Yote Notes – Feb. 5, 2007

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

ATHLETIC NEWS:

C-TOWN FIGHT NIGHT RETURNS: After great success last year, both the ACI baseball team and the Caldwell High football team have joined forces again for the Second-Annual C-Town Fight Night. The amateur boxing event will take place at O’Connor Fieldhouse on Wednesday night, with the first bout set for 7 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale – for tickets, call Josh Hegstad at 459-5862, or by email at jhegstad@collegeofidaho.edu.

C.A.A. DINNER SET FOR NEXT TUESDAY: The next Coyote Athletic Association booster dinner is scheduled for next 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.

BOOSTER BUS: The ACI Alumni Office is organizing a rooter bus for the regular-season finale basketball games at Eastern Oregon on Feb. 16. To receive more information, contact Mary Bitner at 459-5300.

MEN’S BASKETBALL (18-4, 12-3 CCC): No. 12 Coyotes close season with three road games, beginning Friday night at No. 7 Oregon Tech

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

LAST WEEK: vs. No. 4 Warner Pacific (W 101-95), vs. Cascade (W 96-86)

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 this weekend on the Home of the Coyotes, 1490 KCID-AM – America’s Best Music. Both games are women’s-men’s doubleheaders, 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 both weekend games will be available through the Oregon Tech (http://sports2.oit.edu/live/xlive.htm) and So. Oregon (http://www.sou.edu/athletics/livestats/xlive.htm) websites.

COYOTES UPSET TOP-FIVE TEAM: The Coyotes notched their biggest win of the season on Friday night, defeating No. 4 ranked Warner Pacific, 101-95 – as the Purple and Gold pulled within a half-game of first in the CCC. It marked the sixth time in the seven-year tenure of head coach Mark Owen that ACI has defeated a team ranked in the NAIA’s Top-5. In 2001, the Yotes defeated three different clubs (No. 2 Siena Heights, No. 3 Oregon Tech, No. 4 Oregon Tech), in 2005, ACI stopped No. 3 Western Baptist, and last season, the Coyotes topped Warner Pacific when they were ranked fifth.

COYOTES CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT: 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 can secure a home playoff game with one victory, coupled with a Northwest University loss. 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.

ATTENDANCE TOPS THE CCC (AND SOME BIG SCHOOLS): With a sellout crowd against Warner Pacific and a near sellout against Cascade, ACI upped its attendance average to 1,717 fans per game, tops in the CCC. The Yotes average is over 300 more fans than the University of Idaho draws per night (1,390), and more than double that of Canyon County rival, Northwest Nazarene (804). In fact, the Warner Pacific-ACI game outdrew the Boise State-Idaho State game in Taco Bell Arena. The Coyotes currently average more fans per game than four Big Sky Conference schools (Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Sacramento State), two Western Athletic Conference schools (Idaho and San Jose State), all but one Great Northwest Athletic Conference teams (NCAA Division II), and all Northwest Conference teams (NCAA Division III).

HOME SWEET HOME: The big crowds 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. 10 IN NAIA POLL: The Coyotes dropped two spots in last week’s national poll, sitting at No. 12 in the latest rankings – the seventh-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. 4, Oregon Tech at No. 7, Eastern Oregon at No. 22, while Northwest was in the others’ receiving votes category.

YOTES THIRD IN CCC POLL: Despite a pair of wins at home, ACI remained at No. 3 in the latest CCC coaches’ poll. Warner Pacific continues to hold the top spot, earning eight first-place votes, followed by Oregon Tech. The Yotes are followed by Eastern Oregon, Northwest, 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 (.870, 168-of-193 attempts), is No. 4 all-time in three-point field goals made (172) and attempted (446), and is in the Top-15 in steals (110) and assists (210). The junior needs just 22 points this weekend to become the 15th ACI player to record 1,000 points in his career. Senior Brandon Nielsen (Twin Falls, Idaho / Big Bend CC) is No. 8 in three-point attempts (363) and is in the Top-15 in three-pointers made (128), while fellow senior, Ike Stafford (Auburn, Wash. / Salt Lake CC) is No. 4 in three-point percentage (.452), and is in the Top-15 in three-pointers made (138) and attempted (305).

