Yote Notes – February 10, 2009

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

ATHLETIC NEWS:

11 PLAYERS HONORED AS ACADEMIC ALL-CCC: A total of eleven C of I basketball players were honored today by the Cascade Conference, as the league announced its Academic All-Conference awards for the winter season. Six Lady Yotes and five Coyotes were honored by the CCC – the most of any of the institutions in the conference. Earning the distinction for the women were seniors ShaNae Horner, Christon Vander Esch, and Ashley Wolfe, juniors Kayla Brewer and Katee Brewer, and sophomore Brianna Hansen. For the men, seniors Bryan Champ and Kurt Nielson, and juniors Craig McGee, Tucker Long, and Londale Theus were honored. Students must be of at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average and a sophomore academic status. For the year, the Coyotes now have 34 Academic All-CCC honorees.

WOMEN’S TENNIS DROPS TWO: The C of I women's tennis team lost their season opening matches to Montana State-Billings and Whitworth by identical 9-0 scores, Saturday morning at the Lewis-Clark State Tennis Center in Lewiston. In the opener, the NCAA Division II Yellowjackets swept all three doubles matches and claimed all six singles matches - including three by 6-0, 6-0 margins.  It was a bit closer against the Division III Pirates, as Kate Leadbetter (Grand Junction, Colo. / West River Academy) at No. 1 singles and Amanda McEldowney (Caldwell, Idaho / Linfield Coll.) at No. 2 singles each took their opponent to a third set, but could not pull out the win. The Lady Yotes, who have had limited practice time due to the cold weather in the Treasure Valley, will have a month of practice ahead, before they hit the courts next - at Pacific on March 7 and George Fox on March 8.

SOFTBALL DINNER/AUCTION: The sixth-annual College of Idaho softball dinner-auction is set for Saturday, March 7, in the Simplot Dining Hall on The C of I campus. The event will begin with a no-host bar and bidding on silent auction and dessert items from 6-7 p.m., with dinner and the auction to follow. Tickets for the event are $25.00 per person and going fast. To reserve your spot, contact Al Mendiola at 459-5113.

TRACK TEAM TO HOST ST. PATRICK’S DAY MILE: The C of I track team will be hosting the first-annual Stuenenberg St. Patrick’s Day Mile road race though the historic Stuenenberg District of Caldwell, near The C of I campus.  The race, which is a flat, fast, one mile course, is open to runners, joggers, walkers, strollers, and wagon-pullers – and begins Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m.  Entry fee’s are just $10 per person, or $5 for C of I students.  For more information, including a brochure, contact Pat McCurry at pmccurry@collegeofidaho.edu or by phone at 459-5085.

BUY YOUR COYOTE GEAR ONLINE: Fans of the Yotes can now purchase official C of I athletic apparel and gear online at the Yotes new e-store at http://www.estoresbyzome.com/college_idaho.php - with a portion of every sale supporting Coyote Athletics.  Hats, sweatshirts, jackets, and t-shirts are just the tip of the iceberg on the Yotes e-store.  This weekend, basketball fans will receive a 15-percent off coupon for your first online purchase as part of their game-day program. 

IDAHO PRESS TRIBUNE FEATURES C OF I/NNU SPORTS BLOG: Fans of C of I athletics can share their thoughts on the Yotes as part of the Idaho Press Tribune’s College of Idaho/Northwest Nazarene Sports Blog.  Beat writer Mike Stetson shares his thoughts and stories, along with pictures and videos, on both the Yotes and Crusaders, with fans having the ability to leave their thoughts on their favorite team.  The blog is linked on the front of The C of I athletic website or can be visited at http://www.idahopress.com/blogs/?blogid=6.

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 (14-12, 10-6 CCC): Yotes host Evergreen State and Northwest in final two regular-season home games

LAST WEEK: at Corban (W 78-69), at Concordia (L 85-74)

COMING UP: vs. Evergreen State, Friday, 7:30 p.m.; vs. Northwest, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; at No. 11 Eastern Oregon, Tuesday (2/17), 7:30 p.m. (PT)

ON THE RADIO: All three C of I games will be carried live in the Treasure Valley on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford calling the action. The Jackson’s Pre Game Show begin this weekend at 7:15 p.m. with the tip-off at 7:30 p.m., while next Tuesday, the Pre Game Show will follow the Lady Yotes game as part of the women’s-men’s doubleheader – beginning approximately at 8:20 p.m. (MT), with tip-off set for 8:30 p.m. (MT)

LIVE VIDEO ON THE WEB: All C of I home men’s basketball games will be available for pay-per-view viewing via the Internet, thanks to Penn Atlantic. To access the games, head to http://www.pennatlantic.com/main.php, click College of Idaho on the “Choose School” dropdown bar, and select the game. The viewing window should be available 15 minutes prior to game-time. Radio voice, Mike Safford, will provide the play-by-play, of all internet games.

LIVE STATS AVAILABLE: Live stats of all C of I home games are available online at http://yotestats.i8.com/basketball/xlive.htm.

YOTES CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT: Despite a loss to Concordia on Saturday, the Coyotes secured a spot in the eight-team Cascade Conference Tournament, beginning Feb. 25. It marks the 12^th-straight playoff appearance for the Yotes and their 27^th postseason appearance in the last 28 years. Under head coach Mark Owen, The C of I has a 12-5 record in CCC Tournament games, including the 2001, 2003, and 2004 tourney titles.

