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November 29, 2008
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
UK Hoops Wins Courtyard LaGuardia Turkey Classic
Carly Ormerod named MVP and Amber Smith named to All-Tournament team
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The Kentucky women’s basketball team overcame poor shooting to defeat host-team Long Island 46-43 and win the Courtyard LaGuardia Turkey Classic Saturday afternoon in the Wellness Center. Senior center Eleia Roddy (Columbus, Ohio) led the team in scoring and rebounding with 12 points and nine rebounds. Junior guard Amani Franklin (Stone Mountain, Ga.) followed with eight points while senior point guard Carly Ormerod (Louisville, Ky.), who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, added seven. Sophomore point guard Amber Smith (Winter Haven, Fla.) also was named to the All-Tournament team after scoring 17 vs. Yale in the first round.
One day after shooting a season-high 55.6 percent from the field and tallying a season-best 87 points against Yale, the Wildcats (4-1) struggled to find their offensive groove, netting a season-low 27.9 percent (17-of-61) from the floor. The Cats also were outrebounded for the first time this season as Long Island (3-3) won the battle on the boards, 46-41.
“It was a tough day shooting the ball,” UK Hoops Coach Matthew Mitchell said. “LIU packed it in and our confidence was shaken early and we were really never able to regain it.”
Despite the poor shooting, Kentucky found a way to win with their defensive prowess. Trailing by three points, 41-38, with 53 seconds remaining in the game, Smith intercepted a pass by LIU’s Jade Brown and hit a driving layup to pull the Cats within one point (41-40) with 50 seconds to go in the game. On LIU’s next possession, Victoria Dunlap (Nashville, Tenn.) stole a pass by Ashley Palmer and was fouled on her shot attempt. She hit one of two free throws, tying the game at 41 with 39 seconds left. Dunlap later hit a layup and Franklin made two free throws to help the Cats pull ahead by four, 45-41, with 20 ticks left. However, LIU’s Connie James answered with a layup with four seconds remaining in the game. The Blackbirds ran out of time, however, and were forced to foul. Ormerod hit one of two free throws to seal the win.
“Those two steals were huge by Amber and Victoria,” Mitchell said. “That is called finding a way to win. We are definitely happy to win this game and this tournament.”
LIU’s zone defense caused offensive struggles for the Wildcats in the first half. UK shot just 32.3 percent (10-of-31) from the field, including 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. Ormerod led UK with five points while Roddy led the rebounding effort with five. UK was outrebounded 20-18 in the opening stanza. For the game, UK shot 10.5 percent from the three-point line (2-of-19) and 55.6 percent from the charity stripe (10-of-18).
LIU was led by Palmer’s 15 points and 12 rebounds and James’ 13 points and 12 rebounds.
UK is now 83-36 all-time in regular-season tournaments. This marks UK’s 27 tournament titles and the first since winning the Wells Fargo New Year’s Classic in San Antonio, Texas in 2006.
November 29, 2008
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Kentucky Basketball Postgame Notes
Kentucky vs. Kansas State
Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Invitational
-- Kentucky improves to 3-2 on the season. Kansas State suffered its first loss and falls to 5-1.
-- Kentucky leads the series between the schools 8-0.
-- The win was UK’s first over a Big 12 school since defeating Missouri 70-53 on Dec. 30, 1999.
-- Kentucky now takes on West Virginia in the championship game, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on ESPN2 following the Kentucky-Tennessee football game, which airs on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. PT.
Team game notes
-- The Wildcats used the starting combination of Ramon Harris, Jodie Meeks, Patrick Patterson, Michael Porter and Perry Stevenson. UK is 2-2 with that starting five.
-- Kentucky extended its streak of made three-pointers to 679 straight games.
-- The Wildcats’ 17 first half turnovers was the most since UK tallied 17 in the first half against North Carolina.
-- Kentucky finished with a season high 31 turnovers.
-- UK held Kansas State to nine first half rebounds, the fewest by a UK opponent since holding Vanderbilt to nine first half rebounds on January 12, 2008.
-- Kentucky shot 77 percent from the field in the first half, its highest first half total since shoot 77 percent against Texas Southern on Nov. 24, 2007.
-- The Wildcats held Kansas State to 23 percent shooting in the first half, the lowest percentage by a UK opponent this season.
-- For the third straight game, Kentucky held its opponent to 36 percent or lower from the field.
-- Kentucky outrebounded its opponent for the fourth time in five games.
Individual game notes
-- Patrick Patterson has won the opening tip in all five games this season.
-- DeAndre Liggins was the first sub off the bench for Kentucky.
-- Perry Stevenson has recorded a blocked shot in each of his last 11 games. He has recorded multiple blocked shots in eight of those games, including four this season.
-- Jodie Meeks set a career high for points in a half with 24 surpassing the 20 he scored in the second half against VMI.
-- For the fourth time in five games, Meeks scored in double-digits in the first half.
-- In three Las Vegas Invitational games, Meeks has averaged 25.3 pts.
-- Patrick Patterson recorded his second straight double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The last time a Wildcat posted two consecutive double-doubles was Patterson against Gardner Webb (11/7/07) and Liberty (11/21/07).
-- The double-double for Patterson was his third of the season and the ninth of his career tying him for 37th on UK’s all-time double-double list.
-- Michael Porter has connected on 50 percent of his three-pointers in last three games (4-8).
-- Perry Stevenson had his string of 11 straight free throws made snapped.
November 28, 2008
VOLLEYBALL
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Trailing 10-4 in the fifth and deciding set the 17th-ranked Wildcats stormed back to knot the score at 14 a piece, but the Tennessee Lady Vols scored the final two points to upset the Wildcats on Senior Day at Memorial Coliseum. Tennessee claimed the match with scores of 21-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, and 16-14.
Kentucky (26-5, 17-3) finishes out an incredible regular season run and will now wait for NCAA Tournament seeding which is announced Sunday night on ESPNU at 10 p.m. The Blue and White finish the regular season with the seventh most wins in school history and the most SEC victories in the school’s allure. With tonight’s crowd of 3,021 fans the team has set two of the biggest attendances in Kentucky history.
The Wildcats honored seniors Queen Nzenwa and Alisa Pierce in their final home contest in the Blue and White following the conclusion of the match.
“Our program has come a long way in four years,” said Head Coach Craig Skinner. “The leadership and competitiveness of Queen and Alisa will last a long a time in our program. We loved coaching them, and they will both be very successful people.”
Nzenwa was sensational in front of the seventh largest crowd in school history. The senior from Baltimore tallied 11 kills on a .409 hitting percentage and powered her way to eight blocks to lead the squad for the 70th time in her career. With the seven block assists she now has 554 for her career and is two shy from moving into fourth all-time on the Southeastern Conference list.
With the Lady Vols having captured the fourth set to force a fifth set, the visitors jumped out to an early 9-3 lead before Kentucky used its second timeout. Out of the break Nzenwa hammered home an electrifying kill. Back-to-back blocks from Nzenwa and sophomore Blaire Hiler and then Nzenwa and junior Sarah Rumely made the score 10-6 in favor of the Vols.
Tennessee increased its lead to 13-8 off a block, but a kill from sophomore Sarah Mendoza followed by an attacking error by Tennessee brought the score to 13-10. Freshman Becky Pavan followed with a heads-up play returning a UT attack into the deep corner to bring the score to 13-11.
The Lady Vols would then take the next point to earn match point behind a kill. Kentucky brought the crowd to its feet with three match-saving points as Pavan and sophomore Lauren Rapp laid down a pair of kills and then the duo hooked up for a block to tie the score at 14.
With the crowd behind the Wildcats, Tennessee was able to get a point after sending the ball deep into UK territory. Kentucky appeared to be able to save the long shot, however the ball sailed to the roof of the Coliseum giving Tennessee match point once again. The Lady Vols were able to capitalize this time, and Alyssa Hilby registered the winning kill, preventing UK from winning a share of the SEC crown.
Mendoza, Rapp and Rumely all recorded double-double efforts in the loss. Mendoza and Rapp led the way with 13 kills apiece. Mendoza tallied 15 digs with Rapp recording 12. Rumely dished out 51 assists and picked up 16 scoops, and nearly missed a triple-double effort with a season-high eight kills. Pavan was the other UK player to reach double-digit kills with 11. Hiler contributed eight kills on the night to aid the Wildcat cause. Junior libero BriAnne Sauer paced the back-line defense with 24 digs on the night.
Kentucky opened the match with a 25-21 first set victory. Kentucky used a .256 hitting percentage and got five opening kills from Mendoza. Tennessee hit just .128 and recorded just 12 kills in the frame.
In set two Kentucky had a chance at set point with a 24-22 edge and a 24-23 lead, but Tennessee rattled off four straight points to overcome the Wildcats and claim the second set 26-24.
Out of the break, the Wildcats fired back with a dominating third set win. The Blue and White got three blocks in the frame, two off the arms of Nzenwa who also paced the attack with four kills. The Blue and White jumped out in front with an early 2-0 lead and never looked back. Hiler ended the set for Kentucky with a kill.
Despite an early UK lead in the fourth set, Tennessee was able to take the lead at 16-15 and pull out the fourth set win with the score 25-21 to force the fifth and deciding set.
November 28, 2008
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
UK Hoops Defeats Yale 87-82 in Turkey Classic
Wildcats to meet host Long Island
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The Kentucky women’s basketball team advances to the championship game of the Courtyard LaGuardia Turkey Classic after a hard-fought 87-82 win over Yale in the opening round on Friday afternoon. Point guards Carly Ormerod (Louisville, Ky.) and Amber Smith (Winter Haven, Fla.) led four Wildcats in double-digit scoring with 17 points apiece. Junior forward Lydia Watkins (Hopkinsville, Ky.) added 16 points and nine rebounds while junior guard Amani Franklin (Stone Mountain, Ga.) scored 15.
The Wildcats (3-1) will face host-team Long Island (3-2) Saturday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. ET in LIU’s Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center. The game will be broadcast live on the Big Blue Sports Radio Network with Dick Gabriel. Long Island defeated New Hampshire 74-60 to advance.
“It was a hard-fought win and a win we really had to earn,” UK Hoops Coach Matthew Mitchell said. “Winning this game gives us a chance to play for a championship and we’re excited to have this opportunity.”
Kentucky shot a season-high 55.6 percent from the field (35-of-63), including 60 percent in the second half (18-30), and won the battle of the boards for the fourth consecutive game with a 46-33 advantage. However, the Cats were hampered by 25 turnovers and 14 second-chance points by Yale.
The first half was a back and forth battle as neither team led by more than four points. After 10 ties and eight lead changes, Yale took a four-point lead after one of Jamie Van Horne’s game-high five three-pointers with no time left on the clock. UK, which hit 51.5 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Bulldogs 26-17 in the first half, went into the break, trailing 43-39.
“At halftime we talked about our need to play better in transition defense,” Mitchell said. “Offensively, we tried to address the turnovers. They were putting a lot of pressure on us and we needed to attack the rim because they were taking away the passing lanes.”
The second half continued to be highly contested as both teams battled for the lead. Yale led by eight points (52-44) at the 15:27 mark before Kentucky clawed back to tie the game at 62 apiece with 10:15 to go. Four different players (Eleia Roddy, Ormerod, Franklin, and Watkins) scored in a 10-0 Kentucky run that pushed the Cats’ lead to 72-62 with seven minutes to go. UK managed to maintain a nine-point advantage (80-71) with 3:05 on the clock but Yale refused to fold. The Bulldogs, led by Melissa Colborne’s game-high 24 points, scored 11 points in a two-minute span to tie the game at 82 with :28 seconds left in the game. After a Kentucky turnover, Ormerod stole a Yale pass and hit a key layup to give the Cats an 84-82 lead with :15 seconds to go. Smith then stole the ensuing inbounds pass and was fouled. She and Ormerod hit 3-of-4 free throws in the final 11 seconds to seal the victory.
