Emporia State’s cross country teams got off to a running start last Friday when they hosted Newman in the ESU Intersquad/Open.

The women ran a 3200 meter race with a total of 16 runners competing, and started the season off on the right track as they had the top four finishers. Kathryn Davison, a senior from Topeka, won her first race with a time of 12:16.

“It felt great to just get out there and compete again,” Davison said. “Sydney (Oltjen) got her second wind, and I just tried to stick with her. With the four of us sticking together, I think that it really broke down our opponents.”

ESU had only six of the 16 runners, but five of them would crack the top 10 for the women.

Freshman runner Sydney Oltjen finished second with a time of 12:18 to start her collegiate career.

“I felt good all day, didn’t really know anything about Newman, and just wanted to run a good race,” Oltjen said.

Amy Feldkamp and Courtney Maddux rounded out the top five for the women’s team, finishing five seconds ahead of fifth place Taylor Carlson of Newman.

The ESU men also showed a strong debut in the 5K. Of the 29 runners, junior Asher Delmott led the way with a time of 15:45. The Hornets were able to place nine of the top 15 runners.

“I felt good the whole course, really pushed the pace, and my only thought was when I got to the final stretch was that the wind was going to be at my back the rest of the way,” Delmott said. “We really had some freshmen that stepped up today.”

Freshman Jacob Bull had a finishing time of 16:20 for his first collegiate meet, while William Hohmeier, Marcus Portofee and Skyler Delmott rounded out the top five with times of 16:24, 16:26 and 16:29 respectively.

Head Coach Dave Harris was very pleased out of what he saw out of both teams.

“This was a perfect way to start the season, with a low-key meet here at home to see where our runners are right now,” Harris said. “We have only been together about three weeks, and it is only going to get tougher, so we need to raise the intensity. This race was used as a measuring stick, and we really had people in both races step up.”

Chris Hopkins/The Bulletin

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Emporia State’s women’s soccer team ended Friday night’s season opener exactly where they started. After 110 minutes of total play, the Hornet’s ended the game in a 0-0 tie against the Rambelles of Angelo State in this weekend’s MIAA/Lone Star Challenge.

Although able to keep up with the Rams during the first half, the Hornets found it difficult to maintain possession, unable to register any opportunities offensively. The Rambelles were able to generate three shots in the first half, but were denied by freshman goalie Natalie Hoernig twice – a theme that would occur throughout the game.

The second half showed more promise as the Hornets produced six goal opportunities but were unable to cash in on them.

“We got into a situation where they let us have portions of the field, and we didn’t do as good a job of taking as we should have,” said Head Coach Jim Schneiderhahn.  “I think it’s a lot of impatience from the standpoint of first game jitters and trying to sort everybody out.”

Despite being outshot through regulation 11 to six, the Hornets were able to hold their own defensively and force the game into overtime thanks to the play of Hoernig in her first outing.

“I got over (the jitters) pretty well,” Hoernig said. “The Defense played really well together, communicated well, and executed pretty good defense.”

In overtime, the Hornets continued to struggle to get much going offensively creating only one goal opportunity and allowing five. Hoernig saved three during the period, giving her 10 for the game.

“Early on (Hoernig) showed some jitters, but then came up with a couple of huge saves for us there at the end, and that’s what she needs to do for us,” Schneiderhahn said.

The Hornets were led by midfielder Jessica Decker, forward Ashley Hill, and defender Hannah Carlson, each contributing two shots for the Hornets. Midfielder Sarah Anderson also helped provide the Hornets with offense with one shot. For the Rambelles, Brandie Debacker led the way with eight shots.

Defensively, the future looks bright for the Hornets with Hoernig becoming the first ESU freshman to earn a shutout in her debut.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to play some more games as a freshman, and it gives me a good look forward into more years to come,” Hoernig said.

The Hornets continue play in the MIAA/Lone Star challenge on Sunday when they take on East Central.

