Yote Notes – November 4, 2008

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

 

 

 

 

 

ATHLETIC NEWS:

 

IDAHO STAMPEDE TO HOLD INTRA-SQUAD GAME IN ACTIVITIES CENTER: The Idaho Stampede are teaming up with The College of Idaho for an inter-squad scrimmage on November 19 at 7 p.m. at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center in Caldwell – with all proceeds raised to benefit the Coyote Men’s Basketball Team.  For the Idaho Stampede, this will be the last day of the 2008 training camp.  Head coach, Bryan Gates will then have to cut his team down to the final roster after the game.  “This is a great way to gauge where our draft picks are,” said Gates.  “We are thrilled to be able to play on the court where Coach Owen and Coach Holly have created a positive and winning environment.”  Tickets for the inter-squad game are just $5.  They can be purchased at the Idaho Stampede office, at The C of I Ticket Office in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center, or by phone at 459-5681.  Fans may also purchase tickets at the door on the game-day.  All major credit cards are accepted but cash is encouraged.  “We are very excited to be participating in a fundraiser for the College of Idaho,” said Stampede President and General Manager, Steve Brandes.  “The Idaho Stampede are open to any and all opportunities to contribute back to the Treasure Valley.”  Fans will have the chance to get autographs from the Stampede players, Rumble, and Spirit dance team after the game.

 

NO HOSPITALITY ROOM IN 2008-09: The College of Idaho Athletic Association has announced that there will be no hospitality room for boosters during the upcoming basketball season.  “Last season, we spent nearly $4,000 for food and beverages for the hospitality room, and we feel that this is money that should be spent on our student-athletes,” said athletic director, Marty Holly.  “I’m sure that all supporters understand that the money should be directed toward our athletic programs.”

 

ORANGE SALES CONTINUE: Once again, The C of I baseball team will be out in the community, selling boxes of apples and oranges.  To secure yourself a box of fruit, contact head coach Shawn Humberger at 459-5861.

 

DONATE TO THE COLLEGE OF IDAHO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION: Click here to make your tax deductible gift to assist the CIAA with post-season championships team travel, scholarships and recruiting - https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/media/_secure/makeagift.asp

 

MEN’S BASKETBALL: New look Yotes to open season in La Grande against No. 22 LC-State and Montana Tech

 

COMING UP: at Quinn Classic, La Grande, Ore. – Friday vs. No. 22 Lewis-Clark State, 6 p.m. (PT); Saturday vs. Montana Tech, 6 p.m. (PT)

 

ON THE AIR: Once again during the 2008-09, Coyote basketball games can be heard live in the Treasure Valley on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford Jr. calling the play-by-play.  The opening broadcast is set for Friday night against Lewis-Clark State, with the pregame show beginning at 6:40 p.m.  At the current time, no internet broadcasts will be available for road games, while the Yotes are working with Penn Atlantic to bring a Live Video broadcast of home games.

 

LIVE STATS: Live stats of both games at the Quinn Classic will be available via the internet on the Eastern Oregon athletic website at http://snake.eou.edu/athletics/livestats/mbx/xlive.htm.

 

ABOUT LEWIS-CLARK STATE: The Coyotes will open the 2008-09 season on Friday night at the Quinn Classic in La Grande and a meeting with fellow Idaho school, Lewis-Clark State.  The Warriors (22-10 in 2007-08) of the NAIA Division I are the two-time defending Frontier Conference champions and are ranked No. 22 in the NAIA Division I preseason national poll.  Head coach Tim Walker has retooled his club following the departure of six seniors – but his squad returns shooter Brian Duckworth (10.9 ppg, 3.4 apg, 42% 3fg), guard J.R. Gordon (8.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg), and forward Kacey Riley (6.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg).  Three quality NCAA Division I transfers will make an immediate impact – former Kansas State player Curtis Allen, seven-foot big man James Craft from Tennessee State, and 6-10 post Drew Arnold of Weber State, while former All-Cascade Conference performer, Tanner McIntosh, has made the jump from Eastern Oregon.  The two clubs have not met since the 2002-03 season, when L-C handed the Yotes a 69-62 loss at the Westminster Classic.  It marks the 73rd meeting between the teams, dating back to 1935, with the Coyotes holding a 42-30 series edge.

 

ABOUT MONTANA TECH: The Yotes will close out the tournament with a Saturday match-up with Montana Tech, who will look to end a six-game losing streak to The C of I.  The Orediggers (6-23) did not get much respect in the Frontier Conference preseason poll, sharing the cellar with Great Falls, but showed promise in their season opening wins – 114-40 victory over Golden State Baptist, as six players scored in double figures, then blew out CCC rival Northwest 92-72 on Saturday night.  Tech has a fresh team, as Troy Trudnowski (9.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 40% 3fg) and Dirk Anderson (6.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg) are the top returners, while newcomer Brian Davidson had 18 points and six rebounds in the season opener, while James York canned 19 against NU.  It is the 26th meeting between the teams since 1971, with the Yotes holding an 18-7 series edge.

 

HISTORY AT THE QUINN:  It marks the fourth consecutive year that the Yotes have traveled in November to La Grande for the Quinn Classic, hosted by Eastern Oregon.  The C of I has a 5-1 mark in the tournament, having lost their opening game during the 2005-06 season to Carroll College, but have won their last five games in the tournament, including a 66-57 win over Montana Western and a 78-70 victory over Montana Tech in the 2007-08 classic.

 

THREE POINT LINE: The NCAA Rules Committee has changed the distance for the men’s three-point line, extending it to 20-feet, nine-inches, a foot deeper than in the past.  However, the women’s distance will remain at 19-9 – thus two three-point lines on the floor at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.

 

QUICK SYNOPSIS:  Optimism is abound for The College of Idaho men’s basketball program this season, as the Yotes look to put just their third losing season in the last 28 years behind them.  With a pair of returning All-Conference players on their squad, along with a outstanding junior college recruiting class, the Coyotes look to once again join the elite squads in the Cascade Conference – and make a run toward their sixth NAIA Division II national tournament appearance in the last nine seasons.

