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November 15, 2004       (#3400)
For immediate release..............

Malone College Sports This Week

Nov. 16 (Tue.) - Women's Basketball home against St. Vincent (PA) College; 7:00 p.m.

Nov.20 (Sat.) - Men's and Women's Cross Country at NAIA National Championships
                         (Louisville, KY); women - 10:30 a.m., men - 11:30 a.m.
                       - Women's Basketball at Siena Heights (MI) University; 6:00 p.m.
                       - Men's Basketball home against Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College; 7:30 p.m.

Last Week at a Glance

 

Cross Country - Malone women won the NCCAA National Championships (Yellow Springs, OH) last
                           Saturday; Malone men finished second; Leo Kormanik and Lacey Watkins each won
                           individual national titles

Football - Malone defeated:
                        Quincy (IL) University  38-35
                 FINAL RECORD:  4-6 (2-5 MSFA Mideast)

Volleyball - Malone defeated:
                          * Seton Hill (PA) University  30-24, 27-30, 30-26, 30-19 
                     Malone lost to:
                          * Walsh University  30-27, 16-30, 21-30, 30-25, 11-15
                     FINAL RECORD:  27-20  (9-7 AMC South) 
                          * AMC Tournament (hosted by Daemen, NY College)

Women's Basketball - Malone defeated:
                                              Carlow (PA) University  94-62
                                              * Spring Arbor (MI) University  86-74
                                     Malone lost to: 
                                              * Indiana Wesleyan University  82-53
                                     CURRENT RECORD:  2-2  (0-0 AMC South)
                                              * Comfort Inn Tip-Off Classic (hosted by Malone)

Men's Basketball - Malone lost to:
                                         * Siena Heights (MI) University  86-72
                                         * University of St. Francis (IL)  86-71
                                CURRENT RECORD:  0-2  (0-0 AMC South)
                                         * Maple City Classic (hosted by Siena Heights)

 

     The Malone College women's cross country team captured the national team title among a 20-team field at the NCCAA National Championships in Yellow Springs, Ohio last Saturday while the Pioneer men's team finished as runners-up among its 22-team field.
     The women's team, ranked third in the final NAIA national poll, tallied a score of 56 points to defeat runner-up Cedarville University, which had 78 points.  Indiana Wesleyan University posted 82 points for third place, Olivet Nazarene (IL) University had 92 points for fourth place and Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College rounded out the top five with 136 points.
     Lacey Watkins (So., Lockport, NY) won the individual national title in the women's event with a personal-best and course-record time of 17:46.58 over the 5K course to pace a 1-3-5 finish for the team.  Amy Arnold (Jr., CVCA) finished in third at 18:03.19 while Joanna Genter (So., Crestview H.S.) came in fifth overall in 18:08.40.  The trio earned NCCAA All-America honors by virtue of their top-15 finishes.  Caity Schneider (So., Sandy Valley H.S.) placed 22nd overall in 19:28.91 and Ashley Thomas (Jr., Anchorage, Alaska) took 25th in 19:33.18 to round out the Malone scoring.  Also competing for the squad were Loren Reineke (So., Anna H.S.) and Laura Boatwright (Sr., Berkshire H.S.) who finished in 29th and 34th place, respectively, with times of 19:41.75 and 19:46.52.  In addition, Malone head coach Jack Hazen was named the NCCAA National Women's Coach of the Year and the women's team (top five runners) placed second in Team GPA at the meet with a 3.70 cumulative average.
     The men's team, ranked 18th in the final NAIA national poll, posted a score of 70 points for their runner-up finish as MidAmerica Nazarene (KS) University won the men's team title with 57 points.  Indiana Wesleyan University took third with 76 points, Spring Arbor (MI) University was fourth with 85 points and Cedarville University rounded out the top five with 103 points.
     Leo Kormanik (Jr., Akron Ellet H.S.) won the individual national title in the men's race with a personal-best and course-record time of 24:32.85 over the 8K course while Bryan Straniero (Jr., Berkshire H.S.) finished 11th overall in 25:52.01.  Both athletes earned NCCAA All-America honors by virtue of their top-15 finishes.  In addition, Kormanik was awarded the 2004 Cross Country Wheeler Award the night before the meet.  The Wheeler Award recognizes the highest standards of Christian Character, Athlete Achievement and Campus Leadership.
     Ryan Kienzle (Fr., GlenOak H.S.) narrowly missed All-America honors by finishing 16th overall in 26:08.03.  Also scoring for Malone were Curtis Mortenson (Sr., Kodiak, Alaska) in 20th (26:27.20) and Justin Baum (Fr., Kenston H.S.) in 22nd (26:32.79).  Greg Howard (Sr., GlenOak H.S.) and Michael Coates (Fr., Sandy Valley H.S.) also competed for the team and finished in 27th (26:46.25) and 35th (27:05.88), respectively.
     This week, both teams will compete at the NAIA National Championships in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday.  The women's race is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and the men's event is set for 11:30 p.m.

