A look back at the top college sports stories in Lenawee County

Kristopher Lodes, The Daily Telegram
·4 min read
The Adrian College men's hockey team piles up on the goal after beating SUNY Geneseo in the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey National Championship Saturday at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York.
The Adrian College men's hockey team piles up on the goal after beating SUNY Geneseo in the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey National Championship Saturday at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York.

It was a historic college sports season in Lenawee County as the Adrian College men's hockey team won the first NCAA title in school history.

While the Bulldogs' hockey is the major headline, there were many more throughout the season.

Here is a look back the top 10 stories from Adrian College and Siena Heights for the 2021-22 season.

No. 1 Adrian College wins men's hockey title

The Bulldogs' men's hockey team captured the first NCAA team title in school history as they beat SUNY Geneseo, 5-2, on March 26 at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York.

Adrian began the season with a 3-2 loss to Utica in overtime to start the season and followed it up with 31-straight wins. The Bulldogs' winning percentage of .969 is not only the highest in program history, but is also an NCAA Division III record.

No. 2 Duffy retires

Adrian College athletic director Mike Duffy presents head baseball coach Craig Rainey with a base to honor his 700th win in 2021.
Adrian College athletic director Mike Duffy presents head baseball coach Craig Rainey with a base to honor his 700th win in 2021.

Mike Duffy has been part of the Adrian College community for years, beginning as a football player and graduate in 1982 before coaching many of the programs and becoming the athletic director in 2006.

The school announced Duffy planned to retire at the end of the month with head baseball coach Craig Rainey taking over as AD while many others will fill in as associate ADs.

No. 3 Murlin adds to resume

Siena Heights linebacker Kole Murlin has been the anchor to the Saints' dominate defense for a few seasons now.

His resume speaks for himself as he earned a second NAIA All-American honor as he was named to the AFCA NAIA Second Team as well as earning the MSFA Mid-East Defensive Player of the Year honor for a second time.

Murlin will return for his senior season in 2022 where he look to add to his resume and gain some NFL Draft traction.

No. 4 Nowicki wins second national title

Adrian College's Zoe Nowicki celebrates with head coach Cliff Cushard after winning the national title at 136 pounds at the Cliff Keen National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships at Adrian College on Saturday.
Adrian College's Zoe Nowicki celebrates with head coach Cliff Cushard after winning the national title at 136 pounds at the Cliff Keen National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships at Adrian College on Saturday.

Adrian College 136-pounder Zoe Nowicki claimed her second national title as she won the 2022 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championship on her home mat.

Nowicki highlighted the Bulldogs' eighth-place finish in the nation with Nyla Burgess claiming All-American honors at 155 pounds.

Nowicki also won a national title in the 2019-20 season.

No. 5 wrestling returns for Siena Heights

Siena Heights men's wrestling coach Derrik Marry (Hudson), right, looks on during his team's dual meet at Adrian College on Saturday, Dec. 11.
Siena Heights men's wrestling coach Derrik Marry (Hudson), right, looks on during his team's dual meet at Adrian College on Saturday, Dec. 11.

After more than 30 years, Siena Heights wrestling finally returned to a full season after the re-start was delayed due to COVID-19.

The Saints were ledd by former Hudson standout and the son of longtime Tigers' head coach Scott Marry, Derrik Marry.

No. 6 Wurzer breaks Adrian College passing records

Adrian College quarterback Jack Wurzer drops back to pass during the Week 1 home against Heidleberg.
Adrian College quarterback Jack Wurzer drops back to pass during the Week 1 home against Heidleberg.

Wurzer re-wrote the Bulldogs' record books this season as he became the program's all-time leader in touchdowns and yards.

Wurzer finished his career with 66 touchdowns and 8,062 yards, breaking records held by Mike McGee (2007-10) of 49 touchdowns and 6,643 yards.

No. 7 Dorow makes MLB debut

Texas Rangers' Ryan Dorow, left, tags out Cleveland Indians' Franmil Reyes at third base in the eighth inning of a game, Thursday in Cleveland.
Texas Rangers' Ryan Dorow, left, tags out Cleveland Indians' Franmil Reyes at third base in the eighth inning of a game, Thursday in Cleveland.

Former Adrian College All-American shortstop Ryan Dorow made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers.

After being drafted by the Rangers in 2017, Dorow has climbed Texas' minor leagues as a utility infielder. Thanks in part to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Rangers' clubhouse, Dorow got promoted and made his first start at third base on Aug. 26 at Cleveland.

Dorow was the first Bulldogs to play in the majors since Clint Rogge played for Cincinnati on June 6, 1921.

No. 8 Cirino leads SHU women's lacrosse back to NAIA tournament

SIena Heights' Marissa Cirino looks to take a shot during Thursday's WHAC semifinal game against Aquinas.
SIena Heights' Marissa Cirino looks to take a shot during Thursday's WHAC semifinal game against Aquinas.

Cirino capped her stellar career for SHU women's lacrosse with a host of program records and a second NAIA tournament berth.

Cirino finished her career as Saints' all-time leader goals, assists, points, caused turnovers, draw controls and free positions. Meanwhile SHU went to a second-straight NAIA tournament.

No. 9 Banks wins WHAC Player of the Year again

Siena Heights forward Peyton Banks handles the ball during Monday's game against Grace Christian.
Siena Heights forward Peyton Banks handles the ball during Monday's game against Grace Christian.

SHU's Peyton Banks won her third-straight Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year award.

Despite an injury during the season, Banks continued her strong play, even when returning from her injury. She averaged 18.3 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 51% from the field.

Banks has an opportunity to return for another season and go for a fourth title thanks to a free COVID season.

No. 10 Benedict to lead first ever cornhole program in Michigan

Adrian College cornhole coach Max Benedict (Tecumseh) stands with a pair of cornhole bags and a cornhole board emblazoned with the Adrian colors on Monday, Feb. 14 at the Merillat Sport and Fitness Center.
Adrian College cornhole coach Max Benedict (Tecumseh) stands with a pair of cornhole bags and a cornhole board emblazoned with the Adrian colors on Monday, Feb. 14 at the Merillat Sport and Fitness Center.

Adrian College made some noise by announcing it would produce the first-ever college cornhole program in the state of Michigan.

Leading the program is Tecumseh graduate Max Benedict, who is putting together the first team for the 2022-23 season.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: A look at the top 10 stories from Adrian College and Siena Heights