ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western women’s basketball great LaQuinta Jefferson will continue her basketball career after signing a professional contract with a team in Spain.

Jefferson signed with Gernika Bizkaia on Tuesday. A press release from the team compared Jefferson’s style of play to NBA great Kobe Bryant, going as far as to use Bryant’s nickname, “Black Mamba,” when referring to Jefferson. The team’s coach, Mario Lopez, said Jefferson was a player of, “great talent.”

The 2015-16 MIAA Player of the Year was twice named first-team All-MIAA at Missouri Western. Last season she was also named first-team WBCA All-American; honorable mention D2CCA All-American and first-team D2CCA All-Region. She led the MIAA with 20.3 points per game last season and became the 19th Griffon to score 1,000 points in her career. Over her two seasons with the Griffons, Jefferson averaged 20.8 points per game. She was the first Missouri Western Women’s Basketball student-athlete to be named to two All-American teams since Becky Reichard in 1999.

The signing makes Jefferson the first Griffon Women’s Basketball alum to play professionally since Jessica Koch, who played parts of three seasons after finishing her Missouri Western career in 2012.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western football team has been picked seventh in both the MIAA Preseason Coaches and Media Polls.

The poll was released Wednesday morning to kickoff MIAA Football Media Day at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Defending MIAA and national champion Northwest Missouri State was picked first in both polls. Both polls had Central Missouri at No. 2 with the Mules receiving one first place vote in the coaches poll. Pittsburg State also received a first place vote in the coaches poll, but tied in overall votes for No. 3 with Emporia State. The Gorillas are alone at No. 3 in the media poll with Emporia State at No. 4. The only real difference in the top-eight of both polls is the order for the fifth and sixth spots. Central Oklahoma was No. 5 in the coaches poll, but No. 6 in the media poll. Fort Hays State was at No. 6 in the coaches poll and No. 5 in the media poll.

Washburn was eighth in both polls. Nine through 12 in the polls showed some stark differences. Lindenwood came in at No. 9 in the media poll, but was last at No. 12 in the coaches poll. The coaches put Northeastern State at No. 9. At No. 10 in the coaches’ poll was Missouri Southern, which was No. 11 in the media poll. Nebraska-Kearney was slotted at No. 11 by the coaches and No. 12 by the media.

Missouri Western returns nine starters from a team that went 6-5 in 2015, the program’s 11th consecutive winning season. Head coach Jerry Partridge will look to keep that streak alive this season. In his 20th year as head coach, Partridge has delivered 16 winning seasons, never winning fewer than five games in any of his previous 19 seasons. The two-time MIAA Coach of the Year is 145-76 all-time at Missouri Western, most among active MIAA head coaches and third most all-time. Partridge has also led the Griffons into the postseason 10 times, including four trips to the NCAA Division II Playoffs, the only four appearances in program history.

The Griffons open the newly renovated Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium on Sept. 1 against Nebraska-Kearney. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – With one month before the 2016 Missouri Western football season opener, head coach Jerry Partridge will address the upcoming season Tuesday at MIAA Football Media Day.

Once again, media day will be held at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Coach Partridge, defensive back Donte Watkins and linebacker Darrian Bass will take the podium at 10 a.m. Dave Riggert will carry media day live on ESPN 1550 from 9 a.m. through noon. Press conferences will also be streamed live through the MIAA website.

Coach Partridge is entering his 20th season as head coach of his alma mater. The active wins leader among MIAA head coaches (145-76), Partridge ranks third all-time. Bass was named third team All-MIAA in 2015 after totaling 62 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions. Watkins earned an honorable mention All-MIAA pick in his first season as a starter. He recorded 59 tackles, seven passes defended and two interceptions last season.

Click here to listen to the ESPN 1550 Stream.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Softball coach Jen Trotter has announced the hiring of Katey Gorsage as assistant softball coach.

Gorsage comes to Missouri Western from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where she was a graduate assistant on the softball staff the past two years. In her two years as a graduate assistant, Gorsage helped lead Henderson State to a combined 78-41 record. In 2015, the Reddies recorded the program’s best overall and conference records (43-15, 27-7), winning the program’s first Great American Conference Regular Season Championship. The 2015 team also earned the program its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Central Regional, advancing to the regional championship game. Gorsage coached two All-Americans, five All-Region selections, 14 All-GAC selections as well as the 2015 GAC Player, Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year.

“Our team is excited to have Katey help continue our success from last year,” Trotter said. “She brings a lot of energy and knowledge of hitting and outfield play that our team will benefit from. She’s going to fit right in to our Griffon Softball family.”

