Joseph Vanden Acker

Author: Joseph Vanden Acker

13th-ranked Green Knights stop Lawrence

APPLETON, Wis. — The 13th-ranked St. Norbert College men’s basketball team pulled away early in the second half Wednesday and kept Lawrence University at arm’s length the rest of the way in a 77-57 Midwest Conference victory at Alexander Gymnasium.

The Green Knights went on a 12-0 run to build a 17-point lead with 14:34 left in the game, and Lawrence was unable to get closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

Ben Bobinski went 5-for-8 from beyond the arc en route to a game-high 23 points for St. Norbert (13-3, 10-1 MWC). D.J. DeValk added 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Tim Marshall had 17 points.

Connor Weas and Ben Peterson both scored 11 points off the bench to lead the Vikings (7-8, 7-4). Leading scorer Jeremy Stephani was limited to just five shots, but hit four of them on his way to 10 points. Quinn Fisher also added 10 points off the bench for Lawrence.

The Green Knights were red-hot early and led 24-10 with 10:28 left in the opening half. Weas, Peterson, Fisher and Tyler Klug all hit 3-pointers as the Vikings went on a 16-7 run to trim the lead to 31-26 with 21 seconds left.

DeValk then airballed a 3-pointer in the final seconds, but Bobinski was there to grab it for the putback to give the Green Knights a 33-26 lead at the break.

The Vikings cut the lead to 36-31 on Mitch Willer’s layup off a great feed from Evan McLaughlin, but the Green Knights took over from there.

Bobinski hit back-to-back 3-pointers and followed with a jumper for a personal 8-0 run to give St. Norbert a 46-31 lead. DeValk, who started the decisive run with a layup, finished it with a jumper, and the Green Knights led 48-31.

Weas and Peterson countered with 3-pointers for Lawrence to cut the lead to 48-37. The Vikings managed to trim the margin to 11 points three more times, the last on Stephani’s 3-pointer with 9:49 left that made it 57-46.

St. Norbert pushed the lead all the way to 69-50 with 12-4 burst, and Lawrence never got closer than 17 points after that.

Box score

Big second quarter powers Green Knights past Lawrence

APPLETON, Wis. — The St. Norbert College women’s basketball team broke open a close game with a big second quarter Wednesday and posted a 70-37 Midwest Conference victory over Lawrence University at Alexander Gymnasium.

The Green Knights (12-4, 9-2 MWC) outscored the Vikings 26-8 in the second quarter en route to building a 43-19 lead at the half.

Sarah Ratajczyk scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead St. Norbert. Regan Carmichael added 10 points for the Green Knights.

Natalie Kramer scored 13 points to pace Lawrence (2-14, 0-11), and Aubrey Scott and Olivia Hoesley added six points and five rebounds apiece. The Vikings were without leading scorer Leah Reeves due to injury.

The Vikings hung in against the Green Knights in the opening quarter, and Shonell Benjamin’s jumper cut St. Norbert’s lead to 15-11 with 57 ticks left in the first. The Green Knights got a layup from Sarah Neumann to push the lead to 17-11 after one.

The Green Knights opened the second quarter on an 18-2 run, capped by Carmichael’s 3-pointer, to lead 35-13 with 3:23 left in the second. Kramer countered with a pair of 3-pointers for Lawrence to close to 37-19, but St. Norbert scored the final six points of the quarter.

Lawrence opened the second half by scoring the first four points to cut the margin to 43-23, but St. Norbert steadily pulled away after that. The Green Knights led 56-27 after three quarters and led by as many as 39 in the final quarter.

Box score

Lawrence swim teams earn Scholar All-America honors

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University men’s and women’s swimming teams have been named Scholar All-America Teams by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America.

To be eligible for the award, a team must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average during the 2016 fall term.

The Lawrence women, who earned the award for the third consecutive year, posted a sparkling 3.47 grade point average. The Lawrence men also earned the honor with a 3.01 grade point average.

Lawrence was one of four schools from the Midwest Conference to have both of its teams earn the award.

The Vikings return to the pool on Saturday to compete in the Wisconsin Private College Championships at Carthage College.

Grams set to ‘Fly’ as new offensive coordinator

Phil Grams

APPLETON, Wis. — An enduring friendship helped bring Phil Grams to the Lawrence University football coaching staff, and it now has given him a big role in the future of the Vikings.

