THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE GROVE CITY COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF EXERCISE SCIENCE AND ATHLETICS
Summer 2015 • Vol 9. No. 1
RILEY, RABENOLD EARN SPORTSMAN, SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
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From left: Rabenold, Athletic Director Dr. Don Lyle and Riley
enior men’s tennis player Peter Riley and junior cross country/track and field standout Emily Rabenold have been respectively named as Grove City College’s Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for the 2014-15 academic year. The College presented Riley and Rabenold with their awards on May 2 at Recognition
Convocation in Harbison Chapel. Riley earned Presidents’ Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors for the third time in his career April 25 at the conference championships in Erie, Pa. Riley won conference titles at first singles and first doubles while helping Grove City earn its 25th consecutive conference title and fifth straight berth to the NCAA Division III Championships. He also earned the league’s Player of the Year award in 2012 and 2014 after winning the conference’s No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles titles in each of those seasons. As a senior, Riley posted a 13-6 record at first singles and a 12-6 mark in the No. 1 doubles slot. For his career, he is 47-13 in singles play and 50-19 in doubles action. An English/French double major, Riley earned CoSIDA Academic All-District recognition from the region’s sports information directors in both 2014 and 2015. He has earned Dean’s List honors in each of his eight semesters and is a three-year member of the conference’s Academic Honor Roll. He has also received the College’s “Scholar Athlete” award. Rabenold, who joins 2012 honoree Angela Palumbo as the only juniors to have ever received Sportswoman of the Year honors, is a three-year letterwinner in track and field and a two-year cross country letterwinner. In November, she became the third NCAA Division III All-American in program history by placing 28th at the see SPORTSMAN/WOMAN on page 2
Inside Letter from Dr. Lyle
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2015 Hall of Fame
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Lyle Retires after 43 Years
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Football program transition
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2014-15 in Review
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Excellence in the Classroom
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New Faces
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PAC All-Sports Trophy
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Quick Click
Bookmark these links on the Grove City College website, located at www.gcc.edu. Sports www2.gcc.edu/sports n Dept. of Exercise Science www.gcc.edu/academics/ SEM/ExerciseScience n Alumni & Friends alumni.gcc.edu n News & Media www.gcc.edu/news n
Editor Robert Audia Web Content/Social Media Supervisor Editor Ryan Briggs ’01 Sports Information Director Printer SCP Group Sharon, Pa. Varsity G is the official newsletter of the Grove City College Department of Physical Education and Athletics. It is published three times a year following each athletic season: winter, spring and fall.
WELCOME TO ‘VARSITY G’ Dear Varsity Athletes, Parents, Alumni and Friends, We have concluded another very successful year at Grove City
get caught up with former teammates and friends. Homecoming,
College. As you will read in Varsity G, our women’s teams won
scheduled this year for September 25-27, 2015, is a great time
the Presidents’ Athletic Conference’s All-Sports Trophy and the
to do both. We hope you will plan to visit at Homecoming, if not
men’s programs finished in third place. This year’s teams captured
before.
seven individual team championships and five teams represented
This will be my last Varsity G letter as the Director of Athletics
Grove City College by being selected or having individuals
at Grove City College. It has been a real honor and privilege to
selected to participate in NCAA Division III Championship events.
represent the many athletes and coaches over the past 43 years.
Six of our athletes earned a total of eight Conference MVP or
I want to wish you all the very best in the future.
Player of the Year honors. This is a true reflection of the job our
Go Wolverines.
student athletes and coaches are doing to enhance our rich
Donald L. Lyle, Ed.D.
athletic history.
Director of Athletics Grove City College Phone: (724) 458-2122 email: dllyle@gcc.edu
We have completed two new historical displays in the building. “The Crimson Line of Coaches” illustrates the participation of both administrators and coaches who have given of their time and talent to enhance our rich athletic history. The second display focuses on our early years, highlighting significant events and schedules in the early 1920s through the 1950s. Piecing our history together has been a fun process and anything you could share verbally or tangibly would be very much appreciated. Please plan to visit soon and see all of the new displays and
We have received a number of items, including letter jackets, sweaters, blankets and programs. All of these items are prominently displayed in the building. If you would have any memorabilia that you would like to donate, please contact: Hillary Walczak ‘09, College Archives, Carnegie Alumni Center, Grove City College, 100 Campus Drive, Grove City, PA 16127
SPORTSMAN/WOMAN continued from p. 1
NCAA Championships in Mason, Ohio. She is a two-time conference Most Valuable Performer in cross country and also earned All-Mideast Region recognition in both 2013 and 2014. Rabenold recently repeated as the conference’s Most Valuable Performer in women’s outdoor track and field after recording three individual victories April 24-25 at the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships. She won the steeplechase, the 5,000 and the 10,000 in helping Grove City to its second straight conference title. She went on to place 13th in the 10,000 at the 2015 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Canton, N.Y. Last year, Rabenold placed 15th in the steeplechase at the NCAA Division III Championships in Delaware, Ohio. In February, Rabenold earned indoor track and
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field MVP honors at the inaugural indoor conference championships in Youngstown, Ohio. She won the mile and 5000, helping Grove City win the team title. Rabenold owns the school outdoor track record in the steeplechase and the 10,000 meters. She also holds indoor records in the mile, the 3,000 and the 5,000. A biology major, Rabenold has earned CoSIDA Academic All-District recognition in both 2014 and 2015 and was recently named Grove City’s 43rd all-time Academic All-American, earning Third Team At-Large honors. She has also been named to the Dean’s List and the conference’s Academic Honor Roll. Grove City first awarded its Sportsperson of the Year award in 1948. In 1982, the College split the award into Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.
