The lone exhibition for the Wyoming Cowgirl soccer team was an evenly matched game throughout, but the Cowgirls lost to the Colorado Buffaloes 1-0 at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.
"Both teams came out rusty, which can be expected in the first action of the season," said UW head coach Danny Sanchez. "Overall, we learned a lot against a quality team in Colorado. Our defense was solid and although we didn’t have a lot of chances to score, I am pleased with the effort today."
In the first half, the Cowgirls out-shot CU 4-3, with three of those shots being on goal. Freshman Courtney Merkle started at goalkeeper for Wyoming and had strong defense in front of her. Junior Bostyn Burger and the rest of the Cowgirl defenders didn’t allow a shot on goal in the first half of play.
In the second half, the even tempo continued for both teams. The game remained scoreless until Nikki Marshall took a shot that hit the back of the net to give the Buffs the 1-0 lead. Marshall is currently on the 2009 Hermann Trophy watch list, which is given to the top individual in women’s college soccer.
Wyoming’s best chance came in the second half on a cross that freshman Jenny Johnson, who attempted to head into the goal, but the shot was saved by a CU defender. On the rebound, senior Emily Layton took a close shot that was saved by CU’s goalkeeper Kara Linder.
Next week, the Cowgirls will be on the road for their fist regular season game of 2009. On Aug. 22, Wyoming will face Denver for the first time since the 2004 season. Game time is set for 6 p.m. in Denver.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Murdock advances in National Diving Championships
Wyoming diver Mark Murdock competed at the 2009 AT&T National Diving Championship in Tallahassee, Fla. and qualified for the final round on the platform event.
Murdock qualified for the championships in the preliminary round earlier this summer. Friday in the quarterfinal round, Murdock placed 16th with a score of 311.80 which was good enough to advance to the semifinals. In the next round, Murdock continued to dive well and advanced to the finals after posting a score of 335.05 points.
"Mark has been training really well and it is a huge accomplishment for him. No other Cowboy diver has gone this far so it is a special thing," said UW diving coach Ben Herdt. "Mark is diving against elite competition and has exploded onto the national scene. This is a huge stepping stone for him and Wyoming diving."
Murdock will be competing in the final round for a chance to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials. Diving will continue tomorrow in Tallahassee, Fla.
Complete results can be found at www.divemeets.com.
Murdock qualified for the championships in the preliminary round earlier this summer. Friday in the quarterfinal round, Murdock placed 16th with a score of 311.80 which was good enough to advance to the semifinals. In the next round, Murdock continued to dive well and advanced to the finals after posting a score of 335.05 points.
"Mark has been training really well and it is a huge accomplishment for him. No other Cowboy diver has gone this far so it is a special thing," said UW diving coach Ben Herdt. "Mark is diving against elite competition and has exploded onto the national scene. This is a huge stepping stone for him and Wyoming diving."
Murdock will be competing in the final round for a chance to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials. Diving will continue tomorrow in Tallahassee, Fla.
Complete results can be found at www.divemeets.com.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Cowgirl soccer begins practice
Wyoming coach Danny Sanchez
The 2009 soccer season is here for the Wyoming Cowgirls, as they opened practiceThursday at the North 40 practice fields. Fitness test were held in morning with practice later in the day.
"I was pleased to see that the players came in prepared and did a great job in the fitness tests this morning," said UW head coach Danny Sanchez. "We are excited to take the field and build up for Colorado next week and the start of the regular season."
A total of 23 Cowgirls make up the squad this season. Of those 23 players, the Cowgirls return 14 players from last year and welcome nine newcomers.
The Cowgirls will open up with an exhibition match Aug. 14 against Colorado at 2:30 at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex. The first regular season game will be on the road against Denver on Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Utah tabbed to win MWC volleyball title
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Defending league champion Utah is once again the favorite to win the Mountain West Conference volleyball title in a vote by the conference head coaches and selected media.
