By:Burke De Boer Sports Editor
Football
The football season began like popping a clutch. After surging forward with an upset win over Division I Sacramento State, the team stalled for two games.
The second of these losses came at the hands of FCS Montana State. Playing at an elevation 4,000 feet higher than Monmouth, against a school used to Big Sky Conference competition, the Wolves had the deck stacked against them.
“Being faced with that much adversity early in the season is great for us,” said Bo Highburger, the redshirt-sophomore linebacker who has notched 50 tackles. “It brought us closer together, but also adjusted us to compete at that higher level.”
This adjustment was evident as the Wolves came together to upset #24 Humboldt State.
At quarterback, Phillip Fenumiami and Nick Duckworth shared snaps and put up generally even passing numbers over the first three games. Both found reliable targets in wideouts Paul Revis and Wesley Gray. Fenumiami additionally rushed for 110 yards. He went solo under center in the win over Humboldt State.
Azusa Pacific comes to Monmouth on Saturday, Oct. 1. The Wolves won last year’s matchup thanks to a rushing touchdown from Fenumiami, a receiving touchdown from Revis, and a strong defensive showing. Kickoff time against the old foe is 1 p.m. at McArthur Field.
Cross Country
With three cross country meets down, Western’s runners have found their pace with some impressive outings. David Ribich in particular has proven himself to be cut from the cloth of Philippides, as he has led the men’s team to two second-place showings.
The Junior Ribich opened the season with back-to-back first place finishes, at the John Frank Invitational and in Western’s hosted Ash Creek Invitational #1. These finishes lead the men’s team to second place finishes at both invitationals.
The women’s team finished third at John Frank and second at Ash Creek #1, with senior Nicole Maurmann finishing in the top 10 in both.
The Sundodger Invitational in Seattle hosted stiffer competition for the Wolves, as the men finished in seventh place and women finished 14th. Ribich came in second in Seattle, while senior runner Kennedy Rufener headed the women’s team finishing 37th. Rufener previously turned in good results at John Frank and Ash Creek, finishing in 15th and sixth place, respectively.
Ash Creek Invitational #2 will be hosted by Western on Oct. 7. The starting gun fires at 5 p.m.
Volleyball
Volleyball opened with a rough showing at the Concordia Labor Day Tournament, losing three matches in three days. To look at this sweeping on face value would be a disservice, as most sets within these losses were kept very tight. Notably, the 0-3 loss to Embry-Riddle came with sets of 22-25, 23-25, 23-25.
Since regrouping, the Wolves have fared much better. At the D2 West Regional Volleyball Showcase, going 3-1, including two 3-0 sets, shutting out Hawaii Pacific and Chico State. GNAC competition has followed the showcase, and after falling to ranked Northwest Nazarene, the Wolves again brushed themselves off and went on to win two of their next three, rising to a 5-6 record.
Catch them in action this week, hosting Simon Fraser on Sept. 29, and be sure to wear red to the Red Out at Western Washington on Oct. 1. Both events held at the New PE Building with a 7 p.m. tipoff.
Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu
