‘Yote Notes – Nov. 2, 2005

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

ATHLETIC NEWS:

ALBERTSON COLLEGE NAMED CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER INSTITUTION: For the fifth-straight year, Albertson College was named one of 155 "Champions of Character" institutions by the NAIA for the 2004-05 school year.  The award recognizes NAIA member institutions that have embraced the character program by promoting or implementing activities related to the five core character values of the initiative.  In 2000-01, 124 institutions received the award, while the recipients numbered 160 in 2001-02, 193 in 2002-03, and 184 in 2003-04. “Being a Champion of Character Institutional Award winner means that you take the time to intentionally practice what the NAIA and the institutional mission statement look like in action,” said Rob Miller, NAIA Director of Champions of Character Initiatives.  “We are proud of our member institutions that take honor in this award and understand the importance we place on it.” The Champions of Character initiative was introduced in the fall of 2000.  Through Champions of Character, the NAIA seeks to create an environment in which every NAIA student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through five tenets: respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship. While the NAIA and its membership have utilized sport as a character development tool on an informal basis, this program educates and creates awareness of the positive character-building traits learned through sports and returns integrity to competition. Albertson is one of nine Cascade Conference schools selected to the list – ACI, Cascade, Concordia, Corban, Eastern Oregon, Northwest, Oregon Tech, Southern Oregon, and Warner Pacific.

SEASON TICKETS / NNU GAME TICKETS: Season tickets for the 2005-06 basketball season, along with tickets for next week’s United Heritage TipOff vs. Northwest Nazarene are still on sale in the Albertson College Athletic Marketing office, located on the third-floor of Sterry Hall. You can also purchase tickets by phone by calling Dave Hahn at 459-5835.

TAILGATE PARTY: The Albertson College Alumni department will be hosting a tailgate party prior to the United Heritage Tip-Off at the Idaho Center between the Coyotes and Northwest Nazarene. To RSVP, contact Mary Bitner at 459-5300.

WOMEN’S SOCCER EARNS HONORS FROM CONFERENCE: The Albertson College women’s soccer team was honored Tuesday by the Cascade Conference as the All-CCC awards were handed out. Leading the group was head coach Aisha Reed, who was named Co-Coach of the Year by her peers. The fourth-year head coach will share the award with Concordia’s Grant Landy, who led the Cavs to the CCC title. The Coyotes had one first-team selection – sophomore forward Leah Roach (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS), who led the team with seven goals scored. Two players were honored with second-team selections – senior goalkeeper Candice Frank (Boise, Idaho / Rocky Mountain Coll.), who recorded four shutouts on the season, and junior midfielder Nikki Anderson (Citrus Heights, Calif. / Sierra CC), who scored two goals and assisted on two others. The Lady ‘Yotes finished 2005 with a 7-8-1 record, tied for third-place in the CCC North Division.

HERE COME THE ORANGES: Be on the lookout around the Treasure Valley for the Albertson baseball team, as the annual Orange Sale will take over Canyon County. If you cannot locate a player to purchase the boxes oranges or grapefruits, contact head coach Shawn Humberger at 459-5861.

MEN’S BASKETBALL (0-0): Coyotes to open exhibition schedule this Thursday at Boise State

COMING UP: exhibition at Boise State, Thursday, 7:35 p.m.

RADIO: All 27 regular-season men’s basketball games (and both exhibition games) will be broadcast live in the Treasure Valley on 1490 KCID-AM, the “Home of the Coyotes.” Mike Safford Jr. begins his fifth season as the play-by-play man for Albertson basketball, with the pregame show beginning 20 minutes prior to every game. The game will also be carried by Boise State live on 670 KBOI-AM with Paul J. Schneider and Larry Polowski.

TELEVISION: Thursday’s game at Boise State will also be carried live by KTVB-TV (cable channel 28, digital channel 7.2, UHF channel 49) with sports director David Augusto calling the play-by-play and former BSU player Brian King handling the color-commentary. It will be the first of two games for the Coyotes on local television this season.

TICKETS: Tickets for the Boise State game can be purchased through the Bronco Ticket Office at 426-4737 and requesting Section 14. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students (17 and under), and $11 for seniors (over 62).

