Thunder News and Headlines
5/1 - Trine softball No. 2 in NFCA Poll
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Trine University softball team moved up two sports in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NCAA Division III poll after finishing their regular season with a 33-3 overall record. The team went 4-0 in the previous week outscoring of their opponents 74-2.
After finishing out conference play this past weekend with two shutouts wins against Albion (22-0 and 26-0) and a no-hitter in their sweep against Saint Mary’s (Ind.) (4-0 and 22-2), the Thunder completed their season with a 16-0 conference record to win the MIAA title. The team became the first MIAA squad since 1999 to go undefeated in conference play. The No. 2 ranking marks the highest on record for a Trine team. The softball team previously shared the honor when it was ranked fourth in the NFCA poll along with the 1998 football team.
4/12 - Trine to Host NCAA Softball Regional
INDIANAPOLIS - Trine University has been selected as one of seven regional sites for the 2013 NCAA Division III Softball Championship, the NCAA announced Friday. The eighth regional site will be announced soon. Participants in the 62-team field will be selected for the championship and assigned to regional sites Sunday, May 5. The bracket will be released during the selection show Monday, May 6 at 10 a.m. Eastern time on www.NCAA.com.
This is the first time since becoming an NCAA member in 2004 that Trine will host the regional softball tournament and is the third straight MIAA member school selected to host a regional tournament (Alma in 2012 and Adrian in 2011). Trine University also hosted the 2012 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship last May.
The selected regional hosts and sites are:
Trine University - Angola, Indiana
Central College (Iowa) - Pella, Iowa
Ithaca College - Ithaca, New York
Montclair State University - Montclair, New Jersey
Roanoke College - Salem, Virginia
University of Texas at Tyler - Tyler, Texas
University of Wisconsin, Whitewater - Whitewater, Wisconsin
Eight teams will compete at seven regional sites and six teams will compete at one regional site. The eight-team regionals will be held May 9-13, and the six-team regional will be held May 10-13. All regional sites will use a double-elimination format.
The finals, hosted by the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, will be held May 17-21 at Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
For more information about the Division III Softball Championship, log on to www.ncaa.com.
3/13 - Softball 5th in New NFCA Rankings
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After going 9-1 on the week, including winning the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Leadoff Classic Gold Bracket, the Trine University softball team moved up six spots in the NFCA Coaches polls to No. 5. The Thunder are now 11-1 on the season.
The Thunder won four games at the Rebel Spring Games to start the week, including a 3-1 win over Simpson who entered the poll this week at No. 18. Trine suffered their only loss of the season in the opener of the Leadoff Classic to Illinois Wesleyan who climbed one spot ahead of the Thunder at No.4. After winning their final two pool games by a combined score of 26-3, the Thunder received the final spot in the Gold Bracket.
Trine showed they belonged, as they took down defending National Champion Pacific Lutheran, who dropped out of the polls from 18th, 5-2 to advance to the semi-finals and a rematch with Illinois Wesleyan. This time, the Thunder would quiet the Titans with a 2-1 win to advance to the championship game. Facing the only undefeated team left in the tournament, Trine used a 4-run 7th inning to comeback and knock off No. 22 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 5-4 and claim the championship.
The No. 5 ranking for the Thunder is the highest they have ever been ranked in school history. Trine will next face Hiram College, who also participated in the Leadoff Classic, in the home-opener on March 16 beginning at 2:00 p.m.
The complete poll can be found here.
2/27 - softball Co-Favorites In MIAA Preseason Poll
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - Despite being the only Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association softball team nationally ranked, the Trine University squad was picked as co-favorites to repeat as conference champions by the league’s coaches, tying with Alma College with 12 points. This is the first time since the MIAA began conducting a preseason softball poll that there has been a tie for first. Trine won the regular season title last season but the Scots capture the conference tournament.
The Thunder, tied for 13th in the most recent National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Poll, received five first place votes, while Alma received just four first place votes. Coaches could not vote for their own team.
Trine swept last year’s regular season series with Scots en-route to a 15-1 conference record while setting a school record with 40 wins. The Thunder also advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament Championship game for the first time in school history.
