Dakota Athletic Conference

The DAC is a member of the NAIA and promotes sportsmanship and well-rounded athletic programs that contribute to the total education process of each athlete.

News Archives 2001-2002

June 30, 2002

(Mayville, ND) -- Mayville State University got a two-for-one package when they hired Terry Layton as their new Athletic Director. Along with his duties as Athletic Director, Layton will also serve as the Comets' head men's basketball coach.

Layton has extensive experience in coaching and administration in high school, junior college and four year college in the NAIA and NCAA Divsion II. He has worked with minor league basketball teams as coach and administrator in Minot and Billings, MT. Layton has also held committee positions within the NAIA and National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Layton has a sixty-five percent winning percentage at the college level, coaching at the junior college, NAIA and NCAA Division II levels. He has coached at Adams State College, CO (NCAA II), Azuza Pacific, CA (NAIA), Nebraska Western (NJCAA), Panhandle State, TX (NCAA II) and Northwest Nazarene, ID (NCAA II). His most recent coaching position was as head coach of the Billings RimRockers of the now defunct professional International Basketball Association.

Layton currently is President/Athletic Director of Basketball Connections, an international exchange program, which he founded,

Layton received his received a Bachelor of Science degree from Point Loma Nazarene, CA and a Master of Science from Minnesota State University-Mankato.

Layton, who currently lives in Alamosa, Colorado, began his duties on July first.


June 12. 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference has honored 721 athletes as DAC Scholars for the 2001-02 academic year.

In order to receive this award, an athlete must have maintained a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.25 (out of 4.00) at the end of their sport's season competition. Thirty-one percent of athletes competing in the DAC were honored with the academic award (721 of 2334).

The DAC presents a recognition plaque to the school with the highest percentage of athletes meeting the 3.25 GPA standard. Jamestown College is the recipient of the honor for the second consecutive year with 37 percent of their varsity athletes receiving academic honors.

A complete list of academic honorees can be found on the "DAC Scholar Athletes" page of the DAC web-site.


June 3, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference has twenty softball and baseball players on the 2002 NAIA Scholar Athletes list. Fifteen DAC softball players were recognized for their academic work, while five baseball players were honored.

The honorees are:

Softball	Dawn Sillman; Valley City State; Sr; Aberdeen, SD
Jodi Fahrenkamp; Huron University; Sr; Belle Plain, MN	Keri Lang; Valley City State; Sr; Sterling, ND
Amber Carpenter; Huron University; Sr; Warroad, MN	Kodi Kooiman; University of Mary; Sr; Ripon, CA
Amy Schroeder; Huron University; Sr; Henderson, MN	Kristin Keith; Minot State; Jr; Prince George, BC
Tamara Osborn; Huron University; Jr; Wichita, KS	Leah Robertson; Valley City State; Jr; Ogilvie, MN
Karen Hildebrand; Dakota State; Jr; Morden, Manitoba	Baseball
Brenda Meyers; Valley City State; Sr; Winnipeg, Manitoba	Jared Overman; Dickinson State; Sr; Gillette, WY
Jessica McGee; University of Mary; Sr; Laurel, MT	Joshua McMenamy; Mayville State; Jr; Thompson, ND
Laura Beers; Dakota State; Sr; Billings, MT	Jared Whitehouse; Mayville State; Woodstock, New Brunswick
Erin Maitland; Valley City State; Sr; Lenore, Manitoba	Gregory Lunski; Mayville State; Sr; Thompson, ND
Jolaine Twentyman; Minot State; Jr; Calgary, Alberta	Richard Dean; Mayville State; Sr; Langley, BC

A complete list of Scholar Athletes can be found on the NAIA web-site.


June 3, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- Ten Dakota Athletic Conference baseball players have received post-season honors from the NAIA. One player was selected as a second team All-American, while nine others received Honorable Mentions.

Mayville State, junior, designated hitter Clark Andres was chosen a second team All-American. The Honorable Mention recipients are: second baseman Travis Dressler of the University of Mary; Valley City State third baseman Tom Klapp; catchers Kevin Lammerding of Jamestown College and James Thornton of Valley City State; outfielders James Ferrell of Huron University and Brent Krause of Jamestown College and pitchers Ryan Astle of the University of Mary and Jared Whitehouse and Greg Lunski of Mayville State.

A complete list of the NAIA baseball All-Americans can be found on the NAIA web-site.


May 31, 2002

(Spearfish, SD) -- Black Hills State University has named Robert Synhorst as their new Athletic Director. He replaces Dave Little, who is retiring following more than 30 years as a teacher, coach and administrator at BHSU.

The 30-year-old Synhorst is currently the Development Officer in the athletics department at the University of Nebraska. He will begin his new job in July.


May 28, 2002

(Lewiston, ID) -- The Mayville State comets saw their season come to and end with a 13-4 setback at the hands of Embry-Riddle, FL, in loser-out action at the NAIA baseball tournament.

