WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
The Blue Devils (6-3, 1-2 WIAC) will hit the road to Phoenix, Ariz., after Christmas, where they will face Keene, NH, State (4-2), Monday, Dec. 29, and Southern Maine (6-1), Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Grand Canyon University. Southern Maine is currently ranked seventh in the latest D3hoops.com poll. Conference play resumes Saturday, Jan. 3 when the Blue Devils travel to UW-Oshkosh. Last week: The Blue Devils defeated Martin Luther College, 82-67, Dec. 15. Player of the week: Sarah Knutson, Jr, Hayward, Wis.

MEN'S BASKETBALL
The Blue Devils (7-4, 1-2 WIAC) will play an exhibition game, Sunday, Dec. 28 when they host the KMK Hoopers at 3 p.m. Conference play resumes Saturday, Jan. 3 when the Blue Devils travel to UW-Oshkosh. Last week: Stout posted their 11th comeback of the season when they overcame a nine-point second half deficit to down Viterbo, 78-66, Dec. 20. Player of the week: Nate Severson, So, Eau Claire, Wis.

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 were off last week.

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

Women's Basketball

December 15, 2003

NEW ULM, Minn - UW-Stout used a balanced attack to snap a three-game losing streak by defeating Martin Luther College, 82-67, Monday, Dec. 15 in New Ulm, Minn.

Sarah Knutson (Jr, Hayward) came off the bench to score 12 points to pace Stout (6-3). Jenny McDermid (Fr, Oconto Falls) had her second consecutive double digit game by scoring 11 points and Erin Churchill (Jr, Plum City) scored 10. Four players tossed in eight points - Sara Kahl (Sr, Menomonie), Laura Verdegan (Sr, Tony), Steffanie Nemitz (So, Bloomington) and Leah Johnson (Fr, Osseo). Nemitz and Bonnie Thoe (Sr, Hayfield, Minn) each pulled down six rebounds.

Martin Luther (2-5)  took as much as a six point lead early, but the Blue Devils shot out to a 43-32 halftime lead, then emptied the bench to coast to the 15 point win. Stout beat the Knights last season by a nearly identical, 83-64, score.

Stout is off until the end of the month when the head to the sunny climes of Phoenix, Ariz., to particpate in a two-day classic tournament at Grand Canyon University. Stout will play Keene, NH, College, Monday, Dec. 29 and nationally ranked Southern Maine University, Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Men's Basketball

December 20, 2003

The V-Hawks (6-6) built up a 36-27 lead at the 16 minute mark of the second half, but Stout erased that over the next three minutes. Nate Templer (Sr, Beaver Dam) hit a 3-pointer, Nate Severson (So, Eau Claire) sunk two baskets, Greg Chaisson (Jr, Minneapolis, Minn) drained two free throws and Jeff Vandenberghe (Sr, Coon Rapids, Minn) gave the Blue Devils the lead, 39-38, with a 3-pointer in a 12-2 run.

Viterbo briefly took a one-point lead on a pair of free throws by Mark Kumlien, but Vandenberghe nailed another shot from downtown at 12:48 and Stout (7-4) never trailed again.

Stout shot poorly in the first half, and fell behind 31-25 going into intermission.

Vandenberge led all scorers with 21 points, hitting 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Severson hit a career-high 17 points in making his first start of the season. Severson was 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Templer scored 13 points, and had a game high seven rebounds.

For the V-Hawks, Kumlien and Vince Ruger each scored 15 points. Tim Porterfield chipped in 14.

Stout will play the KMK Hoopers, Sunday, Dec. 28 in an exhibition game, then will resume conference action when they travel to UW-Oshkosh, Saturday, Jan. 3.

December 16, 2003

Vandenberghe scored a career-high 36 points, including 12 in the final six minutes to help slash a 14-point deficit against Elmhurst (Ill.), Dec. 13, but the Blue Devils fell 97-96.