“Yale played terrific both offensively and defensively,” Mitchell said. “They had a good game plan for us. One thing that got us back into the game was our zone. We changed the complexion of the game and I was happy that it was effective.”
Yale shot 43.7 percent from the field, including hitting 7-of-17 three-pointers but was outscored 60-40 in points in the paint. UK shot over 50 percent for the first time since a 51.7 percent clip vs. William & Mary on Dec. 4, 2007.
This was UK’s first meeting against a team from the Ivy League. UK is now 82-36 all-time in regular-season tournaments with 26 tournament titles. UK’s last tournament title was in 2006-07 at the Wells Fargo New Year’s Classic in San Antonio, Texas.
November 26, 2008
FOOTBALL
Masthay Named Academic All-America
UK has Player Elected for Fourth Consecutive Year
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior punter/kicker Tim Masthay has been named first-team Academic All-America as sponsored by ESPN The Magazine and elected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Masthay has a 3.81 grade-point average with a major in business economics. It is Masthay’s second-consecutive year on the squad as he was a second-team Academic All-America selection last year. It is also his second national honor of the year, as in September he was chosen to the Good Works Team for community service by the American Football Coaches Association.
On the field, Masthay ranks third in the nation in punting with 45.5 yards per punt. He is Kentucky’s kickoff man and he ranks second in the Southeastern Conference with 20 touchbacks. He also serves as the team’s holder on placekicks.
This marks the fourth-straight year that Kentucky has had a first-team Academic All-American, with UK and Penn State being the only teams that have accomplished that feat from 2005-08. In addition to Masthay, UK’s recent first-team Academic All-Americans include tight end Jacob Tamme (2007), offensive lineman Hayden Lane (2006 and 2005) and kicker Taylor Begley (2005).
Masthay’s all-around academic, athletic and service accomplishments have made him a candidate for several other national honors, including the NCAA Top VIII Award, Draddy Award, Danny Wuerffel Trophy, Bobby Bowden Award, Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award and John Wooden Citizenship Cup.
November 26, 2008
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Pre-Game Press Conference Quotes
Findlay Las Vegas Invitational
Kentucky Head Coach Billy Gillispie Quotes
On Kansas State …
"In the four teams that is playing in this tournament, we are the only one with any loses. Kansas State is a really well coached team. They lost some key players after last year, but they still have about nine players this year who really play hard. They are very aggressive in everything they do both offensively and defensively. They play right into the weaknesses that we have exhibited so far this season, so it will be a good test for us. They are very physical and over play everything. They make it very tough for guys to finish plays inside. I'm sure they will trap us considering the way we have handled the trap so far this season. Offensively, they rebound very well and they push the ball very well."
On guard play …
"We'll see this weekend how we do, I think it will be a great test for us. We are going to have some hiccups along the way because things cannot change overnight. We have a greater awareness of what we need to be trying to do. We are starting to show a little bit more composure. In the last two games we haven't seen the press as much as I think we will when we play Kansas State. It will be interesting to see how we play this weekend, how many times we turn over the ball, how many shots we get and how many plays we finish."
On the season …
"I just want to keep getting a lot better and we need to get a lot better in a hurry. Most importantly, I want to win. That is the most important thing for me, always has been, always will. Sometimes you can be successful when you get beat but I want to be successful and get a win. I think that the best teams are the teams that can keep improving while they are winning and not have to suffer setbacks. We haven't won enough to find out if that is going to be the case with this team or not."
On being ready to play …
"I want all of our guys to be mentally prepared to play the game. You can't get back what you lost, but what you can do is improve upon where you are today. When you lose, it is over and you have to move on. Life is about 10-percent what happens to you and about 90-percent about how you handle it. We have to handle things the right way come win, lose or draw. People talk about a team will come out stronger because they lost. I don't buy into that theory. It should make no difference if you played poorly and lost or played well and won. If you don't approach your next time out the right way then you suffer a setback again."
On traveling to Las Vegas …
"You don't have to be in Las Vegas for distractions to be a big concern. I think that I am very proud of our guys because they have consistently been very responsible in every aspect. I don't expect to see any change in that on the road. I want them to have fun anytime we travel to a new place, but most importantly I want them to take care of business. You take care of business first and have fun second."
November 25, 2008
FOOTBALL
Jarmon, Lumpkin Out for Tennessee Game
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior defensive end Jeremy Jarmon and sophomore defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin have been declared unable to play in Saturday’s game at Tennessee, Coach Rich Brooks has announced.
Jarmon had arthroscopic knee surgery on Nov. 18 because of a cartilage tear sustained in the Vanderbilt game. Lumpkin had a high-ankle sprain in that game. Free safety Marcus McClinton already had been declared out for Tennessee because of a severe leg laceration sustained vs. the Commodores.
Jarmon and McClinton are starters and Lumpkin is the team’s top reserve at the tackle slots. With Nii Adjei Oninku moving into Jarmon’s spot, none of UK’s other D-Line reserves have seen extensive game action.
The good news in the situation is that Jarmon, Lumpkin and McClinton are expected to be available for Kentucky’s bowl game.
November 25, 2008
RIFLE
ASHLEY JACKSON NAMED UK RIFLE SHOOTER OF THE MATCH
Wildcat Junior Posts Personal-Best 594 in Air Rifle, the Third-Best Score in the NCAA in 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky junior shooter Ashley Jackson, who posted a career-high 594 in air rifle during a win at TCU, has been named the UK rifle shooter of the match, head coach Harry Mullins said.
“I am very proud of Ashley and her performance this weekend,” Mullins said. “She really battled after a sub-standard smallbore round and to put up her personal best speaks volumes about her competitiveness and work ethic. Ashley is really solidifying herself as one of the top shooters in the nation.”
Jackson, a junior from Milford, N.J., tallied a career-best 594 in air rifle, a match-best and six points better then any TCU shooters. The 2007-08 honorable mention All-American in smallbore, Jackson averaged 574 in smallbore and 580 in air rifle a year ago. In the match with TCU, Jackson started with a nine (out of 10) and followed that up with 29 consecutive 10’s, an impressive feat. Jackson’s 594 marks the third-highest score in the NCAA in air rifle during the 2008-09 season and the highest score recorded by a UK shooter.
“Ashley really finished last year very strong, especially her finish at the NCAA Championships,” Mullins said. “Having that solid performance has really helped her confidence and if she keeps working real hard, we will continue to see her put up impressive numbers in both guns.”
Kentucky (8-1) returns to action in January, facing Murray State in its spring season opener, at UK’s Barker Hall.
November 25, 2008
VOLLEYBALL
Billings Named First Team High School All-America
Incoming freshman is an outside hitter from Alabama
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Whitney Billings, a recent signee with the UK Volleyball team, was tabbed a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) third annual Under Armour All-American High School Volleyball Team. Billings earned first-team status on the 2008 team.
For the first time in the award’s three-year history, both a First-Team and a Second-Team were honored, with 24 players on each. The 48 players represent 23 states and 44 high schools. Many have already committed to play collegiate volleyball at some of the top programs in the country.
Each of the 24 players on the First-Team will be invited to play in the inaugural Under Armour All-America High School Volleyball Match and Skills Competition. The event will be held at Qwest Center Omaha, Dec. 21, in Omaha, Neb., in conjunction with the 2008 AVCA Annual Convention. Kentucky’s Billings has accepted her invitation and will appear in the match on Dec. 21.
Requirements for nomination were that the student-athlete be in her senior year of high school, that she be nominated by her high school coach, that her coach be a member of the AVCA and that her season statistics be entered into MaxPreps, a free service that aggregates and distributes data on high school sports.
Billings is an outside hitter/middle blocker from Helena, Ala. She was a two-time National High School Player of the Year finalist at Pelham High School. She has earned six varsity letters in her time at Pelham, and has twice been named to the Birmingham News All-State first team. As a junior she was the Metro Player of the Year and the Shelby County Player of the Year. In her sophomore season she was named to the Class 6A State All-Tournament team.
For more information on the Under Armour All-America High School Volleyball Match and Skills Competition, go to www.avca.org and look for the match logo on the homepage.
November 24, 2008
CROSS COUNTRY
UK Women Complete Season at NCAA Championships
UK sophomore Adam Henken finishes 166th in his first men’s championship meet
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The University of Kentucky women’s cross country team wrapped up the 2008 season at the NCAA Championships hosted by Indiana State University at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center in Terre Haute, Ind. The Wildcats finished 31st overall in their first trip back to the Championships since 1989. On the men’s side, UK sophomore Adam Henken placed 166th overall as an individual runner
Battling over 250 athletes on the course and brisk weather, senior Jessica Ortman finished first for the Wildcats for the seventh time in as many meets this season with a 6K mark of 21:50, good for 181st overall. Finishing seconds behind Jessica was senior Jenna Ortman clocking in at 21:51 while sophomore Katherine Peterson crossed the line at 21:52. Jenna and Peterson finished in 185th and 186th, respectively.
Senior Andrea Halasek finished her final race as a Wildcat placing 216th overall with a time of 22:10. The fifth scorer for the Wildcats was junior Lindsay Petri with a time of 22:34 in 232nd place. All five UK scorers at the NCAA meet have been consistent throughout the year, having scored in each meet that they have run this season.
Junior Claire Laverty (23:50 – 250th) and sophomore Suzanne Holt (24:12 – 251st) rounded out the UK championship meet line-up.
“We had a tough day out on the course,” said assistant coach for cross country and distance John Mortimer. “It didn’t go as well as we’d hoped, but the important thing is getting a chance to race as a team at the NCAA Championship Meet. It’s a great accomplishment for this team to compete at this level and represent Kentucky for the first time in 19 years. Now we just need to build upon this experience for next season.”
Over 250 men competed on the men’s side as well. Henken finished his first NCAA Championship Meet in 166th overall with a 10K time of 31:25.
“This race was a good experience to build from for a talented, young athlete like Adam,” said Mortimer.
Oregon won the men’s title while fellow Pac-10 member Washington took the women’s crown.
The UK women’s team previously won a National Championship in 1988 and claims a National Runner-Up finish in 1989. The Wildcats also took home third overall in 1986 and placed fourth in 1985.
November 24, 2008
FOOTBALL
Jones, Gonzalez are Game Captains
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior cornerback David Jones and junior center Jorge Gonzalez will be the game captains for Saturday’s game at Tennessee, Coach Rich Brooks has announced.
Game captains are normally selected on the basis of performance in the previous game. In UK’s game against Vanderbilt, Jones returned a blocked field goal 57 yards for a touchdown and also provided excellent pass coverage. It is the third time in the last four games that Jones has earned the game-captain role. Gonzalez played one of his best games at center vs. the Commodores; for the season, the UK offensive line ranks third in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed and seventh in the nation in fewest quarterback sacks allowed.
Jones and Gonzalez will join permanent captains Tony Dixon and Braxton Kelley at the pregame coin toss.
November 24, 2008
VOLLEYBALL
Pavan Earns Second Straight SEC Weekly Honor
Named SEC Freshman of the Week for the second consecutive week
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Freshman Becky Pavan was tabbed the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman Player of the Week for the second consecutive week, as announced by the league office Monday.
Pavan enjoyed another outstanding performance in helping UK reach 17 conference victories in 2008. She led UK to a sweep of Auburn for their 26th victory of the season, the sixth most wins in school history. Pavan was a match-changer at the net for the Blue and White leading them with seven total blocks for a blistering 2.33 blocks per set average. She was equally dominating on the offensive side powering her way to seven kills on a team-best .462 hitting percentage. Pavan led UK with 3.83 points per set for the week.
