Yote Notes – Feb. 13, 2007

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

ATHLETIC NEWS:

C.A.A. DINNER SET FOR TUESDAY: The next Coyote Athletic Association booster dinner is scheduled for Tuesday (February 13) at 6:30 p.m. at the Simplot Dining Hall on the ACI campus. The cost of dinner is $8.00 – to RSVP, contact Dave Hahn at 459-5835.

NO BOOSTER BUS: Unfortunately for Coyote basketball fans, the ACI Alumni Office will not be organizing a rooter bus for Friday’s basketball doubleheader at Eastern Oregon. For ACI students, faculty, and staff, a bus will be available – $5 cost for students, $10 cost for faculty and staff.

SOFTBALL DINNER/AUCTION: The 4th Annual ACI Softball Dinner-Auction is slated for March 10 on the ACI campus. For more information, including tickets, contact Al Mendiola at 459-0113.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STEAK LUNCHEON: The 3rd Annual ACI Women's Basketball Steak Luncheon is set for April 4th at the Outback Steakhouse on Karcher Road in Nampa.  The event, which costs $15, will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and features a menu of steak and chicken, along with potatoes and salad.  All proceeds help the Lady Yotes in their fundraising efforts.  To purchase tickets, contact Reagan Rossi at 459-5855.

MEN’S BASKETBALL (19-5, 13-4 CCC): Coyotes clinch first-round home playoff game, close out regular-season at Eastern Oregon

COMING UP: at No. 23 Eastern Oregon, Friday, 7:30 p.m. (PST)

LAST WEEK: at No. 7 Oregon Tech (L 90-67), at Southern Oregon (W 74-60)

RADIO / INTERNET BROADCAST: All regular-season men’s basketball games will be broadcast live in the Treasure Valley on 1490 KCID-AM, the “Home of the Coyotes.” Mike Safford will have all the action Friday night on the Home of the Coyotes, 1490 KCID-AM – America’s Best Music. The game is a women’s-men’s doubleheader, with airtime set for 6:10 p.m. (MST) Each game is also carried live on the Internet via the ACI athletic website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/caa/radio.htm.

LIVE STATS: Live stats for Friday’s game at Eastern Oregon will be provided by the EOU athletic website at www.eou.edu/athletics.

COYOTES CLINCH HOME PLAYOFF GAME: With a win against Concordia on Jan. 20, the Coyotes clinched its tenth-consecutive berth in the Cascade Conference postseason tournament, set to begin on Feb. 21. ACI secured a home quarterfinal playoff game with its victory on Saturday at Southern Oregon, coupled with an Eastern Oregon loss at Oregon Tech. The Yotes have won the CCC postseason title four times (in 1996, 2001, 2003, and 2004) – with the team posting a 12-3 mark in tourney play under Mark Owen.

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: Currently, the Coyotes sit in third-place in the CCC standings, heading into the final weekend of the regular-season. A victory by the Yotes would secure no worse than a No. 3 seed in the tournament – with ACI climbing into the No. 2 slot only with two Oregon Tech losses. With a loss at Eastern Oregon on Friday, ACI would drop into the No. 4 slot only if Northwest wins its two games this weekend against Warner Pacific and Cascade. Warner Pacific can clinch their second-straight regular-season title on Friday night with a win over Northwest.

PLAYOFF TICKET INFORMATION: All tickets for the Cascade Conference Tournament will be the same price as regular-season tickets at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center - $10.00 for reserved seating, $6.00 for general admission, $4.00 for student/senior general admission, and $2.00 for ACI students. Phone orders for tickets will begin on Wednesday (Feb. 14) by calling 459-5681, with tickets going on sale in the Activities Center Sunday and Monday afternoons from 4-7 p.m., along with at the Lady Yotes playoff game on Tuesday night. All tickets, including lifetime seat holders or 2007 season ticket holders who have not purchased their seats by next Tuesday night, will go on sale to the general public.

OWEN REACHES 1,000-POINT CLUB: With his first three-point basket of the second half against Southern Oregon, Josh Owen (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) became the 15th player to score 1,000 points in his ACI career. The junior has scored 1,009 in his Coyote career – becoming the first player since the 2003-04 season to eclipse the 1,000-point mark. Next on his list is Andy Harper, who scored 1,030 during his two years with the Yotes.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: It is not often that both a father and son score 1,000 points in a career, at the same school. Current ACI head coach Mark Owen scored 1,242 points during his three seasons with the Yotes during the mid 1980s – ranking seventh on the all-time ACI list. With his son, Josh, joining the group on Saturday, the Owen’s have tallied a combined 2,272 points in the Purple and Gold – still over 60 points shy of Taft Jackson’s school record of 2,339 points in the late 1960s.

HOME SWEET HOME: Big crowds for years have helped make the J.A. Albertson Activities Center one of the toughest gyms in the Northwest to play. Since the facility opened in 1991, ACI has posted a 176-39 all-time record on its hardwood (.819 win percentage), including a 101-24 mark in CCC play (.808 percentage). Caldwell has been a tough place in general for Coyote opponents, as ACI has posted a 294-48 mark at home since 1982 (.860 percentage), including a 56-game win streak at O’Connor Fieldhouse from Mar. 5, 1983 to Dec. 19, 1987.

YOTES AT NO. 13 IN LAST WEEK’S NAIA POLL: Despite winning games against No. 4 ranked Warner Pacific and Cascade, ACI dropped one spot in last week’s national poll, sitting at No. 13 – the eighth-straight week that the Yotes have been in the national poll. ACI has maintained its perfect mark in the NAIA Division II, as the Yotes have been ranked at least once in the Top-25 every season since the NAIA split into two divisions in 1991 (The Coyotes were the very first No. 1 ranked team in the NAIA Division II, topping the initial poll during the 1991-92 season). The Cascade Conference had three other teams in the Top-25 – Warner Pacific ranked No. 5, Oregon Tech at No. 7, Eastern Oregon at No. 23, while Northwest was in the others’ receiving votes category.

