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Category: College

Griffon women’s golfers win Bearcat Fall Classic

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The Missouri Western women’s golf team took first at the Bearcat Fall Golf Classic hosted by Northwest Missouri State at the Mozingo Lake Golf Course. Western shot a two round total of 678 (335-343) 17 strokes better than Northwest Missouri State’s 695 (353-342).

Rockhurst University finished in third with a 721 (355-366) while William Jewell and Ottawa finished in fourth and fifth with 733 (363-370) and 833 (414-419) respectively.

The winner of the event was Cassie Lowell of Northwest Missouri State firing a two round total of 162 (81-81) four strokes better than William Jewell’s Chloe Kittle’s 166 (81-85). Shelby Stone of Western finished third with a 167 (85-82).

Four other Griffons finished in the top-10 with Casi Webb finishing in 6th with a 172 (87-85). Natalie Bird and Kristen Cooley fired 173’s tying for seventh while Darcy Smith fired a 176 tying for 10th. Britni Nikes, Lauryn Huske-Davies and Sarah Campbell played individually firing 187, 193 and 196 respectively.

The Griffons will compete next at the Park University Fall Classic in Parkville, Mo. The event will be played on Monday, October 10 and Tuesday, October 11 at The Duece @ The National in Parkville, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Western women’s golfers lead Bearcat Fall Classic after Day One

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The Missouri Western women’s golf team holds an 18 stroke lead after day one of the Bearcat Fall Golf Classic hosted by Northwest Missouri State University. The Griffons fired 335 on a windy day at the par-72 Mozingo Lake Golf Course. Host school Northwest Missouri State sits in second with a 353 while Rockhurst is third with a 355.

William Jewell and Ottawa sit in fourth and fifth with a 363 and 414 respectively. Graceland University did not qualify for team scoring as Carolina Fonseca and Nicolette Westmoland withdrew from competition.

Griffon golfer Natalie Bird sits in a tie for second with Northwest’s Cassie Lowell and William Jewell’s Chloe Kittle firing 81’s. The leader of the event is Emily Gonderinger of Rockhurst University firing a round one of 80.

Kristen Cooley sits in fifth with an 82 while Shelby Stone and Casi Webb sit in sixth and a tie for eighth with 85 and 87 respectively. Darcy Smith sits in a tie for 16th with a 91. Individually Britni Nikes, Sarah Campbell and Lauryn Huske Davies finished with rounds of 92, 96 and 96 respectively.

The final round of the classic will be a shotgun start, beginning at 9 am on Friday morning.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Bearcat soccer team gets blanked by Truman

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Northwest Missouri State University soccer team battled 18 mph winds Thursday night as they were routed by the Truman State Bulldogs 2-0 in a defensive battle at Bearcat Pitch.

The Bearcats fall to 5-3-2, 2-0 MIAA after beating Emporia State 2-1 Tuesday.  With the win, the Truman State Bulldogs improve to 6-4-2, 3-0 MIAA and remain in control of the MIAA.

Northwest was outshot in the first half 13-0 with sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Adams recording seven saves.

With the wind being to their advantage the Bulldogs struck first in the 7th minute when Trisha Shoemaker found the net off of an assist from Olivia Hayes.  This would be the only goal of the half.

The Bearcats’ defiant defense would prevail in the second half with them allowing only three shots by the Bulldogs; however, Northwest was unable to find the net for just the third time this season and was blanked for the second time this season by the Bulldogs.

Truman State would put the game out-of-reach in the 86th minute when Kelsey Twellman found the net for the Bulldogs.

Truman State had three corner kicks in the contest while the Bearcats had eleven.  Kelsey Adams recorded eight saves in the loss for Northwest.  Jayne Grisham recorded one save for the Bulldogs.

Up Next: The Bearcats continue MIAA play this Saturday when they travel to Topeka, Kan. to face the Washburn Lady Blues (1-7-2, 1-0-1 MIAA).  Overall Northwest is 2-12-3 when facing Washburn and is 0-6-2 when facing the Lady Blues in Topeka.  The Lady Blues were tabbed to place fifth in the 2011 preseason coaches’ poll, one spot ahead of the Bearcats.  Kick-off from Yager Stadium in Topeka is set for 6 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western names Kurt McGuffin new Director of Athletics

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Missouri Western State University President Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian today introduced Kurt McGuffin as Western’s next director of athletics. McGuffin, currently assistant athletic director/director of athletics development at the University of Colorado-Boulder, will start at Western on Oct. 31.