The 6-foot, 3-inch guard drilled a school-record nine three-pointers in the contest on a school-record 14 attempts and finished 10-of-18 from the field and seven-of-eight from the free-throw line. The nine three-point field goals made were also the third-highest single-game total in league history. Vandenberghe added three steals, two assists and two rebounds in the contest.

Earlier in the week, Vandenberghe scored 14 points in a 73-64 loss to No. 2 ranked UW-Stevens Point.

On the week, Vandenberghe scored 50 points on 15-of-30 shooting from the field and 13-of-22 from the three-point arc.

Football

December 18, 2003

MENOMONIE — The Ed Meierkort era at UW-Stout is over.

The winningest football coach in Blue Devil history has accepted the head coaching position at NCAA Division II University of South Dakota, in Vermillion, effective immediately. A press conference in Vermillion was held, Dec. 18 to introduce Meierkort as the 28th Coyote football coach to the South Dakota community.

"This was almost an impossible decision," Meierkort said. "It would have been easier to stay, but after 11 years, it was time to take a chance and see what I can do.

"South Dakota has 36 full scholarships, a 10,000-seat domed stadium and a budget that is bigger than life. And being in the NCC has always been exciting to me."

Meierkort, 44, leaves Stout, his first head coaching position, with an overall record of 55-55, but his Blue Devils have posted a 29-11 record over the last four years, the best four-year span in Stout football history.

Under Meierkort, the Blue Devils in the 2000 season won their first Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) title in 35 years, going 10-1 overall and undefeated in the WIAC at 7-0. Stout made it’s first and only appearance that season in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Meierkort was named the WIAC coach of the year and was the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region 5 coach of the year.

Meierkort has sent two players into the NFL, had 14 All-America picks and 24 first team all-conference players, several of them repeat first team choices..

"I am proud of what we have done here," Meierkort said. "I believe we are leaving this program in a lot better shape than when we got here." Meierkort met with his players Wednesday afternoon to inform them of his decision.

"Ed has done a great job for us," athletic director Steve Terry said. "He was motivated, purposeful and had tremendous charisma. We will miss him at the University, and I will miss him and his family as friends."

Meierkort will replace John Austin, whose contract was not renewed after a 5-6 overall season. In Austin’s five years, the Coyotes compiled a 22-32 overall record and finished higher than sixth in the nine team conference only once, that coming in 2000 when they placed third.

Known as a relentless recruiter, Meierkort believes that will be the tool to build South Dakota back to levels they experienced in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

"We will try to dominate the area (in recruiting)," Meierkort said. "I believe I am a good enough recruiter to do that. This is a very prestigious school."

Vermillion and the University of South Dakota is located about 35 miles northwest of Sioux Falls, Iowa.

UW-Stout will begin the process for hiring a new head coach immediately.

December 21, 2003

Knepper was a first team selection to four different All-America teams - the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), D3football.com, the Sports Information Directors Division III team, and the Don Hansen Weekly Gazette.

Knepper, a preseason All-America who has lived up to his preseason billing, is a two-time unanimous all-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) selection. The Blue Devils elected to run more than 65 percent of their plays to Knepper's right side of the field this year. Stout racked up an average of 440 yards this season, 236 yards per game rushing.

Knepper, at 6-foot, 4-inches, 305-pounds, recently participated in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) sponsored Aztec Bowl all-star game. Knepper graded out the highest of all Stout linemen weekly and received the Hog of the Week award, the team's offensive lineman of the week award, three times, and once was the team's offensive player of the week. Knepper was named to the Don Hansen Football Gazette West Region team.

Knepper is the fourth consecutive Blue Devil to be named to the AFCA All-America team. Jeff Hazuga was named in 2000, Tony Beckham in 2001 and Jamie Spielman in 2002.

Bundgaard is the team's and conference's all-time leading rusher. Bundgaard this year gained 1461 yards, a new school record, and established the career school and conference rushing record at 4427 rushing yards. Bundgaard six times ran for more than 100 yards, twice for 200-plus yards, and ran for 328 yards on 53 carries in the final game of the season. Bundgaard carried the ball at least 20 times in seven of 10 games.