After the Comets tied the score at three in the bottom of the third, Embry-Riddle scored nine runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth inning to secure the win.

Geoff Zimmerman had three of the Comets' seven hits, including his eleventh homer of the season, in the loss. Phil Medina was losing pitcher.

The Comets end up with a 2-2 record in their first trip to the national tournament since 1964. Their overall season record is 34-15.


May 28, 2002

(Olathe, KS) -- Seventeen Dakota Athletic Conference track and field athletes have been honored for their academic accomplishments as 2002 NAIA Scholar Athletes.

The honorees are:

Annie Goodson; Mary; Sr; Harrison, ID	Kristie VandenHoek; Dakota State; Jr; Stickney, SD
Michelle Monson; Jamestown; Sr; Wolf Point MT	Laura Carrow; Dakota State; Sr; Pipestone, MN
Erica Mois; Jamestown; Jr; Rochert, MN	Shane Hartman; Mary; Sr; Killdeer, ND
Jennifer Gerving; Minot State; Jr; Wibaux, MT	Timothy J. Bishop; Black Hills State; Sr; Lindsborg, KS
Amberly Stephens; Jamestown; Jr; Augusta, MT	Casey Jeffrey; South Dakota Tech; Sr, Spearfish, SD
Rachel Travis; Black Hills State; Jr; Platte, SD	Eric Eisenbraun; Dakota State; Jr; Lead, SD
Jessica Gibson; Mary; Jr; Laramie, WY	Brad Tighe; Minot State; Sr; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Shayna Kalmback; Mary; Sr; Fallen, MT	Adam Hansen; Dakota State; Sr; Yankton, SD
Desa Rae Doyle; Dakota State; Sr; DeSmet, SD

To earn NAIA Scholar Athlete honors, athletes must be juniors or seniors academically and maintain a grade point average of at least 3.50.

A complete list of NAIA Track and Field Scholar Athletes can be found on the NAIA web-site.


May 27, 2002

(Lewiston, Idaho) -- Mayville State dropped into the losers bracket of the NAIA Baseball Tournament after a 7-3 setback at the hands of Albertson, ID.

Alberrtson jumped out to a 6-0 lead after three innings of play. The Comets sccored single runs in the top of the fourth, sixth and seventh innings. but the Coyotes shut the Comets down in the final two innings to pick up the third round victory.

Geoff Zimmerman hit his tenth homer of the season for MSU and Mike Higginbotham and Brendan Harz each drove in a run in the loss. Jared Whitehouse was tabbed with the loss.

The Comets (34-14) will face Embry-Riddle, FL (51-11), at 11am Tuesday in a loser-out match-up.


May 25, 2002

(Olathe, Kansas) -- Five Dakota Athletic Conference athletes won national championships at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Amanda Anderson of Dickinson State won her second straight national crown in the discus with a winning throw of 146'-9". The University of Mary's Annie Goodson added the national championship in the heptathlon to her already impressive college track resume with 4969, which was more than 250 points over her nearest competitor. Goodson's teammate Karla Fandrich took title in the 100 hurdles in a time of :13.86.

On the men's side, Dickinson State's Aaron Cleare captured the title in the 400 meters in a time of 46.92 seconds. Mary's Pawel Oboz won the marathon in 2:31:41.23.

In the team standings, Doane, Nebraska, won the women's championship with 67 points. Mary was the top DAC team in seventh place with 45 Points. Black Hills State placed 14th with 22 points; Minot State tied for 15th with 21; Dickinson State was tied for 23rd with 12; Jamestown finished 25th wtih 11 and Dakota State was 56th with one-and-a-half points. Fifty-eight teams scored in the women's compeition.

Azusa Pacific, CA, won the men's team national championship with 54 points. Dickinson State was the highest ranked DAC team in sixth place with 34 points. Minot State finished 11th with 25; Mary 17th with 16.5; Black Hills State tied for 18th with 16 and South Dakota Tech tied for 27th with 11 points.

Individual results for DAC athletes can be found on the "Outdoor Track Results" page of this web-site. Complete meet results can be found on the NAIA web-site.


May 25, 2002

(Lewiston, Idaho) -- Mayville State opened the NAIA National Baseball tournament with an 11-10 win over Indiana Tech on Friday.

The Comets jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings, but the Warriors came back to take a 5-4 lead after four. The Comets pushed a run across in the top of the fourth to tie at five before Craig Hern hit a grand slam to unlock the contest. Tech scored two in the bottom of the fifth and one in the seventh to climb to within 9-8. Both teams put two runs on the board in the eighth to make it 11-10.

Mike Czerwieniec picked up the win in relief and Josh McMenemy and Rich Dean each homered at the Comets moved into the second round.

In second round play Saturday, MSU outslugged Ohio Dominican, 16-11, with Mike Lorz leading the way with a pair of singles, a home run and six RBI. Rich Dean, Clark Andres and Craig Hern also went deep for the Comets.

