FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- The Wyoming Cowgirls stayed with first-place Colorado State, but still fell in three games Friday at Moby Gym.
The Rams, (10-1 in Mountain West play, 18-4 overall), came away with a 25-22, 25-20 and 25-20 win over the Cowgirls, who fell to 1-10, 10-15.
Freshman Jodi Purdy led the Cowgirls with nine kills, eight digs, three block assists and a .280 (9-2-25) hitting percentage. Junior Lauren Whitney had nine kills and nine digs, while junior JennaRae Jester had nine kills and three blocks. Wyoming hit .167 (31-14-102) for the match.
Colorado State was led by Danielle Minch, who had 17 kills and a .419 (17-4-31) hitting percentage. Two players followed with nine kills each. The Rams hit .297 (49-16-111) for the match.
The Cowgirls will be at home next week for three matches. They will host the Colorado Christian Cougars, on Tuesday, the San Diego State Aztecs on Thursday and the Air Force Academy Falcons on Saturday, Nov. 7. The Tuesday and Thursday match will start at 7 p.m., while the Saturday match is slated to start at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 30, 2009
UW ready for MWC cross country meet
The 2009 Mountain West Conference Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships are set for Saturday at the Cascade Golf Course in Orem, Utah. The men’s 8K race will begin at 10 a.m., while the women’s 6K race will start at 11 a.m.
Sophomore, Greg Miller will lead the Cowboys while junior Alysha Davis will set the pace for the Cowgirls. Both have experience at the meet and know what they are up against.
“It’s an exciting time and great opportunity for us to compete at the conference championships,” said sixth year head coach Randy Cole. “This is what we talk about all year long, and we are looking forward to putting out our best competitive effort of the season.”
On the men’s side, BYU is ranked seventh in the nation and is favored to take the team title while 19th-ranked New Mexico will push them the whole way. Miller and the Cowboys will put their best foot forward and take the approach of going after one team at a time.
“We have to go after the teams that we are capable of beating and take shots at people ahead of us when we get there,” said Cole. “Greg (Miller) and Taylor (Kelting) have a great shot at earning All-Conference honors as long as they stay close and have an opportunity to take a shot towards the end.”
For the women, 21st-ranked BYU and 20th-ranked New Mexico will again be battling it out for the crown. However, Davis and the rest of the Cowgirls will be running in their tight pack just as they have all season behind them.
“The women have been running in a real close pack all year and as long as we continue to get them to move up in the field we will have a very successful meet,” said Cole. “It should be a real exciting battle towards the end, and as long as we can get everyone clicking on the same day we should compete.”
Eight of the 14 Cowboys and Cowgirls competing at this year’s championships will be their first in their career, so there is much to learn for this season’s squad.
Sophomore, Greg Miller will lead the Cowboys while junior Alysha Davis will set the pace for the Cowgirls. Both have experience at the meet and know what they are up against.
“It’s an exciting time and great opportunity for us to compete at the conference championships,” said sixth year head coach Randy Cole. “This is what we talk about all year long, and we are looking forward to putting out our best competitive effort of the season.”
On the men’s side, BYU is ranked seventh in the nation and is favored to take the team title while 19th-ranked New Mexico will push them the whole way. Miller and the Cowboys will put their best foot forward and take the approach of going after one team at a time.
“We have to go after the teams that we are capable of beating and take shots at people ahead of us when we get there,” said Cole. “Greg (Miller) and Taylor (Kelting) have a great shot at earning All-Conference honors as long as they stay close and have an opportunity to take a shot towards the end.”
For the women, 21st-ranked BYU and 20th-ranked New Mexico will again be battling it out for the crown. However, Davis and the rest of the Cowgirls will be running in their tight pack just as they have all season behind them.
“The women have been running in a real close pack all year and as long as we continue to get them to move up in the field we will have a very successful meet,” said Cole. “It should be a real exciting battle towards the end, and as long as we can get everyone clicking on the same day we should compete.”
Eight of the 14 Cowboys and Cowgirls competing at this year’s championships will be their first in their career, so there is much to learn for this season’s squad.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Stucky, Cowgirls ready for Border War II
The Wyoming coach staff, including, from left, Tony Sunga, head coach Carrie Yerty and Jill Stucky, right, watch from the bench.By Richard Anderson
Wyoming Sports.org
No one gets more fired up for the Border War than Wyoming assistant volleyball coach Jill Stucky. The former Cowgirl player faced the Rams several times in the early to mid 1990s.
Even though she is now on the sidelines, the adrenaline continues to pump, almost out of control.
“The Border War is one of those things that every girl dreams about when they get into college athletics. They have those big dreams that one day I am going to play volleyball at the University of Wyoming and when they think of that, they think of playing against Colorado State University,” Stucky said. “It is such a huge rivalry and it is going to be so much fun. We’re going to pout our best foot forward and we’re going to drive to CSU, have a great practice and give it all we have. I think it will be a great match.”
The Cowgirls and Rams will face off for the second time this season Friday night at 7 p.m. in Moby Gym in Fort Collins.
Stucky, who lettered for the Cowgirls from 1994-96 as Jill Jones, remembers those days fondly. In fact, Wyoming and CSU split six matches in that time span.
“Even when I was not part of this institution, I always kept track of the Border War because it was always an important time for me," she said, filling in for head coach Carrie Yerty Tuesday in the weekly news conference. “It is such a huge part of who Wyoming is, I know the kids can feel it from me every time we play them. They feel that hunger for a win from me. I hope I can transfer that to them.”
The young Cowgirls haven’t had much success against CSU as of late, losing in three games earlier this season in Laramie. The Rams have also won 21 straight matches against Wyoming, with the Cowgirls last win in the series coming one year after Stucky’s graduation in 1997.
The Cowgirls, 10-14 and 1-9 in the Mountain West Conference, have also lost five straight matches this season, although they have been competitive in several of them, losing four five-set affairs in league play.
“Although we would really like to get some Ws, we have changed our lineup so we have five freshmen out of the nine kids who we rotate in,” Stucky said. “For people like (freshman) Makenzie Bartsch, who this is really her first opportunity to play, I don’t think the L in the loser column is such a big deal to her because every time she steps out on the floor, she is learning. The ball is the best teacher. Every rep she gets, she is getting better and better and better in preparing for our next opponent and for her sophomore year, her junior year and her senior year.
“Even though we’re getting Ls, we’re definitely winning right now. All of those young kids are really coming around and making great strides.”
The Cowgirls are led by freshman outside hitter Jodi Purdy, who is averaging 3.45 kills and 2.53 digs per set. She is followed by juniors Lauren Whitney and Dani Bedore. Whitney is averaging 2.48 kills, while Bedore is adding 2.10 kills and 2.00 digs per set. As a team, the Cowgirls are averaging 12.08 kills and 13.31 digs per set.
The Rams are 17-4 overall and 9-1 in the MWC. They are led by Danielle Minch, who is averaging 3.64 kills and almost one dig per set.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
UW Polo Club to host CSU
The University of Wyoming Polo Club will host its first ever polo game when it hosts Colorado State University Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Cliff and Martha Hansen Arena. Admission is free.
Indoor polo involves three players and one alternate on a team using a large, inflated ball that resembles a mini soccer ball, rather than four players using the smaller hard plastic ball found in traditional outdoor polo, says Polo Club President Drew Luplow. He said the eight horses were donated to the club, so no personally-owned horses are needed.
"This is nice so we can let anyone who wants to try come out and ride and participate. This is how most collegiate polo teams operate," Luplow said. UW competes in the U.S. Polo Association that includes CSU, New Mexico State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Washington State and a few others.
Luplow has played for a few years on the outdoor polo fields near Big Horn in Sheridan County. The other players are from that area. They are Matt Huckeba, Peter Burgess and Anthony Kolos. UW is also organizing a women's team.
"I am happy we could get this started and bring something new to the University of Wyoming," he said. "We are still open to new members who want to come in and give it a try."
Next week, the UW men will play in a tournament at CSU that features the University of Kentucky, Westmont, New Mexico State and CSU.
For more information, contact Luplow at dluplow@uwyo.edu, phone (307) 7511-5971.
Indoor polo involves three players and one alternate on a team using a large, inflated ball that resembles a mini soccer ball, rather than four players using the smaller hard plastic ball found in traditional outdoor polo, says Polo Club President Drew Luplow. He said the eight horses were donated to the club, so no personally-owned horses are needed.
"This is nice so we can let anyone who wants to try come out and ride and participate. This is how most collegiate polo teams operate," Luplow said. UW competes in the U.S. Polo Association that includes CSU, New Mexico State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Washington State and a few others.
Luplow has played for a few years on the outdoor polo fields near Big Horn in Sheridan County. The other players are from that area. They are Matt Huckeba, Peter Burgess and Anthony Kolos. UW is also organizing a women's team.
"I am happy we could get this started and bring something new to the University of Wyoming," he said. "We are still open to new members who want to come in and give it a try."
Next week, the UW men will play in a tournament at CSU that features the University of Kentucky, Westmont, New Mexico State and CSU.
For more information, contact Luplow at dluplow@uwyo.edu, phone (307) 7511-5971.
Monday, October 26, 2009
UW hockey club sweeps Mesa State
The University of Wyoming hockey club, powered by Billy Ross (Superior, Colo.), Mitch Nelson (Sheridan) and Kenny Ainsworth (Casper), swept a two-game weekend series against Mesa State College.
The Cowboys (5-2) overwhelmed the Mavericks (2-9-1) in both games, winning 6-2 and 8-1 at Glacier Ice Arena in Grand Junction, Colo. Fourteen players recorded at least one point for UW, which outshot Mesa State by a staggering 103-45 count over the weekend.
In Saturday's opener, Ross netted the first two goals of the game to spark the Cowboys. Ryan Allred (Laramie), Jake Bates and Luke Walker (Jackson) and Taylor Freeman (Parker, Colo.) also scored goals.
Bates, Nelson, Elliott Bauder (Douglas), Erik Blomberg (Parker, Colo.), Dustin Galbreath (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Willy Miller (Arvada, Colo.) and Levi Wood (Cheyenne) recorded assists for UW.
Nelson was the Cowboys' offensive star in Sunday's contest, notching his first collegiate hat trick and assisting on another goal. Bauder added three assists and Bates and Ross each contributed a pair of helpers.
Allred, Blomberg, Wood, Willie Forbes (Casper) and Craig Luplow (Banner) also scored goals for UW. Walker, T.J. Peters (Jackson) and Tyler Yorke (Calgary, Alberta) added assists.
Ainsworth earned both victories in goal, turning aside 19 shots in the first game and making 23 saves in the series finale. After a one-year hiatus from the club, Ainsworth has won four of his first five starts while posting a 1.80 goals-against average.
The Cowboys, ranked No. 7 in the season's inaugural Pacific Region poll of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, match up against Border War rival Colorado State University (3-0-1) this week. The teams' lone meeting of the season is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at EPIC Ice Arena in Fort Collins, Colo.
