Getting to Know the Truman State University Bulldogs
This past June, Truman State University (Mo.) was introduced as the newest member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) after the league’s Council of Presidents voted unanimously to accept the Truman Bulldogs into the conference. The Bulldogs will begin play in the GLVC in all sports beginning in the fall of 2013, competing as the league’s 16th member.
Throughout the 2012-13 season, GLVCsports.com will highlight the performances of each in-season Bulldog team from the previous month as Truman concludes play in its final year in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
|
Sport |
Truman |
GLVC (arv - Also Receiving Votes) |
|
Baseball |
-- |
#9 Indianapolis |
|
Softball |
-- |
#4 Indianapolis |
|
Men's Tennis |
-- |
#21 Drury |
|
Women's Tennis |
-- |
#23 Drury |
|
Women's Golf |
-- |
#24 Indianapolis |
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
The Truman women’s basketball season ended with an overall record of 20-8 (.714) and MIAA record of 12-6 (.667). During the MIAA Championship Tournament, the Bulldogs beat Southwest Baptist, 65-56, but then lost to Emporia State, 61-56. Throughout their season, the squad ranked in the top three in multiple conference statistics. The team led in free throw percentage (.766) and three-point percentage (.416), and ranked second and third in three-pointers made (7.2) and scoring margin (+11.4), respectively. Truman was led by senior Becka McHenry in assist-turnover ratio (1.9), assists per game (3.9), and free throw percentage (.827), while sophomore Allie Norton led the conference in three-point percentage (.456).
MEN'S BASKETBALL
The Bulldogs’ season concluded at the MIAA Championship with a loss to Pittsburg State, 70-62, to give them a 2012-13 overall record of 10-17 (.370) and an MIAA record of 7-11(.389). On the season, the Truman squad made top five in several MIAA categories. These included three-pointers made (7.5), assist-turnover ratio (1.1), and free throw percentage (.758). The team also came in third in MIAA play in defensive rebounding percentage (.719). Individually, junior Mike Carlson, freshman Cory Myers, and senior Tom Norton owned MIAA statistical ranks in multiple categories. Carlson ranked sixth in points per game (16.9) and 11th in rebounds each time out (6.5). Myers was seventh in assists per game (4.5), while Norton led the conference in both free throw percentage (.902) and three-pointers per game (2.9).
SWIMMING
Truman State’s men’s and women’s swimming teams concluded the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Championship in third and second place, respectively. The women did not have any swimmers qualify for the NCAA Division II Meet in Birmingham, Ala., but had junior Casey Jepsen named NSIC Swimmer of the Year and Brynn Guardado named NSIC Freshman of the Year. Guardado won the 1650 Free event with a time of 17:23.02 and Jepsen won the 100 Free (51.70). On the men’s side, senior Jerod Simek qualified for the Division II National Meet in three Freestyle events: 1000, 1650, and 500. During the national meet, Simek placed 14th in the 1650 Free with a time of 15:46.53. He was two seconds shy of the 500 Free final, and finished 16th in the 1000 Free with a 9:24.36 time.
TRACK & FIELD
The indoor track & field season ended with the Bulldogs claiming ninth and 10th-place finishes. Senior Rachel McCarroll took home her second straight championship title in the weight throw with a record setting mark of 61-10.25. Other top performers for the women’s team include senior Karen Grauel in the 3,000 meter run, senior Dimonique McGruder in the weight throw and sophomore Kelly Hines in the pole vault events. On the men’s side, senior Ryan Peterson claimed his second straight conference title in the 600 yard run (1:12.78). The men’s team also received points from junior Matt Schaefer with a fourth-place finish in the 800 (1:54.91). McCarroll was the only Bulldog to qualify for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championship in Birmingham, Ala.
BASEBALL
The Bulldogs jumped right into MIAA action against Washburn, Southwest Baptist, Northeastern (Okla.) State, and Central Missouri over the course of the month. Currently, the squad holds a 2-11 overall record and the same mark in conference play. The squad has claimed two wins thus far against Washburn and Northeastern State. The team is led by sophomore infielder Paul Trenhaile with a .412 batting average and a .974 fielding percentage.
SOFTBALL
Despite having numerous weather delays, the Truman softball squad is off to a 9-3 start. With preseason matchups in warmer climates, the Bulldogs have claimed wins over the GLVC’s Quincy, Maryville, and Indianapolis. The team is led by junior Kelsey Bollman with a batting average of .444, and senior Kristin Grossman who owns 15 RBIs and three home runs. Junior Hannah Washburn leads the pitching staff with a 2.07 ERA. The team’s next contests will be MIAA play against Lindenwood and then a weekend game against Missouri-St. Louis.
TENNIS
The Truman tennis teams have also experienced some weather cancellations, but both have experienced some success. The women’s team boasts a 2-1 overall record and 0-1 record in MIAA play. The men’s team is 2-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Both took home wins against Quincy with a 7-2 score for the men and a 6-3 score for the women. The William Jewell contest was postponed until April 3 due to inclement weather. The conference losses for both have come from Southwest Baptist, and the next conference contest is against Lindenwood on March 19.
GOLF
The women’s golf squad will open its spring schedule late March against Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo.