BOBCAT PRIDE - Peru State College...After going 5-6 in 2016, the Peru State team finished 2017 with...

BOBCAT PRIDENEWSLETTER

PERU STATE COLLEGE DECEMBER 2017

Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced today the 22 college football players and honorary head coach named to the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. This award shines a spotlight on the incredible stories of selflessness and community service displayed by these student-athletes and honorary head coach, and honors their dedication to volunteerism and enriching the lives of others.

For the first time ever, Peru State has a representative on the list. Bobcat senior Gunnar Orcutt (Omaha) was among the 11 honorees in the NCAA DI FCS, DII, DIII, and NAIA group. Only one other NAIA player was recognized.

Orcutt was clearly excited when the news was shared with him Thursday morning after he was through with the Bobcats’ morning conditioning workout. He stated, “I really don’t know what to say. To be the first from Peru State is incredible. There have been great athletes who have come before me, to actually be named to the list of 22 is extremely humbling.” Continuing, Orcutt noted, “To receive the award alongside Harrison Phillips

(the Stanford honoree from Omaha – a Millard West graduate), a former opponent and teammate, is a great honor for both of us.” Tebow and the rest of the voting panel were faced with a list of 146 nominees with robust community service resumes that was narrowed down to the 22 student-athletes and an honorary coach named to the team. From helping to build homes overseas to providing resources to foster care children, the members of the 2017 Good Works Team® are changing the lives of others both locally and abroad.

Peru State president, Dr. Dan Hanson, stated, “Gunnar has been an exceptional leader on campus. Being selected for the Good Works team is a wonderful tribute to his commitment to service and scholarship.”

The 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will be invited to New Orleans to participate in a special community service project ahead of the 2018 Allstate® Sugar Bowl®, where the entire team will also be recognized on the field at halftime.

AllState Goodworks Team

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2017 - 2018 VOLLEYBALL

Season Wrap-UpThe Peru State College volleyball team, under the direction of head coach Laurie Schroeder in her first season, had a rebuilding year during the 2017 season. While the season did not go as planned, the ‘Cats look to come back stronger in 2018. The Bobcats finished 13-20 overall and 10-9 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). In addition, the Bobcat volleyball team made it to the Heart postseason conference tournament where they faced MidAmerica Nazarene; a team they previously fell to in regular conference play. Peru State lost in the opening round to end their season after entering the

tournament as the third seed from the Heart North Division.

At the end of the regular season, Peru State was listed in four different NAIA Top 50 Team Rankings – 32nd in digs per game (17.990), 38th in total digs (2195), 40th in total blocks (241.500), and 48th in blocks per game (1.980).

Peru State says goodbye to seniors Alex Bowman (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), Grose, Knowles, Alaya Roberts (Cibolo, Texas), Viera, and Rudebusch. There are 12 potential returners as well as a handful of recruits who plan to join the team in the fall of 2018.


2017 FOOTBALL


The end of the 2016 season gave the Bobcat football program reason to be excited for the 2017 campaign. After going 5-6 in 2016, the Peru State team finished 2017 with a 7-4 overall record. In the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division, the ‘Cats finished with a 3-2 mark – bettering their 2016 efforts of 1-4.

Peru State’s 11-game schedule against the gritty Heart schedule was once again one of the toughest schedules nationally. The Heart ended the regular season with four teams listed in the Top 25 poll, including three teams being selected for the NAIA Football Championship Series. In the final regular-season NAIA Coaches’ Football Top 25 poll, Baker (Kan.) was ranked sixth, Grand View (Iowa) – 11th, Benedictine (Kan.) – 15th, and Evangel (Mo.) – 25th. Those were the four teams that the Bobcats lost to during the fall campaign.

The Bobcats got off to a hot start with consecutive wins over Avila (Mo.) and Central Methodist (Mo.). As the injury bug would start to affect both the offense and defense, Peru State then would drop the next contest to Evangel but bounce back to beat both then-ranked Missouri Valley and Mid-America Nazarene (Kan.).

