LSC Roundup 7-8

LSC selects 2009 Hall of Honor inductees

The most recent inductees to the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor include a former football star and former track & field standout league officials announced on Wednesday.

Karl Douglas of Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Joshua K. Owusu of Angelo State University compose the 2009 class of inductees for the LSC Hall of Honor, which recognizes outstanding individuals who have brought pride and honor to the conference through their contributions as an athlete or who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the betterment of the conference as a coach or administrator.

The inductees were chosen by a panel of athletic administrators throughout the league.

"The LSC Hall of Honor truly gained a couple of former greats with the announcement of this year's class," said Stan Wagnon, LSC commissioner. "Karl Douglas was among the most outstanding football players during an era when Lone Star Conference was widely accepted as home to the best small college football in the country, and Mr. Owusu's accomplishments in track and field remain among the very best performances even to this day. These men provided great examples of athletic achievement while competing in the LSC, and we're pleased to announce their addition to the Hall of Honor."

Each of the inductees will receive the LSC's signature Hall of Honor award, a 15-inch custom-sculpted eagle figurine mounted on a cherrywood base. The awards for Douglas and Owusu are to be presented this fall with ceremonies at each recipient's institution.

Here's a closer look at each of the 2009 inductees to the LSC Hall of Honor:

Karl Douglas, Football, Texas A&M-Kingsville: Douglas was one of the most successful quarterbacks to ever compete on a college team. The NAIA All-America first team quarterback led the Javelinas to a pair of NAIA national championships (1969, 1970) and four LSC titles. The team posted a 41-4 record during his career and he finished with 5,027 yards passing, which is still the school record.

He led the Javelinas in passing for four consecutive years and was the team's leading scorer in 1969. Douglas has been named to the Javelina all-time football team and was an All-America and All-LSC honoree and was named the most valuable back in the 1969 and 1970 NAIA national championship games. He was selected to play in the 1971 College All-Star football game.

When Douglas was inducted into the Javelina Hall of Fame in 1979, he held the LSC career records for most passes completed (351) and had school records for most passing yards in a game (321), most passes completed in a season (120), most passes attempted in a season (206), most passes completed and attempted in a career, most yards passing in a career (5,027), most touchdown passes in a career (43) and best passing average per game in a career (135.8).

Douglas has been a member of the speakers committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 18 years and is currently managing vice president of a family business.
He attended Houston Worthing High School and still resides in Houston

Joshua K. Owusu, Track & Field, Angelo State: Owusu was a nine-time All-American and became Angelo State's first track and field Olympian after his career from 1971-74.

A native of Ghana, Owusu represented his home country in the 1972 Munich games finishing fourth in the long jump. Four years later, he was among the favorites in the long jump in the Montreal games but was unable to compete due to a last-minute boycott by the African nations.

During his Ram career, he collected six national titles while ASU was a member of the NAIA. He was a three-time NAIA outdoor national champion in the triple jump (1971, 1973-74) and earned three more outdoor national titles in the long jump (1971-72, 1974). In addition, he was a two-time NAIA indoor national champion in the long jump (1972-73). Owusu was a three-time recipient of the Oscar Staha Award (1971-72, 1974) as the top male field performer at the Lone Star Conference meet.

To this day Owusu holds the ASU records for both the triple jump (54'1.75") and long jump (26'10.75"). Upon the conclusion of his career, he held the top six all-time performances in both events.

Zimmerle named All-Brazoria County MVP
In four seasons as a Danbury Panther, Scott Zimmerle was as consistent as a player could be on the baseball diamond.

Suiting up for his final season, Zimmerle was magical as he helped lead Danbury to the Class 2A state title. After pitching for the win against Ponder, 8-2, in the state semifinal and earning the save against Holliday, 6-5, in the state championship game, Zimmerle garnered the tournament’s most valuable player award.