MSU scored a run in the bottom of the first, but OD answered with four in the second. The Comets reclaimed the lead with five in the fourth, including two on Lorz homer, and never trailed the rest of the way to claim the victory.

MSU, which scored in every inning except the second, collected fifteen hits. Lorz and Geoff Zimmerman had three apiece and Josh McMenamy, Brendan Herz and Hern each had two. Clark Andres picked up the victory.

MSU (34-13) will return to action at 3pm Monday against Albertson, Idaho (40-18).


May 24, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- Black Hills State University's Dave Little has been named the Dakota Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year by his conference peers.

Little is in his second stint as athletic director at BHSU. He first served from 1986-1990 and returned to the post in 1996. Little, a 1965 graduate of Northern State University, began his coaching and teaching duties at BHSU in 1968. In 1970, he became the head men's cross country and track coach and added the women's head job in 1987. Little earned NAIA District 12 Coach of the Year honors on twelve occassions.

He resigned from his coaching duties in 1998 to focus on his administrative duties. During his coaching tenure, the Yellow Jackets captured 17 cross country conference titles and 30 track and field championships. He also served as president of the NAIA executive committee on cross country from 1984-86.

Little will conclude his career as BHSU Athletic Director and as Director of the Donald E. Young Fitness Center on June 28, 2002.

Little is now eligible for the Region III Athletic Director of the Year.


May 22, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- The University of Mary has been awarded the 2001-02 Dakota Athletic Conference Commisioner's Cup, which is awarded to the member institution with the best overall record in conference competition in a single academic year. Points are awarded in each school's finish in conference sports that included a conference champion.

Mary finished first with 135 points. Last year's cup winner, Jamestown College, finished second with 125.5. Dickinson State with 116, Minot State with 105 and Black Hills State with 103 round out the top five. South Dakota Tech was sixth with 82.5 points followed by Dakota State with 70, Valley City State with 60, Mayville State with 52 and Huron University with 40.

Points are awarded in the following manner: 20 for first, 18 for second 16 for third, etc, in the four required sports (football, volleyball, men's basketball, women's basketball) and 10 for first, 9 for second, 8 for third, etc, in optional sports (baseball, softball, men's and women's indoor track and field, men's and women's outdoor track and field, men's and women's cross country). Only sports with at least one-half of the conference member institutions are included in the calculation.


May 20, 2002

(Decatur, AL) -- The University of Mary was eliminated from the NAIA Softball Tournament with a 5-2 loss at the hands of second seeded Simon Fraser, BC, in the quarterfinals and an 8-0 setback to Point Loma Nazarene, CA, in a loser-out match-up.

Danelle Murphy suffered the loss, he first in four decisions at the national tourney, and Tanya Guzman and Cassandra Smith had two hits apiece to lead the Marauders offensive attack.

Point Loma allowed just two Marauder hits, one each by Cassandra Smith and Marie Maita. Danelle Murphy was tabbed with the loss.

The Marauders season ends with a 30-18 record and their best ever showing at the national tournament.


May 18, 2002

(Decatur, AL) -- The University of Mary remains in the winners' bracket at the NAIA Softball Tournament after knocking off number eleven Houston Baptist, 5-1.

The Marauders got a two-run home run from Tanya Guzman in a three run third that gave them a 3-0 lead. Stephanie Johnson added a two-run single in the sixth and Danelle Murphy picked up her third straight win at the national tournament.

The win advances Mary (31-15) to the championship quarterfinals, where they will face second seeded Simon Fraser, BC (31-3) at 11am Monday, May 20. A win would vault the Marauders into a semifinal match-up Tuesday morning; a loss would put them in a loser out game Tuesday evening.

The quarterfinal appearance is the farthest that Mary has advanced at the national softball tournament.


May 17, 2002

(Decatur, AL) -- In their fourth consecutive appearance at the NAIA Softball Tournament, the University of Mary is making a little noise. The Marauders picked up a pair of wins over Concordia, MI and the third seed from Union, TN.

Mary scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to win their tourney opener, 4-3, over Concordia. Nicole Seaver drove in the tying run and Tania Guzman picked up the game winning hit. Danelle Murphy got the win, allowing just two earned runs and ten hits.

The Marauders then knocked off Union in a 2-0 blanking of the tourney's third seed. Angela Bautista drove in the game winner with a sacrifice bunt in the sixth and Cassandra Smith singled in an insurance run in the same inning. Murphy picked up her second win in the tournament with a complete game two-hit shut-out.

Mary takes in 30-15 record into their third game of the tourney against number eleven Houston Baptist (42-12) at 3pm on May 18.


May 17, 2002

(Mayville, ND) -- Mayville state defeated Bellevue, NE, 16-4 to capture the Plains Super Region title and earn a trip to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 1964.

