Tennis Has Second Straight Champ D-II Champ At APU

This article originally appeared on ZU News.

Azusa Pacific senior Oliver Frank won the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II national singles title on Oct. 17. This is the second straight year that an APU player has claimed that title after Jan Meyer claimed it last year.

Frank beat Ahmed Triki from Barry University 6-4, 6-2 in the D-II final. To reach the final, Frank beat Armstrong State’s Alberto Cacerees Casas 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinal and Sherif Abohabaga from Southwest Baptist University 6-4, 6-1 in the quarterfinal.

“Everyone on the top level was giving it all on the courts. It was very nice to get the chance to play all of them,” Frank said.

After winning the D-II final, Frank earned a spot in the ITA Oracle Cup, also known as the “Super Bowl” of college tennis. This is a series of competitions between the champions from D-II, D-III, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and junior college (JUCO) tennis teams.

Frank took the men’s singles final over Tyler (Texas) Junior College’s Jorge Martinez 7-5, 6-1. This match followed Frank’s three set defeat 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 of last year’s champion Kevin Konfederak of Georgia Gwinnett College, who also defeated APU’s Meyer last year.

“That was a crazy match — long sets, long rallies. Konfederak used to be ranked in the 480’s in ATP world rankings,” Frank said. “I think I had an out-of-body experience. I played unbelievably well. I didn’t struggle at all. I was confident through the whole match, which was very nice.”

More than 8,000 players played in 60 regional tournaments across the country to gain entry into the ITA Oracle Cup. Each division sent eight single players to the tournament.

“It’s such a big deal to win that tournament. It’s so difficult. You’re talking over a thousand different players,” head coach Mark Bohren said. “In 22 years I doubt we’ll ever have a guy be able to do that accomplishment. I’m super excited and impressed that he was able to do it.”

With his win in the ITA Oracle Cup, Frank earned a spot to play in the 2016 ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York from Nov. 3-6. This is where the US Open is held every year. He will be representing APU and all D-II schools as he faces off against 31 of the best D-I tennis players in the country.

“Getting to New York is a huge deal, but also just playing at the facilities at Billie Jean King is gonna be exciting,” Frank said. “I really look forward to the tournament itself and the whole experience.”

Frank has not lost a singles match in college so far, given he’s only been playing for APU for two months since he transferred from Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, Germany.

“It’ll be interesting to see how he can compete, but just to be in New York with the best D-I players is going to be quite an experience for him as well as our tennis program,” Bohren said.

In addition to Frank being the D-II singles champion, he competed with APU senior captain Pascal Engel in doubles. The pair reached the D-II finals before losing in a three set match to West Florida.

“Just a couple points in the second set didn’t go their way. If they did, they would have been national champions,” Bohren said.

After losing, Engel supported Frank the whole way through the ITA Singles Championships. He encouraged him, as did the rest of the team back in Azusa.

“The great thing about Oliver and Pascal is that they represent our school really well,” assistant men’s and women’s tennis coach Kirby Ronning said. “They really encompass all the things we try to work on with our guys with having a good attitude and having a team first mentality.”

Frank has been playing tennis for 17 years, since he was four, lending to his success despite his short time at APU.

“It’s crazy. I’ve only been here two months and I got to go to regionals, then D-II nationals, and now D-I,” Frank said. “Time goes by so fast. I love practices, I love my team. Everyone on the team is really supportive of each other.”

The tennis team won’t begin their season until the beginning of February, yet they’re still practicing every day, getting ready for the season.

“We’re just trying to reach our goals of getting in better shape and learning to improve our game so when second semester comes, we can make it to the national tournament again,” Bohren said. “That’s our one and only goal. Hopefully at some point, things go our way and we can compete for a national championship.”

Cougars Come Back to Beat Rival Sea Lions

This article originally appeared in ZU News.

The volleyball team has struggled to close out games this season. That changed Wednesday night when the Cougars came back from a first set loss to defeat Point Loma Nazarene University for the first time in three years, snapping a seven game losing streak to the Sea Lions.

“We played well. We’ve been practicing a lot the last two weeks focusing on our side of the net — more the intangibles, not necessarily even volleyball, just more camaraderie and better emotions on the court. The girls did a very nice job today,” head coach Chris Keife said.

The Cougars dropped the first set 23-25, but came back to win the next three 25-16, 25-23 and 25-16. Keife acknowledged the struggles the team has had finishing sets as well as strategies for future improvement.

“With five freshmen and one sophomore on the court, we’re still learning,” Keife said, “That’s one of the things we just need to get better at: focusing in on the moments we need to make a play and finish the set off. We need to do that. It’s still a work in progress.”

The Cougars were led by freshmen Madison Ogas and Julianne Miller, netting 13 and 11 kills, respectively. Sophomores Alyssa Tavera and Danika Young led the team with 22 and 18 assists, and freshman Bailey Hennington had the most digs with 27. Miller also led the team with two solo blocks.

