Grace College Awarded By NAIA
September 19, 2017 at 4:30 p.m.
By Josh Neuhart-
The Lancers earned Silver Level status and were among the 183 institutions honored by the NAIA.
Additionally, the Crossroads League was one of 18 NAIA conferences to receive the Five-Star Conference Award. All 10 league schools were named Five-Star Institutions.
Institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to the NAIA’s Champions of Character initiative. Athletic departments can earn points throughout the year in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion.
“We are tremendously honored to receive the Champions of Character distinction from the NAIA,” said Grace College President Dr. Bill Katip. “Our student-athletes consistently represent Grace College well at the local and national levels, and our coaches are dedicated to the personal development of each player.”
Grace Director of Athletics Chad Briscoe added: "This award is a direct reflection of the continued pursuit of excellence that is set both by our coaches and student-athletes. I appreciate the great faculty and staff at Grace College who work diligently to educate and invest in the lives of our student-athletes. We pursue building champions of character through all facets of the collegiate experience at Grace College, and I'm very happy for our athletes and coaches to be recognized with this award."
Volleyball
WINONA LAKE – Alexa Hill was recognized nationally as the NCCAA Player of the Week for Grace’s volleyball team.
Hill averaged 11.1 assists per set to lead Grace to two league wins. She added 19 digs, four kills and two aces on the week. Against Mt. Vernon Nazarene, Hill tallied a double-double of 49 assists and 11 digs in four sets.
The sophomore from Huntington is currently leading the Crossroads League in assists. She ranks No. 20 in the nation with 10.3 assists per set.
The Lady Lancers host Goshen on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
Men’s Golf
BATH, Mich. – Grace’s men’s golf team enjoyed two rounds of the Spring Arbor Invitational on Monday.
The Lancers placed eighth out of 12 teams at Eagle Eye Golf Club. Tristan Nienhuis headlined Grace’s performance with a fifth-place showing out of 74 competitors.
Nienhuis finished with two identical rounds of 71 and was five strokes behind the overall medalist.
Tim Rata was second for Grace as a freshman. The former Warsaw Tiger shot 79-78.
Chad Spencer carded a 158 for the tournament (81-77), and Isaiah Brown was one stroke behind him (81-78). Cameron Bates was the fifth scorer for the Lancers with his 88-83.
The Lancers will prepare next week for one of the biggest tournaments of the year. On Sept. 25-26, Grace will host the NCCAA Midwest Regionals at Stonehenge Golf Club. The winner of the regional tournament will receive an automatic bid into the NCCAA National Championships.
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The Lancers earned Silver Level status and were among the 183 institutions honored by the NAIA.
Additionally, the Crossroads League was one of 18 NAIA conferences to receive the Five-Star Conference Award. All 10 league schools were named Five-Star Institutions.
Institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to the NAIA’s Champions of Character initiative. Athletic departments can earn points throughout the year in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion.
“We are tremendously honored to receive the Champions of Character distinction from the NAIA,” said Grace College President Dr. Bill Katip. “Our student-athletes consistently represent Grace College well at the local and national levels, and our coaches are dedicated to the personal development of each player.”
Grace Director of Athletics Chad Briscoe added: "This award is a direct reflection of the continued pursuit of excellence that is set both by our coaches and student-athletes. I appreciate the great faculty and staff at Grace College who work diligently to educate and invest in the lives of our student-athletes. We pursue building champions of character through all facets of the collegiate experience at Grace College, and I'm very happy for our athletes and coaches to be recognized with this award."
Volleyball
WINONA LAKE – Alexa Hill was recognized nationally as the NCCAA Player of the Week for Grace’s volleyball team.
Hill averaged 11.1 assists per set to lead Grace to two league wins. She added 19 digs, four kills and two aces on the week. Against Mt. Vernon Nazarene, Hill tallied a double-double of 49 assists and 11 digs in four sets.
The sophomore from Huntington is currently leading the Crossroads League in assists. She ranks No. 20 in the nation with 10.3 assists per set.
The Lady Lancers host Goshen on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
Men’s Golf
BATH, Mich. – Grace’s men’s golf team enjoyed two rounds of the Spring Arbor Invitational on Monday.
The Lancers placed eighth out of 12 teams at Eagle Eye Golf Club. Tristan Nienhuis headlined Grace’s performance with a fifth-place showing out of 74 competitors.
Nienhuis finished with two identical rounds of 71 and was five strokes behind the overall medalist.
Tim Rata was second for Grace as a freshman. The former Warsaw Tiger shot 79-78.
Chad Spencer carded a 158 for the tournament (81-77), and Isaiah Brown was one stroke behind him (81-78). Cameron Bates was the fifth scorer for the Lancers with his 88-83.
The Lancers will prepare next week for one of the biggest tournaments of the year. On Sept. 25-26, Grace will host the NCCAA Midwest Regionals at Stonehenge Golf Club. The winner of the regional tournament will receive an automatic bid into the NCCAA National Championships.
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