Covenant News

Viking Jumper Places Third in Competition

BLOOMINGTON, IL (January 17, 2005) - Lucia Abel finished third in the long jump for the highest placing among North Park University (NPU) athletes at Saturday's Illinois Wesleyan Relays track and field event.

Abel, a national qualifier at the Division III indoor and outdoor track and field meets, leaped 5.15 meters, just behind the 5.41-meter jump by Southern Illinois University's Christine Butler. Other top women individuals included Amy Peters (10th in the shot put) and Allison Weller (10th in the 3,000 meter run). The NPU distance relay and 3,200 relay teams placed sixth overall.

In the men's competition, Benj Ecker placed seventh in the high jump and Shane Petrelli was eighth in the shot put while the Vikings were sixth in the 3,200 relay.

In other NPU sports news:

• The men's basketball team received an 18-point, six rebound effort from Brett Mathisen but dropped a 75-63 decision at Elmhurst College last Saturday night. The Vikings host Wheaton College Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in CCIW play. Je'shawn Stevenson tallied 13 points and had eight rebounds and four assists in the loss for the Vikings, now 4-9 overall, 0-2 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) play. Elmhurst, now 9-5 overall, 1-2 in conference, was led in scoring by Chris Martin, who had 15 points. The Vikings trailed just 33-30 after 20 minutes as the two teams fought through eight ties and six lead changes. Reserves Matt Lindahl (Grace Covenant Church, Iron River, Michigan) and Cory Wilks helped keep the Vikings close as Lindahl scored eight of his nine points in the opening half and Wilks had a pair of 3-point baskets. Elmhurst led by as many as eight points at times but coach Paul Brenegan's team stayed close, pulling to within 53-48 on a layup by Mike Haehn with 10:40 left. But Elmhurst reserve David Gershenzon scored moments later and within a 3:43 span he contributed 10 points as the Bluejays pulled away.
• The women's team lost 80-69 to visiting Millikin University despite 19 points and six rebounds by Shandrel Young and 16 points and nine rebounds by Megan Slattery. The Vikings play a 7:30 p.m. CCIW home game on Tuesday against Elmhurst College. Coach Jack Surridge's team is 9-5 overall, 2-2 in conference, having lost to Augustana last Tuesday. On a more positive note, Young had earlier earned CCIW Player of the Week honors for her efforts at a tournament in Whitter, California, and a win over Carthage College on January 8.

Printable version of this page.