Shweta Galande (left) and Kyle Renaud were recently named UMSL Senior Student-Athletes of the year, while Kelsie Rankin earned the inaugural Inspirational Award.

The University of Missouri–St. Louis Department of Athletics recently honored its 42 graduating seniors at the Fourth Annual Senior Student-Athlete Banquet, held at the Hilton St. Louis Airport in Woodson Terrace, Mo. 

Each senior was individually honored, while two members of the class were also recognized for being selected as Senior Student-Athletes of the Year. The female recipient was women’s golf’s Shweta Galande, while the male recipient was baseball’s Kyle Renaud.

Additionally, Kelsie Rankin of volleyball was honored with the inaugural Inspirational Award.

Galande has left her mark on the women’s golf program, having nearly rewritten the record book single-handedly during her four-year standout career.

During her time as a UMSL Tritons athlete, she has put the program in the national spotlight, guiding UMSL to four straight NCAA Super Regional appearances and twice qualifying for the NCAA Championships as an individual.

She earned All-Great Lakes Valley Conference accolades for the fourth straight year by finishing fifth in the annual league tournament.

Galande is the program’s all-time scoring average leader and shot 77.9 for her career. She has earned medalist honors four times, including winning the individual title as a junior at the GLVC Championship.

This season, she led the team with a scoring average of 77.5, which broke her own single season record, and has finished in the top 10 in eight tournaments, including placing in the top five in seven of those.

A three-time GLVC Pitcher of the Week this season, Renaud has established himself as one of the best relief pitchers in the country this season.

Renaud broke a 20-year-old UMSL single season saves record by recording two saves against the UnIllinois-Springfield. He currently has 16 saves, which ranks as the fifth best single season total in NCAA Division II history.

He also ranked second on the career charts with 17 career saves, one shy of the record of 18 set by Bob Simpson from 1985-87.

This season, Renaud boasted a team-best 1.69 ERA and owns a 3-1 record in 26 appearances. He allowed just nine earned runs in 49.2 innings of work.

Rankin was a five-year member of the volleyball program who had her share of ups and downs on the court. After starting her first three years and helping the 2010 team to the NCAA Tournament as a junior, she suffered a torn ACL that spring. Rankin had a successful surgery and redshirted her fourth year – what would have been her senior season.

Following surgery and rehab, Rankin was ready to come back for her fifth year. However, on the Sunday before the 2012 season was to start, she once again tore her ACL during an open gym. Following another successful surgery, she spent August, September and October, rehabbing intensively with the trainers and through her dedication and hard work, was cleared to play in October.

On October 13th at the GLVC-GLIAC Crossover Tournament, Rankin stepped foot on the court for the first time in nearly two years. She finished out the season as a key defensive player for the Tritons. 

Congratulations and best of luck to all of the following UMSL seniors:

Volleyball: Corinne Hoekstra, Liz Jaeger, Jennie Manis, Kelsie Rankin and Haley Woods.

Men’s Soccer: Jordan Bruce, Ajdin Dedic, Peter Hyde, Thomas Mihalczo, Dan Olwig, Patrick Ream, Gino Valenti and Luc Wells.

Women’s Soccer: Kelly Goehring and Jamie Morton.

Women’s Basketball: Molly Barnes, Angie Johnson and Deaven Omohundro.

Men’s Basketball: Justin Jones, Joshua McCoy, Isiah Nunn and Vinnie Raimondo.

Women’s Golf: Shweta Galande, Chelsea Kellogg and Samantha Pelc.

Men’s Golf: John Neis and Chase Smith.

Softball: Haleigh Jenkins.

Baseball: Nolan Craig, Andy Flett, Tim Hassett, Taylor Holman, Lucas Matecki, Charlie Mohr, Trevor Nathanson, John Pilackas, Kyle Renaud, Drew Standefer and Brett Wolf.

Cheerleading: Danielle Smith, Jennifer Green and Jason Little.

Hannah Perryman is a pitcher on the UMSL softball team. (Photo by Danny Reise)

Freshman pitcher Hannah Perryman of the University of Missouri–St. Louis softball team has been named a 2013 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Softball All-American. Perryman was selected to the third team and is just the fourth player in program history to be named a NCAA Division II All-American. She was also named a Third Team All-American by Daktronics, Inc.

