We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Category: College

Northwest Missouri State volleyball volleyball adds McMullen, Sturdevant and Rose-Gronewold

Posted on

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University head volleyball coach Amy Woerth has announced the additions of Rachel Sturdevant, Sophie McMullen and Eran Rose-Gronewold to the 2018 Bearcat roster. Sturdevant (Kansas City, Mo.), 5-11, was an all-state performer at Northland Christian High School. McMullen (Bucyrus, Kan.), 5-11, earned first-team all-state honors at Louisburg High School. Rose-Gronewold (Waverly, Neb.), 5-4, earned all-state honors at Waverly High School.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this class. All three of these players play on the top club teams in each of their home states. They also play in great high school programs with histories of high level finishes,” said Woerth. “This group of young women will bring a high level of athleticism, but just as important, they each bring intangibles that will make our team better every day. They all share an extremely high work ethic and want to take this program to the championship level. I look forward to working with this group.”

McMullen earned a pair of First Team All-Frontier League honors for head coach Jessica Compliment. During her career, she compiled 1,141 digs, 783 kills and 272 aces. As a senior, McMullen earned 4A First Team All-State honors and was named to the All-State Tournament Team.

“Sophie thrives on not only competing at the highest level but also winning. She possess great ball control and has a natural touch. She’s an experienced 6 rotation player that has excelled while carrying a large load for her team. I’m thrilled she’s a Bearcat and look forward to helping her develop at the next level.”

Sturdevant won a pair of state titles for head coach Brandy Tanner in 2016 and 2017, earning All-State honors during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. She was also a three-time all-district performer and surpassed 1,000 career kills. Sturdevant is a three-time Academic All-State honoree, was named Academic All-Conference and has been named to the Principals A Honor Roll four times.

“Rachel is a very versatile player and has the ability to hit from any position. She’s a great teammate who understands how to buy into a role and support the vision of the leadership. Her high school and club teams have won at the highest levels and she brings in championship experience. She’s a winner and I’m stoked to see the impact she has on our program. ”

Rose-Gronewold is a multi-sport athlete earning Lincoln Journal Star Class B All State honors in 2017 and a member of the 2017 Class B 4×100 Relay State Runner-Up team. She earned Nebraska Prep Dig Volleyball All-State Second Team along with Nebraska Prep Dig Volleyball Class B First Team in 2017. She holds the Waverly High School digs in a single season record. Rose-Gronewold is a two-time Academic All-Conference honoree and is a member of the Waverly High School National Honors Society.

“Eran is a very athletic player who brings a lot of speed to the back court. She’s one of the best communicators we’ve recruited in her position. She adds depth to our ball control and loves grinding in tough situations. Defensively she shows a tenacity to dig every ball and that passion will be contagious for our team. Eran has great potential and in our system she’s going to take off.”

— Northwest Athletics —

Nine Griffons earn All-MIAA baseball honors

Posted on

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Nine Griffons were named to the 2018 All-MIAA baseball team.

Dusty Stroup was named to the second team. It was Stroup’s second-straight All-MIAA selection after being named honorable mention and the MIAA Co-Freshman of the Year in 2017. Stroup entered the MIAA Championships second on the team with a .313 batting average and led the team with 42 RBIs.

Jacob Miller was named third team All-MIAA. In his first season at MWSU, Miller finished the regular season with the lowest ERA, 3.98, among regular Griffon starting pitchers. His 8-2 record was the best on the staff heading into the postseason.

Honorable mention selections included Nate Hunter (starting pitcher), Preston Bailey (relief pitcher), Kellan Richards (relief pitcher), Brooks Day (second base), Casey Danley (third base) and Levi Schreiner (utility). Hunter, Bailey and Schreiner all became two-time All-MIAA selections. Hunter led the team with 95 innings pitched. Bailey’s 2.49 ERA was a team-low among qualifying pitchers. Richards broke MWSU’s single season appearance record and entered the postseason with the most appearances in Division II (32). Day finished the regular season third on the team with a .308 batting average and second in many other offensive categories. Danley led the Griffons in practically every offensive category and was the only player in the MIAA with at least 11 home runs and 15 stolen bases. Schreiner played all over the field for the Griffons in 44 games, he batted .289 and drove in 22 runs.