YOTES THIRD IN CCC POLL: With a road split in the Southland, ACI remained at No. 3 in the latest CCC coaches’ poll, released Monday. Warner Pacific continues to hold the top spot, earning nine first-place votes, followed by Oregon Tech. The Yotes are followed by Northwest, Eastern Oregon, and Concordia. The coaches’ poll is released each Monday morning, with the NAIA Top-25 poll released each Wednesday afternoon.

CAREER NUMBERS: Three different Coyotes are currently climbing the career record book lists. Josh Owen (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) currently ranks No. 1 in free throw percentage (.872, 171-of-196 attempts), is No. 3 all-time in three-point field goals made (178) and attempted (462), and is in the Top-15 in steals (113) and assists (213), and points scored (1,009). Senior Brandon Nielsen (Twin Falls, Idaho / Big Bend CC) is No. 8 in three-point attempts (377) and is in the Top-15 in three-pointers made (132), while fellow senior, Ike Stafford (Auburn, Wash. / Salt Lake CC) is No. 4 in three-point percentage (.453), and is in the Top-15 in three-pointers made (141) and attempted (311).

EASTERN OREGON WAITING FOR THE YOTES: The 2006-07 schedule was an odd one, as the Coyotes and travel partner Eastern Oregon opened the CCC slate on Dec. 1, then close the CCC season on Friday night in La Grande. The Mountaineers (20-7, 11-6) have played very well at home this season, posting a 12-1 mark in Quinn Coliseum – helping EOU to a No. 23 ranking in last week’s NAIA poll. Six different players average in double-figures, led by sophomore wing Tanner McIntosh (12.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg), shooter Mark Carollo (12.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg), and post Paul Carollo (11.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg). The Mounties are coming off a tough 78-69 loss at Oregon Tech, a game in which they had the lead during the second half.

THE I-84 CUP IS ON THE LINE: Friday’s tilt also rekindles the I-84 Cup rivalry between ACI and EOU, as the traveling trophy will be on the line. Since the trophy was introduced during the 2004-05 season, the Coyotes have won four of the five meetings, including a 98-90 victory in Caldwell in December. ACI has also won the last three meetings in La Grande, and holds a 101-55 all-time series edge, dating back to 1934.

CONFERENCE LEADERS: Scoring Average – Scott O’Gallagher (WPC) 23.3, Adam Moore (ESC) 20.0, Alex Hartman (CU) 19.5, Josh Jackson (WPC) 18.5, Aaron Sawyer (NU) 17.8; Rebound Average – Joshua Wetzler (OIT) 8.6, Paul Carollo (EOU) 8.6, Sawyer 8.5, Jalonta Martin (WPC) 7.6, Stephen Ishmael (NU) 7.0; Field Goal Percentage – Derek Brown (EOU) .645, Erion Moore (SOU) .590, Jackson .570, A. Moore .569, Jason Nunnemaker (SOU) .567; Assist Average – Levell Hesia (OIT) 5.2, Jesse Alvarez (CU) 4.8, Jeremy Templeton (EOU) 4.7, Dwain Hicks (ESC) 4.4, O’Gallagher 4.0.

AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS: As a team, the Coyotes lead the Cascade Conference in four statistical categories – steals per game (13.4), three-pointers made per game (10.9), turnovers forced per game (23.8) and turnover margin (+8.8). Individually, Ike Stafford leads the loop in three-pointers made per game (3.3), while ranking No. 6 in scoring average (17.7) and steals per game (1.7), No. 8 in three-point percentage (.444), and No. 9 in free throw percentage (.809). Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) currently leads the league in steals per game (2.6), with Josh Owen second the league in steals per game (2.2) and free throw percentage (.855), and is third in the league in three’s made per game (2.8). Also among the league leaders are Brandon Nielsen, who is seventh in three-pointers made per game (2.3), Craig McGee (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS), who is sixth in field goal percentage (.563) and blocks per game (0.8), and is seventh in rebounds per game (6.5), with Donnel Garner (Scottsdale, Ariz. / Chaparral HS), ranked seventh in steals per game (1.6).

ON THE NATIONAL FRONT: As a team, the Yotes lead the NAIA Division II in turnover margin and steals per game, ranking second in three-pointers made per game, and third in scoring average. Individually, Ike Stafford ranks third in the NAIA in three-pointers made per game and Bryan Champ is sixth in steals per game.

TOUGH NIGHT AT OREGON TECH: Lavell Hesia scored a game-high 25 points as Oregon Tech handed ACI a 90-67 defeat before a sellout crowd at Danny Miles Court on Friday night. The Owls used an 18-2 run late in the first half to build a 44-25 halftime edge.  The Yotes used a 9-2 run to open the second half to close within 12 points, but could not get closer. Ike Stafford led the Coyotes with 15 points, with Josh Owen adding 12 - but ACI was dominated on the glass, as OIT held a 50-28 edge.

YOTES PLAY WELL AT SOUTHERN: Craig McGee scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half, as the Coyotes salvaged a weekend road split, stopping Southern Oregon, 74-60, at McNeal Pavilion. A see-saw first half was capped by a 40-footer heave at the horn by Ike Stafford, giving the Yotes a 35-31 edge.  ACI opened the second half on a 26-12 run and were never threatened, as the Coyotes forced 22 Raider (12-15, 5-11) turnovers. Josh Owen and Brandon Nielsen led the way with 16 points each..

100-POINT GAMES REACH FIVE: So far this season, ACI has topped the 100-point mark in a game on five occasions (129 vs. Montana-Western, 116 vs. Willamette, 111 vs. Evergreen State, 101 vs. Southern Oregon, 101 vs. Warner Pacific). It marks the first time since 1996 since the Coyotes have accomplished the feat, but still well off the school record for 100-point games in a season – seven, set during the 1990-91 season.

