SAU 22nd in first Learfield Sports Directors' Cup fall standings

Nov. 29, 2012

Thanks to the strong showing by the St. Ambrose cross country team, SAU is ranked No. 22 in the country in the first set of Learfield Sports Directors' Cup fall standings released today.

In a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today, points are awarded based on national finishes in 12 sports, six men's and six women's.

The Fighting Bee women were 21st and the men finished 27th at the NAIA Cross Country Championships, giving St. Ambrose 52 points in the standings.

SAU is the only Midwest Collegiate Conference institution receiving points in the initial standings.

British Columbia leads the rankings with 172 points.

The standings will be updated on Dec. 13 after the men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball national championships, and again on Dec. 20 after football crowns its national champion.

More information, including the schedule and scoring structure, is available on the NACDA website.

SAU honored as NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Award

Oct. 22, 2012

NAIA Champions of Character program

St. Ambrose led the Midwest Collegiate Conference with 79 points to become a 2011-12 NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution.

A total of 221 institutions, including all seven in the MCC, received the prestigious award.

All recipients will be recognized on the NAIA's COC website as well as receive a special web banner and certificate noting the honor.

To receive the award, members must score 60 or more points on the NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard. Institutions were measured based on a demonstrated commitment to the COC initiative and could earn points in each of the following categories: character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion. Institutions could also pick up points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by obtaining zero ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.

According to the NAIA's release, "The Scorecard was crafted to convert the NAIA's vision and strategy into measurable goals and to monitor progress towards advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics. The initiative supports performance-driven athletics while defining expectations and standards that drive successful teams and athletics departments."

Every athletic program within the league makes a conscious effort to demonstrate the Champions of Character's five core values which are respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship.

SAU student-athletes honored for academic success

June 8, 2012

It was yet another banner year in the classroom for St. Ambrose student-athletes - 164 academic all-conference selections, 49 NAIA Scholar-Athletes, 9 Capital One Academic All-District picks, and 6 Capital One Academic All-Americans, including four first teamers.

Congratulations to all the Bees for their hard work in 2011-12.

Capital One Academic All-America First Team: Matt Brahm (m volleyball), Chris Donnelly (m basketball), Ben Gillen (m golf), Nick Hauge (football)

Capital One Academic All-America Second Team: Jacob Schertz (m golf)

Capital One Academic All-America Third Team: Maggie Suchoski (w bowling)

Capital One Academic All-District: Alex Berg (football), Matt Brahm (m volleyball), Chris Donnelly (m basketball), Ben Gillen (m golf), Nick Hauge (football), Jon Vince Rhodes (m soccer), Jacob Schertz (m golf), Maggie Suchoski (w bowling), Mollie Yeargle (w basketball)

NAIA Scholar-Athletes: Will Fuentes (baseball); Justin Blondell, Chris Donnelly (m basketball); Ryan Buchanan, Tyler Norby, Jay Whitmore (m cross country); Catherine Berger, Christine Eden, Chelsee Lisk, Dana Maier, Abby Parsons, Katie Simones, Kristen Syring (w cross country); Alex Berg, Nick Hauge, Chad Wilson, Mike Wulff (football); Jake Alexander, Brent Anderson, Ben Gillen, Alex Larson, Jacob Schertz (m golf); Caitlin Carney (w golf); Matt Kraciun, Nick Loehr, Jacob Peiper (m soccer); Allison Bevenue, Brianna Hunzeker, Abby Kent, Grace Ripslinger (w soccer); Hailey Nichol (softball); Luke Wood (m tennis); Staci Kapinus (w tennis); Ryan Buchanan, Tyler Norby, Kevin Randle, Jay Whitmore, Chad Wilson (m track & field); Kelsey Berg, Tina Eden, Chelsee Lisk, Rachel Luehrs, Camille Mason, Sarah Medland, Emilie Minteer, Abby Parsons, Meg Skaggs, Mandy Streu, Kristen Syring (w track & field)

Academic All-Conference:

