Presidents' Athletic Conference

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2008
District Highlights: Geneva Men Fall Again
Geneva men’s coach Jeff Santarsiero made an obvious statement after his team lost 93-79 to Defiance (Ohio) in the consolation game of the Defiance Tournament Tuesday. “We just are not stopping anyone on defense,” he said.
Beaver County Times

W&J Women Win OWU Tourney
Emily Hays scored 14 points and was named tournament MVP as Washington & Jefferson defeated Ohio Wesleyan 62-50 Tuesday to win the OWU "Hoops For Hope" Bishop Women's Basketball Classic at Branch Rickey Arena.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2008
District Spotlight
... Meanwhile, the St. Vincent men's team nearly pulled off an impressive victory last week at the Las Vegas Hoopla Tournament before losing to NAIA Division I power California Baptist, 89-85, in double overtime.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Local Basketball Roundup
Wooster 82, Thiel 63 - WOOSTER — Drew Sawyer came off the bench to lead Wooster with 18 points in the nightcap of the Mose Hole/Kiwanis Tournament ... Nick Sefscik of Thiel (1-8) led all scorers with 21 points and he had a team-best five rebounds.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2008
Baldwin-Wallace Rally Sinks Thomas More
Thomas More saw a nine-point lead slip away in the final 41/2 minutes Saturday and lost 69-66 to Baldwin-Wallace in a first-round game of the Otterbein College "O" Club Classic in Westerville, Ohio.
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Top 10 Local Sports Stories of 2008
10.Success of small college football teams ... W&J nearly missed the NCAA Division III playoffs after a loss to Thomas More cost the Presidents the Presidents' Athletic Conference title. But a series of upsets on the final weekend of the regular season opened a spot and W&J took advantage.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2008
In Soccer
...Three local players helped the Bethany women's team complete its most successful season since 1999. Cassie Spalding, a freshman forward from Claysville and a McGuffey graduate, was the leading scorer for the Bison with 11 goals and 24 points. Spalding was named first team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2008
Regan Will Lead Bethany Soccer
Washington & Jefferson College assistant Sean Regan has been selected as the new head men's soccer coach at Bethany College, according to Tim Weaver, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation.
The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2008
Thomas More Athletes of the Week
Daniel McKeehan - Sport: Basketball - Class/position: Junior/wing - Hometown: Maineville, Ohio - High school: Little Miami - What McKeehan did last week: McKeehan averaged 20 points and five rebounds per game in the Saints' two games last week. He shot 70 percent from the field as he made 14 of his 20 shots. He scored a game-high 22 points at Westminster College on Saturday.
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bethany Names Sean Regan Head Soccer Coach
BETHANY - Washington & Jefferson College assistant Sean Regan has been selected as the new head men's soccer coach at Bethany College, according to Tim Weaver, director of intercollegiate athletics and recreation.
The (Steubenville) Herald/Star/Weirton Daily Times

District Spotlight
... Sean Regan has been named men's soccer coach at Division III Bethany (W.Va.). Regan is a former star player at Division II Wheeling Jesuit.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2008
Alle-Kiski Campus Clippings
... Waynesburg - Freshman guard Larry Alexander (Highlands) has appeared in seven of the Yellow Jackets' eight games and is averaging 5.9 points per game.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Men's Basketball
... Sophomore Dakota Matz had four points and seven rebounds in Bethany College's 67-56 win over Pitt-Greensburg Tuesday. The Zanesville alum also scored 10 points with four rebounds, three assists and two steals as the Bisons lost 98-94 to Geneva College Saturday.
Zanesville Times-Recorder

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2008
College Men
McMurry senior guard Dewayne Hall scored 11 points in the last 1:30 of the game to help McMurry hold off a resilient St. Vincent's (Pa.) squad, as McMurry knocked off the Bearcats 82-78 to conclude play at the Trip Sports Las Vegas Hoopla Tournament.
Abiline (Texas) Reporter-News

Owolabi Leads W&J Past Lowly Juniata
HUNTINGDON - Wahab Owolabi scored a game-high 18 points to lead Washington & Jefferson to a 55-47 win at Juniata College Saturday.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

