NORMAN, OKLAHOMA (May 31, 2009) Rice had three runners place in the top six in the 3000m steeplechase at the NCAA Midwest Regional held at Oklahoma's John Jacobs Track and Field Complex.
Lennie Waite placed second with a time of 10:00.71, which is just shy of her all-time fastest time of 10:00.30. Colorado's Jennifer Barringer was first at 9:26.20.
Sophomore Becky Wade was fourth with her all-time best mark of 10:12.16, while Nicole Mericle finished sixth at 10:16.87.
In the team standings, Rice placed 12th with 25 points.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Colwick Wins NCAA Midwest Regional Track Title
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA (May 30, 2009) Rice pole vaulter Jason Colwick, owner of the world's No. 2 pole vault mark, lived up to his billing in winning the NCAA Midwest Regional title at Oklahoma's John Jacobs Track and Field Complex. Colwick cleared 5.56m/18-2.75 to place ahead of Texas' Maston Wallace who cleared the same height, but had more misses.
This is Colwick's first-ever NCAA Midwest Regional title after placing second a year ago. It is also the sixth time this outdoor season that he has cleared the 18-feet mark. His season-best is 5.72m/18-9.25.
Colwick cleared his opening height of 5.36m/17-7on his first attempt and then passed on 5.46m/17-11. The sophomore from San Marcos, Texas, cleared 5.56m on his second attempt and then passed on 5.66 before missing his first attempt at 5.76 and passing on his final two tries.
Wallace cleared his opening height of 5.16m/16-11 and then cleared 5.26m/17-3 on his third and final try. He then passed on 5.36m/17-7 and 5.46m/17-11 before clearing 5.56m/18-2.75 on his third attempt.
Ugo Nduaguba placed eighth in the triple jump with a season-best mark of 15.65m/51-4.26.
In other action, freshman Sam McGuffie finished 21st in the long jump with a mark of 6.96m/22-10 and Simon Bucknell, competing in the 1500m placed 10th in heat one with a time of 3:59.76.
This is Colwick's first-ever NCAA Midwest Regional title after placing second a year ago. It is also the sixth time this outdoor season that he has cleared the 18-feet mark. His season-best is 5.72m/18-9.25.
Colwick cleared his opening height of 5.36m/17-7on his first attempt and then passed on 5.46m/17-11. The sophomore from San Marcos, Texas, cleared 5.56m on his second attempt and then passed on 5.66 before missing his first attempt at 5.76 and passing on his final two tries.
Wallace cleared his opening height of 5.16m/16-11 and then cleared 5.26m/17-3 on his third and final try. He then passed on 5.36m/17-7 and 5.46m/17-11 before clearing 5.56m/18-2.75 on his third attempt.
Ugo Nduaguba placed eighth in the triple jump with a season-best mark of 15.65m/51-4.26.
In other action, freshman Sam McGuffie finished 21st in the long jump with a mark of 6.96m/22-10 and Simon Bucknell, competing in the 1500m placed 10th in heat one with a time of 3:59.76.
Friday, May 29, 2009
San Jac finishes fourth at JUCO World Series
GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO (May 29, 2009) San Jacinto College finished fourth in the nation after a disappointing 12-4 loss to Santa Fe College at the JUCO World Series on Thursday, May 2 in Grand Junction, Colorado.
San Jac’s normally dominant pitching staff struggled throughout the game, giving up at least one run in every inning except one. In the top of the third inning, San Jac tied the score at 3 when left fielder Steven Vidaurri drilled a two-run home run over the left field wall. But Santa Fe’s offense answered with four runs in the bottom of the third inning, knocking starting pitcher Chris McKenzie out of the game. The Saints never relinquished the lead and finished with 12 runs on 15 hits, with one error. San Jac’s four runs came on seven hits, and the team committed three costly errors.
San Jac’s fourth and final run came in the fifth inning when first baseman Devin Shines brought home center fielder Deric Hawk on a RBI single to center field. San Jac’s head coach Tom Arrington reflected on the team’s disappointing finish with mixed emotions. “We certainly wanted to go farther in the tournament and it’s not the way we wanted to end the season, but at least we did end the season in Grand Junction at the World Series,” he commented. “We were very proud to be here and to represent San Jacinto College, one of the greatest baseball programs in the nation. We’re proud of our tradition, and this is what we always strive for. We’ll be back, and we’ll keep pursuing the ultimate dream of winning a national title.”
San Jac’s normally dominant pitching staff struggled throughout the game, giving up at least one run in every inning except one. In the top of the third inning, San Jac tied the score at 3 when left fielder Steven Vidaurri drilled a two-run home run over the left field wall. But Santa Fe’s offense answered with four runs in the bottom of the third inning, knocking starting pitcher Chris McKenzie out of the game. The Saints never relinquished the lead and finished with 12 runs on 15 hits, with one error. San Jac’s four runs came on seven hits, and the team committed three costly errors.
San Jac’s fourth and final run came in the fifth inning when first baseman Devin Shines brought home center fielder Deric Hawk on a RBI single to center field. San Jac’s head coach Tom Arrington reflected on the team’s disappointing finish with mixed emotions. “We certainly wanted to go farther in the tournament and it’s not the way we wanted to end the season, but at least we did end the season in Grand Junction at the World Series,” he commented. “We were very proud to be here and to represent San Jacinto College, one of the greatest baseball programs in the nation. We’re proud of our tradition, and this is what we always strive for. We’ll be back, and we’ll keep pursuing the ultimate dream of winning a national title.”
Thursday, May 28, 2009
San Jac Loses Slugfest Against Howard
GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO (May 28, 2009) San Jacinto College came up a little short, losing 12-11 in a seesaw slugfest against top-ranked Howard College in the third round of the JUCO World Series on Wednesday, May 27 in Grand Junction, Colorado.
On offense, San Jac was led by third baseman Danny Hernandez, who went three for four with one RBI. Center fielder Deric Hawkins went four for five with three runs batted in. Right fielder Jeff Abt went one for three, and his one hit nearly turned the game around for San Jac. He launched a long, two-run home run over the center field fence in the bottom of the ninth inning to bring the score to 12-11 with no outs. Hernandez followed with a single to center field, but Hawkins, second baseman Ryan Still, and left fielder Steven Vidaurri went down in order and left Hernandez stranded at first.
San Jac used four pitchers — starter David Rollins, and relievers Sean Nolin, Dylan Adamek, and Chris Dickerson — and all of them were roughed up by Howard’s hitters. Rollins allowed 8 hits and 6 runs, Nolin allowed 4 hits and 3 runs, Adamek allowed no hits and 2 runs, and Dickerson allowed 2 hits and 1 run. San Jac will next face Santa Fe College on Thursday, May 28 at 3 p.m. San Jac defeated Santa Fe 9-4 on Tuesday, May 26, and must beat them again to advance to the next round of the tournament. There are now four teams left in the tournament. Howard College is the only undefeated team with a 3-0 record. San Jac, Santa Fe, and Western Nevada College all have 2-1 records.
The double-elimination tournament runs through May 30. For a complete tournament bracket and to follow San Jac through its national title run, visit www.jucogj.org.
On offense, San Jac was led by third baseman Danny Hernandez, who went three for four with one RBI. Center fielder Deric Hawkins went four for five with three runs batted in. Right fielder Jeff Abt went one for three, and his one hit nearly turned the game around for San Jac. He launched a long, two-run home run over the center field fence in the bottom of the ninth inning to bring the score to 12-11 with no outs. Hernandez followed with a single to center field, but Hawkins, second baseman Ryan Still, and left fielder Steven Vidaurri went down in order and left Hernandez stranded at first.
San Jac used four pitchers — starter David Rollins, and relievers Sean Nolin, Dylan Adamek, and Chris Dickerson — and all of them were roughed up by Howard’s hitters. Rollins allowed 8 hits and 6 runs, Nolin allowed 4 hits and 3 runs, Adamek allowed no hits and 2 runs, and Dickerson allowed 2 hits and 1 run. San Jac will next face Santa Fe College on Thursday, May 28 at 3 p.m. San Jac defeated Santa Fe 9-4 on Tuesday, May 26, and must beat them again to advance to the next round of the tournament. There are now four teams left in the tournament. Howard College is the only undefeated team with a 3-0 record. San Jac, Santa Fe, and Western Nevada College all have 2-1 records.
The double-elimination tournament runs through May 30. For a complete tournament bracket and to follow San Jac through its national title run, visit www.jucogj.org.
NEW ROLES FOR HBU'S COTTRELL AND MONIACI
HOUSTON, TEXAS (mAY 28, 2009) Houston Baptist University Head Basketball Coach and Athletic Director Ron Cottrell will be moving into a new role as associate athletic director, allowing him to focus more time on his role as head basketball coach, President Robert B. Sloan announced today. Associate Athletic Director Steve Moniaci will serve as interim athletic director.
According to Sloan, the move makes sense with the University’s move back into NCAA Division I athletics. “For three years, Ron Cottrell and I together planned for HBU’s entrance into NCAA Division I. As both Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Ron has given exceptional leadership in the initiation of this process and the completion of the first major step. He and I have often discussed the fact that he would eventually serve as either Athletic Director or Head Men’s Basketball Coach, given the huge responsibility of NCAA membership and now our membership in the Division I Great West Conference.
“Ron has recently indicated his desire to relinquish the role of Athletic Director and, of course, retain his role as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach. He has done an amazing job in carrying both responsibilities, and the entire HBU family owes him a huge debt of gratitude. But Ron’s first love is still coaching, and his nation-wide success as NAIA Coach and now NCAA bears witness to that fact.”
Sloan also remarked on the importance of the experiences Moniaci brings to the University in making the transition possible. “We are fortunate to have had Steve Moniaci as Associate Athletic Director for more than two years. Steve has been an integral partner with Ron during HBU’s transition to the NCAA, and brings great experience to the role of AD. These two colleagues will continue to play a significant role as HBU moves toward full membership in NCAA Division I.”
Moniaci joined HBU after 26 years of service in the athletic department at Rice University. He began his tenure at Rice as the executive director of the Owl Club and director of athletic promotions. He was named assistant athletic director in charge of operations in 1985, associate athletic director in 1997, and in 2001 he was named senior associate athletic director, a position he held until 2006.
Cottrell is beginning his 19th season as head basketball coach for the Huskies with a career record of 379-208. After years as a perennial NAIA Division I power, the Huskies played their first NCAA Division I schedule during the 2008-2009 season as they joined the Great West Conference. Cottrell had served as athletic director for 15 years.
According to Sloan, the move makes sense with the University’s move back into NCAA Division I athletics. “For three years, Ron Cottrell and I together planned for HBU’s entrance into NCAA Division I. As both Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Ron has given exceptional leadership in the initiation of this process and the completion of the first major step. He and I have often discussed the fact that he would eventually serve as either Athletic Director or Head Men’s Basketball Coach, given the huge responsibility of NCAA membership and now our membership in the Division I Great West Conference.
“Ron has recently indicated his desire to relinquish the role of Athletic Director and, of course, retain his role as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach. He has done an amazing job in carrying both responsibilities, and the entire HBU family owes him a huge debt of gratitude. But Ron’s first love is still coaching, and his nation-wide success as NAIA Coach and now NCAA bears witness to that fact.”
Sloan also remarked on the importance of the experiences Moniaci brings to the University in making the transition possible. “We are fortunate to have had Steve Moniaci as Associate Athletic Director for more than two years. Steve has been an integral partner with Ron during HBU’s transition to the NCAA, and brings great experience to the role of AD. These two colleagues will continue to play a significant role as HBU moves toward full membership in NCAA Division I.”
Moniaci joined HBU after 26 years of service in the athletic department at Rice University. He began his tenure at Rice as the executive director of the Owl Club and director of athletic promotions. He was named assistant athletic director in charge of operations in 1985, associate athletic director in 1997, and in 2001 he was named senior associate athletic director, a position he held until 2006.
Cottrell is beginning his 19th season as head basketball coach for the Huskies with a career record of 379-208. After years as a perennial NAIA Division I power, the Huskies played their first NCAA Division I schedule during the 2008-2009 season as they joined the Great West Conference. Cottrell had served as athletic director for 15 years.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Dynamo acquire forward Dominic Oduro from New York Red Bulls
HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 27, 2009) The Houston Dynamo acquired forward Dominic Oduro in a trade with the New York Red Bulls, the team announced today.Houston sent a 2010 first-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft and a 2011 second-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft to the Red Bulls in exchange for Oduro.
Oduro, 23, is already in his fourth season in Major League Soccer. Oduro played with FC Dallas from 2006-08, scoring nine goals in 70 games, and has made three appearances with the Red Bulls this season. He played collegiate soccer at Virginia Commonwealth University from 2004-05. A native of Pramso, Ghana, Oduro has been called into camp with the Ghana U-23 national team but has not made any appearances.
“We played against him several times when he was in Dallas, and he always performed well,” Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said. “His pace really stands out. He will definitely be a good addition to the team.”
Oduro is expected to fly to Houston in time for Thursday’s training and will be available to the media at Thursday’s 1:00 p.m. press conference.
The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer franchise that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first three seasons and represented the United States in three consecutive regional championships. Currently on a six-game unbeaten streak, the Dynamo will close out their current two-game homestand on Saturday, May 30, against Toronto FC. Be sure to ask about the new Texas Children’s Health Plan Family Section. For more information, please log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.