The Cowboys (5-2) overwhelmed the Mavericks (2-9-1) in both games, winning 6-2 and 8-1 at Glacier Ice Arena in Grand Junction, Colo. Fourteen players recorded at least one point for UW, which outshot Mesa State by a staggering 103-45 count over the weekend.
In Saturday's opener, Ross netted the first two goals of the game to spark the Cowboys. Ryan Allred (Laramie), Jake Bates and Luke Walker (Jackson) and Taylor Freeman (Parker, Colo.) also scored goals.
Bates, Nelson, Elliott Bauder (Douglas), Erik Blomberg (Parker, Colo.), Dustin Galbreath (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Willy Miller (Arvada, Colo.) and Levi Wood (Cheyenne) recorded assists for UW.
Nelson was the Cowboys' offensive star in Sunday's contest, notching his first collegiate hat trick and assisting on another goal. Bauder added three assists and Bates and Ross each contributed a pair of helpers.
Allred, Blomberg, Wood, Willie Forbes (Casper) and Craig Luplow (Banner) also scored goals for UW. Walker, T.J. Peters (Jackson) and Tyler Yorke (Calgary, Alberta) added assists.
Ainsworth earned both victories in goal, turning aside 19 shots in the first game and making 23 saves in the series finale. After a one-year hiatus from the club, Ainsworth has won four of his first five starts while posting a 1.80 goals-against average.
The Cowboys, ranked No. 7 in the season's inaugural Pacific Region poll of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, match up against Border War rival Colorado State University (3-0-1) this week. The teams' lone meeting of the season is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at EPIC Ice Arena in Fort Collins, Colo.
UW wrestlers still young and talented
UW wrestling coach Mark Branchby UW Athletics Media Relations
Expectations will run high for the Wyoming Cowboy wrestling team in 2009-10, as head coach Mark Branch enters his second year at the controls of the program, and after a successful 2008-09 campaign, branded UW as a team on the rise in the world of collegiate wrestling.
UW returns 11 letterwinners for the 2009-10 season, four NCAA qualifiers, including All-American Joe LeBlanc, and boasts a recruiting class that was recognized by numerous national publications for its’ potential at the NCAA level.
Of 24 Wyoming squad members this season, 20 are underclassmen, meaning this talented young team will represent UW on the wrestling mat for multiple years to come.
Several media outlets have listed the Cowboys in their preseason top-25 team polls, in addition to D1CollegeWrestling.net, InterMat, TheOpenMat.com and W.I.N. Magazine each ranking UW’s recruiting class in the nation’s top 20.
“My expectations for this team are always high,” Branch said. “However, this year the team has the same mind-set that I do. They believe that they are capable of the very highest level both as a team and individually, meaning a national title. I will never tell them otherwise because I have seen amazing things happen first-hand. I believe in the work ethic and skills of our guys and I know they will give me everything I ask of them.”
Twelve returning team members saw dual match action last season when the Cowboys grabbed a share of the regular season Western Wrestling Conference dual championship with a record of 15-3 overall, 5-0 in the WWC. The 2008-09 UW team also had a runner-up finish at the West Regional/WWC Tournament, four individual champions and automatic NCAA qualifiers, as well as nine of 10 wrestlers placing in the top-three of their weight class which led the WWC. Branch was the league’s Coach of the Year and was selected as the Top Rookie Coach in the nation by Amateur Wrestling News.
“As far as specific team goals, I will say that after coming so close last year at the conference tournament we definitely want to win that league title and bring that trophy back to Laramie,” Branch said. “Another focal point will be sending 10 guys to the NCAA Tournament. As I look up and down our lineup, I see that as a realistic possibility.”
Despite Wyoming’s youth, the team should not have to rely on any true freshmen at any of the ten weight classes, so the training approach and scheduling approach has been adjusted by the UW coaching staff to match the squad’s needs for the 2009-10 season.
“Our approach to preseason training has changed this year since the coaching staff has a better idea of what we have to work with,” Branch said. “There is more of a focus on mat wrestling, more top and bottom work, since we emphasized technique on our feet all of last season. We are trying to address areas where we saw needs and ones that will make us better.
“Last year, we had a young, unproven team that simply needed live experience. They wrestled more matches than I will probably ever ask of them again, but it was to their benefit. This year, although our team numbers are not where I would like them, we do have options and experience at every weight. Our goal will be to keep the guys healthy, rested and strong, while at the same time facing tougher opponents, and a wide variety of opponents which will help our chances in the NCAA qualification process.
“Our schedule will be considerably tougher this year, as we have tried to expose our team to competition across the country. There were really two key elements we considered when putting together our schedule. One, we want to wrestle elite competition, so that when championship time comes around we have confidence knowing we are prepared. Two, we wanted to cater to our fans and provide more opportunities to watch Cowboy Wrestling in Laramie.
“We are eagerly anticipating our home events. In addition to hosting the Cowboy Open, we have seven dual match-ups, which include the most successful wrestling program in history in Oklahoma State, Northern Iowa and several of our other conference rivals.”
The Cowboys will have a chance to qualify for the NCAA National Tournament by earning automatic or wild-card bids at the West Regional Tournament and WWC Championship, March 6 in Brookings, S.D.
This year’s NCAA Wrestling Championships will be held March 18-20 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb.
“Everything that we do as a program is in preparation for the postseason,” Branch concludes. “We should be well prepared when that time comes because of the effort we have put into training and because we will have challenged our team during the season against tough teams, in tough tournaments and in tough environments.”
Weight Class Breakdown
125 - 2009 NCAA qualifier Michael Martinez returns at this weight and should make it a strength for the team. The Cowboy sophomore’s participation this past summer in the Senior World Team Trials, as well as his successful freshman year will further his confidence with three years of remaining eligibility. Freshman Tyler Cox brings a list of impressive prep credentials, but will likely use his redshirt year.
133 - Senior Cory VomBaur, a three-time NCAA qualifier at this weight, will move up to 141 leaving a void that redshirt freshman Kasey Garnhart is poised to fill. Garnhart is an unknown on the national scene, but has impressed the UW coaches with his hard work and competitive nature. Freshmen Jake Eitzen and Kyle Komata give depth here but should redshirt.
141 - An interesting and exciting group that features three starters from last season who are changing weight classes. VomBaur, who is moving up, and sophomore Chase Smith, who is moving down from 149. Both are experienced, but both may move back to their original weights before season’s end. Last year’s starter at this weight, junior Cole Dallaserra, is moving up to 149. Newcomers Jimmy Belleville and Colton Zier will also factor into this group, with Belleville expected to redshirt.
149 - Dallaserra will get the nod to start the season here based on his experience. He has hit the weight room hard and has the frame to wrestle at this weight after coming up from 141. Dallaserra came into his own at the end of last year before struggling with an injury. Belleville and Chase Smith could also wrestle at 149.
157 - There is a three-way toss-up at this weight. Sophomores Tyler Davis and Mikah Kadera, as well as redshirt freshman Eric Jones are all on a level playing field. It is a competitive group with depth and it will be interesting to see who rises to the top. Davis has some dual experience and competed in the recent FILA Junior World Team Trials, Kadera got in 22 matches last year, while Jones is very talented, but had a tough initial adjustment to college.
165 - This is another deep weight class for UW, with sophomore Shane Onufer, a 2009 NCAA qualifier at 174, moving down and senior Alex Rieder remaining a viable option. Onufer’s body should be a better natural fit in this group than at 174. Sophomore Brock Smith could also wrestle down at this weight. Freshman Patrick Martinez should use his redshirt year here.
174 - There are a lot of good options in this group, including sophomore Dallas Hintz, Rieder and Brock Smith. Competition will drive the market here as all three are very equal and any one could go for the ‘Pokes. All are team players, will do what is asked of them and are very natural at this weight. Onufer could also wrestle here if needed.
184 - Returning All-American Joe LeBlanc has come back working harder than ever and he headlines the upper weights for UW. The Cowboy sophomore competed for a Junior FILA World Team spot this past summer and wants nothing less than an NCAA title in 2010. Redshirt freshmen Lee (LJ) Helbig and Michael Poulos, as well as sophomore Joe O’Farrell give depth here and should be able to spell LeBlanc when he has the opportunity to rest.
197 - The UW coaches feel good about this weight as sophomore Alfonso Hernandez started most of last year and is the odds on favorite to win the spot in 2009-10. Helbig and O’Farrell will also try to make the travelling squad here. Hernandez is still a raw athlete, but did taste success last year and should challenge to win the conference title after working hard on all aspects of his wrestling.
Hwt. - Junior transfer Matthew (Bubba) Mclaughlin is the only true heavyweight on the Wyoming team, but there is a good feeling about his presence in this spot. He was successful at the junior college level and is a hard worker. The key will be to keep Mclaughlin healthy and in order to accomplish that any one of the Cowboy 197 pounders could wrestle up if the opportunity presents itself against smaller opponent heavyweights.
Monday, October 19, 2009
UW hockey teams splits with AFA
The University of Wyoming hockey club split its first home series of the 2009-10 season last weekend, winning in Laramie but losing in Cheyenne.
The Cowboys skated to a 2-1 win Friday night over the United States Air Force Academy club squad in the first of four scheduled games this season against their American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Pacific Region rivals. The Falcons rebounded with a 4-1 victory Saturday night.
In the series opener at the Laramie Community Ice Arena, Jake Bates (Jackson) and Erik Blomberg (Parker, Colo.) scored goals and Kenny Ainsworth (Casper) stopped 25 shots to pace UW. Mitch Nelson (Sheridan) and Billy Ross (Superior, Colo.) recorded assists.
The Cowboys couldn't complete the weekend sweep at the Taco John's Events Center. Air Force broke a 1-1 tie with a late second-period goal and then scored twice more in the final 20 minutes. Ryan Allred (Laramie) netted UW's only goal.
The Cowboys (3-2) return to action this weekend with two games against Mesa State College, another Pacific Region rival, at Glacier Ice Arena in Grand Junction, Colo. The Mavericks (2-7-1) are coming off a forgettable weekend at the Seth Schupan Memorial Tournament in Michigan, where they were outscored 35-0 in three losses.
The Cowboys skated to a 2-1 win Friday night over the United States Air Force Academy club squad in the first of four scheduled games this season against their American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Pacific Region rivals. The Falcons rebounded with a 4-1 victory Saturday night.
In the series opener at the Laramie Community Ice Arena, Jake Bates (Jackson) and Erik Blomberg (Parker, Colo.) scored goals and Kenny Ainsworth (Casper) stopped 25 shots to pace UW. Mitch Nelson (Sheridan) and Billy Ross (Superior, Colo.) recorded assists.
The Cowboys couldn't complete the weekend sweep at the Taco John's Events Center. Air Force broke a 1-1 tie with a late second-period goal and then scored twice more in the final 20 minutes. Ryan Allred (Laramie) netted UW's only goal.
