FORT WORTH, TEXAS (March 31, 2008) The No. 22 TCU women’s tennis team won their sixth consecutive match on Sunday with a 5-2 defeat of Wyoming. The Horned Frogs
improved to 13-4 overall and 3-0 in Mountain West Conference play with the win.
“Wyoming fought hard today and it was good to get the win for our seniors,” said
TCU head coach Jefferson Hammond. “We are looking forward to our upcoming trip to Las Vegas.”
In doubles action, Maria Babanova and Nina Munch-Soegaard led off with an 8-1 defeat of Brittany DeFelice and Jamie Nelson at the No. 3 position, while Kewa Nichols and Macall Harkins followed at the No. 2 spot with an 8-0 blanking of Michelle Brown and Carly Van Hollen to clinch the doubles point. TCU’s Idunn Hertzberg and Katariina Tuohimaa would complete the doubles sweep with an 8-5 victory over Rebecca Berger and Corina Lazar at the top position.
Munch-Soegaard, ranked No. 67 nationally, won her sixth consecutive match to improve to 11-4 this season with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Lazar at the top spot to begin singles play.
Tuohimaa followed with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Carly Van Hollen at the No. 3 flight to put TCU up 3-0 in the match. Tuohimaa, a freshman from Helsinki, Finland, earned her 14th win this season, which leads the Frogs.
Harkins clinched the match for TCU with a 6-0, 6-1 rout of Berger at the No. 2 position. Harkins has now won seven of her last eight singles contests.
Nichols, a senior from Austin, Texas, quickly followed with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 win over Brown at the No. 4 flight. The win was Nichols’ sixth straight this season.
The Frogs will return to action on Friday at 12 p.m. CDT in Las Vegas against No. 62 UNLV.
No. 22 TCU (13-4) def. Wyoming (10-7), 5-2
SINGLES
1. No. 67 Nina Munch-Soegaard (TCU) def. Corina Lazar (WYO) 6-1, 6-0
2. Macall Harkins (TCU) def. Rebecca Berger (WYO) 6-0, 6-1
3. Katariina Tuohimaa (TCU) def. Carly Van Hollen (WYO) 6-0, 6-2
4. Kewa Nichols (TCU) def. Michelle Brown (WYO) 6-0, 6-2
5. Sarah Summerfield (WYO) def. Idunn Hertzberg (TCU) 4-6, 7-6(2), 10-6
6. Brittany DeFelice (WYO) def. Melissa Beré (TCU) 6-4, 6-2
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2*, 4, 6, 5
DOUBLES
1. Hertzberg/Tuohimaa (TCU) def. Berger/Lazar (WYO) 8-5
2. Harkins/Nichols (TCU) def. Brown/Van Hollen (WYO) 8-0
3. Babanova/Munch-Soegaard (TCU) def. DeFelice/Nelson (WYO) 8-1
Order of Finish: 3, 2*, 1
*Clinching point
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Baylor Baseball Bests OU 7-3
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA (March 30, 2008) Dustin Dickerson's one-out RBI single in the top of the seventh broke a 2-2 tie, and No. 20 Baylor never trailed again as the Bears defeated Oklahoma 7-3 in Sunday's Big 12 Conference series finale at L. Dale Mitchell Park. Baylor (16-9, 3-6) snapped a five-game Big 12 losing streak with the win, also snapping a seven-game losing streak in conference road games that dated back to last season.
Baylor, which lost the first two games of the series 11-2 and 3-2 in 10 innings, respectively, successfully staved off a sweep on the road in Big 12 play since April 28, 2002, at Kansas State. The Bears also snapped a seven-game road losing streak with the win.
While Dickerson's RBI single gave the Bears a lead they never relinquished, it was three Baylor home runs in the final two innings that proved detrimental for Oklahoma (20-8-1, 2-3-1).
Raynor Campbell's two-out, two-run shot in the eighth pushed the Bears' lead to 5-2. After the Sooners got a run in the bottom of the eighth, Aaron Miller and Landis Ware led off the top of the ninth with consecutive homers to push Baylor's lead back to four runs.
Matt Harughty led off the ninth with a single for Oklahoma; however, Tim Matthews got Spencer Selby to foul out and Jarod Freeman to ground into a game-ending double play.
Willie Kempf (4-1) earned the win for the Bears; he allowed two runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 7.0-plus innings, facing one batter in the eighth. Matthews allowed one run on three hits with one strikeout over 2.0 innings for his first save of the season.
Ryan Duke (4-3), the first of three relievers on the day for Oklahoma, took the loss; he allowed one run on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts over 1.1 innings. Starter Michael Rocha surrendered a pair of runs on seven hits and a walk with seven strikeouts over 5.0-plus innings, facing one batter in the sixth.
Oklahoma's Mike Gosse led off the bottom of the first with a double and later scored on Jamie Johnson's two-out RBI single. Baylor tied the game at 1-1 in the third on Shaver Hansen's one-out RBI single, and Miller's one-out solo homer in the fourth gave the Bears a 2-1 lead. It was the third multiple-homer game of Miller's season and the fourth of his career.
Baylor's lead did not last long, though, as J.T. Wise led off the bottom of the fourth with a home run to left-center. Kempf surrendered a single to Johnson on the next pitch but did not allow another hit the rest of the day.
Campbell, Dickerson, Miller and Jon Ringenberg all turned in two-hit days; it was Ringenberg's first career start. Beamer Weems went 3-for-5 with two runs scored; Weems, normally a switch-hitter, batted from the right side of the plate against right-handed pitching for the first time in his career.
Baylor returns to action Tuesday, April 1, traveling to Fort Worth, Texas, for a midweek game at TCU. First pitch between the Bears and the Horned Frogs is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT at Lupton Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on CBS College Sports.
Baylor, which lost the first two games of the series 11-2 and 3-2 in 10 innings, respectively, successfully staved off a sweep on the road in Big 12 play since April 28, 2002, at Kansas State. The Bears also snapped a seven-game road losing streak with the win.
While Dickerson's RBI single gave the Bears a lead they never relinquished, it was three Baylor home runs in the final two innings that proved detrimental for Oklahoma (20-8-1, 2-3-1).
Raynor Campbell's two-out, two-run shot in the eighth pushed the Bears' lead to 5-2. After the Sooners got a run in the bottom of the eighth, Aaron Miller and Landis Ware led off the top of the ninth with consecutive homers to push Baylor's lead back to four runs.
Matt Harughty led off the ninth with a single for Oklahoma; however, Tim Matthews got Spencer Selby to foul out and Jarod Freeman to ground into a game-ending double play.
Willie Kempf (4-1) earned the win for the Bears; he allowed two runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 7.0-plus innings, facing one batter in the eighth. Matthews allowed one run on three hits with one strikeout over 2.0 innings for his first save of the season.
Ryan Duke (4-3), the first of three relievers on the day for Oklahoma, took the loss; he allowed one run on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts over 1.1 innings. Starter Michael Rocha surrendered a pair of runs on seven hits and a walk with seven strikeouts over 5.0-plus innings, facing one batter in the sixth.
Oklahoma's Mike Gosse led off the bottom of the first with a double and later scored on Jamie Johnson's two-out RBI single. Baylor tied the game at 1-1 in the third on Shaver Hansen's one-out RBI single, and Miller's one-out solo homer in the fourth gave the Bears a 2-1 lead. It was the third multiple-homer game of Miller's season and the fourth of his career.
Baylor's lead did not last long, though, as J.T. Wise led off the bottom of the fourth with a home run to left-center. Kempf surrendered a single to Johnson on the next pitch but did not allow another hit the rest of the day.
Campbell, Dickerson, Miller and Jon Ringenberg all turned in two-hit days; it was Ringenberg's first career start. Beamer Weems went 3-for-5 with two runs scored; Weems, normally a switch-hitter, batted from the right side of the plate against right-handed pitching for the first time in his career.