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

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (18-8, 14-3 CCC): Lady Yotes play for CCC championship and NAIA Tournament berth on Friday night at Eastern Oregon

COMING UP: at Eastern Oregon, Friday, 5:30 p.m. (PST)

LAST WEEK: at Oregon Tech (L 62-58), at Southern Oregon (L 79-77)

RADIO/INTERNET BROADCAST: All Cascade Conference women’s road games will be broadcast live in the Treasure Valley on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford calling the play-by-play. The games will also be carried live on the Internet, via the ACI athletic website (www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/caa/radio.htm). Air time Friday night will be at 6:10 p.m. (MST), with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (MST)

LIVE STATS: Live stats for the game at Eastern Oregon will be provided via the Eastern Oregon athletic website at www.eou.edu/athletics.

A WIN AWAY FROM IOWA: With a pair of gut-wrenching road losses last week, the ACI women’s basketball team fell into a tie for first in the Cascade Conference standings, heading into the final weekend of the regular-season. The Lady Yotes are currently tied with Eastern Oregon (both with 14-3 records), with Corban College one-half game behind. ACI is in a must-win situation to claim the league title, having to defeat Eastern on Friday night to win the championship – and the automatic berth to the NAIA Division II National Championships in Sioux City, Iowa.

TIE-BREAK SCENARIOS: A Lady Yote win could force a tie between ACI and Corban atop the league standings (if Corban defeats both Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon this weekend). However, the Coyotes would win the tiebreaker – the two teams split their regular-season series, the two teams would have gone 5-3 against CCC teams .500 or better, but ACI would hold the hammer on Corban in descending order, where the Yotes would have swept the season series with Eastern, while Corban split with the Mountaineers.

MORE TIE-BREAKERS: If Eastern defeats ACI, the playoff scenario gets even weirder. A loss by Corban would give EOU the championship, however, two Corban wins would set up a coin-flip for the automatic berth to nationals – as both teams are deadlocked in every tiebreak scenario.

ABOUT EASTERN: Friday night’s game at Eastern Oregon is possibly the biggest regular-season contest in ACI women’s basketball history. The Mountaineers (22-5, 14-3 CCC) come in riding the longest win streak active in the league (10 games) – and are 10-2 at home this season. Eastern allows the fewest points per game in the CCC (55.2), while leading the league in scoring margin (+12.5) and three-point percentage (.389). Christie Weaver (16.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg) is the go-to player on the squad, while both posts Tiffanie Ulmer (12.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Sheena Henderson (11.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg) are tough in the paint.

TOUGH TO WIN IN LA GRANDE: Earlier this season, the Lady Yotes ended a nine-game losing streak to the Mountaineers with a 62-56 victory on Dec. 1. However, ACI has not won a regular-season game at EOU since a 76-52 victory over the Mounties on Jan. 15, 2001. The Coyotes did win a playoff game in La Grande during the 2001-02 season – a 92-71 victory over EOU. Friday’s game is the 27th meeting between the I-84 rivals, with the Coyotes holding a 14-12 all-time series edge.

HOME PLAYOFF GAME FOR LADY YOTES: Not only has ACI clinched a spot in the CCC postseason tournament, they have secured a home playoff date (Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. vs. at TBA opponent). The Lady Yotes have advanced to the CCC tourney in ten of the 12 seasons since women’s basketball was reinstated at the College in 1995. The Coyotes have advanced to three NAIA Division II tournaments (1998 – first round, 2000 – quarterfinals, 2001 – championship game), but have never won a CCC postseason tournament (advanced to the finals in 2000, 2002, and 2005). ACI has not hosted a playoff game since 2005, but boasts a 4-1 all-time record at home in the postseason.

PLAYOFF TICKETS: All women’s basketball playoff tickets will be general admission tickets - $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for students and seniors, and $2.00 for ACI students. Phone orders for tickets will begin on Wednesday (calling 459-5681), with live ticket sales from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday and Monday night at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.

COYOTES GO OVER 100-WIN MARK: Playing at home has always been a big key for the Lady Yotes, as ACI has posted a 101-41 all-time record in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center. This year’s team has excelled in Caldwell, completing the regular-season home schedule with an 11-2 mark.

COYOTES WERE RANKED NO. 24: Last week, the Lady Yotes jumped to No. 24 in the NAIA Division II Top-25 poll, their highest ranking of the season. However, with the losses to OIT and Southern, ACI is expected to drop out of the Top-25 when the poll is released Wednesday. ACI has previously been ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation - that coming in January of 2001, as the Lady Yotes ended the season as the national runner-up.

YOTES HOLD TOP SPOT IN CCC POLL: For the seventh-straight week, the Lady Yotes hold the top spot in the Cascade Conference weekly coaches’ poll. They are followed by Eastern Oregon, Corban, Oregon Tech, Southern Oregon, and Warner Pacific rounding out the top-six. The CCC poll will be released each Monday and the NAIA national poll on Wednesday’s for the remainder of the regular-season.

SCORING PACKS A PUNCH: Through 26 games this season, the Lady Yotes lead the CCC in scoring offense, averaging 74.0 points per game. ACI has scored 70-or-more points in a game 20 times this season, breaking the school record that was set during the 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons. During the 2004-05 and the 2005-06 seasons – the Coyotes managed just nine 70-point games in each year. Interestingly, the 1996-97 team, which holds the school record for scoring average in a season (73.4), had only 14 70-point games.

STEALING FRENZY: As a team, the Yotes lead the CCC and the NAIA Division II in steals per game (17.4), with the 453 steals breaking the former school record (386) set in 2005. A staggering number is the fact that five different ACI players have recorded 45-or-more steals this season – while a total of 12 other players from the nine other conference teams have accomplished the same.

