Boise State Offers Legace

Arcadia Head Coach Jon Dimalante has confirmed that Taylor Legace has been offered a scholarship at Boise State.

Legace played receiver and safety and returned punts and kicks last year for Arcadia, accounting for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns and also making four interceptions.  As a sophomore, Legace had 74 receptions for 895 yards and 12 touchdowns.  Legace, 6-2, 190, runs a 4.5 40.


Legace has received interest from UCLA, Stanford, Washington, USC, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Colorado State.  He is a possession receiver with deceptive speed.

Blue Through and Through will have more information soon on Legace.

Oregon Might Get First Win Over Boise State in 13 Years

Oregon had not defeated Boise State in a major sport (football or basketball) in 13 years.  The Ducks finally broke that long dry spell with a 79-71 win in Eugene tonight over the Broncos in the semifinals of the CBI Tournament.

Kudos to Boise State, though, down by 20 in the second half, cut the lead to six in the waning moments.

Broncos Open WAC Season by Hosting Nevada

Boise State's softball team dives into the conference season with three home games against Nevada.  It is important for the Broncos to take advantage of the home field since these are the only games scheduled against the Wolf Pack this season.

Nevada can score runs in bunches when they're on.  The Pack is right behind Boise State (.304) for third in the Western Athletic Conference (.285) in hitting.  There are four main contributors to the Nevada offense.  Karley Hopkins is fifth in the WAC (.383) and leads the conference in doubles with 11.  Britton Murdock is hitting .354 and is third in the league with a perfect 8-for-8 stolen bases.  Erin Jones bats .340 while Daniell Patrick is third in the WAC with 25 RBI's.  However, only five Nevada hitters bat over .220 on the season.  Thus, the task is pretty clear--shut down those four and you have a good chance to win.

Mallory Darby (9-10, 4.24 ERA) is the top hurler for Nevada; Darby is thrd in the conference with 95 strikeouts.  The question is depth, as Nevada's team ERA is 5.74.  The Bronco bats were quiet at the beginning of the year, but as new faces began to hit on a consistent basis, the Boise State offensive attack has come alive during their winning streak.  They will need to continue to hit and move teammates along the basepaths and take advantage of the fat ERA's on the Nevada staff.

Boise State's Kellie Caplan is enjoying a fantastic year, hitting over .400 (.407), third in the WAC.  The surprise in the conference is freshman Devon Bridges.  Bridges is not only hitting well (.385) which is fourth in the WAC, but she seems to be a part of nearly every Bronco rally.

Boise State and Nevada take the field at Mountain Cover for a Friday game beginning at 3.  The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday with games scheduled at 1 and 3 p.m.

Boise State Ready to Battle Oregon in Eugene

After winning two College Basketball Invitation Tournament games at home, Boise State ventures to Eugene, Oregon for a CBI semifinal game with the Ducks Wednesday night.


The venue won't be the only thing that is different.  In Monday's game with Duquesne, Oregon outscored the Dukes 20-4 at the free throw line.  The Ducks won that one 77-75.


Senior forward Joevan Catron tops Oregon with 15.2 points (7th in the Pac-10) and 6.5 rebounds a game and broke the school record by playing in his 129th career game against Duquesne.  Catron, a Second-Team All-Pac-10 selection, shoots 46.7% from the field (164-351).  Catron recently became the 30th player in school history to top 1,000 career points.  Catron draws attention underneath and will get to the free-throw line; he's a 71.4% shooter there.


Catron's frontcourt mate E.J. Singler (sophomore) was named to the Pac-10 All-Tournament Team.  He is the conference leader in free-throw shooting (87.1%; 101-116) and is second on the Oregon team with 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds a game.  Singler will also pop out and hit the three; he is 128-283 this year (45.2%).  


Tyrone Nared has started the last 17 games, with his career high being 16 points against California.


Junior guard Malcolm Armstead is sixth in career steals at Oregon with 143.  Armstead has a record 78 steals this season.  He also led Oregon with 148 assists this year, 10th all-time at Oregon.  Senior guard Jay-R Stowbridge is Oregon's third leading scorer at 9.6 points a game although he has not been a full-time starter.


Another Duck to watch is junior guard Garret Sim, who has become a three-point threat as the season has progressed.  Sim has made at least one trey in 19 of Oregon's last 22 games and he is second on the team with 33.3% shooting (46-138)  from beyond the arc.


As a team, Oregon set a school record for steals with 288 and they lead the Pac-10 in turnover margin.


Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. Mountain Time.

Bronco Women Down #54 Oregon 5-2

To the poor Duck fans, Boise State has to seem like the school that won't go away.

The Boise State women's tennis team topped Oregon 5-2 yesterday at the BOAS Indoor Tennis Complex in a match much closer than the final score might indicate.  Four singles matches were decided in three sets.

Did you know:

Last school year, more than 2,300 Boise State students devoted 56,785 hours to non-profit organizations in the Treasure Valley, valued at $912,787 in economic benefit to the community.

ESPN Will Televise Boise State-Fresno State Game

ESPN has announced it will televise this year's Boise State-Fresno State game.  The Broncos travel to play the Bulldogs October 7.  This is the 11th-straight year that ESPN has nationally televised the rivalry game.

Boise State Will Play at Oregon Wednesday Night

Oregon fans got good news when their Ducks won in the College Basketball Tournament over Duquesne.  But just when they thought they'd gotten rid of Boise State by rejecting them for Pac-10 membership, the Ducks found out that it will be those same Broncos coming to town for the CBI semi-finals.

Creighton will play Central Florida in the other semi-final, with the two winners playing in a best-of-three series for the CBI Championship.

Boise State Advances to CBI Final Four

Freshman Ryan Watkins scored a career-high 19 points to lead Boise State to a 76-67 victory over Evansville tonight in Taco Bell Arena to advance to the semi-finals of the College Basketball Invitational Tournament.

Boise State One of Only 37 Teams Still Dancing

116 men's college basketball teams started out last week dancing in quest of a tournament championship.  One by one, they have been tapped on the shoulder by someone letting them know their dreams were over.  Now, just 37 teams remain.

Boise State is one of those 37, and tonight the Broncos take on Evansville in the CBI quarterfinals.  Follow the link to read a preview of tonight's game.  Tip-off is 7 p.m. in Taco Bell Arena.

Tickets for the 2011 NCAA Gymnastics Regional in Denver

Now that we have told you that Boise State will be traveling to the NCAA Denver Regional Saturday, April 2, the next step is to announce ticket information.

You can purchase tickets directly through the Ritchie Center Box Office or from TicketMaster.com  The Ritchie Center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 303-871-2336.  Reserved tickets are $15 for the lower level and $10 for the upper level.  Children and seniors are admitted for $8 in the upper level.

The Regional Championships begin at 6 p.m. on April 2.  The top two teams from the Regional will advance to the NCAA Championships April 15-17 in Cleveland.

