[ athletics ]
MNU
Pioneers Make
NAIA Quarterfinals
Fresh off a 9-1 record in the Heart of America Conference,
Coach Jonathan Quinn and the 2009 football team qualified
for the NAIA playoffs. MNU celebrated a 40-24
victory over the McPherson, Kan., Bulldogs in the
first round of the NAIA playoffs, advancing to
the quarterfinals on Nov. 28. MNU’s playoff run
ended on the road with a defeat by No. 2-ranked
Carroll College in Helena, Mont.
MNU’s two losses in 2009 came against two NAIA semi-
finalists: Carroll College and Lindenwood University. MNU
finished at No. 8 in the post-season NAIA football poll.
A tough defense helped MNU post a 9-1 record in HAAC play.
Basketball: Bell, Dowd, Rexroth gain HAAC honors
For the better part of a decade the Pioneer men have run Senior center Bethany Rexroth won two NAIA national
roughshod over the competition. And the women’s team has player of the week awards this year. She was also named
been doing their part in the same way over the last several first-team all-conference and HAAC Player of the Year.
years. As the 2009-10 season began to unfold for the MNU
men’s team, there were a few bumps in the road, but there
was no way that a few setbacks would keep the perennial
Baseball, softball:
NAIA powerhouse down.
Making a move
MNU baseball and softball teams
are on the cusp on something
special.
Not only did the Pioneer base-
ball team open a new season in
early February, they opened a new
stadium, too. Robbie Jones Field got
a face lift in 2009 with new dugouts
and entrance. New stadium seating
and a press box were also ready for
the start of the 2010 season. Pitcher Dave Staton
After a 22-29 season a year ago,
the Pioneers welcome back seven players who started more
than 29 games and three pitchers with 28 starts between them.
Freshman guard Rustin Dowd was named HAAC Freshman of the Year. The 22 wins last year is up from 20 in 2008 and 16 in 2007.
“That was the plan, to come in and build the program with a
The men’s team finished the regular season with a shot to talented group of four-year players,” says head baseball coach
qualify for the national tournament. Senior guard Brenton Ryan Thompson.
Bell was named first-team all-conference and selected as the
Pioneer softball is in the midst of a similar renaissance. The
HAAC Player of the Year.
Pioneers won 29 games a year ago. Now, thanks to the influx
MNU women’s basketball finished with 15 regular season of some talented freshmen and transfer students, they are
wins. Coach Bill Olin’s team had to work through the loss of ready to make an assault on the Conference behind the strong
some players who decided not to return in 2009. arm of pitcher Penny Eastman.
“To their credit, though,” Olin says, “they have really stuck “We are not only deep this year, but we are better across the
together.” board,” says MNU softball coach Steve Babinski. “For the first
time, we have 14 to 15 players that I can count on.”
For the latest information on MNU sports, go to www.mnusports.com.
14 | Accent magazine | Spring 2010
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