Feb 5, 2010 - Grace College

THE SOUNDING BOARD | FEBRUARY 05, 2010
6
SPORTS
Gray Transformed by Injury
BY STEVE COPELAND
Sports Editor
She bawled in the trainer’s
room, and she was embarrassed when her teammates
There is a reason why gave her hugs at halftime
injured women’s basketball and saw her in such an abject
player Kiera Gray still wears state of mind.
“My first thoughts were,
her jersey to games.
‘
Would
she be able to get
Gray, last year’s leading
through
school, stay motiscorer (14.8 ppg), tore her
right ACL in the first five vated in the classroom, stay
minutes of Grace’s home- positive with her teammates
coming game against Ohio and trust in the Lord that
University-Eastern, crippling this happened for a reason?’”
her for the remainder of the Blum said. “I thought it
season and forcing her to would be more of a negative
for her instead of a positive.”
redshirt.
Because if there is one
Like most ACL injuries,
it’s nothing more than a freak thing that defines Gray, it’s
accident. Gray jumped, inter- this: She is a winner. Her
cepted a pass on the defensive competitive spirit, in fact,
end and felt her knee buckle frequently got her into trouwhen she landed. Immedi- ble with her coaches and
ately, head coach Scott Blum her teammates. And since
knew what it was. “Her knee she never coped positively
is gone,” he said. Assistant with losing, how would she
coach Skip Forbes didn’t see handle the remainder of
(Photograph by Sports Information)
it, but he definitely heard it. Grace’s games if she wasn’t
Kiera Gray (third from the left) watches the game with head coach Scott Blum (left), assistant coach
“In the midst of the racket of given the chance to win?
Skip Forbes (second from the left) and teammate Demetria Eley (right). Even though she is out for
“I
am
a
very
passionate
the game, it sounded like a
person,” Gray said. “I say a the season with an ACL injury, she sits with the coaches to be on the front lines of the contest.
finger snap,” he said.
No one knew how the pas- lot of stuff that I don’t necsionate, competitive Gray essarily mean. I’m supposed say things on the court, and down to size. He is humbling financial perks, she decided
she would rather become
would handle the first injury to be a leader, but every- people take it personally. I me.”
Many questioned whether a physical therapist after
she has ever had – and a seri- one doesn’t know how to got in trouble, and I got susdeal with me. Sometimes, I pended a couple times last Gray would distance herself attending therapy the past
ous one, at that.
year because of from the team rather than few months. She also added a
that.”
take on her new role as an sports management minor in
Gray
also encourager. But every game, order to utilize her final two
admitted
that fans can see Gray sitting next years of eligibility.
she, being the to the coaching staff learning
She is beginning to see the
leading
scorer from them and encouraging purpose behind her injury.
and go-to player her teammates. And instead
“That’s what God does,”
last
season, of dressing in street clothes, Forbes said. “Somehow, the
developed
an Gray wears her jersey, sym- longer I live, the more mysinflated
ego, bolically stating that she is terious He gets. I always tell
and a “this team still part of the team.
my students, ‘ W hen someneeds me” type
“ With this injury, she has thing bad happens, the only
of attitude.
the ability to take some lead- way to interpret it is that
But that was ership,” Blum said. “I’ve been God is up to something.’ And
before her acci- amazed that she really wants I just have to sit and wait to
dent on Nov. 7, to wear that jersey. She wants see how this will work out in
before her sur- to be a part of the team. She God’s providence.”
gery on Nov. 25 could be selfish and wait at
Gray has already seen some
and before God’s the end of the bench but that fruition from her injury, but
surgery in the has not came from her. There her real test will be next year
months that fol- are times I look at her on the when she tries to apply the
lowed.
bench like she is my assistant lessons she has learned.
“It’s
given coach.”
“I’m hoping she will bring
me
time
to
Gray also altered her career some leadership qualities,”
think
about aspirations during her time Blum continued. “If she
(Photograph by Sports Information)
some
things,” away from the hardwood. builds on what she has done
Head coach Scott Blum (left) and Kiera Gray (right) discuss basketball during Gray said. “God Once focused on becoming up to this point, she can do
practice at the Gordon Recreation Center.
shrunk me back a pediatrician because of its it.”
