Football got the 2010-11 sports year started for Central Oklahoma last weekend and now it's time for soccer and volleyball to take center stage.
Both teams kick off their season this weekend, with soccer at home and volleyball on the road. Coach Mike Cook's squad hosts the Broncho Invitational, with UCO set to take on Nebraska-Omaha Friday and Truman State Saturday. Coach Jeff Boyland and his spikers go to the West Texas A&M Invitational for four matches, playing two each on Friday and Saturday.
There are no seniors on the soccer roster, but the Bronchos are brimming with young talent and should continue to build on a championship tradition. This weekend's games will also be a good indicator of where UCO stands in regards to the top teams in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Assocation, a league the Bronchos will join in 2012-13.
Look for an aggressive, pressing offensive attack and strong defensive play by UCO this weekend at Tom Thompson Field.
Four seniors are ready to lead the volleyball team that is looking to bounce back strong from two consecutive sub-par years. A rash of injuries in both 2008 and '09 severely limited the Bronchos, who are certainly capable of being one of the top teams in the LSC if they stay healthy.
UCO has plenty of offensive firepower and should get the season off to a good start in Texas.
A LOOK BACK: Though UCO lost its football season opener to Pitt State 31-20 last Saturday, there were a lot of positive things that went on at Wantland Stadium. First and foremost was the great crowd -- nearly 8,500 -- that ranks as the biggest in at least 10 years.
The retro uniforms worn by the Bronchos looked great, dozens of former players came from near and far for a pre-game cookout before being recognized at halftime and the game atmosphere was simply fantastic.
And on the field, the Bronchos showed many promising moments both offensively and defensively before losing out to Pitt State's fourth-quarter surge. A win would have obviously been the best topper to the night, but all in all it was a great start to the season.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Game Week!
It may be hard to believe, but football season is upon us. Or it will be in a few short days when UCO opens the 2010 campaign Saturday against Pittsburg State.
The Gorillas invade Wantland Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday and it should be an interesting battle between two long-time powers looking for an identity. Pitt State ranks first and the Bronchos third in all-time wins on the Division II level, but both are coming off losing seasons.
UCO went 4-7 last year, winning three of the last four after a 1-6 start. The Gorillas finished 5-6, losing three of their last four. It will be the third straight time the two teams have opened the season against each other, with PSU having taken the past two meetings.
The Bronchos have an incredibly young team this season, with just 21 upperclassmen on the 86-player roster. Twenty-one!! That's amazing. Even more amazing is the fact that senior center Cody Ellett is the ONLY player remaining from the 2007 team.
UCO has talent, no doubt about that. Skill-position guys like running back Josh Birmingham, wide receivers Dolphin Davis, Daniel Morrell and Matt Jackson. Defenders like linebacker Tucker Cason and lineman Herbert Byrd. These players are among the best in the Lone Star Conference and there are others who are flying under the rader right now, ready and waiting to showcase their talents.
There are many questions as well -- especially with such a young squad -- and it may take awhile to find all the answers. But all signs point toward a bright future for the Bronchos, who are eager to get started.
It should be fun Saturday night at Wantland Stadium. There will be plenty of pre-game activities around the stadium, a large group of former players will be honored at halftime and the team will be wearing retro uniforms. It's a 7 p.m. kickoff, so come out early and join in the fun.
While we're on the subject of Broncho football . . . how about the early performance of former defensive line stud Jermelle Cudjo? A four-year star who signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams, Cudjo has been impressive in the first two preseason games with a pair of sacks and has a great shot of making the roster.
The Gorillas invade Wantland Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday and it should be an interesting battle between two long-time powers looking for an identity. Pitt State ranks first and the Bronchos third in all-time wins on the Division II level, but both are coming off losing seasons.
UCO went 4-7 last year, winning three of the last four after a 1-6 start. The Gorillas finished 5-6, losing three of their last four. It will be the third straight time the two teams have opened the season against each other, with PSU having taken the past two meetings.