The Cowboys (3-2) return to action this weekend with two games against Mesa State College, another Pacific Region rival, at Glacier Ice Arena in Grand Junction, Colo. The Mavericks (2-7-1) are coming off a forgettable weekend at the Seth Schupan Memorial Tournament in Michigan, where they were outscored 35-0 in three losses.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Cowgirl volleyball falls in five again
It was another five-set heartbreaker Saturday for the Wyoming Cowgirls.
For the third straight match and fourth time Mountain West Conference play, the Cowgirl volleyball team fell in five, tnhis time to BYU 23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-18 and 15-11 in the UniWyo Sports Complex. Wyoming, 1-7 in MWC, 10-12, led Utah 2-1 on Thursday before falling in five and also dropped a five-setter to San Diego State a week ago.
The win moved the Cougars to 5-3, 10-9.
“These were two tremendously tough losses this weekend,” said UW head coach Carrie Yerty. “We’ve got to get better at finishing and going into a fifth set with confidence and close it out. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do that to this point and we need to work on that. Dani Bedore is doing a great job setting, and JennaRae (Jester) and Jodi (Purdy) are really a stabilizing force that we depend on. As a team, they are battling, continuing to improve, and our blocking has improved tremendously.”
Three Cowgirls finished their night in double-digits, led byPurdy, who recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 20 kills and 12 digs, while hitting .375 (20-5-40). She was followed by Lauren Whitney with 14 kills and Jester with 12 kills and 10 block assists. Senior Jessica Kagarise recorded a career high 25 digs, while Bedore finished with a career high 48 assists and 16 digs. Wyoming hit .135 (60-37-170) for the match and out-blocked the Cougars 12-10.
BYU was led by Christie Carpenter with 21 kills and eight digs, while Christian Measom had 13 kills and six blocks, while Nicole Warner added 12 kills. The Cougars hit .186 (59-28-167).
The Cowgirls will be back out on the road next week for two matches. They will face the New Mexico Lobos Thursday at 7 p.m. and the TCU Horned Frogs Saturday at noon MT.
For the third straight match and fourth time Mountain West Conference play, the Cowgirl volleyball team fell in five, tnhis time to BYU 23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-18 and 15-11 in the UniWyo Sports Complex. Wyoming, 1-7 in MWC, 10-12, led Utah 2-1 on Thursday before falling in five and also dropped a five-setter to San Diego State a week ago.
The win moved the Cougars to 5-3, 10-9.
“These were two tremendously tough losses this weekend,” said UW head coach Carrie Yerty. “We’ve got to get better at finishing and going into a fifth set with confidence and close it out. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do that to this point and we need to work on that. Dani Bedore is doing a great job setting, and JennaRae (Jester) and Jodi (Purdy) are really a stabilizing force that we depend on. As a team, they are battling, continuing to improve, and our blocking has improved tremendously.”
Three Cowgirls finished their night in double-digits, led byPurdy, who recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 20 kills and 12 digs, while hitting .375 (20-5-40). She was followed by Lauren Whitney with 14 kills and Jester with 12 kills and 10 block assists. Senior Jessica Kagarise recorded a career high 25 digs, while Bedore finished with a career high 48 assists and 16 digs. Wyoming hit .135 (60-37-170) for the match and out-blocked the Cougars 12-10.
BYU was led by Christie Carpenter with 21 kills and eight digs, while Christian Measom had 13 kills and six blocks, while Nicole Warner added 12 kills. The Cougars hit .186 (59-28-167).
The Cowgirls will be back out on the road next week for two matches. They will face the New Mexico Lobos Thursday at 7 p.m. and the TCU Horned Frogs Saturday at noon MT.
UW cross country team competes
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Wyoming cross country teams entered the University of Arkansas Chile Pepper Invitational battling both the top teams in the nation and a nagging respiratory sickness that affected most of the team.
The Cowboys finished with a team 598 points, good for 20th place while the Cowgirls finished 21st with a team 555 points. The men’s title went to Oklahoma State with their team 21 points as the women’s crown went to Texas Tech with a team score of 35 points.
Individually, the Cowgirls were led by junior Alysha Davis, as she crossed the tape in 51st place with her time of 22 minutes, 25 seconds in the 6k race. She was followed by junior Francis Gipson with her time of 23:01 and her 88th-place finish. Three freshman rounded out the field for the Cowgirls in Brooke Hughes (126th, 23:28), Maya Martinez (160th, 23:56) and Felicia McAfee (216th, 25:38).
“Alysha and the Cowgirl team ran a nice solid race,” said UW head coach Randy Cole. “We continue to have a nice pack but we still need to work on getting that pack up closer to the front.”
On the men’s side, junior Taylor Kelting finished first for the Cowboys in 74th place with his time of 31:55 in the 10k race. Sophomore Ryan Griesbach and freshman Nik Deininger crossed the line in 137th and 138th, with their times of 32:53 and 32:55 respectively. While sophomore Sean Wilde and freshman Tyler Gifford rounded out the five man race for the Cowboys in 168th and 209th respectively.
“This was a great experience for our guys as they competed against some of the top teams in the nation on one of the best courses in the nation,” said Cole. “Taylor did a nice job in leading the pack and we really missed Greg (Miller) as he was out for this race because of a bruised foot.
“I am really proud of the way we competed today with some of these nagging sicknesses and injuries. We will continue our training and hopefully rest enough for everyone to get over their illnesses.”
Up next for the Wyoming harriers will be the Mountain West Conference Championship in Orem, Utah, on Oct. 31.
The Cowboys finished with a team 598 points, good for 20th place while the Cowgirls finished 21st with a team 555 points. The men’s title went to Oklahoma State with their team 21 points as the women’s crown went to Texas Tech with a team score of 35 points.
Individually, the Cowgirls were led by junior Alysha Davis, as she crossed the tape in 51st place with her time of 22 minutes, 25 seconds in the 6k race. She was followed by junior Francis Gipson with her time of 23:01 and her 88th-place finish. Three freshman rounded out the field for the Cowgirls in Brooke Hughes (126th, 23:28), Maya Martinez (160th, 23:56) and Felicia McAfee (216th, 25:38).
“Alysha and the Cowgirl team ran a nice solid race,” said UW head coach Randy Cole. “We continue to have a nice pack but we still need to work on getting that pack up closer to the front.”
On the men’s side, junior Taylor Kelting finished first for the Cowboys in 74th place with his time of 31:55 in the 10k race. Sophomore Ryan Griesbach and freshman Nik Deininger crossed the line in 137th and 138th, with their times of 32:53 and 32:55 respectively. While sophomore Sean Wilde and freshman Tyler Gifford rounded out the five man race for the Cowboys in 168th and 209th respectively.
“This was a great experience for our guys as they competed against some of the top teams in the nation on one of the best courses in the nation,” said Cole. “Taylor did a nice job in leading the pack and we really missed Greg (Miller) as he was out for this race because of a bruised foot.
“I am really proud of the way we competed today with some of these nagging sicknesses and injuries. We will continue our training and hopefully rest enough for everyone to get over their illnesses.”
Up next for the Wyoming harriers will be the Mountain West Conference Championship in Orem, Utah, on Oct. 31.
Cowgirl soccer ties UNLV
After giving up a first half goal, the University of Wyoming Cowgirl soccer squad came back and tied the UNLV Rebels at 1-1 in double overtime.
The draw leaves Wyoming with an overall record of 9-5-3 and 3-1-1 in the Mountain West Conference. UNLV is now 5-6-5 overall and 1-2-1 in league play.
"I am pleased that we were able to come back after being down a goal and get the equalizer," said UW head coach Danny Sanchez. "We played with a lot more energy in the second half and created some chances. UNLV is a very good team and I am glad to get the result."
UNLV scored the first goal of the game at the 21:15 mark in the first period. Ashleigh Shoughro was alone in the box and scored the goal after getting passes from Brittney Flores and Colette Jepson.
The Cowgirls were forced to play from behind in the second half, but were able to find the equalizer. Senior Emma Wilson took a corner kick and crossed the ball when freshman Carmen Blume was able to head in her fourth goal of the season at the 71st minute.
In the overtime periods both teams had equal possession. The Cowgirls and Rebels both took three shots and had two corner kick opportunities in the overtime periods.
Senior Emily Layton and freshman Mara Cosgrove led the team with three shots each. Freshman keeper Courtney Merkle allowed the one goal, but made three saves.
"After our game on Thursday, I thought that we came out with a lot more energy and more confidence," said junior defender Bostyn Burger. "This game today proved that we can play hard and still get a result. We didn’t win, but we still played well and were able to come back and get the result."
Wyoming will play its last home game of the season next Saturday against Utah. The match will be the final home game for four seniors, Kerstyn Etheridge, Morgan Johnson, Emily Layton, and Emma Wilson. The Cowgirls and Utes will kickoff at 1 p.m. at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.
The draw leaves Wyoming with an overall record of 9-5-3 and 3-1-1 in the Mountain West Conference. UNLV is now 5-6-5 overall and 1-2-1 in league play.
"I am pleased that we were able to come back after being down a goal and get the equalizer," said UW head coach Danny Sanchez. "We played with a lot more energy in the second half and created some chances. UNLV is a very good team and I am glad to get the result."
UNLV scored the first goal of the game at the 21:15 mark in the first period. Ashleigh Shoughro was alone in the box and scored the goal after getting passes from Brittney Flores and Colette Jepson.
The Cowgirls were forced to play from behind in the second half, but were able to find the equalizer. Senior Emma Wilson took a corner kick and crossed the ball when freshman Carmen Blume was able to head in her fourth goal of the season at the 71st minute.
In the overtime periods both teams had equal possession. The Cowgirls and Rebels both took three shots and had two corner kick opportunities in the overtime periods.
Senior Emily Layton and freshman Mara Cosgrove led the team with three shots each. Freshman keeper Courtney Merkle allowed the one goal, but made three saves.
"After our game on Thursday, I thought that we came out with a lot more energy and more confidence," said junior defender Bostyn Burger. "This game today proved that we can play hard and still get a result. We didn’t win, but we still played well and were able to come back and get the result."
Wyoming will play its last home game of the season next Saturday against Utah. The match will be the final home game for four seniors, Kerstyn Etheridge, Morgan Johnson, Emily Layton, and Emma Wilson. The Cowgirls and Utes will kickoff at 1 p.m. at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Cowgirls drop tough five-setter to Utah
Richard Anderson photos
Wyoming setter Dani Bedore talks to head coach Carrie Yerty late in the match Thursday against Utah. At left, freshman Brianna Crowe digs a shot, with libero Jessica Kagarise looking on.
by Bobby AbplanalpWyoming Sports.org
The Wyoming Cowgirls came up just short in five sets against the Utah Utes Thursday night at the UniWyo Sports Complex.