A STAPLE IN THE PLAYOFFS: The Yotes have a rich history of playoff success in the last quarter century, winning six NAIA District titles (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991) and three CCC titles (1993, 1996, 2004). In program history, The C of I has appeared in the NAIA Tournament on 17 occasions (nine NAIA and eight NAIA Division II), the most trips to the Big Dance than any other CCC school – including the 1996 NAIA Division II national championship.

MCGEE PLAYS DESPITE A BUM KNEE: Showing no after-effects of a knee injury sustained on Jan. 31 against Oregon Tech, Craig McGee (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) continued to put up the best numbers of any big-man in the CCC this season on the road trip to Oregon. The junior averaged 18.5 points and 12.0 rebounds in the two games, recording his tenth double-double of the season against Concordia – including a career-high 16 rebounds. McGee has scored in double figures in 25 of the 26 games this season.

SPINKS A STAPLE IN DOUBLE FIGURES: Continuing to put up offensive numbers night after night for the Coyotes is Steffen Spinks (Manteca, Calif. / East Union HS), who recorded his eighth-straight double figure scoring game at Concordia. For the weekend, the junior averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds – including 17 points at Concordia.

THOMAS PROVIDING SPARK OFF THE BENCH: Redshirt freshman Terriel Thomas (Chicago, Ill. / Borah HS) has been a key substitute for the Coyotes during CCC play. Over his last seven games, Thomas is averaging five points and five rebounds per game, including three games with eight rebounds, while hitting 15-of-24 field goal attempts (60-percent).

CHAMP’S HOT STREAK ENDS: Guard Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) saw a three game shooting spree come to an end on Saturday against Concordia, connecting on just 4-of-13 field goal attempts. Prior to Saturday, Champ put up monster numbers in the previous three games – hitting 21-of-25 shots from the floor, including 7-of-10 from outside the arc. The senior did keep a pair of long individual streaks going, as Champ has recorded a steal in 54 consecutive games, at least two points scored in 72-straight contests.

RECORD BOOK: Three Coyotes find themselves in the Top-10 on The C of I single-season or career record book with six games remaining in the regular season. On the single-season list, Craig McGee ranks fifth all-time in free throw attempts (200), with Jabari McIntosh (Union City, Calif. / West Valley CC) ninth in blocked shots (37). For a career, Bryan Champ ranks second all-time in steals (248), while needing seven assists to crack the Top-10 in the category (222). Craig McGee ranks second all-time in free throw attempts (438), fourth all-time in blocked shots (70), and is No. 9 in both free throws made (269) and rebounds (517). McGee has scored 967 points in his career, looking to become the 16^th player in program history with 1,000 or more points (Taft Jackson 2,336, R.C. Owens 2,155, Kade Wilson 1,637, Josh Owen 1,561, Chuck Blackhurst 1,391, Jared Klassen 1,388, Tom Perkes 1,297, Mark Owen 1,242, Mike Brown 1,194, Dan Hardee 1,142, Bill Perkins 1,133, Neal Robertson 1,069, Rob Smith 1,059, Andy Harper 1,034, Scott Kern 1,005).

SENIORS FINAL HOME GAME: Saturday’s game will mark the final home regular-season game for a trio of seniors – Bryan Champ, Kurt Nielson (Rexburg, Idaho / Madison HS), and Ryan Sinfield (Redwood City, Calif. / St. Francis HS)I.

YOTES FALL OUT OF NAIA POLL: The eighth regular-season NAIA Top-25 Poll was released Monday, with Oklahoma Wesleyan the new No. 1 team. Oregon Tech climbed to No. 2, Eastern Oregon up two spots to No. 11, Warner Pacific down two spots to No. 16, with Evergreen State falling into the Others Receiving Votes category. The Yotes, who were listed in the Others Receiving Votes category for four-straight weeks, was not listed in this week’s poll. The Top-25 poll will be released every Monday for the remainder of the season.

COYOTES IN THE CCC STATS: As a team, the Yotes are third in the CCC in scoring defense (71.4), defensive field goal percentage (.425), and blocked shots per game (3.7), fourth in rebound margin (+1.7), fifth in opponents rebounds (35.2), sixth in scoring margin (+2.4), field goal percentage (.463), rebound average (36.8), and steals per game (7.4), eighth in scoring average (73.8) and three-point percentage (.333), and ninth in free throw percentage (.651), opponents three point percentage (.358), and assists per game (12.7). Individually, Craig McGee is in the top-ten in the league in four different categories – No. 3 in rebounds per game (9.2), fifth in both blocks per game (1.1) and points per game (16.8), and sixth in field goal percentage (.568). Bryan Champ leads the league in three-point percentage (.442), while ranking second in steals per game (2.5) and eighth in free throw percentage (.803), with Kelvin Potts (Oakland, Calif. / Chabot CC) sixth in the loop in assists per game (3.8). Jabari McIntosh rounds out the Coyote contingent, ranking third in the league in blocked shots per game (1.4).

CCC LEADERS: Scoring Average – Nate Menefee (ESC) 23.9, Adam Moore (WP) 20.3, Steven Vaughan (CU) 19.0, Jguwon Hogges (OIT) 18.4, Craig McGee (CI) 16.8; Rebound Average – Kaylone Riley (WP) 10.9, Paul Carollo (EOU) 9.2, McGee 9.2, Josh Wetzler (OIT) 9.1, Erving Adams (CAS) 8.4; Field Goal Percentage – Wetzler .699, Christian Cavanaugh (OIT) .653, Steve Trotter (ESC) .597, Nick Moore (ESC) .584, Mike Ward (ESC) .578; Assists Average – Justin Parnell (OIT) 5.2, Jeremy Templeton (EOU) 4.7, Humphrey Jackson (SOU) 4.2, Paul Martin (CRB) 4.1, Kao Saelee (CAS) 4.0.