With her five block assists against Auburn, she has moved into UK’s top-10 for block assists in a season with 130 on the year. For the season, Pavan leads UK and ranks among the leaders in the SEC with 1.21 blocks per set.
A week ago Pavan was honored as the league’s best freshman after helping UK to victories over Florida and South Carolina.
Pavan’s honor marks the eighth SEC Freshman of the Week honor for UK in the last three seasons. The freshman from Kitchener, Ontario, has earned the honor twice this season. In 2007, Sarah Mendoza (1) and Lauren Rapp (3) both claimed weekly nods. Sarah Rumely was honored as the Freshman of the Week twice in 2006.
November 23, 2008
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ATHLETICS
The University of Kentucky Athletics Department on the passing of former UK volleyball player, Jenni Casper.....
"The Wildcat family is saddened by the loss of Jenni Casper. Jenni represented the University of Kentucky and the volleyball program with passion and dignity. She was an intense competitor and amazing individual. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jenni's family and loved ones during this period of grief."-- UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart
"Our volleyball family is deeply saddened by the loss of Jenni. She meant a great deal to our program, and our hearts go out to the Casper family and loved ones. We will do everything we can to carry on Jenni's legacy of dedication, enthusiasm and unselfishness through our program."-- UK Volleyball Coach Craig Skinner
November 23, 2008
CROSS COUNTRY
UK Women Compete at NCAA Championships for the First Time Since 1989
UK sophomore Adam Henken races as an individual in the men’s championship meet
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The last time the University of Kentucky women’s cross country team participated in the NCAA Cross Country Championships, the Wildcats came away with a National Runner-Up finish, one year removed from UK’s National Championship in 1988. Now, 19 years later, the Blue and White will compete at the season-ending meet for the fifth time in school history.
Besides the UK women’s team National Championship and National Runner-Up finish, the Wildcats took home third overall in 1986 and placed fourth in 1985.
Also representing UK at the 2008 NCAA Championships is sophomore Adam Henken, who qualified as an individual after finishing fifth overall in the men’s race at the NCAA Southeast Regional on Nov. 15.
Thirty other women’s squads will join UK at the NCAA Championship Meet held at Indiana State’s Wabash Valley Family Sports Center in Terre Haute, Ind., Monday. The women's 6k race begins at 12:08 p.m. ET followed by the men's 10k race at 12:48 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, gates open at 9:00 a.m. and no pets are allowed. Both races will be broadcast live by CBS College Sports beginning at noon.
Kentucky is one of three Southeastern Conference teams to earn a bid to this year’s Championships; the Wildcats are joined by Arkansas and Florida. Seven UK women will battle 392 other participants on the course in Terre Haute. The Wildcats finished second at the NCAA Southeast Regional to claim an automatic bid to the NCAA meet. UK was the only squad to finish all five scoring runners in the top 36.
Two UK seniors earned All-Southeast Regional honors at the meet. Jessica Ortman placed 10th overall to continue her streak of leading the Wildcats across the finish line at each meet this season and 10 of 12 career races in the Blue and White. Jenna Ortman placed 15th overall to earn her first career All-Region medal.
The final three scoring runners for Kentucky finished seconds apart from each other. Sophomore Katherine Peterson raced across the finish in 31st overall while senior Andrea Halasek finished steps behind in 34th place. Junior Lindsay Petri's personal-best 6K run of 21:57 in 36th overall sealed Kentucky's bid. The spread from UK runners one through five was a mere 31 seconds. The top five Wildcats have scored in each meet they have raced in this season.
Rounding out the Wildcats’ post-season line-up this year are junior Claire Laverty and sophomore Suzanne Holt who scored in two meets for the Wildcats this season.
Henken earned his first All-Southeast Regional honor by finishing fifth overall less than two weeks after earning distinction as a member of the All-SEC Second Team. Henken’s 10K time of 30:26 was a 73-second improvement over his mark at the 2007 Regional. The Catharpin, Va., native has finished first on the team in five consecutive meets this season and has scored in 11 of 12 career races in the Blue and White.
The last time any UK man competed in the NCAA Championship meet was in 2003 when the Wildcat men qualified as a team.
November 23, 2008
MEN'S SOCCER
FORMER WILDCAT ANDY GRUENEBAUM WINS MLS CUP WITH CREW
Standout Former UK Soccer Goalkeeper Wins MLS Cup with Columbus Crew
CARSON, Calif. -- Former standout Kentucky soccer goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum helped the Columbus Crew to its first MLS title in club history on Sunday with a 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup, at the Home Depot Center.
Gruenebaum, a UK letterwinner from 2002-05, has served as the back-up goalkeeper for the Columbus Crew throughout the 2008 season, with Wake Forest graduate Will Hesmer functioning as the starting keeper. Gruenebaum, a 6-foot-1, 200-pounder, notched one start during the Crew’s championship season, posting two saves in a loss.
A native of Overland Park, Kan., Gruenebaum has appeared in 14 games with 13 starts during his three-year MLS career, posting a 1.53 goals-against average in 1175 minutes, with three shutouts and 49 saves. As the first keeper selected in the 2005 MLS Draft with the third-overall pick, Gruenebaum opened his career with a bang, posting a miniscule 0.97 goals-against average in his first three starts. He finished his 2007 campaign with a 1.50 goals-against average in 10 starts.
While at Kentucky, Gruenebaum re-wrote the UK goalkeeping record book, shattering the career record for saves and tying the mark for shutouts. He is the only player in school history to post back-to-back goals against averages below 1.00, doing so an incredible three straight years while earning first-team all-conference honors each season, in addition to preseason All-American accolades.
Columbus scored the only goal of the first half, as Alejandro Moreno scored in the 31st minute, sneaking the ball inside the left post.
After the Red Bulls evened up the match in the 51st minute, Columbus’ Chad Marshall answered with the Crew’s second goal in the 53rd minute, latter adding to its lead on Frankie Hejduk’s goal in the 82nd minute.
When drafted in 2005, Gruenebaum became the first former UK player selected in the MLS Draft.
November 23, 2008
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Defense, Rebounding Lead UK Hoops Over George Washington
Amani Franklin led all scorers with 16 points while Victoria Dunlap had 13 points and 14 rebounds.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky women’s basketball team used a stifling full-court press and a strong effort on the boards to mount a 67-48 win over George Washington Sunday in front of 3,813 fans in Memorial Coliseum. Four Wildcats scored in double-figures led by junior Amani Franklin’s (Stone Mountain, Ga.) game- and season-high 16 points. Sophomore Victoria Dunlap followed with 13 points and a career high-tying 14 rebounds, her second season and fifth career double-double. Senior Eleia Roddy (Columbus, Ohio) and sophomore Amber Smith (Winter Haven) added 12 points each.
The Wildcats (2-1), who lost to the then-ranked No. 14 Colonials last season in Washington, D.C., used their speed and athleticism to pester GW into 18 turnovers and hold the Colonials (1-2) to 28.6 percent shooting (14-of-49). The Cats’ also used a strong presence on the boards, outrebounding the Colonials by 20 (50-30), their largest rebounding margin this season (50-30). UK outscored GW 24-10 in points in the paint and 16-4 in second chance points. Following Dunlap in the rebounding column were Roddy and junior Brittany Edelen (Springfield, Ky.) with seven apiece. Smith added a season-high five rebounds and senior point guard Carly Ormerod (Louisville, Ky.) added four.
“It was just people working and playing hard,” UK Hoop Coach Matthew Mitchell said. “Brittany Edelen got three (rebounds) on one possession today and I told Victoria Dunlap when she came out of the game that she was a warrior today. Eleia Roddy played well too and a lot of our players attributed. I was very pleased with our rebounding.”
Kentucky jumped out to a 5-0 lead to start the game and controlled most of the first half before GW pulled to within one (23-22) at the break after a jumper by Tiana Myers. In the second half, the Cats went up by five (40-35) before senior point guard Carly Ormerod (Louisville, Ky.) hit a three-pointer after a timeout to spark a 12-0 run over the next three minutes. Roddy, Franklin and Ormerod also combined to sink 9-of-9 free throws during the run, giving UK a commanding 52-35 advantage.
“We had just gotten three offensive rebounds and on the first two we didn’t get much offense from them, so I called a timeout so we could get the ball to somebody who knew what we needed to do organization-wise,” Mitchell said. “We wanted to get Carly an open “three” or dump the ball down to Dunlap for an open look. We knew what we wanted to do and when her “three” went in the air I was hoping it would go in because it was a key shot in the game.”
The Colonials, led by Antelia Parrish’s 13 points and five rebounds, pulled back within 11 points with 4:49 to go but Dunlap answered with back-to-back layups to push the lead back to 15 (58-43). From there, UK hit 5-of-6 free throws and Franklin sank a jumper with four seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Kentucky shot a season-high 33.9 percent from the floor (19-of-56) and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line (25-of-30).
UK is now 1-2 all-time against George Washington in the all-time series.
November 23, 2008
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
FINAL SCORE: Kentucky 67, George Washington 48
Team Records and Series Notes
- UK improves to 2-1 while GW falls to 1-2 overall.
- This was the third all-time meeting between GW and UK and the first against George Washington in Lexington. GW now leads the all-time series 2-1.
- UK is now 19-10 all-time vs. teams from the Atlantic 10 conference.
- The Wildcats are now 301-133 all-time in “the house that Rupp built.” UK is 560-432 all-time in 35 years of varsity basketball, needing only seven more games to reach their 1000th contest.
- UK Hoops continues regular-season play at the Courtyard LaGuardia Turkey Classic in New York City vs. Yale on Friday, Nov. 28, 2008.
Team Game Notes
- Starting line-up: Carly Ormerod, Eleia Roddy, Amber Smith, Brittany Edelen and Victoria Dunlap. This is the first time Coach Mitchell has used this lineup.
- Key run: Carly Ormerod’s three-pointer with 9:08 left in the game sparked a 12-0 run by the Cats.
- Four players scored in double figures for the first time since James Madison on March 26, 2008 in the WNIT third round.
- UK shot a season high 33.9 percent from the field (19-of-56).
- The Wildcats held George Washington to only 48 points. The last time UK held an opponent to 50 points or less was 44 against Alabama on Feb. 17, 2008.
- UK also held GW to 28.6 percent shooting in the game. The last opponent to shoot under 30 percent was Georgia’s 28.3 percent shooting on Jan. 31, 2008.
- UK outscored GW 44-26 in the second half after only leading by one point at halftime.
- UK outscored GW 24-10 in points in the paint and 16-4 in second chance points.
Individual Game Notes
- Junior Amani Franklin scored a game and season high 16 points to lead all scorers. She also tied her season high in rebounds with three. She went 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.
- Sophomore Victoria Dunlap earned her fifth career and second season double-double with 13 points and a career high-tying 14 rebounds. She also pulled down 14 rebounds vs. MTSU in the WNIT on March 21, 2008.
- Senior Eleia Roddy recorded 12 points and seven rebounds. She went 8-of-8 from the free throw line.
- Senior Carly Ormerod charted a season high seven points and four rebounds in the game.
- Sophomore Amber Smith scored a season high 12 points. She also charted her first season three-pointer. It marked her first trey since the South Carolina game on Jan. 24, 2008. She also grabbed a season high five rebounds.
- Junior Brittany Edelen earned her second career start and pulled down a career-high seven rebounds.
November 22, 2008
SWIMMING & DIVING
Snowden Wins Again, Retrum Shines on Final Night
Senior Joe Retrum sets a career-best time in 200-fly
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Sophomore diver Jessie Snowden captured her second consecutive win on the boards, and senior Joe Retrum tallied a career-best time in the 200-butterlfy to wrap up the Tennessee Invitational and the fall season for the University of Kentucky.
