Newman athletes end the year on a successful note

Spring 2019 | Section: NU Athletics

Newman student-athletes prove something by playing at a higher level and strive to be better each day.

The 2018-19 academic year was full of moments of pride for student-athletes. From having 172 total Newman student-athletes honored in the Heartland Conference with a 3.0 GPA and above in the fall 2018 semester to four of five fall sports teams qualifying for postseason competition, there is reason to celebrate Jet pride.

The Jets completed the fall sports season tied for sixth place in the Heartland Conference Commissioner’s Cup, which awards the best overall athletic program in the conference.

Academic strength

66 student-athletes carried a perfect 4.0 GPA in the 2018 fall semester.

16 out of 19 teams carried a team GPA above 3.0.

111 student-athletes carried a 3.5 GPA or above during the fall 2018 semester.

172 Newman student-athletes were honored in the Heartland Conference honor rolls — 111 to the President’s honor roll with a 3.5 GPA and above, and 61 to the Commissioner’s honor roll with a 3.0 and above during the fall 2018 semester.

Athletic strength

Four out of five fall sports teams qualified for postseason competition. Volleyball was the only fall sport to miss postseason qualification.

Women’s soccer recorded its best season in Newman’s entire NCAA era during fall of 2018, winning 12 games and qualifying for the Heartland Conference postseason for the second straight year.

Men’s soccer team also qualified for the Heartland Conference postseason tournament for the first year since the 2016 season and hosted a first-round game at Wilkins Field, while winning 11 games in the season.

Men’s and women’s cross-country teams both competed in the postseason Heartland Conference and NCAA South Central Regional races.

Women’s cross-country finished in fourth at the Heartland Conference championships.

Men’s and women’s triathlon placed seven individuals as a team in the fall 2018 meet.

Women’s bowling is currently ranked ninth in the National College Bowling power rankings. The women have won three individual tournaments and have finished inside the top 10 in nine out of the 10 fall tournaments. The men’s bowling team is currently ranked 12th in the National College Bowling power rankings and have placed inside the top 10 in eight out of 10 tournaments.

Thirteen Newman student-athletes were named All-Heartland Conference and two were named All Region for their performances throughout their fall 2018 competitions.

Athletic awards

Women’s Cross-Country

Clara Lane

Clara Lane claimed her third All Conference award.

Alondra Romo earned her third straight All Conference Honorable Mention.

Men’s Cross-Country

Alex Bates

Alex Bates earned his first All Conference award with a 12th place finish at the Heartland Conference championships.

Men’s Soccer

Ed Jabbari

Ed Jabbari earned his first individual award with a second-team All-Heartland Conference selection.

Vince Couto concluded his collegiate career landing on the third-team All-Heartland Conference selection.

Ignacio Lerech landed on the second-team United Soccer Coaches South-Central Regional team.

Women’s Soccer

Grace Linton

Grace Linton was named Heartland Conference Offensive Player of the Year and selected onto the first-team All-Heartland Conference. Linton also landed on the first-team D2CCA South-Central Region Team. She also was voted onto the first-team D2 Women’s United Soccer Coaches All-South Central Team.

Kyra Butler was named to the first-team All-Heartland Conference team. Butler also landed on the second-team in both the D2CCA and United Soccer Coaches All-South Central Regional teams.

Vanessa Ortiz and Colleen Howland both landed on the first-team All-Heartland Conference team and secured spots on the second-team D2CCA All-South Central Region team.

Dayna Johnson and Quincy Plank both earned second-team honors on the All-Heartland Conference team.