WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
The Blue Devils (18-9, 10-6 WIAC) wrapped up the season by winning the first game of the WIAC tournament, a 77-65, home win over UW-Platteville, Feb. 23, then bowed out in the semi-finals, an 83-67 loss at UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 25.

MEN'S BASKETBALL
The Blue Devils (14-11, 8-8 WIAC) finished the season with an overtime loss at UW-Platteville, 69-68, Feb. 24, in the quarterfinals of the WIAC tournament.

HOCKEY
The Blue Devils' (14-10-3, 5-7-2 NCHA, 3-4-1 WIAC) goalie, Jeff Dotson (Sr, Chanhassen, Minn), was named the NCHA player of the year.

GYMNASTICS
The Blue Devils will be at the WIAC Gymnastics Championships, Friday, March 5 at UW-La Crosse. Last week: Stout finished fourth at the John Zuerlein Invitational, Feb. 27 in Menomonie. Gymnast of the week: Robyn Niederkorn, So, Galesville, Wis. (G-E-T)

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD
The Blue Devils will host the WIAC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Friday-Saturday, March 5-6. The meet is scheduled to get underway at noon Friday and at 9 a.m. Saturday. The Blue Devils placed sixth last season. Last week: Stout competed in the unscored St. Olaf Invitational, Feb. 27. Track athlete of the week: Laura Eysnogle, So, Whitewater, Wis. Field athlete of the week: Laura Verdegan, Jr, Tony, Wis. (Flambeau)

MEN'S TRACK & FIELD
The Blue Devils will host the WIAC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Friday-Saturday, March 5-6. The meet is scheduled to get underway at noon Friday and at 9 a.m. Saturday. The Blue Devils placed sixth last year. Last week: Stout competed in the unscored St. Olaf Invitational, Feb. 28.

SOFTBALL
The Blue Devils open the 2004 campaign with their annual spring break trip to the Orlando, Fla., area where they are scheduled to play 10 games. Stout will open Saturday, March 6 when they face Maryville and Washington University.

BASEBALL
The Blue Devils will get the 2004 season underway when they travel to Texas to face nationally ranked Texas Lutheran and Trinity twice each. Stout will open Monday, March 8 at Texas Lutheran.

Women's Basketball

February 25, 2004

STEVENS POINT - UW-Stout came back from as much as a 20 point deficit, but could get no closer than nine points in the final minutes as top-seeded UW-Stevens Point defeated the Blue Devils, 83-67, in the semi-finals of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) tournament at Stevens Point.

Stout got the score down to eight points, 74-66, when Sarah Knutson (Jr, Hayward) hit a 3-pointer with a minute left in the game, but the Pointers mad 9-of-10 free throws to close out the game.

The Pointers (24-3) seemed to take charge of the game in the final couple minutes of the first half. With the score tied at 22-22 with 2:49 left in the first half, Stevens Point closed out the half with an eight point run, then scored the first two buckets of the second half to charge out to a 34-22 lead. Stout (18-9) eventually cut the lead to six points, but the Pointers ran it up to as much as 20 points midway through the second half.

The Pointers, who had five players in double digits, were led by Amanda Nechuta with 24 points. Tara Schmitt had 14 points, Amy Scott and Cassandra Schultz finished with 12 points and Natalie Lechault came off the bench to pitch in 10 points.

The Blue Devils got 16 points and four blocked shots from Laura Verdegan (Sr, Tony) and Sara Kahl (Sr, Menomonie) scored 15. Bonnie Thoe (Sr, Hayfield, Minn) scored nine points.

February 23, 2004

Stout (18-8) never trailed in the game and ran off to a 30-19 halftime lead. The Blue Devils will play top seeded UW-Stevens Point, the only league team they have not beaten this season, Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Stevens Point.

The game was got a bit ragged, especially in the first half, where both teams turned the ball over 15 times. Platteville (14-12) committed 26 turnovers in the game, Stout 25.

The Blue Devils held a decisive advantage on the boards, pulling down 44 rebounds to Platteville's 30. Sara Kahl (Sr, Menomonie) led Stout with eight rebounds and had six steals. Laura Verdegan (Sr, Tony), who finished the night with 12 points - eight in the first half - had six rebounds. Lindsey Erichsen (Jr, Spring Valley, Minn) shot 5-of-6 from the floor and finished with 16 points.

Both teams were nearly identical at the line. Platteville knocked down 23-of-31 charity shots. Stout dropped in 23-of-32 shots.

The Pioneers got 14 points from Tiff Flesch, 13 from Shannon Boatman and 11 from Angie Sisson. Boatman matched Kahl's eight rebounds. The Pioneers shot 20 percent in the first half, but warmed up considerably in the second half, hitting 54 percent of their shots. Stout shot 41 percent for the game.

