Fall Weekly Release #1
FOOTBALL
Head Coach: John Snell (Fourth year)
2004 RECORDS: 6-4 overall
5-4 OAC
THIS WEEK -- The Baldwin Wallace University football team hosts nonleague rival Allegheny (Pa.) College on Saturday at The George Finnie Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
RADIO -- Both campus radio station WBW, 88.3 FM, and Salem Communications affiliate WHKW, 1220 AM, will carry the game live. WBW also has its broadcast streamed to the Internet Web site at www.bw.edu/athletics or go to the radio station site at www.wBW.com.
Last Year -- The Yellow Jackets won their first six games but the lost their last four. Turning that trend back to the winning side is the BW goal in the first week.
This Year -- Head Coach John Snell, with a 24-8 overall record and a .750 winning percentage, returns 31 lettermen and 15 starters, including five combination All-Ohio Athletic Conference and Academic All-OAC student-athletes. Offensively, junior first-team All-OAC running back Brandon Hedges (Oregon/ Clay) is joined as an All-OAC player by junior guard Tom Lutz (Oregon/ Clay). On defense, two-time All-OAC senior defensive end Ryan Lewis (Holland/ Springfield) is joined on the All-OAC list by two-time All-OAC senior outside linebacker Justin Pricehorn (Massillon/ Washington) and senior inside linebacker Joe George (Massillon/ Perry). The special teams are headed by returning first-team Division III All-American freshman punter Kevin Soflkiancs (Middleburg Heights/ Midpark).
The BW vs. Allegheny Series -- BW leads the all-time series with Allegheny, 3-0, including a 27-14 victory in Meadville, Pennsylvania a year ago. The Jackets also triumphed two years ago in Berea, 45-26.
FINAL 2004 Statistics --Brandon Hedges topped the team and OAC with 1,162 rushing yards on a school single-season record 225 attempts (5.2 yards per carry) and 13 TD. Hedges also led the team in receiving with 23 catches for 152 yards and was the OAC's leader in scoring (78 points) and all-purpose yardage (1,314 yards). In passing, junior quarterback Mike DiAngelo (Steubenville Senior) completed 105 of 203 passes for 51.7 percent with 1,249 yards and eight TD with nine interceptions. Junior QB Rob Lewis (Castalia/ Margaretta) completed 23 of 54 aerials for 247 yards.The receiving corps were led by All-American tight end Nate Wilder (Youngstown/ Cardinal Mooney) with 21 catches for 234 yards and a team-leading five TD.
Defensively, Joe George and Justin Princehorn led the team in tackling. George had a team-high 87 stops with 4.5 tackles for lost yardage and one interception. Princehorn was second with 72 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, a team-leading two interceptions and nine pass deflections. Ryan Lewis had the most QB sacks with eight for 59 yards in losses. He also topped the team with 14 total tackles for losses of 75 yards.
Soflkiancs averaged an Division III-leading 42.7 yards per punt in 55 attempts with a long punt of 70 yards and 20 landing inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
Freshman Brad Rhoden (Galena/ Big Walnut) averaged a team-high 15.0 yards in 13 punt returns and 19.5 yards in 13 kickoff returns.
The Streak -- BW has a seasonal winning streak of 38 years. The streak is the second longest in ALL of college football. The Yellow Jackets have not had a losing season since 1966.
CROSS COUNTRY
Head Coach: Dr. William Taraschke (21st year)
THIS WEEK --The Yellow Jacket cross country teams open their seasons when they travel to the Case Invitational Meet on Saturday morning.
Last Year -- The BW women were third at the 2004 OAC Championship Meet and eighth at the Division III Great Lakes Regional Meet. The men finished fifth at the OAC Meet and 18th at the Regional Championships.
This Year -- The Yellow Jacket men's and women 's teams each have a young and savvy squad that hopes to be the surprise of the OAC this fall.