Boise State Gymnasts will Compete in Denver Regional

Apparently it's a secret.
I had to learn about it not from the NCAA itself, but from the Deseret paper in Salt Lake City.  Here is the field and it is an Idaho exclusive (brought to you here on this blog before Boise State's official web site Broncosports.com, before KTVB.com and before TheIdahoStatesman.com:


Denver, Co. Regional - No. 1 Florida; No. 12 Arkansas; No. 13 Boise State; No. 19 Denver; No. 20 Arizona; No. 27 BYU


Tuscaloosa, Ala. Regional - No. 2 Alabama; No. 11 Penn State; No. 14 Illinois; No. 22 Auburn; No. 25 Central Michigan; Kentucky


Corvallis, Ore. Regional - No. 3 Oregon State; No. 10 Nebraska; No. 16 Iowa; No. 31 SUU; San Jose State; Michigan State


Ann Arbor, Mich. Regional - No. 4 Stanford; No. 9 Michigan; No. 16 Ohio State; No. 21 Iowa State; No. 23 Minnesota; No. 24 Kent State


Norman, Ok. Regional - No. 5 Oklahoma; No. 7 Utah; No. 17 Washington; New Hampshire; Missouri; North Carolina


Athens, Ga. Regional - No. 6 UCLA, No. 8 Georgia; No. 18 LSU; North Carolina State; Maryland; West Virginia

Boise State Remains at #13 in NCAA Gymnastics Rankings

http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/gymnastics-women/d1

NCAA to Announce Regional Gymnastics Lineup Today at Noon

The NCAA will announce which 36 teams will be invited to participate in the 2011 Regional Gymnastics Championships and where those teams will be performing.  The news is expected to be announced shortly after noon Mountain Time.

Boise State Tennis Loses to Idaho 4-3

They beat #40 New Mexico yesterday then lose to Idaho.

Boise State Second in the Nation in Conference Championships

The gymnastics title in the Western Athletic Conference last night gave Boise State its record sixth conference championship of the season, putting the Broncos all alone in second place in the nation among major colleges.  Stanford is #1 with seven championships, although the Cardinal missed out on an eighth in wrestling because Boise State was in the Pac-10.  Wrestling is the only sport that the Pac-10 allows Boise State to compete in, and the Broncos won.

Boise State has also captured WAC titles in football, men's cross country, women's swimming and diving and men's indoor track.  That breaks the overall record of five set back in 2005 and ties the WAC record of five championships, also set in 2005.

Stanford has won Pac-10 championships in men's and women's cross country, women's soccer, women's volleyball, women's basketball and men's and women's swimming.

Louisville and Ohio State are third behind Boise State with five conference titles each; the Cardinals have won Big East championships in men's soccer, women's volleyball, men's and women's swimming and women's indoor track while Ohio State has won Big Ten titles in football, women's soccer, women's indoor track and men's and women's basketball.  Michigan (field hockey, men's soccer, men's swimming and women's gymnastics) and Connecticut (football, men's indoor track and men's and women's basketball) are in fourth with four conference championships each.  Several schools are tied with three conference championships, including Arkansas-Little Rock and Middle Tennessee of the Sun Belt, Florida of the SEC, Oklahoma State and Nebraska of the Big 12, Akron and Central Michigan from the MAC, BYU of the Mountain West Conference, Connecticut of the Big East, Central Florida of Conference USA and Duke and Maryland of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Click on the link to take a look at the championships won in each major conference:

Boise State Sets School Record With Sixth Conference Championship

The Western Athletic Conference Gymnastics Championship last night gave Boise State its sixth conference championship of the year, setting a new school record.  Boise State is second in the nation in conference championships; the Cardinal have seven.  Stanford was a solid contender for the Pac-10 title in wrestling, but Boise State was in the conference and Stanford could not win that one.

The Broncos had humble beginnings in the WAC with just one conference title in their initial year (football).  From there, Boise State's progress has been steady.  The Broncos won two WAC championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004, then a record five in 2005.  Boise State won four in 2006, two in 2007, four each in 2008 and 2009 and now a record-tying five this year.  Boise State also won the Pac10 Wrestling Championship in the only sport that the Pac-10 allows Boise State to compete.

In fact, that was Boise State's third Pac-10 wrestling title in the last four years, as the Broncos have dominated in much the same way that the football team has.  It was Boise State's sixth overall Pac-10 Championship since 2000.

Conference championships won by Boise State since 2001 (32 WAC, 5 Pac-10):

2001-2002:  2 (WAC--Football; Pac-10--Wrestling)
2002-2003:  2 (Football, Men's Tennis)
2003-2004:  3 (WAC--Football, Indoor Men's Track; Pac-10--Wrestling)
2004-2005:  2 (Football, Men's Tennis)
2005-2006:  5 (Football, Gymnastics, Men's Indoor Track, Men's Outdoor Track, Men's Tennis)
2006-2007:  4 (Football, Women's Basketball, Men's Indoor Track, Men's Tennis)
2007-2008:  4 (WAC--Football, Gymnastics, Men's Outdoor Track; Pac-10--Wrestling)
2008-2009:  5 (WAC--Football, Gymnastics, Men's Indoor Track, Men's Tennis; Pac-10--Wrestling)
2009-2010:  4 (Football, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis)
2010-2011:  6 (WAC--Football, Men's Cross Country, Men's Indoor Track, Women's Swimming & Diving, Gymnastics; Pac-10--Wrestling)

Boise State Gymnasts Return to Top of WAC Podium

Redemption is special.  Boise State had that chance last night when they went into San Jose State with the goal of returning the Western Athletic Conference gymnastics trophy to Boise.  Boise State also captured its sixth conference title of the season, second in the nation to Stanford's seven.  With the win, Boise State also widened its WAC Commissioner's Cup lead to 64.50-59.75 for Utah State.

The Broncos started and solid and finished with a flurry in ringing up an impressive 195.70 to turn back a determined Southern Utah team and reclaim the WAC title.  Boise State recorded six All-WAC finishes, with senior Hannah Redmon and junior Amy Glass each scoring individual titles.  Redmon topped all competitors on bars while Glass vaulted to conference glory and was named the WAC Gymnast of the Year.  

After the break, learn how the Broncos did it...

Bronco Wrestlers Set School Record With #9 Finish

There comes a time when you compete as hard as you can and then be happy with your accomplishments.


Boise State's wrestling team earned the highest finish in school history at the NCAA National Championships yesterday when the Broncos finished ninth in Philadelphia.  Coach Greg Randall's team scored 57.5 points, just one point behind eighth-place Lehigh, 3.5 behind perennial power Minnesota and 5 behind Arizona State.  Penn State won the national title with 107.5 points.  The #9 finish tops the 10th-place finish the Broncos managed in 1999.  


Still, it must have been disheartening to finish behind fellow Pac-10 school Arizona State, a team the Broncos thought they had vanquished in winning the Pac-10 Championship just two weeks ago.  ASU brought far less wrestlers to the party than Boise State's record 10, but the Sun Devils who were there came to wrestle.  Anthony Robles and Bubba Jenkins both brought home national championships to Tempe and the success of that pair plus Levi Cooper was enough to offset Boise State's 10 participants, many of whom did not win.


What Boise State did do was earn three All-America honors.


Bronco senior Andrew Hochstrasser led the charge with a second-place finish yesterday at 133 pounds.  Hochstrasser roared through the tournament, scoring the lion's share of the team's bonus points until he met his nemesis Jordan Oliver of Oklahoma State.  Oliver surprised Hochstrasser with a takedown just 12 seconds into the match and that early shot appeared to throw the Bronco star out of rhythm.  Oliver scored his third win of the season over Hochstrasser 8-4 to capture the national title.



Hochstrasser became the sixth Bronco to reach a national final and the fourth to place second.  He joins the select company of Scott Barrett (126 pounds in 1982), Kirk White (165; 1999), Larry Quisel (157; 2000), Ben Cherrington (157; 2006) and Kirk Smith at 184 pounds last season.  The two-time All-American and three-time NCAA qualifier Hochstrasser finished his career with a 98-14 record, sixth in Boise State history.  


