Yote Notes – March 13, 2008

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

BASEBALL: Yotes look to rebound this weekend at home vs. Concordia after tough three-game set vs. LC-State

LAST WEEK: vs. No. 1 Lewis-Clark State (L 10-0, L 8-3, L 13-1)

COMING UP: vs. Concordia (DH), Saturday, 1 p.m.; vs. Concordia, Sunday, 11 a.m.; vs. Central Washington (DH), Tuesday, Noon.

LIVE STATS / INTERNET BROADCASTS: All home College of Idaho baseball games will have Live Stats available, thanks to the NAIA’s contract with DakStats. To access the live stats, head to http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/TeamPage.aspx?association=10&sg=MBA&sea=NAIMBA_2008&team=1612, and click on the corresponding webcast “W” next to the game being played.

STRUGGLES VS. L-C: The “Battle of Idaho” in Caldwell was a one-sided affair this season, as top-ranked Lewis-Clark State swept a three-game set from The C of I earlier this week. The Warriors never trailed in the series, scoring at least one run in the first inning in every game. With the games not counting in the NAIA Region I standings, the Yotes did not waste starting pitching on the series – saving their top arms for the this weekend’s series against Concordia. Instead The C of I staffed the games, as no Yote pitched more than four innings in the series – as 14 different arms saw action on the bump, recording a 9.33 team ERA.

COMMENTS FROM THE COACH: “I think it better be an eye-opener from when we played them earlier how much they’ve advanced versus how much we’ve advanced,” said C of I skipper Shawn Humberger in an interview with the Idaho Press Tribune. “They’re (L-C) putting more time in than we’re putting in and since we can’t do it as a team in a team situation (due to the strict academic standards at The C of I), we can’t go out and practice four or five hours a day as a team like others do. We need to look in the mirror — and know how important it is. You are gonna watch TV or you gonna take some extra swings on your own. The biggest thing is that it is not a sprint, the season is a marathon.”

NUMBERS WITHOUT L-C: With seven games played against the No. 1 team in the NAIA, the Coyote statistics are a bit skewed at the midpoint of March. Without the games against Lewis-Clark State, the Yotes are hitting .311 as a team with a .408 on base percentage, their pitching staff has a respectable 3.69 ERA, while averaging nine runs per game. However, against L-C, the Yotes as a team hit just .211, scoring just 13 runs in the seven games – with the pitchers recording a 7.08 ERA, as Warrior hitters have hit .353 against C of I hurlers.

WITHOUT L-C OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS: What would look like a tough two-season stretch for the Yotes with a combined 39-26 record is not really as bad as it looks. If you take out the 17 games played against Lewis-Clark State, the Coyotes have recorded a 38-10 record over that period.

HITTING IN THREE GAME SET: Two Coyotes did swing a good stick against the L-C pitching staff, as both Jake Miller (Idaho Falls, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) and Alex O’Brien (Everett, Wash. / Everett CC) hit above the .500 mark in the series. Miller went 5-for-9 at the plate and had two outfield assists, while O’Brien went 5-for-10 – including a 3-for-3 outing in Wednesday’s series finale.

BARRY PITCHING WELL OUT OF PEN: Since moving to the bullpen during the Oregon Tech series, Coyote right-hander Jason Barry (Castlegar, B.C. / U. of Northern Iowa) has been stellar in relief. In four appearances, the junior has allowed just two hits in five innings of work, striking out four batters without a walk. Opponents are hitting just .125 against Barry, who has seen his ERA drop from 7.82 to 5.60 in the last two weeks.

BODEWIG MAKES LONG AWAITED DEBUT: Getting the start for the Yotes on Wednesday was Don Bodewig (Brea, Calif. / Cerritos CC), who made his first appearance in a C of I uniform. The right-hander missed all of last season due to injury, but got his feet wet against Lewis-Clark State. Bodewig allowed five runs in three innings of work, but worked a solid second inning during his start.

