WVU- All Sports Thread

[West Virginia]

Tennis: WVU Wins Close Match............

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University tennis team defeated California (Pa.) today in another close 4-3 match at the Ridgeview Racquet Club.

“This team is a legitimate contender for the Division ll national championship, and some of those top five teams are as good as most of the Division l teams we’re going to see,” says coach Marc Walters. “I’m proud of the girls and really happy with the result of today’s match.”

The Mountaineers (11-2, 4-0 BIG EAST) started off strong by capturing the doubles point. The No. 1 pair of senior Stephanie LaFortune and redshirt junior Monique Burton earned a 9-7 win over the Vulcans’ Nina Kowalski and Alina Stanila, followed by an 8-4 victory by the No. 2 pair of sophomore Veronica Cardenas and freshman Emily Mathis.

WVU was kept on edge in the singles competition as the two teams battled for the lead. Burton and Mathis captured wins in the No. 2 and 4 spots, respectively, while LaFortune and Cardenas were defeated in the No. 1 and 3 spots..

The match was tied at 3-3 after Pettersson lost a tough 3-6, 3-6 match against Pondica. Pilsbury pulled through under pressure again, as she defeated the Vulcans’ Galina Vishnikina, 6-4, 6-2, to secure the win for the Mountaineers.

“We’ll do well in any of our matches as long we stay competitive in the top of the lineup against solid teams like we did today,” concludes Walters.

WVU will continue action on Tuesday, March 16, as it plays host to Coastal Carolina in a 10 a.m. match at the Ridgeview Racquet Club.

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?cat=netnews&story=16249

[Old Blue]

Great thread!

[West Virginia]

RIP Mountaineer.............

Russ Sharp.


Sharp Loses Long Battle With Cancer

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Russ Sharp, a confessed workaholic who still made time for friends and family, died Wednesday, after a long battle with prostate cancer.

"The WVU community is diminished today with the passing of Russ Sharp," said WVU President James P. Clements. "He was as fine an individual as you'll ever come across - loyal, honest, dedicated to the University, a great friend and colleague. It is rare to find the combination of personal and professional excellence; Russ had both in abundance."

Sharp, 52, joined WVU in 1999 as assistant athletic director and was promoted to associate athletic director in 2002 and, later, senior associate athletic director for administration and finance. He was responsible for business operations, facilities, game management for football and basketball and human resources. In addition, he directly supervised athletic training, strength and conditioning and equipment operations.

"Russ was one of the finest human beings that I have ever been associated with," Director of Athletics Ed Pastilong said. "He was one of the best athletic administrators in the country, and West Virginia University has been extremely fortunate that he was a part of our family.

"His contribution to the financial management, facility improvements and overall departmental operations has benefitted this department tremendously. His legacy will live on every day because of his devotion to improving our athletic facilities for our student-athletes, fans and employees.

"During his tenure here, he devoted his life to elevating WVU’s Athletic Department, and it has been appreciated by every member of this department," Pastilong said. "On behalf of WVU Athletics, I want to extend our sympathy to his wife, Teri, and son, Matt. This is a sad day for our department as we have lost a great friend and administrator."

Sharp is remembered as much for his friendly demeanor as he is for his tireless drive.

"Russ Sharp was a hidden gem for West Virginia University," Deputy Director of Athletics Mike Parsons said. "He accomplished so much during his years here, always making WVU a stronger and better athletic program. He always did things the right way.

"His lasting legacy will be seen every day. As we walk through the stadium, the Coliseum or any of our outstanding athletic facilities, you will see a piece of Russ' labor in each one," Parsons said. "We have lost an outstanding colleague but we have lost an even better friend. The staff of the athletic department is like family. Russ was part of the fiber of that family."

Sharp played a major role in renovations and new-projects planning, including the new basketball practice facility, a $19 million project expected to be completed in 2011.

"Russ Sharp has been instrumental in creating the facilities and procedures that have helped to make our athletic department as competitive as it is today," said former president David Hardesty, who worked with Sharp for eight years. "He was an excellent administrator and a wonderful human being."

Sharp was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 but even amid chemotherapy treatments he stayed connected to the WVU Athletic Department, checking his e-mail from the hospital bed, welcoming visitors most days and, later, setting up shop at his home and hosting weekly meetings in his living room.