 

LAST SEASON/PLAYERS LOST: The 2007-08 was a tough season for the Coyotes, from the stand-point that a 13-18 record could have been a 21-10 mark – as The C of I lost eight games in which they were within a possession of the lead within the final three minutes, including three games by just one point.  The Yotes had the lead late on two occasions against Oregon Tech, Eastern Oregon, and Westminster – all national tournament teams, and claimed a victory over Evergreen State, which played in the CCC title game.  Five players were lost from the club – including two seniors, one being All-CC and honorable mention NAIA All-American Josh Owen, who led the team with a 17 point per game average and 90 three-point baskets.  The Yotes will also need to fill the void of forward J.R. Maggard, who averaged 11 points and seven rebounds during conference play last season.  Three underclassmen reserves left the program following the season – Anton Coleman transferred to Dickinson State, Andy Maxwell transferred to Columbia Basin CC, and Donnel Garner, who transferred to Scottsdale CC.  The Coyotes will also be without one of their top recruits, Londale Theus (Los Angeles, Calif. /New Mexico State), who will use a medical redshirt due to an injury sustained during the offseason.  Overall, the Yotes will return nine of the 14 members of last season’s team, including 65-percent of their scoring punch.

 

POSITION BY POSITION – POINT GUARD: One of the things that ninth-year head coach Mark Owen looked for in the recruiting process was a true point-guard – with junior college transfer Kelvin Potts (Oakland, Calif. / Chabot CC) filling the role.  Potts, who was the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year at Clark-Atlanta College, then earned All-Coast Conference honors last year at Chabot CC, where he averaged six assists per game.  Another newcomer, Duncan Koga (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS), will be one of the options off the bench – after earning All-Southern Idaho Conference honors at Caldwell High.  Two returners, senior Calen Blessinger (Blackfoot, Idaho / Columbia Basin CC) – who saw action in 26 games last year, and sophomore Kyle Redman (Declo, Idaho / Declo HS), who played in ten games as a freshman.

 

POSITION BY POSITION – SHOOTING GUARD/WING: The Coyotes have multiple options at their off-guard positions, led by two-time CCC Defensive Player of the Year, Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS), The senior, who was named to the 15-player Preseason All-CCC Team, is coming off his best season of his career, averaging 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game, while leading the NAIA Division II in steals with 100.  Also back for the Yotes is Steffen Spinks (Manteca, Calif. / East Union HS), who has started 28 games over the past two seasons.  The junior averaged ten points and three rebounds per game last season in over 28 minutes per game.  Three others look to make an immediate impact – two junior college recruits and a redshirt freshman.  Jordan Stokes (Las Vegas, Nev. / Lassen CC) is coming off a fabulous sophomore season at Lassen CC for former C of I guard Ben Riley – averaging 22 points a night, earning CCCAA All-State honors.  Stokes has tremendous leaping ability and will be an immediate impact player.  Providing spark from outside the arc is Brian Bergerson (Modesto, Calif. / Modesto CC), who will provide mismatch problems with his 6-6 frame on the outside.  Bergerson averaged 16 points a game at Modesto CC last year, connecting on 46-percent of his three-point attempts.  After missing all of last season due to injury, Terriel Thomas (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) will make his C of I debut – an athletic player who can excel at both ends of the floor. Rounding out the group is Jordan Taylor (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS), who will be a reserve guard this season.

 

POSITION BY POSITION – ON THE BLOCK: The Yotes are excited to get Craig McGee (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) for two more years, after the 6-8 junior received a medical redshirt after a hand injury early last season.  McGee averaged over 15 points a game, making 68-percent of his field goals during his limited time last year, good enough to draw the attention of the CCC coaches, who named him to the Preseason All-CCC Team.  Two other four-year members of the program return – Kurt Nielson (Rexburg, Idaho / Eastern Utah CC) and Ryan Sinfield (Redwood City, Calif. / St. Francis HS).  The 6-5 Nielson has played in 87 games during his career, starting 42, and is coming off his best season, averaging eight points and five rebounds per night. Sinfield looks to be the surprise during his senior season, coming into fall camp in outstanding shape and will use his 6-7 body to bang in the paint.  Rounding out the posts is 6-7 junior college transfer Jabari McIntosh (Union City, Calif. / West Valley CC), who averaged eight points and six rebounds per game, while knocking home 50-percent of his field goal attempts at West Valley CC last year.

 

PRESEASON NATIONAL POLL: The C of I earned one vote in the 2008-09 NAIA Division II Preseason Top-25 Coaches Poll, released Oct. 27 by the national office in Kansas City, Mo.  For the Coyotes, coming off a 13-18 season, it marks the 16th-straight season that the team has earned a vote in the poll.  They had a streak of 15-straight years of Top-25 appearances ended last season.  Four other CCC teams were in the Top-25 - No. 1 Oregon Tech, No. 6 Eastern Oregon, No. 20 Evergreen State, and No. 24 Warner Pacific, while three other opponents - No. 13 Westminster and No. 22 Lewis-Clark State in the NAIA Division I poll, and Menlo, receiving votes in the NAIA Division II poll, were among the elite teams.

 

CASCADE CONFERENCE COACHES POLL: The C of I was picked fifth out of 11 teams as the Cascade Conference coaches announced their 2008-09 Preseason Poll, released Oct. 15 by the league office in Portland, Ore.  Defending NAIA Division II champions, Oregon Tech, claimed eight first-place votes to take the top spot, while 2007-08 CCC champion Eastern Oregon took the other three first-place votes and was second.  Evergreen State and Warner Pacific were tied for third, just four voter points ahead of the Coyotes.