The Utes collected eight first-place votes and 138 total points. Colorado State was a close second with 135 points and four first-place votes, while New Mexico (three first-place votes) was picked third, totaling 112 points. BYU collected 96 points and two first-place nods for fourth place in the poll, while TCU (89 points) and UNLV (87 points) claimed fifth and sixth place, respectively, followed by San Diego State (seventh, 53 points), Wyoming (eighth, 38 points) and Air Force (ninth, 17 points).
MWC all-Conference performers Tessa Nelson (Colorado State) and Jade Michaelsen (New Mexico) highlight the preseason all-Mountain West Conference team, as they were tabbed the preseason MWC Co-Players of the Year. Six teams were represented on the 2009 preseason all-MWC squad, which also was chosen by the coaches and selected media.
The 2009 season will feature seven returning all-Mountain West Conference players, including 2008 Freshman of the Year Cursty Jackson (UNLV). Last season, Jackson tallied the conference's highest freshman ranking in hitting percentage in overall and conference matches (.264 and .236, respectively), kills per set in overall and conference matches (2.55 and 2.72, respectively), and points per set in overall and league play (3.06 and 3.24, respectively).
Kayla Walker (Sr., RS) returns for BYU, while Tessa Nelson (R-Sr., MB) will be back at Colorado State and Jade Michaelsen returns to New Mexico. Walker was third in the league in kills per set (3.24) in conference matches, while also finishing fourth in points per set (3.92) in conference play. Nelson ranked in the top-10 in blocks per set (6th, 1.16) and hitting percentage (9th, .312) in the league rankings, while Michaelsen finished second in assists per set (10.92).
San Diego State's Lauren Salisbury, TCU's Christy Hudson and Utah's Karolina Bartkowiak round out the returnee list. Salisbury ranked fourth in points per set (3.65), fifth in hitting percentage (.344) and 10th in kills per set (2.88) in overall matches last season. Hudson finished third in hitting percentage (.353) in overall matches, while Bartkowiak was second in hitting percentage (.354) in overall contests.
The 2009 season is set to begin Aug. 28, with all nine league teams in action. Conference play begins Sept. 16, with New Mexico hosting TCU.
The Utes collected eight first-place votes and 138 total points. Colorado State was a close second with 135 points and four first-place votes, while New Mexico (three first-place votes) was picked third, totaling 112 points. BYU collected 96 points and two first-place nods for fourth place in the poll, while TCU (89 points) and UNLV (87 points) claimed fifth and sixth place, respectively, followed by San Diego State (seventh, 53 points), Wyoming (eighth, 38 points) and Air Force (ninth, 17 points).
MWC all-Conference performers Tessa Nelson (Colorado State) and Jade Michaelsen (New Mexico) highlight the preseason all-Mountain West Conference team, as they were tabbed the preseason MWC Co-Players of the Year. Six teams were represented on the 2009 preseason all-MWC squad, which also was chosen by the coaches and selected media.
The 2009 season will feature seven returning all-Mountain West Conference players, including 2008 Freshman of the Year Cursty Jackson (UNLV). Last season, Jackson tallied the conference's highest freshman ranking in hitting percentage in overall and conference matches (.264 and .236, respectively), kills per set in overall and conference matches (2.55 and 2.72, respectively), and points per set in overall and league play (3.06 and 3.24, respectively).
Kayla Walker (Sr., RS) returns for BYU, while Tessa Nelson (R-Sr., MB) will be back at Colorado State and Jade Michaelsen returns to New Mexico. Walker was third in the league in kills per set (3.24) in conference matches, while also finishing fourth in points per set (3.92) in conference play. Nelson ranked in the top-10 in blocks per set (6th, 1.16) and hitting percentage (9th, .312) in the league rankings, while Michaelsen finished second in assists per set (10.92).
San Diego State's Lauren Salisbury, TCU's Christy Hudson and Utah's Karolina Bartkowiak round out the returnee list. Salisbury ranked fourth in points per set (3.65), fifth in hitting percentage (.344) and 10th in kills per set (2.88) in overall matches last season. Hudson finished third in hitting percentage (.353) in overall matches, while Bartkowiak was second in hitting percentage (.354) in overall contests.
The 2009 season is set to begin Aug. 28, with all nine league teams in action. Conference play begins Sept. 16, with New Mexico hosting TCU.
