ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western Women’s basketball team (17-6, 9-5) lost a 14-point third quarter lead in a 57-55 loss to Washburn (15-8, 8-6) Thursday night in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

HEADLINES
– The Griffons led by 14 with 9:37 left in the third quarter before a 13-0 run by Washburn

– Missouri Western made just three field goals on 13 attempts in the third quarter, getting outscored 18-8

– Washburn was 20-24 at the free throw line, while MWSU was just 4-8, 1-5 in the fourth quarter

– Missouri Western out-rebounded Washburn 33-31

TOP PERFORMERS
– Dwanisha Tate had a double-double with a career-high 10 rebounds and 10 points

– Chelsea Dewey led the Griffons with 18 points

– Sefulu Faavae added 13 points

UP NEXT
Missouri Western stays home, hosting No. 11-ranked Emporia State (20-3, 11-3), Feb. 11 at 2 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western softball team is 4-0 for the first time since 2003 and one of its senior sluggers was named the MIAA Hitter of the Week for her efforts in the Griffons undefeated weekend.

Katie Klosterman hit .538 at the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational, with two home runs, seven RBIs, seven hits and five runs scored. The senior third baseman slugged 1.077 over the weekend and didn’t make an error in the field.

Klosterman wasn’t the only Griffon hitter with a hot bat in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Shelbie Atwell led the team with a .600 batting average and had four doubles along with four RBIs and five runs scored. Sydney Washington led the team with eight RBIs, also hitting two home runs, and Morgan Rathmann batted .333 with a double, two RBIs and four runs scored.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – It wasn’t the prettiest beginning, but the ending was great. The Missouri Western women’s basketball team (16-5, 8-4) outscored Lindenwood (8-12, 4-9) 33-25 over the final 20 minutes for a 66-60 win Thursday night.

NOTABLES
– The game featured nine ties and seven lead changes

– The Griffons forced 19 Lindenwood turnovers and scored 26 points off those turnovers to Lindenwood’s 10 points off 12 MWSU turnovers

– Lindenwood jumped out to 8-0 lead; the largest run for either team all night

– MWSU used a 12-4 second half run to take an eight-point lead and never looked back

TOP PERFORMERS
– Chelsea Dewey led all scorers with 22 points on 8-16 shooting from the field

– Julia Torres had a team-high seven rebound to go with her 10 points

– Dwanisha Tate scored 12 points on 4-8 shooting

UP NEXT
Missouri Western stays on the road with a trip to Lincoln (3-17, 2-11) on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1:30 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team (7-14, 3-9) couldn’t hold an 11-point lead late in the first half as they lost at Lindenwood (16-9, 6-7) Thursday 71-63.

NOTABLES
– Griffons led by 11 with 3:29 left in the first half

– Lindenwood answered with a 37-8 run to take an 18-point lead with 5:28 remaining in the game

– Missouri Western was 3-16 (18.8%) from three-point range in the second half compared to 6-11 (54.5%) in the first half

– The Griffons shot 60 percent from the field in the first half and 29.4 percent in the second half

– TJ Evans did not score in the second half after scoring 16 in the first half

– Cole Clearman was held without a three-pointer (0-8) for the first time since Nov. 30 at Northeastern State (0-3)

TOP PERFORMERS
– Evans still led the Griffons with his 16 first half points

– Joe Hamilton had a team-high eight rebounds to go with his 12 points

– Aaron Emmanuel had 10 points with six rebounds

UP NEXT
Missouri Western stays on the road with a trip to Lincoln (13-9, 6-7) on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 3:30 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – The Missouri Western baseball team dropped the opening two games of their season at the Air Hogs Division II Classic.  The Griffons lost their first game to Southern Arkansas 5-4, and then fell to Oklahoma Christian in seven innings 15-5.

NOTABLE
– Missouri Western left the tying run stranded on second base to end game one

– MWSU left 14 runners on base in the opening game against Southern Arkansas

– The Griffons outhit the Muleriders 12-9 in the loss

– Six of the 15 Oklahoma Christian runs were earned in the game two loss

– The Griffons committed seven errors against the Eagles

TOP PERFORMERS
– Nick Gawley went 5-for-8, hit .625 and scored three runs for MWSU on the day

– Trevor Carroll had a strikeout with no hits or walks in 2 1/3 relieve innings against SAU

– OCU’s Zach Morrow finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored against the Griffons

UP NEXT
Missouri Western hits the diamond for only one game tomorrow in Grand Prairie at 7 p.m. against Lubbock Christian.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – First-year Missouri Western head football coach Matt Williamson announced his first-ever recruiting class Wednesday, and it was a big one.

