College Corner: Greencastle-Antrim grad Kirkwood, Navy pull off stunner in Armed Forces Bowl

There are few, if any, college football experts that would think that the Navy Midshipmen could even compete on the same field as the Oklahoma Sooners.

And shortly after the Armed Forces Bowl kicked off, Oklahoma showed why, with the Sooners racing out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. But Navy weathered the storm and chipped away, and when the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Midshipmen were victorious by a 21-20 score.

Navy couldn’t have done it without their kicker: Nate Kirkwood. The Greencastle-Antrim grad converted all three of his extra-point attempts to help deliver the one-point victory. It was a fine ending to a productive season for Kirkwood, the second-leading scorer on the Midshipmen roster.

In College Corner this week, we’ll take a closer at the exploits of Kirkwood and other former Blue Devil football players, while also shining the spotlight on a multitude of other sports and athletes. This list includes a soccer player in Mia Libby who guided her team to a berth in the NCAA Tournament and a cross country runner in Taryn Parks who nailed down All-America honors.

In the months to come, College Corner will shift coverage to Chambersburg and Waynesboro before rotating back to Greencastle.

Are we missing any athletes? Additions for College Corner can be sent to Andy Sandrik via email at big_andy76@yahoo.com.

Football

Nate Kirkwood, Junior, Navy

Kirkwood and Navy are riding high after ending their season with two big wins.

Kirkwood, a 6-foot-2, 174-pound kicker, was automatic at the Army-Navy game on Dec. 14, converting a 27-yard field goal and going 4 for 4 on PATs in his team’s 31-13 victory over the Black Knights.

The Midshipmen were then selected to play in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 27, and found themselves as an underdog against the SEC’s Oklahoma Sooners. But Navy did the unthinkable, stunning the Sooners by a 21-20 score, with Kirkwood chipping in by going 3 for 3 on PATs.

Kirkwood concludes his season as the second-leading scorer for the Midshipmen with 65 points. He was 5 of 9 on field goals, with a long conversion of 46 yards, and also drilled 50 of 54 PATs.

Navy wraps up its fall at 10-3 (6-2 AAC).

Ethan Shank, Junior, Juniata

Shank had a monster season for Juniata, posting a team-high 98 tackles, more than twice that of the next leading tackler on the Eagles roster.

Shank, a 5-foot-11, 187-pound defensive back, also recorded five tackles for loss, including a sack, to go along three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and four pass breakups.

He was a busy man on Nov. 16 in the team’s season finale, a 56-22 loss to Catholic University, racking up 21 tackles, including a tackle for loss, while also forcing a fumble and breaking up a pass.

Juniata ends its season at 2-8 (1-5 Landmark Conference).

Garrett Blubaugh, Freshman, Juniata

Blubaugh, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound linebacker, appeared in seven of 10 games for the Eagles, totaling 21 tackles, including a half tackle for loss.

He most recently took the field on Nov. 9, posting four tackles in a 48-38 win over Keystone College.

Carter Coons, Freshman, Juniata

Coons, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound wide receiver, saw action in two games this season, recording no stats.

Darren Kline, Sophomore, Misericordia

Kline had an active season at Misericordia, playing in every game for the Cougars this fall.

Kline, a 5-foot-8, 200-pound linebacker, totaled 26 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack, to go along with a pass breakup and a QB hurry. He wrapped up his season on Nov. 16 by logging three tackles in a 34-31 loss to Alvernia.

Misericordia concludes its season at 3-7 (2-7 MAC).

Jake Yelton, R-Freshman, Lock Haven

Yelton, a 6-foot, 215-pound tight end, saw the field in one game this season, recording no stats.

The Bald Eagles finish their season at 5-6 (3-4 PSAC).

Jacob Kumfert, R-Sophomore, Akron

Kumfert, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound offensive line, was inactive for Akron this season.

The Zips wrap up their fall campaign at 4-8 (3-5 MAC).

Sall Bangura, Freshman, Shippensburg

Bangura, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive lineman, saw action in one game this season.

Shippensburg closes out its season at 2-9 (1-6 PSAC).

Sawyer Brookens, R-Freshman, Shippensburg

Brookens, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound tight end, was inactive for Shippensburg this fall.

