‘Yote Notes – Sept. 19, 2006

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

ATHLETIC NEWS: Coyote Open set for September 22

COYOTE OPEN SET FOR SEPTEMBER 22: Year in and year out, the Coyote Open is one of the biggest golf tournaments in the Treasure Valley. Through the generous support of Treasure Valley businesses, organizations and individuals, this golf tournament is the most successful fund-raising event of the year for the Coyote Athletic Association. It has also become one of the largest tournaments in the area with over 180 golfers.  The 22nd Annual Coyote Open will take place this Friday at Falcon Crest Golf Club in Kuna.  Player entry fee is $100.00 per player.  All entry fees must be ‘paid in full’ prior to the day of the tournament. Online Registration for the Open is available via the Internet at https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/media/_secure/coyoteopen.asp, or to request a player or team entry form, to become a Coyote Open sponsor, or need further information, you may contact Dave Hahn, Director of Development for Athletics, by email at dhahn@collegeofidaho.edu or by phone at (208) 459-5835.

VOLLEYBALL (9-1, 6-0 CCC): No. 14 Coyotes host Eastern, set to meet tough field at Best of the Best Challenge in Indiana

COMING UP: vs. Eastern Oregon, Tuesday, 7 p.m.; at Best of the Best Challenge, Fort Wayne, Ind. – Friday vs. St. Francis (Ind.), 10 a.m. (CDT), Friday vs. Lindenwood (Mo.), 6 p.m. (CDT), two matches Saturday in Bracket Play

LAST WEEK: vs. Warner Pacific (W 3-0), vs. Cascade (W 3-0)

NATIONAL RANKING: The Albertson College of Idaho volleyball team was ranked No. 14 in the second NAIA volleyball poll of the regular-season, released September 13 by the national office in Olathe, Kan. The Yotes fell one spot from the initial poll, and up two spots from their No. 16 perch in the preseason poll. Four others – No. 1 National American (S.D.), No. 22 Westminster (Utah), No. 24 and Lindenwood (Mo.), and Southern Oregon, were among the ACI opponents this season in the Top-25 and others receiving votes.  Seven others - No. 7 Columbia (Mo.), No. 9 Savannah A&D (Ga.), No. 12 Cedarville (Ohio), No. 14 Hastings (Neb.), No. 25 Cornerstone (Mich.), Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), and Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) are among ranked teams the Coyotes may face at the Best of the Best Tournament.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: The Coyotes have been ranked in the Top-25 on eight occasions in program history – the second (No. 24) and third (No. 19) polls of the 1997 season, the preseason (No. 15) and first poll (No. 19) of the 2001 season, the final poll during the 2005 season (No. 24), the 2006 preseason poll (No. 16), and the past two rankings.

YOTES MAINTAIN PERCH ATOP REGIONAL RANKINGS: With a perfect 6-0 start to the Cascade Conference season, the Yotes remain atop the NAIA Region I weekly Top-10 poll. ACI is followed by Westminster, Southern Oregon, Carroll, and Rocky Mountain. Rounding out the top-ten are Great Falls, Oregon Tech, Northwest, Montana Tech, and Concordia. The regional poll is released each Monday, with the NAIA poll released each Wednesday afternoon.

HITTING RECORD FALLS: The Coyotes put on a hitting clinic on Saturday night in the victory over Cascade, establishing a new school record for hitting percentage in the rout. ACI recorded 49 kills in 82 attacks, with just three errors for a .561 percentage – eclipsing the previous mark of .559 against Warner Pacific from 1999 (37 kills in 53 swings with six errors). The record is not only an ACI record, but is the top-percentage in Cascade Conference history and is the eighth-best mark in NAIA history.

TOP HITTING MARKS IN NAIA HISTORY: .769, Brigham Young-Hawaii vs. Alabama State, 1996; .760, Dickinson State (N.D.) vs. Jamestown (N.D.), 1999; .741, Cedarville (Ohio) vs. Maine-Machias, 11/19/04; .673, Bellevue (Neb.) vs. Avila (Mo.), 1998; .606, St Mary (Neb.) vs. Avila (Mo.), 1997; .605, Lee (Tenn.) vs. Judson (Ill.), 1997; .590, Montevallo (Ala.) vs. C.W. Post (N.Y.), 1995; Albertson (Idaho) vs. Cascade (Ore.), 2006; .560, Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) vs. Wilmington (Ohio), 1992; .557, Western Oregon vs. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho), 1995.