Utah battled back from a 2-1 deficit for the 21-25, 25-20, 24-26, 27-25 and 15-13 victory.
This is the second consecutive five-set loss for the Cowgirls and third in league play.
Wyoming (10-11, 1-6 Mountain West Conference) went back and forth with the defending conference champions all night and had a chance to win the match in the fourth set with a 24-22 lead, but the Utes battled back to score five-of-the-last-seven points to win 27-25, forcing a deciding fifth set.
Utah jumped all over the Cowgirls in the final stanza with a commanding 14-7 lead facing the match point, but the home team came roaring back with six unanswered scores to cut the deficit to one. However, that would be as close as Wyoming would get, as the Utes finally scored the match point to edge the Cowgirls and take the match.
“We had 75 digs, which we out-dug that team, we out-blocked that team and we showed a tremendous amount of heart,” UW coach Carrie Yerty said. “We had to change our entire offense. Our setter was injured and Dani Bedore stepped in and had an absolutely incredible match. J Rae (JennaRae Jester) was unstoppable tonight, she showed great poise and composure and you know it didn’t go our way. We had our chances in game four, we had a couple real bad calls that stings, but we had the chance to seal the deal and we just couldn’t get it done.”
Despite the difference in the two team’s records, Wyoming gave the visitors all they could handle.
“We’re ready to take anybody on,” Bedore said. “We’re really not scared to play and we’re confident in ourselves and our ream.”
Stepping in as the starting setter, Bedore recorded 12 digs and 46 assists, while Jester and Jodi Purdy had 11 kills, and Purdy’s 20 digs were also a team high. Lauren Whitney had a match-high of 20 kills.
Utah (13-6, 6-1 MWC), was led by Cinthia Silva’s 16 kills and teammate Keisha Fisher had 17 digs.
Wyoming will face another MWC foe from the state of Utah when rival BYU comes to town Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m., at the UniWyo Sports Complex.
Bedore thinks the key for the Cowgirls to get a win over the Cougars is for the team to not get behind and finish strong.
“We just got to push at the end of the game and not get down so far,” she said.
Cowgirl tennis continues play at regionals
LAS VEGAS — Several members of the Wyoming Cowgirls tennis team are still alive in the 2009 Wilson ITA Mountain Region Tournament.
“We are excited about all three of our doubles teams,” said UW head coach Kati Gyulai. “We will face some tough competition in each of those matches tomorrow.”
All three doubles team had a highly successful day as they each moved into the round of 16 tomorrow. Nemcova and van Ginkel earned an 8-3 victory over Tiffany and Tabatha Knop. They will play the top seeded team of Jones and Price (BYU) tomorrow. Summerfield and Van Hollen earned a tough 9-7 win over DeVrye and Ogata of Nevada, while Berger and Kovacs defeated Mulhern and Wojakowska (CSU), 8-2. Each of the teams will play at 9 a.m. MT.
In singles play, senior Sarah Summerfield moved on in the draw as she defeated Rumy Terzieva of UNLV, 6-4, 6-2, but fell in two sets, 6-0, 6-4, to the sixth seed Anastasia Putilina of Utah. Unfortunately, Rebecca Berger lost to Camila Belassi of Colorado, 7-5, 6-2, in her only match of the day. Berger will play in the third round while Summerfield will get a fourth round match in the back draw.
In other consolation action, Alexandra Kovacs and Kim van Ginkel each went 2-0 on the day. Kovacs defeated Aodhmait Lombard of Nevada, 6-3, 1-6, 6-0, and Andrea Maughan of Utah, 6-7, 6-2, 7-6, while van Ginkel defeated Mailia Wahinepio (NAU), 6-3, 6-2 and Hannah Dake (AFA), 6-4, 6-2. Carly Van Hollen closed out her tournament with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over teammate Paloma Navorro, but suffered a 6-4, 6-3 loss, against Christin Molina of Air Force.
Day three of singles and doubles play continues on Friday.
“We are excited about all three of our doubles teams,” said UW head coach Kati Gyulai. “We will face some tough competition in each of those matches tomorrow.”
All three doubles team had a highly successful day as they each moved into the round of 16 tomorrow. Nemcova and van Ginkel earned an 8-3 victory over Tiffany and Tabatha Knop. They will play the top seeded team of Jones and Price (BYU) tomorrow. Summerfield and Van Hollen earned a tough 9-7 win over DeVrye and Ogata of Nevada, while Berger and Kovacs defeated Mulhern and Wojakowska (CSU), 8-2. Each of the teams will play at 9 a.m. MT.
In singles play, senior Sarah Summerfield moved on in the draw as she defeated Rumy Terzieva of UNLV, 6-4, 6-2, but fell in two sets, 6-0, 6-4, to the sixth seed Anastasia Putilina of Utah. Unfortunately, Rebecca Berger lost to Camila Belassi of Colorado, 7-5, 6-2, in her only match of the day. Berger will play in the third round while Summerfield will get a fourth round match in the back draw.
In other consolation action, Alexandra Kovacs and Kim van Ginkel each went 2-0 on the day. Kovacs defeated Aodhmait Lombard of Nevada, 6-3, 1-6, 6-0, and Andrea Maughan of Utah, 6-7, 6-2, 7-6, while van Ginkel defeated Mailia Wahinepio (NAU), 6-3, 6-2 and Hannah Dake (AFA), 6-4, 6-2. Carly Van Hollen closed out her tournament with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over teammate Paloma Navorro, but suffered a 6-4, 6-3 loss, against Christin Molina of Air Force.
Day three of singles and doubles play continues on Friday.
Cowgirl soccer falls to SDSU
Richard Anderson photo
Wyoming junior Nicole Rice, 19, tries to move the ball against San Diego State on Thursday.
The University of Wyoming Cowgirl soccer team lost its first conference game of the season on Thursday afternoon, 2-0 to San Diego State at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex. The loss breaks a five game winning streak for the Cowgirls.
Wyoming is now 9-5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Mountain West Conference. San Diego State wins their first MWC contest and are 1-0-2 in league play and 8-3-5 overall.
"Give all the credit to San Diego State, they deserve the result," said UW head coach Danny Sanchez. "However, it was a disappointing loss. We needed to play with more energy and confidence and none of those things happened today."
SDSU held the advantage in the first half and out shot the Cowgirls 5-3. Freshman goalkeeper Courtney Merkle made three first half saves to keep the game scoreless at halftime.
The Aztecs got on the board thanks to Niki Fernandes at the 54:55 mark in the second period. Fernandes crossed the ball from inside the box and was able to get it past Merkle for the 1-0 SDSU advantage.
Wyoming came back on the attack and had chances after the goal, but were unable to tie the game. UW’s last chance came on a corner kick taken by senior Emma Wilson. The pass was unable to find a Cowgirl and the Aztecs were able to clear.
Fernandes also assisted on a goal in the final minutes of the game for SDSU. Fernandes found Cat Walker who was alone in the box and scored her sixth goal of the season.
For the Cowgirls Wilson, Mara Cosgrove, and Nicole Rice led the team with two shots each. Merkle made seven total saves.
"We will regroup and focus for our next game," said Sanchez. "Fortunately for us, when you play like we did today, you want another game soon and we get that on Saturday."
Wyoming will enjoy another home game this weekend on Saturday as it hosts UNLV. The Rebels and Cowgirls kick off at noon at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Cowgirl soccer to host SDSU, UNLV
The Wyoming soccer team, fresh off of two big Mountain West Conference road wins, returns home this week for a pair of conference matchups.
On Thursday, the Cowgirls face San Diego State at 3 p.m., before hosting UNLV Saturday at noon.
Both matches are set for the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.
The Cowgirls, winners of five straight, are now 3-0 in league play and 9-4-2 overall.
Last week, Wyoming stopped New Mexico 2-1 in Albuquerque on goals from Carmen Blume and Mara Crosgrove.
On Saturday, Wyoming played into overtime, but came away with the victory against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. Jackson-native Nicole Rice scored two goals to lift the Cowgirls over the Horn Frogs, 2-1.
SDSU is 7-3-5 overall and 0-0-2 in the MWC. The Aztecs have scored 21 goals this season, ranking fifth in that category in the conference. Last week SDSU played Utah and BYU to draws.
UNLV is 4-6-4 and 0-2 in league Rebels are currently on a three-game losing streak after falling to BYU and Utah last week.
On Thursday, the Cowgirls face San Diego State at 3 p.m., before hosting UNLV Saturday at noon.
Both matches are set for the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.
The Cowgirls, winners of five straight, are now 3-0 in league play and 9-4-2 overall.
Last week, Wyoming stopped New Mexico 2-1 in Albuquerque on goals from Carmen Blume and Mara Crosgrove.
On Saturday, Wyoming played into overtime, but came away with the victory against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. Jackson-native Nicole Rice scored two goals to lift the Cowgirls over the Horn Frogs, 2-1.
SDSU is 7-3-5 overall and 0-0-2 in the MWC. The Aztecs have scored 21 goals this season, ranking fifth in that category in the conference. Last week SDSU played Utah and BYU to draws.
UNLV is 4-6-4 and 0-2 in league Rebels are currently on a three-game losing streak after falling to BYU and Utah last week.
Cowgirls close first half with Utah, BYU
By Richard Anderson
Wyoming Sports.org
From top to bottom, the Mountain West Conference is a different volleyball conference then before.
That has Wyoming head coach Carrie Yerty looking forward to the second half of the season.
The Cowgirls, 1-5 in the MWC, 10-10 overall, will close the first half of league play Thursday and Saturday as they host Utah and BYU respectively. Both matches begin at 7 p.m. in the UniWyo Sports. Complex.
“Last year, there were three teams that were very good and there were a chunk of teams that were about the same, and there were the bottom teams that were battling,” Yerty said. “Now, the bottom teams have gotten better and the top teams aren’t as good. So, there is a lot more parody. You seeing Utah losing to New Mexico in four, you’re seeing BYU get beat by TCU. We were right in it with New Mexico. Against UNLV, we had an opportunity to win and against San Diego, we had an opportunity to win.
“I think the only thing we can do is continue to progress and focus on getting better. The wins and losses will eventually take care of itself, I really believe that.”
Last week, the Cowgirls fell in San Diego to the Aztecs in five games, after sweeping Air Force in three.
Despite their league mark, Yerty sees progress in the program.
“I understand everyone would like to see the Wyoming Cowgirls go from 5-29 to 29-5 in 12 months,” Yerty said. “I think what is important is that there is progress being made. It’s frustrating to lose in five, but man, I saw a team in San Diego battle, down two games to come back and win two games, and that was with four freshmen starting and playing. The progress is very good, but that is what it is, it is progress. We’re going to keep chopping wood, we’re going to keep preparing and one unique thing about our conference this year is it is different from last year."