”I believe that Kurt has the experience and professionalism to be an exceptional athletic director at Missouri Western,” said Dr. Vartabedian. ”I was especially impressed with his previous athletic administrative experience at universities of various sizes. Also, he has a track record of significant accomplishments in public relations, marketing and fundraising for intercollegiate athletics. Finally, he has some very good connections in our region. I ask all Griffons to join me in welcoming Kurt and his family to St. Joseph and Missouri Western.”

”It’s a great honor to be named Missouri Western’s athletic director,” said McGuffin. ”I look forward to working with Dr. Vartabedian and his administration, the coaches and athletics staff, and our student-athletes to keep the department moving in a positive direction.”

More than 80 people applied for the position. McGuffin was one of four finalists invited for on-campus interviews.

McGuffin has been at Colorado since 2010. In that position, he created and implemented a new annual giving program which increased total giving by 15 percent and added more than 600 members in the first year. He assisted with fundraising and development of a new $12.5 million court sport practice facility.

Prior to his time at Colorado, McGuffin served 10 years in the Kansas State University athletic department. From 2008-2010, he served as senior associate athletic director for external operations. He was the administrator for men’s basketball, men’s and women’s track and field/cross country and men’s and women’s golf. He oversaw all external operations in the department, including development, ticketing, marketing and communication offices. The department completed more than $25 million in facility enhancements.

McGuffin had a role in drawing more fans to Kansas State sporting events. He led marketing campaigns that generated the biggest football opening day crowd in Kansas State’s history and led the sales group that sold out men’s basketball games three out of four years. During his tenure, Kansas State women’s basketball and volleyball were in the top 10 nationally for attendance.

Previously at Kansas State, McGuffin served as associate director of athletics for development from 2005-2008. In that role, he directed the efforts of six fundraisers and four staff members to raise more than $12 million annually. He also oversaw the ticket office, which generated more than $16 million in revenue. McGuffin successfully completed the $90 million athletics department piece of the $500 million ”Changing Lives” university-wide capital campaign, and oversaw a $16.5 million growth in the endowment for athletics.

Also at Kansas State, McGuffin served as assistant director of athletics for annual giving and assistant director of athletic development. He also served as assistant director of athletics for development at the University of Idaho in 1999 and 2000, and as a graduate assistant for fundraising at Wichita State University, director of men’s basketball operations at Eastern Washington University and head men’s basketball student assistant at Kansas State.

McGuffin received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Kansas State in 1996 and his Master of Science in Education from Wichita State in 1999.

— MWSU News Release —

Big 12 releases preseason men’s basketball honors

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Forward Perry Jones III (Baylor) has been named as the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year, it was announced. It marks the first time in BU history that the school has had the conference’s preseason Player of the Year. Forward Royce White (Iowa State) is the Preseason Newcomer of the Year, while LeBryan Nash (Oklahoma State) was tabbed Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year. Players honored in preseason voting were selected by the league head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their own student-athletes.

Jones III returns to Waco after bypassing the opportunity to become a NBA lottery pick. The sophomore started a Baylor freshman-record 30 games last season, averaging 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 54.9 percent. He was named to the USBWA Freshman All-America Team, the All-Big 12 Second Team and Big 12 All-Rookie Team.

White sat out last season after transferring from the University of Minnesota. He did not compete in any contests as a Golden Gopher, but was rated as one of the top 20 high school players in the nation in 2009. White was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Minnesota that year after averaging 16.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He shot 60 percent from the field en route to first team all-state honors.

Nash earned McDonald’s and Parade All-America Team honors in 2011. He was rated in the top five at his position by multiple outlets after posting 22 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game as a senior, including 24 outings with 20 points or more. Nash also played for the USA squad that won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas U18 Championships this past summer.

The Preseason All-Big 12 team was also announced. In addition to Jones, Thomas Robinson (Kansas), Marcus Denmon (Missouri), J’Covan Brown (Texas) and Khris Middleton (Texas A&M) were recognized. It marked the first time since 2004 that Missouri has had an athlete on the preseason team.