Gorsage also played at Henderson State, earning both her master’s (sports administration) and bachelor’s (Psychology, minor in Biology) degrees from Henderson State. She was a four-year letterman for the Reddie Softball team. She holds the program record for at-bats (712), ranks fourth in hits (170), second in doubles (42), fourth in home runs (23) and seventh in RBIs (83). Gorsage was named All-GAC honorable mention in 2012 and was a two-time Academic All-Conference selection.

Gorsage replaces Mollie Bjelland who resigned from her position as assistant coach after two seasons working with Trotter. Gorsage joins recent Henderson State graduate Sarah Gipson, who will serve as a graduate assistant on the Griffon Softball staff this upcoming season.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western head men’s basketball coach Brett Weiberg has announced the signing of another student-athlete for the 2016-17 season.

Jonathan Mesmacque will come to St. Joseph from Orleans, France. The 6-foot-3-inch wing played for the Orleans Loiret Basketball Club last season where he averaged seven points and three assists per game. Mesmacque also played on the U15 and U16 French National Teams.

“Jonathan played at a high level this past season against kids that are three and four years older than him,” Weiberg said. “He is a good athlete who plays unselfishly and is a good person. I’m really looking forward to coaching and working with Jonathan.”

Mesmacque’s signing brings the class total to six for the 2016-17 season with two international additions, Mesmacque and Boris Rajovic.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The 2016 Missouri Western Football season is fast approaching and all dates and times for the 47th season in the program’s history have been finalized.

The schedule changes slightly this year, with Missouri Western debuting the completely renovated Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. against Nebraska-Kearney. The last two seasons, the Griffons had opened with Central Missouri. The 2016 schedule features five home games for the Griffons, including Family Day and the Military Appreciation Game on Sept. 17 against Central Missouri, the Hall of Fame Game on Oct. 1 against Northeastern State, Homecoming on Oct. 15 against Pittsburg State and Senior Day on Nov. 5 against Emporia State.

Missouri Western will play six road games at Missouri Southern, Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood, Fort Hays State, Washburn and Northwest Missouri State.

The 2016 season will be the 20th as head coach for Jerry Partridge. The all-time wins leader at Missouri Western enters the year with a 145-76 career record, the most wins among active MIAA coaches and third all-time in the MIAA. Last season, Partridge led the Griffons to a 6-5 record, the program’s 11th consecutive winning season and Partridge’s 16th overall.

MIAA Football Media Day will be held Aug. 2 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets for the 2016 season will go on sale in August.

2016 GRIFFON FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 1, 7 p.m. vs. Nebraska-Kearney (Home Opener)
Sept. 10, 6 p.m. at Missouri Southern
Sept. 17, 6 p.m. vs. Central Missouri (Family Day/Military Appreciation)
Sept. 24, 6 p.m. at Central Oklahoma
Oct. 1, 1 p.m. vs. Northeastern State (Hall of Fame Game)
Oct. 8, 1:30 p.m. at Lindenwood
Oct. 15, 2 p.m. vs. Pittsburg State (Homecoming)
Oct. 22, 2 p.m. at Fort Hays State
Oct. 29, 1 p.m. at Washburn
Nov. 5, 1 p.m. vs. Emporia State (Senior Day)
Nov. 12, 1:30 p.m. at Northwest Missouri State

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western volleyball team will begin its shot at a third consecutive 20-win season this September when the team opens the 2016 season.

Looking for an unprecedented three straight seasons with 20 or more wins is fourth year head coach Marian Carbin (59-33). Last year, Carbin led her alma mater to a 21-10 season, and gave the program its first back-to-back 20-win seasons since 1997-98. Carbin leads a group that includes three returning All-MIAA performers (Rachel Friedrichs, Kayla Ruff and Shellby Taylor) into an always challenging MIAA schedule.

This year the Griffons will open with three non-conference tournaments, including co-hosting an event with Northwest Missouri State. The season begins Sept. 2 at the Washburn Invitational. On Sept. 9, the team debuts at home with four matches in two days as part of the Gold & Green Challenge. The team will then hit the road for eight-straight contests away from St. Joseph, beginning with the GAC-MIAA Crossover in Shawnee, Oklahoma before opening conference play at Missouri Southern on Sept. 23.

The Griffons return home for a pair Sept. 4 and 7, the first of a stretch that will see the team play six of seven matches in the MWSU Fieldhouse. The regular season concludes Nov. 12 when Missouri Western hosts Lindenwood for Senior Night.

Tickets for the 2016 season will go on sale in August.

