Women's Basketball

February 19, 2001

RIVER FALLS - UW-Stout jumped out to a 15-4 lead early in the game, built that to a 17-11 lead, but UW-River Falls shot off on a 23-0 run and went on to eliminate the Blue Devils, 78-66, in the quarterfinals of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) tournament, Monday, Feb 19 at River Falls.

After allowing Stout (18-7) to have their way the first 10 minutes of the game, the Falcons (18-7) shut the Blue Devils' scoring machine off for seven minutes to take a 34-17 lead with 2:09 left in the first half. Stout made a mini-run of their own to close the half, holding the Falcons scoreless the rest of the way as River Falls took a 34-23 lead into the locker room.

Stout closed the gap to three points, 40-37, six minutes into the second half on a 3-point shot by Tanya Halbach (So, Janesville), but that would be as close as the Blue Devils would get the rest of the way.

River Falls hurt Stout at Stout's own game, taking away much of the Blue Devils' transition game and forcing 21 Stout turnovers, while committing only 12.

While River Falls used only seven players, their two players off the bench accounted for 26 points with Tara Wakefield leading all scorers with 19 points. Wakefield scored 10 points in the first half, all during River Falls' big run and eight in a three minute stretch.

Halbach led Stout with 18 points, 15 in the second half, while Amy Zelinger (Jr, Racine) added 11 points and Sara Kahl (Fr, Menomonie) and Tina Gillen (Jr, Northfield, Minn) each scored 10 points.

The Falcons got 17 points from Melissa McKernon and 15 points and 10 rebounds from Andrea Long.

Home court advantage definitely came into play in the three games this season as the two teams split during the regular season, with the home team blowing the other team off the court in both games.

Men's Basketball

February 22, 2001

EAU CLAIRE - In a game that was even throughout most of the game, UW-Eau Claire held off UW-Stout to down the Blue Devils, 73-65, Thursday, Feb. 22 at Eau Claire in the semi-final game of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament.

Stout (14-11), the No. 8 seed in the tournament and coming off a 90-49 blowout of No. 1 seed UW-Whitewater Tuesday, held a 36-32 halftime lead, but the No. 4 seeded Blugolds took the lead, 41-40, with four minutes off the clock.

Eau Claire (17-9) went off on Stout, but the Blue Devils came back with nine points to go up 51-50. The Blugolds answered in a big way when Matt Fermanich and Sherm Carstensen nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to put Eau Claire up, 56-53 and Stout was never to led again.

The Blugolds built up a seven point lead, but a 3-pointer by the Devils' Aaron Vachowiak (Sr, Wausau) cut the lead to four, only to see Fermanich push the lead back to six, 64-58, with four minutes remaining. Nate Templer's (Fr, Beaver Dam) two free throws, and minutes later, Pat Von Feldt's (Sr, Stevens Point) bucket, brought the score back to four points, but that would be as close as Stout would get.

Stout shot 50 percent from the field for the game, but couldn't match Eau Claire's 3-point shooting where they hit 10-of-24 long range bombs. Carstensen himself bettered Stout's 3-point totals, connecting on 5-of-13. As a team, Stout hit 5-of-15 with Vachowiak and Von Feldt each making 2-of-5.

The Blugolds' Jason Larson led all scorers with 26 points and Carstensen talled 22. Von Feldt led the Blue Devils with 18 points and Vachowiak tossed in 15 points. Steve Krueger (Jr, Three Lakes) finished with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

February 20, 2001

WHITEWATER - The UW-Stout men's basketball team picked a great time to snap their winless conference road streak. After trailing for very briefly early in the game, the Blue Devils went on to a 90-49 win at UW-Whitewater, Tuesday, Feb. 20 in the opening round of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) tournament.

Stout trailed 6-4 three minutes into the game after Whitewater scored what would be their only back-to-back baskets of the contest. Stout took the lead after a 3-pointer by Jeff Vandendberghe (Fr, Coon Rapids, Minn), and never trailed again.

The eighth seeded Blue Devils (14-11), which were winless on the road in eight conference attempts this season, built the lead to as much as 15 points in the first half and took a 37-24 lead into halftime, powered by Aaron Vachowiak's (Sr, Wausau) 12 first half points.