After defeating Bellevue 13-10 in game one of the best-of-three series, the Comets jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first in game two. Bellevue put three runs on the board in the bottom half of the frame, but MaSU scored two in the second, five in the fourth and one in the fifth to break the game open.

After losing to the University of Mary in the DAC Tournament championship game and again in the first round of the Region III tournament, the Comets have rattled off seven straight triumphs to earn their first berth to the national tournament in 38 years. The Comets are making their fourth trip to the national tournament overall, also advancing in 1958, 1963 and 1964.

The NAIA National Tournament takes place May 24-31 in Lewistown, Idaho. Pairings for the tournament will be released on Monday.


May 13, 2002

(Jamestown, ND) -- Mayville State captured their second consecutive Region III Baseball Tournament Championship with an 11-1 win over top seeded St. Scholastica, MN, to advance to the Super Regional.

The Comets lost their first round contest to the University of Mary 11-1 to force them into the losers bracket. They then went on to defeat Huron University, Mary and Briar Cliff, IA, to advance to the championship against St. Scholastica.

Mayville State needed to beat St. Scholastica twice in the double-elimination format to capture the regional championship. On Sunday, the Comets topped the Saints 7-6 and captured the title with an 11-1 triumph on Monday.

MaSU (32-13) now hosts Region IV champion Bellevue, NE (44-13), in the best-of-three Super Regional on May 16-17. Bellevue defeated the Comets two-games-to-none in last years Super Regional.


May 11, 2002

(Bismarck, ND) -- The University of Mary softball team has advanced to their fourth straight NAIA National tournament with a 10-0 win over Jamestown College in the championship game of the Region III Tournament in Bismarck.

The Marauders went 3-0 enroute to the regional tournament championship. They opened the tournament with a 5-1 win over St. Scholastica, MN and then beat Jamestown 3-2 in the semifinals before topping the Jimmies in the championship match-up.

Mary will travel to Decatur, AL, for the national tournament, May 17-21. The Marauders, who improved to 28-15 with the three regional victories, will open national tourney play on Friday, May 17 when they will face Concordia, MI (34-18), at 10am Central Time. A victory will push U-Mary into a winners' bracket contest against number three Union, TN (50-5) at 3:30pm, while a loss will drop them into a losers' bracket encounter with the loser of Mid-Continent, KY (31-13) or St. Xavier, IL (44-15), at 7pm.

Last season, the Marauders won their open round contest before being eliminated with a pair of losses.


April 3, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- The University of Mary has been voted to repeat as Dakota Athletic Conference softball champions in the 2002 DAC Softball Coaches' Poll.

The Marauders, who also won the Region III championship and advanced to the national tournament last season, received all eight first place votes to top the balloting. Jamestown College, Valley City State and Minot State round out the top half of the poll. Dakota State, Huron University, Dickinson State and Mayville State are fifth through eighth, respectively.

The poll was conducted by the Dakota Athletic Conference.

Below are the results of the DAC softball coaches' poll with first place votes in parenthesis:

2002 Preseason	2001	2001	20001	Total
Softball Coaches'	DAC	Overall	DAC	Voting
Power Poll	Record	Record	Place	Points
University of Mary (8)	20-1	42-8	1st	64
Jamestown College	15-10	28-17	4th	51
Valley City State	16-9	21-12	3rd	48
Minot State	21-7	24-15	2nd	41
Dakota State	9-17	11-23	5th	34
Huron University	5-13	8-20	8th	24
Dickinson State	8-18	14-20	6th	16
Mayville State	5-17	10-21	7th	10


April 1, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- Defending champion Mayville State University has been tabbed the favorites in the 2002 Dakota Athletic Conference Baseball Coaches' Preseason Poll.

The Comets, who captured the regional title and advanced to the sectionals last season, received all eight first place votes to top the 2002 poll. Jamestown College and Valley City State finished second and third, respectively. Rounding out the poll are the University of Mary, Huron University, Minot State, Dakota State and Dickinson State.

The poll was conducted by the Dakota Athletic Conference.

Below are the results of the DAC baseball coaches' poll with first place votes in parenthesis:

2002 Preseason	2001	2001	2001	Total
Baseball Cocahes'	DAC	Overall	DAC	Voting
Power Poll	Record	Record	Place	Points
Mayville State (8)	23-1	35-8	1st	64
Jamestown College	16-6	23-14	2nd	54
Valley City State	18-8	22-19	3rd	45
University of Mary	11-6	18-13	4th	43
Huron University	9-9	13-16	5th	33
Minot State	7-18	10-19	6th	19
Dakota State	1-23	4-24	8th	17
Dickinson State	3-15	6-30	7th	13


March 26, 2002

By SCOTT THROLSON Jamestown Sun Sports Editor Rollie Greeno is preparing his Jamestown College men's track team for the upcoming outdoor season, and a run at a 24th consecutive conference title. He's also preparing to coach his final season. Greeno will resign at the end of this coming track season, his 37th with the Jimmies.