Zimmerle’s numbers were outstanding. He posted a 17-0 record on the mound with an 0.74 ERA. He threw 85 innings and had 157 strikeouts.At the plate, he batted .426 with 55 scored runs, cranking 11 home runs and totaled 19 steals on the bases.“Still, after all this time, it really hasn’t sunk in that we did what we did,” Zimmerle said. “It is kind of surreal to be driving by the baseball field and see that sign that says Danbury Panthers 2009 state champions.

“I actually signed with Texas A&M — Kingsville,” Zimmerle said. “I chose it because it is a good school with an engineering program, which I want to study. But I wanted to go somewhere that I could get a good education and play ball right away. There were other schools like Texas A&M at College Station and Texas State, but in the long run (Kingsville was) a better fit.”

LSC Roundup 6-8

2 Rams receive honors from baseball writers
Angelo State juniors Chris Adamson and Keith Towne were named by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) to its All-America team released Thursday afternoon.

Four Wildcats honored
ABILENE -- Four ACU baseball standouts have been voted to two more all-America baseball teams, which were released Friday. Junior relief pitcher Brad Rutherford and senior catcher Jordan Schmitt were each voted to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association team, while Schmitt, senior outfielder Thomas Bumpass and junior shortstop Willie Uechi were each voted to the Daktronics all-America team.

These 2 Hurricane Katrina graduates made DFW home
A large, close family and the festive season of Mardi Gras always made Bruce Johnson think New Orleans would be his home forever. Justin Reeves was just getting used to living in the Crescent City.

Oil Bowl is still special
Canyon's Allison, Wesley garner medals
Strawn's Lindsey 'settles' for state title
Gobblers bring home gold in 1,600 relay

Bell an all-round nice guy
On Day 1 of (t)raining camp, Dalton Bell proved to be the rare quarterback who does not insist upon protection. Bell was offered coverage, in the form of an umbrella, in the early stages of an interview after the Saskatchewan Roughriders concluded practice Sunday on Taylor Field.

"No, we're good,'' Bell said, cordially.

Then the skies opened up. In good conscience, I could not allow an interviewee to be saturated -- and my column to be washed away in the process. So I pulled out the umbrella and attempted to keep both of us dry. The downpour was momentary, so I gracefully dropped the umbrella, along with my notes. As I fumbled around, Bell was thoughtful enough to pick up my roster.

So why am I telling you this? It is, after all, a trivial detail. But little things often reveal the most about a person.

He is, I discovered, as advertised.

LSC Roundup 6-4

2008-09 LSC Scholar-Athletes announced
The annual Lone Star Conference Scholar-Athlete Award winners for 2008-09 were announced on Wednesday, with 29 student-athletes honored by league officials.

Each academic year, the LSC presents a Scholar-Athlete Award to one male and one female student-athlete at each member institution. These student-athletes are selected as representatives of the outstanding accomplishments in athletics, scholarship and leadership that are displayed on each LSC campus during the year.

To be eligible for consideration, student-athletes must have participated at least two years in their sport and must have exhausted their athletic eligibility.

Besides representing each of the league's 15 member institutions, this year's recipients represent nine of the 16 sports that are sponsored by the conference. Basketball had the most Scholar-Athletes with five selections.

The 2008-09 Scholar-Athletes led their respective teams to four conference championships and two LSC divisional titles.

Texas is home for 12 of the honorees, with eight from Oklahoma, two from New Mexico and one each from Utah, Kentucky, Louisiana, Canada, France, Chile and Poland.

This year's LSC Scholar-Athlete Award recipients are:

Abilene Christian
Camille Vandendriessche Track and Field Paris, France
Audrey Maxwell-Lively Basketball Abilene, Texas

Angelo State
Christopher Odom Baseball Frisco, Texas
Amber Korb Soccer Sandy, Utah

Cameron
Jenna Boren Softball Waurika, Okla.
Cristian Easton Tennis Santiago, Chile

Central Oklahoma
Mallory Markus Basketball Kingfisher, Okla.
Andrew Foshee Baseball Guthrie, Okla.