SECOND-PLACE ON THE LINE FRIDAY: Second-place in the Cascade Conference is on the line Friday night, as the Coyotes meet Oregon Tech. The Owls (23-3, 12-3 CCC), ranked No. 7 in last week’s NAIA Division II poll, have won five-straight games and have posted a 13-1 record at home this season. OIT leads the league in multiple categories – scoring defense (65.9), scoring margin (+20.9), opponents field goal percentage (.423), and rebound margin (+9.1). Led by a trio of guards – Ryan Fiegi (17.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Lavell Hesia (14.9 ppg, 5.2 apg), and Josh Garrett (17.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg), the Owls helped give head coach Dan Miles his 800th career coaching win in December. The two clubs hooked up for a barnburner in January, as the Yotes defeated OIT 87-83, thanks to 22 points and 13 rebounds from Craig McGee (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS). It is the 63rd meeting between the clubs, with ACI holding a 39-23 all-time series edge, dating back to 1962.

SUCCESS IN K-FALLS: Under head coach Mark Owen, the Coyotes have had more success at Danny Miles Court in Klamath Falls than any other Cascade Conference team. ACI has posted a 4-4 record against Tech in the Klamath Basin – including a 2-0 record on the road in playoff games.

TURNING THE TIDE WITH SOUTHERN? ACI will look for their third-straight win over Southern Oregon on Saturday night in Ashland – coming on the heals of a SOU seven-game streak against the Yotes. The Raiders (12-13, 5-9) are an up and down team, having posted a solid 9-3 mark at home this season, but a dismal 1-10 record on the road. Southern has lost three in a row – and if it weren’t for back-to-back buzzer beaters in late January, SOU could have an eight-game losing streak heading into the weekend. The Raiders are led by Coppin State transfer Chuckie Ivey (11.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Matt Espinoza (10.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg), and post Erion Moore (10.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg) – and hold opponents to just 33-percent shooting from outside the arc. It is the 52nd meeting between the teams, with the Yotes holding a 34-17 all-time series edge, including a 101-88 victory in January.

CONFERENCE LEADERS: Scoring Average – Scott O’Gallagher (WPC) 23.5, Adam Moore (ESC) 20.3, Alex Hartman (CU) 18.7, Josh Jackson (WPC) 18.3, Ike Stafford (ACI) 18.2; Rebound Average – Joshua Wetzler (OIT) 8.8, Paul Carollo (EOU) 8.5, Aaron Sawyer (NU) 8.3, Jalonta Martin (WPC) 7.6, Stephen Ishmael (NU) 7.0; Field Goal Percentage – Derek Brown (EOU) .649, Erion Moore (SOU) .603, A. Moore .579, Craig McGee (ACI) .573, Jason Nunnemaker (SOU) .573; Assist Average – Levell Hesia (OIT) 5.2, Jesse Alvarez (CU) 4.9, Jeremy Templeton (EOU) 4.9, Dwain Hicks (ESC) 4.4, O’Gallagher 4.1.

AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS: As a team, the Coyotes lead the Cascade Conference in four statistical categories – steals per game (13.7), three-pointers made per game (11.2), turnovers forced per game (24.3) and turnover margin (+9.0). Individually, Ike Stafford leads the loop in three-pointers made per game (3.5), while ranking No. 5 in scoring average (18.2), No. 7 in both steals (1.7), No. 8 in three-point percentage (.442), and No. 9 in free throw percentage (.802.Josh Owen is second the league in steals per game (2.2), and is third in the league in both three’s made per game (2.8),and free throw percentage (.847). Also among the league leaders are Brandon Nielsen, who is fifth in three-pointers made per game (2.4) and tenth in scoring average (16.7), Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS), who leads the league in steals per game (2.5), Craig McGee, who is fourth in field goal percentage (.573), sixth in rebounds per game (6.8), and seventh in blocks per game (0.7), and eighth in rebounds per game (6.4), with Donnel Garner (Scottsdale, Ariz. / Chaparral HS), ranked sixth in steals per game (1.7).

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 second in the NAIA in three-pointers made per game and Bryan Champ is seventh in steals per game.

SECOND HALF SURGE LIFTS YOTES PAST NO. 4 WARNER: A 32-6 ACI run over a seven minute stretch late in the second half helped the No. 12 ranked Coyotes upset No. 4 ranked Warner Pacific, 101-95, before a sellout crowd of 2,422 in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center on Friday night. After converting just three of their first 20 field goals in the second half, the Yotes fell behind 79-63 with 9:40 left on a Sebastian Gobba three-point play.  ACI would respond, getting a shooters' roll triple from Brandon Nielsen to start the spurt, with Nielsen adding a pair of treys and Ike Stafford banging down three triples, the last to cut the Knights margin to 83-81 with 6:25 left.  Nielsen would add a three-point play at the 3:27 mark to put the Yotes ahead 87-85, and they would not relinquish the lead. Nielsen had 34 points, seven rebounds, and five assists - the most points scored by a Coyote this season.  Stafford added 25 points, with Craig McGee scoring nine points and grabbing a team-high ten boards.  Bryan Champ had eight points, eight rebounds, and six assists in the win, with Kurt Nielson (Rexburg, Idaho / Eastern Utah CC) scoring six points and corralling seven rebounds off the bench.