POSSIBLE HOME COURT PLAYOFF DATE ON LINE VS. EVERGREEN: With just one game separating the Coyotes and third-place in the CCC standings, Friday’s match-up with Evergreen State has huge implications as to whether The C of I will go on the road for the opening round of the postseason. The Geoducks (15-8, 11-5 CCC) fell out of the Top-25 this week after a surprising 87-67 road loss at Northwest Christian, which ended a four-game win streak. Evergreen, which averages 85 points a game and hits 51-percent of their field goal attempts, is led by Nate Menefee (23.9 ppg, 3.7 apg), the nation’s leading scorer, along with Nick Moore (16.1 ppg, 4. 8 rpg) and Mike Ward (11.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg). The Yotes hold a 15-5 series edge, including a 71-69 win in Olympia, Wash., last month on Craig McGee’s buzzer-beating lay-up.

RESURGENT NORTHWEST HEADS TO CALDWELL: Saturday night, Northwest makes their annual trip to Caldwell, fighting for positioning in the CCC playoff race. The Eagles (12-13, 6-10) have responded after a season-high seven-game losing streak by winning two of their last three games – including an 80-70 victory at Northwest Christian. NU can shoot the three well (39-percent) – thanks to the play of transfer guard Blake Solomon (13.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg), who has hit 43-percent of this long-range shots. Eddie Coulson (12.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and Greg George (11.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg) also average in double figures for NU, who trails the all-time series with the Coyotes 16-10.

TUESDAY NIGHT BATTLE FOR I-84 CUP: Next Tuesday, the Coyotes will put the I-84 Cup traveling trophy on the line in La Grande, Ore., meeting Eastern Oregon. The Mounaineers (19-5, 12-4) are the hottest team in the CCC, holding the NAIA Division II’s longest current win streak at 11 games., and will put a 10-0 home record on the line. EOU is led by Neil Fryer (15.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Kris Groce (14.6 ppg, 3.5 apg), and Paul Carollo (11.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg) – part of a group that averages over eight rebounds a game more than their opponent. The Yotes took the first meeting between the teams, 85-81, in overtime in January, and hold the all-time series lead, 102-59.

GAME RECAP: C OF I 78, CORBAN 69: Bryan Champ and Craig McGee each scored 18 points, helping The C of I go wire-to-wire, notching a key 78-69 road win Friday night over Corban College in Salem, Ore. The win ended Corban’s five-game home win streak. The Coyotes built a 16-point lead early in the second half, but watched as the Warriors used a 11-2 run to draw within 56-49 with ten minutes remaining. However, Brian Bergerson (Modesto, Calif. / Modesto CC) drained a three, followed by a Champ baseline jumper, pushing the lead back above double-digits, as the Yotes withstood late pressure for Corban for the win. Champ hit 7-of-8 field goals in the victory, while McGee added eight rebounds. Steffen Spinks had ten points for the Yotes, who had nine of their ten players in uniform get into the score column. Paul Martin had a career-high 24 points in the loss for the Warriors – the only player in double-figures for Corban.

GAME RECAP: CONCORDIA 85, C OF I 74: Steven Vaughan led all scorers with 26 points, as Concordia University ended an eight-game losing streak with a convincing 85-74 victory over The C of I Saturday night in Portland, Ore. A 14-2 second half run by the Cavs, keyed by a triple and pair of driving buckets from Vaughan, put the game away, as CU built a 61-40 lead with ten minutes remaining. The Cavaliers salted the game away at the foul line, hitting 25-of-37 shots in the second half. Desmond Meray had 17 points, with Alex Tiefenthaler scoring 13 of his 14 points in the second half, including a pair of baskets early in the period to turn a 36-31 halftime lead into a 44-31 margin. Craig McGee had 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in the loss or the Coyotes (14-12, 10-6), who squandered a chance to pull into a tie for third in the league standings. Steffen Spinks had 17 points and Bryan Champ ten in the loss.

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 (23-3, 14-2 CCC): Lady Yotes fall to No. 12 after loss at Concordia, set to host Evergreen and Northwest

LAST WEEK: at Corban (W 90-81), at No. 9 Concordia (L 84-73)

COMING UP: vs. Evergreen State, Friday, 5:30 p.m.; vs. Northwest, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.; at Eastern Oregon, Tuesday (2/17), 5:30 p.m. (PT)

ON THE RADIO: All C of I women’s road CCC games will be carried on the radio in the Treasure Valley on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford calling the action. The Jackson’s Pre-Game Show will air locally next Tuesday night at 6:15 p.m. (MT) as the Lady Yotes travel to Eastern Oregon.

LIVE VIDEO ON THE WEB: All C of I home women’s basketball games are be available for pay-per-view viewing via the Internet, thanks to Penn Atlantic. To access the games, head to http://www.pennatlantic.com/main.php, click College of Idaho on the “Choose School” dropdown bar, and select the game. The viewing window should be available 15 minutes prior to game-time. Radio voice, Mike Safford, will provide the play-by-play, of all internet games.

LIVE STATS/INTERNET BROADCAST AVAILABLE: Live stats of all C of I home games are available online at http://yotestats.i8.com/basketball/xlive.htm.