East Central
Tyler Pybas Baseball Ringling, Okla.
Laura Kuestersteffen Softball Konawa, Okla.

Eastern New Mexico
Jacob Wiklund CC/Track&Field Cloudcroft, N.M.
Hillary Gintowt Soccer Gallup, N.M.

Midwestern State
Allison Schreiber Volleyball Windthorst, Texas
Brannon Calvert Soccer Pryor, Okla.

Northeastern State
Zuzanna Osinska Tennis Warsaw, Poland
Jeff Cox Golf Norman, Okla.

Southeastern Oklahoma
Deana Brooks Tennis Dripping Springs, Texas
Ryan Bowen Baseball Cameron, Okla.


Southwestern Oklahoma
Kaci Carpenter Softball Murray, Ky.
Scott Kulczycki Golf Regina, Saskatechewan

Tarleton State
Marlin Cloudy Basketball Center, Texas
Emily Richardson Volleyball Georgetown, Texas

Texas A&M-Commerce
Logan Kelly Track and Field Van Alstyne, Texas
Melissa DoRemus Soccer Mesquite, Texas

Texas A&M-Kingsville
LaKeisha Jones Basketball Winnsboro, La.
Abel Garcia Track and Field Del Rio, Texas

Texas Woman's
Kandis Schroeder Volleyball Windthorst, Texas

West Texas A&M
Jared Brock Football Abernathy, Texas
Emily Brister Basketball Amarillo, Texas

More ASU players likely to feel the draft
By Nathan Wright (Contact)
Thursday, June 4, 2009

SAN ANGELO, Texas — A year ago, Angelo State baseball players Clay Calfee and Shan Sullivan made history by becoming the first two Rams to be selected in the Major League Basebal draft.

By this time next week, they could be joined by three or four members of this year’s ASU squad.

Calfee and Sullivan were both selected by the Dodgers last season — Calfee in the 14th round and Sullivan in the 32nd round. Calfee is still in the Dodgers’ organization. He saw some time with the big-leaguers in a spring training game in March.

Sullivan was released by the Dodgers and will spend his summer playing with the San Angelo Colts.

Both were standouts at ASU, helping lead the team to the Division II World Series two years ago. This year’s team had its share of standouts as well and at least two of them and as many as four are likely to be drafted next week.

First on the list is pitcher Joe Key. Key went to Tampa, Fla., two weeks ago to work out for some teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays.

Catcher Trey Carter is also likely to be picked. He said he has gotten interest from a few teams, including the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs.

Kenny Elkind has also drawn some interest from a few major league clubs. One of the best pitchers in the Lone Star Conference, Elkind has the ability to dominate opponents.

LSC Roundup 4-27

LSC Softball Championship: ACU, ASU advance to championship series
Abilene Christian and Angelo State both prevailed at the four-team tournaments of the 2009 Lone Star Conference Softball Championship to advance to the three-game championship series next weekend. ACU earned the right to host the best-of-three series by virtue of being the higher seed to advance as South Division regular season champions. The Wildcats and Rambelles will play the first game on Friday at 5 p.m. With the second and if-necessary contests set for Saturday beginning at 12 p.m.

The two teams have played three times this season with ASU winning two of the three contests in early April.

Click here for photos from the ACU-UCO game
Click here for photos from the ASU-SE game
Relaed: Power, Partin lead ACU to LSC finals
Related: ASU softball team advances to LSC championship against ACU
Related: Wildcats Eliminate UCO
Related: Rambelles Advance to LSC Final

LSC Baseball Championship field set
The top six Lone Star Conference baseball squads will meet in Abilene, Texas, next weekend for the annual LSC Baseball Championship. The tournament features six teams for the fourth straight year. The double-elimination event starts on Saturday and concludes on Tuesday.

LSC champion Cameron is the top seed, while Angelo State is the No. 2 seed. Abilene Christian is seeded third, followed by Southeastern Oklahoma at No. 4, Eastern New Mexico at No. 5 and Tarleton State at No. 6.