COYOTES COAST PAST CASCADE: Craig McGee capped a big weekend for the ACI men's basketball team with 25 points and 11 rebounds, as the Coyotes closed out the home portion of the regular-season with a 96-86 victory over Cascade College, Saturday night.. ACI dominated play in the paint, as the Coyotes converted 30-of-43 shots inside the arc - the majority inside five feet.  McGee did the most damage, going 10-of-17 from the field in 26 minutes of action.  Josh Owen had 16 points and Ike Stafford added 15 for the Yotes.

STRUGGLING AT THE LINE: The Coyotes have struggled of late at the free throw line, converting just 36-of-66 freebies over the past weekend (55-percent). In league play, ACI ranks last in foul shooting, making just 280-of-422 free throws (.664 percent).

100-POINT GAMES REACH FIVE: So far this season, ACI has topped the 100-point mark in a game on four 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 (18-6, 14-1 CCC): No. 25 Lady Yotes clinch home playoff game, finish regular-season with three straight road games

COMING UP: at Oregon Tech, Friday, 5:30 p.m. (PST); at Southern Oregon, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. (PST)

LAST WEEK: vs. Warner Pacific (W 84-72), vs. Cascade (W 73-51)

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 for this weekend’s radio broadcasts will be at 6:10 p.m. (MST), with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (MST)

LIVE STATS: Live stats for both weekend games will be available through the Oregon Tech (http://sports2.oit.edu/live/xlive.htm) and Southern Oregon (http://www.sou.edu/athletics/livestats/xlive.htm) websites.

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 – going over the 100-win mark with Friday’s win over Warner Pacific. This year’s team has excelled in Caldwell, completing the regular-season home schedule with an 11-2 mark.

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) with Saturday’s victory over Cascade. 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.

LADY YOTES WITH TWO-GAME LEAD WITH TWO WEEKS LEFT: The ACI women’s basketball maintained their two-game lead in the Cascade Conference standings with victories over Warner Pacific and Cascade The Lady Yotes hold a two-game edge on Corban and Eastern Oregon – with three games remaining, securing a least a co-championship with one more win, and earning the outright title with two wins, or a victory and a loss by both Corban and Eastern. The 14-1 start by the Coyotes is their best start in league play in school history and equals the 2000-01 for most CCC wins by an ACI team.

LOVING LIFE ON THE ROAD: The Lady Yotes have played well on the road during conference play, recording a perfect 6-0 mark in CCC play. ACI is averaging 76 points a game away from home and outscoring opponents by 14 points a game.

MORE ATTENDANCE NUMBERS: Through the regular-season, the Lady Yotes have averaged 1,003 fans per game – the highest total in school history. ACI is averaging more fans than six Western Athletic Conference schools (Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Utah State), seven Big Sky Conference schools (Eastern Washington, Idaho State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Sacramento State, and Weber State), and all but one Great Northwest Athletic Conference (NCAA Division II) team – including 700 more fans a night than Canyon County rival, Northwest Nazarene. ACI has recorded six-straight games of at least 1,000 fans – tops in the state of Idaho.

COYOTES RANKED NO. 25: After spending a week out of the NAIA Division II Top-25, the Lady Yotes re-entered the national poll at No. 25 last week. 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. Indiana Wesleyan was the unanimous No. 1 team, followed by Ozarks (Mo.), Bethel (Ind.), St. Francis (Ind.), and Cedarville (Ohio).

YOTES HOLD TOP SPOT IN CCC POLL: For the sixth-straight week, the Lady Yotes hold the top spot in the Cascade Conference weekly coaches’ poll. ACI is the unanimous No. 1 team for the fifth-straight week, earning five first-place votes (five teams did not vote). They are followed by Corban, Eastern Oregon, 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 24 games this season, the Lady Yotes lead the CCC in scoring offense, averaging 74.5 points per game – upping that to 77.9 points a night in league play. ACI has already scored 70-or-more points in a game 19 times this season (equaling the most in program history) – including 13-straight games of 70-or-more. 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 (17.8), with the 427 steals breaking the former school record (386) set in 2005. A staggering number is the fact that five different ACI players have recorded 40-or-more steals this season – while a total of 13 other players from the nine other conference teams have accomplished the same.

