HISTORY OF THE MIDWEST CONFERENCE
The modern-era Midwest Conference was created in the spring of 1994 with the merger of the Midwest Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC), which had been sponsoring men’s championships since 1921, and the Midwest Athletic Conference for Women (MACW), which was formed to conduct women’s championship competition in 1977. Stated intent of the union was to preserve the tradition of both leagues while enhancing administration efficiency and fostering equity between men and women’s sports.
Organization of the MCAC was conceived at a meeting on the campus of Coe College, May 12, 1921. Charter members were Beloit, Carleton, Coe, Cornell, Knox and Lawrence. Hamline and Millikin joined the league in December 1921 but later withdrew. Ripon joined the Conference in 1923, Monmouth in 1924, Grinnell in 1940 and Lake Forest in 1974. Illinois College and St. Norbert joined in 1982 and Carroll followed in 1992.
Carleton withdrew following the 1982-83 academic year. St. Olaf also competed in the conference from 1952-74, as did the University of Chicago from 1976-87. Coe and Cornell withdrew following the 1996-97 academic year, and in 2012 Cornell returned to the league. Carroll departed in July of 2016 and St. Norbert left with the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year.
The purpose of the Conference since its formation has been to “maintain athletic activities on a plane in keeping with the dignity and high purpose of liberal education.” Competitive sports are regarded as a valuable part of the educational experience and are maintained for the benefit of students.
MWC
The MACW formed in 1977 after the “status of women’s athletics” on MCAC campuses was assessed and reported to be growing. The Conference adopted a governance structure similar to that of its male counterpart, empowering faculty with ultimate control and governance on major decisions. Geneva Meers, Cornell Professor of English, assumed the role of commissioner in 1978 and remained in that position until replaced by Ruth Peterson. Charter members of the MACW were Coe, Cornell, Grinnell, Knox and Monmouth. Championships in basketball, cross country, outdoor track & field, softball, swimming and volleyball were offered in the first year. Beloit was accepted to the league in 1981, Illinois College and the University of Chicago in 1982 and Lake Forest, Lawrence, Ripon and St. Norbert in 1983. Indoor track became a championship sport in 1984 and soccer was added in 1986.
Track and field was the only sport contested in the MCAC’s inaugural year while football and basketball were added in 1922. Lawrence, Coe and Millikin topped the initial football standings in 1922, and Beloit won the first basketball championship in 192223. Cross country was added in 1929, tennis in 1931, golf in 1934, swimming in 1936, wrestling in 1938, baseball in 1953, soccer in 1971 and indoor track (which previously had an informal champion) in 1977.
After the establishment of the modern-era Midwest Conference in 1994, wrestling was dropped and women’s golf was added (1996-1997), putting the total number of championship sports for the league at 20.
Member institutions of the now incorporated league (Nov. 2012) are Beloit, Cornell, Grinnell, Illinois College, Knox, Lake Forest, Lawrence, Monmouth, and Ripon. St. Norbert is an affiliate member in the sports of men’s and women’s swimming and diving. The University of Chicago participates in the sports of baseball and football.
STATEMENT OF SPECTATOR BEHAVIOR
The NCAA and Midwest Conference promote courteous and respectful behavior by student-athletes, coaches and spectators. We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity, racist or sexist comments or other intimidating actions will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site of competition. Also, consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. Spectators shall not be permitted to yell out the names or numbers of members of the opposing team, nor make related comments toward specific players and/or coaches. We thank you for your cooperation.
Friday, February 24
GAME 1: #1 Ripon College vs. #4 Illinois College 5 p.m.
GAME 2: #2 Knox College vs. #3 Cornell College 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 25
CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner 6 p.m.
MWC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
YEAR TEAM
2021-22 Ripon College
2020-21 NO CHAMPION
2019-20 Ripon College
2018-19 Ripon College
2017-18 Ripon College Cornell College
2016-17 Cornell College
2015-16 St. Norbert College
2014-15 St. Norbert College
2013-14 St. Norbert College Cornell College
2012-13 Cornell College
2011-12 St. Norbert College
2010-11 St. Norbert College
2009-10 St. Norbert College
2008-09 Ripon College
2007-08 St. Norbert College
2006-07 Lake Forest College
2005-06 Carroll University
2004-05 Ripon College
2003-04 Ripon College
2002-03 St. Norbert College
2001-02 Lake Forest College
2000-01 Lake Forest College
1999-00 Lake Forest College
1998-99 Lawrence University
1997-98 Beloit College
1996-97 Beloit College
1995-96 Ripon College
1994-95 Beloit College
1993-94 Lake Forest College
1992-93 Illinois College
1991-92 Lake Forest College
1990-91 Grinnell College
1989-90 Lawrence University
1988-89 St. Norbert College
1987-1988 St. Norbert College
1986-1987 St. Norbert College
1985-1986 St. Norbert College
1984-1985 St. Norbert College
1983-1984 St. Norbert College
1982-1983 Coe College
1981-1982 Coe College Cornell College
1980-1981 Coe College
1979-1980 Cornell College
1978-1979 Grinnell College
YEAR TEAM
2020-22 Ripon College
2020-21 NO TOURNAMENT
2019-20 Monmouth College
2018-19 Ripon College
2017-18 Cornell College
2016-17 St. Norbert College
2015-16 St. Norbert College
2014-15 St. Norbert College
2013-14 St. Norbert College
2012-13 Cornell College
2011-12 Monmouth College
2010-11 St. Norbert College
2009-10 St. Norbert College 2008-09 Ripon College
PAST NCAA QUALIFIERS
# = At-large NCAA Tournament selection
* The winner of the MWC Tournament receives an automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA Division-III Tournament
PAST MWC CHAMPIONS
PAST MWC TOURNEY CHAMPS
2007-08
2006-07
2005-06
College 2003-04
College 2002-03 St.