He was reluctant to publicly discuss his cancer but agreed to be the subject of an in-depth feature story in The Dominion Post newspaper to inspire others.

“People go through stuff, and I think it’s just good for people to know others go through things, and they can make it through things,” Sharp told DP sports editor Drew Rubinstein in 2009.

In June of 2008, Sharp was bestowed with the College Athletic Business Management Association Manager of the Year Award, an honor that is annually presented to members who have excelled in the execution of their duties and responsibilities in their institutions.

Prior to joining WVU, Sharp was athletic director at Centenary College from 1994-99. From 1990-94, he served as assistant athletic director for business and internal affairs at Arkansas State, after spending 11 years at West Georgia College, his alma mater. From 1979-89, he served as West Georgia’s athletic business manager and director of sports medicine. In 1989, he was promoted to assistant athletic director for business affairs and executive director of the Braves Boosters.

Sharp has been active on a number of NCAA and conference committees throughout his career. He has been a member of CABMA for 23 years and has served as a district representative. Sharp is currently a member of the membership committee.

Sharp has served as an NCAA rifle committee member and was serving on the BIG EAST championship and competition committee at his death. He has also served on the NCAA peer review team for athletics certification on seven occasions.

A 1983 graduate of West Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in education, Sharp was inducted into the West Georgia Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

Sharp donated his body to WVU Hospitals for medical research and educational purposes.

A memorial service is planned for Monday, March 22 at 11 a.m. at the Suncrest United Methodist Church, 479 Van Voorhis Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, with the Rev Tim Halloran officiating.

Aside from Teri and Matt, he is survived by his mother, Charlotte.

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=16283&cat=exclusives

The Colors Is Raised.

Old Gold and Blue. Forever.

[West Virginia]

WVU Wrestling Ready for NCAAs...........

OMAHA, Neb. – After nearly a two-and-a-half week layoff, three West Virginia University wrestlers will compete at the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb., on Thursday, March 18-20. Session one on the first day of competition will begin at noon ET.

Redshirt senior Donnie Jones (165) earned his third bid to the national tournament, becoming the 12th Mountaineer to earn a bid at least three times to the NCAA Championships. Freshman Shane Young (125) and junior college transfer Brandon Williamson (HWT) each punched their first tickets to the championships.

Collectively, the Mountaineers faced six ranked teams throughout the season, including programs with numerous ranked wrestlers. Coach Craig Turnbull says that although the team record was not where he wanted it, the challenges faced along the way become valuable entering the national tournament.

“Part of the reason for the schedule to be as tough as it was, we want these people to come through seasoned, with a good understanding of where they are compared to their best competition in the country,” Turnbull says. “I believe the schedule has prepared all three very well. They have seen the best people in the country throughout the year, and they have a good understanding that when they get their best wrestling out, they can beat everyone.”

A Slickville, Pa., native, Jones will be slated against a familiar face in No. 7 seed Ryan Morningstar of Iowa. The two squared off last season when Morningstar was a No. 3 seed, with the bout going into sudden victory and the Iowa wrestler earning a takedown for the 3-1 decision. This season, Morningstar owns a 26-6 overall record and took fourth place at the Big Ten Tournament.

“Donnie, having been there two other times and competed well in this tournament, is ready to take that step up and stand on the podium,” Turnbull comments. “With an outstanding tournament, he can put himself anywhere from being in the finals to placing. A lot of it will be Donnie having his focus where it needs to be and putting his best wrestling forth. He's capable of beating anyone in the country when he's competing at his best.”

Entering the tournament with a 20-10 overall mark, Jones has won six of his last seven matches. He took runner-up at the 2010 EWL Championships at 165 pounds after medically forfeiting the title bout to Edinboro’s Jarrod King. Jones defeated Clarion’s Nick Milano, 11-5, and then upset the No. 2 seed and 11th-ranked Rick Schmelyun of Bloomsburg, 2-1. The 20 victories is a career high for Jones.

Young, who has had an impressive true freshman campaign, will head to Omaha sporting a 16-8 overall mark. His first opponent is Cal-State Bakersfield’s Frank Lomas, a redshirt sophomore who earned one of the four 125-pound at-large bids. Lomas placed fifth at the Pac-10 Championships and is 22-15 this season.