Rice's Rendon Named A Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA (May 27, 2009) Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon was named one of 30 national semifinalists for the 2009 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award as the nation's premier amateur baseball player, USA Baseball announced Tuesday (May 26) from its headquarters in Durham, N.C.
Rendon, who is also a national semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy as the top college player as selected by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Assoc., was last week the first player in Conference USA history to be named both the C-USA Player and C-USA Freshman of the Year in the same season. Rendon is the only freshman among the Golden Spikes Award national semifinalists. The young standout from nearby Lamar High School has had a sensational debut at the Division I level, leading the conference in home runs (19) and leading the Owls in batting average (.375) and rbi (64).
The Golden Spikes Award has been presented to the nation's top amateur player in each of the last 31 years. The names of the 30 semifinalists will now be forwarded to a voting body of 125 who will select the five finalists and the eventual 2009 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award winner. The 2009 winner will be announced live at MLB's All-Star FanFest in St. Louis as part of a production by Major League Baseball and MLBAM.
"USA Baseball is proud to recognize the 30 semifinalists and their respective baseball programs for the 2009 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award," said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO. "With 25 schools and 14 conferences represented, it is clear that the level of competition within college baseball and for the Golden Spikes Award is as high as ever."
The Rice baseball team begins play in the NCAA Tournament with its home NCAA Regional this Friday (May 29) at Reckling Park. The Owls host longtime rival Sam Houston State at 6 pm. The early game of the Regional features Kansas State and Xavier in a 2 pm start.
Rendon, who is also a national semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy as the top college player as selected by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Assoc., was last week the first player in Conference USA history to be named both the C-USA Player and C-USA Freshman of the Year in the same season. Rendon is the only freshman among the Golden Spikes Award national semifinalists. The young standout from nearby Lamar High School has had a sensational debut at the Division I level, leading the conference in home runs (19) and leading the Owls in batting average (.375) and rbi (64).
The Golden Spikes Award has been presented to the nation's top amateur player in each of the last 31 years. The names of the 30 semifinalists will now be forwarded to a voting body of 125 who will select the five finalists and the eventual 2009 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award winner. The 2009 winner will be announced live at MLB's All-Star FanFest in St. Louis as part of a production by Major League Baseball and MLBAM.
"USA Baseball is proud to recognize the 30 semifinalists and their respective baseball programs for the 2009 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award," said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO. "With 25 schools and 14 conferences represented, it is clear that the level of competition within college baseball and for the Golden Spikes Award is as high as ever."
The Rice baseball team begins play in the NCAA Tournament with its home NCAA Regional this Friday (May 29) at Reckling Park. The Owls host longtime rival Sam Houston State at 6 pm. The early game of the Regional features Kansas State and Xavier in a 2 pm start.
UH Track & Field to Send 27 to NCAA Midwest Regional
HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 27, 2009) The University of Houston track and field team will be represented by 27 student-athletes at the upcoming 2009 NCAA Midwest Regional on May 29-30 at John Jacobs Field in Norman, Okla.
All 27 have met the NCAA regional qualifications during the outdoor season to advance to the post-season event.
Competing for the men are senior Ivan Diggs (HJ), sophomore Chris Carter (TJ), sophomore Ed Turner (100m, 200m, LJ), junior Alex Bentley (PV), sophomore Bryan Brown (PV), sophomore Tyron Carrier (100m, 200m), sophomore Lazarus Crumedy (4X100), junior Lamar Delaney (TJ), senior Morgan Floyd (JT, Decathlon), freshman D'Korian Ford (400h), junior Brandon Hubbard (DT), senior Jeremy Kelley (TJ), junior Jason Perez (400h) and freshman Isaiah Sweeney (100m).
Competing for the women are senior Seun Adigun (100H, 100m, 200m, 4X100), freshman Grecia Bolton (100m, 200m), sophomore Candyce Cross (4X400), sophomore Kalyn Floyd (200m, 400m), freshman Whitney Harris (200m, 400m), sophomore Christie Jones (100m, 200m), junior Quin'shundolyn McPherson (LJ, 4X100, 4X400), senior Dayo Ogunniyi (LJ), sophomore Kiara Pulliam (SP), freshman Tai'shea Reese (LJ), junior Brittani Williams (JT) and freshman Nadirah Shakir (TJ).
At the Regional the top five finishers in each event will automatically qualify for the 2009 NCAA Championships held June 10-13 in Fayetteville, Ark. There are four Regional sites making a total of 20 qualifiers with the possibility of five to eight at-large bids.
The 10,000 meters, heptathlon and decathlon have automatic and provisional marks for the NCAA Championships. Automatic qualifiers will make the Championships leaving at-large bids available to athletes with provisional marks.
Last season at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Des Moines, Iowa, the women's team finished in ninth place with 23 points, while the men finished in 28th with five team points.
All 27 have met the NCAA regional qualifications during the outdoor season to advance to the post-season event.
Competing for the men are senior Ivan Diggs (HJ), sophomore Chris Carter (TJ), sophomore Ed Turner (100m, 200m, LJ), junior Alex Bentley (PV), sophomore Bryan Brown (PV), sophomore Tyron Carrier (100m, 200m), sophomore Lazarus Crumedy (4X100), junior Lamar Delaney (TJ), senior Morgan Floyd (JT, Decathlon), freshman D'Korian Ford (400h), junior Brandon Hubbard (DT), senior Jeremy Kelley (TJ), junior Jason Perez (400h) and freshman Isaiah Sweeney (100m).
Competing for the women are senior Seun Adigun (100H, 100m, 200m, 4X100), freshman Grecia Bolton (100m, 200m), sophomore Candyce Cross (4X400), sophomore Kalyn Floyd (200m, 400m), freshman Whitney Harris (200m, 400m), sophomore Christie Jones (100m, 200m), junior Quin'shundolyn McPherson (LJ, 4X100, 4X400), senior Dayo Ogunniyi (LJ), sophomore Kiara Pulliam (SP), freshman Tai'shea Reese (LJ), junior Brittani Williams (JT) and freshman Nadirah Shakir (TJ).
At the Regional the top five finishers in each event will automatically qualify for the 2009 NCAA Championships held June 10-13 in Fayetteville, Ark. There are four Regional sites making a total of 20 qualifiers with the possibility of five to eight at-large bids.
The 10,000 meters, heptathlon and decathlon have automatic and provisional marks for the NCAA Championships. Automatic qualifiers will make the Championships leaving at-large bids available to athletes with provisional marks.
Last season at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Des Moines, Iowa, the women's team finished in ninth place with 23 points, while the men finished in 28th with five team points.
Men's Basketball Adds Fifth Member of Signing Class
HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 27, 2009) Collin County College guard Adam Brown became the fifth member of the University of Houston men's basketball team signing class with his recent inking, head coach Tom Penders announced Tuesday.
Brown, a native of San Antonio, joins the Cougars after an award-winning career for the last two seasons at Collin County College. As a sophomore in 2008-09, Brown averaged 18.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He averaged 43 percent from behind the arc and recorded 14 games with at least 20 points, including a season-high 33 points against Temple College.
For his impressive efforts, he was named to the Junior College All-America Second Team and was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the North Texas Conference and NJCAA Region V.
Brown competed at San Antonio's Churchill High for head coach Randy Schuster, graduating in 2007.
He selected the Cougars over TCU, Miami (Fla.), Rutgers, Wichita State and Utah State.
With the addition of Brown, the Cougars' signing class grew to five student-athletes. Brown joined forward Maurice McNeil (San Jacinto JC, New York), guard Nick Haywood (Ouachita High, Monroe, La.), forward Kendrick Washington (Huntington High, Shreveport, La.) and forward Kirk Van Slyke (West Point Prep/College Park High, The Woodlands, Texas), who signed in mid May.
Brown joins McNeil as the oldest members of the signing with Haywood, Washington and Van Slyke competing as freshmen in 2009-10.
In 2008-09, the Cougars finished with a 21-12 overall record and advanced to the College Basketball Invitational for the second straight season. It was the program's fourth postseason appearance in the last five years.
Brown, a native of San Antonio, joins the Cougars after an award-winning career for the last two seasons at Collin County College. As a sophomore in 2008-09, Brown averaged 18.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He averaged 43 percent from behind the arc and recorded 14 games with at least 20 points, including a season-high 33 points against Temple College.
For his impressive efforts, he was named to the Junior College All-America Second Team and was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the North Texas Conference and NJCAA Region V.
Brown competed at San Antonio's Churchill High for head coach Randy Schuster, graduating in 2007.
He selected the Cougars over TCU, Miami (Fla.), Rutgers, Wichita State and Utah State.
With the addition of Brown, the Cougars' signing class grew to five student-athletes. Brown joined forward Maurice McNeil (San Jacinto JC, New York), guard Nick Haywood (Ouachita High, Monroe, La.), forward Kendrick Washington (Huntington High, Shreveport, La.) and forward Kirk Van Slyke (West Point Prep/College Park High, The Woodlands, Texas), who signed in mid May.
Brown joins McNeil as the oldest members of the signing with Haywood, Washington and Van Slyke competing as freshmen in 2009-10.
In 2008-09, the Cougars finished with a 21-12 overall record and advanced to the College Basketball Invitational for the second straight season. It was the program's fourth postseason appearance in the last five years.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Field Set for NCAA Regional Baseball Action at Rice
HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 25, 2009) The Rice Owls, champions of Conference USA, will welcome Kansas State, Xavier and Sam Houston to Reckling Park this weekend for regional action in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Baseball Championship.
Tickets for the Houston (Rice) Regional are on sale online at RiceOwls.com, or through the Rice Athletic Ticket Office at Rice Stadium. All-session passes are available for $55. Tickets for single games will go on sale on Thursday, May 28. Tickets can be purchased in person or over the phone by calling (713) 522-OWLS during normal business hours from Tuesday through Thursday.
This is the Owls 15th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Baseball Championship, which ranks as the fourth longest active streak in the country. Miami (FL) is in the field for the 37th consecutive year, extending its own record, followed by Florida State (32) and Cal State Fullerton (18),
The Owls (39-15) will open NCAA play against Sam Houston State (36-22) for the second consecutive year when they meet at 6:00 on Friday at Reckling Park. The Owls defeated the Bearkats 3-2 last year in the opener. Kansas State (41-16-1) will take on Xavier (38-19) in the regional opener at 2:00 on Friday.
Kansas State and Xavier are making their first appearances in the NCAA tournament and are two of 29 teams who were not in the 2008 field Binghamton, Cal Poly and Georgia St. are also making the championship for the first time. Utah last was in the field in 1960, Boston College last made it in 1967.
For the first time in four years, the Owls did not receive one of the eight national seeds and their regional has been matched with the LSU (#3 national seed) regional in the bracket.
The field of 64 teams competing for the 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship was announced today by the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee.
The national top eight seeds are Texas (41-13-1), Cal State Fullerton (42-14), LSU (46-16), North Carolina (42-16), Arizona St. (44-12), UC Irvine (43-13), Oklahoma (41-18) and Florida (39-20).
The Big 12 and Southeastern Conference lead all conferences in the number of teams in the championship field with eight, followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with seven. The Big Ten, Big West, Conference USA and Pacific-10 each have three teams each.
Of the 288 championship eligible Division I institutions that sponsor baseball, Coastal Carolina and LSU have the most Division I wins with 46. Twenty-five other teams won at least 40 Division I contests, and all of which but New Mexico St. and San Jose St., are in the field.
Each of the 16 regionals feature four teams, playing a double-elimination format. The regionals are scheduled to be conducted from Friday, May 29, to Monday, June 1 (if necessary). Selection of the eight super regional hosts will be announced on NCAA.com, Monday, June 1 at approximately 11 p.m. (ET).
The 63rd Men's College World Series begins play Saturday, June 13, at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska.
Tickets for the Houston (Rice) Regional are on sale online at RiceOwls.com, or through the Rice Athletic Ticket Office at Rice Stadium. All-session passes are available for $55. Tickets for single games will go on sale on Thursday, May 28. Tickets can be purchased in person or over the phone by calling (713) 522-OWLS during normal business hours from Tuesday through Thursday.
This is the Owls 15th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Baseball Championship, which ranks as the fourth longest active streak in the country. Miami (FL) is in the field for the 37th consecutive year, extending its own record, followed by Florida State (32) and Cal State Fullerton (18),
The Owls (39-15) will open NCAA play against Sam Houston State (36-22) for the second consecutive year when they meet at 6:00 on Friday at Reckling Park. The Owls defeated the Bearkats 3-2 last year in the opener. Kansas State (41-16-1) will take on Xavier (38-19) in the regional opener at 2:00 on Friday.
Kansas State and Xavier are making their first appearances in the NCAA tournament and are two of 29 teams who were not in the 2008 field Binghamton, Cal Poly and Georgia St. are also making the championship for the first time. Utah last was in the field in 1960, Boston College last made it in 1967.
For the first time in four years, the Owls did not receive one of the eight national seeds and their regional has been matched with the LSU (#3 national seed) regional in the bracket.
The field of 64 teams competing for the 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship was announced today by the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee.
The national top eight seeds are Texas (41-13-1), Cal State Fullerton (42-14), LSU (46-16), North Carolina (42-16), Arizona St. (44-12), UC Irvine (43-13), Oklahoma (41-18) and Florida (39-20).
The Big 12 and Southeastern Conference lead all conferences in the number of teams in the championship field with eight, followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with seven. The Big Ten, Big West, Conference USA and Pacific-10 each have three teams each.