Trine is poised for another deep post-season run as the squad returns seven starters from a year ago, including MIAA Most Valuable Player and Pitcher in senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey). The team will also feature two transfers from Division I Toledo and Division II Fairmount State along with eight freshmen.
The Thunder will open their season on March 3 at the Rebel Spring games before traveling to Georgia for the invitation only NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic beginning March 8. Trine will begin the NFCA tournament by facing seventh ranked Illinois Wesleyan. Trine’s home-opener will be on March 16 when they take on Hiram College.
Poll Results (first-place votes in parenthesis): 1. Trine (5) 12 pts. 1. Alma (4) 12. 3. Hope 24. 4. Adrian 29. 5. Saint Mary’s 38. 6. Olivet 43. 7. Calvin 46. 8. Albion 57. 9. Kalamazoo 63.
2/19 - Thunder Baseball Picked Third in MIAA Preseason Poll
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - After finishing second in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association a season ago, the Trine University baseball team was picked to finish third in the MIAA preseason poll. Defending champion Adrian was selected to repeat in the poll of the league’s coaches.
The Bulldogs, who took home last season’s championship with a 24-4 record, finishing six games ahead of the Thunder. Trine was the only team to defeat Adrian twice a season ago, splitting their conference series. Adrian received seven of a possible eight first-place votes in the coaches poll. Hope, which was picked to finish second, received the other first-place vote. Coaches could not vote for their own team.
Under the leadership of head coach Greg Perschke, the Thunder produced one of its best seasons in history. The Thunder finished second in the conference with a 25-18 record and won its first ever MIAA Tournament game, defeating Hope.
Pitching is going to be a collaborative effort again this season as the Thunder returns all but one starter. Senior Kale Popp (Rensselaer, Ind./Kankakee Valley) leads the rotation and will be joined by fellow seniors Nick Cocanower (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) and Jake Rightnowar (Oregon, Ohio/Toledo Christian). Junior Jeremy Spalding (Toledo, Ohio/Toledo Central Catholic) will look to repeat a fantastic sophomore season where he finished third in the nation with 11 saves.
The infield will look for leadership from returning starting catcher and senior Matt Zurbriggen (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point), who was named All-MIAA Second Team a year ago. Sophomore Ethan Prebynski (Auburn, Ind./DeKalb) showed he could handle the adjustment to the college level, starting 36 games at second base while fellow sophomore Jordan Baer (Fort Wayne, Ind./Leo) along with juniors Adam Sullivan (Fort Wayne, Ind./Elmhurst) and Andrew DeGood (Hamilton, Mich./Hamilton) all look to make contributions as part of a deep infield that lost two starters.
The Thunder will need to rebuild its outfield after losing two starters with senior Tom Wilder (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield) as the only returner who saw significant time.
Trine will open their season in Florida at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational when they face Worchester Polytechnic Institute on March 3. Their first home game of the year will be on March 23 against conference foe Calvin.
Poll Results (first-place votes in parenthesis): 1. Adrian (7) 7 pts. 2. Hope (1) 15. 3. Trine 18. 4. Calvin 25. 5. Albion 30. 6. Alma 42. 6. Olivet 42. 8. Kalamazoo 45.
2/11 - Hoopla Community Day A slam dunk for fun excitement
ANGOLA, Ind. - Silence the kids’ cries that there’s nothing to do by bouncing over to Trine University for Hoopla Community Day - an afternoon of free fun and food on Saturday, Feb. 16, and a great way to get in the spirit for March Madness.
Trine’s offering free admission to the men’s and women’s varsity basketball games that day in Hershey Hall so everyone can join the fun with the “Hershey Hooligans,” the school’s unofficial sports fan club.
“Come on out and help us fill our stands with fans cheering on the Thunder,” said Matt Land, Trine athletic director. “People of all ages can be a part of the fun and excitement that comes with Trine athletics - you can’t go wrong.”
Coaches can give their squads a look at college action and are encouraged to bring their basketball, cheer and dance teams. Service clubs, grandparents entertaining grandchildren; any group is welcome to come and join the fun. It’s a unique opportunity to see two college basketball games without the cost of admission and a long drive.