The other Broncos in action had a good day as well, with Jason Chamberlain capturing third place at 149 pounds and Adam Hall taking fifth at 157.  Chamberlain scored a 3-1 win in overtime over #5 Jamal Parks of Oklahoma State as his dramatic takedown with 28 seconds remaining in sudden victory allowed Chamberlain to advance to the consolation final.  It was a sweet victory for Chamberlain, who avenged his only loss of the season (to Parks).  Jason took on #8 Ganbayer Sanjaa of American in the third-place match.  American was a team that Boise State was chasing in an attempt to land fifth place and the Broncos could not lose if they hoped to move up.  Chamberlain kept Boise State's hopes alive with a 3-0 victory.  Chamberlain, one of the bright returners for next season, concludes the year 29-2.  


Bronco senior Adam Hall avenged a championship round upset to #8 Jason Welch of Northwestern by coming back strong in a rematch.  Welch had ended Hall's individual dream of a national title with a takedown in the final seconds of their match Friday night but this time it was no contest.  Hall built a 2-0 lead heading into the third period and ended any Welch hopes for another upset with a takedown in the third.  A riding time point gave Hall a 5-1 victory and fifth place.  Hall (30-2 this season) finishes his career as a two-time All-American and second all-time in career wins with a record of 122-18.  Only Tyler Sherfey (124-39) has a better career record.


Promising heavyweight J.T. Felix got a couple of wins in Philadelphia and Alan Bartelli and Jacob Swartz also scored a win.  But in the end, it was too many injuries and too many missed opportunities that kept Boise State from a higher finish.  For the seniors, they leave a legacy of incredible individual and team success and have a strong record to be proud of.  For the returning Broncos, they have something to shoot for.

Bronco Softball Team Earns Split at Prestigious Judi Garman Classic

#5 Arizona State stopped Boise State's winning streak at 12, but solid Bronco pitching shut down the mighty Nittany Lion bats to earn a split yesterday at the Judi Garman Softball Classic in Fullerton.  The Garman Classic annually draws in some of the top softball teams in the nation and this year is no exception.  Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Washington, Texas, Michigan, Arizona, Illinois and the fifth-ranked ASU team are some of the many teams participating.


The Sun Devils were explosive in dealing Boise State a 9-3 loss yesterday afternoon.  ASU scored two runs in the first inning when Alix Johnson doubled, marking the first time the Broncos had trailed in 76 innings.  The high-powered Devil offense plated two unearned runs in the second and then broke the game open with three more runs in the third and another in the fourth.  


The Broncos rallied from the 8-0 deficit in the fourth as junior Kellie Caplan led off with a single.  After two outs, Devon Bridges and Vanessa Alvarez each singled to bring Caplan home with Boise State's first run of the game.  Lela Work followed with a single, but pinch-runner Brittany Barcellos was gunned down trying to score.  


Arizona State scored again in the top of the sixth to make it 9-1but the Broncos answered.  Caplan, Bourke and Crump bunched singles together to score another run.  Crump's RBI-single through the right side of the infield drove in Caplan.  Bridges then walked to load the bases and Alvarez drove in Bourke with a fielder's choice.  Another walk loaded the bases but the Broncos could not capitalize again. 


 Arizona State advanced to 30-2 with the win while Boise State saw its winning streak end at 12.


Boise State would bounce back in the nightcap by stifling Penn State 1-0.  Coach Erin Thorpe's team got just two hits but the superb hurling of Aubray Zell kept the Nittany Lions away from home plate.  


Zell fired her third complete game shutout of the season and did not allow a walk in thoroughly confusing the Nittany Lions.  Zell scattered three hits in picking up the victory.

Boise State scored what would prove the game-winner in the third as freshman Mackenzie Whyte led off with a single.  Caplan reached safely on a PSU error and one out later Crump walked to load the bases.  After the second out, Alvarez drew a walk to force Whyte in with the unearned run.  Boise State threatened again in the fifth when Caplan reached third base with one out, but she was thrown out trying to score on Crump's grounder.


Zell (5-1) retired the Nittany Lionettes in order in the fourth and worked out of trouble in the fifth.  Penn State had something going with a leadoff hit, an error and a passed ball that put two runners in scoring position with two outs.  Zell got a ground ball to end the inning nad once again retired the side in order in the seventh to preserve the Bronco victory.



Boise State is now 15-9 while Penn State fell to 13-11 this season.  


The Broncos once again go for the program's first win over a ranked team when they meet #4 Washington this afternoon at 2 Mountain Time.  Boise State will then face host Cal State Fullerton at 4:30.

New WAC Commissioner's Cup Standings

With Boise State's WAC gymnastics title and Utah State's fifth-place finish, here are the new Western Athletic Conference Cup Standings.

So here are the current standings:

1.  Boise State 64.50

2.  Utah State 59.75

3.  New Mexico State 42.25

4.  Fresno 41.00

5.  Idaho 40.50

6.  Nevada 38.50

7.  Hawai'i 37.00

8.  Louisiana Tech 33.00

9.  San Jose State 29.50

Boise State Will Get 69 points in Learfield Cup for Wrestling

That is more than last year of course.  That brings the Bronco total to 168 so far this year, slightly behind last year's pace.

Boise State Will Get 27 Points in Learfield Cup for Swimming

That makes up for the loss of points in women's soccer this year but does not make up for the decrease in football.

Boise State Swimmers will finish about #39

The Broncos have never had a swimmer at the event, so this is, pardon, "getting your feet wet".  Sorry.  In any case, that will earn the school points in the Learfield Cup.

WAC Gymnastics About to Get Underway

in San Jose.  Refresh for updates.

Broncos and Utah State have a bye through the first rotation.

They are underway--Wallace of San Jose with a 9.725 on beam--that has to be a disappointment for the woman expected to challenge for the all-around crown.  Lamb & Jeffrey of Southern Utah also getting 9.725's on bars to open.  Scores are extremely low to start.  Almost one rotation done and the high score of the night is 9.8.  Don't know if they're being ultra picky, they want to allow room for improvement, or the performances simply are not that good.

Southern Utah gets 48.100 on bars, very low score.  Sac State gets 48.550 on floor.  Fullerton is on vault.  San Jose State performed on beat; two disasters leaves the Spartans with 47.650.  Waiting for Fullerton's final vault, which I'm sure has already happened.  More than likely a scorekeeper asleep at the wheel.

Hannah Redmon of Boise State 9.825 on bars, ridiculous.  Brittany Potvin-Green 9.750.  So now we have judges with a chip on their shoulder.  The low scores of the other teams are not actually that low.  Katie Tuller with a 9.775, Amy Glass with a 9.125, Lindsay Kazandjian with a 9.75 and Kelsey Black with a 9.725.  Broncos get 48.845.

A 9.8 is the new 9.9 with these WAC judges.

They liked what Southern Utah did on the beam--gave 'em a 49.325 as a team.  That's practically record-breaking for them and yet the other scores are all 9.8 and lower so far.

After two rotations, the #13 Broncos are barely ahead.  Boise State with 97.575 to 97.425 for Southern Utah.  Sacramento State has 97.225 to 97.050 for Fullerton State, 96.500 for San Jose State and 96.200 for Utah State.  Those scores are all about what the teams score week by week, with the huge exception of Boise State.

Sac State with a 48.075 on bars, Fullerton with 48.125 on beam, San Jose State with a 48.400 on vault, Boise State and Utah State with byes again.  And another great score by Southern Utah, 48.800 on floor.

Boise State moves to the floor, needing a 48.7 just to tie the fabulous Thunderbirds.  9.750 for Kelsey Lang.  9.825 for Hailey Gaspar--nicely done.  9.575 for Kelsey Black, 9.750 from Amy Glass, Redmon 9.825 and Sarah Smith 9.800.  Boise State gets a 48.950, so about a 2-3/10th's lead is all they have heading into the final rotation for the WAC title.

