Featured Student-Athletes in November

Student-Athletes

November was a busy month for our KWU athletes. Four teams made it to their respective championships: soccer, football, and men’s and women’s cross country all went far in their seasons.

Two student-athletes had achievements this month making KWU proud to have them as Coyotes. Santiago Pagnutti, a senior soccer player was named KCAC goalkeeper of the year. Jill Stephens is a Masters student here at KWU. Who has made a terrific stride in her career, earning 1,000 career points with our KWU women’s Basketball team.

Jill Stephens- 1,000 Career Points

Stephens is using her COVID year here at KWU as a part of the Women’s Coyote Basketball team. She is actively pursuing her MBA while training hard with her team.

During the third quarter against Morningside, Jill Stephens accomplished a career milestone, scoring the 1,000^th point in her collegiate career. Stephens has continued to be a driving force for the Coyotes in the KCAC. Last week, the women’s Coyote basketball team faced Sterling in an exciting game. Stephens hit a crucial 3-pointer that tied the game against the Knights.  

Stephens earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from KWU. In the previous academic year, she was awarded the Outstanding Exercise Science Student Award by Dr. Johnathan Hughes, the assistant professor and department chair of sport and exercise science. This recognition was due to her academic and athletic achievements, including multiple KCAC honors and Daktronics NAIA scholar-athlete awards.  

KWUCoyotes.com

With the end of the fall semester quickly approaching Stephens has worked hard to balance her MBA studies and basketball schedule.

Santiago Pagnutti- KCAC Goalkeeper of the Year

Pagnutti, a senior KWU soccer player and captain from Argentina, joined the Coyote pack last year from a JUCO in Los Angeles, California. He will receive his undergraduate degree in Marketing Communications this spring. With many different options to continue playing or coaching soccer, Pagnutti is focused on academics until the end of the school year.

Being An International Student-Athlete

KWU Coyotes Roster

The transition to Kansas Wesleyan University was difficult for Pagnutti. Not only was he moving across the country, but he was also still in a different country from family and friends. The KWU soccer team welcomed Pagnutti with open arms, making him feel at home again. Playing soccer brings back memories of Argentina for Pagnutti. The soccer team here at KWU is known for its diversity of players. The KWU Student media has wrote stories featuring international student-athletes, KWU INT. Student Spotlight. Having other players experiencing a similar situation of leaving home to go to school and play soccer in a different country, Pagnutti related better with his teammates.

Connection to Soccer

Pagnutti has been playing soccer from a very young age. With soccer being a staple of the culture in Argentina, “That’s all you did,” Pagnutti stated. When he began playing, he had an immediate connection with goalkeeping. The unique training it takes to be a goalkeeper drew Pagnutti in. At Kansas Wesleyan, Pagnutti trains with a direct goalkeeping coach, with special drills to help with the necessary coordination. The pressure that falls on the goalkeeper during the games has kept Pagnutti motivated to play soccer at college and one day professionally.

Last year, the KWU men’s soccer team finished third in their conference. With this year ending in second place after a tough game against Oklahoma Wesleyan, Pagnutti has enjoyed being able to be the starting keeper since arriving last fall. He has made All-KCAC 1st team as the KCAC Goalkeeper of the Year.

Having soccer to connect with his culture and connect to others’ cultures has helped him settle here at KWU. His academics have gone well, and his passion for marketing has served him well since his arrival. With such a busy soccer, work, and academic schedule, Pagnutti finds that guaranteeing a solid 8 hours of sleep helps keep him focused on his games and classes. With this focus, he has maintained his motivation for his sport and academics.

KWU Athletes

Kansas Wesleyan University was kept busy during November! All the students are ready for Christmas Break and the start of spring sports.

Previous featured student-athletes are here, October.