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TOP STORY
1. North Central, Cortland Advance to Stagg Bowl

It will be North Central (Ill.) and Cortland squaring off for the Division III football championship on Friday night in Salem, Va.

The defending national champion Cardinals held off Wartburg, 34-27, as the defense twice turned back the Knights deep in NCC territory in the fourth quarter. QB Luke Lehnen threw for 222 yards and three scores, while RB Joe Sacco ran for 126 yards and found paydirt twice. RB Hunter Clasen ran for 131 yards and two TDs in a losing cause.

The Red Dragons advanced to their first-ever Stagg Bowl with a convincing 49-14 win at Randolph-Macon. Cortland scored two touchdowns in the first 6:48 and never looked back. QB Zac Boyes threw for 279 yards and three scores - all to WR Cole Burgess who pulled in 12 balls for 145 yards. RB Jaden AlfanoStJohn rushed for 108 yards and two TDs.

STUDENTS
2. Packard, Washburn Selected For NCAA Today’s Top 10

“Ten former student-athletes, including two from Division III, have been selected as recipients of the NCAA Today's Top 10 award and will be honored at the NCAA Convention in January.

The award recognizes former student-athletes for their exceptional athletic and academic achievements, as well as their contributions to their campuses and communities.”

» Sydney Packard, WPI. Packard is a nine-time U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-American, earning seven honors in the 800-meter event in both indoor and outdoor track and field. The 15-time all-region honoree won five regional titles and earned All-New England Men's and Women's Athletic Conference honors 11 times. She is pursuing a doctorate in chemical engineering and is expected to graduate in 2025.

» Anika Washburn, Case Western Reserve. Washburn led her team to a second-place finish in the 2022 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship. She earned first-team United Soccer Coaches All-America honors in 2021, in addition to three first-team all-region selections during her career. Washburn is a three-time All-University Athletic Association first-team honoree and was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year twice.

» Read More

NEWS
3. Lightning Round

🏒 Ice Hockey (W). Congrats to Gustavus Adolphus head coach Mike Carroll who earned the 500th win of his collegiate career when the Gusties defeated Aurora Friday night. He is just the second DIII and fifth NCAA women’s coach to reach the milestone.

🏒 Ice Hockey (M). Tough Friday night for #2 Plattsburgh and #3 Adrian as the pair fell to unranked opponents. Parker Allison scored the eventual game-winner with 2:09 remaining as Buffalo State downed the Cardinals, 6-4. And Cade Stibbe’s penalty shot goal in overtime lifted Augsburg past the Bulldogs, 3-2.

🏃‍♀️ Track and Field (W). Loras’ Grace Alley set a Division III record in the pentathlon, scoring 3,986 points and setting school records in high jump and long jump as well.

STREAMING
4. What We’re Watching Online

🏀 MBB: Nichols (6-2) at Rhode Island College (9-2), 500
🏀 WBB: #4 Rhode Island College (9-0) vs. Springfield (8-1), 700

TRANSACTIONS
5. Comings and Goings

• BUFFALO STATE - Chance M. Glenn Sr. named president

• CLARK - Mickey Cahoon announced his retirement as head volleyball coach

• MOUNT SAINT VINCENT - Harris Boyes named head volleyball coach

• PENN STATE ALTOONA - Bob Kasun named head volleyball coach

• ROANOKE - Katelyn Kaminski named head competition cheerleading coach

• STEVENS - Brendan Smith and Ross Bartziokas named assistant baseball coaches

• STEVENSON - Aldis Berzins announced his retirement as head men’s volleyball coach. Jason Gardner named head coach for 2024 season

• WAYNESBURG - Erin Leaver named senior woman administrator

1 THING
6. All Dogs Go To Heaven

One personal note. Our family’s Jack Russell Terrier - Rosie - crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Saturday. She was born with an enlarged heart and we did not know how much time we would have with her. But that enlarged heart was filled with life and we were blessed for 17 years. If it’s true that all dogs go to heaven, we know that our Rosie is at the front of the line.

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