The good thing for the Broncos is that Southern Utah is finishing up on vault, so Boise State will know what they need to win in the final rotation.  Utah State is on bars and Sacramento State is on beam.  S. Utah also got a 9.750 for their first score.  They are pretty much averaging 9.7's in their final rotation, will get around 48.5.

Utah State had 48.475 on bars.  Sac State 48.250 on beam, they finish with 193.550.  Southern Utah finishes at  194.825.  That is the score to beat.

Boise State has 146.525 heading into the final rotation.  Fullerton has 145.175 and San Jose State 144.900.  Utah State has 144.675.  Those four will all be competing on their final respective apparatuses.

Boise State needs exactly 48.300 to tie for the WAC championship.

Ari Lamb has 39.100 and that is the all-around score to beat.  It appears that Amy Glass, the #8-ranked gymnast in the country, cannot beat the incredible Lamb and she will win the all-around.

This competition is also important for the WAC Commissioner's Cup, in which Boise State is clinging to a 3/4's of a point lead.  If Utah State wins, they take over the Cup lead as well, but USU could finish last tonight.

Amanda Otuafi gets 9.750 on vault.  Boise State now needs 38.550 to win--an average of 9.638 for the remaining four scores.


9.850 for Hailey Gaspar, leaving Boise State 28.700 short of the title.


Brittany Potvin-Green, 9.800--now just 18.900 short.


Hannah Redmon--9.875 and Boise State is 9.025 short of the title.


Amy Glass needs that to win.


9.9, and Boise State is the new 2011 WAC Champions!

Bronco Tennis Team Tops #40 New Mexico 5-2

Difficult to reconcile this one with losing the doubles point to Idaho earlier in the day but that's sports.

Boise State will try to make up for the doubles point when singles play commences at 10 a.m. Sunday.  The Broncos take on South Florida this afternoon at 2.

Bronco Wrestlers could be as low as #9

With the other eight wrestlers done, all Boise State can do now is wait and hope someone loses.  Lehigh with two wrestlers can pass them and Arizona State can as well.  That would push them to #9.

Bubba Jenkins' pin just ensured ASU will top Boise State.  Kudos to the Wildcats--they came to this tournament to wrestle.  ASU will finish 7th and Boise State 8th or 9th, depending on what Lehigh does.

Lehigh lost first championship match.  If they lose the second, I think Boise State can still get 8th.

Boise State indeed finishes 9th, which beats the 10th-place finish in 1999.

Hochstrasser About to Go for National Championship

C'mon, Hoch, give Bronco fans something to be happy about in these championships!

He wrestles Jordan Oliver of Oklahoma State, who knocked him off in Stillwater.

Robles is finishing off his opponent at 125.  If Robles gets bonus points and Hoch loses, ASU could pass Boise State in the standings and the would be the ultimate humiliation.

Ok, the finish there was 7-1 so I believe the two teams are tied right now.  But ASU has two in the finals to only one for Boise State--so the hopes of the entire team rest on one Andrew Hochstrasser's shoulders.  Let's see how broad they are.

Right off the bat, takedown Oliver 2-0.

Escape 2-1.

Another takedown.  Oliver is the one person Andrew has trouble with.

Oh-oh, near fall.  6-1.

6-2 as Hoch escapes to end the period.  He has his work cut out for him now.

Another takedown. 8-2.  I haven't seen Andrew dominated like this in I don't know how long.

8-3 with the escape.

No offense at all yet from Hoch.

8-3 at the end of 2.

It's over--8-4.  Good effort but no national champions for Boise State.  And it looks like they're going to be #7 or 8 in the team.

Boise State Hopes to Win Back WAC Gymnastics Championship

There shouldn't be any looking ahead for Boise State.

First and foremost on the Broncos' menu of opportunities is the Western Athletic Conference Gymnastics Championships in San Jose tonight.  That Boise State did not win the WAC last year is no doubt something that coaches Tina Bird and Neil Resnick reminded the team.  First things first.

It is Southern Utah, and not Boise State, that is defending the WAC title as the Thunderbirds are ranked #33 in the nation.  Southern Utah is led by all-around performers Shannon Coughlin and Lindsey Schultz while Ari Lamb excels on beam.

But the team that may be the dark horse is host San Jose State.  At a dual meet earlier this year, the Spartan women pushed Boise State to the end before losing a close decision.  San Jose State is 34th in the nation with a two-meet winning streak.  Thomasina Wallace is one of the top gymnasts in the conference, ranked 25th in the nation.  Wallace and Lily Swann have combined to win 27 events this season.

Utah State is young but still #46 in the country.  Jackie Dillon is the Aggies' top hope, ranking sixth in the WAC.  Sacramento State had a high of 195.075 last weekend against Boise State and is peaking at the right time.  Cal State Fullerton has a best of 191.050 and is hoping to perform its best meet of the season.

Boise State is 13th nationally, led by Amy Glass and Hannah Redmon.  Redmon began performing all four events last weekend and the Broncos need her on all four. 

Boise State begins the competition with a bye and will open up in the second rotation on bars and then perform on the beam.  The Broncos then have another bye before finishing up on floor and vault. 

The Championship begins at 7 p.m. Mountain time.

Boise State Hosts Evansville Monday Night

Boise State will try to keep its postseason going when the host Evansville Monday night in Taco Bell Arena.  It will be the second round of the CBI Basketball Tournament.

Evansville advanced by beating Hofstra 77-70 while the Broncos prevailed over Austin Peay 83-80 last week. 

Evansville comes into Monday night’s game on a bit of a losing streak, losing five of their last seven.  The Broncos are well aware of that situation, both because they themselves went through a four-game losing streak earlier in the year, and because they then won eight in a row.  Boise State Coach Leon Rice knows that fortunes can turn on a dime, and he wants his team ready.

Evansville is 13-3 at home, but just 3-11 on the road this season.

Evansville has one notch in their belt that the Broncos don’t; they beat a top 25 team (#23 Butler 71-68) which Boise State came up empty in three tries against #17 Utah State. 

Colt Ryan makes things go for the Purple Aces, as he has led the team in scoring in 20 of 31 games this season, including the last seven.  He fired in 32 points against Illinois State and another 31 vs. Middle Tennessee earlier this year.  Ryan is averaging 15.9 this season.  He is a 40-percent shooter from three-point land (63-155) but can also drive the hoop.  You don’t want to foul Ryan—he shoots 87.8% (130-148) from the free-throw line.  He has a good sense of what is happening around him and will head to the basket on a shot—Ryan has a pretty good 3.3 rebounding average for a guard.  Ryan is third on the team in assists with 73 and he also leads Evansville with 40 steals; he can hurt you in a lot of ways. 

 Kenneth Harris has paced Evansville in rebounding in 17 games, going over the double-digit mark on three occasions.  He averages 6.1 on the season to go with 8.1 points a game and has 35 steals and 14 blocked shots.  He isn’t a sharpshooter (75-201), but more of the kind of guy who will persist until the ball goes in.  Denver Holmes is another threat for triples (21-53) and leads the team with 89 assists.  Along with Ryan, that’s a good guard tandem.

Watch out for Piete van Tongeren—he shoots an amazing 64.1% (84-131) from the floor and also has 16 blocked shots.  He will have to be challenged by Boise State’s La’Shard Anderson to try to get some quick fouls.  Underneath, the Broncos may want to either play zone or do some double-teaming.  Kavon Lacey completes the lineup for the Purple Aces; he is a playmaker with 89 assists and averages 5.1 points a game.

Ned Cox doesn’t start but he factors heavily into Evansville’s game plan.  Cox averages 7 a game, will shoot threes and dish out assists.  Clint Hopf is another guy quick off the bench to provide inside help.    

