Volume 2, Issue 1, Summer 2009

Alumni Sports Journal
Summer 2009
POLAR BEAR
ILLUSTRATED
Second Edition
Enter
Student profiles:
Katie Weininger and Ryan Smith
Campoli Court dedicated
ONU “Super Fans” Jerry Stechschulte
and Phil Quattrocchi
A Message
Wow! What a great year for ONU Athletics!
We are so pleased and proud of the accomplishments of over 625 student athletes in our 21
men’s and women’s sports.
In last year’s first edition of Polar Bear Illustrated, we celebrated our two consecutive Men’s and
Women’s All-Sports Championships. Defending that honor was a difficult task, and our athletes
and coaches were up to it. Your Polar Bear men and women are back-to-back-to-back OAC AllSports Champions!
Competing in the Ohio Athletic Conference is no walk in the park. The competition is consistently
challenging, and the quality of the student athletes is as good as anywhere in Division III
athletics.
I think the most rewarding thing for all of us is to see the accomplishments of our students. Yes,
they succeed on the field, court, track, water, etc. We have All-Americans, All-OACs, players
of the week and so on. But to see what our students accomplish in the classroom and after
commencement is a privilege to watch.
Time and space will not allow total inclusion and recognition of all our academic awards, but
seeing a few, you can get a good idea what kind of student is making up the athletic rosters in
ONU athletics.
Ryan Smith, BS ’09, four-year soccer letter-winner, received the coveted NCAA Post Graduate
Scholarship. This was one of only 87 awarded to male athletes in all three divisions of the
NCAA. Ryan was one of only four winners in soccer. This is an incredible accomplishment for an
incredible young man.
Katie Weininger, BA ’09, four-year letter-winner in volleyball, was not only a First Team AllAmerican on the court; she also earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American status.
Ryan Paul (tennis) joins Katie on the ESPN Academic All-American list, quite an accomplishment
for an athlete ranked fifth in ONU tennis history, with 120 victories to his credit.
The list goes on, and there are so many more student athletes to recognize. All said, ONU
student athletes are winners in the classroom and in competition. They prove it over and over,
and we are tremendously proud of them all.
Tom Simmons, BSBA ’85, BA ’86
Director of Athletics
2
In this issue
FEATURE STORIES
4 Setting high expectations:
Katie Weininger
5 Leading by example: Ryan Smith
6 Profiles of two new coaches:
Justin Krock and John Rhodes
7 OAC All-Sports Trophies:
ONU wins for the third consecutive year
8 The Joe and Margaret Campoli
Court
9 ONU Athletic Hall of Fame
11 Jeff Coleman: 17-year career comes
to an end
12 ONU “Super Fans”: Jerry Stechschulte
and Phil Quattrocchi
14 ONU club sports: What’s new
RECAP STORIES
15 Baseball
16 Men’s basketball
17 Women’s basketball
18 Football
19 Men’s golf
20 Women’s golf
21 Men’s soccer
22 Women’s soccer
23 Softball
24 Volleyball
25 Wrestling
26 Swimming and diving
27 Men’s tennis
28 Women’s tennis
29 Men’s indoor and outdoor track
and field and cross country
30 Women’s indoor and outdoor
track and field and cross country
POLAR BEAR ILLUSTRATED
Summer 2009
Editors/writers
Josh Alkire
Lydia Bottoni
Brian Hohmeier
Alan Ohman
Steve Wright, BA ’08
Laurie Wurth Pressel
Designers
Tiffanie Seillier
Toma Williams, BFA ’96
Produced under the auspices of the Ohio
Northern University Office of Communications
and Marketing.
Polar Bear Illustrated is a publication from the
Office of Alumni Affairs in conjunction with
ONU sporting programs at
Ohio Northern University
525 S. Main St.
Ada, Ohio 45810
419-772-2000
Photography
Kenneth Colwell
José Nogueras
3
Polar Bear Illustrated Student Profile
Setting high expectations
with Katie Weininger, BA ’09
Majors: Public relations and sport management
Sport: Volleyball (setter)
Hometown: Sycamore, Ohio
Fast tempo: Weininger, a
superstar volleyball player
during her four years at Ohio
Northern University, loves the fast tempo of the sport.
“It’s a high level of intensity with not much downtime,”
she says. “If you make a bad play, you have to forget it
and move on because there are five other girls relying
on you for the next play.”
ComFort and prestige: Weininger chose to attend
Northern because it offered the close-knit and
supportive environment she craved. “The town of Ada
reminds me of my hometown,” she says. “It has that
comfortable feel.” The prestige of Northern’s volleyball
program and the University’s nationally accredited
public-relations program were also big draws.
all in the Family: While Weininger admits she comes
from a “basketball family,” a passion for volleyball also
runs in her genes. Her mom and aunt both coached
the women’s volleyball team at Heidelberg University
in Tiffin. Her aunt helped Heidelberg win its first Ohio
Athletic Conference (OAC) title. Weininger’s mom, Juli,
still works at Heidelberg as the financial aid director.
But there’s no conflict of interest, says Weininger, with
a laugh. “She always cheers for her daughter.”
like sisters: A team captain for three years, Weininger was
a demanding but considerate leader. She “never let up”
on her teammates or herself, yet she went out of her way
to make sure everyone felt positive and happy. “I tried to
lead by example and through my words,” she says. “I’m a
caring person, and I feel better when I know everyone is
doing OK.” Her teammates became like sisters. “Our bond
of friendship will last forever,” she adds.
ConFident and strong: Her experiences as a student athlete,
says Weininger, helped her become disciplined, responsible
and confident. “Coach Witte knows how to get the best
out of people. She wants us
to mature into strong young
women,” Weininger explains.
“I became a more confident
person who can express
myself and stand up for what
I believe in.”
pure joy: Weininger’s most
memorable moment playing
volleyball was seeing the look
of “pure joy and excitement”
on the faces of her
teammates when they hit the
first kill against Washington
University (Missouri), the No. 3 ranked team and
defending national champion. Northern won the
game 3-1, earning a trip to the Elite Eight.
star player: Weininger was instrumental in leading
her team to the NCAA III Tournament Final Four
this season. She garnered many accolades at
Northern, ending her career ranked third on ONU’s
all-time assists list with 4,680 after setting for only
three seasons. Her season .356 hitting percentage
ranks fourth in the OAC. She also was named the
American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)
First Team All-America and ESPN The Magazine/
CoSIDA Third Team Academic All-America in
volleyball for 2008. In addition, she was the winner
of the prestigious Clyde Lamb Award, given by the
OAC to the most outstanding male and female
athletes at each member school.
Future plans: Weininger plans to attend graduate
school at Ashland University, where she will serve
as an assistant coach for the volleyball team. One
day, she would like to work in sports information or
administration. “I love communicating with people,
and I love sports,” she says with a grin. With such
a warm personality and winning attitude, there’s no
doubt she’ll achieve her dreams.
4
Polar Bear Illustrated Student Profile
Leading by example
with Ryan Smith, BS ’09
Major: Biology
Sport: Soccer (defender)
Hometown: Miamisburg, Ohio
deFending pressure: While
Ryan Smith enjoys the
teamwork integral to
soccer, he also thrives on
the personal pressure he faces as a defender. “Any
mistake I make is magnified because the other team
scores,” he says. “But I’m a hard-nosed player. I like
to get into tackles.” Smith, who has played soccer
since he was 5 years old, was a standout player in high
school and at Ohio Northern University. This year, he
was awarded First Team All-Ohio honors.