[briefs and blurbs]
NCCAA Tournament Logo Released
Grace College’s Athletic Department released the 2010 NCCAA
women’s basketball tournament
logo at the end of last week.
For the second year in a row,
Grace will be the site of the
NCCAA National Tournament.
Games are played on March 11-13
in the Orthopaedic Capital Center.
The host school is given an automatic bid into the tournament.
Over 100 Christian colleges and
universities comprise the NCCAA
(National Christian College Athletic Association) involving well over 13,000 student-athletes and 450
coaches. A combined total of 16 national championships in men’s and
women’s sports are sponsored by the NCCAA.
-Sports Information
Rough First Half Dooms Grace
WINONA LAKE, Ind. -- Grace’s men’s basketball team fell behind Goshen College 26-8 within
the first 11 minutes of their game Tuesday night and could never recover, falling to Goshen 99-79 at
the Orthopaedic Capital Center.
“We just couldn’t get the ball rolling early,” said head coach Jim Kessler. “We got down big in the
first half and couldn’t get out of that hole.”
The Lancers (14-11; 4-8 MCC) could only hit 9-of-32 from the field in the first half and gave up
11 turnovers to hinder themselves. Grace did make an 11-0 run, led by sophomore Duke Johnson,
midway through the first half to cut Goshen’s lead to seven at 31-24. But the Maple Leafs (14-11;
5-6 MCC) continued to shoot the ball well, connecting on 52 percent in the first half, to regain control of the game.
Johnson scored 13 points, including seven during Grace’s run, to lead Grace’s offensive attack in
the half. He grabbed 10 boards in the first half for an opening period double-double. But his efforts
were not enough as the Maple Leafs went into the break with a 45-29 lead.
“We’ll try to put that game out of our minds as quickly as possible,” Kessler continued. “We’ve
still got a few games to play to get ready for the conference tournament. We’re already moving onto
Saturday.”
Johnson finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Senior forward David Swanson collected his
12th double-double of the season by totaling 10 points and 11 boards, and sophomore forward
Dayton Merrell scored all 10 of his points in the second half.
Grace’s last victory over Goshen was an 83-68 win on Feb. 27, 2008. They have dropped four
straight to the Maple Leafs.
The Lancers return to action Saturday at home against Taylor University for a 7 p.m. start.
-Sports Information
THE SOUNDING BOARD | FEBRUARY 05, 2010
SPORTS
BY MICHAEL BLEVINS
Sports Writer
Woodruff started running
at Grace during his sophomore year simply because he
loved the outdoors, and he
wanted to be with his friends.
But eventually, it became more
than that. He fell in love with
the sport and became one of
Grace’s elite runners.
He competed in both
the NAIA and the NCCAA
national tournaments and was
an NCCAA All-American in
2002 and 2003. To go along
with his athletic success, he
was also an NAIA Academic
All-American. He ran the mile,
800-meter, 4x800-meter relay,
4x400-meter relay and the
3000-meter.
Interim track and field
Woodruff also has valuhead coach Arthur Woodruff
able coaching experience.
is excited to be back at Grace
After graduating from Grace
College.
in 2003, he returned to his
“I’m ready to help guide
alma mater two years later
this team and pursue Christ in
and served as an assistant
all that we do,” Woodruff said.
coach from August 2005 to
” We want to represent Him in
May 2007. Again, he returned
the field of athletics and reach
when he saw a job opening
our full potential while honorafter former head coach Neal
ing Him with the gifts He has
Butler’s resignation this past
given each student.”
November.
“I saw a
need
when
there was no
coach,” Woodruff said. “I
have a passion
for the school,
the sport and
the athletes.”
Just
two
meets
into
the
indoor
track and field
season,
the
team is already
making significant
strides.
He has qualified
eight
athletes
for
the NCCAA
nationals, and
he is hoping to
qualify more.
