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On Saturday, March 9, two Millersville University students were crowned National Champions; Sunflower Greene for shot put and Shane Ruhnke for wrestling.
PITTSBURG, Kan. – The second time is even sweeter. Two attempts in and in danger of missing the finals, Millersville University senior Sunflower Greene delivered her season-best mark and went on to defend her NCAA Division II Indoor Championship in the shot put Saturday, besting the field by by more than a foot.
Greene became the seventh two-time NCAA indoor shot put champ since the event began in 1985 and is the first since 2012. In true Sunflower Greene fashion, she was at her best on the grandest stage. She won it with a mark of 53-3, which was nine inches better than her previous season-best and just an inch under her national championship mark from 2018. Read more about Greene.
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Calling Shane Ruhnke the NCAA Division II Champion doesn’t do justice to his dominance. Winning the tournament’s awards for Most Outstanding Wrestler and Most Dominant Wrestler of the Year helps. Ruhnke pinned his way to the finals and won Millersville’s first wrestling national championship since 1980 by overwhelming his opponent in a championship match that was stopped short because of stalling violations.
Over the two days of the championships, Ruhnke was simply unstoppable in the 165-pound weight class. It was no more evident than in the championship bout against Rodney Shepard of UNC Pembroke. Shepherd could not withstand Ruhnke’s relentless attack and was called for fleeing the mat and stalling five separate times. Ruhnke officially won the match by disqualification but led 9-2 when it was stopped in the second period.
“It is indescribable,” said Ruhnke of the national championship win. “I am really thankful for everyone who worked with me, my teammates and my coach pushing me, always expecting more from me and never being satisfied.”
One reply on “One Day. Two Champions”
Wow, what an incredible weekend and day for Shane and Sunny, and coaches Hartman, Regner, Stokes, and Young! I admit to sharing my observations of your work ethic and drive with friends, alum and family as I followed both of you and Colton over the weekend. Colton congrats on achieving All American! Beyond the athletic achievements, all three of you are humble, really nice students. Proud to be a Marauder!