Unrivaled experiences: The men’s soccer team ended
its 2008 season with a 20-6-1 record, capturing the
Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) tournament title and
making it to the NCAA Elite Eight. “Two times in my
four years at Northern, we’ve played in the national
tournament,” says Smith. “Most Division III players
don’t get a chance to experience that.”
Pond jump: A lighter moment in Smith’s soccer career,
and his most memorable, was watching coach Brent
Ridenour, BSBA ’95, H of F ’07, jump into the pond
after the soccer team won the 2006 OAC championship
game against Wilmington, 2-1. “He fulfilled his
promise,” laughs Smith. “It was really cool.”
The right chemistry: Confidence and team chemistry were
keys to the team’s success this year, says Smith. “We were
cohesive both on and off the field. My teammates were my
best friends. We were all very dedicated to our team and to
Northern.”
Leading for the future: A team captain in his junior and
senior years, Smith strove to lift up his teammates. By
putting forth extraordinary effort in the classroom and on
the field, he led by example. “I like being busy and working
hard,” he says. “Being a student athlete forced me to stay
focused.” The leadership and time-management skills
he developed will prove
invaluable to him in the
future, he adds. He has
been accepted into the
University of Cincinnati
College of Medicine and
plans to become a physician
specializing in sports
medicine and orthopedics.
$7,500 NCAA postgraduate scholarship for
his outstanding achievements as a scholar
and athlete. The NCAA awards up to 174
postgraduate scholarships per year: 87 for men
and 87 for women. Smith was one of only four
men’s soccer players to receive the scholarship
this year; the other three players were from
Division I. Smith was also the winner of the
prestigious Clyde Lamb Award, given by the
OAC to the most outstanding male and female
athletes at each member school.
Perfect fit: Although Smith is a big fan of
Ohio State Universitiy, he chose to attend
Ohio Northern because it offered both strong
academics and a successful soccer program.
He appreciated the small class sizes and
excellent preparation he received for medical
school. “I couldn’t have asked for anything
better,” he says. “Northern was the perfect fit
for me. I wouldn’t make a different choice if I
had the chance.”
NCAA scholarship: Smith
won many accolades during
his four years at Northern.
Last spring, he received a
5
Polar Bear Illustrated Coach Profile
Justin Krock named
head women’s
golf coach
John Rhodes
named head men’s
basketball coach
Justin Krock has been named the new head
women’s golf coach at Ohio Northern University.
This will be Krock’s first head coaching position
after an extensive background in the sport from
the youth through professional levels. Most
recently, Krock served as a caddy for golfer Kris
Blanks during the 2008 Nationwide Tour. Krock
helped Blanks earn his way to the PGA Tour,
where he has played in 16 events this season.
Ohio Northern University has named John Rhodes as its new head coach for men’s basketball.
Rhodes comes to Northern after a one-year stint
as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Northeastern University. He has 13 years of coaching
experience and eight years of experience playing
professional basketball.
A native of Kenton, Ohio, Krock graduated from
Kenton High School in 1997 and earned a trip
to the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s
state golf tournament as a senior. From there, he
went on to play golf at the University of Findlay
as a freshman. Krock was able to earn his first
collegiate tournament victory during that season.
After his freshman year, Krock decided to pursue his education in professional
golf management at Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, S.C. When he
returned to Ohio, Krock remained in the sport by managing the golf pro shop at
Dick’s Sporting Goods and giving lessons as an assistant pro at Red Hawk Run
in Findlay, Ohio.
Krock has a son, Braytton (9) and is preparing to take the Playing Aptitude Test
to become a professional instructor through the PGA Tour. Krock’s father, John
Krock, BA ’75, was a letter-winner for the ONU track and field team.
Prior to his time at Northeastern, Rhodes
spent nine seasons as an assistant coach and
associate head coach at his alma mater, Ohio
University, where he helped lead the Bobcats to
winning records in seven of nine seasons. Prior
to joining the Bobcats, Rhodes was an assistant
coach for two years at St. Bonaventure and for
one season at North Florida University.
Before coaching, Rhodes played professional basketball in Europe for eight
years, where he earned numerous accolades, including Icelandic Basketball
League’s Most Valuable Player in 1992. Rhodes was a four-year letterman for
Ohio University from 1984-88. A star center for the Bobcats, he served as
team captain and was named Second Team All-Mid Atlantic Conference his
senior year. Rhodes graduated from Ohio in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in
journalism and public relations. He and his wife, Jackie, have two children,
Alexis (12) and Kristopher (9).
Rhodes is only the sixth head men’s basketball coach at ONU since 1949 and
replaces Jeff Coleman, BA ’90, who went 73-34 in four seasons since 2005-06.
6
Polar Bear Illustrated Feature
ONU wins OAC
Men’s and Women’s All-Sports trophies
for third consecutive year
Last year, Ohio Northern became the first school in Ohio Athletic Conference
(OAC) history to sweep the men’s and women’s OAC All-Sports titles in back-toback years.
For 2008-09,
ONU has done
one better.
For an
unprecedented
third straight
year, the Ohio
Northern men’s
and women’s
teams have
swept the
OAC All-Sports
trophies.
“We have
phenomenal
students,” says
Tom Simmons,
BSBA ’85, BA ’86, director of athletics, “who are able to handle a difficult
academic load and still prepare for a tough conference.”
The Men’s All-Sports Trophy has been awarded every year since 1960-61, and
the Women’s All-Sports Trophy has been awarded annually since the 1984-85
athletic season. Throughout the history of the trophies, the ONU men’s and
women’s teams have both won six times.
The championship team in each sport receives the number of points corresponding to
the number of schools that sponsor teams in that sport.
The second-place team receives one less point and so on, down to one point for the
last-place team that competes. In the case of a tie in the standings, All-Sports Trophy
points are shared evenly.
Simmons stresses that ONU’s repeated success in the All-Sports competition has
been a campus-wide effort.
“We have great University support through top-notch facilities, the physical plant help
and a workable budget,” he said. “We also have a dedicated coaching staff that must
wear different hats as teachers, coaches and recruiters. I have great respect for their
hard work.”
As ONU gears up
for a run at a fourth
consecutive pair of
trophies in 2009-10, the
Polar Bears expect to be
the team to beat in the
OAC.
“Everyone is fighting to
get what we have,” said
Simmons. “We just have
to keep doing the best
we can.”
7
Polar Bear Illustrated Feature
ONU dedicates
O
the Joe and Margaret Campoli Court
hio Northern University officially
dedicated the Joe and Margaret
Campoli Court on Saturday, Dec. 20,
2008. This new parquet-style floor
was installed in the Sports Center
in fall 2008 to honor the legendary
coach and his wife, Margaret, for their 30 years of
service to Ohio Northern.
“Margaret and I are grateful for
having the new floor named in
our honor,” Campoli said. “We
love Ohio Northern University
and have wonderful memories
of our 30 years. It’s hard for me
to believe that there is a better
floor at the Division III level.”
The floor was dedicated at halftime of the Polar
Bear men’s basketball game against John Carroll
University.
Campoli was voted the Division
III National Coach of the Year
twice (1993, 2001) and the
Ohio College Coach of the
Year twice (1993, 2001).
