Wrestling takes six to Nationals It was an exciting season for the wrestling program as an experienced squad of eight seniors and three juniors led the team to success on the year. Four seniors: Saia Lotulelei (2nd), AJ Jaramillo (3rd), Carlos Arana (3rd), and LoganPaul Eickhoff (4th) were able to punch their ticket to the NAIA Wrestling National Championships by placing fourth or better in the regional competition hosted by YC on February 21. Two juniors: Josh Lopez and Chrystian Banuelos earned their way via at-large bids after finishing fifth and sixth respectively. This was a return to the national spotlight for Arana, Eickhoff, and Lotulelei as all three wrestlers qualified for nationals their junior
(above) Anaheim, Calif., senior Carlos Arana takes down his Bethany opponent to the delight of teammates and fans
year, with Lotulelei receiving All-American honors. York finished 28th out of the 43 teams represented at this year’s championships in Topeka with two wins each by AJ at 133 lbs., Carlos at 165, and LP at 197 lbs. Josh went 1-2 at 141 lbs. Ramon Diaz completed his fifth year as head coach and associate head coach Greg Smith was in his ninth season with the program.
Conference Champs three-peat
Ashley Dugan, a freshman from Spring Hill, Fla., and Joe Ventry, a sophomore from Omaha, Neb., were recognized as the MCAC Outstanding Female and Male Athletes of the Year, both winning three individual golds and a gold in a relay event. Head Coach Justin Carver was named men’s and women’s coach of the year for the 10th time. At the NCCAA National Championships in Rome, Ga., Brandin Fry, a sophomore from West Fork, Ark., was named an NCCAA All-American for placing 2nd in the javelin with a throw of 51.78m
photo by Calli White
The men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams dominated the competition and brought home their respective MCAC Championships for the third year in a row with 16 individuals also earning the top spot in their events. The men won 12 of the 16 events while the women took home the gold in 10.
(above) Brandin Fry placed 2nd at the NCCAA National Championships in Rome, Georgia, to earn All-American honors.
(169’10”). Ventry earned dual All-American honors for placing 2nd in the high jump with a mark of 1.98m (6’6”) and 3rd in the triple jump with a leap of 13.62m (44’8.25”).
Baseball finishes MCAC Co-Champions
photo by Bob DeHart '95
YC baseball notched another great season under MCAC Coach of the Year Brian Walth and reaped the rewards with an at-large bid to the NAIA Championship Opening Round, Oklahoma City Bracket. Walth and his coaching staff guided York to a 40-19 season, including a 4-2 win over Dakota Wesleyan in the post season. The
Panthers were ranked 25th in the final NAIA Coaches Poll. Brad Lindsley (SR/Bakersfield, CA), Rudy Perez (SR/Stockton, CA), and Ivan Perez (JR/Clovis, CA) were selected as 1st Team All-MCAC. Lindsley pitched the most innings in conference play and was third in ERA. Rudy Perez earned his first team honors as an outfielder. He led the Panthers with a .352 batting average, 45 RBIs, 14 homeruns, and 31 stolen bases. Ivan Perez was second on the team in batting with a .318 average and led the team with 13 doubles. He was also named conference Newcomer of the Year. Lindsley and Jordan Pella (OF) were each named MCAC Gold Glove winners. The Panthers were MCAC Co-Champions with Oklahoma Wesleyan, each going 19-5 in conference play. (left) First Team All-MCAC Brad Lindsley led the conference in innings pitched at 96.