LADY YOTES SECURE HOME PLAYOFF SPOT: With their win at Corban on Friday night, the Lady Yotes secured a home game in the Cascade Conference Tournament, set to begin Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The C of I has now advanced to the postseason in 13 of the 14 seasons since women’s basketball was reinstated at the College in 1995. The Coyotes have advanced to three NAIA Division II national tournaments (1998 – first round, 2000 – quarterfinals, 2001 – championship game), but have never won a CCC Tournament title (advanced to the finals in 2000, 2002, 2005, and 2008).

AT HOME IN THE PLAYOFFS: The Lady Yotes will host a playoff game in the CCC Tournament for the fourth time in the last five seasons. In program history, the squad has a 7-1 record in postseason games in Caldwell – including a pair of victories last year.

YOTES DROP TO NO. 12 IN NAIA POLL: The C of I dropped three spots to No. 12 in the latest NAIA Division II Top-25 Coaches Poll, released Monday afternoon by the national office in Kansas City. Mo. With their win over the Lady Yotes, Concordia claimed the top spot in the CCC poll, elevating the Cavaliers to No. 9 in the rankings, while Southern Oregon jumped two spots to No. 21. The two unbeaten teams remaining in the NAIA Division II sit atop the poll - Morningside (Iowa) and Shawnee State (Ohio), followed by Northwestern (Iowa), Davenport (Mich.), and the College of the Ozarks (Mo.). The poll will be released each Monday for the remainder of the season.

BEST START EVER: The 23-3 start pushes the Lady Yotes into elite status, as The C of I has recorded their best ten, 15, 20, and 25-game starts to a season. The 1997-98 team had held the school record for best 25-game start, recording a 20-5 record, with this season’s squad upping that to 23-2. Up next for the team is the school record for wins in a season – 26, set during the 2000-01 campaign, going 26-8, concluding with a run at the NAIA Tournament.

STILL PERFECT OVER 90 POINTS: With the 90 points vs. Corban, the Lady Yotes remain perfect all time when scoring 90 or more in a game, recording a perfect 26-0 mark since 1995.

ALLEN COMES CLOSE TO ASSIST RECORD: Guard Alexandria Allen (Yakima, Wash. / Columbia Basin CC) had a quality night sharing the ball at Corban, recording a season-high nine assists in the victory. It was the most assists by a Coyote in four seasons and just two off the school record of 11, set by Angie Gribble at Southern Oregon in 2005.

VANDER ESCH SETS CAREER-HIGH IN SCORING: Forward Christon Vander Esch (Riggins, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) had a monster game at Corban, scoring a career-high 33 points in the road win. The 33 points ties the fourth-highest scoring game in program history – trailing only the 36 points scored by Heidi Goicoechea against Fresno Pacific in 2002 and Nicole Gall (Boise, Idaho / Santa Clara U.) vs. Southern Oregon earlier this season, the 35 points scored by Alyson Pincock against Lewis & Clark in 2000, and equaling the 33 points current assistant Whitney Clark scored last season against Evergreen State. Vander Esch has scored at least one point in 65-straight games, recorded a rebound in 75-straight games, and had a steal in 43-straight games – and needs just 22 points scored to become the seventh player in school history to score 1,000 points in a career.

SINGLE-SEASON RECORD BOOK: Three Lady Yotes have already etched their name in the single-season record book – with four games remaining in the regular season. Christon Vander Esch ranks second in steals (89), third in free throw attempts (192), fourth in blocked shots (55), sixth in free throws made (116), and ninth in rebounds (229), while Nicole Bruce (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) is sixth in blocked shots (42). The third is Nicole Gall, who is third on the single-season list for three-pointers made (75), fifth on three-pointers attempted (185), sixth in steals (72), and tenth in field goal attempts (363).

CAREER RECORD BOOK: Five Lady Yotes have found themselves among the pages of the career record book during the 2008-09 season. Leading the way is Christon Vander Esch, who is No. 1 on The C of I career steals list (239), is second on the all-time blocked shots list (146), fourth all-time in free throw attempts (404), fifth in free throws made (260) and rebounds (635), seventh in field goals made (328) and field goals attempted (852), eighth in points scored (978), and tenth in assists (188) – while closing in on the list in three-pointers made (56) and three-pointers attempted (168). Whitney Owen (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) ranks ninth all-time in free throws made (163) and tenth in free throw attempts (231), sitting just outside of the Top-10 in steals (114). Nicole Gall ranks sixth in a career for three-pointers made (75) and ninth in three-pointers attempted (185), Nicole Bruce is sixth all-time in blocked shots (49), and Kayla Brewer (Arco, Idaho / Butte County HS) is No. 10 all-time in steals (124).

LADY YOTES IN THE CCC STATS: As a team, the Lady Yotes lead the CCC in scoring average (79.4), defensive three-point percentage (.291), blocked shots per game (6.0), steals per game (17.4), rebounds per game (46.5), and turnover margin (+7.1) – leading the nation in steals per game, second in rebounds per game, and third in blocks per game. The team is second in the CCC in scoring margin (+13.0) and defensive field goal percentage (.366), third in assists per game (15.7), fourth in three-point percentage (.354) and three-pointers made per game (6.1), fifth in rebound margin (+1.5), seventh free throw percentage (.668) and field goal percentage (.399), eighth in scoring defense (66.4), and 11^th in opponents rebound average (45.0). Individually, Christon Vander Esch is second in the league in steals per game (3.4), blocks per game (2.1), and rebounds per game (8.8), and is fifth in scoring average (15.6). Nicole Bruce is fourth in blocked shots per game (1.6), while Nicole Gall ranks second in three-pointers per game (2.9), fourth in steals per game (2.7), sixth in three-point percentage (.405), is seventh in scoring average (15.0), and tenth in blocks per game (0.9). Two others are on the list, as Whitney Owen is third in three-point percentage (.469) and fourth in field goal percentage (.510), and Meghan Hughes (Eagle, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) is ninth in field goal percentage (.481).

