Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s impressive season continued in Monday’s victory as the Eagles defeated York 79-71 led by Jaden Lietzke with 20 points. The Eagles improve to 18-2 in the KCAC and look to be firmly in control of the #1 spot in the upcoming KCAC tournament.
The victory was a milestone for Head Coach Donnie Bostwick, in his 9th season as OKWU’s head coach, as he now has won 400 games as a head coach at the NAIA level.
Bostwick found success early in his head coaching career. After several years coaching high school and serving as an assistant coach at John Brown University, he became the head coach of the Eagles in 2007, and in 2009 the program celebrated a National Championship victory. During his first four years as OKWU’s coach, the team recorded a sterling 120-20 record.
For six seasons, Bostwick led Southwestern Assemblies of God University, reaching five NAIA National Tournaments and advancing to the 2013 NAIA DI National Championship Game. His record at SAGU was 152-56.
Coach Bostwick returned to OKWU in 2017, and OKWU has advanced to four straight NAIA National Tournament Sweet Sixteens since. The Eagles, who stand at 25-2 so far this season, are strongly in contention as the postseason draws closer.
“I am very excited for Donnie as he reaches this milestone,” said Kirk Kelley, OKWU’s athletic director. “Donnie is a great basketball coach but an even greater man. His passion for basketball, his team, his family, and the Lord shines every day.”
For Bostwick, this milestone is a great opportunity to remember some of the people who helped him along the way.
“Milestones are never accomplished individually in a team sport,” he said. “This is a result of great players, great assistant coaches, and an amazing wife and kids who have supported me through our journey.”
“You would have to be blind not to be able to see God’s blessings on our teams over the years,” he continued. “I want to say thank you to everyone who has played a part in bringing this milestone to reality.”
For the Eagles, this year’s journey continues on Saturday, when they host Ottawa. The Eagles have three games left in the regular season before the KCAC Tournament, which is slated to begin on Tuesday, February 22.
https://okwueagles.com/sports/mbkb/2021-22/releases/20220207yywjtk