Baseball: Will Fuentes, Dane Green, Kale Kauppi, Griffin Paulson, Joe Piersanti, Tom Prior,
     Zach Rohlf, Matt Rosenberger, Matt Runge, Nate Schmitt
M Basketball: Ben Alpen, Justin Blondell, Chris Donnelly, Adam Koncel, Andy Supergan
W Basketball: Lauren Cash, Michelle Charvat, Alison Cowell, Katie Jensen, Jane Schiffler,
     Kaitlin Schuler, Shelby Steger, Lindsay Stopa, Carter Wear, Mollie Yeargle
M Bowling: Kyle Anderson, Calvin Kramer, Evan Olson, Bryan Thompson, Jim Ulczak
W Bowling: Jennifer Baran, Brandi Collins, Taylor Garvey, Maggie Suchoski
M Cross Country: Ryan Buchanan, Nate McNamara, Tyler Norby, Kevin Randle, Jay Whitmore
W Cross Country: Catherine Berger, Christine Eden, Chelsee Lisk, Dana Maier, Abby Parsons,
     Katie Simones, Kristen Syring
Football: Alex Berg, Trae Covington, Nick Hauge, Chad Kron, Mark O'Connor, Carter Oltman,
     Patrick Schmadeke, Alex Waterkotte, Chad Wilson
M Golf: Jake Alexander, Brent Anderson, Andrew Canfield, Ben Gillen, Alex Larson, Jacob Schertz
W Golf: Talor Ahmann, Caitlin Carney, Abby Frideres, Delaney Hunt
M Soccer: Jacob Burd, Wesley Erickson, Derek Hanrahan, Nick Helling, Matt Kraciun,
     Braxton Lancial, Nick Loehr, Rob Prior, Kyle Williams
W Soccer: Allison Bevenue, Emily Boyich, Breanna Choffin, Kathleen Dankbar, Erin Dierickx,
     Ellen Fairfield, Katie Fischetti, Kerry Hardiman, Kelsey Hartwig, Brianna Hunzeker,
     Abby Kent, Morgan Lynn, Tori Novak, Grace Ripslinger, Alexis Roberts, Molly Rockrohr,
     Kelly Schroeder, Megan Theisen, Rebekah Willich, Andrea Wilson
Softball: Britney Carlson, Kara Devine, Sarah Frerichs, Niki Green, Jenna Harshbarger,
     Cassi Kowalski, Alyssa Langevin, Liz Narup, Hailey Nichol, Erin O'Donnell, Kaitlyn Reiser,
     Rachel Robinson, Anne Rose, Nicole Walshon
M Track & Field: Tanner Arntzen, Ryan Buchanan, Nick Gentzler, Ryan Giesemann, Dean Knieps,
     Nate McNamara, Patrick Milder, Tyler Norby, Kevin Randle, Tim Ritter, Austin Robbins,
     Branden Smith, Ian VanAntwerp, Jay Whitmore, Chad Wilson
W Track & Field: Katie Beckett, Kelsey Berg, Alyssa Borowczyk, Cara Carter, Whitney Derga,
     Marissa Dunkerley, Tina Eden, Tori Ertmer, Tara Goehrke, Paige Gulbrandsen,
     Chelsee Lisk, Rachel Luehrs, Treviana Martin, Camille Mason, Sarah Medland,
     Megan Miller, Emilie Minteer, Abby Parsons, Naomi Patrnchak, Jen Rushton, Mary Scheck,
     Meg Skaggs, Mandy Streu, Kristen Syring, Paige Wheeler
M Volleyball: Matt Brahm, Miguel Calvillo, Dan Dierking, Jon Hamm, Jimmy Leyden,
     Michael Neuner, Joe Sponseller
W Volleyball: Katie Bailey, Jackie DalCerro, Rebecca Gillen, Taylor Granell, Meagan Hruska,
     Kara McCarthy, Catherine Wildner, Dolores Wildner, Alyssa Wlodarczyk

Cheerleaders rally to place fourth at College Nationals

Apr. 16, 2012

SAU cheerleading

Recovering from a disastrous prelims, the St. Ambrose Cheerleading Team rallied back during finals to take fourth place among the top nine teams in the country in the NAIA Small Coed Division at the 2012 NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Coach Felicia Miles said, "This year was a tough year as the division grew from six to nine teams bringing in some of the best teams in the country who have previously held national titles. My team had quite a bit of nerves going into prelims after watching the competition in practice. I think they psyched themselves out before they even hit the mat. But on Friday, they stepped up to the plate, and I think they showed the competition just what they have to look forward to next year."

Cheerleaders, dance team bring home awards at Regionals

Feb. 12, 2012

SAU cheerleading

It was another successful performance for the St. Ambrose University cheerleaders and dance team at the 2012 NAIA Midwest Regional Cheerleading and Dance Championships hosted by William Penn University Saturday.

The Bee cheerleaders took first place in the small coed division. Additionally, two St. Ambrose cheerleaders, Kayla Crocker (left) and Alyssa Borowczyk (right), were named to the All-American team.

Crocker is a junior from Elk Grove Village, Ill., while Borowczyk is a freshman from Roselle, Ill.

The SAU dance team took first place and qualified three dance All-Americans at the Regional Championships in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

The SAU dance team won its second straight regional championship over the weekend, capturing another first place in the large dance category. Grand View University was runner-up and Doane College rounded out the top three. The first place trophy landed the dance team a paid bid to the NAIA National Championships.

Three SAU dancers were named All-Americans: Katie Arp (left), Miranda McKenna (middle) and Heather Sturtz (right). Arp is a senior from Walcott, Iowa; McKenna is a sophomore from Davenport, Iowa; and Sturtz is a sophomore from Blue Grass, Iowa.

Head Dance Coach Danelle Stanger reflected on what it took to win the championship, "This group of girls faced a lot of difficult challenges recently in their preparations for regionals. They pulled together as a team and showed what dedication and perseverance will accomplish," she said. "I am so proud of them. Their performance was breath taking and left everyone in attendance wanting to see more."