Head Coach Jessica Rinehart and the Northwest Missouri State volleyball program released its 2012 schedule on Monday in a new look MIAA.

The Bearcats open the season in West Palm Beach, Fla., at the Hyatt Place Sunshine Classic hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic University. Northwest will open on Friday, Aug. 31 with Barry University and the host team before facing Saginaw Valley State and Lewis University on Saturday.

The following weekend Northwest will return to Missouri for the Missouri S&T Middle of Everywhere Classic in Rolla. The tournament slate for the Bearcats will consist of Upper Iowa, Southwest Minnesota, Southern Indiana, and Missouri S&T.

Northwest will open the MIAA schedule on Sept. 11 at rival Missouri Western before returning home for a five game home-stand. Opening the home series will be MIAA newcomer Lindenwood on Sept. 14 followed by Missouri Southern, Fort Hays State, Washburn and Southwest Baptist.

The Bearcats will conclude their non-conference tournament schedule at the Washburn Lady Blues Fall Classic. A quartet of regional foes will face the Bearcats including Southern Nazarene, Southwestern Oklahoma State, East Central and Harding.

On Oct. 12 a second new face to the league, Central Oklahoma, will travel to Maryville followed by the Bearcats matchup with Pittsburg State on Oct. 14.

Also the MIAA will sponsor a postseason tournament with the champion earning the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The tournament will be comprised of the top eight teams in the final standings and hosted on campus locations with the championship match being played Saturday, Nov. 17.

With the addition of new NCAA Division II conferences the Bearcats and MIAA will play regional NCAA rounds in the Central Region along with the Great American Conference and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Click here for the entire Northwest Missouri State 2012 schedule.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Six outstanding former student-athletes, a pair of sports medicine icons and two MIAA Championship teams have been chosen for induction into the M-Club Hall of Fame this fall.

Two of the most productive football players during Northwest Missouri State’s football championship era, Tony Miles and Aaron Becker, will be inducted, along with their 1997 NCAA playoff team for the ceremony. The 1995 men’s tennis team will also take their place among the best Bearcat squads of all time.

Women’s tennis great Rosa Tapia, All-America cross country star Vernon Darling, standout offensive lineman Randy Euken and All-MIAA hoops star Rick Jolley will be enshrined as former student-athletes. Former Bearcat trainer D.C. Colt and recently retired Bearcat team physician Dr. Patrick Harr round out the 2012 Hall of Fame Class.

The Class of 2012 will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame during the annual festivities on Friday Nov. 2 in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom.

The 2012 class will bring the individual total to 111 and 42 teams. The M-Club Hall of Fame was established for individuals in 1980 and teams were first enshrined beginning in 1989.

Aaron Becker (Football, 1996-2000) – Becker finished his four-year career at Northwest as a two-time All-America selection and one of the most prolific defensive players in the championship era. He is third on the Northwest all-time list in tackles for a loss and eighth in sacks.  He was the Bearcats single season sack leader twice during his tenure.

He was a three-time First-Team All-MIAA pick on the defensive line helping Northwest to national championships in 1998 and 1999. The Bearcats were also MIAA Champions in each of Becker’s four-years at Northwest.

D.C. Colt (Athletic Trainer, 1981-2008) – Colt was the Bearcats’ head athletic trainer for 27 years, in addition to being a faculty member in Northwest’s Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.  During his tenure he provided care to thousands of student-athletes and mentored several graduate assistants that have gone on to careers in athletic training.  He became a certified athletic trainer in 1977 and has been inducted into four additional Halls of Fame (National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame, Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association Sports Medicine Hall of Fame, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame).  Colt had been previously selected for admission into the Hall of Fame but chose to defer his enshrinement until the selection of Dr. Patrick Harr.

Vernon Darling (Men’s Cross Country/Track, 1975-79) – Darling was a three-time All-America selection in cross country and track and field for the Bearcats from 1975-79. He still holds Northwest records in the cross country 10k with a time of 30:55 and was a member of the record holding indoor distance medley relay team.

Darling captured the MIAA title in the one mile run and was also a two-time MIAA Champion in the 3000-meter steeplechase. His time in the 3000-meter steeplechase is second on the Northwest all-time list only behind Jim Ryan, who earned his spot in the Hall of Fame last year.

