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Show MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2008 Sports Senior leads the new era • THE COLLEGE TIMES B7 MAKING HEADLINES SPORTS BRIEFS f WOMEN'S BASKETBAL~ Tony Gunderson Sports writer He has played a key role in pulling the wrestling team together to create a family of hard work and unity. "One word describes this team: unity . . . We always refer to it as the new era," Senior Sam Allen said. Allen is paired with captains Mark Fenwick and Ben Kjar, who all have the same goal in mind to help the team in every way physically, mentally, and emotionally. The team has had a huge turn around from last season, not only on the mat - but also off. Allen grew tip in Kaysville, Utah, where he began wrestling when he was in third grade. Following his older brother, he has continued his wrestling career ever since. He came to Utah Valley well experienced, to lead the Wolverines with nearly four years of college competition and as a two-time 5A All-State wrestler in high school. Out of high school, Allen was recruited to Western Wyoming for a year before serving an LDS mission to Halifax, Canada. He returned to the college to finish another year before being picked up by the University of Wyoming. Ken Hoglund / College Times Senior Sam Allen sits comfortably as his opponent gasps for air in a recent dual held at Utah Valley. "It was a really good growing opportunity," Allen said, "I think it prepared me to learn and grow and become a better wrestler." The growth was apparent when Allen was ranked third in the nation at the University of Wyoming, but he is glad to be back in Utah to build up Utah Valley University. "I have played for two other teams, but our team literally is like a family," Allen said. Most of them live together, go to lunch, hang out, and go to the same parties. "I think that unity outside makes for great unity inside, and we really push each other when we understand who someone is inside and outside of the wrestling room," he said. Despite the improvements, Utah Valley still has a ways to go. Goals have been set to improve nutrition and training, to develop more intense practices, and secure better recruitment. "UVSC is going-to be a really good wrestling program, and there is no doubt in my mind that every year it's going to get better," Allen said. Allen has worked hand in hand with coach Greg Williams, who started with him in his club elite program. Assistant head coach K.C. Rock also had some experience with Allen up in Wyoming before coming to Utah Valley. Allen has proven to be an effective leader this year, and although this is his fourth year, hopes to push for a fifth, where he might have a chance to reach his goal to compete nationally. But for now, his focus is on his team and his major. HOCKEY from B8 Ken Hoglund / College Times just hanging there." Luckily for the Northstars, and now the Utah Valley hockey team, you don't need unscathed facial features to play great hockey. Next game, eight stitches later, Jiron and his repairedJ*Van Gogh" ear were back on the ice and eventually helped lead his Northstars team to an undefeated championship at the AAA Montreal Mania Tournament. Playing hockey since he was eight, Jiron's gritty, perhaps somewhat gruesome experiences helped him develop his blue-collar style of play that this Wolverines team has enjoyed. Finishing with 24 points in 25 games last season, he received the Wolverine Hard Hat award. Jiron received the appropriately named team award given to the player who just gets the job done both on and off the ice. And that hat fits just right. Now in the 2007-08 seasons, it's same story, different year. He has amassed 18 goals and 34 assists thus far.. His ability to get the puck to the people in scoring position, as well as his impact as a physical presence on the ice, has added some volatile fuel for the high scoring engine of the Wolverines' offense. The Building Construction major admits that the success of the team this year has had an influence in the building of the future of the hockey program. "You know, it's definitely much more attractive for big time players to look at coming to UVSC to play," said Jiron. "We are only in our second year and we are already looking to make a run towards nationals. We are pretty excited." Jeff Jiron has been a physical presence for the Wolverines since joining the team. Last year he won the team's Hard Hat award. Utah Valley cleaned the class as they out'rebounded NJIT 39-28 including 15 offensive boards. Second-chance opportunities seemed to be a major contributor as the Wolverines pulled away in the second half for the nine-point win. While beating a team like NJIT isn't going to skyrocket Utah Valley's RPI or put them on the national map, it has put them back on the winning track. "We were all sick of losing," Fairbanks said. "We all just did what we had to do, and we did it." The big three of Fairbanks, McMurray and Marvin combined for 56 points and 18 rebounds. Drawing a comparison to Jordan, Pippen and Rodman of the championship Bulls teams may be a little premature, but their effectiveness on the court has been just as real for this team. Only those picked to the first team are eligible for Academic All-America selection. The five players representing District VIII on the first learn are as follows: Delaney Conway, (Portland State), Jami Bjorklund (Gonzaga), Lindsey Pluimer (UCLA), Elizabeth Doran (Santa Clara), and Kelscy Kahle (Portland State). UTAH FLASH Utah Flash players and Utah Jazz assignees Morris Almond and Kyrylo Fesenko highlight the rosters for the second annual D-League All-Star Game. The two 10-man rosters for the Feb. 16 game were selected by a combination of DLEAGUE.com fan balloting and voting by the league's 14 head coaches. Almond, the leading scorer in the D-League at 26.4 point per game, and Fesenko, who averages 10.5 points and 7.0 rebounds, will be the Flash's first representatives for the event. NBA Legends Rick Barry and Lenny Wilkens will serve as honorary captains and will share basketball knowledge with the 20 D-Lcague All-Stars. As honorary captains, and former players and coaches, Barry and Wilkens will be on hand to offer their hardwood wisdom throughout the game. Phoenix is going to look a lot different now. When you pick up Shaquille O'Neal, it changes everything. Whether they were trying to keep up with the L.A. Lakers or trying to make a final push for a title, the Phoenix Suns traded Marcus Banks and four-time All-Star Shawn Marion to the Miami Heat for O'Neal. Questions abound about how the super swift Suns will be affected by the addition of a slow running Diesel. It will be O'Neal's fourth team in 14 NBA seasons, but he's been slowed even more by injuries lately. The Suns had the best record in the West when the trade was made, but they want a championship and, of course, hope to get to the finals forlhe first time since Steve Nash joined the team and transformed them into the speedy, electric team they have become. COLLEGE BASKETBALL One of college basketball's most controversial, and the winningest, major men's coach stepped down last week. After over 42 years. Knight handed the job at Texas Tech to his son. In 2005, Pat Knight was appointed his father's successor, but this change's coming midseason like it did was very unexpected. Knight won more than 900 games with Army, Indiana and Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are up and down this season with a 12-8 record, but Knight said he wanted his son to have the opportunity to work with the team the remaining 10 games of the season. U V SPORTS SCHEDULE Feb. 1 1 Men's golf at Pat Hicks Invitational all day Feb. 11 Women's golfat Lady Braveheart Invitational all day Feb.12 Men's golf at Pat Hicks Invitational all day Feb. 12 Women's golf at Lady Braveheart Invitational all day Feb. 15 Wrestling against Mesa State - 5:00 p.m. Feb. 1 5 Hockey against University of Wyoming 8:30 p.m. Feb. 16 Men's basketball at Savannah State 1130 a.m. Feb. 16 Hockey against University of Wyoming 8:35 p.m. SPORTS ON T V WOMEN'S BASKETBALL from B8 combined for 40 points as they each scored an even 20. "When Sandy goes out, it's definitely a big loss because she's a big offensive threat," McMurray said. "We just had to pick it up without her." Rather than settle for the nearly automatic baseline jumpers, McMurray assertively took her defender to the basket time after time for the high-percentage lay up. Whether it was a crossover dribble, her quick first step, or the ability to cut through the lane, it worked. "She was asking me to give her the ball," Nixon said. "To see the energy that she had and the confidence was exciting." The other half of the one-two punch came from the ever-reliable Fairbanks who finished her night on 9-of-12 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds. NBA Utah Valley junior Robyn Fairbanks has earned the ESPN Magazine Academic All District VIII Second Team honors as voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). . Fairbanks, who is fourth nationally in scoring (24.3), is the lone player from the state of Utah on the first, second or third teams. She also ranks among the national leaders in rebounds (9.8, 21st) and field goal percentage (.561, 23rd). NBA Feb. 13 Utah Jazz at Seattle Sonics Feb. 14 Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls 8:00 p.m. on FSN 6:00 p.m. on TNT Feb. 14 8:30 p.m. on TNT Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns Men's college basketball Feb.11 No. 5 Kansas at No. 12 Texas Feb. 16 Virginia Tech at No. 3 North Carolina 11:00 a.m. on CBS MEN'S VOLLEYBALL from B8 Ken Hoglund / College Times Freshman outside hitter Andrew Rich attempts to spike the ball on a defender from the University of Utah. exciting." With successful varsity and JV teams, there could be some thoughts of tension built on jealousy or lack of respect. That's not the case, as the teams know the goal is to win, and competition allows the best to rise "It's good camaraderie between the 'A' team and the 'B' team," Crabtree said. "We compete really well," Rogers said. "Everyone in the gym gets out early." Having a chance to move up varsity is one goal. Also part of the allure is getting a chance to toughen up before the JV's own matches. Richards does get an ample chance to evaluate talent as both teams practice sideby-side. "We have 11 players, and we're looking for a 12th," Richards said. "If someone comes into the gym, and they have the talent and the dedication, they'll move up. Right now we're fine with 11." With three tournaments left until nationals, the team's early rising strategy hopes to pay off.strategy will hope to pay off. |