By switching defenses constantly, Stout confounded the Warhawks (17-8), the tournament's No 1 seed, and shot out to a 20 point lead with only five minutes gone in the second half. Stout forced 20 Whitewater turnovers in the game - 11 in the first half.

"When we were up by 17 points, I knew this game wasn't over," said Stout coach Ed Andrist. "By switching the defenses every time I felt we needed to make the switch, it confused them."

Not surprisingly, Stout aided their cause by shooting well, forcing Whitewater into bad shots, nailing their free throws and outrebounding the much bigger and more physical Warhawks.

Stout shot 55 percent from the floor for the game, but shot 61 percent in the second half. The Warhawks went from bad to worse in the shooting category, hitting 39 percent in the first half, then falling to 24 percent to finish at 31 percent for the game.

The Blue Devils hit 88 percent (22-of-25) of their free throws and outrebounded Whitewater, 41-32.

Vachowiak led all scorers with 21 points. Pat Von Feldt (Sr, Stevens Point) scored 13, Steve Krueger (Jr, Three Lakes) 11 and Vandendberghe, 10. Nate Templer (Fr, Beaver Dam) pulled down a game-high eight rebounds, while Vandenberghe and Dave Larson (Jr, LaCrescent, Minn) had five apiece.

The Warhawks' Aubrey Lewis-Byers, the league's second leading scorer, and Robert Smith each scored 11 points.

The winning margin was the largest of any men's WIAC tournament game.

Men's Ice Hockey

February 21, 2001

MENOMONIE - UW-Stout's Terry Watkins was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) men's ice hockey coach of the year and eight players were named to the all-WIAC honorable mention squad.

The Blue Devils finished the season with their best overall record (15-11-1) in Stout's varsity hockey history, but Watkins was honored for turning the team around in conference play. After finishing fifth of five teams last season with an 0-7-1 record, Stout finished second with a 5-3-0 conference record. The WIAC coach of the year award was Watkins' second.

Named to the honorable mention team were goalies Ben Plester (Jr, Chemainus, BC) and Justin Wiskie (So, Janesville), defensemen Andy Anderson (Sr, Burnsville, Minn), Cullen Flaherty (So, Duluth, Minn), and Shane Maher (Sr, Forest Lake, Minn) and forwards Nate Legler (Fr, Lakeville, Minn), Drew Nichols (Jr, Victoria, Minn) and Brad Weappa (Sr, Brooklyn Center, Minn).

Women's Gymnastics

February 23, 2001

WHITEWATER - UW-Stout's Tasha Pasch (So, Northfield, Minn) repeated as the all-around champion at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) gymnastics championship, Friday, Feb. 23 at UW-Whitewater.

Pasch scored a 36.70 in the all-around, just missing the school record she set last week by less than one-tenth of a point. Pasch also won the balance beam crown, hitting a 9.40, one-tenth short of her school record.

As a team, the Blue Devils placed third with a school record score of 176.90, Stout's highest placing in the conference meet since the 1987 meet. UW-La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh placed first and second, respectively, repeating their finishes last year.

Stout's Katie Hanson (So, Duluth, Minn) was third on the uneven bars and in the process broke the school record with a score of 9.125. Hanson was third in the all-around with a 36.075.

Pasch placed fifth in the vault (9.40) and the uneven bars (8.90). Erika Opoien (So, Superior) was sixth on the beam (9.025) and sixth in the all-around (35.425).

Pasch was not the only Blue Devil to repeat. Stout head coach Jeff Richards was named the WIAC coach for the second consecutive year.

Pasch, Hanson and Opoien were named all-conference. The top six finishers receive all-conference designation.