TRYING TO BREAK THROUGH AT OREGON TECH: ACI will take its five-game win streak on the road for a trio of games to close out the regular-season. Friday night, the Lady Yotes will travel to Klamath Falls and a date with Oregon Tech. The Owls (18-6, 10-4 CCC) had a four-game win streak snapped Saturday at Southern Oregon – dropping their second-straight game to their rival. In their six losses this season, OIT has converted just 28-percent of their field goal attempts, while in their 18 wins, the Owls have tickled the twine at a 39-percent clip. Tom Loney’s bunch currently leads the CCC in three-pointers made per game (7.5) and play solid defense, limiting opponents’ to just 28-percent shooting from outside the arc – tops in the league. Tech is led by Cora McVey (14.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg), who leads the CCC in steals (73), along with Homedale native Kelsi Haylett (9.0 ppg, 3.8 apg). ACI defeated OIT 76-68 in mid-January, but the Owls have won all four previous regular-season games at Danny Miles Court and lead the all-time series, 8-4.

STREAKING SOUTHERN OREGON TO HOST COYOTES: The biggest surprise this season in the CCC hosts the Lady Yotes on Saturday, as Southern Oregon heads into the weekend riding a five-game win streak. The Raiders (16-8, 9-5), who have failed to reach the CCC Tournament the last two seasons, have used an uptempo style of play – averaging 73 points a night, to move into the top-half of the standings. Southern is also an relentless rebounding club, averaging more than seven boards a game more than their opponent. Point-guard Chelsey Zimmerman (14.0 ppg, 4.5 apg) leads the squad in scoring, with Andi Peterson (12.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and Whitney Scott (11.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg) providing scoring punch. ACI defeated the Raiders 83-66 in January, evening up the all-time series at 13-13.

CONFERENCE LEADERS: Scoring Average – Nicole Brown (WP) 18.4, Whitney Clark (ACI) 16.3, Christie Weaver (EOU) 16.1, Jessica Steigleman (CRB) 14.6 , Jessi Norton (CRB) 14.5; Rebound Average – Te Awhina Arunui (CAS) 10.7, Jackie Spear (SOU) 9.2, Cora McVey (OIT) 7.7, Denise Hill (ACI) 7.6, Jennifer Solberg (ESC) 7.5; Field Goal Percentage – Brianne Carras (CRB) .577, ,Tosha Wilson (CRB) .532, Rebekah Johnson (NU) .529, Kelsey Richards (SOU) .524, Sheena Henderson (EOU) .521; Assist Average – Whitney Leman (EOU) 5.8, Wilson 5.5, Chelsey Zimmerman (SOU) 45, Kelsi Haylett (OIT) 3.8, Lindsey Wells (WPC) 3.6.

AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS: As a team, the Lady Yotes lead the CCC in steals per game (17.8), turnover margin (+7.9), turnovers forced per game (29.3), and scoring average (74.5). Individually, Whitney Clark (Jerome, Idaho / Northwest Nazarene U.) ranks second in the loop in scoring average (16.3), is third in free throw percentage (.815), is eighth in steals per game (2.3), and ninth in three-pointers per game (1.5), with Jori Grady (Roseburg, Ore. / Umpqua CC) ranking third in steals per game (2.7). Christon Vander Esch (Grangeville, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) ranks fourth in the CCC in blocked shots per game (0.9), and is ninth in both rebounds per game (6.7) and steals per game (2.2). Also among the league leaders are Denise Hill (Eugene, Ore. / Boise State U.), who is fourth in rebound average (7.6), and Savannah Ames (Skagway, Alaska / Skagway HS), who is fourth in three-point percentage (.407) and tenth in field goal percentage (.477). In league-only counters, ACI leads the loop in scoring average (77.9), scoring margin (+12.8), steals per game (18.1), turnover margin (+8.6), turnovers forced (29.3), and total rebounds (40.7).

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 (89) and attempted (285), is No. 6 in free throws made (199), is No. 7 in free throw attempts (253), and is No. 10 in points scored (728). She is also climbing the ladder in field goals made (220) and attempted (573). Grady is No. 8 in three-pointers made (65) and attempted (172), and is No. 9 in steals (116). She is also closing in on the top-ten in points scored (704), field goals made (250) and attempted (562), free throws made (138) and attempted (205), and assists (151).

