Men's and Women's Cross Country
Mount Union's women's cross country team (43 points) earned its second consecutive Ohio-Athletic Conference title, while the men's team (57 points) finished second in the OAC.
Individually, the Lady Raiders had three runners earn All-OAC status, including senior Dara Ford (3rd/22:58), junior Jamie Musick (4th/23:36), and senior Elena Hollein (7th/23:53). Ford also earned Great Lakes All-Region honors, for her eigth place finish (22:03) in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championship, and individually qualified for the Division III National Cross Country Championsips.
Lady Raider head coach Deana Fresenko was named the Ohio Athletic Conference's Women's Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year and third time in the past four seasons (2001, 2003, 2004).
On the men's side, Mount Union's sophomore Kyle Basista (3rd/26:24), junior Chris Paulett (5th/26:30), and sophomore Jeremy Velliquette (6th/26:32) also earned All-OAC honors. Paulett also earned Cross Country Academic Honorable-Mention All-OAC honors.
Football
In 2004, the Purple Raider football team (12-1) completed its 10th consecutive undefeated regular season earning its 13th consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference Championship. The seven-time National Champions, who have won 104 regular season games, also made their 10th consecutive appearance in the Division III Playoff Semi-Final round.
Individually, the Raiders had 14 players earn 2004 All-OAC status and four season-ending OAC Special Award honorees, including senior/quarterback Zac Bruney, the Mike Gregory Award winner as the OAC's best offensive back, senior/middle-linebacker Shaun Spisak, the Bill Edwards Award winner as the conference's top linebacker, senior/safety Jesse Clum, the Lee J. Tressel Award winner for the OAC's most outstanding defensive back, and secondary coach Jeff Wojtowicz, the OAC Co-Assistant Coach of the Year.
The Raiders also had five individuals earn All-American status including First Team selections Spisak, Clum, and senior/defensive lineman Johnny Josef. Bruney and senior/center Rick Prescott earned Second-Team All-American honors. Bruney was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Men's Soccer
The Purple Raiders (2-14-2, 1-8 OAC) were led statistically by junior/mid-fielders Dan Sears (7 points), Kyle Prock (6 points) and Bill Kotinsley (6 points). As a team, the Raiders earned the 2004 College Team Academic Award given by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) for those programs who post a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Women's Soccer
The Lady Raiders (4-12-1, 4-4-1 OAC) finished sixth in the Ohio Athletic Conference. As a team, the Purple & White placed four players on the OAC's All-Conference team. Senior/defender Owen Crosland and senior/forward Jen Boyd each earned First Team honors, while junior/midfielder Amber Knoll and senior/midfielder Cara Russo earned Honorable-Mention All-OAC status.
Four Purple Raiders were also named to the Academic All-OAC squad. Crosland and Boyd both earned Academic All-OAC honors, while Knoll and junior/midfielder Laura Bandy earned Honorable-Mention Academic All OAC status. The Lady Raiders were also the recipients of the NSCAA Team Academic Award.
Volleyball
The Lady Raiders (17-15, 6-3 OAC) finished fourth in the OAC during the regular season and third at the OAC tournament.
Individually, junior/defensive specialist Kristen Sagula was selected as the OAC's Libero-of-the-Year (defensive specialist), and earned Second-Team All-OAC status for her play in 2004. Sagula also became Mount Union College's all-time leader in digs in a season (718), digs per game (6.71), and career digs (1,616). Senior/outside hitter Kris Barker was also a Second-Team All-OAC selection this fall. Senior/middle hitter Mary Maul earned 2004 Academic All-OAC Honorable-Mention status.
Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field
Mount Union’s men’s indoor track and field team (149 points) earned the College’s 28th Ohio Athletic Conference Championship, while the Lady Raiders placed fifth (76.50 points) at the OAC Championships on Friday and Saturday, March 4-5.
On the men’s side, the Raiders produced five individual conference champions, including senior Matt Cole in the 55 meter high hurdles (7.73), sophomore Ryan Garro in the 800 meters (1:58.18), sophomore Jeremy Velliquette in the 1,000 meters (2:33.20), junior Kyle Basista in the 1,500 meters (4:01), and freshman Dan Gund in the shot put (49-05).
Sophomores Eric Belancic in the high jump (6-07.50) and Shannon Bennington in the pole vault (16-01.75) both finished sixth at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships, earning All-American certificates.
On the women’s side, the Raiders produced four All-Conference performers including Jen Farrell in the 800 meters (2nd/2:23), the distance medley relay squad (2nd/12:26) of Farrell, Dara Ford, Raina Keppler, and Erin McCauley, Ford in the 1,500 meters (3rd/4:52), and 5,000 meters (18:17), and McCauley in the 800 meters (3rd/2:25).
Men’s and Women’s Swimming
Mount Union’s men’s swimming team (99 points) and women’s team (95 points) both placed fifth at the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships.
On the men’s side, the Raiders produced three all-conference performers including sophomore Jeremy Opacich in the 500 yard freestyle (3rd/5:00.25), and the 1,650 yard freestyle (2nd/17:21), sophomore Andy Smith in the 400 yard individual medley (4:33.19) and junior Scott Pearson in the 200 yard freestyle (2nd/1:47.56).
Sophomore Alex Darr earned At-Large Honorable-Mention Academic All-OAC status.
On the women’s side, the Purple Raiders were led by conference champion, junior, Sarah Buford in the 1,650 yard freestyle (18:23). Other All-OAC performances included Buford, who also produced a third place finish in the 500 yard freestyle (5:25.05), and the 200 yard freestyle relay team of sophomore Jen Slys, junior Lindsay Baker, sophomore Erin Schwing, and freshman Danielle Boyer (3rd/1:46.06) who finished third.
Wrestling
Mount Union’s wrestling team (9-6, 2-4 OAC) placed fifth (39.50 points) at the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships. Senior Rocky Laughlin (22-1 overall) was the conference champion in the 133 lb weight class, qualifying for the NCAA Division III Championships. Senior Doug Jones (22-7), at 165 pounds, and junior Chad Hilliard (22-4), at 149 pounds, also received All-OAC honors by taking second at the conference championships.
Men’s Basketball
Mount Union’s men’s basketball team (14-14, 9-9 OAC) finished seventh in the OAC during regular play and fourth overall in conference tournament action in 2004-05. The Purple Raiders were led by two all conference performers- First Team All-OAC selection, junior/post Kyle Karpinski (18.4 ppg/5.8 rpg) and Honorable-Mention All-OAC pick, senior/forward, Chris Blakely (9.8 ppg/9.1 rpg).
Senior/guard Brad Gerard (10.4 ppg) earned Academic All-OAC status for the second consecutive season. He also became the 22nd player in Mount Union history to eclipse the 1,000 point mark for his career (1,081). Overall, the Raiders have had nine seasons of .500 or better basketball in the last 10 years of play.
Women’s Basketball
Mount Union’s women’s basketball team (5-20, 2-16 OAC) was led by senior/forward Ashley Bourdeau (16.5 ppg/6.1 rpg). She earned Second-Team All-OAC honors in 2005, making her a four-time All-OAC selection. Bourdeau finished her collegiate career third on the Raider all-time scoring list (1,545 points) and among the all-time leaders in rebounds (810) and games played (100). Junior/forward Kyla Hogan (13.0 ppg/4.7 rpg) earned Academic All-OAC Honors for the second consecutive season. She also led the conference in steals (116).
Baseball
Mount Union’s baseball team (16-19-1/7-11 OAC) finished seventh overall in Ohio Athletic Conference play in 2005. The Purple Raiders had two players earn Honorable-Mention All-OAC status – senior/pitcher Tim Newman (6-3/3.70 ERA) and sophomore/pitcher Shawn Kerek (3-7/3.15 ERA). Newman led the team in wins, innings pitched (65.2) and strikeouts (63). Kerek led the Purple & White in ERA. Offensively, senior/third baseman Chris Liptak led the Raiders in hitting (.331 BA) while junior/centerfielder Jason Evans posted a team-best 26 RBI. Liptak and sophomore Paul Namey both earned 2005 Honorable-Mention Academic All-Conference honors.
Softball
Mount Union’s softball team (30-9/15-3 OAC) finished second in the Ohio Athletic Conference during regular season and OAC Tournament play in 2005 while posting the second highest single season win total (30) in school history. The Raiders had two players earn All-Conference honors -- freshman/pitcher Lindsey Royer (17-4/1.50 ERA) and sophomore/first baseman Amanda Yackmack (.376 BA).
Royer earned First-Team All-OAC honors, received the Bob Jordan OAC Rookie of the Year Award and won the John Wells OAC Pitcher of the Year Award. She set a Raider freshman record with 17 wins while striking out 137 in 119.2 innings. Yackmack earned Second-Team All-OAC honors as she led the Raiders in hitting and home runs (6).
Raider senior/second baseman & shortstop Amy Polomsky earned Academic All-OAC recognition while sophomore/first baseman Amanda Yackmack was an Academic Honorable-mention All-Conference selection. Purple Raider Head Coach Sandy Douglas (432-283 record/20years at MU) and assistant coach Mike Hagy were named the 2005 OAC Coaching Staff of the Year.
