Central Oklahoma**
TE/FB – Seth Hebert, Central Missouri
OL – Kane Barker, Central Missouri
OL – Codey Funk, Pittsburg State
OL – Bob Marco, Washburn
OL – Sam Noble, Central Oklahoma
OL – Travis Talley, Fort Hays State
K – Brandon Brown, Fort Hays State
PR/PR – Corey Ballentine, Washburn
**=Unanimous selection

First Team (Defense)
DL – Austen Eskew, Northwest Missouri
DL – Jonathan Harris, Lindenwood
DL – Simanu’a Thomas, Pittsburg State
DL – Nathan Shepherd, Fort Hays State**
LB – Ben Althoff, Northwest Missouri
LB – Gabe Cleveland, Emporia State
LB – Jose Delgado, Fort Hays State
LB – Cody Lindsay, Missouri Western
DB – Kamon Clayton, Fort Hays State
DB – Doyin Jibowu, Fort Hays State
DB – Marcus Jones, Northwest Missouri**
DB – Monteze Latimore, Central Missouri
DB – D.J. Olmstead, Washburn
P – Justin Marcha, Emporia State
**=Unanimous selection
Team Reflects Tie in the Voting

Second Team (Offense)
QB – Jacob Mezera, Fort Hays State
RB – Landon Nault, Emporia State
RB – Michael Rose, Pittsburg State
RB – Koby Wilkerson, Central Missouri
WR – Shawn Bane, Jr., Northwest Missouri
WR – Gary McKnight, Jr., Northeastern State
WR – Jaylen Zachery, Central Missouri
TE/FB – Matthew Wendelberger, Fort Hays State
OL – Hayden Eatinger, Missouri Western
OL – Zach Flott, Northwest Missouri
OL – Chris Gomez, Central Missouri
OL – Max Oeser, Missouri Western
OL – Thomas O’Grady, Emporia State
K – Tyler Basch, Missouri Western
PR/PR – Kendell Sparks, Lindenwood

Team Reflects Tie in the Voting

Second Team (Defense)
DL – Tre Vaughn Ammons, Emporia State
DL – Darrian Bass, Missouri Western
DL – Caleb Mather, Northwest Missouri
DL – Wyatt Parker, Fort Hays State
DL – Trey Parker, Washburn
LB – Alex Figueroa, Central Oklahoma
LB – Derrick McGreevy, Washburn
LB – Austin Miller, Central Missouri
LB – La’More Wise, Northeastern State
DB – Corey Ballentine, Washburn
DB – Marcus Brantley, Pittsburg State
DB – Anthony Lane, Northwest Missouri
DB – Jonathan Owens, Missouri Western
DB – Bakari Triggs, Lindenwood
P – Zach Davidson, Central Missouri

Team Reflects Tie in the Voting

Third Team (Offense)
QB – Chas Stallard, Central Oklahoma
RB – Calen Campbell, Lindenwood
RB – Mickeel Stewart, Washburn
RB – Charles Tigner, Fort Hays State
WR – Josh Crockett, Central Oklahoma
WR – Austin Panko, Pittsburg State
WR – Kyrion Parker, Central Missouri
WR – Deantrell Prince, Lindenwood
TE/FB – Jordan Grove, Northwest Missouri
OL – Donald Blackmon, Fort Hays State
OL – Pat Kelly, Fort Hays State
OL – Akil Williams, Lindenwood
OL – Bo Farrow, Pittsburg State
OL – Kyle Hinton, Washburn
K – Alex Langer, Central Missouri
PR/PR – Austin Panko, Pittsburg State

Team Reflects Tie in the Voting

Third Team (Defense)
DL – Carson Smith, Central Oklahoma
DL – Hinwa Allieu, Nebraska-Kearney
DL – Bobby Gruenloh, Northwest Missouri
DL – Ben Spaeth, Northwest Missouri
LB – Colton Lindsey, Central Oklahoma
LB – Nick Hess, Northwest Missouri
LB – Ethan Fugitt, Pittsburg State
DB – George Brown, Nebraska-Kearney
DB – Omari Cole, Central Oklahoma
DB – Brandin Dandridge, Missouri Western
DB – Diaron Rhodes, Central Missouri
DB – Darrius Williams, Lindenwood
P – Dante Brown, Fort Hays State

Honorable Mention
Central Missouri: Jake Heckler, OL; Connor Flagel, DL; Triphinue Taylor, DL; Garrett Cline, Long Snapper; Wes Thomas, WR; Alex Lackey LB

Central Oklahoma: Caleb Moss, TE; Noah Hammons, OL; Aaron Williams, OL; Riley Galyon, DB; Stephan Robinson, DB; Alex Quevedo, K

Emporia State: Braxton Marstall, QB; Louis Dailey, WR; Gary Woods II, DB; A.J. West, DB; Jake Warehime, OL; Estevan Arana, OL

Fort Hays State: Tyler Bacon, WR; Harley Hazlett, WR; Tanner Hoekman, DB; Luke Wright, DL; Kolt Trachsel, LB; Connor Shedeed, DB

