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...

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...

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...

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 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 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 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 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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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 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 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...

Northwest volleyball faces two losses, looks to rebound

The Northwest volleyball team is looking to bounce back from a weekend of back-to-back losses to the Washburn Ichabods and the Emporia State Hornets. The Bearcats first matched with Washburn Oct. 29 where they were shut down in a three-set sweep. Head coach Amy Woerth thinks the team learned some new tactics while going against the Ichabods. “That we have the tools to beat them,” Woerth said in an email to the Missourian. “But we need to find a way to harness our tools against an opponent.”...

Northwest volleyball claims weekend wins, looks to post-season

Northwest volleyball swept back-to-back teams last weekend, with hopes for MIAA conference post-season play. The Bearcats started out their weekend in Wichita, Kansas, where they faced Newman University and left the gym with a three-set sweep (25-12, 25-18, 25-12). Head coach Amy Woerth is working hard to prepare the team for another away game. “Our team culture stood out to us,” Woerth said in an email. “We worked harder and smarter than the opponents.” 
Not only is the team working har...

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 volleyball claims win over University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Northwest volleyball swept University of Arkansas-Fort Smith after a four-set loss against University of Central Oklahoma over the weekend. Coming off the tough loss to the Bronchos, head coach Amy Woerth regrouped the team to prepare for the game against the Lions.“We got to let go of what happened and play a better game today,” Woerth said. “And I thought from the standpoint of them doing that, they executed well and kept erros down, which I think was big.” 
The team opened up the firs...

Northwest football prepares to face Central Missouri for Homecoming game, look for revenge

HOMECOMINGNorthwest football is set to play Central Missouri for its Homecoming game. The Bearcats are hungry for revenge against the Mules. Compared to last season, the Bearcats lost to Central Missouri early in the season with a 41-38 game. The Mules put up the first touchdown and led at halftime 24-3. With the 41-38 loss, the Bearcats will head back to the drawing boards for the upcoming matchup.
Using the freshmen to their full advantage, freshman defensive back Jordan Hurst is hungr...

Bearcat volleyball takes down West Florida during Outback Invitational

Northwest Bearcat volleyball took down No. 21 West Florida in a four-set thriller during the Outback Invitational in Pensacola, Florida over this past weekend. The ‘Cats first match of the invitational was against Florida Tech. The claws were out in the four-set game against the Panthers, with 56 kills and 70 digs in the game. The Panthers had 16 blocks during the game, whereas the Bearcats only had four. Adding to the achievements of the game, senior libero Kyah Luhring had 19 digs against the...

Bearcat football claims big win, looks to Family Weekend face off

The Bearcat football team is set to play the undefeated No. 11 Emporia State Hornets during Family Weekend Saturday, Sept. 28. Coming off of the 59-0 win against the Missouri Southern Lions, head coach Rich Wright has recently changed some plays for the upcoming game. “We wanted to start fast on both sides of the ball,” Wright said. “We accomplished that. We went three and out in our first series defensively and went down the field and scored. We just continued to play and push on both sides of...
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