COYOTES COMPLETE SWEEP OF WARNER PACIFIC: Savannah Ames led four ACI players in double figures with 21 points, as the Lady Yotes won their 100th game in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center with an 84-72 victory over Warner Pacific on Friday night. The win for the Coyotes completed a season sweep of the defending CCC champion Knights.  After WP scored the opening basket, the Yotes roared to life, using a 32-10 push to build a 22 point lead 13 minutes into the first half, thanks to 16 first half points from Ames.  The Knights would rally, cutting the margin to 53-46 with 15:46 left in the game - but ACI would respond, scoring 11-straight points to put the game away. Jori Grady had 18 points and ten rebounds, with Denise Hill adding 12 points and 13 rebounds in the win.  Danica Wilson led the Knights with 16 points and Nicole Brown added 15 in the loss for Warner.

AMES OWNS THE KNIGHTS: Savannah Ames probably wishes the Lady Yotes would schedule Warner Pacific every night – as the sophomore has posted her two biggest scoring nights in her career against the Portland school. In the first meeting back in January, Ames scored a career-high 23 points in the ACI 90-58 over WP, then followed it up with 21 points on Friday night. She has recorded 12 double-figure scoring games this season and averages ten points a night – coming in just 15 minutes of action per game.

SENIOR NIGHT WIN FOR ACI: The Lady Yotes clinched their just their second home CCC playoff game in six years with a convincing 73-51 victory over Cascade College on Saturday night. ACI never trailed in the contest, jumping out to a 20-5 edge, and led by as many as 31 - as ACI celebrated the final regular-season home game for three seniors, student-assistant coach Libby Baker, forward Whitney Martin (Paul, Idaho / Boise State U.), and guard Jori Grady.  Grady led the Lady Yotes on the night with 18 points.

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: Lady Yotes clinch fifth-straight NWCSC title

LAST WEEK: at NWCSC Qualifier #3 (Silver Mountain Resort - Giant Slalom Races) - Men (3rd - Saturday, 7th - Sunday), Women (2nd - Saturday, 3rd - Sunday)

COMING UP: at NWCSC Qualifier #4 (Slalom) - Saturday and Sunday at Mount Hood Ski Bowl.

BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS: With one weekend of competition remaining, the ACI women's alpine ski team has already wrapped up its fifth-consecutive Northwest Collegiate Ski Conference team title, thanks to solid finishes last weekend at Silver Mountain.  The Lady Yotes recorded a second-place finish on Saturday, followed by a third-place finish on Sunday - building a 214 point lead with two races left (with only 200 more points possible).  Solid giant slalom runs from Molly Bullard (Boring, Ore. / Sandy HS) and Nicki Maxwell (Belfry, Mont. / Red Lodge HS) netted the duo back-to-back third and fourth-place finishes. 

MEN STRUGGLE ON THE STEEP SLOPE: The ACI men's ski team ran into a bump in the road this weekend, struggling to find their edge at Silver Mountain, placing third on Saturday and a season-worst seventh-place finish on Sunday.  Saturday Kevin Makinson (Richland, Wash. / Richland HS) was the most consistent Coyote, placing 13th on Saturday and 12th on Sunday - as ACI struggled to complete clean runs on a dificult slope.

YOTES DOMINATE MEN'S STANDINGS: As a team, the Coyotes hold a 150-point lead over Washington State with two races left - as ACI looks to win the NWCSC title for the fifth-straight year.  .

YOTES OFF TO OREGON: This weekend, the eight Northwest Collegiate Ski Conference teams head to Mount Hood Ski Bowl for the final two qualifying races of the year.  The team will then take a week off in preparation for the Western Regional, to be held in Red Lodge, Mont.

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.

SWIMMING: Two more automatic qualifiers for NAIA Championships

COMING UP: Idle until NAIA Championships, Feb. 28-Mar. 3, San Antonio, Texas

LAST WEEK: Hosted Caldwell Invitational (non scoring meet)

TWO MORE NATIONAL MARKS AT CALDWELL INVITE: Sophomore Alphonsina Savell (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS)qualified in her third individual event for the NAIA National Championships, swimming the 100-freestyle in 57.85 at the Caldwell Invitational this weekend.  Also meeting the national mark was freshman Ellen Judd (Missoula, Mont. / Sentinel HS), who met the provisional time in the 200-breaststroke (2:43.22).

SCHOOL RECORDS FALL: A pair of school records went by the wayside over the weekend, as Alphonsina Savell notched the top mark in the 200-free (2:12.02), while Ashlee Byrnes (Vancouver, Wash. / Columbia River HS) set a new record in the 200-butterfly (2:35.60).