MORE ON THE CASCADE WIN: A total of 11 different Coyotes recorded a kill in the 30-14, 30-15, 30-19 win over the winless T-Birds – with four players – Sarah Buhler (Middleton, Idaho / Middleton HS), Michelle Riordan (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS), Katie Hogue (Sparks, Nev. / Reed HS), and Tiffany Sower (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) each recording five-or-more kills without an error.

YOTES END WARNER STREAK: Kathryn Ely (La Grande, Ore. / La Grande HS) led a balanced ACI attack with 11 kills and four blocks, as the Yotes extended their win streak to six matches with a 30-15, 30-11, 31-29 victory over Warner Pacific Friday night. Katie Hogue had six of her nine kills in Game 2, as the Yotes used a 15-1 push midway through the game to get their most lopsided win of the year.  However, Marcy Oakland had five Game 3 kills, as WPC built a 23-19 lead.  The Yotes would get kills from Ashley Galeai (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS) and Ely, along with a Tiffany Sower ace to take a 29-28 lead, with a tandem block from Galeai and Ely ending the match. Aubrey Nielsen (Twin Falls, Idaho / Walla Walla CC) had seven kills and four blocks off the bench and Catherine Everist (Portland, Ore. / Chicago State U.) had a game-high 25 digs in the win.  Oakland led the Knights with ten kills and four blocks, as WPC saw a three-match win streak snapped.

CHERRINGTON HAS HUGE WEEKEND: Success comes with rest for setter Erin Cherrington (Granby, Colo. / Middle Park HS), as the senior has finally gotten some relaxation. The four-year starter did not play in either Game 3 this weekend – marking just the second and third games in her career that she has failed to play in. However, her numbers in the four games she played made up for it, averaging 15.5 assists per game, along with a season-high five aces vs. Cascade. Cherrington leads the Cascade Conference in assist average – ranking second in the NAIA.

HOGUE HAS “PERFECT” WEEKEND: Talk about a near-perfect performance – as All-Conference blocker Katie Hogue put on a clinic in the wins over Warner and Cascade. The junior averaged four kills per game, registering 16 kills in 21 swings (.762 hitting percentage), without a hitting error. Hogue also had five blocks and two aces in the wins. She currently ranks second in the league in hitting percentage (.348), is third in blocks per game (1.30), is sixth in kills per game (3.23), and is sixth in aces per game (0.43).

BEST START EVER: The 9-1 start by the Lady Yotes is the best in program history, dating back to the 1982 season. In recent years, the 1997 and 2005 teams opened the season with 7-3 marks. The top 15 and 20-game starts to season were achieved last season, as ACI opened the year 12-3 and 16-4.

WIN STREAK STREAK: Riding a seven-match win streak, the Lady Yotes have now registered a five-game or more winning streak in each of the last eight seasons. Both the 2003 and 2004 teams share the school record with nine-consecutive wins, while the second-longest streaks belong to the 1999, 2005, and the current squad with seven.

TEAM NUMBERS: As a team, ACI leads the CCC in four categories – blocks per game (3.03 – No. 7 in the NAIA), hitting percentage (.246 – No. 12 in the NAIA), assists per game (14.00 – No. 3 in the NAIA), and kills per game (15.00 – No. 5 in the NAIA).

RECORD BOOK: As the season progresses, it is inevitable that the ACI record books will be rewritten. Currently, three players are already among the all-time top-ten. Katie Hogue ranks No. 4 all-time with 297 blocks and No. 8 with 717 kills. Erin Cherrington is third all-time with 3,965 assists and No. 4 with 156 aces – while her 877 digs puts her eight bumps away from cracking the top-ten. Also on the list is Tiffany Sower, who is eighth all-time with 108 aces. Just outside the list is Anne Parker (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS), who has 202 career blocks – seven away from tenth-place.

MENDIOLA NEARING A MILESTONE: In her sixth-season as head coach, Liz Mendiola has racked up a 110-52 all-time record. She is closing in on a major coaching record – needing four victories to become the all-time winningest volleyball coach in ACI history. Derek Soderblom holds the current mark of 113 wins during his seven years as coach.