Receiving gold glove awards from the MIAA were Day and pitcher Levi Abrahamson. Day started all 50 games this season and recorded a .962 fielding percentage with 133 putouts and 118 assists. He committed 10 errors in 261 chances and was a part of 36 double plays. Abrahamson recorded four putouts and had 10 assists in his 14 chances. He did not record an error.

2018 All-MIAA Awards
Coach of the Year – Damon Day, Nebraska Kearney
Player of the Year – Alex Achtermann, Nebraska Kearney
Pitcher of the Year – Seth Holman, Emporia State
Freshman of the Year – Tyler Cassmeyer, Lindenwood

All-MIAA First Team
Pitcher- Seth Holman, Emporia State
Pitcher – Joseph Hieptas, Northwest Missouri
Pitcher – Dalton Morrow, Southwest Baptist
Relief Pitcher – Trevor Dudar, Northwest Missouri
Catcher – Hudson Bilodeau, Northwest Missouri
First Base – Collin Nevil, Central Missouri
Second Base – Dallas Reed, Pittsburg State
Shortstop- Colton Pogue, Pittsburg State
Third Base – Drew Quinones, Lindenwood
Outfield – Bryce Fischer, Emporia State
Outfield – Wes Degener. Lindenwood
Outfield – Brandon Hernandez, Nebraska Kearney
Designated Hitter – Reece Garvie, Pittsburg State
Utility – Alex Achtermann, Nebraska Kearney

All-MIAA Second Team
Pitcher- Ryan LeMoine, Central Oklahoma
Pitcher – Josh Cooper, Nebraska Kearney
Pitcher – Tyler Cassmeyer, Lindenwood
Relief Pitcher – Cody White, Pittsburg State
Catcher – Hunter Hisky, Southwest Baptist
First Base – Paul Kropf, Central Oklahoma
Second Base – Kyle Miskovsky, Central Oklahoma
Shortstop – Dusty Stroup, Missouri Western
Third Base – Alex Weiss, Fort Hays State
Outfield – Erik Webb, Central Missouri
Outfield – Brett Young, Nebraska Kearney
Outfield – Mason Janvrin, Central Missouri
Designated Hitter – Travis Able, Central Missouri
Utility – Josh Crosby, Washburn

All-MIAA Third Team
Pitcher- Brad Roberts, Northwest Missouri
Pitcher – Tanner Cairns, Emporia State
Pitcher – Jacob Miller, Missouri Western
Relief Pitcher* – Luke Mercer, Central Missouri
Relief Pitcher* – Cooper Gardner, Pittsburg State
Catcher – Mason Brown, Emporia State
First Base – Ty Roseberry, Nebraska Kearney
Second Base – Scott Platt, Nebraska Kearney
Shortstop – Justin Brown, Central Oklahoma
Third Base – Cody White, Pittsburg State
Outfield – Jovan Afenir, Pittsburg State
Outfield – Jake Dyer, Central Oklahoma
Outfield – Cory Canterbury, Missouri Southern
Designated Hitter – Luke Hassman, Northwest Missouri
Utility – Addison Kaasch, Fort Hays
*-Denotes Tie in Voting

2018 MIAA Gold Glove Team
Pitcher – Levi Abrahamson, Missouri Western
Catcher – Mason Brown, Emporia State
First Base – Kaden Shaffer, Emporia State
Second Base – Brooks Day, Missouri Western
Shortstop – Justin Brown, Central Oklahoma
Third Base – Cody White, Pittsburg State
Outfield – Mason Janvrin, Central Missouri
Outfield – Bryce Fischer, Emporia State
Outfield* – Jovan Afenir, Pittsburg State
Outfield* – Johnny Balsamo, Missouri Southern
Outfield* – Clint Jack, Southwest Baptist
Outfield* – Carl Schwettman, Southwest Baptist