“Shane's biggest challenge probably is that this is his first time to the NCAA Tournament,” Turnbull says. “He's shown throughout the season that he has continued to get better, continued to wrestle with the poise to compete at the national level, and I do believe that when he gets his best match out, he's capable of wrestling in that top eight area. The question mark is dealing with the unknown. Using history as a guide, the high school state tournament was always very important to him, and he won three state tournament titles. I would think he'll go out when it's time to wrestle and compete hard. If he puts an outstanding tournament together, I think he'll have an opportunity to place at the national tournament.”

A Jeannette, Pa., native, Young took second at the league championships, falling to top-seeded and 20th-ranked Anthony Zanetta of p*tt, 4-2. Young reached the title bout after posting a 17-2 technical fall over Cleveland State’s Ronald Butler and defeating eighth-ranked Eric Morrill of Edinboro, 3-2.

     
Williamson, who already has competed in two national tournaments at the junior college level, will make his first appearance facing Division I competition. The Riverside, Conn., native is pitted against Central Michigan’s Jarod Trice, a No. 7 seed. Trice, who finished third at the MAC Championships, owns a 23-2 overall record.

“Brandon, I think, went through the middle of the year where he learned a tremendous amount,” Turnbull states. “He took a few losses in a row and started to question himself. The level of competition this year was so much higher than what he was used to at the junior college level. Once he found the right answers, he's wrestled at a Top 10 level for the second half of the year, and I think he's entering the tournament with a good amount of confidence.”

The 2008 junior college heavyweight national champion, Williamson placed second at the EWL Championships. Before the title match, he rolled past Bloomsburg’s Zac Walsh and Clarion’s Quintas McCorkle. Williamson has won nine of his last 10 matches, improving his overall record to 18-7 mark. Nine of his victories this season have come by bonus decision.

For those unable to attend the event, the first two sessions will be streamed on NCAA.com. Sessions three through five will be shown live on ESPNU, and session six, the championship matches, will be broadcast on ESPN, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Also, continue to check MSNsportsNET.com for updates and additional details to see how the Mountaineers fare in Omaha.

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=16282&cat=exclusives

[West Virginia]

Gymnastics: WVU Downs Bridgeport...........

     
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team ran with an early lead and brushed past Bridgeport, 194.725-190.85, this evening at the WVU Coliseum.

The Mountaineers (14-7, 7-0 EAGL) closed their regular-season schedule with their third-straight win over the Purple Knights (25-9); WVU has never lost to UB.

WVU won in convincing fashion, defeating UB on each event. The Mountaineers peaked in the fourth rotation, scoring 49.025 on floor with one season-high and two career-best scores. The squad also tallied 48.925 on vault, 48.6 on bars and 48.175 on beam.

Junior Amy Bieski finished first overall for the third-straight meet with 38.85 points. The mark pushes the Nanticoke, Pa., native’s career-point total to 1,396.7. Bieski now ranks 18th on the WVU all-time career points list.

The Mountaineers wasted no time jumping out to an early lead with a 48.925 vault showing. The Purple Knights opened on bars and scored 47.3 points.

Senior Chelsi Tabor made the most of her last home dual meet, finishing first overall on vault with a 9.9 score. The mark is the second 9.9-plus score of the season for the Beckley, W.Va., native, and the seventh of her career. She continues to rank seventh on the WVU vault all-time list.

Bieski finished second overall on vault with a 9.825 score, while freshman Alaska Richardson took third place and matched a career-best 9.8 mark.

WVU built on its lead in the second rotation, scoring 48.6 on bars and pushing its combined total to 97.525. UB tallied 47.55 on vault and continued to trail with 94.85 points.

Sophomore Nicole Roach matched a season-best bars score with a winning 9.825 routine. Bieski trailed Roach in the lineup and onto the podium with a 9.8, while senior Ashley Wilson opened the rotation and finished third with season-best 9.7 score.

WVU was solid on beam in the third rotation, scoring 48.175 for a 145.7 team total. Though the Purple Knights went six-for-six on floor and scored 48.325, they remained behind the Mountaineers with a 143.175 combined total.