Waynesburg Squeezes Past Frostburg
Waynesburg held on in the closing seconds to pull out an 81-79 non-conference victory at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse Saturday.
The (Uniontown) Herald-Standard

College Basketball/Saturday's Area Games
Westminster 92, Thomas More 80 - NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Westminster picked up its first win of the season in a Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) contest.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2008
College Notebook: Simonini Caps Career With School Record
Kylie Simonini went out in fine fashion during her senior season for the Saint Vincent College women's soccer team. A native of Washington and graduate of Trinity High School, Simonini broke Saint Vincent's all-time goal-scoring record in her next-to-last match with the Bearcats. In a game against Chatham, Simonini scored two goals - the 43rd and 44th of her career - to tie and then break the record.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2008
No. Ky. College Sports Digest
Thomas More College junior linebacker Brad Steinmetz (West Harrison, Ind./East Central) has been named an All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Names in the Games
A pair of locals are playing well despite Westminster College’s struggles. Bobby Glass, a senior guard from Neshannock, is averaging 9.3 points in nine games — all of which are starts — for the Titans (0-9). David Richards, a senior guard from New Castle, is contributing five points a tilt in nine games, all starts, for Westminster.
New Castle News

W&J Women End Case Western's Streak
Stephanie Smith scored 17 points, which included five three-pointers, and Washington & Jefferson pulled away in the second half for a 65-52 victory over host Case Western in a non-conference game Thursday night in Cleveland.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008
College Notes
Loudonville graduate Caleb Orchard is the fourth-leading scorer on the Grove City College (Pa.) men's basketball team.
Ashland Times-Gazette

Rich Gets Athlete Honor After Career-High Game
Senior Michawn Rich, who has local relatives, scored a career-high 31 points and pulled down a career-best 19 rebounds as the Geneva women's basketball team fell, 65-55, to Bethany College Saturday night. The loss was Geneva's third straight as the Golden Tornadoes dropped to 3-4 on the season.
Ellwood City Ledger

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2008
College Basketball - Tuesday's Area Games
MEN - Pitt-Greensburg 67, Bethany 56 - BETHANY, W. VA. — Bethany rallied from a five-point deficit to tie the game at 53-53 with four minutes to play, but Pitt-Greensburg closed the contest with a 14-3 run to in a non-conference tilt.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

Bison Women Roll Marietta, 62-49
BETHANY - The Christmas break may or may not have come at the right time for the suddenly hot Bethany College women's basketball team. After a dismal 1-6 start to the season, the Bison women look to have finally turned the corner following Tuesday night's 62-49 pasting of invading Marietta College at Hummel Field House.
The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16,2008
Local Sports Briefs
...BEAVER FALLS, Pa. -- Freshman Lambros Svingos scored 15 points to help Geneva College defeat Bethany, 98-94, in overtime in men's basketball Saturday night. Svingos played at Huntington High.
The Herald Dispatch

Hoopla
...Also in Division III, both the men's (9-0) and women's (6-0) teams at St. Vincent are unbeaten. School officials say it's the longest both teams have remained unbeaten in school history. St. Vincent is in transition from NAIA Division II.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2008
College Notebook
McCOY SPARKS WOLVERINES: Newark alum Joe McCoy helped lead the Grove City College men's basketball team to a 89-81 overtime victory against Westminster. McCoy connected on 6 of 6 free throws in the final minute of overtime and finished with a game-high 22 points as the Wolverines improved to 5-1 overall.
Newarkadvocate.com

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2008
District Highlights: Geneva Works For OT Win
Geneva (2-5) put an end to its five-game losing streak with an impressive 98-94 overtime win over Bethany, the defending PAC champions. “We watched our team grow up a bit tonight,” said Jeff Santarsiero, the 14-year head coach. “We never wavered down the stretch against a veteran ball club. We were able to match them shot for shot and finally found a way to get a win late in the ball game.”
Beaver County Times

Washington Sunday: W&J's Excellent Season Closes in Defeat
Three times in five years, and no victories. The Washington & Jefferson football team faced the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in the NCAA Division III playoffs for the third time in five years last weekend and lost for the third time.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