"It's something I have not looked forward to," said Greeno, who has been a teacher and coach for 52 years. "I'm not burned out. I love going to class. I still love going to my coaching assignments and meets. But it's time. And so I quit. I didn't get fired this time."

Greeno has been a big part of Jamestown College athletics over the past 37 years.

"I had hoped this day would never come," said JC athletic director Brad Huse. "I feel very fortunate to have worked beside coach Greeno for the past six years. Our athletic department has surely changed in many ways during the past 37 years, however the one constant has been Rollie Greeno."

Throughout his career at Jamestown College, Greeno has led his teams to numerous championships, whether in football, wrestling, cross country or track.

His track teams have earned 28 indoor and 26 outdoor conference championships. Included in that was a span of 21 consecutive indoor titles and their current string of 23 consecutive outdoor conference titles - the final 22 North Dakota College Athletic Conference crowns and last year's initial Dakota Athletic Conference outdoor title. Every Jamestown College indoor and outdoor school record has been set during Greeno's tenure. A total of 112 Jimmie athletes have finished as placewinners at the national level.

In cross country, Greeno led the Jimmies to 21 conference titles. He guided the wrestling program to a 150-110-4 record, a winning percentage of .576. In football, Greeno's teams won eight NDCAC championships and had 22 winning seasons in 27 years. He led the Jimmies to a 154-83-2 record, a .649 winning percentage.

"Coach Greeno's records and championships will likely never be matched, but he will be remembered for much more than that as he has been a positive influence on thousands of students and athletes for generations," Huse said.

The secret to Greeno's success?

"The harder I work, the luckier I get," he always says.

Greeno's influence extended beyond the locker room and the classroom.

"Coach always took his professional responsibilities seriously," said Lawrie Paulson, chairperson of the physical education department and a former Jamestown College football player under Greeno. "He enjoyed being in the classroom and getting to know students beyond his own team members. His value in the classroom went way beyond what was in textbooks.

"Who knows how many students were influenced in a positive way by listening to him speak about his philosophy and his experiences. His retirement will leave a huge void in our faculty that will be almost impossible to fill in terms of experience and willingness to do whatever needed to be done."

Lining the walls of Greeno's office at the Hansen Center are team photos of every one of his teams over the years, thousands of athletes who learned from him.

"He is a coach in every sense of the word as he loves to teach and yet he demands commitment, loyalty, dedication and toughness from his student-athletes," Huse said. "I doubt he has forgotten a name or face of one of his athletes and he can probably relate a story about every one of them.

"He always talks about his graduates and teams with pride and he is so proud of those who went on to contribute to society."

The Jamestown College football field was renamed Rollie Greeno Field in 1999 and the Jimmie Boosters Club has established the Rollie Greeno Award honoring alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to youth through a career in education and/or coaching.

In 1991, the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association awarded Greeno its Special Achievement Award, the highest honor given by the state's sports media.

After coaching one final season, Greeno will be returning to his rural roots. But for now, there's one more season to prepare for, and another group of athletes to lead on a quest to repeat as conference champs.

"While there will be ample time to celebrate and reflect on Rollie's incredible accomplishments to Jamestown College, it will be important that we allow him to fully complete this year and coach his final team this spring," said Huse.

"When the history of Jamestown College is written, the name Rollie Greeno will figure prominently indeed," said Jamestown College President Jerry Combee. "What he has accomplished here is the makings of legends."


March 26, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- Dickinson State University Athletic Director Roger Ternes has been named the NAIA Region III Athleitc Director of the Year, while University of Mary Athletic Director Al Bortke has been elected chairman of the NAIA Council of Athletic Administrators.

Ternes received bachelor of science degree from Dickinson State in 1977 and master of education degree from Chadron State (Neb) in 1978.

Prior to coming to Dickinson State, Ternes, who is in his third year at his alma mater, was the Director of Athletics at William Woods University if Fulton, Misssouri, from 1979-1999.

Bortke adds the duties of a chairman of the NAIA Council of Athletic Administrators to an already full resume.

Bortke has been U-Mary's first and only full-time Athletic Director since 1989 and has helped develop one of the top small college athletic programs in the upper midwest.

Bortke also serves as the chairman of the Dakota Athletic Conference Athletic Directors Council and is the NAIA Region III chair.


March 18, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference has eighteen women's basketball players, six men's basketball players and two wrestlers on the NAIA Scholar Athletes list for the 2001-02 season.