Snowden who won the three-meter diving event just a night earlier, edged out Virginia Tech’s Sarah Miltor on the one-meter tonight. Snowden scored 278.80 points in the finals competition to just slip past Miltor who was 1.75 points behind the UK standout’s total.
Retrum erupted for second place in the 200-fly with a career-best time of 1:47.96, bettering his previous time by more than two seconds. Additionally, Retrum’s time meets the NCAA ‘B’ qualifying standard for 2009.
Junior Kyle Greene also captured a career-best time this evening. Greene taking the first leg of the second-place 400-free relay team tapped the wall in a time of 44.78, bettering his previous time in the 100-free by more than a second. In the second-place finish, Greene was followed by sophomore Tyler Reed, junior Chris Richard and junior Eric McGinnis who clocked in a time of 2:57.50 in the event. The time is a new season-best for the Blue and White. Green’s 100-free time as well as UK’s 400-free relay time are NCAA ‘B’ qualifying times.
Freshman Morne’ Boshoff finished in third place in the grueling 1650-freestyle with a time of 15:28.41 to lead the Wildcats. The time is also an NCAA ‘B’ qualifier, and a career-best clip.
Other top finishers on the men side were senior Shane Eliason and freshman Grant Cooksey. Eliason claimed fifth place in the 200-back with a season-best time of 1:47.86. Cooksey clocked in a time of 2:02.98 for fifth in the 200-breast. The time is a career- and season-best for the freshman.
The women had an equally impressive day for the Blue and White. Freshman Claire Archibald and junior Megan Pulskamp both earned second place finishes in individual events. Archibald placed second in the 200-back with Pulskamp taking second in the 200-fly.
Archibald needed just 2:00.29 in the event to achieve a career-best clip. Sophomore Chatham Penrod tapped in fourth, just behind her teammate, with a season-best time of 2:03.32 in the race.
Freshman Chelsea Peterson touched in third place in the 100-free to earn the best finish of the day for the Wildcats in the event. Peterson earned a time of 51.14, which is the top time of her young career.
Sophomore Lindsey Graessle earned fourth place in the 200-breast with a time of 2:19.97—a season-best time. Senior Leah Harms rounded out the top-five finishes individually for the women’s team. Harms tapped in 17:07.65 in the 1650-free.
To finish out the night, UK’s 400-free relay team touched in third place. Peterson, senior Kristina Sledge, sophomore Kayla Sergesketter and Pulskamp touched in a season-best time of 3:25.11 in the event.
Tonight wraps up the fall slate for the UK swimming and diving teams. The Wildcats will return to the pool January 7, 2009 in a dual meet with SEC foe LSU.
November 22, 2008
RIFLE
ASHLEY JACKSON, TOM CSENGE PACE RIFLE TO WIN AT TCU
Wildcats Ride Match-High Scores from Jackson, Csenge to 4647-4636 Win in Fort Worth
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Led by Ashley Jackson’s 594 in air rifle and Tom Csenge’s match-high 1169 overall score, the Kentucky rifle team posted a 4647-4636 win over TCU, on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jackson posted an impressive 594 to lead the field in air rifle on Saturday, joining freshman Ethan Settlemires (590) as Wildcats breaking 590. Csenge, a two-time All-American in 2007-08, posted a match-best 1169 total score, with a 589 in air rifle and a team-best 580 in smallbore. Senior Andrew Roland equaled Csenge for the team lead in smallbore, a 580, using a 199 in prone and a 196 in kneeling.
“Overall, it was a good win, but we have some work to do to improve our smallbore numbers,” Kentucky head coach Harry Mullins said. “I was hoping for a lot more in smallbore today, although low numbers are not the result of a lack of effort – sometimes too much effort in forcing things to happen can lead to low numbers. I was very proud of Ashley, Tom and Ethan in air rifle, while Andrew and Tom posted solid 580’s in smallbore.”
Kentucky (5-1) has one lone loss on the year, at the hands of two-time defending NCAA Champion Alaska-Fairbanks. Rounding out the UK starting lineup, Megan English tallied a 575 in air rifle and a 569 in smallbore, while Jen Pason finished with a 570 in smallbore.
“The biggest thing we learned about our team today is that we can not give in to emotion and we have to focus going into every shot,” Mullins detailed. “We will have to take this number and work on it over the next two months.”
Settlemires tallied a 576 in smallbore to highlight the white squad, with Leslie Angeli posting a 580 and Sarah Broeker tallying a 581 in air rifle.
The match wraps up the fall season for Kentucky, who returns to collegiate match action against Murray State on Jan. 17.
November 21, 2008
SWIMMING & DIVING
Snowden Takes Home Top Honor at Tennessee Invitational
Several Wildcats have career best day
KNOXVILLE, TENN. — Sophomore Jessie Snowden continued her strong start to the season with a first place victory and career-best score in day three competitions at the Tennessee Invitational. Ten other Wildcat swimmers finished the day with top five victories, including four top three honors and seven career-best times.
Snowden posted a career-best score of 330.85 in the three-meter (six dives) event. Snowden also finished first in the preliminaries earlier in the day. The next closest competitor was 31 points below Snowden. This score was also a season-best for the Wildcats.
Also on the women’s side, Chatham Penrod and Claire Archibald finished third and fourth respectively in the 100-backstroke event for Kentucky. Penrod’s time of 56.05 is a season-best for Kentucky, while Archibald’s time was a career-best. Sophomore Lindsey Graessle posted a career-best and team season-best time in her third place finish in the 100-breaststroke. While in the 200-freestyle event, Haleigh Kerns took home the fourth place honor touching the wall just ahead of Kristina Sledge. Kern’s time of 1:51.64 was also a season-best for the Wildcats. Wrapping up the women’s honors was Megan Pulskamp. Pulskamp recorded a fourth place finish in the 100-butterfly event marking her second straight day with a top five finish.
For the men, Shane Eliason, Travis Muzzillo and Elvis Burrows finished third, fourth and fifth respectively each posting career-best times in the 100-butterfly. Eliason’s time of 48.06 is a season-best for Kentucky and only two seconds off UK’s all-time record set by teammate Warren Gobbelaar. Sophomore Tyler Reed had the other third place finish for the Wildcats as he posted a career-best time in the 200-freestyle. Reed’s time of 1:36.35 also qualified him as an NCAA “B” cut finalist. It was also the best Kentucky time in the event so far this year.
November 21, 2008
VOLLEYBALL
Balanced Attack Propels #19 UK to Sweep of Auburn
Five players tally seven or more kills in the victory
AUBURN, Ala. – The 19th-ranked Kentucky volleyball team earned its 17th victory in Southeastern Conference play with a 3-0 sweep on the road at Auburn Friday. The Blue and White used a balanced offensive attack while holding the Tigers to just a .000 hitting percentage for the night. The Wildcats earned set victories of 25-20, 25-15 and 25-18 to claim the match.
Kentucky (26-4, 17-2) was led by sophomore Sarah Mendoza’s nine kills, followed by eight from sophomore Lauren Rapp. Senior Queen Nzenwa, freshman Becky Pavan and sophomore Blaire Hiler all chipped in with seven kills for the match. Junior setter Sarah Rumely was the director of the balanced attack as she distributed the ball for 33 assists. Leading the back line was junior BriAnne Sauer and sophomore Laura Stokowski who notched nine and seven, digs respectively.
At the net, Pavan paced the blocking efforts with seven. Rumely added five, while Nzenwa contributed three.
“I’m really proud of our team for coming out and winning the first set,” said Head Coach Craig Skinner. “Auburn has been taking a lot of opening sets from good teams, so I was glad that we concentrated and game out with great effort. We really played well as a team tonight.”
The Blue and White jumped out in front early after an Auburn error and an ace by Rumely giving them a 2-0 edge to start the first set. Auburn would go on to tie the score, and then the two teams traded points back and forth. The home squad would break away for the largest lead in the early going at 10-7. But, the Wildcats roared back scoring the next four points highlighted by a block off the arms of Nzenwa and Rumely to take an 11-10 lead. The two squads traded points back and forth once again until UK broke away to take a three point advantage at 18-15.
Nzenwa and Rumely tallied back-to-back kills, and then Nzenwa and Hiler teamed up for a block in the stretch. Auburn wouldn’t go away though, as the Tigers rattled off three points of their own to knot the score once again at 18. An attacking error by the home squad gave UK a 21-20 edge and the Blue and White would score the next four points. Pavan ended things for Kentucky with a solo block and a set-clinching kill for the 25-20 first-set win.
After trailing 3-0 in the early going of the second set, an ace by Mendoza gave the Wildcats a 5-4 advantage. It would be a lead they would never relinquish en route to taking a 25-15 win and a 2-0 set lead.
The Wildcats took their largest lead of the second frame after scoring five straight points in the middle part of the set, claiming an 18-11 edge. Mendoza notched a pair of kills, and Rumely and Pavan teamed up for a block in the stretch which forced Auburn to use a timeout. Out of the break the duo sent another rejection back onto Auburn’s side of the court for a 19-11 edge. Rapp tallied the final two points for the Wildcats off a powerful kill and an ace.
Auburn once again took the first point of the set, but their lead would not last for long as UK went on a 5-1 run to take a 7-3 lead in the third. Auburn pulled within two at 8-6, but Kentucky fired back with six of the next eight points for a 14-8 edge. In that run, Nzenwa tallied a pair of kills and added her first career ace in SEC action. Kentucky earned the match clinching point on a block from Pavan and Rapp for the 25-18 victory.
Kentucky returns to action Friday, Nov. 28. The Wildcats will host Tennessee in the regular season finale at Memorial Coliseum. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start and admission to the event is free.
Prior to the match with the Lady Vols, Kentucky will honor seniors Queen Nzenwa and Alisa Pierce as they play their final regular season match in Lexington.
November 21, 2008
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Player Quotes
#22 Ramon Harris
On if this is a frustrating start to the season …
“Nobody likes to lose, especially when you have opportunities to win and take control of the game but you don’t. That makes it worse. When you really want to win and you fight hard for that win and had the opportunity to win but you lose, it hurts.”
On the turnover problems through the first two games …
“That is what has been hurting us. When you think about it, in the VMI game, if we didn’t have as many turnovers, they wouldn’t have had so many transition points and North Carolina was the same way. If we can cut down our turnovers, then it will cut down their points.”
On if this team’s confidence is wavering …
“I would say it isn’t fear, but it is definitely in the back of your mind. You don’t try to turn the ball over and no one wants to turn the ball over. You try to play hard and if you have a few turnovers, it kind of gets in your head. It is hard to just say ‘Ok, I turned the ball over, but I’m not going to do it next time.’ We have been working on taking care of the ball, because we know that us not being able to protect the ball is favoring the other team.”
#23 Jodie Meeks
On how he thought he played against North Carolina …
“I was disappointed. Obviously, we wanted to come out and compete better, but it didn’t happen that way. We prepared well and I played as well as I could, but some nights you don’t shoot as well and sometimes you have a bad game. I have never been the type of guy that lacks confidence. It was one of those nights that didn’t go our way. Whether it was me or the team, we had some mental lapses and it snowballed from there. It is unfortunate for us, but it happens sometimes.”
On if the team is pressing too hard at the start of games …
“I sure hope not. You never want to think that way. You want to go in with the mindset that you are going to work hard like you have all season long. We are going into tomorrow confident and ready to play as hard as we can to get a win.”
On how much responsibility he feels with this team …
“I am a junior now so I definitely have some responsibility with this team, but it’s not something that I don’t want. Personally, I like responsibility. I like having the responsibility to carry some of the scoring role with Patrick. You can’t be afraid of failure. Me going 5-for-20 is not a great game, but I have to keep my confidence and go out there every night and play.”