College Basketball Area Games
WOMEN...Bethany 65, Geneva 55...BEAVER FALLS, Pa. — Kelly Goode had 16 points and nine rebounds while Renee Brandenburg had 13 points and nine boards to lead Bethany (3-6). The Bison raced to a 21-3 lead to start the game.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2008
Names in the Games
Richard Colick came up big for Geneva on Saturday. Colick posted a team-best 19 points but it wasn’t enough in an 80-66 setback to Washington & Jefferson on Saturday in a nonconference matchup.
New Castle News

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11
College Basketball Round Up
...Grove City 54, Allegheny 51: At Grove City, the Wolverines outscored Gators 5-2 in the last 2:04 to pull out the non-conference win.
Erie Times News

Hiram Shatters Grove City Streak
With the Christmas holidays just around the corner and Hiram’s matchup with Grove City a non-conference affair on the road, the Terriers had no problems remaining focused enough to down the Wolverines, 66-56, at College Arena Wednesday night.
The (Youngstown Vindicator)

Thomas More Notebook
Thomas More College junior linebacker Brad Steinmetz was named to the All-South Region on Wednesday by d3football.com. Steinmetz was a second-team selection after leading the team with 92 tackles, including a team-leading 19 for a loss. He also recorded seven sacks, one interception and recovered on fumble.
Cincinnati Enquirer

PG West: Young Geneva Team Off To A Slow Start
A 1-5 start was not what Geneva College men's basketball coach Jeff Santarsiero expected. He would have liked his Golden Tornadoes to have won at least their first two games, but it would not be fair to judge Geneva on just its record.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Big First Half Is Key In Bethany Victory
Bethany's women's basketball team has not had much go right during a 1-6 start to the 2008-2009 season. Wednesday night, however, the Bison had very little go wrong in picking up a victory against perennial North Coast Athletic Conference power Denison.
The Intelligencer

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10
TMC's Wietmarshen Honored
Thomas More College freshman forward Lauren Wietmarschen (McAuley) has been named third-team All-Great Lakes Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. She led the Saints with 31 points on a team-high 12 goals and seven assists. She took 73 shots, including 37 on goal in the Saints' 21 matches.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Raftis' 21 Points Leads Allegheny Past Thiel
George Raftis scored 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds and Allegheny shot 56 percent from the field to defeat Thiel, 89-78, in a non-league game Tuesday night. Raftis also tied for the team lead with four assists. The Gators (4-4) were 27-of-48 from the field, including 9-of-16 on 3-pointers, and held a 26-14 edge at the foul line.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

2008 All-South Region Team
D3Football.Com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9
Dewitt Wraps Up Stellar Football Career
Lawbreakers had better hope that D.J. Dewitt's football aspirations come to fruition. If not, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound lineman will be after them. Dewitt, a criminal justice major at Waynesburg University, said he will embark on a future in law enforcement if his hopes for a career in football aren't realized. But based on his collegiate achievements, Dewitt's football prospects look good.
Daily Courier

Finale Not Indicator Of W&J's Season
It's unfortunate that the last game of Washington & Jefferson College's football season ended in a 63-7 loss. The Presidents were outmatched by Mary Hardin-Baylor in the NCAA Division III quarterfinals and those type of losses tend to demoralize a team. Mary Hardin-Baylor is a typical Texas team, fast and talented. Not only do the Crusaders' running backs possess the type of speed that makes them tough to catch, their linemen are equally quick and hard to block.
Observer-Reporter

College Basketball: Monday's Area Games
Juniata 75, Westminster 65...NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Senior guard Bobby Glass (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) scored a career-high 16 points in the home loss. Glass led the Titans (0-9) in scoring on 6-10 shooting including 4-6 from 3-point range. Senior center/forward Steve Bielich also scored 15 points to go with his team-high eight rebounds.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8
Bethany Falls At Home
When Waynesburg University finally halted its 28-game losing streak by defeating Presidents Athletic Conference rival Thiel this past Wednesday, the Yellow Jackets women apparently enjoyed that winning feeling so much they racked up a second straight victory, much to the dismay of host Bethany College on Saturday afternoon.
The Intelligencer

College Football
...Former Barron Collier teammate Matt Cruse committed to Army, but prep school changed his mind about continuing at the military school. He since has become a standout receiver at Bethany College.
Naples Daily News

