18 April 2001
CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, (309) 556-3206
and/or athletic director Dennie Bridges, (309) 556-3345
Osborn, Wente Named Co-MVPs
of Titan Basketball SquadBLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Seniors Adam Osborn and Todd Wente have been elected co-winners of the "Most Valuable Player" award for the Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team.
It is the first time since Fred Evans and Tom Gramkow shared the honor in 1970 and only the second time since 1949 that there have been co-MVPs in Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball.
The Titans finished with a 24-7 overall record and placed third in the national NCAA Division III championships, winning nine of their final 10 games.
Osborn, a 6-foot-2 guard from New Holland (Lincoln HS), earned his fourth varsity letter as he averaged 11.2 points and led the team with 4.2 assists per game. A third team all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection, Osborn's single-game high was 20 points vs. Washington U. and he led the team in scoring four times.
Osborn finished his career with 136 3-pointers, which is fourth best all-time at IWU, and with 281 assists, which makes him No. 10 all-time at the school. His 130 assists is eighth best in a single-season and his 55 3-point field goals is tied for 11th most.
Wente, a 6-foot-6 forward from Effingham (St. Anthony HS), also earned his fourth letter as he scored 10.4 points and snared 5.4 rebounds per game. Despite missing three games after an appendectomy in December, Wente led IWU in rebounding eight times, including the final two games of the season. He grabbed 13 boards in the third place win over Ohio Northern.
Wente's single-game highs were 19 points vs Augustana and 14 rebounds vs MacMurray and he had two "double doubles" in points and rebounds.
Head coach Dennie Bridges, who retired following his 36th season with a career mark of 667-319, indicated that new Titan coach Scott Trost will determine how next season's captain will be chosen.
Junior Ryan McCreery (Mason City, Illini Central HS) is the winner of the team's annual free throw award. He connected on 30 of 38 free throws for a .789 percentage.
Sophomore Luke Kasten (Coffeen, Hillsboro HS), a 6-foot-7 forward, was a first team all-CCIW selection as he became the first IWU player to score over 400 points in each of his first two seasons. After two years, Kasten is No. 44 in career scoring with 911 points and No. 40 at IWU with 345 rebounds.
Kasten, who led the team with 32 blocked shots, was IWU's high scorer in 14 games and top rebounder six times. He had five "double-doubles" in points and rebounds, scoring in double figures in 27 games, including the final seven of the year.
Bridges awarded letters to 10 players, seven of whom will return for next season. The lettermen are, with hometowns and high schools:
SENIORS - Adam Osborn (New Holland, Lincoln HS), Mike Rogers (Chicago, St. Ignatius HS), Todd Wente (Effingham, St. Anthony HS).
JUNIOR - Ryan McCreery (Mason City, Illini Central HS).
SOPHOMORES - John Camardella (Arlington Heights, Hersey HS), Laban Cross (Dahlgren, McLeansboro HS), Seth Hubbard (Normal, U High), Luke Kasten (Coffeen, Hillsboro HS), Chris Silagi (Oswego HS), Eric Starkey (Milford HS).
John Camardella, Arlington Heights (Hersey HS), sophomore
Earned his second basketball letter at IWU …Played in 29 games and started 19 for Titans as a sophomore. . . Averaged 8.1 points and team-high 6.4 rebounds per game. . . Had single-game highs of 22 points (vs. Grinnell), 14 rebounds (at Wheaton and vs. Elmhurst), and four assists (at Wheaton)…Led team in scoring once and was Titans' top rebounder 11 times…Had two "double doubles" in points and rebounds…He is the son of Roz Camardella.Laban Cross, Dahlgren (McLeansboro HS), sophomore
Earned his first basketball letter at IWU... Started all 31 games for team that finished third in NCAA Division III tournament…Averaged 11.6 points per game, second on team, and grabbed 3.4 rebounds per game…Second on team with .785 free throw percentage (73 of 93)… Had single-game highs of 22 points (in Division III sectional final vs. Chicago), nine rebounds (vs. North Central), and seven assists (vs. Brewton-Parker)…Led team in scoring six times, including three of final four games of season, and was Titans' leading rebounder three times…A mathematics major, he is the son of P.E. and Wilma Cross.Seth Hubbard, Normal (U High), sophomore
Earned his second basketball letter at IWU…Played in all 31 games and started three this season, averaging 20.1 minutes per game…Averaged 9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game… Had single-game highs of 23 points (at Florida Tech), 10 rebounds (vs. MacMurray and at Florida Tech), and three assists (in four games)…Hubbard led IWU in scoring three times and in rebounding in three games…Had two "double doubles" in points and rebounds…Undecided on his college major…He is the son of Cal and Vivian Hubbard.Luke Kasten, Coffeen (Hillsboro HS), sophomore