Logan Shiffett, Freshman, Shenandoah

Shiffett, a 5-foot-10, 215-pound linebacker, was inactive for Shenandoah this season.

The Hornets finish their season at 8-3 (5-2 ODAC).

Parker Funk, Freshman, Randolph Macon

Funk, a 6-foot, 255-pound defensive tackle, was inactive for Randolph Macon this season.

The Yellow Jackets played to a 10-2 mark this fall, including a 7-0 mark in the ODAC.

Logan Alvey, Freshman, Westminster

Alvey, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound quarterback, was inactive for Westminster this fall.

The Titans wrap up their fall at 8-3 (7-3 PAC).

Soccer

Mia Libby, Sophomore, Messiah

Libby was a key player for Messiah this season, and turned her game up another level for the Falcons in the postseason.

Facing Gordon in the opening round of the NCAA Division III tourney on Nov. 16, Libby recorded two goals in Messiah’s 6-1 victory. Libby found the back of the net again on Nov. 23 in the Sweet 16 round, this time in a 3-2 overtime loss to the University of Chicago.

Libby, a 5-foot-2 midfield player, started in 21 games for Messiah this fall, totaling six goals and four assists.

The Falcons conclude their season at 18-2-3 (7-0 MAC Commonwealth).

Thomas Oberholzer, Senior, PSU Mont Alto

There was no bigger scoring threat on the Mont Alto roster this fall than Oberholzer.

The 6-foot, 175-pound midfield player played in all 17 games for the Lions, including 16 starts, and had a knack for finding the back of the net. Oberholzer totaled 14 goals, including two game-winners, to go along with four assists.

He ended his season, and career, on a red-hot note, scoring five goals over his final five games. Oberholzer netted two goals in a 3-2 win over PSU Scranton on Oct. 12, and he later ended his season by scoring the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over PSU Schuylkill on Oct. 26.

Mont Alto concludes its fall season at 4-13 (4-5 PSUAC).

Courtney Andruczk, Junior, High Point

Andruczk saw action in 14 of 19 games for High Point this fall.

Andruczk, a 5-foot-5 forward, made eight starts for the Panthers, totaling two goals and an assist.

High Point wraps up its season at 9-7-3 (5-2-1 Big South).

Foday Bangura, Junior, Villanova

Bangura, a 6-foot-1 defender/midfielder from Greencastle who went to Mercersburg Academy, competed in 12 games for the Wildcats, including nine starts.

Villanova concludes its campaign at 1-10-6 (0-7-1 Big East).

Gershon Bangura, Sophomore, Northampton C.C.

Bangura was an active player for the Northampton C.C., competing in 14 of 15 games this season.

Bangura, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward, totaled six goals and two assists for the Spartans.

Northampton C.C. finishes its season at 6-7-2 (5-5-2 NJCAA).

Rylee Henson, Sophomore, La Salle

Henson, a 5-foot-8 defender, started in all 18 games for La Salle this fall.

She served on a defensive unit that allowed just 1.22 goals per game this season.

The Explorers end their season at 8-5-5 (3-4-3 Atlantic 10).

Haley Noblit, Freshman, Liberty

The 5-foot-5 Noblit was one of the first players Liberty turned to off the bench this season.

She played in all 21 games for the Flames and in 617 minutes of playing time she totaled two goals and two assists.

Liberty concludes its fall campaign at 15-2-4 (6-1-2 Conference USA).

Caleb Baine, Freshman, Seton Hill

Baine, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound midfield player, was inactive for Seton Hill this season.

The Griffins finish their season at 10-5-4 (5-2-3 PSAC).

Madisyn Baine, Sophomore, Lancaster Bible

Baine, a Greencastle native who went to Grace Academy, saw action in 14 of 17 games for the Chargers this fall.

Baine, a 5-foot-6 forward/midfield player who started in two games this season, totaled 654 minutes on the field this season.

Lancaster Bible wraps up its season at 7-6-4 (5-3 United East).

Field hockey

Olivia Winslow, Senior, Virginia Wesleyan

Winslow appeared in 10 of 19 games this season to cap off a four-year career for Virginia Wesleyan.