Only
two
more
meets
remain before
(Photograph by Jake Blevins)
the NCCAA
Interim track and field head coach Art Woodruff (left) watches his team perform nationals are
at the Indiana Wesleyan Invitational on Jan. 30.
“I have a passion for
cross country and track
and field. But more than
that, I have a passion to
pursue Christ with all
that I have and to glorify
Him with everything He
has given me.”
- Art Woodruff
held on Feb. 20 in Cedarville,
Ohio.
Woodruff is happy with his
team’s performance so far and
wants it to improve over the
next year. His main goal, however, is not to have as many
athletes as possible reach
nationals, but to have as many
athletes as possible become
closer to the Lord.
“I have a passion for cross
country and track and field,”
Woodruff continued. “But
more than that, I have a passion to pursue Christ with all
that I have and to glorify him
with everything he has given
me.”
He wants to instill this same
principle in the minds of his
athletes.
“God means everything,”
Woodruff said. “He has saved
a sinner like me and has given
me a new life. He gave me
something more in life than
what is here on earth…to worship Him in eternity.”
Lancers Continue Indoor Season
STAFF REPORT
MARION, Ind. -- The
Grace College track and field
team continued to perform
well against stiff competition
at the Indiana Wesleyan Invitational on Feb. 30.
“The competition this
week was very strong with
NCAA Div. I and III schools
being
represented,”
said
interim head coach Art
Woodruff. “It allowed our
athletes to get different levels
of competition from schools
that we do not always compete against. It was another
positive meet for our athletes,
and the results showed.”
Kathleen Reinke broke
her own school record in the
pole vault at 3.00 meters,
which also qualified her for
the NCCAA Nationals. In the
men’s high jump, Billy Starkey cleared a mark of 1.78
meters, qualif ying him for
the NCCAA Nationals after
narrowly missing the mark
last week.
“The team made improvements from a week ago, and
it showed in many performances,” Woodruff continued. “This will help build
confidence for our athletes
and give them momentum in
the upcoming weeks.”
In their first meet on Feb.
23, the Lancers had six athletes qualif y for the NCCAA
championships: Nikki Burau
finished eighth in the 60meter dash, Ashley Thomas
fourth in the 800-meter, Amy
Misak seventh in the mile,
DUKE JOHNSON
PPG: 12.2
RPG: 7.8
FG%: .505 (98-194)
FT%: .787 (96-122)
2012 , the year that
Grace College is bidding to host the NAIA
Div. II men’s basketball tournament. The
institution recently
submitted a bid to host
the tourney and move it
from Branson, Mo.
61 , the number of points
Goshen’s Errick McCollum
II scored against Grace this
season, 27 points and 34 points
respectively.
5 straight losses for Grace’s
women’s basketball team.
100 percent, Rianne Aguilar’s
free throw accuracy this season,
shooting 11-for-11.
19 , the number of double-
doubles the lethal duo of Johnson & Swanson have racked up
this season.
- Sports Information
GUESS WHAT...
Clint Johnson ,
Gordon Rec. Center employee,
has a sister, Emily Johnson, who
was the University of Evansville’s
number one women’s golfer last
spring .
Dick Dilling, profes-
sor of mathematics and science,
coached Grace’s men’s golf team
from 1988 to 1994.
Kelly Sharp , athletic
Samantha Phenix 12th in the
weight throw, Caryn Britton
15th in the weight throw and
Andrea Knight 16th in the
weight throw.
After two straight weeks
of competing at Indiana Wesleyan, Grace will travel to
Upland, Ind., for the sixth
annual Taylor Indoor Track
and Field Invitational. Over
500 student-athletes from 14
different teams are expected
to compete. The invitational
starts at 11 a.m on Feb. 6.
office secretary, has a son, Jesse
Sharp, who is a freshman soccer
player at the University of Evansville and happens to be Warsaw
Community High School’s alltime leader in goals (50).