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2015 HALL OF FAME & HERITAGE CLASSES INDUCTED
rove City College inducted the ninth class of honorees into its Athletic Hall of Fame February 14. The College inducted Bob Bishop ’66 (soccer), Sarah Hamsher ’97 (volleyball), Brian Herrick ’87 (football/track), Jeff Ickes ’74 (cross country/track), Larry Sawyer ’70 (football/baseball), Sue (Shadle ’87) Nelson (volleyball), Margaret “Peggy” (Whitbeck ’04) Mahan (swimming) and Marty Wurl ‘78 (diving). The College also presented the seventh group of Athletic Heritage Awards to three recipients this year: Howard Acher ’13 (football/basketball/tennis/coach), Charlie Guiler ’61 (professor/coach) and Danny McEuen (professor/coach). In addition, the College presented the Front row, left to right: Bob Bishop, Peggy (Whitbeck) Mahan, Sue (Shadle) Nelson, Sarah Hamsher, inaugural McMillan-Jewell Charitable Larry Sawyer. Back row, left to right: President Paul McNulty, Jeff Ickes, Brian Herrick, Marty Wurl, Heart Ambassadors Award, named for athletic director Dr. Don Lyle. Dr. Richard “Dick” Jewell ’67 and Dr. Donald “Doc” McMillan ’32, to William “Skip” Johnson ’76. This year’s Hall of Fame inductees:
Left to right: President McNulty, Mark Guiler (on behalf of his father, Charlie Guiler) and Dr. Lyle.
Bob Bishop ’66 (soccer) - Four-year starter; helped Grove City to 1962 NCAA Championships; led Wolverines to 17-0-1 record over final two years. Sarah Hamsher ’97 (volleyball) - 2x AVCA All-Region; 1996 Presidents’ Athletic Conference volleyball MVP; school-record holder with 2,150 digs. Brian Herrick ’87 (football/track) - 4x individual PAC champion to help track & field to first two team titles in 1986 and 1987; held school records in 800 and 1500 for 20-plus years; three-year starter at wide receiver for football. Jeff Ickes ’74 (cross country/track) - First Grove City runner to qualify for NCAA Championships in both sports; set school-record in five miles for cross country, three-mile and six-mile runs for track. Larry Sawyer ’70 (baseball/football) - Two-time All-District and Tri-State All-Star Game selection as pitcher; Still holds school record with 23 complete games; two-year starter at cornerback, leading team in interceptions in 1967. Sue (Shadle ’87) Nelson (volleyball) - 2x AVCA All-American & All-Region; 1986 PAC MVP; led Wolverines to three straight NCAA Tournaments. Peggy (Whitbeck ’04) Mahan (swimming) - 3x National Champion in the 200 butterfly; 8x All-American in butterfly events; 4x conference MVP; CoSIDA Academic All-American; Former national record-holder in 200 butterfly. Marty Wurl ’78 (diving) - 6x NCAA All-American in diving events; national runner-up on 1- and 3-meter boards in 1978, DIII’s highest combined finish.
Athletic Heritage Award honorees: Howard Acher ’13 - Played/coached football, basketball and tennis in 1910s-20s. Charlie Guiler ’61 - 30-year business professor; varsity rifle coach from 1974-78. Danny McEuen - longtime English professor; 31 years as asst. track/field coach. Left to right: President McNulty, Dr. Richard Jewell, William “Skip” Johnson, Dick McMillan (on behalf of his father, Donald “Doc” McMillan) and Dr. Lyle.
McMillan-Jewell Charitable Heart Ambassadors Award William “Skip” Johnson ’76 - three-year manager for soccer and basketball teams; started men’s soccer restricted fund, assists with alumni programming.