 

NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE: Year in and year out, the Coyotes play one of the more demanding preseason schedules in the entire NAIA Division II – and the 2008-09 season is no different, as of the 11 games, seven are against NAIA Division I teams, two against NAIA Division II teams, and one each against a NCAA Division II and III team.  The season opens at the Quinn Classic in La Grande, Ore., with games against Frontier Conference squads Lewis-Clark State and Montana Tech.  L-C (22-10 in 2007-08) has won back-to-back conference titles and boasts three D-I transfers, while Tech (6-23) looks to rebound after a six-win season.  The Yotes return to the Treasure Valley for the United Heritage Tip-Off – the annual exhibition clash with Northwest Nazarene, picked fifth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, returning three starters from a 17-10 team.  It’s then off for their annual trip to Las Vegas – meeting Golden State Athletic Conference clubs Fresno Pacific and Westmont.  FPU went 19-12 last season, but must replace their top four scorers, while Westmont, which went 15-13 last year, was picked ninth in the GSAC preseason poll.  The Yotes open their home schedule with the Duane Wolfe Memorial Golden Rule Shootout, as Willamette and Westminster return for a third-straight year.  Willamette (11-15) returns three players who averaged ten or more points a game, while Westminster, coming off a 20-7 season – their sixth-straight 20-win campaign, returns four starters, including all-star Danny Stosich.  Thanksgiving weekend will be spent in the Bay Area – traveling to Menlo and Holy Names.  Menlo (18-10) is coming off an NAIA Tournament appearance and returns shooter Brandon Cochran and 6-11 post Chris Funke, with Holy Names (16-16) will look to 6-10 big man Richard Westphalm to help the squad in their quest for a third NAIA Tourney appearance in four years.  The non-league slate closes with the Wendy’s Classic in Nampa, meeting San Diego Christian and Montana Western.  SDCC (5-23) is coming off a five-win season and were picked tenth in the GSAC – and have to replace their top two scorers, while Western (10-19) looks to be an uptempo club, thanks to returning guards

 

CCC SCHEDULE: Each year, the Cascade Conference is one of the top NAIA Division II leagues in the nation, and this season is no different – as four teams were in the preseason Top-25.  Defending national champion, Oregon Tech, did not even win the CCC title last year, but returns four starters from last season’s club – including guard Jguwon Hogges and post Josh Wetzler.  Right at OIT’s heels is Eastern Oregon, the 2007-08 regular season champ, advancing to the NAIA Tournament second-round.  Eastern returns point-guard Jeremy Templeton and post Paul Carollo – along with a high-profile recruiting class.  Evergreen State is one of the more impressive teams in the loop, thanks to CCC Preseason Player of the Year, Nate Menefee.  Coach Jeff Drinkwine returns nearly every player from last season that finished one win away from the NAIA title.  Warner Pacific looks to retool this season – having lost five senior starters, but Bart Valentine had a tremendous recruiting class and will be in the mix.  Watch out for Concordia and all-star guard Desmond Meray, Corban’s small forward Wade Douglas, Northwest’s big-man Greg George, while Southern Oregon looks to run-and-gun this season.  Northwest Christian will also be improved in their second season in the league, while Cascade, which will close as an institution and the end of the year, looks to have one final memorable campaign.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more on The C of I men’s basketball program, head to the homepage of the Coyotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.htm.

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (0-1): Yotes stun Weber State, set for home tilts vs. Concordia-Irvine and NW Christian

 

LAST WEEK: at No. 13 Westminster (L 109-84), at Weber State (W 69-65 – exhibition)

 

COMING UP: vs. Concordia-Irvine, Thursday, 7 p.m.; vs. Northwest Christian, Saturday, 7 p.m.

 

ON THE AIR: Thursday’s C of I-Concordia game will be carried live on the Internet at www.collegeofidaho.edu/media/audio/YoteSports.asx.  All Lady Yote road CCC games will be carried live on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford Jr. calling the action.  In addition, the Coyotes are hopeful that live internet video will be available for home games through Penn Atlantic later this season.

 

LIVE STATS: No live stats of the weekend games will be available.

 

YOTES STUN WEBER STATE: It was called a “frenetic” game by the Weber State sports information office and WSU head coach Carla Taylor stated, “Their defensive intensity dictated this game,” – as little NAIA Division II College of Idaho upended NCAA Division I Weber State, 69-65, on Monday night.  The Coyotes used a 10-0 run to close the game to pick up their first victory against a D-I team, albeit in an exhibition game.  The Lady Yotes forced 20 turnovers in the win, including a key steal with less than 30-seconds left in the game.  Taylor summed it up – “They flat out-played us tonight,”

 

D-I GAMES UNDER ROSSI: It marked the ninth time that head coach Reagan Rossi had faced an NCAA Division I opponent, and was the fifth exhibition game against an upper division team (since the NAIA reinstated exhibitions in 2004).  The following are the scores of the nine games against D-I competition:  2001-02 – Utah 93, C of I 45; Southern Utah 89, C of I 77; 2002-03 – Boise State 90, C of I 46; 2003-04 – Boise State 69, C of I 39; 2004-05 – Boise State 81, C of I 54; 2005-06 – Boise State 91, C of I 57; 2006-07 – Utah 93, C of I 45; 2007-08 – Utah State 99, C of I 65; 2008-09 – C of I 69, Weber State 65.

 

HIGHEST COMBINED SCORE: The 193 points combined between the Lady Yotes and Westminster on Saturday night equaled the highest combined score in program history – joining a 99-94 victory over Concordia from the 1996-97 season.  The 109 points scored by Westminster in their win was the second-most allowed by a C of I team – the most, 110 points by Lewis-Clark State during the 2006-07 season.

 

STRUNK STELLAR IN SEASON OPENER: In the season opener at in Salt Lake, it was a nice debut for transfer Katie Strunk (Shoshone, Idaho / Walla Walla CC), who scored a game-high 22 points and led the Yotes with nine rebounds.  The junior hit 10-of-15 shots from the floor and added a pair of free throws off the bench.

 

VANDER ESCH, GALL LEAD THE WAY: Two Coyotes scored in double-figures in both the Westminster and Weber State games – Christon Vander Esch (Riggins, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) and Nicole Gall (Boise, Idaho / Santa Clara U.).  Vander Esch had 16 points, seven rebounds, and tied a career-high with six blocked shots against Westminster, then followed it up with 12 points and nine rebounds at WSU.  Gall had 13 points and six rebounds against Westminster, with the former D-I player scoring 16 points with five boards at Weber State.

 

VANDER ESCH KEEPS STREAKS ALIVE: By scoring and grabbing a board against Westminster, Christon Vander Esch kept a pair of longstanding streaks alive.  The senior has now scored at least one point in 40 consecutive games and had a rebound in 50-straight contests.  She now has 97 career blocks – just three away from becoming just the second C of I player to record 100 blocks in a career (Kristin Bailey had 222 blocks from 2002-04), while picking up her 154th steal, fourth-best all-time.