Winslow scored one goal this fall.

She wraps up a career for the Marlins that saw her take the field in 41 games, including 16 starts, and post two goals and one assist in 1,090 minutes of playing time.

Virginia Wesleyan finishes its season at 12-7 (4-4 ODAC).

Cross country

Taryn Parks, Senior, North Carolina

Parks had a triumphant end to her collegiate cross country career, finishing her fall season as an All-American for the first time.

She earned this honor with a strong showing at the NCAA Division I Championships on Nov. 23, completing the 6K race in 19:57 for 27th place.

It was a solid end to a postseason that also saw Parks compete at the ACC Championships on Nov. 1 and the NCAA Division I Southeast Region Championships on Nov. 15. She finished 36th in 20:25 at the ACC meet, and posted a 21:19 for 26th place at regionals.

Parks is projected to return for the indoor track season, which resumes on Jan. 17-18 when North Carolina hosts the Dick Taylor Challenge.

Kyle Baker, R-Freshman, Shippensburg

Baker has competed in two meets since our last update, landing an 8K PR at the Lehigh Paul Short Run on Oct. 5, before running at the PSAC Championships on Oct. 26.

Baker blasted off for a 27:20 for 268th place at the Paul Short race, and posted a 28:31 for 98th at the PSAC meet.

Baker will now turn his attention toward the indoor track season, where he is listed on Shippensburg’s roster as a mid-distance specialist.

The Raiders return to competition on Jan. 18 for the Alvernia Winter Invitational.

Isaac Boyer, Freshman, Delaware Valley

Boyer has competed in five meets since our last update, landing PRs in the 5K and 8K in the process.

The 5K PR came at the Golden Ram Invitational at West Chester on Oct. 12, an event that saw Boyer finish 31st in 19:59. Two weeks later on Oct. 25, Boyer posted an 8K PR of 31:49 for 54th place at the LVC Last Chance Run Fast meet.

Boyer’s postseason began on Nov. 2, with the runner clocking a 34:10 for 123rd place at the MAC Championships. Competing at the ECAC Division Mid-Atlantic Championship on Nov. 8, Boyer ran to a 26th-place finish in 34:32.

Finally, Boyer ran his final race of the postseason on Nov. 16 at the NCAA Division III Metro Region Championships, recording a time of 32:18 to take 151st.

Boyer will now shift his attention toward the indoor track season, which resumes on Feb. 1 for the Plex Shootout at Alvernia.

Shavari Maharaj, Sophomore, Hofstra

Maharaj has posted PRs in the 6K and 5K since our last update.

Running at the Lehigh Paul Short Run on Oct. 5, Maharaj posted a 6K PR of 28:13 for 280th place. She established another PR just a week later at the Mets Cross Country Championship on Oct. 12, completing the 5K race in 22:23 for 64th place.

Maharaj wrapped up her season on Nov. 1, posting a 3.73-mile time of 27:15 at the CAA Championship.

Maharaj is now in action for Hofstra’s indoor track squad. She was a DNF for races at the Youree Spence Garcia Meet on Dec. 7 and the Seahawk Shootout on Dec. 13.

Hofstra is back in action on Jan. 24-25 for the Dr. Sander Invite, hosted by Columbia.

Hayden Parks, Freshman, Buffalo

Since our last update, Parks has wrapped his cross country season and embarked on his indoor track campaign.

Parks took on the Lehigh Paul Short Run on Oct. 5, finishing 60th with an 8K PR time of 25:28.

Parks was back at it at the Canisius Alumni Classic on Oct. 19, finishing the 8K race with a 16th-place time of 25:50. He was a DNS for the MAC Championships on Nov. 2.

Parks then kicked off his indoor season on Dec. 6 at the Akron Haynes Lancaster Open, guiding Buffalo’s 4×400 squad to a fifth-place finish in 3:33.34.

The Bulls return to competition on Jan. 17 when they travel to Akron, Ohio, for the Al Campbell Invite.

Weber Long, Junior, Wake Forest

Long was inactive for the entirety of the cross country season, but he recently returned to competition for the indoor track season.

Long opened indoor season on Dec. 7 at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off, placing eighth in the mile with a time of 4:22.02.