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LYLE RETIRES AFTER 43 YEARS
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r. Don Lyle, Director of Athletics and Chairman of the Department of Exercise Science and Athletics at Grove City College, has retired from the College as of the conclusion of the 2014-15 academic year. Lyle recently completed his 13th year as athletic director and 19th year as department chair. The 2014-15 academic year marked Lyle’s 43rd overall year at Grove City. In his role, Lyle has overseen the College’s intricate fitness and wellness program, its rapidly-growing exercise science major and Grove City’s 21-sport varsity athletics program. A native of Calcutta, Ohio, Lyle joined the College’s athletic department in 1972 as head men’s soccer coach and assistant men’s basketball coach. He guided Grove City’s men’s soccer team from 1972 to 2005 and finished his coaching career as the program’s all-time leader in wins with 277. As head coach, he led the Wolverines to six post-season berths, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Championship Tournament. Seventeen of his players earned NSCAA All-Region honors. In 1996, Lyle directed Grove City to a share of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference men’s soccer title as the Wolverines went 16-2, setting a school record for victories in a season en route to winning their first Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) title. Nine years later in 2005, his final season as head coach, Lyle guided Grove City to its firstever outright PAC title and a trip to the finals of the ECAC Southern Championship Tournament. He earned the PAC’s Coach of the Year award that year. Lyle-coached teams also advanced to post-season play in 1976, 1980, 1995 and 2000. In 34 years as head coach, he compiled a 277-206-37 record. The College inducted him into its Men’s Soccer Hall of Fame in October 2006. Having a greater impact than mere wins and losses, Lyle’s legacy also has profoundly shaped the culture and lineage of the men’s soccer program. After establishing the annual men’s soccer alumni match during Homecoming weekend early in his career, Lyle spearheaded the creation of the College’s Men’s Soccer Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2013, Lyle also co-authored “Tales From the Pitch,” a written history of the Grove City College soccer program.
MOVING
His influence involving the game of soccer has also spilled over from the campus community into the greater Grove City and Mercer County communities. From 1978 to 2005, he hosted the Wolverine Soccer Camp, providing instruction to approximately 5,400 campers. Locally, he helped establish the Grove City Youth Soccer Association, which eventually led to the creation of the Grove City High School varsity soccer program in the 1980s. For his efforts, Lyle received the Florence McKenzie Campus-Community Award in 1988. While soccer has always been his primary sport, Lyle also coached three other sports during his tenure at the college. He worked as assistant men’s basketball coach and junior varsity men’s basketball coach from 1972 to 1979 and helped both the 1976 and 1979 basketball teams advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament. In 1980, the College appointed Lyle as its first softball coach and he posted a 91-61 (.599) record from 1980-88 as head coach. He remains the program’s all-time leader in winning percentage. Grove City went 60-28 over his last four seasons and won the Presidents’ Athletic Conference title in 1987. Lyle then spent nine years as baseball coach at Grove City. His 1991 squad set a modern single-season program record by winning 13 games. The next year, Grove City won a school-record 15 games. Overall, Grove City won 81 games during his stint as baseball coach. The College promoted Lyle to Chairman of the Department of Physical Education (now Exercise Science) in 1996. He added the responsibilities of athletic director in 2003. Under his leadership, Grove City’s athletic facilities have undergone extensive improvements over the past decade. In 2012, the College renovated the Grove City College Arena, and Grove City has also upgraded its football/track facility, Robert E. Thorn Field, the WaltersZbell Tennis Courts, the James E. Longnecker Pool, R. Jack Behringer Baseball Field, the College’s soccer
see LYLE on page 11 Page 4
VING ON
FOOTBALL PROGRAM TO TRANSITION LEADERSHIP
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ead football coach Chris Smith ’72 has notified the College that he will retire at the end of the 2015 season after more than 30 years of dedicated service to the program. Grove City College alumnus Andrew DiDonato ’10, a four-year starter at quarterback for the Wolverines from 2006-2009, will succeed Smith as head coach, the 32nd effective with e b ill w n ig a ith. tball camp The 2015 foo n for head coach Chris Sm the 2016 season. so a and final se DiDonato joined the coaching staff this January as offensive coordinator and will work closely with Smith during the 2015 season to ensure a seamless transition as he assumes the head coach role after Smith’s retirement. Smith has guided the football program for 31 seasons and is the all-time wins leader in the history of Wolverine football. Most notably, he earned national and regional acclaim in the late 1990s, including Presidents’ Athletic Conference championships in 1997 and 1998 and runnerup finishes in 1999 and 2000. In 1997, Smith was