 

HOME SCHEDULE BEGINS THURSDAY: The Lady Yotes will play the first two of six non-conference home games this weekend, hosting Concordia-Irvine and Northwest Christian in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.  Thursday, the NAIA Division I Eagles (10-20 in 2007-08) make their second appearance ever in Caldwell.  CUI returns 14 players from last season’s team – including their top-three scorers – Kayanna Nichols (11.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Nicole Fu (9.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg), and Lauren Sahli (8.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), but are playing for new coach Jenny Hansen,  The teams have split their two previous meetings, but the Yotes upended the Eagles 71-47 in Caldwell in 2004.  Saturday, the Yotes meet the Beacons (14-17 in 2007-08), their fellow CCC member, in a rare non-conference tilt (a return game for the Yotes 72-46 exhibition win in Eugene from 2003-04),  NCU was picked sixth in the CCC Preseason Poll, with post Emily Gray (19.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg) earning Preseason All-CCC honors, while forwards Elise Gray (11.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and McKenzie Gambie (9.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg) tough to stop on the interior.  It marks the third regular-season tilt between the clubs, with the Lady Yotes holding a 2-0 series edge.

 

GAME RECAP – WESTMINSTER 109, C OF I 84: Westminster College hit 13 three-point baskets and forced 28 C of I turnovers, as the NAIA Division I No. 13 Griffins upended the Lady Yotes, 109-84, Friday in Behnken Field House in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The Griffins jumped out to a 35-15 first half lead, as Alisha Leader scored 16 of her 27 points in the opening period - however, the Coyotes would rally, cutting the margin to 47-38 on a ShaNae Horner (West Jordan, Utah / Snow CC) bucket, and trailed by ten at the break.  The Lady Yotes could not keep up the pressure, as Westminster scored the first ten points of the second half and led by as many as 33 in the contest - as The C of I allowed the second-most points in school history.  Transfer Katie Strunk led the way with 22 points and nine rebounds in her C of I debut, while Christon Vander Esch had 16 points, seven rebounds, and six blocked shots.  Three Westminster players scored 20-or-more points - Keisha Catten led the Griffins with 28 points, Leader had 27, and Alexis Tucker scored 20.

 

GAME RECAP – C OF I 69, WEBER STATE 65 (EXHIBITION): A rebound and put-back by Nicole Bruce (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) with 51 seconds left gave The C of I the lead for good, as the Lady Yotes shocked NCAA Division I opponent Weber State, 69-65, in an exhibition game Monday in the Dee Events Center.  For the Coyotes, it marked the first time (regular season or exhibition) that they have defeated a D-I program - holding the Wildcats of the Big Sky Conference without a field goal for the final five minutes of the game.  WSU took a 65-59 lead on a pair of Lacie Barnes free throws with 4:18 remaining.  However, ShaNae Horner began the rally with a triple, then Nicole Gall added a jumper with 2:30 left to pull the Yotes within one.  The C of I would get three offensive rebounds in their next possession, with Bruce grabbing the board off a Gall missed three, sticking it back home to make it 66-65.  The Yotes would hit 3-of-4 free throws to seal the win, as the Wildcats missed four shots in the final 40 seconds.  After trailing 24-16 with six minutes left in the opening period, the Coyotes used an 8-0 run, keyed by four points from Christon Vander Esch, to tie the game - and went to the locker room trailing 34-33.  The Lady Yotes would use a 13-2 second half run to take their biggest lead of the night at 46-40 with 14 minutes left - but watch WSU rally to regain the lead before The C of I's late heroics.  Horner led all scorers with 17 points, with Gall scoring 16 in the win.  Vander Esch had 12 points and nine rebounds, with Bruce chipping in with ten points and eight rebounds.  Tonya Schnibbe led WSU with 15 points, but the Wildcats struggled to 6-of-25 shooting from outside the arc.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more on The C of I women’s basketball program, head to the homepage of the Lady Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm.

 

MEN’S SOCCER (13-2-1): Yotes to host Warner Pacific in CCC Semifinals Wednesday at Vallivue High School

 

LAST WEEK:. Idle

 

COMING UP: Cascade Conference semifinals – Wednesday vs. Warner Pacific, 3 p.m. (Vallivue HS)

 

PLAYOFF GAME MOVED TO VALLIVUE HIGH: With the Symms Field pitch still unplayable, the Coyotes have moved their CCC semifinal game to Vallivue High – with a 3 p.m. kickoff.  To get to VHS, take Indiana Street south to Homedale Road and make a right, turn right at first four-way stop (Montana Ave.), the soccer field is located just north of the football stadium on your right.  Admission will be charged at the event - $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for students (fans with C of I soccer season passes will be admitted for free).

 

FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF RECAPS: The opening round CCC Tournament games went as the seeding did – as Cascade played Northwest to a 1-1 draw, advancing 5-3 on penalty kicks, while Warner Pacific dominated Corban, 6-1.  The two divisions will again cross over this Wednesday, as Warner Pacific will meet The C of I, while Cascade travels to Concordia.  The winners will play next Wednesday in the CCC title game – with an automatic berth to the NAIA National Tournament on the line.

 

ABOUT WARNER PACIFIC: The Yotes will host high-scoring Warner Pacific in the semifinals – the first home playoff game for The C of I since 2003.  The Knights (13-5) are on a roll, having won their last four games and lead the league with 56 goals scored this season.  WP has scored three or more goals ten times this season, however, when they have been held under two goals, they have a 2-4 record.  Davor Lukic (14 goals, 5 assists) has been Bernie Fagan’s go-to player, while Luis Gavlan (11 goals, 8 assists), Chris Price (9 goals, 7 assists), and Alijia Sacirovic (7 goals, 9 assists) are dangerous.  Keeper Ted Latta (1.36) has logged nearly every minute in goal.  It marks the 28th meeting between the clubs, with the Yotes holding a 14-11-2 series edge.

 

PLAYOFF HISTORY WITH WP: It marks the third time that the Coyotes and Knights have met in the postseason – but the first time in 18 years.  The last meeting was in 1990, with WP defeating the Yotes, 3-2, on the way to the NAIA District 2 title.  In1989, the two teams met in the District 2 title game, despite goals from Derek Jordan and Mike Ray, the Yotes lost 3-2.  However, The C of I was awarded the victory and the regional title following the season after the Knights revealed they had used an ineligible player.