Of the 288 championship eligible Division I institutions that sponsor baseball, Coastal Carolina and LSU have the most Division I wins with 46. Twenty-five other teams won at least 40 Division I contests, and all of which but New Mexico St. and San Jose St., are in the field.
Each of the 16 regionals feature four teams, playing a double-elimination format. The regionals are scheduled to be conducted from Friday, May 29, to Monday, June 1 (if necessary). Selection of the eight super regional hosts will be announced on NCAA.com, Monday, June 1 at approximately 11 p.m. (ET).
The 63rd Men's College World Series begins play Saturday, June 13, at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska.
Rice Selected To Host NCAA Baseball Regional
HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 25, 2009) The NCAA Division I Baseball Committee announced 16 regional sites for the 63rd annual NCAA Division I Baseball Championship on Sunday evening, and for the eighth time in the past nine years, Rice's Reckling Park will serve as a site for the opening round of The Road to Omaha. As a host site for the a 2009 regional, the Owls have qualified for their 15th-consecutive NCAA Baseball Championship by virtue of their 8-6 win over Southern Miss Sunday afternoon in the C-USA Championship game.
Competition for the Houston (Rice) Regional will get underway on Friday, May 29 with a pair of games. The list of competing teams will be released on Monday at 11:30 am on ESPN as part of the release of the 2008 NCAA Baseball tournament bracket. The NCAA will also announce the teams who have earned national seeds at that time.
Tickets for the Houston (Rice) Regional are on sale online at RiceOwls.com, or through the Rice Athletic Ticket Office at Rice Stadium. All-session passes are available for $55. Tickets for single games will go on sale on Thursday, May 28. Tickets can be purchased in person or over the phone by calling (713) 522-OWLS during normal business hours from Tuesday through Thursday.
The 16 regional sites, with host institutions and records are as follows: Arizona State (43-12 through Saturday, May 23), Tempe, Ariz.; UC Irvine (42-13 through Saturday, May 23), Irvine, Calif.; Cal State Fullerton (41-14 through Saturday, May 23), Fullerton, Calif.; Clemson (40-19), Clemson, S.C.; East Carolina (42-17), Greenville, N.C.; Florida (39-20), Gainesville, Fla.; Florida St. (42-15 through Saturday, May 23), Tallahassee, Fla.; Georgia Tech (35-17-1), Atlanta; LSU (45-16 through Saturday, May 23), Baton Rouge, La.; Louisville (44-15), Louisville, Ky.; Mississippi (40-17), Oxford, Miss.; North Carolina (42-16), Chapel Hill, N.C.; Oklahoma (41-18), Norman, Okla.; Rice (39-15), Houston; Texas (40-13-1 through Saturday, May 23), Austin, Texas; TCU (36-16), Fort Worth, Texas.
By virtue of being awarded a regional, all 16 host institutions have also been selected to the 64-team field. Cal State Fullerton, Clemson, East Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma and TCU have made the field as at-large selections.
Arizona State (Pacific-10), UC Irvine (Big West), Florida St. (Atlantic Coast), Louisville (Big East), LSU (SEC), Rice (Conference USA), Texas (Big XII) have clinched automatic berths by virtue of winning their conference tournament championships.
Each regional field features four teams, playing a double-elimination format. All 16 regionals are scheduled to be conducted from Friday, May 29, to Monday, June 1. Florida State is hosting for record 28th time, while this will be the 19th time that Arizona State and LSU have hosted a regional. Clemson (12th) is the only other institution to host 10 or more times since the NCAA went to the regional format in 1975.
Georgia Tech is hosting for the ninth time, while Cal St. Fullerton, Florida and Rice are hosting a regional for the eighth time. Mississippi and North Carolina are hosting for the fifth time.
Oklahoma is the host for the fourth time and East Carolina for the third time. Hosting for the first time are UC Irvine, Louisville and TCU. Six institutions (Arizona State, Cal State Fullerton, Florida State, LSU, North Carolina and Rice) also hosted in 2008.
Thirty Division I conferences receive an automatic berth in the field of 64, along with 34 at-large selections. The 63rd Men's College World Series begins play Saturday, June 13, at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska.
Competition for the Houston (Rice) Regional will get underway on Friday, May 29 with a pair of games. The list of competing teams will be released on Monday at 11:30 am on ESPN as part of the release of the 2008 NCAA Baseball tournament bracket. The NCAA will also announce the teams who have earned national seeds at that time.
Tickets for the Houston (Rice) Regional are on sale online at RiceOwls.com, or through the Rice Athletic Ticket Office at Rice Stadium. All-session passes are available for $55. Tickets for single games will go on sale on Thursday, May 28. Tickets can be purchased in person or over the phone by calling (713) 522-OWLS during normal business hours from Tuesday through Thursday.
The 16 regional sites, with host institutions and records are as follows: Arizona State (43-12 through Saturday, May 23), Tempe, Ariz.; UC Irvine (42-13 through Saturday, May 23), Irvine, Calif.; Cal State Fullerton (41-14 through Saturday, May 23), Fullerton, Calif.; Clemson (40-19), Clemson, S.C.; East Carolina (42-17), Greenville, N.C.; Florida (39-20), Gainesville, Fla.; Florida St. (42-15 through Saturday, May 23), Tallahassee, Fla.; Georgia Tech (35-17-1), Atlanta; LSU (45-16 through Saturday, May 23), Baton Rouge, La.; Louisville (44-15), Louisville, Ky.; Mississippi (40-17), Oxford, Miss.; North Carolina (42-16), Chapel Hill, N.C.; Oklahoma (41-18), Norman, Okla.; Rice (39-15), Houston; Texas (40-13-1 through Saturday, May 23), Austin, Texas; TCU (36-16), Fort Worth, Texas.
By virtue of being awarded a regional, all 16 host institutions have also been selected to the 64-team field. Cal State Fullerton, Clemson, East Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma and TCU have made the field as at-large selections.
Arizona State (Pacific-10), UC Irvine (Big West), Florida St. (Atlantic Coast), Louisville (Big East), LSU (SEC), Rice (Conference USA), Texas (Big XII) have clinched automatic berths by virtue of winning their conference tournament championships.
Each regional field features four teams, playing a double-elimination format. All 16 regionals are scheduled to be conducted from Friday, May 29, to Monday, June 1. Florida State is hosting for record 28th time, while this will be the 19th time that Arizona State and LSU have hosted a regional. Clemson (12th) is the only other institution to host 10 or more times since the NCAA went to the regional format in 1975.
Georgia Tech is hosting for the ninth time, while Cal St. Fullerton, Florida and Rice are hosting a regional for the eighth time. Mississippi and North Carolina are hosting for the fifth time.
Oklahoma is the host for the fourth time and East Carolina for the third time. Hosting for the first time are UC Irvine, Louisville and TCU. Six institutions (Arizona State, Cal State Fullerton, Florida State, LSU, North Carolina and Rice) also hosted in 2008.
Thirty Division I conferences receive an automatic berth in the field of 64, along with 34 at-large selections. The 63rd Men's College World Series begins play Saturday, June 13, at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska.
TexSport Publications Hits 1000th Article
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications
DEER PARK-PASADENA, TEXAS (May 25, 2009) Today, TexSport Publications posted its 1000th article. It has been a long hard journey, but with everyone continued support we will continue to cover the sports and write the article that convey our unique coverage.
We wish to thank all our readers and contributors. We could not have make it without them all.
Hopefully we will be able to get the next thousand articles written and published quicker than we did the first thousand.
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications
DEER PARK-PASADENA, TEXAS (May 25, 2009) Today, TexSport Publications posted its 1000th article. It has been a long hard journey, but with everyone continued support we will continue to cover the sports and write the article that convey our unique coverage.
We wish to thank all our readers and contributors. We could not have make it without them all.
Hopefully we will be able to get the next thousand articles written and published quicker than we did the first thousand.
A Yankees Fan Deep in the Heart of Texas: A Rod's Return
By Chris PriceCopyright 2009 TexSport Publications
DEEP PARK, TEXAS (May 25, 2009) TexSport Publications' senior writer Robert Kelly has posted a new article on the "A Yankees Fan Deep in the Heart of Texas" site. It is also posted on Bleacher Report. Please stop by and have a read.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Graduation Day for TCU Women's Tennis
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (May 12, 2009) After missing their on-campus graduation ceremony due to NCAA Regional action in Arkansas over the weekend, Macall Harkins and Anna Sydorska received their degrees Tuesday in a commencement held at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. The degrees were presented by TCU Chancellor Victor Boschini and Provost Nowell Donovan.
The duo still have some tennis left to play, as they are preparing to make their
second-straight NCAA Doubles Championship appearance together, beginning May 20 in College Station, Texas.
Harkins transferred to TCU from Illinois before the 2006-07 season. After sitting out a year due to NCAA regulations, the Palos Verdes, Calif., native has been a solid rock for the Horned Frogs in singles and doubles action. Compiling overall records of 44-24 in singles and currently at a 50-24 clip in doubles, Harkins was a 2008 All-Mountain West Conference doubles selection and two-time singles honoree. She was recently named the Southwest Region Arthur Ashe, Jr. Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, an honor going that goes to a player who has exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
Sydorska, a 2007 doubles All-American and three-time All-MWC singles and doubles selection, has been a standout at TCU since joining the program in 2005. The Lviv, Ukraine product is currently tied for the Horned Frogs record for most
doubles wins in a career (105) and is fifth all-time in combined career wins
(178). Named to the 2007 ITA Collegiate All-Star team, Sydorska made four
consecutive ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships, two-time ITA
Southwest Regional Doubles Champion and was also selected alongside former
doubles partner Ana Cetnik to represent TCU on the MWC 10th Anniversary team.
Sydorska finished her Frog career with a 73-44 singles record, while heading
into the NCAA Doubles Championship with a doubles ledger of 105-42.
The duo still have some tennis left to play, as they are preparing to make their
second-straight NCAA Doubles Championship appearance together, beginning May 20 in College Station, Texas.
Harkins transferred to TCU from Illinois before the 2006-07 season. After sitting out a year due to NCAA regulations, the Palos Verdes, Calif., native has been a solid rock for the Horned Frogs in singles and doubles action. Compiling overall records of 44-24 in singles and currently at a 50-24 clip in doubles, Harkins was a 2008 All-Mountain West Conference doubles selection and two-time singles honoree. She was recently named the Southwest Region Arthur Ashe, Jr. Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, an honor going that goes to a player who has exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
Sydorska, a 2007 doubles All-American and three-time All-MWC singles and doubles selection, has been a standout at TCU since joining the program in 2005. The Lviv, Ukraine product is currently tied for the Horned Frogs record for most
doubles wins in a career (105) and is fifth all-time in combined career wins
(178). Named to the 2007 ITA Collegiate All-Star team, Sydorska made four
consecutive ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships, two-time ITA
Southwest Regional Doubles Champion and was also selected alongside former
doubles partner Ana Cetnik to represent TCU on the MWC 10th Anniversary team.
Sydorska finished her Frog career with a 73-44 singles record, while heading
into the NCAA Doubles Championship with a doubles ledger of 105-42.
Friday, May 15, 2009
A Record 44 Student-Athletes Presented Texas State Bobcat Club Rings
(Photo courtesy of Texas State University Media Relations Department)SAN MARCOS, TEXAS (May 15, 2009) A record number of 44 Texas State student-athletes were honored Friday morning at the school’s Bobcat Club Academic Ring Ceremony that was held at the Sac N’ Pac Room inside the End Zone Complex.
The Texas State Bobcat Club Academic Ring symbolizes excellence on the playing field and in the classroom, and since the inception of the program, nearly 750 student-athletes have received a ring. Along with their rings, the graduating student-athletes received a maroon and gold cord to wear at their graduation ceremonies.
University President Dr. Denise Trauth, athletic director Larry Teis and each of the student-athletes’ coaches presented the rings and cords to 10 members of the men’s track and field team, nine football players, five women’s tennis players, five women’s track and field athletes, three baseball players, three soccer players, two men’s basketball players, two women’s basketball players, two members of the men’s golf team and one women’s golf player.
The men’s track and field athletes included: Dino Buchanan, Jarrod Buddin, Daniel Fahlenkamp, Clay Holland, Robert Melin, Kemuel Morales, Eric Sheppard, Gatis Spunde, Eric Williams and Andrew Ysebaert. The football players were: Ramel Borner, Blake Burton, Adrian Dayse, Matt Jenkins, Nate Langford, Crawford May, Brian Quackenbush, Adrian Thomas and Stan Zwinggi. The women’s tennis players included: Lainy Chafitz, Mackenzie Farmer, Ali Gulida, Rabea Hartman and Natalie McLeod. The women’s track and field athletes were: Brookelyn Dickson, Shanitra Garrett, Affma Martin, Mary O’Connor, Kristina Viniar. The baseball players were: Tyler Brundridge, Gerardo Cervantez and Steven Siers. The soccer players were: Jamie Batchelor, Angela Crissy and Reagan McNutt. Softball’s Taylor Hall and Jetta Weinheimer, along with women’s golfer Christine Brijalba and men’s golfers Tyler Barnes-Wolf and Ben Campbell also received rings.
Throughout 2008-09, a total of 62 student-athletes earned their Bobcat Club Academic Rings. In addition to the 44 honored on Friday, 19 received rings in a December ceremony.