#21 Perry Stevenson
On Kentucky’s offense…
“We have to get the ball open with screens. The big men haven’t done a good job of screening and we need to help Michael Porter and DeAndre Liggins out with that. It looks bad on them, but it’s our fault. Once we set better screens they will be able to initiate the offense a lot better.”
On getting the ball to Patrick Patterson…
“It’s a tough job getting the ball to Patrick because teams know how good of a player he is. Teams are going to pack in on him, and we have to do a better job getting the ball to him.”
On Jodie Meeks…
“If Jodie feels a big load, I can’t tell. He is a good player and that’s what good players do when they feel a burden. He helps put the team on his back.”
On preventing offensive rebounds…
“We need to get a lot tougher and prevent our man from getting to the basket for the rebound. If we get tougher, like I know we can, then we can stop their rebounds. We aren’t physical enough, and stopping offensive rebounds is all about being tough.”
Billy Gillispie Quotes
On the North Carolina game…
“We’ve been a little over anxious. Last game we tried to make something out of nothing. We had too many guys who wanted to hit homeruns and we don’t need homeruns; we need a shot at the basket. I think our defense is going to be good and our rebounding is going to get better. One thing about Tuesday’s game is that we won on the board, which was good. However, we gave up 18 points on put-backs, which was bad. If we get the chance to set up by not turning the ball over and not giving up second chance opportunities, I think it’s going to be difficult for teams to score against us.”
On comparing the team’s performance in practice and in games…
“Practice hasn’t been the problem. These guys have worked hard in practice and that was what was so surprising in last week’s game. We practiced one way and played another. Maybe it’s just inexperience. Hopefully it is, but we need to start getting experience in a really big way. We need to stop making the same mistakes over and over again. I think this team has practiced very well and I think they’ve prepared well. I think it’s a matter of adjusting once the game starts.”
On Jodie Meeks carrying a lot of weight for the team…
“He has a lot to do especially when we play so poorly at one of the perimeter positions. I think Patrick (Patterson) is a dominant player and Jodie can dominate whoever he’s playing against. Those guys have to dominate until we get better at that position as far as initiating offense. As far as the load, Jodie has to carry a huge load for this team. We’d like to have a situation where he didn’t have to carry that big of a load, but that’s probably not going to happen this year.”
On DeAndre Liggins’ performance in the second half…
“He passed the ball fairly well. Most of the time, he wasn’t starting with those plays, Jodie had to initiate offense quite a bit. I thought he threw to the post pretty well. He also defended well. He, along with all of our other guys, competed really well. It’s a good start especially as a freshman.”
On the positive outcome of the North Carolina game…
“I am really excited about our team. I have been, and I will continue to be excited about our team. Even though North Carolina got a good lead on us at the start, not too many teams can hold them to 41.7 percent shooting. That’s with offensive put-backs and with a couple of run-outs on that transition. Not too many teams go out there and guard them like we did when we got them to half court. It doesn’t happen often that teams out rebound them on their home court. Those are really good signs.”
On Delaware State…
“They’re hard because no matter what the situation is they hold the ball. They have really good players; they have guys who can make guarded shots. I think Coach (Greg Jackson) has done a really good job of getting them to buy into what they need to do to have the best chance to win no matter who they play against. It’s hard to speed them up; they take 45 shots a game or so. You have to really be patient and confident. They’ll spread the floor out, and they’ll do a good job of taking care of the basketball. They duck in hard, they play hard and they take guarded shots. It’s a scary team for me, but I think we’ll approach the game the right way.”
November 21, 2008
MEN'S SOCCER
BARRY RICE NAMED THIRD UK ALL-AMERICAN IN PROGRAM HISTORY
UK Defender Named to Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Year
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Junior Kentucky defender Barry Rice has been selected to the third-team Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Year – a variation of an All-America team – it was announced on Friday.
Rice, a native of Parma, Ohio, has roamed the backline for the Wildcats since arriving on campus as a freshman in 2006. One of the top defenders in the college game, Rice started all 21 games for UK, logging 1989 minutes, the third-most on the team. Rice totaled two goals and one assist, with both goals serving as game-winners – including a game-winning goal in the Conference USA semifinal against UCF.
A force in the air, Rice’s aerial prowess necessitated the keeping of a new stat for the UK soccer program, the number of contested header attempts Rice won and lost. Throughout the season, Rice claimed a staggering number of header attempts, finishing the year winning 189-for-218 contested header attempts, an 87-percent clip. His best aerial game came in a two-overtime, regular-season finale tie with Memphis, when Rice kept UK’s unbeaten streak alive by winning 32-of-36 contested header attempts.
A 5-foot-11 product of St. Ignatius, Rice helped anchor a UK defense that finished with the fifth-best goals-against average (0.80) in program history. A year ago, with UK’s offensive attack depleted by injury, Rice carried the load, totaling seven goals and one assist – with six goals coming off header attempts. In his three-year career, Rice has played in 60 games, totaling 10 goals and seven assists – including six game-winning goals, the sixth-most in the 18-year history of the program.
A preseason All-American and member of the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy National Player of the Year watch list, Rice became the first player in league history to earn C-USA Defensive Player of the Year honors in back-to-back seasons. Rice joined junior midfielder Jason Griffiths as UK players named to the first-team, with Dan Williams and Masumi Turnbull tabbed to the third-team. Forward Marco dos Santos, who totaled five goals and five assists, was selected as the C-USA Newcomer of the Year. Rice, Griffiths and Williams all functioned as co-captains for the 2008 season.
Kentucky, ranked as high as No. 21 in the national polls, finished its season suffering a defeat in the C-USA Championship game on penalty kicks, 4-2, despite tying No. 7 Tulsa in two overtimes. With the tie, UK improved its school-record unbeaten streak to 10 games, eclipsing the previous mark of seven games, set in 1997,1998 and 2004.
Twice before in program history has a UK player been named an All-American, as Ilkka Jantti (2001) and Jamal Shteiwi (2004) were named National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America. Jantti earned second team honors by the NSCAA and collegesoccernews.com, while Shteiwi was selected third-team by the NSCAA and second-team by collegesoccernews.com.
TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Season
First Team
GK: Stefan Frei, California
D: Ike Opara, Wake Forest
D: Kevin Alston, Indiana
D: Joel Gustafsson, St. John's
M: Brad Ring, Indiana
M: Baggio Husidic, UIC
M: Mike Stephens, UCLA
M: Jeremy Hall, Maryland
F: Mike Grella, Duke
F: Steve Zakuani, Akron
F: Marcus Tracy, Wake Forest
F: Chris Pontius, UC Santa Barbara
Player of the Season: Steve Zakuani, Akron
Second Team
GK: Zack Simmons, Massachusetts
D: Brad Rusin, UCLA
D: Yohance Marshall, South Florida
D: Matt Besler, Notre Dame
D: Omar Gonzalez, Maryland
M: Nelson Becerra, St. John's
F: O'Brian White, Connecticut
F: Peri Marosevic, Michigan
F: Doug DeMartin, Michigan State
F: Andrew Wiedeman, California
F: Matt Eliason, Northwestern
F: Conor Chinn, San Francisco
Third Team
GK: Tyrel Lacey, Tulsa
D: Chris Schuler, Creighton
D: Barry Rice, Kentucky
D: Nick Barclay, Gonzaga
D: David Sias, UC Santa Barbara
M: Quincy Amarikwa, UC Davis
M: Bobby Warshaw, Stanford
F: Chris Salvaggione, Charlotte
F: Kyle Christianson, Denver
F: Devan Carroll, UNC Wilmington
F: Brian Shriver, North Carolina
F: Jamie Darvill, Loyola (MD)
(Note: Freshmen are not eligible for the Team of the Season – only the All-Rookie Team)
TopDrawerSoccer.com All-Rookie Team
First-Team
GK: Zac MacMath, Maryland
D: Tony Walls, Wisconsin-Green Bay
D: Kofi Sarkodie, Akron
D: Dan Wenzel, Wake Forest
M: Matt Kassel, Maryland
M: Darlington Nagbe, Akron
M: Tony Tchani, Virginia
F: Danny Mwanga, Oregon State
F: Michael Bustamante Boston University
F: Will Bruin, Indiana
F: Brian Ownby, Virginia
F: Casey Townsend, Maryland
Rookie of the Season: Matt Kassel, Maryland
Second-Team
GK: Andrew Fontein, UC Irvine
D: Sheanon Williams, North Carolina
D: Roger Downes, Loyola Marymount
M: Julian Serrato, UIC
M: Karol Chorak, Liberty
M: Jarod Stigall, Denver
F: Colin Rolfe, Louisville
F: Steffen Rabben, Old Dominion
F: Sam Garza, Denver
F: Coleton Hennings, Furman
F: Lucky Mkosana, Dartmouth
F: Austin Neil, Tulsa
November 21, 2008
BASEBALL
UK Baseball Inks Seven Highly-Touted Recruits for 2010
Class Highlighted by the Best Two Kentucky Prospects and the Best Pitcher in Tennessee
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A year after posting a school-record 44 wins and after hauling in the fourth-best recruiting class in the nation, the Kentucky baseball program has received letters of intent from seven players for the 2010 season, head coach Gary Henderson announced Friday.
“We're excited about this group,” Henderson said. “Going into the summer, our two priorities were to improve our pitching depth and to keep the best players in the state of Kentucky at home, and we felt like we did just that. All of these kids are extremely projectable and we expect them to be very good players in the Southeastern Conference. This group, along with the 2008 class (our current freshmen), should enable us to continue to compete for an SEC Championship annually."
The class is highlighted by six of the better pitchers in the nation and one of the top catchers in the high school ranks. Jordan Cooper, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander from Shelbyville, Tenn., is rated as the top pitcher in the state of Tennessee and the 81st-best high school prospect in the nation by Baseball America. Cooper heads a talented crop of pitchers, including Ohio County two-way product Sam Kidd, Colorado lefty Taylor Rogers, and two of the best arms in the Chicago area – 6-foot-5 left-hander Jon Carlson and Walter Wijas. In addition, UK signed the top junior college prospect in Illinois and the 13th-best junior college prospect nationally in righty Joe Devine. UK also signed the top prospect in the state of Kentucky, Covington Catholic backstop Luke Maile.
Maile, one of the top catching prospects in the nation and Maxpreps.com All-American as a junior, comes to UK from Covington Catholic High School. Maile, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound backstop, has established himself as one of the top catchers in the nation, earning first-team All-State honors in 2008. Maile, whose father played football at Kentucky in the 1980’s and grandfather was an All-American basketball player at LSU, hit .554 with six homers and 40 RBI as the Covington Catholic lead-off man in 2008.
“Luke is the top prospect in Kentucky,” Henderson said. “He is a strong, smart leader who plays with a tremendous amount of poise and confidence. Luke is an outstanding student who will be a very good player for us.”
Kidd, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound pitcher, led Ohio County to the district title in 2008, posted a 0.88 ERA and a 9-2 record, striking out 97 in 64 innings. A two-way player, Kidd hit .527, with eight doubles, two homers and 30 RBI, stealing eight bases in 2008.
“We expect Sam to be a very good two-way player,” Henderson said. “Sam is a legitimate pitcher/hitter talent, is an extremely good competitor and an outstanding student-athlete.”
Cooper, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander from Shelbyville, Tenn., is regarded as the top pitching prospect in Tennessee by Baseball America. Cooper posted a 5-2 record while collecting 48 strikeouts and an impressive 1.31 ERA in 2008.
“Jordan is a tremendous athlete who has excellent arm strength and a quality second pitch,” Henderson said. “We are extremely excited about Jordan, who has the potential to help us early in his career.”
Rogers comes to Lexington as one of the top pitchers in the state of Colorado, earning first-team All-State honors as a junior in Littleton, Colo. Tabbed as the top left-handed pitcher in the state by pgcrosschecker.com, Rogers earned a 1.98 ERA and a 5-2 record, while striking out 82 batters in 53 innings during 2008.