The ‘Cats would then suffer back-to-back losses to Baker and Grand View before topping William Penn (Iowa) in the ESPN3 home game. A homecoming victory over Graceland (Iowa) followed before the Bobcats won a wild won at Culver-Stockton (Mo.).

The home crowd at the Oak Bowl would support the Bobcats during their last game against the tough Benedictine Ravens (Kan.) on Senior Day.

The Bobcats appear to lose 20 off the 2017 squad who are either graduating or have used their eligibility. Those recognized on Senior Day were Coughlin, Warren Johnson, Jr. (Annapolis, Md.), Carnahan, James Sluka (Milligan), Flodman, Van Briesen, Barnes, Mahon, Darius Finley (Roanoke, Ala.), Orcutt, Collin Weingaertner (Omaha), Skylar O’Dowd (Omaha), Andrew Shackelford (Bradenton, Fla.), Nick Lectenberg (Omaha), Robert Baker (Omaha), Mason McCann (Omaha), Hayden Krautner (New Port Richey, Fla.), Vinsky, JaMartae Brown (Portland, Ore.), and Myles Hicks (Kansas City, Mo.).

With several returners at key positions and a host of recruits soon to be joining the program, Peru State will look to improve in the 2018 season.

Season Wrap-Up

Fall Awards

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FootballThe 2017 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District® Football Team recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. Two of the football honorees were members of the Peru State football team. Senior Gunnar Orcutt (Omaha) and junior Ismael Calvillo (Tucson, Ariz.) were among the 28 named to the District 3 team. The states included in District 3 include Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Bobcat football senior wide receiver Jake Coughlin (Omaha) was named to the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division First Team as announced by the conference today. For Coughlin, this was his second-straight year of being named to the first team.

Those earning second team honors were senior offensive lineman Christian Vinsky (Murrieta, Calif.), junior defensive lineman Stephen Bowers (La Vista), senior safety Justin Barnes (Tallahassee, Fla.), and senior punt returner AJ Flodman (Hickman). Three Bobcats earned honorable mention recognition. Senior fullback Sean Van Briesen (La Vista), junior offensive lineman Quentin King (Omaha), and senior quarterback Travis Carnahan (Wahoo).

Orcutt was named the CoSIDA Academic All-America® of the Year for College Division football. Orcutt became a two-time Academic All-America® selection with a 4.00 cumulative GPA studying biochemical science.

Gaining their second Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors were seniors Travis Carnahan (Wahoo), Justin Mahon (Bennington), and Gunnar Orcutt (Elkhorn).

Juniors Dan Boshart (Wood River) and Ismael Calvillo (Tucson) were named scholar-athletes for the first time.

VolleyballFour Peru State volleyball players were recognized Tuesday for having earned Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) All-Conference honors. Those earning the recognition were Cristina Viera (Montevideo, Uruguay), Nadja Janjevic (Podgorica, Montenegro), Brooke Rudebusch (Moorpark, Calif.), and Kira Shapiro (Omaha).

The NAIA and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) released their regional honors on Monday. Peru State senior libero Cristina Viera (Montevideo, Uruguay) earned her second-straight recognition. Viera was named to the Midwest Region Team and in addition, was named the Region’s Libero of the Year. The Libero of the Year was also Viera’s second time earning that honor.

Ismael Calvillo Justin Barnes Nadja Janjevic Brooke Rudebusch

Fall Awards Continued...

Volleyball - ContinuedThe National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced that 556 volleyball student-athletes have been named 2017 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athletes. Five Peru State volleyball players were named to the list.

Graduate student Brooke Rudebusch (Moorpark, Calif.), seniors Meg Grose (Peoria, Ariz.) and Raechel Knowles (Nassau, Bahamas), and juniors Nadja Janjevic (Podgorica, Montenegro) and Kira Shapiro (Omaha) were among the 556 honored.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced the 2017 Volleyball All-America Teams, as well as the coach of the year, player of the year and libero of the year, chosen by the NAIA Volleyball All-America Selection Committee.

Peru State’s senior libero Cristina Viera (Montevideo, Uruguay) was named to the All-America Honorable Mention list. Last year, Viera was a third team honoree.

SoftballPeru State is again among the top schools in the NAIA division of the Easton/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Academic Team Honors.