CONCORDIA COMES TO TOWN: The Yotes return to NAIA Region I “counting” games this weekend, hosting Concordia in a three-game series. The Cavaliers (3-9, 0-3 Region I) are coming off a third-place finish in the NAIA Region I Tournament, but are in the midst of a six-game losing streak. Rob Vance’s squad is led offensively by outfielder Roberto Reyes (.326 7 RBI), first baseman Brad Himes (.450 4 RBI), and shortstop Ben Lanier (.320 2 HR 5 RBI), while they are paced on the mound by Ross Conway (1-1 4.30 ERA, Brett Hawley (0-3 5.68 ERA), and Zac Manor (0-1 7.50 ERA). The Yotes won 5-of-8 games against the Cavs last season – and have won 11 of the last 12 games played between the teams in Caldwell. The first game of the series will be the 86th meeting between the schools since 1987 – with The C of I holding a 62-23 edge.

NON-CONFERENCE TWINBILL WITH CENTRAL WASHINGTON: The Yotes will play their second of three-straight Tuesday’s at home, as NCAA Division II foe Central Washington makes the trip to the Treasure Valley for a doubleheader. The Wildcats (10-9) are coming off a series win over Western Oregon and moved into the No. 8 slot in the D-II West Regional Coaches Poll. Central is led offensively by a trio of infielders – shortstop Jamie Nilson (.415 2 HR 20 RBI), third baseman Frank Donangelo (.346 1 HR 11 RBI), and first baseman Nate Rylaarsdam (.292 3 HR 15 RBI), and on the mound by Michael McCanna (3-0 2.57 ERA) Tyler Levin (1-2 3.03 ERA), and Derek Shoemaker (3-2 3.07 ERA). The two teams have played 51 times since 1987, with the Yotes holding a 40-11 series edge.

REGIONAL TEAM STATS: Batting Average – Lewis-Clark State .344, College of Idaho .276, British Columbia .274, Corban .270, Concordia .261, Oregon Tech .235; Earned Run Average – Lewis-Clark State 3.17, British Columbia 3.80, Oregon Tech 5.02, College of Idaho 5.12, Corban 5.35, Concordia 6.82; Fielding Percentage – Lewis-Clark State .966, Concordia .958, British Columbia .957, Corban .950, College of Idaho .948, Oregon Tech .939.

INDIVIDUAL REGIONAL STATS: Batting Average – Paul Martin (LC) .414, Daniel Flores (CRB) .409, Sean Halton (LC) .405, Brent Wyatt (LC) .394, Josh Ashenbrenner (LC) .393; Runs Batted In – Martin 19, Ikaika Lester (LC) 19, Kyle Greene (LC) 17, Cody Brubaker (CI) 16; Strikeouts – Matt Fitts (LC) 26, Mark Hardy (UBC) 26, Justin Mace (LC) 21, Jordan Emery (CRB) 20, Michael Guerrero (LC) 20.