Lindenwood: Evan Pumphrey, OL; Ace Rogers, DB; Michael Crowder, P; Lucas Beddow, OL; Antonio Davis, DL; Najee Jackson, QB

Missouri Southern: Aaron Leo, OL; Chris Williams, DE; Alex Wade, S; Carter Rees, S; Mike Dzierzega, OL; Roc Robbins, LB

Missouri Western: Shawn Rouse, OL; Austin Burau, TE; Ian McIntosh, FB; Nate Iloilo, DL; Shamar Griffith, KR/PR; Jonathan Owens, KR/PR

Nebraska-Kearney: Josh Stoltenberg, OL; Tye Spies; DL; Sal Silvio, LB; Dallas Vaughn, DB; Malik Webb, DB

Northeastern State: Brian West, OL; Zac King, WR; Caleb Hash, OL; Michael Davis, FB; T’nheous Smith, DL; La’Vonte White, DB

Northwest Missouri: Zach Martin, QB; Shane Williams, WR; Clayton Wilson, TE; Ryan Huff, OL; Tanner Owen; OL; Samuel Roberts, DL

Pittsburg State: Jovon Wilson, TE; Zach Thomas, OL; Bradley Payne, DL; Morgan Selemaea, LB; Darian Taylor, LB; Juante Baldwin, DB; Josh Hornback, DB; Carnell Lewis, DB; Jared Vincent, K

Washburn: James Brania-Hopp, WR; Peter Pfannensteil, DB; Carey Woods, WR; Cedric Gonzalez, LB; Jalen Durham, DL; Perry Schmiedeler, K/P

— MWSU Athletics —

KANSAS CITY – Lauren Murphy of Griffon volleyball (22-9) was named MIAA Specialist of the Week for the second consecutive week and third time this season.

Murphy was a key factor in a sweep of Fort Hays State and a win over fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney. She finished with 90 assists and averaged 12.86 assists per set in the two victories.

She had 52 assists and four blocks in the win against UNK, that clinched MWSU’s first regular season co-championship in program history. In the sweep of the Tigers, Murphy had 38 assists and nine digs.

Missouri Western hosts Washburn in the MIAA Tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The Griffon men’s basketball team (1-1) rebounded from an overtime loss on Friday, with a convincing wire-to-wire win over Upper Iowa (3-2) on Sunday afternoon.

Missouri Western shot 48 percent from the field in the 77-65 victory and never allowed Upper Iowa to even tie the game. It gave the Griffons a win over a team that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season.

WIRE TO WIRE
Missouri Western opened the game on an 11-2 run and never led by less than two points. The Griffons answered every Peacock run. After Upper Iowa went on a 12-5 run in the first half to pull within two, MWSU answered with a 16-5 run to take its largest lead of the game, 13 points, with 5:12 left in the first half.

MAKING THEIR SHOTS
Missouri Western shot better than 48 percent (27-56) from the field, while holding Upper Iowa to 38.5 percent shooting. The Griffons shot 45.5 percent (10-22) from three-point range and 72 percent (13-18) at the free throw line. Lavon Hightower was 7-of-10 from the field for 18 points. Cole Clearman was 6-for-8 from three and led the team with 20 points. Seth Bonifas had his second straight double-digit scoring effort, going 4-for-6 for 10 points. Alex Martin went 5-for-6 from the field to score 15 points.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western stays at home, hosting a non-conference doubleheader with the Griffon women this Wednesday, Nov. 15 against William Jewell (2-0). The women’s game begins at 5:30 p.m. with the men’s game tipping off at around 7:30 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – For the first time in 30 years, Missouri Western (22-9) is atop of the conference volleyball standings. The Griffons beat No. 5 Nebraska Kearney 3-1 to clinch a share of the MIAA championship. MWSU won its 11th consecutive match and avenged its only loss in the last 16 matches.

RUN OF HISTORY
The last time Missouri Western finished first in the conference was 1987. It is the first time since it became a Division II and joined the MIAA that it won a volleyball championship as well. The Griffons extended their winning streak to 11 games, the longest since 1995 when they won 12 straight matches. MWSU also knocked off its third ranked opponent, second in the top 10.

CHAMPIONSHIP RALLY
UNK sprinted out of the gates in the first set with a 10-1 lead and cruised to a 25-14 victory. Missouri Western bounced back in the second set with 10-5 lead and closed the set out on 4-1 rally to even the match 1-1. The Griffons used a 10-1 run to end the fourth set to claim their share of the MIAA title.

BIG GAME, BIG PERFORMERS
On the biggest stage thus far in the season, Erin Erb didn’t shy away for the limelight. Erb came off the bench in the first set and ended up as the team leader with 14 kills, her career-high. Erb would also finish the match with seven digs and a block. Rachel Losch recorded a career-best 10 total blocks in the win.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western will host a MIAA tournament match on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. MWSU awaits its MIAA tournament opponent until it is officially announced by the conference at a later date. Gogriffons.com and Missouri Western social media platforms will have all updates when they become available.