 

Football Team Scores 31 Points In Fourth Quarter To Post 38-35 Victory Over Quincy

 

     The Malone College football team scored 31 fourth quarter points to turn a 21-7 third quarter deficit into a 38-35 win over visiting Quincy (IL) University last Saturday in a season finale contest.  The Pioneers gained 248 yards rushing on 22 carries and 179 yards passing for 427 total offensive yards while Quincy posted 182 yards rushing on 17 carries and 309 yards passing for 491 total yards.  With the victory, Malone closed its 2004 season with a 4-6 mark overall and a 2-5 record in the MSFA Mideast League.
     The Hawks posted the only first quarter points, a 26-yard field goal, with just 24 ticks remaining on the clock in the first period to take a 3-0 lead.
     Quincy then forced and recovered a fumble at the Malone 26-yard line and scored on a nine-yard pass to begin the second stanza.  The Pioneers blocked the extra point making the score 9-0.  With just over four minutes left in the first half, RB Eric Smith (Sr., Chardon H.S.) broke free for a 75-yard rush, which tied the second-longest Malone run from scrimmage (Dan DeGeorge, 1995, 78 yards), to the Quincy five-yard line. Smith then ran the ball in for a touchdown and Shawn O’Halloran (Fr., Poland Seminary H.S.) added the PAT to cut the lead to 9-7.  A minute later, though, the Hawks scored on a 19-yard pass but failed to complete the two-point conversion to end the half with a 15-7 advantage.
     In the third period, Quincy extended its lead to 21-7 on a 31-yard run (PAT failed).  At the end of the quarter, RJ Swain (Sr., Barberton H.S.) intercepted a pass at the Quincy 31and returned the ball to the Quincy 23-yard line.  A few plays later, QB Brad Reifsnyder (So., North Canton H.S.) completed a 15-yard TD pass to WR Chad Szalay (Fr., Clearview H.S.) and O’Halloran added the extra point to bring the Pioneers to within seven points (21-14) just seven seconds into the fourth quarter.
     Moments later, LB Kevin Andrysek (Jr., Brunswick H.S.) snagged an interception and returned it 24 yards to the Quincy 11-yard line which set up a 32-yard field goal by O’Halloran to cut the Hawks' lead to 21-17.  Quincy then countered with a 33-yard TD pass (PAT good) with 6:01 remaining to once again extend its lead to 28-17.  The Pioneers stormed back, though, going 70 yards in four plays and ending in a 13-yard pass from Reifsnyder to Nyrell Knight (Sr., Akron North H.S.) in the end zone.  The two-point conversion failed, making the score 28-23 in favor of the Hawks.  On the next Malone possession, Reifsnyder connected with WR Alphonso Owen (Fr., Cleveland Heights H.S.) for a 42-yard TD pass and Knight completed the two-point conversion to give the Pioneers their first lead of the game, 31-28.  Malone capped its 31-point fourth quarter total with just 1:08 left in the game on a 22-yard run by Smith for a touchdown (O’Halloran PAT good) to put the Pioneers ahead by 10 points (38-28).  Quincy made it close by scoring a touchdown with just 10 second remaining but the Pioneers were able to recover the ensuing onside kick to secure the 38-35 victory.
     Reifsnyder completed 15 of 34 passes on the day for 179 yards, including three touchdowns (2 INT) and also ran for 67 yards on 12 carries.  With his three touchdown passes in the game, Reifsnyder tied the single-season Malone record of 23 touchdown passes set by Brian Magrell in the 1998 season.
     Smith paced the ground attack with an impressive 207 yards on 26 carries, including two touchdowns, and became only the third Pioneer to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.  He finished with 1,012 on the year and is second all-time at Malone (Joel Peterson, 1165, in 2001).  The 100-yard game was also Smith's fourth straight on the year.
     Knight led the squad in receptions with four for 31 yards and a touchdown while Owen tallied the most receiving yards (85) on just two catches, including the TD.  Jeremy Rininger (Sr., Northwest H.S.) punted seven times and averaged 32.6 yards.
     Fusek led the defensive attack with nine tackles (8 solo, 1 TFL, 1 interception) followed by LB Jamal Gambrell (Fr., Maple Heights H.S.) with eight tackles (5 solo, 2 TFL, 1 sack).  Danny Kendrick (Sr., Ravenna H.S.) posted six tackles, two pass deflections and a blocked kick.  Andrysek and Swain each also snagged an interception while FB Terrence Glover (Sr. Hamilton, NJ) forced a fumble.