The Bronchos have an incredibly young team this season, with just 21 upperclassmen on the 86-player roster. Twenty-one!! That's amazing. Even more amazing is the fact that senior center Cody Ellett is the ONLY player remaining from the 2007 team.
UCO has talent, no doubt about that. Skill-position guys like running back Josh Birmingham, wide receivers Dolphin Davis, Daniel Morrell and Matt Jackson. Defenders like linebacker Tucker Cason and lineman Herbert Byrd. These players are among the best in the Lone Star Conference and there are others who are flying under the rader right now, ready and waiting to showcase their talents.
There are many questions as well -- especially with such a young squad -- and it may take awhile to find all the answers. But all signs point toward a bright future for the Bronchos, who are eager to get started.
It should be fun Saturday night at Wantland Stadium. There will be plenty of pre-game activities around the stadium, a large group of former players will be honored at halftime and the team will be wearing retro uniforms. It's a 7 p.m. kickoff, so come out early and join in the fun.
While we're on the subject of Broncho football . . . how about the early performance of former defensive line stud Jermelle Cudjo? A four-year star who signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams, Cudjo has been impressive in the first two preseason games with a pair of sacks and has a great shot of making the roster.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Summer Is Over
It doesn't officially happen until Sept. 23, but to me summer is over.
You may not have noticed it, but the seasons changed on Saturday, Aug. 7 when UCO had its first football practice. The lazy days of summer are gone, replaced by a sudden flurry of activity as first one team and then several more begin preparing for their upcoming seasons.
Football was the first to get started, with the cross country, soccer and volleyball teams all set to open practice next Monday, Aug. 16.
The football team has been drilling in some brutal conditions with the current heat wave and the Bronchos have plenty of work to do in order to be ready for the Aug. 28 season opener. Coach Tracy Holland's team is loaded with young players and they will have to grow up in a hurry with Pittsburg State coming to Wantland Stadium for the first game.
It will be the first of six home games for the Bronchos in 2010, including four of the first five. That's a far cry from last year, when UCO had just four of its 11 games at Wantland Stadium.
Mike Cook's soccer club is also dominated by youth, with nary a single senior on the roster. But the Bronchos will again be a main contender for the Lone Star Conference title this fall, returning nine players who saw some starting duty last year.
UCO has a favorable schedule, starting the season with six straight home games, and the Bronchos will play 11 of their 18 games at Tom Thompson Field this season.
It won't be as good a home slate for the volleyball team, with Jeff Boyland's spikers set to play just eight of their 30 matches at Hamilton Field House.
This is a veteran squad, however, with five seniors leading a team that lost just one starter from last year and the Bronchos are ready to be a main challenger in the league race.
Likewise, the cross country team is hoping to make a move up the LSC standings this fall. J.D. Martin returns six runners from last year's squad that finished fourth in the conference, with the Bronchos set to make their lone home apperance with the UCO Land Run on Sept. 11.
You may not have noticed it, but the seasons changed on Saturday, Aug. 7 when UCO had its first football practice. The lazy days of summer are gone, replaced by a sudden flurry of activity as first one team and then several more begin preparing for their upcoming seasons.
Football was the first to get started, with the cross country, soccer and volleyball teams all set to open practice next Monday, Aug. 16.
The football team has been drilling in some brutal conditions with the current heat wave and the Bronchos have plenty of work to do in order to be ready for the Aug. 28 season opener. Coach Tracy Holland's team is loaded with young players and they will have to grow up in a hurry with Pittsburg State coming to Wantland Stadium for the first game.
It will be the first of six home games for the Bronchos in 2010, including four of the first five. That's a far cry from last year, when UCO had just four of its 11 games at Wantland Stadium.
Mike Cook's soccer club is also dominated by youth, with nary a single senior on the roster. But the Bronchos will again be a main contender for the Lone Star Conference title this fall, returning nine players who saw some starting duty last year.
