Covenant News

Fall Athletics in Full Swing at North Park University

CHICAGO, IL (September 7, 2001) - The fall athletics programs at North Park University (NPU) are in full swing as the Vikings began competition in football, soccer, volleyball and cross country earlier this month.

Here is a roundup of how NPU fared in its opening week of play:

Football The Vikings, under new head coach Robin Cooper, dropped a 32-13 decision at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 1 despite a 33-yard touchdown return of an interception by Alfredo Cruz. The interception return by Cruz narrowed North Park's deficit to 10-6 with 3:24 left in the third period, but Northwestern College scored the next 22 points. The Vikings ended the scoring with a 52-yard scoring pass from Phil Dewald to Herve Menard. Dewald was 12-for-27 for 126 yards. Menard caught five passes for 75 yards. Cruz was in on 11 tackles and Ray Ryan had three sacks to lead the NPU defense.

Soccer The men's soccer team, coached by John Born, opened with a 3-0 victory over Milwaukee School of Engineering September 1 in Chicago. The Vikings later lost to the University of Puget Sound (WA) 4-1. The women's soccer team, under new coach Erin Leinweber lost 4-1 to Lake Forest.

Volleyball Coached by Susan Zimmer, the team lost three of four matches at the Benedictine College Invitational September 1, getting its lone victory against the University of Chicago. The Vikings opened their home season by losing a five-game match to Trinity Christian College.

Cross country In men's competition at the Elmhurst College Earlybird Invitational September 1, Chris Gruenewald took 21st individually as 16 teams competed. In the women's race, Angela Pinkston led the Vikings by placing 39th overall in the 18-team competition. Kari Nethery Kluckhohn coordinates the men's and women's cross country teams at NPU.

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