He won the Ohio Athletic
Conference Coach of the Year
honor four times (1993, 1995,
1999, 2001), and in 2001
Campoli received the Vincent
T. Lombardi Memorial Award,
given annually by UNICO to a
high-achieving coach of Italian descent. Established
in 1922, UNICO is the largest Italian-American
service organization in the United States. Previous
winners of this extremely prestigious award include
Joe Paterno, Mario Andretti, Joe Montana, Jim
Valvano, Tommy Lasorda and Phil Rizzuto.
Joe Campoli, H of F ’98, was 254-101 in his 13
seasons at the helm of the Polar Bear basketball
program. This .715 winning percentage ranks
him No. 1 among Ohio Northern men’s basketball
coaches. He ranks second all-time in men’s
basketball coaching victories at ONU and was the
fastest coach in school history to reach both 100 and
200 wins.
He guided Ohio Northern to the 1993 NCAA Division
III National Championship and coached ONU to the
Final Four in 2001.
“Not only was Joe a great coach and teacher, he
served the University in many other ways,” said
former ONU head basketball coach Jeff Coleman, BA
’90. “It is great that Joe and Margaret and their family
will always be a part of the ONU Sports Center.”
In his 17 seasons as associate basketball coach at
Ohio Northern University, Campoli helped ONU win
266 games. He served as junior varsity coach
from 1975-92 and contributed greatly to the varsity
team’s success.
Campoli’s coaching success at ONU was not limited to
basketball. He founded the women’s soccer program
in 1988 and compiled a 40-29-3 record as head coach
before stepping down in 1992. In 1991, he guided the
Lady Bears to the OAC championship and was named
the 1991 OAC Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year.
Campoli also was an assistant football coach and served
as an associate professor in the department of human
performance and sport sciences.
8
ONU
D
Polar Bear Illustrated Feature
Athletic Hall of Fame
escribed as “the most significant
athletic honor their Alma Mater
can bestow,” induction into Ohio
Northern University’s Athletic Hall
of Fame has become a memorable
and valued Homecoming tradition
during the past 30 years.
LLB ’25, H of F ’68, Harry S. Siegel, BSCE ’21, H of F
’68, Albert N. Smith, BA ’25, H of F ’68, Thomas J. Smull,
BSCE 1904, BSME 1906, Hon. D. ’47, H of F ’68, and
Ronald W. Wander, BSCE ’24, H of F ’68, Hon. D. ’78.
Gordon “Mick” Archeson, BSEd ’55, H of F ’01, Hon. D.
’05, president of the N-Men’s Alumni Association, made
the presentations.
The selection committee included the director of
athletics, a member of the coaching staff, the president
of the N-Men’s Alumni Association, four association
members, and a former recipient of the award.
The first Hall of Fame plaques read, “In recognition of
his outstanding accomplishments in athletics, loyalty
to ONU and continuing achievement and leadership,
bringing honor to himself and further prestige to
ONU, the name and likeness of this man is forever
enshrined.”
The first Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1968.
According to an edition of Ohio Northern Alumnus
from that same year, the Hall of Fame aimed to
“recognize and honor men who have distinguished
themselves in the field of athletics – either on
teams representing the University or by other
meritorious efforts on behalf of athletics.” This
inaugural class was made up of Russell J. Anspach,
BSEE ’26, BSME ’27, H of F ’68, E. Paul Lynch,
In 1972, a new tradition began when the Hall of Fame
induction ceremony took place during a luncheon in the
ballroom of McIntosh Center. Former inductees were
honored, and three new members joined the group.
In 1989, Helen (Spar) Ludwig, BSEd ’44, H of F ’89,
Hon. D. ’89, became the first woman to be inducted.
Today, the Hall of Fame contains 216 members (163
men and 53 women). The latest class of inductees
entered the Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 17, 2008,
as part of Homecoming weekend.
As a volleyball player, Cari
(Treisch) Bahmer, BA ’98,
was extremely decorated,
earning All-America honors
as well as being voted
All-OAC in three different
seasons.
In 1997, Bahmer was named
OAC Player of the Year when
she had 408 kills, 110 total
blocks and a .366 hitting
percentage. She currently
ranks first on ONU’s all-time block solos list, with 162,
second on the total blocks list with 435, and third on the
hitting percentage list, with a career .316 mark.
A high jumper in track and field, Bahmer was a threetime OAC Champion between both indoor and outdoor
competitions. She was a six-time national qualifier for
the NCAA Championships in high jump and held the
school record upon graduation, clearing a height of 5-7.
After graduating from ONU with a degree in elementary
education, Bahmer earned a master’s degree in
education from Muskingum in 2006. She has continued
her volleyball career as a coach, leading her teams to
six league titles and a state Final Four appearance while
being named District V Coach of the Year.
9
ONU Athletic Hall of Fame
A four-year letter-winner for
the Ohio Northern men’s
basketball team, Nick
Bertke, BS ’97, played a
major role in the 1992-93
National Championship
season as a freshman.
He garnered many
postseason awards during
his career, including
Second Team All-America
and the Gregory Award for
most outstanding player in
the OAC his senior season. During that season, Bertke
led the Polar Bears in scoring, rebounding, steals and
field-goal percentage.
Following his decorated college career, Bertke played
basketball professionally for the OSG Phoenix in
Ichinomiya, Japan. Fans dubbed him “The Dunker,”
and he averaged more than 15 points and 10
rebounds a game during his rookie campaign.
In 2008, Bertke was named the Western Buckeye
League Coach of the Year for his performance at
Shawnee High School.
Christina (Rutledge) Crook,
BA ’88, starred for the ONU
volleyball team. She was
named First Team AllOAC in three consecutive
seasons (from 1985-87)
and was an All-American
in 1986 and 1987. She
was also a member of the
Academic All-OAC team in
her final two seasons with
the Polar Bears.
Crook is Northern’s all-time leader in aces with 238
(14 ahead of second place) and is in fourth place on
the all-time hitting percentage list at .308. In 1985,
Crook collected 99 aces, the most by any sophomore
in school history.
She helped lead the Polar Bears to OAC Regular
Season and Tournament Championships in each of
her four years and posted a 54-3 OAC regular season
record.
Crook is a veterinary assistant at the Jefferson
Veterinary Clinic in West Unity, Ohio.
Cary (Gunning) Hartness, BSPh ’98, was a six-time
OAC swimming champion at ONU, finishing first in
the 50 free, 100 free and 200 free in both 1994 and
1995. After the 1993-94 season, she was awarded
with the OAC Inspirational Award for her performance.
Hartness was All-OAC for three straight seasons and
was dubbed the OAC Most Outstanding Swimmer in
1995. She was also chosen as ONU’s Most Valuable
Swimmer in 1994 and 1995. Her career bests are 24.2
in the 50 free, 52.9 in the 100 free, 1:53.0 in the 200
free and 5:04.0 in the 500 free.
Hartness is currently a staff pharmacist at the Eastgate
Kroger Pharmacy in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Edward Miklavcic, BSME
’76, played for Ohio
Northern’s baseball
team from 1973-76. In
1974, he was named
First Team District IV
All-American, First Team
All-OAC and Northern’s
team MVP.
Miklavcic was also named First Team All-OAC and
team MVP a year later and served as the baseball
team captain as a senior in 1976. His 1974 team
competed on the NCAA Division II level and
participated in both the Midwest regional and World
Series tournaments.