Grams has been named the offensive coordinator for the Vikings, and he replaces Mark Speckman, his long-time friend and collaborator in the “Fly” offense. Speckman announced in December he was leaving Appleton to be the assistant head coach at the University of California Davis, a Football Championship Subdivision program.

“Phil has a great passion for the game, for the Fly offense and for our team,” Lawrence coach Rob McCarthy said. “He’s a great fit for what we’re doing here, and the direction we want to go. Phil’s expertise in the Fly offense keeps the continuity for the players, and they are excited about that.”

Grams joined the Lawrence staff in 2016 as the running backs coach. He had come to Appleton earlier in the year to work a football clinic with Speckman, and McCarthy broached the subject of joining the Lawrence staff.

“We had the Fly clinic here last spring, and it seemed like a good opportunity,” Grams said. “Then Rob asked me about coaching here. When my wife and I were on the airplane flying back, we said, ‘There’s no way we’re moving to Wisconsin,’ but things just worked out.”

Grams’ wife, Sandy, also joined the staff at Lawrence and works in the Annual Giving office. Their youngest son, Matt, attends Appleton North High School. When Speckman left for UC Davis, Grams was eager for the chance to begin calling the plays for the Vikings.

“I was practically in tears when Rob offered me the (offensive coordinator) job. This is where we want to be,” Grams said. “We love the family atmosphere Coach McCarthy has created with the team and with the football coaches’ families.”

A native of Rockford, Ill., Grams had been living in Sacramento, Calif., for more than 25 years. He amassed an impressive record as a high school head coach and assistant coach in the Golden State.

While running the Fly offense as the head coach at Capital Christian High School in Sacramento, Grams compiled a record of 48-11, including a 22-0 mark in league play. Grams’ teams won four Golden Empire League championships and captured a San Joaquin Section title.

Grams won 2012, 2013 and 2015 Golden Empire League Coach of the Year honors and was the 2014 Max Preps Small School Coach of the Year in Northern California.

Grams also spent 10 years at Granite Bay (Calif.) High School. While at Granite Bay, Grams worked with current Lawrence offensive line coach Mike Lynch as the Grizzlies ran the Fly offense. Grams’ record as an assistant coach is 100-19.

Grams’ ties to California also provide a seamless transition in terms of recruiting. He will concentrate his recruiting efforts on the West Coast, the area for which Speckman was responsible.

“Phil has the California connection with his ties to the West Coast,” McCarthy said. “That will continue to be a strong recruiting area for us.”

Grams is eager to see what lies ahead for a team that posted a 2016 record of 3-7, a two-win improvement over the previous season.

“I am so happy, super pleased to be able to continue what we’ve started here,” Grams said. “It’s an exciting opportunity to be the one calling the offense with this great group of young men.”

The Week Ahead: January 23-29

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University men’s basketball team faces a difficult week with tough home and road games. Lawrence takes on No. 7 St. Norbert College in a home game on Wednesday, and the Vikings travel to Grinnell College for a stiff road test on Saturday.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (2-13, 0-10 MWC)

Opponent: Lawrence vs. St. Norbert (11-4, 8-2 MWC)

When and Where: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 5:30 p.m., Alexander Gymnasium.

Webcast: Lawrence vs. St. Norbert

The Series: St. Norbert holds a 71-13 advantage in a series that dates to 1975-76, the first season of Lawrence basketball.

Opponent: Lawrence at Grinnell (8-7, 6-4 MWC)

When and Where: Saturday, Jan. 28, 1 p.m., Darby Gymnasium, Grinnell, Iowa.

Webcast: Lawrence at Grinnell

The Series: In a series that started in the 1989-90 season, Grinnell holds a 19-17 lead over the Vikings.

Fast Fact: Rookie Shonell Benjamin picked up her sixth double-digit rebound game of the season when she grabbed 11 boards at Beloit this past Saturday. Benjamin leads the team and ranks third in the league in rebounding at 7.5 per game.

MEN’S BASKETBALL (7-7, 7-3 MWC)

Opponent: Lawrence vs. No. 7 St. Norbert (12-3, 9-1 MWC)

When and Where: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m., Alexander Gymnasium.

Webcast: Lawrence vs. St. Norbert

The Series: St. Norbert holds a 58-46 lead in a series that started in 1918. The Green Knights have won the last 15 meetings.