Allyson DeFosset was the last player to earn All-American status, doing so in 2009, while Lisa Houska was tabbed to the second team in 1989 and was a first-team all-American pick in 1991. Laurie Aldy was a second-team all-American in 1987, becoming the program’s first player to earn the honor.

Perryman, who was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year and earned NFCA and Daktronics, Inc., First Team All-Midwest Region honors, led NCAA Division II in strikeouts with 352. Her 12.2 strikeouts per seven innings also topped the national rankings. Additionally, Perryman ranks fifth nationally in hits per seven innings, allowing just 3.78 and is eighth with nine shutouts.

The young hurler posted a 24-6 record in the circle with a 1.55 ERA.

Perryman twice recorded a career-best 18 strikeouts in a single game this season, including once in a seven-inning 6-1 win over Drury University (Springfield, Mo.), which ties the third best total in any seven-inning game in NCAA Division II history. Her 12.3 strikeouts per seven innings this season also ranks sixth all-time in NCAA Division II history.

Perryman is a criminology and criminal justice major.

Alumnus Steve Albart, MPPA 1997, was featured May 6 in The Lincoln County (Mo.) Journal article “Albart ‘Champion of Kids’ recipient.”

The Arianna String Quartet, artist-in-residence, performed the concert “Voices of Spring,” which was selected on May 3 as an “Editor’s pick” and “Best Bet” by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Jason Atkins, research associate for the Center for Nanoscience, was featured May 24 in the St. Louis Business Journal article “Arch Grants winners receive additional grants from UMSL.”

Ryan Barrett, interim director of the Veterans Center, discussed the struggles and opportunities to help veterans who are transitioning back into civilian life on the May 28 episode of “St. Louis on the Air,” a program on St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU.

Carole Basile, dean of the College of Education, was quoted May 2 in the KSDK (Channel 5) story “Common core curriculum meetings begin in Missouri.” Basile was quoted May 6 in the St. Louis Beacon article “New university for Missouri gets big backing.” She was quoted May 7 in the St. Louis Beacon article “Western Governors U. gets warm welcome in Missouri – mostly.”

Edward Bennett, associate professor of optometry, co-wrote the May 1 Contact Lens Spectrum article “Paying tribute to Sheldon Wechsler, OD, FAAO.”

Alumnus Michael Benz, BA English 1993, was featured May 15 in the St. Louis Review article “Six new priests ordained for the Archdiocese of St. Louis.”

Kathleen Burns, academic director of the School of Professional & Continuing Studies, was featured in the May 19 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “AP courses vs. dual credit: What’s best for high school students?”

Alan Byrd, dean of enrollment services, discussed what’s next for students after they graduate on the May 9 episode of “Stay Tuned” on KETC (Channel 9). Byrd was interviewed May 20 for the KSDK (Channel 5) story “For-profit colleges investigation.”

Sarah Caudill, a junior chemistry major, was quoted May 31 in the KSDK (Channel 5) story “Student loan debt struggles; little known govt program could help.”

Rita Csapo-Sweet, associate professor of media studies, was featured May 30 in the University City (Mo.) Patch article “U City resident/UMSL scholar wins award for cross-cultural engagement.”

Serene Darwish, a junior biology major, was featured May 16 in the Hazelwood (Mo.) Patch article “Hazelwood West graduate awarded grant to study birds in South America.”

Dorothy Denny, a social worker with Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis, was quoted May 2 in the KMOV (Channel 4) story “Father accused of abusing infant out on bond for previous child abuse allegations.”

Perry Drake, assistant professor of business administration, was quoted May 3 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “Bonfyre, a local startup and app, offers a more private way to share.”

Julie Dunn-Morton, senior manuscript specialist for the St. Louis Mercantile Library, was quoted May 3 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “3 tips for buying art on a budget.”

Chancellor Tom George was quoted May 6 in the West (St. Louis County) Newsmagazine article “Hands-on Learning.” George was featured May 10 in the St. Louis Beacon article “UMSL at 50: Value given.”

Alumnus Paul Hackbarth, BA communication 2008, was featured May 8 in The Rolla (Mo.) Daily News article “Q&A with the new Rolla Daily News managing editor.”

Carl Hoagland, Emerson Electric Company Endowed Professor in Technology and Learning, discussed what’s next for students after they graduate on the May 9 episode of “Stay Tuned” on KETC (Channel 9).

Alumna Vanessa Howard, MEd 2000, was featured May 22 in The St. Louis American article “Vanessa Howard is Ferguson-Florissant’s 2013 Teacher of the Year.”

Dan Isom, Endowed Professor in Policing and Community, was featured May 20 in the CNN iReport story “St. Louis initiative to reduce violence.” Isom was quoted May 20 in the St. Louis Beacon article “Coalition of city and county groups strives to tackle violence, uplift poor communities.” He was featured May 20 in the KPLR (Channel 11) story “Hot spot policing initiative expands to county.” Isom was featured May 20 in the St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU story “St. Louis initiative to reduce violence focused on community support for sustainability.”

Sharon Johnson, associate professor of social work, was quoted May 23 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “$7 million more in mental health funding could go to St. Louis County children.”

Terry Jones, professor of political science, was interviewed May 16 for the “Missouri/Illinois legislative wrap up” episode of “Stay Tuned” on KETC (Channel 9). Jones discussed what happened during the 2013 Missouri legislative session during the May 20 episode of “St. Louis on the Air,” a program on St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU.

Alumnus Orvin Kimbrough, MBA 2002, was featured May 15 in the Associated Press article “Orvin Kimbrough to take over St. Louis United Way.” Kimbrough was featured May 15 in the St. Louis Business Journal article “United Way names Kimbrough president and CEO.” He was featured May 15 in the KTVI (Channel 2) story “Orvin Kimbrough named new president & CEO of United Way.” Kimbrough was featured May 15 in The St. Louis American article “Orvin Kimbrough to lead United Way of Greater St. Louis.” He was featured May 16 in The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.) article “United Way reaches inside for new boss.”

Tony Kimple Jr., a freshman theatre and dance major, was featured May 30 in the Ladue (Mo.) News article “Volunteer Spotlight: Tony Kimple Jr.”

David Klinger, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice, was quoted May 14 in the KOMU (Channel 8) (Columbia, Mo.) article “Target 8: Digging into law enforcement homicide of Timothy Simpson.” Klinger was quoted May 20 in the NBC News story “Cop in NY shooting that left hostage dead faced split-second decisions.” He was quoted May 21 in the CBS News story “Andrew Rebello update: Family of accidentally slain Hofstra Univ. student criticizes police.”

Edward Lawrence, professor of finance, was quoted May 3 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “Too-big-to-fail problem may have a capital solution.”

Brian Levin, head coach of the softball team, was quoted May 6 in the Examiner (St. Louis) article “Woods’ walkoff lifts UMSL softball to first GLVC Championship.”

Kristian Marlow, a student pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy, wrote the May 3 Psychology Today article “Sloppy psychology and Zero Tolerance Policies.”

Brenda McPhail, associate vice chancellor for development, was quoted May 30 in the University City (Mo.) Patch article “UMSL donors create 19 scholarships; 35 more in the works for next year.”

Tom McPhail, professor of media studies, was featured May 21 in the University City (Mo.) Patch article “U City resident joins advisory group at Peruvian University.”

Gary Meier, who’s pursuing an MEd, was featured May 17 in the Riverfront Times article “Father Gary Meier, St. Louis Catholic priest, announces he is gay.” Meier wrote the May 21 Huffington Post commentary “No longer anonymous: Why I decided to come out as a gay priest.” He wrote the May 30 Huffington Post article “Questions after coming out as a gay Catholic priest.” Meier was featured May 25 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “In coming out as gay, Catholic priest sparks debate about church stance.”

Jean Miller, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, was featured May 9 in the St. Louis Business Journal article “Jean Miller | People.”

Mohit Patel, research associate for the Center for Nanoscience, was featured May 24 in the St. Louis Business Journal article “Arch Grants winners receive additional grants from UMSL.”

Hannah Perryman, a freshman on the UMSL softball team, was featured May 1 in the Daily Herald (Arlington, Ill.) article “Elgin grad Perryman sets UMSL strikeout record.”

Alumnus Jerry Rabushka, BA political science 1983, was featured May 19 in the Vital Voice (St. Louis) article “Rabushka’s ‘Star Bryan.’”

Robert Ricklefs, Curators’ Professor of Biology, was quoted May 20 in the New Scientist article “Why penguins dumped flight for flippers.” Ricklefs was quoted in the May 21 Wired UK article “Study: Penguins stopped flying to perfect diving ability, saving energy.” He was quoted May 20 in the NBC News story “Penguins have flightless wings, all the better to swim with, my dear.” Ricklefs was quoted May 20 in the Discovery News article “How penguins lost their ability to fly.” He was quoted May 20 in the Science article “Why penguins don’t fly.” Ricklefs was quoted May 20 in the Nature article “Why penguins cannot fly.” He was quoted May 21 in the Scientific American article “Why penguins cannot fly.” Ricklefs was quoted May 21 in the LiveScience article “Why penguins quit flying.”

Dave Robertson, Curators’ Teaching Professor of Political Science, was quoted May 18 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “Conflict-ridden Missouri legislation session could lead to more Nixon vetoes.” Robertson was quoted May 19 in the Associated Press article “Analysis: Missouri GOP success in eye of beholder,” which numerous media outlets ran, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Kansas City (Mo.) Star and St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

J. Martin Rochester, Curators’ Teaching Professor of Political Science, wrote the May 30 St. Louis Jewish Light article “Aftermath of Boston Bombings: Thoughts on fighting ‘War on Terror.’”

Richard Rosenfeld, Curators’s Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, was quoted May 3 in the KOMU (Channel 8) (Columbia, Mo.) story “Homicides in Missouri cities surpass mass shootings.” Rosenfeld was quoted May 15 in the Columbia Missourian article “ANALYSIS: Blacks ‘overrepresented’ in Columbia traffic stops and arrests.” He was quoted May 18 in The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) article “Crime experts question NOPD stats that paint New Orleans as a safe city with a murder problem.” He was quoted May 23 in The Times-Picayune article “New Orleans’ murder problem is its crime problem: Jarvis DeBerry.”

Wendy Saul, the Dr. Allen B. And Helen S. Shopmaker Endowed Professor for Education, was quoted May 4 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “Book bank finds better ways to help developing countries.”

Wally Siewert, director of the Center for Ethics in Public Life, wrote the May 20 St. Louis Beacon commentary “Is political ethics an oxymoron?” Siewert wrote the May 28 St. Louis Beacon commentary “Ethics survey: Good news and bad.” 

Natissia Small, assistant dean of students and head of precollegiate programs, was quoted May 30 in The St. Louis American article “UMSL’s Bridge program helps students prepare.”

Bob Sunvold, head coach of the men’s basketball team, was featured May 28 in the Journal Gazette & Times-Courier (Mattoon, Ill.) article “UMSL calls Sundvold back into head coaching.”

Todd Swanstrom, the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Community Collaboration and Public Policy Administration, was quoted May 22 in the St. Louis Beacon article “City officials see promise – and peril – in changing block grant process.”

Don Sweeney, associate director of the Center for Transportation Studies, was quoted May 6 in the Reuters article “Amid budget cutbacks, U.S. shipping sector seeks more federal funds.” He was featured May 20 in The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer article “Charlotte looks to airport rail yard as engine for growth.”

Kenneth Thomas, professor of political science, discussed the topic “fixing the debt” May 2 on the nationally syndicated television show “The Big Picture.” Thomas was quoted May 5 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “While CEO pay climbs, average workers tread water.” He wrote the May 24 Business Insider commentary “Mississippi sets a record for unreported subsidies.”

Alumnus Grayling Tobias, BSEd 1980, was featured May 2 in The St. Louis American article “Native son superintendent leads Hazelwood Schools.”

Erin Vasconcelles, counseling psychologist for University Health, Wellness, Counseling and Disability Access Services, was quoted May 25 in The State Journal-Register (Springfield, Ill.) article “Group helps growers share passion for orchids.”

