06-07 KCAC Honors

Suiter and Woody named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes

Abby Suiter, senior from St. John, Kan., and April Woody, junior from Tescott, Kan., have been named NAIA/Daktronics women's basketball Scholar-Athletes for the 2007 season.

Suiter was previously named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete in 2006. She has been a two-year starter for McPherson. A 2003 graduate of St. John High School, she tied the school record by playing in 107 varsity contests in her four year collegiate career, averaging 3.0 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 rebounds. An elementary education major, Abby was honored earlier this year as a Kansas Department of Education “Teacher of Promise.”

“Abby was a constant, stabilizing at the point for us the past two seasons,” said McPherson College head coach J.D. Gravina. “We knew we could depend on her to bring her best effort, whether it was practice, a game, but also, to the classroom. She'll be an excellent teacher.”

Woody has been a three-year starter for the Lady Bulldogs. A 2004 graduate of Tescott High School , April is majoring in biology. This past season she was named to the All-KCAC honorable mention squad after averaging 12.1 points per game to lead the Lady Bulldogs in scoring for a second straight year.   She will enter her senior season with 799 career points, and should end her career as McPherson College's fith 1,000-point career scorer.

“April continues to grow and improve as a basketball player,” said Gravina. “Her work ethic sets the standard for those around her. She knows that in order to be the best she can be, it means putting in the extra time and effort, both on and off the court.”

Recipients of the Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete award must have a minimum grade point average of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale, be a junior or above in academic standings, and been in attendance at the nominating institution a minimum of one full school year.

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Woody, Ozbun named to All-KCAC honors

Two members of the 2006-2007 McPherson College women's basketball team were named to All-KCAC honors in a recent vote of the conference's coaches.

April Woody, 5'5”, junior guard from Tescott, Kan., was named to the 2007 All-KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) women's basketball honorable mention team in a recent vote by the conference's coaches.

Kristen Ozbun, 5'5” guard from Rose Hill, Kan., was named to the KCAC All-Freshmen team.

April Woody, a 2004 graduate of Tescott (Kan.) High School, was the Lady Bulldogs' second leading scorer, averaging 12.1 points per game. She pulled down 103 rebounds, dished off 44 assists, and was credited with 36 steals as a starter in all 27 games. April finished the regular season ranked #7 in the NAIA division II in free throw percentage, and ended her season hitting a school record 86.8% (66 of 76) of her charity attempts. She led the Lady Bulldogs 10 times, topped by a season high 24 points against Central Christian College in January. She also led McPherson in rebounding three times topped by her season high 11 against NCAA D-II Newman University in the Bethel Classic as she posted a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double. Woody is majoring in biology.

“April has had a great year for us,” said J.D. Gravina, McPherson College head women's coach. “She is not only a great scorer, but she is also our most solid defender. It became apparent how important April is to our team when she dislocated her thumb against Friends and struggled for the next couple of games. She is such a tough kid though, she bounced back. She really improved her shot selection this year and increased her range out to the three-point line. I'm thankful I have her returning for another year.”

Kristen Ozbun, a 2006 graduate of Rose Hill (Kan.) High School, led the Bulldogs in scoring once, with a season high 19 points in their 103-93 loss to nationally ranked Sterling College . She averaged 8.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists while coming off the bench in all 27 of the Lady Bulldogs' games, and playing an average of 22.3 minutes per game. Kristen hit 41.9% of her field goals, including three three-pointers, and 69.9% (58 of 83) of her free throws. Her season highs of 7 rebounds and 6 assists came against Haskell Indian Nations University and in the Bulldogs overtime win against Bethel , respectively. Ozbun is majoring in elementary education.

“We knew Kristen would be special. She is very athletic and a competitor. She shoots a high percentage from the field, the three-point line, and the free throw line, which means she is taking good shots and knocking them down. As she works to improve her shooting range she is going to be one of the best guards in the conference.”

The 2006-2007 Lady Bulldogs finished their regular season with a 14-13 overall record, 8-10 and sixth in the KCAC race. The Bulldogs' 14 wins doubled their win total of a year ago and is the most since 2002. 2007 marked only the third winning season for the Lady Bulldogs in the past 25 years, along with 1982 (15-8) and 2002 (17-10).

CONTACT
Athletic Director
LaMonte Rothrock
Asst. to Athletic Director
Karen M. Caylor
Sports Information
Carol Swenson



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