AMONG THE NAIA'S ELITE: The NAIA released its individual and relay Top-20 times on Wednesday, with three Coyote individuals and seven relay teams on the list.  Leading the group were the men's 200 and 400-freestyle relay teams, whose times sit in seventh-place on the list, with the men's 200-medley relay at No. 10.  Four women's relays are in the Top-20, with the 200-free relay at No. 10 (200-medley at No. 11, 400-free at No. 13, and 400-medley at No. 14).  Individually, Alphonsina Savell has the 16th-fastest 100-breaststroke and 16th-fastest 200-breaststroke times.  The Yotes also have a pair in the Top-20 of the 50-free - freshman Elizabeth Peters (Woodburn, Ore. / Woodburn HS) at No. 15 and sophomore John Green (Pleasanton, Calif. / Foothill HS) at No. 20

AUTOMATIC NATIONAL QUALIFIERS: Individuals - John Green (50-Free, 100-Free), Alphonsina Savell (100-Breast, 200-Breast, 100-Free), Elizabeth Peters (50-free, 100-free), Ellen Judd (200-Breast).  Relays - Men's (200-Free, 400-Free, 200-Medley), Women's (200-Free, 400-Free, 200-Medley).  The NAIA Championships are set for February 28 through March 3 in San Antonio, Texas.

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

INDOOR TRACK: Hopper earns NAIA mark in 1,000-meters

LAST WEEK: at United Heritage Invitational, Nampa

COMING UP: at Holiday Inn Invitational, Saturday - Nampa

HOPPER TAKES HOME 1K CROWN: Tyler Hopper (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) took home the crown in the men's 1,000-meter race, the lone victory for the ACI indoor track team at the United Heritage Invitational in Nampa.  The junior notched his second NAIA Automatic Qualifying time for the National Championships by destroying the field in 2:30.47.  Last week, Hopper earned a national mark in the mile.

WOMEN RUN WELL: Also running well for the Yotes was Katie Ball (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS), who placed second in the 600-meters in 3:09.79, with Courtney Mitchell (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) reaching the finals of the 60-meter dash, placing fifth in 8.35 seconds.

RECORDS FALL: Five women's indoor school records fell at the meet, with two new men's marks set.  Courtney Mitchell notched school records in the 60 (8.35) and 200-meters (27.47), Jayne Saunders (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS) set a mark in the 600-meters (1:03.12), Katie Ball in the 1,000-meters (3:09.79), and Emily McCutchan (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) in the triple jump (34' 11.75").  On the men's side, Brian Crecelius (Orofino, Idaho / Orofino HS) set the bar with the first standards in the 60 (7.64) and 200 meters (24.40).

RECORD HOLDER HEADED INTO THE HALL OF FAME: Former College of Idaho track standout, Dr. Bernie Hamilton, was inducted into the ACI Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday afternoon.  Hamilton, who was a Coyote from 1969-72, currently holds the school record in the 100-yard and 220-yard dashes.  He was a four-time Northwest Conference champion in the sprints, including claiming three-consecutive NWC titles in the 100 from 1970-72.  He was an alternate on the 1976 United States Olympic Team in Montreal.

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: Season Preview

COMING UP: vs. Northwest Nazarene (DH), Saturday, Noon

LAST YEAR: The Coyotes claimed the 2006 Cascade Conference championship and placed second at the NAIA Region I Tournament – finishing with an overall record of 36-20. The Yotes, who were ranked as high as No. 19 in the NAIA Top-25 poll, opened the season with a 9-1 record, but could not meet the match of Top-5 programs, Lewis-Clark State and British Columbia. ACI went a combined 35-5 against all other teams, but limped to a 1-15 mark against LC-State and UBC.

BIG SENIOR CLASS GRADUATED: One of the largest senior classes in ACI history graduated following the 2006 season – a group with many accolades. Greg Stalling, the Yotes centerfielder, was a three-time All-American, and 2006 CCC Player of the Year. Three other All-Conference players graduated – pitcher Charlie Strandlund, designated hitter Nate Freese, and outfielder Jake McGrady. ACI also saw three underclassmen transfer at the conclusion of the season – Joe Balbas, Ren Lombardo, and All-CCC reliever Jason Enewold.

VOTES IN NAIA POLL: The Coyotes earned 14 votes in the preseason NAIA Top-25 poll, 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.