named Division III Coach of the Year by the Metropolitan New York Football Writers Association. He coached eight players to All-American status and five of his former players landed on the PAC’s 60th Anniversary team last August. Four players earned CoSIDA Academic All-American honors, while three players received NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships during his tenure. As a starting safety from 1968-1971, he led the Wolverines in interceptions all four years and holds the program record with 22 career interceptions. After graduating in 1972, Smith returned to Grove City College in 1979 to serve as assistant football and track coach. The College promoted Smith to head football coach in 1984 and he served as athletic director from 1996 to 2003. “For more than three decades, Coach Smith’s unwavering dedication to Wolverine football has been a
blessing to Grove City College,” said College President Paul J. McNulty. “Our program has been fortunate to have an excellent teacher and leader of young men in Coach Smith. His mentorship helped to shape scholar athletes whose on-field success mirrored success in the classroom and, later, in life. We thank Coach Smith and want him to know that he will always be part of the legacy of athletic excellence at Grove City College.” DiDonato returned to his alma mater following three years at two-time PIAA Class AA state champion and two-time WPIAL Class AA champion South Fayette High School, serving as offensive coordinator the past two years. In that role, he successfully directed an explosive offensive system that featured Pennsylvania’s all-time leader in passing yardage, quarterback Brett Brumbaugh. DiDonato has also coached at the University of Buffalo and Peters Township High School. “Having known Andrew DiDonato for many years as coach and colleague, he is an excellent choice to lead the next generation of Wolverine football and I’m delighted that he is joining our staff,” said Coach Smith. “As I prepare to embark upon my final year as head coach, I’m excited about the prospects for the 2015 season and I am confident in Andrew’s experience and ability to lead our program for many years to come.” DiDonato said, “Grove City College is a special place for my family and me, so it’s my honor to be selected to continue to grow a solid program. I thank President McNulty and Coach Smith for entrusting me with this opportunity.” A native of Bridgeville, Pa., DiDonato graduated A fo as Grove City College’s Andrermer standout on the field, w DiDonato ‘10 retu record holder in career take over th e Wolverine rns to football program after passing yards (7,509), great su pass completions (750), South Fayette High Sc ccess at hool. and touchdown passes (49). He also holds the Wolverines’ season and game records in each of those three categories. DiDonato concluded his career as a student athlete by earning the College’s Sportsman of the Year award in 2010. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management in 2010 and a master’s degree see FOOTBALL on page 11 Page 5
FALL SPORTS RECAP CROSS COUNTRY, MEN
2014-15 IN R
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even Grove City runners finished in the top 21 at the PAC Championships on Nov. 1, helping Grove City finish second in the nine-team field. The Wolverines accumulated 40 team points to finish within nine points of champion Saint Vincent for the closest finish at the event since 2009. Sophomore Daniel Christiansen finished second in the 99-runner field to earn First Team All-PAC honors while senior Peter Christiansen (fifth) and freshman Nick McClure (seventh) both joined him on the First Team. Freshman Drew Thibault earned Second Team honors while Gabe Imhof, Bryce Nelson and Devon Powley all garnered Honorable Mention. The Wolverines finished 19th out of 47 teams at the NCAA Mideast Regional in Newville, Pa.
CROSS COUNTRY, WOMEN
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unior standout Emily Rabenold became just the third USTFCCCA All-American in program history by finishing 28th at the NCAA Division III National Championships in Mason, Ohio, on Nov. 22. Rabenold earned her way to nationals by finishing ninth individually at the NCAA Mideast Regional in Newville, Pa. on Nov. 16, earning USTFCCCA All-Region honors for the second year in a row. Grove City recorded its seventh top-10 regional finish in the last eight years, finishing ninth in the 52-team field. Rabenold also earned her second-straight conference MVP honor after winning the individual race to lead Grove City to its 26th-consecutive PAC crown. Junior Stevie Huston (3rd place) and freshman Martha Mihm (5th place) joined Rabenold on the All-PAC First Team while freshman Mackenzie Klinex and senior Kara Cremean each achieved Second Team honors. Junior Emily Townsend, sophomores Lydia Keiper and Tabitha Walker, and senior Caroline Kimpel all earned Honorable Mention.
FOOTBALL
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enior linebacker Jason Skyrm was one of several Grove City players who posted strong individual Junior Emily Rabenold seasons. The 2014 team captain earned Second Team All-PAC honors after ranking in the top-12 nationally in both forced fumbles and tackles for loss while juniors Brandon Berringer, Ryan Hickey, Alex Jewell and Bobby Tuttle all earned Honorable Mention. Skyrm also was selected to play for Team Stars and Stripes, an NCAA D-III all-star team, in the 2014 Tazon de Estrellas in Puebla, Mexico.