Brandon Schneeberger/The Bulletin

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With the potential Big 12 break up over the summer, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association’s (MIAA) prosperity was overlooked. As the Big 12 lost two teams, the MIAA – the conference that Emporia State University competes in – gained another official school, Lincoln University. With The University of Nebraska at Omaha added last school year, the conference now stands at 12 teams.

The MIAA has four more applicants that are being strongly considered, including The University of Central Oklahoma, Northeastern State University, The University of Nebraska at Kearny and Lindenwood University. These additions, if accepted, will bring the total conference teams up to 16.

According to Emporia State Athletic Director Ken Weiser, there are several reasons for expanding the conference.

“Division I schools look to increase revenue, (Division II) is looking to expand to decrease spending,” Weiser said.

Although not making big television contract deals as Division I schools are vying for, the MIAA universities benefit by having closer schools to compete against and cutting traveling costs saving teams traveling budgets.

As an added convenience, planning non-conference games can be difficult, and with a larger conference, there will be more conference games, which in turn will make scheduling easier.

The MIAA is also looking to prevent potential collapses, similar to what almost befell the Big 12 this summer. Having a larger conference creates a buffer. If a team decides to leave, then the conference can remain viable and competitive without reeling for more teams.

Increased conference size means increased competition for all sports. Oklahoma Central will enter as one of the most winning football teams in Division II, and Lincoln’s track team will bring their national successes to the MIAA. Many teams will also have seasons of facing entirely conference teams, football being one of those teams.

“We will play the schedule,” said Head Football Coach Garin Higgins. “We will treat every game the same as any other.”

Furthermore, the greater depth of competition will only serve to bring more popularity and attention to the MIAA and ideally bring more recruits to MIAA schools. The MIAA as a conference has had multiple national championship appearances in the last couple of years, including Emporia State’s Women’s Basketball DII National Champions.

“The toughest league in the country just got tougher,” says Assistant Athletic Director of Media Relations Don Weast. “(The MIAA) is the toughest top to bottom conference in the nation.”

Chris Dvorak/The Bulletin

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Wise

For Mike Wise, assistant director for the Recreational Services Department, improving intramural sports is the name of the game. Wise began noticing grievances about the intramural system in past years, and has since helped institute some changes.

“In the last few years we’ve been getting a lot of requests from the students. The majority of them were wanting something where they would play a wider variety of teams,” Wise said.

Furthermore, Wise recognized the need to develop competitive and non-competitive leagues.

“Before, we had to divide them up into resident hall teams, and fraternity teams and independent teams. This year we’ve restructured our divisions into competitive leagues and just-for-fun leagues,” Wise said.

The non-competitive leagues will be five-week leagues with no post-season tournament. Those involved in competitive league games will compete in a campus championship, the winning team receiving a t-shirt.

Scheduling concerns were also brought to Wise’ attention. In previous years teams would be scheduled to play any day of the week, whereas, beginning this year, leagues will either be held on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday freeing up the rest of the week for classes and work.

Intramural supervisor Trevor Steinbacher also recognized the benefits to the new scheduling system.

“The main problem was just all the scheduling conflicts,” said Steinbacher, a junior physical and health education major. “With the new (system) they can pick the two days they want to play on, so they’ll know in advance they’ll play on those two days.”

One final change is the adoption of online registry. As opposed to using paper forms, this year students are able to register online, and team captains have the ability to manage their teams online as well.

“In the past anyone that was added to a team would have to come in and fill out the appropriate paperwork to be eligible to play,” Wise said. “Now a team captain can manage all that information online.”

Becca Holman, a senior elementary education major and intramural supervisor, sees the positive things the new system will bring for everyone involved.

“Once people understand how to use it it’s going to be a lot easier for everybody,” Holman said. “For me personally, and Trevor, we wont have to manually put in all the information. I think this software is going to be really beneficial.”

To sign up for intramural sports, visit www.emporia.edu/recsport

Brandon Schneeberger

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Head Coach Jim Schneiderhahn talks to his players before their exhibition game against Ottawa Friday evening at the ESU Pitch. Megan Gartner/ The Bulletin

What is your personal background?