HISTORY VS. BOISE STATE: Although the game does not count in the record book, there is a solid past between the teams. Overall, there have been 21 meetings between the Coyotes and Broncos since 1950 – but some of the history counts, some of it does not. Last season’s game was an exhibition contest – not counting in the all-time won-loss ledger. There have been five regular-season meetings between “Boise State” and “Albertson” – eight meetings were Boise State vs. the College of Idaho, and eight meetings were between Boise Junior College and the College of Idaho. BSU also does not recognize the nine meetings prior to the 1968-69 season, while the institution was known as Boise JC.

ALL TIME SCORES (ALBERTSON VS. BOISE STATE) SINCE 1950-51:

2004: *Albertson 87, Boise State 66 2003: Boise State 91, Albertson 49

2002: Boise State 52, Albertson 50 2001: Boise State 80, Albertson 53

2000: Boise State 96, Albertson 76 1986: Boise State 99, C of I 83

1970: Boise State 90, C of I 77 1969: Boise State 106, C of I 78

 Boise State 108, C of I 77  Boise State 93, C of I 51 

1968: Boise State 79, C of I 73 1957: Boise JC 63, C of I 51

Boise State 92, C of I 67 Boise JC 64, C of I 48

Boise State 72, C of I 56

1956: Boise JC 70, C of I 54 1952: C of I 64, Boise JC 62

C of I 93, Boise JC 51 Boise JC 77, C of I 61

1951: Boise JC 48, C of I 45 1950: C of I 67, Boise JC 59

Boise JC 60, C of I 50 * denotes exhibition game

‘YOTES RANKED #16 TO START SEASON: A year removed from their third consecutive trip to the NAIA Division II national tournament, the Albertson men’s basketball team was ranked No. 16 in the preseason NAIA Division II Top-25 poll. The ‘Yotes were one of five Cascade Conference teams in the group – Southern Oregon (No. 2), Oregon Tech (No. 4), Warner Pacific (No. 36) and Corban (No. 42). Last season, the CCC advanced four teams to the NAIA tournament – with Oregon Tech advancing to the Final Four and Southern Oregon to the Elite Eight.

PRESEASON RANKINGS BECOMING FAMILIAR: For the fifth-consecutive season, the Coyotes have been ranked to start the season. Last season, Albertson began the year No. 21 and ascended as high as No. 5 in the nation. The last team not to be ranked to start a season was the 2000-01 club, the first season with Mark Owen as head coach, a team that eventually advanced to the Elite Eight of the NAIA Tournament.

BOISE STATE GAME MARKED AS AN EXHIBITION: Thanks to a new rule by the NAIA, men’s and women’s basketball teams are now allowed two exhibition contests as part of their possible 30-game schedule (the ‘Yotes have a 29-game schedule). The Coyotes have decided to have the games vs.Boise State and Northwest Nazarene be designated as an exhibition contests. The result of the game, along with any statistics, will not count in the regular-season records.

LAST SEASON: Albertson College burst the bubble of Boise State to start the 2004-05 season, as the Coyotes handed the Broncos an 87-66 drubbing in the first basketball game in Taco Bell Arena. After trailing early, Albertson used a 13-1 run to build a 16-7 lead – a margin that would grow to 44-27 at the break. The ‘Yotes would take a 64-37 edge with 14 minutes left and coast to the win over a BSU club that was coming off a third-round appearance in the NIT. Dan McFaul (Moses Lake, Wash. / Big Bend CC) had a season-high 24 points, while Derek Brown (Las Vegas, Nev. / Desert Pines HS) had 13 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. It was the first time that the ‘Yotes had defeated BSU (exhibition or regular-season) in 48 years.

ABOUT BOISE STATE: The Broncos (16-18 in 2004-05) return three starters from last year’s club that advanced to the finals of the Western Athletic Conference postseason tournament. Forwards Coby Karl (12.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and Tez Banks (5.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg) return, along with point-guard Eric Lane (9.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg) – but BSU must replace All-WAC forward Jermaine Blackburn and All-WAC defensive team member Jason Ellis. The Broncos also boast former Vallivue High star Matt Bauscher, who was a teammate of current Coyote point-guard Josh Owen (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) in high school. BSU was picked sixth in the preseason WAC media and coaches polls.