Cowgirl rodeo team to appear at Centennial event
The 2009 Wyoming Cowgirl national champion rodeo team will make an appearance in Centennial on Aug. 21 to help kick off the Centennial Library and Cultural Association “Cowboy Culture Celebration.”
A cocktail reception and book signing for Wyoming author Craig Johnson begins at 7 p.m. at the Centennial Library. Johnston is the author of five mystery books set in Wyoming including “Cold Dish” and his latest book “The Dark Horse.” The $10 admission includes CLCA membership or for members of the Centennial Library and Culture Association it is free. The event will continue on Aug. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Wyoming President’s Cabin, Horseshoe Haven, in Centennial.
Along with Johnston and the Cowgirl rodeo team, the event features Tim Rush, Cowboy Poet; Julianne Couch, author of Jukeboxes, Jackalopes: a Wyoming Bar Tour and music by the Country Club Band. Lunch will be provided by Albany County Cow-Belles and Pepsi.
The fee for the day, which includes lunch, is $20 for adults and $5 for youth 16 and under. Tickets are available in Laramie at the Albany County Public Library, Chickering Books, ACPE. Tickets in Centennial are at the Friendly Store, the Old Corral, Centennial Branch Library, and Mountain View Historic Hotel. This is a family event to benefit the Centennial Library General Maintenance Fund. Event co-sponsored by Albany County Public Employees Credit Union (ACPE), Wyoming Arts Council, Albany County Tourism Board (ACTB), Pepsi, KCGY Radio, Mountain View Historic Hotel and Albany County Cow-Belles. For more information, visit http://www.centenniallibrary.net/.
Take HWY 130 to Rainbow Valley Lodge Road and volunteers will direct you 3.3 miles to the event.
A cocktail reception and book signing for Wyoming author Craig Johnson begins at 7 p.m. at the Centennial Library. Johnston is the author of five mystery books set in Wyoming including “Cold Dish” and his latest book “The Dark Horse.” The $10 admission includes CLCA membership or for members of the Centennial Library and Culture Association it is free. The event will continue on Aug. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Wyoming President’s Cabin, Horseshoe Haven, in Centennial.
Along with Johnston and the Cowgirl rodeo team, the event features Tim Rush, Cowboy Poet; Julianne Couch, author of Jukeboxes, Jackalopes: a Wyoming Bar Tour and music by the Country Club Band. Lunch will be provided by Albany County Cow-Belles and Pepsi.
The fee for the day, which includes lunch, is $20 for adults and $5 for youth 16 and under. Tickets are available in Laramie at the Albany County Public Library, Chickering Books, ACPE. Tickets in Centennial are at the Friendly Store, the Old Corral, Centennial Branch Library, and Mountain View Historic Hotel. This is a family event to benefit the Centennial Library General Maintenance Fund. Event co-sponsored by Albany County Public Employees Credit Union (ACPE), Wyoming Arts Council, Albany County Tourism Board (ACTB), Pepsi, KCGY Radio, Mountain View Historic Hotel and Albany County Cow-Belles. For more information, visit http://www.centenniallibrary.net/.
Take HWY 130 to Rainbow Valley Lodge Road and volunteers will direct you 3.3 miles to the event.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
UW's Maier has successful summer
UW junior Gabe Maier
by UW Media Relations
It has been a good two-week stretch for University of Wyoming golfer Gabe Maier. The junior-to-be not only won the Wyoming State Golf Amateur two weeks ago, he was also the best amateur at last weekend’s Colorado Open.
In the Colorado Open, which was played at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver, Maier was the low amateur in a field of 156 professionals and amateurs. He finished the open with a four-round scorecard of 281 (-3), which put him in a tie for 28th place. In the tournament, Maier finished above 30 other amateur golfers.
“We are really happy about the things that Gabe has done this summer,” said UW director of golf Joe Jensen. “The Colorado Open is the premier Colorado tournament of the year and is viewed as one of the best state opens in the country. Gabe played great and beat some very good pros, as well as some of the best college golfers from this region including Colorado, Colorado State and Denver. Gabe even beat Steve Ziegler, an All-American from Stanford, who was one of the members of the elite Palmer Cup team (college’s version of the Ryder Cup), whom I had a chance to work with this summer.”