RECAP OF L-C STATE SERIES: Tuesday (L-C 10, C of I 0; L-C 8, C of I 3) - Lewis-Clark State got a complete-game five-hit shutout from Michael Guerrero in the opener, and jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the nightcap, as the Warriors swept a doubleheader from The C of I, 10-0 and 8-3, at Simplot Stadium. The Warriors extended their win streak to 11 with the victories, getting 27 hits in the twinbill.  Guerrero was the story in the opener, allowing just five hits without a walk, striking out six in the first road complete game shutout by an L-C pitcher since 2000.  An RBI single from Brian Ward in the first gave the transfer all the run support he would need, as the Coyotes did not see a runner reach third base in the game. L-C would add two in the second, including a Brent Wyatt RBI single - part of his three hit game, then got a five-run third to build an insurmountable lead. The Yotes got a pair of hits in the game from Jacob Garsez (Caldwell, Idaho / Columbia Basin CC). Game 2 saw L-C score six early runs off C of I starter, Justin Marsh-Quinlan (Seabeck, Wash. / Olympic CC) - using a two-run Paul Martin double in the second to make it 6-0. The Coyotes would battle back, making it 6-2 in the third on a Cody Brubaker (Post Falls, Idaho / Spokane Falls CC) RBI single and an L-C error that allowed Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) to score from third base.  However, a Kyle Greene homer and a Sean Halton RBI triple in the fifth made it 8-2, with the Warriors bullpen retiring ten of the final 11 batters to hold the lead. Martin and Greene each had two hits in the win for the Warriors, while Jake Miller had the lone multi-hit game for the Coyotes. Wednesday (L-C 13, C of I 1) - Lewis-Clark State pounded out 17 hits against six C of I pitchers, as the Warriors completed a three-game sweep of the Coyotes, winning 13-1 at Simplot Stadium. The win extended the L-C win streak to 12 in a row as Greene hit his fourth home run of the season and Halton went 3-for-4 with two RBI. The Warriors got three first inning runs against C of I starter Don Bodewig. A pair of sacrifice flies and a wild pitch got the Warriors the lead, which was padded in the third on Greene's two-run shot.  A four-run sixth inning put the game away for the visitors from Lewiston. The Yotes pieced together 11 hits in the loss, with Alex O'Brien going 3-for-3, driving in the C of I's lone run with an infield single in the seventh inning. Blaine Hardy tossed five shutout innings to pick up his third win of the season, allowing five hits.

ABOUT THE COACH: The 2008 season marks the 21st year in The College of Idaho baseball program for head coach Shawn Humberger, his eighth year as Coyote skipper. Last season, he led the squad to a 31-17 mark, their third-straight Cascade Conference championship, and a runner-up finish at the NAIA Region I Tournament. During his tenure, Humberger has compiled a 244-166-1 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, 2006, and 2007, along with earning NAIA Region I Coach-of-the-Year and CCC Men's Coach-of-the-Year for all sports in 2002.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyote baseball program, head to the official homepage of the Yotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/baseball.htm.

SOFTBALL: Lady Yotes set to open Cascade Conference play at Eastern Oregon

LAST WEEK: Hosted C of I Classic – vs. Holy Names (W 5-3, W 6-3).

COMING UP: at Eastern Oregon (DH), 1 p.m. (PT)

C OF I CLASSIC A SUCCESS: Six teams converged last weekend in Caldwell as The College of Idaho hosted the C of I Classic at Symms Field. Despite cold temperatures on Friday night, early rain showers on Saturday morning, and windy conditions on Sunday, all 12 games were played – giving each squad much-needed preseason action. It also debuted the new-look Symms Field, as the brand-new brick dugouts were put to use for the first time – drawing rave reviews from teams and fans alike.

FINAL TOURNAMENT STANDINGS: Include scrimmages against the pair of two-year programs at the event, the College of Southern Idaho was the lone team to finish the Classic without a loss – going 2-0. Concordia had a 3-1 record, the Lady Yotes went 2-1, Eastern Oregon had a 3-2 record, Holy Names went 2-5, with Treasure Valley CC going 0-4. Against four-year schools, both Concordia and the Lady Yotes went 2-0, Holy Names went 2-5, with Eastern Oregon going 1-2.

SOME GOOD, SOME BAD WITH THE STICKS: It was not a banner weekend for the Coyotes with the bats – as The C of I struggled against the plethora of change-ups and breaking balls of Holy Names. Although a .327 team batting average is solid, two of the Yotes sluggers – Stacy Smith (Draper, Utah / Juan Diego HS) and Kalie Kurdy (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) went a combined 0-for-8 in the two games, while the team managed just one extra base hit the entire weekend. Stepping up at the plate for the Lady Yotes were Nicole Antonoplos (Boise, Idaho / Idaho State U.) and Kelsi Murdock (Kuna, Idaho / Kuna HS) – as Antonoplos went 4-for-5 with two runs scored, with Murdock going 3-for-7 with an RBI. Haley Butcher (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) continued to swing a hot bat, going 3-for-6 with two RBI.

