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Northwest Missourian •

Spoofhounds take down Lafayette, players talk team connection

Since the 2023 season, the Spoofhounds have started off the season 3-0, but for the team this season, it’s about more than just winning — this season they are embracing the ‘Play like Maryville’ slogan. One way the team is securing that goal is by playing quick and getting on the board early in the game. Compared to last season, the team only scored 10 points against Lafayette — ending the game in a mercy rule win. During the game, Ingram played some of the younger girls to get them experience o...
Northwest Missourian •

Maryville girls soccer tops Highway 71 rival Savannah

Maryville girls soccer opened its season with an 8-0 win against Highway 71 rival the Savannah Savages — a team the Spoofhounds have dominated for over 10 years. Head coach Stephanie Ingram went into the game with one message for the team, ‘Play like Maryville plays.' They did exactly that and scored eight-consecutive goals against the Savages. “I don’t like to pinpoint one person because our team is special in that we are like a family,” Ingram said in an email to the Missourian. “They hold eac...
Northwest Missourian •

Being a women doesn't mean I don't deserve the same respect as men in sports

Being a woman in sports is straining, being a Hispanic-mixed woman in sports is frustrating — but asking for the same respect as men in sports is asking for too much? My bad, I’ll go back to the kitchen where society tells me I belong.Ever since high school, I have been overlooked for my skills, and what I can do because I am a woman. Often, I would get the ‘Oh, you’re a female in sports? Have fun!’ Actually, I am a woman in a male-dominated field — and it’s not because I’m a ‘pick me’ but becau...
Northwest Missourian •

Maryville girls basketball bested by Chillicothe, face Savannah in District Tournament

With the District Tournament schedule set, the Spoofhounds are looking past the regular season to end their season on a high note — something the team hasn’t done in previous years. Going into the game, the team was coming off a big win against Savannah (47-39) and had to quickly turn around and prepare for Chillicothe — Head coach Del Morley knew what the team had in store. “I mean, there’s no secret, they’re good,” Morley said. “They’ve been state ranked all year and their length. You know, we...
Northwest Missourian •

Maryville girls basketball push pedal to take win against Savannah

The Spoofhounds were finally back home Friday night to face the Savannah Savages — a team the ’Hounds previously lost to during the 2024 season. With a new coach and fairly young team, the Spoofhounds came into the game with a different mindset than other years. Compared to the 2024 season, the team was 7-17 whereas now the team stands 13-10 — and with this season came a new coach — former boys basketball coach Del Morley. Coming off a big win against Atchison, the ’Hounds came into another conf...
Northwest Missourian •

Maryville girls basketball back after week of canceled games

After a long week of canceled classes and snow troubles, the Spoofhounds secured a 20-point win against Atchison Feb. 20. Head coach Del Morley had been hounding in on Atchison for weeks — but he wasn’t just working on the fundamentals of the team. “I felt they were a team that we could pressure a little bit, Force some turnovers, and we did,” Morley said. “We played pretty patiently offensively, so it was a nice bounce back after getting our rears kicked down at Benton.”
Before going in...
Northwest Missourian •

Maryville girls basketball looks to bounce back after loss to Benton, post-season hopes

After a 64-39 loss to second-ranked Benton Feb. 14, the Spoofhounds are looking for a bounce back. After being down 44-22 at halftime, head coach Del Morley pulled the team together to regroup and refocus to cut the 22 point difference. “We knew going into the game that we were definite underdogs,” Morley said in an email to the Missourian. “But our message was to compete and play to our abilities and then we could live with the results regardless of the outcome.”
The team is coming off...
Northwest Missourian •

Maryville basketball player Jalea Price talks college commitment, record-breaking career

From playing bitty basketball to being committed to North Central Missouri College — senior guard Jalea Price is only getting started. Price is a three-sport athlete, playing volleyball, soccer and basketball — but has to make the choice of which to carry on to the collegiate level. She has played basketball since pre-school. The love for the sport continued into her teenage years, then eventually turned into a record-breaking career at Maryville High School. “In middle school, my eighth grade t...
Northwest Missourian •

