WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
The Blue Devils (7-5, 1-3 WIAC) will host St. Scholastica (0-9), Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. and UW-Platteville (7-4, 3-1), Saturday, Jan. 10 at 5 p.m. St. Scholastica appears to have the Blue Devils number. The Saints dumped Stout, 94-87, last season in Duluth, Minn. Stout has not defeated St. Scholastica since the 1983-84 season, with the Saints holding a 6-2 record in the series. The Blue Devils took 2-of-3 games from the Pioneers last year, with Stout winning twice on their home floor, 73-57, and again in the WIAC playoffs, 80-64. Platteville trounced the Blue Devils, 76-55, in Platteville. Last week: Stout lost a close 85-79 decision at UW-Oshkosh, Jan. 3. The Blue Devils split on their Christmas trip to Phoenix, Ariz., downing Keene State, 102-65, Dec. 29, but losing to nationally ranked Southern Maine, 81-71, Dec. 31. Player of the week: Erin Churchill, Jr, Plum City, Wis.

MEN'S BASKETBALL
The Blue Devils (8-4, 2-2 WIAC) will host UW-Platteville (6-5, 2-2), Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. Stout split last season with the Pioneers, winning at Platteville, 87-85, in overtime, then falling, 68-66, at Johnson Fieldhouse. Last week: The Blue Devils defeated UW-Oshkosh, 74-61, Jan. 3, for their first win in Oshkosh since 1995. Player of the week: Jacob Nonemacher, Fr, Kalispell, Mont.

HOCKEY
The Blue Devils (10-5-0, 1-2-0 NCHA, 1-2-0 WIAC) are off until Jan. 16 when they travel to St. Norbert College and to Lake Forest College, Jan. 17. Stout will play a junior varsity contest, Friday, Jan. 9 when they host Finlandia. Last week: The Blue Devils have been off since Dec. 13.

GYMNASTICS
The Blue Devils (0-0) will get their season underway, Friday, Jan. 9 when they are at UW-Oshkosh.

Women's Basketball

January 3, 2004

OSHKOSH - After battling back from an eight point halftime deficit, UW-Stout took a brief lead in the second half, but could not hold it and fell, 85-79, at UW-Oshkosh, Saturday, Jan. 3.

The Blue Devils (7-5, 1-3) pulled ahead 53-52 on a Molly Hendricks (So, Blaine, Minn) bucket at 10:53 in the second, but it was shortlived as the Titans' Kay Mikolajczak gave Oshkosh the lead second later and the home never trailed again the rest of  the game.

But it was not for a lack of trying for the Blue Devils, who lost their second consecutive game to a nationally ranked team. Stout matched the Titans' bucket for bucket throughout the second half, but could never quite capture the lead.

Stout's Erin Churchill (Jr, Plum City) cut the lead to 73-72 with two minutes remaining on two free throws. But the free throw line would be Stout's undoing - and the Titans' triumph. As Stout hit 11-of-16 second half charity shots, the Titans were a perfect 20-for-20 from the line and actually made their final 27 free throw attempts to seal the win.

The Blue Devils gave themselves a chance time after time, and when Churchill hit a 3-pointer with 11 second remaining to pull Stout to within two points, 81-79, the Blue Devils had hope. But the Titans made their final four free throws and Stout could not get off an adequate shot.

Churchill finished with a career-high 25 points, including connecting on all nine free throw opportunities. Sara Kahl (Sr, Menomonie) finished with 23 points. Hendricks pitched in 11 points.

But the night belonged to Mikolajczak, who scored a game-high 26 points and pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds. Transfer Kelly O'Keef added 14 points, and Laurie Turtenwald and Michele Rosicky each tipped in 10 points.

Stout will host St. Scholastica Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. and UW-Platteville, Saturday, Jan. 10 at 5 p.m.

December 31, 2003

The Huskies (9-1) forced too many Stout first half turnovers - 28 Stout turnovers on the afternoon - and went to the line 21 times - 33 for the game, making 22 charity shots. Stout was 14-of-21 from the line.

The Blue Devils (7-4) fell behind 45-26 at intermission, digging too deep a hole, Stout coach Mark Thomas said.

"They are a good team and we dug too many holes, had too many fouls and too many turnovers," said Thomas. "They jumped out on us early."

Southern Maine is ranked seventh in the latest D3hooops.com poll. The Huskies have dominated basketball in the Little East Conference, winning or sharing 15 of the last 17 titles and advancing to the NCAA playoffs every year since 1987, with the exception of 1994.

Stout did hack away at the 19 point halftime deficit, getting the score to as close as six points several times in the second half.