Miklavcic retired from Northrup Grumman where he
was a flight operations engineer.
Stan Reineke, BS, BSBA
’88, lettered all four
years at Northern and is
currently 10th on ONU’s
all-time scoring list with
1,417 points.
Reineke was an
outstanding free-throw
shooter and finished
the 1984-85 season
with a .906 free-throw
percentage, which still
holds as an ONU single-season record. At one point
during this ONU record-breaking season, Reineke
made 41 consecutive free throws.
He was named team MVP for the 1986-87 and
1987-88 seasons. During those same years, Reineke
was selected First Team All-OAC twice and First Team
All-District once. He capped off his senior season by
being named Honorable Mention All-America I 1988.
For his career, Reineke ranks in the top 15 in 10
categories and in the top 10 in seven categories.
He is currently the sales and marketing manager at
Pax Products Inc. in Celina, Ohio.
10
Jeff Coleman
Polar Bear Illustrated Feature
17-year career at ONU comes to an end
J
eff Coleman, BA ’90, stepped down this spring
as head men’s basketball coach and assistant
professor in the health, physical education and
sport science department. For 17 years, he was
an important figure in ONU’s sports program,
helping students
achieve success
on and off the
court. He leaves
behind a close
knit “basketball
family” that
he says made
his experience
at Northern
unforgettable.
“The
relationships
with players and
coaches are
things I’ll never
forget. There
were a billion
moments that
were fun.”
During his four seasons as head men’s basketball
coach, Coleman posted a 93-33 record. Before
becoming head coach, he was assistant coach for 13
years under legendary Northern coach Joe Campoli, H
of F ’98.
Coleman is also the all-time winningest coach
in the ONU women’s soccer history, compiling
a 103-53-9 record from 1993-2000. He also
served as the men’s golf coach from 2002-05,
posting a 109-231-1 record, and as an interim
men’s tennis coach in 1999, guiding ONU to
a 12-1 record in the final three-quarters of the
season.
Although his teams had many memorable
seasons and victories, Coleman says his proudest
achievement was watching his players graduate
and find success after Northern. “Academics
always came first,” he says. “Seeing the players
grow during their time at Northern and go on to
do well was the most rewarding part.”
Coleman also strived to make his basketball
program focused but enjoyable. “I wanted the
players to play their guts out but have a lot of fun
along the way,” he explains. “I wanted them to
graduate believing that coming to Northern and
being in the basketball program was the best
decision they had ever made.”
Coleman graduated from Ohio Northern in 1990
with a degree in biology and earned his master’s
degree from Georgia Southern in 1993. He was
a three-year letter-winner on the ONU men’s
tennis team from 1987-89 and was part of Ohio
Northern’s undefeated 1987 squad that posted a
10-0 record.
Leaving his
friends at
ONU was
a difficult
decision, he
says. “But
I have an
opportunity
that doesn’t
come about
too often,
and I am
excited to
pursue it.
The men’s
basketball
program
is healthy
with great
young men
here that will
have a great deal of success in the future, and I’ll do
anything I can to help down the road.”
“We wish Jeff all the best as he moves forward,” says
Tom Simmons, BSBA ’85, BA ’86, director of athletics.
“He has been a terrific coach, role model and mentor
to hundreds of young men and women, and we are
sad to see him move on. Jeff will always be a part of
the Ohio Northern family, and we are grateful for his
17 years of service.”
11
Polar Bear Illustrated Feature
ONU “Super Fans”
A
bring A-game to the Tundra
t Ohio Northern University, the
fans are one of the most important components of any sporting
event. Without the fans, football
games, basketball games, swim
meets, track competitions – any
sport – would lack a certain intensity that forces
its competitors to focus and succeed.
Alumnus strongly supports ONU sports
There are certainly fans for every sport at ONU,
and each one makes the sports program more
meaningful, but there are also some fans who
go above and beyond any definition of average
commitment. Those fans show up to every
game, know every player and statistic, and
hunger for the thrill of cheering on their teams.
For these reasons and many others, these
special fans qualify as ONU “super fans.”
When Jerry Stechschulte,
BSEd ’66, H of F ’99,
graduated from Ohio
Northern University, he held
the single-season scoring
record (554 points) in his
sport of choice, basketball.
He was also second alltime in career scoring with
1,163 points. For these
accomplishments, and
because of his successful
35-year career in teaching
and coaching at the high
school level, Stechschulte
was inducted into the ONU
Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
We’ve identified two such fans, although
there are many more just as dedicated. One
“super fan” is an alumnus, while the other is a
dedicated ONU employee, showing the extent of
devotion that ONU sports attract and inspire.
Forty-three years after
graduation, Stechschulte continues his passion for sports.
He has continued to follow ONU athletics, and over the
years, he has developed into one of ONU’s most qualified
“super fans.”
These “super fans,” whether fervently
committed to one sport in particular or to all
sports equally, create the special atmosphere of
excitement and passion that make ONU’s sports
fields unique.
“I follow the football program, men’s and women’s
basketball, women’s volleyball, women’s softball, baseball
and winter indoor track and field,” Stechschulte says. He
also tries to attend swimming, tennis and soccer events
when he can.
While one may wonder how Stechschulte is able to so
tirelessly support ONU sports, for Stechschulte, it was
never an issue. “All you have to do is look at the great
coaches we have had (and still do) and then come
into contact with the student athletes ONU has on
campus, and it’s hard not to be a ‘super fan.’”
Stechschulte also attributes his continued love of
sports to the many years he spent teaching and
coaching. “Being a teacher, I was fortunate to be
among young people all the time. And in coaching,
I was able to experience the thrill of competition. At
ONU sports events, I can once again experience these
things. I can do this at a university that I am so very
proud of, not only because of its athletic achievements
but also because of its academic success,”
Stechschulte says.
Among his top Ohio Northern sport moments,
Stechschulte fondly remembers when Joe Campoli, H
of F ’98, led Ohio Northern’s men’s basketball team to
the NCAA Division III National Championship in 1993.
Stechschulte also said that the ONU Polar Bears’ win
over the Mount Union Purple Raiders under Dean
Paul in 2005 was another memorable moment for him
in ONU sports history.
Although he continues to avidly follow Ohio Northern
sports, Stechschulte also has a large family to keep
him busy. In 1966, Stechschulte married Paula Lynn.
The couple has four sons, Matthew, Nathan, Aaron
and Adam, along with four grandchildren. In 1971,
12
Polar Bear Illustrated Feature
ONU “Super Fans”
Stechschulte and his wife remodeled a home in
Columbus Grove, Ohio, in which they continue to live.
Such commitment may seem excessive to some,
but Quattrocchi enjoys each and every event he
attends. When asked what he loves about ONU
sports, Quattrocchi replied, “Over the years, I have
been friends with the basketball coaches, especially
Gale Daugherty, Joe Campoli, H of F ’98, and Jeff
Coleman, BA ’90. I was asked to travel with the
men’s team, and after getting to know the players
each year, I couldn’t think of being anywhere else.”
After teaching and coaching for 35 years, Stechschulte
is happy to return to ONU sports. “I am now retired
and have the time to be a ‘super fan’ of the University
that did so much for me in my early years.”
When asked how he felt about being called a “super
fan,” Stechschulte notes, “It feels good to be called a
‘super fan,’ but there are many others out there that
are just as passionate about ONU sports.”
