Kansas City, Mo. – The MIAA formally announced Thursday that Lindenwood University will serve as the host for the 2016 MIAA Baseball Tournament.
The Tournament will be played at the Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles, Mo. The complex has hosted NCAA Regional Tournament games as well as hosting the 2009 NAIA National Championship opening round.
“Our coaches have requested that our post-season tournament return to campus sites and that the tournament be played in the format adopted,” said MIAA Commissioner Dr. Bob Boerigter. “We are pleased that Lindenwood University has agreed to host the 2016 event. Their quality facilities should provide a significant venue for the MIAA to conduct this competitive and exciting championship.”
“We are excited about hosting the 2016 MIAA Baseball Tournament. We feel like we have a great venue in the Lou Brock Complex,” said Lindenwood Athletic Director John Creer. “I think this will be a big boost for our baseball program and the St. Charles community. It will definitely fill up some hotel beds and provide restaurants with some business. It will also be an opportunity for Lindenwood University to show off our beautiful campus and the historic downtown St. Charles. This will also be motivation for our team to make sure we are playing well this coming season and get to the conference tournament, and give our students, parents, and fans an opportunity to watch them play in the tournament.”
The MIAA baseball tournament is scheduled for May 12-15 with a four-day eight-team double elimination tournament.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Game 1: #3 seed vs. #6 seed 9 a.m.
Game 2: #2 seed vs. #7 seed 12:30 p.m.
Game 3: #1 seed vs. #8 seed 4 p.m.
Game 4: #4 seed vs. #5 seed 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Game 5: Loser game 1 vs. Loser game 2 9 a.m.
Game 6: Loser game 3 vs. Loser game 4 12:30 p.m.
Game 7: Winner game 1 vs. Winner game 2 4 p.m.
Game 8: Winner game 3 vs. Winner game 4 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Game 9: Loser game 7 vs. Winner game 5 9 a.m.
Game 10: Winner game 8 vs. Winner game 9 12:30 p.m.
Game 11: Loser game 8 vs. Winner game 6 4 p.m.
Game 12: Winner game 7 vs. Winner game 10 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Game 13: Winner game 11 vs. Loser game 11 9 a.m. (If neccessary)
Game 14: Winner game 12 vs. Loser game 12 12:30 p.m. (If neccessary)
Game 15: MIAA Championship 4 p.m.
MARYVILLE, Mo. – Five outstanding former student-athletes, a legendary coach, an undefeated wrestling team and a dominate women’s tennis team will make up this year’s Northwest Missouri State University’s M-Club Hall of Fame class.
This year’s group features student-athletes Steve Coppinger (football), Karen Hopewell (softball), Josh Lamberson (football), Xavier Omon (football) and Allen Packer (wrestling). Former Bearcat coach Scott Bostwick (football) will also be posthumously inducted with the class this fall. In addition, the 1963-64 wrestling team and the 1996 women’s tennis team will be officially enshrined this October.
The Class of 2015 will be inducted into the M-Club Hall of Fame during the annual festivities on Friday, Oct. 23 in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom and will be recognized during the Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 24. Tickets for the Friday evening banquet are $25 each and may be purchased by contacting Michele Steinmeyer in the athletics office at 660-562-1977. Seating for the event is limited and the deadline to reserve your spot at the banquet is Oct. 9, or until tickets are sold out.
The 2015 class will bring the total of individual inductees to 130. The M-Club Hall of Fame was established for individuals in 1980 and teams were first enshrined beginning in 1989.