2001-02 Lake Forest College 2000-01 Lake
College
Beloit College
Lake Forest College
Illinois College
Lake Forest College
Grinnell College 1989-90 Lawrence University 1988-89 St. Norbert College
St. Norbert College
Lake Forest College
Carroll University 2004-05 Ripon
Ripon
Norbert College
Forest College 1999-00 Lake Forest College 1998-99 Lawrence University 1997-98 Beloit College 1996-97 Beloit College 1995-96 Ripon
1994-95
1993-94
1992-93
1991-92
1990-91
YEAR TEAM 2021-22 Ripon College 2020-21 N/A 2019-20 Monmouth College 2018-19 Ripon College 2017-18 Cornell College 2016-17 St. Norbert College 2015-16 St. Norbert College 2014-15 St. Norbert College 2013-14 St. Norbert College 2012-13 Cornell College 2011-12 Monmouth College 2010-11 St. Norbert College 2009-10 St. Norbert College 2008-09 Ripon College 2007-08 St. Norbert College 2006-07 Lake Forest College Carroll University # 2005-06 Carroll University 2004-05 Ripon College 2003-04 Ripon College 2002-03 St. Norbert College 2001-02 Lake Forest College 2000-01 Lake Forest College 1999-00 Lake Forest College 1998-99 Lawrence University 1997-98 Beloit College 1996-97 Beloit College 1995-96 Ripon College Beloit College # 1994-95 Beloit College 1993-94 Lake Forest College 1988-89 St. Norbert College 1987-88 St. Norbert College 1986-87 St. Norbert College 1985-86 St. Norbert College 1984-85 St. Norbert College
RIPON COLLEGE RED HAWKS
No. Player Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown / High School 0 Bella Opelt G 5-3 So. Neillsville, WI / Neillsville 1 McKenzie Bestor G 5-8 Fr. La Valle, WI / Reedsburg Area 2 Alexis Joiner G 5-7 So. Milwaukee, WI / Nicolet 3 Kiana Fall G 5-1 Sr. Clayton, WI / Clayton 4 Abi Payne G 5-9 So. Amboy, IL / Amboy 5 Presley Buwalda G 5-8 Fr. Randolph, WI / Randolph 10 Anna Fahrney G 5-7 So. Winneconne, WI / Winneconne 11 Natalie Rauwolf G 5-8 Fr. Madison, WI / Madison Memorial 12 Jordan Bukouricz G 5-10 Sr. New Franken, WI / Luxemburg Casco 13 Skyylar Brescia C 5-10 Sr. Mauston, WI / Mauston 14 Bonnie Jensen F 5-11 Sr. Muskego, WI / Martin Luther 20 Abby Hartmann G 5-7 Jr. Wonder Lake, IL / Woodstock North 21 Bree Miller G/F 5-10 Jr. Fond du Lac, WI / Fond du Lac 22 Kassidy Walters G 5-9 Sr. Greenfield, IL / Greenfield 23 Alison Leslie F 5-8 Sr. Clayton, WI / Clayton 24 Bailey Mollen G/F 5-10 Jr. Green Bay, WI / Southwest 25 Maggie Glaus F 5-10 Fr. Elmwood, WI / Elmwood 30 Isabelle Kennedy G/F 5-10 So. Muskego, WI / Muskego 31 Vanessa Solano G 5-5 So. Milwaukee, WI / Martin Luther 33 Cydney Pittenger C 6-0 Sr. Broomfield, CO / Holy Family 34 Anna Cunningham F 6-0 Jr. Wausau, WI / Wausau West 35 Mykenzi Uhlers G 5-8 Fr. Kewaunee, WI / Kewaunee 40 Molly Johannes F 5-8 Fr. Eldorado, WI / Laconia
KNOX COLLEGE PRAIRIE FIRE