ABOUT THE COYOTES: The ‘Yotes (22-10 in 2004-05) return two starters and just five players from a team that advanced to the title game of the Cascade Conference tournament and received an at-large berth to the NAIA national tournament. The new-look Coyotes will look to experience from seniors Derek Brown (10.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Dan McFaul (9.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg) during the early season. Albertson will look to the junior college ranks for production – as transfers Brandon Nielsen (Twin Falls, Idaho / Big Bend CC) and Ike Stafford (Auburn, Wash. / Salt Lake CC) should impress. Nielsen averaged nearly 28 points a game in JC, while Stafford has and outstanding jumpshot.

TOUGH PRESEASON SCHEDULE: After the Coyotes complete their exhibition schedule next Wednesday at the United Heritage TipOff against Northwest Nazarene – the non-conference slate does not get easier. The ‘Yotes will meet Carroll, ranked No. 7 in the NAIA Division I poll at the Quinn Classic, meet NAIA Division II No. 17 Westminster on two occasions, then go to California to meet Azusa Pacific (No. 1 ranked team in the NAIA Division I) and Concordia-Irvine (No. 11 ranked team in the NAIA Division I).

MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES: For game stories, statistics, and information regarding the Albertson men’s basketball program, head to the official site Coyote Basketball: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.htm.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (0-0): Lady ‘Yotes head to Havre to open season with two games at Montana State-Northern

COMING UP: at Montana State-Northern, Friday, 5 p.m.; at Montana State-Northern, Saturday, 5 p.m.

RADIO AND INTERNET: All nine women’s CCC road games will be broadcast live this season on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford Jr. calling the action. In addition, all home games (along with the nine CCC road tilts) will be broadcast live on the internet, courtesy of the Albertson Athletic Website.

LIVE STATS: Friday and Saturday’s games at MSU-Northern will have live stats available via the MSU-N website at http://www.msun.edu/athletics/webcasts/basketball/2005/2005-06%2520MSU-N%2520Skylights%2520Basketball.htm.

NAIA NATIONAL POLL: Two-time defending national champion Morningside of Iowa was named the unanimous choice as the No. 1 team in the NAIA Division II in the preseason Top-25 poll. Two Cascade Conference teams were in the poll – Corban was ranked No. 27, while Oregon Tech was ranked No. 38. Two other opponents in the NAIA Division I were ranked – Montana-Western, whom the Lady ‘Yotes play twice this season, is No. 18, and MSU-Northern at No. 36.

ABOUT MSU-NORTHERN: The Skylights (2-1) have three games under their belt – winning an early-season 77-39 game over Thompson Rivers of Canada, then splitting a pair of games last weekend with Lethbridge of Canada (losing 80-73, winning 73-65). MSU-N is coming off a 23-10 season, however, the squad has a new head coach in Chris Mouat. Guard Jacy Heny (13.7 ppg) averaged 13 points a game as a junior – but the Skylights must replace transfer Jayla McPhearson of Great Falls, who sustained a season-ending knee injury last week.

PAST MEETINGS: It is the third meeting between the teams – but the first played in Havre. MSU-N won the initial meeting in 2000 by an 86-81 margin and won last season, 64-50 – with both meetings at the Carroll College Invitational.

SCHEDULE CHANGE: MSU-N has changed Friday’s game in Havre to a 5 p.m. tip-off, an hour earlier than originally scheduled (all schedule cards have a 6 p.m. start time).

ABOUT THE LADY ‘YOTES: Albertson returns three starters from a squad that went 20-14 in 2004-05, advancing to the championship game of the Cascade Conference tournament. All-Conference wing Kim Strunk (Twin Falls, Idaho / Twin Falls HS) scored a game-high 18 points last season against MSU-N. The Coyotes will also look for production from point-guard Angie Gribble (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) and 6-2 forward Desirae Smoot (Provo, Utah / Western Wyoming CC) – who will be matched up against Skylight post, 6-3 Ashley Trulock. Two transfers will round out the starting five – wing Jori Grady (Roseburg, Ore. / Umpqua CC) and forward Krystn Patterson (Wells, Nev. / College of Southern Idaho).

SEASON OPENERS: The Lady ‘Yotes have struggled in season openers since women’s basketball returned in 1995. Albertson is a combined 2-8 in opening tilts, including a 1-3 mark under head coach Reagan Rossi. The last opening night win was in 2002, when the Coyotes defeated Montana Tech, 82-70, at the Carroll College Invitational.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LADY ‘YOTES: For up-to-date statistics, stories, and information about the Albertson women’s basketball team, head to the official website for the Lady ‘Yotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm.