The day begins at noon when the first 200 adult fans will receive a free T-shirt and spirit towel, and the first 100 children will get a free T-shirt. Every 50th fan will get a gift card to the Depot Grill; a total of 20 cards will be given.
Fans can try on their shirts and settle in for the 1 p.m. tipoff when the men’s Thunder basketball team will be battling it out with the Hope College Flying Dutchmen to secure a playoff berth. The Thunder and Dutchmen are two of the top teams in the conference so the action is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Between games, fans can stretch their legs and dash down the bleachers to get to the Hershey Hooligan Hotdog Giveaway Bon Appetit Management Co., the food service company at Trine, will give away 200 hotdogs. Those with gift cards to the Depot Grill can thank Bon Appetit for those, too.
After enjoying a hotdog, or snack from the concession stand, fans can burn the calories as they cheer on the Trine women when they face Kalamazoo College at 3 p.m. This game is sure to be a great match, too, and fans won’t want to miss a minute of action. A win over the Hornets will secure Trine a spot in the playoffs.
Don’t even think about leaving at halftime because the Storm half-court competition - with a cash prize of $300 - follows the women’s game. Anyone who wants to try is welcome to stand on the hardwood and take a shot; the competition continues until there’s a winner. The odds of having fun are in the fans’ favor.
2/7 - men's Lacrosse Picked to finish third in MIAA Poll
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - In the inaugural Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) preseason men’s lacrosse poll, the Trine University squad was chosen to finish third. This year marks the first season the MIAA is sponsoring men's lacrosse as a conference sport.
Adrian was chosen as the preseason favorite, garnering six of a possible seven first-place votes in the preseason poll of MIAA coaches. Albion was picked to finish second, while Trine, which received the other first-place vote, was selected third. Coaches could not vote for their own teams. All three teams are familiar with one another after spending the previous three seasons as members of the Midwest Lacrosse Conference, where Adrian won the conference title each season.
The 2013 Trine University men’s lacrosse team looks to secure a spot in the inaugural MIAA tournament after posting a 7-7 record a season ago. Under fourth year head coach Vinnie Lang, the Thunder program has posted a combined 24-17 record in three seasons.
Trine will look to senior midfielder Dalton Madsen to lead the offensive attack after leading the team with 52 points last season. Head coach Vinnie Lang will rely on midfielders Adam Martin and Sean Robb, as well as attackmen Patrick Walker and Ryan Chait to balance the scoring load. Midfielder Rob Brzezinski, who won 52 percent of his faceoffs last season, will play a key role for the faceoff unit along with freshman Chris Ward.
After returning everyone on the defensive side of the ball last year, the Thunder are looking to reload in 2013. Returning starters include long stick midfielder Michael Senkier and defenseman David Louis. The unit will feature several new players in the rotation, including senior defenseman Zachary Bigger. Junior goalie Matt Lamb looks to move into the starting rotation after the graduation of Alex Gregg.
The Thunder will open their season at home on February 27 when they host Oberlin. The Thunder will travel to Colorado for spring break to face two Division II opponents. The team will also play two games during the season at the University of Notre Dame, including a game prior to the Irish taking on Ohio State on March 20. In their first-ever MIAA conference game, Trine will travel to Olivet on April 2.
Poll Results (first-place votes in parenthesis): 1. Adrian (6) 6 pts. 2. Albion 13. 3. Trine (1) 16. 4. Hope 19. 5. Alma 28. 6. Calvin 30. 7. Olivet 35.
2/1 - Women's Lacrosse Picked to finish Sixth in MIAA Poll
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - In the first-ever Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) women’s lacrosse preseason poll, the Trine University squad was picked to finish sixth. This year marks the first season the MIAA is sponsoring women's and men's lacrosse as conference sports. The women’s league will feature seven schools in the first season, with Saint Mary’s and Kalamazoo adding teams in 2014.
Adrian was chosen as the preseason favorite to win the first MIAA women's lacrosse championship, receiving six of a possible seven first-place votes in the preseason poll of MIAA coaches. Hope, which was picked to finish second, received the other first-place vote. Coaches could not vote for their own teams. Trine, Adrian and Albion all previously faced off as members of the Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference (MWLC).