Wake Forest returns to action on Jan. 17-18, when it hits the road for the Virginia Tech Invitational.

Volleyball

Madie Eagler, Sophomore, Saint Vincent

Eagler, a 5-foot-8 setter, saw action in 13 of 27 matches for Saint Vincent this fall.

In 48 sets of work, she totaled 22.5 points, five kills, 16 aces, 220 assists, 44 digs, and three blocks.

Eagler most recently took the court on Sept. 27, posting 26 assists, one kill, one ace, two digs, and one block in a 3-1 victory over Carlow.

The Bearcats wrap up their season at 15-12 (8-2 PAC).

Golf

Sydney Barnes, Sophomore, Millersville

Barnes, who has competed in three invites since our last update, finishes her fall season with a 93.3 scoring average.

She took on the Alvernia Fall Invitational on Oct. 8, placing 15th after shooting an 87. Two days later on Oct. 10, Barnes was back in competition at Bloomsburg for the Husky Fall Invitational, carding a 94 for 16th place.

She wrapped up her season by shooting a 95 for 26th place at the Lebanon Valley College Fall Invitational on Oct. 14.

Millersville returns for the spring season on March 15-16, when it hosts the Millersville Invitational.

Timothy Ehko, Senior, Geneva

Ehko capped off his fseason with a Top 50 finish at the PAC Fall Championships on Oct. 14-15.

Ehko carded an 88-89-177 to finish 42nd in the meet.

He warmed up for the conference championships by competing on Oct. 3 at the Grove City Invitational, an event that saw Ehko fire an 80 for 37th place.

Geneva returns to the course on April 25-26 for the PAC Spring Championships.

Ben Irr, Sophomore, PSU Mont Alto

Irr finished his season with all-conference honors after landing a strong finish at the PSUAC/USCAA Championships on Oct. 14-15.

Irr posted an 84-78-162 to finish 29th overall and Top 10 in the PSUAC.

Irr prepped for the conference championships by competing at the PSU Hazleton Invitational on Oct. 7. There, he shot an 85 for 11th place.

Cooper Swam, Freshman, York College

Swam was inactive for York College this fall.

The Spartans will take a long winter break before returning to competition on March 22-23 for The Ruckus, hosted in Williamsburg, Va.

Swimming

Kortny Green, Junior, Elizabethtown

Green, a Greencastle native who went to James Buchanan, has been an impactful swimmer in the Elizabethtown lineup since the very start of the season.

She kicked off her season at the Schweikert Relays on Oct. 18 by taking first in the 3×50 breaststroke relay (1:39.19), while also logging fourth-place finishes in the 200 medley relay (2:04.25), 400 medley relay (4:54.94), and 400 freestyle relay (4:29.81).

Green again shined on Oct. 25, securing a pair of event wins in a tri-meet that saw Elizabethtown earn victories over both Goucher (172-65) and Immaculata (161-87). She captured wins in the 200 medley relay (1:58.55) and the 100 breaststroke (1:14.43), while also taking second in the 50 breaststroke (33.85) and fourth in the 200 IM (2:34.0).

One day later, Green assisted her team to a 102-101 win over Susquehanna with a trio of Top 5 finishes. She took second in the 200 freestyle relay (1:49.38), third in the 100 breaststroke (1:13.60), and fifth in the 100 freestyle (1:02.16).

Green was back in the winning column on Nov. 9, guiding her 200 freestyle squad to victory in 1:47.32 in a meet that saw the Blue Jays defeat Lycoming by a 146-30 score. She also recorded third-place finishes in the 200 IM (2:33.10) and 100 freestyle (1:03.16).

Elizabethtown fell to Dickinson by a 111-76 score on Nov. 15 in a meet that saw Green guide her 200 medley relay squad to victory in 1:55.85, while also recording fifth-place finishes in the 50 freestyle (27.83) and 100 breaststroke (1:14.08).

Green took on four events in a 190-67 loss to Catholic on Nov. 16: The 200 IM (3rd in 2:33.59), 200 breaststroke (4th in 2:47.64), 100 breaststroke (5th in 1:15.28), and 200 freestyle relay (5th in 1:56.15).