For the women, senior Rebecca Price (Worthington/ Thomas Worthington), juniors Megan Via (Brookville) and Rihanna Knotts (Middletown/ Madison) and sophomore Molly Clauss (West Falls, N.Y./ East Aurora) are expected to lead the way. They will be joined by a fellow veteran cast and an outstanding group of newcomers.
For the men, junior Chris Buhoveckey (Brunswick/ Parma Padua), who was 43rd at last year's Great Lakes Regional Meet, leads a solid group of veterans who will be challenged by a strong group of newcomers. In addition, look for juniors D.J. Hanigosky (North Royalton/ Cleveland St. Ignatius) and Aaron Apathy (Parma/ Padua) to be veteran returnees. Also competing for the top spot will be sophomore transfer Josh Biggs (North Royalton), who ran at Division I Eastern Michigan a year ago.
Dates to Remember -- The All-Ohio Meet is Oct. 7 at Ohio Wesleyan (1:00 p.m.), the OAC Championship Meet is Oct. 29 at Otterbein at 11:00 a.m. and the Regional Meet is Nov. 12 at Wilmington at 11:00 a.m.
MEN'S SOCCER
Head Coach: Reid Ayers (Fourth year)
RECORDS: 14-5-1 overall
5-3-1 OAC (fourth)
OAC Trny.: Third
THIS WEEK -- The men's soccer team opens its season by hosting LaRoche (Pa.) on Thursday and then travels to Erie, Pa. to compete at the Penn State-Behrend Tournament on Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 4).
The Schedule at PSU-Behrend -- The Yellow Jackets play Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) on Saturday with the consolation and championship games scheduled for Sunday.
Last Year -- The Yellow Jackets had 14 wins and 14-5-1 overall record and set the school single-season mark for victories. BW's 10 straight wins at midseason also is a record. The five OAC wins tied a record. The Yellow Jackets 5-3-1 OAC slate and their 10 away wins is the best-ever.
BW advanced to the OAC semifinals and were ranked as high as 16th nationally in the Coaches poll.
Individually, current senior All-Region goalie Nate Christian (North Ridgeville) tied his own school-record with eight shutouts. He also owns the school career mark with 16.
This Year, the Improvement to Continue -- The 14 wins and record-setting season of 2004 has been locked away in history, according to Head Coach Reid Ayers. "We had a great year, but it starts from scratch this year. We need to want to get better."
With a veteran team returning, including Christian, and the addition of two-year starter Geoff Andrews (North Ridge-ville), Ayers and his team both feel that they can be even better in 2005.
Ayers has 17 lettermen and 10 starters returning, including Christian and All-OAC selections in juniors Louie Rolko (Hudson) and Tom Ehrnfelt (Strongsville) and sophomore Brian Sugerman (Akron/ Revere). Add Andrews, who was BW's Most Valuable Offensive Player as a freshman (2002) and another strong recruiting class, and the ingredients are present for an even better year.
Returning Statisical Leaders -- Sugerman topped the team in scoring with 23 points on a team-high 11 goals and one assist. Current sophomore forward Alex Restaino (Hudson) was second with 12 points and second in goals with six. Rolko and 2004 All-OAC player Alex Williams-Witzky (Marysville) were tied for first with seven assists each. Williams-Witzky was also third in scoring with 11 points. In goal, Christian played in all 20 games, had school-record 0.95 goal-against-average witha record-tying eight shutouts and 84 saves.
The Yellow Jackets to Play Away From Finnie for Their Next 20 Days and Nine Games-- Following its Sept. 1 game versus LaRoche, the Yellow Jackets will play away for their next nine games during a 20-day span before returning to The George Finnie Stadium to play Hiram on Sept. 27 at 7:00 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Head Coach: Vicki Brault (11th year)
RECORDS: 22-13 overall
7-2 OAC (second)
OAC Trny.: Second
THIS WEEK -- The Yellow Jackets travel to Forest Grove, Oregon to open the season at the Pacific Boxer Kickoff Invitational Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
Last Year -- BW had its sixth 20-win season in the last seven years, advanced to the OAC Championship match and was one of the top teams in the Great Lakes Region. For her efforts, Head Coach Vicki Brault was the OAC Coach of the Year for the second time in the last four years. In addition, Brault surpassed the 200-win plateau.