CONFERENCE LEADERS: Scoring Average – Nicole Brown (WP) 18.9, Christie Weaver (EOU) 16.2, Whitney Clark (ACI) 15.9, Jessi Norton (CRB) 14.6, Jessica Steigleman (CRB) 14.2; Rebound Average – Te Awhina Arunui (CAS) 10.7, Jackie Spear (SOU) 9.5, Denise Hill (ACI) 7.7, Jennifer Solberg (ESC) 7.7, Cora McVey (OIT) 7.5; Field Goal Percentage – Brianne Carras (CRB) .574, ,Tosha Wilson (CRB) .554, Rebekah Johnson (NU) .529, Kelsey Richards (SOU) .515, Joyce Oniah (CU) .509; Assist Average – Whitney Leman (EOU) 5.8, Wilson 5.5, Chelsey Zimmerman (SOU) 47, Kelsi Haylett (OIT) 3.7, Lindsey Wells (WPC) 3.6.

AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS: As a team, the Lady Yotes lead the CCC in steals per game (17.4), turnover margin (+7.9), turnovers forced per game (29.2), and scoring average (74.0). Individually, Whitney Clark (Jerome, Idaho / Northwest Nazarene U.) ranks third in the loop in scoring average (15.9) and is fifth in free throw percentage (.795), with Jori Grady (Roseburg, Ore. / Umpqua CC) ranking fourth in steals per game (2.7) and tenth in assists (2.7) per game. Christon Vander Esch (Grangeville, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) ranks fourth in the CCC in blocked shots per game (1.0), and is eighth in rebounds per game (6.7) and ninth in steals per game (2.2). Also among the league leaders are Denise Hill (Eugene, Ore. / Boise State U.), who is third in rebound average (7.7), and Savannah Ames (Skagway, Alaska / Skagway HS), who is fourth in three-point percentage (.398).

CAREER RECORDS: Both Whitney Clark and Jori Grady are inching up the ACI career record book as the 2006-07 season rolls on. Clark currently ranks No. 5 all-time in three-pointers made (94) and attempted (298), is No. 6 in free throws made (203), is No. 7 in free throw attempts (261), and is No. 9 in points scored (751). She is also climbing the ladder in field goals made (227) and attempted (596). Grady is No. 8 in three-pointers made (66) and attempted (174), and is No. 9 in steals (121). She is also closing in on the top-ten in points scored (720), field goals made (256) and attempted (574), free throws made (141) and attempted (209), and assists (158).

SINGLE SEASON RECORDS: A total of five players have already cracked the single-season top-ten list for the Yotes. Whitney Clark currently has the third-highest scoring average in program history (15.9), while ranking sixth in free throws made (105) and tenth in three-point attempts (133). Christon Vander Esch is seventh with 27 blocks and tenth with 58 steals, while Jori Grady sits at No. 5 on the steals chart (70). Also in the Top-10 are Savannah Ames, who is fourth in three-point percentage (.398) and Denise Hill, who is ninth in free throw attempts (135).

TOUGH LOSS AT TECH: Oregon Tech used a 12-3 run over the final five minutes to stun No. 24 ranked ACI, 62-58, at Danny Miles Court, Friday night. After the Coyotes built a 55-50 edge with 4:29 remaining, the visitors would manage just one field goal the rest of the game, and go 1-of-4 from the free throw line.  A Kelsi Haylett trey with a minute to play gave the Owls a 58-56 lead, but Denise Hill answered for the Yotes with a ten-foot jumper to tie the game with 50 seconds left.  Lindsey Carmichael was fouled on a drive with 15 seconds left and hit two free throws - with the Yotes missing a potential game-tying trey in the waning moments. Freshman Allie Dreadfulwater (Grangeville, Idaho / Grangeville HS) led the Lady Yotes with 12 points, including a 5-for-5 night from the field.

SOUTHERN WINS AT THE BUZZER: Andi Peterson's driving lay-up with 15 seconds remaining provided the difference, as Southern Oregon upset ACI, 79-77, at McNeal Pavilion. ACI had a chance to win the game in the waning moments, but a Magen Dufurrena (Denio, Nev. / Lowry HS) five-foot baseline jumper was off the mark - giving the Raiders the upset. Peterson led all scorers with 23 points and 13 rebounds, as the Raiders topped the Yotes for the first time since 2004.  Whitney Clark led four Coyotes in double figures with 21 points, with Denise Hill adding 12 points and ten rebounds.

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

ALPINE SKIING: Coyotes sweep NWCSC titles, seven named to All-NWCSC teams

LAST WEEK: at Northwest Collegiate Ski Conference Qualifier #4 (Slalom), Mount Hood Ski Bowl (Men Saturday - 1st, Sunday - 1st; Women Saturday - 1st, Sunday - 1st

COMING UP: Idle until USCSA Western Regionals, Red Lodge, Mont., Feb. 21-24.

COYOTES SWEEP ASIDE COMPETITION, WIN NWCSC TITLES: Just as they did two weeks ago at Tamarack and Brundage Mountain, the ACI alpine ski teams dominated the final two NWCSC slalom races of the season, as the men and women's squads posted first-place finishes on both Saturday and Sunday runs.  In doing so, the Coyotes claimed their fifth-consecutive men's and women's NWCSC team titles - and did so in convicing fashion.  The men's team was tops on the hill both days, winning Saturday's event by 24 seconds, and Sunday's finale by 11.  The women had a tougher time, but managed a two-second win on Saturday and a nine-second win on Sunday - both over British Columbia.

FINAL MEN'S STANDINGS: The men's team finished with 700 of a possible 800 team points, finished well ahead of chief rival, British Columbia.  Rounding out the Top-5 were Oregon, Washington State, and Idaho.  Although Oregon State's slalom specialist, Dewey Moss, took home NWCSC Men's Skier of the Year, ACI had four men in the Top-5 of the standings - all earning All-NWCSC honors.  Kevin Makinson (Richland, Wash. / Richland HS), Tom Elias (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Oakland U.), William Moss (Bountiful, Utah / Western State Coll.), and Aaron Flynn (St. Paul, Minn. / Central HS) all had solid NWCSC runs for the Yotes, with Makinson and Flynn leading the way with places in 7-of-8 races.

