It's a huge season-ending weekend for the Central Oklahoma soccer team as the Bronchos try to capture their seventh Lone Star Conference title since 2000.
UCO takes on Texas A&M-Commerce Friday and then closes against Texas Woman's Sunday, with two wins needed to clinch the outright title for the Bronchos. Both games will be at Wantland Stadium, where Mike Cook's crew has played all its home games this season after summer renovations resulted in field drainage issues that have left Tom Thompson Field unplayable.
Six teams are bunched up within three points of each other in the conference standings. Teams get three points for a win and one point for a tie in league games and UCO leads with 18 points, while Abilene Christian (17 points), West Texas A&M (16), A&M-C (15), TWU (15) and Midwestern State (15) are still in the hunt.
ACU has one game remaining while the other five teams have two games left. Two wins gives UCO an uncatchable 24 points, which would result in yet another league title for the Bronchos along with the right to host the LSC Tournament next week.
Coach Cook's team has improved by leaps and bounds during the course of this season, overcoming a rugged start to get to this point. UCO gave up 10 goals in opening the season 0-3-1, but has allowed just seven in the last 14 games while going 12-2.
Sunday's finale with TWU will be the final regular season home appearance for four UCO standouts -- Alli Miller, Tiffanie Meek, Meghan Saliba and Whitney Craft. That foursome has led the Bronchos to 62 wins the past four years and Miller will go down as one of the program's best-ever defenders, ranking up there with Lisa Hansen and Stephanie Gulisao.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Random Thoughts
Central Oklahoma has its first fall sport enter postseason competition Saturday when the women's cross country team goes to Canyon, Texas for the Lone Star Conference Championships, hosted by West Texas A&M. The Bronchos of long-time coach J.D. Martin have had an up-and-down year while battling a host of injuries, but are looking to push for a top-three finish.
Midwestern State appears to be a heavy pre-meet favorite, with several teams lined up to take advantage should the Mustangs falter. UCO will be one of those teams and has the potential to spring an upset if stalwarts Evelyn Berko and Alina Istrate run like they're capable of.
Berko has been a consistent force throughout her career with the Bronchos and the senior is looking to become a rare four-time All-LSC performer Saturday. Evelyn has finished eighth in the league meet each of the last three years and aims to make significant improvement in her final try.
Istrate has been slowed by injury the last month and didn't compete in UCO's last meet, but the junior looks to be ready now and the Bronchos definitely need a top showing from her if they are to compete for the team title.
UCO's wrestling team drew the No. 6 ranking in the NCAA Division II preseason poll that came out earlier this week, which is exactly where the Bronchos have finished in the national tournament the past two years. And sixth place is not quite up to the standards that 28-year head coach David James demands of his program.
Dustin Finn was the top-ranked heavyweight and the senior standout will definitely be a top favorite to win that title. He's had two straight national runner-up finishes and should benefit from being on the mat all year instead of having to wait until late November and the end of football. Dustin is looking to becoming UCO's first-ever heavyweight national champion.
Here's an interesting fact about the wrestling team . . . there are five sets of brothers on the squad. Ben and Seth Johnson, Colby and Conner Robinson, Dustin and Patrick Finn, Casy and Cody Rowell and Jarrett and Jordan Edison. Those five families make up 24 percent of the roster (10 of 41) this season.
UCO will preview the 2009-10 team on Wednesday, Oct. 28, with the annual Bronze-Blue intrasquad match at Hamilton Field House. And don't forget to circle Nov. 11 on your calander as the Bronchos welcome the OU Sooners to town that night for a dual.
Brandon Noohi had one of the best individual performances in school history during UCO's 41-23 football win over Southwestern Oklahoma last Saturday. The senior quarterback accounted for 416 total yards and five touchdowns in the contest, showing he can beat teams with his legs and his arm as he rushed for 146 yards and passed for 270 more.
The beat-up Bronchos ended a five-game losing streak with that much-needed win, but face a stern test Saturday at No. 17-ranked Midwestern State. The Mustangs are coming off a big 38-7 "upset" of No. 7-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville and are fighting for their playoff lives.
UCO will finish the season with a game at East Central on Oct. 31 and then the home finale against Northeastern State on Nov. 7.
Midwestern State appears to be a heavy pre-meet favorite, with several teams lined up to take advantage should the Mustangs falter. UCO will be one of those teams and has the potential to spring an upset if stalwarts Evelyn Berko and Alina Istrate run like they're capable of.
