Lindenwood Magazine - Spring / Summer 2019

LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY HE NO. 3-RANKED LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY-BELLEVILLE women’s ice hockey team had three players selected to the U.S. team at the 2019 World University Games in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, March 1-9: freshman goaltender Hannah Stone, junior forward Alicia Williams, and junior defenseman Katie Stelling. The roster consisted of players competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and American Collegiate Hockey Association. “This shows a tremendous amount of success for our program,” said Lindenwood Head Coach Kat Hannah . “With the high percentage of Canadians on the team, we have seven Americans on the team and three of them made it to represent their country.” This season, the Lady Lynx defeated multiple nationally ranked opponents and achieved their highest ranking in program history. They also claimed the championship at the Robert Morris-Chicago Showcase Tournament, upending three ranked teams on their way to the crown. Williams , a native of Virginia, Minn., is in her third season with the Lynx. “Alicia came here without me having ever seen her play before,” said Hannah. “She reached out to me and said, ‘If you bring me in, you won’t regret it,’ and I haven’t for a minute.” She expressed gratitude for being placed on the U.S. team. “I am so grateful to be named to this team,” said Williams. “It is such a privilege to represent my country. I was surprised to be picked for the team, and it’s a tremendous opportunity. I already play with some of the best players in the league every day, so to be chosen for this team is such an honor.” Stone , a freshman goalie from Killingsworth, Conn., has broken many school records in her first year of college play. Perhaps the most impressive feat by Stone this season came on Feb. 10 as she led the charge in a 23-save, 1-0 shutout of No. 1-ranked Adrian College. “She has made her mark early on,” said Hannah. “In her second performance against Liberty, the national champs, she gave us the opportunity to tie and eventually win the game.” “I was speechless when I was named to the team,” said Stone. “It has always been a goal and dream of mine to represent the United States, and it’s nice to see the effort paying off.” Stelling , a junior defenseman from Santa Cruz, Calif., is the second Lady Lynx defenseman to be named to the University Games squad, following Alex Brown’s selection in 2017. “Katie is a fierce competitor and more than deserves a chance to play at the highest level,” said Hannah. In her freshman season, she scored 14 goals with five assists in 33 games, including five power-play goals and four game-winning goals. She followed up an injury shortened sophomore year with another strong season as a junior. “I’m grateful and honored to be selected and to have this amazing opportunity to play for my country,” said Stelling. n 18 | SPRING/SUMMER 2019 HREE CURRENT AND FORMER LIONS were selected for the USA Men’s National Team squad for the 2019 Americas Rugby Championship that concluded March 8 in Seattle, Wash. Chance Wenglewski, Tadgh Leader, and Malon Al-Jiboori all gained valuable international experience during the premier competition in the Western Hemisphere. Wenglewski was one of only two current college players selected to the 35-player squad, continuing an already impressive international career. The senior graphic design major played at Soldier Field against New Zealand last fall and again in Ireland a couple of weeks later. Leader , a recent Lindenwood graduate, experienced his first international appearance for the USA after emigrating from Ireland. Leader recently moved to Boston after inking a deal with the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR). Al-Jiboori also signed a new professional contract in the MLR with the Glendale Raptors and was picked for the USA XV’s team after a long stint at the Olympic Training Center. He made the switch in codes after being featured in nine different HSBC Sevens World Series tournaments. On the staff side of the equation, former Lindenwood assistant coach Jimmy Harrison served as the performance analyst for Team USA. The Americas Rugby Championship featured teams from the USA, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Uruguay. The United States finished third in the event with a 3-2 record and wins over Chile, Brazil, and Canada. Team USA was defeated by Uruguay and 2019 Americas Rugby champion Argentina XV. n ORMER LINDENWOOD BOWLERS Brad Miller and Kyle Sherman combined to earn the top seed at the Mark Roth-Marshall Holman Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Doubles Championship Jan. 12 at Firelake Bowling Center in Shawnee, Okla. Miller and Sherman combined to average 233.71 over two qualifying rounds, which was good enough for third place. Over the next two days, the former Lions were 9-3 in doubles baker match play and moved into first place. The duo only had to bowl and win one baker game to capture the title at the stepladder finals, which aired Jan. 20 on FS1, but came up short 213-200 against the fifth-seeded team of Matt Ogle and Sean Rash. Despite the loss, it was the best professional finish for the Lindenwood graduates. Miller bowled for the Lions from 2008 to 2012 and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2013. Sherman bowled from 2012 to 2016 and earned a degree in accounting in the spring of 2016. He was part of the team that won the USBC Collegiate National Championship in 2014. n T F LINDENWOOD CONTINGENT Impacts USA Eagles at Americas Rugby Championship by Phil Vida THREE SELECTED TO REPRESENT U.S. at World University Games by Charlie Mager FORMER LINDENWOOD BOWLERS Earn Top Seed at PBA Doubles Event Lindenwood SPORTS 10 Lindenwood-Belleville SPORTS 10 Malon Al-Jiboori. Photo courtesy of USA Rugby Brad Miller and Kyle Sherman. Photo courtesy of PBA, LLC T SPRING/SUMMER 2019 | 19 Hannah Stone, Alicia Williams, and Katie Stelling