Royer, Yackmack, and sophomore/catcher Crystal Thomas earned Second-Team All-Central Region honors, while junior/pitcher/second baseman/outfielder Ashley Hochstetler and sophomore/outfielder Cortney Frederick were Third-Team All-Central Region selections.
Women’s Tennis
Mount Union’s women’s tennis team (17-4, 6-3 OAC) placed fourth in conference in the regular season and tied for third in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament while setting school records for wins (17) and consecutive victories (10). The Purple Raiders placed three players on the All-OAC Team. Freshman Natsuka Kanegae, who earned Second-Team All-OAC honors, set a Raider single-season record by going 18-0 at #5 singles. Mari Ishikawa and sophomore Eleni Halkias both earned Honorable-Mention All-OAC honors.
Men’s Tennis
Mount Union men’s tennis team (13-8, 5-4 OAC) placed fifth in the regular season in the Ohio Athletic Conference and tied for third in OAC Tournament play. The Raiders were led by sophomore Kyle Moreland, who earned Honorable-Mention All-OAC honors. Moreland won a combined 28 matches between #2 singles and #2 doubles play. Sophomore Adam Jaworski had a team-best 16 individual wins at #6 singles.
Men’s Golf
The Purple Raider golf team finished third (604 strokes) at the Ohio Athletic Conference Championship in 2005. Season team highlights included the Purple & White taking first at the Pat Flowers Invitational on April 17 and second at the Nye Intercollegiate Invitational on April 15-16. Individually, freshman Jason Nussbaum took medalist honors at the Pat Flowers Invitational. The Raiders were led by All-OAC performers senior Tim Crumrine (3rd/148) and senior Jon Shuster (6th/ 149)
Women’s Golf
The Lady Raider golf team finished seventh (418 strokes) at the OAC Championship in 2005. Mount Union was led by junior Amanda Hirschauer, who was 12th (181 strokes) and sophomore Marie Karesbach, who finished 15th overall (182). Season highlights included junior Marie Krebsbach taking medalist honors at the Mount Union Invitational and junior Abbi Smith finishing second at the Mount Union Invitational, third at the John Carroll Invitational and third at the Baldwin-Wallace Invitational.
Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field
Mount Union’s men’s outdoor track team claimed its 24th Ohio Athletic Conference Championship in 2005 with 175 points, while the women's team took third place with 113 points.
On the men's side, the Raiders produced five individual conference champions, sophomore Justin Archer in the shot put (52-00.50), junior Johnny Biacofsky in the 100 meter dash with a OAC championship meet record time of 10.45, and in the 200 meter dash (21.47), senior Matt Cole in the 110 hurdles (14.53), sophomore Ryan Garro in the 800 meter run (1:53.31), and sophomore Jeremy Velliquette in the 1500 meter run (3:59.68). Mount Union’s 4x100 meter relay team of sophomore Nic Saluppo, junior James Cunningham, Cole, and Biacofsky also took first place (41.52).
Coach John Homon was named the 2005 OAC’s Men’s Outdoor Coach of the Year, while Biacofsky earned the Jim Wuske Award for being the top Men’s Track Athlete of the Year.
Biacofsky earned All-American status for his second place finish in the 100 meter dash (10.63) at the Division III Outdoor Track Championships.
Academically, sophomore Ryan Garro earned Academic All-OAC honors in 2005.
On the women's side, individual All-OAC performers at the conference Outdoor Track Championships include Brittany Moor in the pole vault (2nd/10-08.00), Susan Pilarski in the javelin toss (2nd/125-03) and discus throw (2nd/131-09), Jenna York in the javelin toss (3rd/123-05), Elena Hoellein in the 10,000 meter run (3rd/40:14.28), Dara Ford in the 3,000 meter steeplechase (2nd/11:31.11), and the 4x800 meter relay team (2nd/9:35.13).
Dara Ford set two new school records this spring, including in the 3,000 meter steeplechase (11:12.20) and 5,000 meter run (17:52). Brittany Moor also set a school record in the pole vault, clearing a height of 10-11.75.
The Lady Raiders placed four athletes on the Academic All-OAC Team. Seniors Elena Hoellein and Dara Ford earned 2005 Academic All-OAC honors while seniors Erin McCauley and Susan Pilarski earned Academic All-OAC Honorable Mention status in 2005. Ford was also named a recipient of the 2004-2005 OAC Clyde A. Lamb Award recognizing the College's top female student/athlete.
2004-05 OAC All-Sports Standings: Overall, the Purple Raider men’s program placed fourth (55.50 points) in the OAC All-Sports Trophy standings, taking first in football, men’s indoor track and men’s outdoor track during the 2004-05 academic year. The Lady Raider program finished fifth overall (49.84 points) in the OAC standings, highlighted by women’s cross country first place finish and softball’s second place finish.