The Cowgirls are led by freshman outside hitter Jodi Purdy, who is averaging 3.51 kills and 2.46 digs per set. She is followed by juniors Dani Bedore and Lauren Whitney. Bedore is averaging 2.38 kills and 1.76 digs, while Whitney is adding 2.35 kills. As a team, the Cowgirls are hitting .201 (948-430-2572) and averaging 12.31 kills and 13.04 digs per set.
Utah is 12-6 overall and 5-1 in the MWC. The Utes are led by Karolina Bartkowiak, who is averaging 3.03 kills and 2.50 digs per set.
The Cougars are 9-8 overall, 4-2 in MWC play and will face the Colorado State Rams before playing the Cowgirls. BYU is by Kayla Walker, who is averaging 4.16 kills and almost one block per set.
Wyoming Sports.org
From top to bottom, the Mountain West Conference is a different volleyball conference then before.
That has Wyoming head coach Carrie Yerty looking forward to the second half of the season.
The Cowgirls, 1-5 in the MWC, 10-10 overall, will close the first half of league play Thursday and Saturday as they host Utah and BYU respectively. Both matches begin at 7 p.m. in the UniWyo Sports. Complex.
“Last year, there were three teams that were very good and there were a chunk of teams that were about the same, and there were the bottom teams that were battling,” Yerty said. “Now, the bottom teams have gotten better and the top teams aren’t as good. So, there is a lot more parody. You seeing Utah losing to New Mexico in four, you’re seeing BYU get beat by TCU. We were right in it with New Mexico. Against UNLV, we had an opportunity to win and against San Diego, we had an opportunity to win.
“I think the only thing we can do is continue to progress and focus on getting better. The wins and losses will eventually take care of itself, I really believe that.”
Last week, the Cowgirls fell in San Diego to the Aztecs in five games, after sweeping Air Force in three.
Despite their league mark, Yerty sees progress in the program.
“I understand everyone would like to see the Wyoming Cowgirls go from 5-29 to 29-5 in 12 months,” Yerty said. “I think what is important is that there is progress being made. It’s frustrating to lose in five, but man, I saw a team in San Diego battle, down two games to come back and win two games, and that was with four freshmen starting and playing. The progress is very good, but that is what it is, it is progress. We’re going to keep chopping wood, we’re going to keep preparing and one unique thing about our conference this year is it is different from last year."
The Cowgirls are led by freshman outside hitter Jodi Purdy, who is averaging 3.51 kills and 2.46 digs per set. She is followed by juniors Dani Bedore and Lauren Whitney. Bedore is averaging 2.38 kills and 1.76 digs, while Whitney is adding 2.35 kills. As a team, the Cowgirls are hitting .201 (948-430-2572) and averaging 12.31 kills and 13.04 digs per set.
Utah is 12-6 overall and 5-1 in the MWC. The Utes are led by Karolina Bartkowiak, who is averaging 3.03 kills and 2.50 digs per set.
The Cougars are 9-8 overall, 4-2 in MWC play and will face the Colorado State Rams before playing the Cowgirls. BYU is by Kayla Walker, who is averaging 4.16 kills and almost one block per set.
Cowgirl tennis opens region play
LAS VEGAS — The Wyoming tennis team had mixed results Wednesday during the first day of the 2009 Wilson ITA Mountain Region Tournament.
“We are through into the next round in all three doubles teams,” said UW head coach Kati Gyulai. “It was nice to see Sarah and Rebecca notch a spot in the third round in singles. Unfortunately, Alexandra and Kim had tough three set matches. We are looking to raise our level of play tomorrow and continue moving forward in the draw.”
In singles action, two Cowgirls made their way into the third round. Senior Sarah Summerfield had a first round bye, and then went on to defeat Barbara Maciocha of Idaho in three sets, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3. She will take on Rumy Terzieva of UNLV. Rebecca Berger earned an opening round victory over Amy Betis, 6-1, 6-4, while defeating Aubrey Paul of BYU, 6-1, 6-3, in her next match. She will face Camila Belassi of Colorado in the round of 32.
Sasa Nemcova and Paloma Navarro each defeated their opening round opponent, but fell in the next round. Navarro will face teammate Carly Van Hollen in the back draw. Van Hollen lost to Kristina Voytsekhovish (Utah State), 7-6, 7-5. Alexandra Kovacs fell in three sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, but rebounded with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Aimee Oki of Northern Arizona in the back draw. She will play Aodhnait Lombard of Nevada. The final Cowgirl in action was Kim van Ginkel, who was defeated 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 by Marlena Pietzuch (Boise State), but she also battled back with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Jenny Phillips (Utah State) in the back draw.
Two out of the three doubles teams took the court, led Summerfield and Van Hollen. They defeated Beneke and Moore of Weber State, 9-7. They will face DeVrye and Ogata of Nevada in the enxt round. The team of Berger and Kovacs also won their opening match 8-1 over Bristol and Paul of BYU. They will face Mulhern and Wojakowska of Colorado State. Nemcova and van Ginkel earned a bye in their opener and will play Tabatha and Tiffany Knop (UNC).
Singles and doubles play will continue on Thursday.
“We are through into the next round in all three doubles teams,” said UW head coach Kati Gyulai. “It was nice to see Sarah and Rebecca notch a spot in the third round in singles. Unfortunately, Alexandra and Kim had tough three set matches. We are looking to raise our level of play tomorrow and continue moving forward in the draw.”
In singles action, two Cowgirls made their way into the third round. Senior Sarah Summerfield had a first round bye, and then went on to defeat Barbara Maciocha of Idaho in three sets, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3. She will take on Rumy Terzieva of UNLV. Rebecca Berger earned an opening round victory over Amy Betis, 6-1, 6-4, while defeating Aubrey Paul of BYU, 6-1, 6-3, in her next match. She will face Camila Belassi of Colorado in the round of 32.
Sasa Nemcova and Paloma Navarro each defeated their opening round opponent, but fell in the next round. Navarro will face teammate Carly Van Hollen in the back draw. Van Hollen lost to Kristina Voytsekhovish (Utah State), 7-6, 7-5. Alexandra Kovacs fell in three sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, but rebounded with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Aimee Oki of Northern Arizona in the back draw. She will play Aodhnait Lombard of Nevada. The final Cowgirl in action was Kim van Ginkel, who was defeated 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 by Marlena Pietzuch (Boise State), but she also battled back with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Jenny Phillips (Utah State) in the back draw.
Two out of the three doubles teams took the court, led Summerfield and Van Hollen. They defeated Beneke and Moore of Weber State, 9-7. They will face DeVrye and Ogata of Nevada in the enxt round. The team of Berger and Kovacs also won their opening match 8-1 over Bristol and Paul of BYU. They will face Mulhern and Wojakowska of Colorado State. Nemcova and van Ginkel earned a bye in their opener and will play Tabatha and Tiffany Knop (UNC).
Singles and doubles play will continue on Thursday.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
UW racquetball club opens season
UW photo/University of Wyoming club racquetball team member, Luke Brandjord of Green River, right, hits a return during the recent opening tournament at Half Acre.by UW Media Relations
The University of Wyoming club racquetball team opened the fall season with one team member reaching the finals in the competition's top division.
Jacob Stutheit of Casper lost to an Air Force Academy (AFA) opponent in the second round, but came through the consolation bracket to reach the finals. He took second against Eric Atchison of AFA to finish as the runner-up player in the open/A division play with an overall mark of 4-2.
Action took place at the Half Acre courts when the UW team hosted the season's first intercollegiate racquetball tournament. Teams were from Colorado State University, University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and AFA. A total of 30 players competed from the five schools.
Four UW team members competed in the recent day-long, double-elimination tournament. Michael Campbell of Rapid City, S.D., split his four B division matches and Green River's Luke Brandjord went 1-2 in the open/A division. The only UW woman to compete was Jade Stutheit of Casper, who was 0-2 in her C division matches.
"I was pleased with the turnout for the tournament and was especially pleased with how well Jacob played," said Lena Newlin, UW club racquetball coach. "Jacob lost to a tough kid from Air Force in the second round and then came back through the consolation bracket to beat him and ultimately get into the finals."
The UW club will next see action Nov. 1, at the University of Colorado-Boulder tournament.
Monday, October 12, 2009
UW hockey falls to CU
The University of Wyoming hockey club, skating outside the Cowboy State for the first time this season, lost to the University of Colorado 8-4 Saturday night.
The Buffaloes (2-0) scored four goals in the first period to seize control against the Cowboys in the first of three scheduled meetings this season between the American Collegiate Hockey Association Pacific Region rivals.
Billy Ross (Superior, Colo.) scored two goals and had one assist for UW, which was coming off back-to-back wins over Montana State University in Gillette and Casper to open the 2009-10 campaign.
Ryan Allred (Laramie) and Levi Wood (Cheyenne) also scored goals against the Buffs. Club president Elliott Bauder (Douglas) added two assists, and Erik Blomberg (Parker, Colo.), Willy Miller (Arvada, Colo.) and T.J. Peters (Jackson) each recorded an assist.
The Cowboys make their season debut on home ice this weekend against the U.S. Air Force Academy club squad. Faceoffs are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Laramie Community Ice Arena and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Taco John's Events Center in Cheyenne.
The Buffaloes (2-0) scored four goals in the first period to seize control against the Cowboys in the first of three scheduled meetings this season between the American Collegiate Hockey Association Pacific Region rivals.
Billy Ross (Superior, Colo.) scored two goals and had one assist for UW, which was coming off back-to-back wins over Montana State University in Gillette and Casper to open the 2009-10 campaign.
Ryan Allred (Laramie) and Levi Wood (Cheyenne) also scored goals against the Buffs. Club president Elliott Bauder (Douglas) added two assists, and Erik Blomberg (Parker, Colo.), Willy Miller (Arvada, Colo.) and T.J. Peters (Jackson) each recorded an assist.
The Cowboys make their season debut on home ice this weekend against the U.S. Air Force Academy club squad. Faceoffs are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Laramie Community Ice Arena and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Taco John's Events Center in Cheyenne.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Cowgirl soccer stops TCU in overtime
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The University of Wyoming Cowgirl soccer team played into overtime, but came away with its fifth consecutive victory on Saturday evening with a 2-1 win over against TCU.
Jackson native Nicole Rice scored two goals to lift the Cowgirls, who have won five matches in a row and are now 9-4-2. With the win over TCU, Wyoming is now 3-0 in conference play and atop of the Mountain West Conference standings. TCU moves to 8-6-0 and 1-2 in league play.
"I am extremely proud of our team being able to win this match," said UW head coach Danny Sanchez. "We absorbed a lot of pressure from TCU in the second half, but were able to come back after the goal and score the game winner in overtime."
Rice scored the first goal of the game in the first half at the 36:32 mark. Emma Wilson took a free kick after Rice drew a foul. After a scramble in the box, Rice was able to net her second goal of the season.
Wyoming held the advantage until late in the second half. TCU’s Chelsea Cody scored her first goal of the season to tie the game at one. The score remained tied at one until the end of regulation.