Evansville plays good, sound basketball.  They’re not going to “Dr. J.” you with their athleticism, but they play good defense, rebound well, and take care of the basketball.  Boise State will have to play well to come out ahead.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Monday night in the Arena.

NCAA Wrestling Standings prior to Championship Matches

1.  Penn State 103.5
2.  Cornell 89.5
3.  Iowa 86.5
4.  Oklahoma State 66.5 (2 in championships)
5.  American 65 (1 in championships)
6.  Minnesota 61
7.  Boise State 57.5 (1 in championships)
8.  Lehigh 54.5 (2 in championships)
8.  Wisconsin 54.5
10.  Arizona State 52.5 (2 in championships)
11.  Stanford 44
12.  Central Michigan 39
12.  Northwestern 39
14.  Nebraska 38.5
15.  Oklahoma 38
16.  Maryland 35.5
17.  Missouri
18.  Michigan 34.5
19.  Kent State 31
20.  Iowa State 27.5

Boucher, North Do Not Qualify

Boise State's Amber Boucher finished 18th today in the 100-yard prelims at the NCAA National Swimming Championships in Austin, Texas.  She did not qualify.  Her teammate, Stephanie North, was 29th, so Boise State is finished in the competition with Boucher's five points.

Boise State currently in 35th place but of course they will drop as the races continue into the night.

Boise State Briefly Ahead of Minnesota for 6th

But Minnesota has four wrestlers to go while Boise State has one.  I don't think the Broncs can catch American for fifth.  They definitely need some pins--I don't know why Randall hasn't had his guys going for them.

But now Minnesota has pulled back in front with 67 points to 63.5 for Boise State.

Chamberlain will wrestle for 3rd place

about 10 minutes away.

Jason up 3-0 over Sanjaa.

Chamberlain wins 3-0.  Out of Hall, Hochstrasser, Smith & Chamberlain, Jason and Andrew are the ones that get it done.  Chamberlain gets third place and that's 2 1/2 more points for Boise State.

Hall Wins 5th Place Match 5-1

at 157 pounds.

Alright, here goes Hall for fifth.

29-2 vs. 29-6 for Welch, a man he already lost to.

Hall once again being tentative, a tactic that cost him the last time.

Gets the escape, something that Welch will get in the 3rd so we're still even, and one move could decide the match.
Hall awarded a point,now up 2-0.

Starting period three.

An escape, but Hall finally gets a takedown, up 4-1.

Current NCAA Wrestling Standings

After Consolation Semi's and counting a few at 125, Minnesota has now passed Boise State for 6th.

1.  Penn State 107.5
2.  Iowa 91
3.  Cornell 89
4.  American 75
5.  Oklahoma State 72
6.  Boise State 63.5 (Boise State has 3 wrestlers)
7.  Minnesota 60 (Minnesota has 5 wrestlers)
7.  Wisconsin 60 (Wisconsin has 4 wrestlers)
9.  Lehigh 53.5
10.  Arizona State 52.5

Boise State Now in Danger of Finishing 9th

With Adam Hall's defeat to a team Boise State is chasing in the standings, the chances of top five are slim.  Meanwhile, Minnesota is now just half a point away from the Broncos and has two wrestlers to go.  That would slide the Broncos down to #9.

Chamberlain wrestling now at 149

tied up at 1 with Jamaal Parks of Oklahoma State.

Third period.

Chamberlain wins with 30 seconds left in sudden victory.  Very important for team race as well.  Boise State scores 6.5 points with the win.  Chamberlain advances to the consolation final for third place.

Hall wrestling now at 157 pounds

losing 1-0 to Steve Fittery of American.  Important match for team standings.

Now in 3rd.  It's now or never for Hall.

He's going to lose on riding time if he doesn't get up soon.

subject to a near fall at the end, Hall loses 6-0 and the #1 seed will have to wrestle for 5th place.

Adam Hall about to Go at 157 Pounds Consolation Semi's

The #1 ranked wrestler would like to at least get third place for his efforts.  He needs two wins to do that.  Hall will wrestle #2 Steve Fittery of American today.  If Hall loses, Boise State cannot finish fifth place.

Broncos Host Idaho and New Mexico at Appleton

Boise State's tennis team tries to find its rhythm today with doubles competition against Idaho and a match set for noon against #40 New Mexico.  The Boise State-Idaho doubles play begins at 9 this morning at the Appleton Center.

The Boise State softball team dives into the deep end with games today against Arizona State and Penn State at the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, California.  The Broncos will meet ASU at 4:30 and the Nittany Lionettes at 6:30.

Exclusive--Boucher Finishes 4th in "B" Final of 100-yard Butterfly

For the first time in school history, Boise State gets national team points in the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships.  Amber Boucher finished fourth in the "B" race of the 100-yard Butterfly Final tonight in Austin, Texas.  Boucher swam the distance in 52.90, earning Boise State five team points.  With those points, Boise State is now 35th in the nation.  Boucher and teammate Stephanie North are both entered in the 100-yard freestyle prelims tomorrow morning with a chance to maintain or better their team standing.  This will earn Boise State points in the Learfield Sports Cup, which recognizes the top university each year for the best overall sports department.  Last year, a finish of #42 received 21 team points in the Learfield Cup.

This news is brought to you first in the Boise Valley by Blue Through and Through.

Minimum and Maximum Points for Wrestling Teams

With just one session remaining, here are the minimum and maximum points that each team can score.

Penn State 107-140
Cornell 78.5-121.5
Iowa 74-114
Arizona State 61.5-71.5
Lehigh 63.5-73.5
Wisconsin 45-72
Boise State 54-77
Oklahoma State 72-94
American 74-84

For Boise State to be fifth, the three remaining Broncos cannot lose and wrestlers from American and Oklahoma State must lose.  If the Broncos win out, Wisconsin, Lehigh and Arizona State cannot catch them.  But for the Broncos to be fifth, either American or Oklahoma State must lose out (or both), which would Boise State fourth.  If American and Oklahoma State both have one of their wrestlers win tomorrow, the best the Broncos can do is sixth.

NCAA Wrestling Championship Scores

Session 4 is complete.  Apparently the NCAA awards points for finishes that have not happened yet.  The official standings they show indicate the minimum that each team will get (extra points are given for the place that each wrestler finishes.)  If the wrestler loses, they will not get the points for that place normally awarded because they have already been figured into the standings.

1.  Penn State 92.5 (3 championship and 2 consolation)
2.  Cornell 75 (1 and 4)
3.  Iowa 69.5 (1 and 4)
3.  Oklahoma State 69.5 (2 and 1)
5.  American 56 (1 and 2)
6.  Lehigh 53.5 (2 and 1)
7.  Arizona State 52.5 (2 and 1)
8.  Boise State 52 (1 and 2)
9.  Minnesota 49.5 (0 and 5)
10.  Wisconsin 44.5 (0 and 4)
11.  Stanford 40.5 (1 and 2)
12.  Nebraska 38.5 (1 and 0)
13.  Oklahoma 36 (1 and 2)
14.  Northwestern 35.5 (0 and 3)
15.  Michigan 34.5 (1 and 0)
16.  Central Michigan 32 (0 and 3)
17.  Kent State 31 (1 and 0)
17.  Maryland 31 (0 and 3)
19.  Missouri 30.5 (0 and 2)
19.  Wyoming 30.5 (0 and 2)
21.  Iowa State 27.5 (1 and 0)
22.  Virginia 24 (0 and 2)
23.  Illinois 23 (0 and 2)
24.  Oregon State 21.5 (0 and 1)
24.  Rutgers 21.5

Hall Will Wrestle #11 Walter Peppelman of Harvard in Consolation Semis

That will take place later tonight.