CROSS COUNTRY: Titles on the line Saturday at the CCC/NAIA Region I championships in Portland

LAST WEEK: Idle

COMING UP: at Cascade Conference / NAIA Region I Championships, Portland, Ore. – November 5.

COYOTE MEN EYING CONFERENCE/REGIONAL TITLE: When Albertson College brought their distance running program out of mothballs during in 2003 – many thought it was just a ploy to increase enrollment at the school of 820 students. By sending two individual runners to the NAIA Championships in their first season, the Coyotes established themselves on the map – and hope to take the next step on Saturday at the Cascade Conference / NAIA Region I Meet. No. 10 ranked Albertson is among a group of six teams that have a legitimate shot at winning the regional crown and among a group of three teams looking for the CCC title. Also on the line for the ‘Yotes is a potential team berth to the NAIA Championships in Louisville, Ky.

WHOSE HOT?: For the CCC title, Albertson will battle a Southern Oregon team which defeated the ‘Yotes at the Willamette Invitational and has since won team titles at the Oregon Tech and CCC Preview meets. Southern has also been a mainstay in the NAIA Top-10 all season. Also trying to dampen the Coyotes parade is Eastern Oregon – although Albertson has defeated Eastern in all three previous races. On the regional side, the three CCC teams will dual with British Columbia, Simon Fraser, and Lewis-Clark State – all ranked in the NAIA Top-25. Albertson defeated LC-State in September and UBC in October.

INDIVIDUAL CCC MEN’S CHAMP?: Four Albertson men will vie for All-CCC honors on Saturday, as the Top-10 racers receive the lofty distinction. David Fluckiger (Herisou, Switzerland / Va. Commonwealth) was the lone All-Conference runner last year for the men – although Tyler Hopper (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS), Jacob Haas (Portland, Ore. / Eastern Oregon), and Jesse Chlebeck (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS) will all be in the running. They must contend with Trevor Palmer and Ryan Pfeil of Southern Oregon, Nathan May of Corban, Tim Badley of Concordia, Leonard Randall of Northwest, and Josh Klimek of Evergreen State.

WOMEN EYING IMPROVEMENT AT REGIONALS: Although a conference team title may be too much to ask of the Albertson women’s cross country team – personal bests are definitely on the line at Lent’s Park in Portland. Head coach Pat McCurry feels that the Lady ‘Yotes No. 2 and No. 3 runners – Natalie Hatch (Emmett, Idaho / Willamette Univ.) and Amy Coulter (Boise, Idaho / Willamette Univ.) both have the potential to race 5,000-meters under 20 minutes for the first time. With that, the Coyotes would have an outstanding chance to contend with Northwest, Concordia, and Oregon Tech for the No. 2 spot in the CCC.

EDWARDS WANTS A TITLE: The Lady ‘Yotes do have a chance for an individual title, as Shannon Edwards (Sherwood, Ore. / Eastern Oregon) is among the favorites in the women’s CCC race. The senior will battle will Eastern Oregon’s Stephanie Colkitt and Northwest’s Kjerstein Bailey for the title. Edwards placed fifth in the race last year – earning All-CCC honors and an at-large berth to the NAIA Championships.

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information on the 2005 cross country team, including meet-by-meet results and top times, can be found on the Albertson cross country official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/xc.htm.

VOLLEYBALL (17-4, 13-3 CCC): Lady ‘Yotes look to secure No. 3 seed on tough trip to Oregon Tech and No. 9 Southern Oregon

LAST WEEK: vs. Eastern Oregon (W 3-0)

COMING UP: at Oregon Tech, Friday, 5:30 p.m. (PST); at No. 9 Southern Oregon, Saturday, 7 p.m. (PST)

BEST START IN SCHOOL HISTORY: With a win over Eastern Oregon last Friday, the Albertson College volleyball team continues to have their best start in school history. The Coyotes have already posted their best ten-game, 15-game, and 20-game starts in 2005. The Lady ‘Yotes, winners of 11 of their last 12 matches, have begun the season with a 17-4 record – a faster pace than the 15-6 start that the 1997 team had.

WIN STREAKS: With a seven-match win streak this season, the Lady ‘Yotes have registered a five-game or more winning streak in each of the last seven seasons. Both the 2003 and 2004 teams share the school record with nine-consecutive wins, while the second-longest streaks belong to the 1999 and 2005 clubs with seven.