“Taylor is a late-blooming athlete with tremendous potential,” Henderson said. “Taylor has a frame to add additional size and strength. He has an above-average moving fastball and a solid curveball.”
Devine, a 6-foot-2 right-hander, is rated as the 13th-best junior college prospect and the best in the state of Illinois. Devine, who led Wabash Valley to a 40-15 record and the 2008 GRAC Championship, posted a 7-2 record and a 2.83 ERA in 67 innings, striking out 60, walking 20 and allowing 49 hits, earning first-team All-Conference accolades.
“Joe is an extremely talented Kentucky native who has the ability to step in and contribute very early in his career,” Henderson said. “Joe has an outstanding frame and we expect him to only get better.”
Carlson, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound southpaw, is a veteran of the Perfect-Game National Showcase in Minnesota. Carlson led his high school club to the MSL East Championship, totaling two saves and a 3-1 record, striking out 59 in 50.2 innings.
“Jon is a very talented left-handed pitcher from Illinois,” Henderson said. “He has a strong body, a very good slider, is a very good competitor and is a very good student.”
Wijas, a 6-foot-3 righty, comes to UK from Conant High School, striking out 40 in 28 innings in 2008. Wijas, the single-season ERA record holder at Conant High School, posted a 6-1 record and a 0.42 ERA in 33 innings, striking out 66 as a sophomore.
“Walter is one of the best pitchers in the state of Illinois,” Henderson said. “He has a strong body and has outstanding movement on his fastball.”
Signee Bios
Jon Carlson, LHP, 6-5, 200 (Rolling Meadows, Ill., Rolling Meadows High School)
A participant in the Perfect Game National Showcase in Minneapolis, Minn. … Named All-Conference and All-Area in 2008 … Led Rolling Meadows High School to the 2008 MSL East Championship … As a junior this past spring, he went 3-1 with two saves, while striking out 59 in 50.2 innings … Coached by Jim Lindeman … A three-year member of the “B” Honor Roll.
Personal
Full name is Jonathon David Carlson … Born on March 7, 1991 in Arlington Heights … Has an older brother, David (20).
Henderson on Carlson …
“Jon is a very talented left-handed pitcher from Illinois. He has a strong body, a very good slider, is a very good competitor and is a very good student.”
Jordan Cooper, RHP, 6-3, 190 (Shelbyville, Tenn., Shelbyville Central High School)
The No. 1 pitching prospect in the state of Tennessee and the 81st best prospect in the nation by Baseball America … Participated for Team Tennessee in the Junior Sunbelt Classic in McAlester, Okla. … Was on the New York Yankees team at the East Coast Professional Showcase in Lakeland, Fla. … Was on the Oakland Athletics team at the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. ... Earned all-district honors as a junior … Led baseball team to the district championship and basketball team in 2008 to the district title.
Personal
Born on Feb. 16, 1990 in Shelbyville, Tenn. … Son of Gary and Cathy Cooper … Has two brothers, Matt (24) and Cory (23) and a sister, Sydney (10).
Henderson on Cooper …
“Jordan is a tremendous athlete who has excellent arm strength and a quality second pitch. We are extremely excited about Jordan, who has the potential to help us early in his career.”
Joe Devine, RHP, 6-2, 180 (Mount Carmel, Ill., Wabash Valley College)
Rated as the 13th-best junior college prospect in the nation and the best in Illinois by pgcrosschecker.com … Led Wabash Valley to a 40-15 record and the 2008 GRAC Championship … Named first-team All-Conference … Earned a 7-2 record and a 2.83 ERA in 67 innings, striking out 60, walking 20 and allowing 49 hits.
Henderson on Devine …
“Joe is an extremely talented Kentucky native who has the ability to step in and contribute very early in his career. Joe has an outstanding frame and we expect him to only get better.”
Sam Kidd, RHP/OF, 6-2, 170 (Hartford, Ky., Ohio County High School)
Second-team All-State selection as a junior and participant in the KHSAA Junior East/West game … While leading Ohio County to the district title in 2008, posted a 0.88 ERA and a 9-2 record, striking out 97 in 64 innings … Earned a 7-1 record and a 1.88 ERA in 52 innings, striking out 62 during 2007… Hit .527 eight doubles, two homers and 30 RBI, stealing eight bases in 2008 … In 2007, hit .337 with five doubles and 27 RBI, stealing nine bags … Owns school records for wins, strikeouts and ERA … Named academic honorable mention from 2006-08 … Played football junior season.
Personal
Full name is Samuel Wallace Kidd … Born on Nov. 30, 1990 in Owensboro, Ky. … Son of Don and Evelyn Kidd … Has a sister, Amanda (22) … Father played baseball at Delta State University.
Henderson on Kidd …
“We expect Sam to be a very good two-way player. Sam is a legitimate pitcher/hitter talent, is an extremely good competitor and an outstanding student-athlete.”
Luke Maile, C, 6-3, 200 (Crestview Hills, Ky., Covington Catholic High School)
First-team All-State as a junior, Maile is considered the top prospect in the state of Kentucky … Maile, the two-time Northern Kentucky Player of the Year was named a first-team All-American by MaxPreps.com as a junior, after hitting .554 with 62 hits, 62 runs scored, six homers and 40 RBI, while hitting leadoff for Covington Catholic … Played for the Chicago White Sox team at the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif., and for the Kentucky Colonels during the 2008 summer … As Covington Catholic’s cleanup hitter in 2007, hit .486 with eight homers and 66 RBI … Owns school records for season batting average (.554), RBI (66), runs scored (62), totaling the second-most walks (37) and hits (62) in program history … The career record holder for batting average, triples and RBI, ranking third in hits, second in doubles, fourth in homers, second in runs scored, third in walks and seventh in at bats … Named the team MVP in 2007-08 … Named all-state in 2007 and 2008, earning Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star honors in 2008 … Helped lead Covington Catholic to a region runner up finish in 2007 and 2008 … Has played four years of basketball and two seasons of golf … Coached in baseball by Bill Krumpelbeck … Has earned the Mt. St. Joseph College writing award and the Northern Kentucky University writing award while maintaining a 3.2 GPA.
Personal
Born Feb. 6, 1991 in Edgewood, Ky. … Has four siblings, brothers Ben (14) and Jack (9) and sisters Abby (15) and Caroline (11) … Mother and father attended Kentucky, with father, Rich, played football at UK from 1986-87 … Grandfather, Dick Maile, was an All-American basketball player at LSU.
Henderson on Maile …
“Luke is the top prospect in Kentucky. He is a strong, smart leader who plays with a tremendous amount of poise and confidence. Luke is an outstanding student who will be a very good player for us.”
Taylor Rogers, LHP, 6-3, 170 (Littleton, Colo., Chatfield Senior High School)
First-team All-State as a junior in 2007 while playing at Chatfield Senior High School in Littleton, Colo. … Earned a 1.98 ERA and a 5-2 record, while striking out 82 batters in 53 innings … Tallied one save in 2007, while leading team to the state final four … Coached by Mike Yansak … Played for the Colorado Slammers during the fall of 2008 … Has played basketball for four seasons and football as a freshman.
Personal
Born, Dec. 17, 1990 in Denver, Colo. … Has a twin brother, Tyler (17) …Son of Scott and Amy Rogers.
Henderson on Rogers …
“Taylor is a late-blooming athlete with tremendous potential. Taylor has a frame to add additional size and strength. He has an above-average moving fastball and a solid curveball.”
Walter Wijas, RHP, 6-3, 200 (Elk Grove Village, Ill., James Conant High School)
One of the top pitchers in the state of Illinois, Wijas posted a staggering 0.76 ERA and a 2-1 record while striking out 40 in 28 innings in 2008 for Conant High School … As a sophomore, earned a 6-1 record and a 0.42 ERA, working 33 innings, with 66 strikeouts … Owns the single-season ERA mark at Conant … Hit .482 with seven doubles, two homers and 17 RBI as a sophomore and .419 with four doubles and 11 RBI as a freshman … Coached by Jerry Song … Played for the McHenry County Hurricanes during the summer of 2008.
Personal
Born Feb. 13, 1991 in Chicago, Ill. … Son of David and Patricia Wijas … Has one brother, Kevin (10) and two sisters, Kate (15) and Bridget (14).
Henderson on Wijas …
“Walter is one of the best pitchers in the state of Illinois. He has a strong body and has outstanding movement on his fastball.”
November 20, 2008
SWIMMING & DIVING
Pulskamp Strong on Day Two of Tennessee Invitational
Wildcats wrap up day two of Tennessee Invitational
KNOXVILLE, TENN. — Junior Megan Pulskamp led the way for the Wildcats in day two of the Tennessee Invitational as she recorded two second place finishes. Senior Shane Eliason also had a strong day on the men’s side recording two top five finishes
Pulskamp’s first second place finish came in the 50-freestyle where she set a new career best time of 23.13. That finish beats her old career best mark of 23.80. The time is also a season best for the Wildcats. The second of her top two finishes came in the 200-freestyle relay. Pulskamp along with teammates Jenna Newsome, Chelsea Peterson and Kelsie Hall posted a time of 1:31.68. That time is a season best for the Wildcats crushing the old mark of 1:35.08.
Two other members of the women’s team posted top five finishes. Haleigh Kerns finished fifth in the 13-member field in the 500-freestyle with a time of 4:58.06. That finishing mark was three seconds better than her preliminary time. The time also marks a season best for the Wildcats. The other top five finish was by freshman Claire Archibald. She posted a time of 2:04.78 in a fifth place finish in the 200-Individual medley. The newcomer beat out 13 other swimmers to claim a top five spot. The time is 14 seconds better than her previous best time.
On the men’s side, Eliason led the way with a pair of top five finishes. He and teammates Eric McGinnis, Colin Faris and Chris Richard recorded a third place finish in the 200-freestyle relay. Their time of 1:20.29 is a season best for the Wildcats by more than two seconds. Eliason posted another top five finish in the 200-individual medley. The time of 1:51.01 marks a season best for UK.
Kentucky also claimed the fourth and fifth place honors in the 500-freestyle. Sophomore Tyler Reed touched the wall a second ahead of freshman Morne’ Boshoff. Reed’s time of 4:25.50 is a season best for the Wildcats. Boshoff, who is off to a fast start this year, cut nearly 11 seconds off his previous season high time in this event.
Going into day three of the Tennessee Invitational the men’s and women’s team are in third place in the standings, with the men only seven points out of second place.
November 20, 2008
FOOTBALL
Vote for Brooks and Petri
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fans have the opportunity to vote online for Kentucky Head Coach Rich Brooks and Wildcat defensive line coach Rick Petri for a pair of “Coach of the Year” awards.
Brooks is one of the top 25 vote-getters for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award. Despite major graduation losses from last year, and key injuries this season, Brooks has guided the Wildcats to a 6-5 record. UK is bowl-eligible for the third-consecutive season. If the Wildcats go to a bowl, it will be the first time since 1949-50-51 that UK has accomplished that feat in three-straight years.
To vote for Brooks, fans can go to the website www.coachoftheyear.com. Fans can vote once per day.
Petri is one of four finalists for a national award for defensive line coaches. FootballScoop.com is sponsoring national coach of the year honors for assistant coaches at each position group.
The defensive line has been one of the key components of the Wildcats’ success this year. The UK defensive linemen have combined for 161 tackles, including 31.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 quarterback sacks. In addition, linebacker Johnny Williams has seen spot duty as a rush end and contributed five sacks in that role. The UK linemen also total 10 pass breakups, four fumbles caused, two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown) and one blocked field goal which was returned for a touchdown.