The Bobcats finished 36th this past year with a cumulative grade point average for the 2016-17 year of 3.269.

Nine members of the 2016-17 Peru State softball team received NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete status as announced by the association.

The nine Bobcats earning the honor were seniors (as of last year) Leah Quick (Kansas City, Mo.), Chelsea Reznicek (Omaha), Nicole Reznicek (Omaha), and Amberlin Scharsch (Aiea, Hawaii). Other honorees were junior Megan Hartman (Lincoln); sophomores Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) and Erin Snyder (Omaha); and freshmen Elizabeth Nelson (Adams) and Ally Hazen (Maxwell).

Cross CountryThe National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced Friday that 351 women’s cross country student-athletes have been named 2017 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athletes.

Peru State seniors Alexandra Kenney (Milford), Kaitlyn Tennant (Thornton, Colo.) and Destiny Worthey (Humboldt) were among the 351 honorees.

Men’s BasketballAfter averaging 21 points in each of the two contests Peru State played in the Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Columbia College, Bobcat senior guard Quantice Hunter (Chicago) was named to the All-Classic Team.


Quantice HunterAlex KenneyKaitlyn TennantDestiny Worthey


2017 Cross Country

Season Wrap-UpThe 2017 Peru State cross country season was a work in progress this fall. Fourth-year head coach Katy Billings was proud with how her girls improved throughout the course of the season.

The girls competed in Maryville, Mo., in early September in the Bearcat Invite for their first meet. Senior Alex Kenney (Milford), a former Peru State softball member and first-time runner, led the team finishing 40th overall with a time of 24:13.5. Just behind Kenney, running in her first collegiate race, was freshman Annika McDonald (Tecumseh) finishing at 45th overall with a time of 25:37.2.

As the season continued through the following weeks, each Bobcat runner improved their times and looked forward to making a strong finish to their season. Competing in their largest meet of the season, the Bobcats traveled to Winfield, Kan., at the NAIA Mid-States Classic in late October. Four of the ten Bobcat runners would run their personal best times this week. Tennant, Julia Zurek (Louisville), Ally Worthey (Auburn), and Destiny Worthey (Humboldt) all ran season-best times in their final meet before the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Championship.

The team finished their season in November at the Heart meet in Kansas City with six of the ten Bobcat

runners improving upon their personal best times of the season. Peru State’s top runner, as she was much of the season, was Kenney as she finished with a time of 21:14.34. This ended up a personal best on the season for Kenney. Also, finishing with personal best times at the Heart Championship were Leyla Matyakubova (Dashoguz, Turkmenistan) at 24:37, McDonald at 25:13.89, Marissa Wingert (Panama, Iowa) finished in 25:16.07, Samantha Daake (Beatrice) with 27:55.83, and Samantha Carlson (Cozad) at 29:18.48.

Academically, Kenney, Tennant, and Destiny Worthey were named as Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes. To be eligible to earn this recognition, student-athletes have to have a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and be at least a junior.

Coach Billings was very pleased with the team’s efforts throughout the season. Billings understands they may not have been the fastest group but appreciates the hard work that each of these girls put in all season long. Also, Coach Billings is very optimistic with quite a few girls returning to the program for next season. The future for the cross country team seems bright with all of the improvement the program saw from start to finish this year. In addition, Billings has already secured two recruits for the 2018 season.


2017-2018 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The 2017-18 Bobcat women’s basketball team is eager to begin the season. The team will look to rebuild the program with some experienced players returning from last season as well as one newcomer.

Assisted this season by graduate assistant Kendyl Rizea, who is in her second season. The Canadian native came to Peru State after graduating from Heart opponent – Graceland (Iowa). After graduating from Graceland, Rizea served as a volunteer varsity assistant and head junior varsity coach for her Yellowjackets. In addition, manager Kealy Ensminger, and student assistants Deandra Williams and Brandon Sullivan, all in their first season, are part of the Bobcat coaching staff.

This season the Bobcats will be led by senior guard Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha). Last season, Niebrugge led the team in minutes playing 30.7 minutes per game and averaged 10.7 points per game.