YOTES LOOK TO KEEP I-84 BATTLE ONE-SIDED: ACI puts their unblemished Cascade Conference record on the line Tuesday, as I-84 rival Eastern Oregon heads to Caldwell. The Mountaineers (3-8, 2-4 CCC) split their weekend matches – sweeping Cascade, but losing a hard-fought five-game affair with Warner Pacific. First-year head coach Kaki McLean has a balanced team, led by Grace Deboot (2.8 k/g, 2.1 d/g, 1.0 b/g) and Chelsea Lilly (2.8 k/g, 2.8 d/g), which advanced to the league playoffs last year. The Yotes look to continue their dominance of EOU, having won the past 22 meetings, holding a 51-20 all-time series edge.

TRULY THE BEST OF THE BEST: The Lady Yotes will face stiff competition this weekend in making their first-ever regular-season trip east of the Mississippi, traveling to Fort Wayne, Ind. for the Best of the Best Challenge. ACI will face teams from eight of the top NAIA conferences, with eight of the other 11 teams in the tournament listed in last week’s NAIA rankings. The combined record of the 12 teams competing is an astounding 142-36.

POOL PLAY OPPONENTS: ACI has the daunting task of facing tournament host, St. Francis, in their opener. The Cougars (5-3), a member of the Mid Central Collegiate Conference, are led by MCC freshman of the year, Cecelia Tieken (no other information is available on St. Francis). They will then tangle with No. 22 ranked Lindenwood of Missouri, the defending champions of the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Lions (11-5) run a 6-2 offense and are led offensively by Shannon Payne (2.7 k/g, 1.2 b/g) and Sarah Gildehaus (2.7 k/g), and defensively by libero Megan Grebel (5.6 d/g).

SECOND DAY OPPONENTS: On Saturday, the Yotes have three possible opponents in their opening game – Cedarville of Ohio, Cornerstone of Michigan, and Berry of Georgia. The Yellowjackets (15-0), of the American Mideast Conference, are just one of three NAIA teams remaining that are undefeated, thanks to the play of two-time All-American Sarah Zeltman (4.7 k/g, .429 hitting percentage) and blocker Julia Bradley (3.9 k/g, 1.2 b/g). The Golden Eagles (16-2) are coming off a championship at the Judson Tournament over the weekend and are the top team in the Wolverine-Hooiser Athletic Conference. Cornerstone is led by Holly Cousins (3.6 k/g, 4.5 d/g), Shari Van Engen (3.1 k/g, 4.2 d/g), and libero Julie Brusie (8.52 d/g). The Vikings (12-2) are the top-team in the Southern States Athletic Conference and led by All-Americn, Amanda Stiefl – and are coming off upset wins of nationally-ranked Martin Methodist and Georgetown. In the late game Saturday, six other opponents could be on the docket – Columbia of Missouri, Olivet Nazarene of Illinois, Mount Vernon Nazarene of Ohio, Savannah A&D of Georgia, Hastings of Nebraska, or Roberts Wesleyan of New York. The Cougars (11-3), of the America Midwest Conference, went 41-5 last season and advanced to the NAIA title game, losing to Cal Baptist – and return All-America setter Luana Branco. The Tigers (6-8), of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, are the lone team ACI has seen before, and faced before. ONU dropped all four games at the NAIA Tournament of Champions in Salt Lake in August – and faced the Yotes back in 2002 (a five-game win by the Tigers). They are paced by Amber McKeen (2.7 k/g, 1.7 d/g). The Cougars (15-4), of the America Mideast Conference, are led by blocker Sarah Beheler (4.2 k/g, 1.2 b/g) and libero Tiffany Milburn (5.6 d/g). The Bees (8-2), of the Florida Sun Conference, have been idle since Sept. 9. SCAD is paced by the play of Cristina Payne (4.0 k/g, 3.1 d/g). The Broncos (14-1), of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, are one of the surprise teams in the NAIA, having won their first 14 games in a row, before losing Saturday to top-ranked National American. They are led by Celeste Bauer (3.8 k/g, 3.8 d/g) and libero (Renee Faimon (7.0 d/g). The Raiders (10-5), of the America Mideast Conference, just saw coach Jim Vanderhoof win his 300th career game. They are led by hitter Megan Penman (3.5 k/g, 3.0 d/g).

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2006 volleyball team can be found on ACI volleyball official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball.htm. Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball/stats/standings.htm.

