July 21, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is proud to announce the 2007-08 scholar teams. NAIA student-athletes around the country work diligently throughout the year for academic excellence at their respective institutions. This year over 750 teams earned at least a 3.0 team grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) during the 2007-08 academic year, as defined by its institution.

Under head coach David Thoruilson, the women's soccer team at Carroll College, MT tops the chart with a 3.89 team grade point average.

The seven DAC teams to earn NAIA Scholar Team honors are Black Hills State women’s basketball, women’s golf and volleyball; Jamestown College women’s cross country, women’s indoor track & field and women’s outdoor track & field and Minot State softball.

The NAIA is committed to high standards and to the principle that participation in athletics serves as an integral part of the total education process. Furthermore the Association is dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics and provides student  athletes an environment that values academic and athletic excellence.

For a complete list of NAIA Scholar Teams, go to the NAIA web-site.

June 27, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- For the fourth straight year, South Dakota Mines is the recipient of the Dakota Athletic Conference Scholars Award.

The award is presented annually to the school with the highest percentage of student-athletes honored as DAC Scholar-Athletes. Forty-eight percent of Hardrocker athletes earned recognition for their academic achievements.

In order to be recognized as a DAC Scholar-Athlete, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better and have earned twelve or more credit hours for a semester in which he/she participates in a conference sponsored sport.

In addition, after a review of the Commissioner’s Cup standings, it has been determined that Jamestown College will share the award with Black Hills State. The Commissioner’s Cup is awarded to the member institution with the best overall record in conference competition. Points are given based on each school’s finish in conference sports that include a conference championship.

June 20, 2008

(Madison, SD) -- Jeff Dittman has resigned as Head Women’s Basketball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director of Athletic Development at Dakota State University.  He will be taking the head women’s basketball coaching position at Hastings College (NE), replacing Tony Hobson.

Dittman’s coaching tenure at Dakota State University began in 1993 and racked up the most victories by any head coach at DSU with 245 wins.  He is second in career winning percentage .549 (245-201) behind Judy Dittman (.640).  Dittman has led his team to postseason play eleven of the past twelve seasons, and has been ranked in the NAIA “Top Twenty” ten of the past twelve seasons.  The Lady T’s were ranked as high as fifth this past year, the highest ranking in school history, and finished  ninth in the final women’s basketball poll of 2008.  Dittman was named South Dakota Women’s Basketball College Coach of the Year in 2006.

The Lady T’s Basketball team has won three consecutive Dakota Athletic Conference regular season titles from 2006-2008.  In addition, Dittman led the Lady T’s to a back-to-back conference titles in 2000 and 2001 to amass five conference titles in the past nine years.  The Lady T’s have qualified to the NAIA National Tournament six times in the last nine years, and reached the “Elite Eight” in 2000 and 2006, and the “Sweet Sixteen” in 2001 and 2008.   In 2003 and 2007, the Lady T’s captured the Dakota Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament.

Dakota State has produced four All-Americans, six Honorable Mention All-Americans, and twenty-four All-Conference players in the past ten seasons.  Besides their success on the court, the DSU Lady T’s have produced eighteen Academic All-Americans.

Ironically, Dakota State will play Hastings College in the second day of the Morningside College Classic at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, IA on Saturday, November 1st, 2008.

“It’s been a sincere pleasure to work with Jeff the past six years,” said Dakota State athletic director Gene Wockenfuss.  “Jeff has a very demanding style of coaching, which translated in much success for the DSU Women’s Basketball Program. I wish Jeff and his family all the best as he takes on a new direction in his career.” 

Wockenfuss has announced that a national search to replace Dittman will begin immediately. 

June 16, 2008

(Madison, SD) -- The South Dakota Amateur Softball Association selected Dakota State senior Emily Pyle to play in the Black Hills Gold, an all-star softball team that is scheduled to play the three-time and defending gold medal winning U.S. Olympic softball team on July 15, at Pete Lien Memorial Field in Rapid City at 7 p.m.

Pyle is one of only 18 players to make the roster. The Black Hills Gold is made up of players who are either originally from South Dakota, played at a South Dakota college or university or have some other connection to the state. She is the lone member of the squad who did not play at an NCAA institution.

While playing for the Trojans, Pyle hit .353, recorded 22 doubles, 7 home runs, 59 RBI, drew 36 walks and stole 14 bases while scoring 72 times in just 90 games.

“This is a great opportunity for Emily, and I couldn't be happier for her. Having the opportunity to face the best pitching in the world will be an experience I am certain she will treasure forever." stated Dakota State University and Black Hills Gold coach Ken Prorok.  "I am looking forward to working with this select team and taking the field on July 15."

June 05, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- The athletic directors of the Dakota Athletic Conference have selected Lawrie Paulson of Jamestown College as the 2007-08 DAC Athletic Director of the Year.

Paulson took over the AD's position in 2004 after spending 19 seasons as the Jimmies' women's basketball coach.  While leading the Lady Jimmies, Paulson compiled a 279-230 record, was named conference coach of the year five times, captured five conference titles and advanced to the national tournament once.