Senior Shelly Purkat, the reigning East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) beam champion, finished first overall with a season-best 9.85 mark. Classmate Kiersten Spoerke anchored the Mountaineer lineup and finished third overall with 9.775 points, while Tabor finished third on the team, sixth overall, with a 9.625 score.

WVU closed out the evening with its improved floor lineup and scored 49.025 points. UB concluded the night on beam and scored 47.675.

Bieski finished first overall and matched a season-best floor mark with a 9.875 score. Freshman Chelsea Goldschrafe finished second with a career-best 9.825 mark, while Purkat took third with a 9.8. Also of note, Tabor, making her third appearance in the lineup this season, scored a career-best 9.775 and finished fourth overall.

This evening was the last home dual meet for seniors Purkat, Spoerke, Tabor and Wilson. The quartet, along with student athletic trainer Kate Goeler, was recognized at the end of the contest.

The Mountaineers will compete for their seventh league crown at the 2010 EAGL Championship Saturday, March 27, in Durham, N.H.

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?cat=netnews&story=16300

[West Virginia]

Track: Hamric Shines at Demon Deacon Open............

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University senior Karly Hamric led the Mountaineers today in their first race of the outdoor season with a first-place showing in the 3,000-meter race in day one of the Wake Forest Demon Deacon Open.

Hamric, a Bruceton Mills, W.Va., native, posted a personal-best time of 9:46.08 to finish nearly 12 seconds in front of the competition.

“The weather is great and the competition is perfect for us,” coach Sean Cleary says. “This is proving to be a perfect location and opener.”

Sophomore Terina Miller also had an excellent day in the hammer throw as she finished in seventh throwing a personal best of 44.93 meters.

In other races, senior Katie Burda finished in 26th in the 5,000 meters (18:56.04), while senior Jamie Cokeley finished in 29th in the 800-meter run (2:20.93).

Competition is set to resume tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. with the field events. Running events will begin at noon with the women’s 100-meter hurdle finals.

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?cat=netnews&story=16298

[West Virginia]

Wrestling: Williamson Falls Short..........

OMAHA, Neb. – West Virginia University wrestler Brandon Williamson fell one victory short of becoming the Mountaineers’ first heavyweight All-American at the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships on Friday.

A Riverside, Conn., native, Williamson had a tough start on day two of the tournament, dropping an 8-2 decision to the No. 2 seed, Jared Rosholt of Oklahoma State.

Falling to the wrestleback bracket, Williamson was matched up against the No. 11 seed, Mitch Monteiro of Cal-State Bakersfield. Williamson took the lead with an escaped point in the second, but Monteiro tied the match at one apiece in the third with an escape. After going scoreless in sudden victory, Monteiro elected down in the first tiebreaker. He recorded a reversal and went up 3-1, heading into the second tiebreaker. Williamson elected down, but was unable to break free, falling by the aforementioned score.

Williamson won consecutive matches on day one of the tournament, defeating two seeded wrestlers – No. 7 seed Jarod Trice of Central Michigan and No. 10 seed Dominick Russo of Rutgers.

Before the end of day two, the Mountaineers are tied with Drexel for 47th place with five points.

Williamson finished the season with a 20-8 overall record. The junior college transfer took second at the Eastern Wrestling League Championships and qualified for his first NCAA Division I national tournament.

HWT:
#2 seed Jared Rosholt (Oklahoma State) dec. Brandon Williamson (WVU), 8-2
#11 seed Mitch Monteiro (Cal-State Bakersfield) dec. Brandon Williamson (WVU), 3-1 (t.b.)

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?cat=netnews&story=16297

[West Virginia]

Men's Soccer: WVU Opens Spring Season..........

OMAHA, Neb. – The West Virginia University men’s soccer team will open its 2010 spring season on Saturday, March 20, against Crystal Palace Baltimore, a member of the North American Soccer League. The match will take place at the Maryland Soccer Complex on field 18 in Germantown, Md., at 11 a.m.

“We are really looking forward to getting back on the field and competing this weekend,” coach Marlon LeBlanc says. “I think Crystal Palace Baltimore is a great test for us, and I’ll be excited for everyone to get back into game mode.”