At the Wyoming State Golf Amateur Championship, which was played at Bell Nob Golf Club in Gillette from July 17-19, Maier used a late charge to win the championship. He entered the final round of the tournament four strokes off of the lead. However, Maier played the final 11 holes of the tournament at five-under par to win the championship by two strokes. On the weekend, he shot rounds of 73 (+1), 71 (-1) and 68 (-4) to finish with a three-round score of 212 (-4). Fellow Cowboy Clinton Boutelle, who will be a redshirt freshman in the fall, finished second and junior Michael May finished third.
In other golf news, Boutelle qualified for the U.S. Amateur on Monday by winning a qualifier tournament at Three Crowns Golf Club in Casper. He shot a 36-hole total of 139 (-5) and won a two-hole playoff over a player from the University of Arkansas.
Earlier this summer May qualified for the National Pub Links, which was held in Norman, Okla., by winning a June qualifier in Cody.
“It was great to see three of our guys in the top-three spots in the our home state’s best amateur tournament,” added Jensen. “When we finished last year, our team placed an emphasis on playing well in everything they competed in this summer and I am happy we have done that.
“It’s great to have Gabe playing as well as he is and to have a Wyoming representative in both the U.S. Amateur and the National Pub Links. It is also great to see Clinton, who still hasn’t played in a college tournament, playing so well. Everyone feels good and we are excited about the upcoming season.”
by UW Media Relations
It has been a good two-week stretch for University of Wyoming golfer Gabe Maier. The junior-to-be not only won the Wyoming State Golf Amateur two weeks ago, he was also the best amateur at last weekend’s Colorado Open.
In the Colorado Open, which was played at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver, Maier was the low amateur in a field of 156 professionals and amateurs. He finished the open with a four-round scorecard of 281 (-3), which put him in a tie for 28th place. In the tournament, Maier finished above 30 other amateur golfers.
“We are really happy about the things that Gabe has done this summer,” said UW director of golf Joe Jensen. “The Colorado Open is the premier Colorado tournament of the year and is viewed as one of the best state opens in the country. Gabe played great and beat some very good pros, as well as some of the best college golfers from this region including Colorado, Colorado State and Denver. Gabe even beat Steve Ziegler, an All-American from Stanford, who was one of the members of the elite Palmer Cup team (college’s version of the Ryder Cup), whom I had a chance to work with this summer.”
At the Wyoming State Golf Amateur Championship, which was played at Bell Nob Golf Club in Gillette from July 17-19, Maier used a late charge to win the championship. He entered the final round of the tournament four strokes off of the lead. However, Maier played the final 11 holes of the tournament at five-under par to win the championship by two strokes. On the weekend, he shot rounds of 73 (+1), 71 (-1) and 68 (-4) to finish with a three-round score of 212 (-4). Fellow Cowboy Clinton Boutelle, who will be a redshirt freshman in the fall, finished second and junior Michael May finished third.
In other golf news, Boutelle qualified for the U.S. Amateur on Monday by winning a qualifier tournament at Three Crowns Golf Club in Casper. He shot a 36-hole total of 139 (-5) and won a two-hole playoff over a player from the University of Arkansas.
Earlier this summer May qualified for the National Pub Links, which was held in Norman, Okla., by winning a June qualifier in Cody.
“It was great to see three of our guys in the top-three spots in the our home state’s best amateur tournament,” added Jensen. “When we finished last year, our team placed an emphasis on playing well in everything they competed in this summer and I am happy we have done that.
“It’s great to have Gabe playing as well as he is and to have a Wyoming representative in both the U.S. Amateur and the National Pub Links. It is also great to see Clinton, who still hasn’t played in a college tournament, playing so well. Everyone feels good and we are excited about the upcoming season.”
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
UW track signs three athletes
The University of Wyoming track and field team announced the signing three student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent to compete in the upcoming 2009-10 season.