2016 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
WASHBURN INVITATIONAL
Sept. 2, 11 a.m. vs. Mary
Sept. 2, 4 p.m. vs. Drury
Sept. 3, 9:30 a.m. vs. Quincy
Sept. 3, 1:30 p.m. vs. Midwestern State
GOLD & GREEN CHALLENGE
Sept. 9, 10 a.m. vs. Oklahoma Baptist
Sept. 9, 6 p.m. vs. Missouri S&T
Sept. 10, 9 a.m. vs. East Central
Sept. 10, 6 p.m. vs. Minnesota State
GAC-MIAA CROSSOVER
Sept. 16, 12 p.m. vs. Southeastern Oklahoma
Sept. 16, 4 p.m. vs. Southern Nazarene
Sept. 17, 9 a.m. vs. Northwestern Oklahoma
Sept. 17, 5 p.m. vs. Southwestern Oklahoma
Sept. 23, 7 p.m. at Missouri Southern
Sept. 24, 7 p.m. at Southwest Baptist
Sept. 30, 7 p.m. at Central Oklahoma
Oct. 1, 4 p.m. at Pittsburg State
Oct. 4, 7 p.m. vs. Northwest Missouri State
Oct. 7, 6 p.m. vs. Central Missouri
Oct. 8, 6 p.m. at Lindenwood
Oct. 14, 7 p.m. vs. Emporia State
Oct. 15, 7 p.m. vs. Washburn
Oct. 21, 7 p.m. vs. Missouri Southern
Oct. 22, 3 p.m. vs. Southwest Baptist
Oct. 25, 7 p.m. at Truman State
Oct. 28, 6 p.m. at Emporia State
Oct. 29, 6 p.m. at Washburn
Nov. 4, 7 p.m. vs. Fort Hays State
Nov. 5, 6 p.m. vs. Nebraska-Kearney
Nov. 8, 7 p.m. at Northwest Missouri
Nov. 11, 6 p.m. at Central Missouri
Nov. 12, 3 p.m. vs. Lindenwood

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western men’s basketball coach Brett Weiberg has announced the signings of four student-athletes for the 2016-17 team.

Next season’s class is now at five after Jason Jones signed his letter of intent during the early signing period last fall. The recent signees include three transfers and one incoming freshman that span from coast to coast.

Joe Hamilton
6-6 | F | Modesto Junior College

Hamilton averaged 7.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and was an honorable mention All-Big 8 selection at Modesto Junior College. He shot 42 percent from the three point line at Modesto Junior College. He averaged 10.6 points per game and shot 40 percent from three point range at Central Catholic High School.

“Joe is a face-four that can really shoot the three. He had a good career at Modesto and played for a good coach in Paul Brogan,” Weiberg said. “Joe is also a solid rebounder and competitor. I have been very impressed with his ability to make the right and easy play. More importantly, Joe is a good person, good teammate and good student.”

T.J. Evans
6-1 | G | Cape Fear Community College

Evans averaged 15 points per game and shot 41 percent from three point range in two seasons at Cape Fear in Wilmington, N.C. Evans was a first team All-Region selection last season at Cape Fear, helping his team to a regional regular season championship last season. He averaged 20 points per game at Apex High in Apex, N.C.

“T.J. was a two-year starter for Cape Fear. He led his team to the NJCAA National Tournament as a freshman and was one win away as a sophomore from doing the same,” Weiberg said. “He won a state championship in high school and was a leader on a good high school team and a good junior college team. He is a good person, good student and a good player. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to coach T.J.”

Boris Rajovic
6-10 | F | Northeast Community College

Rajovic averaged 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.2 percent from three point range at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb. He averaged 12 points and 7.9 rebounds per game as a senior at Glenelg Country School in Ellicott City, Md. Rajovic is originally from Spuz, Montenegro.

“Dan Anderson at Northeast Community College did an outstanding job coaching Boris. Boris was hindered with an injury that affected over half of his games his sophomore season at Northeast,” Weiberg said. “Boris played very well late and we believe he will add depth and experience to our front line.”

Easton Montgomery
6-4 | G | Southeast of Saline High School

Montgomery averaged 18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, shot 61 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free throw line during a record breaking high school career. Mongtomery broke numerous records in high school including career points, points in a season and career field goal percentage. He was a three-time All-State selection and four-time All-League selection. Montgomery was also an All-State defensive end on the football team and was his class valedictorian.

“Easton had a tremendous season, averaging 22.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game on a Final Four team in the state of Kansas,” Weiberg said. “He mostly played the power forward position in high school and he will have to make the transition to the perimeter in college. He shoots the ball well and he rebounds the ball. Easton is a good student with great work habits. I look forward to working with him and coaching him.”

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Seven former Missouri Western student-athletes will be inducted into the Missouri Western State University Athletics Hall of Fame on September 30, 2016.