I grew up playing soccer, baseball, football and basketball in St. Louis. Soccer is just the one that stuck. Being from St. Louis, it’s natural to be a baseball fan and root for the Cardinals. After I saw my first curveball, I knew my days of baseball were numbered. After high school, I attended Benedictine University from 1986-1990 to play soccer as a goalkeeper. My major was Journalism, with a minor in Business.

Did you step right into the coaching field?

Actually I took some time off. I worked for a service company of my father’s for three years, and then was a commercial photographer for two and a half years. I went back to Benedictine to get my teaching certificate to teach history at the high school level, and coach soccer at that level. That’s when I started coaching in the KC area for a soccer club until I got offered a job at Tulane University. I was the number one assistant, and the recruiting coordinator from 2000-2005.

What brought you to Emporia State?

I was there during Hurricane Katrina, which obviously had a big impact of where I am today. I lived just outside New Orleans, and my area was fortunate not to be flooded. However the building in which I worked had anywhere between five to 10 feet of water. Tulane suspended 11 other sports besides soccer. One thing I will never forget though is that many of our students were taken in as Tulane students by Texas A&M University. The work and hospitality that university showed is something I will never forget, and I will be appreciative to them for. In that summer, a personal friend contacted me about a job opening up here, and that May I moved back to Kansas.

What were your thoughts on last weeks’ exhibition game?

I liked about 80-85 percent of what they did. They did a nice job creating opportunities to score, but just didn’t capitalize on those chances. It is very critical to finish those plays when you have chances.

What are the biggest challenges going into this season?

Most people don’t realize that this is one of, if not the, best conference in the MIAA. The challenge is going to be week in and week out, playing tough competition. This year’s team isn’t as deep, so the team will have to really be more focused on what we are trying to get done. It sounds cliché, but we just need to take it one game at a time and get better every day.

Chris Hopkins/The Bulletin

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State Volleyball Head Coach Bing Xu discusses his expectations for the upcoming ESU volleyball season Tuesday morning inside his office at the HPER Building. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

Would you say the expectations for this team are a good motivation for the team or a distraction?

Kind of both. When we’re ranked number three in the conference and number twelve in the nation, I think it is a reasonable ranking, and I also believe it leaves room for us to work harder and give us motivation to be on the top so that’s our goal. Our players… all have a higher goal this year and try to make this the best season ever. We still need to work hard every day, we’re not there yet. We all realize that, and they put a lot of effort on the court and that’s the really good part. I think they like the challenge.

How did you feel coming away from the black and gold game last Friday?

I gave them a C+. We have quite a few people who showed up and support us, and I think at first they were a little bit nervous. One part is nerves, the second part we see the hesitation on the court because we have a lot of new players and they have to get to know each other’s game. This is the first time we put two teams against each other – a black team and a gold team. The reason is we need a lot of 6 on 6 playing. We try to make them more comfortable to play together with each other.

How do you see the freshmen and newcomers contributing this year?

They are good freshman. Paige Vanderpoolhas played a lot of volleyball.Right now the performance she puts out on the court is not like a freshman. The other freshman Morgan(Buckner), she’s a big lefty, she’s very athletic. I think she will contribute to this team a lot, too. Kenda (Ely), she’s a freshman, she’s still learning the game, learning the pace. Amanda(Gerety), she’s a setter doing very well. I think all freshmen they will, here or there, contribute to this program. We also have three transfer students. They all have a lot of playing experience.

How excited is the team to finally get underway with the season?

I think they’re ready. Even during practice they were talking about this tournament. Four teams we’re going to play there. They’re all good teams. The first tournament sometimes you expect more, but just depends on the actual date and the performance they put on the court. We’ll prepare well for this tournament mentally, physically, and technically.