Alumnus Brant Walker, BSBA 1987, was featured May 9 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “Alton swears in new mayor.”

Judith Walker de Felix, vice provost for academic affairs, was quoted May 7 in the St. Louis Beacon article “Western Governors U. gets warm welcome in Missouri – mostly.”

Mel Watkin, director of the Public Policy Research Center Photography Project, was quoted May 29 in The St. Louis American article “’Normandy Proud’ photo exhibit.”

Tobi Williams, a senior psychology major, was featured May 30 in The St. Louis American article “UMSL’s Bridge program helps students prepare.”

Peter Wolfe, Curators’ Professor Emeritus of English, wrote the May 4 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “Moral darkness covers le Carre’s new spy novel.”

Keith Womer, dean of the College of Business Administration, discussed what’s next for students after they graduate on the May 9 episode of “Stay Tuned” on KETC (Channel 9).

Kyle Renaud (left) is a senior relief pitcher on the UMSL baseball team and Tyler Bunge is a junior utility player. They recently were honored for being among the best baseball players in the Midwest region.

Senior relief pitcher Kyle Renaud of the University of Missouri–St. Louis baseball team has been named the Daktronics, Inc., Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year, as selected by the region’s sports information directors. Additionally, junior utility Tyler Bunge was selected to the second team.

Renaud, who was also named to the Daktronics, Inc., First Team All-Midwest Region team and earned ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Midwest Region accolades, recorded an NCAA Division II best 16 saves this season, which also ranks as the fifth best single season total in DII history.

A First Team All-GLVC selection earlier this season and a three-time GLVC Pitcher of the Week honoree, Renaud also broke a 20-year-old UMSL single season record with 16 saves and finishes with 17 in his two-year career, which ranks second all-time in program history.

He also posted a 3-1 record on the mound in 25 appearances this season and posted a team-best 1.54 ERA, allowing just eight runs in 46.2 innings of work.

Bunge split time at second base and third base as well as the designated hitter spot this season. He started 43 games and finished second on the team in hits with 42, including eight doubles, and recorded 21 RBIs, while batting .323. He was also a First Team All-GLVC selection earlier this season.

The Daktronics, Inc. all-region teams are nominated and voted on by sports information directors from schools in the respective regions. It is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., and focuses on awarding outstanding performances by student-athletes at the NCAA Division II level.

Hannah Perryman (left) is a freshman pitcher on the UMSL softball team, and Madison Zbaraschuk is a sophomore catcher.

Freshman pitcher Hannah Perryman, of the University of Missouri–St. Louis softball team, has been named First Team All-Midwest Region by both the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and Daktronics, Inc. Additionally, sophomore catcher Madison Zbaraschuk was tabbed to the Second Team All-Midwest Region by both groups.

Perryman, who was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year, and was a five-time recipient of the league’s Pitcher of the Week award, led the NCAA Division II in strikeouts with 352. Her 12.2 strikeouts per seven innings also topped the national rankings. Additionally, Perryman ranks fifth nationally in hits per seven innings, allowing just 3.9, and is ninth with 10 shutouts.

The young hurler posted a 24-6 record in the circle with a 1.57 ERA.

Zbaraschuk is an all-region repeat selection. She earned first team accolades from the NFCA as a freshman and was a second team honoree by Daktronics, Inc. Zbaraschuk tied a UMSL single-season record with 54 RBIs and finished second on the yearly charts with 12 home runs, one off the record. She ends the season with a team-best .371 batting average and tallied 63 hits, including seven doubles, and scored 34 runs. Zbaraschuk ranks 30th nationally in RBIs and 47th in home runs.

The Daktronics, Inc. all-region teams are nominated and voted on by sports information directors from schools in the respective regions. It is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., and focuses on awarding outstanding performances by student-athletes at the NCAA Division II level. First-team honorees advance to the national ballot for All-America consideration.

Tayler Hoag is a freshman on the UMSL women’s golf team.

Freshman Tayler Hoag of the University of Missouri–St. Louis women’s golf team has been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Women’s Golf Player of the Month for April, following a vote from the league’s head coaches.