WVU returns second team all-BIG EAST selection, goalkeeper Zach Johnson, and a pair of all-BIG EAST rookie team honorees in Eric Schoenle and Abel “Shadow” Sebele. The Mountaineers also gain the services of freshman U.S. U-17 national team standout Julio Arjona, who enrolled at WVU in January.

The contest, which marks the first of five spring games for the Mountaineers, takes place in the hometown of Arjona and freshman starter Moeryhan “Peabo” Doue.

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?cat=netnews&story=16293

[West Virginia]

Women’s Soccer: WVU Posts Two Shutouts.............

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia women’s soccer team posted a pair of shutouts in two matches on Saturday at the Jefferson Cup in Richmond, Va.

The Mountaineers battled to a 0-0 draw against regional foe Virginia in a 60-minute morning match at Sportsbacker Stadium. Later in the day, WVU’s defense posted a second shutout in a scoreless tie against William & Mary.

“We did some really good things today against some good opponents,” said coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “I saw areas where we improved since our last time out. Now we have to focus on getting a better end result.”

WVU’s best scoring chance came around the 25-minute mark on a header from forward Erica Henderson that sailed wide of the goal.

After a strong opening half by the Cavaliers, the Mountaineers played much better in the second half, stringing together their passes and controlling the tempo.

The Mountaineers received strong play from center backs Drea Barklage and Mallory Smith, limiting the UVA forwards to only a few scoring chances. Smith made a nice tackle in the box to prevent a goal and goalkeeper Kerri Butler made a nice stop on a breakaway.

Forward Megan Mischler led West Virginia offensively, creating multiple opportunities in both matches.

Both teams had a better half of play but neither could find the back of the net in a scoreless match.

Erica Henderson was outstanding during WVU’s match with William & Mary. The Rochester, N.Y., native played three positions during the 90-minute match, seeing time at forward, midfield and defender.

West Virginia was dominant in the midfield against the Tribe, creating several chances for WVU.

Attackind midfielder Bri Rodriguez got into the mix in the 28th minute after cutting a pair of William & Mary defenders. Rodriguez fired a shot from the top of the 18-yard-box towards the upper left corner only to be deflected over the crossbar by the goalkeeper.

Moments earlier, Rodriguez slotted a ball between the Tribe’s center backs to Mischler who came up empty as William & Mary’s goalkeeper came off her line and smothered the 50-50 ball.

Mischler was on the attack again in the 70th minute, taking a ball up the middle from midfielder Ashtin Larkin and sending a shot just wide of the post.

WVU appeared to have scored its first goal in the 82nd minute off the foot of Mischler. Defender Bry McCarthy sent a ball to Mischler who got behind the Tribe back line and finished goal, only to be waived off on a questionable offside call.

Butler and Sara Keane were solid in goal all day for WVU, splitting time evenly between the posts.

“I’m happy with the effort and contributions today from our team,” added Izzo-Brown who played all 19 available players in both matches. “We have worked hard this spring and will continue to get better.”

WVU returns to action against p*tt and Akron in the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center Soccer Invitational on April 10 at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?cat=netnews&story=16306

[West Virginia]

Baseball: WVU Splits with EMU............

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University baseball team split its doubleheader against Eastern Michigan on Saturday afternoon at Hawley Field.

The Mountaineers (9-10) won its first game, 5-3, over the Eagles (6-12). In game two, WVU fell by a score of 23-0, ending its season-high five-game winning streak.

In game one, it was Colin Durborow’s bat and Andy Berry’s solid pitching that gave WVU the victory. Durborow, a Gibsonia, Pa., native, went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored. In the fifth inning, he hit his third home run of the season, as well as his third this week, over the left center wall to give the Mountaineers a comfortable 5-0 lead.

In the third inning of game one, Durborow drove in WVU’s third run on a single to right field, making it 3-0. His other at-bat occurred in the second when he lay down a sacrifice bunt to move designated hitter Jeremy Gum to second base.

Junior Dom Hayes also had a multi-hit performance in game one, his 12th of the year as well as his eighth two-hit game. The Freehold, N.J. native recorded a long double to centerfield in the first inning and a single to right center in the fourth.