The Cowboys added one thrower, Mark Sparks from Aurora, Colo., while the jump crew got one stronger as well with Lenyn Leonce from St. Lucia. The Cowgirl jumpers added one with Erin Urbanoski from Craig, Colo.
Sparks comes to the ‘Pokes after a very successful 2009 season where he ended the year as the 5A state champion in both the shot put and discus throw. He also had his personal bests in both the shot put (59-feet, 1/2 inch) the discus (192-8), which is good for fifth all-time in Colorado history. Sparks is currently ranked 12th in the nation among high school discus throwers.
“Mark is a very fast and explosive athlete with a strong technical base,” said head throws coach Paul Barrett. “He has tremendous drive and determination that will allow him to excel at a high level in the collegiate ranks.
“With his athletic ability and speed, I believe Mark will be able to pick up the hammer and weight throw events quickly and be able to help in these events as well as the shot put and discus throw at the conference meet right away as a freshman. Obviously we are thrilled to sign such an elite level athlete with tremendous potential to bolster our throwing squad."
Leonce joins an already stacked jumping crew that is led by junior Jeremiah James, a fellow St. Mary’s College and St. Lucia native. Leonce was the 2007 Carifta 17 and under champion, as well as the 2009 Carifta 20 and under champion in the long jump. His personal best in the event is 24-3 which ranks seventh on UW’s all-time list.
“I believe Lenyn will come right in and be an instant contributor at a conference and regional level,” said head jump coach Quincy Howe. “Once he adjusts to some inevitable changes, he will also eventually be on the national stage as well.”
Urbanoski will head a very young Cowgirl jump crew that saw its only member graduate last season. She is a three-time 4A state champion in the long jump and had the best long jump of all girls in every division at the state meet. Her personal best of 19-3 ranks ninth on the UW all-time list, as well as having a very solid time in the 100-meter dash of 12.46 seconds.
“Erin is the type of quality student athlete that our jumping program is trying to attract,” said Howe. “Being a three-time state champion shows that Erin has a winning attitude and its precisely the attitude we try to foster here in the Gem City.”
The Cowboys added one thrower, Mark Sparks from Aurora, Colo., while the jump crew got one stronger as well with Lenyn Leonce from St. Lucia. The Cowgirl jumpers added one with Erin Urbanoski from Craig, Colo.
Sparks comes to the ‘Pokes after a very successful 2009 season where he ended the year as the 5A state champion in both the shot put and discus throw. He also had his personal bests in both the shot put (59-feet, 1/2 inch) the discus (192-8), which is good for fifth all-time in Colorado history. Sparks is currently ranked 12th in the nation among high school discus throwers.
“Mark is a very fast and explosive athlete with a strong technical base,” said head throws coach Paul Barrett. “He has tremendous drive and determination that will allow him to excel at a high level in the collegiate ranks.
“With his athletic ability and speed, I believe Mark will be able to pick up the hammer and weight throw events quickly and be able to help in these events as well as the shot put and discus throw at the conference meet right away as a freshman. Obviously we are thrilled to sign such an elite level athlete with tremendous potential to bolster our throwing squad."
Leonce joins an already stacked jumping crew that is led by junior Jeremiah James, a fellow St. Mary’s College and St. Lucia native. Leonce was the 2007 Carifta 17 and under champion, as well as the 2009 Carifta 20 and under champion in the long jump. His personal best in the event is 24-3 which ranks seventh on UW’s all-time list.
“I believe Lenyn will come right in and be an instant contributor at a conference and regional level,” said head jump coach Quincy Howe. “Once he adjusts to some inevitable changes, he will also eventually be on the national stage as well.”
Urbanoski will head a very young Cowgirl jump crew that saw its only member graduate last season. She is a three-time 4A state champion in the long jump and had the best long jump of all girls in every division at the state meet. Her personal best of 19-3 ranks ninth on the UW all-time list, as well as having a very solid time in the 100-meter dash of 12.46 seconds.
“Erin is the type of quality student athlete that our jumping program is trying to attract,” said Howe. “Being a three-time state champion shows that Erin has a winning attitude and its precisely the attitude we try to foster here in the Gem City.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)