Opponent: Lawrence at Grinnell (9-6, 6-4 MWC)

When and Where: Saturday, Jan. 28, 3 p.m., Darby Gymnasium, Grinnell, Iowa.

Webcast: Lawrence at Grinnell

The Series: In a series that started in 1940, Grinnell holds a 53-50 advantage over the Vikings. Lawrence holds an 18-16 edge in games vs. Grinnell’s “system.”

Fast Fact: Lawrence is in what is shaping up to be a dogfight for a berth in the four-team Midwest Conference Tournament. The Vikings are tied for third place with Lake Forest with a 7-3 league record. The Vikings have a tough schedule from this point as they face Ripon twice, St. Norbert once and have to travel to both Grinnell and Lake Forest.

HOCKEY (5-10-2, 4-6-2 NCHA)

Opponent: Lawrence vs. No. 7 Adrian (12-5-2, 11-3-0 NCHA)

When and Where: Friday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 28, 4 p.m., Appleton Family Ice Center.

Webcast: Lawrence vs. Adrian

The Series: Adrian has an 18-0-3 lead in a series that started in the 2007-08 season. The Bulldogs currently have a five-game winning streak in the series.

Fast Fact: Lawrence sophomore goaltender Greg Procopio was outstanding in his return to the net this past weekend. Procopio, who hadn’t played since being injured on Nov. 4, stopped 32 of 34 shots on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough as the Vikings lost 2-1 to the Saints.

SWIMMING

Event: Wisconsin Private College Championships

When and Where: Saturday, Jan. 28, noon, Koenitzer Aquatic Center, Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis.

Webcast: None.

Fast Fact: The Wisconsin Private College Championships is the last tuneup for the Vikings before Lawrence heads to the Midwest Conference Championships in mid-February. After Saturday, Lawrence does not compete again until the MWC meet at Grinnell on Feb. 17-19.

FENCING

Event: DiCicco Duals at Notre Dame

When and Where: Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 28-29, all day, Castellan Family Fencing Center, Notre Dame, Ind.

Webcast: None.

Fast Fact: The Vikings are returning to action for the first time since competing in the Badger Open on Nov. 5.

Lawrence edged by Saints

DULUTH, Minn. — Cole Golka’s goal with 13 minutes left Saturday was the difference at the College of St. Scholastica pulled out a 2-1 Northern Collegiate Hockey Association victory over Lawrence University at Mars Lakeview Arena.

Golka’s even-strength goal 6:57 into the third period gave the Saints (10-6-1, 8-3-1 NCHA) the lead for good.

Lawrence had a final opportunity when it went on the power play with 2:18 left after Sam Williams was whistled for elbowing. The Vikings added an extra attacker with 54 seconds left when they pulled the goaltender but couldn’t get the equalizer.

Lawrence goaltender Greg Procopio, who hadn’t played since being injured on Nov. 4, made 32 saves for the Vikings (5-10-2, 4-6-2). Zane Steeves made 25 saves to pick up the win for St. Scholastica.

The Saints got on the board very late in the opening period. Mike Nolan’s goal with just 18 seconds left in the opening period put the Saints up 1-0. Lawrence tied the game at 1-1 at the 8:59 mark of the second when Josh Koepplinger scored off assists from Lane King and Brad Mueller.

Box score

Hanson a winner for Vikings at Lake Forest Triangular

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Lawrence University’s Alena Hanson picked up an event victory on Saturday at the Lake Forest College Triangular.

Hanson swam to victory in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:18.16 to lead the Vikings. Lawrence’s Elise Riggle grabbed second in the 800 freestyle in 10:05.19.

Other top-three finishers for the Vikings were Paige Witter, who grabbed third in the 100 butterfly in 1:09.88, and Danielle Millin, who was third in the 100 backstroke in 1:12.81.

Lake Forest posted a 121-92 win over Lawrence, and UW-Whitewater topped the Vikings 172-57.

On the men’s side, Whitewater downed Lawrence 191-20, and Lake Forest topped Lawrence 174-23.

The top finisher for the Lawrence men was Travis Charlow, who was fifth in the 100 freestyle in 59.49 seconds. The 200 medley relay team of Charlow, Max Stahl, Christian Bell and Tom Goldberg was fifth in 2:01.73.

Results