 

Volleyball Beats Seton Hill 3-1, Falls To Walsh 3-2 In AMC Tournament

     The Malone College volleyball team competed in the AMC Tournament, host by Daemen (NY) College (#1 North seed), last weekend and went 1-1 at the event, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the tournament semifinals and a spot in the upcoming NAIA Region Tournament.  On Friday afternoon, the Pioneers (#4 South seed) defeated Seton Hill (PA) University (#3 North seed) 30-24, 27-30, 30-26, 30-19 and advanced to face Walsh University (#2 South seed) in an evening battle.  Malone lost a hard fought match to the Cavaliers, though, 30-27, 16-30, 21-30, 30-25, 11-15 with the game tied at 10-10 in the fifth and final game of the match.  Malone completed the 2004 season with a 27-20 overall record and a 9-7 mark in the AMC South Division.
     Against Seton Hill, Brandie Beebe (Sr., Indian Creek H.S.) slammed down 20 kills to lead the offense.  Ashley Yocum (So., Jonathan Alder H.S.) posted four service aces while Beth Ianniello (Sr., Ridgewood H.S.) tallied 44 assists.  Defensively, Amber Chafins (So., Jonathan Alder H.S.) scooped up 16 digs while Annie Messerall recorded six blocks, including four solo blocks.
     Against Walsh, Racquel O’Hara (So., Claymont H.S.) and Chafins each collected 12 kills followed by Beebe with 10 kills.  Beebe also posted three aces and Ianniello amassed 42 assists.
     Beebe earned a spot on the All-AMC South First Team while Chafins was chosen to the All-AMC Second Team.  Ianniello and O'Hara were each named Honorable Mention while Annie Messerall (Fr., Northridge H.S.) was voted to the All-AMC South Freshmen Team.

 

Women’s Basketball Beats Carlow 94-62; Posts 1-1 Record In Malone Comfort Inn Tip-Off Classic

 

     The Malone College women’s basketball team opened its week last Tuesday by defeating Carlow (PA) University 94-62 (away) and then hosted the Malone College Comfort Inn Tip-Off Classic on Friday and Saturday.  Friday night, Malone beat Spring Arbor (MI) University 86-74 in game one while Indiana Wesleyan University downed Ursuline College 66-36 in the nightcap.  On Saturday, the Pioneers fell to NAIA Div. II #5 Indiana Wesleyan 82-53 and Spring Arbor beat Ursuline 73-43.  With the 2-1 week, Malone is now 2-2 overall (0-0 AMC South).
     At Carlow, the Pioneers led 51-36 at the half en route to the 94-62 win.  Michelle Ling (Sr., Hiland H.S.) exploded for 27 points (11-17 FG, 5-7 3-PT FG) followed by Nikki Parson (So., Garaway H.S.) with 18 points (7-10 FG, 4-4 FT).  Abbey Moore (Jr., North Canton H.S.) and Ashley Parson (Fr., Garaway H.S.) added 13 and 11 points, respectively.  N. Parson ripped down a game-high 10 boards as Malone edged Carlow in rebounding 33-31.  N. Parson also dished out four assists while Ling and Erica Mishler (So., Hiland H.S.) collected nine and seven steals, respectively.
     Against Spring Arbor, the Pioneers held a 47-35 advantage at the half and held its 12-point lead over the final period in the 86-74 win.  N. Parson paced the team with 22 points, including hitting 14 of 14 free throws.  She also ripped down a game-high 11 rebounds to post a double double but the Pioneers lost the overall battle of the boards 47-38.  Mishler tallied 22 points as well (7-12 FG, 4-6 3-PT FG, 4-4 FT) followed by Ling with 18 points.  Ling also dished out four assists and collected four steals.
     Against Indiana Wesleyan, Malone trailed 33-23 at halftime despite shooting 56.3% from the field in the first half and could not overcome the nationally-ranked Wildcats in the second half in the 82-53 loss. N. Parson led the way with 20 points followed by Ling with 16.  A. Parson recorded four boards as Malone was outrebounded 22-17. 
     This week, Malone (2-2, 0-0 AMC S) will host St. Vincent (PA) College at 7:00 p.m. and then travel to Siena Heights (MI) University on Saturday for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off. 

 

Men’s Basketball Falls To Siena Heights, St. Francis (IL) In Maple City Classic

 

      The Malone College men’s basketball team, under 22-year head coach Hal Smith, opened its 2004-05 season at the Siena Heights (MI) University Maple City Classic last weekend and lost both contests, falling to host and NAIA Div. II #13 ranked Siena Heights 86-72 on Friday and to the University of St. Francis (IL) 86-71 on Saturday.  Malone is now 0-2 overall (0-0 in the AMC South).
     Against Siena Heights, the Pioneers trailed 40-31 at the half and were outscored 46-41 in the second half en route to the 86-72 defeat.  Jesse Schlabach (So., Lake H.S.) led four Pioneers in double digits with 21 points.  Shane Conwell (Sr., Stow H.S.) tallied 16 points followed by James Hannum (So., Perry H.S.) and Jason Mishler (Sr., Hiland H.S.) with 13 and 10 points, respectively.  Hannum also grabbed a team-best nine boards but Malone was outrebounded 43-34.  In addition, Mishler added five assists and collected four steals.
     Against St. Francis, Malone trailed 42-35 at halftime and was outscored by nine points in the second stanza in the 86-71 loss.  Conwell paced the offense with 28 points, including six three pointers.  Mishler added 15 points and five steals while Shane Humphrey (Fr., Loudonville H.S.) chipped in 11 points.  Hannum again led the squad in rebounds with eight but the Pioneers lost the battle of the boards 43-34. 
SPECIAL NOTE:  Shane Conwell represented the Pioneers on the All-Tournament Team.
     This week, Malone (0-2, 0-0 AMC S) will host Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in its only game of the week.