Here is a list of the honorees:

Women's Basketball	Women's Basketball	Men's Basketball
Erin Neilsen - Dakota State	Holly Barnes - South Dakota Tech	Matthew Pendergrass - Dakota State
Angela Jordan - Dickinson State	Jennifer DeGroot - South Dakota Tech	Jaden Blake - Dickinson State
Tina Partin - Dickinson State	Jami Zilles - South Dakota Tech	Jayden Olson - Dickinson State
Jenica Elsperger - Jamestown College	Jan Andring - University of Mary	Kelly Cota - Mayville State
Sarah McLean - Jamestown College	Shayley Bebee - University of Mary	Graham Peterson - University of Mary
Kassy Anderson - Mayville State	Jessie Slinde - University of Mary	Nate Welstad - University of Mary
Lindsey Eliason - Mayville State	Heather Stuberg - University of Mary	Wrestling
Kristeen Hoffman - Mayville State	Kelly Martin - Valley City State	Bryce Villa - Jamestown College
Kayla Blom - Minot State	Kelli Moore - Valley City State	Jason LaBrie - University of Mary

A complete list can be found on the NAIA web-site.


March 12, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- Beau Hensel of Jamestown College, Kayla Blom of Minot State and Dickinson State's Stacie Schorsch have been named NAIA Basketball All Americans for the 2001-02 season. Six other Dakota Athletic Conference players received Honorable Mentions.

Hensel, the DAC Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Senior, was named to the NAIA third team. The Belgrade, MT, native helped lead the Jimmies to the DAC regular season and post-season championships and into the second round of the National NAIA Division II Tournament. Hensel was fifth in the conference in scoring with 19.2 points, second in rebounds with 7.4 and also averaged 1.9 assists per game.

Blom, the conference's Most Valuable Senior, was chosen to the NAIA second team. She helped the Beavers to a second place tie in the regular season and the DAC tournament championship game. The Lignite, ND, native led the DAC in scoring at 19.3 points per game and added 3.3 assists per game.

Schorsch, a junior from Richardton, ND, was selected to the NAIA third team. The DAC Most Valuable Player assisted the Blue Hawks to a tie for second place in the regular season. Schorsch was third in the conference in scoring at 17.9 points per game and led the DAC in rebounds at 9.4 rebounds per game.

Honorable Mention recipients are: South Dakota Tech, senior, guard Quinn Diede; Black Hills State, junior, forward Josh Griffeth; Travis Lindgren, a junior, guard from Mayville State; junior, guard Mike McCarty from Black Hills State; senior, guard Joel Nieskens of Jamestown College, and Mayville State, junior, guard Lindsey Eliason.

A complete list of Basketball All-Americans can be found on the NAIA web-site.


March 8, 2002

(Point Lookout, MO) -- Jamestown College and Black Hills State saw their seasons come to a close with second round losses at the NAIA Division II National Men's Basketball Tournament.

Jamestown, the sixth seed in the tournament, lost to number eleven MidAmerica Nazarene, KS, 75-70.

The Jimmies trailed 41-37 at the half, but came back to knot the game up at 60 apiece in the second half. MidAmerica then outscored the Jimmies 15-10 to pick up the second round triumph.

DAC Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Senior Beau Hensel closed out his career with a game high 25 points and 11 rebounds. Antonio Johnson chipped in with 17 and Joel Nieskens added 10 in a losing cause. Adam Utz led MidAmerica with 22.

The Jimmies, who swept the regular season and tournament championships in the DAC, finish the campaign with a 27-6 record.

Black Hills State's season ended with an 83-66 setback at the hands of top seeded Evangel, MO.

The Yellow Jackets fell behind 45-34 at the half and Evagel outscored them 38-32 in the second half to pick up the seventeen point victory.

Mike McCarty led five Jackets in double-figures with 18. Josh Griffeth chipped in with 13, Moe Terry added 12 and Aaron Valentine and Ryan Sikkink had 10 apiece. Daniel Cutbirth led Evangel with 28.

Black Hills State, who was runner-up in the conference to Jamestown in the regular season and post-season tournament, closed out 2001-2002 with a 24-8 record.


(Sioux City, IA) -- South Dakota Tech saw their season come to a close with a 72-64 loss to top seed Holy Family, PA, in second round action of the NAIA Division II National Women's Basketball Tournament.

The Lady Hardrockers were led by sophomore Miaken Ziegler with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Senior Jaime Rathjen ended her career with 15 points and 8 boards. Karyn Connors led Holy Family with 18 points.

The Hardrockers advanced to the second round with a 75-72 win over sixteenth seeded Brevard, NC. Tech, the regular season DAC champions, end the season with a 21-10 record.


March 7, 2002

(Point Lookout, MO) -- Black Hills State advanced to the second round of the NAIA Division II National Men's Basketball Tournament with 72-62 win over number sixteen Brevard, NC.

The Yellow Jackets trailed Brevard 28-25 at half but outscored them 47 to 34 in the second half to pick up the first round victory. The Jackets, who led the nation in 3-point shooting at 48.1%, hit just 1 of 11 pointers, but connected on 19 of 25 free throws in the win.

