‘Yote Notes – May 28, 2003

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@albertson.edu

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL ATHLETICS NEWS:

SAFFORD EARNS SPORTS INFORMATION AWARD: Albertson College SID, Mike Safford Jr., was named today the Cascade Conference and NAIA Region I SID-of-the-Year.  Safford, who is beginning his third-year as a member of the Coyote staff, won the award from both the ten-team CCC and the 23-member region.  A secret ballot from each school completed the selection process.  “It is an honor to win this award, especially since it was selected by my peers,” Safford said.  “This has been an extremely tough year to promote athletics at Albertson with what we have had to go through, but just as our coaches, staff, and student-athletes did, I persevered.”  The 27-year-old has served as the chair of the Cascade Conference SID’s for the last two years, during which he wrote the first-ever manual for SID’s in the Northwest.  The manual, which contains day-to-day knowledge and statistical guidance for new media relation persons, has become an asset for schools who have struggled in building connections with local newspapers, television stations, and radio personnel.  During the past year, Safford has upgraded the Albertson athletic website – the first frontpage redesign since 2000, and compiled historical research for each of the 12 Coyote intercollegiate sports.  He also served as a network broadcaster for the NAIA at the 2002 College World Series and the 2003 NAIA Basketball Tournament.  During his six years as an SID, Safford has earned seven top-ten awards for excellence in publications by the NAIA-Sports Information Directors Association, including a “Best in the Nation” award for the 2001-02 Basketball Brochure.  He also has earned a pair of top-five honors in publication contests held by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).  “My job is to promote the Coyotes, the Cascade Conference, and the NAIA to the media in the Treasure Valley and beyond.  The exposure of small-college athletics and character development of student-athlete is what drives me to succeed day in and day out,” said Safford.

 

OVERALL TEAM RECAP: Three national tournament appearances (men’s basketball, men’s skiing, women’s skiing, women’s golf), three conference championships (men’s basketball, men’s skiing, women’s skiing), seven regional tournament appearances (men’s soccer, men’s skiing, women’s skiing, baseball, men’s golf, women’s golf, women’s tennis), five conference tournament appearances (men’s soccer, women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball).

 

ALL-AMERICANS:  Men’s Soccer – Drake Jakovac, Jake Steele; Volleyball – Kristyn Price; Men’s Basketball – Tom Perkes; Women’s Skiing – Cassie Marcial; Baseball – Todd Howell, Greg Stalling, Darren Uranga, Dustin Garcia.

 

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS: Men’s Soccer – Coe Michaelson; Women’s Soccer – Dana Landon, Katie Rupert, Joan Blankenship, Kristi Dalsoglio, Andrea Ebert; Volleyball – Kristen Bailey, Amber Igoe; Men’s Basketball – Andy Harper; Women’s Basketball – Kristen Bailey, Megan Henrichs; Men’s Skiing – Justin Rackley, Matt Slyvester, Mike Wolfe; Women’s Skiing – Chelsea Schultz; Baseball – Darren Uranga.

WOMEN'S GOLF:

LADIES FARE WELL AT NATIONALS: A learning experience it was for the two freshmen golfers that made up the 2002-03 Albertson women's golf squad.  After solid performances at NAIA National Championship, the future for the Coyotes looks bright.  Both Sarah Gallant (+37 325) and Roslyn Folk (+44 332) finished in the Top-50 nationally, with Gallant missing out on All-Tournament and a berth in next season's national event by just three strokes.  Northwood of Florida won the team title by five strokes over Oklahoma City, while Dana Langdon of Brescia (Ky.) won the individual crown.

COYOTES SIGN EVANS: Head coach Garry Matlock is pleased to announce the signing of Katie Evans, from Nampa’s Skyview High.  Evans helped lead her team to the 2003 IDHSAA 5A Championships – and will be a fine addition to ‘Yotes.

 

BASEBALL:

 

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA TEAM ANNOUNCED, ALL-AMERICANS TO BE ANNOUNCED FRIDAY: The Albertson baseball team should fare well this season on both the NAIA All-America and the NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete squads.  Four players – senior first baseman Todd Howell, freshman second baseman Greg Stalling, senior shortstop Darren Uranga, and senior outfielder Dustin Garcia should be on the All-America team – by virtue of their All-Region I selections.  Although a trio of seniors – Uranga, Jack Mitchell, and Rob Reid, each had GPA’s above 3.50, only Uranga was selected as part of the 100-member team.

 

PROFESSIONAL REPORT: Currently, the Coyotes are well represented within the ranks of professional baseball.  Leading the way is St. Louis Cardinals righty Jason Simontacchi (1-3, 7.57), who has started nine games this season.  In the minors, Branden Florence (.311 6 HR 28 RBI) leads the Class A San Jose Giants in batting average, while Patrick Gonzalez (Orioles) looks to start the 2003 season in a short-season camp.  In the independent leagues, Greg Schelhaas (.311) is off to a good start with the Sioux Falls Canaries in the Northern League, while both Nick Williams and D.J. Eberlin start their season on Friday with the Bisbee Douglas Copper Kings in the Arizona-Mexican League.  Finally, according to published internet reports, former ‘Yote hurler Jason Stefani is playing in Italy (since I cannot read Italian, I cannot decipher the reports).