ARMS STAY FRESH: The three top pitchers for the Coyotes all saw game action in the two games against Holy Names. Chelsey Nokleby (Olympia, Wash. / River Ridge HS) tossed four-plus shutout innings in the 5-3 win on Friday night, allowing just three hits with three strikeouts. Brooke Judy (Kuna, Idaho / Kuna HS) got the final nine outs to pick up the save in the game – allowing three seventh inning runs, thanks to three errors behind her. On Sunday, Katie Zillner (Emmett, Idaho / Chicago State U.) fanned 11 batters in the 6-3 win – the 18th time in her career that she has struck out ten or more batters. It was also her fourth complete game of the season.

TEAM CONFERENCE NUMBERS: Batting Average – Oregon Tech .304, College of Idaho .294, Corban .279, Eastern Oregon .260, Northwest Christian .254, Concordia .236, Southern Oregon .230; Earned Run Average – College of Idaho 1.37, Concordia 1.99, Oregon Tech 2.05, Eastern Oregon 2.74, Northwest Christian 3.48, Corban 3.75, Southern Oregon 6.77; Fielding Percentage -Concordia .956, Oregon Tech .955, Southern Oregon .944, College of Idaho .937, Corban .936, Eastern Oregon .919, Northwest Christian .918.

INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCE NUMBERS: Batting Average – Jennifer Kollaer (CRB) .727, Nicole Illias (CU) .469, Megan Platz (EOU) .462, Haley Butcher (CI) .419, Christina Archambault (SOU) .414; Home Runs – Platz 4, Jenni Bittle (OIT) 4, Butcher 2, Illias 2, Kollaer 2, Tanya Johnston (NCC) 2; Runs Batted In – Kollaer 15, Cotie Howard (NCC) 12, Illias 11, Bittle 10, Katie King (OIT) 10; Earned Run Average – Danielle Pulfrey (CU) 1.08, Kelly West (EOU) 1.17, Katie Zillner (CI) 1.35, Bittle 1.71, Brooke Judy (CI) 1.81).

YOTES MEET EASTERN ON NEW DIAMOND: A week after coming to Caldwell to compete in the C of I Classic, Eastern Oregon will play host to the Lady Yotes on Saturday afternoon, opening up the Cascade Conference season. It will mark the first counting games on the Mountaineers (1-2) new field – Peggy Anderson Field, on the EOU campus, since their old diamond was paved over three years ago to make room for a new residence hall. EOU has played just three counting games, losing 2-of-3 to Holy Names, but has a 4-2 scrimmage record against junior colleges – splitting doubleheaders with Blue Mountain and Walla Walla CC’s, and sweeping Treasure Valley CC. Megan Platz (.462 4 HR 8 RBI) is the main offensive threat for the Mounties, while Melodee Mildenberger (0-2 4.45 ERA) and Kelly West (1-0 1.17 ERA) share time in the circle. The Yotes swept all four games with EOU last season – winning the season series for the first time. However, the Mountaineers hold a commanding 25-10 series edge.

PRESEASON RANKINGS: For the first time, the Lady Yotes were ranked in the NAIA Preseason Top-25 Coaches Poll, earning the No. 14 spot in the voting – the same spot The C of I ended the 2007 season. The squad was also the unanimous pick by the Cascade Conference coaches to win the league title in 2008. The first NAIA Region I Top-5 poll will be released on March 17, with the first regular-season NAIA Top-25 poll set to be released on March 19.