Standing Tall
Washington & Jefferson football coach Mike Sirianni was in his office the other day when the college's sports information director paid a visit. During their conversation, the subject of Curt Jones came up.
The Post-Journal

Small College Basketball Roundup
Emily Hays, a senior forward, scored a career-high 24 points as the run-and-gun Washington & Jefferson College women's basketball team rolled to a 94-82 victory over Geneva Saturday at Henry Memorial Center. Hays added nine rebounds and her play helped the Presidents (6-1, 2-0 PAC) open a 15-2 lead. W&J led by as many as 19 points during the first half.
Observer-Reporter

TMC Notebook
The No. 6-ranked Thomas More College women's basketball team is outscoring its opponents by an average of 25.7 points per game (530-350). Sophomore center Nicole Dickman (Notre Dame) is leading the Presidents' Athletic Conference in field goal shooting at 68.3 percent. She has connected on 41 of 60 shots.
Cincinnati Enquirer

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
College Hoops Highlights
...W&J 94, Geneva 82 Geneva had the hot shooting hand, shooting 57 percent from both the floor and behind the 3-point line, but 29 turnovers doomed the Tornadoes to their third loss in six games. Christine Carugati (Beaver) led Geneva with 19 points.
Beaver County Times

Mary Hardin-Baylor Has Too Many Options for W&J
BELTON, Texas - Washington & Jefferson never found its offensive rhythm and never found an answer for Mary Hardin-Baylor's option attack. As a result, the Presidents find themselves heading home after a another successful season that ended just short of a semifinal berth.
Observer-Reporter

DIII Playoffs: W&J Routed In Quarterfinals
Mary Hardin-Baylor dominated from the start and rolled to a 63-7 victory against Washington & Jefferson in an NCAA Division III quarterfinal game yesterday in Belton, Texas. Mary Hardin improves to 12-1 and advances to the semifinals for the second season in a row and the third time in the program's history. W&J finishes 11-2.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolverines Rally To Keep Titans Winless
For about 30 minutes of Saturday’s game with Grove City, it appeared as though the Westminster men’s basketball team was going to get the winless monkey off its back. However, the Wolverines battled back from a 14-point deficit in the second half to post an 89-81 overtime win.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

W&J's Defense Sputters in Playoff Loss
Washington & Jefferson never found its offensive rhythm and never found an answer for Mary Hardin-Baylor's option attack. As a result, the Presidents find themselves heading home after a another successful season that ended just short of a semifinal berth.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Mary Hardin-Baylor 63, Washington & Jefferson 7
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football team dominated in every phase of the game and the Cru rolled to a 63-7 victory over Washington & Jefferson in an NCAA Division III National Championships Quarterfinals game Saturday afternoon in Belton. UMHB improves to 12-1 overall with the victory and the Cru will advance to the NCAA Division III National Semifinals for the second straight season and the third time in the program’s history.
D3Football.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
College Notebook: McCoy Off to Fast Start
...Another former Newark player -- Joe McCoy, a senior guard on the Grove City College men's basketball team -- had five 3-pointers on his way to a 21-point night in a 79-67 win against Salisbury on Saturday.
Newark Advocate

Gateway's Houy Named to Football Academic All-American Team
Gateway graduate Matt Houy, a starting senior guard on the Washington & Jefferson College football team, has been selected to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA College Division Football Academic All-America Team.
Time Express

Presidents Must Keep Opponent Guessing
When the serious moments of practice ease at Washington & Jefferson College and Bobby Swallow is feeling a little playful, he will drop back and rifle the ball downfield with a flick of his right arm. What's so unusual about that? Swallow is a left-handed quarterback.
Observer-Reporter

W&J Gets Familiar Foe in Playoff Quarterfinals
Washington & Jefferson will play Mary Hardin-Baylor today at Tiger Stadium in Belton, Texas, in an NCAA Division III quarterfinal. The schools are a thousand miles apart, but they are familiar with each other. This is the third time in the past five years they've met in the playoffs, and the first two meetings are not pleasant memories for W&J coach Mike Sirianni.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