MEN’S SOCCER (2-3-1): Yotes win in rain at Montana State-Billings, open CCC play at home Friday and Saturday

COMING UP: vs. Evergreen State, Friday, 4 p.m.; vs. Northwest, Saturday, 2 p.m.

LAST WEEK: at Montana State-Billings (W 1-0)

SEASON SOCCER TICKETS: For the first time ever, a season ticket for Albertson College of Idaho men’s and women’s soccer will be available. For $20 per person, a fan can attend all seven men’s home games, along with all seven women’s home games – at a savings of $50. Admission prices for home soccer games are $5 for adults and $2 for students 17-and-under. A total 17 season passes are still available for purchase – for more information, contact Mike Safford at 459-5681.

REGIONAL RANKINGS: The third NAIA Region I weekly top-five poll of the season saw parity in the Northwest soccer scene. Concordia remained in the top spot, followed by Evergreen State and Corban. Regional teams Westminster and Simon Fraser round out the top-five. In the latest NAIA poll, Concordia is ranked No. 18, with Evergreen State in the Others Receiving Votes category. Fresno Pacific, who defeated ACI earlier this year, is now ranked No. 20.

YOTES BATTLE RAIN AND WIND, TOP JACKETS: In as difficult of playing conditions imaginable, the Coyotes were able to persevere and defeat Montana State-Billings on Saturday afternoon, 1-0, notching their second road victory of the season. ACI got the lone goal of the game in the 22nd minute, as Mauricio Both (Cachoeira de Sul, Brazil / Nampa HS) blasted a shot from the top of the 18 off a feed from Tyler Seaman (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) into the upper left corner to give the Yotes the lead. Senior keeper Rob Erichson (Boise, Idaho / Walla Walla CC) was up to the task, turning away seven Yellowjacket shots on goal to record his second shutout of the season.

FROM THE COACH: “It was a crazy afternoon,” said head coach Brian Smith. “The weather was ridiculous – 30 mile a hour winds, driving rain, and the temperature did not reach 50 degrees – it basically made the game a stalemate. The game was very testy, but I was very pleased with the class the Coyotes showed on the field.”

INJURY REPORT: The health of the Yotes is improving, little by little. ACI received the services of Jesus Lopez (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS) and Antonio Bautista (Homedale, Idaho / Homedale HS) against MSU-Billings, after missing the Whitman counter. Lopez has been battling a hand injury from the preseason, while Bautista is working to get over a strained groin. Rob Erichson sustained a possible broken nose in the win Saturday, but was able to play all 90 minutes and should be ready this weekend. The Coyotes will be without the services of sweeper Sam Reed (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) this weekend, still recovering from a vicious head to head collision from the Whitman game.

CASCADE CONFERENCE NUMBERS: Looking at the overall Cascade Conference numbers, Mitch White (Boise, Idaho / Gonzaga U.) is among the league leaders in four different categories – third in shots (22), fourth in goals scored (3), fifth in shots per game (3.7), and sixth in total points (7). Also among the leaders is Tyler Seaman, who ranks third in total assists (2) and seventh in assists per game (0.4), with Rob Erichson leading the loop in saves (36), saves per game (6.00), shutouts (2), along with ranking fifth in save percentage (.783), and seventh in goals against average (1.94).

ABOUT EVERGREEN: ACI opens up the Cascade Conference slate on Friday afternoon, hosting Evergreen State at Symms Field. The Geoducks (1-3-1) have a deceiving record, having lost each of their three games by a one-goal margin – including tough losses to Western Washington, Trinity Western, and Doane (Neb.). A pair of newcomers, Sean Grisham and Eduardo Milan lead the squad with a goal and an assist apiece, as the Greeners have not allowed a first half goal this season – but have played only one game away from their home turf in Olympia, Wash. Keeper Nick Tasche (1.34 GAA) has been solid in his rookie campaign. The two teams split the series in 2005, with ACI earning a 1-0 overtime win in Caldwell. It is the 18th all-time meeting between the teams, with the Yotes holding a 12-4-1 edge.

ABOUT NORTHWEST: Saturday, Northwest makes their lone trek eastward to meet the Yotes. The Eagles (3-2) are much improved under fourth-year head coach Gary McIntosh, notching wins over Willamette, Northwest Christian, and Walla Walla. They are led by the scoring punch of Amos Freiheit (3 goals, 1 assist) and the goalkeeping of Kyle Wall (0.82 GAA). Northwest has been the offensive force this season, holding a 40-10 edge in corners, while not allowing a first half goal in their five games. ACI will be putting a 13-game win streak against the Eagles on the line, as the Coyotes hold a 20-2 all-time series edge.

