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Grant Tighe

Grant Tighe, Sports Editor

All content by GRANT TIGHE
Avery Wood hit a RBI triple in game one vs No. 8 Rodgers State. Shelby Berglund / Antelope Staff

Softball finishes long season with four home losses

Grant Tighe May 17, 2023

The Loper softball team honored their three seniors Avery Wood, Katie Gosker and Stacy Bott before Saturday’s doubleheader against Northeastern State. They would look to honor them even more with a victory...

UNK's plan is to have a video board by fall 2024. Courtesy of UNK Athletics

Lopers creating new football experience with additions

Grant Tighe May 17, 2023

Football at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium is going to look a little different in a few years. That is, if the UNK athletic program can get the funds it needs to make the upgrades that they envision. Program...

Loper record-breaker golfing through her final season

Loper record-breaker golfing through her final season

GRANT TIGHE April 12, 2023

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu Faviola Gonzalez has done nothing but break records in her time at UNK. When looking at the Loper women’s golf record book, it’s not hard to find Gonzalez’s name at...

Tim Schaffner had 51 wins at Butler Community College. Photo by Ethan McCormick / Antelope Staff

Loper defense embracing coach’s ‘win now’ mentality

GRANT TIGHE April 6, 2023

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu A coaching change isn’t the only thing that the UNK football team is adjusting to this spring. The defense is replacing 13 of the top 17 tacklers from last year’s defense.  Despite...

Athletic director, Marc Bauer, played the role of Coach Bolton in High School Musical, photo provided by Grace McDonald / Antelope Staff

Loper athletic director stepping down to pursue acting career

GRANT TIGHE March 30, 2023

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu UNK Athletic Director Bark Meower announced his immediate resignation on Tuesday. Meower, who has served as the athletic director since 2018, is resigning to pursue a career...

Senior Winston Cook.  Photo by Shelby Berglund / Antelope Staff

Lopers men get third MIAA win against Central Missouri

GRANT TIGHE February 16, 2023

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The UNK men’s basketball team ended a two-game losing skid on Thursday against Central Missouri. The Lopers were able to prevail in a close game against the Mules, 78-72. Even...

Meg Burns broke her career high twice this weekend. Photo by Shelby Berglund / Antelope Staff

Lopers claim top spot in MIAA after beating Jennies

GRANT TIGHE February 16, 2023

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The top spot in the MIAA hung in the balance on Thursday. The UNK and Central Missouri women’s basketball teams came into the game trying to claim sole possession of first...

Jillian Aschoff heads down the court on Saturday's game against the College of St Mary. Photo provided by Kylie Schwab / Antelope Staff

Lopers entering conference play with momentum after wins

GRANT TIGHE November 30, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The Loper women’s basketball team won both games in its Thanksgiving homestand. UNK defeated Graceland University 77-48 on Wednesday and the College of St. Mary 78-33 on...

UNK football team. Photo provided by Nate Lilla / Antelope Staff

Lopers miss out on postseason with limited bowl options

GRANT TIGHE November 16, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The Loper football team finished its season with a 42-0 with over Northeastern State Saturday. With an 8-3 record, the Lopers missed the playoffs in the highly competitive...

Cross Country teams place second at MIAA Championships

Cross Country teams place second at MIAA Championships

GRANT TIGHE November 9, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu  The UNK men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the MIAA Championships this past weekend. Both nationally-ranked teams finished in second place at the...

The football team started the 2012 campaign with seven losses before winning three out of their last four games. File Photo

Former Loper athletes reflect on conference change

GRANT TIGHE October 25, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu A conference change was monumental for UNK’s sporting programs, but it was also a transition for the athletes. The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association offered...

Lopers return home for pivotal Northwest Missouri State matchup

Lopers return home for pivotal Northwest Missouri State matchup

GRANT TIGHE October 25, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The UNK versus Northwest Missouri State game last year decided the conference champion. This year, the Lopers’ homecoming matchup will keep the winner alive for a playoff...

TJ Davis reached 4,000 career passing yards this season. Photo provided by Kylie Schwab / Antelope Staff

TJ Davis focuses on this season while planning another

GRANT TIGHE October 25, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu UNK quarterback TJ Davis’ record-breaking career has flipped the script about Loper football. The Lopers have not had a losing season since Davis took over as the starter...