Peru State will also bring back a pair of juniors in

Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) and Destany Ross (Gretna). Beaugard started in 17 games last year and averaged 6.9 points per game. Ross played in 28 of the Bobcats’ 29 games and made 17 three-pointers.

The two sophomores returning are Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) and Brooke Maeda (Honolulu). McPhillips averaged just over five points per game as a freshman last season. Maeda, in her freshman season, led the team with 73 assists in the 2016-17 campaign.

The lone addition to the Bobcat roster is Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.). Beath is a junior college transfer from Porterville (Calif.) College. She started in all 26 games at Porterville College while averaging 14.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Currently the team is 0-3 in the conference and 3-7 overall.

For the complete schedule for the Bobcats, please go to: https://goo.gl/LeACUv

Season Preview/Update


COMING UP...

Annual Golf ClassicIt is time to start thinking about registering forthe upcoming Peru State Bobcat Golf Classic, which will be held Friday, May 25, 2018. The annual tournament will be held at the Table Creek Golf Course just west of Nebraska City.

The schedule for the day includes reistration beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. Lunch will be provided and a dinner will follow at approximately 5 p.m.

The cost, which includes green fees, cart, and the meal are $400 per team of four or $100 per individual. If individuals want to come for the dinner only, the cost is $20.

This is a fun tournament where those interested in Bobcat athletics can come, socialize, and meet with coaches and current student-athletes. You can connect with your fellow alumni and friends and compete for hole and flight prizes.

For more information about the contest, please contact Brenda Lutz by email at [email protected] or contact the athletic office at 402-872-2350.

Alumni Association Annual Chili FeedAll alumni and friends are invited to the Al

Wheeler Activity Center on February 3, 2018, to watch the Bobcats take on the Culver-Stockton

Wildcats.

Women’s game starts at 2 p.m. and men’s starting approximately 4 p.m. Chili will be served starting at 2:30 p.m. Free will donation will be accepted.

The day will be full of activities in addtion to the Chili Feed. The Fantastic Flyers of Gary’s Tumbling will perform during half time of each game.

Between the games we will recognize our seniors from the women’s basketball team and the men’s basketball team.

In addition, between games the athletic department will recognize the fall student-athletes who received different honors.

Come out and support our Foundation and the Bobcats.


Players of the Week

David Bond- Special Teams Player of the Week(10/2/2017)For the second week in a row, a Peru State football player was named as the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Special Teams Player of the Week. Junior wide receiver David Bond (New Port Richey, Fla.) was named as the Heart of America Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.

The 6-6, 235 pounder, had one of his best days as a kick returner and as a receiver in a Bobcat uniform. Bond returned five kick offs for a total of 115 yards with his longest being 41 yards.

This is Bond’s first time earning a Heart honor.

Cristina Viera - Heart Defender of the Week(10/23/2017)After averaging 6.80 digs per set in the Bobcats’ three matches this week, Peru State libero Cristina Viera (Montevideo, Uruguay) was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Defender of the Week. This was Viera’s second time being honored during the 2017 season.

(10/30/2017)After averaging 8.57 digs per set in the Bobcats’ two matches this week, Peru State libero Cristina Viera (Montevideo, Uruguay) was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Defender of the Week for the second straight week! This was Viera’s third time being honored during the 2017 season.

AJ Flodman - Heart Special Teams Player of the Week(10/30/2017)For the second time this season, Peru State wide receiver and kick returner, A.J. Flodman (Hickman) was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Special Teams Player of the Week. Flodman returned two kick-offs for a total of 68 yards with the longest being 48 yards. That return eventually led to a Peru State score in the 55-34 win over Graceland on Saturday.

In addition, the 6-2, 180 pounder, returned one punt for six yards and caught a pass for 34 yards.

David Bond AJ FlodmanCristina Viera



Players of the Week Continued...

Abigail Niebrugge - Heart WBB Player of the WeekAfter leading her team to two wins to open the 2017-18 season, Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Women’s Basketball Player of the Week. Peru State defeated Bethany (Kan.) 75-73 at home and then topped the College of St. Mary 74-70 after being down by nine heading into the fourth quarter.