SOCCER, MEN
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or the first time since 2005, Grove City reached the PAC title match, falling to Thomas More 1-0 in Pittsburgh on Nov. 9. The Wolverines posted a 12-8-1 overall record and earned a berth in the ECAC Division III South Tournament. Junior Seth Loew became the first Wolverine in 28 years to be named to the NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region First Team and was also Grove City’s first PAC Player of the Year since 2006. Senior George DeAugustino joined Loew on the All-PAC First Team while juniors Justin Phillips and Tim Shackleton earned Second Team and Honorable Mention status, respectively.
SOCCER, WOMEN
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he Wolverines overcame a difficult non-conference schedule to finish 9-10-2 overall and reach the PAC Championship match for the third straight season. The Wolverines won their first eight conference games and defeated Westminster in a shootout in the conference semifinals to reach the final. Junior midfielder Abby Mathes was named to the NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Third Team as well as the All-PAC First Team while freshman Kat Kouzelos, senior Kristi Lathrop and sophomore Jordyn White joined her on the First Team. Freshman Lindsey Hutton and senior Holly Spofford were Second Team selections while junior Kristin Thomas earned Honorable Mention.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
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enior standout Caroline McGuire captured the second conference MVP honor of her career as Grove City edged rival Westminster 52-51 to earn its 27th all-time PAC title and its first since 2011. With the title, Grove City received the PAC’s automatic berth into the 2015 NCAA DIII Championships, where they fell to Wisconsin-Whitewater in the opening round. Page 6
5 IN REVIEW
McGuire, who also earned league MVP honors in 2012, won PAC crown at first singles and teamed with junior Karolina Lagerquist for the first doubles title. Sophomore Linnea Peters (fourth singles) and junior Leah Thomsen (sixth singles) also captured singles titles while Thomsen and freshman Janine Jones were victorious at third doubles.
VOLLEYBALL
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nder the guidance of first-year head coach Erin Street, a young Wolverine team posted a 13-16 overall record and a 6-12 mark in PAC play during a season that included five-set victories over Muskingum, Capital and Washington & Jefferson. Junior Natalija Galens led the team in kills and ranked second in digs to earn All-PAC Honorable Mention while senior Dalaney Algiere and junior Amy Trageser also garnered Honorable Mention.
WINTER SEASON RECAPS BASKETBALL, MEN
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rove City finished the 2014-15 season 9-17 overall and 4-12 in PAC action, dropping four conference games by three points or fewer. Senior Mitch Marmelstein became the 27th player in program history to eclipse the 1,000 career point mark in the season-opener against Franciscan and finished his career fourth all-time with 1,383 points. Marmelstein was named to the All-PAC Second Team while fellow senior J.T. Schwartz, who finished as Grove City’s career leader with 211 steals, earned Honorable Mention.
President Paul McNulty presents senior Mitch Marmelstein with his 1,000-point ball.
BASKETBALL, WOMEN
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he 2014-15 Wolverines posted their best season since the 2010-11 campaign, recording a 14-14 overall record and a 10-8 mark in conference play. Grove City won two PAC Tournament games in the same season for the first time ever, reaching the conference semifinals for the first time since that 2010-11 season. Junior Kathryn Erbelding was named PAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-PAC First Team after leading the conference and ranking 20th nationally with a school record 95 steals. Senior Kelsey Shirey also earned All-PAC Honorable Mention.
SWIMMING AND DIVING, MEN
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ighlighted by a upset victory in the 800 free relay, the Wolverines posted a number of strong swims to finish second to Westminster at the 2015 Longnecker Invitational/ Junior Kathryn Erbelding PAC Championships. Sophomores Jeremy Kim, Josiah Verhs and Drew Nosbisch and senior Jim Bossert, seeded nearly seven seconds slower than the top two seeds, rallied past St.Vincent and held off Westminster for the win. Kim was named team MVP for the second-straight year after winning PAC titles in the 200 fly and 500 free while Bossert won the 200 IM. Nosbisch, senior Caleb McKusick, junior Jordan Dehli and sophomore Daniel Peng also earned a win in the 200 free relay.
SWIMMING AND DIVING, WOMEN
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t took Grove City until the final event, but the Wolverines won the 400 free relay to clinch their seventh-straight PAC title by a mere 6.5 points over rival Westminster. The Wolverines accumulated 808.5 points to Westminster’s 802 for the closest finish in conference championship meet history. Sophomore Megan Smith was named Longnecker Invitational MVP after winning the 500 free, 400 IM and 1650 free while senior Lauren Cassano also won three events, including sweeping the backstroke for the fourth-straight year. Cassano, Smith, senior Tori Baker and sophomore Abby Jank continued Grove City’s streak of NCAA Championships appearances by qualifying for nationals in the 800 free relay, where they finished 14th to earn All-America honors. Smith became the 17th All-American in program history while Cassano and Baker each earned their fourth All-America citations and Jank her second. Page 7
INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD, MEN
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2014-15 IN R
he inaugural season of Grove City College indoor track and field was filled with firsts. For most of the team, the season began and ended in the same location, as Grove City kicked off the season at the Youngstown State Icebreaker and concluded the season with a sixth-place at the inaugural PAC Indoor Track and Field Championships at YSU with 58.5 points. Sophomore Nick Betz set a new conference record to win the 60 hurdles while freshman Graham Allen earned a win in the 800. Betz also qualified for the ECAC Division III Indoor Championships, where he finished eighth.
INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD, WOMEN
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rove City’s women finished their inaugural season of indoor track and field with a bang, winning the first official PAC Indoor Championship. The Wolverines 116 points edged rival Westminster by six points. Coach Todd Gibson was named conference Coach of the Year. Junior Emily Rabenold earned conference MVP honors after earning individual wins in the 1500 and 5000 and partnering with juniors Stevie Huston and Adrienne Scrima and sophomore Kellen McGann for a win in the distance medley relay. Sophomore Rachel Watson added a win in the triple jump. Rabenold qualified for the ECAC Championships in the 5000, finishing third.
SPRING SEASON RECAPS BASEBALL
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rove City recorded a five-game increase in wins in 2015 over the 2014 season, finishing 14-22 overall and 9-15 in PAC play. Sophomores Andy Fritz and Matt Waugaman both were named to the All-PAC Second Team while senior pitcher Mason Stephens earned Honorable Mention. Fritz led the conference and ranked fourth nationally with a .473 batting average - the second best mark in program history. He finished the season on a 23-game hitting streak while classmate Nolan Myers also carries an 18-game hitting streak into 2016.
GOLF, MEN
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n a tightly contested event that saw first and fourth place separated by just 26 strokes, Grove City finished third at the 2014-15 PAC Championships with a 72-hole combined fall and spring score of 1,268. Senior Christian Locher posted a 72-hole total of 305, including the lowest round on the second day of both the Fall and Spring Championships, to earn All-PAC First Team honors while senior Brian Giesler and freshman Jorden Alfery both achieved Second Team status. Locher, Giesler and Alfery combined to earn medalist honors at six events.
GOLF, WOMEN
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enior Esther Durling put an exclamation point on a standout career by earning her fourthconsecutive PAC Player of the Year honor to lead the Wolverines to a third-place finish at the conference championships. Durling recorded a 72-hole total of 341 to win by 13 strokes and become the third player in conference history and first Wolverine to be named MVP all four years. Grove City posted a fourround team score of 1,618.
OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD, MEN
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or the second year in a row, Grove City claimed the PAC title in dramatic fashion, edging runnerup Waynesburg by a single point in a meet that came down to the final event. Sophomores Nick Betz (110 hurdles) and Daniel Christiansen (10,000) each won individual titles for the Wolverines. Betz (110 hurdles, 400 hurdles) and freshman Evan Carroscia (400 Senior Esther Durling hurdles) qualified to the ECAC DIII Outdoor Championships, as did the Wolverine 4x800 relay of junior Josh Dunsworth, sophomores Gabe Imhof and Ryan Buchalter and freshman Graham Allen. During the season, Allen set new school records in both the 800 and 1500. Page 8
5 IN REVIEW
OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD, WOMEN
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unior Emily Rabenold won three individual events to capture her second-straight outdoor conference MVP honor and Grove City runners won three other events as the Wolverines rolled to their second-straight PAC title. Rabenold won titles in the 10,000, the 5,000 and the steeplechase while junior Stevie Huston won the 1,500 and junior Eliza Lowe took the 100 hurdles. Lowe also teamed with junior Allison Blain and sophomores Lauren Pearce and Sarah Williamson to win the 4x400 relay. Nine Wolverines qualified to the ECAC DIII Championships in seven events, highlighted by Rabenold’s second-place finish in the 10,000 in a school-record 36:09.35 and Lowe’s school-record in the 400 hurdles (1:03.27). Rabenold’s time in the 10,000 qualified her for the 2015 NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships in Canton, N.Y., where she finished 13th.
SOFTBALL
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enior standout Kelsey Shirey became the first Wolverine ever to earn PAC Player of the Year honors after leading Grove City to one of the best seasons in program history. Grove City finished 16-13 overall and posted an 8-10 mark in league play. Shirey, also an ECAC DIII South Second Team selection at shortstop, earned MVP honors after leading the conference in slugging percentage, on-base percentage and RBIs/game and ranking second in batting average. She finished as Grove City’s career leader in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, home runs, hits, runs scored and runs batted in. Sophomore pitcher Erika Aughton earned All-PAC Second Team honors while senior catcher Sarah Morris earned Honorable Mention.