CCC LEADERS: Scoring Average – Kristina Schumacher (CAS) 20.6, Robin Swain (CAS) 18.1, Katie Steigleman (CRB) 16.5, Jacki Speer (SOU) 16.0, Christon Vander Esch (CI) 15.6; Rebound Average – Speer (SOU) 10.9, Christon Vander Esch (CI) 8.8, Gray 8.7, Maya Gross (CAS) 8.3, Ashley Baker (SOU) 8.0; Field Goal Percentage –Ann Snodderly (CU) .550, Danielle Clauson (.CU) .536, Tana Stickney (EOU) .533, Whitney Owen (CI) .510, Amanda Johnston (OIT) .504; Assist Average – Meagan Miyasaka (OIT) 6.0, Kailey Bostwick (CRB) 4.9, Jenny Fiso (EOU) 4.6, Rebecca Gimeno (CU) 4.3, Whitney Scott (SOU) 4.2.

GREENERS RETURN TO CALDWELL LOOKING FOR UPSET: A year after nearly knocking off the Lady Yotes in the CCC Tournament, Evergreen State returns to Idaho looking for a second chance. The Geoducks (10-13, 5-11 CCC) are coming off a win at Northwest Christian that ended a four-game losing streak and are trying to jumpstart an offense that averages just 61 points a game. Evergreen is led by wing Kristi Auckland (13.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg), and guards Alex Saab (8.1 ppg, 2.0 apg) and Joy White (6.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg). It is the 25^th meeting between the teams, with the Lady Yotes holding a 21-3 series edge, including an 83-67 win in January in Olympia, Wash.

“PINK ZONE” NIGHT TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR BREAST CANCER: The Lady Yotes ask all C of I fans to wear pink on Friday night, as The C of I, along with 1,250 teams nationally, will be participating in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Pink Zone Initiative to raise breast cancer awareness on and off the court.

NORTHWEST WANTS BETTER EFFORT VS. YOTES: Looking for a better performance against The C of I this time around is Northwest, who dropped an 80-52 decision to the Coyotes on their home floor in January. The Eagles (8-17, 6-10) are in the thick of the playoff hunt in the CCC, despite a league-low 34-percent shooting percentage and just 28-percent shooting from beyond the arc – as NU looks to improve on a 3-12 road record. Senior Rachel Mitchell (12.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg) leads the club in scoring, with freshman post Jessalyn Jackson (8.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg) improving every game. It is the 29^th meeting between the teams, with the Lady Yotes holding a 22-6 series edge.

SENIOR NIGHT: Saturday night’s game vs. Northwest will mark the final regular-season home game for four Lady Yote players. Two-year members of the team ShaNae Horner (West Jordan, Utah / Snow CC), Josie Pugsley (Park Valley, Utah / Snow CC), and Ashley Wolfe (Boise, Idaho / Walla Walla CC), along with three-year member Christon Vander Esch will be making their final regular-season appearance in front of the home crowd.

TRYING TO END A LONG LOSING STREAK AT EASTERN: Next Tuesday, the Lady Yotes will travel up I-84 for a tussle at Eastern Oregon, looking for their first sweep of the Mountaineers (15-8, 10-6) since the 2000-01 season. EOU, who lost 79-50 to The C of I in Caldwell in early January, has won seven-straight regular-season games against the Coyotes in Quinn Coliseum and has a 7-4 home record this year. The Mounties can shoot the basketball – as evident in their league-leading 45-percent field goal clip, a 40-percent average from three-point range, and a NAIA leading 79-percent average from the foul line. Leading the way for EOU is post Ashlee Michelson (12.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and guards Brianna Smith (11.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Salena Leavitt (9.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg). It is the 31^st meeting between the teams, with the series tied 15-15.

GAME RECAP – C OF I 90, CORBAN 81: Christon Vander Esch scored a career-high 33 points, helping The C of I erase a halftime deficit, as the Lady Yotes claimed a 90-81 victory at Corban College, Friday in the C.E. Jeffers Center in Salem, Ore. The Warriors used 18 first half points from freshman Katie Steigleman to build a 44-41 lead at the break, pushing the margin to 65-59 with 12 minutes left. However, the Coyotes held the hosts without a field goal over a six minute stretch, taking the lead for good on a Whitney Owen three-point play – using the 17-1 run to take control. Vander Esch had 19 of her points in the second half, including three three-point buckets, while pulling down ten rebounds to record her seventh double-double of the year. Owen and Nicole Gall each had 12 points in the win, with Alexandria Allen adding six points, six rebounds, nine assists, and four steals.

GAME RECAP – CONCORDIA 84, C OF I 73: Concordia University hit their final 18 free throws in the second half, as the then No. 13 ranked Cavaliers took over sole possession of first place in the Cascade Conference with an 84-73 victory over then ninth-ranked College of Idaho in Portland, Ore. The Cavs used a 15-4 run late in the first half to build a 45-36 halftime lead, then scored the first ten points of the second half to lead 55-36 with 15-minutes left. The Lady Yotes would battle back, using a 14-2 run, capped by a Whitney Owen lay-up, to draw within 57-50. However, CU would keep The C of I at bay, as Rebecca Gimeno hit 9-of-9 from the line in the second half and using a sizable rebound margin to end a 14-game losing streak to the visitors. Gimeno led CU with 23 points, with her twin sister, Angela Gimeno scoring 19 points, including 9-of-9 shooting from the line. Maryam Razavi had 16 points, with Danielle Clauson scoring 11 points with ten rebounds in the victory. Christon Vander Esch had a game-high 23 points for the Coyotes, with Nicole Gall adding 18 points in the loss.