The win gave Stout their 15th consecutive win over Platteville at Johnson Fieldhouse.

Men's Basketball

February 24, 2004

After Loney's 3-point shot, the Pioneers' Brad Reitzner nailed down two free throws - he made all six he attempted on the evening - to give Platteville the 3-point lead with 3.8 seconds remaining. Loney, who finished the night with a career-high 14 points, took the desperation shot, but fell short.

Stout (14-11) held the lead for the first 10 minutes of the game, but Platteville (15-11) took a 32-30 lead into halftime.

The Blue Devils took the lead, 44-39, midway through the second half on two free throws and a lay-up by Nate Templer (Sr, Beaver Dam) and two 3-pointers by Loney. But once the Pioneers took the lead, they never gave it up.

Stout trailed by as much as five points in the final two minutes of regulation. A lay-up by Greg Chaisson (So, Minneapolis, Minn) and Templer along with a 3-pointer by Jeff Vandenberghe (Sr, Coon Rapids, Minn) tied the game at 57-57 with 56 seconds left in regulation. Vandenberghe was whistled for his fifth foul seconds later and Platteville's Brandon Temperly obliged by hitting both.

Chaisson drove to the basket to tie the score at 59-59 on a lay-up with 19 seconds remaining and Stout's defense got the stop they needed to send the game into overtime.

Reitzner led all scorers with 23 points. Frank McGettigan was the only other Pioneer in double figures with 20.

Templer led Stout with 17 points and Vandenberghe scored 13. The Pioneers outrebounded Stout, 31-24.

Men's Ice Hockey

March 1, 2004

The Blue Devils' leading scorer, forward Mitch Kellin (Sr, Cohasset, Minn/Grand Rapids), and defenseman Todd Wynia (Fr, Minneapolis, Minn/Southwest) were NCHA honorable mention picks.

Dotson, at 6-foot, 3-inches, 190-pounds, finished the season with a 12-8-3 overall record and had a school record four shutout this season, the first shutouts of his collegiate career. Dotson posted a school record goals against average (GAA) of 2.76, with 777 saves and a save percentage of .923, also a school record.

In NCHA games, Dotson finished with a 5-6-2 record with a 2.62 GAA and a .935 saves percentage. He led the NCHA with 532 saves and was second in saves percentage and minutes played (801).

"Dottie is extremely quick for a big man," UW-Stout coach Terry Watkins said, "but he has developed that. He has forced himself to be quicker. His desire to be the best at his position is unmatched. He lives and dies for his position. The entire year he strives to make himself a better goalie."

"Dottie has a desire to win," Watkins said about his team captain. "Lots of guys talk about it, but he does something about it."

Watkins said the Dotson's determination made him a good player.

"He was a decent player a couple of years ago," Watkins said. "He turned himself into a great player. He worked hard 12 months of the year because he was determined to be the best. His determination was unmatched."

Dotson earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike.

"He earned everything he got," Watkins said, "and he was appreciative. We worked extra with him twice a week and, after every session, he made it a special point to say thank you to (goalies') coach Ed Roethke. How many kids would do that?

"We gave him an opportunity and he made the most of every opportunity he got, on the ice, in the classroom, in the community. He walked through the door prepared, whether it was game day or for practice."

Dotson became the team leader, Watkins said.

"When he walked into the locker room, there was no question of who was in charge," Watkins said.

Not only was Dotson the first Blue Devil to be named as the league player of the year, he was the first Stout player to be named to the NCHA first team. Dotson was the fourth goalie to be chosen as the NCHA player of the year. The NCHA player of the year award has been given annually since 1982. Dotson was recently chosen to the 2003-04 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) first team.

All-NCHA Team and All-NCHA Academic Team
Kellin was the team's leading scorer with 16 goals, matching a career high from his sophomore year, and 12 assists for 28 points. Kellin wrapped up his career with 42 goals, 40 assists and 81 points. Kellin was also named to the All-NCHA Academic team for the second consecutive year.

Wynia was the Blue Devils' third leading scorer, knocking in seven goals and five assists for 12 points. Boche finished with five goals and four assists for nine points.

Six Blue Devils joined Mitch Kellin on the All-NCHA Academic team including, forwards Jake Hemmah (Jr, Red Wing, Minn), Lewie Kellin (Sr, Cohasset, Minn/Grand Rapids), Kory Mortel (Jr, Cottage Grove, Minn/Park), Derek Nichols (Sr, Victoria, Minn/Chaska), Dan Riffe (Sr, Byron, Ill) and Caleb Shanahan (Sr, Tulsa, Okla). Kellin, Riffe and Nichols are repeaters to the team. To be named to the team, a player must have a cumulative 3.00 grad point average, have earned at least 50 semester hours and be recommended by his head coach.

