MOUNT VERNON – Jevon Knox and Taylor Gregory were named to the All-Crossroads League first team in men’s and women’s basketball, respectively.
The duo highlights a total of six Cougars to be selected to the all-conference teams, the Crossroads League announced on Wednesday, March 3.
Knox averaged 21.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and shot at a 50% clip for the MVNU men’s basketball team this season.
Gregory averaged 15.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game for the Cougar women’s basketball team, earning her first team- and all-defensive team league honors.
Also in men’s basketball, Clay Hilliard was named Crossroads League Freshman of the Year. This was in addition to his spot on the league’s second team, averaging 16.3 points per game while shooting 49% from the field and 46% from 3-point range.
Kyle Kegley, who averaged 12.2 points and 9.8 rebounds while shooting 57% from the field, was named honorable mention.
Kade Ruegsegger was named to the all-freshman team after averaging 12.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game for the Cougars this season.
Rylee Pireu had a strong season for the women’s basketball team. She averaged 15.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals to earn second-team honors.
Indiana Wesleyan’s Greg Tonagel was named Coach of the Year, Kyle Mangas was named Player of the Year and Seth Maxwell was named Defensive Player of the Year in men’s basketball.
Marian’s Katie Gearlds was named Coach of the Year, Imani Guy was named Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, and Ella Collier was named Newcomer of the Year and Freshman of the Year in women’s basketball.
Women’s basketball team makes national tournament
For the first time in 10 years, MVNU will participate in the NAIA women’s basketball tournament.
The Cougars (15-11), who entered the tournament with an at-large bid, are the 35th-seed out of 48 teams and will travel to Red River Athletic Conference tournament champion and 31st-seeded LSU Shreveport (16-1) in Alexandria, Louisiana, on March 12.
The winner of that game will play fourth-seeded Wayland Baptist (Texas) the following day.
MEN’S SOCCER
Moses Magens scored two goals, including one in the final two minutes, to lift MVNU to a 2-1 victory over Rochester (Michigan) in non-conference play on Thursday, March 4, in Mount Vernon.
Bryant Echeverria fed Magens for the game-winner at the 88:26 mark of the match.
Magens scored his first goal, which was unassisted, in the 21st minute to give the Cougars (6-4) a 1-0 lead.
It stayed that way until the 69th minute when Evan Mitchell scored an unassisted goal for the Warrior equalizer.
Gabriel Burgos had two saves in goal for the Cougars, and Wyatt Chun made one save for the Warriors (1-5).
MEN’S LACROSSE
Matt Quire bridged halftime with three goals to pull MVNU within 4-3, but host Lourdes scored the next eight goals to run away with a 12-4 victory on Thursday, March 4, in Sylvania.
Drew Gilhooly led the Grey Wolves (1-0) with a pair of goals and three assists, Jonny Thompson had three goals, and Cory Campbell had two goals and an assist.
Brett Townsend had a goal and an assist, and Ian Ranck assisted on two goals to lead the Cougars (1-3).
Ryan Hensley made 21 saves in goal for MVNU, and Tyler Queen had nine saves for Lourdes.
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Caden Donaldson had 12 kills and five digs to help visiting MVNU stay close, but the Cougars ultimately fell in straight sets to Mount Union 25-22, 25-21, 25-21 in non-conference play on March 3, in Alliance.
Jaysen Matsumoto had 17 assists and a pair of digs, Spencer Stanley had six kills and four digs, and Landon Ewers had four kills and three digs to pace the Cougars (4-6).
Justin Sibbel had a game-best 13 kills and six digs; Caleb Dawson had 29 assists; Cameron Ternent had seven kills, four digs and three aces and Sam Matonis had three blocks to pace the Purple Raiders (8-2).
