Bishop Backers
Record Breakers!
The 2024-25 year has been a big one for several Bishop teams and student-athletes.
Women's basketball won the NCAC league title going 14-0 during the regular season and reached the final 16 in the NCAA D-III tournament. Field hockey shared the NCAC league and tournament championships and competed in the NCAA tournament. Men's soccer competed in a record 45th NCAA tournament. And volleyball won the NCAC tournament for the first time since 1996 and made their first-ever NCAA Division III tournament appearance.
Men's basketball guard Henry Hinkle '25 was named NCAC Player of the Year and third-team All-America. Men's soccer defender Brady West '25 was named to All-America and Academic All-America teams. Zoe Ward '27 competed in the NCAA D-III women's cross country national championship, and Tyler Bodovetz '25 became the first Bishop wrestler to qualify for the NCAA national championship meet since the sport returned to OWU in 2018. And the five student-athletes below shattered OWU and NCAC records, stamping their names into OWU sports history.
Natalie Ryan '26
Women's Soccer
- OWU Most Career Shutouts: 25
Major: Exercise Science
Hometown: Beavercreek, OH
Favorite 2024-25 memory: I think my favorite memory from this season was the bus ride when we went to Chicago to play North Central. I don't think I ever laugh more than I do when we go on away trips during the season!
Best advice from a coach: Coach Pat Ferguson: "It's not just about soccer."
Favorite campus spot: My favorite place on campus is definitely the Slocum Reading Room. It is such a beautiful space, and I love going there and doing homework with friends and teammates.
Meg McCarthy '25
Field Hockey
- OWU Most Career Shutouts: 23
Majors: Pre-Medicine and Biology
Hometown: Trumbull, CT
Favorite 2024-25 memory: My favorite memory from this season was all the traveling we got to do. We went on our first plane trip as a team to Massachusetts and went to New York for the NCAA tournament. My favorite trip was going to the Netherlands with the team for preseason games.
Best advice from a coach: Coach Brenda Semit: "Pressure is Privilege."
Favorite campus spot: My favorite place on campus is Slocum, because it's so peaceful to study there, and the renovations are so nice.
Lauren Denison '24
Women's Basketball
- OWU Career Games: 126
- OWU Consecutive Games Started: 126
- OWU Career 3-point Field Goals: 262
- OWU Career 3-point FG Attempts: 724
- OWU Career 3-point FG Pct.: 36.2%
Major: History Education
Hometown: Pataskala, OH
Favorite 2024-25 memory: My favorite memory is going to Puerto Rico with the basketball team over winter break. It was a great experience, and we made so many memories!
Best advice from a coach: Coach Stacey Lobdell: "Be comfortable getting uncomfortable. It's important to have a growth mindset and push yourself to be the best version of you!"
Favorite campus spot: My favorite place on campus is our locker room. We keep it very clean and organized. We have really made the place a home. I love spending time there doing homework or hanging out with my teammates!
Kasey Schipfer '24
Women's Basketball
- NCAC Player of the Year
- NCAC & OWU Career Points: 2,183
- NCAC & OWU Career Free Throws: 524
- OWU Career Field Goals: 818
- OWU Career Free Throw Attempts: 635
- OWU Career Free Throw Pct.: 82.5%
- OWU Career Steals: 307
Majors: Exercise Science and Psychology
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, OH
Favorite 2024-25 memory: Winning the first two games of the NCAA tournament at home in Branch Rickey. It was amazing to have reached one of our team goals, and to go out one last time with a few more wins on our home court!
Best advice from a coach: To be comfortable being uncomfortable. My coaches have always pushed me to become a much more vocal leader. I am forever grateful for their presence in my experience at Ohio Wesleyan.
Favorite campus spot: Without a doubt my favorite place on campus is Branch Rickey Arena. Besides academics, I spent a majority of my time on campus at the gym. The friendships I built and the growth I had as an individual while being in that gym is something I am eternally grateful for. There is such a legacy tied to Branch Rickey Arena, and it continues to grow with every new class of Bishops.
Elizabeth Homan '24
Women's Basketball
- NCAC & OWU Career Assists: 700
- NCAC & OWU Season Assists: 208
- OWU Game Assists: 15
Major: Health & Human Kinetics
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Favorite 2024-25 memory: Traveling to Puerto Rico. We had the opportunity to practice and play in different style gyms, as well as meet a couple of alumni from Ohio Wesleyan!
Best advice from a coach: Coach Stacey Lobdell: "Always have a growth mindset and be open to learning from different perspectives. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable."
Favorite campus spot: Merrick Patio. When the weather is nice, it is a great place to study and get work done while enjoying the sunshine!