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.

BASEBALL (30-26 in 2008): Season Preview

COMING UP: at Regence/Blue Cross of Idaho Tournament, Lewiston – Friday vs. Corban, 11 a.m. (PT); Saturday vs. Patten, 12:30 p.m. (PT); Sunday vs. Concordia, 10 a.m. (PT); Monday vs. No. 1 Lewis-Clark State, 2 p.m. (PT)

LAST SEASON: The Coyotes won their fourth-consecutive Cascade Conference championship and advanced to the NAIA Region I Tournament where they lost in the championship game to eventual national champion, Lewis-Clark State. The C of I recorded a 30-26 record, their 22^nd-straight season with 25-or-more wins.

PLAYERS TO REPLACE: The Yotes will return the bulk of their squad for the 2009 season, however, will have to replace a pair of their starting pitchers from last season. Right-hander Pat Lyon had a banner senior season, going 5-2 with a 3.03 ERA, earning CCC Pitcher of the Year honors, while fellow senior Joey Zubizarreta logged 63 innings, going 5-5 with a 4.24 ERA. The squad must replace a two-year starter in senior Richie Snider (.331 2 HR 29 RBI), while reliever Justin Marsh-Quinlan (4-3 4.50 ERA), decided not to return for his senior year.

A FIELD OF DREAMS: The 2009 season will debut the new home of C of I baseball – Wolfe Field. Built in conjunction with the City of Caldwell and the Caldwell American Legion Baseball program, Wolfe Field is the first baseball-only facility in the state with a synthetic infield and synthetic pitchers’ mound. The infield surface was installed in November and shortly after, the grass outfield. Still to be completed before the home opener are the dugouts and scoreboard.

ABOUT THE COACH: The 2009 season marks the 22nd year in C of I baseball for head coach Shawn Humberger, his ninth year as Coyote skipper. During his tenure, Humberger has compiled a 266-183-1 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. 2007, and 2008, along with earning NAIA Region I Coach-of-the-Year and CCC Men's Coach-of-the-Year for all-sports in 2002. A native of Twin Falls, Humberger graduated from Twin Falls High, played for the College of Southern Idaho for two seasons, and played at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas for one year. In 1984, Humberger was part of the CSI national championship junior-college team. In addition, he was named to the 1985 Junior College All-America team. Humberger, a 1989 C of I graduate, also served as the facilities coordinator for the J.A. Albertson Activities Center for ten years, is a physical education instructor at the College, and coached Nampa's American Legion baseball program for eight seasons. 

PRESEASON NATIONAL POLL: The Coyotes received 83 voter points in the NAIA Preseason Top-25 Coaches Poll, released Nov. 11 by the national office in Kansas City, Mo. The C of I was the first team listed in the Others Receiving Votes category, just five points behind No. 25 ranked Belhaven (Miss.). Lewis-Clark State is the top-ranked team, followed by Lee (Tenn.), Embry-Riddle (Fla.), Biola (Calif.), and Spring Arbor (Mich.). The first regular-season poll will be released on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

CHANGES IN LEAGUE/PLAYOFF STRUCTURE: The 2009 season will shift postseason qualification from regional format to conference-direct qualification – as the 14 regions the NAIA has used in the past have been dissolved. Each conference with six-or-more teams will receive an automatic berth to the 45-team NAIA National Championship Tournament, with nine five-team sectionals will determine the teams to the Avista NAIA World Series in Lewiston this May. Although the CCC has just four baseball playing schools, the four teams have joined forces with four California teams and British Columbia to comprise the West Coast Baseball Group – which has been allotted a postseason berth by the NAIA. The North Division will be comprised of the Yotes, UBC, Concordia, and Corban, while the South Division will be comprised of Oregon Tech, Bethany, Simpson, and Patten – with Cal State-San Marcos in the grouping, but not playing in round-robin action. Each team will play home-and-home four-game series within their division, while playing a home series and an away series against two of the teams from the other division. The two division champions, plus the next two highest rated teams in the WCBG coaches poll, will play in the WCBG Tournament, with the winner advancing to Nationals.

YOTES PICKED TO WIN NAIA-WCBG TITLE: The four-time defending CCC champion College of Idaho baseball team will begin the first year in the NAIA West Coast Baseball Group as the team to beat, as the eight-team alliance released their preseason coaches’ poll. The Coyotes received five of the eight first-place votes in the North Division, out-pointing second-place British Columbia. Concordia was third, followed by Corban. In the South Division, Oregon Tech claimed five first-place votes to take the top spot, with Bethany, Simpson, and Patten all receiving one first-place vote.

CHANGES IN DOUBLEHEADER FORMAT: All home C of I doubleheaders (and games against North Division teams) will begin with a nine inning game, followed by a seven inning game. Games at South Division teams will be the opposite – a seven inning game followed by a nine inning game.

POSITION BY POSITION – PITCHERS: The Coyote roster boasts 14 pitchers that will all vie for innings in 2009. Heading into the season, the rotation looks to be a quartet of right-handers in Jake Bottari (Wells, Nev. / Western Nevada CC), Jared Arehart (Idaho Falls, Idaho / College of Southern Idaho), Jason Barry (Castlegar, B.C. / U. of Northern Iowa), and Andrew Brock (Burnaby, B.C. / Douglas CC). Bottari (4-1 3.18 ERA) came on strong late last season and was the Yotes go-to pitcher down the stretch – including a complete game shutout of British Columbia at the NAIA Region I Tournament. Arehart comes to the C of I after taking a couple years off – he was signed first out of high school by Washington State and out of junior college by St. Mary’s, before coming to Caldwell. Barry (4-5 5.98 ERA) led the staff last season with 43 strikeouts – recording nearly a strikeout per inning pitched, while Brock (4-1 4.09 ERA) is a durable arm that has been a mainstay in the rotation the past two seasons. Three others will be used as spot-starters and in long relief – Ben Rosen (Eagle River, Alaska / Lower Columbia CC), lefty Izaac Garsez (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS), and Chad Yeggy (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS). Rosen had a solid junior college career at Lower Columbia CC, one of the top programs in the Northwest, while both Garsez and Yeggy were 5A All-Southern Idaho Conference selections last season. Relievers will include returners Chris Larsen (Vancouver, Wash. / Everett CC), Dan Thiry (Meridian, Idaho / Meridian HS), and Ben Rodwell (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS), along with freshmen Dallan Withers (Salt Lake City, Utah / Juan Diego HS) and Ben Sinsel (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS).

POSITION BY POSITION – CATCHERS: The Yotes will have multiple options behind the plate this season – as senior Dane McGrady (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) and sophomore Jordan Lanman (La Grande, Ore. / La Grande HS) return. McGrady (.263 12 RBI) saw action in 41 games a year ago and threw out 34-percent of would-be base-stealers, while Lanman (.238 15 RBI) split time between the outfield and catcher. Also in the mix is converted infielder, Diego Robles (Caldwell, Idaho / Tacoma CC), who hit seven home runs and drove in 41 at Tacoma CC last spring.

POSITION BY POSITION – INFIELDERS: Depth is the key for the Coyotes in 2009, as multiple options at all four infield positions will keep the competition strong throughout the season. At first base, three players return – Ray Morrison (Cumming, Ga. / Chattahoochee Valley CC), Perry Hamilton (Buhl, Idaho / Blue Mountain CC), and Gavin Gamboa (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS), all who have pop in their bat. Morrison (.300 1 HR 12 RBI) battled injuries last season, while Hamilton (.208 2 HR 10 RBI) and Gamboa (.283 1 HR 15 RBI) took advantage of their playing time to put up quality numbers. Also in the mix at first is the catcher, Robles, along with outfielder Devin Weaver, who was limited to just 23 games last year due to injuries, but still had a homer and 12 RBI. Brad Carlsen (Reno, Nev. / Western Nevada CC) returns at second base, where he earned All-CCC honors and the CCC Gold Glove award in 2008. Carlsen (.320 7 HR 31 RBI) will also see time in centerfield, as he did late last season. Look for Matt Mejia (Ontario, Ore. / Eastern Oregon U.) to get a good look at second as well – as Mejia (.442 10 RBI) was the surprise at the plate last season for the Yotes before his year was cut short due to injury. Senior Jacob Garsez (Caldwell, Idaho / Columbia Basin CC) will open the season at shortstop after a quality Fall Ball campaign, while being pushed by senior Alex O’Brien (Everett, Wash. / Everett CC) and transfer Ray Santiago (Ventura, Calif. / Oxnard CC). Garsez (.267 10 RBI) has worked hard defensively during the off-season, while O’Brien (.340 2 HR 27 RBI), will also see time at third base. Speaking of third base, three-time All-CCC selection Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) returns for his senior year. Champ (.297 1 HR 22 RBI) will miss the first month of the year, however, as he is a starting guard for the Coyote basketball team. Others in the mix on the infield include Camron Hammond (St. Anthony, Idaho / South Fremont HS), who played for the Yotes in 2007, and transfer Cody Spencer (Hayden, Idaho / George Fox U.), who saw plenty of action last season for Division III power, George Fox.

POSITION BY POSITION – OUTFIELDERS: The Yotes return three outfielders who have won All-CCC honors in the past in seniors Jake Miller (Idaho Falls, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC), Cody Brubaker (Post Falls, Idaho / Spokane Falls CC), and Luke Howarth (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS). Miller (.344 3 HR 29 RBI) was the 2008 CCC Player of the Year, with Brubaker (.300 3 HR 34 RBI) also earning All-CCC accolades. Howarth (.273 9 RBI, 17 SB) is known for his defense, recording 12 outfield assists last season and was named to the NAIA All-America Gold Glove Team in 2007. Four others will be in the mix this season – including Jared Arehart and Izaac Garsez, when they are not pitching, transfer Kyle Douglas (Post Falls, Idaho / Lewis-Clark State), and senior Devin Weaver. The group of outfielders has the potential to put up the Yotes biggest power numbers in nearly a decade.