RECAP OF HOLY NAMES GAMES: C of I 5, Holy Names 3 - Haley Butcher keyed a three-run sixth inning with a two-run single, as The C of I opened up their home schedule with a 5-3 victory over Holy Names Friday at chilly Symms Field.. The win for the No. 14 ranked Coyotes extended their home field streak to ten in a row and avenged an early-season loss to the Hawks. Butcher got the Yotes on the board in the second - lacing a single to center, stealing second, moving to third on an error, and scoring on a Kalie Kurdy ground out.  The C of I made it 2-0 in the fifth with a two-out rally, getting a hit from Dani Villyard, who moved to second on a wild pitch, with pinch runner Stephanie Stover scoring on a Sammy Dodge single. The Lady Yotes used the sixth inning rally for insurance, as Butcher picked up Katie Zillner, who had a one-out single, and Katy Luetke, who doubled into the right field corner.  Caylin LePire capped the rally with an RBI single, making it 5-0. It was enough for The C of I, as Chelsey Nokleby tossed four shutout innings, with Brooke Judy earning the save with three innings of relief.  The Hawks stranded six runners in scoring position in the first six innings before scoring three runs in the seventh - thanks to two C of I errors, before Judy fanned Megan Harrison to end the game. Zillner and Butcher each had two hits in the win, while Alicia Ach had two hits for HNU. C of I 6, Holy Names 3 - Nicole Antonoplos and Kelsi Murdock went a combined 7-for-8 with three runs scored and Zillner struck out 11 batters, as the Coyotes earned a 6-3 victory over Holy Names Sunday afternoon at Symms Field. Antonoplos got the first of her school-record tying four hits in the first inning, followed by the first of a career-high three hits from Murdock.  Zillner then hit a grounder to second that was booted, allowing Antonoplos to score from third.  The Yotes would make it 2-0 later in the inning, as Murdock scored on a wild pitch. The Hawks would rally to tie it, getting an unearned run in the fifth on a C of I throwing error, with Megan Harrison's RBI single in the sixth tying the score.  It wouldn't hold long, as a four-run sixth inning gave the Coyotes the win - aided by three Holy Names errors.  Zillner recorded her 18th game with ten-or-more strikeouts on her birthday, notching her fourth complete game of the season.  The senior allowed just two earned runs on six hits with just one walk to improve to 3-2 on the season.

ABOUT THE COACH: Al Mendiola is in his third year as head coach of The College of Idaho softball program and has a 63-40 all-time record – already the all-time winningest coach in C of I history. The native of San Diego, Calif. has helped the Lady Yotes become a force in Northwest softball, leading The C of I to back-to-back playoff appearances, including the 2007 Cascade Conference championship. Following the season, Mendiola was honored as CCC and NAIA Region I Coach of the Year after the Coyotes set a school record with 37 wins, climbing to as high as No. 14 in the NAIA poll, an advanced to the regional title game. Outside of 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 C of I baseball team for seven years. A 1994 graduate of The C of I, Mendiola played two seasons of baseball for head coach Tim Mooney, earning honorable mention NAIA All-America honors as a senior.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyote softball program, head to the official homepage of the Lady Yotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/fastpitch.htm.

TRACK: Helm, Hopper earn All-America honors at NAIA Indoor Championships, Yotes open outdoor season at NNU

LAST WEEK: at NAIA Indoor Championships, Johnson City, Tenn.

COMING UP: at NNU Multi-Events, Thursday-Friday, Nampa; at NNU Open, Saturday, Nampa.

HELM FINISHES SECOND AT NAIA CHAMPIONSHIPS: The College of Idaho women’s track team recorded their highest individual finish in program history at the 2008 NAIA Indoor Championships, as Stephanie Helm (Challis, Idaho / Challis HS) finished second in the final of the 3,000-meters on Saturday afternoon. The freshman was in the mix for the title until two laps to go, when Azusa Pacific’s Jamie Cantebury took off for the win. However, Helm was able to hold off Kelly Hanlon of Roberts Wesleyan for the silver medal – in a time of 10:16.36. “It was as good of a race as Stephanie could have ran,” said head coach Pat McCurry. Helm, who had the fastest time in the preliminary heats, became the first-ever C of I women’s runner to earn All-America honors in track.

HOPPER TAKES FIFTH IN 1,000, EARNS ALL-AMERICA HONORS: In his third trip to the NAIA Indoor Championships, Tyler Hopper (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) had his best performance on the national scene, becoming just the second Coyote men’s runner to earn All-America honors indoors, placing fifth in the final of the 1,000-meters. The senior was in the mix the entire way – in a group of six runners heading into the final lap, however, could not get over the hump. Hopper did pick up a victory in Tennessee, winning his head in the preliminaries – setting a school record time of 2:29.68.