The 5-7 senior guard from Omaha Central High School averaged 21.0 points per game while shooting 51.9% from the floor which included making three of eight from long range. Niebrugge also made 11 of 12 free throws for 91.7%.

Dan Boshart - Heart Offensive Player of the WeekIn just his second start of his career, Dan Boshart (Wood River) came up with some big offensive numbers in leading the Peru State football team to a wild 47-42 win over Culver-Stockton in Canton, Mo., on Saturday.

For his efforts, Boshart was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Offensive Player of the Week. This is the Bobcats’ first Offensive Player of the Week honor this season.

Boshart accounted for over 78% of Peru State’s offense on Saturday. He gained 154 yards on the ground in 21 carries and went 10 for 17 passing for 239 yards for a total of 393 total yards. Boshart had one rushing and three passing touchdowns.

Quantice Hunter - Heart MBB Player of the WeekAfter averaging 34 points per game in Peru State’s two games last week, Bobcat senior Quantice Hunter (Chicago) was named as the Heart of America Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week. The Bobcats defeated Dordt (Iowa) 102-97 and then fell to NAIA DII #5 Northwestern 100-87 in the Northwestern College Classic in Orange City, Iowa.

Against Dordt, Hunter scored 27 points on 12 of 24 shooting and added five rebounds, four assists, and six steals. In the contest with the Red Raiders, Hunter scored 41 points while playing the entire game. In addition, he just missed a double double as he grabbed nine rebounds. Hunter added two assists and two steals.

Abigail Niebrugge Dan Boshart Quantice Hunter

The Peru State men’s basketball team begins a new chapter under the direction of Bob Ludwig who enters his first season as the head coach after previously being an assistant for the Bobcats.

Even with losing four primary starters from last year, Ludwig is excited to see what the team can accomplish this year. There were a number of close losses last year that could have easily went the other way which would have resulted in a winning season.

Coach Ludwig wants to play aggressively on offense and give players as much freedom as they prove they can handle. While going at a high tempo, the players must understand the balance of speed and control as well as shot selection.

The five forward returners include Marley Biyendolo (Melbourne, Australia) (6-3, senior), Justin Neyland (Council Bluffs, Iowa) (6-1, sophomore), Anthony Richardson (Schenectady, N.Y.) (5-11, junior), Van Merbin (Melbourne, Australia) (6-5, senior), and Allias Roberts-Burnett (Joliet, Ill.) (6-3, senior). The newcomers include multiple players who could potentially start to begin the season for the Bobcats. They include Quantice Hunter (Chicago) (6-2, senior),

Nolan Cass (Spring, Texas) (6-3, senior), Terry Moore Jr. (Kansas City, Kan.) (6-2, junior), James Westbrook (Salem, Ore.) (6-4, senior), Marcus Nolan (Casper, Wyo.) (6-2, junior), and Ronnie Barfield Jr. (Denver) (6-2, sophomore).

The returning starters for the Bobcats in the paint are Noah Vasa (Nebraska City) (6-8, sophomore) and Paulius Sakinis (Klaipeda, Lithuania) (6-8, senior). B.J. Day (Lincoln) (6-4, junior) is the other forward who returns to the Bobcats this season. Newcomers in the mix include Dominique Bell (Houston) (6-5, junior), Seth Snoddy (Daly City, Calif.) (6-7, junior), and Mike Lewandowski (Lincoln) (6-7, freshman).

For this year’s team to be successful, the ability to develop consistent defensive habits and maximizing the ability to get stops will be of high importance. The new brand of Bobcat basketball will be built around defending, working, communicating, and preparing daily to be better than the day before. If the team can buy into the new system, they could have a good season and be very competitive in the Heart.

For the complete schedule, please go to: https://goo.gl/4ACgz3


2017-2018 MEN’S BASKETBALL

Season Preview/Update


On a cold Homecoming morning, a record number of runners participated in the Nebraska’s Toughest Mile in Peru. It was a little below freezing at the 8 a.m. start. There were 97 participants in this year’s Sesquicentennial celebration.