FINAL WOMEN'S STANDINGS: The Lady Yotes dominated the NWCSC this season, recording 780 of a possible 800 team points.  The were followed by British Columbia, Puget Sound, Washington State, and Washington.  Individually, Molly Bullard (Boring, Ore / Sandy HS) capped off a great season by sweeping the slalom races last weekend at Mount Hood - and being named NWCSC Women's Skier of the Year.  The senior, who is a three-time All-NWCSC performer, won four individual races this season and has nine all-time wins.  She was joined on the All-NWCSC Team by both Nicki Maxwell (Belfry, Mont. / Red Lodge HS) and Jessica Wise (Reno, Nev. / Wooster HS) - who were all-conference picks during the 2006 season.

A WEEK OFF UNTIL REGIONALS: ACI will be off this coming weekend in preparation for the USCSA Western Regionals, to be held in Red Lodge, Mont.  The Yotes will face stiff competition from Rocky Mountain College of Montana, along with solid teams from Colorado.  The top-five men's and women's teams at the regional will earn berths to the USCSA Championships in Winter Park, Colo.

HISTORY: Since 1979, the ACI ski program (alpine, nordic, snowboard) has won a combined 21 NCSA or USCSA team national championships, along with 15 individual NCSA or USCSA national championships.  Current snowboarder Evan Williams is a two-time national champ - winning the 2005 Snowboardcross and 2006 Halfpipe championships.

NATIONAL RANKINGS: Both the ACI men and the ACI women were ranked No. 8 in the USCSA preseason poll, released in November.

ABOUT THE COACH: Ron Bonneau is in his 17th season as head coach for the ACI alpine ski programs.  During his tenure at ACI, the native of New Hampshire has seen the Coyote men's team qualify for the USCSA championships on nine occasions, with the women's team making appearances 12 times.  His 2004 women's squad finished second in the nation and fourth in the alpine combined.  The Yotes have seen much success in the 21st Century, as both the men's and women's programs, under Bonneau's direction, have won four-consecutive Northwest Collegiate Ski Conference championships, with the Lady Yotes taking home Western Region championships in 1999, 2003, and 2006.  His women's teams have advanced to eight-straight USCSA championships, finishing in the Top-8 on each occasion.  Bonneau, a graduae of Plymouth State College, replaced Tom Olson as the alpine coach in 1991 - and worked with Chris Melgaard on the nordic side, to claim the women's nordic national championships in 1994 and 1995.  During his tenure, Bonneau has coached five national champions, 30 All-Americans, and 60 All-America Scholar-Athletes

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the ACI alpine ski program, head to the official homepage of the Coyotes - www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/skiing.htm

INDOOR TRACK: Five school records broken at BSU Meet

LAST WEEK: at Boise State Team Meet

COMING UP: at University of Idaho Invitational, Moscow, Saturday

COYOTE MEN SET TWO INDOOR RECORDS:   The best finish by the Coyote track team at the Boise State Team Meet this weekend was by junior Jesse Chlebeck (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS), who notched a third-place effort in the 3,000-meters (9:03.42) - just seconds off an NAIA "B" time.  Two ACI men's indoor records fell as well, as freshman Andy Swanson (Boise, Idaho) broke the Yotes mark in the 60-meters (7.53), and Rand Kline (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) set the Coyotes first-ever mark in the indoor 400-meters (56.10).

LADY YOTES SET THREE RECORDS: Although the Lady Yotes did not have an indvidual champion at the BSU meet, the ACI saw three indoor school records fall.  Leading the group was junior Katie Ball (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS), who placed fifth in the women's mile, setting a new mark in 5:20.38 - five seconds faster than the previous record, and just two seconds off an NAIA "B" time. Also running well for the ACI women were Jayne Saunders (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS), who broke her own school record in the 400 (1:01.89), with Courtney Mitchell (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) taking time off the 60-meter record (8.33).

ONE FINAL CHANCE FOR INDOOR NATIONALS: ACI will take a small contingent of runners to this weekend's University of Idaho indoor meet, trying to meet NAIA "A" qualifying times for the final time.  Two Coyotes, Tyler Hopper (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) and Shannon Edwards (Sherwood, Ore. / Eastern Oregon U.) have already met the NAIA marks - Hopper in the 1,000-meters and in the mile, with Edwards in the 3,000-meters.  Both are expected to run in Moscow this weekend.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the ACI track and field team, head to the official homepage of the Coyotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/track.htm.

BASEBALL (2-0): Coyotes sweep NNU, head to Lewiston to try and topple No. 1 Lewis-Clark State and Whitworth

LAST WEEK: vs. Northwest Nazarene (W 6-0, W 4-0)

COMING UP: at Regence Blue Shield of Idaho Tournament, Lewiston – Friday vs. No. 1 Lewis-Clark State, 2 p.m. (PST); Saturday vs. Whitworth, 11 a.m. (PST); Sunday vs. Whitworth, 10 a.m. (PST), vs. No. 1 Lewis-Clark State, 12:30 p.m. (PST)

INTERNET BROADCAST: Although no radio broadcast will be available in the Treasure Valley, fans can catch both ACI games against Lewis-Clark State via the Internet. LC-State will have the games live on www.koze-sports.com, with Mike Tatko and Bert Sahlberg calling the action.

C-TOWN FIGHT NIGHT 2 A SUCCESS: A standing-room only crowd joined the ACI baseball team and the Caldwell High football team for the Second-Annual C-Town Fight Night, a boxing fundraiser for both programs. A full card of 16 bouts entertained the audience all night – including a special appearance by longtime Idaho boxer, Kenny Keene. The Yotes would like to thank all of the sponsors and fans for making this event a success.

