Club hockey player named league MVP

Kent State Hockey player Jason O’Bannon has had a dream season.

The junior forward led the league in points, was named to the all-star team, and is about to compete for the National Championship.

And now he can add another achievement to his resume.

Last week, O’Bannon was named Central States Collegiate Hockey League MVP.

“It feels good to be honored by the league, its coaches and its players,” he said.

O’Bannon won the award after leading the league with 83 points – 30 goals and 53 assists, also a league high.

He credits head coach Jarret Whidden and his teammates for the award.

“I couldn’t have done it without my linemates, Ryan Nawrocki, T.J. Murphy and Matt Widing,” O’Bannon said.

“(Coach Whidden) lets us play and have fun,” O’Bannon said. “He and the team adjusts during each game, and it is a big part of our success.”

Whidden knows O’Bannon realizes his teammates were essential to his success.

“There are five guys on the ice every shift, and Jason knows there are other guys who helped him get this award.” Whidden said. “This takes great talent, and he know he didn’t do it by himself.”

O’Bannon and the team have one more goal for the hockey season: win the National Tournament. The team faces Liberty tonight in the first round.

Women’s golf claims eighth at tourney

The Kent State Women’s Golf team finished eighth of 16 teams at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic last weekend.

Three Kent State golfers finished in the top 21.

Sophomore Kirby Dreher tied for eighth place with a personal best 3-over par, two strokes behind the leader. Junior Kira Meixner’s 4-over par was good for an 11th place tie. And Junior Tara Delaney was 6-over, tying her for 21st.

“There is no doubt in my mind this team worked harder than any other team in the tournament.” Head coach Mike Morrow said, “We were the first team there in the morning and the last team to leave at night.”

Contact sports reporter Jeff Russ at [email protected].