One of Quattrocchi’s favorite memories from his
years as an ONU basketball “super fan” is ONU’s
win in 1993 against Augustana College at the NCAA
Men’s Division III Basketball Championship. ONU
had a close game, beating Augustana by only three
points; the final score was 71-68.
Quattrocchi gives 110 percent to ONU sports.
Attend any Ohio Northern University men’s basketball
game during the season, home or away, and you will
see the usual characters: the players, the coaches,
the referees and Phil Quattrocchi.
Quattrocchi is neither a player nor a coach, yet he
attends almost every ONU men’s basketball game
during the season. He seems to be a part of the
team itself. Quattrocchi has attended ONU basketball
games for more than 20 years and has no intention
of quitting any time soon.
The epitome of an ONU “super fan,” Quattrocchi
regards the basketball team, players and coaches
alike, as an extended family. Having worked on the
ONU campus for 45 years, it is almost as if he has
some sort of right to be far more connected than the
average sports fan.
Quattrocchi has been manager of ONU’s
recreation facilities in McIntosh Center for
43 years. He came to ONU when he married
his wife, who was from the Ada area. Initially,
Quattrocchi worked on the grounds crew at
ONU, but two years into the position, he was
offered a job at McIntosh. Since being at ONU,
he has fostered his love of sports by avidly
supporting Ohio Northern events. “I follow
basketball, football and softball,” Quattrocchi
says, “but basketball is my favorite.”
Each year at ONU, Quattrocchi considers the
basketball players and coaches as an extended
family that he supports as a true ONU “super fan.”
Quattrocchi, however, doesn’t see his commitment
as going above and beyond. “I am not a ‘super fan,’
just a great fan of the players, coaches and the sport
itself.” This is why ONU will continue to recognize
not only its “super fans” but also every fan who
returns each year to the sports and the school that
they love.
13
What’s New
in ONU club sports
When Ohio Northern University students take a
break from their studies to play club sports, they’re
not just blowing off steam. These Polar Bears hit
the field like true athletes, and the 2008-09 season
is proof. This year Northern students participated
in seven different club sports: men’s and women’s
rugby and ultimate Frisbee, women’s soccer and
softball, and men’s volleyball. Time after time, players brought their dedication, hard work, passion and
love for the game to their sports.
Men’s and women’s Black Rose rugby teams played
tough in both their fall and spring seasons. In the
fall, the men only lost one game, and in the spring,
they hosted and won the annual Toilet Bowl. The
team also traveled to St. Louis for a tournament,
and though they did not take first place, they
proved themselves a force to be reckoned with by
beating Division I Truman State. The women made
a name for themselves as well, attending several
tournaments and placing third in the Marion Teapot
Tournament. While there were some hard-fought and
disappointing losses, the women showed strength
and determination in all of their matches.
Men’s Darkside and women’s Lightside ultimate
Frisbee teams fared very well this year. The Darkside
posted an impressive 23 wins and hosted an indoor
tournament at which they bested eight teams from
around the state. The women finished second at the
University of Dayton and The Ohio State University
tournaments. They also hosted the Division III
nationals and had a great time playing against teams
from across the nation.
Men’s volleyball returned for another triumphant
season. The team hosted the annual All-Ohio
Volleyball Classic, posting impressive wins over Ohio
University and the University of Dayton before a close
loss to Ohio State University to take third. ONU took
an exciting third place at the national collegiate clubvolleyball championship for the second straight year.
The 2008-09 club-sports season was full of exciting
moments and challenging victories, proving
once again that ONU athletes show the same
determination and drive for success on the field as
they do in the classroom.
Women’s soccer had a busy year. During the fall
season, the girls proved themselves by playing
at an Ohio State University tournament and
beating Eastern Kentucky University, tying Purdue
University. At the season’s end, the team joined a
coed indoor league at Bluffton Recreation Center
for the winter and played intramural soccer during
the spring. It might have been a busy year, but the
girls had fun and played hard throughout.
During their second year as an organization,
the women’s softball team had a blast playing
against teams from around the Midwest. At Xavier
University’s Muskie Mayhem tournament, ONU
played with great skill but lost a close game in the
semifinals. Still a young organization, the team
hopes for a solid showing next year, though their
.500 record this year is nothing to scoff at.
14
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Baseball
Looking back
other at all times; all things are done for the good of
the team. Finally, transfer-of-blame is not allowed in
our program. I believe these key areas have to be
accomplished before we can pick up a baseball. Our
league schedule is the toughest in the country. Each
opponent is challenging, and that’s how we have to
prepare. We may be better on paper, but I don’t know
of any team being declared the winner because they
were better on paper.”
The 2008 Polar Bears finished the
season with an overall record of
15-24. One player earned All-Ohio
Athletic Conference honors.
– Justin Bergman, fifth-year head coach
Looking forward
“Our overall team expectations for next year are to finish in the top
four of the OAC and to bring home a winning season. Our strategies
begin in the off-season; our kids are expected to play during the
summer, lift weights and condition. That’s when the individual players
are developed. We’re bringing back a lot of experience, with probably
the biggest senior class in 15 years at ONU and particularly on the
mound with our pitching ace Justin Miller. In the new talent, we got
exactly the 15 we wanted: all solid high-school baseball players.
Everyone needs to fulfill their role, and we need to do a better job of
handling adversity as a team. My coaching philosophy has changed
a little bit but not much. I talk about our program philosophy more
than I do my coaching philosophy because the program is bigger than
me as a coach. As a player, fundamentals and responsibility will be
stressed. Loyalty is essential. Players must believe in and push each
15
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Men’s basketball
Looking back
“What I enjoy most about playing
basketball at Northern is going out
and winning games while having a
lot of fun doing it.”
The 2008-09 team finished the season with
an 18-9 record, posting its 19th consecutive winning season. The team ranked third
in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). Jake
Cannan, a senior from Dublin, Ohio, was
named Academic All-OAC. Three other players received All-OAC honors.
– Kyle Meyer, a junior mathematics
major from Columbus Grove, Ohio
Looking forward
“I expect us to be mentally tough, physically strong and well-conditioned as a team. In the classroom, we want to achieve above a 3.0
team GPA. On the court, we are striving for an OAC championship. We
will be detail-oriented and stress fundamental basketball on both ends
of the floor. We should have a mixture of size, depth and experience on
our side, and it will allow us to play some different combinations and
adjust to our opponents. I’ve inherited a team that returns eight lettermen, three of whom are starters. All-OAC First Team Kyle Meyer leads
the way, and he should find himself in good company with Ezra Bradshaw and Sam Bastian. After watching last season’s games, I believe
you have to come ready to play every night in this league or you should
expect to get beaten. Our challenge will be about what we are willing to
commit to. Talent wins games, but teams win championships. It is vital
we grow the program with good talent, but it is of utmost importance
that we do it on the foundation of solid character with the support of
the Polar Bear Nation.”
– John Rhodes, first-year head coach
16
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Women’s basketball
Looking back
The 2008 women’s basketball team ended
the season with a 9-17 record and two players named All-OAC.
