Women's Basketball

December 9, 2000

MENOMONIE - Amy Zelinger (Jr, Racine) scored nine of her game-high 17 points in the final three-minutes, 12-seconds to give UW-Stout a 79-77 win over previously undefeated UW-Stevens Point, Saturday, Dec. 9 at Johnson Fieldhouse.

With Stout (6-1, 3-0) trailing 68-67 with slightly more than three minutes remaining in the game, Zelinger returned to the lineup with four fouls and connected from the floor to give Stout the lead. The game went back-and-forth but Zelinger connected on 5-of-6 free throws and hit two field goals.

Trailing 78-72, the Pointers (7-1, 1-1) made the game even more interesting when Kelly McGurk connected on a 3-pointer to pull the Pointers to within three with 1:01 remaing and Carry Boehning hit a jumper in the lane 40 seconds later to move the score to 78-77.

Stout's Tanya Halbach (So, Janesville) was fouled and made the front end of a pair of free throws with nine seconds left. The Pointers got the rebound, called timeout, but could not get a shot off.

While the second half was back-and-forth, the first half was a Stout game. The Blue Devils used a full court press to keep the Pointers at bay and ran up to as much as a 10-point lead. The Pointers came within four at halftime, 31-27, then broke the press in the second half and took their first lead of the game at 17:06 in the second half.

Stevens Point had as much as a four point lead several times in the second half and there were eight times the game was tied.

Sara Kahl (Fr, Menomonie) appeared to give Stout the momentum around the halfway point of the second half when she drained two 3-pointers within 20 seconds of each other, but the Pointers refused to roll over.

Kahl finished with 14 points, as did Halbach. The Pointers had five players in double figures with Kari Groshek and Boehning each had 16 points. Andrea Kraemer, Amie Schultz and Cassandra Heuer each scored 11 points.

The Blue Devils will be at UW-Eau Claire, Wednesday, Dec. 13.

December 6, 2000

LA CROSSE - On a shot chart, the free throw line would have been well marked as UW-Stout defeated UW-La Crosse, 95-81, in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) contest Wednesday, Dec. 6 at La Crosse.

The two teams were whistled for a total of 57 fouls and took a combined 80 free throw shots. Stout (5-1, 2-0) picked up 31 fouls and shot 24-of-36 from the charity stripe, while the Eagles (3-4, 0-2) were called 26 times for violations and hit 31-of-44 shots from the line.

Stout held a slim 47-44 halftime lead, but quickly blossomed that up to a 62-44 lead four minutes into the stanza with a 15-0 run, keyed by Jesse Herrman's (So, Barron) five points. Stout took as much as a 26 points lead with eight minutes left.

Herrman led all scorers with 12 points. Sara Kahl (Fr, Menomonie), Amy Zelinger (Jr, Racine) and Tanya Halbach (So, Janesville) all scored 11 points for Stout.

Men's Basketball

December 9, 2000

STEVENS POINT - UW-Stevens Point broke open a close game to start off the second half with the first 11 points and went on to down UW-Stout, 79-58, Saturday, Dec. 9 in Stevens Point.

With recently retired Wisconsin Badger coach Dick Bennett in attendance to see his nephew play and his brother coach, one of Bennett's former teams poured it on the Blue Devils.

With a Stevens Point 31-30 lead at halftime, the Pointers (7-1, 1-1) went on a 27-6 over the first 11-minutes, 30-seconds of the second half to put the game almost out of reach.

Aaron Vachowiak (Sr, Wausau) led the Blue Devils (7-2, 1-2) with 18 points, but he got 11 points in the first half. Pat Von Feldt (Sr, Stevens Point) picked up 12 points.

Rich Steif came off the bench to lead all scorers with 19 points, while Josh Iserloth scored 17 and Joe Zuiker finsihed with 11 points, all in the second half.

Stout will host UW-Eau Claire Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.