— MWSU Athletics —

FAYETTE, Iowa – The Griffon women’s basketball team moved to 2-0 with a convincing, 65-49 win at Upper Iowa (0-2), Saturday evening.

Missouri Western took a 33-25 lead to the break, then really opened the game up, outscoring the Peacocks by 11 in the third quarter (22-11).

KEY STATS
– Missouri Western forced 31 Peacock turnovers, including 18 steals

– MWSU scored 38 points off turnovers to just 10 for Upper Iowa

– The Griffons shot 40.3 percent from the field on the night

– Brittany Atkins scored 12 points in just 15 minutes on the court

– The Griffons got 14 fast break points

LEADERS
– Dossou Ndiaye led the team with 14 points and six rebounds

– Melia Richardson had a team-high six assists to go with her eight points

– Katrina Roenfeldt led the Griffons with five steals and added nine points

UP NEXT
The Griffons make their home debut, Wednesday, Nov. 15 when the join the Griffon men for a non-conference doubleheader against William Jewell. The women’s game is set to tip off at 5:30 p.m. in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team (0-1) fell to Winona State (1-0) 71-67 in overtime to start the 2017-18 season in the 26th Annual Hillyard Classic.

DOWN TO THE WIRE
A pair of Seth Bonifas free-throws with 54 seconds remaining in the second half allowed Missouri Western to tie the game at 60. After a defensive stop, Trey Brown hit Bonifas inside the lane to give MWSU a 62-60 advantage with 10 seconds remaining. Out of a timeout, Winona State’s Connor Flack was able to force overtime with a coast-to-coast layup. The Warriors outscored the Griffons 9-5 in the overtime period.

COLD NIGHT
Despite a career-high 21 points from Seth Bonifas, the Griffons were cold on the evening. Missouri Western was just 21.7 percent from the three-point arc and 35 percent from the field. MWSU hit just five three’s in the loss. Last week in an exhibition game, the Griffons connected on 14 three-pointers.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western hosts Upper Iowa at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12 in the MWSU Fieldhouse. It will be the second game of the day in the 26th Annual Hillyard Classic.

 

— MWSU Athletics —

FAYETTE, Iowa – The 2017-18 season got off to a bang for the Griffon women’s basketball team as Missouri Western dominated Southwest Minnesota for a 76-46 season opening win.

The Griffons started both halves hot, taking an 18-8 first quarter lead, then opening the second half with a 24-9 run in the third quarter. It was the second time in as many seasons the team opened with a big win over Southwest Minnesota.

KEY STATS
– Missouri Western out-rebounded the Mustangs 49-29

– The Griffons’ offensive rebounding advantage was 26-8
Southwest Minnesota State did not attempt a three-pointer

– MWSU got 33 points from its bench compared to 23 for Southwest Minnesota

– Missouri Western forced 27 turnovers, with 16 steals

LEADERS
– Erin Anderson shot 45 percent from the field and led MWSU with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists

– Melia Richardson led the team with four steals and scored 10 points for the Griffons

– Brittany Atkins scored 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting from the field

UP NEXT
The Griffons stay in Fayette, Iowa at the NSIC/MIAA Tournament to take on host-Upper Iowa on Saturday at 5 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

MANKATO, Minn. – The greatest season in Griffon soccer history came to a close on Friday afternoon with Missouri Western (17-5) losing 1-0 to Southwestern Oklahoma State (13-3-4) in the first round of the NCAA Central Region Championships.

Despite being outshout 12-4 in the first half, the Griffons went to halftime scoreless with the Bulldogs who had scored 56 goals coming into the game. The nation’s leading scorer, Alimata Rabo, scored her 28thgoal of the seaon in the 66th minute when she beat Sarah Lyle to the goal. Missouri Western had chances to answer, outshooting Southwestern Oklahoma 7-4 in the second half, but couldn’t find the equalizer.

Lyle finished with seven saves in goal for the Griffons. Mackenzie O’Neill led Missouri Western with four shots and the only shot on goal the Griffons were credited with.

Missouri Western broke more than 30 individual and team records this season including the most wins in program history and most shutouts. The Griffons advanced farther in the postseason than any previous Missouri Western team, advancing to the MIAA Championships final and making the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Championships.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – For the tenth straight match, Griffon volleyball defeated its opponent. Missouri Western (21-9) swept Fort Hays State (11-22). The win sets up a shot for a share of the MIAA regular season title tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 11 against No. 5 Nebraska Kearney in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE
With the win, Missouri Western is guaranteed a top two finish in the conference, the highest since 1997. The Griffons will also have a chance to play for a share of the conference regular season championship for the first time since 1987. MWSU’s 10 match winning streak is the longest since 2015.

EARLY DOMIANCE
The Griffons dominated the match early with multiple 5-1 runs in the first set. The second set saw MWSU sprint out to a 5-0 run. Missouri Western limited Fort Hays to hit .154 in the first set and .114 in the second set.

UP NEXT
The Griffons will look to avenge their only loss in the last 15 matches to the fifth-ranked Lopers tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Athletics —