Baylor returns to action Tuesday, April 1, traveling to Fort Worth, Texas, for a midweek game at TCU. First pitch between the Bears and the Horned Frogs is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT at Lupton Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on CBS College Sports.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
NO. 22 TCU SOARS PAST AIR FORCE, 7-0
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (March 29, 2008) The No. 22 TCU women's tennis team posted a 7-0 shutout over Air Force on Saturday en route to their fifth consecutive victory. The Horned Frogs improved to 12-4 overall and 2-0 in Mountain West Conference play with the win.
"It's always an honor to play Air Force," said TCU head coach Jefferson Hammond. "A lot of these players will be putting themselves in harm's way in the coming years and we couldn't have a finer group working to protect our country. We played very well today and stayed focused and everybody seems to be on the same page as we move forward into the conference season."
The TCU duo of Nina Munch-Soegaard and Maria Babanova opened doubles play with an 8-1defeat of Christen Monreal and Samantha Sarkis at the No. 3 position. Anna Sydorska and Kewa Nichols followed with an 8-2 rout of Erika Shortridge and Lauren Wilson to clinch the doubles point, while Idunn Hertzberg and Katariina Tuohimaa posted an 8-5 win over Christine Abayan and Erlyn Rudico at the top spot.
Sydorska opened singles action with a 6-1, 6-0 defeat of Wilson at the No. 2 position, while Tuohimaa followed with a 6-0, 6-0 victory against Meghan Kiser to put the Frogs up 3-0 in the match.
Munch-Soegaard, ranked No. 67 nationally, cruised past Abayan at the top position by a score of 6-0, 6-2, while Nichols posted her fifth consecutive win with a 6-1, 6-0 defeat of Sarkis at the No. 4 spot.
TCU freshmen Hertzberg and Babanova wrapped up the match with wins at the No. 5 and No. 6 positions, respectively. Hertzberg defeated Katrina Eromin by a score of 6-1, 6-3, while Babanova recorded a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Monreal.
The Frogs will play host to Wyoming on Sunday at 10 a.m.
No. 22 TCU (12-4) def. Air Force (5-15), 7-0
SINGLES
1. No. 67 Nina Munch-Soegaard (TCU) def. Christine Abayan (AF) 6-0, 6-2
2. No. 72 Anna Sydorska (TCU) def. Lauren Wilson (AF) 6-1, 6-0
3. Katariina Tuohimaa (TCU) def. Meghan Kiser (AF) 6-0, 6-0
4. Kewa Nichols (TCU) def. Samantha Sarkis (AF) 6-1, 6-0
5. Idunn Hertzberg (TCU) def. Katrina Eromin (AF) 6-1, 6-3
6. Maria Babanova (TCU) def. Christen Monreal (AF) 6-2, 6-1
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 4*, 1, 5, 6
DOUBLES
1. Hertzberg/Tuohimaa (TCU) def. Abayan/Rudico (AF) 8-5
2. Sydorska/Nichols (TCU) def. Shortridge/Wilson (AF) 8-2
3. Munch-Soegaard/Babanova (TCU) def. Monreal/Sarkis (AF) 8-1
Order of Finish: 3, 2*, 1
*Clinching point
"It's always an honor to play Air Force," said TCU head coach Jefferson Hammond. "A lot of these players will be putting themselves in harm's way in the coming years and we couldn't have a finer group working to protect our country. We played very well today and stayed focused and everybody seems to be on the same page as we move forward into the conference season."
The TCU duo of Nina Munch-Soegaard and Maria Babanova opened doubles play with an 8-1defeat of Christen Monreal and Samantha Sarkis at the No. 3 position. Anna Sydorska and Kewa Nichols followed with an 8-2 rout of Erika Shortridge and Lauren Wilson to clinch the doubles point, while Idunn Hertzberg and Katariina Tuohimaa posted an 8-5 win over Christine Abayan and Erlyn Rudico at the top spot.
Sydorska opened singles action with a 6-1, 6-0 defeat of Wilson at the No. 2 position, while Tuohimaa followed with a 6-0, 6-0 victory against Meghan Kiser to put the Frogs up 3-0 in the match.
Munch-Soegaard, ranked No. 67 nationally, cruised past Abayan at the top position by a score of 6-0, 6-2, while Nichols posted her fifth consecutive win with a 6-1, 6-0 defeat of Sarkis at the No. 4 spot.
TCU freshmen Hertzberg and Babanova wrapped up the match with wins at the No. 5 and No. 6 positions, respectively. Hertzberg defeated Katrina Eromin by a score of 6-1, 6-3, while Babanova recorded a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Monreal.
The Frogs will play host to Wyoming on Sunday at 10 a.m.
No. 22 TCU (12-4) def. Air Force (5-15), 7-0
SINGLES
1. No. 67 Nina Munch-Soegaard (TCU) def. Christine Abayan (AF) 6-0, 6-2
2. No. 72 Anna Sydorska (TCU) def. Lauren Wilson (AF) 6-1, 6-0
3. Katariina Tuohimaa (TCU) def. Meghan Kiser (AF) 6-0, 6-0
4. Kewa Nichols (TCU) def. Samantha Sarkis (AF) 6-1, 6-0
5. Idunn Hertzberg (TCU) def. Katrina Eromin (AF) 6-1, 6-3
6. Maria Babanova (TCU) def. Christen Monreal (AF) 6-2, 6-1
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 4*, 1, 5, 6
DOUBLES
1. Hertzberg/Tuohimaa (TCU) def. Abayan/Rudico (AF) 8-5
2. Sydorska/Nichols (TCU) def. Shortridge/Wilson (AF) 8-2
3. Munch-Soegaard/Babanova (TCU) def. Monreal/Sarkis (AF) 8-1
Order of Finish: 3, 2*, 1
*Clinching point
Friday, March 28, 2008
BERRETTINI SETS NEW TCU MARK AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON (March 28, 2008) TCU senior swimmer Jonathon Berrettini completed his decorated career as a Horned Frog on Friday at the 2008 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving National Championships with a 26th-place finish in the 100-back in a school-record time of 48.16. Berrettini was the first TCU swimmer to compete at the NCAA Championships since 1997.
The Lewisville, Texas, native surpassed his previous best of 48.28 in the 100-back set earlier this season. Friday’s clocking of 48.16 also ranks first in Mountain West Conference history. Berrettini now holds the top-five times in the 100-back in the TCU record book.
On Thursday, Berrettini placed 45th in the nation in the 50-free with a time of 20.32, which ranks fourth in school history.
Coverage of this season’s NCAA Championships will be aired on ESPN2 on April 3 at 1 p.m. CDT.
The Lewisville, Texas, native surpassed his previous best of 48.28 in the 100-back set earlier this season. Friday’s clocking of 48.16 also ranks first in Mountain West Conference history. Berrettini now holds the top-five times in the 100-back in the TCU record book.
On Thursday, Berrettini placed 45th in the nation in the 50-free with a time of 20.32, which ranks fourth in school history.
Coverage of this season’s NCAA Championships will be aired on ESPN2 on April 3 at 1 p.m. CDT.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
NO. 22 TCU PREPARES TO OPEN MWC REGULAR SEASON
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (March 27, 3008) The No. 22 TCU women’s tennis team will open Mountain West Conference play this weekend by hosting three league opponents at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center. The Horned Frogs will face Colorado State at 6 p.m., followed by a Saturday contest against Air Force at 10 a.m. and a Sunday match against Wyoming at 10 a.m.
The Frogs (10-4) have won three consecutive contests and five of their last six
matches. Sophomore Nina Munch-Soegaard is currently ranked No. 67 in singles play, while Anna Sydorska is ranked No. 72 nationally. Freshman Katariina Tuohimaa leads the team with an 11-3 record.
The doubles tandem of Macall Harkins and Sydorska is currently tabbed as the nation’s 12th-best duo. Harkins and Sydorska are 11-2 overall, with four wins coming against ranked opponents. On Wednesday, Harkins was named the MWC Women’s Tennis Player of the Week, marking the third time this season she has earned the weekly honor.
Colorado State will enter Friday’s contest with a 6-3 overall record. The Rams have won three straight matches, including a 7-0 win over UW-Green Bay in their last action on March 18. TCU holds a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series with Colorado State, including a shutout victory last season.