All games will take place at Crutcher Scott Field on the campus of Abilene Christian University. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here. Fans interested in pre-ordering an all-session tournament pass can order those online for $20, or they can order single-day tickets for $10 apiece.

Click here for the championship web page
Related: ACU salvage series split
Related: Baseball Sweeps Javelinas
Related: Hounds Punch Ticket for Abilene, Texas, with Series win over West Texas A&M
Related: Texans split with Wildcats, earn No. 6 in LSC Tournament
Related: Baseball Tournament Bid Ended

Knox, Null and Scott selected in 2009 NFL Draft
Former Lone Star Conference standouts Johnny Knox, Keith Null and Bernard Scott were selected Sunday on the second day of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Knox went to the Chicago Bears with the fourth pick of the fifth round (140th overall), Null was 23rd pick of the sixth round (196th overall) by the St. Louis Rams and Scott was the final pick of the sixth round (209th overall), going to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Knox will join former Abilene Christian all-America defensive back Danieal Manning on the Chicago Bears' roster. He became ACU's all-time leader in touchdown receptions in 2008, finishing his two-year career with 30 TD receptions. He also finished in the top 10 in ACU history in catches and receiving yards.

Null, the offensive MVP of the 2009 Cactus bowl, concluded his career holding the West Texas A&M single-season and career records for passing yardage, TDs and total offense and became the first WT quarterback to pass for 9,000 yards during his career. He ranked first, nationally, in passing yards per game and second in total offense and threw for at least 300 yards in all but two games this past season (he was pulled after throwing for 227 yards and two TDs against Tarleton and 261 yards and two TDs in two quarters against Northeastern State). He recorded his second 500-yard passing game of the season when he completed 42-of-63 passes for 595 yards and sevens TDs at Abilene Christian in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Scott, the 2008 Harlon Hill Award winner as the top player in NCAA Division II football, became ACU's all-time leading rusher in just two seasons, piling up 4,321 yards in just 25 games (172.8 yards per game). He topped the 2,000-yard mark twice, becoming the only player in LSC history to put together multiple 2,000-yard rushing seasons. His 63 rushing touchdowns are second in ACU history, and his 73 total touchdowns are second in both ACU and LSC history.
Related: Knox goes to Bears in 5th; Bengals grab Scott in 6th
Related: Wildcats' Knox, Scott taken in NFL draft
Related: Rams draft WT's Null in sixth round
Related: Wrap-up: Defense takes major step
Related: Bengals are headed in the right direction
Related: NFL: CenTex trio Miller, Iglesias, Null drafted on second ...
Related: Bears' fifth-round pick clocked 4.34 40 time
Related: D-II offers Day 2 bright spots
Related: Bengals take a chance on troubled RB Scott
Related: Bengals Draft Bernard Scott, Another Player With Extensive Legal ...

LSC Roundup 4-13

ENMU football scrimmage important to newcomers
BLACKWATER DRAW — Saturday’s spring football intrasquad scrimmage may have been no big deal to some of Eastern New Mexico University’s established veterans. But it was the first semi-regular game that Erett Grubbs played back at his old home stadium on Saturday morning.

The sophomore lineman was part of the scrimmage, which is the first of three such events during the spring practice schedule at Eastern. Greyhound Stadium is a familiar locale for Grubb, since he played high school ball at Portales.

“It’s a good program; I like it,” Grubbs said of ENMU’s defensive approach to stopping offenses. “It’s a little bit different as far as the mentality, because there was a little more reading back at NMMI (New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell). It takes a little while to switch the defense that you play.”

RiverHawks improving in spring workouts
Despite finishing 1-10 last season, the school’s eighth straight losing season, the Northeastern State football team is approaching its spring workouts with a sense of optimism under second year coach Kenny Evans.

“This spring we’re so much farther ahead than we were last year,” said Evans. “We’ve done a lot of things to get the program back on track where it needs to be.”