STARTING ROTATION: The Coyotes return two of their top-three starters from last season – both left-handers. Cascade Conference Pitcher of the Year and NAIA All-American Jason Roach (Sacramento, Calif. / Sacramento City CC) anchors the rotation, hoping that a comparable 2007 season could land him in the MLB First Year Players Draft. Roach had a monster junior season, going 9-2 with a 2.43 ERA, fanning a conference-best 84 batters. Moving into the No. 2 spot is senior Carson Taysom (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS), who had a breakout 2006 season. The southpaw earned honorable mention All-CCC honors after posting a 7-2 mark with a 2.78 ERA and 51 strikeouts. Two newcomers look to round out the rotation – right-handed transfers Andrew Brock (Burnaby, B.C. / Douglas CC) and Tim Bourner (Buhl, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC). Brock had an solid summer playing for the New Westminster Royals, going 9-2 with a 1.29 ERA and has a solid change-up. Bourner went 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA in the wood-bat NWAACC last year – and will be used in the closer role early in the season (due to injuries).

BULLPEN: Left-hander Joey Zubizarreta (Boise, Idaho / Cochise CC) will fill a key role out of the pen. One of the team captains, “Zuby” went 1-1 with a 5.15 ERA in 20 appearances last year, but has battled injuries throughout his Coyote career. Another set-up man is senior Pat Lyon (Bonners Ferry, Idaho / Bonners Ferry HS), whose increased velocity last season helped him to an 0-1 mark and a 3.95 ERA in 14 appearances. Transfer Richie Snider (Sandpoint, Idaho / Porterville CC) will assume the closer role once healthy – as the side-arm throwing right-hander has a fastball in the low 90s. Three newcomers will battle for innings out of the pen – redshirt freshman Kris Bittner (Hollister, Calif. / San Benito HS), and freshmen Kyle Johnson (Centralia, Wash. / Centralia HS), Dallan Withers (Salt Lake City, Utah / Juan Diego Catholic HS) and Ben Rodwell (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS).

INFIELD: The infield that fans will see early in the 2007 season may not be the same as late in the year. Everyday third-baseman Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS), an All-CCC selection after hitting .300 with 21 RBI as a freshman, will miss the opening month while serving as a starting guard on the Coyote basketball team. He will also see time at first-base. Taking Champ’s spot at the hot corner early in the season will be freshman Camron Hammond (St. Anthony, Idaho / South Fremont HS), an All-District V selection during his senior year in high school. The Yotes will, however, have the services of All-America shortstop, Casey Oliver (Pocatello, Idaho / College of Southern Idaho), despite his time with the Yote hoop squad. Oliver led the CCC with 21 doubles, hitting .372 with 43 RBI and 20 stolen bases. All-CCC second-baseman Dane McGrady (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) returns after hitting .298 with 21 RBI as a freshman. McGrady will also see time as a back-up catcher. The Yotes look to have Adam Roach (Sacramento, Calif. / New Mexico Highlands U.), twin brother of their All-American pitcher, as their first-baseman – but the senior will miss the early slate due to injury. Roach hit .351 in the NCAA Division II last year and will see time also at third-base. Look for Drew Echanis (Ontario, Ore. / Western Oregon U.) to fill the void at first in the meantime. The junior is a tough out at the plate and hit .280 during the 2005 season at Treasure Valley CC. Battling for playing time and at bats around the horn include sophomore Jacob Garsez (Caldwell, Idaho / Columbia Basin CC) – who has some pop in his bat, sophomore Matt Mejia (Ontario, Ore. / Eastern Oregon U.), junior Jason Cox (Sandpoint, Idaho / Central Washington U.), and freshman Seth Woolstenhulme (Orem, Utah / Orem HS).

OUTFIELD: New names will fill the outfield for the Coyotes, as ACI lost their top four outfielders from the 2006 season. Senior Drew Cauffman (Mountain Home, Idaho / Mountain Home HS) is expected to start the season in right field. Cauffman hit .286 with 13 stolen bases and ten RBI last year and had an outstanding NAIA Region I Tournament. Sophomore Luke Howarth (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) will start the season in center – coming off a rookie campaign in which he hit .304 with 20 RBI. Transfer Tyler Smith (Fruitland, Idaho / Lower Columbia HS) will start in left field, giving the Yotes a left-handed bat in the line-up. Smith hit .297 with six triples during his freshman season, earning All-NWAACC honors. Also in the mix in the outfield is Kent Bradshaw (Caldwell, Idaho / Tacoma CC), another left-handed bat who can be an on-base guy for the Yotes. Battling for at bats in the outfield will be junior Jimmy McDaniel (Eugene, Ore. / Chemeketa CC) and freshman David Brigham (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS).