Hall about ready to go in 5 minutes.

Hall losing 10-4 in second period.  Got himself into two near-falls.

Wow.  Hall would have never caught up on points.  He just pined him!

Oklahoma State's Parks getting a battle

5-5 in consolation.  Boise State could need some help to finish 5th.

Hochstrasser gives Boise State points for finish

Hochstrasser will get either 12 or 16 points tomorrow night, depending on result.  First place is 16 points and second is 12.  Big difference there.

Wrestlers Left for Top 17 Teams at NCAA Wrestling Championships

These are now complete through 3 sessions.

1.  Cornell 61 points (4 in championships, 1 in consolation)
2.  Penn State 60.5 (4 and 3)
3.  Iowa 52 (3 and 4)
4.  American 49 (3 and 1)
5.  Oklahoma State 44.5 (2 and 4)
6.  Wisconsin 41 (3 and 1)
7.  Lehigh 37 (2 and 3)
8.  Boise State 35 (2 and 1)
8.  Arizona State 35 (2 and 1)
10.  Minnesota 32 (1 and 4)
11.  Nebraska 30.5 (1 and 2)
12.  Northwestern 28.5 (2 and 1)
13.  Michigan 27.5 (1 and 1)
14.  Kent State 24 (1 and 2)
15.  Stanford 23 (1 and 2)
15.  Missouri 22.5 (1 and 1)
16.  Oklahoma 22 (1 and 3)

Jason Chamberlain Meets #2 Frank Molinaro of Penn State

at 149 pounds in the semifinal tonight.

Chamberlain about ready to wrestle.

With Hall & Smith out of the championships, Boise State needs this bad.

2-1 Molinaro early.

Still 2-1 in the 3rd.  Chamberlain has to get aggressive.  You have to figure Molinaro will escape so Chamberlain needs the takedown.

And indeed he gets the escape.
And it's over.  4-1, Chamberlain goes down.  Now just one Boise State wrestler in the finals.  Earlier in the year, four were ranked #1 or #2.

Hochstrasser Will Go Against #3 Andrew Long of Penn State at 133

About to start.

Ready to go on Mat 4--Go Hoch!

Andrew with a takedown, Lang escape.  2-1 Hochstrasser.

Hochstrasser escape in second, up 3-1 and period almost over.

Near Fall in the third, now up 6-1.

Add a near fall, up 8-1 plus riding time.  Hoch has to make up for his teammates that did not win by getting bonus points.

Now they took away 2 points and Lang gets a takedown.  Final 6-4.

Hall Will Face Johnny Greisheimer of Edinboro in Consolation Quarters

The next round begins within an hour.  Hopefully Hall will move to decide the match early.  The longer the match lasts, the more it favors his unranked opponent (any wrestler at nationals can get a takedown now and then in overtime.)

Hall wins an 11-3 major.

Swartz Bows out at Championships

Jake Swartz ended his run this afternoon with a 7-2 loss to Oklahoma State's Mike Benefiel.

Only three wrestlers remain now for the team that was once ranked #2.

Bronco Wrestlers Need to Step Up Like American Has

If American University can get three in semifinals and two in consolation, Boise State can.  In the future, the team needs to learn to not get intimidated and get over wrestling "not to lose".

Boucher Qualifies in 100-Yard Fly

Amber Boucher of Boise State swam her specialty today, the 100-yard butterfly, finishing in 52.05.  She qualified for the finals.

Her teammate, Stephanie North, swam in the 200-yard freestyle but did not qualify.  North swam the 50-yard free yesterday in 22.67 but did not qualify.  Boucher was a little faster, 22.48 but did not qualify either.

Felix Wrestles against Acala

1-1 tie, going to overtime sudden victory.

Felix loses in overtime 4-2 and is eliminated.  Great tournament.

Current Team Standings at NCAA Wrestling Championships (3 Sessions)

These are now complete through 3 sessions.

1.  Cornell 61
2.  Penn State 60.5
3.  Iowa 52
4.  American 49
5.  Oklahoma State 44.5
6.  Wisconsin 41
7.  Lehigh 37
8.  Boise State 35
8.  Arizona State 35
10.  Minnesota 32
11.  Nebraska 30.5
12.  Northwestern 28.5
13.  Michigan 27.5
14.  Kent State 24
15.  Stanford 23
15.  Missouri 22.5
16.  Oklahoma 22
17.  Rutgers 21.5
19.  Iowa State 20.5
19.  Virginia 20.5
21.  Central Michigan 19.5
22.  Wyoming 19
23.  Oregon State 18

Swartz wrestling now

Up early 2-0 over Rob Morrison.
2-1 but Swartz is injured.
3-3 as Morrison gets a takedown.
4-3 with an escape from Swartz, entering the 3rd.
Morrison with a reverse, 5-4 lead late.
Swartz with a late escape and take down 7-5.
Swartz Wins!

Hall About to Wrestler in Quarters

Hall has lost, being too tentative to advance.  He will go down to wrestlebacks.

Breaking--Chamberlain Wins!

The Broncos need someone to step up right now.

Early takedown to lead 2-1.

Now tied, overtime and sudden victory.
Now into tie-breaker.

Jason has defeated VonOhlen in tie-breaker.  He is assured All-America Status!

Jones ties VonOhlen

Levi really needs another win. Tied at 4 in the 2nd.

Now down 11-4.  Levi's about out with only one win.

Levi lost 12-4 and is out of the tournament.

Flint Ray of Utah Valley

This unknown has roared through the tournament, knocking off the #7 and #10 seeds at 133 pounds at the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Tournament.  He just beat Nebraska's Ridge Kiley to advance to the consolation quarters.

Hochstrasser Assured All-America Status

Andrew Hochstrasser of Boise State has advanced to tonight's semifinals at 133 pounds in the 2011 NCAA National Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia.  Hochstrasser will face #3 seed Andrew Long of Penn State.

NCAA Wrestling Boise State Progressions

Follow the progress of the remaining seven Boise State wrestlers at the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championships. Here are links to their progressions:

Alan Bartelli:  http://rocketman5000.blogspot.com/2011/03/alan-bartelli-125-pounds-ncaa.html


Andrew Hochstrasser:  http://rocketman5000.blogspot.com/2011/03/andrew-hochstrasser-133-pounds-ncaa.html

Levi Jones:  http://rocketman5000.blogspot.com/2011/03/levi-jones-141-pounds-ncaa-progression.html

Jason Chamberlain:  http://rocketman5000.blogspot.com/2011/03/jason-chamberlain-149-pounds-ncaa.html

Adam Hall:   http://rocketman5000.blogspot.com/2011/03/adam-hall-157-pounds-ncaa-progression.html

Jake Swartz:  http://rocketman5000.blogspot.com/2011/03/jake-swartz-174-pounds-ncaa-progression.html

J.T. Felix:  http://rocketman5000.blogspot.com/2011/03/jt-felix-2011-ncaa-wrestling.html

NCAA Wrestling Final Score Projections

These were drawn up prior to the tournament.  I'm  going to add in the deviation from today to get the final numbers.  As a result of the performances by Kurt Swartz, Matt Casperson and Kirk Smith, Boise State is now projected to slip behind Wisconsin and they have allowed American to pass them as well making Boise State 7th.