In all, 41 young men were announced as part of the 2017 signing class, including walk-ons and transfers. It was the largest announced signing class for Missouri Western football in more than five years.

“I’m very excited about this class we have coming in and for the young men that will be joining our program,” head coach Matt Williamson said. “I can’t say enough about our coaching staff and the diligence they have shown. It has been a sprint the last few weeks with a lot of miles and a ton of visits along the way. I feel this class has been thoroughly vetted from a character and academic standpoint in that we are getting players in here that not only will be great players on the field, but good representatives of our program and the university.”

By the numbers, the class includes signees from eight different states, 11 offensive linemen, eight defensive linemen, seven linebackers, four wide receivers, seven defensive backs, three running backs and one quarterback. The class also includes five transfers.

Marcus Brown
LB | 6-1, 190 lbs.
Raytown, Mo. | Raytown South H.S.
Participated in Blue-Grey All-American Bowl … had 93 tackles with 17 for loss and three sacks as a senior … forced four fumbles and blocked four punts as a senior

Devon Burton
WR | 6-2, 205 lbs.
St. Joseph, Mo. | Benton H.S.
All-District wide receiver as a senior … had 13 touchdowns as a senior and 36 in his high school career … three-time all-city wide receiver

Evan Chohon
LB | 6-3, 215 lbs.
Columbus, Neb. | Scotus Catholic H.S.
Two-time All-State linebacker … 2017 Shrine Bowl selection … 2015 Nebraska State Champions

Arnold Crayton
DL | 6-3, 240 lbs.
Houston, Texas | Cy-Fair H.S.
First team All-District and first team Academic All-District as a senior … recorded 14 tackles for loss in 2016 … holds high school squat record

Nate Daugherty
DL | 6-5, 230 lbs.
Joplin, Mo. | Joplin H.S.
First Team All-Conference as a defensive end and second team All-Conference tight end … first team All-District defensive end … also named first team Academic All-District

Bryce Enzbrenner
WR | 6-2, 200 lbs.
Atchison, Kan. | Atchison H.S.
Two-time All-League wide receiver … two time Top-11 All-Area … two-time Honorable Mention All-State

Spencer Etters
DB | 5-7, 175 lbs.
Lee’s Summit, Mo. | Lee’s Summit West H.S.
Honorable mention All-Conference as a senior … part of 2013 6A State Championship team

Cameron Evans
DL | 6-0, 245 lbs.
Neptune Beach, Fla. | Fletcher H.S.
Florida-Georgia Border Wars All-State selection … First Team All-Big School (Florida) … North Florida First Team defensive lineman

Shamar Griffith
RB | 5-7, 150 lbs.
Hannibal, Mo. | Hannibal H.S.
Ranks ninth all-time in rushing yards in state of Missouri … first team All-State … first team All-District and first team All-Conference as a running back and defensive back

Donnell Hawkins
RB | 5-8, 185 lbs.
St. Charles, Mo. | Francis Howell North H.S.
First team All-Conference athlete … second team All-District and All-Conference running back … 2016 Team Special Teams Player of the Year

Dalton Hill
OL | 6-3, 250 lbs.
Center, Mo. | Twain H.S.
First team All-State offensive lineman … three-time EMO All-Conference selection

Jase Hollingsworth
OL | 6-4, 280 lbs.
Odessa, Mo. | Odessa H.S.
Second team All-State … first team All-Conference offensive lineman … second team All-Conference defensive lineman

Spencer Hollowell
LB | 6-2, 205 lbs.
Liberty, Mo. | Liberty H.S.
Two-time All-Conference … played outside linebacker, middle linebacker, defensive end and safety … totaled 153 career tackles with 13 for loss and 6.5 sacks

Everett Horton
DB | 5-11, 185 lbs.
Kansas City, Mo. | Park Hill South H.S.
Two-time first team All-Conference selection … two-time All-District selection … third team All-State