VOTES IN NAIA POLL: The Coyotes earned 14 votes in the preseason NAIA Top-25 poll, released in November, good enough for a No. 34 ranking. Defending NAIA champion, Lewis-Clark State, was the No. 1 team in the poll, with rival British Columbia at No. 5.

AROUND THE REGION: Corban College opened up their season last week, playing a trio of games – dropping a single to Willamette, while dropping a game and tying a game at Puget Sound. All six regional teams will be in action this weekend – ACI and Lewis-Clark State at the Regence Blue Shield Tournament in Lewiston, Oregon Tech traveling to Simpson for a doubleheader, Concordia playing a doubleheader at NCAA Division II power Western Oregon, British Columbia beginning their Southern California swing at Occidental, and Corban playing a Northern California swing at Patten, Bethany, and Simpson. Regional play will begin in earnest the first weekend in March.

L-C STATE LOOKING TO MAKE ANOTHER RUN?: When the dean of Pacific Northwest baseball coaches states that his club has, “the best balance of speed and power in a long time,” Lewis-Clark State is going to make another run at an NAIA crown. Ed Cheff, in his 31st season as skipper of the preseason No. 1 ranked and defending NAIA World Series champion, Warriors (47-8 in 2006), has retooled his club after five consecutive loser-out victories to claim the school’s 14th baseball national championship. A pair of NCAA Division I transfers highlight the L-C infield – Long Beach State and Santa Clara second-baseman Donnie Ecker and Fresno State third-baseman Beau Mills. Mills hit .355 last year with 20 homers and 58 RBI for the Bulldogs and is projected to be selected in the top-five rounds of the upcoming MLB First-Year Players Draft. All-American catcher Jessie Mier (.349 6 HR 42 RBI) returns, but will have a completely different staff to receive – as seven of the top eight pitchers on a staff that had a 3.00 team ERA are gone. The only returning contributor is Chris Kissock (9-2 2.49 ERA), an NAIA All-American. This weekend marks the first two of eight regular-season games between the Idaho schools – as L-C will make a trip to Caldwell in mid-March, and ACI heads back to Lewiston in late April. The school’s have meet 142 previous times, dating back to 1940, with the Warriors holding a 102-39-1 all-time series edge.

ABOUT WHITWORTH: For the second-straight season, ACI will meet Whitworth College, an NCAA Division III member of the Northwest Conference, in Lewiston. The Pirates (19-20 in 2006) have only 13 players returning from last season, however, were picked to finish fourth in the NWC preseason coaches’ poll. A pair of quality pitchers lead the Bucs rotation – as Brandon Zimmerman (8-3 4.60 ERA) led the staff in wins last year, with top reliever Jason Weatherman (1-2 2.53 ERA, 3 saves) making the move into the starter role. The Whitworth offense is led by outfielder Van Lierman (.338 1 HR 14 RBI) and shortstop Ryne Webb (.305 1 HR 24 RBI) – but the Spokane, Wash. school will have 18 new players who will make their debut this weekend. ACI and Whitworth have met 58 times in the past, dating back to 1962, with the Yotes holding a 32-26 all-time series edge, including 1-0 and 11-3 victories last season.

ABOUT THE SKIPPER: The 2007 season marks the 20th year in the Albertson College of Idaho baseball program for head coach Shawn Humberger, his seventh year as Coyote skipper. Last season, he led the squad to a 36-20 mark, their second-straight Cascade Conference championship, and a runner-up finish at the NAIA Region I Tournament. During his tenure, Humberger has compiled a 207-140-1 record, including a third-place finish at the 2002 NAIA College World Series. He has been named CCC Baseball Coach of the Year in 2002, 2005, and 2006, along with earning NAIA Region I Coach-of-the-Year and CCC Men's Coach-of-the-Year for all sports in 2002. A native of Twin Falls, Humberger graduated from Twin Falls High, played for the College of Southern Idaho for two seasons, and played at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas for one year. In 1984, Humberger was part of the CSI national championship junior-college team. In addition, he was named to the 1985 Junior College All-America team. Humberger, a 1989 Albertson graduate, also served as the facilities coordinator for the J.A. Albertson Activities Center for ten years, is a physical education instructor at the College, and coached Nampa's American Legion baseball program for eight seasons. 

YOTES SWEEP CRUSADERS TO OPEN SEASON: ACI opened up the 2007 baseball season with a pair of wins - 4-0 and 6-0, over rival Northwest Nazarene, at Simplot Stadium, on Saturday afternoon. The two wins for the Yotes upped their all-time series lead against their Canyon County neighbors to 159-54-1. Game 1 was dominated on the mound, as senior All-American Jason Roach (Sacramento, Calif. / Sacramento City CC) tossed six innings of one-hit ball to get the win.  Roach threw just 66 pitches, 53 for strikes - with no walks and six strikeouts.  Transfer Andrew Brock (Burnaby, B.C. / Douglas CC) allowed just one baserunner in his three innings of relief to pick up the save. ACI scratched out a pair of runs in both the fourth and seventh innings.  Dane McGrady (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) laced an RBI single through the right side to get the Yotes on the board, with Drew Echanis (Ontario, Ore. / Western Oregon U.) getting an RBI groundout to make it 2-0.  In the seventh, All-American Casey Oliver (Pocatello, Idaho / College of Southern Idaho) ripped an RBI double and transfer Tyler Smith (Fruitland, Idaho / Lower Columbia CC) picked him up with an RBI single to cap the scoring. Game 2 saw the Yotes work out of a pair of bases loaded jams to keep NNU off the board, while getting three runs in the second, a pair in the third, and an insurance run in the fifth to complete the sweep.