 

RECAP OF FIRST MEETING: Antonio Bautista (Homedale, Idaho / Homedale HS) scored his fifth-consecutive game-winning goal, pouncing on a rebound in the 77th minute and slotting it home, as The C of I, playing a man down for the final 32 minutes, topped Warner Pacific, 2-1, Oct. 17 at Syringa Middle School.  Mauricio Both (Cacheoira de Sul, Brazil / Nampa HS) started the counter-attack with a run up the middle, with his drive from 35-yards blocked by Knights keeper Ted Latta.  However, Bautista collected the ball to the left of the goal and found the net for the 16th time this season, lifting the Yotes to their ninth-straight win.  The Yotes jumped in front in the third minute, as Bautista crossed a ball over the middle of the WP defense, finding Emir Kobic (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) at the left corner of the 18, where he flicked the ball into the right corner of the net.  The hosts nearly made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute, as Latta blocked a Kazuki Murata (Tokyo, Japan / International Secondary Inst.) free kick, with the Coyotes pounding the rebound into the net - but were called for offsides, negating the goal.  Things got interesting in the second half, as C of I keeper Aaron Reynolds (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) misplayed a ball in the six-yard box - tackling a WP player to stop a goal, earning an automatic ejection.  However, back-up keeper Trevor Spielman (Idaho Falls, Idaho / Idaho Falls HS) made a diving save of Luis Galvan's ensuing penalty kick - keeping the Yotes in front.  With the man advantage, the Knights were finally able to crack the Coyotes zone, as Chris Price one-timed a shot off a Galvan pass in the 60th minute to even the score.  The game was pretty even, with WP holding a 15-10 edge in shots and a 9-6 edge in shots on goal - but the Yotes holding a 6-4 margin in corner kicks, including five during the 11-vs-10 period.

 

12TH PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: The C of I has qualified for the postseason on 12 occasions (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008) and boasts a 10-13 playoff record.  The Yotes won the 1989 District II title, the 2000 NAIA Region I title, and the 2000 and 2003 CCC Tournament titles – while advancing to their lone NAIA Tournament in 2000 (losing to Mobile (Ala.), 4-2).

 

PERFECTION: The College of Idaho became just the second team in the history of the CCC to complete an unbeaten, untied league schedule – going 12-0.  George Fox was the only other team to accomplish the feat, going 5-0 during the 1994 season, while Corban (then known as Western Baptist) had a 5-0-1 record in 1996.  The previous best finish for the Yotes in league play was in 2001, when The C of I finished 10-2.

 

TOP SCORING SEASONS: Antonio Bautista (Homedale, Idaho / Homedale HS) is closing in on the most prolific scoring season by a Coyote – as he is three goals away from the top mark. Nine times in C of I history has a men’s soccer player scored more than 15 goals in a season – led by the 23 goals scored by Matt Blazek in 1998.  Derek Jordan (22 goals in 1989) is second on the list, followed by Coe Michaelson (21 goals in 2001), Jason Southward (20 goals in 2003), Bautista (20 goals in 2008), Blazek (18 goals in 1997), Jared Larsen (18 goals in 1999), Larsen (17 goals in 2000), and Joe Chandler (17 goals in 2003).

 

TITLES:  This season marked the third time that the Yotes have won a CCC championship – joining the 2001 squad that claimed the outright title, and the 2006 squad that shared the crown with Concordia.

 

CONFERENCE/NAIA POLL: For the first time this season, the Coyotes earned votes in the NAIA Top-25 poll, receiving 35 voter points in the tabulation, or No. 32 in the NAIA – released Oct. 28.  In this week’s CCC coaches poll, the Yotes remained in the No. 1 spot, with Concordia at No. 2, and Warner Pacific at No. 3.  The CCC poll is released on Monday mornings, with the NAIA poll released Tuesday afternoons.

 

PREVIOUS NATIONAL POLLS: The last time the Coyotes received votes in the NAIA Top-25 Poll was on Oct. 25, 2006 – earning one voter point.  The team has been ranked in the Top-25 on five different occasions – No. 25 at the conclusion of the 2000 season, No. 23 at the conclusion of the 2001 season, No. 16 in the 2002 preseason poll, No. 15 in the first poll of the 2002 season, and the last time, No. 24 on Oct. 9, 2002.

 

TEN WIN SEASONS: Under head coach Brian Smith, the Coyotes have posted ten-or-more wins in four of his five seasons at the helm, with the 13 wins this season the most by the Yotes since 2003.  In the 25-year history of the program, the Yotes have won ten-or-more games 15 times.

 

ABOUT THE HEAD COACH: Brian Smith is in his fifth season as head coach at The C of I and holds an all-time record of 54-27-4.  In his first season two seasons, the Coyotes narrowly missed a spot in the NAIA Region I Tournament, despite a second and third-place finish in the Cascade Conference standings.  In 2006, however, the Yotes claimed their first CCC title since 2001 and advanced to the regional semifinals.  For his efforts, the Coyote skipper was named CCC Coach of the Year.  Last season, the Yotes missed out on the postseason by one game, before this seasons South Division title.  Smith, who helped the Coyotes to a 35-21-1 record as a player for longtime coach, John Calpin, from 1990-93, returned to his alma mater in 2004 after a successful high school coaching career in the Treasure Valley.  He coached the Timberline High School boys’ team for three years, before taking over the THS girls’ program in 2002 – earning Idaho State Coach-of-the-Year honors in 2001 and Southern Idaho Conference Coach-of-the-Year honors in 2003.      Smith earned All-District honors as a player and graduating from The C of I with a degree in political science in 1994.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyote men’s soccer program, head to the official homepage of the Coyotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/menssoccer.htm.