“I think I struggled in the beginning, but it’s a learning process, and I came out later in the game. We came out with what we wanted, which was unity, togetherness and teamwork,” Miller said.

Miller currently leads the Cougars this season with 150 kills and 11 solo blocks. She also noted the importance of a comeback from the first set and closing out games.

“We don’t want to be down a set like that, but it gives us the drive to push harder the next game,” Miller said. “We’re learning from our past games and our practices, from each other. We’re playing with more heart now.”

Ogas has also been a team leader with the third most kills, 131, and the second most digs and aces, 160 and 14, respectively.

“I feel like I was very consistent for my team and that’s something I’ve been working on getting better at,” Ogas said. “I feel like I’ve come a long way from the first few games when my team couldn’t rely on me, but now they can.”

Ogas noted the Cougars’ struggles in keeping leads and closing games. Last week, the team led Concordia by two sets, only to lose the last three. APU also had a 22-18 lead over Chaminade last week, but they couldn’t hold it and were forced to a set point. The same story happened against Hawaii Hilo when the Cougars dropped a set after leading 24-22.

“We have a hard time keeping the lead, but tonight we kept our lead and we beat them,” Ogas said. “Our team is becoming more aware of how important it is to finish games. We play with everything we have to finish out the game.”

After a loss to Dixie State on Oct. 8, the Cougars are now 7-10 overall and 3-5 in PacWest conference play. They split their first home stand 2-2 and will face another game on the road before they return home.

“We’re a good team and have good players,” Keife said. “They’ve got to know that and have the confidence at every point. We keep getting better.”

The young volleyball team is growing better together as the freshmen majority of the team get experience with every game.

“I think we’ve come a long way. I think we’re bringing what we learn in practice into games pretty well,” Miller said. “I’m looking forward to coming out to that same passion we had in the fourth set, and bringing it in the beginning.”

The Cougars will play their next game at Cal Baptist on Wednesday, Oct. 12.

Brothers On & Off The Gridiron

This article originally appeared in ZU News.

Josiah and Jonathan Thropay were raised in a different way than most people. Their father would often wake them up at 6:30 a.m. to run 2.5 miles followed by push-ups, sit-ups and singing lessons, all before school started.

Fast forward to today, and the Thropay brothers are both seniors at APU who lead the football team both on and off the field.

“They’re leaders on the team. Every player to them matters,” head coach Victor Santa Cruz said. “They hold guys accountable. They’re also trying to relate and communicate to all of the team.”

This is Jonathan’s fourth year playing for the Cougars. He is an outside linebacker who was named first team all-GNAC last year. As a junior in 2015, he led the team with 81 tackles, including seven for a loss and a sack.

Despite the big numbers, Santa Cruz is quick to point out that it’s the brothers’ behind-the-scenes work that really makes the difference.

“The thing that stands out is their love for the team and their love for the game,” Santa Cruz said. “It shows up in the off-season in how you practice, how you prepare. They go the distance when it comes to practice and watching film.”

Josiah transferred from Mt. San Antonio College his sophomore year. In 2015, he led the Cougars’ tight ends with 12 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns.

“I’m here, number one, because of Jonathan and two, because of what was happening here at APU. It’s been one of the best decisions of my life,” Josiah said.

Although they’re both seniors on the team, Josiah is actually 11 months older than Jonathan. When Josiah transferred, it was the first time they had ever played together on the same team.

“He’s my brother, my best friend,” Josiah said. “I don’t view him at all as a teammate. We’re each other’s biggest fans. He gives me added motivation to be great. Aside from personal ambition and wanting to do good for the team, I want to be good for him, too.”

Both brothers are constantly watching each other. When one is on the sideline, the other is on the field playing.

“When he makes a play, does something good or something bad, it affects me way more than if someone else on the field was to mess up,” Jonathan said. “Or, if [Josiah] makes a big play, I’m more excited than if another teammate was to make a good play.”

The Thropay brothers have come a long way since they started playing football at APU. Jonathan remembers the days when he would be late to practice and even fall asleep at team meetings.

“There was a lot of immaturity I was dealing with,” Jonathan said. “They hold you to that much higher of a standard here than high school football. That’s where I’ve grown the most.”

Josiah has also grown with the help of his coaches at APU.

“For me, it’s been a mental growth,” he said. “The coaches have definitely challenged me and said things to make me go work on myself. I’m able to process and not get down on myself—[I’ve learned how] to conquer any situation.”

Although the coaches have helped the Thropay brothers throughout the last three years, there is one mentor that set the example for them long before they ended up at APU.

“The person I’ve looked up to most my whole life is my dad,” Jonathan said. 
“He’s the one who taught me my work ethic. He created that desire in us to be the best we could, be the strongest we could be.”

Their father, Reuben Thropay, was a walk-on for the UCLA football team in college, and worked hard to instill personal values and a love for sports in his sons.

“He put us in this thing called Care Youth League. That’s where we got introduced to football, basketball, baseball and soccer,” Josiah said. “Growing up, we fell in love with football.”

