Basketball and soccer
HANOVER, Ind. – The Hanover men's and women's basketball teams will each represent the United States during USA Sports Tours & Events annual Division III Brazil Tour this month.
Seniors for the upcoming 2018-19 season, Cam Fails (Mason, Ohio) and Claire Cromer(Wabash, Ind.), will participate on the USA men's and women's basketball teams respectively, during an international trip from July 16-25. Fails and Cromer join women's soccer player Cassidy Evanson (Carmel, Ind.) as Hanover athletes to trek to Brazil as members of the USA Sports Tours & Events organization this summer. .
"This is an outstanding group of basketball players that come from 12 different states and 14 different colleges and universities from across the nation," stated Ron Smith, Director of USA Sports Tours and Events. "These players have been high achievers both on the court and in the classroom. They represent everything good that the NCAA Division III institutions offer."
Both national teams will begin their trip in Orlando, Fla., July 16, and after an orientation period, will depart for Sao Paulo, Brazil. Both sides are scheduled to play four games against some of the top professional and junior teams in the country of Brazil. Student-athletes will also experience educational, cultural and social aspects of Brazilian life through city, school and sports club visits. Outside of competition, the teams will be staying in Rio de Janeiro and will tour the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain, which are some of the most recognized landmarks internationally.
Fails, a 2017-18 D3hoops.com third team all-American, averaged a career and team-high 18.6 points per game this past season, while shooting a three-year best .521 from the field and .439 from three-point range. He also paced the Panthers in assists, 2.6, and steals per game, 1.7, with both marks being among the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference leaders as well. The then junior was also named HCAC Player of the Year and conference tournament most valuable player, as the Panthers produced a 22-7 overall mark and second consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
Cromer is coming off her best statistical season with the Blue and Red, averaging career highs in points, 11.1, rebounds, 2.4, and steals per game, 1.6. The guard shot a career-best 39.4 percent from the field in 2017-18, while also making a team-high 36 three-pointers. Cromer was one of the leading scorers for HC, who went 18-9 in 2017-18, a five-win improvement from the previous year. Hanover also went 13-5 in conference action as they advanced to the tournament semifinals for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign.
HANOVER, Ind. – Incoming women's soccer senior, Cassidy Evanson (Carmel, Ind.), recently participated on the 2018 USA D-3 Soccer Team during a Brazil Tour from May 28 through June 6.
Evanson, a 2017 second team all-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference pick and United Soccer Coaches all-region selection, was one of 15 women's players to participate in USA Sports Tours & Events' annual trip to Brazil. A junior this past fall, Evanson is the seventh player in program history to participate on the USA D-3 Soccer Team, with recent graduate Abby Shroyer being the last to do so in the summer of 2016.
"The Brazil tour was probably the best experience of my life," said Evanson. "I was able to explore a new country, immerse myself in their culture, and play the game I love."
According to Evanson, the team finished 3-1 during their four-game trip, which saw them win their first three outings prior to a setback against junior professionals. The tour was more than just soccer though, as the group of collegiate student-athletes were able to experience "educational, cultural and social aspects of Brazilian life through city, school and sports club visits," as stated by USA Sports Tours & Events' press release, which can be found at the link above.
The USA D-3 Soccer Teams consisted of players which received All-American, All-Region and All-Conference honors. The women's side was comprised of 10 different colleges and universities and came from eight different states. Evanson was one of four HCAC representatives on the women's side, which included three total players, as well as Mt. St. Joseph's head coach, Josh Hess.
"The traveling, exploring and soccer were all fantastic but what truly made the trip extraordinary were the people," added Evanson. "In only 10 days, we became a family. Saying goodbye to everyone was far from easy, as we are already planning a reunion."
Evanson was one of Hanover's top offensive threats this past season. The midfielder finished tied for second on the squad in goals (4) assists (3) and points (11). She also recorded four game-winning goals this season, which was tied for third most in the conference.
"I am grateful I still have one more season at Hanover, so I can implement what I learned on the field, as well as off, once I come back."
Through the first three seasons of her career, Evanson has 11 goals, nine assists and 31 total points. She is a two-time HCAC second team selection (2015, 2017) and was tabbed to the conference's first team in 2016.
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