In the overtime period, the Cowgirls had a strong attack and outshot TCU 3-1. Rice was able to score her second goal of the night when she was able to deflect the ball that eventually found the back of the net to give the Cowgirls the 2-1 victory.
"After the TCU goal, we didn’t hang our heads. They kept great pressure on us tonight, but I am very excited about coming away win a win," Sanchez said.
The Cowgirls will return to Laramie next week for two games. On Thursday, UW will face San Diego State at 3 p.m. On Saturday, the Cowgirls will host UNLV at noon. Both games will be at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.
Jackson native Nicole Rice scored two goals to lift the Cowgirls, who have won five matches in a row and are now 9-4-2. With the win over TCU, Wyoming is now 3-0 in conference play and atop of the Mountain West Conference standings. TCU moves to 8-6-0 and 1-2 in league play.
"I am extremely proud of our team being able to win this match," said UW head coach Danny Sanchez. "We absorbed a lot of pressure from TCU in the second half, but were able to come back after the goal and score the game winner in overtime."
Rice scored the first goal of the game in the first half at the 36:32 mark. Emma Wilson took a free kick after Rice drew a foul. After a scramble in the box, Rice was able to net her second goal of the season.
Wyoming held the advantage until late in the second half. TCU’s Chelsea Cody scored her first goal of the season to tie the game at one. The score remained tied at one until the end of regulation.
In the overtime period, the Cowgirls had a strong attack and outshot TCU 3-1. Rice was able to score her second goal of the night when she was able to deflect the ball that eventually found the back of the net to give the Cowgirls the 2-1 victory.
"After the TCU goal, we didn’t hang our heads. They kept great pressure on us tonight, but I am very excited about coming away win a win," Sanchez said.
The Cowgirls will return to Laramie next week for two games. On Thursday, UW will face San Diego State at 3 p.m. On Saturday, the Cowgirls will host UNLV at noon. Both games will be at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.
Cowgirl volleyball falls in five to SDSU
SAN DIEGO -- Close again, the Wyoming Cowgirls came up just a bit short in Mountain West Conference volleyball action on Saturday, falling to San Diego State in five games.
The Aztecs, 2-5 in MWC, 7-10 overall, won the first two games 25-19 and 25-16, before the Cowgirls won the next two, 25-18 and 25-21. San Diego State held on in the fifth game, 16-14, for the win.
The loss dropped the Cowgirls to 1-5, 10-10.
“Overall, I was proud of the way we battled back,” said UW head coach Carrie Yerty. “To fall behind two sets, and then come back and be in the match is something they can be proud of. Junior Dani Bedore had a great match and our freshmen did a good job after falling behind.”
Two Cowgirls finished the match in doubles doubles, including freshman Jodi Purdy, who had 21 kills and 11 digs, while hitting .286 (21-7-49) for the match. Junior Lauren Whitney added 11 kills, while three other players had six kills. Senior Jessica Kagarise finished with a team high 17 digs. As a team, Wyoming hit .239 (51-17-142) and had eight total team blocks.
San Diego State was led by Lauren Salisbury with 19 kills and four blocks, while Andrea Hannasch finished with 10 kills and four blocks. They hit .260 (64-25-150) and had nine total team blocks.
The Cowgirls will return home next week for two matches. They will host the Utah Utes on Thursday and the BYU Cougars on Saturday. Both matches are slated to start at 7 p.m.
The Aztecs, 2-5 in MWC, 7-10 overall, won the first two games 25-19 and 25-16, before the Cowgirls won the next two, 25-18 and 25-21. San Diego State held on in the fifth game, 16-14, for the win.
The loss dropped the Cowgirls to 1-5, 10-10.
“Overall, I was proud of the way we battled back,” said UW head coach Carrie Yerty. “To fall behind two sets, and then come back and be in the match is something they can be proud of. Junior Dani Bedore had a great match and our freshmen did a good job after falling behind.”
Two Cowgirls finished the match in doubles doubles, including freshman Jodi Purdy, who had 21 kills and 11 digs, while hitting .286 (21-7-49) for the match. Junior Lauren Whitney added 11 kills, while three other players had six kills. Senior Jessica Kagarise finished with a team high 17 digs. As a team, Wyoming hit .239 (51-17-142) and had eight total team blocks.
San Diego State was led by Lauren Salisbury with 19 kills and four blocks, while Andrea Hannasch finished with 10 kills and four blocks. They hit .260 (64-25-150) and had nine total team blocks.
The Cowgirls will return home next week for two matches. They will host the Utah Utes on Thursday and the BYU Cougars on Saturday. Both matches are slated to start at 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
UW soccer wins fourth straight
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The University of Wyoming Cowgirl soccer team came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the New Mexico Lobos 2-1 Thursday evening.
Wyoming is now 8-4-2 overall and 2-0 in Mountain West Conference action, while New Mexico is 9-2-2 and 1-1 in league play.
The Cowgirls, who are on a four-match unbeaten streak, fell behind early in the second half after Alexis Ball shot from inside the box and scored her first goal of the season.
The scored remained in the Lobos favor until the 73rd minute. Senior Emma Wilson crossed a ball into the box that freshman Carmen Blume was able to head in the net for her third goal of the season.
Wyoming pulled ahead eight minutes later when junior Jerrica DiVincenzo found freshman Mara Cosgrove in the box. Cosgrove headed in the game winning goal, the third of the season for her.
New Mexico out-shot Wyoming 24-9, including a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks. UW freshman keeper Courtney Merkle played the entire 90 minutes and made two saves.
Up next the Cowgirls will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to play TCU on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Wyoming is now 8-4-2 overall and 2-0 in Mountain West Conference action, while New Mexico is 9-2-2 and 1-1 in league play.
The Cowgirls, who are on a four-match unbeaten streak, fell behind early in the second half after Alexis Ball shot from inside the box and scored her first goal of the season.
The scored remained in the Lobos favor until the 73rd minute. Senior Emma Wilson crossed a ball into the box that freshman Carmen Blume was able to head in the net for her third goal of the season.
Wyoming pulled ahead eight minutes later when junior Jerrica DiVincenzo found freshman Mara Cosgrove in the box. Cosgrove headed in the game winning goal, the third of the season for her.
New Mexico out-shot Wyoming 24-9, including a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks. UW freshman keeper Courtney Merkle played the entire 90 minutes and made two saves.
Up next the Cowgirls will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to play TCU on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Cowgirls pick up first MWC volleyball win
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Wyoming Cowgirls got in the Mountain West conference volleyball win column for the first time this season with a three-set victory over Air Force Thursday night.
The Cowgirls, 1-4 in league play, 10-9 overall, outscored the Falcons 25-15, 25-20 and 25-14. Air Force fell to 0-6, 8-10.
“This was a great win for us,” said head coach Carrie Yerty. “In this type of environment and being on TV, I think we did a great job of staying composed. I thought the veterans did a great job at and led this team from start to finish. We are looking for this win to help us build momentum going into the San Diego State match. Overall, it was a total team effort and it was nice to get this victory.”
Junior Lauren Whitney led the way with 13 kills and a .346 (13-4-26) hitting percentage. She was followed by junior Dani Bedore with 10 kills and freshman Jodi Purdy with seven kills. Sernior Jessica Kagarise and Purdy each had 13 digs each. As a team, Wyoming hit .182 (37-19-99) for the match and had four total team blocks.
Air Force was led by Nichole Stillwell with eight kills and four blocks, while Caroline Kurtz had seven kills and three block assists. The Falcons hit .011 (22-21-95) for the match.
The Cowgirls will close out the weekend against the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m. MT.
The Cowgirls, 1-4 in league play, 10-9 overall, outscored the Falcons 25-15, 25-20 and 25-14. Air Force fell to 0-6, 8-10.
“This was a great win for us,” said head coach Carrie Yerty. “In this type of environment and being on TV, I think we did a great job of staying composed. I thought the veterans did a great job at and led this team from start to finish. We are looking for this win to help us build momentum going into the San Diego State match. Overall, it was a total team effort and it was nice to get this victory.”
Junior Lauren Whitney led the way with 13 kills and a .346 (13-4-26) hitting percentage. She was followed by junior Dani Bedore with 10 kills and freshman Jodi Purdy with seven kills. Sernior Jessica Kagarise and Purdy each had 13 digs each. As a team, Wyoming hit .182 (37-19-99) for the match and had four total team blocks.
Air Force was led by Nichole Stillwell with eight kills and four blocks, while Caroline Kurtz had seven kills and three block assists. The Falcons hit .011 (22-21-95) for the match.
The Cowgirls will close out the weekend against the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m. MT.
Ainsworth back for UW club hockey
by UW Media Relations
In the coming days, the University of Wyoming hockey club's rivals are going to begin to hear the news.
And when they do, Graham Barrett is certain the reaction will be the same -- from the Air Force Academy to Fresno State University and from Dordt College to Colorado College.
"When the other teams find out that he's back, they're not going to be happy," Barrett said with a smirk. "Not happy at all."
What is especially good news to the Cowboys will be as welcome to their opponents as an odd-man rush: Kenny Ainsworth is back between the pipes for UW.
The surprising return of Ainsworth, who, two seasons ago, was among the top goalkeepers in Division III of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) -- coupled with an injection of new talent that has greatly improved the Cowboys' depth -- has UW talking about a return to the national championship tournament.
"We've got a lot of really good players and, from what I understand, we have a lot more talent on this team than last year," said Mitch Nelson, a club rookie from Sheridan. "Every line has the potential to put up points, we have two amazing goalies and we have a few guys who have been here and will provide the leadership. I really just think we've got a team that's going to get a lot better, and in a hurry, with some ice time."
The Cowboys looked every bit the part of a contender last weekend against Montana State University, twice beating the Division II Hellcats to open a 29-game schedule that includes seven games at the Laramie Community Ice Arena and eight games at the Taco John's Events Center in Cheyenne.
Following its annual alumni game at 8 p.m. Friday in Laramie, UW resumes its season with a 7:30 p.m. Saturday faceoff in Boulder against the University of Colorado, one of the club's top rivals in the ACHA's Pacific Region.
In its season-opening series, UW displayed the type of offensive balance and domination in goal that Coach Shawn Rockey believes could become commonplace this season. Eleven different players recorded at least one point, and Ainsworth (Casper) and Robert Kola (Colorado Springs, Colo.) yielded just two goals on 48 shots.
"I am really excited to see what this team is going to accomplish this season," said Rockey, who guided the Cowboys to a 13-11 record last season, his first full year on the job. "We have such an influx of talent with 14 freshmen, which might seem really bad but it's actually really good. These guys are already playing together, working together and helping each other. We have a solid hockey club."
While UW expects immediate contributions from several of its new faces -- including Jake Bates, a Jackson product whom some players believe may already be the team's top defenseman, and forwards Nelson, Cody Suder (Laramie) and Levi Wood (Cheyenne) -- it's the familiar face of Ainsworth that could make all the difference.