Jacob Johnson
OL/LS | 6-2, 225 lbs.
Nevada, Mo. | Nevada H.S.
First team All-Conference and All-District defensive end as a senior … first team All-Conference and All-District linebacker as a junior … three-time academic letter winner

Austin Kemp
OL | 6-3, 260 lbs.
Oak Grove, Mo. | Oak Grove H.S.
All-Conference and All-District selection on football team … placed third at 285 lbs in 2016 MSHAA Wrestling Championships … Greco Roman state champion wrestler

Riley King
OL | 6-3, 285 lbs.
Derby, Kan. | Derby H.S.
Won three state championships at Derby … three-year varsity letter winner … 2016 first team offensive lineman

Donavan Lukens
DL | 6-4, 225 lbs.
Wentzville, Mo. | Timberland H.S.
All-Conference defensive end … All-District defensive end … Team Defensive Lineman of the Year

Kyron Mason
RB | 5-10, 180 lbs.
Kansas City, Mo. | William Chrisman H.S.
Rushed for 739 yards and had 12 touchdowns as a senior … picked up 1,092 all-purpose yards … All-Conference

Ryan Mells
DL | 6-2, 270 lbs.
West Des Moines, Iowa | Dowling Catholic H.S.
First team All-State defensive lineman … first team All-District lineman … four-time state champion

Luke Murphy
OL | 6-4, 290 lbs.
Basehor, Kan. | Basehor-Linwood H.S.
First team All-KVL … second team All-Metro … two-time honorable mention All-State

Isaiah Patrick
DB | 6-1, 185 lbs.
Columbia, Mo. | Columbia Rock Bridge H.S.
Recorded 102 tackles as a senior … All-District safety … team defensive MVP

Hunter Patterson
LB | 6-1, 185 lbs.
Olathe, Kan. | Olathe Northwest H.S.
Recorded 49 tackles as a senior … had six tackles for loss and two sacks last season

Cody Richardson
DL | 6-3, 230 lbs.
Grain Valley, Mo. | Grain Valley H.S.
Two-time All-Conference defensive end and tight end … All-District and All-Area as a senior

Charles Satnan
OL/LS | 6-8, 230 lbs.
Sedalia, Mo. | Smith-Cotton H.S.
Started on special teams all four years … selected Rubio Long Snapping Top-50 Long Snapper

Austin Schaefferkoetter
DL | 6-2, 240 lbs.
Sullivan, Mo. | Sullivan H.S.
All-State defensive end as a junior … two-time first team All-Conference on the offensive and defensive lines … two-time first team … All-District on both lines

Ethan Scott
DB | 6-3, 190 lbs.
Yukon, Okla. | Yukon H.S.
All-Conference and All-District selection … honorable mention All-State … team Offensive Player of the Year

Montrell Scott
DB | 5-11, 175 lbs.
St. Louis, Mo. | Hazelwood East H.S.
Led the conference in interceptions as a senior … first team Suburban 12 North All-Conference … second team All-State

Israel Smith
LB | 6-0, 200 lbs.
St. Joseph, Mo. | Central H.S.
Holds four career records at Central as a running back … first team All-Conference running back … third team All-State

Will Smith
DL | 6-2, 200 lbs.
Troy, Kan. | Troy H.S.
Two-time All-State defensive end … second team All-State offensive lineman … also an All-League punter

Bryce Steffens
LB | 6-1, 220 lbs.
Lenexa, Kan. | St. James Academy
Two-time honorable mention All-State linebacker … member of USA National Football Team

Andrew Stroud
OL | 6-3, 300 lbs.
St. Joseph, Mo. | Bishop LeBlond H.S.
First team All-State as a senior … second team All-State as a junior … three-time All-City … three-time All-Conference and All-District

Zach Suppes
DB | 6-0, 195 lbs.
Kansas City, Mo. | Park Hill H.S.
Honorable mention All-State linebacker

Andrew Wine
LB | 6-1, 200 lbs.
Omaha, Neb. | Millard North H.S.
First team All-State linebacker … recorded 75 tackles, 11 for loss as a senior … also accumulated 1,977 all-purpose yards on offense

