Winter Season Update

Although the winter semester has just begun at William Penn University, the school’s winter athletic season is well underway.

The Lady Statesmen basketball team started the New Year off right, having defeated #12 ranked Iowa Wesleyan in a one point game and then defeating Viterbo 74-60. The team, which is 4-1 in the conference and 12-7 overall, only conference loss is to #9 ranked St. Ambrose University.

As of Dec. 13th the Lady Statesmen were unofficially ranked 26th in the nation receiving 84 votes. William Penn is also ranked high in several NAIA categories, including thirteenth in steals and fifteenth in points and twelfth in total offensive rebounds. Individually, Christa Subbert is ranked fifth in total points and 8th in scoring per game.

The men’s basketball team is currently 1-3 record in conference, and is 9-8 overall. The Statesmen are off to a rough 2011 start with a four point loss to #21 ranked Iowa Wesleyan, and a 80-58 loss to Viterbo last week. The Statesman are currently ranked in a few NAIA categories including fourteenth in overall scoring, third in total offensive rebounds, and tenth in overall steals. William Penn also has two individuals currently ranked: Huzie Hambrite is tenth in steals with 158 and Ryan Wilson is fourteenth in offensive rebounds per game with 3.62. The women’s and men’s basketball teams will next host Clarke on Saturday, January 15 at 1 and 3 p.m.

The Statesmen wrestling squad has also received national recognition early on in the season. In the latest rankings, which came out mid-December, the team was ranked sixth in the central group team ratings. Five Penn wrestlers also qualified individually. Jason Mozley, of Arlington, Texas, and Brandon Smith of Malcom are both ranked sixth in their weight classes. Taylor Louie, of West Covina, Calif., is ranked fifth at 125 pounds, and Joe Range of Burlington is fourth at 165 pounds. Freshman Eric Burgey, from Easton, Pennsylvania, is ranked third in his 149 weight class, and was also ranked in the last coaches’ poll. The Statesmen wrestlers just hosted the William Penn Open, and will be competing this week at home vs. Grand View and at the Central Open.

The bowling season continues through February, and both teams have shown a lot of promise in this inaugural year of competition. The women's team is currently ranked 23rd, which should assure some postseason activity, while the men’s team is ranked 26th overall. Sean Rangel, a sophomore from Omaha, is ranked 18th overall with an average of 207.25.

For more information on the athletic programs at William Penn University, including game schedules and results, visit the website: www.statesmenathletics.com .