Lopers put complete game together to get fifth win

Lopers put complete game together to get fifth win

GRANT TIGHE October 12, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The UNK football team took on the Missouri Western State Griffons on Saturday in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The Lopers were able to control the game throughout winning 39-18. UNK...

Luke Blatchford eludes a tackler while diving into the end zone for the first touchdown of his career. Photo provided by Zahira Lopez / Antelope Staff

Lopers fight through offensive troubles against rival

GRANT TIGHE October 5, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The UNK football team aimed to get their first MIAA victory against Fort Hays State on Saturday night. After the Tigers cut UNK’s lead to one point, the Lopers were trying...

The Lopers were first in the MIAA conference standings following the victory against Northwest Missouri State. Photo provided by Nate Lilla / Antelope Staff

Lopers continue to roll beating top 10 team in three sets

GRANT TIGHE October 5, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The No. 5 UNK volleyball team took on No. 10 Northwest Missouri State on Friday. The Lopers dominated and won in straight sets 3-0. With UNK behind 25-24 in the second...

The antler decal debuted against Lincoln on Oct. 23, 2021 and stayed on the helmets for the rest of the season. File photo

The do’s and don’ts of Loper athletic uniforms and styles

GRANT TIGHE September 28, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu There are multiple variations of sporting uniforms that UNK athletic teams wear. The blue, gold, black and white Loper combinations all provide for some unique and flashy...

Loper football rebounds after fast start in Topeka

Loper football rebounds after fast start in Topeka

GRANT TIGHE September 21, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The UNK football team bounced back after its first loss of the season by beating Washburn 21-13 in Week 3. The Ichabod offense produced 45 and 40 points in their first two...

Mackenzie Smith posted 84 saves at Midland last year. Photo provided by Kolton Maturey / Antelope Staff

Loper soccer led with late offseason addition at goalie

GRANT TIGHE September 21, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu With only one player at goalie during the offseason, the UNK women’s soccer team was looking for another player at the position.  The search ended when the team...

Tre O'Guinn looks for the spot after a goal-line stop. Photo provided by Nate Lilla / Antelope Staff

Lopers facing high-powered Washburn offensive attack

GRANT TIGHE September 14, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu After suffering its first loss, UNK has another challenging task this upcoming week against Washburn. The Ichabods come into the game 2-0 and received the most votes of any...

Loper quarterback T.J. Davis has led the Lopers in rushing this year with 273 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Photo provided by Kylie Schwab / UNK Staff

Lopers lose heartbreaker: Fall to Pittsburg State on late TD bomb

GRANT TIGHE September 14, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu Anthony Orajekwe was right there. He was just half a second too late. The defensive lineman got a hit on Pittsburg State quarterback, Chad Dodson Jr., but not before he...

Hunter Kraus' 69-yard punt last year was a career-high. File photo

Loper punter voted team captain after breakout season

GRANT TIGHE September 8, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu UNK’s Hunter Kraus came to the team as a walk-on. It was his only offer out of Twin Loup High School.  This year, the punter was voted a team captain. “It...

Backup quarterback Sean Johnson Jr. leads the offense in a Saturday scrimmage, photo provided by Skylar Belt / Antelope Staff

Loper defense impressing with added depth

GRANT TIGHE August 19, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The UNK football team comes into the 2022 season ranked No. 2 in the MIAA and No. 14 in the nation. The team is looking to build off the momentum of the 10-3 playoff season...

Bailee Sterling posted 209 kills and 63 blocks last season, photo provided by Kylie Schwab / Antelope Staff

Loper volleyball returns with plenty of new faces

GRANT TIGHE August 19, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The Loper volleyball team faces many new questions this season at multiple positions after losing seven seniors from last year. The team comes into the year ranked No. 10...

Katie Gosker leads the Lopers with 12 home runs.

Bouncing Back: Gosker’s homers prompt Loper victories

GRANT TIGHE April 21, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The Loper softball team bounced back going 3-1 this weekend behind three home runs by Katie Gosker against Lincoln and Central Missouri after going 1-3 last week.  With...

Sydney Thomason had 3 RBI’s in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Pittsburg State.

Freshman phenom addition sparks Loper softball success

GRANT TIGHE April 7, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu The Loper softball team is on a tear winning 13 of 15 games after starting the year 5-12. Freshman pitcher and shortstop Sydney Thomason has been crucial in UNK’s success. Last...