Air Force is currently 5-13 this season, and fell at Stetson on Monday by a score of 5-2. TCU is 2-0 against the Falcons in the series, both of which were shutouts.
Wyoming will come to Fort Worth with a 10-5 season mark. The Cowgirls last competed on Saturday, posting a 5-2 victory at Santa Clara. TCU is 4-0 against Wyoming in the series, including two shutout victories last season.
The Frogs (10-4) have won three consecutive contests and five of their last six
matches. Sophomore Nina Munch-Soegaard is currently ranked No. 67 in singles play, while Anna Sydorska is ranked No. 72 nationally. Freshman Katariina Tuohimaa leads the team with an 11-3 record.
The doubles tandem of Macall Harkins and Sydorska is currently tabbed as the nation’s 12th-best duo. Harkins and Sydorska are 11-2 overall, with four wins coming against ranked opponents. On Wednesday, Harkins was named the MWC Women’s Tennis Player of the Week, marking the third time this season she has earned the weekly honor.
Colorado State will enter Friday’s contest with a 6-3 overall record. The Rams have won three straight matches, including a 7-0 win over UW-Green Bay in their last action on March 18. TCU holds a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series with Colorado State, including a shutout victory last season.
Air Force is currently 5-13 this season, and fell at Stetson on Monday by a score of 5-2. TCU is 2-0 against the Falcons in the series, both of which were shutouts.
Wyoming will come to Fort Worth with a 10-5 season mark. The Cowgirls last competed on Saturday, posting a 5-2 victory at Santa Clara. TCU is 4-0 against Wyoming in the series, including two shutout victories last season.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
C-USA Teams Score at NCAA Swimming/Diving Championships
IRVING, TEXAS (March 26, 2008) The SMU swimming and divng team ended another solid season by finishing 11th at the NCAA Championships last week. The Mustangs have finished in the Top 12 or better in 16 of head coach Steve Collins' 22 years at the helm of the program. Houston sent multiple divers to the event and scored 29 points to finish in 28th in the team standings, while Rice's Brittany Massengale notched nine points to help the Owls place 39th.
SMU
The SMU women's swimming and diving team will take home a final ranking of 11th in the country, missing the top 10 by just two points. On the last day of the NCAA Championships, the Mustangs set a new SMU record in the 400 free relay and scored in a total of three events, including freshman Audra Egenolf taking seventh in platform diving.
"We had a great day," said head coach Steve Collins. "I'm really, really happy. We swam great splits tonight, including Jen Blackman's lifetime-best leading off our 400 free relay. It was very exciting to watch. We always preach that it takes a total team effort and I really believe we did that here."
The Mustangs broke the school record in the 400 free relay set in 2006. J. Blackman, Candace Blackman, Petra Klosova and Sascha Van den Branden combined for a time of 3:15.45 in the prelim round, breaking the old school record by over a second. Then, in the finals, the squad clocked a blazing-fast 3:14.86, breaking the record a second time, bettering the mark by over two full seconds. The finish was good for sixth place in the event, earning the Mustangs 26 points.
Anja Carman scored in the 200 back, taking the consolation heat by storm. Carman touched the wall in 1:54.85, scoring nine points for SMU.
Egenolf became the latest NCAA scorer in a storied SMU diving program. In the prelims, Egenolf tallied 268.00 points to put her in the top-eight for the finals. Saturday night, she managed 233.55 in the finals to notch seventh place and 12 points.
"Audra did really well tonight," said Collins. "To get herself in the finals like that, as a freshman, is really a hard thing to do. It was just awesome to see her place."
C. Blackman swam a season-fastest 49.24 in the 100 free, but did not qualify for the finals in that event.
"Three days and six sessions," remarked Collins. "The team never gave up. They just kept fighting through. I'm so proud of this team and very, very happy with the effort throughout the season and the meet. I also want to say how proud I am of the two seniors who represented us at the meet. Anja had an incredible season and really started us off with great splits. The whole team was able to build on her momentum and I think that helped carry us through. Jen also had an amazing season. She was an individual scorer in the 200 free for the first time ever, her senior year and then swam great in the relays. The two of them were great leaders for us all season and throughout this meet."
The NCAA meet marked the official end to the season, but members of the team will continue to swim in an effort to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Next on the slate will be the U.S. Grand Prix in Palo Alto, Calif. April 3-5. For the complete schedule and results, log on to SMUMustangs.com.
Eight Mustangs will take home All-American accolades for their performances:
Candace Blackman: 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay
Jennifer Blackman: 200 free, 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay
Devon Callaghan: 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
Anja Carman: 100 back, 200 back, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
Audra Egenolf: Platform diving
Petra Klosova: 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
Sascha Van den Branden: 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay
Elzanne Werth: 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
HOUSTON
Three University of Houston divers capped their 2007-08 season in impressive style by earning All-America honors on the platform during the final day of the NCAA Championships on Saturday at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State.
Freshman Lacey Truelove, competing in her first NCAA Championship, earned the best finish by any Cougar at the 2008 meet, finishing sixth on the platform with 272.35 points during the finals.
It was the first All-America honor for the London, Ontario, native, who recorded 304.95 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk won the consolation finals with 296.20 points, while freshman Courtney Forcucci finished 15th with 224.40 points.
It was the second All-America honor at the 2008 NCAA Championship for van Katwijk, who finished 10th on the 3-meter springboard on Friday.
Competing in her first NCAA Championship, Forcucci collected the first All-America honor of her career.
With their performance on Saturday alone, the Cougar trio earned 24 points to help lead Houston to a final team score of 29 points. The Cougars finished 28th in the overall team standings, the first time during the last eight seasons that UH failed to finish among the Top-25 team leaders at the nation's top collegiate meet.
van Katwijk collected 252.70 points, while Forcucci posted 226.35 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.
Brittany Viola of Miami (Fla.) won the platform national championship with 362.60 points during the finals.
Arizona won the 2008 team national championship with 484 points, while Auburn finished second with 348 points. The Cougars earned the second most points among Conference USA teams, trailing only SMU, which earned 126 points to finish 11th.
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.
While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship.
Adding her divers' 2008 performances to her resume, Figueiredo has mentored 13 divers to 39 All-America honors.
This marked the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver competed at the NCAA Championship, and it was the fifth straight season that the Cougars sent multiple divers to the Championship.
RICE
Rice senior swimmer Brittany Massengale shattered her own school record to finish 12th out of a field of 40 competitors in the 1,650-yard freestyle Saturday at the 2008 NCAA Championships held the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Massengale was second in her heat with a time of 16:12.12, breaking her Conference USA-winning and school record time in the event by more than five seconds. There were five heats of eight swimmers, and all heats for this lengthy event are for the Championship's final placings. In her 1,650 race, the Owls' distance specialist from Alma, Ark., also swam the best-ever Rice time in the 1,000-freestyle (9:47.86).
Massengale's 12th place finish in the mile added five points to Rice's team score for the meet. She also finished 13th in the 500-freestyle on Thursday to score four points in that event. Massengale accounted for all nine of Rice's team points to tie for 39th place in the standings on her own. She is the first Owl to score in two events at the NCAA Championships since Mandy Mularz in 2002. That year Rice was 25th in the final NCAA standings. The Owls tied for 33rd in the country in 2003, the last time for Rice to score in the NCAA meet.
It has been an impressive four years for the Rice senior. Massengale set four school records in her career with Rice bests in the 200-, 500-, 1,000- and ,1,650-yard freestyle. She became the first Rice swimmer to make the United States National Team, representing her country in an international competition in the summer of 2006.
SMU
The SMU women's swimming and diving team will take home a final ranking of 11th in the country, missing the top 10 by just two points. On the last day of the NCAA Championships, the Mustangs set a new SMU record in the 400 free relay and scored in a total of three events, including freshman Audra Egenolf taking seventh in platform diving.
"We had a great day," said head coach Steve Collins. "I'm really, really happy. We swam great splits tonight, including Jen Blackman's lifetime-best leading off our 400 free relay. It was very exciting to watch. We always preach that it takes a total team effort and I really believe we did that here."