Brandon Schneeberger

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Graham

Having pitched in the Division II National Championship game a season ago, senior pitcher Ben Graham has nearly seen it all. The recreation major and Holden, Mo., native came from Hutchinson Community College to Emporia State ready to make an immediate impact – it showed in the championship game, although the team eventually fell to Lynn University, 2-1.

For Graham, the situation was intense.

“It was pretty crazy,” Graham said. “Just knowing you’re on national television, having a bunch of people you know back home watching you and getting to compete for a national championship – I really don’t know how to explain it.”

Now in his senior year at ESU, Graham still has the same expectations as last season.

“I think, this year, we have more talent than we did last year,” Graham said. “It’s just finding a way to put it all together. We’re still struggling a little bit, but my expectations are still to win a national championship.”

Graham is definitely doing his part. He’s currently third in the MIAA with a 2.02 earned run average.

Even out of Hutch, expectations for Graham were high.

“When Ben came here, we knew he was a pretty good pitcher,” said John Martin, Graham’s pitching coach. “He’s always had good stuff. I think his velocity has increased since last year. He’s always had good movement, and he’s also increased his command of all three of his pitches.”

According to senior catcher David Albritton, Graham is the perfect pitcher to catch for.

“It’s awesome,” Albritton said. “He throws strikes and he’s quick. It’s a lot of fun catching him. You don’t have to do too much work because he’s going to split your body and he’s going to throw strikes.”

Graham said the differences between Emporia State and HCC are vast, in a good way.

“It’s a lot more laid back here,” Graham said. “It’s more professional, I would say. JUCO is really working to fine-tune your skills, like developing you into a good baseball player. Everyone that’s here is coming from JUCO, so it’s just like coming together as a team more and playing good baseball.”

As a source of inspiration, Graham thinks about his grandfather. Apparently, baseball runs in the family.

“My grandpa was a really good pitcher back when he was younger,” Graham said. “He was getting scouted by the Major Leagues, and he always talked to me about pitching and stuff. I think about him everyday.”

Even in his spare time, Graham and his teammates can’t seem to escape baseball.

“I pretty much just hang out with the guys,” Graham said. “We always go over to one guy’s house and hang out and play video games and watch baseball. It’s baseball on the field, and when we get off the field, we’re watching baseball. It’s baseball all day long.”

Perhaps the 24/7 baseball schedule gives Graham the edge he needs to excel. Martin believes Graham is a key to the Hornets’ success.

“He consistently goes out there and gives us a chance to win,” Martin said.

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Schneider

Three weeks after winning the Division II women’s basketball National Championship, Brandon Schneider is out as Emporia State’s head basketball coach. Schneider accepted a job offer of the same position at Stephen F. Austin State University, a Division I school in Nacogdoches, Tex., on April 15.

“I came down (to Nacodoches) last week on a Tuesday,” Schneider said. “I was on campus all day Wednesday, and then I got a phone call Thursday early evening and was offered the position. I took a couple hours to visit with my wife and ended up accepting the position later on that evening.”

Schneider left Emporia State with over 40 percent of the Lady Hornets’ total victories. He compiled a 306-72 record throughout his 12 seasons as the team’s head coach.

Schneider met with the team last Friday to let them know of his decision to leave Emporia State.

“We had a meeting on Friday afternoon, and he just let us know,” said freshman guard Rachel Hanf. “He didn’t say a whole lot, which I didn’t blame him. It was an emotional time for all of us. He kind of just laid it out that and said it was the best decision for him and his family.”

Assistant coach Jory Collins was present for the meeting.

“It went as good as to be expected – obviously they were disappointed,” Collins said. “(Schneider) just made them aware that it was a decision for his family and had nothing to do with them or here or anything like that; it was just the best decision for him.”

According to Schneider, the team meeting was a hard pill to swallow.

“That was really tough,” Schneider said. “That was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done – it was a really tough decision (because) I care a lot about not only those players but anyone that’s ever played for us. It was just a tough situation.”

Emporia State, under Schneider’s direction, went to the NCAA Tournament 11 out of the 12 seasons he was head coach. Collins felt the program built by Schneider serves as an example to other institutions.