Berko has been a consistent force throughout her career with the Bronchos and the senior is looking to become a rare four-time All-LSC performer Saturday. Evelyn has finished eighth in the league meet each of the last three years and aims to make significant improvement in her final try.
Istrate has been slowed by injury the last month and didn't compete in UCO's last meet, but the junior looks to be ready now and the Bronchos definitely need a top showing from her if they are to compete for the team title.
UCO's wrestling team drew the No. 6 ranking in the NCAA Division II preseason poll that came out earlier this week, which is exactly where the Bronchos have finished in the national tournament the past two years. And sixth place is not quite up to the standards that 28-year head coach David James demands of his program.
Dustin Finn was the top-ranked heavyweight and the senior standout will definitely be a top favorite to win that title. He's had two straight national runner-up finishes and should benefit from being on the mat all year instead of having to wait until late November and the end of football. Dustin is looking to becoming UCO's first-ever heavyweight national champion.
Here's an interesting fact about the wrestling team . . . there are five sets of brothers on the squad. Ben and Seth Johnson, Colby and Conner Robinson, Dustin and Patrick Finn, Casy and Cody Rowell and Jarrett and Jordan Edison. Those five families make up 24 percent of the roster (10 of 41) this season.
UCO will preview the 2009-10 team on Wednesday, Oct. 28, with the annual Bronze-Blue intrasquad match at Hamilton Field House. And don't forget to circle Nov. 11 on your calander as the Bronchos welcome the OU Sooners to town that night for a dual.
Brandon Noohi had one of the best individual performances in school history during UCO's 41-23 football win over Southwestern Oklahoma last Saturday. The senior quarterback accounted for 416 total yards and five touchdowns in the contest, showing he can beat teams with his legs and his arm as he rushed for 146 yards and passed for 270 more.
The beat-up Bronchos ended a five-game losing streak with that much-needed win, but face a stern test Saturday at No. 17-ranked Midwestern State. The Mustangs are coming off a big 38-7 "upset" of No. 7-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville and are fighting for their playoff lives.
UCO will finish the season with a game at East Central on Oct. 31 and then the home finale against Northeastern State on Nov. 7.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Random Thoughts
Random thoughts while still trying to figure out exactly why three members of the Oklahoma City Thunder were in attendance at UCO's Lone Star Conference volleyball match against Abilene Christian Thursday night in Hamilton Field House. Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Kyle Weaver walked in midway through the first set and stayed throughout the nearly two-hour match, casually nibbling on popcorn while chatting with several UCO basketball players and other fans who happened by.
It was a great effort by Jeff Boyland's crew in the tough five-set loss to ACU. The Bronchos had as good a comeback as I've seen in awhile in the fourth set to come back from a 23-16 deficit to pull out a 26-24 win and force a fifth set, but the Wildcats simply had too much firepower in the end. It's always good to see a team not give up when the odds are stacked against them, so kudos to the Bronchos for battling back the way they did. This is a team with just one senior, so better days are ahead.
Kasey Tweed of the UCO basketball team may already be the runaway winner of the tough-luck award for 2009. The junior guard tore her ACL during the Lone Star Conference Tournament last March and missed out on UCO's run to the South Central Regional finals but spent months of hard rehab work to get back on the court. So what happens on the first day of practice Thursday? Kasey takes a hard elbow to the face, breaking her nose and putting her out of action for at least a couple of weeks. She should be back by the time the season opens and the Bronchos need her on the court for the toughness she brings to the team.
Big game for the UCO football team Saturday at Wantland Stadium against long-time rival Southwestern Oklahoma. Bronchos are going nowhere at 1-6, but can establish some much-needed momentum for the off-season with a good late-season push. Tracy Holland has a lot of young guys getting some extensive playing time and that will pay off in the years to come. Kickoff is 6 p.m. Saturday as the Bronchos take on their oldest rival.
It was a great effort by Jeff Boyland's crew in the tough five-set loss to ACU. The Bronchos had as good a comeback as I've seen in awhile in the fourth set to come back from a 23-16 deficit to pull out a 26-24 win and force a fifth set, but the Wildcats simply had too much firepower in the end. It's always good to see a team not give up when the odds are stacked against them, so kudos to the Bronchos for battling back the way they did. This is a team with just one senior, so better days are ahead.