*-Denotes Tie in Voting

2018 MIAA Honorable Mentions

Central Missouri – Luke Lucas-Starting Pitcher, Zak Whalin-Catcher, Harrison Schnurbusch-Shortstop, John Fairchild-Third Base

Central Oklahoma – Tyler Culver-Starting Pitcher, Josh Rutland-Relief Pitcher, Ben Wusterbarth-Relief Pitcher, Dayne Sommer-Catcher, Xavier Freeman-Outfield

Emporia State – Kaden Shaffer-First Base, Brian Grove-Second Base, Mack Gowing-Outfield

Fort Hays – Dayton Pomeroy-First Base

Lindenwood- Kyle Hentis-Starting Pitcher, Brett Anderson-Second Base, Dominic Revetta-Designated Hitter

Missouri Southern – Zac Shoemaker-Starting Pitcher, Corbin Osburn-Starting Pitcher, Logan VanWey-Relief Pitcher, Alex Phillips-First Base, Denver Coffee-Shortstop, Johnny Balsamo-Outfield, Mike Million-Outfield, Alec Alvarez-Utility

Missouri Western – Nate Hunter-Starting Pitcher, Preston Bailey-Relief Pitcher, Kellan Richards-Relief Pitcher, Brooks Day-Second Base, Casey Danley-Third Base, Levi Schreiner-Utility

Nebraska Kearney – Alex Achtermann-Starting Pitcher, Eric Sandoz-Relief Pitcher, Dallas Schramm-Catcher,

Northeastern State – Ben Strahm-Starting Pitcher, Dustin Berrong-Starting Pitcher, Tristian Ridenour-Catcher, Jaxon Phipps-Second Base, Erick Espinosa-Shortstop, Michael Rhea-Outfield, Zach Henderson-Designated Hitter

Northwest Missouri – Jacob Wagner-Relief Pitcher, Kevin Handzlik-First Base, Mondesi Gutierrez-Second Base, Aaron Rycraft-Shortstop, Landon Figg-Third Base, Aaron Barratt

Pittsburg State – Brendan Stanek-Starting Pitcher, Josh Whisler-Catcher, Hunter Clanin-Outfield, Andrew Vogelbaugh-Outfield

Southwest Baptist – Tyler Mathys-Shortstop, Andrew Meier-Outfield, Clint Jack-Outfield, Carl Schwettman-Outfield,

Washburn – Josh Ramirez-Starting Pitcher, Darian Abram-Outfield, Javis Larson-Outfield

— MWSU Athletics —

MWSU’s Shi Qing Ong wins playoff to advance to DII National Championships

Posted on

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – For the second time in her Griffon career, Missouri Western women’s golfer Shi Qing Ong will play in the NCAA Division II National Championships.

The junior birdied a three-player, one-hole playoff for one of the final two individual qualifying spots for the national championships. Ong finished the tournament in a three-way tie for fifth place after turning in the second lowest score of Wednesday’s third and final round of the NCAA Division II Central Super Regional. Ong’s 2-under, 70, on Wednesday was only bested by second place finisher Peerada Piddon of Arkansas Tech’s 68. The three-way tie for fifth forced the playoff between Ong, Southwestern Oklahoma State’s Elin Wahlin and Central Missouri’s Olivia Sobaski. Ong birdied the playoff hole and Sobaski shot par to move on with her MIAA counterpart.

Missouri Western carded a 304 on Wednesday, eight strokes better than their previous lowest round of the tournament. The great day at Missouri Bluffs didn’t translate to movement in the standings as the Griffons finished in ninth place.