 

 

WOMEN’S SOCCER (11-5-2): Lady Yotes to host So. Oregon in CCC Semifinal Wednesday at Vallivue High School

 

LAST WEEK:. at Eastern Oregon (W 2-1)

 

COMING UP: Cascade Conference semifinals – Wednesday vs. Southern Oregon, Noon. (Vallivue HS)

 

PLAYOFF GAME MOVED TO VALLIVUE HIGH: With the Symms Field pitch still unplayable, the Lady Yotes have moved their CCC semifinal game to Vallivue High – with a Noon kickoff.  To get to VHS, take Indiana Street south to Homedale Road and make a right, turn right at first four-way stop (Montana Ave.), the soccer field is located just north of the football stadium on your right.  Admission will be charged at the event - $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for students (fans with C of I soccer season passes will be admitted for free).

 

FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF RECAPS: The opening round CCC Tournament games saw a pair of upsets – as both home teams dropped their quarterfinal games.  Sixth-seeded Corban upended No. 3 seed Oregon Tech, 1-0, while fifth-seeded Southern Oregon hung on for a 1-0 victory at No. 4 Northwest.  Semifinal pairings have Southern headed to meet The C of I, while Corban will meet Concordia.  The winners will play next Wednesday with a berth in the NAIA National Tournament on the line.

 

ABOUT SOUTHERN OREGON: The Lady Yotes will host Southern Oregon on Wednesday, as the Raiders (9-10) are coming off their first-ever postseason victory – after going 0-6 in CCC Tournament matches from 2000-05.  SOU had lost three of their last four matches before the 1-0 win at Northwest on Saturday and are 5-0 this season when scoring two or more goals in a match.  However, the Raiders have tallied just 19 goals this season and have been shutout six times this year.  Jon Clement’s team is led by Denise Powell (3 goals, 2 assists), Kelly Clark (3 goals, 1 assist), Katie Griffith (3 goals, 1 assist) and Chelsie O’Neill (3 goals), while keeper Jessica Kuehlwien (1.36 GAA) is one of the top netminders in the loop.  It marks the 13th meeting between the clubs, with the Yotes holding a 7-5 edge, including four in a row.

 

RECAP OF FIRST MEETING: Macy Egerman(Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) slotted home the lone goal of the afternoon with just seven seconds remaining in regulation, as The C of I upended Southern Oregon, 1-0, at Symms Field on Oct. 3.  The freshman took a pass from Chelsea Heffner (Boise, Idaho / Mountain View HS) inside the final 15 seconds, found space at the left corner of the penalty box, and flicked a ball into the right corner of the net, past the outstretched arms of SOU keeper Jessica Kuehlwien, for the winner.  Despite a dominating second half by the Yotes, in which they held a 7-0 edge in shots and a 4-2 edge in corner kicks, the game seemed destined for overtime.  Heffner nearly got The C of I on the board in the 80th minute on a header, but Kuehlwien was up for the task - one of her seven saves.  Southern had their best scoring chance in the fifth minute, as Kelly Clark launched a 35-yard free kick over the head of the keeper, but missed just right.  The Raiders would not register a shot over the final 50 minutes of the contest, as the Coyotes won for the fourth-straight time over the Ashland school.  Sadie Hughes (Courtenay, B.C. / Vanier SS) and Tracy Diaz (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) combined on the shutout for the Yotes.

 

C OF I PLAYOFF HISTORY: The Lady Yotes have qualified for the postseason five previous times and have a 1-5 all-time record in the playoffs.  The squad reached the playoffs in 1991 and 1993, losing District 2 semifinal matches, then lost opening round games in the 2002 and 2006 CCC Tournament.  Last season, the Coyotes played their lone home playoff game, defeating Cascade, 1-0, before losing in the CCC semifinals at Concordia.

 

YOTES HIT TWO MARKS AT EASTERN: With the 2-1 win last Tuesday at Eastern Oregon, the Lady Yotes established a pair of program firsts – recording their 100th win in program history and notching their most wins in a season.  The Coyotes are now 100-171-26 in the 20 years of the program, while the victory was the 11th of the season – moving past the ten wins recorded by the club in 2002.

 

LADY YOTES HISTORY IN CCC: Since 1996, the Lady Yotes have recorded a 49-77-12 record in CCC play – but are solid in league counters over the past six years, notching a .500 or better record five times.  The last three seasons, the Coyotes have been above the .500 mark, recording a 16-7-6 loop record – earning playoff appearances in 2006, 2007, and now, 2008.

 

CLOSING IN ON RECORDS: The Yotes are closing in on multiple team records – with at least one more game left on the schedule.  The C of I has scored 37 goals on the season, second only to the 2002 team that scored 39, while the team is also chasing records for assists (Yotes have 36, record is 42) and total points (110, record is 120).  The squad has tied the mark set last year for shutouts – as the Coyotes have recorded seven shutouts in 2008.

 

CAREER RECORDS: Two C of I players have moved into the Top-10 on the career records list during the 2008 season.  Junior midfielder Mandy Greif (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS) ranks No. 3 all-time with 15 assists – trailing the 32 assists from Alyssa Latham (2002-03) and the 20 assists from Kristine Jones (1990-93).  Also in the Top-10 is senior midfielder Allie Dufault (Irvine, Calif. / University HS), who is seventh all-time with 14 goals in her career.  She is one goal back of sixth-place (Amy Wells with 15 goals from 1989-91) – with Jones leading the chart with 30 career goals from 1990-93.

 

COYOTES STILL NO. 2 IN CCC POLL: , The Lady Yotes still find themselves ranked No. 2 in the latest CCC Coaches Poll, released Monday morning.  Concordia is the top team, followed by the Yotes, Southern Oregon, Northwest, Oregon Tech, and Corban.  The C of I has received votes in the past five NAIA polls – and has earned votes a total of six times this season.

 

GAME RECAP – C OF I 2, EASTERN OREGON 1: Macy Egerman scored the game-winning goal in the second half, as The C of I won their 100th game in program history, upending Eastern Oregon, 2-1, Tuesday in La Grande, Ore.  The victory for the Lady Yotes not only secured their highest finish ever in the Cascade Conference and secured a first-round playoff bye, but set a new school record with their 11th win of the season.  It was not easy, however, as Eastern jumped out to an early lead, as Kami Hernandez knocked in a Lauren Robideau pass in the 20th minute.  The Coyotes would battle back, knotting the score at 1-1 in the 30th minute, as Mandy Greif slotted home a goal off a pass from Kelly Hardegree-Ullman (Meridian, Idaho / Mountain View HS).  The winner came in the 68th minute, as Ashley Page (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS) made a nifty move to direct the attention of a pair of defenders, then slipped a pass to Egerman, who found the net.  The Coyotes got their 100th all-time win in their 20th anniversary season - in their 297th all-time game.  After years of struggle, The C of I will be making their third-straight playoff appearance, equaling the total from the first 17 seasons - going 26-22-7 during that stretch.