Kasey Tweed of the UCO basketball team may already be the runaway winner of the tough-luck award for 2009. The junior guard tore her ACL during the Lone Star Conference Tournament last March and missed out on UCO's run to the South Central Regional finals but spent months of hard rehab work to get back on the court. So what happens on the first day of practice Thursday? Kasey takes a hard elbow to the face, breaking her nose and putting her out of action for at least a couple of weeks. She should be back by the time the season opens and the Bronchos need her on the court for the toughness she brings to the team.
Big game for the UCO football team Saturday at Wantland Stadium against long-time rival Southwestern Oklahoma. Bronchos are going nowhere at 1-6, but can establish some much-needed momentum for the off-season with a good late-season push. Tracy Holland has a lot of young guys getting some extensive playing time and that will pay off in the years to come. Kickoff is 6 p.m. Saturday as the Bronchos take on their oldest rival.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Winter Sports
Don't look now, but the winter sports season at Central Oklahoma is just around the corner. And all three teams figure to be legitimate national contenders this year.
UCO's powerhouse wrestling program -- the one that has 15 national championship trophies on display at Hamilton Field House -- has been on the mat for a couple of weeks now as the Bronchos look forward to the 2009-10 campaign that will start with the annual Bronze-Blue intrasquad match on Oct. 28.
David James' crew will be ranked somewhere in the top 10 when the preseason poll comes out and that's not good enough for the long-time skipper, who has directed UCO to 12 of its 15 national titles and is eager for another one. Seven starters return, but the Bronchos do have a number of questions to answer and there's liable to be some new faces in the lineup before the season is over.
Dustin Finn is a two-time national runner-up and leads the way, with UCO needing to get big production from seniors Colby Robinson, Scott Berens, Mikey Morgan and Daniel Morrison if they want to contend for the team title in 2010.
The UCO women's basketball program has grown by leaps and bounds under fourth-year head coach Guy Hardaker and the Bronchos look to make another big step this season. Practice starts next week, with the season-opener on Nov. 15.
UCO won a school-record 27 games last year in making it to the Sweet 16 and though the loss of Lizzie Brenner and Mallory Markus -- two of my all-time favorites -- will be tough to overcome, I expect the Bronchos to once again be a force in the Lone Star Conference in addition to making noise on the national level. Expect to see this team ranked in the top 15 when the preseason Division II polls come out shortly.
Rose Anderson, Cristina Yarbrough and Ashley Beckley will pave the way in 2009-10 and I'm looking forward to seeing the Bronchos play. Most fans will have to wait a while to see the team in action, however, as UCO amazingly doesn't make its home debut until Jan. 5!
We're also ready for another banner season from the UCO men's basketball team of eighth-year head man Terry Evans. The Bronchos have won four of the last five LSC North Division titles and made five national tournament appearances under Evans and it should be more of the same this season.
UCO has won 52 games the past two years, following up a school-record 28-win campaign in 2007-08 with a 24-win effort last season. The Bronchos lost quite a bit from last year, but the return of Eric Cazenave, Tyler Phillips and a host of others along with some talented newcomers will keep this team among the best in Division II.
Ranked as high as third in the country last year, UCO figures to be a top-15 team in the preseason poll. The Bronchos will get some national exposure and face two big tests early, taking on Baylor and Oklahoma State in exhibition games.
Make plans now to get out and see these three teams in action this winter. You won't be disappointed.
UCO's powerhouse wrestling program -- the one that has 15 national championship trophies on display at Hamilton Field House -- has been on the mat for a couple of weeks now as the Bronchos look forward to the 2009-10 campaign that will start with the annual Bronze-Blue intrasquad match on Oct. 28.
David James' crew will be ranked somewhere in the top 10 when the preseason poll comes out and that's not good enough for the long-time skipper, who has directed UCO to 12 of its 15 national titles and is eager for another one. Seven starters return, but the Bronchos do have a number of questions to answer and there's liable to be some new faces in the lineup before the season is over.
Dustin Finn is a two-time national runner-up and leads the way, with UCO needing to get big production from seniors Colby Robinson, Scott Berens, Mikey Morgan and Daniel Morrison if they want to contend for the team title in 2010.
The UCO women's basketball program has grown by leaps and bounds under fourth-year head coach Guy Hardaker and the Bronchos look to make another big step this season. Practice starts next week, with the season-opener on Nov. 15.