Randy Euken (Football, 1971-74) – Euken was a four-year starter on the offensive line and helped lead the Bearcats to two MIAA Championships in 1972 and 1974. He was a three-time All-MIAA First-Team selection at offensive tackle as he helped pave the way for Hall of Famer, Jim Albin, who rushed for more than 3,000 yards in his career.

Dr. Patrick Harr (Northwest Physician, 1974-2012) – Harr has provided pre-season physicals, medical care and evening clinic hours in the training room as well as a sideline presence at home and away athletic events at Northwest for the last 38 years.

In 1995 he was inducted into the Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association Sports Medicine Hall of Fame and in 2001 was enshrined in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. During the 2010 season Harr covered his 1,000th game as a volunteer physician for Northwest and Maryville High teams and was honored as the Northwest Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal in 2011.

Rick Jolley (Men’s Basketball, 1994-96) – Jolley transferred from Penn State prior to the 1994 season and completed two and a half seasons before being declared ineligible for his participation in an exhibition game while at Penn State. He had helped lead the Bearcats to a share of the MIAA Regular Season title during the 1995-96 season with Missouri-Rolla before the title was vacated.

He twice earned All-MIAA accolades and led Northwest in scoring in 1995 and ’96. He also led the team in rebounding all three seasons. He is one of only 10 Bearcats to record over 1,000 points and 500 rebounds for his career and ranks in the top 10 of six categories on the Northwest all-time lists.

Tony Miles (Football, 1997-2000) – Miles enjoyed an outstanding four-year career at Northwest and was a member of the 1998 and 1999 National Championship teams. He currently ranks 10th in NCAA history in career punt return average and is second in MIAA and Northwest history in receiving yards.

As a senior, Miles earned his second All-America honor and was a three-time First Team All-MIAA receiver. He holds the record for most receiving yards in a regular season at Northwest and is third in career receptions and touchdown receptions.

Rosa Tapia (Women’s Tennis, 2001-04) – Tapia was a four-year tennis star earning MIAA MVP honors as a senior when she finished her career as the all-time leader in doubles wins with 85. She is second at Northwest in career wins (singles and doubles combined) with 159 and her 74 wins in singles action is tied for fifth on the all-time list.

Tapia helped lead the Bearcat women’s tennis teams to a 77-42 record during her four-year career which included two South Central Region Championships as a junior and senior. The 2003 squad led by Tapia finished 24-10 before falling in the National Quarterfinals.

1995 Men’s Tennis Team – One of the most decorated men’s tennis teams under head coach Mark Rosewell, the 1995 men’s tennis team finished ranked No. 11 in the nation with a 21-3 record. The Bearcats compiled the best single-season winning percentage in school history and claimed the first regional title in program history.

On their way to an MIAA championship, the Bearcats reeled off an 11-match winning streak and knocked off Division I opponent Oral Roberts. The team is the second consecutive Rosewell coached team to enter the Hall of Fame with last year’s 1997 women’s team and fourth overall.

1997 Football Team – The 1997 Bearcat football team is the third Mel Tjeerdsma coached team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.  They were the first team to go undefeated in the MIAA under Tjeerdsma. Along with going 12-1 on the season the Bearcats string of 41 straight MIAA wins started during the ’97 season spanning until the 2001 season.

The Bearcats knocked off rival Pittsburg State in Pittsburg for the first time since the 1976 season. They advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs where the team’s only loss came in the quarterfinals to eventual national champion Northern Colorado.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State soccer team announced its upcoming schedule for the 2012 season on Friday.

The Bearcat soccer team is coming off its first ever postseason appearance where they went 10-7-2 and advanced to the second round of the MIAA Tournament.

Northwest opens its 2012 slate with a tough non-conference portion to fill the first two weeks before starting MIAA play. The Bearcats open at home against St. Cloud State on Friday, Aug. 31 and continue the weekend hosting Newman on Sunday, Sept. 2.

After a quick road trip to Wayne State (Neb.) the Bearcats host Winona State on Sept. 9, before opening MIAA action against Lindenwood. Lindenwood is one of four new members joining the MIAA.

Among the other newest league members the Bearcats host both Northeastern State and Central Oklahoma to end September. UCO and NSU both competed as independent members last year, however the Bronchos posted a 15-3 record and earned a bye in the NCAA South Central Region Tournament.

