Westmont College Athletics

By Ron Smith
March 12, 2020
 
(KANSAS CITY, Mo.) Westmont's basketball teams won't get the chance to play in the 2020 NAIA National Basketball Championships, despite qualifying with high seeds.
 
The NAIA announced today that all winter sports championships have been canceled due to concerns over the coronavirus threat.
 
"Effective immediately, all remaining NAIA winter championship events will be canceled, including those that are currently underway," said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr in a statement released today.
 
"The health and safety of our student-athletes, as well as all involved in our championship events, is the NAIA's highest priority," continued Carr. "We will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and NAIA leadership will work closely with our member institutions to determine the best path forward for future NAIA events, including all spring 2020 championships."
 
Yesterday, the women's basketball team was seeded as the number one team in the tournament for the first time in program history. With the cancellation, however, the Warriors will not get a chance to play as the top-seeded team.
 
The women's team ends the season with a record of 27-3 and as the top-ranked team in the NAIA. Westmont won both the Golden State Athletic Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships.
 
Head coach Kirsten Moore was named the GSAC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year. Maud Ranger, Lauren Tsuneishi, Iyree Jarrett and Stefanie Berberabe were all named to the All-GSAC Team.
 
The men's program was named a number two seed yesterday and the seventh overall seed in the tournament. It was the highest seed the Warriors have enjoyed since the tournament went to its current format.
 
The Warrior men compiled a record of 26-5 and won the GSAC Regular Season Championship.
 
Head coach John Moore was named the GSAC Coach of the Year. Abram Carrasco was named the GSAC Player of the Year. Carrasco and Justin Bessard were named to the All-GSAC team.