Laura Verdegan (Sr, Tony) recorded a double-double for the Blue Devils, tossing in 14 points and collecting 11 rebounds. Steffanie Nemitz (So, Bloomington) added 11 points and Lindsey Erichsen (Jr, Spring Valley, Minn) 10 points.

The Huskies were led by Tiffany Jones with 22 points. Meg Cressler had 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Donna Cowing chipped in 11 points.

December 29, 2003

Stout's (7-3) pressure defense caused 28 Keene turnovers as the Blue Devils ran off to a 55-37 halftime lead, then expanded on that lead throughout the remainder of the game.

Stout never trailed in the game. The closest Keene got after the initial start was two points, 13-11, at the 15:58 mark of the first half. Stout went on a 15-0 run midway through the first half to take control for good.

Jenny Philipsky (Jr, Lomira) came off the bench to yank down eight rebounds in only 10 minutes of play. The bench accounted for 43 Stout points, with all but one player getting into the scorebook, and 31 rebounds.

Keene State (4-3) was led by Stacey Morse with 21 points. Sarah Begnoche added 12 and Brianne Barnes chipped in 11.

Men's Basketball

January 3, 2004

OSHKOSH - UW-Stout's Jacob Nonemacher (Fr, Kalispell, Mont) had a coming out party of sorts and the Blue Devils' Nate Templer (Sr, Beaver Dam) had another solid defensive effort as Stout defeated UW-Oshkosh, 74-61, at Oshkosh, Saturday, Jan. 3.

Nonemacher scored his first career double-double and Templer was simply harrassing in the second half to lead Stout to their first win in Oshkosh since 1995. 

Down 45-42, Stout (8-4, 2-2) went on a 22-2 run, fueled by eight points by Templer, to take a 64-49 lead with 6:08 left in the game and Stout never trailed. Templer scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half. Templer finished with two blocked shots, one a signature block late in the game, sending the ball into the crowd.

Nonemacher, who came into the game with only 19 points on the season, tossed in 13 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and had two blocked shots. The 7-foot freshman connected on 6-of-8 field goals and added a free throw.

The Blue Devils' Greg Chaisson (So, Minneapolis, Minn) added 14 points, 11 in the second frame.

Andy Fernholz led Oshkosh (8-4, 2-1) with 15 points and Kyle Pederson tossed in 11.

Stout will host UW-Platteville, Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.

December 28, 2003

The Blue Devils pulled down 57 rebounds to 31 for the visitors, a team based in Chicago. Stout did not shoot well in the game, hitting only 35 percent of their shots from the field, but they gave themselves second chances time after time.

Stout pulled down 32 of their own missed shots, then kept the Hoopers from getting their own misses, allowing them only four offensive rebounds.

The Hoopers hit their first seven shots of the game and jumped out to a 17-7 lead with five minutes off the clock. Stout slowly chipped away at the lead and took the lead for good with 5:41 left in the first half.

Stout built their lead up to a as much as 17 points midway through the second half and held a 72-60 lead with 5:55 left in contest before going stone cold.

The Hoopers went on a 12-1 run over the next five minutes until Stout stopped the bleeding from the free throw line. Jeff Vandenberghe (Sr, Coon Rapids, Minn) hit a pair of charity shots with 53 seconds remaining to give Stout a 75-67 lead. Nate Severson (So, Eau Claire) added a couple of throws and Andre Johnson (Fr, Chicago, Ill) added one.

Severson led Stout with 13 points. Vandenberghe tossed in 12 points. Luke Loney (So, River Falls) scored 11 points, as did Jacob Nonemacher (Fr, Kalispell, Mont), who also pulled down 10 rebounds for a double-double.

The Hoopers, who shot 48 percent for the game, were led by Ryan Benish's 22 points. Benish nailed five shots from beyond the arc. LeVon Brown added 18 and Brandon Harston 12.

Women's Gymnastics

December 16, 2003

But coach Jeff Richards has liked the response he has gotten as his charges prepare for the 2004 season.

"I have been hard on them," Richards, who is entering his sixth season with the Blue Devils, said, "but they have responded. I have been impressed with the advancements they have made."

Richards has been hard on this group of 14 gymnasts for a reason - he considers this the most talented group of gymnasts Stout has collectively seen.

Now, all the Blue Devils have to do is get past some injuries. Lost for the season is Mandi Neuman (So, St. Paul, Minn) to a knee injury. The same type of injury kept Neuman out of last season.

Even though Neuman is out competitively for the season, Richards expects her, as a team captain, to play a vital role in the team.