This Year -- BW is picked to finish third in the OAC Coaches preseason poll and has high hopes of competing for the title and a spot in the Division III tourney.
Leading the way up front will be senior second-team All-OAC pick Emily Albanese (Mentor) and the sophomore trio of 2004 OAC Co-Freshman of the Year and honorable mention All-OAC player Kelsey Hills (Toledo/ St. Ursula Academy), Meggie Marten (Bowling Green) and Betsy Gilbert (Mansfield/ Madison).
OAC Championship Match -- BW has played in the OAC title match eight times, including three times in the past five years. BW won its only OAC Tournament title in 2000.
Vicki Brault is OAC Coach of the Year -- Yellow Jacket veteran Head Coach Vicki Brault was named as the 2004 OAC Coach of the Year. It is her second coach-of-the-year award in the past four years. Brault is 205-126 at BW in 10 years and 275-176 in her 14-year career, including a 70-50 slate in four years at Claremont (Calif.) Mudd-Scripps College.
Returning Statistical Leaders -- Hills was second with 384 kills, third in hitting at .261 and had 57 blocks to rank second. Albanese led the team with 60 aces, was second with 618 digs and with a .268 hitting percentage and third with 51 blocks and 382 kills. Marten was fourth on the squad with 182 kills. She also had 402 digs, 42 aces and 18 blocks. Gilbert was fourth in blocks with 38 and had 92 kills and 62 digs.
MEN'S GOLF
Head Coach: Chris Kibler '93 (Third Year)
THIS WEEK -- The men's golf team opens the season by travelling to Olivet, Michigan for the Olivet Comet Fall Classic on Friday and Saturday.
Last Year -- The Yellow Jackets finished second of nine teams at the OAC Tournament. They shot a season-low 295-stroke team total. It marked BW's third straight Top Three finish.
Individually, current senior Bobby Santerre (Cincinnati/ LaSalle) led the team, placed second individually and earned his second straight All-OAC performance. Current senior Gary Petit (Marietta) tied for 13th.
This Year -- With Santerre and Petit back to lead the way on the eight player varsity squad. Seniors Joe Tornabene (Canton/ Jackson) and Steve Porter (Massillon/ Perry) and sophomores Nathan Federonick (Mogadore/ Field), Mike Jenior (Rootstown) and Matt Lewis (Canal Fulton/ Northwest) offer Kibler a solid veteran group.
Final 2005 Spring Leaders -- In seven events and 11.5 rounds of 18 holes, Santerre led the team and had the seventh best all-time stroke average at 76.53 strokes in six events and 9.5 rounds. He was followed by Porter at 78.33, graduate Aaron Cuddy at 78.66 and Tornabene at 79.58 strokes rounded out the sub-80 average group. In addition, Petit averaged 80.43, graduate Chuck Scarbrough was at 80.50, Jenior at 81.25 and Lewis at 81.85.
More of Santerre's Superlatives-- Bobby Santerre now has five of the Top 25 all-time best single-season averages and three of the Top 10.
Final 2004 Fall Leaders -- In four tournaments and eight rounds, Santerre topped the team in stroke average at 76.88. He was followed by Scarbrough at 77.63 and Porter at 78.50. Petit was fourth at 80.25, Federonick was fifth at 81.17, Lewis was sixth at 81.75, Cuddy was seventh at 82.25, Jenior was eighth at 82.50 and graduate Mark Speaks was ninth at 87.50 strokes.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Head Coach: Reid Ayers
RECORDS: 10-9-1 overall
2-7-0 OAC
THIS WEEK -- The women's soccer team hosts Pitt-Greensburg at The George Finnie Stadium on Thursday in its season and home opener. This Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 3-4), BW travels to Erie, Pa. to play at the Penn State-Behrend Tournament.