BOTH TEAMS SCORE IN FINAL STANDINGS: Because of the efforts of Helm and Hopper, both the Coyote teams scored points in the meet. Helm recorded eight points for her second-place finish, helping the Lady Yotes to a 22nd-place finish – highest among Cascade Conference teams. Hopper earned two points for his finish, helping The C of I men to a 38th-place finish, their second-highest finish ever.

DMR FAILS TO MAKE FINAL: The other unit to represent the Yotes in Tennessee failed to make the finals, as the Distance Medley Relay, comprised of Katie Ball (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS), Jayne Saunders (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS), Molli Lee-Painter (Moscow, Idaho / Moscow HS), and Maggie Miller (Anchorage, Alaska / Lane CC) finished 13th out of 21 teams – but set a new school record of 12:34, eclipsing the old mark by nearly six seconds.

INDOOR RECORDS BROKEN: Only one men’s indoor record was broken in 2008 – Hopper’s 1,000-meter time from the national meet. However, nine different women’s marks were set – as Courntey Mitchell (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) set records in the 60, 60-hurdles, and 200-meters, Stephanie Sparks (West Jordan, Utah / Juan Diego HS) set the new 800-meter mark, Katie Ball set records in the 1,000-meters and the mile, Stephanie Helm set a new standard in the 3,000-meters, Emily McCutchan (Eagle, Idaho / Cole Valley Christian HS) in the pentathlon, along with the Distance Medley Relay.

YOTES TO COMPETE IN MULTI-EVENTS: The outdoor track season opens on Thursday for a trio of Coyotes, as they will compete in a multi-event meet being held at Northwest Nazarene. Andy Swanson (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS), will compete in the decathlon, while Emily McCutchan and Alex Hughes (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) will compete in the heptathlon. The qualifying marks will allow them to compete in the multi-events at the Cascade Conference meet in May.

SATURDAY IS OPENING DAY FOR OUTDOOR SEASON: The rest of the track team will open up the season on Saturday, as NNU hosts their season opening meet. Highlighting the Lady Yotes will be Stephanie Sparks and Katie Ball in the 800-meters, with Stephanie Helm running the 1,500. The men’s team will be highlighted by Tyler Hopper running the 800 and 1,500-meters, while Jesse Chlebeck (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS) will run in the 3,000-meter race.

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

WOMEN’S TENNIS: Yotes off to Willamette Valley for weekend pair

LAST WEEK: Idle

COMING UP: at George Fox, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (PT); at Pacific, Sunday, 9 a.m. (PT)

YOTES LOOK TO BREAK LOSING STREAK: The College of Idaho women’s tennis team will look to end a season-opening six-match losing streak with a pair of matches against NCAA Division III clubs in the Portland metro area. The Lady Yotes have not won a match against a four-year school since last season’s trip to Hawaii and a win over Dixie State.

ABOUT THE TEAMS: Up first for the Coyotes is George Fox, a former member of the Cascade Conference. The Bruins (1-9) sit in eighth-place in the Northwest Conference, and are led by No. 2 singles player Lindsey Hagler and No. 3 singles player Brittney Ekstrom. It is the eighth meeting between the teams, with the Yotes holding a 5-2 series edge. Sunday, it’s up the road to Pacific, as the Yotes will hook up with the Boxers (0-10). Pacific has failed to win a match in seven of their ten contests this season – including a 7-2 loss to George Fox. No. 4 singles player Sophie Waddington has been the most consistent for the Boxers. It is the 20th meeting between the teams, with the Yotes holding an 18-1 series edge.

NEED A DOUBLES WIN: The Lady Yotes will be looking to pick up their first doubles victory of the season, having lost all 17 tandem matches this season in the six matches. Last year, the Coyotes played well in doubles competition, going 23-23.

