BEREA
The record was nice, but the results could have been better.
Bellvue graduate Matt Lepley set the Baldwin-Wallace single-game reception mark with 15 catches for a career-high 134 yards Saturday, but the Yellow Jackets dropped a 42-35 decision in the season-opener at Franklin (Ind.) College.
"I knew I was going to be involved in the offense and game plan," Lepley said the day after his record-outing. "I knew I was going to get my chances to make some plays. I didn't know until the bus ride home I set a record.
"It's probably one of those things that will sink in after you thing about it. Right know I'm just thinking about the team and what we did."
Lepley, one of four-captains on the 2008 B-W squad, hauled in nine passes in the first half and six more in the second half to break the school record of 12 of receptions in a game. His career high in yardage eclipsed his previous mark by 22 yards which he set on a 10-catch, 112-yard day against Marietta College during the 2006 season.
He had a long catch of 25 yards and average 8.9 yards per catch against Franklin. Last season, Lepley caught 32 balls for 398 yards and three scores, and for his career, Lepley has caught 94 passes for 948 yards and eight touchdowns.
"It's exciting to set the school record, but it was a tough game," Lepley said. "We made a run at the end, but came up a little short. It's a tough one to swallow.
"Franklin is a good team, ranked 21st in the country, but we can still reach our goals which are win the conference and make the national playoffs. You just have to put it behind you, watch film and move on."
It's hard to imagine how Lepley can improve on a record-setting performance, but he plans to try.
"There are always things you can pick out, and coaches help you pick out," he said. "There's always a ton of things. I'm pretty critcial, even in game when I have a pretty good day like that."
- Heidelberg all-conference basketball player Shawn Shriver made his gridiron debut for the Student Princes in their 62-27 romp over Westminster College at Frost-Kalnow Stadium. The Western Reserve graduate made seven tackles in the game.
Huron graduates Matt Grieves and Brian West also made an impact, with Grieves making a team-high 10 stops and West matching Shriver with seven tackles. Heidelberg allowed Westmister just 98 yards will gaining 596 for the game.
- Capital University junior Brad Pickens earned the Ohio Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor.
The Western Reserve graduate gave the Crusaders a big boost in their season opener with a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter as CU beat Adrian, 34-14. He also finished second on the team with eight total tackles including six solos and one for a loss. Pickens was part of a Capital defense that allowed just 170 yards through the air and 3-for-15 third down conversions by the Bulldog offense.
- Huron graduate Kristin Watt received the Barbie Tootle Buckeye Spirit Award from the Ohio State Women's Varsity O Association at the Hall of Fame banquet recently at the Blackwell Hotel in Columbus.
Watt was also honored last weekend during the football team's game vs. Ohio.
The Barbie Tootle Buckeye Spirit Award was created by the Varsity O Women's Alumnae to recognize those individuals who have demonstrated unconditional loyalty and support of women's athletics at The Ohio State University.
Watt was the first president of Women's Varsity O in 1992 and served the board for 10 years. Watt's passion for Ohio State began when she was a four-year letter winner for the women's basketball team from 1981-1985, serving as co-captain from 1984-1985. Because of her strategic knowledge of the game, she has been "the voice" of Buckeye women's basketball, providing commentary for 21 years.
As a successful attorney with more than 19 years experience, Watt was named by Chambers USA as one of America's Leading Lawyers for Business in the Natural Resources Area of Law in 2007 and 2008 and has been recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America in the specialty of environmental law in 2008. She was also recognized by Business First for their "Forty under 40" award in 1994. She has also served the Ohio State Bar Association and Columbus Bar Association in various committee capacities and has been a Fellow of the Columbus Bar Foundation since 1998. Watt received her J.D. with honors from The Ohio State University College of Law and her B.S.B.A. cum laude from The Ohio State University. She is a partner with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP.
Watt's dedication to the University is exemplified by her service to: The Ohio State University Alumni Board Nominating Committee, National Letters Winner Conference Planning Committee, The Ohio State University Alumni Advisory Board, The Ohio State University Athletic Council - Alumni Representative, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law National Council and The Ohio State University Golf Course Green Committee. She is also a trustee of Opera Columbus and serves as a mentor through Northwest Mentoring Services.
RUNNING
St. Mary Central Catholic graduate Arianne Rodriguez finished 10th for Saint Mary's College in the season opener Saturday at the Hokum Karem Race.
Rodriguez finished in 23 minutes, 45 seconds for the Belles, who edge by NCAA Division II University of Indianapolis in the meet by four points for fourth place.
She was third overall for the Belles last Friday at the Bradley University Opening, ending 15th overall in 21:05. St. Mary's College ended fourth in the 11-team women's collegiate division.
- Jake Lemon of Oak Harbor finished 10th for Heidelberg College at the Carl Broughton Invite at Marietta. Lemon ended in 29:02.04.
GOLF
Zack Koinis of Vermilion and St. Paul graduate Craig Meyer were among the leaders for Heidelberg College in its fall golf opener at the Auld Crafters Kisor Classic in Pataskala, Ohio.
The Student Princes finished eighth in the field at Cumberland Trail Golf Course with Koinis ending at 43-41--83 and Meyer at 46-39--85.