Maryville girls basketball celebrates seniors, gets win

The Spoofhound girls basketball team said goodbye to three seniors on Senior Night Jan. 31 – the three were key players for the team.The matchup was a big game for the team, the night dedicated to saying goodbye to seniors forward Alyssa Cunningham, guard Jalea Price and guard and forward Annie Sparks. “The whole team is really special and I’m really glad I get to spend my last season with this group of girls and coaches,” Cunningham said. “From this program, I am taking how much a coaching staf...
Northwest Missourian •

Maryville girls basketball claims win over Nodaway Holt

Taking down a ranked Nodaway Holt with a 12-point difference wasn’t on the Spoofhounds to-do list this week — but it got done. First-year head coach Del Morley reflected on the early start to put the team up by 14 points to  Nodaway Holt’s 3, but keeping the lead was difficult for the team. “I’ve been doing this a long time,” Morley said. “Over the years, if you get out too quick at the start, sometimes there’s a little relaxation. I don't think people intend to.” 
Nodaway Holt  had to q...
Northwest Missourian •

Maryville girl's basketball back after cancelled games

Following the postponement of two games due to weather in the past two weeks, Maryville girl’s basketball is back in action as regularly scheduled this week as it travels to East Buchanan for its Jan. 14 matchup. Head coach Del Morley previously played East Buchanan when he was coaching the boys’ team last season, but has implemented some of his tools from last season to help the girls’ team. “With three games this week, we have to try to prepare them for some different styles of play,” Morley s...
Northwest Missourian •

Northwest football loses its chance for the playoffs after Homecoming game

Northwest football is out of playoff contention after it fell to the Central Missouri Mules in its Homecoming game Oct. 19. Starting off the first quarter, the ‘Cats put together a nice drive to end up inside the five-yard line. However, junior quarterback Chris Ruhnke threw an interception at the goal line and gave the Mules an important stop to keep the game tied at zero. Later on in the first quarter, Ruhnke came back from the miscue and gave the Bearcats their first touchdown of the game. Wi...
Northwest Missourian •

Northwest football looks to take big Homecoming win against Central Missouri

As the campus is filled with chalk art, Homecoming banners and set ups for Donation Creation, the Bearcat Football team has its eyes on the big prize — a Homecoming win against the Central Missouri Mules. Despite being under pressure from the high level of play in the MIAA, head coach Rich Wright thinks the team has a chance to bounce back from their recent loss. “With the way the MIAA is shaping up, there’s still an opportunity for us,” Wright said. “We’ve got to handle what we need to handle.”...
Northwest Missourian •

Northwest football announces new head coach

A former Bearcat football player is coming back — but this time as coach. John McMenamin is returning to the program after 22 years as the ‘Cats 21st head coach. “I am thrilled to be able to bring Coach McMenamin back to lead our football program,” said Northwest Director of Athletics Andy Peterson in a press release. “His energy and passion for coaching and leading young men through the game of football just consumes you when you talk to him. I cannot wait to get him in front of our athletes, r...
Northwest Missourian •

Northwest football ends season 6-5, seeking out new head coach during post season

The Northwest football team ended the 2024 season finishing 6-5 and 5-4 in MIAA conference play, which is one of its worst records produced under the coaching of coach Rich Wright. Starting off the season 0-2, the first time since the 1995 season the team had that record, the Bearcats saw two difficult opponents with No. 13 Minnesota State and then University of Nebraska-Kearney.Not only did the Bearcats start the season on the wrong foot, but they also lost their playoff contention after fallin...
Northwest Missourian •

Bearcat volleyball's Abby Brunssen reflects on career at Northwest

From coming into the volleyball program during the COVID pandemic to becoming a leader on and off the court, senior middle hitter Abby Brunssen has done it all. The 23-year-old from Atkins, Iowa, has made her mark on Bearcat volleyball. In her first year, she totaled 72 blocks and played in 29 matches. Brunssen also received an MIAA Honorable Mention for her performance in the conference in the 2021 season and was a MIAA Scholar Athlete in 2021. “Every year each team is different,” Brunssen said...
Northwest Missourian •

