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A publication of the Aurora University Spartan Club — Spring 2008

Happy Spring to all our Spartan fans! Thanks for all your support this past year. Your encouragement both on and off the field is much appreciated by our student-athletes and coaches. And, there was plenty to cheer about this year. University records were set in both men's and women's track and field. Men's basketball continued to dominate and there is a new second-place player on the all-time AU scoring list. Read about these feats and other highlights in this issue of the "Spartan Report." As always, we welcome your feedback.

Stories in this Issue:

Another Stellar Year for Men’s Basketball
The Aurora University men’s basketball team recently concluded yet another successful season under Head Coach James Lancaster. The Spartans 2007–2008 season included a 22-7 overall record, a regular season Northern Athletics Conference championship and a NCAA Tournament appearance.

Lancaster’s squad was led by senior forward Larry Welton, who was named First-Team All-Conference for his efforts and also moved into second place on the all-time AU scoring list with 2,320 points. Welton averaged 21.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Doug Lambert also had a stellar season for AU. The senior guard was named Second-Team All-NAC for his efforts. Lambert averaged 12.9 points per game for AU during the most recent campaign. Chad Trudo was also named Honorable Mention All-Conference while freshman Skyler Ormsbee was named to the NAC All-Rookie Team.

Despite being upset in the championship game of the NAC tournament, AU still managed to earn a postseason bid. In early March, the Spartans traveled west to take on Augustana College in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. AU managed to play the regional host tough until the end, but was unable to accomplish a victory. The Spartan season came to an end with a 72-61 loss.

Although plagued by injuries for much of the season, the 2007–2008 Spartan squad proved its toughness and still managed to have a very successful year. Coach Lancaster’s team was able to win 20-plus games for the sixth season during his tenure. This successful season, the basketball team’s 96th, put the university’s all-time record above .500. The last time AU was above .500 entering a season was the 1918–1919 season. The most recent back-to-back seasons marked the first time that the men’s basketball team was able to notch 20 wins and NCAA tournament appearances.

Women’s Basketball Team Takes Steps in the Right Direction
The Aurora University women’s basketball team recently concluded its 2007–2008 season with a 13-13 overall record and an impressive 11-7 record in Northern Athletics Conference play. The Spartans were led by Head Coach Michelle Roof, whose three-year record now moves to 44-35 overall and 25-12 in the NAC.

This past season featured a series of highs and lows for the women's basketball team. Coupled with a very tough non-conference schedule, the season eventually concluded with AU being eliminated from the first round of the NAC tournament. The final loss of the season was a hard fought battle on the road against Wisconsin Lutheran College that witnessed the Spartans fall 76-73.

AU was led on the court by a pair of juniors, Meagan Re and Kim Voiles, who each earned Honorable Mention All-NAC recognition. Voiles averaged 11.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while Re contributed 10.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. Re also led the team in steals and three-point field goals. Freshman Michelle Perry also garnered postseason recognition when she was named to the NAC All-Rookie Team. Perry played a significant role down-low for the Spartans all season.

Overall, the 2007–2008 season proved to be a tough, but satisfying experience for the women’s basketball team. A unique mix of talented older players was able to mentor an inexperienced group of freshmen, all the while winning a number of hard-fought games. While the senior presence of Lexi Pioli, Kisha Miller and Rachael Blanton will surely be missed, next season looks very bright for AU’s women’s basketball team.  

Baseball Team Remains Competitive 
The Aurora University men’s baseball team recently experienced some impressive defeats over Milwaukee School of Engineering and rival Benedictine University. The Spartans now hold a 12-10 overall record and stand at 5-3 in conference.

The team started its season in Florida and came back with a 5-5 record. Since then, AU has lost 6-5 in 10 innings to 13th ranked Augustana College, and defeated 25th ranked Concordia University Chicago. The Spartan offense is being led by junior Ray Kosmicki (.382, 12 RBI). Other top performers for the Spartan offense are Kirk Williamson (.333, 14 RBI), Tony Wellner (.370, 16 RBI), and Josh Damore (.329, 17 RBI).

AU pitchers have been doing their part to ensure victories by shutting down opponents in late innings. Starting pitcher Steve Salazar (2-1, 3.86 ERA) has thrown the bulk of the innings for the Spartans. Seniors Kyle Mueller (3-1, 30.2 IP) and Casey Friend (2-2, 29.2 IP), and junior Dennis Veitoris (0-1, 4.79) have been in the starting rotation for the Spartan pitching staff.

AU’s bullpen has performed well to date. Seniors Adam Deckman (2-2, 11.0 IP) and Lew Blaszczyk (10.1 IP, 11 K’s), along with juniors Kyle Kapusta (2-0, 0.00 ERA) and Chris Koudelka (12.0 IP, 3 saves) have led the Spartans out of the bullpen. The Spartans hope to make a run for the NAC championship as well as an NCAA regional bid. 

Meet Student-Athlete Casey Friend
Why did you choose to come to AU and become involved with athletics? 
The baseball team had a very successful reputation and I wanted to be part of a winning team.

What do you like most about your team sport? 
We have great team chemistry and we have a national reputation for being a winning program.

What benefits have you gained from participating in athletics at AU? 
It has really kept me on track with academics and I have made a lot of close friends.