Northwest travels to Nebraska-Kearney on Oct. 13 before closing out the final three games of the regular season at home. In the final home stand for Northwest, last year’s league champion Central Missouri will travel to Maryville on Oct. 21.

The top eight teams will earn a spot in the MIAA Postseason Tournament vying for the league automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. With the new alignment and conferences forming the MIAA will now join the Central Region pairing with nine teams from the Great American Conference and 16 teams from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

In 2012 first round games will be played on campus sites with the higher seed playing host. The final four advancing schools will then advance to the highest remaining seeds’ campus to crown the league champion.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State junior Brittany Poole gave the Bearcat track and field team its second All-American in as many days with a fifth place finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase finals on Friday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Poole ran to a fifth place finish with a time of 10:47.19 to earn her first All-America honors of her career. The junior missed her personal best time of 10:31.13 that she earned at the Drake Relays earlier this month.

Betsy Graney of Grand Valley State took home the title with a time of 10:23.92 followed by Susan Tanui of Alaska Anchorage with a time of 10:28.26.

Poole earned four points for the Bearcats bringing their team total to 10 points after Kate Walter earned six points on Thursday with a third place finish in the hammer throw. Lekiesha McKnight will have the opportunity to pick up the Bearcats third All-America mark when she competes in the shot put at 3:30 CST.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State senior Kate Walter capped her storied career with a third place finish on Thursday, earning All-America status in the hammer throw at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Walter’s throw of 193’ 11” broke the school record she previously set in the final meet of the season, the Dr. Keeler Invitational when threw a distance of 193’ 4” earning an automatic spot in the championships. Liz Murphy of Grand Valley State took home the title with a throw of 204’ 6” as Jessica Rowland of Findlay finished second.

The senior closes her career with her best mark ever on the biggest stage, the NCAA Championships, and now holds the top five distances in Northwest history. She finishes as a two-time MIAA Champion in the hammer throw and a two-time All-American in the hammer as well.

Junior Brittany Poole also raced in the prelims of the 3000-meter steeplechase racing to a fifth place finish. Poole ran to a time of 11.04.80 earning her a spot in Friday’s finals that are set for 7:15 p.m.

Lekiesha McKnight will also compete for the Bearcats, as the junior will throw in the shot put on Saturday afternoon.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball added its second junior college transfer with the addition of Rackell Goldson Monday by way of Allen Community College in Iola, Kan.

Goldson was a two-sport athlete at ACC earning Honorable Mention All-Conference accolades after leading the Red Devils in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Her 12.5 points per game and 8 rebounds per game were fifth and second best this past season in the Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC).

“Rackell is a great addition to our program,” first-year head coach Mark Kellogg said. “She will provide athleticism and toughness as well as an ability to score the basketball. She can shoot it with range, put the ball on the floor and is an excellent rebounder at her position. We are thrilled to have Rackell join our Bearcat family!”

In addition to her success on the hardwood, Goldson was also an all-conference performer during the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons and was a national qualifier in the long jump and triple jump. She was also named ACC Female Athlete of the Year for the 2011-12 school year. Goldson is from Orlando, Fla., where she prepped at Pine Castle High School.

Goldson is the fourth addition to the Bearcats for the 2012-13 season by Kellogg since being named the head women’s basketball coach on April 10. Kellogg has now added two junior college transfers, Monique Stevens from Southeast Community College and Goldson, along with a pair of high school seniors, Tara Ellerman and Hannah Branch. Tember Schechinger, a high school senior from Manilla, Iowa, signed a letter of intent to play for the Bearcats during the early signing period in November.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Four Northwest Missouri State track and field athletes have been selected to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA) All-South Central Region teams for the 2012 season.

On the men’s side Ryan Darling was honored in the 1500-meter run as he ran the second best time in program history 3:51.08, at the Dr. Keeler Invitational on the last week of the regular season.

The same trio that will represent the Bearcats at the NCAA Outdoor Championships also garnered All-Region accolades. Kate Walter, for her record setting year in the hammer throw, Lekiesha McKnight in the shot put and Brittany Poole in the 3000-meter steeplechase.

Walter, McKnight and Poole earned a spot in their respective events Tuesday on the NCAA list to compete at NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 24-26 in Pueblo, Colo.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball has signed high school senior Hannah Branch to play for the Bearcats next season head coach Mark Kellogg announced Monday.