No. Player Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown / High School 0 Franny Hilliard G 5-8 So. Boulder, CO / Shining Mountain 1 Sophie Elstone G 5-8 Jr. Eugene, OR / Churchill 4 Loraya Rocha G 5-8 Jr. Tucson, AZ / Rincon University 5 Catessa Duran G/F 5-9 5th Albuquerque, NM / Eldorado 10 Kristin Herndon G/F 6-0 Sr. Hopkins, MO / North Nodaway 12 Jodi Gormley G 5-9 5th Santa Fe, NM / St. Michael’s 13 Saxon Alvarez G 5-2 Sr. El Paso, TX / Silva Magnet 14 Sarina Dacio G 5-6 Jr. San Diego, CA / Westview 15 Brianna Arizmendi G 5-8 So. Tucson, AZ / Salpointe Catholic 22 Juliana Vinluan G 5-7 Jr. San Diego, CA / Mt. Carmel 30 Mae Callahan G 5-8 Jr. Tucson, AZ / Salpointe Catholic 31 Kylee Callahan G 5-8 Fy. Tucson, AZ / Salpointe Catholic 33 Haylee Carpenter G 5-3 Jr. Santa Paula, CA / St. Bonaventure 34 Nyah Daniels G 5-7 Sr. Chicago, IL / ITW David Speer Academy 35 Kesha Jackson F 6-0 Sr. Decatur, IL / Eisenhower High School 44 Madi Bunger F 6-1 5th Kirkland, IL / Aurora Central Catholic
CORNELL COLLEGE RAMS
No. Player Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown / High School 5 Madison Osborn G 5-4 Sr. Alburnett, IA / Alburnett 10 Karli Artman G 5-4 So. Burlington, IA / Burlington Notre Dame 11 Kennedy Pawloski G 5-6 So. Durand, MI / Durand Area 12 Kali March G 5-5 Jr. Littleton, CO / Arapahoe 14 Megan Gandrup G 5-6 Sr. Clinton, IA / Clinton 15 A’ryn Jackson G 5-6 Fr. Woodstock, GA / Sequoyah 22 Victoria Saucedo G 5-7 So. Phoenix, AZ / Xavier College Prep 23 Madi Lemke G 5-10 So. Maquoketa, IA / Maquoketa 25 Rachael Adewusi F 5-10 Jr. Warren, MI / Paul K. Cousino 32 Tenley Cavanagh G 5-6 Fr. Delmar, IA / Maquoketa 33 Cari Pickup G 5-9 Jr. Delmar, IA / Maquoketa 34 Ani’ja Simmons F 5-10 Jr. Chicago, IL / McKinney Boyd 40 Gracie Dorny F 5-8 Fr. Colorado Springs, CO / The Classical Academy 42 Katelyn Burns F 6-3 So. Stow, MA / Nashoba 44 Madison Wauters C 6-3 Sr. Winterset, IA / Winterset 50 Mia Murray G 5-5 So. Middleton, WI / Lakeside Lutheran 51 Rylee VanDresar F 5-10 Fr. Cedar Rapids, IA / Cedar Rapids Kennedy 55 Caroline Adams F 5-10 So. Glenview, IL / Glenbrook South
ILLINOIS COLLEGE
No. Player Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown / High School 0 Callie Hughes G 5-7 So. Jacksonville, IL / Franklin 1 Maya Williams G 5-5 Fr. Cooper City, FL / St. Thomas Aquinas 2 Brooke Oakley G/F 6-0 Fr. Warrensburg, IL / Warrensburg-Latham 3 Haylee Sagle G/F 5-11 So. Mechanicsburg, IL / Taylorville 4 Anna McKee G 5-8 So. Edwardsville, IL / Father McGivney Catholic 5 Lakeida Nichols G/F 5-8 Sr. Mahomet, IL / Mahomet-Seymour 10 Isabella Aguirre G 5-5 Jr. Rockford, IL / Auburn 11 Amya Mayes F 5-11 Fr. Bloomington, Ind. / Bloomington North 12 Calyn Garza G/F 5-9 So. Oneida, IL / ROWVA 13 Maya Smith G 5-3 Jr. Belvidere, IL / Belvidere 14 Sarra Faust G 5-8 Jr. De Soto, MO / Grandview 15 Madison Webb G/F 5-9 Jr. Maryville, IL / Father McGivney 20 Brooklyn Stiefel G/F 5-9 Fr. Ursa, IL / Unity 21 Keaton Link G 5-10 So. Gillespie, IL / Gillespie 22 Rylie Galvin G/F 5-8 Fr. Chicago, IL / St. Laurence 23 Jordyn Cannon G 5-3 Fr. El Paso, IL / El Paso-Gridley 24 Micah Huwe C 6-1 Sr. O’Fallon, MO / Francis Howell 25 Suzie Green G 5-6 Sr. Chatham, IL / Glenwood 30 Gracie Kizer G 5-9 Fr. Pekin, IL / Pekin Community 34 Jayln Patterson F 5-11 Fr. Plainfield, IL / Plainfield North 40 Ashlyn Wightman C 6-0 Jr. Waterloo, IL / Gibault Catholic 42 Lilly Pepper F 5-10 Sr. Pittsfield, IL / Pittsfield 44 Maty Thiam G/F 5-10 Fr. Senegal, West Africa 55 Ava Uhles F/C 6-0 So. Carrollton, IL / Carrollton
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