TENNIS, MEN
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ed by conference MVP Peter Riley, Grove City rolled to its 25th-consecutive PAC title by earning 52 of a possible 54 points at the conference championships April 24-25. The Wolverines also earned their fifth-straight berth Senior Kelsey Shirey to the NCAA DIII Championships, falling to Wilkes in the opening round. Riley earned Player of the Year laurels for the third time in his career (2012, 2014) after winning the PAC crown at first singles and teaming with fellow senior Colby Beighey for the first doubles title. Beighey also won a title at second singles while junior Dan Schafhauser (third singles, third doubles), junior Jon Graber (fourth singles), freshman Matt Lynch (fifth singles), freshman Jon Fleet (sixth singles) and freshman Zack Sprunger (third doubles) also won league crowns.
WATER POLO
Senior Jocelyn Hinkle
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nder the direction of first-year head coach Alyssa Birch, Grove City posted a 7-11 overall Senior Peter Riley record and a 6-8 mark in Collegiate Water Polo Division III play. The Wolverines hosted the 2015 CWPA DIII Championships in the James E. Longnecker Pool, finishing fourth. Senior Jocelyn Hinkle concluded a stellar career by becoming the program’s 12th all-time All-American, earning Honorable Mention from the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches. In addition, Hinkle earned All-CWPA First Team honors for the third time in her career and was named to the All-Tournament First Team at the conference championships while sophomore Abby Jank earned AllTournament Second Team. Hinkle finished her career as Grove City’s all-time leader with 128 assists and ranked second in goals (237) and third in steals (303).
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EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM RABENOLD EARNS ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN, FIVE OTHERS ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
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unior cross country/track and field standout Emily Rabenold recently earned Academic All-America honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and Capital One while five additional Grove City studentathletes earned Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District honors during the 2014-15 academic year. Rabenold’s selection marks the 13th straight year that Grove City College has had at least one student-athlete earn CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. Alltime, Grove City has produced 43 Academic All-Americans, including 24 since 2002. Those 24 Academic All-Americans have accounted for 32 total Academic All-America honors. In addition to Rabenold, football juniors Brandon Berringer and Ryan Hickey, women’s swimming/water polo sophomore Abby Jank, men’s tennis senior Peter Riley and women’s track & field junior Eliza Lowe all earned All-District honors for the NCAA’s Division III’s District IV, which encompasses all of Pennsylvania. The College’s 2014-15 Sportswoman of the Year, Rabenold earned Third Team All-America recognition after an outstanding junior year that saw her qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships in both cross country and track and field and sweep PAC MVP honors during her three seasons of competition (cross country, indoor track, outdoor track). Last fall, the Hampton HS product became the third NCAA All-American in Grove City women’s cross country history by placing 28th at the NCAA Championships. Rabenold later would conclude her 2014-15 season by placing 13th in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Division III Championships in Canton, N.Y. A two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, Rabenold owns a 3.88 cumulative grade-point average as a biology major. Berringer earned recognition at linebacker while Hickey earned All-District distinction for the second straight season at defensive end. In his first as a starting inside linebacker for Grove City, Berringer led the Wolverines and ranked third in the PAC by averaging 9.9 tackles per game. He also ranked second in the conference and among the national leaders with four forced fumbles. A three-year letterwinner, Berringer has achieved a 3.79 cumulative GPA while majoring in electrical engineering. Hickey started all 10 games for the Wolverines in 2014, ranking second on the team with 11.5 tackels for loss and sixth with 55 total tackles. A two-year starter and three-year letterwinner for Grove City, Hickey has earned a 3.66 cumulative GPA as a mechanical engineering major. Hickey also earned Academic All-District honors as a sophomore. Jank capped her swimming season by helping the Wolverines finish 14th in the 800 free relay at the NCAA Division III Championships in Houston, Texas to secure her second career All-America honor. The conference champion in the 100 free, she earned First Team All-PAC for the second straight season. In water polo, Jank posted 20 goals and 20 assists in 13 matches for Grove City, earning Second Team All-Tournament honors at the CWPA D-III Championships in April. Jank owns a 3.89 cumulative GPA while majoring in elementary education. The College’s 2014-15 Sportsman of the Year, Riley earned Academic All-District honors for the second straight year. He captured PAC Player of the Year honors for the third time in his career April 25 at the conference championships, capturing leauge titles at first singles and first doubles while helping Grove City earn its 25th consecutive conference title, along with an invitation to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. An English/French double major, Riley achieved a 3.58 cumulative GPA while majoring in English and French. He has also received the College’s “Scholar Athlete” award. Lowe won her third-straight PAC title in the 100 hurdles this season, helped Grove City’s 4x400 relay team win the conference title and also earned second in the 400 hurdles to help Grove City win its second-straight team title. At the ECAC DIII Championships, Lowe placed seventh in the 400 hurdles with a Grove City-record time of 1:03.27. Lowe has achieved a 3.74 cumulative GPA as a history major. All six honorees also were recognized on the College’s Dean’s List and were among the 98 Wolverines selected to the 2014-15 PAC Academic Honor Roll, which honors those who record a 3.60 GPA or higher during their semester of competition.
