LSC Roundup 7-2

Despite key losses, Wildcats still LSC favorites
Joey D. Richards
richardsj@reporternews.com

No Bernard Scott, Johnny Knox or Billy Malone. No problem — at least according to several collegiate football magazines.

Lindy’s Football ranks Abilene Christian University at No. 8 in its preseason Division II national poll, and The Sporting News has the Wildcats pegged No. 15 in its poll.

Northwest Missouri State, which opens the season Aug. 27 against ACU in a nationally televised game from Shotwell Stadium, is ranked No. 1 in the nation by Lindy’s and No. 2 by the Sporting News.

ACU is the highest ranked Lone Star Conference team in Lindy’s poll, with LSC South foe West Texas A&M at No. 12.

Central Oklahoma, the defending champions in the LSC North, is ranked No. 9 nationally by The Sporting News. WT didn’t crack its top 25.

Chris Thomsen, who’ll begin his fifth year as ACU’s head coach, doesn’t think much of preseason polls.

SOSU sets Gridiron Golf tourney July 11
HERALD DEMOCRAT

DURANT -- The fifth-annual Southeastern Oklahoma State Gridiron Golf Shoot-Out is set for Saturday, July 11.

The four-person scramble will be held at Silverado Golf Course with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. and a shotgun start slated for 9 a.m.

"The event is just around the corner," said co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Joe Jones. "We are excited to have so many players coming back to support the program and it's not too late for you to join us."

"The Shootout is the football program's major fundraiser but the highlight of the event is getting former players back together and giving Southeastern the chance to interact with our local fans," said head football coach Ray Richards. "It's a win-win for everyone and we hope this year's event is the biggest Shootout yet."

Bennett Selected for All-Star Field
Former Angelo State point guard Ryan Bennett has been selected to play in the Orlando Invitational Basketball tournament in Orlando, Fla., July 6-8, 2009.

Farthing Earns Academic Honor
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (July 1) -- Central Oklahoma's Raelynn Farthing has been named to the National Golf Coaches Association NCAA Division II All-American Scholar Team, it was announced Wednesday by the NGCA.

Basketball Golf Tourney Scheduled
EDMOND (June 30) -- Central Oklahoma men's basketball coach Terry Evans has scheduled the annual UCO Basketball Golf Scramble for Thursday, Aug. 6 at Coffee Creek Golf Course in Edmond.

The tournament will be a four-person scramble with an 8 a.m. shotgun start and cost is $100 per player, which includes lunch and prizes. Awards will go to the top three teams, while closest to the pin and long drive contests will also be held.

Hole sponsorships are available for $600, which includes a team entry, sponsorship sign and special recognition.For more information, contact Coach Evans at 405-974-2145 or tevans@uco.edu.

Robbins signs with ECU men's golf
ADA - Dakota Robbins, a two-year high school district champion, has signed a letter of intent to play golf at East Central University for the 2009-10 season, it was announced Thursday by ECU golf coach Danny Key.

Volleyball: Reed garners second AVCA Grant Burger Media Award
WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State Sports Information Director Trey Reed was selected as the NCAA Division II Southwest Region honoree for the American Volleyball Coaches' Association Grant Burger Media Award for the second-straight year.

Reed, a 2006 MSU graduate, enters his third year as sports information director at his alma mater after beginning his media relations career at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

TexAnn golf to be spotlighted on national TV Saturday, July 4
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Tarleton TexAnn golf team and head coach Jerry Doyle will be featured on national television on Saturday, July 4 on CBS at 1 p.m. CST.

The TexAnns, who have claimed the last three Super Region Four championship titles, finished tied for sixth at the 2009 Division II National Championships after back-to-back fifth places finishes in 2007 and 2008.

Strickland Makes First Pro Outing
DUNEDIN, FLORIDA – Former Texas A&M-Kingsville pitcher Sam Strickland made his professional debut on June 29 when he started for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays against the GCL Tigers in a 3-2 win.

Strickland pitched into the fourth inning going three complete innings before being pulled after one batter in the fourth. He allowed two hits, one run and walked three while striking out three batters. He struck out the first batter he faced.

Strickland was drafted in the 25th round by the Toronto Blue Jays this year and was then assigned to the GCL Blue Jays, their Rookie League affiliate stationed in Dunedin, Florida where they play at the Bobby Mattick Training Center at Englebert Complex.
Follow Strickland's Minor League Career by clicking this link

TWU basketball signs Jeanee' Thompson
DENTON, Texas (June 26) – The Texas Woman’s University basketball head coach Beth Jillson announced the signing of Jeanee’ Thompson (College Station, TX/St. Joseph Catholic School/University of North Texas) for the upcoming season.