Chong Yong finished tied for 19th with a three-round total of 228 after a 3-over 75 in round three. Tiffanie Yabut turned in an 80 on Wednesday to finish with a 240 total. Jana Kosmatka had her best round of the regional on Wednesday with a 79 and a three-round total of 241. Katie Irvin also turned in her best round, Wednesday, with an 80 to finish with a 253.

Augustana (S.D.) claimed the team championship with a three-round total of 890. Lindenwood finished second and Arkansas Tech was third. Those three teams along with the three top individuals from non-qualifying teams advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships at Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas, May 16-19. It will be Ong’s second appearance at the event after the women’s team advanced, on a playoff, in 2017.

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri Western men earn top 10 finish at NCAA Regional

Posted on

FINDLAY, Ohio – The Missouri Western men’s golf team finished the 2018 NCAA Division II Midwest/Central Regional with a top-10 finish in the team’s first regional appearance since 2008.

Missouri Western carded a 296 on the third and final round Wednesday at Findlay Country Club to move up five spots from the second round. Missouri Western tied for ninth with MIAA member Central Oklahoma. The two were the highest finishers of four MIAA teams competing in the regional.

For the third-straight day, the Griffons had a player turn in a 70 or better. Wednesday it was Lucas Horseman’s turn with a 1-under par 70. Missouri Western’s No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 golfers turned in the team’s lowest rounds of the regional. First it was Cole Roberts’ (5) 3-under 69 on day one. Tom Buffington (3) improved by 10 strokes from day one to day two with a 1-under 70 on Tuesday.

Roberts finished with the team’s lowest individual score. He turned in a 79 on Wednesday to finish with a 221 and a tie for 28th place. Patrick McCarthy carded a 78 in the final round to finish with a 223. Buffington was at 74 on Wednesday for a 224 total and Horseman’s 70 brought his three-round total to 230.

— MWSU Athletics —

MWSU men fall to 14th despite a five-shot improvement at NCAA regional

Posted on

FINDLAY, Ohio – Griffon Men’s Golf improved by five shots on day two of the NCAA Division II Midwest/Central Regional Tuesday.

Missouri Western turned in a 292 on Tuesday after a 297, Monday. The Griffons weren’t the only ones showing improvement from day one to day two. Despite the improvement, Missouri Western dropped to a tie for 14th place in the overall standings. Missouri Western was just nine shots behind fifth place Missouri-St. Louis after day two, though.

Tom Buffington was the big mover for the Griffons, shooting a 2-under 70 after carding an 80 on day one. Kevin Kim also improved, Tuesday, turning in a 4-over 75 after a 77 on Monday. Cole Roberts sat eighth after a 1-over 73 on day two for a two-round total of 142. Patrick McCarth was 2-over on day two and sat tied for 22nd with a 148. Lucas Horseman shot an 81 on Tuesday.

The tightly contested field will fight for NCAA Division II National Championships qualification on the third and final day of competition Wednesday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Western women finish day two in ninth at NCAA golf regional

Posted on

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Missouri Western Women’s Golf team ended the second round and day of the NCAA Central Super Regional in ninth place.

The Griffons’ round two 313 was just one stroke more than their round one score, but dropped the team two spots in the overall standings. Most scores were down, Tuesday, with the overall leader Lindenwood carding a 293 on day two.

Shi Qing Ong sat tied for eighth after a 5-over 77 on day two. After two days, Ong had a 150. Chong Yong turned in the low round for the Griffons, Tuesday, with a 2-over 74, five strokes better than her round one score. Tiffanie Yabut and Jenna Kosmatka both turned in 81s in round two with Katie Irvin carding an 86.

The third and final round begins Wednesday at 8 a.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Brad Hill to step down as K-State baseball coach

Posted on

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State head baseball coach Brad Hill, the program’s all-time winningest coach and two-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, will step down at the end of the 2018 season, K-State Director of Athletics Gene Taylor announced Tuesday.

“With the best interest of the program in mind, I have decided to step aside after 15 seasons,” Hill said. “It’s come time for the program to move in a new direction and regain the energy it once had, and with the new facility on the horizon, now is the perfect time. My family and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a special place and we now look forward to the next chapter in our lives.”