Reuben Thropay sang devotionals with his sons when they were young and ran with them before school started, four days a week.

“Everything I believe a man should embody, as far as characteristics, is what my dad is,” Josiah said. “He never let us quit something. He always said you’re gonna finish the season. It’s always played out for the better for us…He molded us into the people we are today.”

Josiah Thropay will graduate this year with a degree in accounting and plans to become a Certified Public Accountant.

Jonathan Thropay, a physics major, plans to get a job at his uncle’s business, a company that deals with medical physics. But before he does that, he plans to take a year to serve as a missionary in another country.

While it’s going to be hard losing the Thropay brothers, Santa Cruz is confident the team will continue to succeed.

“It’s always hard replacing players like that,” Santa Cruz said. “I think we will fare well because they are setting an example, a legacy that’s going to be passed on.”

Not only are the Thropays leaders on the team, but they also helped recruit the team’s starting runningback, Kurt Scoby.

“I’ve known the Thropays all my life. I went to church with them,” Scoby said. “I’m stoked that I transferred. They helped me out with this great decision.”

Scoby transferred from Fresno State University where he redshirted his freshmen year. Scoby led the team last year with 1,167 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named first team all-GNAC in 2015 as a freshman.

“Jonathan told me that my mindset would be completely different than it used to be. I was starstruck,” Scoby said. “They’re great people. They love you and care about you, not just the football part of you. They always want the best for the person ahead of them, not just themselves.”

The Cougars are currently 5-0 this season for the first time since 2002, and for the fifth time in school program history. APU is currently ranked 10th in the AFCA Division II Top-25 coaches poll, which is a first in program history since entering NCAA Division II football. They will look to continue their success on the road on Oct. 8 against Colorado School of Mines.

Swim & Dive Look To Continue Legacy Of Success

This article originally appeared on ZU News.

Last year, APU swim and dive sent one swimmer and one diver to the NCAA National Championships. This year, head coach Tim Kyle looks to send three swimmers and two divers to the championships at the end of the season.

“We have a talented bunch of girls that all work very hard,” Kyle said. “We’re gonna stick together and keep working hard and see what we can do.”

This is Kyle’s fifth year coaching swim and dive at APU, and he said he has seen improvements in the team since he started.

“We keep building the program, getting a little stronger every year,” Kyle said. “I’m really looking forward to some exciting swims this year. I think we probably have the most talented group that we’ve had so far.”

Sophomore swimmer Abigail Wiet represented the team at the championships last year, and looks to return this year with better times in all of her events. She races in the 100 meter backstroke, the 200 meter backstroke, the 200 meter individual medley, and the 400 IM.

“The end of the season went really well,” Wiet said. “I dropped a bunch of time and I wasn’t expecting that.”

Wiet finished 9th in the nation in the 200 backstroke and 11th in the 400 IM at the NCAA championships last year. She scored enough points by herself to place the Cougars’ swim team 31st in the nation.

“I trained during the whole summer with my club team back in Ohio,” Wiet said. “I knew that last year my breaststroke was probably my worst stroke so I really trained on that a lot.”

Wiet’s said her goal for the year is to make the NCAA championships again, but this time as an “A” cut instead of a “B.” An “A” cut is anywhere from just over a second to 50 seconds faster than a “B” cut depending on the event.

“I think the team looks really strong this year,” Wiet said. “We have a lot of people from last year that are coming up this year, and we have some transfers that are really good. I’m really confident with how the team looks going into the season.”

The team is also led by junior swimmer Rosalee Mire Santa Ana. Santa Ana is the Cougars’ top distance swimmer, leading the team in the 500, 1000 and 1650 freestyle events. She holds the school record for these events, and had three top four finishes at the Pacific Coast Swimming Conference (PCSC) championships last year.

For swim, the Cougars could also potentially send senior captain Heidi Zuniga, juniors Alyse Darnall and Tamara Miler and sophomore Rachel Wesko to the NCAA championships.

Both Miler and Wesko are first-year transfers at APU. Wesko came from Liberty University and Miler came from Monroe Community College in New York where she won six NJCAA championships.

Competing alongside the swim team, the APU diving team is led by junior Kianna Mourer who won PCSC diving titles for the 1 meter and 3 meter dives in the past two years. She also made it to the NCAA championships both years, finishing a personal best 13th in the 1 meter dive her freshmen year.

“I’m working on developing a stronger list of dives for my 3 meter. Hopefully, if I’m able to get those dives, there will be extra points that will come from the greater degree of difficulty, then I’ll be able to compete at nationals,” Mourer said. “I’m excited for traveling meets, when we get to go to Santa Cruz and grow closer with the swim team.”

Sophomore diver Rachel Johns is also expected to go to nationals after practicing this summer at a diving camp. As a freshman last year, she qualified for the NCAA Diving Championships in Indianapolis, IN.

The swim and dive team begins their season on Friday, Oct. 7 through Saturday, Oct. 8 at the PCSC Relays and Pentathlon before heading out to the Malibu Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 15.