UCO has a favorable schedule, starting the season with six straight home games, and the Bronchos will play 11 of their 18 games at Tom Thompson Field this season.
It won't be as good a home slate for the volleyball team, with Jeff Boyland's spikers set to play just eight of their 30 matches at Hamilton Field House.
This is a veteran squad, however, with five seniors leading a team that lost just one starter from last year and the Bronchos are ready to be a main challenger in the league race.
Likewise, the cross country team is hoping to make a move up the LSC standings this fall. J.D. Martin returns six runners from last year's squad that finished fourth in the conference, with the Bronchos set to make their lone home apperance with the UCO Land Run on Sept. 11.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Most Dramatic Wins of 2009-10
In looking back at the 2009-10 school year, I started thinking about all the heart-stopping wins various UCO teams had and - being a guy who likes lists - decided to come up with a ranking of the 10 Most Dramatic Wins.
There were plenty of big wins by several different teams, but my list consists of 10 contests that were all down-to-the-wire thrillers that ended up with the Bronchos coming out on top in dramatic fashion. Women's basketball coach Guy Hardaker undoubtedly gained a few gray hairs during his season as three of his team's games made my list.
So here's a look at one man's list of UCO's Most Dramatic Wins of 2009-10.
No. 10 - Volleyball wins in five sets over Arkansas Tech. The Bronchos had lost four previous five-set matches before finally breaking through against the Golden Suns, prevailing 17-15 in the final set on back-to-back kills by Taylor Summers and Meaghan Wedberg.
No. 9 - Women's basketball over Southeastern Oklahoma. UCO avenged a home loss to the Savage Storm with a 101-97 overtime triumph in Durant in the regular season finale. The Bronchos stayed alive when SOSU missed two free throws in the final seconds of regulation and then won it in the first extra session as Rose Anderson had a clutch 3-pointer with 22 seconds left en route to scoring a career-high 22 points.
No. 8 - Soccer prevails in overtime against Texas A&M-Commerce. UCO eked out a 1-0 victory at Wantland Stadium in a late-season contest with the Lions on a goal by Katelyn Cropp with just 1:17 left in overtime.
No. 7 - Softball pulls out 6-4 win over Midwestern State. The Mustangs were ranked No. 3 in the country when UCO won an extra-inning thriller in the Lone Star Conference Tournament, getting a two-run double from Kacie Edwards in the top of the 10th to break a tie. Molly Shivers then put MSU down in order in the bottom of the frame to clinch the upset.
No. 6 - Men's basketball over Cameron. The Bronchos won their 11th straight game when a Chris Rhymes layup crawled over the iron for a basket at the buzzer and a 71-69 win in Lawton. Dauntae Williams had 29 points and 10 rebounds for UCO.
No. 5 - Softball knocks off No. 8 Missouri Western. UCO scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to prevail 7-6. Kayce Raines tied it with a two-run single and Kacie Edwards followed with a game-winning single.
No. 4 - Soccer tops West Texas A&M in Lone Star Conference Tournament finals. The Bronchos had to win to earn a berth in the NCAA Division II national tournament and did it by the slimmest of margins with a penalty-kick victory. The two teams battled to a 1-1 tie through regulation and two overtime periods before UCO finally won it 4-2 in PKs, getting the go-ahead goal from Summer White and the clincher from Nathalie Bernigaud.
No. 3 - Women's basketball outlasts Texas Woman's in two overtimes. The Bronchos needed a miracle to even get to OT and Savannah Hamilton delivered when she drained a 3-point rainbow at the regulation buzzer to tie it. TWU forced another OT with a last-second shot of its own, but UCO finally claimed a 96-93 road victory in the second extra session. Ashley Beckley scored 22 points, Jordan Stark had 21 points and 14 rebounds and Hamilton finished with 13 points.