"Mandi has done just a great job, even though she can't practice," Richards said. "She has done a lot of the preseason organization."

Cassie Johnston (So, Albertville, Minn), the regional floor champion and balance beam All-America performer, could be lost as well for the season due to injury.

A couple of the talented freshmen have been hampered by injury as well, and then there are the always nagging, run-of-the-mill injuries.

Jennie Rosinsky (Sr, Green Bay) is the Blue Devils' only senior, and Richards said Rosinksy is hungry to show what she can do. A vault and floor exercise specialist, Richards said Rosinsky has worked hard in the offseason.

"Jennie is a rock in her two events," Richards said. "She has worked hard and is a more consistent gymnast."

Rosinsky has increased her difficulty on the floor with a new exercise and has taken a much stronger leadership role.

"Jennie should be a real surprise in Division III," Richards said, "plus, she has upped her team leadership. She will be a voice."

Rosinsky's scores are so consistent, Richards expects her to remain as the lead-off performer.

Rhian Paulson (So, Stillwater, Minn) is one of those performers that is trying to shake off a nagging injury. She is still struggling with an ankle injury, but overcame the injury last year, even when it was bothering her.

Paulson advanced to the national meet on the uneven bars, where she just missed All-America honors by finishing seventh. Paulson is tied for the school record on the bars with a 9.225, and Richards believes she will set her own record this year.

"Rhian has cleaned up her routine, even more than last year," Richards said.

Paulson is an excellent candidate to qualify to the national meet this year as an all-arounder.

"If she stays healthy, she can do it," Richards said. "No one really got to see her on the floor last year. She has got some skills on the floor that are some of the top moves in Division III."

Paulson boasts the fifth best all-time Stout score on the vault (9.30) and ranks 11th on the floor (9.325), despite competing only twice on the event last season.

Helen Pansch (So, Zimmerman, Minn) tasted national competition last season, qualifying on the floor exercise. While Pansch competes on the vault and the balance beam, her strength is the floor.

"Helen's dance is just beautiful," Richards said. "The judges just love her."

Richards has seen improvement in her beam exercise, where she is stronger and more consistent.

"She has a great outlook in gymnastics," Richards said.

Shanna Kissinger (So, Sioux City, Iowa) has shown consistency and should be one of Stout's top all-arounders. An ankle injury caused some inconsistency last season, but Richards sees Kissinger as strong this year.

"Shanna could possibly qualify to nationals as an all-arounder," Richards said.

Kissinger has increased her difficulty on the floor exercise and is one of the Blue Devils' top bar workers, plus her personality is a positive in the gym.

"What a great kid to have in the gym," Richards said.

Kelsey Gamelin (So, North Branch, Minn) could very well step up from a predominately exhibition schedule last year. Gamelin increased the difficulty on both the bars and the floor, a spot Richards expects to see a lot of her.

"Kelsey has worked hard," Richards said.

Robyn Neiderkorn (So, Galesville) will work predominately vault, but could add the bars and beam to her repertoire. An national and international award winning power lifter, Richards said Neiderkorn is a very powerful performer.

The five freshman - Caitlin Burch (Waukesha), Erin Kampa (Fountain City), Liz Karkula (St. Anthony, Minn), Lesley Rick (Birchwood, Minn) and Christine Sobczyk (Big Bend) - could add more than just depth to the team. They can add points.

Richards describes Burch as a hard worker in the gym, who is strong on the beam, a spot he expects her to work into the lineup. Burch competed in high school for three-time state champion Waukesha, earning second team all-state honors.

Kampa and Karkula are both overcoming injuries, but should be in the lineup. Both are strong on the beam and floor. Kampa competed at the Wisconsin high school meet, placing fifth in the all-around and in the top 10 in all four individual events.

Richards believes Rick could eventually challenge many of the Blue Devils records. Her strengths are the floor and beam, but Rick is a strong all-arounder.

"Lesley is a tough kid," Richards said. "I can see her getting to nationals."

Sobczyk "has impressed me since Day One," Richards said. Richards explained that after Sobczyk visited campus and gymnastics, she called to say she was quitting gymnastics. She had a change of heart and has impressed Richards with her improvement.

"Christine's strongest event is the vault, but she will compete on the bars and floor," Richards said. Sobczyk competed at the state high school meet on the beam.

Richards sees his floor exercise and vault areas as the team's strengths.

"We will take just one meet at a time to improve our consistency and difficulty," Richards said.

The Blue Devils open their season Friday, Jan. 9 at UW-Oshkosh, then will host Winona State, Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Updated: January 5, 2004