Coach Scott Bostwick (1994-2011) – Football
• Defensive Coordinator = 1994-2010, named the 18th head football coach in Northwest’s history in 2011
• Team won 12 MIAA championships, appeared in seven title games and won three NCAA Division II championships during his tenure
• 2007 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year
Steve Coppinger (1994-98) – Football
• 1st Team All-American (1998)
• 1st Team All-MIAA and All-Region (1997, 1998)
• Started every games during his 4 year career
Karen Hopewell (1983-86) – Softball
• First team All-MIAA (1985, 1986)
• MIAA Most Valuable Player in 1986 – first and only selection in school history
• First all-time in assists for a season (195 in 1985) and for a career (463)
Josh Lamberson (2002-05) – Football
• 2nd – Team All-MIAA (2004, 2005) / 3rd Team All-American (2005)
• Twice named first team Academic All-American (2004, 2005)
• CoSIDA and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American of the Year (2005)
Xavier Omon (2003-07) – Football
• Career (7,073) and Single Season (2,337) leader for rushing yards
• 92 career rushing TDs is the top mark in school history (+33 over 2nd place)
• Multiple first team All-America honors in 2007 (AP Little All-America, D2Football.com, Daktronics/CoSida, AFCA, Don Hansen Gazette)
Allen Packer (1962-66) – Wrestling
• Dominate career, highlighted by All-America honors in 1964
• Won program record 35 consecutive dual matches at one point in his career
• 29 career pins (10 in 1964-65 season tied a school record at the time)
1996 Women’s Tennis
• 20-5, MIAA Champions (5-0), finished #20 in nation
• 58 combined doubles wins – T3rd all-time in school history
• Four MIAA Individual Champions (Kim Buchan, Sherri Casady, Maria Groumoutis, Lia Ruiz)
1963-64 Wrestling
• 12-0 record
• 9th at NCAA Division II Tournament
• Two wrestlers earned All-America honors (Harvey Hallum, Allen Packer)
MARYVILLE, Mo. – During the 2010-11 season, Austin Meyer was in his third season as assistant men’s basketball coach at Northwest Missouri State when the Bearcats suffered their third straight losing season.
The last two of those seasons were under Ben McCollum, a young head coach learning the ropes in the rugged MIAA. A 22-31 record in those two years might cause some assistant coaches to do much more than dust off the resume.
But that’s not in Meyer’s DNA. Meyer, who played fours at Northwest, believed in McCollum.
“Playing with him as a teammate, he was that guy who had that drive,” Meyer said. “He went full throttle every time he was on the floor. He was the same way when I started working for him as a coach.
“There were still plenty of positive people who felt like we were going to get the job done. I’m sure there were some who thought these guys don’t know what the heck they are doing. I was very confident that with his competitiveness and work ethic that we would be able to get it going in the right direction.”
Considering the last four years of incredible success – three trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament and three MIAA regular-season championships, it is hard to remember Northwest was 12-15 in the 2009-10 season and 10-16 in 2010-11.
Loyalty through the two lean years meant a lot to McCollum.
“That is very difficult to do when you are with a 27-year-old, 28-year-old head coach,” McCollum said. “He stuck with me through that and with the program. He stuck with the process. That says a lot about his character.
“A lot of guys would have jumped ship or you would have heard them around town about how coach Mac can’t coach. I never heard that from anybody regards to him and that means a lot.”
As an assistant coach, Meyer did much more than just believe in McCollum. He worked and worked hard. Some of his duties included working with post players and being the top recruiter.
A big reason for Northwest’s four-year run is the recruitment and then development of high school players.
“He is an excellent recruiter,” McCollum said. “If you put him on one or two guys, he generally gets the job done.”
McCollum appreciates the job Meyer has done so much that he is elevating him to associate head coach, starting July 1.
“I think he is ready to be a head coach,” McCollum said. “He has been extremely valuable in a lot of different ways. The thing for my coaching staff and me is he is opposite from the way I am. He is laidback and goes with the flow. I’m a little more high strung. We fit perfectly together. He keeps the job fun. I try to do the same.”
Meyer said the promotion means a lot to him.
“I’ve been here for a while,” Meyer said. “I really like working for him. He has always fought for everybody, players and staff.”
Meyer loves Northwest. He arrived from Blue Springs High School more than a decade ago. He played four seasons for Steve Tappmeyer. When Meyer’s basketball playing days ended, he thought about going to Europe and playing professionally.