No. 2 - Men's basketball over Emporia State. In the home opener, UCO overcame a 16-point deficit and survived a 116-114 double-overtime nail-biter against the Hornets. The two teams combined to shot over 65 percent from 3-point range while making 32 treys in a scintillating shooting exhibition, with Shane Carroll hitting eight in career-high 33-point outing for the Bronchos. Tyler Phillips made two free throws with 10 seconds left in the second OT to break a 114-all tie and ESU couldn't get off a potential winning shot at the end.
And No. 1 - Women's basketball - again - in an amazing 111-105 triple-overtime win over Abilene Christian in the first round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament. Wow is all I can say about this game, which I still have a hard time believing the Bronchos won. Clutch shots on both sides, amazing individual performances, big-time blunders . . . this game had it all. ACU appeared to have won when it scored with less than a second to play in the first OT to take a two-point lead, but the Wildcats were called for a technical when several players stormed the court as UCO was trying to inbound the ball. Jordan Stark drilled the two resulting free throws to tie it again and the Bronchos pulled away in the third extra period.
There you have it, my list of the 10 Most Dramatic Wins of 2009-10.
There were several other contests that nearly made the cut, like the football team's 24-17 road win over No. 13-ranked West Texas A&M and a 5-4 tennis victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith when Lacy Caldwell rallied for a three-set win in the final match, but in the end these 10 were the best.
Any arguments?
There were plenty of big wins by several different teams, but my list consists of 10 contests that were all down-to-the-wire thrillers that ended up with the Bronchos coming out on top in dramatic fashion. Women's basketball coach Guy Hardaker undoubtedly gained a few gray hairs during his season as three of his team's games made my list.
So here's a look at one man's list of UCO's Most Dramatic Wins of 2009-10.
No. 10 - Volleyball wins in five sets over Arkansas Tech. The Bronchos had lost four previous five-set matches before finally breaking through against the Golden Suns, prevailing 17-15 in the final set on back-to-back kills by Taylor Summers and Meaghan Wedberg.
No. 9 - Women's basketball over Southeastern Oklahoma. UCO avenged a home loss to the Savage Storm with a 101-97 overtime triumph in Durant in the regular season finale. The Bronchos stayed alive when SOSU missed two free throws in the final seconds of regulation and then won it in the first extra session as Rose Anderson had a clutch 3-pointer with 22 seconds left en route to scoring a career-high 22 points.
No. 8 - Soccer prevails in overtime against Texas A&M-Commerce. UCO eked out a 1-0 victory at Wantland Stadium in a late-season contest with the Lions on a goal by Katelyn Cropp with just 1:17 left in overtime.
No. 7 - Softball pulls out 6-4 win over Midwestern State. The Mustangs were ranked No. 3 in the country when UCO won an extra-inning thriller in the Lone Star Conference Tournament, getting a two-run double from Kacie Edwards in the top of the 10th to break a tie. Molly Shivers then put MSU down in order in the bottom of the frame to clinch the upset.
No. 6 - Men's basketball over Cameron. The Bronchos won their 11th straight game when a Chris Rhymes layup crawled over the iron for a basket at the buzzer and a 71-69 win in Lawton. Dauntae Williams had 29 points and 10 rebounds for UCO.
No. 5 - Softball knocks off No. 8 Missouri Western. UCO scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to prevail 7-6. Kayce Raines tied it with a two-run single and Kacie Edwards followed with a game-winning single.
No. 4 - Soccer tops West Texas A&M in Lone Star Conference Tournament finals. The Bronchos had to win to earn a berth in the NCAA Division II national tournament and did it by the slimmest of margins with a penalty-kick victory. The two teams battled to a 1-1 tie through regulation and two overtime periods before UCO finally won it 4-2 in PKs, getting the go-ahead goal from Summer White and the clincher from Nathalie Bernigaud.
No. 3 - Women's basketball outlasts Texas Woman's in two overtimes. The Bronchos needed a miracle to even get to OT and Savannah Hamilton delivered when she drained a 3-point rainbow at the regulation buzzer to tie it. TWU forced another OT with a last-second shot of its own, but UCO finally claimed a 96-93 road victory in the second extra session. Ashley Beckley scored 22 points, Jordan Stark had 21 points and 14 rebounds and Hamilton finished with 13 points.