Demetria Eley,
women’s basketball, had 685
career rebounds for the Lady
Lancers as of Tuesday, strong
enough for fourth on the all-time
rebounding list. She needs nine
more rebounds to pass Amber
Riffell (2002-06) and move into
third on the all-time list.
- Sports Information
Finish the Sentence
Player of the Week
• Duke Johnson tallied 17
points and 11 rebounds in
Grace’s 78-72 victory over
Huntington on Saturday.
• In the Lancers’ 79-99 loss to
Goshen on Tuesday, Johnson
led the team with 17 points
and 11 rebounds. He had his
double-double secured after
the first half, where he scored
13 points and grabbed 10
boards.
• Johnson has seven doubledoubles on the year after
grabbing two this week.
KNOW YOUR
NUMBERS
Woodruff Begins Season as Interim Coach
7
This spring, our
team wants to...
The most intelligent professor
here is...
Morning
classes are...
My Super Bowl
prediction is...
Josh Petry,
Catcher, Baseball
build a tradition
of excellence.
Rick Koontz.
punishment for
robbery.
Colts 31, Saints 27
Amy Misak,
Distance, Track
compete all for
God’s glory.
Dr. DeYoung.
exhilirating and
beneficial to your
health.
Colts 33, Saints 22
win.
hands down,
Scott Feather.
the worst!