An imposing presence in the net at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Ainsworth posted a stellar 3.02 goals-against-average during the 2007-08 season, when the Cowboys finished 15-11. By comparison, UW held opponents to three goals or less in just seven of 24 games last season.
"I'm sure that a lot of the teams don't know he's back and when they see his name on our roster, they're going to wonder, ‘Is this legit?'" said Erik Blomberg, a highly-skilled forward from Parker, Colo., who is the club's top returning offensive force. "They're going to be like, ‘Is he really back?'"
Ainsworth, who didn't show any rink rust Saturday night in his season debut against Montana State at the Casper Ice Arena, returned to UW this semester to complete pre-requisite classes to gain admittance to medical school.
On the ice, Ainsworth hopes to help the Cowboys return to ACHA prominence. UW placed five times at nationals from 2001-06, including a championship victory over South Dakota State University in 2001 and a runner-up finish to Robert Morris University the following season. But the Cowboys haven't qualified for the 16-team championship event in the past three seasons.
"The one thing we haven't accomplished since I've been playing is we have never won nationals, and I want to help us do that," Ainsworth says. "We have a lot of talent on this team and this just might be the year to do it."
When Ainsworth isn't guarding the UW net, Kola will be. In succeeding Ainsworth last season as the club's top goalie, Kola posted two shutouts in 16 games and allowed 5.05 goals per game, a statistic that teammates don't believe reflects his true talent.
"Everybody knows Kenny's good, but Kola is a pretty phenomenal goalie, too," Blomberg said. "For us to have two solid goalies like that is unreal. It's really going to free us up to just go out and play hockey. We're not going to have to worry about either guy."
The Cowboys, meanwhile, hope to give opposing goalkeepers plenty to worry about.
Unlike the past few seasons, when UW relied primarily on its first two offensive lines -- fronted by Barrett, now a club assistant coach, and Blomberg, who has totaled 22 goals in each of his first two seasons -- Rockey says the Cowboys have the depth to match any of their opponents.
The cast of returnees, in addition to Blomberg, includes Ryan Allred (Laramie), Will Alpsteg (Kearney, Neb.), Cody Leeper (Bondurant) and Michael Leriger (Houston, Texas).
Newcomers Seth Farrell (Longmont, Colo.), Dustin Galbreath (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Billy Ross (Superior, Colo.) also figure to play key roles.
"We're four lines deep this year," Rockey said. "We couldn't say that last year."
And, yet, that might not be the worst news for UW's opponents.
"When Kenny left, he was on top of the game," Rockey said. "When teams start to find out that he's back, I know they're going to be saying, ‘What's Ainsworth doing back?'"
In the coming days, the University of Wyoming hockey club's rivals are going to begin to hear the news.
And when they do, Graham Barrett is certain the reaction will be the same -- from the Air Force Academy to Fresno State University and from Dordt College to Colorado College.
"When the other teams find out that he's back, they're not going to be happy," Barrett said with a smirk. "Not happy at all."
What is especially good news to the Cowboys will be as welcome to their opponents as an odd-man rush: Kenny Ainsworth is back between the pipes for UW.
The surprising return of Ainsworth, who, two seasons ago, was among the top goalkeepers in Division III of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) -- coupled with an injection of new talent that has greatly improved the Cowboys' depth -- has UW talking about a return to the national championship tournament.
"We've got a lot of really good players and, from what I understand, we have a lot more talent on this team than last year," said Mitch Nelson, a club rookie from Sheridan. "Every line has the potential to put up points, we have two amazing goalies and we have a few guys who have been here and will provide the leadership. I really just think we've got a team that's going to get a lot better, and in a hurry, with some ice time."
The Cowboys looked every bit the part of a contender last weekend against Montana State University, twice beating the Division II Hellcats to open a 29-game schedule that includes seven games at the Laramie Community Ice Arena and eight games at the Taco John's Events Center in Cheyenne.
Following its annual alumni game at 8 p.m. Friday in Laramie, UW resumes its season with a 7:30 p.m. Saturday faceoff in Boulder against the University of Colorado, one of the club's top rivals in the ACHA's Pacific Region.
In its season-opening series, UW displayed the type of offensive balance and domination in goal that Coach Shawn Rockey believes could become commonplace this season. Eleven different players recorded at least one point, and Ainsworth (Casper) and Robert Kola (Colorado Springs, Colo.) yielded just two goals on 48 shots.
"I am really excited to see what this team is going to accomplish this season," said Rockey, who guided the Cowboys to a 13-11 record last season, his first full year on the job. "We have such an influx of talent with 14 freshmen, which might seem really bad but it's actually really good. These guys are already playing together, working together and helping each other. We have a solid hockey club."
While UW expects immediate contributions from several of its new faces -- including Jake Bates, a Jackson product whom some players believe may already be the team's top defenseman, and forwards Nelson, Cody Suder (Laramie) and Levi Wood (Cheyenne) -- it's the familiar face of Ainsworth that could make all the difference.
An imposing presence in the net at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Ainsworth posted a stellar 3.02 goals-against-average during the 2007-08 season, when the Cowboys finished 15-11. By comparison, UW held opponents to three goals or less in just seven of 24 games last season.
"I'm sure that a lot of the teams don't know he's back and when they see his name on our roster, they're going to wonder, ‘Is this legit?'" said Erik Blomberg, a highly-skilled forward from Parker, Colo., who is the club's top returning offensive force. "They're going to be like, ‘Is he really back?'"
Ainsworth, who didn't show any rink rust Saturday night in his season debut against Montana State at the Casper Ice Arena, returned to UW this semester to complete pre-requisite classes to gain admittance to medical school.
On the ice, Ainsworth hopes to help the Cowboys return to ACHA prominence. UW placed five times at nationals from 2001-06, including a championship victory over South Dakota State University in 2001 and a runner-up finish to Robert Morris University the following season. But the Cowboys haven't qualified for the 16-team championship event in the past three seasons.
"The one thing we haven't accomplished since I've been playing is we have never won nationals, and I want to help us do that," Ainsworth says. "We have a lot of talent on this team and this just might be the year to do it."
When Ainsworth isn't guarding the UW net, Kola will be. In succeeding Ainsworth last season as the club's top goalie, Kola posted two shutouts in 16 games and allowed 5.05 goals per game, a statistic that teammates don't believe reflects his true talent.
"Everybody knows Kenny's good, but Kola is a pretty phenomenal goalie, too," Blomberg said. "For us to have two solid goalies like that is unreal. It's really going to free us up to just go out and play hockey. We're not going to have to worry about either guy."
The Cowboys, meanwhile, hope to give opposing goalkeepers plenty to worry about.
Unlike the past few seasons, when UW relied primarily on its first two offensive lines -- fronted by Barrett, now a club assistant coach, and Blomberg, who has totaled 22 goals in each of his first two seasons -- Rockey says the Cowboys have the depth to match any of their opponents.
The cast of returnees, in addition to Blomberg, includes Ryan Allred (Laramie), Will Alpsteg (Kearney, Neb.), Cody Leeper (Bondurant) and Michael Leriger (Houston, Texas).
Newcomers Seth Farrell (Longmont, Colo.), Dustin Galbreath (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Billy Ross (Superior, Colo.) also figure to play key roles.
"We're four lines deep this year," Rockey said. "We couldn't say that last year."
And, yet, that might not be the worst news for UW's opponents.
"When Kenny left, he was on top of the game," Rockey said. "When teams start to find out that he's back, I know they're going to be saying, ‘What's Ainsworth doing back?'"
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Cowgirl golfers close fall season
ERIE, Colo. – The final tournament of the fall season came to a conclusion Tuesday for the Wyoming women's golf team at the CU/Heather Farr Memorial.
The cowgirls finished in 15th place with a final round 315 (+27) to drop three spots from the conclusion of the second round.
“We didn’t finish or score where we should have as a team so we are a little disappointed in that,” said head coach Josey Stender. “I think this will help fire us up to have a productive off-season and lead into a competitive spring.”
Individually, Molly Black shot a third round 75 (+3) to give her a three-round total 227 (+11) and a tie for 18th place. Juanita Rico followed Black closely with her final round 75 (+3) which gave her a total 229 (+13) for a tie for 24th place.
“Molly really stepped up her game this fall due to her time spent over the summer and I’m very proud of her for that,” said Stender. “Juanita was also a very consistent leader for us this fall and I look for her to continue that in the spring.”
“This semester, I believe we learned that things will not be given to us and that we have to work for them and have to have four competitive scores every tournament if we want to be at the top."
The cowgirls finished in 15th place with a final round 315 (+27) to drop three spots from the conclusion of the second round.
“We didn’t finish or score where we should have as a team so we are a little disappointed in that,” said head coach Josey Stender. “I think this will help fire us up to have a productive off-season and lead into a competitive spring.”
Individually, Molly Black shot a third round 75 (+3) to give her a three-round total 227 (+11) and a tie for 18th place. Juanita Rico followed Black closely with her final round 75 (+3) which gave her a total 229 (+13) for a tie for 24th place.
“Molly really stepped up her game this fall due to her time spent over the summer and I’m very proud of her for that,” said Stender. “Juanita was also a very consistent leader for us this fall and I look for her to continue that in the spring.”
“This semester, I believe we learned that things will not be given to us and that we have to work for them and have to have four competitive scores every tournament if we want to be at the top."
Maier wins UW tourney in California
Wyoming junior Gabe MaierPALM DESERT, Calif. – It had been five years since a University of Wyoming Cowboy golfer won an event. That changed on Tuesday.
Junior Gabe Maier won the very tournament that the Cowboys’ host during the fall season, the University of Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate. On top of Maier's individual first-place finish, the Cowboys made up 12 shots on the tournament leaders and finished in a tie for third place.
Maier, a Cody native, closed out the tournament during Tuesday’s third and final round by shooting a two-under par 70. He led the tournament from start to finish, as he was tied for first place after an opening round 70 and then took sole possession of the lead after a second round 68 (-4). His three-round total of 138 (-6) matched the second best tournament score in Cowboy golf history.
As a team, the Cowboys used the best round of the day to catapult themselves from a fifth place tie to a tie for third place. The Pokes shot an even par 288 on Tuesday and finished with a three-round tournament score of 877 (+13). They tied with Nebraska in the 16-team field.
Redshirt freshman Clinton Boutelle had the best final round for the Cowboys and shot a career best 69 (-3). That round matched the best of the day in the 92-man field.
Boutelle tied with UW junior Zach Zaremba, and others, for 10th place in the tournament with a three-round total of 218 (+2). This is the first career top-10 for Boutelle and the fourth for Zaremba.
“Heading into our tournament, we had the team goals of placing in the top-three as a team and having an individual in the top-three and we achieved both goals,” UW Director of Golf Joe Jensen said. “I feel good about the way the event went, and I am really proud of the way our team played.