No. 2 - Men's basketball over Emporia State. In the home opener, UCO overcame a 16-point deficit and survived a 116-114 double-overtime nail-biter against the Hornets. The two teams combined to shot over 65 percent from 3-point range while making 32 treys in a scintillating shooting exhibition, with Shane Carroll hitting eight in career-high 33-point outing for the Bronchos. Tyler Phillips made two free throws with 10 seconds left in the second OT to break a 114-all tie and ESU couldn't get off a potential winning shot at the end.
And No. 1 - Women's basketball - again - in an amazing 111-105 triple-overtime win over Abilene Christian in the first round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament. Wow is all I can say about this game, which I still have a hard time believing the Bronchos won. Clutch shots on both sides, amazing individual performances, big-time blunders . . . this game had it all. ACU appeared to have won when it scored with less than a second to play in the first OT to take a two-point lead, but the Wildcats were called for a technical when several players stormed the court as UCO was trying to inbound the ball. Jordan Stark drilled the two resulting free throws to tie it again and the Bronchos pulled away in the third extra period.
There you have it, my list of the 10 Most Dramatic Wins of 2009-10.
There were several other contests that nearly made the cut, like the football team's 24-17 road win over No. 13-ranked West Texas A&M and a 5-4 tennis victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith when Lacy Caldwell rallied for a three-set win in the final match, but in the end these 10 were the best.
Any arguments?
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Overachievers
I listened to UCO softball coach Genny Stidham throughout the fall and winter talk about her team and their prospects for 2010. The talent was there, but it was a young squad and she never could get a feel on how good they could be.
Well, I'd say the answer is in . . . they're pretty good. Seven freshmen and sophomores play key roles on a team that finished as Lone Star Conference North Division runner-up and Monday earned the program's sixth NCAA Division II national tournament berth since 2002.
And while there's no doubt the youngsters have played an instrumental role this spring, the heart and soul of this team -- at least to me -- are seniors Kelsey Tiger and Molly Shivers. Two of the most competitive players to ever come through UCO, that dynamic duo has led the way through their play on the field and their leadership off it.
Tiger will go down as one of the best all-around players in a school history. Remarkably, she's started EVERY game (189 and counting) of her career, having seen action at catcher, second base and shortstop. An excellent defender at whatever position she's played, Kelsey will also finish at or near the top in a bunch of all-time school statistical categories, including hits and RBI.
Shivers also ranks among UCO's finest-ever players. She's been a workhorse in the pitching circle the past four four years, shines defensively in right field when not pitching and showcases offensively versatility at all times. Molly ranks among the school's career leaders in wins and strikeouts as a pitcher and home runs and stolen bases as a batter.
But Tiger and Shivers haven't done it by themselves. Far from it.
Rachael Steverson came into her own as a sophomore pitcher. Kacie Edwards stepped in as a freshman catcher and has been a terror at the plate all season. Sophomore Brittany Weaver came up with one big play after another at second base. Junior Megan Bentley became an offensive threat after struggling with injuries her first two years. Sophomore Rachel Lowery took over at first base to provide the stability needed there. And so on.
Hats off to Coach Stidham for molding this team together . . . and congrats to Genny for reaching the 350-win mark for her UCO career late in the regular season. Good luck to the Bronchos in the South Central Regional this weekend in Emporia, Kan.
Well, I'd say the answer is in . . . they're pretty good. Seven freshmen and sophomores play key roles on a team that finished as Lone Star Conference North Division runner-up and Monday earned the program's sixth NCAA Division II national tournament berth since 2002.
And while there's no doubt the youngsters have played an instrumental role this spring, the heart and soul of this team -- at least to me -- are seniors Kelsey Tiger and Molly Shivers. Two of the most competitive players to ever come through UCO, that dynamic duo has led the way through their play on the field and their leadership off it.