Looking forward
“We have a young team with no seniors but a lot of returning and new talent. Our biggest strength will be our versatility. We
have a lot of players who can play various positions, which allows us to have more choices offensively and defensively. Our
biggest challenge will be our youth and blending our players together. We have 20 players in the program; 16 are freshmen
or sophomores. Our goals are to win the OAC Championship and maintain a 3.0 team GPA. These both can become a
reality if we work hard. Every night we step on the floor in our conference will be a challenge, though, because the OAC is
one of the best leagues in the country. Ultimately, I want the women on the team to have a well-rounded experience. They
need to be successful
in the classroom so
they can move beyond
ONU and be successful.
Basketball can be a
special addition to their
lives, an opportunity
to learn to work with
others toward a common
goal. Years from now,
I hope they all have
great memories of their
playing days and the
fun times they had
with their teammates.
I really look forward to
another exciting year
of Polar Bear women’s
basketball. The team is hungry to improve on last year’s record and compete for
an OAC championship!”
– Michele Durand, 10th-year head coach
Season opener: Nov. 21-22 at Hanover (Ind.) Tip-Off Tournament
“I enjoy competing in one of the best Division III conferences in the country. I
also enjoy being part of a team with common goals. The players in our program
are more than just teammates; we’re family.”
– Kara Dysert, freshman exercise-physiology major from Ada, Ohio
17
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Football
Looking back
The 2008 team
finished with a 5-5
overall record, 5-4
in the OAC. Eleven
players earned
All-Ohio Athletic
Conference (OAC)
honors, and three
took Academic
All-OAC accolades.
Senior nose tackle
Jake Fallis, from
Harrison, Ohio,
achieved the
distinction of Second
Team All-America
from D3Foodball.com
for the 2008 season.
Looking forward
“Every season our expectations are very high, and it’s the same
for 2009. After an uncharacteristic start to the year in 2008, we
like the way the players finished the season, and we’re excited
about the retention and attitude that they’ve demonstrated in the
winter and spring. Putting that together with the changes we’ve
made has created a very positive outlook for heading into the fall.
Our goal is chiefly to reach our full potential – in the classroom,
on the field, socially and spiritually. This includes graduating
our seniors and earning a GPA above the male student-body
average, embracing the ONU mission, building team chemistry,
demonstrating championship characteristics and improving every
single week. This begins with recruiting the right men: men who
are interested in being part of something bigger than themselves,
who will work hard, who have a passion for the game. It also
involves program implementation for player development and
retaining our players by showing that we care about them, treating
them in a first-class way. Our biggest strength is experience (23
seniors) and attitude. I have fun coaching football at ONU, I have
fun with my family, and I want our players to have fun being part
of the ONU football experience.”
– Dean Paul, seventh-year head coach
Season opener: Sept. 5 against North Central
“The football program taught me that the best way to
handle adversity is to stay together, be positive and
have fun. After a slow start to the season, most teams
would have fallen apart. Our coaches and players did a
great job staying together, keeping positive and having
fun, and as a result we finished very strong.”
– Gabe Washington, junior linebacker from Lorain, Ohio
18
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Men’s golf
Looking back
The 2009 team finished the year with a
45-55 record and a seventh-place finish
at the OAC Championship.
Looking forward
“Our goal is to continue improving and take steps
toward winning an OAC Championship. Our biggest
strength is that we are mentally tough and compete
well in less-than-ideal conditions. We have a lot of
good golfers returning with plenty of experience to
be able to compete at a high level. But we do have
a void this year left by Ben
Kretz, BA ’09, a consistent
player who has graduated.
I will be looking to have one
or more players step up
and be our No. 1 golfer and
leader. It will be interesting to see which guys take
that step. This spring, our
team will take its annual
trip to Orlando. It provides
a wonderful opportunity to
get in some good-weather
rounds and play some
tough courses.”
– Chad Bostelman,
second-year head coach
19
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Women’s golf
Looking back
The 2009 women’s golf team placed second in the Ohio Athletic Conference
(OAC) Championship with four players finishing in the top 11. The team finished
75-16-1 overall and set a new team record at the Wittenberg Fall Invitational
for lowest 18- and 36-hole scores. The season also saw the University’s lowest
team average for women’s golf: 345.22 for the season. Two teammates received
Academic All-OAC honors, with six achieving All-OAC status.
Looking forward
“My overall expectations for this team
are very high. I expect us to win the
OAC Championship in the spring and
compete for invitational titles. My
approach will be to make each individual
player better and improve on any weak
areas of their game. I would like to see
everyone’s stroke average come down
from the year before. One of our biggest
strengths is leadership. With five seniors
coming back, I will lean on them heavily.
The biggest challenge this year will be
my lack of experience as a head coach,
but I have studied the golf swing for
over 20 years and caddied on the PGA
Nationwide Tour. I know what it takes
to become a great player. My coaching
philosophy is based on staying in the moment and trying to get better each
and every day, not only on the course but also in life. As far as competition,
Otterbein is always solid, but with this being my first year, I am not focused on
the competition, because they have no impact on how we play on the course.
This is unique to golf: We compete against the course. It’s my job to prepare
our team for the course as best as I can. I am very excited to get the season
going. We have an experienced team, and the time to win is now.”
– Justin Krock, first-year head coach
“I enjoy how golf is both a team and individual sport. When it comes down
to the score you shoot at the end of the round, the only person responsible
for that is you; but the overall goal is to have the best team score.”
– Kaylea Thresher, third-year pharmacy student from Powell, Ohio
20
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Men’s soccer
Looking back
The 2008 men’s soccer team earned the distinction of having
the best season in school history, finishing at 20-6-1. As OAC
tournament champions for the second time in three seasons,
the Polar Bears won a school record 20 games and advanced
to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time in school history, where
they lost to Loras College (Iowa). Senior Ryan Smith, from
Miamisburg, Ohio, earned NSCAA/Adidas Scholar All-America
honors. Six All-OAC accolades were given.
Looking forward
“We will have a competitive and
first-class team on the field this
season. Our goals are to win the OAC
Championship and then compete
for a National Championship. Our
players are smart and competitive.
Many of them just refuse to lose,
and when we play poorly, they know
it. I can’t wait to get our new players
on board to see how they develop.
I’m confident that they will help us
to win games this fall. The OAC will
be extremely competitive this year.
It has quickly become the most
competitive and deepest conference
in the Midwest. There will be no
easy games, which will make winning the OAC Championship
even more rewarding. We also have some fun and interesting
opportunities on the horizon. In September, we are headed
to Roanoke, Va., to play in one of the top non-conference
tournaments in the nation. We are also planning a trip in 2010
to Europe, which will include stops in England, Denmark and
Sweden.”
– Brent Ridenour, 13th-year head coach
Season opener: Sept. 1 against Manchester
“We live by D.U.E. – discipline, unity and excellence. We try
to achieve all of these things on the field, in the classroom,
in our social lives and in our personal lives. Every player is
held to very high standards and is expected to perpetuate this
team philosophy.”
– Ryan Smith, BS ’09
21
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Women’s soccer
Looking back
The 2008 women’s soccer team had a fine season,
ending with a 14-5-1 overall record, a 7-2-0 OAC
record, a second-place finish in the OAC and a spot
in the OAC tournament finals. The team finished
ranked No. 4 by the NCAA in the Great Lakes Region.
Kaitlin Sanders, junior from Kendallville, Ind., was
named ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic AllAmerica for the season as well as Academic All-OAC.
Five received All-OAC honors.