Earned his second basketball letter at IWU…Was named to the first team of all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin squads after being on second team as a freshman… Chosen to first team all-Midwest region squad…Became the first IWU player to score over 400 points in each of his first two seasons…His 504 points is tied for 20th best in single IWU season…Played 28.2 minutes per game as a starter in all 31 games…After two years, Kasten is No. 44 in career scoring with 911 points and No. 40 at IWU with 345 rebounds…Had single-game highs of 28 points (vs. Millikin), 11 rebounds (vs. Wheaton and at North Park), and five assists (at Elmhurst)… Was IWU's high scorer in 14 games and top rebounder six times…He had five "double-doubles" in points and rebounds and scored in double figures in 27 games, including the final seven of the year...Led team for second straight year in blocked shots (with 32)…Business major at IWU…He is the son of Ron and Rhonda Kasten.Ryan McCreery, Mason City (Illini Central HS), junior
Earned his second basketball letter at IWU… Won team's annual free throw award with a .789 percentage (30 of 38)… Played in all 31 games and started 10 for Titans in 2000-01, averaging 18.6 minutes per game…Averaged 5.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game…Had single-game highs of 15 points (vs. Ripon), 10 rebounds (at Augustana), and four assists (at Augustana and vs. Grinnell)…Led team in scoring once, when he had 14 vs. Olivet Nazarene, and was Titans' top rebounder in three games…Political science major…He is the son of Mike and Linda McCreery.Adam Osborn, New Holland (Lincoln HS), senior
Earned his fourth basketball letter at IWU…Chosen as co-"Most Valuable Player" for 2000-01 team… Served as team captain…Was named to the third team of all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin squads… Starter in all 31 games for national third place team and played team-high 30.3 minutes per game…Third on team with 11.2 scoring average and led IWU with 4.2 assists per game…Had single-game highs of 20 points (vs. Washington U.), five rebounds (vs. Blackburn), and 10 assists (vs. Carthage)…Led team in scoring in four games…Osborn finished his career with 136 3-pointers, which is No. 4 all-time at IWU, and with 281 assists, which makes him No. 10 all-time at the school…His 130 assists this season is eighth best in a single-season and his 55 3-point field goals is tied for 11th most in IWU season records… A business major, he is the son of Richard and Linda Osborn.Mike Rogers, Chicago (St. Ignatius HS), senior
Earned his third basketball letter at IWU... Played in 22 games and started one, averaging 6.2 minutes per game…Scored 16 points and snared 20 rebounds this season… Had single-game highs of seven points (vs. Brewton Parker), five rebounds (vs. Grinnell), and two assists (vs. North Park)…A business administration major, he is the son of Yolande Bourgeois and Harry Rogers.Chris Silagi, Oswego (HS), sophomore
Earned his first basketball letter at IWU... Played in all 31 games as a reserve guard, averaging 12.7 minutes per game…Averaged 6.2 points and led Titans in scoring in three games…Had third most 3-point field goals on team (32)…Had single-game highs of 23 points and five rebounds (both at Benedictine), and four assists (vs. Grinnell)…An elementary education major, he is the son of Richard and Susan Silagi.Eric Starkey, Milford (HS), sophomore
Earned his first basketball letter at IWU... Played in all 31 games and started one for 2000-01 Titans, averaging 13.8 minutes per game…Averaged 3.4 points and made 46.5 percent of his field goal attempts (40 of 86)… Had single-game highs of 13 points and eight rebounds (both vs. Grinnell) and five assists (at Carthage)…As a guard, he led Titans in rebounding in two games this season…A political science major, he is the son of Bruce and Sue Crist and Michael and Nancy Starkey.Todd Wente, Effingham (St. Anthony HS), senior
Earned his fourth basketball letter at IWU... Chosen as co-"Most Valuable Player" for 2000-01 team…Played in 28 games and averaged 28.1 minutes per game…Scored 10.4 points and snared 5.4 rebounds per game….Despite missing three games after an appendectomy in December, Wente led IWU in rebounding eight times, including the final two games of the season…He grabbed 13 boards in the Division III tournament third place win over Ohio Northern…Had single-game season highs of 19 points (vs. Augustana), 14 rebounds (vs. MacMurray), and seven assists (at Benedictine)… Led team in scoring once…A biology/pre-med major, he is the son of Michael and Patricia Wente.