Hoag opened the month with an impressive three-under par 69 at the Maryville Invitational and responded with a final round of 76 to capture the event title. She then recorded a third place finish at the UMSL Tritons’ own tournament with a 156 (81-75) and placed second at the GLVC Championship with a 148 (72-76) to earn all-league honors.

The Eden Prairie, Minn., native posted the lowest stroke average of any GLVC golfer in the spring season and helped her team to first, second and third place finishes during April. Hoag is a business administration major.

David Abolt is a freshman on the UMSL men’s golf team.

Freshman David Abolt, of the University of Missouri–St. Louis, has been named to the All-Great Lakes Valley Conference Men’s Golf Team, as announced by the league office.

Abolt, a business administration major, joins junior Joe Atkisson and senior Chase Smith on the list. Atkisson, who was the league’s medalist, and Smith, who tied for third place at the GLVC Championship, were automatic selections based on their top-five finishes at the tournament. Following completion of the conference meet, five additional members were voted on by the coaches to complete the 11-member All-GLVC team. 

Abolt entered NCAA Regional play with a team-best stroke average of 73.92. He recorded five top-10 finishes during the year, including earning medalist honors at The Jewell Midwest Regional.

Eight players from the UMSL baseball team received All-GLVC honors. They include (from left) Lucas Matecki, Tyler Bunge, Kyle Renaud, Paul Richmond, Michael Budka, Drew Standefer, Zach Standefer and Nolan Clayton.

The University of Missouri–St. Louis baseball team had eight players earn All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors.

The UMSL Tritons had six of those players earn first team accolades including junior first baseman Michael Budka, junior utility Tyler Bunge, senior outfielder Lucas Matecki, junior starting pitchers Zach Standefer and Nolan Clayton and senior relief pitcher Kyle Renaud. Second team selections were junior catcher Paul Richmond and senior outfielder Drew Standefer.

UMSL finished with a record of 28-19 and took second place in the GLVC West Division title with a league record of 22-10.

The Tritons were the No. 3 seed in the eight-team 2013 GLVC Tournament. The team was upset in the first round by Bellarmine University (Louisville, Ky.), which went onto win the tournament. UMSL bounced back to avoid elimination with a win over Quincy (Ill.) University. The Tritons were then eliminated from the tournament with a loss to Lewis University (Romeoville, Ill.)

Michael Budka
Budka earned All-GLVC honors in his first season with the Tritons. He started 31 of the 37 games played in. He recorded 35 hits, including six doubles and two home runs, while batting .289. Budka also scored 24 runs and tallied 11 RBIs.

Tyler Bunge
Bunge also earned All-GLVC honors in his first season with the Tritons, where he has split time at second base and third base as well as the designated hitter spot. He started all 43 games played in and finished second on the team with 42 hits, including eight doubles, and 21 RBIs. Bunge hit .323 on the season.

Lucas Matecki
Matecki earned All-GLVC playing honors for the first time in his career. The centerfielder started all 47 games and led the team with a .339 batting average. He also topped the squad with 61 hits, including 14 doubles. Matecki also has 16 RBIs and team-highs of 36 runs scored and nine stolen bases.

Zach Standefer
Standefer earned All-GLVC playing honors for the first time in his career. He owned a 1.63 ERA, which ranked 21st in all of NCAA DII, and is 3-3 on the hill in seven starts. In 55.1 innings pitched, Standefer has allowed just 10 earned runs and has posted two shutouts.

Nolan Clayton
Clayton earned All-GLVC playing honors in his first season with the Tritons. He owned a team-best 7-3 record on the mound in 10 starts and held opponents to just a .208 average. In 56.1 innings pitched, Clayton carried a 2.72 ERA.

Kyle Renaud
A three-time GLVC Pitcher of the Week, Renaud earned All-GLVC honors for the first time in his career. He led all of NCAA Division II with 16 saves, which also set a new UMSL single season record. In 26 appearances, he boasted an ERA of 1.64 and allowed just nine earned runs. Renaud also sported a record of 3-1. For his career at UMSL, he has 17 saves, one shy of the career mark of 18 set by Bob Simpson from 1985-87. 

