Warrior Football Competes in 2019 Mineral Water Bowl
Winona State University was selected to play in the 54th annual Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo. this past December, facing off against the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Prior to this year’s bowl, the Warriors were 2-1 in previous Mineral Water Bowl appearances, having last played in the game in 2012.
The Warriors ultimately fell to their opponent 50-33. The UNK Lopers gained momentum early, putting 15 points on the board within the first six minutes. Winona State’s defense entered the season finale allowing just 16.6 points/game but was gashed by the Lopers’ option offense in the loss. UNK rushed for 427 yards and six touchdowns, including 240 yards on the ground in the first half to take a 36-19 lead at halftime. UNK dashed WSU’s hopes of a comeback in the fourth quarter with bookend scoring drives – covering over 75 yards each.
The Warriors forced a pair of takeaways, including an interception by Cole Monckton and a fumble recovery by Alex Evans. WSU finished the year with 29 forced turnovers – a mark that ranks seventh in the country this season. The Warriors’ 21 interceptions this season were the fifth-most among all NCAA Division II teams.
Winona State went 8-3 in the regular season, reaching the eight-win plateau for the fourth straight season. It was the Warriors’ second postseason appearance in the last three years after reaching the NCAA Playoffs in 2017. Overall, this year marked WSU’s 11th postseason appearance.
Going into the game, Nebraska-Kearney had finished the regular season 6-5 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. This was the 12th postseason appearance in the UNK program’s 113-year history, with their only other bowl trip occurring in 1955 when then-Nebraska State Teachers College beat then-Northern State Teachers College, 34-13, in the Botany Bowl.
Prior to this year’s meeting, the Warriors and Lopers had only met once, with WSU recording a 50-34 victory in 1994 at the Minneapolis Metrodome.
WSU’s Flom Named National DII Player of the Week
WSU’s Megan Flom was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/Sports Imports Division II Player of the Week in October 2019, making her just the second Warrior in program history to earn the national award.
In the week she earned the award, Flom led Winona State to a program milestone when the Warriors swept two Top 25 teams on the road in back-to-back matches for the first time on record. The junior middle blocker/outside hitter totaled 28 kills with a .520 attacking percentage while committing just two hitting errors over two matches. Flom added three service aces, three digs and nine blocks to her impressive stat line.
Against No. 19 Sioux Falls, Flom drilled 11 kills with a blistering .476 attacking percentage. The next day against No. 8 Sothwest Minnesota State, she floored a season-best 17 kills to go along with a career-high .552 hitting percentage.
WSU to Host the 2021 NCGA DIII Championship Gymnastics
In October 2019, the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) announced that Winona State University will host the 2021 NCGA National Championships for Division III. The event is slated to take place inside McCown Gymnasium on March 27, 2021.
WSU’s Head Coach Beckie Rolbiecki thanked the NCGA for choosing WSU to host the prestigious event, saying “Winona State is honored to be selected as the host for the 2021 NCGA National Championship meet. We are excigted to bring the qualifying NCGA teams and individuals to our beautiful community and campus. It is our intent to run a quality, first-class meet that provides a positive environment and will showcase the many talented gymnasts that are a part of this organization.”
Associate Athletic Director Melanie Brunsdon also offered her thanks, adding that “We are committed to providing an excellent student-athlete experience while serving as the stage on which the NCGA’s talented teams and individuals perform.”
Winona State previously served as host for the NCGA Regionals in 2017. More information on the 2021 event can be found at winonastatewarriors.com or D3ncga.org.
WSU’s Madsen Wins 2019 Minnesota State Open
In July 2019, Brady Madsen made history as the first-ever Winona State student-athlete to win the Minnesota State Open. The event was held at Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove, Minn.
According to head coach Jeff Straight, Madsen’s win also marked the first time an NCAA Division II player won the open while still enrolled in college.
Madsen carded a 13-under 203 in the three-round tournament to claim the championship. The Raymond, Minn. Native posted rounds of 65 (-7), 71 9-1) and 67 (-5) on the par-72 golf course. He won the event by one stroke, carding 16 total birdies and one eagle. He tallied six birdies and just one bogey in the final round.
Madsen also helped lead Winona State to the 2019 NSIC Men’s Golf Championship and a berth in the NCAA Super Regional, where the Warriors finished 10th. He was named a 2018-19 NSIC All-Conference Second Team performer and to the 2019 NSIC All-Tournament team after finishing fourth in the field. Madsen placed 27th individually in the Super Regional.