The Mustangs broke the school record in the 400 free relay set in 2006. J. Blackman, Candace Blackman, Petra Klosova and Sascha Van den Branden combined for a time of 3:15.45 in the prelim round, breaking the old school record by over a second. Then, in the finals, the squad clocked a blazing-fast 3:14.86, breaking the record a second time, bettering the mark by over two full seconds. The finish was good for sixth place in the event, earning the Mustangs 26 points.
Anja Carman scored in the 200 back, taking the consolation heat by storm. Carman touched the wall in 1:54.85, scoring nine points for SMU.
Egenolf became the latest NCAA scorer in a storied SMU diving program. In the prelims, Egenolf tallied 268.00 points to put her in the top-eight for the finals. Saturday night, she managed 233.55 in the finals to notch seventh place and 12 points.
"Audra did really well tonight," said Collins. "To get herself in the finals like that, as a freshman, is really a hard thing to do. It was just awesome to see her place."
C. Blackman swam a season-fastest 49.24 in the 100 free, but did not qualify for the finals in that event.
"Three days and six sessions," remarked Collins. "The team never gave up. They just kept fighting through. I'm so proud of this team and very, very happy with the effort throughout the season and the meet. I also want to say how proud I am of the two seniors who represented us at the meet. Anja had an incredible season and really started us off with great splits. The whole team was able to build on her momentum and I think that helped carry us through. Jen also had an amazing season. She was an individual scorer in the 200 free for the first time ever, her senior year and then swam great in the relays. The two of them were great leaders for us all season and throughout this meet."
The NCAA meet marked the official end to the season, but members of the team will continue to swim in an effort to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Next on the slate will be the U.S. Grand Prix in Palo Alto, Calif. April 3-5. For the complete schedule and results, log on to SMUMustangs.com.
Eight Mustangs will take home All-American accolades for their performances:
Candace Blackman: 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay
Jennifer Blackman: 200 free, 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay
Devon Callaghan: 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
Anja Carman: 100 back, 200 back, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
Audra Egenolf: Platform diving
Petra Klosova: 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
Sascha Van den Branden: 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay
Elzanne Werth: 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
HOUSTON
Three University of Houston divers capped their 2007-08 season in impressive style by earning All-America honors on the platform during the final day of the NCAA Championships on Saturday at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State.
Freshman Lacey Truelove, competing in her first NCAA Championship, earned the best finish by any Cougar at the 2008 meet, finishing sixth on the platform with 272.35 points during the finals.
It was the first All-America honor for the London, Ontario, native, who recorded 304.95 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk won the consolation finals with 296.20 points, while freshman Courtney Forcucci finished 15th with 224.40 points.
It was the second All-America honor at the 2008 NCAA Championship for van Katwijk, who finished 10th on the 3-meter springboard on Friday.
Competing in her first NCAA Championship, Forcucci collected the first All-America honor of her career.
With their performance on Saturday alone, the Cougar trio earned 24 points to help lead Houston to a final team score of 29 points. The Cougars finished 28th in the overall team standings, the first time during the last eight seasons that UH failed to finish among the Top-25 team leaders at the nation's top collegiate meet.
van Katwijk collected 252.70 points, while Forcucci posted 226.35 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.
Brittany Viola of Miami (Fla.) won the platform national championship with 362.60 points during the finals.
Arizona won the 2008 team national championship with 484 points, while Auburn finished second with 348 points. The Cougars earned the second most points among Conference USA teams, trailing only SMU, which earned 126 points to finish 11th.
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.
While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship.
Adding her divers' 2008 performances to her resume, Figueiredo has mentored 13 divers to 39 All-America honors.
This marked the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver competed at the NCAA Championship, and it was the fifth straight season that the Cougars sent multiple divers to the Championship.
RICE
Rice senior swimmer Brittany Massengale shattered her own school record to finish 12th out of a field of 40 competitors in the 1,650-yard freestyle Saturday at the 2008 NCAA Championships held the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Massengale was second in her heat with a time of 16:12.12, breaking her Conference USA-winning and school record time in the event by more than five seconds. There were five heats of eight swimmers, and all heats for this lengthy event are for the Championship's final placings. In her 1,650 race, the Owls' distance specialist from Alma, Ark., also swam the best-ever Rice time in the 1,000-freestyle (9:47.86).
Massengale's 12th place finish in the mile added five points to Rice's team score for the meet. She also finished 13th in the 500-freestyle on Thursday to score four points in that event. Massengale accounted for all nine of Rice's team points to tie for 39th place in the standings on her own. She is the first Owl to score in two events at the NCAA Championships since Mandy Mularz in 2002. That year Rice was 25th in the final NCAA standings. The Owls tied for 33rd in the country in 2003, the last time for Rice to score in the NCAA meet.
It has been an impressive four years for the Rice senior. Massengale set four school records in her career with Rice bests in the 200-, 500-, 1,000- and ,1,650-yard freestyle. She became the first Rice swimmer to make the United States National Team, representing her country in an international competition in the summer of 2006.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon Course Unveiled
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (March 25, 2008) Elite Racing, Inc., organizer of the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon, promised to energize the local running community and provide an entertaining destination event for runners and walkers of all abilities as members of the race committee and city officials unveiled the new course today. Approximately 20,000 runners and walkers are expected for the musical event that will showcase San Antonio’s southwestern flair when it debuts Sunday, November 16, 2008.
“Texas has a strong running community and we are pleased the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon will soon be one of the state’s and the nation’s premiere running events,” said Lucy Diaz, the event’s manager. “This world-class course will attract elite athletes and provide a fun-filled tour through San Antonio’s vibrant city, parks and historic sites."
Early interest in the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon is positive with nearly 5,000 participants already entered. Considering the race’s family-friendly appeal and the region’s ideal autumn running climate, organizers expect a strong debut and continued annual growth.
Organizers noted early registration ends on March 31, 2008. Potential participants are encouraged to commit now to the marathon or half-marathon and save on the entry fees before the prices go up. Current fees are $80 for the marathon and $65 for the half-marathon, which will increase by $15 and $10 respectively.
Participants and spectators alike are in for a block-party experience when the race implements its rock ‘n’ roll theme with rousing music, hundreds of local high school cheerleading squads and themed water stations line each mile of the course. The inaugural event concludes with an evening concert at the Alamodome, free to all participants and featuring a major rock ‘n’ roll headliner.
In addition, the race will draw elite runners from around the world vying for cash prizes. A free two-day “Health and Fitness Expo,” open to the public, will be held November 14 and 15 at the Alamodome, featuring fitness related clinics and the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products for sample and sale.
For more information or to register online for the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon, visit www.RnRsa.com or contact Elite Racing, Inc. at 800-311-1255.
Course Description
The start line village will be located on Broadway near Brakenridge Park. The race begins with an invitational elite wheelchair race at 7:25 a.m. followed by a simultaneous marathon and half-marathon start at 7:30 a.m. Participants will travel south towards downtown. Just past the San Antonio Express-News Headquarters the course turns East onto 4th Avenue, running behind the River Center Mall before turning North onto Alamo Plaza and passing the Alamo before passing mile three.
Crossing over the River Walk on St. Mary’s Street the course winds its way north to McCullough Avenue. Passing mile five the course turns West onto Craig Place through the Monte Vista Historic District and loops its way around San Pedro Park the second oldest park in the United States.
Through miles six to nine the route heads South. Most of this leg consists of a two-mile stretch down Main Avenue where the course passes the San Fernando Cathedral at mile eight. Off Main Avenue, the course turns East onto Gunther Street and enters the King William Historic District.
Continuing to St. Mary’s Street through the Southtown Arts District, the half-marathon course splits from the marathon at Claudia Street, mile 10.5, to run east one block to Presa Street. The marathon course continues south on St. Mary’s Street to Mission Road passing Mission Concepción at mile 12.