The race, coordinated by the Peru State Bobcat women’s cross country team and Coach Katy Billings, saw the individuals navigate the three tough hills in the city of Peru. The run began at the north end of downtown Peru and finished on the College’s campus. The toughest part of the course is considered to be running up the infamous “Gutbuster Hill” which is just north of campus.

Noah Temme, a Peru State sophomore from Fairmont, last year’s runner-up, claimed his first Toughest Mile title by completing the race in 6:45. The top female runner was Ashleigh McDonald of Tecumseh who finished the race in 7:35. McDonald is a sister to one of the Bobcat cross country runner Annika McDonald and attends Johnson Country Central High School.

The runner-ups were male – Bryan Diekmann (Shenandoah, Iowa) – former Bobcat football player and Danielle Prchal (Underwood, Iowa) – former Bobcat cross country runner.

Coach Billings and her team provided awards to the following age group winners (Hometowns are provided where available):

Ages 5-12Female – Winner – Grayson Sherman (Humboldt); Runner-up – Harley Lubben (Burr)Male – Winner – Preston Crawford (Auburn); Runner-up – Robert Gravatt (Brock)

Ages 13-18Female – McDonald (Tecumseh); Runner-up – Aleigha Gomez (Shenandoah, Iowa)Male – Colten Daake (Beatrice); Runner-up – Tate Hug (Auburn)

Ages 19-30 Female – Winner – Prchal; Runner-up – Rachel Loecker (Hartington)Male – Winner – Temme; Runner-up – Damian Causgrove (Nebraska City)

Ages 31-40Female – Winner– Johanna Rohrbaugh (Pawnee City); Runner-up – Tara Erickson (Auburn)Male – Winner – Diekmann; Runner-up – Andrew Walsh – (Plattsmouth)

Ages 41-50Female – Winner – Theresa Gravatt (Brock) Runner-up – Jennifer Sherman (Humboldt)Male – Winner – Tim Borchers (Nebraska City); Runner-up – Brian Daake (Beatrice)

Ages 51 and upFemale – Winner – Linda Wilson (Auburn); Runner-up – Julie North (Auburn)Male – Winner – Dave Pease (Peru) 8:32; Runner-up – Steve Scoville (Elwood) 9:52

Members of the Sherman family, originally from Tecumseh, whose mother Gerry grew up in Peru, were cited by Billings. Those participating were twin sisters Emily Lubben and Theresa Gravatt, and their children – two for each. In addition, a brother, his wife, and children also participated.

Nebraska’s Toughest Mile


HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Peru State is pleased to announce that seven individuals were inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22 and 23. This is the 31st group to be inducted into College’s Hall of Fame.

PSC President Dr. Dan Hanson, Foundation Executive Director Todd Simpson, and Athletic Director Steve Schneider, have announced that Wendell Handley (Lead, South Dakota - a Nemaha native) (posthumously) – Meritorious Service; Randy Gottula (Falls City) – Meritorious Service; Kerry Brandt (Burlington, Ky.) – Softball; Brian Levin (Brentwood, Tenn.) – Football; Scott Kohout (Cortland) – Baseball; Ray Ehlers (Lexington) – Football/Basketball/Meritorious Service; and Barry Reed (Bradford, Ill.) – Football/Track & Field.

The honorees were also recognized at halftime of the football game versus Mid America Nazarene (Kan.) on Saturday, Sept. 23.

As it is the College’s 150th birthday celebration, all previous Hall of Fame members are being invited back to campus to participate in the event as well.

When the Al Wheeler Activity Center was dedicated in 1986, the Peru State College Athletic Hall of Fame

was established. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize, honor and preserve the memory of those individuals and teams whose contributions have greatly enhanced Nebraska’s first college.

The Hall of Fame gallery resides in the lobby of the Wheeler Center, named after the first inductee into the Hall of Fame, Alfred G. Wheeler. A candidate can be nominated in one of four categories: coach, player, team, or meritorious service.

A committee primarily made up of alumni make the selections annually each spring.

Nominations are welcomed and can be submitted to PSC Athletic Hall of Fame, c/o Alumni Office, Peru State College, P.O. Box 10, Peru, NE 68421. For additional information, call (402) 872-2304.