 

ABOUT THE COACH: Niki Taylor (26-22-7) is in her third season as head coach of The C of I women's soccer program and is the all-time winningest coach in program history.  In her first two seasons with the Coyotes, she helped the Lady Yotes to their first-ever back-to-back playoff appearances, including their first-ever postseason win in 2007, advancing to the Cascade Conference Tournament semifinals.   A graduate of Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., Taylor was an honorable mention all-conference player for the Bulldogs in 1999 and 2000, helping the squad to the NCAA Division II regional championships.  She went on to assist coach Mike Cannon during the 2001 season, helping TSU to the regional finals, then moved West, where she was an assistant for Steve Lucas at Boise State for three seasons.  She has also been involved with the Les Bois United Soccer Club for the past five years, while serving as a head coach in the Idaho Olympic Development Program.  Taylor has received her USSF "B" Coaching License.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyote women’s soccer program, head to the official homepage of the Lady Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmenssoccer.htm.

 

VOLLEYBALL (19-8, 16-2 CCC): First-place Lady Yotes set for road games at Eastern and NW Christian, CCC title on the line

 

LAST WEEK: vs. Northwest (W 3-0), vs. Evergreen State (W 3-0)

 

COMING UP: at Eastern Oregon, Tuesday, 7 p.m. (PST); at Northwest Christian, Friday, 7 p.m. (PST)

 

NO. 21 IN NAIA POLL: The Lady Yotes find themselves ranked in the NAIA Top-25 for the second-straight week, elevating one spot to No. 21 in last week’s tabulation.  It marks the 30th time in school history that the Yotes have been nationally ranked – once in 2000, two times in 2001, every poll from Nov. 16, 2005 to Aug. 19, 2008, along with last week’s poll.  It also marks the 41st-straight week that the Coyotes have received votes in the national poll.  Other C of I opponents were in the ranking – No. 2 Concordia-Irvine, No. 7 Madonna, No. 10 Lewis-Clark State, No. 14 Point Loma Nazarene, with Oregon Tech, Eastern Oregon, and Southern Oregon all receiving votes.  The Top-25 poll is released every Tuesday afternoon during the season.

 

AGAINST TOP-25 TEAMS: The Lady Yotes have played nine matches this season against teams ranked in the Top-25 and have a 4-5 mark.  The Yotes have defeated Eastern Oregon in four sets, along with Southern Oregon, Oregon Tech, and Westminster in three sets - but have lost matches to SOU and Concordia-Irvine in four sets, while losing to Point Loma Nazarene, Madonna, and Lewis-Clark State in five sets.  Since the 2005 season, the Lady Yotes have won 15 matches against teams ranked in the NAIA Top-25.

 

CASCADE CONFERENCE RANKINGS: The ninth regular-season CCC Coaches Poll was released on Monday, with the Lady Yotes remaining in the No. 1 spot thanks to their weekend sweep.  Southern Oregon is No. 2, followed by Oregon Tech, Eastern Oregon, Corban, and Concordia. 

 

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: With two matches remaining in the CCC season, the league title and host responsibilities for the CCC Tournament is still up for grabs, as three teams vie for the crown.  The Lady Yotes can clinch a share of their third-straight title with a win in their final two matches, but can sew up an outright title and host berth for the playoffs with wins over Eastern Oregon and Northwest Christian.  If the Yotes were to lose one match, they would potentially be in a three-way tie with Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon – with SOU holding the tiebreaker for the top spot, the Yotes receiving the No. 2 seed, and OIT No. 3.  If the Yotes are tied with just SOU, Southern wins the tiebreak, however, if the Yotes are tied with OIT, The C of I wins the tiebreaker.  The worst-case scenario is for the Yotes to drop both matches, which could conceivably put them in the No. 3 position and a quarterfinal home date next Tuesday.

 

CCC HOME WIN STREAK AT 35: With wins over Northwest and Evergreen State, the Lady Yotes ran their conference home win streak to 35 matches, dating back to September of 2005.  The C of I has recorded an undefeated CCC mark at home each of the last three seasons – going 9-0 in league play in 2006, and 10-0 in CCC play each of the last two years.

 

20-WIN SEASONS: With a win in one of their final two matches, the Lady Yotes would record their fourth-straight 20-win season.  In the eight-years under head coach Liz Mendiola, The C of I has not won fewer than 17 games in a season.

 

BATTLE AT EASTERN OREGON: Tuesday, the Yotes play the biggest match left on their schedule Tuesday night, traveling to La Grande for a monster match-up with Eastern Oregon.  The Mountaineers (18-8, 13-5) saw their CCC title hopes vanish two weekends ago with losses at Concordia and Corban, but are a different club inside Quinn Coliseum – typically one of the more boisterous environments in the CCC.  All-Star candidate Grace Deboodt (3.4 k’s, 2.3 d/s, 0.9 b/s) has had a fabulous season, with Melanie Cecilani (2.2 k/s, 1.5 d/s) EOU’s second option.  Setter Jessica Lea (1.9 k/s, 5.5 a/s, 2.1 d/s, 0.7 b/s) is a great player in the Mounties 6-2 attack, while libero Sareena Simpson (4.4 d/s, 38 aces) is among the league leaders in digs and aces.  It marks the 77th time that EOU and The C of I have met on the volleyball court, dating back to 1982, with the Lady Yotes holding a 56-20 series edge and boast their longest current win streak against any opponent against Eastern – having won 27-straight matches, dating back to 1996, including a four-set victory in September.

 

OFF TO NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN: The Lady Yotes close out the regular season in Eugene, Ore., against Northwest Christian.  The Beacons (12-15, 5-13) have played well at home, with a 6-5 record, but they are 0-12 against teams with winning records.  Brooke Stribling (3.24 k/s, 2.94 d/s) and Cotie Howard (2.30 k/s, 2.71 d/s, 32 aces) are the top-two options for NCU, while setter Whitney Hoff (5.71 a/s, 34 aces) helps run their 6-2 set.  It is the fourth all-time meeting between the teams, with the Yotes holding a 3-0 series edge.