The Texas State Athletics Department initiated the Ring Ceremony in May 1986, and it is held at the end of each fall and spring semesters in conjunction with graduation ceremonies. To earn this symbol of academic and athletic achievements, student-athletes must have received the “T” Letter from the Athletics Department, completed NCAA eligibility at Texas State and earned an undergraduate degree within one year after NCAA eligibility has been completed.
The cords were started by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in December 2008, and serve to recognize student-athletes as a unique group on campus.
The Texas State Bobcat Club Academic Ring symbolizes excellence on the playing field and in the classroom, and since the inception of the program, nearly 750 student-athletes have received a ring. Along with their rings, the graduating student-athletes received a maroon and gold cord to wear at their graduation ceremonies.
University President Dr. Denise Trauth, athletic director Larry Teis and each of the student-athletes’ coaches presented the rings and cords to 10 members of the men’s track and field team, nine football players, five women’s tennis players, five women’s track and field athletes, three baseball players, three soccer players, two men’s basketball players, two women’s basketball players, two members of the men’s golf team and one women’s golf player.
The men’s track and field athletes included: Dino Buchanan, Jarrod Buddin, Daniel Fahlenkamp, Clay Holland, Robert Melin, Kemuel Morales, Eric Sheppard, Gatis Spunde, Eric Williams and Andrew Ysebaert. The football players were: Ramel Borner, Blake Burton, Adrian Dayse, Matt Jenkins, Nate Langford, Crawford May, Brian Quackenbush, Adrian Thomas and Stan Zwinggi. The women’s tennis players included: Lainy Chafitz, Mackenzie Farmer, Ali Gulida, Rabea Hartman and Natalie McLeod. The women’s track and field athletes were: Brookelyn Dickson, Shanitra Garrett, Affma Martin, Mary O’Connor, Kristina Viniar. The baseball players were: Tyler Brundridge, Gerardo Cervantez and Steven Siers. The soccer players were: Jamie Batchelor, Angela Crissy and Reagan McNutt. Softball’s Taylor Hall and Jetta Weinheimer, along with women’s golfer Christine Brijalba and men’s golfers Tyler Barnes-Wolf and Ben Campbell also received rings.
Throughout 2008-09, a total of 62 student-athletes earned their Bobcat Club Academic Rings. In addition to the 44 honored on Friday, 19 received rings in a December ceremony.
The Texas State Athletics Department initiated the Ring Ceremony in May 1986, and it is held at the end of each fall and spring semesters in conjunction with graduation ceremonies. To earn this symbol of academic and athletic achievements, student-athletes must have received the “T” Letter from the Athletics Department, completed NCAA eligibility at Texas State and earned an undergraduate degree within one year after NCAA eligibility has been completed.
The cords were started by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in December 2008, and serve to recognize student-athletes as a unique group on campus.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Men's Track & Field Fourth at C-USA Outdoor Meet
TULSA, OKALHOMA (May 14, 2009) The Rice Owls men's track and field team is in fourth place with eight points after day one of competition of the Conference USA Outdoor Track & Field Championship. The Owls scored four points in the hammer throw and four more in the 10,000m.
Clay Baker placed sixth and William Meyers finished eighth in the hammer throw. Baker threw a season-best 48.54m/159-3, while Meyers went 40.77m/133-9.
Brad Morris picked up four points with a fifth place finish in the 10,000m (31:42.64).
After the first day of competition in the decathlon, Rice's Philip Adam sits in first place with 3,942 points, while freshman Clayton Chaney is third with 3,521 points. Houston's Morgan Floyd is in second (3,739). Pete Navarra is sixth with 2,817 points.
Adam was first in the 100m (10.93), shot put (14.03m/46-0.5), high jump (1.93m/6-4), in the 400m (49.43). Clayton Chaney was first in the long jump (6.94m/22-9.25).
C-USA Day 1 Team Scores
1 UTEP 18
2 Houston 6
3 East Carolina 5
4 Memphis 4
4 Rice 4
6 Southern Miss 2
Clay Baker placed sixth and William Meyers finished eighth in the hammer throw. Baker threw a season-best 48.54m/159-3, while Meyers went 40.77m/133-9.
Brad Morris picked up four points with a fifth place finish in the 10,000m (31:42.64).
After the first day of competition in the decathlon, Rice's Philip Adam sits in first place with 3,942 points, while freshman Clayton Chaney is third with 3,521 points. Houston's Morgan Floyd is in second (3,739). Pete Navarra is sixth with 2,817 points.
Adam was first in the 100m (10.93), shot put (14.03m/46-0.5), high jump (1.93m/6-4), in the 400m (49.43). Clayton Chaney was first in the long jump (6.94m/22-9.25).
C-USA Day 1 Team Scores
1 UTEP 18
2 Houston 6
3 East Carolina 5
4 Memphis 4
4 Rice 4
6 Southern Miss 2
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Horned Frogs End 2009 Tennis Season With Heartbreaker At Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS (May 13, 2009) The 28th-ranked TCU women's tennis team fell to No. 14 Arkansas by a score of 4-3 Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Regionals at the Billingsley Tennis Center.
“It was a nice to see us come out and play well from the start,” TCU head coach
Jefferson Hammond said “We worked hard and competed hard. We will have to come
out and do the same tomorrow if we want to win the title.”
The Frogs jumped out to the 1-0 lead after cruising through the doubles action.
TCU's pairing of Idunn Hertzberg and Nina Munch-Soegaard led off with an
impressive 8-5 victory over Emily Carbone and Kate Lukomskaya at the No. 3
position. After falling behind 2-1 early, the Frogs’ stole three-straight games
and never looked back.
TCU’s 39th-ranked senior tandem of Macall Harkins and Anna Sydorska completed
the sweep with an 8-5 victory over the Razorbacks’ 20th-ranked duo of Nanar
Airapetian and Anouk Tigu. Despite dropping the opening game, Harkins and
Sydorksa battled to take the following four to go up 5-1. As the two teams
battled, the Purple and White prevailed to clinch the doubles point.
"It felt great to win the doubles point,” TCU head coach Jefferson Hammond said.
“We knew that would help give us a shot. Their doubles are very good and for us
to come away with that point meant a lot.”
With the win, Sydorska picked up her 105th career doubles win, tying former Frog
Lori Nelson for the program record. A 2007 doubles All-American, Sydorska will
have an opportunity to break the TCU benchmark alongside Harkins at the NCAA
Doubles Championship, beginning May 20.
After Munch-Soegaard fell from the top spot to open singles action, Harkins gave
the Frogs a 2-1 lead with a 6-0, 6-2 rout over No. 77 Tigu from the No. 2
position. The senior never trailed in the match and continued to dominate
opponents in straight sets, picking up her last nine wins in two sets. The
all-MWC singles selection finishes with her second consecutive 15-win season
spring, going 15-10 this semester, while posting a 26-14 ledger for the year.
Seconds later, the Hogs pulled the match even with a 6-2, 6-3 win over TCU
freshman Gaby Mastromarino from the sixth court. Fellow newcomer Kayla Duncan
returned the lead to the Frogs with her 6-4, 6-3 triumph over Carbone from the
No. 4 position. The Winston-Salem, N.C. native fought back from an early
first-set deficit, while cruising in the second stanza. Duncan finished the year
as the TCU leader in wins, racking up a 17-6 spring ledger, while totaling a
27-7 overall clip for the season.
Holding a 3-2 advantage with two courts left in action, the Frogs needed only
one win to clinch the match. Hertzberg commanded her opening set over
Airapetian, 6-4, but lost her game the rest of the day, dropping the final two
sets 6-1, 6-2. The loss pushed the match to 3-3 and focused all attention on the
No 3 position.
Sophomore Katariina Touhimaa battled back in her opening set from being down 3-2
to take a 5-4 lead. However, Arkansas senior Ela Kaluder had other plans,
stealing the final games in the opening frame to take the 7-5.
Kaluder took that momentum to blaze to an early 2-0 lead in the second set,
before Tuohimaa took three-straight games to cruise to a 3-2 lead. As Tuohimaa
jumped to a 5-3 advantage, it seemed as if the match would roll into a third and
final set, but the Hogs’ senior had wasn’t ready to give up, pushing the second
stanza into a tiebreaker.
In the tiebreaker, Tuohimaa took an early 3-1 advantage, but saw it dwindle into
a 4-4 tie, before Kaluder would claim four of the five points to clinch the
match, 7-5, 7-6 (6).
“Arkansas' senior came through. They have had a tough year, kind of up and
down,” Hammond said. “In the end, I think this was their moment and they were
going to make sure that they did what they needed to do to win this match."
Harkins and Sydorska will represent TCU at the NCAA Doubles Championship, while
Munch-Soegaard will compete in the NCAA Singles Championship, May 20-25, in
College Station, Texas.
No. 14-1st Seed Arkansas (15-7) def. No. 28-2nd Seed TCU (17-11), 4-3
SINGLES
1. #2 Aurelija Miseviciute (Ark) def. #16 Nina Munch-Soegaard (TCU), 6-2, 6-1
2. #90 Macall Harkins (TCU) def. #77 Anouk Tigu (Ark), 6-0, 6-2
3. Ela Kaluder (Ark) def. Katariina Tuohimaa (TCU), 7-5, 7-6 (6)
4. Kayla Duncan (TCU) def. Emily Carbone (Ark), 6-4, 6-3
5. Nanar Airapetian (Ark) def. Idunn Hertzberg (TCU), 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
6. Kate Lukomskaya (Ark) def. Gaby Mastromarino (TCU), 6-2, 6-3
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 6, 4, 5, 3*
DOUBLES
1. #39 Harkins/Sydorska (TCU) def. #20 Airapetian/Tigu (Ark), 8-5
2. Duncan/Tuohimaa (TCU) vs. #45 Miseviciute/Kaluder (Ark), 5-7 unfinished
3. Hertzberg/Munch-Soegaard (TCU) vs. Carbone/Lukomskaya (Ark), 8-5
Order of Finish: 2, 1*
*Clinching point
“It was a nice to see us come out and play well from the start,” TCU head coach
Jefferson Hammond said “We worked hard and competed hard. We will have to come
out and do the same tomorrow if we want to win the title.”
The Frogs jumped out to the 1-0 lead after cruising through the doubles action.
TCU's pairing of Idunn Hertzberg and Nina Munch-Soegaard led off with an
impressive 8-5 victory over Emily Carbone and Kate Lukomskaya at the No. 3
position. After falling behind 2-1 early, the Frogs’ stole three-straight games
and never looked back.
TCU’s 39th-ranked senior tandem of Macall Harkins and Anna Sydorska completed
the sweep with an 8-5 victory over the Razorbacks’ 20th-ranked duo of Nanar
Airapetian and Anouk Tigu. Despite dropping the opening game, Harkins and
Sydorksa battled to take the following four to go up 5-1. As the two teams
battled, the Purple and White prevailed to clinch the doubles point.
"It felt great to win the doubles point,” TCU head coach Jefferson Hammond said.
“We knew that would help give us a shot. Their doubles are very good and for us
to come away with that point meant a lot.”
With the win, Sydorska picked up her 105th career doubles win, tying former Frog
Lori Nelson for the program record. A 2007 doubles All-American, Sydorska will
have an opportunity to break the TCU benchmark alongside Harkins at the NCAA
Doubles Championship, beginning May 20.
After Munch-Soegaard fell from the top spot to open singles action, Harkins gave
the Frogs a 2-1 lead with a 6-0, 6-2 rout over No. 77 Tigu from the No. 2
position. The senior never trailed in the match and continued to dominate
opponents in straight sets, picking up her last nine wins in two sets. The
all-MWC singles selection finishes with her second consecutive 15-win season
spring, going 15-10 this semester, while posting a 26-14 ledger for the year.
Seconds later, the Hogs pulled the match even with a 6-2, 6-3 win over TCU
freshman Gaby Mastromarino from the sixth court. Fellow newcomer Kayla Duncan
returned the lead to the Frogs with her 6-4, 6-3 triumph over Carbone from the
No. 4 position. The Winston-Salem, N.C. native fought back from an early
first-set deficit, while cruising in the second stanza. Duncan finished the year
as the TCU leader in wins, racking up a 17-6 spring ledger, while totaling a
27-7 overall clip for the season.
Holding a 3-2 advantage with two courts left in action, the Frogs needed only
one win to clinch the match. Hertzberg commanded her opening set over
Airapetian, 6-4, but lost her game the rest of the day, dropping the final two
sets 6-1, 6-2. The loss pushed the match to 3-3 and focused all attention on the
No 3 position.
Sophomore Katariina Touhimaa battled back in her opening set from being down 3-2
to take a 5-4 lead. However, Arkansas senior Ela Kaluder had other plans,
stealing the final games in the opening frame to take the 7-5.
Kaluder took that momentum to blaze to an early 2-0 lead in the second set,
before Tuohimaa took three-straight games to cruise to a 3-2 lead. As Tuohimaa
jumped to a 5-3 advantage, it seemed as if the match would roll into a third and
final set, but the Hogs’ senior had wasn’t ready to give up, pushing the second
stanza into a tiebreaker.
In the tiebreaker, Tuohimaa took an early 3-1 advantage, but saw it dwindle into
a 4-4 tie, before Kaluder would claim four of the five points to clinch the
match, 7-5, 7-6 (6).