The Thunder look to hit the reset button under new head coach Jeannine Ravellette after a promising 2012 season was marred by injuries leading to a 2-7 finish in their final season as a member of the MWLC. After the loss of three All-Conference players in Ashley Kocsis, Emily Shreeve and Shelly Raupp to graduation, the 2013 team will have to have multiple players step up their game a notch to be competitive in the newly formed MIAA women’s lacrosse conference.
On offense, look for midfielders senior Emily Canepa and junior Lauren Hood to lead an improved attack that managed just seven goals per game last year. Sophomore Kassi Armstrong will also chip in to round out the midfield unit.
Defensively, it all starts with sophomore goalie Grace Garrett. Garrett withstood a barrage of shots all season long, posting 70 saves while starting all nine games as a freshman. Defensemen senior Maria Duncan along with juniors Kenzie Boyer and Danielle Reuter will help to check the opponent’s best scorers and keep Garrett clean between the pipes.
Trine will have several new faces on the field including four freshmen that look to make an impact for the Thunder and coach Ravellette.
Poll Results (first-place votes in parenthesis): 1. Adrian (6) 6 pts. 2. Hope (1) 13. 3. Calvin 17. 4. Alma 19. 5. Olivet 27. 6. Trine 29. 7. Albion 36.
1/31 - Trine Ranked 13th in Preseason NFCA DIII Top 25 Poll
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After winning their first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) title since 2009 and earning a bid to the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament, the Trine University softball team was ranked 13th in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Preseason poll.
Defending National Champion Pacific Lutheran University was voted the No. 1 team by unanimous selection. Trine was the only MIAA school to receive votes, and came in ahead of Ohio Northern who was the only other team in the region to be ranked.
The 2012 season was a record-setting year for the Thunder, posting a school record 40 wins, powered by a record-breaking offense. Almost the entire roster returns and is primed for a run deep into the NCAA playoffs after the season ended just a win away from a World Series berth.
The pitching staff will be its deepest ever, led by senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) who is the first player in conference history to be named the Most Valuable Player and Pitcher in the same season. Gasco, an NFCA First Team All-Region selection, will be joined in the circle by three returners, including her sister, sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey), fellow sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) and senior Ashton Morgan (Berne, Ind./South Adams/Wabash Valley).
The infield will once again be solid, led by First Team All-MIAA and Second Team All-Region catcher Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson). Three other starters return in the infield for the Thunder as senior first baseman Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) joins junior shortstop Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) and third baseman Jamie Lydick (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) to solidify the Trine lineup.
In the outfield, returners include Third Team All-Region selection Searles, junior Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) and sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central), who hit third for the Thunder most of last season.
The team will also feature two transfers in sophomores Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) and Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover). Newell spent last season at Division I Toledo, appearing in 21 games in the circle. Harris, the sister of Lauren, started 28 games at third base for Division II Fairmount State a season ago.
Along with a solid group of eight freshmen, the Thunder as poised to take home the conference title and another bid to the regional tournament.
The NFCA Division III Top 25 poll is voted by a committee of eight coaches representing the Atlantic, Central, East, Great Lakes, Midwest, New England, Northeast and West regions. For the complete 2013 NFCA Division III Top 25 Preseason Poll, please visit this link.
12/14 - Brown and Puryear to Play in FCS Senior Scout Bowl
ANGOLA, Ind. - A pair of Trine University football seniors, Myron Puryear (Canton, Mich./Plymouth) and Mario Brown (Battle Creek, Mich./Battle Creek Central), were invited to participate in the 3rd annual FCS Senior Scout Bowl to be held Saturday, December 15 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. as Puryear and Brown will suit up for the North squad.
The Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL) presents an opportunity to showcase the FCS Senior Football Bowl. The FCS Senior Football Bowl brings together players who represent FCS Division football programs and other divisions as invited, to a North vs. South format all-star game in Mid-December each year. These players will have earned the honor to play against their best peers in a showcase for scouts and fans to recognize their talent.