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2006 men’s soccer team can be found on Albertson men’s soccer official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/menssoccer.htm. Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/msoccer/stats/standings.htm.

WOMEN’S SOCCER (2-5-1, 1-0-1 CCC): Lady Yotes earn win and tie on road, host Southern and Oregon Tech Friday and Saturday

COMING UP: vs. Southern Oregon, Friday, 2 p.m.; vs. Oregon Tech, Saturday, Noon

LAST WEEK: at Northwest (T 0-0), at Evergreen State (W 2-1)

SEASON SOCCER TICKETS: For the first time ever, a season ticket for Albertson College of Idaho men’s and women’s soccer will be available. For $20 per person, a fan can attend all seven men’s home games, along with all seven women’s home games – at a savings of $50. A family (husband and wife, along with all children) can receive a season pass for just $50. Admission prices for home soccer games are $5 for adults and $2 for students 17-and-under. A total of 17 season passes are still available - for more information, contact Mike Safford at 459-5681.

NAIA REGION I WEEKLY POLL: With a 2-5-1 overall record, the Lady Yotes were not among the NAIA Region I Top-5 poll. Leading the way was Concordia, followed by Carroll, who dropped a pair of decisions in Southern California. Simon Fraser is followed by Rocky Mountain, while no fifth team was listed. The NAIA releases the regional poll every Monday, with the national poll released on Wednesday afternoon.

BIG WEEKEND LEAVES ACI IN SECOND: With the troubles of a five-game losing streak on their minds heading into Cascade Conference play, the ACI women’s soccer team dug deep on their long road trip to Washington state – and it paid big dividends. The Lady Yotes battled for a scoreless draw at Northwest on Friday, then upset 2005 CCC runner-up Evergreen State on Saturday, sitting alone in second-place in the loop standings – two points behind front-running Concordia.

IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN: For just the second time since the CCC began playing back-to-back weekend games in 1998, the Lady Yotes went unbeaten on a road trip. Although ACI has never swept a road trip in league play, the weekend feat equaled that of the 2003 team – which won at Cascade and tied Warner Pacific on the same trip.

FIRST CCC WIN AT EVERGREEN: Sophomore Jayne Saunders (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS) scored a pair of goals as the ACI women's soccer team won for the first time at Evergreen State since 1999, topping the Geoducks, 2-1, in Olympia, Wash. The Coyotes jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first four minutes, as Saunders launched a right-footed rocket from 20-yards out past Evergreen keeper Carly Stewart.  She would then add a second goal with 13 minutes to play, tapping in a loose ball in front of the net after a Mandy Greif (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS) free kick. Evergreen would close the gap inside the final four minutes, as Lisa Leadon scored off a feed from Alice Dietz, but the Yotes defense would hold for the win. ACI had never won a Cascade Conference match on the Greeners home pitch - with their last victory against Evergreen on the road coming in the Arno Zoske Tournament during early September of 1999.

YOTES DRAW ON FIELD TURF: ACI keepers Sadie Hughes (Courtenay, B.C. / Vanier SS) and Amy Rhoades (Eagle, Idaho / Dixie State Coll.) kept Northwest University off the scoreboard, but the Coyotes could not find the net either, as the two teams played to a 110-minute scoreless draw on the fast Field Turf surface at the Starfire Complex in Tukwila, Wash. "I thought we executed our game plan well, we just couldn't find the net," said assistant coach Aisha Reed after the game.  "The officials dictated the pace - neither team could really get into the flow." The draw ended a five-game losing streak for the Coyotes, who were meeting the Eagles for the first time ever.  The freshman Hughes saw action in the first half, with the sophomore transfer Rhoades playing the second half and overtime.

INSIDE THE LOOP NUMBERS: Four different Coyote women’s soccer players are among the leaders in the latest Cascade Conference women’s soccer statistical round-up. Freshman Mandy Greif ranks fifth in the CCC in both total shots (23) and shots per game (2.88), while Allie Dufault (Irvine, Calif. / University HS) is seventh in the league in shots (19) and ninth in shots per game (2.38). Both ACI keepers are on the list – Amy Rhoades ranking No. 3i n shot percentage (.794) and No. 4 in goals against average, with Sadie Hughes ranking No. 8 in goals against average (2.13).

