By Ryan Tarletsky, sports editor
In a school that is dominated by student-athletes, the anticipation and hope that surround Friends University athletics can be felt year round. Here is a quick summary of how the fall sporting teams fared this year.
Football: 5-5, finished 4th in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference after winning its final game at home 31-21 versus Tabor College.
Highlights: Monty Lewis won his 120th career game against conference rival Bethel College, 56-7. The Falcons returned three people to the All-Conference team along with three newcomers. Junior defensive end Dexter Davis led the entire NAIA in sacks with 14 on the season.
Cross Country: Won the KCAC conference tournament, ending a 31-year streak held by Southwestern College.
Highlights: The Falcons were ranked the top team in the nation at one time, with both men’s and women’s ranking fifth respectively. Taking 14 runners to the national competition in Vancouver, Wash., the Falcons finished third as a team at nationals, one of the best national finishes Friends has had in any sport.
Volleyball: 26-11, finished third in the KCAC after losing in the semi-finals of the KCAC tournament to Tabor College.
Highlights: The Falcons won nine straight games over three weeks of play, including a wins over conference rivals Ottawa, St. Mary and Sterling College. Seniors Courtney McCune and Carrie Kahn were named first team All-Conference, while Jada Witham, Erin Cooper and Ciara Lawson were named to second team All-Conference honors.
Men’s Soccer: 10-9, finished second in the KCAC after losing in the KCAC Championship game 2-0 to 12th ranked Kansas Wesleyan.
Highlights: After starting the season 1-6, the Falcons would go on to win eight of their next nine games. After earning a first round bye in the KCAC tournament, the Falcons beat Ottawa at home 3-1 to move on to the championship game. First team All-Conference senior Brent Hobson led the Falcons with nine goals scored on the season. Senior Josh Funk and junior Scott Henderson were named to the second team All-Conference.
Women’s Soccer: 6-11, finishing tied for sixth in the KCAC and missing the KCAC tournament.
Highlights: The Falcons won three of their last four games to finish the season strong, including road victories over Bethany and Sterling College. Senior Abby Cunningham and freshman Megan Duggins were named second team All-Conference. Freshman Isha Sumah led the Falcons with six goals on the season.