“But the graduate assistant position opened up and they hired me,” Meyer said. “After the graduate assistant position was done, a slot opened up as a fulltime assistant and I was fortunate enough that Tapp took a chance on me. I didn’t know what I was doing at that age.”
Meyer soaked in a lot of basketball knowledge in those seven years with Tappmeyer. And Meyer’s easygoing personality fit perfectly for the staff. Tappmeyer and McCollum bring a lot of intensity, but part of that comes with being a head coach.
One day, Meyer wants to be in those shoes.
“I have a very strong desire to be a head coach,” Meyer said. “I’ve talked a lot with people who have asked. I am not in any hurry to get out. I know there are a lot of people who job jump, always looking for the next job. I am a little different. I feel very comfortable where I am. I love the people I work with and work for and the kids we recruit. I enjoy going to practice every single day and seeing these kids.
“If a job opens up that I have a chance at and I don’t see a great chance of winning or great support, I am not going to take it just to say I am a head coach.”
In his new role, Meyer will get a little more taste of what it is like to be a head coach.
“I will put more decisions on him where he has to be the final say rather than suggesting,” McCollum said. “That is the big thing between assistant and head coach. Now you have to make the decision. It makes a big difference in how you do things.”
Don’t expect Meyer’s personality to change when he is given an opportunity to make a decision. He understands perfectly that McCollum is the head coach. Meyer’s job is to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
But Meyer is ready for that moment in practice or a game when McCollum turns to him and ask for a decision that the Bearcats will follow.
“He has used a lot of suggestions I have said,” Meyer said. “I think it is tough sometimes because as a head coach, you have everybody on the bench telling you something.
“I will give a suggestion when I strongly feel about something. But a lot of times I am confident that what he is doing is the right thing and I am going to support him on whatever he does. It is easy to second guess things after it happens.”
One of these years down the road, Meyer will depart Northwest for his own program. For now, Meyer is happy helping to make the Bearcats the best team in the MIAA and in NCAA Division II.
“This is my alma mater,” Meyer said. “There are some great people who work here and are associated with our university.”
MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University head women’s basketball coach Michael Smith has announced the additions of Taryne Shull and Jaylah Jackson to the Bearcats’ 2015-16 roster. Shull comes to Northwest after spending her freshman season at St. Bonaventure University in New York. Jackson played two seasons at the University of South Dakota.
“Our depth on the perimeter took a big step forward with the additions of Taryne and Jaylah,” said Smith. “Both of these players have extensive experience at the Division I level, something that I believe will translate very well to an always tough MIAA schedule. These two student-athletes are a great addition to an already impressive recruiting class.”
Shull, a 6-0 wing player from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, saw limited action at St. Bonaventure last season, appearing in four contests. As a prep player at Mt. Pleasant High School, Shull earned All-State, All-District and All-Conference accolades, averaging 16.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. She is the younger sister of Bearcat senior Taylor Shull.
Leavenworth, Kan., native Jackson appeared in 50 games for South Dakota in two seasons, averaging 8.0 minutes per game. She was an All-State honorable mention performer at Olathe Northwest High School in Olathe, Kan., averaging 11.0 points and 4.0 rebounds.
Northwest Missouri State finished 8-20 last season and went 4-15 in the MIAA.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Northwest Missouri State University men’s and women’s tennis teams were listed in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) national and regional rankings. The Northwest men were ranked No. 17 in the nation and No. 2 in the central region. Women’s senior Camila Quesada was ranked No. 37 in singles nationally.
MIAA Men’s Tennis Player of the Year Romain Boissinot finished the year ranked No. 35 nationally and was the No. 2 player in the central region. Mauro Tete finished the year ranked 13th in the region and Alvaro Riveros was No. 20. The doubles team of Riveros and Boissinot were ranked No. 9 in the region.
On the women’s side, Quesada earned the region’s No. 2 singles ranking. Quesada and Lorena Rivas Jarolim ranked No. 7 regionally in doubles. The Bearcat team finished the year ranked No. 5 in the final regional rankings.
Northwest Missouri State’s Chloe Wichmann rallied for a tenth place finish in the heptathlon on day two at the 2015 NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships on Friday.
There were 19 athletes competing in the event which took place in Allendale, Mich. on the home track of Grand Valley State University.
The lone representative from Northwest Missouri State participating in the meet, Wichmann finished in the top five in all three of Friday’s events.
Salcia Slack of New Mexico Highlands won the event with 5,691 total points.
Wichmann finished in the top ten after compiling a total of 5,012 points. After finishing day one in 17th place, she picked up seven spots in the standings in the final three disciplines.
The junior won the 800 meter run with a time of 2:12.03, picking up 935 points in the process. With her performance, Wichmann tied the school record in the event with Haley Manning, who ran the same time earlier this season.
The Kirksville, Mo. native started the day with a fifth place finish in the long jump after leaping 18-6.00.
Wichmann earned a third place finish in the javelin with a toss of 118-4.
COLUMBIA, MO. – Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades has recruited Wren Baker to join his leadership team at Mizzou, as announced Wednesday. Baker – one-time Athletic Director at Northwest Missouri State – has agreed to become Rhoades’ Deputy Director of Athletics (for External Relations), starting officially on Monday, June 8. At Mizzou, Baker will oversee all external relations units, and serve as the sport administrator for the men’s basketball program.
Baker, 36, comes to Mizzou from the University of Memphis, where he served as Deputy Director of Athletics/External Affairs from February 2013 to the present. At Memphis, Baker provided an immediate impact as the department secured the single largest gift in its history under his watch, while launching a $40 million capital campaign. In addition, suite sales and multi-media rights revenues set a new record and Memphis’ Tiger Scholarship Fund grew in membership and donations all in his first year.
Prior to joining Memphis, Baker was Director of Athletics at Northwest Missouri State, where he directed one of the nation’s top Division II athletic programs from February 2011-February 2013. Prior to his time at Northwest, he was the first-ever Director of Athletics at Rogers State University in Claremore, Okla., spending five years overseeing the growth of a start-up department into a very successful comprehensive program.
“We are very excited Wren is becoming a member of our team,” said Rhoades. He is regarded as one of the up-and-coming administrators in the nation and has established an impressive track record of success at every stop of his career path. Throughout his career, Wren has demonstrated terrific work ethic, the ability to genuinely connect with people and uncompromising integrity. He is a high-energy person who will provide great passion and leadership for our student-athletes, coaches and staff. We are thrilled Wren, his wife Heather and two daughters, Addisyn and Reagan are joining the Mizzou Athletics family,” said Rhoades.
“I am honored to be joining the Mizzou family and am grateful to Mack Rhoades for the opportunity,” said Baker. “The University of Missouri has a tremendous reputation and Mack is considered one of the best and brightest leaders in collegiate athletics. Our family is looking forward to returning to the “Show-Me State” and joining Mack’s team as we build on a proud and prestigious athletic tradition,” he said.
At Northwest Missouri State, Baker led the department to greater operational efficiencies and improved customer service. During his tenure at Northwest, his team secured the largest gift in department history, and increased revenues by an impressive 60 percent during his time there.
From 2006-11, Baker was Director of Athletics at Rogers State, where he was the youngest A.D. in the nation at any four-year university. While at RSU, he was also the first men’s basketball coach in school history, and promptly led the Hillcats to a 20-11 record in their first year of competition during the 2006-07 season. After one year as basketball coach, he relinquished those duties to focus on his administrative duties and continue the growth of RSU’s overall athletics operation.
Prior to joining Rogers State, Baker became the youngest principal in the state of Oklahoma. At 26, he was named principal and athletic director for Valliant Public Schools in his hometown of Valliant, Oklahoma.