HOME SWEET HOME: Since Liz Mendiola took over the Coyote program in 2001, teams have struggled when they have ventured into the Treasure Valley. During the five-year span, Albertson has a 48-12 record in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center (.800 win percentage) – including a 19-2 mark over the past two seasons (with both losses coming at the hands of nationally ranked opponents).

PLAYOFF HUNT: With the win last week, the Coyotes can finish no lower than No. 4 in the Cascade Conference standings. Albertson can secure the No. 3 berth to the CCC tournament by just winning one game at Oregon Tech on Friday night (ACI defeated OIT in three games in September – second tiebreak is games won head-to-head). The ‘Yotes have a remote chance to finish in the top-two – Albertson would need to sweep both matches, have Southern lose to Eastern Oregon, and have Northwest lose to Concordia and Corban. The top-two teams in the CCC tourney receive first-round byes, while the remaining four teams must play to reach the semifinals.

REGIONAL RANKINGS: Heading into the final week of the regular-season, the entire NAIA Region I top-ten poll remained the same, with the ‘Yotes sitting at No. 3. Southern Oregon maintained the top spot with Northwest sitting at No. 2 – after the Raiders beat NW in three-games on Saturday night. After the Coyotes in the poll are Oregon Tech, Westminster, Great Falls, Montana-Western, Montana State-Northern, Carroll, and Concordia. Southern is ranked No. 9 in the latest NAIA poll, with Northwest at No. 13. Both Albertson and Oregon Tech received votes.

LADY ‘YOTES RECEIVE VOTES: For the seventh time this season and for the sixth consecutive week, the Albertson volleyballers received votes in the NAIA national poll, good enough to be the No. 29 ranked team in the nation. The Coyotes received three votes in this week’s poll – the fourth team listed in the “others receiving votes” category. The last time Albertson was ranked in the NAIA Top-25 was during the 2001 season – a year after making their lone National Tournament appearance. The ‘Yotes began 2001 ranked No. 15 in the preseason poll, dropped to No. 19 in the first regular-season poll, and have not been ranked since.

SENIORS HELP COYOTES PAST EASTERN: Four Albertson College seniors went out in style in their final match in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center, as the Lady 'Yotes won their 21st-straight match over Eastern Oregon - a 30-17, 30-23, 30-14 victory. The seniors - Fran Hartman (Lakeview, Ore. / Lakeview HS), Charity Gaston (Harrisonberg, Va. / James Madison Univ.), Jennifer Horn (Notus, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC), and Kimberly Horn (Notus, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) all contributed in the win.  Hartman recorded 13 kills and two blocks, Gaston chipped in with a team-high 20 digs, and the Horn sisters combined for three kills and ten digs. Falling behind 4-2 in Game 1, the Coyotes ran off ten of the next 11 points to take control.  Tiffany Sower (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) registered six of her team-high 14 kills in the game.  Albertson would trail early in both Game 2 and 3 - but were never seriously threatened.

CAREER RECORD BOOK: Three players are climbing on the career record list heading into this weekends action. Erin Cherrington reached the 2,900 career assist mark last week (2,901, third-most in school history), while moving into fourth-place on the all-time ace list with 126. Fran Hartman now has 874kills, sixth-best in Coyote history (120 behind fifth-place), while she also moved into sixth-place all-time with 237 blocks (eight behind fifth-place). In less than two seasons, Katie Hogue (Sparks, Nev. / Reed HS) now has 208 blocks, tied for tenth all-time.

SINGLE-SEASON RECORDS: The 2005 Lady ‘Yotes look to make a dent in the single-season record book when the year is complete. Erin Cherrington currently is on pace to break her own school-record for assists per game, Charity Gaston is on pace to top the school-record for digs per game, while both Fran Hartman and Katie Hogue are currently on pace to break the school-record for attack percentage.