What has been the most memorable moment in your team’s history?  
Winning a regional and going to and pitching in the college world series.

How does AU’s Division III level of athletic competition interact with the other aspects of your collegiate lifestyle?  
I really want our team to succeed so at times it may take priority over other things in my life, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Which class has been your favorite here at AU? 
Rock climbing.

Which AU sport (not counting your own) do you most enjoy watching? 
Basketball.

What is your favorite campus-sponsored extracurricular activity?
Intramurals.

What do you enjoy about AU’s location? 
It’s kind of hidden in a nice neighborhood.

What is your favorite time of the year at AU? 
Baseball season.

What’s the last movie you saw? 
“21.”

What’s currently playing in your Mp3 player?
“The lowlife.”

What type of music do you like the most?
Rock and rhythm and blues.

Ten years from today, where do you see yourself?
In a successful job near the beach.

Much Excitement on the Softball Field this Season 
The AU softball team has posted a 13-5 record so far in the 2008 season. The season started in Orlando, Florida, where the Spartans went 7-3.  The Spartans then returned home and have gone 6-2 since their return. The team started its conference season by winning the first six conference match ups. AU defeated Rockford College, Maranatha Baptist Bible College and Edgewood College.

The Spartans are achieving great offensive production and have outscored their opponents 110-41. Leading the offensive is Dana Cebular (.492, 14 RBI). Other hitters making an impact for the Spartans are Shannon Starr (.393, 13 rbi’s), Gabby Smith (.347, 13 RBI) and Nikki Veen (.339, 9 RBI). 

Although the Spartan offense is producing early in the season, the pitching staff is also doing its part to ensure the opponent is unable to catch up with the Spartans. Anna Snyder (51.1 IP, 2.45 ERA) has pitched the bulk of the innings for the Spartans and has posted a 6-3 record. Nicole Capone has also seen a good amount of time on the mound.  She has thrown 39 innings while posting a 5-2 record with a 2.77 ERA. Mary Pat Cummings (1.59 ERA) and Gabby Smith (1.10 ERA) have also contributed on the mound to help the Spartans. Coach Mike McKenzie hopes to lead the Spartans to his fourth conference championship in five years of coaching as well as lead AU’s softball team to their 13th NCAA tournament appearance. 

Meet Student-Athlete Dana Cebular
Why did you choose to come to AU and get involved with athletics?
The elementary education program looked great. The softball program appeared to be growing and Coach McKenzie’s style of coaching seemed to best fit my style of playing.

What do you like most about your team sport?
I love the fast pace of softball and the energy involved in the game.

What benefits have you gained from participating in athletics here at AU?
I have improved my leadership skills and I’ve met a lot of great people. 

What has been the most memorable moment in your team’s history thus far?
Playing in the regional games in Alma, Michigan, my freshman year. 

How does AU’s Division III level of athletic competition interact with the other aspects of your collegiate lifestyle?  
I found through my academic career that the busier I am, the better I manage my workload. The faculty at Aurora University have been very understanding toward student-athletes. Also, playing close enough to my hometown allows my family to come out and support my team and me.

Which class has been your favorite here at AU?
My student teaching internship was my favorite academic experience at AU.

Which AU sport (not counting your own) do you most enjoy watching?
I enjoy watching football and basketball at AU.

What is your favorite campus-sponsored extracurricular activity? 
I loved playing Intramural Olympics my freshman year.

What do you enjoy about AU’s location?
Because AU is close to my home I can see my family often. I also like taking the Metra train from Aurora to downtown Chicago.

What is your favorite time of the year at AU?
Spring is my favorite time of year because it is softball season!

What’s the last movie you saw?
“Enchanted.”

What's the last book you read?
“Girl with the Pearl Earring.”

What’s currently playing in your Mp3 player: 
Chris Daughtry.

What type of music do you like the most?
Everything.

Ten years from today, where do you see yourself? 
Teaching fifth grade and coaching high school softball and basketball.

New Records Achieved in Men's Track and Field
The Spartan men’s track and field team has had a good start to the 2008 outdoor schedule. AU’s threesome of throwers, sophomore Adrian Kibiersza, junior Tom Sroka and junior Chris Hartman have stolen the spotlight. Kibiersza set the university record in the shot put at the Chicagoland Championships with a throw of 15.77 meters, his throw was also good for an NCAA qualifying mark. Fellow thrower Sroka set a university record in the hammer throw at the Rhodes College Invitational (47.28 meters).

The Spartans were the top Northern Athletics Conference finishers at the Benedictine University Invitational and anticipate success at the NAC championships.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women's Track and Field Experiences Success
The Spartan women’s track and field team has seen similar field success to their male counterparts. The spotlight has been on the distance runners, particularly sophomore Morgan Jacquette in the 10,000-meter run and junior Kristen Renninger in the steeplechase. Jacquette has re-written the AU record book in the 10,000-meter run with her current university record coming at the Chicagoland Championships (38:29.16). Renninger set the steeplechase record at the same meet with a time of 12:27.06.

The Spartans were the top Northern Athletics Conference finisher at the Benedictine University Invitational and anticipate success at the NAC Championships.

 

 

 

 

Spartans In Action!

 

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