“Arkansas' senior came through. They have had a tough year, kind of up and
down,” Hammond said. “In the end, I think this was their moment and they were
going to make sure that they did what they needed to do to win this match."
Harkins and Sydorska will represent TCU at the NCAA Doubles Championship, while
Munch-Soegaard will compete in the NCAA Singles Championship, May 20-25, in
College Station, Texas.
No. 14-1st Seed Arkansas (15-7) def. No. 28-2nd Seed TCU (17-11), 4-3
SINGLES
1. #2 Aurelija Miseviciute (Ark) def. #16 Nina Munch-Soegaard (TCU), 6-2, 6-1
2. #90 Macall Harkins (TCU) def. #77 Anouk Tigu (Ark), 6-0, 6-2
3. Ela Kaluder (Ark) def. Katariina Tuohimaa (TCU), 7-5, 7-6 (6)
4. Kayla Duncan (TCU) def. Emily Carbone (Ark), 6-4, 6-3
5. Nanar Airapetian (Ark) def. Idunn Hertzberg (TCU), 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
6. Kate Lukomskaya (Ark) def. Gaby Mastromarino (TCU), 6-2, 6-3
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 6, 4, 5, 3*
DOUBLES
1. #39 Harkins/Sydorska (TCU) def. #20 Airapetian/Tigu (Ark), 8-5
2. Duncan/Tuohimaa (TCU) vs. #45 Miseviciute/Kaluder (Ark), 5-7 unfinished
3. Hertzberg/Munch-Soegaard (TCU) vs. Carbone/Lukomskaya (Ark), 8-5
Order of Finish: 2, 1*
*Clinching point
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Former Rice Star Jimoh Holds World's No. 2 Mark in the Long Jump
HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 12, 2009) Former Rice University star track and field and athlete Funmi Jimoh continues to established herself as a major force in the world in the long jump event. Last week at the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix 2009 in Doha, Qatar, Jimoh (Rice, 2007) long jumped her all-time personal-best with a leap of 6.96m/22-10. Jimoh's mark placed second in the meet to Brittney Reese's 6.99m/22-11.25 and it is also the No. 2 long jump mark in the world for 2009.
Jimoh, who continues to train at Rice and is coached by Rice women's track and field head coach Jim Bevan, surpassed her previous best of 6.91m/22-8 set at the 2008 Victor Lopez Bayou Classic on the Rice campus. Jumping first of the nine finalists, Jimoh scratched on her first attempt. She then jumped 6.68m/21-11 on her second attempt to rank third after two rounds. On her third of four tries, Jimoh leaped 6.96m to take the lead before Brittney Reese, jumping fifth in the order, went 6.99m.
"I'm really happy with my performance in Doha," commented Jimoh. "The training has really paid off especially when I went 6.96. Even though Brittney (Reese) jumped 6.99 I was still ecstatic."
The current top four world long jump marks were achieved at the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix. 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medalist Maurren Higa Maggi (Brazil) placed third behind Jimoh with a distance of 6.90m/22-7.75, while Portugual's Naide Gomes was fourth (6.82m/22-4.5).
The Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix is part of the World Athletics Tour. Jimoh also serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the Owls’ track and field team.
Jimoh is gearing up for the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany (August 15-23). To earn a spot on Team USA, she will have to place in the top three at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championship which takes place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. (June 25-28).
Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix Women's Long Jump Results
1 REESE, Brittney - USA - 6.99
2 Jimoh, Funmi - USA - 6.96
3 MAGGI, Maurren Higa - Brazil - 6.90
4 GOMES, Naide - Portugal - 6.82
5 COSTA, Keila - Brazil, - 6.68
6 VELDAKOVA, Jana - Slovakia - 6.51
7 SOKOLOVA, Yelena - Russia - 6.43
8 JOSEPHS, Janice - South Africa - 6.39
9 JURAVLEVA, Anastasiya - Uzbekistan, - 6.02
Top Current World 2009 Long Jump Marks - www.iaaf.org
6.99 Brittney Reese, USA, Doha, 05/08/2009
6.96 Funmi Jimoh, USA, Doha, 05/08/2009
6.90 Maurren Higa Maggi, Doha, 05/08/2009
6.82 Naide Gomes, POR, Doha, 05/08/2009
6.80 Grace Upshaw, USA, Berkeley, Calif. 04/25/2009
6.79 Hyleas Fountain, USA,Berkeley, Calif. 04/25/2009
Jimoh, who continues to train at Rice and is coached by Rice women's track and field head coach Jim Bevan, surpassed her previous best of 6.91m/22-8 set at the 2008 Victor Lopez Bayou Classic on the Rice campus. Jumping first of the nine finalists, Jimoh scratched on her first attempt. She then jumped 6.68m/21-11 on her second attempt to rank third after two rounds. On her third of four tries, Jimoh leaped 6.96m to take the lead before Brittney Reese, jumping fifth in the order, went 6.99m.
"I'm really happy with my performance in Doha," commented Jimoh. "The training has really paid off especially when I went 6.96. Even though Brittney (Reese) jumped 6.99 I was still ecstatic."
The current top four world long jump marks were achieved at the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix. 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medalist Maurren Higa Maggi (Brazil) placed third behind Jimoh with a distance of 6.90m/22-7.75, while Portugual's Naide Gomes was fourth (6.82m/22-4.5).
The Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix is part of the World Athletics Tour. Jimoh also serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the Owls’ track and field team.
Jimoh is gearing up for the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany (August 15-23). To earn a spot on Team USA, she will have to place in the top three at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championship which takes place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. (June 25-28).
Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix Women's Long Jump Results
1 REESE, Brittney - USA - 6.99
2 Jimoh, Funmi - USA - 6.96
3 MAGGI, Maurren Higa - Brazil - 6.90
4 GOMES, Naide - Portugal - 6.82
5 COSTA, Keila - Brazil, - 6.68
6 VELDAKOVA, Jana - Slovakia - 6.51
7 SOKOLOVA, Yelena - Russia - 6.43
8 JOSEPHS, Janice - South Africa - 6.39
9 JURAVLEVA, Anastasiya - Uzbekistan, - 6.02
Top Current World 2009 Long Jump Marks - www.iaaf.org
6.99 Brittney Reese, USA, Doha, 05/08/2009
6.96 Funmi Jimoh, USA, Doha, 05/08/2009
6.90 Maurren Higa Maggi, Doha, 05/08/2009
6.82 Naide Gomes, POR, Doha, 05/08/2009
6.80 Grace Upshaw, USA, Berkeley, Calif. 04/25/2009
6.79 Hyleas Fountain, USA,Berkeley, Calif. 04/25/2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SIGNEE CROWNED STATE CHAMPION AT LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL STATE TRACK MEET
PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS (May 11, 2009) Prairie View A&M women’s basketball signee Sharde Henry made headlines on Saturday, May 9 by earning the title of state champion during the 2009 Class 4A Louisiana High School Athletic Association/ State Farm Track Meet in Baton Rouge, La.
Henry, a native of Lake Charles, La. who attends LaGrange High School, captured first place in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:20.27. She also participated in the 4x400-meter relay and guided her team to a second-place finish after a run of 3:54.77. As a team, LaGrange finished second overall in the meet with a total of 60 points.
On the hardwood, the 5-10 guard earned LSWA First Team Class 4A All-State Honors after averaging 28 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals per game as a high school senior.
Henry, a native of Lake Charles, La. who attends LaGrange High School, captured first place in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:20.27. She also participated in the 4x400-meter relay and guided her team to a second-place finish after a run of 3:54.77. As a team, LaGrange finished second overall in the meet with a total of 60 points.
On the hardwood, the 5-10 guard earned LSWA First Team Class 4A All-State Honors after averaging 28 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals per game as a high school senior.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Dumais wins a second gold; Brennan also wins gold at AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix
(Troy Dumais won the 3-meter at the AT&T Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of the US Olympic Committee)FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (May 10, 2009) Troy Dumais (Ventura, Calif./Austin, Texas) and Allison Brennan (Huntington Beach, Calif./ Columbia, S.C.) won gold medals Saturday at the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix on Saturday, to lead a U.S. team that won four medals on the final day of competition and eight total over the three-day event.
Dumais scored 512.00 points the win the men’s 3-meter, highlighted by scores of 96.25 and 94.50 on his final two dives to give him another Grand Prix gold after placing first on 3-meter synchro on Friday. Reuben Ross of Canada was second with 483.75 points, and USA’s Chris Colwill (Brandon, Fla./Athens, Ga.) claimed bronze at 473.45.
“I can’t ask for more. The first round was not what I’m capable of, but other than that, I’m happy. I had five solid dives,” Dumais said.
Allison Brennan (Huntington Beach, Calif./Columbia, S.C) won the women’s 3-meter gold with 358.55, with a best of 76.85 on her final dive. Russia’s Anastasia Pozdniakova was second at 340.55, and Canada’s Jennifer Abel took bronze with 331.95 points. Christina Loukas (Riverwoods, Ill./Bloomington, Ind.) scored 319.95 points for fifth.
“All the divers I go against are talented, and it’s an honor to be up against them. You’re competing against the best in the world, but I can only do what I can do,” Brennan said.
Brittany Viola (Orlando, Fla./Coral Gables, Fla.) won the battle for silver on women’s platform with 329.15 points, less than a point ahead of Canada’s Meaghan Benfeito, who scored 328.35 points for third. Roseline Filion, also of Canada, claimed the gold at 338.40. Kristen Asman (Columbus, Ohio) was sixth at 261.10.
“I had a lot of energy, and my performance was where I needed it to be,” Viola said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
Great Britain’s Tom Daley scored 17 10s on his last three dives – including a perfect seven 10s on his back 3 ½ tuck in round five – to edge out Germany’s Sascha Klein for the gold. Daley finished with 554.90 points, with Klein scoring 552.15 for silver. China’s Zhou Luxin was third at 549.70. USA’s Thomas Finchum (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Nick McCrory (Chapel Hill, N.C.) were fourth and fifth, scoring 520.00 and 514.00 points, respectively.
Dumais scored 512.00 points the win the men’s 3-meter, highlighted by scores of 96.25 and 94.50 on his final two dives to give him another Grand Prix gold after placing first on 3-meter synchro on Friday. Reuben Ross of Canada was second with 483.75 points, and USA’s Chris Colwill (Brandon, Fla./Athens, Ga.) claimed bronze at 473.45.
“I can’t ask for more. The first round was not what I’m capable of, but other than that, I’m happy. I had five solid dives,” Dumais said.
Allison Brennan (Huntington Beach, Calif./Columbia, S.C) won the women’s 3-meter gold with 358.55, with a best of 76.85 on her final dive. Russia’s Anastasia Pozdniakova was second at 340.55, and Canada’s Jennifer Abel took bronze with 331.95 points. Christina Loukas (Riverwoods, Ill./Bloomington, Ind.) scored 319.95 points for fifth.
“All the divers I go against are talented, and it’s an honor to be up against them. You’re competing against the best in the world, but I can only do what I can do,” Brennan said.
Brittany Viola (Orlando, Fla./Coral Gables, Fla.) won the battle for silver on women’s platform with 329.15 points, less than a point ahead of Canada’s Meaghan Benfeito, who scored 328.35 points for third. Roseline Filion, also of Canada, claimed the gold at 338.40. Kristen Asman (Columbus, Ohio) was sixth at 261.10.
“I had a lot of energy, and my performance was where I needed it to be,” Viola said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
Great Britain’s Tom Daley scored 17 10s on his last three dives – including a perfect seven 10s on his back 3 ½ tuck in round five – to edge out Germany’s Sascha Klein for the gold. Daley finished with 554.90 points, with Klein scoring 552.15 for silver. China’s Zhou Luxin was third at 549.70. USA’s Thomas Finchum (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Nick McCrory (Chapel Hill, N.C.) were fourth and fifth, scoring 520.00 and 514.00 points, respectively.
TCU Tennis Returns To Action Against Arkansas Sunday
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS (May 10, 2009) The 28th-ranked TCU women’s tennis team will take on No. 14 Arkansas in the second round of the 2009 NCAA Team Championship Sunday at the Billingsley Tennis Center. The winner will advance to the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championships, which feature the nation’s top 16 teams, on May 15th in College Station, Texas.TCU (17-10) makes its fifth NCAA second round showing since 2001 after storming past No. 36 Tulsa, 4-1, Saturday. Freshman Kayla Duncan sealed the deal with her 16th win of the spring, pushing her winning streak to 10 matches. The newcomer has won the deciding point for the Frogs’ on five occassions, leading all TCU players for the year.
Senior Anna Sydorska has a chance to tie Lori Nelson for the most career doubles wins in program history. After picking up her 104th doubles victory with senior partner Macall Harkinson Saturday, the Lviv, Ukraine product also surpassed Angela Bartzen and Teresa Dobson in career combined wins, notching her 177th overall victory as a Horned Frog to claim sole possession for the fifth-most career victories in TCU history.
The 14th-ranked Razorbacks (14-7) move into Sunday’s match after dominating Oral Roberts inthe first round, 4-0. Arkansas is paced by the No. 2 singles player in the country, senior Aurelija Miseviciute, as well as 77th-ranked Anouk Tigu. The Hogs also boast a pair of ranked doubles tandems, with Tigu and Nanar Airapetian sitting at No. 20 and Miseviciute and Ela Kaluder earning a No. 45 ranking.