TOUGH TRIP SOUTH: The schedulers for the Cascade Conference gave the Albertson volleyball team a daunting task on the final weekend of the regular season – the long trek south. The Lady ‘Yotes open up the weekend against the team directly below them in the CCC standings, Oregon Tech – as the Owls (15-8, 11-5 CCC) look for revenge after an Albertson sweep in September. OIT has built on their first NAIA Region I tournament appearance with a solid 2005 season – leading the CCC in blocks per game, while a balanced attack has four players averaging 2.5 kills per game or more. The catalyst for the Owls is setter Megan Albertson (1.8 k/g, 10.8 a/g), a teammate of Fran Hartman in high school. It is the 25^th meeting between the teams, with the ‘Yotes holding a 17-7 edge. Saturday, the tables are turned, as Albertson looks to avenge a lopsided loss to No. 9 ranked Southern Oregon. The Raiders (23-3, 15-1) can clinch the CCC regular season title on Friday night vs. Eastern Oregon – while looking to extend a win streak that reached 15 matches over the weekend. All-Star setter Jamie McCreary (12.83 a/g) and all-star blocker Nicholette LeBel (3.94 k/g, 0.94 b/g) have terrorized CCC opponents after leading Southern to an early 30-21, 30-16, 30-20 win in Caldwell. The test for the Lady ‘Yotes is compounded by the fact that they are just 6-35 against the Raiders all-time, and have won only once in McNeal Hall (2003).

 
MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2005 volleyball team can be found on Albertson volleyball official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball.htm. Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball/stats/standings.htm.

SWIMMING: Coyotes have record-breaking meet vs. Lewis & Clark, host Puget Sound on Sunday morning

LAST WEEK: vs. Lewis & Clark (Men – L 94-74, women – L 147-41)

COMING UP: vs. Puget Sound, Sunday, 11 a.m.

COYOTES LOSE DUAL, MAKE MARKED IMPROVEMENT: The Albertson College men’s and women’s swim team might have lost their opening dual meet with Lewis & Clark College on Saturday afternoon, but the Coyotes showed they will be competitive within the NAIA ranks. Two relays met the NAIA national meet provisional qualifying times – setting two of the 11 school records along the way.

SAVELL WINS 100-BREAST IN NAIA PROVISIONAL TIME: The Lady ‘Yotes saw their first race champion in school history on Saturday, as Alphonsina Savell (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) took home the crown in the 100-yard breaststroke. The freshman also became the first-ever individual qualifier for the NAIA championships as her time of 1:13.50 was over one second faster than the provisional mark.

RELAYS HEAD TO NATIONALS: Both the men’s 200-freestyle relay and the women’s 200-medley relay met the NAIA provisional times in school-record fashion. The women set the tone in the first race of the meet, as Drew Williams (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Mt. Lebanon HS) in the backstroke, Christine Mabile (Post Falls, Idaho / Coeur d’Alene Charter HS) in the butterfly, Alphonsina Savell in the breaststroke, and Tessa Mennell (Pine Grove, Calif. / Mt. Oaks HS) in the freestyle completed the course in 2:08.03, nearly 20 seconds faster than the top time from 2004-05. The men’s speed relay of Travis Guy (Estes Park, Colo. / Estes Park HS), Chris Sherman (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS), Evan Geer (Redwood City, Calif. / Sequoia HS), and Matt Barclay (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) took six seconds off the previous school mark in a time of 1:34.15.

MORE WOMEN’S MARKS: Three other women’s records fell in the race – as Christine Mabile took a second off the 50-free record in 27.82, Tessa Mennell took four seconds off the 100-free record in 1:03.83, and the 200-free relay took seven seconds off the school mark in 1:55.43 – just four hundredths of a second off the NAIA provisional mark.

GREEN WINS TWO RACES: On the men’s side, freshman John Green (Pleasanton, Calif. / Foothill HS) became the first men’s swimmer to win an individual race, taking home the titles in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle. Green took two seconds off the 100-free school record in 52.08, and sliced 14 seconds of the mark in the 200 in 1:57.09.

PUGET SOUND HEADS TO CALDWELL: The Coyotes will host their second-consecutive dual meet this Sunday, as NCAA Division III squad, the University of Puget Sound heads to Caldwell. The Loggers were NAIA powers in the 1990s, as the men’s squad won the NAIA title on three occasions, while the women took home five NAIA national titles.

MORE ON THE COYOTE SWIM TEAM: For more information on the Albertson swim team, including meet results and top times, head to their official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/swim.htm.

MEN’S SOCCER (9-9, 8-4 CCC): Coyotes home split not enough for playoffs, four players named to All-CCC team

LAST WEEK: vs. Cascade (W 2-0), vs. No. 20 Concordia (L 2-1)

THE GAMES DIDN’T MATTER AFTER ALL: Whether or not the Albertson men’s soccer team won their two games last weekend did not factor in the playoff picture for the NAIA Region I tournament. Unfortunately for the ‘Yotes, Evergreen State was victorious in their matches against Warner Pacific and Corban, securing the second berth from the Cascade Conference to the regional.