LONG TRIP AWAITING SOUTHERN OREGON AND OREGON TECH: As the Lady Yotes open up the home portion of the Cascade Conference schedule, this weekend’s opponents face their longest travel days of the year. Southern Oregon makes the trek to Caldwell after having a three-game win streak snapped on Saturday. The Raiders (3-4), who have advanced to the last four CCC postseason tournaments, earned victories this year over Simpson, George Fox, and Northwest Christian – thanks to the play of Chelsea Arakawa (4 goals) and Decarie Robertson (2 goals). Last season, the Yotes shutout SOU, 2-0, but the Raiders hold a 5-4 all-time series edge. Saturday, its Oregon Tech heading to Symms Field – off to their best start in program history. The Owls (5-3) are second in the CCC in goals per game, averaging over three per contest, thanks to the potent bunch of strikers Brandy Bocchi (8 goals, 6 assists) and Katie O’Brien (7 goals, 2 assists). OIT gets it done early, outscoring opponents 15-4 in the opening 45 minutes. ACI defeated the Owls, 1-0, last season, and holds a 4-3-2 all-time series edge.

NEW PLAYOFF SCENARIO: With the Cascade Conference eliminating divisions and double round-robin play, a new playoff format will also debut this season. The top-six teams during the nine-game conference schedule will qualify for the CCC Tournament – with the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds earning quarterfinal byes. The regular-season champion, along with the CCC Tournament champion will receive automatic bids to the NAIA Region I Tournament.

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2006 women’s soccer team can be found on Albertson women’s soccer official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmenssoccer.htm. Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wsoccer/stats/standings.htm.

CROSS COUNTRY: Yotes have week off after losing dual at Idaho State

COMING UP: at Willamette Invitational, Sept. 30, Salem, Ore.

LAST WEEK: dual at Idaho State (Men L 19-37, Women L 15-49)

COYOTE MEN CRACK TOP-25:  Paced by a solid opening season race, the ACI men's cross country team cracked the NAIA Top-25 poll this week, earning a No. 20 ranking in the first regular-season poll, released today in Olathe, Kan.  The Coyotes ran well at the Hampton Inn Fall Harrier Classic in Nampa, losing only to NCAA Division I Boise State, and defeating Eastern Oregon, Northwest Nazarene, and then No. 17 ranked Lewis-Clark State.  It marks the second-straight season ACI has been ranked in the national poll - as the Yotes rose to as high as No. 8 in the polls last year.  The Coyotes are competing in just their third season of cross country since the school discontinued the sport in 1977.  Virginia Intermont claims the top spot, while four other NAIA Region I schools are ranked - No. 6 Simon Fraser, No. 13 Concordia, No. 14 British Columbia, and No. 21 Lewis-Clark State.

TOUGHEST COURSE IMAGINABLE DOES COYOTES IN: Racing against an NCAA Division I opponent is difficult enough, but racing on what head coach Pat McCurry felt was "the toughest course I have ever seen" made it worse, as the Coyote harriers dropped duals at Idaho State in Pocatello on Saturday.  With temperatures hovering around 40-degrees, a wind of 25-40 miles a hour blowing, and a hilly course which was doused with rain the day prior, did not help the Yotes chances against the Bengals.

MEN'S RESULTS: With No. 1 runner Tyler Hopper (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) battling illness all week, it was Jesse Chlebeck (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS) taking the top spot for the Yotes, placing fourth in 20:15 - ten seconds faster than Hopper, who placed fifth.  The only other top-ten finishes by the Yotes were freshmen Geoff Williams (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) and Mike Tobiason (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS), who finished eighth and ninth.

WOMEN' S RESULTS: Facing a very good Idaho State team, ACI struggled, as the Bengals took the top six places.  Leading the Yotes for the second-straight race was true freshman Molli Lee-Painter (Moscow, Idaho / Moscow HS), who finished eighth in 17:54.  Genny Gerke (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) was the only other Yote in the top-ten, finishing tenth.

A WEEK OF REST: The Coyotes will take this weekend off from competition, focusing on training for their first distance meet of the season, the Willamette Invitational.  It will mark the first time this season the women will race at 5,000-meters, with the men racing at 8,000-meters.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the ACI cross country team, including runner profiles and top times, head to the official website of the Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/xc.htm.