Sports Shorts

Three Dawgs grab all-tourney honors
The good news continues to mount for the Bulldogs after their season came to an end in the Elite Eight of the NCAA playoffs.

Three Bulldogs claimed all-tournament honors after reaching the West Regional Championship Game. Freshman in goal Darren Smith, junior forward Jared VanWormer and junior forward Gerald Mayhew all received honors.

Smith and VanWormer were both named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team while Mayhew received the honor of joining the ESPNU All-American Team. Smith, who has exceled in the net all year, made 29 saves during the Dawgs game against St. Cloud State.

VanWormer notched the game winner in the same game, his second on the night. Mayhew was good for a goal and then an assist on VanWormer’s game winner on the night. All three men are slated to return next year for the Dawgs.

Football lands new coach
With former assistant head coach Rob Zeitman leaving Ferris for a job in Div. I football at Kent State, Ferris football introduced Kyle Nystrom as a new full-time assistant coach.

Former Chippewa, Nystrom was the interim head coach for Central Michigan University football when Dan Enos left the team at the end of the Chip’s 2014 season. Nystrom will serve as the co-defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for Ferris.

Some of Nystrom’s successes as a coach for Central Michigan came in the form of a win at the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in 2012 and an appearance in the Bahamas Bowl in 2014.

The Dawgs are back on the field for spring practices in preparation for the upcoming Crimson and Gold spring game on April 16 at 12 p.m.

Ferris basketball participates in All-Star Game for a cause
The Champions of Character West Michigan All-Star Game was drowned out by the sound of Bulldog dominance.

Five different senior Bulldogs competed in the event, including forward James Chappell, center Jared Stolicker, forward Josh Fleming, guard Jibreel Jackson and for the women, guard Katie Mavis. The teams the men and women Dawgs were representing each won their games.

Chappell took home the MVP honors for the event with 21 points, leading his men’s team to a 94-75 victory. Head coach Andy Bronkema was the co-head coach of the winning team in his second straight year at the event.

Mavis’ all-star team won their game by just one point in a 70-69 finish. The event’s proceeds went to the Champions of Character Lecturing Initiative. The initiative promotes respect, leadership and sportsmanship among other great qualities for student athletes and spectators in area school systems.