The marathon course continues south passing Mission San José at mile 14 and Mission San Juan Capistrano at mile 17. At this point the marathon swings East onto Padre Drive into the Mission Trails National Historic Park, entering a rural landscape. At mile 21.5 the marathon rejoins Mission Road and continues north back towards downtown.
Just prior to mile 24 the marathon skips East one block on Playmoor Street before meeting up with the half-marathon course on Presa Street. The marathon and half-marathon courses run in parallel on either side of the road turning east on Durango Blvd. Just after mile 25 the courses split once more before meeting up again on Montana Street for the final stretch to the finish line on Cherry Street behind the Alamodome.
“Texas has a strong running community and we are pleased the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon will soon be one of the state’s and the nation’s premiere running events,” said Lucy Diaz, the event’s manager. “This world-class course will attract elite athletes and provide a fun-filled tour through San Antonio’s vibrant city, parks and historic sites."
Early interest in the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon is positive with nearly 5,000 participants already entered. Considering the race’s family-friendly appeal and the region’s ideal autumn running climate, organizers expect a strong debut and continued annual growth.
Organizers noted early registration ends on March 31, 2008. Potential participants are encouraged to commit now to the marathon or half-marathon and save on the entry fees before the prices go up. Current fees are $80 for the marathon and $65 for the half-marathon, which will increase by $15 and $10 respectively.
Participants and spectators alike are in for a block-party experience when the race implements its rock ‘n’ roll theme with rousing music, hundreds of local high school cheerleading squads and themed water stations line each mile of the course. The inaugural event concludes with an evening concert at the Alamodome, free to all participants and featuring a major rock ‘n’ roll headliner.
In addition, the race will draw elite runners from around the world vying for cash prizes. A free two-day “Health and Fitness Expo,” open to the public, will be held November 14 and 15 at the Alamodome, featuring fitness related clinics and the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products for sample and sale.
For more information or to register online for the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon, visit www.RnRsa.com or contact Elite Racing, Inc. at 800-311-1255.
Course Description
The start line village will be located on Broadway near Brakenridge Park. The race begins with an invitational elite wheelchair race at 7:25 a.m. followed by a simultaneous marathon and half-marathon start at 7:30 a.m. Participants will travel south towards downtown. Just past the San Antonio Express-News Headquarters the course turns East onto 4th Avenue, running behind the River Center Mall before turning North onto Alamo Plaza and passing the Alamo before passing mile three.
Crossing over the River Walk on St. Mary’s Street the course winds its way north to McCullough Avenue. Passing mile five the course turns West onto Craig Place through the Monte Vista Historic District and loops its way around San Pedro Park the second oldest park in the United States.
Through miles six to nine the route heads South. Most of this leg consists of a two-mile stretch down Main Avenue where the course passes the San Fernando Cathedral at mile eight. Off Main Avenue, the course turns East onto Gunther Street and enters the King William Historic District.
Continuing to St. Mary’s Street through the Southtown Arts District, the half-marathon course splits from the marathon at Claudia Street, mile 10.5, to run east one block to Presa Street. The marathon course continues south on St. Mary’s Street to Mission Road passing Mission Concepción at mile 12.
The marathon course continues south passing Mission San José at mile 14 and Mission San Juan Capistrano at mile 17. At this point the marathon swings East onto Padre Drive into the Mission Trails National Historic Park, entering a rural landscape. At mile 21.5 the marathon rejoins Mission Road and continues north back towards downtown.
Just prior to mile 24 the marathon skips East one block on Playmoor Street before meeting up with the half-marathon course on Presa Street. The marathon and half-marathon courses run in parallel on either side of the road turning east on Durango Blvd. Just after mile 25 the courses split once more before meeting up again on Montana Street for the final stretch to the finish line on Cherry Street behind the Alamodome.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Bay Area Toros Seeking Host Families for 2008 in Bay Area
TEXAS CITY, TEXAS (March 24, 2008) The Bay Area Toros Professional Baseball Club announced recently that they are actively seeking local families that are interested in hosting a Bay Area Toros player for the 2008 season. Host families would have a Toros player live with their family in their home during the season and have that Toros player become "part of the family" for the four months that they are playing for the Toros in Texas City. Toros players that are placed with families become an active, productive member of that family for the summer.
In 2007, eleven Toro players stayed with host families, without incident, in the bay area and many are still in constant contact with their hosts well after the season is over. Toros Pitcher Will Smeltzer said "I don't know that I enjoyed anything more than staying with my host family last season. I really felt like I became part of their family and really enjoyed being around their kids and having my own cheering section at our home games."
Host families will be matched with a Toros player after a careful screening and introduction process in which the player and the family will meet and make sure there is a "fit" prior to the season starting. Host families have been a tradition in minor league baseball for many years and in college baseball in many of the elite summer programs for decades.
Families interested in being a Host Family should immediately contact Bay Area Toros General Manager Mike Pede to be matched with an incoming player for the 2008 season. Interested parties should make contact by April 5 to allow for appropriate time to match family with players. Pede can be reached via email at mikepede@bayareatoros.com or by phone at 281-932-7949.
In 2007, eleven Toro players stayed with host families, without incident, in the bay area and many are still in constant contact with their hosts well after the season is over. Toros Pitcher Will Smeltzer said "I don't know that I enjoyed anything more than staying with my host family last season. I really felt like I became part of their family and really enjoyed being around their kids and having my own cheering section at our home games."
Host families will be matched with a Toros player after a careful screening and introduction process in which the player and the family will meet and make sure there is a "fit" prior to the season starting. Host families have been a tradition in minor league baseball for many years and in college baseball in many of the elite summer programs for decades.
Families interested in being a Host Family should immediately contact Bay Area Toros General Manager Mike Pede to be matched with an incoming player for the 2008 season. Interested parties should make contact by April 5 to allow for appropriate time to match family with players. Pede can be reached via email at mikepede@bayareatoros.com or by phone at 281-932-7949.
2008 Olympic Torch Relay Begins in Greece
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
ANCIENT OLYMPIA, GREECE (March 24, 2008) The Olympic Flame was lit today in ancient Olympia in front of the Temple of Hera.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic torch will be carried on foot from Olympia, Greece to Beijing, China. The trip is 85,000 miles long and will take about five months before it reaches Beijing on August 6 and enters Olympic stadium for the opening ceremony on August 8.
This is the longest journey for the flame in the history of the Olympics and will require tens of thousands of torchbearers. It will pass through five continents and visit 23 cities before reaching China.
Besides Greece and China, other countries including France, Kazakhstan, Russia, and USA are on the list; so are the two small Chinese islands of Hong Kong and Macao.
The torch will reach San Francisco on April 9. Weather permitting the torch may also reach the top of Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world, in May.
China is still insisting to keep the route through Tibet despite the violent riots and deadly crackdown: the torch is planned to reach Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, in June.
A single pro-Tibetan voice was heard during the lighting ceremony but was quickly silenced.
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
ANCIENT OLYMPIA, GREECE (March 24, 2008) The Olympic Flame was lit today in ancient Olympia in front of the Temple of Hera.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic torch will be carried on foot from Olympia, Greece to Beijing, China. The trip is 85,000 miles long and will take about five months before it reaches Beijing on August 6 and enters Olympic stadium for the opening ceremony on August 8.
This is the longest journey for the flame in the history of the Olympics and will require tens of thousands of torchbearers. It will pass through five continents and visit 23 cities before reaching China.
Besides Greece and China, other countries including France, Kazakhstan, Russia, and USA are on the list; so are the two small Chinese islands of Hong Kong and Macao.
The torch will reach San Francisco on April 9. Weather permitting the torch may also reach the top of Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world, in May.
China is still insisting to keep the route through Tibet despite the violent riots and deadly crackdown: the torch is planned to reach Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, in June.
A single pro-Tibetan voice was heard during the lighting ceremony but was quickly silenced.
BAYLOR DROPS TO No. 20 IN BASEBALL AMERICA TOP 25
DURHAM, NORTH, CAROLINA (March 24, 2008) Baylor baseball dropped six spots to No. 20 in this week's Baseball America Top 25, released Monday by the publication. The Bears (14-6, 2-4) were one of eight teams to drop at least one spot in this week's ranking. Baylor was 0-3 last week, dropping all three games in a weekend series at Missouri, which moved up two spots to No. 2 nationally as the highest ranked Big 12 Conference team.