Tayshon Wrench
DB | 5-7, 155 lbs.
Kansas City, Mo. | Ruskin H.S.
Led team in tackles … All-District as a senior … named second team All-Conference

Keegan Zars
OL | 6-5, 295 lbs.
Shawnee, Kan. | Mill Valley H.S.
First team All-State … second team All-KC Metro … Top-100 Kansas All Classes

Adrian Davis
WR | 6-4, 205 lbs.
St. Petersburg, Fla. | Southeast Missouri State
Last played at SEMO in 2015 … played in 17 games over two seasons at SEMO with 39 catches for 396 yards and four touchdowns … attended Lakewood High School

Jared DeVoe
OL | 6-4, 300 lbs.
New Market, Iowa | South Dakota State
Played in three games last season at SDSU as a sophomore … did not appear in any games as a redshirt freshman in 2015 … was a three-year starter at Clarinda H.S.

Vanel Dossous
WR | 6-0, 190 lbs.
Hamilton, N.J. | Bowling Green
Played in 11 games with two starts last season at Bowling Green … hauled in nine catches for 79 yards … played two seasons at Mt. San Jacinto Junior College where he was CCCAA Region IV All-State first team as a punt returner in 2015

Dom Marino
QB | 6-2, 200 lbs.
Sarasota, Fla. | East Central Mississippi C.C.
Passed for 2,568 yards with 27 TDs at ECCC … also rushed for more than 1,000 yards with six rushing TDs … NJCAA All-Region … attended Venice High School

Alec Wallingsford
OL | 6-2, 255 lbs.
St. Louis, Mo. | Lincoln University
Started 11 games at center line last year for Lincoln … played in 11 games with nine starts at Lincoln as a true freshman in 2015 … attended Oakville H.S.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western soccer coach Chad Edwards announced his 2017 signing day class on Wednesday.

The class will consist of 12 student-athletes, all coming to Missouri Western directly from high schools in three different states.

“It’s really cool to see kids fulfill their dreams of playing collegiate soccer,” Edward said. “For us to be a part of that process and for us to be able to provide an opportunity at such a great institution, is really cool. We’re looking forward to having these 12 kids on campus. They’re going to be program-changers, and really help us get to where we want to go.”

Edwards’ 2017 signing class includes:

Ally Barb
Goalkeeper| Ozark, Mo.| Ozark HS | Sporting Springfield

2x All-Region Team, 3x All-Conference Team
2016 Team Captain, MVP
15 shutouts, .63 GAA, and 128 saves as a Junior

“Ally is a tremendous goalkeeper who possesses all the attributes that you like in the position,” Edwards said. “She will challenge for the starting spot this fall.”

Ava Blessie
Midfielder | Papillion, Neb.| Mercy HS | Gretna Soccer Club

2016 All-State
Three-year varsity letter winner, Academic All-State
Sister of current Griffon, Bridget Blessie

“Ava is a versatile, athletic, hard working player that has the ability to play multiple positions,” Edwards said. “Being a Blessie, we know she is a tireless worker that has a tremendous love for the game and Griffon Soccer.”

Brooke Howe
Midfielder| Blue Springs, Mo. |Blue River Community College

NJCAA All-Region XVI 1st Team
Team captain at Blue River
Scored four goals and had three assists in her one year at Blue River

“Brooke is an extremely athletic, technical midfielder that had immediate success at Blue River and we expect that from her this fall,” Edwards said. “Coach Owens and Childers are quality coaches there that I know will have her ready to make an impact right away.”

Jayme Jackson
Midfielder| Lansing, Kan. | Lansing HS|

Two-time KVL Champion, Regional Champion
Three-year varsity starter
Powerlifter

“Jayme is an under the radar type player,” Edwards said. “She is very athletic and has a tremendous work ethic that will easily carry over to the collegiate level.”

Jordan Jennings
Defender | Kansas City, Mo. | Lee’s Summit North | FC Kansas City

2016 High School District Champion
Multi-sport letter winner
National Honors Society member

“Jordan is an extremely hard working player that gets forward well and is a tenacious one-on-one defender,” Edwards said. “She will definitely add strength to our, already top class, back line.”