The class of 2016 includes: Michael Cobbins (football), George Hayward (meritorious service), Jill Johnson-Brock (women’s basketball), Eric Keeler (men’s basketball), Sherri Lang-Pendergras (volleyball), Eric McDowell (football) and Lindsey Predovich-Christenson (softball). All seven will be officially inducted during a banquet on Sept. 30, 2016 and will receive their rings during a ceremony at halftime of the Oct. 1 football game against Northeastern State. More information on the Hall of Fame banquet will be released at a later date.

Michael Cobbins
Football (2003-06)
Cobbins was a three-time first team All-MIAA defensive lineman for the Griffons. He was also named honorable mention All-American by Don Hansen Football Gazette in 2005 and 2005 and D2Football.com in 2006. He ranks second all-time at Missouri Western with 50 career tackles for loss; fifth with 20.5 sacks and is tied for seventh with 240 total tackles. Cobbins was a captain on the Griffon Football team for three seasons including Missouri Western’s first-ever Division II Playoff team in 2006.

George Hayward
Meritorious Service
Hayward lettered three times on the football team between 1970 and 1974 and once on the baseball team. After graduating with a bachelor of science in education from Missouri Western, Hayward went on to spend 42 years as a football official. He got his start in the regional college ranks, moving from Division II to Division I in 1984. In 1991, Hayward began his 25-year run as an NFL official, which included 23 playoff games, four league championship games and Super Bowl XLI. In all, Heyward worked 425 NFL games before retiring after this past season. Throughout his career, Hayward has continued to serve as an ambassador for Missouri Western State University and has been a longtime member of the Gold Coat Victory Club.

Jill Johnson-Brock
Women’s Basketball (2004-08)
The former Jill Johnson was a four-year standout for the Griffon Women’s Basketball program, earning All-MIAA honors three times. She was a second team selection in 2008 and 2007 and an honorable mention pick in 2006. She was also named to the MIAA All-Academic team each of those three seasons by also earning at least a 3.5 GPA in addition to being named All-MIAA on the court. In 2008 she was also named second team Daktronics All-South Central Region. She ranks fifth all-time at MWSU with 1,472 career points. Her 330 made free throws are fourth all-time at MWSU and her 734 career rebounds are sixth.

Eric Keeler
Men’ Basketball (1995-97)
Keeler was an integral part of beginning an unprecedented run of success for the Griffon Men’s Basketball program. Following the 1996-97 season, he was named first team All-MIAA and second team NABC/Sears All-South Central Region. He was also named honorable mention All-MIAA after the 1995-96 season. He led the team in scoring both seasons, averaging 14.8 points per game in 1995-96 and 18.2 in 1996-97. Keeler finished third in the MIAA that season with 4.9 assists per game and 2.0 steals per contest. He also helped lead that team to the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Sheri Lang-Pendergras
Volleyball (1997-98)
The former Sheri Lang was a member of the 1997 and 1998 Griffon Volleyball teams that went a combined, 46-21, the last back-to-back 20-win seasons for the program before 2014-15. Lang was named first team All-MIAA both seasons and the MIAA Commissioner’s Academic team following the 1998 season. She led the team in kills both seasons, with 486 in 1997 and 464 in 1998. Her 3.66 kills per set in 1998 rank third all-time at Missouri Western.

Eric McDowell
Football (2000-03)
McDowell transformed from walk-on to All-American at defensive end, eventually breaking the career sacks record at Missouri Western. The Savannah, Missouri native earned first team All-MIAA honors in 2001 and 2003 and was also a second team Don Hansen All-American both seasons. McDowell was also named honorable mention All-MIAA in 2002 and was twice named All-Region. His 15 sacks in 2003 are still a record at Missouri Western. He held the career sacks record with 24.5 until David Bass broke the record in 2012. His 41 career tackles for loss are fourth all-time at Missouri Western.

Lindsey Predovich-Christenson
Softball (2004-07)
The former Lindsey Predovich was a dual-threat player for the Griffon Softball team and a member of the program’s first-ever NCAA Regional qualifier in 2006. Predovich was a two-time first team All-MIAA selection, as a designated player in 2004 and a utility player in 2006. She was named MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2004 after earning MIAA Player of the Week honors twice, once as a pitcher and once as a DP/P. In 2005 and 2006, Predovich was also named second team NFCA All-Region as a designated player. Her name appears all over the Griffon Softball record book as the program’s career leader in games played (238), games started (236) at bats (751) and RBIs (164). Her 252 career hits, 56 career doubles and 383 total bases are second all-time at MWSU. In the circle, Predovich ranks second all-time with 545 strikeouts. She won 54 career games, good for fourth all-time at Missouri Western and her 14 career shutouts are sixth most in MWSU history.

— MWSU Athletics —