1.  Cornell 96
2.  Penn State 85.5
3.  Iowa 77
4.  Oklahoma State 72
5.  Wisconsin 57
6.  American 56
7.  Boise State 55.5
8.  Minnesota 52.5
9.  Lehigh 49
10.  Arizona State 41.5
11.  Nebraska 41
12.  Rutgers 40
13.  Michigan 37
14.  Iowa State 29
14.  Oklahoma 29
16.  Virginia Tech 27.5
17.  Pittsburgh 26.5
27.  Wyoming 26.5
19.  Edinboro 25
20.  Central Michigan 24.5
20.  Oregon State 24.5
22.  Missouri 23.5
23.  Hofstra 23
24.  Virginia 21.5
25.  Maryland 19.5
26.  Illinois 17.5
27.  Old Dominion 16.5

NCAA Wrestling Fourth Session Projections

1.  Cornell 44
2.  Iowa 38.5
3.  Oklahoma State 38.5
4.  Penn State 37.5
5.  Minnesota 32
6.  Boise State 25.5
7.  American 24
7.  Nebraska 24
9.  Rutgers 22.5
10.  Wisconsin 21
11.  Arizona State 19
11.  Lehigh 19
13.  Kent State 18
13.  Michigan 18
13.  Oregon State 18
16.  Missouri 17.5
16.  Oklahoma 17.5
16.  Wyoming 17.5
19.  Maryland 16
20.  Hofstra 15.5
20.  Virginia Tech 15.5

NCAA Wrestling Third Session Projections

Projections made before the tournament have been adjusted for the deviation in today's results.

1.  Cornell 42.5
2.  Penn State 36.5
3.  Iowa 33
3.  Oklahoma State 33
5.  Minnesota 29.5
6.  Boise State 27
7.  Wisconsin 22.5
8.  American 22
8.  Nebraska 22
10.  Arizona State 19.5
11.  Rutgers 18
12.  Lehigh 17.5
13.  Oklahoma 16
13.  Michigan 16
13.  Oregon State 16
16.  Hofstra 15.5
16.  Missouri 15.5
18.  Wyoming 14
19.  Virginia 13
20.  Maryland 12
20.  Pittsburgh 12

Pac-10 Wrestling Runners-Up Doing Better than Boise State

Arizona State and Oregon State, bested by Boise State at the Pac-10 Wrestling Championships, are both performing better than expected while Boise State is down a few points and Arizona State actually leads the Broncos in team points.

That has to end first thing tomorrow.

Reminder--Here are First Day Wrestling Projections

These can be compared against the actual results below to gauge which teams are doing the best relative to their strength going into the championships.

1.  Cornell 33.5
2.  Iowa   33.0
3.  Penn State 27.5
4.  Oklahoma State 26.5
5.  Minnesota 24.5
6.  Boise State 22.0
7.  Nebraska 18.0
8.  Rutgers 16.5
9.  Lehigh 15.0
9.  Wisconsin 15.0
11.  Missouri 14.0
12.  American 13.5
13.  Virginia Tech 13.0
14.  Arizona State 12.5
14.  Hofstra 12.5
14.  Oklahoma 12.5
17.  Virginia 11.5
18.  Oregon State 11.0
18.  Pittsburgh 11.0
20.  Illinois 10.5

Actual Results:

1.  Penn State 30.5  (+3)

2.  Cornell 29 (-4.5)

3.  Iowa 25 (-8)

3.  Oklahoma State 25 (-1.5)

5.  American 23.5 (+10)

6.  Arizona State 21 (+8.5)

7.  Wisconsin 20 (+5)

8.  Boise State 19.5 (-2.5)

9.  Minnesota 19 (+5.5)

10.  Nebraska 18.5 (+.5)

11.  Lehigh 18 (+3)

11.  Michigan 18 (+11)

11.  Rutgers 18 (+1.5)

14.  Oregon State 16.5 (+5.5)

15.  Kent State 16 (+7)

16.  Missouri 15.5 (+1.5)

17.  Oklahoma 15 (+2.5)

17.  Wyoming 15 (+7)

19.  Maryland 14 (+8)

19.  Pittsburgh 14 (+3)

21.  Hofstra 13 (+.5)

21.  Virginia Tech 13 (even)

Boise State 8th in 2011 NCAA Wrestling Division I Team Standings After 2nd (Second) Session

1.  Penn State 30.5
2.  Cornell 29
3.  Iowa 25
3.  Oklahoma State 25
5.  American 23.5
6.  Arizona State 21
7.  Wisconsin 20
8.  Boise State 19.5
9.  Minnesota 19
10.  Nebraska 18.5
11.  Lehigh 18
11.  Michigan 18
11.  Rutgers 18
14.  Oregon State 16.5
15.  Kent State 16
16.  Missouri 15.5
17.  Oklahoma 15
17.  Wyoming 15
19.  Maryland 14
19.  Pittsburgh 14
21.  Hofstra 13
21.  Virginia Tech 13

2011 NCAA Wrestling Schedule

Session 2 today beginning at 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time
Session 3 tomorrow at 8:30 a.m.
Session 4 tomorrow night at 5 Mountain Time
Session 5 (Finals) Saturday at 9 a.m. Mountain Time

NCAA Wrestling Team Scores After One Session

1.  Penn State 20
2.  Iowa 18
3.  Cornell 16.5
4.  Wisconsin 15
5.  Minnesota 14
5.  Oklahoma State 4
7.  Nebraska 13.5
8.  Lehigh 13
8.  Virginia Tech 13
10.  Boise State 12
10.  Rutgers 10
12.  Indiana 9
13.  Michigan 8
13.  Oklahoma 8
13.  Pittsburgh 8
13.  Purdue 8

Boise State was projected to get 15 points, so they are 6 points behind.  If they can make that up, they should finish in the top ten.

J.T. Felix 2011 NCAA Wrestling Progression

Lost 3-2 to Dominique Bradley of Missouri in the first round.
He downed Paul Snyder of Hofstra  3-2 in consolation.
Felix lost to Ricardo Alcala of Indiana 4-2 in overtime and is eliminated.

Matt Casperson 197 Pounds NCAA Wrestling Progression

Lost 10-2 to Zac Thomusseit of Pittsburgh in the opening round.
Casperson has defaulted his second match.  He is now out of the tournament.

Kirk Smith Forfeits

Smith has forfeited his opening round match.

(I had Smith winning one match so Boise State loses a point.)

Upsets at 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championships

Three of them at 175.

Janssen of Iowa, Bailey of Oklahoma State and Toal of Missouri all lost.

A couple more at heavyweight.  Keep track of the favorites in consolation--if they lose another, their teams will suffer.

Russo of Rutgers and Tomei of Pittsburgh both lost at 285.

Jake Swartz 174 Pounds NCAA Wrestling Progression

Jacob won 8-2 over Matt Fullowan of Franklin & Marshall in the opening round.
He lost to Colby Covington of Oregon State 8-2 tonight.
Jake came from behind for an exciting 7-5 win over Rob Morrison of Rutgers.
Swartz lost to Mike Benefiel of Oklahoma State (a team Boise State is fighting for fifth place) 7-2 to end his run.

Kurt Swartz 165 Pounds NCAA Wrestling Progression

Lost to Josh Asper 14-3 in the first round.

lost to unranked Joe Booth of Drexel 8-3  in wrestlebacks.  Mr. Swartz bows out of the tournament.

Adam Hall 157 Pounds NCAA Wrestling Progression

Hall won a tough 4-1 decision over Cornell's DJ Meager.
Hall closes out Colton Salazar of Purdue 6-2.
The tentative Hall loses to #8 Jason Welch of Northwestern 3-1.  don't want to try to win a match in the last minute, especially if you're #1.

Hall wins an 11-3 major against Edinboro's Johnny Greisheimer.

Hall, down 10-4, pins #11 Walter Peppelman of Harvard to guarantee him All-America status.

He lost to #2 Steve Fittery of American 5-0 in a match he had to win for Boise State to finish fifth.  Hall will now wrestle #8 Jason Welch again for fifth place.