Preseason Player of the Year
Perry Jones III, Baylor, F, 6-11, 235, So., Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville

Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Royce White, Iowa State, F, 6-8, 270, So., Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins/University of Minnesota

Preseason Freshman of the Year
LeBryan Nash, Oklahoma State, G/F, 6-7, 230, Fr., Dallas, Texas/Lincoln

2011-12 Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Name, School             Pos.     Ht.     Wt.     Class     Hometown/Previou School(s)
Perry Jones III, Baylor**     F     6-11     235     So.     Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville
Thomas Robinson, Kansas**     F     6-9     237     Jr.     Washington, D.C./Brewster Academy [N.H.]
Marcus Denmon, Missouri     G     6-3     185     Sr.     Kansas City, Mo./Hogan Prep
J’Covan Brown, Texas         G     6-1     197     Jr.     Port Arthur, Texas/Memorial
Khris Middleton, Texas A&M**     F     6-7     210     Jr.     North Charleston, S.C./Porter-Gaud

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school): Quincy Acy, Baylor; Chris Allen & Royce White, Iowa State; Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas; Laurence Bowers & Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri; LeBryan Nash, Oklahoma State

— Big 12 Press Release —

Big 12 hands out preseason women’s basketball honors

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Brittney Griner (Baylor) was named Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, highlighting the Conference’s 2011-12 Women’s Basketball preseason awards. Kelsey Bone (Texas A&M) was selected Preseason Newcomer of the Year, while Cassie Peoples (Texas) and Alexia Standish (Texas A&M) tied for Preseason Freshman of the Year in a vote of the league’s head coaches. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.

Griner was the 2011 Big 12 Player and Defensive Player of the Year as well as unanimous All-America. The two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection was Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship and named the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association’s Defensive Player of the Year. Griner led Baylor to both the Big 12 regular season and postseason championships, along with an appearance in the NCAA Elite Eight. The 6-8 junior center topped the Big 12 with 23 points and seven blocks last year. She enters her junior season 54 blocks shy of setting the Big 12 career record. Griner was the only collegiate player named to the 2011 USA Basketball Women’s National Team European tour roster.

Bone will be a sophomore in athletic eligibility at Texas A&M after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. The 6-5 center averaged 14 points and 9.2 rebounds as a freshman at South Carolina. She was named Second Team All-SEC and to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2010. Bone was also selected as a Freshman All-America by Full Court Press.

Peoples was named the 2011 Texas Class 5A-District 17 Most Valuable Player after leading Cy-Fair to a second-place finish in the district and a second round playoff game. The 5-6 guard scored a total of 49 points in her pair of postseason appearances. Peoples and the Lady Bobcats won the Texas Class 5A state championship in 2010. She was selected to compete in the 2011 McDonald’s All-American Game and was most recently named to the USA TODAY All-USA Girls Basketball Third Team.

Standish averaged 23 points, six assists and four steals as a senior at Colleyville (Texas) Heritage High School. She was a 2011 WBCA High School All-America honorable mention selection and played in the TABC Class 5A-4A All-Star Game. The 5-8 guard also was named to the 2011 TGCA All-Star Team. Standish is a two-time TABC Class 5A All-State and All-Region pick. She also earned a gold medal while playing on the 2009 USA Women’s Basketball U16 National Team in Mexico City.

In addition to Griner, the remainder of the Preseason All-Big 12 team includes Odyssey Sims (Baylor), Carolyn Davis (Kansas), Toni Young (Oklahoma State), Chassidy Fussell (Texas) and Tyra White (Texas A&M). A tie in the voting created an additional spot on the team. The squad is dominated by underclassmen as White is the only senior. Sims, Davis and White joined Griner as All-Big 12 First Team selections at the conclusion of last season. Young and Fussell were named to the second team.

Sims won a gold medal with Team USA in the Women’s World University Games this past summer. The team was coached by Iowa State’s Bill Fennelly. She was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team. Davis led the Big 12 in field goal percentage (66 percent) in 2010-11 for the second consecutive season. Young topped the Big 12 in rebounds last season (9.1 rpg) while her 14 double-doubles were one off of first place. Fussell had 28 double-digit scoring efforts as a rookie and was named to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team. White was named to the Women’s Final Four All-Tournament Team while helping lead the Aggies to the 2011 national championship. She was also selected to the Phillips 66 Big 12 All-Tournament Team.