Austin Eldrege doesn’t let Tre’Vaughn Craig escape as he recorded the win via technical fall to help the Lopers reclaim the lead over the Bronchos.

Central Oklahoma squeaks by Lopers in heavyweight matchup

GRANT TIGHE February 10, 2022

tighegd@lopers.unk.edu No. 1 Central Oklahoma traveled to No. 3 UNK on Saturday for a much-anticipated wrestling matchup at the Health and Sports Center. The Bronchos came away with the win 18-17 in...

As a former athlete, Marissa Bongers believes that it is important for athletes to fuel their bodies. Her experience on the track team led her to her research on dietary intake and nutrition knowledge for her master's program

UNK track team sees success as season wraps up

GRANT TIGHE April 21, 2021
The UNK men’s and women’s track and field teams have performed well this season. With the men ranked No. 27 in the outdoor Division II National Rating Index and both teams breaking school records, they seem to be set for success.
Although there are no official statistics being held for the spring season, the team is putting in work for their next season.

UNK women’s soccer hits the field for spring season

GRANT TIGHE April 14, 2021
It has been a rough start for the UNK women’s soccer team. The Lopers scored three goals in their first match of the spring season in an overtime loss to Missouri Western State. Since then, the Lopers have not scored a goal in three straight games.
Junior Hannah Ice pitched 7 innings, had two strikeouts, and surrendered only four runs in game 1 against Pitt State.

UNK softball hits off its home schedule

GRANT TIGHE April 7, 2021
The UNK softball team started off their home schedule on April 2 in a double-header against Missouri Southern at Patriot Park. The Lopers have now played all over the Midwest since starting their season outside of the region in Texas.
Students brought out the waterworks as they navigated their way through social distancing measures.

UNK ‘hangs 10’ with plans for new surfing team

GRANT TIGHE April 1, 2021
UNK athletics is adding a surfing program to the list of sports offered on campus. The program will be unique for the region, as no other MIAA conference teams currently compete in surfing.
Loper wrestling pins down national runner-up title

Loper wrestling pins down national runner-up title

GRANT TIGHE March 17, 2021
The UNK Wrestling team qualified all 10 of their wrestlers for the national championships back at regionals on Feb. 28. As a result, they were in the best position of any team to win the national championship.
Lopers women's basketball playing against Fort Hays State.

Lopers shoot and score at MIAA tournament

GRANT TIGHE March 10, 2021
UNK women’s basketball took the MIAA title against regular season champions Fort Hays State on the Tiger’s home turf on Sunday in a thrilling 57-51 battle for the conference crown.
For the third time in his career Matt Malcom qualified for the NCAA DII National Championships.

UNK qualifies all 10 wrestlers for nationals

GRANT TIGHE March 4, 2021
The UNK Wrestling team debuted their postseason strength in the Super Regional VI in Grand Junction, Colorado last Sunday. The Loper roster entered the meet ranked first in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division II Top 25 poll.
Winston Cook went to the free-throw line to capitalize on a foul from Central Missouri.

Leading scorer out as men’s basketball beats Mules

GRANT TIGHE February 25, 2021
The Loper Men’s Basketball team hosted the Central Missouri Mules Feb. 18. UNK achieved their largest margin of victory on the year as they dominated the Mules 74-51.
UNK Women Basketball

UNK women battle toward MIAA tournament

GRANT TIGHE February 25, 2021
The Health and Sports Center hosted a prime matchup Feb. 18 as the UNK women’s basketball team in the coaches poll went up against the Central Missouri Jennies. UNK ranked No. 12 in the coaches poll and No. 14 in the media poll heading into the game. The Jennies fended off UNK in a tightly contested game 66-70.
Lincoln Lutheran senior Wyatt Marr signed with UNK, who has played as an offensive lineman.

Loper football welcomes 27 new recruits on signing day

GRANT TIGHE February 17, 2021
National Signing Day took place on Feb. 3 all across the country. Many high school athletes made decisions on where they would further their athletic careers.
Myles Arnold lead the Lopers with 35 points in the game against UCO.

UNK men’s basketball team rebounds from obstacles

GRANT TIGHE February 10, 2021
Despite a season plagued with injuries and a bout of COVID-19, the UNK’s men’s basketball team has not had any cancellations or postponements of their games.
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