Colts 31, Saints 28
Brianna Butler,
Manager, Softball
THE SOUNDING BOARD | FEBRUARY 05, 2010
8
SPORTS
MCC
STANDINGS
Accurate as of 2/2/10
men’s basketball
conf
1. #5 Indiana Wesleyan
2. #9 Bethel
3. #8 St. Francis
4. #19 Spring Arbor
5. Goshen
6. Huntington
7. Grace
8. Marian
9. Taylor
9-2
9-3
8-3
8-4
5-6
4-7
4-8
3-9
2-10
overall
21-4
21-4
20-5
19-7
14-11
15-10
14-11
10-12
11-15
streak
Won 2
Won 4
Won 1
Lost 1
Won 1
Lost 2
Lost 1
Won 1
Lost 5
women’s basketball
conf. overall streak
1. #6 Indiana Wesleyan
2. #11 St. Francis
3. #18 Huntington
4. #23 Marian
5. RV Bethel
6. RV Taylor
7. Grace
8. Spring Arbor
9. Goshen
9-1
9-2
7-3
7-4
6-5
6-5
3-8
1-10
0-10
20-4
15-9
16-6
15-9
17-8
14-8
7-17
3-19
8-16
Won 2
Won 6
Won 4
Lost 1
Won 1
Won 1
Lost 5
Lost 3
Lost 8
men’s mcc leaders
Points Per Game
Name
School
1. Errick McCollum II Goshen 2. DeJovaun Sawyer-DavisSaint Francis
3. Zach Coverstone
Ind. Wesleyan
4. Ryne Lightfoot
Bethel 5. David Swanson
Grace
6. DJ Baisden
Spring Arbor
7. Jordan Tucker
Marian
8. Kellen Zawadzki
Huntington
9. Casey Coons
Taylor
10. Tyler Shively
Huntington
Rebounds Per Game
Name
School
1. DeJovaun Sawyer-Davis St. Francis
2. Zach Coverstone
Ind. Wesleyan
3. David Swanson
Grace
4. Duke Johnson
Grace
5. Tyler Brown
Bethel
6. Errick McCollum II Goshen
7. Caleb Kennedy
Huntington
8. Nate West, Jr.
Goshen
9. Bobby Joliff
Huntington
10. Joey Welch
Bethel
Assists Per Game
Name
1. Ryne Lightfoot
2. Qadr Owens
3. Kyle Hanaway
4. Matt VanPelt
5. Kyle Plumlee
6. Caleb Laidig
7. Tyler Shively
8. Spencer Harris
9. DJ Baisden
10. Casey Coons
School
Bethel
St. Francis
Taylor
Spring Arbor
Grace
Bethel
Huntington
Ind. Wesleyan
Spring Arbor
Taylor
PPG
24.2
19.7
18.3
17.9
17.2
16.1
15.8
15.4
15.3
14.8
RPG
9.5
9.4
9.3
7.8
7.2
7.0
7.0
6.8
6.7
6.4
APG
4.9
4.1
3.9
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.3
3.3
3.2
women’s mcc leaders
Points Per Game
Name
1. Elaine Hessel
2. Heather Seyfred
3. Cassie Grieves
4. Mandy Yoder
5. Erica Yost
6. Julie Seiss
7. Bessie Jenkins
8. Courtney Beerbower
9. Allison Reece
10. Kayla Mullins
School
Ind. Wesleyan
Bethel
Goshen Bethel
Goshen
St. Francis
St. Francis
Huntington
Taylor
Saint Francis
PPG
18.5
17.8
14.8
14.3
13.2
13.1
12.8
12.8
12.8
12.6
Rebounds Per Game
Name
1. Georgia Boisse
2. Cassie Greives
3. Molly Lauck
4. Kelsey Green
5. Courtney Beerbower
6. Allison Reece
7. Kristin Kotarba
8. Kristin Houck
9. Elaine Hessel
10. Demetria Eley
School
Bethel
Goshen
Marian
Huntington
Huntington
Taylor
Spring Arbor
Marian
Ind. Wesleyan
Grace
RPG
10.0
9.9
8.6
6.2
6.1
6.0
5.9
5.3
5.3
5.0
Assists Per Game
Name
1. Mandy Yoder
2. Erica Yost
3. Julie Seiss
4. Emily Smithson
5. Morgan McLeish
6. Hannah Lengel
7. Kayla Thompson
8. Lauren Meese
9. Kristin Kotarba
10. Megan Egenolf
School
Bethel
Goshen
St. Francis
Marian
Taylor
Grace
Ind. Wesleyan
Huntington
Spring Arbor
Marian
APG
5.9
4.5
4.5
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.2
3.0
2.8
2.4
21 DiAntonio
42 Cashier
44 Bidwell
23 Aguilar
24 Fields
25 Skaggs
30 Adams
34 Starks 40 Ball
50 Boykin
52 Dutcher
55 Eley
TEAM TOTALS
Date: 1/30/10
Teams
Huntington University Grace College
men’s basketball
No Player
24 Merrell
34 Swanson
52 Johnson
22 Smith
23 Plumlee
5 Goins
25 Achille
32 Euler
40 Kaufman
42 Peters
TEAM TOTALS
1st
28
31
2nd
50
41
Total
78
72
FG FGA 3PT 3PA REB TP A
3 7
0
1
4
6 1
6 11
0
0
15 12 3
5 13
0
0
11 17 2
7 16
5
11