Branch was a four-year starter for Tulsa HOAH, a homeschool program, in which she led her team to 92 wins and three top five finishes at the National Homeschool Basketball Championships. She was a two-time First-Team All-American and All-Metro selection by the Tulsa World as a junior and senior as she led her team in scoring at 15.2 points per game.

“Hannah is a perfect fit for our program and we are elated to welcome her to the Bearcat family,” Kellogg said. “Hannah is a point guard that can score in a variety of ways and has a great feel for the game. We think we have solidified our point guard position for the next few years and her excellence in the classroom is the epitome of a true student-athlete.”

As a senior, she led her team to a 21-16 record, competing against some of Oklahoma’s best teams.  NOAH competed against 11 state-tournament teams this past season as she helped lead NOAH to a late season win over eventual 3A Oklahoma State Champion, Oklahoma City Millwood.

A solid long-range shooter, Branch had a career high six three-pointers in a loss to eventual 5A runner-up Tulsa East Central. As a senior she averaged 4.4 assists per game and 3.2 steals.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Sophomore Ryan Abernathy earned a spot on the All-MIAA First-Team to highlight five Northwest Missouri State players earning all-conference accolades released by the conference office Thursday.

Abernathy becomes the first Bearcat to earn a spot on the first-team since 2007, when Ryley Westman and John White earned respective honors. The Chesterfield, Mo., native led the league in hits with 71 as he also led Northwest in runs (49), doubles (17) and stolen bases (11). His hits rank tied for fifth on the single season list at Northwest as does his 17 doubles.

Earning Honorable Mention All-MIAA nods were juniors Eric Swain and Cameron Bedard along with sophomore Eric McGlauflin and freshman Steven Garber. Swain led the Bearcats and finished second in the league with 10 homeruns while also leading the team with 41 RBIs.

McGlauflin finished in the top 10 in the league in batting average (.387) and on base percentage (.474) while Bedard finished at a .339 clip with a .448 on base percentage. Garber started in 39 games for Northwest at first base hitting .308 with 35 RBIs and was third on the team with a .525 slugging percentage in his first season.

2012 MIAA Champion Central Missouri nearly swept the end of year awards as Bret Schwartz was named Player of the Year and teammate Lee Stoppelman earned Pitcher of the Year accolades. The Mules head coach, Tommy Myers, earned his third Coach of the Year honors while Shawn Talkington of Emporia State was named Freshman of the Year.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Solid pitching performances from both Carson Smith and Jace Anderson propelled the Northwest Missouri State University baseball game to a season-ending doubleheader sweep of the Lincoln University Blue Tigers Sunday afternoon as they won 10-2 and 1-0.

With the wins, the Bearcats finish the 2012 season at 18-32 overall and 17-23 in the MIAA.  Northwest’s 17-23 conference record ranked the seventh in the MIAA this season, one spot short of making the six-team post-season conference tournament.

Game one was close through four and a half innings of play as the Blue Tigers entered the bottom of the fifth with a 2-1 lead but that soon changed as the Bearcats would plate six runs on six hits to take a 7-2 lead into the sixth.

Northwest added three more runs in the home half of the sixth before Nick Caldrone came on in relief to record the final three outs giving the Bearcats the 10-2 game one win.

Cameron Bedard and JJ Baccari led the Bearcats offensively, each recording three hits in the lop-sided victory.

Carson Smith recorded his third win of the season on the mound for Northwest pitching a stellar six innings while scattering seven hits, striking out four, and allowing no earned runs.

Game two showcased solid pitching from both starting pitchers as Jace Anderson would pitch the complete game shutout while striking out a career-high seven batters on his way to recording his third win of the season.

Lincoln’s Blake Jones carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning before giving up two hits with one out in the final frame including the fatal game-winning RBI single to Cameron Bedard.

The Bearcats’ 1-0 win in game two over the Blue Tigers was also Head Coach Darin Loe’s 500th career win at the collegiate level.  In Coach Loe’s 19-year coaching career, he has accumulated a 500-479 overall coaching record including a 344-345 record while at the helm of the Bearcats.

In all, six seniors played their final games for the Bearcats Sunday afternoon.  Catcher Landinn Eckhardt, pitchers Josh Parrish, Nick Caldrone, Sean Brady and Chris Green, along with infielder Geno DeAngelis all wore their Northwest uniforms for the final time.

— NWMSU Sports Information —-