This will be the first of two Senior Bowl games that Brown will participate in; the other is the Dream Bowl taking place on January 21, 2013 in Roanoke, Virginia. Brown, the 2012 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Pete Schmidt Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award winner, finished his career at Trine with 83 catches, which rank 8th in school history, for 1,013 yards and three touchdowns. Brown also finished his career with 78 carries for 485 yards and three scores while playing in 40 career games, despite missing the 2010 season with an injury. In 2009 after his sophomore season, Brown was named to the All-MIAA Second Team.
Puryear came to Trine as a transfer and made an immediate impact, being named a two-time All-MIAA First Team and All-Region player (Second Team in 2011 and Third Team in 2012). In his two seasons at Trine, Puryear finished with six interceptions, 112 tackles (72 solo, 42 assisted) and had a combined 651 yards on 23 kick returns. In both seasons Puryear returned a kickoff and a fumble for a touchdown. In his final season, Puryear finished tied for fifth on the team in tackles with 60 (41 solo, 19 assisted) while picking off a pass and returning a fumble 79 yards for a touchdown. During his junior season, Puryear led the Thunder with five interceptions.
Puryear and Brown will play alongside other athletes ranging from Division I to NAIA, including schools like Harvard, Brown and Coastal Carolina. The game will also be broadcast live on the internet at the following link.
12/11 - Brown Invited to Play in Inaugural Dream Bowl
ANGOLA, Ind. - Trine University senior wide receiver Mario Brown (Battle Creek, Mich./Battle Creek Central) has accepted an invitation to play in the inaugural 2013 Dream Bowl.
The postseason all-star game will be played on January 21, 2013 at Salem Stadium in Roanoke, Va. The college football all-star game is set to showcase the best NCAA Division III and NAIA players from across the country as the two division’s faceoff against one another. The game and the series of events held over Martin Luther King weekend to honor Martin Luther King’s spirit and to recall his motto “I have a dream" as a celebration of the excellence, commitment, and sacrifice made by the players and their families.
Brown, the 2012 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Pete Schmidt Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award winner, finished his career at Trine with 83 catches, which rank 8th in school history, for 1,013 yards and three touchdowns. Brown also finished his career with 78 carries for 485 yards and three scores while playing in 40 career games, despite missing the 2010 season with an injury. In 2009 after his sophomore season, Brown was named to the All-MIAA Second Team.
11/11 - Coach Lang honored by his College Coach
In honor of Veteran's Day, here is an article written about head men's lacrosse coach Vinnie Lang, by his former college lacrosse coach. We thank and honor all of our veteran's who have or are currently serving our country.
8/15 - 80 Student-Athletes Named MIAA Academic Honor Roll
Men’s Tennis and Women’s Soccer, Softball and Cross Country Win Team GPA Award
ANGOLA, Ind. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s Commissioner David Neilson has announced the Academic Honor Roll for the 2011-12 academic year. The list includes 80 Trine University student-athletes from all 16 MIAA teams. The women’s cross country, soccer and softball teams along with the men’s tennis were announced as Team GPA award winners.
The MIAA Honor Roll recognizes student-athletes who achieved a minimum 3.5 grade point average for the entire 2011-12 academic year while also winning a varsity letter in a sport. Initiated in 1990, the Academic Honor Roll recognizes students at MIAA member colleges who excel in athletics and academics. Of the 80 Trine student-athletes named, three have earned the distinction all four years while at Trine. They were: Rachelle Newberry (Soccer/South Haven, Mich./South Haven), Danielle Senf (Basketball/Blanchardville, Wis./Pecatonica Area) and Kelly Tresick (Softball/Clinton Twp., Mich./L’Anse Creuse).
The Team GPA award is presented to conference teams that achieve a 3.300 or better grade point average for an entire academic year. Lead by now retired coach Bill Maddock, the men’s tennis team was 11th highest in the conference with a combine 3.568 GPA and was second highest among men’s tennis teams. Maddock’s women’s tennis team also placed near the top of the conference with a 3.540 GPA. Coach Terry Stefankiewicz’s women’s soccer team tallied a GPA of 3.301 while the women’s cross country team combined for a 3.520 GPA. The softball team was honored for their 3.397 GPA which was the highest amongst the two softball teams to receive the award.