December 6, 2000

MENOMONIE - UW-Stout denied the inside and, for the most part, denied the outside and came up with an 82-57 conference win over UW-La Crosse, Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Johnson Fieldhouse.

The Blue Devils (7-1, 1-1) used a smothering defense that held the Eagles scoreless for the first six minutes of the game, then catapulted to a 20 point lead nine minutes into the second half. The Eagles, who came in shooting 45 percent both from the field and from 3-point range, were held to 31 percent from the field in the first half and 27 percent from long distance. La Crosse (5-2, 1-1) improved in the second half, but still shot only 40 percent overall for the game.

Stout, led by Aaron Vachowiak (Sr, Wausau) and Steve Krueger (Jr, Three Lakes), controlled the glass, pulling down 35 rebounds to La Crosse's 23. The Blue Devils yanked down 23 defensive rebounds.

Vachowiak finished with a game-high eight rebounds, and Krueger had seven. Vachowiak was the only Blue Devil to score in double digits, hitting a game-high 22 points, 14 in the second half. Pat Von Feldt (Sr, Stevens Point) had nine points for Stout and Krueger, Oties Epps (Sr, Highland Park, Mich), and Nate Templer (Fr, Beaver Dam) each scored eight points.

The Eagles were led by Eddie Hebert and Casey Taggatz, who each scored 11.

For the Blue Devils, the win snapped a three game losing streak to the Eagles.

Men's Ice Hockey

December 9, 2000

ST. CLOUD, Minn. - UW-Stout used a balanced scoring attack to pick up a 5-1 non-conference win over St. John's University, Saturday, Dec. 9 at St. Cloud, Minn.

The Blue Devils got five goals from five different players and Mitch Kellin (Fr, Cohasset, Minn) had three assists to lead the way.

Brad Weappa (Sr, Brooklyn Center, Minn) got the Blue Devils (9-3-1) on the board six minutes into the game, taking a pass from Joe Berry (Jr, Apple Valley, Minn) for the score. Matt Olson (Jr, Buffalo, Minn), who picked up his first collegiate goal the night before at Concordia-Moorhead, got his second goal of the weekend at the 11:15 mark, with assists from Dan Winkler (Fr, Brooklyn Center, Minn) and Kellin.

The Johnnies (3-7-1) got their only goal of the game just before the first period break when Luke Kerfeld scored a shorthanded goal.

Stout put up two goals in the second period with Aaron Decker (Jr, Minnetonka, Minn), assisted by Kellin, at the 15:45 mark. Nate Legler (Fr, Lakeville, Minn) scored unassisted with 34 second left in the period.

Stout go their final goal of the game off the power play, with Andy Anderson (Sr, Burnsville, Minn) getting the honors, with Kellin getting his third assist of the afternoon and Cullen Flaherty (So, Duluth, Minn) getting an assist.

Jeff Dotson (Fr, Chanhassen, Minn) picked up the win, playing 30-minutes, 34-seconds and racking up 15 saves. Justin Wiskie (So, Janesville) came on in relief and recorded 22 saves. The Johnnies outshot Stout, 38-26.

Stout will now be off until Jan. 5 when they travel to St. Olaf. The Blue Devils' nine wins matches the most wins Stout has had since returning to varsity status in the 1996-97 season. Stout had a 9-18 record that season and went 9-16-2 during the 1998-99 season.

December 8, 2000

MOORHEAD, Minn - With the score tied 1-1 midway through the third period, Concordia-Moorhead scored, but UW-Stout answered a minute later to give the Blue Devils a 2-2 tie Friday, Dec. 8 at Moorhead, Minn.

The Cobbers' Mike Gast scored an unassisted goal with 10 minute remaining in regulation, but Stout's Matt Olson (Jr, Buffalo, Minn) notched the first goal of his collegiate career to give Stout (8-3-1) their first tie of the season. Olson was assisted by Andy Anderson (Sr, Burnsville, Minn) and Cale Finseth (Fr, Austin, Minn) with nine minutes left in the game.

