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Show SPORTS B6 Sports Brief • Nine Wolverine Grapplers Honored for Academic Success by WWC \ Nine Utah Valley University wrestlers were recognized^ by the Western Wrestling Conference for their academic; success in 2009-10 as they were named to the conference^ All-Academic Team and the Coaches' Honor Roil, as announced by the conference June 4. Four Wolverine wrestlers were named to the All-Academic Team this year, while five were named to the Coaches' Honor Roll. NCAA qualifier Flint Ray leads the way for UVU, as he": maintains a 3.76 GPA while studying Business Manage-' ment/Internationai Business. Jeffrey Newby, Justin Morrill and Casen Eldredge all too were named to the all-academic squad as they hold 3.75,3.57 and 3.29 GPA's, respectively. The five UVU grapplers named to the Coaches* Honor Roll were Josh Wilson with a 3.70 GPA, Monte Schmalhaus (3.35), Clay Frost (3.18). Benjamin Kjar (3.17) and Wyatt Ray with a 3.08. • Correction Tn our last issue, in the article regarding the UVU tracks and field team, we reported the indoor track and field team's first NCAA Division I regional appearance. This competi-:, tion was for the outdoor track and field team. Making Headlines Courtesy or UVU Rodeo Skya Defa in Breakaway Roping at the College National Finals Rodeo. Rough ride Rodeo team struggles at nationals £*ByMATTPETERSEN :J "Asst Sports Editor •;* ' Sometimes, a rider is ;.only as good as his or her I'horse. X •: That was the message >frbm Rodeo coach Shane \\ Draper, whose team found ;; itself struggling midway '.- through the College National Finals Rodeo. Draper was less than pleased with the stock some of the team, especially the men, drew for their events. "We'd be getting some weak stock and that'd drop our score a little more than we'd like," Draper said. "Then someone else would get a really nice horse and ride it really well, so that drops us back a little more." When asked how much of the team's 45th place standing (as of last Thursday) should be placed on their stock draw, Draper responded, "Ninety percent." Draper was quick to point out that small errors by the riders themselves also contributed to their subpar performance. "When we see something that needs to be fixed, we do that," Draper said. "The main thing is not to get down on yourself, because that really sends the momentum in the opposite direction." Tyler Evans received scores of 63.5 and 67 in the first and second rounds of saddle bronc riding, be- fore pulling a no-score in the third. Luke Pulham also struggled in tie down roping, with both his first and second-round times eclipsing the 20-second mark. Jake Woolstenhulme shook off a mediocre 8.5 seconds in the first round of steer wrestling by shaving three seconds off that mark in his second go-around. The opposite was true for McKay Taylor, teamed up with Utah State's Colton Thacker in team roping. After an encouraging time of 9.2 in round one, the duo received consecutive no-scores in the following rounds. UVU's veteran core made a strong showing, however. Caleb Bennett and Colton Bair both scored in the mid-seventies through two rounds of bareback riding, keeping them in the hunt for contention. Meanwhile Hilary Bair took times of 6.6 and 7.0 seconds in her first and second rounds of goat tying, respectively. "I'm impressed with their performance, but at the same time, we expect it from them," Draper said. "They've been here three, four years so they've been here before. It's nice knowing you can count on them," I Couresty ol UVU Atheltics Denny improving and progressing < By KIRA TERRY > Sports Editor >;>Jpfdahn Denny's family 1* remains positive and thank!>ful nearly 50 days after the •1 Softball player was thrown ^'frorn her vehicle in a car accident that paralyzed her ,from the mid torso down. \ * 1 'With each day that goes fcby, Jordahn keeps improvl\hg more and more as she :* remains in rehabilitation in > Denver, working hard doing '.;physical therapy. ;*' -r"The doctors said that ;"tfiey:are seeing reducement > in the swelling of the spinal :cord in the neck which is allowing her more use of her arms and hands," said mother Chamala Denny. Jordahn has begun doing little things such as helping to dress herself and brushing her teeth. With a tracheotomy tube still in place, Jordahn is able to communicate by giving hand signals, mouthing words and writing. Doctors will soon be replacing her tube with a speaking valve, which will allow Jordahn to talk. Chamala Denny also stated that Jordahn's brain trauma has improved but added, "There continues to be bruising in the information processing parts of the brain, but they also expect more improvement." "Jordahn was able to eat for the first time early last week," said Chamala Denny. "A bag of Cheetos! She had been asking for them for nearly a week." In physical therapy, Jordahn currently focuses on specific tasks. "She has begun throwing bean bags into a bucket [with] a goal of 20 and made it, playing cards and learning to balance herself," said Chamala Denny. According to Tordahn's mother, doctors gave the Denny family an expected rehabilitation release date of early September, "at which time she will return home to Pocatello to continue re-entering a normal life setting." Donations to assist with Jordahn's qjedical expenses can still be made at any US Bank or Wells Fargo Branch. Changes to the Pac-10 include Utah i Kyle Whittingham's Utes will be playing under a new-? conference as early as 201 i. -^ •• The Utes have been part of the Mountain West Confer-: ence since 1999 when it begun, but will only be part of that for one more season. 1 ^ l t is reported that the move will come with perks for the Utes, including financial rewards as well as upgrades to Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Utes will be placed in the Souther Division of the conference with Arizona, ASU, Colorado, UCLA and USC. Competing in the Pac-10 shouldn't be a problem for the Utes, seeing as in past years Utah has held their own against Pac-10 teams. ^ ' There's always a price for skipping practice Drama heated up in the middle of last week when Washington Redskins' Albert Haynesworth skipped the team's-; mandatory minicamp. The minicamp lasted two days, with the first day lasting all of 15 minutes before the weather halted it to a close. Fellow players are calling Haynesworth selfish and are; demanding a trade. Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan j^as said that back in* February, Haynesworth was told by the Redskins that they; would agree to release him to another team, but the price would be not paying him a $21 million bonus due on April 1. The Redskins now look toward the return of the $21 mil-,' lion and a possible fine against Haynesworth. |