2011-12 Big 12 Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason awards
(coaches not allowed to vote for own players)

Preseason Player of the Year
Brittney Griner, Baylor, C, 6-8, Jr., Houston, Texas/Nimitz

Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Kelsey Bone, Texas A&M, C, 6-5, So., Houston, Texas/South Carolina

Preseason Co-Freshmen of the Year
Cassie Peoples, G, 5-6, Texas, Houston, Texas/Cy-Fair
Alexia Standish, G, 5-8, Texas A&M/Colleyville, Texas/Heritage

Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Name             School         Pos     Ht     Cl-Exp     PPG     RPG     Hometown/Previous School
Brittney Griner     Baylor         C     6-8     Jr-2L     23.0     7.0     Houston, Texas/Nimitz
Odyssey Sims         Baylor         G     5-8     So-1L     13.1     3.0     Irving, Texas/MacArthur
Carolyn Davis         Kansas         F     6-3     Jr-2L     19.0     7.4     Houston, Texas/Bush
Toni Young         Oklahoma State     G/F     6-2     Jr-2L     15.5     9.1     Del City, Okla./Del City
Chassidy Fussell     Texas         G     5-10     So-1L     16.2     4.9     Union City, Tenn./Obion County
Tyra White         Texas A&M     G     6-0     Sr-3L     13.8     5.1     Kansas City, Mo./Hickman Mills
(ties in the voting created an additional spot)

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school): Brittany Chambers and Jalana Childs (Kansas State), Aaryn Ellenberg and Whitney Hand (Oklahoma), Sydney Carter (Texas A&M).

— Big 12 Press Release —

2011 Northwest Missouri State Hall of Fame ceremony set for October 21

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Northwest Missouri State’s top wide receiver, top 1,500-meter runner and two of its Elite men’s basketball players join two championship teams in comprising the 2011 “M” Club Hall of Fame Class.

Jamaica Rector ’04 (football), Jim Ryan ’84 (cross country/track and field), Scott Fleming ’03 (basketball) and Kelvin Parker ’07 (basketball) along with the 1975 softball team and the 1997 women’s tennis team have been selected for enshrinement during a ceremony to be held Oct. 21.

A limited number of tickets remain for the “M” Club Hall of Fame ceremony. Tickets are $20 per person and reservations can be made through Oct. 14 by calling Michele Steinmeyer in the athletic department at 660.562.1977. Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7:15 p.m.

With the 2011 class, the “M” Club Hall of Fame includes 104 individuals and 40 teams. The first year of individual inductions was 1980 and teams were inducted beginning in 1989.

A brief description of each inductee follows:

Jamaica Rector – Rector was a two-time national player of the year finalist and four-year All-American wide receiver for the Bearcats from 2001-04. He ranks fourth in Division II history in both catches (289) and receiving yards (4,497) and ranks 25th all-time with 38 touchdown receptions.

Since graduating from Northwest, Rector has played professional football for the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals of the NFL and Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.

Jim Ryan – Ryan’s career-best finishes in both the 1,500-meter run (3:46.77) and 3,000-meter steeplechase (8:42.84) have stood as Northwest records for 28 years and counting. Ryan is a three-time All-American and six-time MIAA champion who competed for the Bearcats from 1980-84. On the cross country course, he continues to boast the second-best 10-kilometer time (31:03) and seventh-best 8-kilometer mark (24:42) in program history.

Scott Fleming – Northwest men’s basketball’s all-time leader in steals (305) and made free throws (628), Fleming led the Bearcats to a 98-26 record from 2000-03. He was his team’s leading scorer in three consecutive seasons including 2002 when he led the Bearcats to their first-ever Elite Eight appearance and a 29-3 finish. Fleming is a three-time All-MIAA honoree. His 1,727 points and 435 assists rank third and fourth in program history, respectively.

Kelvin Parker – Parker guided Northwest men’s basketball to the Elite Eight in both 2002 and 2004. He was named the MIAA’s Most Valuable Player, its Defensive Player of the Year and was one of 16 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award in 2004 when he averaged 18 points and five assists per game.

Parker has played in more games than any player in MIAA history (128). He is Northwest’s all-time leader in assists (492), ranks second in steals (209) and is the program’s best free-throw shooter at 84 percent. Parker’s 1,692 career points make him the fourth-leading scorer in Bearcat history.

1975 Softball Team – In the infancy of Northwest softball, this team boasted a 22-7 record, beat Missouri to win the MAIAW state tournament and advanced to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. First-year head coach Debbie Jones turned in a lineup card that produced nearly nine runs per game and featured the “W” pitching staff of (Arlene) Weldon, (Cindy) Williams and (Sheryl) Wurster.

1997 Women’s Tennis Team – A 24-match win streak, five MIAA individual champions and the program’s first national quarterfinal appearance highlight this Mark Rosewell-coached squad. The Bearcats finished 28-2, beat three Division I programs and captured the program’s sixth MIAA title. The squad was led by Iva Kutlova and 2006 Hall of Fame inductee Yasmine Osborne who combined for a 51-5 singles record and partnered to go 28-4 at the top doubles position.