Individual Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
Vault: 1. Melissa Cummins (Osh) 9.60; 5. Tasha Pasch 9.40; 8. Erika Opoien 9.35; 16. Katie Hanson 9.275; 17. Jennie Rosinsky 9.20; 32. Angie Swanson 8.65;

Uneven bars: 1. Michelle Saxton (Osh) 9.30; 3. Katie Hanson 9.125; 5. Tasha Pasch 8.90; 11. Erika Opoien 8.625; 14. Brenna Jones 8.60; 28. Angie Swanson 7.825; 31. Andrea Hassel 7.70;

Balance beam: 1. Tasha Pasch (Stout) 9.40; 6. Erika Opoien 9.025; 8. Andrea Hassel 8.80; 10. Katie Hanson 8.675; 13. Jennie Rosinsky 8.60; 31. Brenna Jones 7.825;

Floor exercise: 1. Becky McDonnell (LX) 9.50; 9. Katie Hanson 9.00; 10. Tasha Pasch 9.00; 20. Brenna Jones 8.625; 26. Erika Opoien 8.425; 31. Jennie Rosinsky 7.90; 34. Andrea Hassel 7.75;

All-around: 1. Tasha Pasch (Stout) 36.70; 3. Katie Hanson 36.075; 6. Erika Opoien 35.425; 12. Brenna Jones 34.20.

February 23, 2001

MENOMONIE - University of Wisconsin-Stout's Jeff Richards was named the 2000-01 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) gymnastics coach of the year, receiving the award for the second consecutive year. The announcement was made at the WIAC Gymnastics Championships, Friday, Feb. 23 at UW-Whitewater.

Richards, who is in his third year at Stout, has seen his young team continually improve on their team score throughout the season. Stout finished third in the WIAC meet, matching their best finish ever. Stout placed third in 1987 and 1985, and were fourth last season and in 1993.

The Blue Devils set school team scoring records almost every time they took the floor, and have moved the school mark to 176.90 which they set at this year's WIAC meet. Stout is currently ranked ninth nationally.

At the conference meet, Tasha Pasch (So, Northfield, Minn) won the all-around and balance beam titles. Katie Hanson (So, Duluth, Minn) and Erika Opoien (So, Superior) were named all-conference. Pasch, Hanson and Opoien have all broken school records at some point over the season.

Richards came to Stout as an assistant coach at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah, where he served for nine years in the NCAA Division I program.

Stout returns to action Thursday, March 1 when they host NCAA Division II Winona State. Stout will then be off until Friday, March 9 when they compete in the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) West Region at Hamline University. Stout will host the NCGA Championships, March 23-24.

Men's Track & Field

February 23, 2001

MENOMONIE - Three UW-Stout pole vaulter reached national standards as did one Blue Devil thrower as Stout hosted the UW-Stout Pentagular, Friday, Feb. 23.

Vaulters Jamie Buchholtz (Sr, Bloomer) and Bob Cahow (Sr, New Brighton, Minn) each reached the automatic national qualifying height with both jumpers clearing 15-feet, 8.25-inches. Jeff Rotering (Jr, Waumandee) reached the provisional qualifying height of 15-4.25.

Thrower Mike Turgeon (Fr, Perham, Minn) hit the provisional qualifying distance in the 35-lb weight throw, tossing the bag 52-8.75.

Dave Huber (So, Mendota Heights, Minn) won the 3000-meter run, clocking a time of 8-minutes, 58.02-seconds.

Although no team scores were kept, Stout coach Chris Hall estimated that the Blue Devils reached nearly 30 personal bests on the evening.

Hall was particularly pleased with the performance on Chad Sosalla (Fr, Whitehall) in the triple jump as he leapt 44-feet, two feet over his best.

The Blue Devils will participate in the WIAC Championships, March 2-3, at UW-Stevens Point.

High jump: 1. Mike Gratz (Platteville) 6-4; 4. Jay Sitek 5-10; Pole vault: 1. Ben Stern (LaCrosse) 15-8.25; 2. Jamie Buchholtz 15-8.25a; 3. Bob Cahow 15-8.25a; 4. Jeff Rotering 15-4.25p; 5. Corey Knudsen 14-10.25; 10. Lewis Cassellius 13-10.50; Long jump: 1. Ken Larson (LaCrosse) 22-6.25; 12. Nick Kohl 18-11.25; Triple jump: 1. Brad King (LaCrosse) 46-3.50; 4. Chad Sosalla 44-0; 6. Dustin Kohnert 42-5.25; Shot put: 1. Tim Amann (La Crosse) 53-9; 5. Kevin McCulley 47-0.25; 7. Joe Scracic 45-1.75; 14. Dave Leuty 37-8.75; 15. Corey Knudsen 37-0.25; 21. Lewis Cassellius 27-6.75; Weight throw: 1. Mike Koenning (La Crosse) 61-10.50; 4. Mike Turgeon 52-8.75p;

Women's Track & Field

February 23, 2001

MENOMONIE - For the fourth consecutive meet, UW-Stout's Andi Schwabenlender (Jr, Bristol) broke the school record in the women's pole vault.