Madelyne Lupercio
Forward| Omaha, Neb. | Lincoln Pius X HS| Elite Girls Academy

Has scored 38 goals with 22 assists in high school
Most goals and points in a season at Millard South HS
Five-time club state champion, 2016 regional champion

“Madelyne is a strong, physical and athletic player that has the ability to play multiple positions and score goals, Edwards said. “She has experienced much success at a high level, which will enable her to transition smoothly into the college game. ”

Ashley Mathis
Forward | Lee’s Summit, Mo. | Lee’s Summit West HS | KC Select Soccer Club

Four-year letter winner
Missouri ’98 ODP Team
National Honors Society member

“Ashley has a motor that doesn’t stop and is an awesome leader,” Edwards said. She will contribute in multiple ways; we are looking forward to her having a huge impact on the program.”

Anika Nobs
Defender | Creve Coeur, Mo. | St Joseph’s Academy | Scott Gallagher Soccer Club

Led High School team in goals as a freshman
Team captain
Multi-sport athlete-1st team All-Conference in Track & Field
Gymnastics state champion

“Anika is a super athletic, multi-dimensional player that has the pace to run by anyone,” Edwards said. “She comes from a fantastic club background that has her prepared at the highest level.”

Mackenzie O’Neill
Midfielder | St Louis, Mo. | Oakville HS | Scott Gallagher Soccer Club

Four- year varsity starter
Four-year Scholar-Athlete award recipient
Honored by her teammates with the Role Player Award

“Mack is a physical, smart and technical midfielder with great vision. She is a natural leader on and off the field,” Edwards said. “Mack is also a versatile player that has the ability to play in multiple positions.”

Taylor Schwartzkopf
Forward | Farmington, Mo. | Farmington HS | Scott Gallagher Soccer Club

2x All-State, 3x All-Conference
2016 Regional Radio Spring Sports Dream Team
Has tallied 69 goals and 17 assists in her high school career

“Taylor is a super athletic, pure goal scorer that has the ability to get vertical really well,” Edwards said. “She competed and had success at the highest level of club soccer. We are looking forward to Taylor having an immediate impact on our front line.”

Madison Utley
Forward| Bridgeton, Mo. |Pattonville HS | Scott Gallagher Soccer Club

Has amassed 96 points her high school career on 31 goals and 34 assists
2016 All-State selection
Multi-sport athlete

“Madison is a tenacious, gritty player that has a knack for scoring goals but also contributes to a lot of goals as well,” Edwards said. “She comes from a great club, high school and family background that will have her more than ready to have immediate success.”

Danny Walsh
Defender | Omaha, Neb. | Skutt HS | Gretna Soccer Club

2016 All-State
2016 high school state champion
Four-year Academic All-Conference

“Danny’s work ethic, determination and physicality will help her become the outside back we want in the program,” Edwards said. “She will be a great addition to one of top back lines we have ever had.”

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The 2017 Missouri Western softball season will begin a little earlier than originally scheduled.

This weekend’s HSU/OBU Ronnie Hawkins Invitational has become a Friday, Saturday tournament due to forecasted rain in the Arkadelphia, Arkansas area.

Games were originally scheduled to be played this Saturday and Sunday. Opponents, venues and game times have not changed, but all games will be played one day eariler than initially scheduled.

Missouri Western will open the event Friday at 12:00 p.m. against Rogers State at Ouachita Baptist.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Four members of the Missouri Western baseball team have been named preseason All-Central Region by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).

Second baseman David Glaude and shortstop Landon Mason were both selected to the first team while third basesman Jeremy Alvarado and outfielder Nick Gawley were named to the second team. The Missouri Western baseball team was also selected ninth in the NCBWA preseason central regional poll.

Glaude was a first team selection on last year’s postseason NCBWA All-Region team while Mason picked up a second team honor. The NCBWA also named Glaude a second team All-American following the 2016 season.

Missouri Western was the only central region team with two first team selections and its four overall preseason all-region picks were most among any team in the region. The 2017 season begins Thursday, Feb. 2 at the Air Hogs DII Classic in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Click here for the NCBWA Preseason Regional Polls.
Click here for the NCBWA Preseason All-Region Teams.

*Note – Nick Gawley was incorrectly listed as playing for Missouri Southern on the release from the NCBWA

— MWSU Athletics —