The PSU-Behrend Tourney Schedule -- The Jackets open tourney play against Juniata (Pa.) on Saturday. The consolation and championship games will be played on Sunday morning.
Last Year BW Got Better Again -- The Yellow Jackets had another successful season of growth and produced a 10-9-1 record with a young team and graduated just one senior player.
Another Season of Growing in 2005 -- This fall, Head Coach Reid Ayers returns 15 letter winners and nine starters, including All-OAC players in juniors Jenny Miller (North Ridgeville) and Melissa Herd (Stow/ Stow-Monroe Falls) and sophomore Whitney Zunic (Canfield). Two other Academic All-OAC selections return, and sophomore goalie Michelle Neff (Strongsville) is also back. In addition, a solid group of newcomers are expected to challenge the upperclass players for starting positions.
"We had a very competitive preseason camp and I feel that we have the talent and leadership to be better again," said Ayers.
Returning Statistical Leaders -- In 20 games in 2004, Miller led the team in scoring with a team-leading 12 goals and five assists for 29 points. Current sophomore forwards Jamie Saathoff (Wadsworth) and Zunic were tied for second in scoring with 15 points each. Saathoff had five goals and tied with Miller for second in assists with five. Zunic was second in goals scored with seven. Miller took the most shots with 84 and shots on-goal with 42. Saathoff was second in shots with 37 and Roll was fourth with 33 shots. Junior Ashley Belardo (North Royalton), an All-OAC pick in 2003, led the team in assists for the second straight year and had six. She was also fifth in total shots with 27.
In goal, Neff and current junior Emily Leonard (Stow) combined to allow 31 goals in 20 games for a 1.50 goal against average. Leonard had three shutouts and allowed 1.07 goals per game in 587 minutes with 24 saves. Neff had two shutouts and allowed 1.70 goals per game in 1273 minutes of action with 88 saves.
WOMEN'S GOLF
Head Coach: Kelly Warnke (First Year)
THIS WEEK -- The women's golf team opens the 2005 fall season on Sept. 11 when it hosts the Yellow Jacket Invitational Tournament at the Mallard Creek Golf Course in Columbia Station.
Last Year -- The women's golf team placed second of eight schools at the 2005 OAC Championship Tournament at the Big Met Golf Course in Fairview Park, Ohio. Current sophomore Molly Scheetz (Canton/ Perry) was third individually and current junior Sarah Hacker (New Albany, Ind./ Our Lady of Providence) was fifth as both players earned All-OAC honors.
This Year -- The Yellow Jackets have a new coach in first-year mentor Kelly Warnke (comes from Wisconsin Oshkosh) and a new attitude and hope to battle for the 2006 OAC title next spring.
In addition to Molly Scheetz and Hacker, senior two-time All-OAC player Emily Scheetz (Canton/ Perry) and senior All-OAC player Lauren Buckner (Westlake) both are back for their fourth straight year on the varsity. It also gives Warnke four players who are team leaders and have each finished in the Top 10 at an OAC Championship tourney.
Returning 2004 Spring Leaders -- In five official tournaments and eight rounds of 18 holes, Molly Scheetz led the team with an 88.75 stroke average and a team low-round of 82. She was followed by Hacker with an 88.88-stroke average, including a season-low round of 84. Emily Scheetz ranked third with a 91.38-stroke average and had a low round of 85, Buckner was fourth at 96.13 and a low-round of 87.
Returning 2004 Fall Leaders -- In four tournaments and five rounds of 18 holes, Molly Scheetz was second in stroke average at 89.6, Buckner was third at 90.2 and Hacker fourth at 91.6.
2005 Fall Weekly Release Archive