One of areas where change is apparent is in the coaching staff where just one coach, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Matt Hodgson, remains from the John Horner era. Hodgson has been an assistant coach at NSU since 1999.

“Coach Hodgson has been here through some tough years and some tough times,” said Evans. “His work ethic and ability to accept a new system has helped us get to the point where we are now. He’s been instrumental in getting a lot of these young men here.”

“I think our talent level has definitely increased,” said Evans. “We could have as many as 14 former Division I players on the field next year. We’ve had two recruiting classes and signed 38 high school players out of Oklahoma and Texas. Those along with the walk-ons give us great talent for the future.”

ACU sweeps, increases lead
The pressure of staying on top can be draining. But the Abilene Christian baseball team did just enough Saturday to sweep a doubleheader from Northeastern State Oklahoma and increase its lead in the Lone Star Conference.

Rams complete sweep of SWOSU
For the first time since early March and only the second time in conference play this season, the Angelo State University baseball team broke out its broom Saturday.

ACU's McElvain drives in winner
Pitch to her. Don't pitch to her. Sometimes, you pay either way.

LSC Roundup 4-10

Sparks flying: A&M-Commerce's Jordan selected by Los Angeles in 2009 WNBA Draft
“Give it to Jordan.”

That was the game plan Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s basketball coach Denny Downing used throughout Britney Jordan’s three-year career with the Lions.

The plan paid dividends for both A&M-Commerce and Jordan, as the senior became the first women’s basketball player in program history to be selected into the WNBA as the Los Angeles Sparks picked her 35th overall on Thursday in the league draft.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Jordan. “I had a great chapter at A&M-Commerce. This is the beginning of a new chapter.”

“I don’t know if I have enough words to say,” said Downing. “Obviously I’m so happy for Britney and the commitment she made to the program.”

Jordan is just the second player in Lone Star Conference history to be selected in the WNBA Draft after Southeastern Oklahoma State’s Crystal Robinson was chosen by the New York Liberty in 1999.

Walk-on Wildcat
Abilene Christian baseball coach Britt Bonneau knew he had something special in Willie Uechi pretty quickly. It was just a matter of finding the walk-on freshman from San Antonio Marshall a place to play.

"It was pretty obvious this guy needed to be in our lineup somewhere," Bonneau said.

So Uechi (pronounced U-E-chee), a second baseman in high school, played wherever there was a need early on his career at ACU. In fact, he opened the season that first year in right field.

"I hadn't taken any balls in right field all year, so it caught me off guard," Uechi said. "I had to find an outfielder's mitt to play with. But it was fun just getting out there to play. I was happy just to be out there
Related: ACU leads LSC entering final baseball series

Been there, done that
When Justin Brown talks, East Central University’s defensive linemen listen — and not just because he weighs 270 pounds. An unpaid (sort of) assistant on ECU head coach Tim McCarty’s defensive staff this spring, Brown was an All-American defensive end on McCarty’s first Tiger squad back in 2004, and in 2005 he came within one cut of making the season-opening roster with the Indianapolis Colts, who were only a season away from winning their first Super Bowl.

“The way they react is that they can see the results you can get from hard work,” Brown said this week as the Tigers neared the halfway point in their spring camp. “They listen to me because I obviously know what I’m talking about because I’m still out there playing.”

UIW kicks off football with first spring game
Like many of his Incarnate Word defensive brethren, linebacker Dakota Mawyer had waited nearly eight long months to finally hit someone in a setting where points were at stake. The payoff for their patience Wednesday night?

Mawyer and the rest of the defense got to represent the visitor's side of the scoreboard in a 49-23 victory against the offense in the program's first-annual spring game at Benson Stadium. Among those in the lively crowd of 450 were program benefactors Tom and Gayle Benson.

Former Clark running back Jerrell Wilkerson, the city's career rushing leader who is on academic suspension, watched from the sideline but was not in uniform.

Lobos' Templeton to play football at Abilene Christian
While riding from Baton Rouge, La. to Longview on Sunday, Melvin Templeton did some soul searching on where to spend the next four years. His search was over by the time he got home, and it has pointed him to Abilene.