“He’s the model for how to run a program in the right way as far as doing all the things the fans want to see, which is winning basketball games, but also what administration wants to see as far as graduating players and being available to the community,” Collins said.

One of the most important factors that led to Schneider’s departure was that the basketball program was in good shape before he left it.

“I would not have left it wasn’t that case,” Schneider said. “We just felt like this was the perfect time with everybody that was returning to Emporia State as well as the recruiting class that was put together. We felt like, if we were going to make a move, that this was the perfect time to do it with the program being in as good a shape as it ever has been.”

Of course, if Stephen F. Austin wasn’t the right place for him, Schneider wouldn’t have accepted the job.

“Obviously SFA was a very attractive position,” Schneider said. “They have a lot of history and a lot of tradition and it’s a community very similar to that of Emporia that really wants a women’s basketball program.”

While the disappointment over the loss of an Emporia State coaching legend is apparent, the players themselves still wish Schneider the best in his future endeavors.

“I’m disappointed,” Hanf said. “I was really looking forward to having him as my coach, but he made the right decision. It was a great opportunity for him, and I wish him the best.”

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Collins

With the absence of a head coach for the Emporia State women’s basketball team, the administration is currently looking at former Brandon Schneider assistant Jory Collins as a possible replacement.

Collins, a native of Holton, has been with the women’s basketball program for nine years. He has contributed to almost 150 Hornets’ wins and only 47 losses on the bench under Schneider.

“I just feel like I’ll be able to bring continuity,” Collins said. “Obviously it’s not broke here – it’s a national championship program. I feel like I was responsible for a lot of that in helping (Schneider) get us to where we are. I feel like I’d be able to keep it going in the same direction to we’ve been in.”

Before embarking on a nationwide search for a replacement for Schneider, Emporia State administrators have decided to look into the possibility of promoting Collins to be the successor.

The players at ESU gave a vote of confidence in Collins to be their next head coach.

“We all are really hoping that Jory gets that job,” said freshman guard Rachel Hanf. “We think he’d be a great person for it to step right in where Brandon left off.”

Collins believes that his close-knit relationship with the players led to the vote of confidence.

“That means a lot,” Collins said. “To be honest, it’s what I expected because I know them. We know each other and we have a great relationship. I’m not that old, so I don’t look at them as a daughter, but I do look at them a lot as little sisters.”

Even after exiting the program, Schneider feels that Collins should be the number one prospect for the job.

“Without question,” Schneider said. “He’s earned this opportunity. He’s been apart of the program for eight years. He’s recruited every single player that will be a part of the program next year with the exception of AlliVolkens and Brittney Miller. He’s a terrific teacher on the floor and has fantastic recruiting contacts and ties throughout the Midwest. He was always a really big part of our game plan and our in game coaching and I don’t think there is any question he is ready.”

Schneider has served as Collins’ mentor from the moment he entered the program.

“He’s been all my influence – I haven’t worked for anyone else,” Collins said. “As a mentor, he’s responsible for a lot of things (like) the way I look at coaching. When I first started working for him I thought he was John Wooden, and as we got to know each other over the years, it’s just a good relationship.”

Hanf holds a strong belief that Collins would be the best fit for the squad, who is coming off a Division II National Championship run.

“He really knows how we play and what’s going to work for our team and what’s not going to work,” Hanf said. “He recruited all of us so he knows how we work.”

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Brandon Schneider has left the building.

The winningest women’s basketball coach in Emporia State University history has decided to move on to Stephen F. Austin State University, a Division I school in Nacogdoches, Tex.

It would be hard for me to blame Schneider for taking the job.Stephen F. Austin’s women’s basketball program has a very rich, proud tradition of excellence on and off the basketball court.

And it would be very hard for me to argue against taking a higher paying, higher profile Division I job in the recruit-rich state of Texas, either.

