2008 Woodie Awards
A note from the sports editor: winter sports
All four Mustang teams have been hard at work during winter break; end of competitive play just a month away
Bryce Rausch
Issue date: 1/18/06 Section: Sports
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The wrestlers are now in dual season, wheelchair basketball is about to start their second half of play after going over a month without a game and men and women's basketball are now focusing on conference teams. With the start of the spring semester our winter sports keep rolling along.
Wheelchair Basketball
Two years ago the wheelchair basketball team completely reshaped their team. A once very promising team lost height, experience and near automatic scorers, leaving the team extremely short-handed. Coach Dale Erickson had to refocus his game plan and currently, with a 4-7 record, the Mustangs will live and die by their shooting. Junior Nathan Peitz stepped up last year being the only returning starter from the previous season and remains a high scorer. Coach Erickson went out and did some recruiting to bring in shooters. In a sport that one day you can be playing a mediocre team and the next game you may be playing a national champion, shooting will be the key.
Wrestling
Coach John Sterner must be excited with the way this season is going. After a disappointing dual season last year and the devastating and tragic loss of Shawn Plumley last summer the Mustangs have gone 2-1 in duals this season. Of course wins come a little easier when you have one of the best 174-pound wrestlers in the NCAA II in senior Tim Johns. Junior Ryan Reed at 133-pounds has also stepped up this season and seen early season success after a quiet last year and senior Joel Whipperfurth, wrestling at 197-pounds, has been a consistent success for the Mustangs as well.
Women's Basketball
We knew this season was going to be a transition year for the women's basketball team. Lose two of the best SMSU basketball players in history (Michelle Bruns and Regan (French) Craigmile, add a new coaching staff with a very young team, and so far you'd get 4 wins with 11 losses. The Mustangs will hope to turn their season around now that they are facing more familiar opponents. The Mustangs will have to put a lot of weight on the shoulders of seniors Kelly Crimi, Alaura Sharp and Kristin Hairston (three of only five upper-classmen). On the bright side, coach Mike Power has created a very young team that is gaining experience early in their collegiate careers. If the team builds on their youthful foundation, in a few years they may be sitting near the top of the NSIC.
Men's Basketball
The men's team has come a long way. Last year at this time the Mustangs were 6-11 on their way to an 11-19 record for the season. This year the Mustangs are 8-7 and showing signs of strength. Twice this season the Mustangs have gathered themselves during a blowout to make the game interesting, doing so against a ranked Winona State team and Augustana (S.D.). The Mustangs have been impressive this season against ranked opponents, beating a tough South Dakota team ranked #18 at the time, also nearly beating #21 Northern State University 81-77 and #23 Winona State 77-67. Northern State is currently ranked sixth in the nation, Winona State is still ranked 23 and Concordia-St. Paul also received votes to be ranked nationally. With eight teams in the NSIC, that makes for a very competitive conference and one the Mustangs could do some damage within.
Wheelchair Basketball
Two years ago the wheelchair basketball team completely reshaped their team. A once very promising team lost height, experience and near automatic scorers, leaving the team extremely short-handed. Coach Dale Erickson had to refocus his game plan and currently, with a 4-7 record, the Mustangs will live and die by their shooting. Junior Nathan Peitz stepped up last year being the only returning starter from the previous season and remains a high scorer. Coach Erickson went out and did some recruiting to bring in shooters. In a sport that one day you can be playing a mediocre team and the next game you may be playing a national champion, shooting will be the key.
Wrestling
Coach John Sterner must be excited with the way this season is going. After a disappointing dual season last year and the devastating and tragic loss of Shawn Plumley last summer the Mustangs have gone 2-1 in duals this season. Of course wins come a little easier when you have one of the best 174-pound wrestlers in the NCAA II in senior Tim Johns. Junior Ryan Reed at 133-pounds has also stepped up this season and seen early season success after a quiet last year and senior Joel Whipperfurth, wrestling at 197-pounds, has been a consistent success for the Mustangs as well.
Women's Basketball
We knew this season was going to be a transition year for the women's basketball team. Lose two of the best SMSU basketball players in history (Michelle Bruns and Regan (French) Craigmile, add a new coaching staff with a very young team, and so far you'd get 4 wins with 11 losses. The Mustangs will hope to turn their season around now that they are facing more familiar opponents. The Mustangs will have to put a lot of weight on the shoulders of seniors Kelly Crimi, Alaura Sharp and Kristin Hairston (three of only five upper-classmen). On the bright side, coach Mike Power has created a very young team that is gaining experience early in their collegiate careers. If the team builds on their youthful foundation, in a few years they may be sitting near the top of the NSIC.
Men's Basketball
The men's team has come a long way. Last year at this time the Mustangs were 6-11 on their way to an 11-19 record for the season. This year the Mustangs are 8-7 and showing signs of strength. Twice this season the Mustangs have gathered themselves during a blowout to make the game interesting, doing so against a ranked Winona State team and Augustana (S.D.). The Mustangs have been impressive this season against ranked opponents, beating a tough South Dakota team ranked #18 at the time, also nearly beating #21 Northern State University 81-77 and #23 Winona State 77-67. Northern State is currently ranked sixth in the nation, Winona State is still ranked 23 and Concordia-St. Paul also received votes to be ranked nationally. With eight teams in the NSIC, that makes for a very competitive conference and one the Mustangs could do some damage within.