As a unit, Kentucky has one of the nation’s most improved defenses, going from 80th in the nation in scoring defense last season to 36th currently this year. UK also has improved from 67th in the nation last year in total defense to 40th this season.
To vote for Petri, go to www.footballscoop.com, click on “2008 Coaches of the Year” on the left side of the screen, then go to “defensive line.”
November 20, 2008
MEN'S SOCCER
BARRY RICE NAMED TO NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK
Wildcat Defender Netted Game-Winning Goal in Semifinal Win over UCF
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- All-America defender Barry Rice, the 2008 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, has been selected to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week, it was announced.
Rice, the only player in conference history to win C-USA Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons, had a solid week while leading the No. 21 Wildcats to the league championship game, suffering a loss on penalty kicks to No. 7 Tulsa. Rice, a junior defender, totaled a game-winning goal in the semifinal win over UCF, a header goal to lift the Wildcats into the championship game.
A native of Parma, Ohio, Rice has totaled two goals – both game winners – on the year, adding one assist, while leading UK with 33 shots taken. A force in the air, Rice won 189-for-218 contested header attempts on the year, an 87-percent clip. A year after leading an injury-depleted UK roster with seven goals – six off headers – Rice helped anchor a Wildcat defense that posted a 0.80 goals-against average, the fifth-best total in the 18-year history of the program.
Kentucky (12-4-5) finished the season as the lone top-25 team not included in the field of 48 for the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats finished the season riding a school-record 10-game unbeaten streak, with its last loss coming at Tulsa on Oct. 8.
TopDrawerSoccer.com National Team of the Week
Tyrel Lacey, GK, Tulsa
Barry Rice, D, Kentucky
Yohance Marshall, D, South Florida
Jeremy Hall, M, Maryland
Samson Malijani, F, Fairleigh-Dickinson
Doug DeMartin, F, Michigan State
Florian DeCamps, F, Dayton
Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe, F, George Mason
Brian Ownby, F, Virginia
Mike Stephens, F, UCLA
Conor Chinn, F, San Francisco
Player of the Week: Conor Chinn, San Francisco
November 19, 2008
SWIMMING & DIVING
Relays Kick Off Opening Night of Tennessee Invite
Kentucky men place second in both events
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — On the opening night of the Tennessee Invitational the teams faced off in two relays—the 200-medley and 800-freestyle relay. The UK men placed second in both events, while the Kentucky women took second in the 200-medley and third in the 800-free.
To open things up for the Blue and White the men took off from the blocks in the 200-medley and earned a season-best time of 1:30.20 in the event. Tennessee claimed the meet’s first event with a time of 1:25.08.
Senior Shane Eliason opened in the backstroke leg tapping in with a split of 23.59. Freshman Grant Cooksey took the breaststroke leg and earned a split of 25.03, with junior Elvis Burrows finishing in a time of 21.91 in the butterfly leg. Taking the freestyle-anchor leg was junior Eric McGinnis who used just 19.67 seconds to finish things off for Kentucky.
The Wildcat men then placed second behind SEC-rival Tennessee in the 800-free relay with a time of 6:35.28. It was the first time this season the men had seen action in this event.
Sophomore Tyler Reed earned a team-best split of 1:37.14 in opening the race. Junior Kyle Greene was next and he touched in with a clip of 1:38.52. Freshman Morne’ Boshoff (1:39.20) and Eliason (1:40.42) brought it home for the Blue and White to end the night with 68 points. UK is four points ahead of third-place Virginia Tech. Tennessee earned 80 points on the opening night.
On the women’s side, UK also swam a personal best in the 200-medley on the women’s side. Junior Megan Pulskamp earned the best split time in the butterfly leg of any racer in today’s meet clocking in with a time of 23.91. As a unit Kentucky touched in a time of 1:43.15, just a mere second off of first-place Virginia Tech. Freshman Claire Archibald opened the race in the backstroke leg with a time of 27.06, followed by sophomore Lindsey Graessle with the breaststroke leg in a time of 29.37. Freshman Kelsi Hall helped Kentucky out-touch Tennessee with a freestyle leg tap of 22.85.
Kentucky touched in third behind the Volunteers and Hokies in the 800-free in their first race of the year. Archibald once again opened things up with a split of 1:51.36. Senior Haleigh Kerns (1:51.43), junior Casey Miller (1:50.45) and Pulskamp (1:52.05) followed. UK earned a time of 7:25.29 in the event.
After the first night of action Virginia Tech is in first place with 74 points, followed by Tennessee (72) and Kentucky (66).
UK returns to action with preliminary heats at 10 a.m. Finals will begin at 6 p.m. in Knoxville. Follow along each day Nov. 19-22 as UK wraps up its fall schedule.
November 19, 2008
MEN'S SOCCER
CHAD HAGERTY NAMED SECOND-TEAM ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA
Wildcat Junior Led UK with Six Assists in 2008; Maintained a 4.0 GPA in Exercise Science
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The team leader in assists for the No. 21 Kentucky men’s soccer team, junior forward Chad Hagerty, has been selected second-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America, the College Sports Information Directors Association of America announced on Wednesday.
Hagerty, a native of Louisville, Ky., led the Wildcats with six assists in 2008, adding one goal. A forward, Hagerty carried the Wildcats on his back during UK’s school-record 10-game unbeaten streak, totaling all of his scoring during the streak. Hagerty, who played in 15 games with nine starts in 2008, played in 20 games with 16 starts during UK’s 12-win 2008 campaign, logging 1135 minutes, firing 21 shots on the year.
Hagerty becomes UK’s fourth all-time Academic All-America selection and the first since Chris McAlpine and Ilkka Jantti earned the honor in 2001-02. Hagerty, a 2006-07 CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, had earned a perfect 4.0 GPA as a Kinesiology-Exercise Science major, with plans on attending physical therapy school upon graduation. Hagerty and forward Tim Crone were selected to the 2008 Conference USA All-Academic team, the second consecutive year Hagerty has earned that league accolade.
To be eligible for nomination, student-athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of their team's games, be of sophomore standing athletically and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3.
November 19, 2008
MEN'S GOLF
KENTUCKY MEN'S GOLF INKS THREE FOR 2009-10 CLASS
Wildcats Ink National Standouts Michael Kania, Cody Martin and Chase Parker
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- National standouts Michael Kania (Haverford, Penn.), Cody Martin (Union, Ky.) and Chase Parker (Augusta, Ga.) have all inked National Letters of Intent to play golf at the University of Kentucky, head coach Brian Craig announced Wednesday.
"I could not be more excited about this year's recruiting class," head coach Brian Craig said. "Michael, Cody and Chase are all very accomplished players and are perfect fits for our program. They each have highly refined ball-striking skills which allow them to put pressure on the golf course to shoot low scores. Their superior tee to green skills will also help them in college golf as they transition to the more demanding golf courses that we play. I am also proud of the fact that Michael, Cody and Chase each have outstanding character and are committed to excellence in the classroom. I welcome these young men into the Wildcat family and look forward to them helping our program to achieve our goals."
Parker, ranked sixth by the American Junior Golf Association and 119th in the world, posted three top 10 results in recent AJGA events. This past June, Parker took the Georgia State Junior Title after carding a final-round 70 to overtake the first-round leader at the Augusta Country Club. Parker, who finished tied for 35th in the national junior rankings this summer, began the final round in the Georgia State Championship two strokes from the leader before charging to win the title.
"Chase had a superb summer of golf that firmly established him as one of the nation's premiere junior players. Winning the Georgia State Junior Championship was quite an accomplishment with all of the Division I players in the state of Georgia this year," Craig said. "It was also a testament to Chase's terrific ball-striking skills and, more importantly, his heart on the golf course. Chase is just beginning to develop into the type of player that he capable of being and we are thrilled to have him join our Wildcat family. I look forward to him having a wonderful career at UK and helping our team to win championships."
Parker has been a consistent performer throughout high school and in the junior ranks. He won the Kentucky Junior Championships after trailing by eight shots going in to the final round. He also qualified for the U.S. Junior and made it to the match–play portion, in addition to finishing second at the Hudson Junior Invitational. Parker made the All-State team in Georgia during his junior year and his high school career is highlighted by winning the PGA Junior event series in Keith Hills, N.C.
"Cody is one of the most talented golfers to come out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky since I have been here," Craig said. "He had a breakout summer and proved that he can do two things that we love to have: win tournaments and shoot very low scores. I really believe that Cody is only beginning to tap into his enormous talent. He is also a diligent student and a fine young man of solid character. I am excited to have Cody join our Wildcat family and look forward to him helping our team achieve our goals on the course and in the classroom."
Michael Kania, brother to current Wildcat sophomore James Kania, comes into UK with experience in the junior ranks. A proven player on the AJGA circuit, Kania recorded three top 10 finishes in his junior career, including two second-place finishes, qualifying him for the nationals invitational. Kania, who made the cut at the Footjoy Invitational was a standout player locally in the Philadelphia area. In 2007 as a junior, Kania won the Inter-Ac Championship at the famed Merion Golf Club.
"Michael is a tremendous student-athlete with a proven junior record on the national level over the past few summers," Craig said. "His ball-striking skills are very, very advanced and he has terrific hands around the greens. I firmly believe that Michael's best golf is in front of him and that he will develop into an excellent player in the SEC. He is also a terrific student and a young man of integrity. I can't wait for Michael to arrive on campus in the fall to start his career as a Wildcat."
The Wildcats return to action Feb. 16-17, 2009 at the Jacksonville University Invitational.
November 18, 2008
MEN'S SOCCER
UK MEN’S SOCCER NOTEBOOK: WILDCATS RANKED NO. 21
UK Only Team in Top-25 Not in the NCAA’s; Crone, Griffiths, Williams Named All-Tourney
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The Kentucky men’s soccer team wrapped up its 2008 season with a final No. 21 national ranking, the third-most goals in program history, the fifth-best goals-against average in season annals and a runner-up finish in the Conference USA Championship game.
Kentucky (12-4-5, 6-1-1 C-USA) became the only ranked team to be left out of the NCAA Tournament, when the NCAA released its 48-team NCAA field on Monday night. The Wildcats wrapped up a historic season that saw UK rewrite the record books with a potent offensive attack and typically stingy defense.
Kentucky Finishes Season Ranked No. 21
For the second time in the last three years, the Kentucky men’s soccer team has finished its season ranked in the top-25, checking in No. 21 nationally in the latest Soccer America poll.
Kentucky checks in No. 24 in the College Soccer News Poll and No. 24 in the Soccer Times Poll. UK, which finished No. 13 in 2006, became the only team in the Soccer America poll not selected for the NCAA Tournament.
Soccer America Top-25 (2008 UK Opponents in Bold)
1. Wake Forest
2. Creighton
3. Maryland
4. Akron
5. South Florida
6. Tulsa
7. UC Irvine
8. Michigan State
9. St. John's
10. Loyola (Md.)
11. UCLA
12. California
13. Notre Dame
14. Indiana
14. UIC
15. Northwestern
16. Michigan
17. Dayton
18. George Mason
19. Virginia
20. UC Santa Barbara
21. KENTUCKY
22. UC Davis
23. Saint Louis
24. Connecticut
25. Campbell
Three Wildcats Make All-Tournament Team
After Kentucky’s school-record 10 match unbeaten streak extended into the Conference USA Title game, UK placed three players on the C-USA All-Tournament team, including goalkeeper Dan Williams, forward Tim Crone and midfielder Jason Griffiths.