Schneider has basically done all that he can at Emporia State.Countless postseason accolades for himself and his players, high finishes in the regular season conference race and the postseason tournament and the ever-popular National Championship are what Schneider has left behind to the Hornet faithful.

These honors and privileges will live on forever in the hearts and minds of those who were apart of the magic – these should never be taken for granted.It’s not often that a small-town college can do so many great things on the basketball court on a regional and national level.

Schneider is certainly moving on to bigger things, but will have to withstand the test of time.While watching his press conference where he was introduced as SFA women’s basketball head coach, I watched the same old coach preach the same old things.

Toughness.Chemistry.Defense.Identity.

These principals have led Schneider and his teams to greatness year in and year out, capping it all of with this past season’s #1 ranking and the elusive tourney trophy.While his players at ESU obviously took those principles to heart, it will remain to be seen whether or not Schneider’s new group of student-athletes will buy in to his program.

With Schneider’s track record, I have no doubt that they will.

What Schneider leaves behind is a team coming off of its deepest tournament run ever.The team, undoubtedly led by senior forward and NCAA Division II Elite Eight MVP Alli Volkens (what a mouthful), will be without the proven leadership of Schneider for the first time in over a decade.

If I were in that circumstance, a bevy of thoughts and ideas would be swirling around in my head.

Schneider assistant Jory Collins aims to take over the head coaching position, but will first have to await the approval of ESU President Michael Lane and Athletic Director Ken Weiser.

If Collins is hired, the program wouldn’t skip a beat and go on about doing business like it has previously, one would believe.Hell, Collins is a Schneider protégé if there ever was one.

Only time will tell if Collins is the heir-apparent to Schneider’s vacant throne.In the mean time, why don’t we all take a moment and reminisce about the honor and glory Schneider brought to Emporia State basketball.

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Schoon

Emporia State tennis’ Kevin Schoon knows how to be successful in more ways than one. The Winfield native is a biochemistry and molecular biology major, the men’s team captain and the #1 player on the team.

John Cayton, head coach of the men’s tennis team, believes Schoon’s mental abilities transcend just the classroom.

“Kevin’s always been a very, very smart player,” Cayton said. “He plays well with his mind, and he’s always been somebody that plays high percentage.”

Schoon’s a proven leader of the team, although he’s not a very vocal person.

“I’m team captain and I feel like I’ve done a good job at that,” Schoon said. “I’m really not the most vocal leader, but I try to lead more by example in playing hard and just being really motivating to the other guys.”

Fellow senior team member Spencer Pozek has seen first hand Schoon’s impact on the squad.

“He’s a good teammate,” Pozek said. “He always gives his best effort. He’s definitely a quiet guy, but the underclassmen follow him – not by what he says, but the way he acts.

He never gets real fired up,” Pozek said. “That probably why he he’s been so successful because he’s real even keel. In tennis, you have to be able to stay on a steady plain, and not go up and down.”

It’s not only Schoon’s leadership qualities that have been noticed. Last year, coaches around the MIAA honored him with the Sportsmanship Award.

“It meant a lot knowing that they (MIAA coaches) think highly of me,” Schoon said. “I try to be a good sport, so it’s really nice that people notice that.”

Along with excellent sportsmanship and a soft-spoken leadership style, Schoon brings to the table a complimentary skill set.

“One of the things Kevin has developed is some weapons,” Cayton said. “His forehand has become a very big weapon. His serve has become more of a weapon… the thing that he does very well…is he moves forward and finishes points at net very well.”

Consistency has been a word closely associated with Schoon since he came to Emporia State four years ago.

“I think it’s really important for me to just try to do what I know I can do and not try to do more, and that’s being really consistent,” Schoon said. “A lot of times it does frustrate other players who want to end the point quickly.”

Cayton realized Schoon’s value and potential from an early stage.

“He’s extremely valuable because, a guy like Kevin, you can put him out there at whatever position and you know he will compete and perform for you day in, day out,” Cayton said. “He’s been a very, very consistent performer, somebody that’s not going to make a lot of mistakes.”

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