The former Southwest Conference rivals have not squared-off since the Razorbacks elected to leave the league in 1991. TCU holds an 8-4 advantage in the all-time series, highlighted by a six-match winning streak that ran from 1984-89. The Frogs’ triumphed in the final meeting in 1991, the same year TCU claimed its only Southwest Conference title.
First serve is set for 2 p.m. CT Sunday and fans can follow the live action from GoFrogs.com. Visit NCAAsports.com for complete coverage of the 2009 NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Championships.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
UH Softball Eliminated by Southern Miss, 5-4
EL PASO, TEXAS (May 9, 2009) The University of Houston softball team lost the first game of the Conference USA Championship presented by Helen of Troy, 5-4 to end the season 25-24 overall.
The game was originally schedule to start at 9 p.m. CT, but with No. 2 East Carolina and No. 7 UTEP's game going into 13 innings and lasting four hours, the No. 3 Houston and No. 6 Southern Miss game started at 11:10 p.m. CT.
With no outs in the top of the first inning, Southern Miss put two runs on the board. Leslie LeJune reached base on an error by senior Jessica Valis, and Brandi Alonzo hit a single. Both runners would score on a double by Megan Hill. The inning would end with the Golden Eagles up 3-0, after Logan James hit a single to score Kristin Pilgrim, who reached base on an error by senior catcher Elaina Nordstrom.
Houston was unable to manufacture any runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore Amanda Crabtree came in to pitch in the top of the second inning to relieve sophomore Baillie Lott and retired three batters.
With two outs, sophomore Melissa Gregson, who singled, scored on an error by the leftfielder. The error was a drop ball hit by sophomore Casey Willow, who reached third. Willow would eventually score on a fielder's choice by sophomore Katy Beth Sherman. Houston would tie the score at three when Sherman scored on a single by senior Katie Bush. The inning would end on a pop up by senior Laurie Wagner.
The Golden Eagles added two runs in the top of the third inning on two hits, and one error. With no outs, and bases loaded the Cougars got out of the jam to end the inning down 5-3.
Neither team would score innings four through six. Houston added one run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it wouldn't be enough for the win and Southern Miss would take the 5-4 win to eliminate UH from the tournament.
Crabtree is now 7-10 after striking out six, walking four and allowing two runs on four hits.
Bush went 3-for-4 and an RBI, while Gregson went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
The game was originally schedule to start at 9 p.m. CT, but with No. 2 East Carolina and No. 7 UTEP's game going into 13 innings and lasting four hours, the No. 3 Houston and No. 6 Southern Miss game started at 11:10 p.m. CT.
With no outs in the top of the first inning, Southern Miss put two runs on the board. Leslie LeJune reached base on an error by senior Jessica Valis, and Brandi Alonzo hit a single. Both runners would score on a double by Megan Hill. The inning would end with the Golden Eagles up 3-0, after Logan James hit a single to score Kristin Pilgrim, who reached base on an error by senior catcher Elaina Nordstrom.
Houston was unable to manufacture any runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore Amanda Crabtree came in to pitch in the top of the second inning to relieve sophomore Baillie Lott and retired three batters.
With two outs, sophomore Melissa Gregson, who singled, scored on an error by the leftfielder. The error was a drop ball hit by sophomore Casey Willow, who reached third. Willow would eventually score on a fielder's choice by sophomore Katy Beth Sherman. Houston would tie the score at three when Sherman scored on a single by senior Katie Bush. The inning would end on a pop up by senior Laurie Wagner.
The Golden Eagles added two runs in the top of the third inning on two hits, and one error. With no outs, and bases loaded the Cougars got out of the jam to end the inning down 5-3.
Neither team would score innings four through six. Houston added one run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it wouldn't be enough for the win and Southern Miss would take the 5-4 win to eliminate UH from the tournament.
Crabtree is now 7-10 after striking out six, walking four and allowing two runs on four hits.
Bush went 3-for-4 and an RBI, while Gregson went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
Friday, May 08, 2009
UH Baseball Wins Series Opener 5-4 Over No. 22 East Carolina
HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 8, 2009) The University of Houston baseball team won their fourth-straight Conference USA series opener topping No. 22 East Carolina 5-4 on Friday night at Cougar Field. With the win, Houston moves to 12-7 in league play and into a second place tie in the league standings with the Pirates.
Friday night's battle was a back and forth contest that fell in the Cougars favor as they took a 4-4 tie game into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Cougars put two runners on base in the inning but the next two batters recorded to UH outs before Presley loaded the bases on a hit by pitch. Kelso put the Cougars on top to stay scoring on a wild pitch with Chris Wallace at the plate.
Donnie Joseph then closed out the game pitching two shutout innings, while striking out four batters to earn his eighth save of the season. His eight saves now move him into sixth place in the UH single season record books. Chase Dempsay notched the win to improve to 3-0, going 1.1 innings, allowing two hits with one strikeout. Jared Ray earned the start going 5.2 innings, allowing four runs with five strikeouts.
After shutting down the Pirates in their first at bat, Houston put three consecutive runners on base in the home half of the first inning. Blake Kelso led off with his 13th double of the season, while William Kankel followed that up with a single to left field and Caleb Ramsey plated Kelso with a single to left field.
East Carolina tied the ball game with a single run in the third inning but Ramsey wouldn't let the Pirates hold the lead for long hitting a solo shot over left field, his fourth home run of the season to put the Cougars back on top, 2-1.
The back and forth nature of the game continued in the fourth as East Carolina stole back the lead on a two-run homer to left field from Dustin Harrington and in the bottom of the fourth Houston was able to score two runs to regain the lead, 4-3. Taylor White scored the first run with a sacrifice fly to center field, plating Chris Wallace who reached after being hit by a pitch and White then scored off a Kelso single to center field.
The Pirates tied up the contest once again scoring a single run in the sixth inning, while Houston was held scoreless in the bottom of the inning. The Cougars Wallace was intentionally walked after the run and David Murphy struck out to end the inning. But the Pirates lead wouldn't last for long as Houston went ahead in the seventh to hold on for the win.
LOOKING AHEAD
Houston will close out their home stand against East Carolina at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Prior to Sunday's game, Houston will honor its two seniors, Jimmy Raviele and Chris Wright.
UH then closes out the regular season at UCF on May 14-16 before the Conference USA Championship in Hattiesburg, Miss., on May 20-25.
Friday night's battle was a back and forth contest that fell in the Cougars favor as they took a 4-4 tie game into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Cougars put two runners on base in the inning but the next two batters recorded to UH outs before Presley loaded the bases on a hit by pitch. Kelso put the Cougars on top to stay scoring on a wild pitch with Chris Wallace at the plate.
Donnie Joseph then closed out the game pitching two shutout innings, while striking out four batters to earn his eighth save of the season. His eight saves now move him into sixth place in the UH single season record books. Chase Dempsay notched the win to improve to 3-0, going 1.1 innings, allowing two hits with one strikeout. Jared Ray earned the start going 5.2 innings, allowing four runs with five strikeouts.
After shutting down the Pirates in their first at bat, Houston put three consecutive runners on base in the home half of the first inning. Blake Kelso led off with his 13th double of the season, while William Kankel followed that up with a single to left field and Caleb Ramsey plated Kelso with a single to left field.
East Carolina tied the ball game with a single run in the third inning but Ramsey wouldn't let the Pirates hold the lead for long hitting a solo shot over left field, his fourth home run of the season to put the Cougars back on top, 2-1.
The back and forth nature of the game continued in the fourth as East Carolina stole back the lead on a two-run homer to left field from Dustin Harrington and in the bottom of the fourth Houston was able to score two runs to regain the lead, 4-3. Taylor White scored the first run with a sacrifice fly to center field, plating Chris Wallace who reached after being hit by a pitch and White then scored off a Kelso single to center field.
The Pirates tied up the contest once again scoring a single run in the sixth inning, while Houston was held scoreless in the bottom of the inning. The Cougars Wallace was intentionally walked after the run and David Murphy struck out to end the inning. But the Pirates lead wouldn't last for long as Houston went ahead in the seventh to hold on for the win.
LOOKING AHEAD
Houston will close out their home stand against East Carolina at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Prior to Sunday's game, Houston will honor its two seniors, Jimmy Raviele and Chris Wright.
UH then closes out the regular season at UCF on May 14-16 before the Conference USA Championship in Hattiesburg, Miss., on May 20-25.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
UH Softball's Katie Bush Honored for Academics
HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 7, 2009) University of Houston softball senior Katie Bush was named to the Conference USA All-Academic team and to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI Second Team for the third consecutive year, both of which were announced on Thursday.
Bush was also named the softball Academic MVP at the University of Houston All-Sports Banquet on Monday.
The centerfielder is a four-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member, and three-time C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal recipient.
She currently has a 3.70 GPA, and obtained her kinesiology degree in December 2008.
The Brenham, Texas native leads the Cougars with a .424 batting average in C-USA games and is 11th in NCAA, as well as first in the conference in SAC bunts (21).
Katie Bush and the rest of the Cougars play No. 6 Southern Miss at 9 p.m. CT Thursday on Helen of Troy Field in El Paso, Texas as part of the C-USA Championship presented by Helen of Troy.
Bush was also named the softball Academic MVP at the University of Houston All-Sports Banquet on Monday.
The centerfielder is a four-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member, and three-time C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal recipient.
She currently has a 3.70 GPA, and obtained her kinesiology degree in December 2008.
The Brenham, Texas native leads the Cougars with a .424 batting average in C-USA games and is 11th in NCAA, as well as first in the conference in SAC bunts (21).
Katie Bush and the rest of the Cougars play No. 6 Southern Miss at 9 p.m. CT Thursday on Helen of Troy Field in El Paso, Texas as part of the C-USA Championship presented by Helen of Troy.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
UH Softball Earns Five All-Conference USA Honors
HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 6, 2009) The University of Houston softball team took five 2009 All-Conference awards, as selected by the conference's head coaches. The awards were announced at the pre-tournament banquet Wednesday, one day before the start of the 2009 C-USA Softball Championship presented by Helen of Troy.
Each team includes 11 players; one catcher, four infielders, three outfielders, two pitchers and a utility player.
Senior Jessica Valis earned her fourth-straight All-C-USA First Team honor. This season, Jessica Valis leads the Cougars in numerous categories, including batting average (.348), at-bats (161), hits (56) and triples (4). The Shiner, Texas native is just three triples away from tying the C-USA career record, which is set at 19.
Haley Valis earned her first All-Conference honor, taking home All-C-USA Second Team honors for her performance this season at second base. The senior is tied with a team-high nine doubles, and has hit two home runs and two doubles this season. She has knocked in 20 runs and scored 22 runs.
Seniors Katie Bush and Laurie Wagner both earned All-C-USA Second Team honors as well for outfield.
Bush leads the conference and is 11th in the NCAA for SAC bunts (21). The Brenham, Texas native has the second-highest batting average on the team (.343) and highest batting average in C-USA games (.424). The centerfielder has knocked in 13 RBI this season, two doubles and scored the second-highest runs (34).
Wagner, who is errorless in right field, is tied with Haley Valis with a team-high nine doubles. She has a team-high 47 RBI and is tied for team-high eight home runs. She also holds the team-high total bases (74). She is batting .285 and has missed only one game this season.
The final award for Houston was All-C-USA Freshmen Team and was given to freshman Melissa Gregson. This season, the Cucamonga, Calif. native has hit a team-high eight home runs, which is tied with Wagner. She has also recorded five doubles, one triple and 30 RBI, which is the third-highest on the team.
The Cougars are seeded third in the Conference USA Championship presented by Helen of Troy in El Paso, Texas and will play No. 6 Southern Miss on Thursday at 9 p.m. CT.
Fans can find tournament information, live stats and schedule information by clicking the C-USA Championship logo on the sidebar of the softball page on UHCougars.com.
All-Conference USA First Team
C - Camilla Carrera, UTEP
IF - Jessica Johnson, East Carolina
IF - Jessica Valis, Houston
IF - Kailey Yarmer, Tulsa
IF - Tiffany Lane, UCF
OF - Megan Hill, Southern Miss
OF - Brooke Smart, Tulsa
OF - Lauren Lindsay, Tulsa
UT - Chelsea Troupe, UTEP
P - Toni Paisley, East Carolina
P - Jackie Lawrence, Tulsa
All-Conference USA Second Team
C - Kristin Pilgrim, Southern Miss
IF - Haley Valis, Houston
IF - Leila Dolfo, Memphis
IF - Vanessa Vice, Tulsa
IF - Breanne Javier, UCF
OF - Katie Bush, Houston
OF - Laurie Wagner, Houston
OF - Joscelyn Bitner, Marshall
UT - Abby McClain, UCF
P - Samantha Davis, Southern Miss
P - Jordan Kinard, Tulsa
All-Conference USA Freshman Team
Melissa Gregson, Houston
Rebecca Gamby, Marshall
Alianna Telles, Marshall
Lelani Bernardino, Memphis
Ashley Razey, Southern Miss
Jessica Stoelke, Tulsa
Skylar Swanson, Tulsa
Catherine Douglass, UAB
Natalie Land, UCF
Vanessa Perez, UCF
Chelsea Troupe, UTEP
Freshman of the Year
Chelsea Troupe, UT, UTEP
Co-Newcomers of the Year
Katie Murphree, P, Marshall
Martina Landrum, CF, UAB
Pitcher of the Year
Toni Paisley, East Carolina
Player of the Year
Camilla Carrera, UTEP
Coach of the Year
Tracey Kee, East Carolina
Each team includes 11 players; one catcher, four infielders, three outfielders, two pitchers and a utility player.