Berry (1-1) had his best start of the season, getting his first career win by allowing two runs on eight hits with five strikeouts in five innings pitched. The Virginia Beach resident routinely threw strikes and allowed his defense to make plays, often blowing his fastball by hitters or fooling the offense with a blend of offspeed pitches.

Berry had only two innings where the Eagles threatened to score. EMU shortstop Aaron Crooks reached second base in the second inning on an infield to error to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Berry proceeded to strike out Wally Gerbus, walked Bo Kinder to load the bases and then finished the inning with Ben Magsig looking at a fastball for a strikeout.

The other threat came in the fifth inning when Todd Graves doubled down the left field line and Zack Leonard followed with a left-field single to put runners on the corners with one out. Berry then struck out Andrew Marshall and forced Daniel Russell into an inning-ending groundout to first baseman Justin McDavid.

Reliever Chris Enourato entered the game with one out in the sixth inning and earned his third save of the season. WVU’s all-time saves leader also earned his 20th career save by allowing no runs and no hits in the final 1.2 innings.

EMU’s Jordan Glover (0-4) suffered the loss in game one, allowing four runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings pitched. Reliever Neil Butara gave up one run on one hit in 2.2 innings.

The Eagles scored in seven of the nine innings played in game two, including a 10-run outburst in the fourth inning that virtually ended any chance of a Mountaineer comeback. EMU starter Kendall Lewis was efficient on the mound, tossing seven scoreless innings and giving up just three hits with seven strikeouts. The Mountaineers tallied five hits against Lewis and reliever Steven Young, with Jedd Gyorko, Hayes, Chris Rasky, McDavid and Clark Sambuco getting one apiece.

WVU right-hander Chase Pickering (1-2) took the loss as the Mountaineers were forced to use five pitchers in game two. Marcus Broadwater came in with one out in the ninth and did not allow a run while striking out one.

The Mountaineers have an opportunity to take three of four from EMU on Sunday afternoon at Hawley Field. First pitch begins at noon. The WVU coaching staff and players will conduct a youth baseball camp following Sunday’s contest. Brochures and other information regarding the event can be found on MSNsportsNET.com.

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?cat=netnews&story=16307

[West Virginia]

Tennis: WVU Sweeps Match Against Houston.........

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University tennis team defeated Houston today, in a 7-0 match in Columbia, Mo.

"We won our tenth-consecutive match and it's been awesome to watch them churn out close win after close win,” says coach March Walters. “Our doubles was clutch today, with No. 1 and No. 3 winning without losing a serve."

The Mountaineers now go 13-2 in the regular season and 4-0 in the BIG EAST, while the Cougars’ record fell to 8-5.

WVU started off the match by sweeping the doubles competition. Sophomore Veronica Cardenas (No. 3) began the singles competition with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over the Cougars’ Laura Ring, while senior Stephanie LaFortune (No. 1) and freshman Emily Mathis (No. 4) continued the winning-streak.

Junior Monique Burton added to the team’s victory with a tough, third-set win in the No. 2 spot over Houston’s Joanna Kacprzyk.

"Monique played well today against a solid player who played at a high level the entire match,” says Walters. “Monique just fired back time after time and it was great to watch her win it with so many big shots."

Also contributing for the Mountaineers were sophomore Kathryn Haught and junior Ashley Pilsbury in the No. 5 and 6 spots.

WVU will finish the day with an evening match against Missouri.

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?cat=netnews&story=16305

[West Virginia]

Track: WVU Completes Demon Deacon Open.........

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Junior Katelyn Williams led the West Virginia University track and field team this afternoon at the Wake Forest Demon Deacon Open with a first-place showing in the high jump.

Williams, a Chesterland, Ohio, native, took the top spot after clearing a personal-best height of 1.78 meters. Senior Natasha Redman followed in fifth place jumping 1.68 meters, while freshman Sydney Cummings tied for sixth (1.63 meters).

“This was a perfect way to jump start the outdoor season,” coach Sean Cleary says. “We had numerous life-time best performances and will come home better for the experience.”

Sophomore Meghan Mock had a good showing in the long jump, finishing in third place. The Berkley Springs, W.Va., native posted an outdoor-best jump of 5.68 to earn the spot.