Hall got payback with a 5-1 win over Welch this time.  Good way to end the tournament.

Jason Chamberlain 149 Pounds NCAA Wrestling Progression

Chamberlain defeated Dane Johnson 12-4 in a major decision to score 3 points for Boise State.
He came from a 3-0 deficit to force overtime late in the the third, then escapes with a 6-4 win over unranked Lehigh's Joseph Napoli, an upset winner over the #11 seed Andrew Nadhir of Northwestern.

Chamberlain beat #3 Kevin LeValley of Bucknell 4-3 to guarantee himself All-America status.

Chamberlain lost to #2 seed Frank Molinaro of Penn State 4-1.

He defeated Jamaal Parks of Oklahoma State 3-1 in the consolation semis.

Chamberlain defeated American's Gabayar Sanjaa 3-0 in the third-place match.  American is a team Boise State was chasing and Jason did his part.

Levi Jones 141 Pounds NCAA Wrestling Progression

Jones defeated Hicks Manson of Cornell 9-3 in the pigtail and gets a point.
Bad news--Jones lost by fall to Matthew Bonson of Lockhaven in the opening round.
Jones beat Andrew Schutt of Buffalo 6-3 tonight.
Jones lost 12-4 to #9 Cole VonOhlen of Air Force in consolation and is eliminated.

(I had Jones winning first two matches so he has lost the Broncos 1 point.)

Andrew Hochstrasser 133 Pounds NCAA Wrestling Progression

Hochstrasser pined Nathan McCormick of Missouri and gets 4 points for Boise State.

Beat Kevin Smith of Buffalo by technical fall .  Those bonus points are so important.  Tha is worth 2 1/2 points.

Hoch got riding time at the end, just enough points to get a major over #7 Bernard Futrell of Illinois 10-2 to advance to the semifinals.  Hochstrasser is assured All-America status.

Hochstrasser defeated #3 seed Andrew Long of Penn State 6-4.

He meets #1 Jordan Oliver in the championship match tomorrow afternoon.

Alan Bartelli 125 Pounds NCAA Wrestling Progression

Lost to #8 seed Jarrod Patterson of Oklahoma State 2-1 in the opening round.

Beat Camden Eppert of Purdue 3-0 in the 3rd of a pigtail match.

Bartelli gets his upset over #8 Jonathon Morrison of Oklahoma State 5-3 in consolation.
He is eliminated by Joseph Langel of Rutgers 9-6, disappointing not only for Alan but for Boise State, since Rutgers is chasing them in the standings.

NCAA Wrestling Second Session Projections

The second session tonight includes second round and consolation matches.  For projections of first-round scores, scroll down the page to see that story.

1.  Cornell 33.5
2.  Iowa   33.0
3.  Penn State 27.5
4.  Oklahoma State 26.5
5.  Minnesota 24.5
6.  Boise State 22.0
7.  Nebraska 18.0
8.  Rutgers 16.5
9.  Lehigh 15.0
9.  Wisconsin 15.0
11.  Missouri 14.0
12.  American 13.5
13.  Virginia Tech 13.0
14.  Arizona State 12.5
14.  Hofstra 12.5
14.  Oklahoma 12.5
17.  Virginia 11.5
18.  Oregon State 11.0
18.  Pittsburgh 11.0
20.  Illinois 10.5

Boise State's Crump Honorable Mention Player of the Week

Boise State pitcher Allie Crump was given honorable mention today by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association in its National Player of the Week award.  Crump chalked up 28 strikeouts in three starts over the weekend at the Santa Clara Bronco Classic, allowing just one unearned run.  Crump was one of six players recognized for their performance last week.  Kelly Hmiel of Pittsburgh was the Coaches' choice as Player of the Week after batting 14-17 with six home runs, 11 runs and 16 RBi's last week.

Crump has an ERA of 0.00 in the last 20 innings and is 9-3 this season.   

Boise State's Boucher and North Make History Thursday

Thursday is a landmark day in Boise State history.  It is the day that Amber Boucher and Stephanie North become the first Broncos to compete in the fastest swim meet in the world, the United States Swimming Championships in Austin Texas.










Boucher will compete in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle races and the 100-yard butterfly.  She is seeded sixth in the butterfly and ninth in the 100-yard freestyle.  North will swim in the 50, 100 and 200-yard freestyle races.  


"When I started this program in 2006, I said in our fifth year we would win a conference championship and have our first NCAA qualifier," said head coach Kristin Hill. "We were a little ahead of schedule on the championship, but right on time with our NCAA swimmers. It is really special to have our first qualifiers be juniors because they have been with us for three years and really put in the hard work and dedication it takes to get the time drops they've seen and compete at this level."

Anderson's 1,000th Career Point a Big One

Senior La’Shard Anderson’s driving basket with one-tenth of a second to play saved Boise State’s season in an 83-80 victory last night over Austin Peay at Taco Bell Arena in the opening game of the College Basketball Invitational Tournament.

Anderson, who had been hounded all night by Peay’s Caleb Brown and did not play one of his better games, came through in the clutch after Brown had canned a shot with five seconds to play to give the Governors an 80-79 lead.  Anderson’s winning basket gave the Boise State star 1,001 career points, as he joined teammate Paul Noonan in the exclusive club. 

Rather than call timeout, Boise State Coach Leon Rice elected to send Anderson slicing through the Governor defense for the winning shot.  The ball caromed off the backboard, hit the rim and rolled through.  Austin Peay called timeout when they didn’t have any, resulting in two Noonan free throws for the final margin.

This one wasn’t pretty for the Broncos in general, who were playing this game just two nights after an emotional rollercoaster experience in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament that saw them trounce New Mexico State Friday night only to see their dreams dashed by #17 Utah State Saturday night.  Perhaps it is a testament of the ability of the Bronco players and their coaches that they could pull out a victory despite shooting 42.9% from the field in the first half while allowing their opponent to shoot 57.1%.

The Broncos seemingly had this one in command, opening up 10-point leads in the first half on two different occasions.  But Austin Peay would bounce back both times.  They weren’t going to go away and were determined to make this a barnburner.  That it was.  The Governors could not miss from the 10-15-foot range and the energetic opponents controlled the boards 42-25. 

Yet the Broncos weren’t to be denied either.  That isn’t the style of this Boise State team led by amazing first-year coach Leon Rice.  The team that was out-shot and out-rebounded and whose star player was 3-9 until his last shot stayed in the game in much the same way they displayed to the nation in the WAC Tournament—through sheer determination and scrappy play.

Anderson’s winner punctuated a back-and-forth second half in which there were 12 lead changes.  Austin Peay had actually grabbed a seven-point lead (78-71) with just six minutes to play.  But a Noonan basket and free throw cut the lead to four and the Broncos, buoyed by an enthusiastic Taco Bell crowd, somehow found the energy to battle back to get the win.

Brown poured in 22 points in the first half but his late-game bucket was his only points of the second half. 

Senior forward Daequon Montreal led Boise State with 14 points while freshman Jeff Elorriaga canned four treys for 12 points and Anderson and Noonan had 10 each.

The Marshall Plan

Want to make sure this one doesn't get buried and not able to be found.

http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4801452876333043866&postID=7049147224300643308

Boise State Offers Offensive Tackle

There are reports out of Orange County that Boise State has offered Travis Averill, 6' 4" 280 offensive tackle, from Anaheim Servite a scholarship.  The source is Averill's head coach.  Averill is an athletic lineman with good feet who replaced injured Kirifi Taula at left tackle in 2009 as a sophomore.  Servite was the #1-ranked team in Southern California last season.