2 21 0
1
4
0
0
3
2 6
2
5
0
1
1
4 1
5
8
0
0
5 10 0
0
1
0
1
1
0 0
1
1
0
0
0
2 0
2 5
0
2
2
4 0
32 71 5
16
47 78 13
Total FG% - Game: .451
3-PT FG% - Game: .313
Total FT% - Game: .818
Date: 2/2/10
Teams
Goshen College Grace College
No Player
24 Merrell
34 Swanson
52 Johnson
22 Smith
23 Plumlee
3 Ross
5 Goins
12 Long
25 Achille
32 Euler
40 Kaufman
42 Peters
TEAM TOTALS
1st
45
29
2nd
54
50
Total
99
79
2nd: 18/39
2nd: 3/7
2nd: 11/15
Game: .380
Game: .364
Game: .667
women’s basketball
Date: 1/27/10
Teams
Marian University
Grace College
No Player
12 Lengel
20 Heflin
1st
35
22
2nd
36
24
Total
71
46
FG FGA 3PT 3PA REB TP
2
8
1
2
5
8
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
7
2nd: 8/22
2nd: 0/2
2nd: 7/10
1st
47
30
0
2
3
2
0
1
1
1
0
4
0
1
22
2
4
3
6
0
4
0
2
0
1
0
16
46
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
Game: .292
Game: .143
Game: .688
2nd
31
34
Total
78
64
No Player
FG FGA 3PT 3PA REB TP A
12 Lengel
3
8
2
4
3
9
5
20 Heflin
0
2
0
0
3
1
2
21 DiAntonio
1
2
0
0
2
2
1
42 Cashier
3
7
0
0
3
7 0
44 Bidwell
2
8
0
1
2
7 0
23 Aguilar
0
1
0
0
2
0 1
24 Fields
0
1
0
0
1
0 0
25 Skaggs
4
8
1
1
4 11 0
34 Starks 1
3
1
3
1
9 0
40 Ball
2
2
2
2
2
6 0
50 Boykin
2
3
0
0
8
7 1
55 Eley
2
7
0
0
3
5 1
TEAM TOTALS 20 52
6
11
39 64 11
Total FG% - 1st: 10/27
3-PT FG% - 1st: 3/4
Total FT% - 1st: 7/11
2nd: 10/25
2nd: 3/7
2nd: 11/17
Game: .385
Game: .545
Game: .643
women’s track and field
Indiana Wesleyan Invitational (1/30/10)
200m--Nikki Burau (10th, 8.20). 600m--Ashley Thomas
(9th, 1:43.77), MariJean Wegert (10th, 1:44.09).
1000m--Amy Misak (4th, 3:21.95), Mary MacLeod (6th,
3:41.18). Mile--Becky Saas (16th, 6:20.46). 4x800--Grace
College (3rd, 10:26.85). Pole Vault--Kathleen Reinke
(6th, 3.00m - NCCAA QUAL; SCHOOL RECORD),
Laura Pasche (13th, 2.55). Shot Put--Nina Ferry (20th,
9.88m). Weight Throw--Samantha Phenix (20th, 12.97m),
Andrea Knight (29th, 10.42m), Nina Ferry (34th, 7.53m).
men’s track and field
FG FGA 3PT 3PA REB TP A
4
7
2
3
2
10 0
5 14
0
0
11
10 2
4
9
0
0
11
17 0
3
8
1
4
1
9
2
1
5
0
0
4
5
4
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
2
7
0
0
0
8
2
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
7
0
0
0
7
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
2
5
0
0
5
4
0
3
5
0
2
3
7
0
27
71 4
11
39 79 12
Total FG% - 1st: 9/32
3-PT FG% - 1st: 1/4
Total FT% - 1st: 10/16
3
5
3
3
0
4
0
5
2
3
0
10
46
Total FG% - 1st: 6/26
3-PT FG% - 1st: 1/5
Total FT% - 1st: 4/6
RESULTS
Date: 1/30/10
Teams
Grace College
Huntington
0
1
1
1
0
2
0
1
0
0
0
5
13
A
0
0
Indiana Wesleyan Invitational (1/30/10)
60m--Matt Brunner (25th, 7.72). 60m Hurdles--Zach
Schaefer (15th, 9.87). 200m--Matt Brunner (29th, 24.76),
Luke Frauhiger (34th, 25.10). 600m--Sean Smith (14th,
1:40.69). 800m--Randy Sterk (6th, 2:04.18). Mile-Randy Sterk (8th, 4:39.01). 3000m--Jacob Wachtel (11th,
9:58.51). 5000m--Dan Ng (15th, 16:52.77). Distance
Medley--Grace College (4th, 11:36.89). High Jump--Billy
Starkey (8th, 1.78m - NCCAA QUAL.). Shot Put--Nate
Long (29th, 9.75m), Jacob Blevins (30th, 8.88m).
men’s club volleyball
Indiana State University Club
Volleyball Tournament (1/31/10)
Indiana State vs. Grace: 16-25, 25-16, 12-15
Grace vs. Rose-Hulman: 13-25, 25-21, 15-11
Indiana State vs. Rose-Hulman: 25-20, 25-17
Indiana State vs. Grace: 23-25, 25-20, 19-17
Grace vs. Rose-Hulman: 12-25, 20-25
Indiana State vs. Rose-Hulman: 22-25, 22-25
*Winning team listed in bold