In the discus, sophomore Brittany Fink led the Mountaineers with a sixth-place finish after throwing a BIG EAST qualifying distance of 40.06 meters.

Senior Jamie Cokeley also had a good day, as she finished 28th in the 1,500-meter run (4:49.07)

WVU will continue the outdoor season with the Bill Van Horne Invitational on March 26-27 in Wheeling, W.Va.

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?cat=netnews&story=16304

[WVUgirl2003]

I like the title "WVU Soccer posts 2 shutouts".... then you read to find out, the other team didn't score on us--- but we didn't score on them either!

[SEZ]

I like the title "WVU Soccer posts 2 shutouts".... then you read to find out, the other team didn't score on us--- but we didn't score on them either!

I know , I read that and I was like WTF...we didn't score either ... Where is the death match at ?

[West Virginia]

West Virginia Beats Lamar.............

AUSTIN, Texas – The No. 3 seed West Virginia University women's basketball team defeated the 14th seeded Lamar Lady Cardinals by a score of 58-43 in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at the Frank Erwin Center on the campus of Texas.

The Mountaineers will now be advancing to their fifth-ever second round game and third under coach Mike Carey, while looking for their first ever second round win in the NCAA Tournament.

Junior Liz Repella led WVU scorers with 15 points, while also pulling down 11 rebounds for her 15th career double-double. Junior Madina Ali scored nine points and brought down 11 rebounds. Junior Sarah Miles also had an impressive stat line with 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Off the bench, junior Vanessa House finished with nine points and two assists, while freshman Asya Bussie had eight points, six rebounds and one block.

The Mountaineers were able to hold the sharp-shooting Lady Cardinals to only 16-of-52 (30.8%) shooting, while shooting 22-of-58 (37.9%). West Virginia also controlled the glass, outrebounding Lamar, 48-28, the most rebound in a WVU tournament game.

Kalis Loyd led Lamar with 15 points, while Southland Conference player of the year, Jenna Plumley, was relatively kept in check with nine points and seven rebounds before fouling out. Plumley also record four assists.

West Virginia started the game on a 12-0 run with four points each from Ali and Miles. Ashley Crawford hit a free throw for Lamar at the 15:51 mark to make the score 12-1 in favor of WVU. Brittney Williams followed with a layup off the bench for Lamar with 15:03 for their first field goal of the half.

West Virginia finished the half on 7-2 run that started with a made free throw from Repella and ended with a 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining in the half from Repella to take a halftime lead of 33-21.

The Mountaineers were able to get Plumley into foul trouble early as she committed two in the first five minutes. Plumley did not get her first basket until she hit a 3 to make the score 19-6 with 11:50 remaining in the half.

Plumley finished the half with three fouls and only three points on 1-of-5 shooting. No player had over five points for Lamar. Darika Hill and Crawford had five points apiece.

Ali led the Mountaineers with nine points in the half to go along with eight rebounds in the half. Miles and House each had seven points. Miles also recorded three steals, while Ali had two.

Lamar opened the second half with a 9-5 run that included four points from Loyd and a deep 3 from Plumley to bring the score to 38-30, in favor of West Virginia. Repella then hit a jumper at the 12:23 mark, followed by a layup with 10:10 remaining to bring the score to 42-30. Bussie followed up with another layup at the 9:37 mark to bring the lead to 14 at 44-30.

Freshman Akeema Richards hit a jumper and Miles scored on a layup, before Loyd hit two free throws with 6:58 remaining to end the West Virginia run and bring the score to 48-32.

Lamar then used seven consecutive points from Loyd to bring the game back to 48-37. Repella however ended the streak with a layup off an inbounds play from under the basket. Lamar was never able to make up any ground and West Virginia broke an impressive Lamar press to seal the victory.

With the win, Carey surpassed the most wins he has ever had in a season with 29. He led Salem to 28 wins in the 1997-98 season. The Mountaineers are now 2-2 all-time in the Erwin Center and 5-5 in NCAA Tournament play.

West Virginia will move on to face the No. 11 seed San Diego State, who upset Texas on their home floor this evening by a score of 74-63. Jene Morris led San Diego State with an impressive 32 points on 5-of-8 shooting from 3. The game will on Tuesday evening.