2018 SOFTBALL

The Peru State Bobcat softball team will look to better its record from the 2017 season under one of the longest-serving head coaches in any sports in the College’s history.

Head coach Mark Mathews is entering his 24th season the mentor of the Bobcats. Mathews has accumulated 584 wins in his time as the skipper.

Last year, the ‘Cats went 18-33 overall while going 13-21 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). Their 18 wins for the season was a seven-game improvement from the 2016 season. The 2017 team was somewhat of an anomaly as they could play with the best in the conference one day and the next look like a completely different team. A majority of their losses last year came because of one bad inning of play. The potential was there, but the outcomes did not show it.

The Bobcats will return two Heart First Team performers in Alexis Paulo-Meyers and Rachel Carlos. Paulo-Meyers was the Heart Newcomer of the Year. Both are power hitters as Paulo-Meyers finished with 18 home runs while batting .440 and Carlos added 13 home runs while batting .459 after missing parts of the season with an injury.

Thirteen returners, along with four freshmen recruits, worked hard during their fall and winter sessions and will look to better their season and conference marks in 2018.

The 2018 season will begin on Saturday, Feb. 24, when the Bobcats hosting Hastings in a double header scheduled to being at 1 p.m. – that is, if Mother Nature cooperates. Peru State will also host the College of St. Mary the following Wednesday before they depart for their spring break trip to Arizona.

For the complete schedule go to: http://goo.gl/W285TM

2018 BASEBALLBobcat baseball coach Wayne Albury will enter his seventh season with a 187-112-1 record in his first six seasons at the helm of the Peru State program. After the season, Albury became the winningest coach in Peru State history. Albury finished the season just two wins shy of 700 wins in his career.

Last year, the ‘Cats went 32-20 overall and were 21-11 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) which was good enough for second in the North Division behind Clarke (Iowa). Peru State was 13-7 at home, 19-11 on the road, and finished 0-2 at a neutral site. The two neutral site losses came during the Heart championships in which the team and coaches knew the team under-performed in the post-season.

As a team in 2017, the Bobcats broke the school record for fielding with a .956 mark which was set by the 2012 team also coached by Albury.

The 2018 edition of the Bobcats will feature six returning all-conference performers. Heading the list will be junior left-handed pitcher Alberto Rosario who was first team all-conference. He will be joined by second teamers junior catcher Edwin Muniz and senior outfielder Bryan Ventura Castro. Those earning honorable mention last year and returning in 2018 will be junior second baseman Darren Hasch, senior

outfielder Jordan Kelly, and senior outfielder Gianfranco Garlobo.

Peru State will open its season Feb. 9 when they travel to Plainview, Texas, to face Wayland Baptist in a pair of double headers. The first Heart contest will be on Saturday, March 10, when they will face Evangel in Springfield, Mo.

The following Tuesday, the Bobcats will host their first home double header when York visits the Centennial Complex Field for non-conference action beginning at 2 p.m. That weekend, the ‘Cats will host their first home conference play when Mount Mercy (Iowa) visits for a pair of double headers.

For a complete schedule go to: http://goo.gl/3DvZfK

Going the Distance for the Oak Bowl Field HouseFor more than 100 years, the Oak Bowl Complex has been a signature feature on the Peru State College Campus. In 2014, the Oak Bowl hosted its first game after an extensive renovation of the stadium, concourse, and competition field.

The Oak Bowl renovation represented a $9,000,000 investment by the State of Nebraska, Peru State College and more than 300 alumni and Friends of Peru State who have contributed over $1,100,000.

The impact of the renovation has been felt on new student recruitment, athletics recruitment, the game experience for athletes and fans alike, and a new spirit of excitement and enthusiasm surrounding Peru State.

One key element of the Oak Bowl remains largely untouched by the recent renovations: the home locker room.

It is time to Go the Distance for the Oak Bowl by providing a home locker room and coaching facility that meets a collegiate standard.