The former Longview football player confirmed his decision on Thursday, signing with Abilene Christian University in the Lobo Coliseum foyer. Templeton chose ACU over Howard Payne, as well as trying to walk on at North Texas, Baylor and Texas A&M. Templeton made his decision while he was returning with several other Longview powerlifters from the American Powerlifting Federation's High School Nationals.

"I had to do some soul searching on the ride home. The decision to go to ACU came over me. It was a subtle feeling," Templeton said. "The college reminds me of Longview High School. It felt like home."

Templeton did not play varsity football until this past fall. Templeton played defensive end, linebacker and was the kickoff return team. Templeton frequently had a size disadvantage playing defensive end, but frustrated opposing offensive linemen anyway by the way he bounced off blocks. Templeton helped the Longview football team to a 13-3 record and the state runner-up finish in Class 4A Division I

ACU neck-and-neck with ASU in softball
The Abilene Christian softball team plays Tarleton State in a three-game Lone Star Conference South Division series, beginning with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. today at Poly Wells Field. Game 3 is noon Saturday. It's ACU's last LSC South series at home.

The Wildcats (31-11 overall, 9-3 LSC South) enter the series a half-game back of Angelo State (34-7, 10-3) for the LSC South lead. Angelo State beat Texas Woman's 11-3 on Thursday in Denton. Should ACU and Angelo State finish the regular season tied, the Rambelles own the tiebreaker after winning the series 2-1 against the Wildcats during the weekend in San Angelo. Tarleton State (22-16, 7-5) is two games back for the second and final LSC South tournament berth.

Lady Buffs enter crucial LSC series
After three years of sub .500 ball, the West Texas A&M softball team has a chance at the postseason. The Lady Buffs are tied for fourth in the Lone Star Conference standings with Texas A&M-Kingsville, with each team having one LSC series left. The top four teams advance to the LSC tournament.

WT gets its final series under way at 1 p.m. today against last place Eastern New Mexico in a doubleheader at Lady Buff Yard. Kingsville has the weekend off from LSC play.

Buffs battle SEOSU to wrap up home slate
West Texas A&M closes out its Lone Star Conference home season this weekend needing to start a winning streak to make a run at the upcoming LSC Tournament. The Buffs open their four-game series today against Southeastern Oklahoma State with a 4 p.m. doubleheader at the Amarillo National Bank Dilla Villa.

The two teams meet at noon Saturday in a doubleheader in the Dilla Villa. WT has 12 LSC games remaining - the final two series on the road at Northeastern State and Eastern New Mexico - and sit in 11th place at 11-21. The top six teams make the tournament, and the Buffs are four games out of sixth place.


ASU dominates at home
Adree Lakey and Culley Jo Dawson are going to have a big hand in how well the Angelo State women's track team does at next month's NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Thursday at the David Noble Relays, each of them won two events and each either qualified or improved their qualifying marks for the national meet next month at the LeGrand Sports Complex.

Their big days Thursday helped the ASU team to a big day as well. The Rambelles won the meet in dominating fashion over Tarleton State. The ASU men also won the meet, outscoring McMurry.

"We had a lot of personal bests and a lot of season bests," Lakey said. "I think that everybody is comfortable at home and everybody gets good marks here."

David Noble Relays final results
Women
Team standings - 1. Angelo State 273; 2. Tarleton State 90; 3. McMurry 55; 4. Hardin-Simmons 37; 5. Texas State 31; 6. Texas A&M-Commerce, 22.

Men
Team standings - 1. Angelo State 161; 2. McMurry 103; 3. Tarleton State 98; 4. Abilene Christian, 44; 5. Bacone 43; 6. Texas A&M-Commerce 42.

Lady Buff golfers move up in poll
West Texas A&M's Lady Buffs are ranked seventh in this week's NCAA West Region golf poll, moving up one spot from a week ago.