Of the 80 student-athletes honored, 34 have earned the distinction at least twice. The honorees include 23 freshmen, 16 sophomores, 21 juniors and 20 seniors. The track and field team led the Thunder with 13 student-athletes represented and the women’s soccer team with 11 honorees.
Track and Field: Sannie Anderson (Junior/Hesperia, Mich./Hesperia), Dakota Bagwell (Freshman/Kokomo, Ind./Western), Jordan Dunn (Junior/Anderson, Ind./Highland), Allison Everetts (Freshman/Kokomo, Ind./Western), Michael Hammond (Sophomore/Columbia City, Ind./Bellmont), Trisha King (Freshman/Archbold, Ohio/Archbold), Kyler Koets (Freshman/DeWitt, Mich./DeWitt), Annalisa Krug (Junior/Battle Creek, Mich./Pennfield), Jamie Meegan (Junior/Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington), Abigail Samuels (Junior/Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Central), Nicholas Smith (Junior/Genoa, Ill./Genoa-Kingston), Samuel Taylor (Freshman/Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) and Hannah Vollmer (Freshman/Sherwood, Ohio/Fairview).
Women’s Soccer: Eleni Agelopolous (Freshman/Munster, Ind./Munster), Miranda Allen (Freshman/Jackson, Mich./Grass Lake), Kristin Elliott (Sophomore/Wooster, Ohio/Wooster), Ruth Feliciano (Junior/Polk, Ohio/Ashland), Trisha King (Freshman/Archbold, Ohio/Archbold), Mary Lang (Junior/Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo), Caitlin Leicter (Freshman/Spencer, Ind./Owen Valley Community), Michelle Raupp (Senior Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills), Rachelle Newberry (Senior/South Haven, Mich./South Haven), Melissa Smiles (Freshman/Davisburg, Mich./Holly) and Katherine Wegert (Sophomore/Elmore, Ohio/Woodmore).
Football: Mario Brown (Senior/Battle Creek, Mich./Battle Creek Central), Sean Collins (Junior/Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop), Benjamin Hendricks (Senior/Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Luers), Tyson Kaase (Senior/Syracuse, Ind./Wawasee), Caleb Nitz (Sophomore/Baroda, Mich./Stevensville Lakeshore), Derek Posey (Sophomore/Newark, Ohio/Utica), Kyle Sherwood (Senior/Hanover, Mich./Hanover-Horton), Aaron Shoemaker (Senior/Onsted, Mich./Onsted Community), Aaron Wolf (Freshman/Huntington, Ind./Huntington) and Anthony Yoder (Freshman/Goshen, Ind./Concord).
Softball: Jillian Craig (Sophomore/Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard), Victoria Cuebas (Freshman/Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central), Brianna Fuller (Freshman/Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton), Lauren Harris (Junior/Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover), Jamie Lydick (Sophomore/Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield), Ashton Morgan (Junior/Berne, Ind./South Adams), Kelly Tresick (Senior/Clinton Twp., Mich./L’Anse Creuse), and Lindsey Wise (Senior/Oregon, Ohio/Clay).
Men’s Soccer: Daniel Kuehn (Junior/Saline, Mich./Saline), Derek Marucci (Senior/West Chester, Ohio/Lakota East), David Murray (Junior/Bolingbrook, Ill./Naperville Central), Ryan Schreiner (Sophomore/Bryan, Ohio/Bryan), Brandon Shearer (Senior/Milford, Mich./Norwell), Karston Shephard (Freshman/Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield), Zachary Taranto (Freshman/Avon, Ohio/Avon) and Kyle Yeakle (Freshman Angola, Ind./Angola).
Baseball: Randal Flowers (Freshman/Hamilton, Mich./Hamilton), Brian Hoeper (Senior/Angola, Ind./Angola), Jeffry Phillips (Sophomore/Prospect, Ohio/Pleasant), Ronald Rightnowar (Junior/Oregon, Ohio/Toledo Christian School), Daniel Smith (Senior/Coldwater, Mich./Coldwater), Adam Sullivan (Sophomore/Fort Wayne, Ind./Elmhurst) and Benjamin Witter (Sophomore/Naples, Fla./Golden Gate).