The Cobbers pelted Stout goalie Ben Plester (Jr, Chemainus, BC) with seven shots in the five minute overtime period, but Plester turned them all away.

Stout scored first in the game when Erik Chilson (So, Rice Lake) scored five minutes into the contest. Joshua Marklevits (Sr, Red Wing, Minn) and Lewie Kellin (Fr, Cohasset, Minn) gave assists. Moorhead tied the game late in the second period when Aaron Marsh scored.

Plester recorded 43 saves on the night while the Cobbers' Bryan Howard turned away 31 shots.

Women's Gymnastics

December 8, 2000

MENOMONIE - The UW-Stout gymnastics team picked right up where they left off last year after a record-breaking season as the Blue Devils opened their season at UW-La Crosse.

The Blue Devils came up on the short end of a 176.925-167.925 score, but their score would have been the third highest score from last year.

Tasha Pasch (So, Northfield, Minn), an All-American all-arounder, took the all-around event with a 35.85 and captured the uneven bars with an 8.825. Pasch was second on the balance beam (9.10).

Katie Hanson (So, Duluth, Minn) was third in the all-around (33.225) and fourth on the bars (8.20).

Stout will be at UW-Eau Claire, Friday, Dec. 15.

UW-La Crosse 176.925, UW-Stout 167.925
(First place, all Stout performers)
Vault: 1. Becky McDonald (LX) 9.25; 5. Tasha Pasch 8.925; 6. Katie Hanson 8.675; 9. Brenna Jones 8.575; 10. Angie Swanson 8.175; 11. Andrea Hassel 7.75

Uneven bars: 1. Tasha Pasch (Stout) 8.825; 4. Katie Hanson 8.20; 5. Erika Opoien 8.175; 10. Brenna Jones 7.125; 11. Angie Swanson 6.70; 12. Andrea Hassel

Balance beam: 1. Jenny Moore (LX) 9.425; 2. Tasha Pasch 9.10; 6. Andrea Hassel 8.80; 8. Jennie Rosinski 8.65; 10. Erika Opoien 8.30; 11. Brenna Jones 8.20; 12. Katie Hanson 7.40

Floor exercise: 1. Becky McDonnell (LX) 9.55; 5. Tasha Pasch 8.975; 6. Katie Hanson 8.95; 8. Brenna Jones 8.825; 10. Erika Opoien 8.65; 11. Jennie Rosinski 8.35; 12. Andrea Hassel 7.75

All-around: 1. Tasha Pasch (Stout) 35.825; 3. Katie Hanson 33.225; 4. Brenna Jones 32.725; 5. Andrea Hassel 30.60

Football

December 11, 2000

MENOMONIE - UW-Stout defensive lineman Jeff Hazuga (Sr, Thorp) was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III Coaches' All-American team.

Hazuga, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) player of the year, led the Blue Devils in tackles for losses (30 for 144 yards) and sacks (14 for 115 yards) to help Stout capture their first WIAC title in 35 years and Stout's first ever NCAA Division III playoff berth. In the playoff game where the Blue Devils lost, 26-19, to St. John's University - which is in the NCAA Division III title game this weekend - Hazuga picked up 2.5 sacks to set a school record of 14 sacks.

Hazuga transferred to Stout last summer and completed his eligiblity at Stout after three seasons at St. Cloud State. Hazuga is playing in the Aztec Bowl in Merida, Mexico, Saturday, Dec. 16 as a member of a Division III all-star team playing a Mexican all-star team.

"I have never seen a one year player have the impact both on and off the field the way Jeff Hazuga has," said head coach Ed Meierkort.

December 7, 2000

MENOMONIE - Nine UW-Stout football players were named to the 2000 Football Gazette NCAA Division III All-West Region Football team.

The Blue Devils, who finished the season at 10-1 overall and 7-0 in conference play, had the most individuals named to the regional team which includes teams in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Washington, Oregon and California. Stout had three named to the first team, three to the second and three to the third.