She prefaced her Thanksgiving break by competing in five events at the York Spartan Splash on Nov. 22-24. She led the Blue Jays’ 400 medley relay team to a third-place finish in 4:18.75, while also swimming in the 200 breaststroke (6th in 2:39.69), 200 IM (6th in 2:26.22), 100 breaststroke (7th in 1:11.60), and 200 freestyle relay (10th in 1:50.75).

Finally, Green most recently competed in an unscored meet with Wilkes on Dec. 7. In that meet, she logged wins in the 200 medley relay (2:02.57) and 100 breaststroke (1:14.04), a runner-up finish in the 100 butterfly (1:08.34), and a third-place showing in the 100 freestyle relay (52.23).

Elizabethtown will enjoy a long holiday break before returning to the pool on Jan. 11 for a road meet at Scranton.

Dylan Hervieux, Senior, Marywood

Hervieux has been inactive for Marywood through the first seven meets of the season.

Last winter he was a Second Team All-AEC swimmer in the 100 and 200 backstroke.

The Pacers return to the pool on Jan. 11 to host a tri-meet with Marymount and Immaculata.

Wrestling

Aurelius Dunbar, Senior, Penn State

Dunbar, a reserve 165-pounder for Penn State, has been inactive for the Nittany Lions this season.

He owns a career record of 7-8 competing in a Penn State singlet.

The Nittany Lions return to the mat on Jan. 10 for a home match against Michigan State.

Indoor track and field

Ashton Botzan, Sophomore, Indiana (Pa.)

Botzan opened his season on Dec. 6 at the YSU Icebreaker, recording a no-height in the pole vault.

He will be looking to build off a freshman season that saw him vault for a collegiate-best height of 13-9.25.

Indiana returns to competition on Jan. 17 for the YSU Invitational.

Seth Stouffer, Sophomore, Indiana (Pa.)

Stouffer, a sprinter, kicked off his indoor season by running the 200 at the YSU Icebreaker on Dec. 6. He placed 36th in 23.21.

Stouffer owns collegiate PRs in the 60 (7.16), 100 (11.15), and 200 (23.18).

Claire Coons, Junior, Millersville

Coons is looking forward to another season of indoor track after competing in five meets last winter.

Coons, a sprinter, owns PRs in the 60 (8.26), 100 (13.23), 200 (27.09), 300 (44.89), and 400 (1:01.05).

Millersville returns to competition on Jan. 18, when it hits the road for the Alvernia Winter Invitational.

Timothy Ehko, Junior, Geneva

Ehko, a versatile track athlete with experience in the throws, jumps, and sprints, is projected to compete for Geneva this winter.

He owns PRs in the 55 (7.94), 60 (8.58), long jump (12-9.5), shot put (31-4.75), weight throw (18-9.25), and javelin (154-5).

The Golden Tornadoes return to competition on Jan. 18, when they travel to compete in the Muskingum Muskie Meet.

Aidan Horan, Sophomore, West Liberty

Horan, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound thrower, was inactive for West Liberty’s opening weekend on Dec. 6-8.

Horan is coming off a 2023-24 season that saw him establish college PRs in the shot put (40-11.75), hammer (118-2), javelin (122-6), discus (118-11), and weight throw (40-3.25).

The Hilltoppers return to action on Jan. 18, when they travel for the Muskingum Muskie Meet in New Concord, Ohio.

Basketball

Thomas Lewis, Senior, Goucher

Lewis, a 5-foot-11, 165-pound guard, has seen action in five of 11 games for Goucher this winter.

In 26 minutes of playing time he’s managed eight points and three rebounds. Lewis most recently took the court on Dec. 18, burying a 3-pointer in a 101-45 loss to Hood.

The Gophers (2-9, 1-3 Landmark Conference) return to action on Jan. 8 with a road game at Wilkes.

McKenna Rife, Senior, Marist

Rife, a 6-foot-3 forward, has seen limited action for Marist this season.

She’s appeared in two games for the Red Foxes and in three minutes of playing time she’s totaled one point and three rebounds. Rife most recently saw action on Nov. 30, recording one rebound and two points in a 56-39 loss to Lehigh.

Marist (7-5, 2-0 MAAC) returns to the court on Jan. 2, when it hosts Iona.