 

YOTES IN THE CCC STATS: As a team, the Yotes lead the league in opponents hitting percentage (.108), kills per set (13.13), assists per set (12.03), and blocks per set (2.49), while ranking No. 2 in hitting percentage (.243). 

 

CAREER RECORD BOOK: Four C of I players currently rank among the Top-10 in the all-time career record book.  Leading the way is Kathryn Ely (La Grande, Ore. / La Grande HS), who is fifth in school history with 1,199 kills.  Also Kristin Henning (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) ranks No. 6 all-time in blocks with 350, Madie Machurek (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) is seventh in assists with 1,117, and Naomi Reimer (Killarney, Man. / Killarney SS) is eighth in assists with 852.

 

RECAP – C OF I 3, NORTHWEST 0:. Megan Spinks led a balanced C of I attack with nine kills, as the Lady Yotes won their 15th-straight CCC match, topping Northwest University 25-12, 25-19, 25-15 on Dig For The Cure Night in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.  On an evening when the No. 21 ranked Coyotes donned pink warm-ups in support of Breast Cancer Research, the Yotes racked up 50 digs and eight service aces in turning away their visitors from Washington.  Set 1 saw the Yotes use a quick 6-0 run, capped by kills from Kristin Henning and Naomi Reimer to build a 9-3 lead, then got a 9-0 run later to push the edge to 23-8.  The middle set was tighter, as the Eagles pulled even at 10-10 on a Carleigh Newman kill, but it was short-lived, as the Yotes scored the next five points, punctuated by back-to-back Sarah Buhler (Middleton, Idaho / Middleton HS) kills, to take control.  Set 3 saw NU rally from an early 7-1 deficit to draw within 15-13 on an Alisha Larion spike, but two Henning kills sparked a 10-2 push to close the match.  Spinks added two blocks to her kill total, while Henning had seven kills and Buhler six.  Reimer had an all-around night - five kills, 18 assists, five aces, and seven digs, with Whitney Owen (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) leading the way with 22 digs.

 

RECAP – C OF I 3, EVERGREEN STATE 0:  Marcella Hernandez (Torrance, Calif. / El Camino CC) and Kristin Henning combined for 13 blocks as The C of I completed their third-straight undefeated CCC season with a 25-13, 25-9, 25-18 victory over Evergreen State in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.  The No. 21 Lady Yotes won their 16th-straight league game this season and extended their home streak in CCC counters to 35 - dating back to the 2005 season.  Set 1 saw the Coyotes bolt out to a 6-2 lead, only to watch the visiting Geoducks use an 8-1 push, aided by three C of I hitting errors to take a 10-7 edge.  However, the hosts scored 17 of the next 18 points - including three kills from Megan Spinks and four kills from Naomi Reimer to take the frame.  Set 2 was all Yotes, using a 9-0 run to build a 14-3 lead - thanks to three spikes from Sarah Buhler to run away with the period, while Reimer had back-to-back aces in a six-point push in Set 3 to break open a 12-10 game to seal the win.  Henning had eight kills and six blocks, while Reimer added five kills, 11 assists, 13 digs, and four blocks.  Jessie Link (Tonopah, Nev. / Nicholls State U.) and Buhler each had five kills, with Hernandez recording three kills and a team-high seven blocks.  Evergreen, who had more hitting errors (26), than kills (18), got five kills from Kandice Gleaves, with Katie Huston recording a team-high 15 assists.

 

ABOUT THE COACH: Liz Mendiola is in her eighth season as head volleyball coach at The C of I.  During her first six seasons at the helm, the Coyotes have advanced to six consecutive Cascade Conference tournaments, four NAIA regional tournaments, and back-to-back trips to the NAIA National Championships in 2005 and 2006.  Last season, the squad won their second-straight CCC title and advanced to the NAIA Region I Tournament semifinals - while being ranked as high as No. 6 in the national poll.  During her career, she has amassed a record of 180-71, the most wins and highest winning percentage in school history.

 

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

 

CROSS COUNTRY: Yotes looking for the hardware at Cascade Conference Championships

 

COMING UP: at Cascade Conference Championships, Saturday at Lincoln Park, Seattle, Wash. – Women’s Race at 11 a.m. (PST), Men’s Race at 11:45 a.m. (PST)

 

LAST WEEK: Idle

 

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS NEXT FOR YOTES: After over two months of training, Coyote harriers have been focusing on one date on the calendar, Nov. 8, as The C of I heads to Seattle for the Cascade Conference Championships.  For the Lady Yotes, it is a chance to cement their best season in program history, while the men’s team is in a dogfight for a possible league title.

 

THE WOMEN’S FIELD: The Lady Yotes, who come into the week ranked No. 15 in the NAIA poll, are the heavy favorite to win the title – a year after placing second, just three points behind Eastern Oregon.  Two teams, Concordia and Evergreen State, will be at the Yotes heels, looking to spring the upset and claim the automatic berth to the NAIA Championships.  Stephanie Helm (Challis, Idaho / Challis HS) has the two fastest times in the loop this season and is the favorite to repeat as the individual champion.  Other contenders are Linsie Michels of Concordia and Ana Casillas of Evergreen.

 

THE MEN’S FIELD: If the Coyotes were to claim the men’s title, it would be an upset – as No. 5 ranked Southern Oregon has been the class of the loop this fall.  The Yotes, who come in ranked No. 12, along with Concordia, at No. 15, will definitely be in the mix.  Oregon Tech’s Kory Humberston looks to repeat as champion, but will have to contend with SOU’s Cameron Kruez and Joe Rath, CU’s Eric Burck and Martin Romero-Clark, and Evergreen’s Brian Rakestraw.

 

WHAT’S AT STAKE: Both the men’s and women’s championship team will each earn one of the 32 berths to the NAIA Championships in Kenosha, Wisc., Nov. 22.  Along with the team berths, the top five individual finishers (Top-15 or better) for runners not on the winning team, will also earn a berth to Nationals.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on The C of I cross country program, head to the official homepage of the Coyotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/xc.htm.