Senior Jessica Valis earned her fourth-straight All-C-USA First Team honor. This season, Jessica Valis leads the Cougars in numerous categories, including batting average (.348), at-bats (161), hits (56) and triples (4). The Shiner, Texas native is just three triples away from tying the C-USA career record, which is set at 19.
Haley Valis earned her first All-Conference honor, taking home All-C-USA Second Team honors for her performance this season at second base. The senior is tied with a team-high nine doubles, and has hit two home runs and two doubles this season. She has knocked in 20 runs and scored 22 runs.
Seniors Katie Bush and Laurie Wagner both earned All-C-USA Second Team honors as well for outfield.
Bush leads the conference and is 11th in the NCAA for SAC bunts (21). The Brenham, Texas native has the second-highest batting average on the team (.343) and highest batting average in C-USA games (.424). The centerfielder has knocked in 13 RBI this season, two doubles and scored the second-highest runs (34).
Wagner, who is errorless in right field, is tied with Haley Valis with a team-high nine doubles. She has a team-high 47 RBI and is tied for team-high eight home runs. She also holds the team-high total bases (74). She is batting .285 and has missed only one game this season.
The final award for Houston was All-C-USA Freshmen Team and was given to freshman Melissa Gregson. This season, the Cucamonga, Calif. native has hit a team-high eight home runs, which is tied with Wagner. She has also recorded five doubles, one triple and 30 RBI, which is the third-highest on the team.
The Cougars are seeded third in the Conference USA Championship presented by Helen of Troy in El Paso, Texas and will play No. 6 Southern Miss on Thursday at 9 p.m. CT.
Fans can find tournament information, live stats and schedule information by clicking the C-USA Championship logo on the sidebar of the softball page on UHCougars.com.
All-Conference USA First Team
C - Camilla Carrera, UTEP
IF - Jessica Johnson, East Carolina
IF - Jessica Valis, Houston
IF - Kailey Yarmer, Tulsa
IF - Tiffany Lane, UCF
OF - Megan Hill, Southern Miss
OF - Brooke Smart, Tulsa
OF - Lauren Lindsay, Tulsa
UT - Chelsea Troupe, UTEP
P - Toni Paisley, East Carolina
P - Jackie Lawrence, Tulsa
All-Conference USA Second Team
C - Kristin Pilgrim, Southern Miss
IF - Haley Valis, Houston
IF - Leila Dolfo, Memphis
IF - Vanessa Vice, Tulsa
IF - Breanne Javier, UCF
OF - Katie Bush, Houston
OF - Laurie Wagner, Houston
OF - Joscelyn Bitner, Marshall
UT - Abby McClain, UCF
P - Samantha Davis, Southern Miss
P - Jordan Kinard, Tulsa
All-Conference USA Freshman Team
Melissa Gregson, Houston
Rebecca Gamby, Marshall
Alianna Telles, Marshall
Lelani Bernardino, Memphis
Ashley Razey, Southern Miss
Jessica Stoelke, Tulsa
Skylar Swanson, Tulsa
Catherine Douglass, UAB
Natalie Land, UCF
Vanessa Perez, UCF
Chelsea Troupe, UTEP
Freshman of the Year
Chelsea Troupe, UT, UTEP
Co-Newcomers of the Year
Katie Murphree, P, Marshall
Martina Landrum, CF, UAB
Pitcher of the Year
Toni Paisley, East Carolina
Player of the Year
Camilla Carrera, UTEP
Coach of the Year
Tracey Kee, East Carolina
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Owls Fall To Texas State 4-1
HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 5, 2009) The Texas State baseball team scored two runs in the top of the first inning and that was all the Bobcat pitching tandem of Garret Carruth and Tyler Brundridge needed for a 4-1 victory over the Rice baseball team Tuesday evening at Reckling Park.
Rice retired the first two batters of the game, but Texas State rallied for two runs on a hit batsman and three-straight base hits from the middle of the Bobcat order to take a 2-0 lead.
The Owls had the bases loaded in the first and runners on first and third in the third, but could not convert the opportunities into runs. In the fourth, Micheal Fuda knocked a pitch to right field corner and hustled for his eighth double of the season. He scored on Ryan Lewis base hit to cut the margin to a run, 2-1.
Texas State came right back with two runs in the top of the fifth. Keith Prestridge, Spenser Dennis and Ben Theriot all had consecutive singles for the first score. The Owls walked two more to force in the second run for a 4-1 Bobcat lead.
Carruth left with the lead in seventh and was replaced by Brundridge. The hurlers held Rice to seven hits, but three were for extra bases by Fuda, Rick Hague and Anthony Rendon. Hague and Rendon both paced the Owls with two hits each. Rice moved to 31-12 on the season. Texas State improved to 34-12 overall.
The Owls will next face Conference USA foe UCF in a three-game weekend league series Friday-Sunday (May 8-10). Game times with the Knights are 6:30 pm, 2 pm and 1 pm, respectively.
Rice retired the first two batters of the game, but Texas State rallied for two runs on a hit batsman and three-straight base hits from the middle of the Bobcat order to take a 2-0 lead.
The Owls had the bases loaded in the first and runners on first and third in the third, but could not convert the opportunities into runs. In the fourth, Micheal Fuda knocked a pitch to right field corner and hustled for his eighth double of the season. He scored on Ryan Lewis base hit to cut the margin to a run, 2-1.
Texas State came right back with two runs in the top of the fifth. Keith Prestridge, Spenser Dennis and Ben Theriot all had consecutive singles for the first score. The Owls walked two more to force in the second run for a 4-1 Bobcat lead.
Carruth left with the lead in seventh and was replaced by Brundridge. The hurlers held Rice to seven hits, but three were for extra bases by Fuda, Rick Hague and Anthony Rendon. Hague and Rendon both paced the Owls with two hits each. Rice moved to 31-12 on the season. Texas State improved to 34-12 overall.
The Owls will next face Conference USA foe UCF in a three-game weekend league series Friday-Sunday (May 8-10). Game times with the Knights are 6:30 pm, 2 pm and 1 pm, respectively.
Monday, May 04, 2009
C-USA Softball Championship Bracket Announced
HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 4, 2009) With the 3-2 win over Marshall Sunday, the University of Houston softball team is seeded third in the Conference USA Championship presented by Helen of Troy in El Paso, Texas and will play No. 6 Southern Miss on Thursday at 9 p.m. CT.
The Cougars (25-23, C-USA 12-10) played Southern Miss April 25-26 winning two of the three games, including a run-rule victory in the final game. It was the first series the Cougars won on the road this season.
Senior Jessica Valis continues to lead at the plate with her batting average of .348. She has five doubles and four triples this season. Senior Katie Bush, who has a batting average of .343, has 49 hits this season and 21 SAC bunts, which is the second highest in the conference and 11th-most in the NCAA. Bush leads Houston with her .424 batting average in C-USA games.
Senior Laurie Wagner has a team-high 47 RBI and is tied with senior Haley Valis for a team-high nine doubles. She is also tied with freshman Melissa Gregson for a team-high eight home runs.
Sophomore pitcher Baillie Lott has a 16-11 record and has struck out 97 batters in 193 innings pitched.
Southern Miss (25-27-2, C-USA 10-13-1) enters the championship tournament after being swept by Tulsa, which ultimately moved Tulsa to the No. 1 seed in front of East Carolina.
Megan Hill, with a batting average of .404, is the Golden Eagles top batter. She has 15 doubles, four triples and 11 home runs this season.
Kristin Pilgrim has seven doubles, nine home runs and a batting average of .355.
Courtney Ramos and Samantha Davis each have 12 wins this season. Ramos has an ERA of 2.61 and has struck out 117 batters, while Davis has a 3.54 ERA and struck out 88 batters this season.
Fans can find tournament information, live stats and schedule information by clicking the C-USA Championship logo on the sidebar of the softball page on UHCougars.com.
2009 C-USA Championship presented by Helen of Troy
Tournament Schedule (El Paso, Texas)
Thursday, May 7
Game One
(8)UAB vs. (9)Memphis, 9 a.m.
Game Two
(4) Marshall vs. (5) UCF, 12 p.m.
Game Three
(1) Tulsa vs. Winner of Game 1, 2:30 p.m.
Game Four
(2) East Carolina vs. (7) UTEP, 5:30 p.m.
Game Five
(3) Houston vs. Southern Miss, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, May 8
Game Six
Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3, 2:00 p.m.
Game Seven
Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 4:30 p.m .
Saturday, May 9
Championship Game (CBS College Sports)
Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 7, 12:30 p.m.
All Times are Mountain Time
The Cougars (25-23, C-USA 12-10) played Southern Miss April 25-26 winning two of the three games, including a run-rule victory in the final game. It was the first series the Cougars won on the road this season.
Senior Jessica Valis continues to lead at the plate with her batting average of .348. She has five doubles and four triples this season. Senior Katie Bush, who has a batting average of .343, has 49 hits this season and 21 SAC bunts, which is the second highest in the conference and 11th-most in the NCAA. Bush leads Houston with her .424 batting average in C-USA games.
Senior Laurie Wagner has a team-high 47 RBI and is tied with senior Haley Valis for a team-high nine doubles. She is also tied with freshman Melissa Gregson for a team-high eight home runs.
Sophomore pitcher Baillie Lott has a 16-11 record and has struck out 97 batters in 193 innings pitched.
Southern Miss (25-27-2, C-USA 10-13-1) enters the championship tournament after being swept by Tulsa, which ultimately moved Tulsa to the No. 1 seed in front of East Carolina.
Megan Hill, with a batting average of .404, is the Golden Eagles top batter. She has 15 doubles, four triples and 11 home runs this season.
Kristin Pilgrim has seven doubles, nine home runs and a batting average of .355.
Courtney Ramos and Samantha Davis each have 12 wins this season. Ramos has an ERA of 2.61 and has struck out 117 batters, while Davis has a 3.54 ERA and struck out 88 batters this season.
Fans can find tournament information, live stats and schedule information by clicking the C-USA Championship logo on the sidebar of the softball page on UHCougars.com.
2009 C-USA Championship presented by Helen of Troy
Tournament Schedule (El Paso, Texas)
Thursday, May 7
Game One
(8)UAB vs. (9)Memphis, 9 a.m.
Game Two
(4) Marshall vs. (5) UCF, 12 p.m.
Game Three
(1) Tulsa vs. Winner of Game 1, 2:30 p.m.
Game Four
(2) East Carolina vs. (7) UTEP, 5:30 p.m.
Game Five
(3) Houston vs. Southern Miss, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, May 8
Game Six
Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3, 2:00 p.m.
Game Seven
Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 4:30 p.m .
Saturday, May 9
Championship Game (CBS College Sports)
Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 7, 12:30 p.m.
All Times are Mountain Time
Sunday, May 03, 2009
THREE FORT HOOD DOLPHINS, COACH FIND SUCCESS AT CAP 2K OPEN WATER SWIMMING RACE
(Pictured L to R: Kaitlin Tierney, Rachel Singer, Kristine Kelly, Lauren Singer. Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loco Photography Copyright 2009, All Rights Reserved)By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications
AUSTIN, TEXAS (May 3, 2009) Three members of the Fort Hood Dolphins Swimming Team and one of their coaches found success at The Money Box Cap 2K Open Water Swimming Race at Lady Bird Lake in Austin this past Sunday.
Fort Hood Dolphins age group swimmers Kaitlin Tierney and Rachel Singer placed second and third place, respectively in the girls youth division (ages 12-14) while their Dolphins teammate and current Killeen High School swimmer Lauren Singer place tenth in the girls high school division of the 2000-meter race.
In addition, Kristine Kelly, who a coach for the Fort Hood Dolphins, placed second in the women's masters 18-24 division.
The race, which benefits the Scholarship Fund for Swimming Lessons for Underprivileged Austin Kids & Friends of Deep Eddy Pool (FODE), started at From Red Bud Isle to the Texas Rowing Center.
The Cap 2K, which is the only open water river swimming competition in Texas, is billed at the the only downhill swimming race in Texas.
This year's edition of the race was the first for the Singer sisters and Tierney, but was the 4th edition for Kelly.
She has previously competed in the race in 2004, 2005, and 2007; winning her division in 2005 and 2007, while taking second place in 2004.
Kelly, a former five time All American swimmer for Pasadena (Texas) High School, was swimming in her first open water race in two years. Kelly has been recovering from a shoulder injury sustained while swimming for the University of Houston
This was the seventh year the race was held and involved 179 swimmers in the youth, high school, masters, and wetsuit division.
The Singer sisters are the daughters of Fort Hood Dolphins head coach Vince Singer.
Undefeated Swashbucklers Make First Visit to Capitol City
AUSTIN, TEXAS (May 3, 2009) This isn't something that has been manufactured for the sake of cheap publicity. The road to the SIFL championship goes through Austin and this week’s matchup against the Louisiana Swashbucklers will be a measuring stick to see how far the Turfcats have come through their third game of the season.
"It's kind of like David vs. Goliath almost," Turfcats head coach Chris Duliban said. "It's going to be a slugfest. It's going to be nasty."
The Turfcats' 64-32 road victory over the Houma Conquerors had ended only moments earlier, but few players in the Turfcats dressing room wanted to talk about or even savor the game that had just been played. The focus had promptly been placed on the task ahead.