CATCHER/DESIGNATED HITTER: Calling the pitches for the Yotes this season is All-American, Pat Burke (Sisters, Ore. / Sisters HS). The four-year starter hit .317 last season with 20 RBI and provides power from the right-side of the plate. Freshman Garrett Schultz (Belgrade, Mont. / Belgrade HS) and Dane McGrady will serve as the back-ups for Burke. Burke will also see time at designated hitter, along with both Richie Snider, who hit .417 in junior college last year, and Kent Bradshaw. Battling for pinch-hit at bats will be freshman Matthew Conner (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Coronado HS).

CHANGE IN REGION: Changes have occurred in the NAIA Region I, as rival Eastern Oregon discontinued baseball following the conclusion of the 2006 season. Taking their place in the round-robin schedule for the first time in over a decade is Lewis-Clark State – who will join the Coyotes, British Columbia, Concordia, Corban, and Oregon Tech in playing home-and-home three-game series (a full 30-game league schedule).

2007 SCHEDULE: With the elimination of Eastern Oregon’s program, so went 6-8 games from the Coyote schedule – as ACI will play a 45-game slate in 2007. The non-conference schedule will open with a doubleheader against Northwest Nazarene, two of 23 home games this season. They will then head to Lewiston – playing a pair of games against both Lewis-Clark State and Whitworth. The Yotes will also have two more non-conference games with NNU, a three-game series with NCAA Division III Puget Sound, and a single-game with historic rival, Whitman College (the 229th meeting between the schools).

ABOUT THE COACH: 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 205-140-1 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. 

MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES: For game stories, statistics, and information regarding the Albertson 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: Season Preview

COMING UP: at Lewis-Clark State Invitational - Saturday vs. Montana State-Billings, 8 a.m. (PST), vs. Whitman, Noon (PST); Sunday vs. Gonzaga, 10 a.m. (PST)

LAST YEAR: The Lady Yotes finished the 2006 season with a 4-7 overall record and a fourth-place finish at the NAIA Region I Tournament. 

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 156-106 all-time coaching record.

THE RETURNERS: The Coyotes return their ace, No. 1 singles standout Kyla Westerberg (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS), for the third-straight year.  The junior led the team with a 7-2 singles record at the top of the ladder and was the 2005 NAIA Region I No. 1 singles champion.  ACI will have to replace their No. 2 and No. 3 singles players - as both Anna Moylan and Katie Webster, both four-year members of the team, graduated.  Looking to step up to the challenge are Mariah Armstrong (Sandpoint, Idaho / Sandpoint HS), Karin Hayashida (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS), and Jenna McClean (Ontario, Ore. / Ontario HS) - who played No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 for the Coyotes last year.  The entire group of returners also played on the doubles teams last year.

THE NEWCOMERS: Leading a group of 11 new players is freshman Kim Clements (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) who won back-to-back 4A doubles state championships.  She also qualified for the state tournament in singles in 2004, winning the consolation bracket.  Three other newcomers - Mandy Greif (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS), Jessica Brotherton (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS), and Melissa Rowe (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) each qualified for the state championships in 2006.  They will be joined by two others who played No. 1 singles in high school - Mary Ellen Bauer (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS) and Kate Leadbetter (Grand Junction, Colo. / Fruita Monument HS).

TOUGH SCHEDULE: The 2007 schedule for the Lady Yotes is one of the toughest in the last decade.  ACI will play a pair of weekends in Lewiston - meeting NCAA Division II Montana State-Billings, Division III Whitman, and Division I Gonzaga, right out of the shute.  They will then travel to Tacoma, Wash. for matches against George Fox, Puget Sound, and Pacific, before heading back to Lewiston for a Region I jamboree against host Lewis-Clark State, Southern Oregon, and Alberta.  Throw in a trip to Hawaii and matches against Chaminade, BYU-Hawaii, and Dixie State, roadies against Southern Oregon and the University of Oregon, a home-and-home with Treasure Valley CC, and a home match with LC-State, and the Yotes will be battle tested. 

QUALIFICATION: Unlike in years past, there will be no NAIA Region I Tournament at the end of the year.  To be eligible for the NAIA Championships, a team must be ranked in the NAIA Top-25 and the highest Region I squad will earn a berth.

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2007 women’s tennis team can be found on Albertson women’s tennis official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wtenn