PITCHING DOMINATES NORTHWEST NAZARENE: In 16 innings of work, five ACI pitchers combined for a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .120 opponents batting average in the sweep of NNU. Senior Carson Taysom (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS) went four innings in the nightcap, allowing three hits and recording four strikeouts to get the win. Tim Bourner (Buhl, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) made his ACI debut, going two innings of shutout ball, with junior Joey Zubizarreta (Boise, Idaho / Cochise CC) tossing a scoreless seventh inning, recording two strikeouts, sandwiched around a walk.

AT THE PLATE: Transfer Kent Bradshaw (Caldwell, Idaho / Tacoma CC) made his Coyote debut a good one, going 5-for-7 with a double, stolen base, and two runs scored. Also swinging a hot stick early was senior catcher Pat Burke (Sisters, Ore. / Sisters HS), who went 3-for-6, sophomore Dane McGrady, who went 3-for-7 with an RBI, and senior shortstop Casey Oliver, who laced a pair of doubles. As a team, the Yotes hit .286 with runners in scoring position, and were a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with runners at third base and less than two outs.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES: For game stories, statistics, and information regarding the ACI baseball program, head to the official site Coyote baseball: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/baseball.htm. Up to date regional scores and standings can also be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/baseball/stats/standings.htm.

WOMEN’S TENNIS (0-3): Lady Yotes drop three matches in season-opening tournament

LAST WEEK: at Lewis-Clark Invitational, Lewiston - vs. Montana State-Billings (L 5-4), vs. Whitman (L 6-3), vs. Gonzaga (L 9-0):

COMING UP: at Puget Sound Invitational, Tacoma, Wash. - Saturday vs. George Fox, 9 a.m. (PST), vs. Puget Sound, 4 p.m. (PST); Sunday vs. Pacific, 9 a.m. (PST)

LADY YOTES LOSE THREE IN SEASON OPENING TOURNEY: The ACI women's tennis team opened up its 2007 season last weekend in Lewiston at the Lewis-Clark State Invitational, dropping matches to NCAA Division II Montana State-Billings, Division III Whitman, and Division I Gonzaga.  In the MSU-Billings and Whitman matches, the Lady Yotes took 2-of-3 doubles points, but could not muster the three singles points needed for the team win.  Gonzaga showed the difference between the Division I and NAIA, taking all 15 sets played.

FRESHMEN HAVE GOOD DEBUTS: Head coach Cisco Limbago was pleased with the efforts of his freshmen, making their collegiate debuts.  Melissa Rowe (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) had two of the Yotes three wins in singles play, notching victories at No. 6 against both MSU-Billings and Whitman.  Kim Clements (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) had a pair of victories in doubles play, while despite losing all three singles matches, took two of the three to three sets.

THREE MORE MATCHES THIS WEEKEND: The Coyotes will head to Washington for a trio of matches (all against Division III schools) to be held indoors at the University of Puget Sound Tennis Center.  ACI will open up the weekend against George Fox, who finished last season with a 3-13 mark.  The Bruins (0-0) will have to replace the top-three players in their ladder, as all three were seniors in 2006.  ACI has met GFU six previous times, holding a 4-2 all-time mark.  On Saturday afternoon, the Yotes meet host Puget Sound, a team which finished last season in second-place in the NWC with a 15-3 record.  The Loggers (0-0) return a trio of second-team All-NWC players - and meet the Yotes for the first time since 1999 (ACI holds the series edge, 3-2).  Sunday morning, the Coyotes round out the weekend against a youthful Pacific club, who looks to rebound from a disasterous 0-17 2006 season.  The Boxers (0-1) lost five of their six top players from last season and will have a roster comprised of all freshmen and sophomores.  ACI has dominated the all-time series with Pacific, holding a 17-1 edge.

ABOUT THE COACH: Head coach Cisco Limbago is in his 22nd year as the leader of the Lady Yotes.  The College of Idaho grad has compiled a 156-109-1 all-time coaching record.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the ACI women's tennis program, head to the official homepage of the Lady Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wtennis.htm.

SOFTBALL: Season Preview

COMING UP: at Patricia Benham Classic, Manteca, Calif. – Friday vs. Patten, Noon (PST), vs. Corban, 2 p.m. (PST); Saturday – vs. Dominican, 11 a.m. (PST), vs. Bethany, 3 p.m. (PST); Monday – Bracket Play, TBA.

LAST YEAR: The Lady Yotes qualified for the postseason for the first time in program history, placing fourth in the Cascade Conference regular-season race with a 9-11 mark. ACI had a big season offensively, setting team records for batting average, runs scored, RBIs, doubles, home runs, and slugging percentage. The Coyotes finished the season with an 18-25 record – equaling the school record for wins in a season.

WHAT THE YOTES NEED TO REPLACE: Nine different players left the ACI program following the 2006 season – including four seniors that saw considerable playing time. The Coyotes will have to replace two-time All-CCC outfielder Katie Theisen, who holds the career school marks for hits, doubles, and RBI, along with first-baseman Lisa Stout, who started 32 games as a senior. Gone is utility infielder Angie Gribble, who has recorded more assists than any other Yote in history, along with pitcher Kerri Russell, who led the team in victories with nine.

NAIA NATIONAL POLL: The preseason NAIA Top-25 coaches poll was released on February 1, with just one Cascade Conference team in the rankings (No. 15 Oregon Tech). Region I foe, Simon Fraser, was also in the rankings at No. 3. ACI was ranked in the regional top-five for the first-time ever last season, coming in at No. 5 for two weeks.