DAC Newcomer of the Year Josh Griffeth led the Jackets with 22 points. Mike McCarty added 14 and Aaron Valentine had 12 points and 8 rebounds as BHSU improved to 24-7. Brevard was led by David Evans with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Black Hills State, who advanced to the national tournament with a runner-up finish to regular season champ Jamestown College in the conference tournament, will return to action at 9:45 Friday evening when they face #1 Evangel, MO (31-1) in second round play.


(Sioux City, IA) -- South Dakota Tech hit 4 of 4 free throws in the final minute to pick up a 75-72 win over sixteenth seeded Brevard, NC, at the NAIA Division II National Women's Basketball Tournament.

Jennifer DeGroot hit two free throws with just under a minute left in the game to push the Lady Hardrockers ahead 73-72. Katie Norman hit two more from the stripe with just seconds remaining to secure the victory for the DAC regular season champions.

Tech led by seven at half, 38-31, but Brevard came back to take the lead in the second half before DeGroot and Norman hit free throws for the Lady Hardrockers twenty-first win of the season.

Krystal Kubas led four Hardrockers in double figures with 16. Jaime Rathjen added 12. Miaken Ziegler chipped in with 11 points and 9 rebounds and DeGroot had a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards. Pam Sanders and Deia Mack led Brevard with 18 points apiece.

South Dakota Tech, who improved to 21-9 with the win, have a tough task in the second round as they face the top seed Holy Family, PA, in the second round at 10:15am Friday. Holy Family is 29-1 following their 60-56 win over Green Mountain, VT, in the first round.


March 6, 2002

(Point Lookout, MO) -- Jamestown College, the DAC regular season and tournament champions, opened the NAIA Division II National Men's Basketball Tournament with a thrilling 82-80 triumph over the host College of the Ozarks.

With the score tied at 80, senior center Antonio Johnson put back a missed three-pointer by Brandon Wilkens with 3.1 seconds left to lift the sixth seeded Jimmies to the victory. Ozarks then missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.

Johnson led the Jimmies with 21 points and 7 rebounds. DAC Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Senior Beau Hensel added 16 and Brandon Wilkens had 11 points and 9 rebounds. Joel Nieskens had 10 and Benny Fregela and Eddrin Williams chipped in 10 points apiece off the bench. Josh Hume led six Ozarks' players in double-figures with 27.

The Jimmies, who improved to 27-5 with the win, will return to action Friday in the second round as they will face eleventh seeded MidAmerica Nazerene, KS at 6:15. MidAmerica Nazarene is 26-8 after topping Ohio Dominican 81-70 in the first round. This will be the second meeting of the year for the two teams as Jamestown fell to MidAmerica Nazarene 87-71 on November 10 at a tournament hosted by MidAmerica Nazarene.


(Sioux City, IA) -- Black Hills State saw their season come to an end with a 70-56 setback at the hands of the sixth seed College of the Ozarks, MO, at the NAIA Division II Women's National Tournament.

The Lady Yellow Jackets were led by Darcy Reinicke with 12 points and 6 rebounds and Amanda Schelle with 12 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Melissa Christensen added 9 points and 5 boards in the loss. Ozarks was led by Katie Howard with 15.

Black Hills State, who advanced to the national tourney by winning three straight road games to capture the DAC tournament, finish the season with a 17-13 record.


March 2, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- Twenty-seven Dakota Athletic Conference athletes earned All-American honors at the National NAIA Indoor Track and Field Meet in Johnson City, TN.

Four individuals won individual national championships. Tim Bishop of Black Hills State won two individual titles, the 1000 meters and the one mile run. Other individual DAC national champions are: Minot State's Brad Tighe in the 3000 meters; Annie Goodson from the University of Mary in the pentathlon and Kari Wilson from the University of Mary in the pole vault.

Goodson was the only DAC athlete to place in three events. Along with her win in the pentathlon, she placed second in the high jump and fifth in the 55 meter hurdles. Mary's Karla Fandrich joined Bishop as a double placer, finishing second in the 55 meter hurdles and sixth in the pentathlon.

In the men's team standings, Black Hills State finished fourth with 32 points; Minot State placed seventh with 26; Dickinson State was 22nd with eight; South Dakota Tech finished in a tie for 39th with four points and the University of Mary was 48th with 1.7 points. Fifty-two teams scored in the men's competition.

In the women's team standings, the University of Mary placed third with 47 points; Black Hills State was 12th with twenty points; Minot State tied for 33rd with with four points; Jamestown College placed 38th with three and Dakota State was tied for 42nd with one point. Forty-two teams scored in the women's competiton.

Results of DAC athletes can be found on the "Indoor Track Results" page and complete meet results can be found on the NAIA web-site.


March 2, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- Ten wrestlers from the Dakota Athletic Conference earned All-American honors at the NAIA National Wrestling Tournament in Great Falls, MT.

The University of Mary had six wrestlers garner All-American honors. The six Marauders are: Pat Runez, third at 125; Aaron Hartnell, fourth at 125; Brian Biel, fourth at 133; Jason Labrie, 3rd at 165; Danny Williams, seventh at 174, and Randy Gust, seventh at 197.