Bundgaard finished his career with 240 total points and scored 12 rushing touchdowns this season to lead the team in scoring.

Both Knepper and Bundgaard played in the 2003 Aztec Bowl, a Division III all-star game in Cancun, Mexico.

Towner, the Blue Devils' center, was an honorable mention choice to the 2003 D3football.com All-America team.

Despite a broken wrist midway through the season, Towner did not miss a start at center. Towner graded out the best of his career and received the "Hammer Award" three times, a team award for the big hit of the week. Towner did not give up a sack this season and finished the year with 20 pancake blocks.

Towner was the team's most valuable offensive lineman the last two years.

All three players were four year starters and Stout was an overall 29-11 over that time frame. For the 2003 season, Stout finished at 6-4 overall, 4-3 in the WIAC.

December 13, 2003

For the first time in the annual game's existence, the Mexican team defeated the USA team, coming back from a 31-13 deficit for a 34-31 win, Saturday, Dec. 13 in Cancun, Mexico.

Bundgaard, who was the USA team's leading rusher with 56 yards on eight carries, sparked a 21-point third quarter spurt by the USA.

But the Mexican team returned the favor with 21 unanswered fourth quarter points.

Stout offensive lineman Ben Knepper (Sr, Rice Lake) also participated in the game that saw the USA team rush for 179 yards and throw for 212 yards for a total of 391 yards.

Women's Cross Country

December 15, 2003

Oostdyk was the team's No. 1 runner all season, and finished first for the Blue Devils in seven of eight races. Oostdyk earned second team all-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) honors by placing 10th at the conference meet in a time of 22-minutes, 50-seconds in the 6-kilometer run. The time is Stout's all-time top mark for the 6-K.

Pam Gundrum (Jr, Hartford) was awarded the most inspirational award, Carly Mann (Fr, Mounds View, Minn) the most improved freshman award and Terra Dahlheimer (Sr, St. Michael, Minn) and Katie Heard (So, Plainview, Minn) shared the most improved returner award.

Mann shaved 1-minute, 18-seconds off her 6K time and ran on both the conference and regional teams. Dahlheimer, who was not on the team last year due to working an internship, cut off more than 30 seconds and Heard slashed more than two minutes off her 5K time.

Oostdyk and Rachel Wurz (So, Marathon) were honored as 2003 team captains. Kersten Wilson (Jr, Tomahawk), Jenny Hopps (Jr, Coon Rapids, Minn) and Valori Schaffer (Jr, Manchester, Iowa) were named the 2004 team captains.

Stout placed 5th-of-9 teams at the conference meet and 13th-of-40 teams at the NCAA Midwest Regional.

Men's Cross Country

December 15, 2003

Huber was the Blue Devils' top runner all season, earning second team all-conference honors as well as qualifying to the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. Huber placed 10th at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championships, 11th at the NCAA Midwest Regionals and 100th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.

Huber was Stout's top finisher in eight different races and took medalist honors at the Tom Barry Invitational in Green Bay, at the Midwest Long/Short Course Challenge in Colfax and at the Lake Wissota Invitational in Chippewa Falls.

Nate Haeny (Fr, Sauk Prairie, Minn) was named the team's rookie of the year after running as the teams second or third runner throughout the season. Casey Otto (Sr, Fall Creek), Ryan Chernik (Jr, Pewaukee) and Chad McNutt (Fall Creek) were named the team's most improved runners. Otto also won the Lou Klitzke Award.

Jon Gallo (Sr, Salem) received the Coach's Award. Huber, Otto and Todd Dexheimer (Jr, White Bear Lake, Minn) were recognized as team captains. Dexheimer and Chernik were named 2004 team captains.

The Blue Devils finished 6th of nine teams at the WIAC Championships and 12th of 40 teams at the Midwest Regionals.

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: December 22, 2003