February 25, 2004

Named to the honorable mention squad were: defensemen Adam Boche (Fr, South St. Paul, Minn) and Todd Wynia (Fr, Minneapolis, Minn/Southwest) and forwards Mitch Kellin (Sr, Cohasset, Minn/Grand Rapids), Nate Legler (Sr, Lakeville, Minn) and Lewie Kellin.

Dotson finished the season with a 12-8-3 overall record and had a school record four shutout this season, the first shutouts of his collegiate career. Dotson posted a school record goals against average (GAA) of 2.76, with 777 saves and a save percentage of .923, also a school record.

Dotson finished with 28 career wins, ranking him in the top three of Stout goalies in terms of wins. Dotson holds the school record for career save percentage (.912), single season save percentage (.923) and career record for goals against average (3.45). Prior to this year, Dotson held the school record for single season GAA at 2.94.

Lewie Kellin maintains a 3.922 grade point average, while majoring in

business with a minor in applied math. He is a two-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and was named to the NCHA All-Academic Team last season. Kellin has received UW-Stout's Chancellor Award for Academic Excellence seven semesters. He has also collected three UW-Stout foundation scholarships.

Kellin, an assistant captain this year, is a two-time All-WIAC Honorable Mention selection. He recorded three goals and six assists for nine points this season.

Mitch Kellin was the team's leading scorer with 16 goals, matching a career high from his sophomore year, and 12 assists for 28 points.

Legler scored seven goals and had three assists for 10 points.

Wynia was the Blue Devils' third leading scorer, knocking in seven goals and five assists for 12 points. Boche finished with five goals and four assists for nine points.

Stout finished the season at 14-10-3 overall and 3-4-1 in the WIAC, good for third. The Blue Devils also play in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA), finishing with a record of 5-7-2, good for fifth.

Women's Gymnastics

February 27, 2004

Paulson tied with UW-La Crosse's Nancy Peterson on the floor with a score of 9.45. Paulson also took eighth place on the vault (9.225).

Lesley Rick (Fr, Birchwood, Minn) was 10th on the uneven bars (8.65) and ninth on the floor (9.175).

Lacey Schroedl (Jr, Minneapolis, Minn) was 10th on the vault (9.175).

UW-La Crosse won the five-team match-up with a score of 184.200. Stout fourth with a 173.775. All five teams will meet again Friday, March 5 at the WIAC Championships at UW-La Crosse.

Third annual John Zuerlein Invitational
1. UW-La Crosse 184.200; 2. UW-Eau Claire 180.025; 3. UW-Whitewater 174.775; 4. UW-Stout 173.775; 5. UW-Oshkosh 173.025.

Individual Results
(First place, all Stout competitors)
Vault: 1. Alison Eagles (EC) 9.55; 8. Rhian Paulson 9.225; 10. Lacey Schroedl 9.175; 12. Lesley Rick 9.15; 13. Jennie Rosinsky 9.10; 17. Robyn Niederkorn 9.00; 22. Shanna Kissinger 8.825;

Uneven bars: 1. Nina Schubert (LX) 9.650; 10. Lesley Rick 8.65; 12. Shanna Kissinger 8.625; 16. Lacey Schroedl 8.25; 27. Christine Sobczyk 7.50; 28. Rein Kampa 7.20; 30. Robyn Niederkorn 6.65;

Balance beam: 1. Lynn Morris (EC) 9.625; 14. Rhian Paulson 8.875; 16. Lacey Schroedl 8.80; 22. Helen Pansch 8.55; 23. Caitlin Burch 8.50; 25. Shanna Kissinger 8.40; 27. Lesley Rick 8.20;

All-around: 1. Lynn Morris (EC) 37.10; 7. Lesley Rick 35.175; 9. Shanna Kissinger 34.250.

Women's Track & Field

February 27, 2004

Schachtner threw the weight 57-feet, 8-inches, 15 inches more than the record she set last week. In the process, she qualified automatically to the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships in Whitewater, March 11-12.

Verdegan won the long and triple jump, only two days after ending her collegiate basketball career. Verdegan jumped 17-feet, 9-inches in the long jump and 37-7 in the triple jump. Both of Verdegan's jumps surpassed Division III provisional qualifying distances.

Lindsay Kjolsing (Fr, Mankato, Minn) was second in the 200-meter dash with a school record breaking performance of 26.96. Kjolsing was third in the 55-meter (7.50) as was Ann Schachtner (Jr, Somerset) in the shot put (42-11) and Tracy Oostdyk (Sr, Spooner) in the 1500-meter (4-minutes, 54.89-seconds).

Stout will host the WIAC Championships, March 5-6.