Defensive lineman Jeff Hazuga (Sr, Thorp), offensive linemen Jeff Hutter (Sr, Beldenville) and punter Kevin McCulley (Sr, Fond du Lac) were named to the first team.

Hazuga was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) player of the year after recording 11 sacks during the regular season and 14 total sacks on the year. Hazuga had 30 tackles for losses of 144 yards and his sacks resulted in 115 yards lost. He also recovered three fumbles, forced another and broke up four passes.

Hutter played both center and guard on a team that produced the Blue Devils' first 1000 yard rusher in more than 10 years. As a team, Stout averaged 221 yards rushing per game (2435 yards) and set school records in first downs (216) and most plays (848).

McCulley averaged a school record-tying 41 yards per punt this season and booted 17 of his 76 kicks inside the 20 yard line. McCulley also unleashed a school record 82-yard punt and set a career punting record of 39.4 yards over his four year career. McCulley was a second team all-region pick last year.

Linebackers Eric Lund (Sr, Ashland) and Steve Miller (Sr, Lodi) and defensive back Tony Beckham (Jr, Ocala, Fla) received second team honors while fullback Eric Baker (Jr, Sarona), tailback Luke Bundgaard (Fr, Weyerhauser) and linebacker Jamie Spielman (So, Menomonie) were chosen to the third team.

Lund, Miller and Spielman made up three-fourth of the top linebacking crew in the WIAC. Lund returned two of three fumble recoveries for touchdowns, had three interceptions, three sacks and 53 tackles. Lund also scored one rushing touchdown and finished the season with 18 points. Miller recovered four fumbles and had three interceptions - returning one for a TD - to go along with his 74 tackles. Spielman led the team in tackles with 82 and had 23 tackles for loss.

Beckham was the Blue Devils' top cover man, breaking up a team high 14 passes and returned one interception 24 yards for a score. Beckham averaged 22.5 yards on 17 kickoff returns, one for an 85 yard touchdown.

Bundgaard and Baker made up part of the one of the best Stout rushing attacks in almost a decade. With Baker leading the way as a blocking back, Bundgaard set a single season rushing record of 1366 yards. Bundgaard also set a school record for most carries (270) and rushed for a school record 335 yards against UW-Platteville. Bundgaard was the only freshman selected to the team. Baker rushed for 353 yards for a 5.0 per carry average. Baker caught 16 passes for 81 yards and three touchdowns.

Players named to the All-West Region first and second teams advance to the ballot for All-America consideration.

Women's Cross Country

December 9, 2000

MENOMONIE - Lisa Sorvala (So, New Brighton, Minn) took one step up from last year and was named the most valuable runner of the 2000 UW-Stout women's cross country team.

Last season, Sorvala was named the rookie of the year and this year was one of the Blue Devils' top three finishers in all but one race. Her best time of the year was a 19-minute, 23-second finish at the UW-Eau Claire Invitational.

Heidi Bedsted (Jr, Plainview, Minn) and Terra Dahlheimer (So, St. Michael, Minn) were named as most improved and Pam Gundrum (Fr, Hartland) earned the most inspirational and most improved freshman awards.

Bedsted, who had battled injuries her first two seasons, went through the 2000 season injury free, and her times reflected the change. Bedsted's best time of the season 19:35 at the conference meet, shaved nearly two-and-a-half minutes off her first meet of the season after not competing at all last season and sparingly as a freshman.

Dahlheimer's results were even more dramatic, as she hacked off more than four minutes from her first meet to her final run where she clocked a time of 21:46.

Gundrum cut down her time nearly every week, starting the season with a time of more than 28 minutes on the 5-kilometer course, then finishing the season with a best time of 22:27. This was the first season of varsity competition for Gundrum in any sport, collegiate or high school.

Amy Arndt (Jr, Lakefield, Minn) was named the team captain.

The Blue Devils, under first year coach Joe Harlan, placed sixth at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships.

Updated: December 11, 2000