This marks the third Rosewell-coached tennis team to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame joining both the 1987 men’s and women’s tennis squads.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western rallies to beat Northwest

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Missouri Western volleyball found itself on the winning side of a back-and-forth battle between rival Northwest Tuesday night at the Fieldhouse.

The Griffons used a 10-4 run in the fifth and decisive set to rally for the victory.

“We are two similar teams,” said head coach Cory Frederick.  “So it was key to come out here on the home court and get the victory.  I was very pleased with our effort tonight.”

It was a sea-saw battle from the get go, with each team answering the bell each set.

The Griffons won the first set 25-19, while the Bearcats took set two 25-18.

Western then answered with a a 25-19 win in set three, but Northwest answered in the fourth set with a decisive 25-14 victory.

Northwest carried that momentum into the fifth set, taking an 8-5 lead until a big kill by Griffon senior Alex Behnke turned the tide in the Griffons favor, sparking the 10-4 run.

A huge block by Tahler Johnston and Meredith McCormick gave the Griffons a 13-10 lead, which shifted the momentum for good, in route to a 15-12 victory and the 3-2 win.

Johnston and freshman Shelby Corkill led the Griffs with 14 kills apiece in the match.  Corkill hit a team high .414 on the night.

Behnke added 11 kills, while McCormick added 10 to the balanced attack.

The victory pushes Western to 8-7 overall and 1-2 in MIAA play.
Northwest falls to 7-9 and 1-2 in the conference.

Next up for the Griffons, a trip to Warrensburg to take on nationally ranked Central Missouri Friday night, October 7th at 7:00 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffon soccer team falls at Truman State, 1-0

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The Missouri Western women’s soccer team struggled in Kirksville, Mo. Tuesday against the Truman State University Bulldogs in MIAA soccer action falling 1-0. Western falls to 3-5 on the season and 0-2 in MIAA action.

Despite having a slow first period the Griffons were able to go into halftime tied at zero with the Bulldogs. Western was unable to get a shot off in the first frame while the Bulldogs blasted 18 in the direction of Griffon goalie Kelly Voigts. Voigts made seven saves in the frame while the Griffons battled off one Bulldog corner kick.

Both teams had two fouls while Truman was offside’s twice in the opening half.  Olivia Hays led the Bulldogs as all three of her shots made it on goal. Kelsey Twellman had four shots for the Bulldogs.

The second half did not get any better for the Griffons as the Bulldogs blasted 16 more shots at Voigts. Voigts did an outstanding job on the day making 12 saves falling to 3-5 on the season.

The Bulldogs got the game winner in the 62nd minute when Jaclyn Schumann scored her second goal of the season off a double pass from Olivia Hayes and Twellman. Truman improves to 5-4-2 overall and 3-0 in MIAA play. The Bulldogs had five corner kicks and 10 fouls in the match.

The Griffons return to MIAA action on Saturday, October 8 with a road trip to Bolivar, Mo. to take on the Southwest Baptist Bearcats. Game time is set for 2:00 pm from the SBU soccer field.

— MWSU Sports Information —

MWSU men’s golfers finish tied for fifth at SBU Invite

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The Missouri Western men’s golf team finished in a tie for 5th place at the SBU Invitational in Bolivar, Mo. The event is being played at Silo Ridge Golf & Country Club. Western and Central Baptist shot exact rounds finishing with a team total of 607 (302-305) which is two strokes better than Lincoln’s 609 (308-301) and five strokes back of Fort Hays State’s 602 (303-299). (303). Central Missouri won the MIAA sanctioned event with a two round total of 572 (281-291).

Lindenwood finished in second with a 577 (282-295) while Washburn finished 3rd with a 583 (291-292). Central Missouri B, Missouri Southern State, Southwest Baptist and Pittsburg State finished 8th-11th respectively with scores of 622, 627, 628 and 629.

The winner of the event was Justin Burns of Central Baptist with a two day total of 139 (71-68). He finished two strokes better than Lincoln’s Steven Mallow’s 141 (70-71). Tyler Gast finished in a tie for 9th with a 145 (70-75).

Kenney Stone and Logan Gilliland finished in a tie for 24th with 153’s while James O’Brien and Derek Hawkins shot 159 and 160 respectively. Scott Sheldon was the only individual for the Griffons firing a 162 (81-81).

The Griffons wrap up the fall next Monday and Tuesday when they take part in the Park University Fall Invitational. The event will be played at The Duece @ The National in Parkville, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —

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