THE COACH: Al Mendiola is in his second year as head coach of the ACI softball program. The native of San Diego, Calif. helped the Coyotes to an 18-25 record in 2006, tying the school-record for wins in a season and helping ACI to their first-ever playoff berth. Outside of ACI softball, Mendiola has also been the head coach of the Caldwell Silver Streaks American Legion baseball team since 1997 and has also assisted with the Boise Clippers men's fastpitch team. He was also an assistant coach for the ACI baseball team for seven years. A 1994 graduate of ACI, Mendiola played two seasons of baseball for ACI Athletic Hall of Fame head coach Tim Mooney, earning honorable mention NAIA All-America honors as a senior. "It has always been a goal of mine to become a head coach at the college where I played as a student-athlete," said Mendiola.  "I have always loved this institution and am thrilled to have this opportunity.  I think the program has a high upside.  Obviously, our short-term goals are to qualify for the regional tournament, however, our long-term goals are to become a nationally-competitive program."

IN THE CIRCLE: The Lady Yotes return their No. 1 starter from last season – junior Katie Zillner (Emmett, Idaho / Chicago State U.), who earned All-CCC and All-NAIA Region I honors in her first season at ACI. The hard throwing right-hander went 7-9 with a 3.82 ERA in 119 innings of work, including a school-record 134 strikeouts. A trio of true freshmen are currently in the mix to become the No. 2 starter – including Chelsey Nokelby (Olympia, Wash. / River Ridge HS), Brooke Judy (Kuna, Idaho / Kuna HS), and Donnae Carrell (Middleton, Idaho / Middleton HS). Nokelby was an All-Pacific Nine Conference selection in high school, while both Judy and Carrell were All-State selections in Idaho. Two other freshmen – Ashley Wolff (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) and Mikel Willard (Roseville, Calif. / Roseville HS) look to log innings in relief this season.

AROUND THE HORN: The Coyotes have a deep infield pool to choose from for the first time in the six-year history of the program. Leading the way is third-baseman Haley Butcher (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS), who set a school record with a .952 fielding percentage last year at the hot corner. The sophomore hit .250 as a rookie, with 10 RBI. ACI also returns players up the middle, with shortstop A.J. Cavanaugh (Covington, Wash. / Kentwood HS) and second-baseman Anna Anderson (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) back. Cavanaugh hit .276 with five homers and 22 RBI, with Anderson, a two-time honorable mention All-CCC selection, hitting .325 with 12 stolen bases. Two other infielders return, second-baseman Kelsi Murdock (Kuna, Idaho / Kuna HS) and first-baseman Nicole Becvar (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS). The big battle will be at first, where Becvar, who has been plagued by injuries her first two seasons with the Yotes, will be pushed by freshmen Amaia Enrico (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) and Daniyelle Villyard (Kent, Wash. / Kentlake HS). The Yotes have other options in the middle infield, as freshman shortstop Becky Camperud (Nampa, Idaho / Vallivue HS) will push for playing time, as will transfer Amy Rhoades (Eagle, Idaho / Dixie State Coll.). Rhoades hit .264 with 11 RBI last season in junior college. Backing up Butcher at third are junior Christine Fancher (Scappoose, Ore. / Scappoose HS) and freshman Ashley Galeai (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS).

THE OUTFIELD: Options abound for the Lady Yotes in the outfield, as multiple combinations can give ACI a speedy line-up, or a power-laden attack. Heather Kirtley (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) returns in center, her fourth season as a starter. The senior earned honorable mention All-CCC honors last year after hitting .354 with 27 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. She is joined by slugger Stacy Smith (Draper, Utah / Juan Diego Catholic HS) and Katie Zillner – who will play left field when she is not in the circle. Smith hit a program-best eight home runs last year and was second on the team with 25 RBI, while Zillner led the squad in nearly all offensive categories, hitting .368 with 43 hits, 11 doubles, two homers, and 27 RBI. Transfer Stefanie Gonsalves (Weed, Calif. / Coll. of the Siskiyous) looks to fill the void in right, bringing a mix of speed and power to the line-up. Five others are in the mix in the outfield – returners Stephanie Stover (Caldwell, Idaho / U. of Nevada) and Joelle Cote (Great Falls, Mont. / Great Falls HS), both speedy outfielders, along with sophomores Johnna Bice (Middleton, Idaho / North Idaho CC) and Shane Parsons (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS), and freshman Katie Murphy (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS).

CATCHING: The Coyotes return honorable mention All-CCC catcher Nicole Illias (Beaverton, Ore. / Valley Catholic HS), after an outstanding freshman campaign. Illias hit .327 with nine doubles, two homers, and ten RBI in 38 games. She will have true freshman Britney Judy (Kuna, Idaho / Kuna HS), an All-State catcher last year, to back her up.

CONFERENCE PLAY: ACI will play a total of 20 Cascade Conference games this season – home and home doubleheaders against the other five teams in the loop – Concordia, Corban, Eastern Oregon, Oregon Tech, and Southern Oregon. The teams will also have Northwest Christian as part of the scheduling pool, with NCC joining the conference as a full-fledged member in 2008. There will not be a CCC Tournament at the end of the season – with the top-two teams in the CCC regular-season joining the next two highest ranked NAIA Region I teams (CCC teams plus Simon Fraser and Great Falls) in the Regional Tournament.

2007 SCHEDULE: The 2007 season will see the Yotes travel to a pair of tournaments and play eight home non-conference games outside of the CCC schedule. ACI will open the season in Manteca, Calif., at the Patricia Benham Classic, where they will meet Patten, Bethany, and Dominican of California, along with CCC foe, Corban. The Lady Yotes will also play a twinbill at Menlo before heading north to the Capitol Cup in Salem, Ore. ACI will play NCAA opponents Western Oregon, Willamette, and Pacific, along with CCC rival, Concordia. The squad will also start a new rivalry with in-state opponent, Idaho State, with a home-and-home series with the Bengals. Also on the docket are home tilts with Great Falls and Walla Walla, along with the annual home-and-home series with Canyon County’s own Northwest Nazarene.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES: For game stories, statistics, and information regarding the ACI softball program, head to the official site Coyote softball: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/fastpitch.htm.