Next-Level Lancers
California Baptist University students have been known to excel in their selective fields outside of college, and the same goes for the school’s student-athletes. It was perhaps most evident this summer, as four Lancers in different sports have experienced success outside of the collegiate ranks.
Spotlights were shown on the Lancers’ baseball, women’s soccer, men’s volleyball and men’s water polo programs this summer, with all three seeing one of their athletes break into new waters in their professional or international careers. Baseball’s Adam Hofacket signed a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Kristopher Johnson of men’s volleyball made the United States team for the Pan American Games and men’s water polo’s Eric Carnohan inked a professional contract with Water Polo Navarra of Pamplona, Spain. Kelly Jenks from women’s soccer stepped in and made an immediate impact with Kokkola F10, a professional team in Finland.
Hofacket became the 26th Lancer drafted under Coach Gary Adcock’s 12-year tenure and is one of four players currently in the minor leagues – joined by Caleb Dirks, Trevor Oaks and Sharif Othman. Dirks and Othman are both playing at the double-A level. In 24 games, Hofacket has maintained a 3.41 earned-run average, logged eight saves and struck out 22 batters, compared to just three walks.
Jenks adjusted to the next level quickly for Kokkola F10. She played in each of the team’s first 10 games and was leading the league in goals early on, with 12 on the year. Her highlight performance of the young season came in a 4-0 win over Vantaa VJS on June 27th. She scored in the first minute of action and then assisted on another goal in the 91st minute.
Johnson was only one of two non-NCAA Division I products selected to the U.S. team but started every set of the tournament held in Toronto, Canada, which was also broadcast through WatchESPN. He finished the tournament with 27 kills on a .529 hitting percentage, eight blocks and four digs in five matches. Johnson has also been named to the U.S. preliminary roster for the 2015 FIVB World Cup and will continue his professional career with Leka Volley Club in Finland this year.
Carnohan was signed by Navarra, along with two international players from Brazil and Canada. He left for Spain on Aug. 24th and will look to build on a fantastic senior season he completed with the Lancers in 2014. He joins a list of elite Lancers who have played water polo on the international stage. Austen Ramer, CBU’s career leader in saves with 1,129, played professionally for three years in Australia after graduating in 2012. Brandon Jung also saw plenty of playing time in the Olympics for Canada in 2008.