2016-17 Stories of the Year (HM): Pack of Falcons earn All-Region awards
MEQUON, Wis. – The 2016-17 athletic year was another successful one for the Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons. The Falcons won and contended for conference championships in many sports and put together an impressive list of great achievements. As in years past, the Department of Athletic Communications tries to sort through all the great moments and give you, the fans, the top stories from the past year.
The list of stories was compiled by the Department of Athletic Communications and, like all lists, is subject to debate. The top stories will be revealed over the next six weeks, with a story being released on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The top story will be released on June 22.
Honorable Mention
Falcons well-represented on All-Region Teams
The Concordia University Wisconsin Athletic Department saw several student-athletes perform at high levels in 2016-17. The Falcons were well-represented on All-Conference teams in many sports, and on an even higher level, CUW had some of the top performers in the region as well. The Falcons large list of All-Region performers receives the honorable mention 2016-17 Story of the Year.
From the fall to the spring, CUW had 16 student-athletes either earn All-Region honors or qualify for nationals in their respective sports. It began in the fall, where four student-athletes were tabbed as All-Region honorees. The Falcons also had two student-athletes earn Academic All-Region recognition this past year. Some spring sports All-Region teams have yet to be announced, so the list could continue to grow.
Men's Soccer represented three of the fall All-Region honorees, putting together another successful season on the pitch. Gavin Falotico was named Second Team All-Central Region for the second straight year by the NSCAA. Joining him with All-Region selections were Colin Dibb and Dagoberto Diaz, both landing on the Third Team.
Nora Imperl was the fourth All-Region student-athlete for the Falcons during the fall. Imperl was named to the USTFCCA All-Midwest Region after placing 18th at the regional. She ran a time of 22:28 to earn her All-Region selection.
The Falcons also had their first Academic All-Region selection from the fall as Faith Palmreuter from Women's Soccer was named to the NSCAA Scholar All-North/Central Third Team for her efforts on the pitch and in the classroom.
In the winter, CUW received one All-Region selection and also had two student-athletes qualify for nationals. Eric Kittel of Men's Basketball wrapped up his impressive career with his first All-Region nod, being named to the D3Hoops.com All-Central Region Third Team.
Wrestling once again sent a pair to nationals this season as Mason Baumgartner and Mason Mergener each placed inside the top three at the NCAA Division III West Regional to qualify for the national meet. Baumgartner won the 197-pound bracket and Mergener was third at 174.
The All-Region selections came in bunches in the spring as nine Falcons were honored. Falotico became a two-sport All-Region pick for the second straight year as he earned the honors in the javelin throw in Track & Field as well. Falotico also was an All-American pick (stay tuned to the stories of the year) in the javelin throw. Cassandra Sprotte joined Falotico from Track & Field as an All-Region selection, earning her status in the 1,500-meter run.
Softball had the most All-Region selections of any sport this season, as four players were named to the NFCA All-Great Lakes Teams. Emily Brekke and Lexi Holsten were Second Team selections, while Carly Sobrilsky and Maddie Zazas were named to the Third Team. Brekke was also a CoSIDA Academic All-District pick this spring.
Baseball landed two on two different All-Region squads after another strong season. Bryan Thomas was a First Team All-Region pick by the ABCA, while teammate Matt Schubert landed on the Third Team. Both players were also Second Team honorees on the D3Baseball.com All-Region picks. Thomas was also the program's First All-American (again, stay tuned to stories of the year).
For the third straight year, Allison Kurek impressed for Women's Lacrosse. Also for the third straight year, Kurek was named to the IWLCA All-Great Lakes Region Team. She landed her second straight Second Team selection this year after leading the Falcons to another regular season conference title.
The Falcons spring list could reach double-digits as the Men's Lacrosse All-Region teams have yet to be announced.
Each year, the list of All-Region athletes for Concordia University Wisconsin seems to grow. Time will tell, if the Falcons continue to impress within the region and if this story can better itself next season.
2016-17 Stories of the Year
HM: Well-represented in the region.
No. 5: June 8
No. 4: June 13
No. 3: June 15
No. 2: June 20
No. 1: June 22