Bearcat volleyball ends season with loss in MIAA semifinals

The Northwest volleyball team’s season came to an end after a three-set loss to the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers in the MIAA semifinals Nov. 22. The Bearcats matched up against the Lopers three times within the current season, taking two sets from UNK in the second matchup, but ultimately losing in the fifth set. The team last beat the Lopers Oct. 29, 2022, in a four-set game, marking only the third Bearcat victory out of 26 matches since 2012. The Bearcats ended the season 9-7 in the M...
Northwest Missourian •

Bearcat volleyball claim Senior Day win, move to MIAA tournament

The Northwest volleyball team bounced back from a five-set loss to the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers with a Senior Day win against the Fort Hays State Tigers. Back in 2019,  outside hitter Payton Kirchhoefer, middle hitter Abby Brunssen, libero Kyah Luhring, defensive specialist Kristen Ford and outside hitter Olivia Dir joined the volleyball team. The following year, middle hitter Avery Kemp and setter Natalie Laiolo joined them. With the win, the ‘Cats secured the fifth seed in the MIA...
Northwest Missourian •

Northwest to not renew Rich Wright's contract for next football season

Following a 23-7 loss against Pittsburg State to end the regular season, Northwest is not renewing Head coach Rich Wright’s contract effective Dec. 31. Wright finished the regular season 6-5 and 5-4 in MIAA play, which is the worst season since 1995. This season also caps Wright's lowest performing season as head football coach he has produced while in the position. Wright finished his 7-year head coaching career 65-22, with three MIAA championships and five NCAA playoff appearances. Wright has...
Northwest Missourian •

Bearcat football finishes season with Senior Day loss

The Northwest football team’s regular season came to a close after a 23-7 Senior Day loss to the No. 13-ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas. Prior to kickoff, 18 seniors were recognized for their dedication to the program — including two starters; linebacker Andrew Dumas and place kicker Noah Guastella. “I mean, I’ve spent five and half years here,” Dumas said. “That’s a long time of my life, and the people and the places that I’ve been in this town, it means so much to me. I’ve made so many memorie...
Northwest Missourian •

Bearcat football finishes season with Senior Day loss

The Northwest football team’s regular season came to a close after a 23-7 Senior Day loss to the No. 13-ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas. Prior to kickoff, 18 seniors were recognized for their dedication to the program — including two starters; linebacker Andrew Dumas and place kicker Noah Guastella. “I mean, I’ve spent five and half years here,” Dumas said. “That’s a long time of my life, and the people and the places that I’ve been in this town, it means so much to me. I’ve made so many memorie...
Northwest Missourian •

Bearcat volleyball takes down Central Missouri, prepares for University of Nebraska-Kearney

The Northwest volleyball team took down Central Missouri in a three-set thriller Nov. 9 in Bearcat Arena. Assistant coach Nick Sepulveda is working with the team following the win to prepare to face the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers.“We understand what Kearney brings to the table, talent-wise,” Sepulveda said. “We know they have a good history of being a successful team. But in reality, you know, when it comes to the sport that we play and what we’re doing right now — you know it’s not r...
Northwest Missourian •

Northwest football defeats Missouri Western, looks for win on Senior Day

The Northwest football team is looking for a Senior Day win against the No. 13-ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas. The ‘Cats are coming back to Bearcat Stadium with a 33-23 win against the Missouri Western Griffons Nov. 9. Head coach Rich Wright is looking forward to Senior Day with the chance of ending the season second in the MIAA conference. “You know, just finishing off the season right,” Wright said. “It’s an opportunity if we win on Saturday, we’ll finish tied for second in the MIAA. And from...
Northwest Missourian •

Northwest football bounces back after bye week

After a tough loss to Central Missouri and a bye week, the Northwest football team bounced back with a 44-26 victory over the Northeastern State RiverHawks. The Bearcats started off on their 25-yard line, junior running back Tank Young gained 10 yards to have the first down for the team. Junior quarterback Chris Ruhnke connected to junior wide receiver Luke Mathews for another 15 yards. On the next play, Ruhnke attempted to connect with sophomore wide receiver Eric Richardson but was knocked dow...
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