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By David Boyce

Commentary

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Each school year, the achievements by Northwest Missouri State student-athletes in their field of competition and in the classroom, produce moments that their family and friends will relish and leave us fans and writers with wonderful moments.
 
The 2016-17 school year was simply amazing.
 
Middle distance runner Ryan Cox best exemplify the spirit of the school year that saw Northwest win national championships in football and men's basketball, a first for Division II.
 
Cox went from a little-known runner to third place in the 1,500 in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships on May 27. It was the last great athletic accomplishment in a season filled with them for the Bearcats.
 
Several days before the football team held its first practice for the 2016 season, quarterback Kyle Zimmerman talked about the effort the younger players were giving during the summer to defend the 2015 national title.
 
"There are so many guys who saw the success we had last year and they want a piece of it, too," Zimmerman said. "That has been the best thing because those guys are pushing a lot of guys who saw a lot of playing time last year. They want to get in. It has made those guys who played a lot last year to not settle."
 
"Never Settle" became the motto for the football team, but it fits the entire athletic department.
 
In the classroom and in competition, the Bearcats never settled.
 
On June 5, Zimmerman was selected the male winner of the MIAA's Ken B. Jones Award. The award is given to the conference's top male and female student athletes, with criteria including athletic, academic and community service accomplishments. The award is named in honor of the man who served as the MIAA's first full-time commissioner for 16 years.
 
The award ceremony was the perfect way to wrap up the 2016-17 school year.
 
"I would say it was the best in D II, and maybe the NCAA period when you look at the level of it," Cox said. "We have a lot of people getting academic awards as well as athletic awards. I can't imagine any university in the country being able to celebrate so much in one school year."
 
Cox is the perfect example of never settling. In his five years at Northwest, he wanted to make the Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championship. He got his official qualifying time in the 1,500-meter run on what could have been his very last collegiate race.
 
Once in the national meet, Cox wasn't just happy to qualify and go to Florida. Cox excelled. He turned in the fastest preliminary time and then finished third nationally, earning All-American honors.
 
Simply put, he went to nationals basically as an unknown and wound up standing on the podium. The Division II track world learned a lot more about the Bearcat spirit.
 
"It was just amazing," Cox said. "I crossed the finish line and achieved the goal I set out so long ago.
 
"My family was down there, my coaches and other teammates. They were all cheering me on. It was a great feeling knowing that success was achieved. During my cool down I was thankful for the opportunity and the goal I achieved."
 
The thing that will always stand out for me about the 2016-17 school year was just how humble and gracious all the student-athletes were even when they hit the highest of highs in athletic competition. They showed they were raised the right way, coached the right way and knew how to represent themselves and their school in a positive manner.
 
Talent and winning doesn't automatically produce a devoted fan base. When you add high character to the mix, family, friends, fans and alums will always be there for support.
 
Here are a few of my memories and quotes from Northwest student-athletes during the school year, a year to remember.
 
THE FALL
 
The storybook journey of Northwest winning its second straight national title and third in four years will be talked about for years to come and several generations will hear stories about the semifinal and national championship games.
 
In the semifinals, Northwest trailed Ferris State 13-7 early in the second quarter. The Bearcats lost three starters to injuries in the first quarter. One of the starters was Zimmerman. Also, another starter broke his hand and played through it.
 
Behind the quarterback play of Maryville native Jonathan Baker and Randy Schmidt, Northwest rallied for an incredible 35-20 victory. Never had the Bearcats faced such adversity in a game in 2016. But they never settled.
 
"I've been part of a lot of big games here as an assistant coach and head coach and I don't know if I have seen a team grind out a victory against a better team than we did today," coach Adam Dorrel said after the game.
 
Linebacker Jacob Vollstedt summed up the attitude of the team.
 
"We have a little saying that brings us together," he said. "We talk about one of our fallen friends and what he would have done for us. You know he brings everything he can to every snap and every play so we go out and do it for him, do it for each other and some of the guys who can't be out there because of injuries."
 
As good as that game was, the national championship against North Alabama was even more memorable.
 
Ice and then the heaviest snow of the winter struck on Dec. 17, but that didn't stop 9,576 fans from braving near sub-zero temperatures and minus-20 wind chill to watch Northwest pull out a 29-3 victory and conclude its second straight 15-0 season.
 
"We just care about each other," said senior running back Phil Jackson. "The team that really cares about each other, has players that step up. That is what happened today, and it has happened all season.
 
"We had guys go down and other guys stepped up. They (backups) care about us (starters) so they practice hard. They go hard in the weight room even though they know they might not play."
 
At the postgame celebration, a change was made. Dorrel announced he was headed to Abilene Christian and defensive coordinator Rich Wright was promoted to head coach. The transition was seamless.
 
Three days after the championship game, Wright was introduced as the new head football coach. It was a moment every bit as special as the championship. You saw another dream come true for a person who has worked hard to make Northwest be the best it can be.
 
"I am blessed beyond belief to have this opportunity. It is one that is going to be one of the highlights of my life," Wright said.
 
As well as the football team played, it didn't grab all the headlines. The volleyball team turned in one of its best seasons in a couple of decades, building on what it accomplished in the 2015-16 school year.
 
Northwest won its first 15 matches and finished the season 22-9 overall and 10-8 in conference. Seniors Jackie Becker and Miranda Foster were instrumental in helping the Bearcats rise in the MIAA in their four years.
 