Tiger will go down as one of the best all-around players in a school history. Remarkably, she's started EVERY game (189 and counting) of her career, having seen action at catcher, second base and shortstop. An excellent defender at whatever position she's played, Kelsey will also finish at or near the top in a bunch of all-time school statistical categories, including hits and RBI.
Shivers also ranks among UCO's finest-ever players. She's been a workhorse in the pitching circle the past four four years, shines defensively in right field when not pitching and showcases offensively versatility at all times. Molly ranks among the school's career leaders in wins and strikeouts as a pitcher and home runs and stolen bases as a batter.
But Tiger and Shivers haven't done it by themselves. Far from it.
Rachael Steverson came into her own as a sophomore pitcher. Kacie Edwards stepped in as a freshman catcher and has been a terror at the plate all season. Sophomore Brittany Weaver came up with one big play after another at second base. Junior Megan Bentley became an offensive threat after struggling with injuries her first two years. Sophomore Rachel Lowery took over at first base to provide the stability needed there. And so on.
Hats off to Coach Stidham for molding this team together . . . and congrats to Genny for reaching the 350-win mark for her UCO career late in the regular season. Good luck to the Bronchos in the South Central Regional this weekend in Emporia, Kan.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Golfers Shine
Fresh off a three-day stint at the WinStar Golf Course near the Oklahoma-Texas border for the Lone Star Conference Men's and Women's Golf Championships and congratulations are in order for both UCO teams.
Hats off in particular to Cassy Knight for capturing her second straight individual league title. The senior improved by two strokes every round and used a brilliant final-nine rally to win by two shots with an even-par 216 total.
Cassy somehow managed a 74 in Sunday's opening round that was contested in horrible conditions, with rain, wind and cold making every shot an adventure. An even-par 72 in Monday's second round left Cassy one shot behind in the medalist race and a so-so front-nine Tuesday had that deficit up to three.
But down the stretch, Cassy was determined and dominating. Four straight pars, then laser-like approaches that led to tap-in birdies. A third straight birdie on No. 16 to take the lead, followed by a pair of routine pars. All that resulted in a back-nine 33 and a final-round 70 for perhaps the best feel-good win of the year for any UCO student-athlete or team.
The Bronchos also got steady play from Raelynn Farthing, who ended up tying for seventh with rounds of 76-75-74. And sophomore Erica Bensch, still smiling despite struggling mightly the first two days, posted an even-par 72 on the final day to help the Bronchos to their best score of the year (296) in finishing fourth.
UCO's men tied their best outing of the year with a third-place showing, firing their two low rounds of 2009-10 the last two days.
Leading that charge was the twosome of Andrew Green and Zach Cleland, who ended up finished 3-4 in the individual standings while going a combined 17-under-par! That dynamic duo was minus-15 the last two days, with A.G. shooting 67-66 and Zach 69-67.
A sophomore playing at an incredibly high level right now, A.G. blistered the par-5s at WinStar. At 6-foot-7 probably the tallest player in college golf, Andrew was 10-under on the 12 par-5s during the three-day tournament and ended up just a stroke off the lead. He's finished second, third, first and third in the last four tournaments.
Zach had his best tournament of the year by far and went the last two days without a bogey on his card, making eight birdies and 28 pars. Now that's consistency. And that's something the Bronchos will badly need again in two weeks when they go to The Territory Golf Club in Duncan for the South Central Regional.
Hats off in particular to Cassy Knight for capturing her second straight individual league title. The senior improved by two strokes every round and used a brilliant final-nine rally to win by two shots with an even-par 216 total.
Cassy somehow managed a 74 in Sunday's opening round that was contested in horrible conditions, with rain, wind and cold making every shot an adventure. An even-par 72 in Monday's second round left Cassy one shot behind in the medalist race and a so-so front-nine Tuesday had that deficit up to three.
