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Show /port/ AIO MONDAY*NOVEMBER 21 *2005 /port/ brief/ — Old Chicago Open UVSC wrestling was without its star, but still managed a decent showing at the Old Chicago Open in Greeley, Colorado. Undefeated Erkin Tadzhimetov took the day off to recover from a sprained jaw, but several other Wolverines stepped up in his stead during the individual meet. Talon Vickers took second at the 125 lbs. eventually losing a tough decision to unattached wrestler Tony Mastari. The junior from Nampa, Idaho reached the finals by pinning three straight opponents, each in the first period. Ivan Bigney, (184 lbs) rolled off four consecutive wins before falling in the third place match to Shawn Vincent of Northwest College 7-3. Bigney finished the Open with five total wins. "Ivan had an excellent tournament," said Coach Cody Sanderson. "He's made a lot of progress since last season and if he continues to improve, he's really going to have a good senior year." Freshman Daniel Polkowske won six matches of his own and was one win away from wrestling for third place. His only two losses at 141 lbs. came to the eventual winner and the fourth place finisher. Tanner Cowan had three wins, while heavyweight freshman Dallin Norton won twice for Utah Valley. Tadzhimetov enters national rankings Erkin Tadzhimetov is back in the national rankings for the second time in his career at UVSC by being slotted numberl8 in the 133 lb. weight class. The Uzbekistan native is still unbeaten this season after winning his first match in a duel against Iowa State and then sweeping his competition at the Cyclone Open. "It's good that he's gotten the ranking this early in the season because he's certainly deserving of it," said Sanderson. "This should just give him more confidence going into our next tournament." Tadzhimetov redshirted the 2004-05 season, making the honor even more impressive since he hadn't wrestled competitively in over a year. The senior is now a career 23-8 as a Wolverine. Wolverines sweep honors UVSC Volleyball took four of the five major Division I All-Independent awards announced. Monday, Nov. 28. Among them. Head Coach Sam Atoa was named "Coach of the Year,'1 andjuniorLacee Koelliker earned "Setter of the Year" after leading the other Independent setters in total assists with 1375, and assists per game with 12.06. Koelliker also had 55 service aces and 11 doubledoubles over the course of the season and set school records in both assists and aces in one match. Also getting recognized were Camie Manwill as "Newcomer of the Year," and Maegan Hoyt as "Co-Defensive Player of the Year," shared with Abby Mayne of Northern Colorado. Along with Koelliker and Hoyt, senior outside hitter Anne 01sen and sophomore middle blocker Jessica Endres were named to the First Team. The freshman outside hitter, Manwill, was also named to the Second Team. "I'm ecstatic for the girls," said Atoa. "It's nice for our girls to be recognized by other schools for their hard work. Individuals get honored, but this was a team effort from top to bottom." The only major award not to go to a Wolverine was "Offensive Player of the Year," rather awarded to IPFW's middle-hitter Fabiana Souza. Corrinne Chapin, Amanda Wiggins and Lizzy Rhoads of Northern Colorado and Kristina Martin and Minette Ridenour of South Dakota State round out the First Team. Volleyball already inks four Sam Atoa, fresh off a Division I Independent Championship a couple weeks ago, has already signed four athletes to letters of intent during the early signing period. Among those is junior college transfer Ashley Brown. The 6'2 middle blocker from Eager, Arizona, and most recently out of Snow CoUege will join the experienced front line already in place of Jessica Endres, Stephanie McFarland and Brook Adams next year. "Ashley's experience and ability to compete at a high level at the junior college level will help us," said Atoa. Kaui Piena, Danielle Robison and Ashley Santiago all come to Orem straight out of high school. Piena hails from Henderson, Nevada where she was a defensive specialist known for her ability to play almost anywhere on the court. Santiago comes from a prominent school in Piano, Texas and can also play in the back row as well as on the outside. The 6'1 Robison is the only local product out of the group. She played middle blocker for Orem High last year. Wrestling helps UVSC stand out From RANT »A12 has provided nothing but steady consistency in his three years as a Wolverine, and Norton probably could have gone anywhere of his choosing. Good thing the kid appears to be a mama's boy and wanted to stay within Sunday dinner driving distance to Heber; but again, it's kind of nice he had that option to do so. UVSC couldn't land Cyler, but they successfully brought in Cody and handed him the task of building the program here. Honestly it wouldn't seem right if anybody but a Sanderson were given that job. Overshadowed by the ridiculous talent of his brother, Cody was better than good himself, finishing after four years with 116 wins and a Big IX championship to his credit at Iowa State. For those disappointed that UVSC has yet to field a football team, that fact, interestingly enough, looks to have helped the school in terms of fielding wrestling. Now, wrestling enthusiasts can sit back and watch to see if the program actually survives longer than a few years in Orem. I know Sanderson (Cody) has plans. He sees the potential for the creation of a dynasty, much like he was a part of himself at Iowa State. Now that I've completed this column, I still don't completely understand the sport; but on the other hand, I do watch with anticipation as a brand new program looks to mold itself into something special. Sanderson and crew aren't merely representing UVSC; his boys represent all of Utah. rood more /port/ online at netancuis.nel • BYU/Utah grid iron rivalry • Men's soccer's run in the National tournament Wo verme Wisdom My Thanksgiving was pretty killer. What about yours? —Bobby, Payson Ugh, it was okay. My family hunted down a turkey like we do every year, but it was' mainly to satisfy society's demand that says we have to cook one every fourth Thursday of November. But you better believe we also had a large platter full of rodents, rats, rabbits and elk to go along with it. Wolverines just prefer red over white meat. Any word on the athletic department talking about maybe adding some programs? — Tui, Provo No word. But, if you want, I can go ahead and speculate because it's only a matter of time before new sports do get added. I'm thinking men's and women's tennis could be a logical possibility. We already have some courts out there. There might have to be a couple more constructed but the expense would be manageable. Men's soccer is another possibility. Athletics bumped up women's soccer a few years ago after a consistent run of success at the^ extramural level, and I could see Mike Jacobson taking a' chance on the men as well. The problem is that there, aren't a lot of NCAA men's soccer programs outside of California and the east coast, but they do exist. What do you think: Does . Ronnie (Price) look better in green and gold, or purple? —Cammie, Orem Anybody wou Id look bet- ; ter in green and gold; but to. | Ronnie, purple means money ! at the moment. That answer your question? Home at last sffs From B BALL «A12 your first or Starting (and' December * 1 back) with 10th-. your Sundance UTA Ec( P a s s - is ijust a dollar Choose your class** first tracks? away priorities- 'bus -. r i d e u t a -com 'flOO-RIDE-UTA U T A hustled and out-competed," said Hunsaker. "We have to find out who has the spirit and strength to win on the road." Mat Peterson scored 16 on 7-9 from the field for Utah Valley. ••• UVSC led last year's Big. Sky champion Montana by six at the 12-minute mark of the first half, but it didn't lastlong as the Grizzlies used a' 21-2 run to close out the first 20 minutes. Montana continued with the same pressure in the second half and led by as many as 24 before settling on a 75-59 victory over the WoK verines in Missoula. For Utah Valley, David Heck led all scorers with 19, including 14 in the first half. Ben Devoe also scored 14 for, the Wolverines. Montana State had a bal-V anced attack offensively led by both Andrew Strait and Matt Martin with 13 points apiece. • |