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Show tn,r '"IT Sports editor: Joe Wren Phone: 626-7983 WSU men's b-ball shoots for top By Joe Wren Signpost sports editor Two more road performances will raise the curtain on one more big show. Tonight in Bozeman, Mont., the hottest team this side of Yellowstone can qualify for the NCAA basketball tournament again. Defending Big Sky Champion Weber State University, having won nine of its last 10 games, will begin another quest for the league's post-season title and accompanying NCAA berth when the Wildcats meet the highest remaining seed from Thursday's quarterfinal round. "It really doesn't matter who we play," said WSU Head Coach Ron Abegglen. "There aren't any secrets left after you've played each other twice and have constantly watched each other on film." Due to WSU's second seed, the Wildcats drew a first round bye. If all goes according to the seeds, WSU will meet the University of Montana Friday night, with the winner likely to face homestanding Montana State in Saturday evening's finale. "Offensively, we have played very well in our last 10 games," Abegglen said. "On the defensive end, we are still having some mental lapses. Defense is really what wins games at the end of the year in tournament play." A testament to how well WSU has been shooting the ball resides in the team's current national rankings. The Wildcats are now the country's top-ranked three-point shooting team just ahead of Penn State and Wake Forest. Individually, Justyn Tebbs is ranked 3rd and Jimmy DeGraf fenried is 9th.' The 14 three-point shots in the WSU vs. Northern Arizona game last week marked the ninth time this Men's, women's Rodeo Club rides high entering spring opening By Tara Runions Signpost staff writer Weber State University's Rodeo Club is ready to hold on to their 1995-96 standings as they host the spring opening rodeo next Friday and Saturday.Currently, the WSU women's team is ranked first in the Rocky Mountain Region - ' k - - ; I ..W,Jfo..t tl i'v ' RYAN SHUPE THE SIGNPOST WSU Wildcats are jumping high for the chance to make it to the top in the Big Sky Conference Tournament. season the 'Cats have made 10 said. "It gives us more time or more treys in a game. to rest. The tournament "We are pleased to get a gives everyone a new start number two seed and receive a and it's exciting for the bye until Friday," Abegglen fans." and the men's team is third. Roger Johnson, WSU Rodeo Club adviser, has high expectations for the club after the men's team finished third in the nation last year and the women's team finished 10th. "The men are just as strong as they were last year; they just need to pull together and get things done," Johnson said. "The women's team is tougher i ., S 4 X 4" this year than last year, we have a lot of versatility and it seems to be working." The Rocky Mountain Region consists of colleges and universities from Utah and Idaho. The top two teams will advance to the College National Finals in Bozeman, Mont. The rodeo will consist of women's and men's events, and will promise much action. v. ....... .- . .W- L.A. shines light on road to pro football By Bryan Martin Signpost sports writer Four former Weber State University football stars took a step toward playing professional football this past weekend by attending a open trybut in Los Angeles, sponsored by representatives of the Canadian Football League. Pokey Eckford, Joel Pelagio-Williams, Von Robinson and Sheddrick Mickles each attended the camp held at Southwest Community College. Approximately 35 athletes, representing such schools as the University of Southern California, University of Idaho, and California State University at Northridge, attended.According to Eckford, the camp tested the players in the 40-yard dash, one-on-one drills between receivers and defensive backs, and seven-on-seven scrimmages between the offense and defense. Eckford, an All-American WSU Hockey Club skates to seventh place at Nationals By Bryan Martin Signpost sports writer The Weber State University Hockey Club finished its season last weekend placing seventh at the Division II American College Hockey Association National Championships in Tampa, Fla. With the top 16 teams from around the country competing for the national crown, the Wildcats finished the round-robin tournament with a 1-2 record. They opened tournament play with a 9-5 victory over the University of Southern Connecticut, but would lose their next two games, falling to No. 1 seed Western Michigan University 6-0, and No. 4 seed University of Miami (Ohio) 6-2. Head Coach Shawn Senior Amy Allen is currently ranked second in the nation in the all-around competition, while she is leading the region in barrel racing and the goat tying competition. "Amy has come alive this year. She is performing better than I have ever seen her perform," Johnson said. Junior Wes Parker is helping to keep the men's team wide receiver for the Wildcats this past year, was clocked with the fastest time among all the participants with a 4.28. "I felt really good and was able to run a great time," Eckford said. Pelagio-Williams, also a receiver this past year for the Wildcats, says these camps are a great way of displaying youi football skills and getting youi name out to professional teams. "This camp was good for our exposure and to get our names out among the scouts in the CFL," Pelagio-Williams said. "They let you know where you stand against other athletes and what kind of work you need to do to improve." "This camp and others that follow are good stepping stones for the future because they let you see how you match up against other players," Eckford said. "If you do well, the word gets out on you from other people who are respected throughout the league." Thoreson said although they did not win the tournament, the experience his team gained will prove to be valuable for the future. "This was a great experience for our guys to know that we can play and compete at the national level," Thoreson said. "The team learned a lot about themselves and know what they have to do to get back here next year." According to Thoreson, there was a complete team effort during the tournament, but a few players stood out in his mind. "Jay Stephens and Brian Larson both stepped up to the challenge," Thoreson. said. "Also, I thought Brad Durrani played exceptional defense in the hist game," he said. alive as he leads the calf roping competition. Teammate Wade Northrop is not far behind in second place. WSU rodeo will be held next Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. with the final top 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free with your studentID, or$5foradultsand $3 for students. |