The current home locker room, a 4,600 square-foot building on the northwest corner of the field, is wholly inadequate to serve student athletes and the football team. It lacks some of the most basic necessities of a locker room, such as:

• Group meeting space adequate for the size of the football team

• Lockers of a size and quality to support college athletes

• Adequate restroom and shower facilities• Secure storage for team and personal property• A welcoming and comfortable atmosphere that

supports team camaraderie• Audio-visual systems and technology

In addition, Peru State has limited ability to provide locker facilities to visiting teams. Visiting teams can leave the stadium to use the locker facility in the Al Wheeler Activity Center. However, most often visiting teams use a tent set up on the practice field as a team gathering area, and use the public restroom facilities located in the north end zone.

Equipping the Oak Bowl to support a vibrant campus life and community engagemet requires improved facilities for our student-athletes off the field.

A New Bobcat Field HousePeru State College Foundation has purchased the former Peru Grade School, located to the north of the stadium, to serve as the new home locker room facility and coaching center.

This 9,840 square-foot building will more than double the space currently available to support the Bobcat football team.

Purchasing and renovating this facility is more cost efficient than building a new field house of comparable size.

Once renovated, the new field house will include:

• the home team locker room• a coaches’ locker room• large team meeting area• two conference and film rooms• offices for eight coaches• athletic training treatment room• athletic trainers’ office and storage area• team equipment and storage

Three Phase Renovation PlanThe field house will complete and fulfill the vision for the Oak Bowl, which extends beyond football.

Minor renovations to the current locker room will prepare it to host visiting teams.

With two locker facilities, the Oak Bowl will be able to host other events such as soccer games, high school football games, and marching band competitions.

“The renovated Oak Bowl is probably the best stadium facility in our conference. But the locker room - the home for our student athletes - ranks near the bottom in terms of quality.”• Steve Schneider, Athletic Director and

Head Football Coach

The Oak Bowl will also be able to more readily support Peru State’s active intramural sports leagues which often play on the Oak Bowl field.

Providing coaches’ offices in the field house will free up space in the Al Wheeler Activities Center to provide expanded office and storage space for all of Peru State athletics. Across campus, space is at a premium. In the off-season, the new field house can be used for classes and extra-curricular activities far beyond football.

Investing in Athletics• Educational Experience: Athletics is a powerful

educational and co-curricular opportunity for students, teaching games, strategies and skills that last a lifetime, like discipline, team work, commitment, and common goals.

• Competitive Advantage: An improved field house, combined with the rest of the Oak Bowl renovations, will give Peru State an additional competitive advantage when it comes to recruiting players and coaches.

• Increased Prominence: Going the distance for the Oak Bowl will contribute to increased prominence for Peru State, one of the College’s strategic priorities to advance its role in education.

• Building Community: Athletics brings people together: the campus, surrounding communities, alumni, parents and families. It builds relationships that last long after the game ends.

Funds AvailableFinancial commitments have paved the way for the new field house.

Funds AvailableCampus Capital Improvement Funds $100,000NSCS Sports Facilities Cash Fund $300,000Gifts and Pledges (raised to date) $519,291Remaining from Oak Bowl Renovation $119,291Total Funds Available $1,100,427

Renovation will be conducted in three phases as funds are raised for the new field house.

Preliminary Cost EstimatesPurchase Price $60,000Phase I: Home Locker Room $970,000Subtotal Phase I $1,030,000Phase II: Coaching & Training Facilities $746,000Phase III: Team Meeting Rooms $504,000Loan Repayment $200,000Total Cost $2,480,000

Phase one has been completed, creating the new home locker room and exterior renovations.

Donors who contribute $2,500 or more will be recognized on the donor display on the Oak Bowl Con course. Additional special recognitions is available for gifts of $25,000 and more.

“The flexibility to use this field house for classes and other campus activities means that it will impact a significant number of students across campus.”• President Dan Hanson

Donations may be sent to Peru State Foundation, P.O. Box 10, Peru, NE 68421.

PERU STATE COLLEGE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT • 600 HOYT STREET • PERU, NE 68421402.872.2350 (P) • 402.872.2302 (F) • [email protected]

BOBCAT PRIDE - Peru State College...After going 5-6 in 2016, the Peru State team finished 2017 with...

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