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complex and the Grove City College softball facility in recent years. Additionally, Lyle has been responsible for the design, expansion and continual development of the College’s two fitness centers since first taking over as department chairman. Lyle has overseen a growth in promotion of the College’s rich athletic heritage, which ranks among his proudest accomplishments as athletic director. He directed the establishment of the Grove City College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 and has served as chairman of that body’s selection committee since. The College’s Physical Learning Center, which houses the fitness rooms and the Grove City College Arena, has also been modernized over the last decade with numerous displays that reflect the College’s proud athletic tradition, including a unique exhibit that presents the century-old history of women’s athletics at Grove City. In 2008, Lyle also reintroduced the College’s classic varsity “G” monogram as the athletic department’s official logo. Lyle earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Muskingum College in 1971. He earned his master’s degree in education from Miami of Ohio in 1972. Lyle received his doctorate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife Barbara ‘84 live in Pine Township. They have three adult children and nine grandchildren. FOOTBALL continued from p. 4
in Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2011. He currently serves on the board for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in western Pennsylvania and is the football camp director and coaches’ ministry director for that organization. DiDonato will teach Exercise Science and Physical Education courses at Grove City College, in addition to his football responsibilities. DiDonato and his wife, Andrea ’09, currently reside in Cranberry Township.
NEW FACES
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our new employees recently completed their first year with the Grove City College Department of Exercise Science and Athletics during the 2014-15 academic year. Alyssa Birch joined the College as Head Water Polo Coach, Assistant Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach and an Instructor of Exercise Science. Birch came to Grove City from California Baptist University in Irvine, Calif, where she was a four-year member of the Lancers. She also was an assistant coach for the Alberta Water Polo Association’s provincial team for four years. Birch earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from CBU in 2013 and her master’s in kinesiology from CBU in 2014.
Kristen (Hughes ’08) Cramer stepped into a full-time role as Head Softball Coach after spending the previous five seasons as Grove City’s primary assistant. Cramer also serves as assistant women’s basketball coach and an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science. Cramer was an All-PAC player for the Wolverines in both the infield and outfield from 20052008. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Grove City in 2008 and completed her master’s in sport management at nearby Slippery Rock in 2009. Dr. Philip Prins joined the College in 2014 as a full-time Assistant Professor of Exercise Science. Prins was a four-year tennis player at Georgia Southern University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Prins completed his Ph.D. in exercise physiology from the University of Pittsburgh in April 2015. Erin Street joined the College as Head Volleyball Coach, Assistant Track and Field Coach and an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science in the summer of 2014. Street came to Grove City from nearby Slippery Rock, where she spent the past eight seasons as graduate assistant coach and assistant coach. Street earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Wheeling Jesuit in 2006 after a four-year career as a setter for the Cardinals. She then completed her master’s in community counseling at Slippery Rock in 2009.
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GROVE CITY COLLEGE 100 CAMPUS DRIVE GROVE CITY, PA 16127
GCC WOMEN WIN THIRD-STRAIGHT ALL-SPORTS TROPHY, MEN FINISH THIRD
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he Grove City College women’s athletic program has captured its third-straight Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) All-Sports Trophy and the Wolverine men finished third in the race after the completion of all competition during the 2014-15 academic year. The all-sports trophies are annually awarded to the schools which perform the best across the board in league competition. First-place finishes are worth 10 points (nine for men), second place is worth nine points (eight for men) ... last place is worth one point. On the women’s side, Grove City led wire-to-wire this year to secure their sixth-straight top-two finish. The Wolverine women won conference titles in cross country, tennis, indoor track and field, swimming and diving and outdoor track and field en route to amassing 79 total points in the conference’s 10 sponsored championship sports, outpacing second-place Westminster by five points. Grove City added a runner-up finish in women’s soccer. The Wolverine men finished with 60 points in the conference’s 11 sponsored championship sports, finishing behind winner Waynesburg (65.5) and second-place Saint Vincent (62.5). Grove City’s men won conference titles in tennis and outdoor track and field and added second-place finishes in cross country, soccer and swimming and diving.
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