The 2016-17 school year once again provided numerous unforgettable moments for the Bethel University athletic department. From NCAA tournament appearances to MIAC championships and All-American's to Coach of the Year awards, the past 10 months had it all. BethelRoyals.com celebrates the many memories from the past year with the annual Top 10 moments.
Â
#9 | Two Athletes Earn All-American Honors
Â
Earning All-American recognition is something student-athletes will remember for the rest of their life. Two individuals were touted with this distinction during the 2016-17 school year, including football player
Drew Neuville and women's golfer
Christine Piwnica.
Â
Drew Neuville earned
D3football.com All-American Third Team accolades after finishing his senior season with 34 catches for 463 yards and two touchdowns. A staple at tight end for the Royals over the last four years, Neuville also helped BU finish the year ranked No. 3 nationwide in total sacks allowed (0.4 per game) and No. 19 in tackles for loss allowed (4.4 per game). He is Bethel's 23rd D3football.com All-American.
Â
Christine Piwnica received
WGCA All-American Honorable Mention recognition after posting the best season in the history of Bethel women's golf. Piwnica averaged 76.5 strokes over the course of 16 rounds and eight events, which crushed the program record (that she already owned) for average strokes in a season. Piwnica, who just missed an at-large bid as an individual to the NCAA Division III women's golf tournament, finished among the Top 10 golfers in seven of the eight total contests this past fall and spring. Moreover, the Victoria, Minn., native finished among the Top 5 six times and was crowned medalist twice.
Â
#10Â |Â Women's Cross Country Earns Fourth-Highest GPA among all Division III Programs