AGAINST D-III TEAMS: The Lady Yotes have dominated squads from the NCAA Division III over the years, as The C of I has a 56-29 all-time record against D-III opponents.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Lady Yote tennis team, head to the official home page of the squad, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wtennis.htm.

SKIING: USCSA Championships Recap

LAST WEEK: at USCSA Championships, Sunday River, Maine

COMING UP: Season Complete

WINS FOURTH SNOWBOARD TITLE: It took two days of competition, but College of Idaho snowboarder Evan Williams (Arlington, Vt. / Burr & Burton Academy) completed a phenomenal collegiate career, winning his fourth USCSA National Championship by claiming the SlopeStyle competition in Sunday River, Maine. Williams, who sat in 14th-place after his first run on Wednesday, had that score erased after a perfect run on Thursday, earning 100 of a possible 100 points – using 540-degree aerials, along with aggressive turns on the course. It marked the third time that the senior had won the SlopeStyle event at the USCSA Championships – winning the event in 2005 and 2007, while winning the Halfpipe title in 2006 (the event was not held this year).

MULTIPLE NATIONAL TITLES: Two other C of I snow sport athletes have won multiple NCSA (now USCSA) championships. Brent LaBounty joins Evan Williams as the lone four-time national champ, winning the alpine giant slalom, slalom, and combined events in 1986, followed by a giant slalom win in 1987. Winning three national titles was C of I Hall of Fame athlete Adele Allender, who captured the alpine giant slalom, slalom and combined in 1990.

BREAKDOWN OF NATIONAL TITLES: Of the 16 individual national titles by the Coyotes, the majority have come from the alpine events (eight titles), while Nordic events and snowboard events have each claimed four championships.

MORE BOARDING SUCCESS: Evan Williams was not the only Coyote snowboarder to earn All-America honors in Maine. Women’s boarder Kaylie Aaker (Hailey, Idaho / Wood River HS) placed fifth overall in the final event of the week, the giant slalom, helping the women’s team to a sixth-place overall finish. Aaker ended up 14th-overall in the snowboard combined, with Williams in 16th-place.

WOMEN’S ALPINE FINISHES 11TH: Skiing without a day of rest on tough conditions plagued The C of I women’s alpine team, as the Lady Yotes finished 11th out of 19 teams competing. No skier for the Purple and Gold had an individual finish in the Top-25, as the Coyotes finished one spot below British Columbia in the team standings – the squad they defeated in eight separate runs during the regular season. Lara Mann (Bedford, Mass. / New Hampton School) had the best performance on the team, placing 26th in the slalom and 36th in the giant slalom – with her alpine combined efforts good enough for second-team All-America honors.

MEN’S ALPINE RALLIES FOR 12TH: After a tumultuous giant slalom effort that saw the Coyotes place 16th out of 20 teams, The C of I men’s alpine squad rallied for a tenth-place finish in the slalom, salvaging a 12th-place overall finish at the USCSA Championships. All was not lost for the Yotes, as Dewey Moss (Jerome, Idaho / Oregon State U.) had a fabulous week – earning All-America honors in the giant slalom, slalom, and the alpine combined. The sophomore finished in 14th-place in the giant slalom, followed by an eighth-place finish in the slalom race – with his overall combined effort placing him in seventh overall.

FINAL RESULTS: Men – 1. Massachusetts, 2. Plymouth State, 3. Sierra Nevada, 4. Colby-Sawyer, 5. Rocky Mountain, 12. College of Idaho. Women – 1. Sierra Nevada, 2. Colby-Sawyer, 3. Plymouth State, 4. Boston College, 5. Massachusetts, 10. British Columbia, 11. College of Idaho, 13. Idaho, 15. Puget Sound.

ACADEMIC HONORS: Five athletes were honored by the USCSA for their scholastic efforts - Camrin Braun (Fish Haven, Idaho / Bear Lake HS) on the men's side, and Kaylie Aaker, Katie Kernan (Shelburne, N.H. / Gorham HS), Jessica Wise (Reno, Nev. / Wooster HS), and Alli Straubhar (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) on the women's side.

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