But down the stretch, Cassy was determined and dominating. Four straight pars, then laser-like approaches that led to tap-in birdies. A third straight birdie on No. 16 to take the lead, followed by a pair of routine pars. All that resulted in a back-nine 33 and a final-round 70 for perhaps the best feel-good win of the year for any UCO student-athlete or team.
The Bronchos also got steady play from Raelynn Farthing, who ended up tying for seventh with rounds of 76-75-74. And sophomore Erica Bensch, still smiling despite struggling mightly the first two days, posted an even-par 72 on the final day to help the Bronchos to their best score of the year (296) in finishing fourth.
UCO's men tied their best outing of the year with a third-place showing, firing their two low rounds of 2009-10 the last two days.
Leading that charge was the twosome of Andrew Green and Zach Cleland, who ended up finished 3-4 in the individual standings while going a combined 17-under-par! That dynamic duo was minus-15 the last two days, with A.G. shooting 67-66 and Zach 69-67.
A sophomore playing at an incredibly high level right now, A.G. blistered the par-5s at WinStar. At 6-foot-7 probably the tallest player in college golf, Andrew was 10-under on the 12 par-5s during the three-day tournament and ended up just a stroke off the lead. He's finished second, third, first and third in the last four tournaments.
Zach had his best tournament of the year by far and went the last two days without a bogey on his card, making eight birdies and 28 pars. Now that's consistency. And that's something the Bronchos will badly need again in two weeks when they go to The Territory Golf Club in Duncan for the South Central Regional.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Quick Spring
Amazingly enough, the home season for two spring sports will end this weekend (April 17-18). Doesn't seem possible that most of our spring sports teams will be winding their seasons down soon, but such is the case.
The UCO women's tennis team wraps up its home schedule Saturday, hosting Newman for an 11 a.m. match on the UCO Courts located next to Hamilton Field House. Natalya Smith's Bronchos are 14-4 on the year heading into a Tuesday match at Northeastern State and ranked 24th in NCAA Division II.
UCO is the host school for the Lone Star Conference Championships April 23-24, but that tournament will be held at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center so the Bronchos will be making the final appearance on their home court Saturday.
Hats off to Natalya and her team for their performance this spring. The Bronchos have no seniors on the roster, but ripped off 10 straight wins during one stretch and have made remarkable progress.
This is definitely an up-and-coming program that should easily qualify for the national tournament, so come check out the Bronchos Saturday morning . . . and again next week in OKC at the conference tournament.
Also set to play their home finale this weekend is the baseball team, which will host league rival West Texas A&M for 1 p.m. doubleheaders both days.
Sunday's games will be the final home appearance for several seniors as well as 19-year head coach Wendell Simmons, who is retiring at the end of the season. The Bronchos enjoyed amazing success under Wendell's guidance and he deserves to have a good crowd on hand Sunday afternoon when he bids goodbye.
The UCO women's tennis team wraps up its home schedule Saturday, hosting Newman for an 11 a.m. match on the UCO Courts located next to Hamilton Field House. Natalya Smith's Bronchos are 14-4 on the year heading into a Tuesday match at Northeastern State and ranked 24th in NCAA Division II.
UCO is the host school for the Lone Star Conference Championships April 23-24, but that tournament will be held at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center so the Bronchos will be making the final appearance on their home court Saturday.
Hats off to Natalya and her team for their performance this spring. The Bronchos have no seniors on the roster, but ripped off 10 straight wins during one stretch and have made remarkable progress.
This is definitely an up-and-coming program that should easily qualify for the national tournament, so come check out the Bronchos Saturday morning . . . and again next week in OKC at the conference tournament.
Also set to play their home finale this weekend is the baseball team, which will host league rival West Texas A&M for 1 p.m. doubleheaders both days.
Sunday's games will be the final home appearance for several seniors as well as 19-year head coach Wendell Simmons, who is retiring at the end of the season. The Bronchos enjoyed amazing success under Wendell's guidance and he deserves to have a good crowd on hand Sunday afternoon when he bids goodbye.
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