UCO won a school-record 27 games last year in making it to the Sweet 16 and though the loss of Lizzie Brenner and Mallory Markus -- two of my all-time favorites -- will be tough to overcome, I expect the Bronchos to once again be a force in the Lone Star Conference in addition to making noise on the national level. Expect to see this team ranked in the top 15 when the preseason Division II polls come out shortly.
Rose Anderson, Cristina Yarbrough and Ashley Beckley will pave the way in 2009-10 and I'm looking forward to seeing the Bronchos play. Most fans will have to wait a while to see the team in action, however, as UCO amazingly doesn't make its home debut until Jan. 5!
We're also ready for another banner season from the UCO men's basketball team of eighth-year head man Terry Evans. The Bronchos have won four of the last five LSC North Division titles and made five national tournament appearances under Evans and it should be more of the same this season.
UCO has won 52 games the past two years, following up a school-record 28-win campaign in 2007-08 with a 24-win effort last season. The Bronchos lost quite a bit from last year, but the return of Eric Cazenave, Tyler Phillips and a host of others along with some talented newcomers will keep this team among the best in Division II.
Ranked as high as third in the country last year, UCO figures to be a top-15 team in the preseason poll. The Bronchos will get some national exposure and face two big tests early, taking on Baylor and Oklahoma State in exhibition games.
Make plans now to get out and see these three teams in action this winter. You won't be disappointed.
Friday, October 2, 2009
UCO Hall of Fame
Friday will be big night at UCO as eight new members will be inducted into the UCO Athletic Hall of Fame during a banquet on campus.
I've had the pleasure of watching and/or working with five of the new inductees during my long career at UCO, so it will be extra special to see Francis Baxter, Genny (Honea) Stidham, Kevin Freeman, Greg Oplotnik and Elton Rhoades go in.
Francis served as tennis coach for both the men and women from many years and produced some great teams and individuals. He was also the driving force in bringing the NCAA Division II national tournament to Edmond several times in the 1990s and is without question one of the nicest gentlemen I've ever met.
Genny was an incredible player for the Bronchos in the 1990s and then came back in '98 as head coach. One of the most intense competitors I know, Genny has been a great friend for many years and I'm especially proud to see her make the Hall of Fame.
One of the first great wrestlers I got to work with when I arrived at UCO in the fall of 1987 was Kevin Freeman, who was in his senior year that season. Kevin was fun to watch on the mat and had a great career that earned him a well-deserved spot in the Hall.
I have too many stories to share about Greg, who was thrown to the wolves as a true freshman and grew into one of UCO's all-time great big men. He was a raw talent who turned himself into a national champion and was a treat to be around. Anybody who still goes by the name Opie nearly 20 years after graduating college has my respect!
Elton had an up-and-down career with the Bronchos before really taking off his last two years. His senior season in 1994 was one of the best I've seen by a UCO defensive back.
It will be a fun night for those five and the other three inductees -- Alfred Murrell, Edmund Martin and Marita Hynes -- as kudos to former softball coach Gerry Pinkston for all the hard work she's done getting everything ready for the banquet.
I've had the pleasure of watching and/or working with five of the new inductees during my long career at UCO, so it will be extra special to see Francis Baxter, Genny (Honea) Stidham, Kevin Freeman, Greg Oplotnik and Elton Rhoades go in.
Francis served as tennis coach for both the men and women from many years and produced some great teams and individuals. He was also the driving force in bringing the NCAA Division II national tournament to Edmond several times in the 1990s and is without question one of the nicest gentlemen I've ever met.
Genny was an incredible player for the Bronchos in the 1990s and then came back in '98 as head coach. One of the most intense competitors I know, Genny has been a great friend for many years and I'm especially proud to see her make the Hall of Fame.
One of the first great wrestlers I got to work with when I arrived at UCO in the fall of 1987 was Kevin Freeman, who was in his senior year that season. Kevin was fun to watch on the mat and had a great career that earned him a well-deserved spot in the Hall.
I have too many stories to share about Greg, who was thrown to the wolves as a true freshman and grew into one of UCO's all-time great big men. He was a raw talent who turned himself into a national champion and was a treat to be around. Anybody who still goes by the name Opie nearly 20 years after graduating college has my respect!
Elton had an up-and-down career with the Bronchos before really taking off his last two years. His senior season in 1994 was one of the best I've seen by a UCO defensive back.
It will be a fun night for those five and the other three inductees -- Alfred Murrell, Edmund Martin and Marita Hynes -- as kudos to former softball coach Gerry Pinkston for all the hard work she's done getting everything ready for the banquet.
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