Paul Richmond
Richmond earned All-GLVC honors for the first time in his career. He started 43 games this season and is batted .306. His 41 hits, 20 RBIs and 21 runs scored all ranked in the top five on the team.

Drew Standefer
Standefer, the only four-year member of the program, earned All-GLVC honors for the first time in his career. He has started 34 of 41 games played in. Standefer finished second on the team with a .333 batting average and had 39 hits, 12 RBIs and 18 runs scored.

(Photo by Danny Reise)

For the second time in three years, the University of Missouri–St. Louis men’s golf team has earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Championship.

The UMSL Tritons recorded a third-place finish at the NCAA Midwest/Central Regional, held last week at Strawberry Creek Country Club in Kenosha, Wis., and are one of five teams from the regional advancing to the NCAA Championship May 20-24 at the Hershey (Pa.) Country Club.

It marks the eighth NCAA Championship appearance for the program. UMSL recorded a 15th place finish in 2011, which also came under the direction of fourth-year head coach Troy Halterman.

UMSL finished with a 54-hole score of 866 (283-290-293), seven strokes behind team champion University of Central Missouri (Warrensburg) (287-287-285 – 859). The Mules used a late surge to fend off University of Central Oklahoma (Edmond) (289-294-291 – 864), who placed second.

Fellow Great Lakes Valley Conference member Bellarmine University (Louisville, Ky.) (285-294-295 – 874) and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Weatherford) (295-287-293 – 875), placed fourth and fifth, respectively, and also advance to the national championship.

Junior Joe Atkisson, who competed in last year’s regional as an individual and placed 95th, took home a third place finish this year, carding a six-under par 210 (68-70-72), bettering his own 54-hole school record of 214, set at the GLVC Championship earlier this season.

Medalist honors went to the University of Central Missouri’s Ryan Hughey, who finished 13 strokes under par with a 203 (65-69-69) to lead the field of 108 competitors. 

Junior Warren Crow (68-74-77) and senior Chase Smith (73-72-74) tied for 18th place, each shooting a 219, while freshmen David Abolt tied for 24th place with a 221 (74-74-73). Freshman Colby Yates rounded out the scoring with a 225 (74-77-74), tying for 53rd place.

The University of Missouri–St. Louis finished third in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Commissioner’s Cup, as announced by the league office on Tuesday, marking the athletic department’s highest finish ever.

Points are allocated for the Commissioner’s Cup based on the athletic department’s finish in the GLVC’s postseason tournaments of its seven core sports, including men’s soccer, women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, softball and baseball. Each of the league’s members sponsors these sports at the intercollegiate level.

UMSL totaled 75 points to place third out of the league’s 16 members, surpassing last year’s previous high of 62.5 points, which placed them seventh.

UMSL was led by softball’s conference tournament championship, while men’s soccer earned a runner-up finish in its conference tournament. Volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball also each qualified for a spot in their respective conference tournaments.

For the first time in school history, Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., captured the GLVC Commissioner’s Cup, earning 91.5 points over the course of the academic year, besting runner-up Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky., (84.5) by seven points. University of Southern Indiana in Evansville (73.5) and Quincy (Ill.) University (73.5) tied for fourth.

The Commissioner’s Cup, instituted prior to the 2002-03 season, has had four different institutions stake claim to the award. Prior to Lewis University earning its first honor, former GLVC member Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights took home five straight and eight Cups in the 10 years it had been presented. University of Southern Indiana was the 2004 recipient, while former league member Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the Commissioner’s Cup in 2007.

The standings for the 2012-13 GLVC Commissioner’s Cup are as follows:

1. Lewis University 91.50
2. Bellarmine University 84.50
3. University of Missouri–St. Louis 75.00
4. University of Southern Indiana 73.50
Quincy University 73.50
6. Drury University 70.50
7. University of Indianapolis 68.00
8. William Jewell College 67.00
9. Rockhurst University 59.50
10. University of Wisconsin–Parkside 55.50
11. Missouri University of Science and Technology 54.50
12. Maryville University 51.00
13. Kentucky Wesleyan College 35.50
14. McKendree University 34.00
15. Saint Joseph’s College 33.50
16. University of Illinois Springfield 25.00