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.
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