College Notebook
...Luckhardt's former team, Washington & Jefferson, also is bidding for a national championship -- in Division III. Current W&J coach Mike Sirianni is hoping the third time the Presidents play at Mary Hardin-Baylor will result in a victory. The teams, both with 11-1 records, meet in the quarterfinals at 1 p.m. today in Belton, Texas.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5
Waynesburg Women Snap Streak
Elisha Jones sank a jump shot with two seconds left to play to give Waynesburg University a 66-64 victory over Thiel, snapping a 28-game losing streak Wednesday night. The victory was the first in the Presidents' Athletic Conference since last January. It also was the first victory for first-year head coach Sam Jones.
Observer-Reporter

W&J Keeps Its Run Alive
Washington and Jefferson senior running back Curt Jones went from being a second option in the backfield to featured ball-carrier in the matter of 12 months. Jones has responded to the change with confidence in his own ability that was quickly replaced by the support and appreciation of his peers and coaching staff.
D3Football.com

McNeil Goes from OSHS Football Star To College Star
It would’ve been hard for Taylor McNeil to imagine as a high school football player at Old Saybrook High School that, years later at Bethany College in West Virginia, he would be a record-holder and All-Conference player after finishing his senior football season.
Harbor News

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
W&J Foe Playoff-Tested, Has Lofty Expectations
Pete Fredenburg knows it's not the best of circumstances but he hasn't been able to change it. Fredenburg is the head coach of Mary Hardin-Baylor's football team - the opponent of Washington & Jefferson in Saturday's NCAA Division III quarterfinal-round game in Belton, Texas - and he'd like to take out his frustrations on the NCAA at some point.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

Seniors Propel Grove City Win
GROVE CITY, Pa. — After 40 minutes of basketball, Grove City and Geneva couldn’t decide the issue as the two teams were deadlocked at 57-all. However, in overtime, the Wolverines outscored their guests by an 11-7 margin to walk away with a 68-64 win.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

Grove City Women Earn First Win of Year, 68-58
GROVE CITY, Pa. —The Grove City College women’s basketball team is no longer winless. After starting the season with five losses, the Wolverines put together one of their better efforts of the season Wednesday night as they picked up their first win with a 68-58 decision over the Geneva College Tornadoes at College Arena.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

Rare League Loss Drives Presidents; High-Powered Washington & Jefferson Hungry For Another Playoff Shot at Mary-Hardin Baylor
Mary Hardin-Baylor and Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) first met on the football field in 2004, when the Crusaders were relative postseason unknowns and decisive underdogs to a Presidents team that boasted of two Stagg Bowl appearances and five NCAA Division III national semifinal trips in its program’s history. Temple Daily Telegram

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3
Westminster: Titans Fall short Against Mount Union
The Westminster College men’s basketball team battled down the wire last night. The Titans used a 15-1 run to come back from a 14-point deficit with 8:27 remaining but lost at the buzzer against Mount Union in nonconference action at Buzz Ridl Gymnasium, 75-72.
New Castle News

Campus Roundup: Area Athletes Shinning
...John Bodle, Clearfield: Bodle, now a sophomore at Westminster, brought home a fifth-place finish in the 200 fly in his team's losing effort to Washington & Jefferson.
The Progress

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2
Thomas More Athletes of the Week
Mark Tinklenberg - Sport: Men's basketball - Class/position: Senior/wing - Hometown: Dublin, Ohio - High school: Coffman - What Mark did last week: He averaged 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds as the Saints went 1-1 last week. He scored a game-high 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds as the Saints defeated the College of Mount St. Joseph, 81-70, to win the 2008 Bridge Shootout.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Mount-ing Losses: Titans Fall to 0-6
NEW WILMINGTON — The Westminster College men’s basketball team continues to look for its elusive first win. Monday, the Titans (0-6) dropped a tough 75-72 verdict to Mount Union at Buzz Ridl Gymnasium.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

College Basketball/Area Games
WOMEN - Washington & Jefferson 63, Grove City 30 - GROVE CITY, Pa. — Freshman guard Megan Gebrosky scored 13 points in Grove City’s 63-30 loss to Presidents’ Athletic Conference rival Washington & Jefferson at the Grove City College Arena.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1
Alle-Kiski Area Campus Clippings
Four local graduates helped Washington & Jefferson (11-1) upset No. 3 Millsaps, 35-20, on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Valley News Dispatch

###