“Coach Hill has provided an unwavering commitment to our baseball program for 15 years and advanced it to an unprecedented level with our first-ever conference championship and multiple NCAA Regional appearances,” Taylor said. “He has given so much to K-State, building our program to a championship level in a first-class manner with the utmost integrity. I admire and appreciate all he and his family have done for K-State and wish them nothing but the best. We look forward to honoring him the remainder of the season and finishing strong starting this weekend against the Jayhawks.”

In 2017, Hill became the Wildcats’ all-time wins leader with his 436th victory on April 22 against West Virginia at Tointon Family Stadium, passing longtime head coach Mike Clark. He currently has 463 victories at K-State.

“I can’t thank enough the great people of K-State and Manhattan who gave us a chance to be successful here, notably Tim Weiser (former Athletics Director) and Casey Scott (Executive Associate Athletics Director) who hired me and placed their trust in me to lead this program,” added Hill. “My deepest gratitude goes out to all the tremendous coaches and support staff who worked tirelessly, in particular Sean McCann, Tom Myers and Scott Bird who started with me in 2004 and helped establish our program.

“And I especially want to thank all the players who contributed to the rise of this program with their commitment and hard work, guys that built the foundation in my first seasons here, to those that took it to new heights that included a Big 12 title and a Super Regional and to the present players. So many guys have their fingerprints on this program, there are too many to name. K-State is a special place, and I look forward to seeing the program get back to where it needs to be under new leadership.”

In 15 seasons as the K-State skipper, Hill has guided the Wildcats from the depths of the league to four NCAA Regional appearances, a Super Regional berth and the first conference championship since 1933. The success reached an all-time high in 2013, as the Cats won the Big 12 title and reached their first-ever Super Regional.

Hill inherited a program in 2004 that had just one winning season from 1998 to 2003. Seven of his first eight seasons in charge saw the Cats at or above .500, including a trip to the Big 12 Championship in his fourth season (2007).

Predicted to finish ninth in the conference in 2009, Hill guided K-State to a then-school record 43-win season and its first-ever NCAA Regional appearance. Hill, who also garnered ABCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 2009, helped the Cats earn their first top-10 ranking and finished the season in the national polls for the first time in school history.

Hill went on to lead the Wildcats to four regional berths in five seasons, capped by reaching the Corvallis Super Regional in 2013 and were a game away from reaching the College World Series. 2013 saw the Cats win a program-record 45 games.

With an ability to develop talent, Hill has groomed 58 players that were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, including 46 Wildcats with at last one selected in every season while at K-State.

Under Hill’s watch, he has seen 18 All-Americans, 55 All-Big 12 selections, 84 Academic All-Big 12 honorees, eight freshman All-Americans, three academic All-Americans and three Big 12 players of pitchers of the year.

Prior to his time in Manhattan, Hill guided Central Missouri State to a national championship in 2003 and boasted a career winning percentage of .821 (418-91) over his nine seasons coaching the Mules.

A native of Galva, Kansas, Hill has more than 30 years of service as a head coach or assistant at the collegiate level, including stints at Hutchinson Community College and Kansas prior to his time at CMSU and K-State.

He owns an overall head coaching record 964-530-3 including at the NCAA Division I, II and junior college levels.

Friday will begin Hill’s final home series, as the Kansas Jayhawks visit Tointon Family Stadium for a three-game series. Friday’s and Saturday’s games will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the Sunday finale set for 12 p.m.

A national search for K-State’s 21st head baseball coach will begin immediately.

— K-State Athletics —

Griffon men in ninth after day one of NCAA Regional

Posted on

FINDLAY, Ohio – The Missouri Western men’s golf team is tied for ninth after its first round of regional play in 11 years.

