CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR APRIL 27, 2006 (PART TWO)
Calvin Decathletes/Heptathlete Have Strong Opening Days at Hillsdale "Gina" Relays;
Calvin Hockey Players Receive All-America Honors - Sieplinga Named ACHA Division III Player of the Year
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD
HILLSDALE - A trio of Calvin athletes had standout first day performances competing in the two-day decathlon/heptathlon events on the opening day of competition at the Hillsdale "Gina" Relays.
In the men's decathlon, sophomore Kelby McClelland (Mercer, PA) was able to build a first-day total of 3,372 points. McClelland was able to post career-best performances in four of his five events on Thursday. In the 100 meters, McClelland ripped off a time of 11.15 and followed with a leap of 20-9 in the long jump. In the shot put, McClelland had a career-best mark of 37-2 ½ and then missed a career-best mark in the high jump by just a half-inch, clearing the bar at 5-9 ¾. He finished off the day with a career-best time of 52.10 in the 400 meters.
Junior Eric DeVries (Unity Christian HS) also had an impressive first day in the decathlon, posting a first day total of 3,144 points. DeVries had a career-best time of 11.81 in the 100 meters and followed with another career-best in the long jump, cranking out a leap of 20-4. DeVries also recorded a mark of 39-10 ¾ in the shot put, a jump of 5-7 ¼ in the high jump and a career-best time of 53.58 in the 400 meters.
McClelland and DeVries are scheduled to compete in the 110 high hurdles, the discus throw, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 meters on Friday in the second day of the decathlon competition.
In the women's heptathlon competition, Calvin senior Christine Hendricks (Cincinnati, OH) was turned in a first day total of 2,930 points that was in line to threaten the Calvin record of 4,852 points set by Annie VanderLaan in 2003.
On Thursday, Hendricks opened the day with an NCAA III provisional qualifying and career-best time of 14.92 in the 100 meter hurdles. She followed with a jump of 5-3 in the high jump which ranks as the second-best jump of her collegiate career. She then tossed a throw of 36-2 ¼ in the shot put and finished off the day with a career-best time of 26.61 in the 200 meters.
Hendricks is scheduled to compete in the long jump, javelin throw and 800 meters in the second and final day of competition tomorrow.
The rest of the Calvin track and field team will also be competing at the Hillsdale Relays on Friday and Saturday. For more on the Hillsdale "Gina" Relays, please visit the Hillsdale web site at: http://www.hillsdale.edu/chargers/mens/track/GinaRelays06homepage.htm
MEN'S ICE HOCKEY
The Calvin club ice hockey team has long since completed but the post-season honors are still rolling in for the Knights. On Thursday, three members of the Calvin hockey team were named Division III All-Americans by the American Collegiate Hockey Conference (ACHA). This is the first year that the ACHA has given out All-America accolades at the Division III level.
Calvin senior Max Sieplinga of Grand Rapids Christian High School was not only named a first team Division III All-American by the ACHA but was also named the ACHA Division III Player of the Year. Over the course of the 2005-06 season, Sieplinga racked up 106 points, scoring 54 goals and collecting 52 assists.
In addition, Calvin senior forward Nick Verkuyl and senior defenseman David Veeneman have been named first and second team All-Americans respectively. A native of Whitby, Ontario, VerKuyl picked up 83 points this year on the strength of 45 goals and 38 assists.
A native of Grand Rapids and a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School, Veeneman was part of a Calvin defense that allowed only 81 goals during the year and posted four shutout victories. Possessing a heavy shot from the point, Veeneman also whistled in five goals this year and recorded 14 assists for a total of 19 points.
Under the direction of head coach Mike Petrusma and assistant coaches Ron Koole, Jason Koole and Aaron Okkema, Calvin posted a 25-5-1 overall record during the 2005-06 season. During the year, Calvin captured the Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference regular season and tournament titles while also earning a fourth straight bid to the ACHA Division III National Tournament. At the ACHA Division III Tournament held in Fort Myers, Florida, Calvin took third, posting a 3-1 record including a 7-3 victory over Penn State-Berks in the consolation game.
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Thu Apr 27 23:12:33 2006
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