Looking forward
“This year’s team will improve on the previous season both on and
off the field. Our goals are to compete against the best and win
the OAC tournament. To reach these goals, we’ll have to balance
desire with hard work, sacrifice and commitment. We have loads
of experience coming back. The senior team members know
nothing but success. In their first three seasons, they’ve finished
second, first and second in the OAC. We’ll be incorporating 11
new players in the program. It’s a large group, but I’m confident
that each one will be a great addition to the team. As coach, I’ll
continue to remind the team to have fun first but work hard and
remember that each practice and game is an opportunity to learn.
Our non-conference schedule is tough as we will face off against
four teams that went to the
NCAA national championship
last fall, but I’m optimistic and
excited. It will be a great year,
and I want our seniors to be a
part of the best soccer season
in the history of our program.”
Season opener: Sept. 1 against
Defiance College
“Soccer has given me freedom from
everyday stress and allowed me to grow
and prove to myself that I can achieve
great things with a great team behind
me. Most important, soccer is fun!”
– Angela Pisut, third-year pharmacy
student from Huber Heights, Ohio
– Mark Batman, seventh-year
head coach
22
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Softball
Looking back
The 2009 softball
season ended with a
solid 39-6 overall record
for the Polar Bears and
only two losses in the
Ohio Athletic Conference
(OAC). OAC Regular
Season Champions,
OAC Tournament
Champions and NCAA
III Central Regional
Tournament Champions,
the team brought home
an equally impressive
list of individual honors.
Junior shortstop Liz
Decima was named both Louisville Slugger/NCFCA AllAmerica and OAC Player of the Year. Teammate Danielle
Goubeaux, senior outfielder, was named to the NCAA III
Championships All-Tournament Team. Further accolades
included three Academic All-OAC and nine All-OAC
players as well as All-OAC Coaching Staff of the Year to
Annette Shepherd, Jeremy Shepherd, Les Bowman and
Jamie Snee.
Looking forward
“Repeating a season like the one we just
finished will be very difficult. I expect,
however, to win the OAC regular-season
and conference titles and advance to the
NCAA regionals. Our team will be led by
a large group of sophomores who have
great experience. The key is to continue
developing a solid work ethic and not
being content with last year’s successes.
Integrating the incoming freshman into
our program and developing great team
chemistry is also key. I expect great things
from all of my returners. We had nine
players named All-OAC, five All-Region,
and one First Team All-America. I expect
no less from them this year. There is no
off-day in OAC softball. That being said, we
will be our biggest competitor next year. The
way we push each other in practice will far
exceed the pressure from competition next
year. No disrespect intended to the good
teams in our conference, but that is how
hard we work! The team will likely set a goal
of ending a season on a win, which means
winning the World Series. You can’t
return this much talent and not
set a goal to better the previous
season.”
– Annette Shepherd, seventh-year
head coach
23
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Volleyball
Looking back
Looking forward
The 2008 volleyball team achieved incredible
success, ending its season as the No. 4 nationally
ranked team in Division III with a 34-5 record. This
was the team’s 33rd consecutive winning season, an
NCAA volleyball record. The Polar Bears were OAC
regular season champions for the ninth consecutive
year and OAC tournament champions for the third
straight year. The team received its 25th bid to
the NCAA Division III Tournament and made it to
the Final Four, where its quest for the national title
was ended by Emory University (Ga.). Senior Katie
Weininger and junior Liz Schnelle both received AllAmerica and Academic All-OAC honors. Five players
were named All-OAC.
“The volleyball program faces extremely high
expectations this season. We would like to win the OAC
regular season and tournament again, but our ultimate
goal is to get another bid to the NCAA tournament
and advance to the Elite Eight. Our biggest strength
will be the tremendous amount of experience we have
coming back to specific positions: Liz Schnelle, middle
hitter who was named OAC Co-Player of the Year, First
Team All-American; Renee Berry, excellent right side
hitter, Abby Schaller, left side hitter, Kasey Roeser, an
excellent libero. We are excited about our incoming
class of players: Kelsie Zumberger, setter from Anna
High School; Kelli Lynch, middle hitter from Kentucky,
and Caitlin Higgins, an outside hitter from United Local
High School. These players coming into our program
feel comfortable with the expectation that they are
supposed to win all the time. The keys to our success
this season will be team chemistry, hard work,
cohesiveness and believing in one another. We’ll have
to try not to press too hard or feel the expectations
are too large. But I know my players will continue to
compete hard with character and class.”
– Kate Witte, 20th-year head coach
Season opener: Sept. 4-5, ONU Invitational
“Volleyball is a sport with a high level of intensity
with not much downtime. If you make a bad play,
you have to forget it and move on because there are
five other girls relying on you for the next play.”
– Katie Weininger, BA ’09
24
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Wrestling
Looking back
Looking forward
The Polar Bears made 2008-09 a winning season with
a 12-11 overall record. Sophomore Luke Miller from
Indiana, Pa., earned All-America honors as well as
OAC Wrestler of the Year. Three wrestlers were named
Scholar All-America for the season, and two achieved
All-OAC.
“We look for improvement each season – improvement
in both individual and team performance. With the
experience we have returning from last season and
adding in a talented freshman group, I’m expecting a
balanced team. We have several individuals who can
score big points in a tournament and solid wrestlers in
every weight class. We want to take the OAC regular
dual-meet championship and the season-ending
tournament championship, but we also want to get
as many guys as possible to the NCAA championship
and have them achieve All-America status. This past
year, we had three Scholar All-Americans; I would
like to have four this coming season. Our strategy is
the same each year: You have to develop individuals,
and that will develop a team. That’s our biggest
strength going into this season – team unity. I expect
great things from every guy on the team. Everyone
has to focus on getting better. We have a schedule
that is built to get you prepared for the national-level
competition. Every opponent outside of the OAC
schedule is a challenge. My job is to get the wrestlers
to relax, focus on the task in front of them and work to
improve each week.”
– Ron Beaschler, BSBA ’86, 22nd-year head coach
Season opener: Nov. 22 at the Buckeye/Keystone
Challenge in Columbus
25
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Swimming and diving
Looking back
The 2008-09 men’s
swimming and diving
team had a recordbreaking season,
winning the OAC
Championship for
the fifth consecutive
year. During the
championship meet,
the team won 14 of
20 events and set
eight OAC records and
14 ONU records. The team also had three pool records
and seven NCAA-qualifying performances. OAC
honors for the season included Swimmer of the Year to
sophomore Michael Schultz, Diver of the Year to senior
George Chesney and Coaching Staff of the Year to head
coach Peggy Ewald.
can be a strength as well as a weakness
because, while we have a lot of returning
talent, it takes a lot of senior leadership to
keep the talent focused. The depth on our
team is without a doubt an asset. We have
versatility in many athletes, which affords us
the opportunity to mix things up a bit and
cover every event well. We have 11 incoming
freshmen and 20 returning athletes. Cuts
will be necessary and very difficult. As a
coach, I have to see potential and decide
what they will bring to the table by the end
of the season. It’s not necessarily what they
have on try-out day; it is a question of how
they will develop and buy into the Northern
way. It will also be a challenge to keep the
energy high for a long, intense season that
spans from the third week of September to
potentially the third week of March. But I
expect great things from each and every one
of my athletes this season.”
– Peggy Ewald, sixth-year head coach
Season opener: Oct. 31 against John Carroll
Looking forward
“The expectation every season is to continue to
move the team forward. If we focus on our strengths,
minimize our weaknesses and seize every opportunity,
we should reach our goal of a sixth consecutive OAC
Championship Title. Our team is heavy on the bottom,
meaning we have a young team with few seniors. This
“When you work yourself to the bone twice
a day, every day, for six months, a bond
develops between you and your teammates
that is stronger than anything in sports. You
share challenges, good times and sadness
just like a family would. That bond keeps
you going, even in the hardest parts of the
season, both physically and academically.”
– Dan Henry, senior civil-engineering major
from Tiffin, Ohio
Looking back
The 2008-09 women’s swimming and
diving team had a sensational season,
winning the OAC Championship for the
second time in three seasons. During
the meet, they won 15 of 20 events,
set seven OAC records and nine ONU
records, and had two NCAA-qualifying
swims. OAC honors included Swimmer
of the Year to freshman Michelle Eggers
and Coaching Staff of the Year to head
coach Peggy Ewald.
Looking forward
“This season, we will have many
opportunities to push ourselves and keep moving the bar higher.
We will continue to learn from our past and carve out new
territory. Repeating a consecutive OAC Championship is a goal
that will take team effort to achieve. Our biggest strength will
be our experience within the team. We are returning all but one
athlete and have six incoming freshmen. Our challenge will be to
stay focused on what we need to do rather than getting caught
up on what others are doing. The OAC has gotten faster every
year since I came to ONU. We push, and the other schools push
back. We will face challenges from every school we compete
against next season. In the end, it boils down to who brings their
best to the conference championship and how many we can
move into the NCAA Championship.”
– Peggy Ewald, sixth-year head coach
Season opener: Oct. 31 against John Carroll
“Leadership opportunities and chances for mental
and emotional growth abound on the swim team at
ONU. Swimming also nurtures positive relationships and
lifelong friendships.”
– Katherine Moore, senior criminal-justice major from Chicago, Ill.
26
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Men’s tennis
overpower and gets his racket on the ball. I also
anticipate Nick Kowalczyk to play well; his doubles
game improved tremendously over his freshman
season. The OAC is very competitive. Mt. Union,
John Carroll and Baldwin-Wallace will have strong
teams, and we know that the other teams in our
conference continue to get better and better as
well. I expect our players to be better as a result of
playing at ONU.”
Looking back
Ohio Northern
men’s tennis
wrapped up
the season with
a strong 14-6
record overall,
with only two
losses in the
conference.
Two Polar
Bears received
Academic AllOAC honors, and
four teammates
earned All-OAC.
– Bob Rohan, third-year head coach
Looking forward
“The ONU men’s
tennis program
has been very
competitive in
the OAC for a
number of years.
We have our
sights set on the
NCAA Tournament, but of course we must win the OAC
Tournament Championship first. We schedule difficult
competition out of conference so our players raise their
games to a high level. This means we must be physically
strong. Each person on our team will develop a shot
or stroke that was not previously in his arsenal. My
overall coaching philosophy is to put the players into
the situations they will face in tough matches, forcing
communication, teamwork and leadership to
emerge. Every drill we do, every rule modification
I make, is designed to challenge our players and
force them to practice shots and combinations
of shots they will see in a match. We have
some gaps to fill in the middle of the lineup
from graduation, and we will need some of our
younger guys to step up. Our strength will be
our doubles play, and although we will be young,
I expect to be very good at the top and at the
bottom of the lineup. I expect great doubles play
and leadership from Jeff Carter. He’s difficult to
27
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Women’s tennis
Looking back
The Polar Bears wrapped up a stunning season with a 20-6 overall record, taking both the
OAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships and making their first appearance in the
NCAA Division III Tournament. The team excelled off court as well, earning Intercollegiate Tennis
Association Academic All-America with an average GPA of 3.84/4.0. Senior Kaitlyn MacDonald
from Warsaw, Ind., now holds the school record for career wins and distinguished herself as OAC
Player of the Year. Along with MacDonald, senior Bridget Larson from Hudson, Ohio, earned
Academic All-OAC. In all, five players took home All-OAC honors, and head coach Scott Willis laid
claim to OAC Coaching Staff of the Year.
Looking forward
“We hope to continue our
tennis program’s tradition
of academic and athletic
excellence, fulfill our
potential as a team, and
be one of the best tennis
programs in the country
both academically and
athletically – and have fun
doing so. This involves
working individually and
collectively very hard in the
classroom and very hard
on the court. One class,
one test at a time and one
point, one practice at a
time, helping each other
fulfill our potential. We look
forward to taking on the
top teams in the country
at the Oberlin Invitational and Intercollegiate Tennis Association
Regional Championships in the fall. In the spring, we look forward
to the tough OAC and Division II non-conference schedule and the
opportunity to play against the teams of all divisions. I consider it a
real honor to coach at my alma mater. The OAC is always tough –
2009-10 will be no different.”
– Scott Wills, BSBA ’87, ninth-year head coach
28
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Men’s indoor and outdoor
track and field and cross country
Looking back
The 2008 men’s outdoor
track and field team finished
the season with a 61-2 overall
record and a first-place finish
at the OAC Championship.
Junior Alan Bowsher was
named OAC Distance Runner
of the Year, and coaches
Ryan New and Jason Maus
earned OAC Coaching Staff
of the Year. In addition, the
team featured nine Academic
All-OAC athletes, seven OAC
Conference Champions and
nine All-OAC athletes.
Looking back
The 2008 men’s indoor track and field team finished
the season with a 58-4 overall record and a firstplace finish at the OAC Championship. Senior Jimmy
O’Brien was the NCAA National Champion in the 800,
and junior Alan Bowsher
was named OAC Distance
Runner of the Year. Ryan
New and Jason Maus
earned OAC Coaching Staff
of the Year. In addition,
the team featured nine
Academic All-OAC runners,
12 OAC Conference
Champions and eight AllOAC athletes.
Looking back
The 2008 men’s crosscountry team finished the
year with a 157-23 overall
record and a first-place finish
at the OAC Championship. Senior Jimmy O’Brien
earned All-America honors and finished the
season as OAC Runner of the Year. Coaches Ryan
New and Jason Maus earned OAC Coaching Staff
of the Year. In addition, the team featured four
Academic All-OAC and five All-OAC athletes.
Season opener: Sept. 5 at Akron Invitational
29
Polar Bear Illustrated Sports Summary
Women’s indoor and outdoor
track and field and cross country
Looking back
The 2008 women’s
indoor track and field
team finished the
season with a 55-2
overall record and a
first-place finish at the
OAC Championship.
Junior Rachel Smith
was named OAC
Distance Runner of
the Year, and coaches
Ryan New and Jason
Maus earned OAC
Coaching Staff of the
Year. In addition, the
team featured eight
Academic All-OAC and
12 All-OAC athletes.
Looking back
The 2008 women’s outdoor track and field team
finished the season with a 58-4 overall record and a
first-place finish at the OAC Championship. Senior
Danielle Noe was named OAC Sprinter of the Year. In
addition, the team featured eight Academic All-OAC
athletes, three OAC Champions and nine All-OAC
athletes.
Looking back
The 2008 women’s cross-country team finished the
year with a 106-40 overall record and a first-place
finish at the OAC Championship. The team featured
three Academic All-OAC and four All-OAC athletes.
Season opener: Sept. 5 at Akron Invitational
30