UK advanced to the C-USA Title game for the second time in the last three years, suffering a tie with No. 7 Tulsa, with the Golden Hurricane claiming the title on penalty kicks, 4-2. In 2006, Barry Rice and Masumi Turnbull were among the three players on the All-Tournament team.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Eric DeFreitas, Tulsa
Austin Neil, Tulsa
Ashley McInnes, Tulsa
Joe Salem, Tulsa
Dan Williams, Kentucky
Tim Crone, Kentucky
Jason Griffiths, Kentucky
Yaron Bacher, UCF
Kevan George, UCF
Blake Brettschneider, South Carolina
Jimmy Maurer, South Carolina
Final Season Records Update
Team Notes
- UK’s 10-match unbeaten streak is a new school record, eclipsing the previous record of seven games, set in 1997, 1998 and 2004.
- UK’s 41 goals scored ranks third-most all-time.
- Finished with 123 points in 2008, the fourth-most in UK season history.
- 41 assists in 2008 rank fourth in UK annals.
- Fired 284 shots in 2008, the third-most in program history.
- 109 corner kicks in 2008 check in tied for eight-most.
- 12 wins rank tied for the fifth-most in UK history.
- Four ties check in second all-time.
- Finished with a 0.80 goals-against average, the fifth-best total in UK history and the second-best average of any season total saw over 2,000 minutes logged.
- Eight shutouts in 2008 rank tied for the sixth-most shutouts in UK history.
- In a 6-0 win over Central Arkansas, UK totaled the sixth-most points (18), the fourth-most goals (6), the third-most goals in a half (4), the fifth-most assists (6) and the third-most assists in a half (5).
Individual Notes
- Michael Strong totaled a team-high nine goals and one assists – a total of 19 points.
- Strong finished with 47 career points, good for seventh-best all-time.
- Has 20 career goals, the sixth-most in program history.
- Four career game-winning goals rank ninth-best.
- Nine goals in 2008 rank tied for seventh-most in UK single-season history.
- Had five points against UCA, becoming the ninth player to total five points in a contest.
- After scoring in just 18 seconds at UAB, goal became the quickest goal scored in UK history.
- Masumi Turnbull finished his career with 17 assists, the third-most in program history.
- Game-winning goal in the second overtime against FIU marked the 23rd all-time overtime goal.
- Dan Williams finished with 59 saves on the year and a 0.81 goals-against average, the 36th-best total in the NCAA. - Williams now has 167 career saves, the fifth-most in program annals.
- 59 saves in 2008 rank tied for 10th-most all-time in UK single-season history.
- 0.81 goals-against average checks in tied with Andy Gruenebaum (2004) for the fourth-best total all-time.
- Williams has 14 career shutouts, fourth-best.
- Seven shutouts in 2008 rank tied for fifth-most in season history.
Has a 1.16 career goals-against average, the fourth-best total in UK history.
- Tim Crone became the 16th player in UK soccer history to total three game winning goals in a season.
- Chad Hagerty led UK with six assists, becoming the eighth player in school history to total six assists in a season.
- Became the 31st player in UK history to total two assists in a game.
- Taylor White had five points against UCA, becoming the ninth player in UK history to total five points in a contest.
- Stephen Beiro had the 22nd all-time overtime goal in UK history.
- Barry Rice has six career game-winning goals, the sixth-best total in UK history.
UK in the NCAA Stats
Kentucky finished the season ranked 22nd nationally in scoring offense, averaging 1.95 goals per game. UK’s 0.81 goals-against average checked in 31st, claiming the 27th-best win-loss percentage in collegiate soccer.
Individually, Michael Strong ranked 92nd in points per game and 56th in goals per game. Dan Williams, the third-team All-Conference USA keeper, totaled the 36th-best goals-against average.
That’s a Barry Rice Header Won
Junior defender Barry Rice became the first player in conference history to win C-USA Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons, leading UK to a 0.80 goals-against average.
Rice, a native of Parma, Ohio, was been a fixture in the UK backline in 2008, using his physicality and athleticism to help anchor a stingy Wildcat defense. With Rice, a preseason All-American and member of the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Watch List, one of the better defenders in collegiate soccer, members of the UK staff were seeking for a better way to publicize Rice’s impact on a game. And thus, the “Barry Rice Header Won Stat” was born, a stat in which Rice won 189-of-218 contested header attempts on the year, a staggering 87-percent clip.
Rice’s most impressive game came in the regular-season finale against Memphis, when the defender won an amazing 32-of-36 contested header attempts, putting on an aeriel show that saw him win nearly every ball that came his way.
On the year, Rice finished with two goals and one assists, both goals serving as game winners. In his career Rice – who had seven goals in 2007 – has six game-winning goals.
Barry Rice Headers Won Game-by-Game
Central Arkansas 10-10
Detroit 7-7
UC Santa Barbara 6-6
Cal Poly 3-3
Cincinnati 12-12
Michigan 6-6
Alabama A&M 6-7
UNC-Asheville 13-14
Marshall 5-7
Xavier 7-8
Tulsa 2-2
South Carolina 5-8
UAB 9-10
UCF 11-12
FIU 11-15
Indiana 7-8
SMU 9-9
Memphis 32-36
Marshall 7-11
UCF 11-13
Tulsa 10-13
Total 189-for-218 87-Percent Won
UK Dominates C-USA Weekly Awards
Part of the historic season for UK in 2008 included a domination of the Conference USA weekly player of the week awards, as the Wildcats claimed a league-high six honors.
Goalkeeper Dan Williams won two C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honors, while Michael Strong, C.J. Tappel, Chad Hagerty and Tim Crone each earned C-USA Offensive Player of the Week accolades.
November 18, 2008
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball Signs Two for 2009
A pair of teammates will join Craig Skinner’s squad in the fall
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Two club teammates from the Birmingham, Ala., area will join the Kentucky volleyball team in 2009, as announced by Head Coach Craig Skinner Tuesday. Whitney Billings and Zan Morgan have signed National Letters of Intent with the Wildcats.
“In terms of athleticism both of these players are exceptional,” Skinner said. “Both play well above the net and really dominate matches with their athleticism.”
Billings is an outside hitter/middle blocker from Helena, Ala. She was a two-time National High School Player of the Year finalist in both her freshman and sophomore seasons at Pelham High School. She has earned six varsity letters in her time at Mount Pleasant high school, and has twice been named to the Birmingham News All-State first team. As a junior she was the Metro Player of the Year and the Shelby County Player of the Year. In her sophomore season she was named to the Class 6A State All-Tournament team.
Billings has also been a part of several national teams, playing with the Junior Olympic volleyball 14-and-under tour in South Africa. She was also a part of the Volleyball Junior Olympic Girls 16 American All-Tournament team in 2006.
Additionally, Billings is an honor roll student and has been involved in a number of community service projects. She has volunteered her time as a coach and mentor for Our Lady of Sorrow Camp and the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, while also coaching home school kids with Lance Woods and the Birmingham Volleyball Club. In 2004, she toured South Africa with “Bring it to USA Volleyball” and helped promote the event by working with local companies to donate goodie bags for the opposing teams.
“Whitney is quiet by nature off the court,” Skinner said. “But, she is an intense competitor between the lines. She’s extremely versatile and will play all phases of the game at a high level.”
Morgan is a middle blocker from Mount Pleasant, Ala., and will also compete as a high jumper with the UK track and field team. Morgan helped lead Mountain Brook to back-to-back area championships and appearances in the state Sweet 16 tournament. Twice she was named to the first team all-state, and was a second-team member in 2006. Morgan has been named to the Birmingham Area Super All-Metro team as well as the Alabama State All-Star team.
Morgan holds Mountain Brook high school records in single-season kills (542) and blocks (130), as well as being the all-time career leader in both kills and blocks. She played club volleyball with the Alabama juniors and the Birmingham Volleyball Club.
In addition to her success on the volleyball court, Morgan is a two-time high school All-America selection and a three-time state champion in track and field as a high jumper. In the winter, she is a standout center for the Mountain Brook basketball team.
“Our staff is extremely excited to coach Zan,” Skinner said. “She has great character and work ethic. Zan wants to be the best, and when all is said and done she may be one of the best slide attackers the Southeastern Conference has ever seen.”
Both Billings and Morgan are rated in the top-60 of their class by PrepVolleyball.com.
November 18, 2008
GYMNASTICS
Lexington, Ky., Named 2010 NCAA Central Regional Championship Site
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Committee recently announced the selection of the regional competition sites for 2010. Memorial Coliseum at the University of Kentucky has been selected as the NCAA central regional location. Regional championship competition will be held on Sat., April 10, at the following sites:
Region 2010 Regional Host City (Venue)
Central University of Kentucky Lexington, Ky. (Memorial Coliseum)
Northeast Pennsylvania State University University Park, Pa. (Rec Hall)
North Central University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah (Jon M. Huntsman Center)
South Central University of Missouri, Columbia Columbia, Mo. (Hearnes Center)
Southeast West Virginia University Morgantown, W. Va. (WVU Coliseum)
West University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, Calif. (Pauley Pavilion)
“I am so excited UK was chosen as a host site for the 2010 central regional gymnastics championships,” Kentucky Head Coach Mo Mitchell said. “It will be one of the largest and most competitive gymnastics events held in the state of Kentucky in a long time. We will be hosting five of the top teams in the country. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase a gymnastics championship for our community. It will truly be a first-class event.”
The top two teams, as well as the top two all-around competitors not on an advancing team, from each regional will receive an automatic berth to the 2010 National Collegiate Women’s Gymnastics Championships, being held April 22-24, at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
In addition, the event winners at the regional championships will advance to the national championships in that event only, if they are not part of a qualifying team or the all-around competition.
“We are excited to host an NCAA championship competition,” Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “Our gymnastics program continues to grow in its stature and as it does we certainly want to be a part of the NCAA championship efforts. We hope it will be an exciting event that brings a lot of quality teams and visitors to our town in 2010. Kentucky looks forward to hosting them in Memorial Coliseum."
November 17, 2008
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Wildcats Rally To Defeat Cincinnati in Memorial
Sophomore Victoria Dunlap scored a career-high 22 points and hit a career-high two three-pointers.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky women’s basketball team rallied from an eight-point second half deficit to defeat Cincinnati Monday night 58-55 in front of 3,715 fans in Memorial Coliseum. It marked the program’s 300th win in the “house that Rupp built.” Sophomore forward Victoria Dunlap (Nashville, Tenn.) led the Wildcats with 22 points and six rebounds while senior center Eleia Roddy (Columbus, Ohio) followed with 14 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Carly Morrow (Chattanooga, Tenn.) added nine points, hitting a team-high three three-pointers.
“That was a big win for us tonight,” UK Hoops Coach Matthew Mitchell said. “I was a bit concerned about our team’s mindset coming into this game. We did not play well Saturday and we only had one day to make adjustments, mainly our attitudes. We got off to a rocky start tonight and it is a real testament to our players to have the ability to change their attitude and their way of thinking and to accept our coaching and adjustments at halftime.”
The Wildcats (1-1) trailed the entire first half after Cincinnati (1-1) used a 6-0 run to start the game. The Bearcats extended their lead to as many as 12 points (34-17) thanks to an impressive showing by redshirt junior Kahla Roudebush’s 19 first-half points. The Cats clawed back to within three (28-25) with 1:42 to go after their full-court press caused four UC turnovers. However, five consecutive points by Roudebush pushed UC’s lead back to eight (33-25) at the half.
“The press had been good to us,” Mitchell said. “We pressed 17 times in the first half and they only scored three times, but I felt that we couldn’t find Roudebush in the press. I knew that Victoria was who we had to put on her because she (Victoria) is so athletic and can play in a stance more consistently than anyone else on the team. She can really bother a shooter. After we made that adjustment, Roudebush scored five points the rest of the game and that was a key in us winning tonight.”
With UK down 38-30 at the 17:33 mark, Dunlap scored six of the next eight points, including hitting one of two career-high three-pointers in the game. She also recorded a rebound and a steal in tying the game at 38 each wit