CAMPUS NEWS
ATHLETICS RECAP
FOOTBALL
MaCoy Yeakel Jordan Cooper
James Jackson, Jr.
Dominick Watt
Warriors looking to close the gap
Head Coach Will Finley’s squad turned in a fantastic season in 2021, finishing 7-3 overall and posting its first 6-1 start since becoming a four-year program in 2003. The Warriors began their season with a 30-3 win over Briar Cliff on Community Night at Bolstorff Field, then hit the road to earn their first win over Saint Ambrose in program history, 24-17.
Gifford and wide receiver/punter Zach Morel were selected to and played in the 2021 NAIA Senior Football Classic in Durham, North Carolina on December 17, the eve of the NAIA National Championship Game. Coach Finley and assistant coach Tyler Chapa were each chosen to serve as assistant coaches in the game. Boasting a recruiting class that stands at 29 new players as of February’s National Signing Day, the Warriors will look to close the gap on top NSAA competition in 2022.
Waldorf won four straight games across the middle of its season, including a
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WALDORF MAGAZINE // SPRING 2022
On the women’s side, their 4 x 400 meter relay team has enjoyed success at several competitions. The squad, consisting of Emily Ryerson, Catherine Clark-Ashford, Cecelia Hemsworth, and Alana Wickering hopes to continue competing at postseason events. VOLLEYBALL
Best program in over a decade
The Waldorf Volleyball Team saw its best start as a program in over a decade. 2021 marked the first time in the past since 2007 that a Waldorf team registered wins in at least seven of its first 12 matches. The team also made program history when it earned its first-ever win at Mayville State stretching back to their first trip to Mayville in 2011. Outside hitter Kenzie Kidd was named to the NSAA AllConference Second Team. The sophomore recorded 3.21 kills per set and set an individual match record of 29 kills in one game. In addition to the allconference teams, the NSAA
The Warriors posted an 11-16 overall record in 2021, which marked a seven-win improvement over the prior season. WOMEN'S SOCCER
Boyd scores a team-leading six goals in ten matches
Alysha Donovan
New Track and Field Head Coach Joel Popenfoose has the Warriors headed in the right direction as the programs continue to build and rejuvenate through the winter and into the spring. Thrower Wade Baker continues to have a remarkable year, setting a new school record in the weight throw on multiple occasions and qualifying for the NAIA’s national event.
also bestows NAIA Champions of Character honors upon one player per conference team. Junior middle blocker Abygail Wood earned the Champions of Character recognition for the second consecutive season.
Sydney Boyd
Watt, Yeakel, and senior defensive back James Jackson, Jr. were all named to the 2021 NSAA All-Conference First Team. The Warriors placed six players on the NSAA All-Conference Second Team: running back Jatoviay Hill, offensive lineman Kade Kloster-Hodak, tight end PJ Patterson defensive lineman Deqwunn McCobb, and senior placekicker Slater Gifford.
Headed in the right diection
Kenzie Kidd
The Waldorf Warrior athletic teams set out to excel in the 2021-22 academic year. All 22 Waldorf sports have either begun or completed their seasons, with numerous individual and team achievements to celebrate along the way.
Quarterback Jordan Cooper earned North Star Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Week twice. Wide receiver Dominick Watt earned the same honor after posting a program record 218 receiving yards on just four receptions, three of which went for touchdowns in Waldorf’s epic 52-51 win at Mayville State. Safety MaCoy Yeakel earned Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting two passes and recovering a fumble in the win at Saint Ambrose.
CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK & FIELD
Abygail Wood
two-game sweep of Mayville State and a thrilling 26-21 win over Dakota State on Homecoming Weekend.
The Waldorf Women’s Soccer Team came up one goal short of a postseason berth in the 2021 season, winning five matches along the way without allowing a goal in any of the wins. After beating Iowa Wesleyan at Bolstorff Field on September 29, the Continental Athletic Conference scheduled a rematch which served as a de facto playoff game for both teams, with the winner advancing to the 2021 CAC Tournament in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The game, played at Iowa Wesleyan, ended in a 2-1 defeat. The Warriors then rebounded with their best performance of the year in an 8-0 win at Bacone. Forward Sydney Boyd was named to the CAC AllConference Second Team. Boyd scored a team-leading six goals in ten matches played for the Warriors. Her 14 points were also a team best. Boyd scored a pair of game-winning goals, at Mount Marty on August 28 and at Bacone on November 2. Goalkeeper Sara Rodriguez earned honorable mention from the CAC. The senior waldorf.edu