REGIONAL TOURNAMENT: This weekend, the regional will have Concordia meeting Evergreen State in one semifinal, Simon Fraser meeting Westminster in the other. The winners will play for an automatic berth to the NAIA championships.

FINAL REGIONAL RANKINGS: The final weekly poll of the season saw Simon Fraser taking home the top spot in the NAIA Region I weekly top-five poll, followed by Concordia, Evergreen State, Westminster, and for the first time this season, the Coyotes.

ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM: The Coyotes saw four players named to the All-Cascade Conference team, released on Monday afternoon. Earning first-team honors was junior midfielder Mitch White (Boise, Idaho / Gonzaga Univ.) – a second-team selection last year, sophomore forward Michael Delgado (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) – a second-team selection last year, and junior defender Scott Fuller (Boise, Idaho / Cal State-Fullerton). Second-team honors went to senior midfielder Shane Carmody (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS). Concordia coach Dan Birkey was named coach of the year, while Concordia striker Luis Garcia earned player of the year honors.

SHUTOUT OF CASCADE: Alex Penrod (Las Vegas, Nev. / Cimarron-Memorial HS) eluded a scramble in front of the Cascade College net and blasted home the game-winner, as the Albertson College men's soccer team stopped Cascade College, 2-0, Friday at Symms Field. A lethargic start nearly hurt the hosts, as the T-Birds, who have now lost 36-straight CCC contests, saw Adalberto Angulo drive a shot in the 33rd minute that was cleared off the line by the 'Yote defense.  Albertson picked up the pressure in the second half - as the tide turned in the 61st minute when reserve Mauricio Both (Cachoeira de Sol, Brazil / Nampa HS) cracked a shot off the crossbar.  Eight minutes later, Mitch White set a ball into the box - following a scramble, Michael Delgado touched a ball to Penrod with an open net in front for the goal.  The 'Yotes made it 2-0 three minutes later as Joe Chandler (Nampa, Idaho / Nampa HS) flicked home a deflection from Both. The 'Yotes held a 24-6 shot edge, but managed just three on goal.

ROTATING IN THE NET: Lost in the victory was a strange rotation in goal for the ‘Yotes. Starting keeper Rob Erichson (Boise, Idaho / Walla Walla CC) logged the first 35 minutes, but was injured on a dangerous play in the box. Enter defender Sam Reed (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS), who played the next ten minutes in an emergency role – recording a key save in the process. Back-up keeper Ryan Huber (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) played the second half (could not play in the first half due to a substitution rule) and notched the win.

TOUGH LOSS TO CONCORDIA: The Albertson College men's soccer team's quest for a berth in the NAIA Region I tournament was squelched by Concordia University, as the No. 20 ranked Cavaliers knocked off the Coyotes, 2-1, on Saturday at Symms Field. The Cavs jumped out to a 2-0 lead 35 minutes into the match off a pair of set plays.  In the 27th minute, a Jeremy Wells throw in was touched by Jorge Arreguin to Scott Bernards, who beat Coyote keeper Ryan Huber to the far post.  Eight minutes later, Wells again tossed a perfect throw, which was flicked by Rigoberto Rivas to Mirzet Sacirovic, who headed home the eventual game-winner. Albertson would gain momentum in the 64th minute when Michael Delgado collected a touch from Shane Carmody in the box and blasted the ball into the net.  However, a red card on Carmody with nine minutes remaining gave Concordia the man-advantage to be able to end any Coyote hopes of a comeback.

SENIORS SAY GOODBYE: Eight players saw their collegiate playing careers end following the loss to Concordia. Nate Burns (Boise, Idaho / Capital HS), Dustin Wanders (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS), John Mitchell (Boise, Idaho / Boise State), Andrew Heisler(Boise, Idaho / Borah HS), along with Shane Carmody, Joe Chandler, Ryan Huber, and Sam Reed will all have fond memories as Coyote student-athletes.

NEXT SEASON: Albertson will return 15 players for the 2006 season – including nine players who started at least one game this season.

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2005 men’s soccer team can be found on Albertson men’s soccer official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/menssoccer.htm. Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/msoccer/stats/standings.htm.

- ALBERTSON -