"It'll be a great SIFL Game to watch," Duliban said.
It didn't matter that the Conquerors were winless. All that mattered was that the Turfcats took care of business. And as far as they're concerned, the right team emerged from the game. If you ask some members of the Turfcats, the game versus the Swashbucklers has been circled since day one.
The Swashbuckler has a great front office, coaching staff, and players. The formula for success of the Lake Charles squad is one that all teams in the Southern Indoor Football League want to follow. The Swashbucklers have claimed back to back Intense Football League championships and have reeled off 20 straight regular season game victories.
It was between two clubs that lead several categories in league statistics, the Turfcats are number two in scoring with 46.5 points per game versus 65.5 for the Swashbucklers. The Swashbucklers boosted their point average by an 81-0 blowout in week one of the Florida Kings at home. The Turfcats have the number one rushing offense averaging 101.5 versus 62.0 for the Swashbucklers. The rushing game led by Deron Ellis, David Banks and Keith Clay are tops in the SIFL. The Swashbucklers ground attack is led by Southern Mississippi product Tim Blackwell averaging 49.0 yards per game.
The Turfcats must eliminate mistakes like they did in week two versus Houma to have a fighting chance versus the preseason favorites. The passing game of Freddie Harrison to Sammy Knight is the best in the league.
The Turfcats will counter with Robert Quiroga, Darrick Wallace and Jackie Warren as their deep threats. The red zone defense by the Swashbucklers is number one in the league closely contested by the Turfcats being ranked number two.
"I knew all year long we were two of the top two teams in the SIFL, just my opinion (from) watching all the other teams," Turfcats Assistant Michael Finney said. "When you've got a good defense like (the Swashbucklers and the Turfcats have), you can be in any game. Teams want to simulate Louisiana and Austin, just the way we play. But you can't coach what we've got. You've got to do a good job and bring the right players in to do it." "One thing about football, it's not about what you say. It's about what you do. And come next weekend, it's all about rolling that football out."
The Austin Turfcats (1-1) return to action on May 9th versus the undefeated Louisiana Swashbucklers at Adfirmative.com Field at the Travis County Expo Center for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
Great locations are still available for the 2009 season! Act now to reserve the best seats. Call a Sales Representative today at 866-969-TCAT (8228) to reserve your seats today. The Austin Turfcats are committed to being a premier team in the Southern Indoor Football League and being involved in the community for which we serve.
"It's kind of like David vs. Goliath almost," Turfcats head coach Chris Duliban said. "It's going to be a slugfest. It's going to be nasty."
The Turfcats' 64-32 road victory over the Houma Conquerors had ended only moments earlier, but few players in the Turfcats dressing room wanted to talk about or even savor the game that had just been played. The focus had promptly been placed on the task ahead.
"It'll be a great SIFL Game to watch," Duliban said.
It didn't matter that the Conquerors were winless. All that mattered was that the Turfcats took care of business. And as far as they're concerned, the right team emerged from the game. If you ask some members of the Turfcats, the game versus the Swashbucklers has been circled since day one.
The Swashbuckler has a great front office, coaching staff, and players. The formula for success of the Lake Charles squad is one that all teams in the Southern Indoor Football League want to follow. The Swashbucklers have claimed back to back Intense Football League championships and have reeled off 20 straight regular season game victories.
It was between two clubs that lead several categories in league statistics, the Turfcats are number two in scoring with 46.5 points per game versus 65.5 for the Swashbucklers. The Swashbucklers boosted their point average by an 81-0 blowout in week one of the Florida Kings at home. The Turfcats have the number one rushing offense averaging 101.5 versus 62.0 for the Swashbucklers. The rushing game led by Deron Ellis, David Banks and Keith Clay are tops in the SIFL. The Swashbucklers ground attack is led by Southern Mississippi product Tim Blackwell averaging 49.0 yards per game.
The Turfcats must eliminate mistakes like they did in week two versus Houma to have a fighting chance versus the preseason favorites. The passing game of Freddie Harrison to Sammy Knight is the best in the league.
The Turfcats will counter with Robert Quiroga, Darrick Wallace and Jackie Warren as their deep threats. The red zone defense by the Swashbucklers is number one in the league closely contested by the Turfcats being ranked number two.
"I knew all year long we were two of the top two teams in the SIFL, just my opinion (from) watching all the other teams," Turfcats Assistant Michael Finney said. "When you've got a good defense like (the Swashbucklers and the Turfcats have), you can be in any game. Teams want to simulate Louisiana and Austin, just the way we play. But you can't coach what we've got. You've got to do a good job and bring the right players in to do it." "One thing about football, it's not about what you say. It's about what you do. And come next weekend, it's all about rolling that football out."
The Austin Turfcats (1-1) return to action on May 9th versus the undefeated Louisiana Swashbucklers at Adfirmative.com Field at the Travis County Expo Center for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
Great locations are still available for the 2009 season! Act now to reserve the best seats. Call a Sales Representative today at 866-969-TCAT (8228) to reserve your seats today. The Austin Turfcats are committed to being a premier team in the Southern Indoor Football League and being involved in the community for which we serve.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Cap2K Open Water Race Scheduled for Sunday
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications
AUSTIN, TEXAS (May 2, 2009) The 2009 edition of The Money Box Cap2k Open Water Race is scheduled for Sunday, May 3, 2009 at Lady Bird Lake (formally known as Town Lake) in Austin.
The 2,000+ meter open water race and pledge swim, billed as "The only downhill swimming race in Texas," is open to swimmers from 12 year old and older and will ebgin at 10:30am from Red Bud Island. The finsih line will be the boat dock at the Texas Rowing Center.
The purpsoe of the race is to encourage health and fitness, to swim in Lady Bird lake, to promote clean water, to support Swim Safe for Austin Kids and/or Deep Eddy Pool, and for lots of fun.
Champion open water swimmers from all over the Texas will converge on Lady Bird Lake to compete for titles in the youth, high school, and masters division.
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications
AUSTIN, TEXAS (May 2, 2009) The 2009 edition of The Money Box Cap2k Open Water Race is scheduled for Sunday, May 3, 2009 at Lady Bird Lake (formally known as Town Lake) in Austin.
The 2,000+ meter open water race and pledge swim, billed as "The only downhill swimming race in Texas," is open to swimmers from 12 year old and older and will ebgin at 10:30am from Red Bud Island. The finsih line will be the boat dock at the Texas Rowing Center.
The purpsoe of the race is to encourage health and fitness, to swim in Lady Bird lake, to promote clean water, to support Swim Safe for Austin Kids and/or Deep Eddy Pool, and for lots of fun.
Champion open water swimmers from all over the Texas will converge on Lady Bird Lake to compete for titles in the youth, high school, and masters division.
Friday, May 01, 2009
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SIGNS 5 DECORATED RECRUITS FOR 2009-10 CAMPAIGN
PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS (May 1, 2009) Prairie View A&M University Head Women’s Basketball Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke announced today that a total of five student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play basketball for the 2008-09 SWAC Champion Lady Panthers next season.
With an emphasis on strengthening their post play, the coaching staff signed three players at the position highlighted by two junior college transfers and a nationally ranked high school senior. The Lady Panthers also bolstered their backcourt as they received signatures from a high scoring guard who hails from the state of Louisiana in addition to a junior college combo guard from New Jersey.
“We went out and signed a solid class for next season that addressed most of our needs,” said Cooper-Dyke. “I expect them to come in and make an immediate impact for us.”
Sharde Henry
Guard
5-10 ● Freshman, H.S.
Lake Charles, La. ● LaGrange
One of the top guards in the state of Louisiana…earned LSWA First Team Class 4A All-State Honors…averaged 28 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals per game…scored 30 or more points on four occasions as she led her team to the playoffs…played in the Louisiana High School Coaches Association All-Star Game and finished as the team’s second-leading scorer…named to the LHSAA Honorable Mention All-Academic Team…led her team to a 20-10 record…also runs track and will participate in the Louisiana Class 4A State Track Meet in several running events.
Prairie View A&M Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
“Sharde can play inside and on the perimeter. She has a strong post-up game and has the skills to face players up.”
Rennica Merida
Forward
6-3 ● Freshman, H.S.
Inkster, Mich. ● Lee M Thurston High School
Ranked as the 70th-best high school power forward in the nation by ESPN.com…earned honorable mention all-west honors by the Detroit Free Press…played in the U.S. Junior Championships All-Star Game…also recruited by Texas-El Paso and Western Michigan.
Prairie View A&M Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
“Rennica is an athletic post who can hit the outside shot. She is a great rebounder who’s aggressive on the glass and can finish with contact. She has the potential to be an immediate impact player for us next season.”
Whitney Williams
Center
6-3 ● Junior, J.C.
Beaumont, Texas ● Cowley College (KS)
Helped lead her team to the second round of the NJCAA Region VI Tournament with a 24-8 mark…averaged 7 points, 7.5 rebounds and led team with 1.5 blocks per game…shot 46 percent from the field...also recruited by Oral Roberts.
Prairie View A&M Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
“Whitney should have a major impact in our conference as she provides the presence in the paint that we need. She is physical, agile, has great hands and can alter shots in the paint. She is also extremely athletic for her size and will be an immediate contributor.”
Ciara Banks
Forward
6-1 ● Junior, J.C.
Washington, D.C. ● Indian River State College (FL)
Led her team with 9.8 rebounds per game…shot 50 percent from the field…named to the All-Southern Conference First Team…heavily recruited by Temple, Nebraska and Alabama-Birmingham.
Prairie View A&M Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
“Ciara is an athletic player who can play multiple positions on the court. She’s very agile with the ability to catch and shoot along with facing up players from the four (power forward) spot. She is also a great rebounder that’s quick and explosive in addition to possessing superb footwork in the paint.”
Courtney Larsen
Guard
5-8 ● Junior, J.C.
Carteret, N.J. ● Union County College (NJ)
Played on one of the top junior college teams in the NJCAA Division II ranks…played a key role in guiding her team to a 26-1 mark which included a Region XIX Championship…averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2 steals per contest…also recruited by Rider University.
Prairie View A&M Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
“Courtney is a strong, athletic combo guard who can create off the bounce. She is a smooth passer, has great vision, court awareness and knows how to push the tempo.”
With an emphasis on strengthening their post play, the coaching staff signed three players at the position highlighted by two junior college transfers and a nationally ranked high school senior. The Lady Panthers also bolstered their backcourt as they received signatures from a high scoring guard who hails from the state of Louisiana in addition to a junior college combo guard from New Jersey.
“We went out and signed a solid class for next season that addressed most of our needs,” said Cooper-Dyke. “I expect them to come in and make an immediate impact for us.”
Sharde Henry
Guard
5-10 ● Freshman, H.S.
Lake Charles, La. ● LaGrange
One of the top guards in the state of Louisiana…earned LSWA First Team Class 4A All-State Honors…averaged 28 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals per game…scored 30 or more points on four occasions as she led her team to the playoffs…played in the Louisiana High School Coaches Association All-Star Game and finished as the team’s second-leading scorer…named to the LHSAA Honorable Mention All-Academic Team…led her team to a 20-10 record…also runs track and will participate in the Louisiana Class 4A State Track Meet in several running events.
Prairie View A&M Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
“Sharde can play inside and on the perimeter. She has a strong post-up game and has the skills to face players up.”
Rennica Merida
Forward
6-3 ● Freshman, H.S.
Inkster, Mich. ● Lee M Thurston High School
Ranked as the 70th-best high school power forward in the nation by ESPN.com…earned honorable mention all-west honors by the Detroit Free Press…played in the U.S. Junior Championships All-Star Game…also recruited by Texas-El Paso and Western Michigan.
Prairie View A&M Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
“Rennica is an athletic post who can hit the outside shot. She is a great rebounder who’s aggressive on the glass and can finish with contact. She has the potential to be an immediate impact player for us next season.”
Whitney Williams
Center
6-3 ● Junior, J.C.
Beaumont, Texas ● Cowley College (KS)
Helped lead her team to the second round of the NJCAA Region VI Tournament with a 24-8 mark…averaged 7 points, 7.5 rebounds and led team with 1.5 blocks per game…shot 46 percent from the field...also recruited by Oral Roberts.
Prairie View A&M Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
“Whitney should have a major impact in our conference as she provides the presence in the paint that we need. She is physical, agile, has great hands and can alter shots in the paint. She is also extremely athletic for her size and will be an immediate contributor.”
Ciara Banks
Forward
6-1 ● Junior, J.C.
Washington, D.C. ● Indian River State College (FL)
Led her team with 9.8 rebounds per game…shot 50 percent from the field…named to the All-Southern Conference First Team…heavily recruited by Temple, Nebraska and Alabama-Birmingham.
Prairie View A&M Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
“Ciara is an athletic player who can play multiple positions on the court. She’s very agile with the ability to catch and shoot along with facing up players from the four (power forward) spot. She is also a great rebounder that’s quick and explosive in addition to possessing superb footwork in the paint.”
Courtney Larsen
Guard
5-8 ● Junior, J.C.
Carteret, N.J. ● Union County College (NJ)
Played on one of the top junior college teams in the NJCAA Division II ranks…played a key role in guiding her team to a 26-1 mark which included a Region XIX Championship…averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2 steals per contest…also recruited by Rider University.
Prairie View A&M Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
“Courtney is a strong, athletic combo guard who can create off the bounce. She is a smooth passer, has great vision, court awareness and knows how to push the tempo.”
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