Winter/Spring Sports Wrap Please check the Athletic Department Web site (www.aquinas.edu/athletics) for the 2011-2012 sports schedules.
Men’s Track
Nick Thelen
The Saints finished in third place at both the indoor and outdoor Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) championships. At the indoor WHAC championships, the Saints were led by first place finishes by Nick Thelen (800M) and Dustin Heiler (mile). The Saints were well represented on the all-WHAC team during the outdoor season as Charles Irman, Stephen Huizing, Kolin Stickney, Dustin Heiler, Nick Thelen, Devin Lea, and Justin Marquardt all placed first in their respective events. In Geneva, Ohio the men’s distance medley relay received All-American recognition as Grant Gunneson, B.J. Klotz, Nick Thelen, and Dustin Heiler placed third at the indoor national championships. The men’s 4x800 meter relay placed fourth at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) outdoor championships, breaking the previous school record by five seconds. The foursome of Nick Thelen, Grant Gunneson, Kolin Stickney, and Dustin Heiler earned All-American status for running the relay in 7:36.38. Other records broken during the 2011 season included: Rumeal McKinney (60M) 6.72 and the men’s indoor distance medley (Gunneson, Klotz, Thelen and Heiler) 10:00.50. In addition to his two records as part of a relay, Dustin Heiler also established school records in the 600M (1:21.62), 800M (1:53.47), 1000M (2:30.36), and the 1500M (3:53.45).
Joordn Hall
Women’s Track
The women’s team placed fourth at the indoor WHAC championships and improved to second at the outdoor WHAC championships contested at Houseman Field. At the indoor championships, the Saints were led by an all-conference performance of Rachel Luehm, who won the 5000 meters. When the competition switched to outdoors, Katy Cramer, Emily Smith, Rachael Steil, and Joordn Hall recorded all-WHAC performances at the championships. At the outdoor national championships, Emily Smith earned All-American honors with a fourth place finish in the discus, while Rachael Steil earned All-American accolades by finishing seventh in the 5000 meters. New school records were delivered by Alicia Dorko (pole vault) 11-10, Joordn Hall (100M) 12.00, Joordn Hall (200M) 25.00, and Rachael Steil (5000M) 17:04.58 during the outdoor season.
40 Athletics | Fall 2011 | aquinas.edu/athletics
Men’s Lacrosse
Jacob Jeffers
The men’s lacrosse team concluded their season with a playoff loss to Davenport in the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association (CCLA) division II conference tournament. The Panthers defeated the Saints to advance to play Dayton University. The Saints saw marked improvement in their third season, as Coach Luke Griemsman guided the Saints to a 7-9 record. The Saints competed in their first playoff game in school history and closed the regular season, winning five of their last six contests. Junior midfielder Jacob Jeffers was named honorable mention allCCLA as a face-off specialist. Jeffers won over 130 face-offs for the Saints this season. Jacob also recorded 13 points (11 goals and two assists) and picked up 47 ground balls.
Lauren McCarty
Women’s Lacrosse
The Saints, who finished the season with a 21-1 record, were led by Kati Rogers. Rogers was named second team All-American by the Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (WCLA). Joining Rogers with honorable mention All-American honors, included Hannah Brogger, Bri Shefferly, and Bre Stockall. The WCLL Division II also handed out awards for their top players. Kati Rogers, Hannah Brogger, Bri Shefferly, and Bre Stockall were all recognized on the first team. Michelle Murphy, Lauren McCarty, and Jess Tunis were all named to the second team. The Saints strung together 21 wins in a row, but fell to Oakland University in the WCLL finals to deny Aquinas a trip to the national championships. The team continues to perform as one of the best small college lacrosse programs in the country.