Before entering administration Baker served as a basketball operations assistant in the Oklahoma State University athletic department from 2001 to 2005, coordinating a variety of initiatives under the direction of former head men’s basketball coach Eddie Sutton. During his four-year tenure at OSU, the men’s basketball team recorded a 102-30 record that included a trip to the Final Four during the 2004 season.
Baker received his bachelor’s degree in education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2001 and his master’s degree in education leadership from Oklahoma State University in 2003.
MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball coach Ben McCollum has announced the signing of Chris King to a National Letter of Intent. King, a 6-0 point guard from Hoover High School in Des Moines, Iowa, was a two-year all-state performer for the Huskies.
“Chris has a great feel for the game,” said McCollum. “He shoots the ball extremely well and does a great job making plays off the dribble. He can score from the perimeter, has a mid-range game and finishes well around the basket. He is also very unselfish and does a lot of things to help his team win. Chris is a great kid off the floor as well and we are extremely excited he chose to be a Bearcat.”
During his career, King scored over 1,000 points and led Hoover to a pair of CIML conference titles. As a senior King earned first-team All-State honors and led the Huskies to a 12-0 record in CIML play. King was named first team All-CIML twice and was also named the All-CIML Elite team captain. An all-district performer, King was named to the all-state tournament team and earned a spot in the Iowa All-Star game.
The Northwest Missouri State University men’s tennis team fell to Concordia (N.Y.) on Wednesday afternoon, 5-0, in the round of 16 at the 2015 NCAA Championship Tournament.
The match was played at the Suprise Racquet & Tennis Complex in Surprise, Ariz.
The No. 19 ranked Bearcats finish the season with a 19-7 overall record. Concordia, ranked No. 7 in the nation, improves to 21-4 and will face Lander on Thursday.
The Clippers claimed all three of the doubles points to begin the match. Northwest’s No. 2 tandem of Mauro Tete and Aymeric Autones fell in a tiebreak, 9-8.
In singles, Tete fell at No. 2 singles and Hicham Azzaoui fell at No. 4 to give Concordia the necessary five points.
Romain Boissinot fell in the first set but rebounded to win the second set. His match was square at 2-2 in the third set when the match was called.
At No. 3 singles, Alvaro Riveros won the first set, 6-4, and held a 4-3 lead in the second set as well but was unfinished as well.
Fin Glowick was up a set at No. 6 singles. It was 3-3 in the second set before it was called.
Singles competition
1. #33 Boissinot,Romain (NW) vs. #12 Jui Mao (CND-NY-M) 4-6, 6-1, 2-2, unfinished
2. #27 Juuso Ojanen (CND-NY-M) def. Tete,Mauro (NW) 6-4, 6-0
3. Riveros,Alvaro (NW) vs. Lorenzo Montegiorgi (CND-NY-M) 6-4, 4-3, unfinished
4. Benas Majauskas (CND-NY-M) def. Azzaoui,Hicham (NW) 6-1, 6-2
5. Altmann,Josef (NW) vs. Rafael Ferreira (CND-NY-M) 1-6, 1-2, unfinished
6. Glowick,Fin (NW) vs. Ofir Ginat (CND-NY-M) 6-3, 3-3, unfinished
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Northwest Missouri State University track and field junior Chloe Wichmann has qualified for the 2015 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The accepted list of entries was released today by the NCAA.
Wichmann, from Kirksville, Mo., is the Northwest school record holder in the heptathlon, the event in which she will compete at. Her mark of 5,235 points was an automatic qualifying standard and currently ranks her No. 5 in the nation.
Competition for the heptathlon will begin on Thursday, May 21, at 11 a.m. The meet is being hosted by Grand Valley State and the West Michigan Sports Commission in Allendale, Mich., on the home track of Grand Valley State. Live statistics and live video links will be made available at a later time.
Kansas City, Mo. – The MIAA formally announced Thursday that Lindenwood University will serve as the host for the 2016 MIAA Baseball Tournament.