HISTORY OF PROGRAM: The C of I baseball program has a rich history that dates back to the World War I era - filled with multiple championships and a tradition of outstanding players and scholarly athletes. The Coyotes were founding members of the Northwest Conference in 1926, and under the direction of Anson Cornell, won the NWC championship in 1926 and 1927. The C of I would add a NWC East Division title in 1940, then win NWC titles in 1948 and 1949, under longtime head coach Clem Parberry. The squad would also capture their first NAIA District title in 1966 - however a lack of funds would force the Coyotes to forfeit their spot in the Sectional Tournament in South Dakota. This pre-wood bat era saw two no-hitters tossed (Andy Burkey in 1947, Bob Perkins in 1958), along with a pair of single-season school records that still stand today (Highest Batting Average - .479 by Dave Edwards in 1974, Earned Run Average - 0.84 by Kirk Beckwith) - by the Yotes first two NAIA All-Americans. Unfortunately, the Coyote program went dormant from 1979-86, but returned with a bang in 1987, under the direction of C of I Athletic Hall of Fame member, Tim Mooney. In a 14 season span, Mooney brought the Coyotes from non-existence to one of the premier programs in the NAIA. During his tenure, the Yotes qualified for the postseason every year, reaching the Sectional Tournament for the first time in 1994. Four years later, The C of I reached the pinnacle, as the Yotes topped Lewis-Clark State to win the Sectional title, and capped the season off with a win over Indiana Tech to capture the 1998 NAIA World Series championship in Tulsa, Okla. Mooney wasn’t finished, leading the Coyotes back to the NAIA World Series, placing second in 1999 and fifth in 2000, eventually leaving the College with a 526-239-3 all-time record, including a 203-36 record in league play - while coaching 23 All-Americans and 26 players who went on to play professional baseball. Shawn Humberger took over the Coyote ship in 2000 and the club has not missed a beat - advancing to the playoffs in each of his first eight years as skipper, including a third-place finish at the NAIA World Series in 2002. The Coyotes have won each of the last four CCC championships, advancing to the NAIA Region I title game each of those seasons - with 13 different players earning All-America honors under Humberger. Since baseball returned to the College, The C of I has won at least 25 games in each season - a mark of yearly success. Since 1934, the Yotes have won over 1,250 games.

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

TRACK AND FIELD: Lady Yotes break school record in DMR, squads to compete this weekend in Nampa and Seattle

LAST WEEK: at United Heritage Invitational

COMING UP: at Boise State Team Meet, Friday-Saturday, Nampa; at University of Washington Indoor, Saturday-Sunday, Seattle, Wash.

RELAY SHATTERS SCHOOL RECORD: Thanks to a powerful finishing leg from Tegan Troutner (Lake Fork, Idaho / McCall-Donnelly HS), The C of I’s women's Distance Medley Relay smashed the school record Friday night at the United Heritage Invitational in Nampa. The Lady Yotes time of 12:25.59 was nine seconds faster than the time the squad ran at last year's NAIA Indoor Championships and a full 20 seconds until the NAIA "A" qualifying time.  It was the sixth-fastest time in the nation this year. Stephanie Helm (Challis, Idaho / Challis HS) ran the 1,200-meter leg, followed by Jayne Saunders (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS) in the 400-meters.  Freshman Kayloni Jones (Nine Mile Falls, Idaho / Lakeside HS) took the baton for the 800-meter segment, followed by Troutner, who in the 1,600-meters was able to hold off both Eastern Oregon and Nevada for second-place, finishing only behind Sacramento State.

OTHER RUNNERS: The Yotes had two runners compete on Saturday at the Invitational, as Stephanie Sparks (West Jordan, Utah / Juan Diego HS) and Jayne Saunders ran the 800-meters – with Sparks finishing 14^th in a time of 2:22.35.

SPLIT SQUAD THIS WEEK: This week, the Coyotes will split their squad between two events – the majority of the team will compete at the Boise State Team Meet at the Jackson’s Indoor Facility, while select runners will compete in Seattle at the University of Washington Indoor. At UW, it is expected that both Stephanie Helm and Tegan Troutner will competing in one of the better 3,000-meter fields in the Northwest this winter. In Nampa, the core group of the Coyote sprinters will race in 60 and 200-meter races, a small group of middle-distance runners will compete in the mile, while Emily McCutchan (Kuna, Idaho / Cole Valley Christian HS) looks to hit the NAIA mark in the pentathlon.

NATIONAL MARKS: NAIA “A” – Stephanie Helm (Mile), Tegan Troutner (Mile), Women’s DMR. NAIA “B” – None.

LOOKING AHEAD TO OUTDOORS: The outdoor track season will begin on March 13-14 at the Northwest Nazarene Multi-Events meet. The Coyotes look to compete in seven regular-season meets, before the Cascade Conference Championships in early May.

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

SKIING: Coyotes help out with Special Olympics, then host final NWCSC Qualifier this weekend

LAST WEEK: Idle

COMING UP: Volunteering at Special Olympics World Winter Games, Monday-Thursday; host NWCSC Qualifier #4 (Slalom), Bogus Basin, Saturday-Sunday.

HELPING WITH THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS: The Coyotes will take a week off from competition, but will be involved on a larger scale this weekend. The team will join countless others as volunteers for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise. The team was featured on Monday evening by NBC Affiliate KTVB-TV about their involvement with the Special Olympics

SKIING AT HOME: The Northwest Collegiate Ski Conference will head to Boise this weekend for the final slalom qualifiers of the 2009 season, with two runs Saturday and two runs Sunday at Bogus Basin Resort. Both the Coyote men and women are in position to secure their sixth-straight NWCSC title.

NWCSC TEAM STANDINGS: Men – C of I 560, Idaho 460, Washington 335, British Columbia 335, Oregon 300, Washington State 247, Puget Sound 225, Oregon State 132; Women – C of I 600, Oregon 410, British Columbia 370, Washington 345, Puget Sound 275, Idaho 250, Washington State 216.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on The C of I ski teams, head to the official home page of the Coyotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/skiing.htm.