Jamestown College had two All-Americans and Dickinson State and Huron University had one apiece. The two Jimmies are: JayMe Depee, 7th at 157 and Tom Iverson, eighth at 157. The lone Blue Hawk All-American is Jesse Beckler, sixth at 141 and Huron's placer was Robert Buggs, sixth at 197.

In the team standings, Mary finished seventh with 91 points, Jamestown was 12th with 37.5, Dickinson State was 16th with 16 and Huron University placed 17th with 14.5 points.

Complete team standings and results of the DAC All-American place matches can be found on the "Results" page of "Wrestling." Complete tournament results can be found on the NAIA web-site.


February 26, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- Jamestown College and Black Hills State captured the championships in the Dakota Athletic Conference Basketball Tournaments. The Jimmies added the tournament championship to go with their regular season title as they defeated Black Hills State 76-to-73 in the men's title contest, while the Yellow Jackets topped Minot State for the women's crown, 70-to-65 in overtime.

Jamestown had three players in double-figures in the home triumph. Beau Hensel had 23, Joel Nieskens 14 and Brandon Wilkens added eleven points and nine rebounds. Black Hills State was led by Mike McCarty with 16. Derrick Yarber added 14, Nathan Vogel 12 and Josh Griffeth ten in the loss.

The Jimmies outshot the Yellow Jackets 52 to 41 percent and was also more efficient at the free throw line, converting on 11-of-12 compared to 9-of-17 for BHSU.

Jamestown College receives an automatic berth to the national tournament with their top finish in the DAC in the regular season. Black Hills State also advances to the national tourney with their runner-up finish to the regular season champions in the conference tournament. The NAIA Division II Tournament will be held March 6-12 in Point Lookout, Missouri.

Black Hills State outscored Minot State 15-to-10 in overtime to capture the women's tournament championship. The Yellow Jackets held a one point edge at half, 31-to-30, but the Beavers outscored them 25-to-24 in the second half to force the overtime.

The Yellow Jackets shot just 31 percent in the contest, but made up for their lack of success from the field by hitting 26-of-33 free throws.

Darcy Reinicke had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Amanda Mortenson and Amanda Schelle had 15 points apiece to help lead the fifth seeded Yellow Jackets to their third straight road win of the tournament. Kayla Blom led Minot State with 22 points and Jaime Lamoureaux chipped in 12.

With the tournament victory, Black Hills State will join regular season champion South Dakota Tech at the NAIA Division II National Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa, March 6-12.


January 29, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- Valley City State quarterback Jeremy Peschel has signed a contract to play for the Baden Bruins in the Austrian International Football League - 1st Division.

The AIFL is the top Austrian football league and consists of ten teams. The ten team's are divided into two divisions. The league's season runs from April through June with the top two teams from each division advancing to the playoffs in July.

Peschel, a native of Wahpeton, ND, is a two time DAC Most Valuable Player and two time finalist for the Rawlings-NAIA Player of the Year Award.

Peschel, a four year starter at Valley City State, set 18 school records and threw for more than 77-hundred yards and 70 touchdowns. In his final two seasons, Peschel led the Vikings to an 18-and-two record, the DAC championship in 2000 and back-to-back appearances in the NAIA playoffs.

According to Todd Hendricks, a European league scout, the AIFL is "a very good league with very high caliber football that will test Peschel's skills. It will be a great experience for the former Valley City State star."


January 15, 2002

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference has 34 players who earned NAIA Scholar Athlete honors in football.

Here is a list of DAC NAIA Football Scholar Athletes:

John Rounds - Black Hills State	Jason Bergman - Huron	Brian Difonzo - Minot State
Jess Harnsel - Dakota State	Dustin Boatman - Huron	Charles Jonassaint - Minot State
Lucas Schell - Dakota State	Anthony Perry - Jamestown	Travis Titus - Minot State
Aric Boschee - Dakota State	Tanner Gleave - Jamestown	Luke Klemke - SD Tech
Jeremy Olawsky - Dakota State	Davin Leier - Jamestown	Ty Francis - University of Mary
Joshua Conklin - Dakota State	Kacy Kirby - Jamestown	Jay Phalen - University of Mary
Roeun Im - Dakota State	Brian Eichhorn - Jamestown	Josh Smith - University of Mary
Nick Walker - Dickinson State	Jay Lies - Jamestown College	Paul Goicoechea - University of Mary
Jeffrey Mikowski - Huron	Stephen Schreibeis - Mayville State	Jason Buono - University of Mary
Nathaniel Kelley - Huron	Richard Hinkle - Mayville State	Randy Reinhofer - University of Mary
Cameron Monteath - Huron	Eric Anderson - Mayville State	Dallas Stuker - University of Mary
	Derek Schlieve - Mayville State