“In a team meeting this morning, we challenged ourselves to play really well today and we did that in having the best team round of the day.
"Gabe has played well this fall, has put himself in a very good position and is deserving of this win. It is hard to play with the lead and Gabe did a great job of that. It is nice to get an individual tournament championship and I believe this will lead to a lot of positive things for our team.”
Santa Clara University won the tournament with a three-round total of 872 (+8). Cal State Northridge was second (876 (+12), just one stroke lower than Wyoming and Nebraska.
Behind Maier in the individual standings were Santa Clara’s Scott Travers (211, -5) and Cal State Northridge’s David Kirkland (213 (-3).
This marked the second consecutive year that the Cowboy golf program hosted the UW Desert Intercollegiate at the Classic Club in Palm Desert, Calif. The Classic Club, which hosted the PGA’s Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 2006, ‘07 and ‘08, plays to a par of 72 and measures 7,305 yards in length.
The Cowboys will close out the fall season Oct. 22-23 as they travel to Long Beach, Calif. to participate in the Long Beach State Del Walker Invitational.
Nicholls brothers take team roping lead
UW team ropers, from left, Chance and Dahl Nichollsby UW Media Relations
Dahl and Chance Nicholls are doing their part to keep the University of Wyoming men's rodeo team in contention in the Central Rocky Mountain Region (CRMR).
The two rangeland management majors from Kinnear moved to the top of the CRMR team roping standings after taking first place at last weekend's Lamar (Colo.) Community College (LCC) rodeo. Their effort gave the Cowboys their best showing of the fall season with 395 points to move them into fourth place overall in the regional standings.
Chance, a junior header, and Dahl, the sophomore heeler, won both rounds of the competition, enjoying nearly a four-second cushion against the runner-up team in the average.
Nearly all the Cowboys' season high overall team points came in team roping.
Besides' Dahl's 180 team points, teammates Cameron Weddle, a mechanical engineering junior from Milaca, Minn.; Beau Miller, a secondary education sophomore from Gillette; Jake Mingus, an undeclared freshman from Jackson; and Kade Merritt, a marketing freshman from Eaton, Colo., also contributed team points for the UW men.
Weddle and partner Bryce Simmons from Northeastern Junior College (NJC) scored points in both rounds and added fifth-place points in the average. Miller and partner Cole Dorenkamp from Gillette College split third place in the opening round, while Mingus and Merritt placed fifth in the first round. Both teams were unsuccessful in the short go.
Weddle scored UW's other points, finishing fourth in the tie down roping average.
Perennial CRMR champion Central Wyoming College (CWC) won the LCC rodeo with 510 points to move closer to overall regional leader Gillette College (GC), which scored 435 points. The Pronghorns lead the CRMR with 2,460 points, CWC has 2,135, NJC is in third place with 1,285 points and the UW Cowboys have scored 1,080 after four fall rodeos.
Only the first- and second-place regional teams advance to next summer's College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper along with the top individuals in each event.
The UW women also showed improvement at Lamar. The Cowgirls were the runners-up to runaway leader Gillette College. The Cowgirls scored 160 points, but the Lady Pronghorns continued their season-long domination of the women's regional standings, scoring 765 points at LCC. For the season, Gillette College has scored 1,350 points with just one rodeo remaining on the fall schedule.
The real battle is for the second-place position and a guaranteed trip to the CNFR. Regional rival CWC is in second place in the standings with 548.33 points -- 120 ahead of the UW women.
Dana Weiser, a computer science junior from Wheatland, nearly kept the Cowgirls in contention by herself, scoring 120 of the Cowgirls' points. She was the goat tying runner-up last weekend.
The remaining points came from teammate Josie Davison, a secondary education junior from Miles City, Mont., who placed fifth in the barrel racing average. Her season-long steady performance puts her in third place overall in the regional standings.
No rodeo is scheduled this weekend and the final event is Oct. 16-18 at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne.
Listed are the women's and men's team scores and also the top individuals in the average:
Women's team scores -- Gillette College (GC), 765; University of Wyoming (UW), 160; Northeastern Junior College (NJC), 140; Central Wyoming College (CWC), 135; Casper College (CC), 130; Sheridan College (SC), 70; Colorado State University (CSU), 60.
Men's team scores -- CWC, 510; GC, 435; UW, 395; NJC, 370; Eastern Wyoming College (EWC), 190; Chadron State College (CSC), 145; Lamar Community College (LCC), 125; CSU, 110; CC, 50; Otero Community College (OCC), 35; SC, 30; Laramie County Community College (LCCC), 10.
Goat tying -- Chelsea Moore, GC, 17.6; Dana Weiser, UW, 18.1; Jordan Thurstan, GC, 18.2; Laura Waldo, CWC, 18.3; Lacey Schuelke, SC, 18.4; Nikki Steffes, UW, 18.6.
Breakaway roping -- Jordan Thurstan, GC, 6.1; Marcy Henderson, NJC, 8.4; Megan Schrock, CC, 15.4; Chelsea Moore, GC, 15.6; Tyler Barker, NJC, 18.2.
Barrel racing -- Chelsea Moore, GC, 34.93; Amanda Welsh, GC, 35.87; Ilene Choal, UW, 35.97; Jessica Giersiepen, GC, 36.06; Josie Davison, UW, 36.25; Brenell Kaemingk, LCCC, 36.35.
Bareback riding -- Ty Breuer, CWC, 151; Whitton Hoover, CSC, 143; Wyatt Clark, EWC, 142; Tucker Bringle, GC, 135; Chance Madsen, CC, 134; Cameron Hopper, CWC, 132.
Saddle bronc riding -- Cole Elshere, GC, 139; Colt Hamaker, CWC, 136; Gus Thorenson, CWC, 134; Riley Knoll, CWC, 121; William Bagley, GC, 119.
Bull riding -- Trent Jacobson, CC, 144; Cory Morgan, LCCC, 135; Kris Newman, CC, 141; Zach Parkin, LCC, 136; J.D. Harrell, CC, 134; Jeff Stull, UW, 127.
Tie down roping -- Mitch McAdow, NJC, 17.6; Tim Malm, NJC, 19.1; Joey Dickens, CSU, 19.3; Cameron Weddle, UW, 19.8; Caleb Adle, NJC, 20.6; Kolten Keirns, NJC, 21.4.
Steer wrestling -- Travis Wondra, CC, 11.6; Daniel Joos and Kolten Keirns, both NJC, 11.7; Thomas Osborne, CWC, 12.1; Jake Kraupie, EWC, 12.5; Kyle Broce, NJC, 12.6.
Team roping -- Chance Nicholls/Dahl Nicholls, UW, 13.3; Jordan Steele, UW/Dustin Smith, GC, 17; Josh Kurfiss/Tyler Ingo, LCC, 19.1; Cameron Weddle, UW/Bryce Simmons, NJC, 20.9; Kaitlin Romsa/Challis Whitlock, CWC, 24.2.
Monday, October 5, 2009
UW's Maier leads Desert Intercollegiate
PALM DESERT, Calif. – Cowboy junior Gabe Maier is currently in first place after the opening two rounds of the second annual University of Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate. The Cowboys’ fall tournament, which is being played at the Classic Club, will conclude Tuesday with a final round of 18 holes.
Maier, a Cody native, had two very good rounds on Monday as the 92-player field played a total of 36 holes. Maier shot a two-under par 70 in the first round and matched his career best with a four-under par 68 in the second round. His two-round total of 138 (-6) is one stroke better than anyone else in the field.
“Gabe had a very nice day today,” UW Director of Golf Joe Jensen said. “He is playing very solid golf right now and we are excited about the things he is doing out there. It is exciting to have him leading our own tournament, and hopefully he can finish with a solid round tomorrow.”
Fellow Cowboy junior Zach Zaremba also had a nice opening day. Zaremba shot rounds of 73 (+1) and 72 (E) and is currently tied for 13th place with a total of 145 (+1). Redshirt freshman Clinton Boutelle was the third best Cowboy on Monday and is tied for 35th place with a two-round scorecard of 149 (+5).
As a team, the Cowboys fired an opening round 298 (+10) and a second round 291 (+3). They are tied with Denver for fifth place with a two-round score of 589 (+13).
“We played much better in the second round and are in position to moved up with a good round tomorrow. We are only five strokes away from the top-three, and it is our goal to finish there,” Jensen added.
Santa Clara leads the tournament’s team standings with a two-round scorecard of 572 (-4). Cal State Northridge is currently in second place (574, -2) and Long Beach State is in third place (584, +8).
Behind Maier in the individual standings are Cal State Northridge’s Nick Delio and Davis Kirkland, who are tied for second place with a two-round total of 139 (-5).
“It was a beautiful day in the desert and we couldn’t be happier with the way the tournament has gone thus far. There are some very good teams and players here, and it was fun to watch them compete today. It will be exciting to see how the final round concludes tomorrow,” said Jensen.
The Classic Club, which hosted the PGA’s Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 2006, ‘07 and ‘08, plays to a par of 72 and measures 7,305 yards in length.
Maier, a Cody native, had two very good rounds on Monday as the 92-player field played a total of 36 holes. Maier shot a two-under par 70 in the first round and matched his career best with a four-under par 68 in the second round. His two-round total of 138 (-6) is one stroke better than anyone else in the field.
“Gabe had a very nice day today,” UW Director of Golf Joe Jensen said. “He is playing very solid golf right now and we are excited about the things he is doing out there. It is exciting to have him leading our own tournament, and hopefully he can finish with a solid round tomorrow.”
Fellow Cowboy junior Zach Zaremba also had a nice opening day. Zaremba shot rounds of 73 (+1) and 72 (E) and is currently tied for 13th place with a total of 145 (+1). Redshirt freshman Clinton Boutelle was the third best Cowboy on Monday and is tied for 35th place with a two-round scorecard of 149 (+5).
As a team, the Cowboys fired an opening round 298 (+10) and a second round 291 (+3). They are tied with Denver for fifth place with a two-round score of 589 (+13).
“We played much better in the second round and are in position to moved up with a good round tomorrow. We are only five strokes away from the top-three, and it is our goal to finish there,” Jensen added.
Santa Clara leads the tournament’s team standings with a two-round scorecard of 572 (-4). Cal State Northridge is currently in second place (574, -2) and Long Beach State is in third place (584, +8).
Behind Maier in the individual standings are Cal State Northridge’s Nick Delio and Davis Kirkland, who are tied for second place with a two-round total of 139 (-5).
“It was a beautiful day in the desert and we couldn’t be happier with the way the tournament has gone thus far. There are some very good teams and players here, and it was fun to watch them compete today. It will be exciting to see how the final round concludes tomorrow,” said Jensen.
The Classic Club, which hosted the PGA’s Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 2006, ‘07 and ‘08, plays to a par of 72 and measures 7,305 yards in length.
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