Arizona State was ranked No. 1 for the second consecutive week, followed by Missouri, North Carolina, Miami, Fla., and Long Beach State, which swept preseason No. 1 UCLA over the weekend. Former No. 1 Arizona dropped two spots to No. 6; UC Irvine, Florida State, Vanderbilt and South Carolina rounded out the top 10. Texas (13th) and Nebraska (19th) joined Baylor and Missouri to give the Big 12 four teams in the Top 25.
The Bears also dropped out of the of the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll after being ranked No. 13 last week. Baylor was the leader among teams also receiving votes for the poll and just one point out of the ranking. The Bears dropped five spots to No. 20 in this week's Collegiate Baseball Top 30.
Baylor returns to action Tuesday, hosting Houston Baptist for a 6:30 p.m. CDT first pitch at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears also host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Baylor hits the road again on the weekend, traveling to Norman, Okla., for a three-game series at Oklahoma.
Arizona State was ranked No. 1 for the second consecutive week, followed by Missouri, North Carolina, Miami, Fla., and Long Beach State, which swept preseason No. 1 UCLA over the weekend. Former No. 1 Arizona dropped two spots to No. 6; UC Irvine, Florida State, Vanderbilt and South Carolina rounded out the top 10. Texas (13th) and Nebraska (19th) joined Baylor and Missouri to give the Big 12 four teams in the Top 25.
The Bears also dropped out of the of the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll after being ranked No. 13 last week. Baylor was the leader among teams also receiving votes for the poll and just one point out of the ranking. The Bears dropped five spots to No. 20 in this week's Collegiate Baseball Top 30.
Baylor returns to action Tuesday, hosting Houston Baptist for a 6:30 p.m. CDT first pitch at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears also host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Baylor hits the road again on the weekend, traveling to Norman, Okla., for a three-game series at Oklahoma.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
No. 14 BAYLOR BASEBALL FALLS AT No. 4 MISSOURI 12-2
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI (March 23, 2008) Two big innings proved costly for No. 14 Baylor as the Bears dropped a 12-2, seven-inning decision at No. 4 Missouri in Sunday's Big 12 Conference series finale at Taylor Stadium. Baylor (13-7, 2-4) has lost five consecutive road games and five straight road games in conference play, dating back to last season. Missouri (18-2, 3-0) has won 12 straight after sweeping the three-game series.
This was the first sweep in the series' history; prior to this weekend, it was the only series in Big 12 history to have never been swept.
After getting an unearned run in the third, Missouri exploded for five runs on five hits and a Baylor error in the third to take a commanding 6-0 lead. The key play in the inning came with two runs already in, the bases loaded and two outs. Ryan Lollis hit a chopper to Baylor third basemen Shaver Hansen, who misplayed the ball allowing a run to score and the inning to continue.
Baylor snapped a 25-inning scoreless streak with two runs in the top of the seventh. Raynor Campbell plated the first run with an RBI double, and Beamer Weems scored Campbell with a two-out single up the middle. However, the Bears stranded runners on the corners in what proved to be their last at bat of the game.
Missouri scored six runs on only three hits in the bottom of the seventh, pushing its lead to 10 runs and evoking the conference's mercy rule used in series finales. Three Baylor pitchers walked four batters, and Jacob Priday was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to end the game.
Tigers' starter Kyle Gibson (5-0) tossed a complete game for the win; he allowed two unearned runs on four hits and two walks with nine strikeouts.
Bears' starter Willie Kempf (3-1) was saddled with the loss. He allowed six runs, only two of which were earned, on eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts over 4.0 innings.
Baylor returns to action Tuesday, March 25, hosting Houston Baptist for the first of two midweek games. First pitch between the Bears and the Huskies is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CDT. Baylor hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
NOTES: Baylor leads the all-time series 25-22, including a 23-22 edge during head coach Steve Smith's tenure. However, Missouri has won nine of the last 13 meetings. ... Missouri holds a 10-8 edge in games played at Columbia, winning five of the last six at Taylor Stadium. ... The Tigers lead the series 19-17 in regular-season Big 12 meetings, winning nine of the last 12.
This was the first sweep in the series' history; prior to this weekend, it was the only series in Big 12 history to have never been swept.
After getting an unearned run in the third, Missouri exploded for five runs on five hits and a Baylor error in the third to take a commanding 6-0 lead. The key play in the inning came with two runs already in, the bases loaded and two outs. Ryan Lollis hit a chopper to Baylor third basemen Shaver Hansen, who misplayed the ball allowing a run to score and the inning to continue.
Baylor snapped a 25-inning scoreless streak with two runs in the top of the seventh. Raynor Campbell plated the first run with an RBI double, and Beamer Weems scored Campbell with a two-out single up the middle. However, the Bears stranded runners on the corners in what proved to be their last at bat of the game.
Missouri scored six runs on only three hits in the bottom of the seventh, pushing its lead to 10 runs and evoking the conference's mercy rule used in series finales. Three Baylor pitchers walked four batters, and Jacob Priday was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to end the game.
Tigers' starter Kyle Gibson (5-0) tossed a complete game for the win; he allowed two unearned runs on four hits and two walks with nine strikeouts.
Bears' starter Willie Kempf (3-1) was saddled with the loss. He allowed six runs, only two of which were earned, on eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts over 4.0 innings.
Baylor returns to action Tuesday, March 25, hosting Houston Baptist for the first of two midweek games. First pitch between the Bears and the Huskies is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CDT. Baylor hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
NOTES: Baylor leads the all-time series 25-22, including a 23-22 edge during head coach Steve Smith's tenure. However, Missouri has won nine of the last 13 meetings. ... Missouri holds a 10-8 edge in games played at Columbia, winning five of the last six at Taylor Stadium. ... The Tigers lead the series 19-17 in regular-season Big 12 meetings, winning nine of the last 12.
Three UH Divers Earn All-America Honors on Platform at NCAA Championship
COLUMBUS, OHIO (Mrach 23, 2008) Three University of Houston divers capped their 2007-08 season in impressive style by earning All-America honors on the platform during the final day of the NCAA Championships on Saturday at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State.
Freshman Lacey Truelove, competing in her first NCAA Championship, earned the best finish by any Cougar at the 2008 meet, finishing sixth on the platform with 272.35 points during the finals. It was the first All-America honor for the London, Ontario, native, who recorded 304.95 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk won the consolation finals with 296.20 points, while freshman Courtney Forcucci finished 15th with 224.40 points.It was the second All-America honor at the 2008 NCAA Championship for van Katwijk, who finished 10th on the 3-meter springboard on Friday.
Competing in her first NCAA Championship, Forcucci collected the first All-America honor of her career.With their performance on Saturday alone, the Cougar trio earned 24 points to help lead Houston to a final team score of 29 points.
The Cougars finished 28th in the overall team standings, the first time during the last eight seasons that UH failed to finish among the Top-25 team leaders at the nation’s top collegiate meet.
van Katwijk collected 252.70 points, while Forcucci posted 226.35 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.Brittany Viola of Miami (Fla.) won the platform national championship with 362.60 points during the finals.
Arizona won the 2008 team national championship with 484 points, while Auburn finished second with 348 points. The Cougars earned the second most points among Conference USA teams, trailing only SMU, which earned 126 points to finish 11th.
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship.
Adding her divers’ 2008 performances to her resume, Figueiredo has mentored 13 divers to 39 All-America honors.This marked the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver competed at the NCAA Championship, and it was the fifth straight season that the Cougars sent multiple divers to the Championship.
Freshman Lacey Truelove, competing in her first NCAA Championship, earned the best finish by any Cougar at the 2008 meet, finishing sixth on the platform with 272.35 points during the finals. It was the first All-America honor for the London, Ontario, native, who recorded 304.95 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk won the consolation finals with 296.20 points, while freshman Courtney Forcucci finished 15th with 224.40 points.It was the second All-America honor at the 2008 NCAA Championship for van Katwijk, who finished 10th on the 3-meter springboard on Friday.