Schwabenlender leapt to a height of 9-feet, 4.50-inches to set the mark at the UW-Stout Pentangular, Friday, Feb. 23.

Sara Pivec (Jr, Coon Rapids, Minn) reached the NCAA Division III provisional qualifying mark in the shot put, recording a distance of 42-9.75 to place second. Jenney Luer (Jr, Colfax) was third in the shot put (41-7.75).

Terra Dahlheimer (So, St. Michael, Minn) won the 5000-meter run (20-minutes, 48.23-seconds) and Nacole Ewerdt (Fr, North Fond du Lac) was second (20:50.28).

While no team scores were kept, head coach Joe Harlan pointed out that 30 season bests were reached on the evening. Stout will be at the WIAC Championships, March 2-3, at UW-Stevens Point.

UW-Stout Pentangular Individual Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
55: 1. Jocelyn Loe (La Crosse) 7.24; 7. Danielle Wojcik 7.87; 16. Susanne Olson 8.30; 18. Rachel Darby 8.97; 200: 1. Angela Klatt (La Crosse) 25.71; 13. Danielle Wojcik 28.76; 20. Sarah Jenne 30.12; 22. Rachel Darby 32.64; 400: 1. Krysten Bodenburg (River Falls) 58.89; 14. Alison West 1:05.68; 15. Michelle Abramczak 1:06.55; 800: 1. Jessica Dober (La Crosse) 2:17.22; 8. Heather Stiles 2:33.25; 12. Lisa Sorvala 2:37.04; 14. Amy Arndt 2:37.46; 16. Michelle Beckman 2:41.33; 19. Pam Gundrum 2:47.95; 20. Denise Hady 3:04.29; 1500: 1. Bridget Raisbeck (LaCrosse) 4:48.16; 9. Lisa Sorvala 5:13.69; 10. Tracy Oostdyk 5:13.74; 11. Amy Arndt 5:13.88; 12. Ellen Everson 5:14.53; 13. Tanya Miller 5:19.74; 15. Heidi Bedsted 5:29.89; 17. Mara Anderson 5:35.56; 19. Valori Schaffer 5:41.32; 3000: 1. Liz Kanak (La Crosse) 10:52.74; 6. Lacey Osuldsen 11:23.52; 12. Heidi Bedsted 11:59.30; 5000: 1. Terra Dahlheimer (Stout) 20:48.23; 2. Nacole Ewerdt 20:50.28; 3. Meredith Nordberg 21:01.49; 55-hurdles: 1. Breanna McMulland (LaCrosse) 8.47; 6. Michelle Abramczak 9.41; 4x200-relay: 1. La Crosse 1:48.36; 4. Stout 1;54.63; 4x400-relay: 1. La Crosse 3:57.98; 4. Stout 4:19.70;

High jump: 1. Kathy Thompson (Eau Claire) 5-5.25; 6. Ann Marie Curtis 4-9.50; Pole vault: 1. Heather Kleckner (La Crosse) 10-10.25; 8. Andi Schwbenlender 9-4.50*; Long jump: 1. Julie Korish (Platteville) 16-5; 8. amy Biegel 14-11.50; Triple jump: 1. Breanna McMulland (La Crosse) 37-4; Shot put: 1. Sonja Peterson (La Crosse) 43-9; 2. Sara Pivec 42-9.75p; 3. Jenney Luer 41-7.75; 14. Amy Biegel 29-2.75; Weight throw: 1. Bobbi Erickson (Platteville) 50-7.25; 4. Sara Pivec 44-8.

Updated: February 26, 2001