Men’s Tennis: Trevor Derby (Junior/Corunna, Ind./East Noble), Joseph Dunbar (Sophomore/Carmel, Ind./Indianapolis Blessed Theodore Guerin), Derek Miller (Freshman/Dayton, Ohio/West Carrollton), David Murray (Junior/Bolingbrook, Ill./Naperville Central), Zachary Richardson (Freshman/Muncie, Ind./Delta), Ryan Richman (Sophomore/Wabash, Ind./Wabash) and Adam Steele (Sophomore/Fairland, Ind./Triton Central).
Women’s Tennis: Susan Breinling (Junior/Fremont, Mich./Faith Christian School), Shandra Clawson (Junior/Bronson, Mich./Bronson), Jessica Huhnke (Sophomore/Castle, Ind./Newburgh), Christina Uphaus (Sophomore/Centerville, Ind./Centerville) and Samantha Willmann (Junior/Anderson, Ind./Frankton).
Volleyball: Betsy Irwin (Junior/Athens, Ohio/Alexander), Julie Kooienga (Senior/Hamilton, Mich./Hamilton), Sarah Radekin (Junior/Athens, Ohio/Alexander) and Catherine Triplet (Senior/Indianapolis, Ind./Cardinal Ritter).
Cross Country: Sannie Anderson (Junior/Hesperia, Mich./Hesperia), Annalisa Krug (Junior/Battle Creek, Mich./Pennfield) and Abigail Samuels (Junior/Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Central).
Men’s Golf: Jordan Bowers (Senior/Bryan, Ohio/Bryan), Matthew Warrener (Senior/Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) and Todd Wisler (Senior/Bryan, Ohio/Bryan).
Women’s Golf: Lauren Burns (Seville, Ohio) and Laura Carey (Freshman/Jonesboro, Ind./Madison Grant).
Men’s Basketball: Braden Knight (Freshman/Bedford, Ind./Bedford-North Lawrence) and Isaac Loechle (Freshman Greensburg, Ind./North Decatur).
Women’s Basketball: Danielle Senf (Senior/Blanchardville, Wis./Pecatonica Area)
8/14 - Knudson Named Director of Track and Cross Country
ANGOLA, Ind. - Trine University’s new director of track and cross country sees his position as a way to give back to the sport that has been so good to him.
Fort Wayne native Thomas Knudson will take the helm of Trine’s women’s track and field program beginning this year, after successfully coaching runners at the high-school level for 27 years. He served as the head coach at both North Side High School and Northrop High School, both in Fort Wayne.
“Watching my athletes move on to the next level and maturing into great young men and women is the highlight of my coaching career,” Knudson said. “I have had great coaches in my Track career and have learned so much. Coaching is a chance to give back to the sport that has been good to me and allowed me to meet great people and have great opportunities.”
During his 12 seasons at Northrop, he led the Bruins to Indiana Team State Championships seven times and two state runner-up titles. He also helped multiple athletes attain individual state titles and state records. Many of the Northrop athletes went on to compete in NCAA Division I, II and III track and field programs.
“Sharing all of my knowledge and experiences with my athletes and coaches has been one of my main goals over the last several years,” Knudson said. “I look forward to the opportunity here at Trine University and an opportunity to coach at the collegiate level.”
Knudson earned his bachelor’s degree from Ball State University, where he ran on the men’s cross country team. He earned his master’s degree from Indiana University. In 1977, he was a participant in the U.S. Marathon National Championships in St. Louis, Mo.
He was named the National Track and Field Coach of the Year in 2002 and the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coach’s Coach of the Year from 2000-2005 and in 2011. He was named the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association’s Coach of the Year from 2000-2005 and in 2012. He was inducted into the Indiana Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2010.
“We have been so impressed with Coach Knudson’s leadership and success, and we know he will continue to make great strides at Trine,” said Trine athletic director Matt Land. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, personally and professionally.”