Competing in her first NCAA Championship, Forcucci collected the first All-America honor of her career.With their performance on Saturday alone, the Cougar trio earned 24 points to help lead Houston to a final team score of 29 points.
The Cougars finished 28th in the overall team standings, the first time during the last eight seasons that UH failed to finish among the Top-25 team leaders at the nation’s top collegiate meet.
van Katwijk collected 252.70 points, while Forcucci posted 226.35 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.Brittany Viola of Miami (Fla.) won the platform national championship with 362.60 points during the finals.
Arizona won the 2008 team national championship with 484 points, while Auburn finished second with 348 points. The Cougars earned the second most points among Conference USA teams, trailing only SMU, which earned 126 points to finish 11th.
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship.
Adding her divers’ 2008 performances to her resume, Figueiredo has mentored 13 divers to 39 All-America honors.This marked the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver competed at the NCAA Championship, and it was the fifth straight season that the Cougars sent multiple divers to the Championship.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Bay Area Toros Sign First Set Of Players For 2008 Season.
TEXAS CITY, TEXAS (March 22, 2008) The Bay Area Toros Professional Baseball Club of the Continental Baseball League, announced today the signings of three premier players to their 2008 roster. Thomas Maletta (LHP), Grant Massie (OF) and Zeke Boren (RHP) were the first three players to be announced this season by General Manager Mike Pede. The team will bring 25 players to the field on May 23 in their new home in Texas City, Texas. “The level of talent that we are seeing this year seems to be better than in years past for some reason, and it’s a good thing, because we need some pitching,” said Pede.
Maletta, a 22 year old left-handed pitcher from the New York City area played recently in the Arizona Winter League with the eventual Champion Blythe Heat and collegiately at Mercy College. “We hear great things about Thomas and are looking forward to big things from him this season to help our staff,” said Pede.
Grant Massie, a Treasure Island, Florida resident, played collegiately at Eckert College, where he was named to the 2007 NCAA Rawlings Gold Glove All South Region Team as an outfielder. Massie hit .336 his final year at Eckert. “Grant brings us a great bat into our outfield rotation and can flat out fly on the basepaths. He will really upgrade us defensively in the outfield as well,” Pede added.
Zeke Boren, a 6’2” right-hander, also just completed a stint in the Arizona Winter League, also on the Blythe Heat Championship team, is a native of the Philadelphia (PA) area. As a matter of fact, he played in the same high school baseball district as General Manager Mike Pede’s high school, even no-hitting Pede’s alma mater once. “Zeke is an interesting guy who brings a great deal of mound presence to our staff. I look forward to watching him pitch this summer in Texas City,” said the GM.
The Toros will hold training camp in Texas City at Robinson Stadium beginning May 1, 2008. The teams second season in the CBL begins at home on May 23 against the Corpus Christi BeachDawgs at 6:00 p.m. The team will be continuously announcing signings over the next few weeks until the 25 man roster is complete for second year Manager Jim Bolt.
For more information on Bay Area Toros Baseball, go to www.BayAreaToros.com.
Maletta, a 22 year old left-handed pitcher from the New York City area played recently in the Arizona Winter League with the eventual Champion Blythe Heat and collegiately at Mercy College. “We hear great things about Thomas and are looking forward to big things from him this season to help our staff,” said Pede.
Grant Massie, a Treasure Island, Florida resident, played collegiately at Eckert College, where he was named to the 2007 NCAA Rawlings Gold Glove All South Region Team as an outfielder. Massie hit .336 his final year at Eckert. “Grant brings us a great bat into our outfield rotation and can flat out fly on the basepaths. He will really upgrade us defensively in the outfield as well,” Pede added.
Zeke Boren, a 6’2” right-hander, also just completed a stint in the Arizona Winter League, also on the Blythe Heat Championship team, is a native of the Philadelphia (PA) area. As a matter of fact, he played in the same high school baseball district as General Manager Mike Pede’s high school, even no-hitting Pede’s alma mater once. “Zeke is an interesting guy who brings a great deal of mound presence to our staff. I look forward to watching him pitch this summer in Texas City,” said the GM.
The Toros will hold training camp in Texas City at Robinson Stadium beginning May 1, 2008. The teams second season in the CBL begins at home on May 23 against the Corpus Christi BeachDawgs at 6:00 p.m. The team will be continuously announcing signings over the next few weeks until the 25 man roster is complete for second year Manager Jim Bolt.
For more information on Bay Area Toros Baseball, go to www.BayAreaToros.com.
van Katwijk Leads UH Divers on 3-Meter Board at NCAA Championship
COLUMBUS, OHIO (March 22, 2008) University of Houston senior captain Ginni van Katwijk scored 313.90 points to finish 12th on the 3-meter springboard to lead the Cougars during the second day of the 2008 NCAA Championships on Friday at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State.
The Grootebroek, Netherlands, native qualified for the finals after scoring 311.00 points to ranks 10th. van Katwijk saved her best performance for last, scoring 54.60 points on her final dive to qualify for the finals.
Later in the day, she recorded 313.65 points in the consolation finals for her final standing. With that performance, van Katwijk earned All-America honors at the NCAA Championship for the second straight season. In 2007, she finished second in the consolation finals on the platform for her first All-America award.
In addition, van Katwijk earned five points for the Cougars in the overall team standings. Houston has finished among the Top-25 leaders at the NCAA Championship for seven consecutive seasons entering the 2008 meet.
Ohio State's Chelsea Davis won the 3-meter national championship with 365.85 points in the finals. Teammate Bianca Alvarez finished second with 354.50 points.
Arizona leads the team standings with 361 points heading into the final day. Auburn is second with 244 points, while Texas A&M is third with 227 points.
Freshmen Lacey Truelove and Courtney Forcucci also are competing in their first NCAA Championship meets and competed on Friday. Truelove placed 19th in the preliminaries with 284.20 points, while Forcucci scored 247.10 points to finish 36th.
The Cougars wrap up their stay Saturday, beginning with the platform trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT). The platform consolation finals are slated to begin at 2:15 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals starting at 6 p.m. (CDT).
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.
While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship.
Adding van Katwijk's performance Friday to her resume, Figueiredo also has mentored 11 divers to 36 All-America honors.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver has competed at the NCAA Championship and it will be the fifth straight season that the Cougars have sent multiple divers to the nation's top collegiate meet.
Friday, March 21, 2008
NCAA D1 Women's Baketball Round 1 Predictions
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
My first round predictions for the NCAA Division 1 Women's Basketball Tournament are listed on our satellite site for the women's tournament.
Click here to view my first round predictions.
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
My first round predictions for the NCAA Division 1 Women's Basketball Tournament are listed on our satellite site for the women's tournament.
Click here to view my first round predictions.
NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament-Day 1 Results
By Robert H. KellyCopyright 2008 TexSport Publications
Day one games in the first round of the NCAA Men's Division 1 Basketball Tournament are completed. I went 14-2 (.875) on my predictions. Click here to view the results
and read my recap on each game.
Click here to see my first round day two predictions.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Houston Divers Compete in 1-Meter at NCAA Championship
COLUMBUS, OHIO (March 20, 2008) – Three University of Houston divers competed in the women’s 1-meter event Thursday at the 2008 NCAA Championship at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk placed 18th with 263.15 points, while freshman Courtney Forcucci finished 21st with 260.15 points. Freshman Lacey Truelove placed 38th with 224.65 points.
The divers will compete on the 3-meter springboard, beginning with trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT) Friday. The consolation finals for places nine through 16 will begin at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
This is the second-career appearance for van Katwijk at the NCAA Championship. In 2007, she placed second in the consolation finals and earned All-America honors on the platform.
This marks the first NCAA Championship appearance for both Forcucci and Truelove.
During head coach Jane Figueiredo’s 18-year career at UH, she has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship, including 10 divers who earned 35 All-America honors.