The Griffons turned in a 297 in round one at Findlay Country Club to tie for ninth with Saginaw Valley State. Missouri Western was just eight strokes behind third place Bellarmine, but Tiffin has a six-stroke lead on second place Indianapolis with an incredible, 7-under, 281 on day one. Missouri Western was second among MIAA teams in the field, just two shots behind Central Oklahoma for eighth place.

Two individuals sat inside the top-10 after Monday’s play. Cole Roberts was tied for third and just two shots off the lead with a 3-under par in his first-ever round of regional golf. Patrick McCarthy was tied for 10th with a 1-under in his second-straight regional appearance. Kevin Kim turned in a 78; Lucas Horseman a 79 and Tom Buffington carded an 80.

— MWSU Athletics —

MWSU women sit in seventh after opening day of NCAA Regional

Posted on

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Missouri Western women’s golf team sits in seventh after the first round of the NCAA Division II Women’s Regional at Missouri Bluffs in St. Charles, Missouri.

As a team the Griffons turned in a 312 in Monday’s first round and are 11 strokes back of Arkansas Tech, the leaders. Shi Qing Ong turned in a 1-over par 73 to tie her for seventh. The junior is just three strokes back of the leaders, Josefina Haupt of Lindenwood and Ellin Wahlin of Southwestern Oklahoma State.

The Griffons finished in their playing order with Tiffanie Yabut carding an 8-over 79 to tie her for 29th with teammate Chong Yong and others. Jenna Kosmatka shot and 81 and Katie Irvin finished round one with an 84.

Irvin will tee off first for Missouri Western, Tuesday, at 9:50 a.m. The rest of her team will follow in order every 10 minutes leading to Shi Qing Ong at 10:30 a.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffons win series against Nebraska-Kearney, earn No. 6 seed in MIAA Tournament

Posted on
ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western baseball team (28-22, 20-16) closed out the regular season with a series clinching 7-3 win over Nebraska Kearney (28-22, 21-15) Sunday at the Griffon Spring Sports Complex.

The win secured the Griffons the No. 6-seed in next week’s MIAA Championships. At the end of Missouri Western’s game, the full seeding was not determined, but Missouri Western’s opening opponent was set. Central Missouri’s Sunday loss to Northeastern State made the Mules the No. 3-seed and the Griffons’ opponent Thursday, May 10 in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Missouri Western led 2-0 after three innings, but Nebraska Kearney took the lead in the fifth after two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth. The Griffons answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-3 lead they never relinquished.

NOTABLES

  • Bailey Zimmer went 3-for-3 at the plate plus two walks. He drove in one and scored once
  • Maurice Bruce went 2-for-4 with two RBI
  • Case Danley went 2-for-4 with two runs scored
  • Brooks Day was 2-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and one driven in
  • Dusty Stroup went 2-for-5
  • Preston Bailey (5-3) picked up the win in relief for the second-straight day
  • Ryan Smith continued his impressive run as a reliever. He went from designated hitter to closer in the ninth, holding UNK without a hit or run. Smith has allowed just four hits through nine relief innings.
  • It was the final MIAA game for Nebraska Kearney. It was announced earlier in the season, the Lopers’ baseball program will be cut following the season. Prior to Sunday’s game, the Missouri Western players and staff tipped their caps to the Nebraska Kearney team in recognition of the program’s final regular season game. UNK will play in next week’s MIAA Championships as the No. 5 seed.

UP NEXT
The No. 6-seeded Griffons will take on the host, No. 3-seed Central Missouri in the opening round of the MIAA Championships at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 10.

The top-seed in the tournament is Central Oklahoma as the Bronchos play eighth-seeded Northeastern State at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Northwest Missouri claimed the second seed and plays seventh-seeded Emporia State at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Pittsburg State earned the fourth seed and plays fifth-seeded Nebraska Kearney at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The MIAA Championships will be played at James R. Crane Stadium at Robert N. Tompkins Field in Warrensburg, Missouri and all of the Missouri Western games will be broadcast live on ESPN 1550 AM.

— MWSU Athletics —
Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File