 

 

MEN’S BASKETBALL:

 

RECRUITING NEWS: Losing just two senior contributors from last season’s men’s basketball team that advanced to the second-round of the NAIA Tournament, Albertson head coach Mark Owen has announced the signing of a pair of high-caliber junior college recruits, hoping to send the Coyotes to the “Big Dance” for the third time in four years.   Combo-guard Eric Howard from Yavapai College and shooting guard E.J. Costello from Chabot College will be key components in the plans for the ‘Yotes next season.  “I am really pleased with the signing of these two players,” said Owen.  Howard gives us versatility in the fact he can play inside and outside, while Costello has unlimited range with his jumper.”  The 6-3 Howard, a native of Las Vegas, was a two-year starter for the Roughriders, averaging 11 points a game.  This year, the Prescott, Ariz. school took home the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference title with a 27-5 record, ending the season at the junior college national tournament.

“After losing at the national tournament this year in (Hutchinson) Kansas, I wanted to continue my pursuit of winning the title,” said Howard.  “After visiting many schools, I know that Albertson is the right choice for me academically, along with giving me the best chance to succeed on the court.”   Costello played college ball for his uncle at the Hayward, Calif. institution.  As a sophomore, he poured in 108 three-pointers, averaging 19 points a game.  The six-foot Pleasanton native earned All-Northern Region honors, leading Chabot to the regional tournament.  “Albertson has a great basketball tradition,” said Costello.  “I am excited to be a part of the next chapter for the Coyotes – and a chance at winning an NAIA championship.”  The Coyotes open up the 2003-04 season on Oct. 31 at Montana Tech.

 

VOLLEYBALL:

 

MERKEL HEADED TO MEDICAL SCHOOL: The Coyotes are pleased to announce that 2001 All-America setter Carly Merkel has been accepted into the Penn State School of Medicine.  Congratulations, Carly. 

 

RECRUITING NEWS: After losing NAIA All-American hitter Kristyn Price to graduation, along with six others from the 2002 squad, Albertson volleyball coach Liz Mendiola is excited about her recruiting class for the upcoming year.  The third-year head coach looks to replace Price with junior transfer Brittany Bonnett, a 5-11 hitter from Longandale, Nev.  Bonnett earned second-team honors in the highly competitive Region 18 after an outstanding sophomore season at Dixie State CC.  She recorded 3.98 kills and 3.29 digs per game, both among the top-ten in the Scenic West Athletic Conference.  Also headed to Albertson is junior transfer Kasey Hooter, who after being named the 2000 Southern Idaho Conference Player-of-the-Year, has played only basketball while attending Walla Walla CC.  The 5-11 right side hitter will play both sports for the Coyotes.  Mendiola is excited about setter Erin Cherrington, a freshman from Granby, Colo.  Cherrington was the Metro Player-of-the-Year this season at Middle Park HS, earning All-State honors.  She will back-up returning All-Conference selection, Amanda Basañez.  On the road to Coyoteville are freshmen Tiffany Sower and Jessica Taylor.  Sower, and All-SIC hitter at Eagle High, was a part of the Mustangs 2002 5A State Championship team.  Taylor helped Centennial HS win the 2001 title as a junior, and also earned All-SIC honors last year.  Michelle Riordan, a 5-10 hitter from Nampa's Skyview High, rounds out the group.  Albertson opens up the 2003 season at the College of Southern Idaho tournament in early September.

WOMEN’S SOCCER:

RECRUITING NEWS: One year after setting a school record with ten wins and reaching the conference playoffs, the Albertson women's soccer team has added some new blood to try and continue the upward trend.  Joining the 14 returning players is a group of six players, each who are hoping to see the Lady 'Yotes finish above .500 for the first time since the 1995 season.  A pair of senior transfers from NCAA Division I schools lead the parade.  Defender Shaila Goodman started six games for Boise State last season and should help support the backline with the departure senior Kristi Dalsoglio, a two-year starter.  Also heading to Albertson is University of Idaho midfielder Emmi Zollman.  Among the incoming freshmen, Capital High star Allison Rupert looks to make a big splash.  A standout on the Les Bois United U-18 team, she should help her older sister, Katie Rupert, out in the middle.  Two other freshmen, Adele Johnson and Caitlin Dunn, along with a junior - All-Region softball player Tiffany Mathews, round out the class.  Albertson begins the 2003 season Labor Day weekend at the Arthur D. Ortman Tournament at Northwest Nazarene.