Figueiredo was honored Conference USA Diving Coach of the Year for the seventh-straight year earlier this season.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk placed 18th with 263.15 points, while freshman Courtney Forcucci finished 21st with 260.15 points. Freshman Lacey Truelove placed 38th with 224.65 points.
The divers will compete on the 3-meter springboard, beginning with trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT) Friday. The consolation finals for places nine through 16 will begin at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
This is the second-career appearance for van Katwijk at the NCAA Championship. In 2007, she placed second in the consolation finals and earned All-America honors on the platform.
This marks the first NCAA Championship appearance for both Forcucci and Truelove.
During head coach Jane Figueiredo’s 18-year career at UH, she has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship, including 10 divers who earned 35 All-America honors.
Figueiredo was honored Conference USA Diving Coach of the Year for the seventh-straight year earlier this season.
UH to Face Valparaiso in 2nd Round of CBI
By Robert H. KellyCopyright 2008 TexSport Publications
HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 20, 2008) The University of Houston men's basketball team will face off against Valparaiso in the second round of the College Basketball Tournament.
Valparaiso (22-13) defeated Washington (16-17) 72-71 to join Houston in the second round.
Houston, which has the higher seed in the bracket, earned home court advantage with their 80-79 upset of Nevada on Tuesday night.
The second round game will be at Houston on Monday, March 24. Game time is TBA.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
UH Divers Ready for NCAA Championship
HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 19, 2008) Three University of Houston divers will begin competition at the 2008 NCAA Championship on Thursday at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk and freshmen Courtney Forcucci and Lacey Truelove earned their places at the nation's top collegiate meet with solid performances throughout the NCAA Zone D meet last weekend at UH's own Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium.
The Cougar trio is scheduled to compete in all three events at the NCAA Championship. Their schedule begins at 12:30 p.m. (CDT), Thursday with the 1-meter diving trials. The consolation finals for places nine through 16 will begin at 2:15 p.m. (CDT) with the finals of both swimming and diving slated to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
On Friday, the divers will compete on the 3-meter springboard, beginning with the 3-meter trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT). The consolation finals for places nine through 16 begins at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
The Cougars wrap up their stay Saturday, beginning with the platform trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT). The platform consolation finals are slated to begin at 2:15 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals starting at 6 p.m. (CDT).
All-session tickets are available for $60 with sessions for each day's preliminaries selling for $10 and sessions for each day's finals going for $15. Tickets can be bought in advance by calling the Ohio State Ticket Office at 1-800-G0-BUCKS.
Live results of the 2008 NCAA Championship will be available at OhioStateBuckeyes.com by clicking on the NCAA Championships logo in the middle of the women's swimming and diving home page.
van Katwijk will make her second career appearance at the NCAA Championship. A year ago, the Grootebroek, Netherlands, native won the consolation finals and earned All-America honors on the platform.
Forcucci and Truelove will compete in their first NCAA Championship
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.
While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship, including 10 divers who earned 35 All-America honors.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver has competed at the NCAA Championship and it will be the fifth straight season that the Cougars have sent multiple divers to the nation's top collegiate meet.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk and freshmen Courtney Forcucci and Lacey Truelove earned their places at the nation's top collegiate meet with solid performances throughout the NCAA Zone D meet last weekend at UH's own Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium.
The Cougar trio is scheduled to compete in all three events at the NCAA Championship. Their schedule begins at 12:30 p.m. (CDT), Thursday with the 1-meter diving trials. The consolation finals for places nine through 16 will begin at 2:15 p.m. (CDT) with the finals of both swimming and diving slated to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
On Friday, the divers will compete on the 3-meter springboard, beginning with the 3-meter trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT). The consolation finals for places nine through 16 begins at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
The Cougars wrap up their stay Saturday, beginning with the platform trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT). The platform consolation finals are slated to begin at 2:15 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals starting at 6 p.m. (CDT).
All-session tickets are available for $60 with sessions for each day's preliminaries selling for $10 and sessions for each day's finals going for $15. Tickets can be bought in advance by calling the Ohio State Ticket Office at 1-800-G0-BUCKS.
Live results of the 2008 NCAA Championship will be available at OhioStateBuckeyes.com by clicking on the NCAA Championships logo in the middle of the women's swimming and diving home page.
van Katwijk will make her second career appearance at the NCAA Championship. A year ago, the Grootebroek, Netherlands, native won the consolation finals and earned All-America honors on the platform.
Forcucci and Truelove will compete in their first NCAA Championship
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.
While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship, including 10 divers who earned 35 All-America honors.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver has competed at the NCAA Championship and it will be the fifth straight season that the Cougars have sent multiple divers to the nation's top collegiate meet.
Houston Men's Basketball Defeats Nevada in CBI First Round
From University of Houston Press Release
RENO, NEVADA (March 19, 2008) Robert McKiver scored 22 points and Marcus Cousin made the winning free throw with 26.5 seconds left to lead Houston past Nevada 80-79 Tuesday night in the opening round of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.
Dion Dowell added 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Cougars, whose 23-9 record is their best since the 1991-92 season. They advance to the second round March 24 against the winner of Wednesday's game between Washington and Valparaiso.
Armon Johnson missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer for Nevada, which had trailed by as much as 10 points the second half and closed its sixth consecutive year of postseason play at 21-12. Marcelus Kemp led Nevada with 24 points. Johnson had 16 and Brandon Fields 15.
Tied at 71, Dowell followed a pair of free throws with a tip-in to put Houston ahead 75-71 with 3:10 left. The Cougars went up 79-75 on Kelvin Lewis' floater in the lane at 1:50.
JaVale McGee, who scored Nevada's first 6 points of the game on three slam dunks but fouled out with 12 points total, scored inside but missed the free throw when he was fouled at 1:33. After McKiver missed a 3-pointer, Kemp scored inside to make it 79-79 with 58 seconds left.
Houston led 43-36 at the half on Tafari Toney's 35-footer at the halftime buzzer.
The Cougars took their biggest lead, 50-40, on Lewis' 3-pointer with 17:44 remaining. But Nevada answered with a 20-5 run to take a 60-55 lead on Kemp's 10 footer at 10:55. That run included a 10-0 stretch started by DeMarshay Johnson's slam dunk off a behind-the-back pass from McGee in the lane.
McKiver's two free throws and 3-pointer pulled Houston to within 61-60 at 9:26, and Lewis' basket off a rebound tied it at 71 with 4:31 left.
RENO, NEVADA (March 19, 2008) Robert McKiver scored 22 points and Marcus Cousin made the winning free throw with 26.5 seconds left to lead Houston past Nevada 80-79 Tuesday night in the opening round of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.
Dion Dowell added 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Cougars, whose 23-9 record is their best since the 1991-92 season. They advance to the second round March 24 against the winner of Wednesday's game between Washington and Valparaiso.
Armon Johnson missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer for Nevada, which had trailed by as much as 10 points the second half and closed its sixth consecutive year of postseason play at 21-12. Marcelus Kemp led Nevada with 24 points. Johnson had 16 and Brandon Fields 15.
Tied at 71, Dowell followed a pair of free throws with a tip-in to put Houston ahead 75-71 with 3:10 left. The Cougars went up 79-75 on Kelvin Lewis' floater in the lane at 1:50.
JaVale McGee, who scored Nevada's first 6 points of the game on three slam dunks but fouled out with 12 points total, scored inside but missed the free throw when he was fouled at 1:33. After McKiver missed a 3-pointer, Kemp scored inside to make it 79-79 with 58 seconds left.
Houston led 43-36 at the half on Tafari Toney's 35-footer at the halftime buzzer.
The Cougars took their biggest lead, 50-40, on Lewis' 3-pointer with 17:44 remaining. But Nevada answered with a 20-5 run to take a 60-55 lead on Kemp's 10 footer at 10:55. That run included a 10-0 stretch started by DeMarshay Johnson's slam dunk off a behind-the-back pass from McGee in the lane.
McKiver's two free throws and 3-pointer pulled Houston to within 61-60 at 9:26, and Lewis' basket off a rebound tied it at 71 with 4:31 left.
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