"I will remember my teammates and coaches and just the way we are family here and that will never go away," Becker said after her last home match. "From your freshman year to your senior year, you are a constantly a big part of the family and part of the community. I will remember the most how loved and how much we were supported. It is something you can't get anywhere else."
 
That support meant a lot to Foster.
 
"It is a family here, not just our team but through each of the teams here," Foster said. "It is an awesome feeling to be a part of Bearcat Nation and know that people care what you are doing.
 
"We play because we are passionate about the game and we love to play volleyball. But it is also nice to know there are people behind us, supporting us. Little kids see you at Carson's and go, 'wow, you are on the volleyball team. Can I get your autograph?' That is something special. I never thought coming in that would be the result of me playing volleyball at Northwest."
 
The men's cross country team made its mark by reaching the national meet.
 
"As the season progressed, it became more and more clear that we had a great chance to make it," Brayden Clews-Proctor said. "All the guys came through at the end and really delivered. Last year, we didn't do that. We expected too much of ourselves. This year we were able to make it count."
 
The women's soccer team was in rebuilding mode in 2016 and the exciting part came from some of the new freshmen. The future looks bright with a roster loaded with sophomores who gained valuable experience as freshman.
 
THE WINTER
 
Men's basketball team made national headlines and rightfully so. After three years of losing in the regional championship game, the Bearcats were determined not only to get to the Elite Eight, but win the first men's basketball national championship at Northwest.
 
Their story was every bit as remarkable as the football team. The Bearcats opened their 35-1 championship season with an impressive 87-52 victory over Upper Iowa.
 
Northwest wanted to make sure it earned the top seed in the South Central region and play host in the regional tournament. They did and what a treat it was for the town of Maryville.
 
All three regional games were sold out and for the championship game against Southwest Minnesota State, fans filled the lobby of Bearcat Arena more than five hours before tipoff.
 
"Tonight, for us was very special because we have been here for our fourth straight year," Northwest coach Ben McCollum said. "You feel like man lets close this thing out and get this thing done. We didn't hit shots tonight, but we made enough plays and some big rebounds and key finishes. It was a special night. We have a special group. I am glad they were rewarded with a regional championship."
 
The Bearcats went for the ultimate prize on March 25 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., the site where Northwest saw its previous two seasons come to an end with a loss in the regional championship.
 
Northwest jumped to a big lead against Fairmont State and never trailed in a 71-61 victory. Fans filled the Sanford Pentagon, nearly making it a home game for the Bearcats.
 
"It was one of those stories you try to draw up," said senior Zach Schneider. "We lose here two years in a row. We talked about it when we got on the bus after losing to Augustana last year. Our only option was to end this season here with three wins.
 
"This means the world. I will be able to reflect on it more in a week. The support was unreal. We call this Bearcat Arena North."
 
Northwest played a beautiful brand of team basketball. Throughout the season, the players didn't care who scored the points or get the rebounds or get the assists. They only cared about winning. Fans loved watching it.
 
"This is such a special place, and it is really being done the right way," Northwest president John Jasinski said. "We are so proud of our student-athletes, our coaches and our support system. Our support system is just the absolute best."
 
You see that support at women's basketball games. During the 2016-17 season, the women's basketball team was making the transition to first-year coach Buck Scheel. The Bearcats started well, winning its first five game.
 
Northwest improved in several areas from the previous year. It won games on the road and made the MIAA Tournament.
 
But even during those times of struggle, fans still showed up at 5:30 p.m. and rooted for the team and offered encouragement afterwards. Junior Tanya Meyer battled through injuries and turned in a very good year, earning second team All-MIAA honors.
 
One of the things that stood out was Meyer's dad, who drove from Iowa to watch his daughter play. He even showed up when she was hurt so he could support the team.
 
In addition, Meyer's dad made the trip to Sioux Falls, to support the men's basketball team in the Elite Eight. Seeing him, parents of former players and former players show up to games remind you how special Northwest is for people who have experienced this culture.
 
"It is the family atmosphere," said track athlete Kelsey Lacy. "People say it all the time, but unless you are here and immersed in the culture, it is hard to understand how special this place truly is. It is such a cool place. I can't explain it. I can't say enough how great the people are here, the coaches, the faculty, every single person here."
 
THE SPRING
 
Of the three seasons in college athletics, spring sports probably garner the least attention because the school year is winding down and there isn't a marquee sport like football or basketball.
 
Cox, though, proved great things happen for Northwest student-athletes in March, April and May.
 
The women's softball team didn't quite achieve the success of the previous year, but the players showed their grit by having another winning season despite losing one of its top pitchers before the season started.
 
Northwest still finished 29-21 overall and 16-10 in the MIAA. It had victories against top teams like Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State.
 
"My teammates, my friends and the coaching staff and the overall community at Northwest is like one big family," senior Chantel Adams said. "There are people who are here for me. It has made it really easy to have a good career here."
 
The baseball team also turned in one of its finest season in the last decade. The Bearcats just missed reaching the regional tournament. They finished 32-20 overall and 19-16 in the MIAA.
 
And finally, the men's tennis team once again made nationals and a trip to Florida. Unfortunately, in the round of 16, the Bearcats were matched up against Barry University, which finished national runner-up.
 
Still, the Bearcats took a positive attitude to Altamonte Springs, Fla.
 
"We believe we will do something there if we all believe and fight together as a team, I believe we can make the upset happen," said senior Fin Glowick.
 
Never settle!
 
The 2016-17 Bearcats were simply awesome because of their positive attitudes, hard work, the support they gave each other and the appreciation they showed to the people who supported them.