CON V ERGING CA MPUS & COMMU NIT Y
NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN
LIKE IT’S NOTHING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024
MARYVILLE, MISSOURI
NWMISSOURINEWS.COM
VOL. 113, NO. 8
@THEMISSOURIAN
Volleyball ends season with loss in semifinals, talks tradition OLIVIA WALLACE Sports Reporter | @_oliviawallace_
LANEY PACE MISSOURIAN PHOTOGRAPHER
Northwest men’s cross country run laps around Bearcat Stadium Sept. 17. The team placed 10th out of 34 programs at the 2024 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships Nov. 23 in Sacramento.
NW men’s cross country sprints to 10th place at national championships TREY HOUCHIN Missourian Reporter | @NWMSports
With pouring rain replacing the usual California sun, Northwest men’s cross country placed 10th out of 34 programs at the 2024 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships Nov. 23 in Sacramento. The Bearcats scored 323 points, achieving the program’s second-best team result — behind only their 5th-place finish in 2019 — with three runners earning All-America recognition for finishing in the top 40 in the championship meet. Senior Grant Bradley and juniors Drew Atkins and Nate Mueller each finished inside the top 40, with Atkins achieving his second career All-America award in backto-back cross country seasons. Their performances set a program record for the most All-America honors at the national event. There have only been eight Northwest cross country men’s All-Americans in program history — three of which come from this season alone with Atkins, Bradley and Mueller.
SEE CHAMPIONSHIPS | A3
Maryville football defeated by Blair Oaks in Class 3 state tournament LEAH COX Sports Reporter | @byleahcox
The Maryville football team began their season the same way it started, with a loss to Blair Oaks. The Falcons defeated the ‘Hounds 61-12 during the season opener Aug. 30 and then eliminated them in the Class 3 State Tournament 28-14. The game was tied 14-14 after junior running back Sadler Viau scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The Falcons then responded with two more touchdowns to secure the win. Head coach Matt Webb said he was unsatisfied with the game’s results. “I’m very disappointed we lost the game,” Webb said. “It was tied 14-14 in the fourth quarter and the state semifinals, so I am very disappointed and not being able to make plays in the fourth quarter to win the football game.” The ‘Hounds ended with a record of 9-5, with losses against Class 5 St. Pius X
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LILLY HALLMON MISSOURIAN PHOTOGRAPHER
Maryville senior running back Sadler Viau scores his third touchdown, contributing to his total 160 yards during the 49-42 win over Cameron Nov 15.
(Kansas City, Missouri) 61-0 Sept. 20, Class 4 Lutheran North 40-7 Oct. 12, Class 4 Savannah 42-14 Oct. 18 and Blair Oaks. All four teams made it to their district championships, with Blair Oaks and Lutheran North advancing to their State Championship games.
Lutheran North will play Festus 11 a.m. Dec. 6 and Blair Oaks is set to play Seneca 11 a.m. Dec. 7. Despite losing in the semifinals, Webb remains proud of the team and their effort this season.
SEE DEFEAT | A3
The Northwest volleyball team’s season came to an end after a three-set loss to the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers in the MIAA semifinals Nov. 22. The Bearcats matched up against the Lopers three times within the current season, taking two sets from UNK in the second matchup, but ultimately losing in the fifth set. The team last beat the Lopers Oct. 29, 2022, in a fourset game, marking only the third Bearcat victory out of 26 matches since 2012. The Bearcats ended the season 9-7 in the MIAA conference and 16-12 overall under the coaching of Amy Woerth. “Our team culture stood out to us,” Woerth said in an email to the Missourian. “We worked harder and smarter than the opponents.” The team started the season with three losses in the Augustana Classic; this is the first time the ‘Cats started a season 0-3 since 2004. Seven seniors helped the Bearcats overtake rival team Central Missouri Nov. 9 in a three-set sweep. Senior outside hitter Payton Kirchhoefer was credited with eight kills, while senior setter Natalie Laiolo recorded 18 assists during the game. Freshman outside hitter Abby Bulthuis also saw the court for the fourth time during the match, clocking four kills against UCM. “I think it really just shows how all my hard work has paid off this season in practice,” Bulthuis said. “And before, I just really focused on giving back to the team, no matter if I was on or off the court. But then, now that I’m on the court, the team on the bench and on the court has my back completely.” With a four-set win against the Fort Hays Tigers Nov. 16, the ‘Cats punched their ticket to the MIAA Tournament, securing the fifth seed. The team first matched with the No. 4 Washburn Ichabods, where the Bearcats came out on top with a four-set win (1925, 25-22, 25-14, 25-21) to secure their spot in the semifinals of the tournament. For the third and final time this season, the team faced the Lopers with hopes of continuing to the finals. “From now on, it’s win or go home,” Woerth said. “So it’s a different mentality.” Going on to the semifinals Nov. 22 against UNK, the team was hungry for a win against the Lopers, but the Bearcats fell short. With a three-set sweep (9-25, 19-25, 16-25) UNK advanced to the finals and the ‘Cats were sent home. Senior libero and defensive specialist Kyah Luhring was also part of the 2024 MIAA Volleyball Championship All-Tournament team for her performances in the Washburn and University of Nebraska-Kearney matchups. Within the season, the Bearcats went 6-3 playing at Bearcat Arena and were 16-12 overall. Within the MIAA conference, the team hit a .562, with a .571 overall.
PLEASE
RECYCLE