The Jimmies won the Commissioner’s Cup for the 2007-08 year.  During the year, the Jimmies shared the conference football title and advanced to the NAIA playoffs for the second straight season; the men’s basketball team won the regular season championship and received an at-large invitation to the national tournament and the baseball team won the Region III tournament and the Plains Super Regional to qualify for their second trip to the World Series.  The school also announced that they will be the first school in the DAC to offer women's wrestling beginning in 2008-09.

June 05, 2008

(Mayville, ND) -- Mayville State University will host the North Dakota America Legion Baseball All Star Games, featuring 60 of the finest players and eight of the finest coaches from around the state in both Class A and Class B.

The Class B All Stars will play at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7th and the Class A All Stars will take the field on Sunday, June 8th at 1:00 p.m. Both games will be played at Veterans Memorial Field in Mayville.

This is the second time in three years that Mayville State has hosted the North Dakota American Legion All Star Games.

June 02, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- One baseball player from the Dakota Athletic Conference was recognized for post-season honors by the NAIA and fifteen players earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors. 

Dickinson State designated hitter Tony Isbell is the lone DAC player on the All American list, being named an Honorable Mention recipient. 

The Scholar-Athlete honorees are Ryan Breitling of Dakota State; Jake Berdine and Tyler Opitz of Dickinson State; Torey Bohan, Jeremy Burgard, Miles Johnson, Todd Roth and Eric Schmid of Jamestown College; Jason Gradidge, Michael McNally, Kyle Swenson and Paul Waterman from Mayville State and Andrew Carver, Joshua Hvidsten and Jordan King of Minot State.

For a complete list of baseball post-season honors, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 27, 2008

(Jamestown, ND) -- In April, Jamestown College became one of the few colleges in the United States to offer women's wrestling.  In their May 27th edition, The New York Times discusses the emergence of the sport in small colleges and the lack of the sport being offered in larger universities. 

Jimmies' coach Cisco Cole and recruit Tani Ader from Honolulu are quoted in the article.

The article states, "Despite wrestling’s growth among small colleges, there is concern over why larger institutions have not followed suit. More obscure sports like squash and synchronized swimming have been officially recognized as “emerging sports” for women by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, but wrestling has not made the seven-sport list."

Read the complete article on the New York Times web-site.

May 24, 2008

(St. Louis, MO) -- Dickinson State finished in the top two of the men's division for the sixth consecutive year at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Champioinships in St. Louis, MO.

Dickinson State finished second with 58 points as Azusa Pacific, CA won the team title with 61.  Oklahoma Baptist placed third with 55; Doane, NE was fourth with 51 and Concordia, OR rounds out the top five with 46.  The Blue Hawks finished second in 2003, won the national crown in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and was the runner-up in 2007.

Black Hills State finished in 16th place with 23 points; Minot State tied for 35th with eight points and Dakota State was in a tie for 51st with three points.

The Blue Hawks had three national championship performances in the third day of competition.  Allan Ayala won the 400 hurdles in a time of :51.11; Ramon Miller captured the national title in the 400 meters in :46.51 and DSU won the 4x400 relay in 3:09.20.  Other DSU placers on Saturday were John Ingraham, third in the 200 meters; Antillio Bastian, fifth in the triple jump; Sean Pickstock, sixth in the 400 and Kurt McCormack, seventh in the triple jump.

Other place finishers from the DAC were Minot State's Drew Hysjulien, fourth in the triple jump; Cody Bordewyk of Black Hills State, fifth in the 3000 meter steeplechase and Chris Heezen of Dakota State, sixth in the marathon.

Wayland Baptist, TX won the women's team crown with 80 points.  Simon Fraser, BC was the runner-up with 69; British Columbia was third with 66; Azusa Pacific, CA placed fourth with 64 and Oklahoma Baptist rounds out the top five with 51.  Black Hills State was the top DAC team, finishing in sixth place with 41 points.  Dickinson State compiled 18 points to place 18th and Minot State and Dakota State were in a group tied for 51st with two points.

Black Hills State's Aubrey Baxter won her second national championship of the meet.  After winning the hammer throw with a record toss on Thursday, Baxter captured the national championship in the shot put with a heave of 51' 0.75".  Amber Brodersen of Black Hills State placed fifth and Christa Hofland of Dickinson State finished seventh in the shot.  Laura Tewes of Dakota State placed seventh in the high jump and Black Hills State finished seventh in the 4x400 relay.

Complete meet results are available on the NAIA web-site.

May 24, 2008

(Lewiston, ID) -- Jamestown College saw their season come to an end with a pair of losses at the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, ID.

The Jimmies dropped their first round game of the tournament to Spring Arbor, MI by a 7-5 score.  Right fielder Cam McLachlan went 4 for 5 with a run scored; first baseman Jordan Dusanj added a pair of knocks and two RBI; centerfielder Danny White had two hits and a run and catcher Mile Johnson had a pair hits and an RBI.  Graham Campbell was tabbed with the loss after giving up five runs, four earned, in 6.2 innings to see his record drop to 9-5 on the season.

The Jimmies season wrapped up with a 10-5 loss to Embry-Riddle, FL in the loser out round of the double elimination tournament.  Left fielder Jeremy Burgard led the offense with a double, a home run, two RBI and a run scored.  Greg Hockin started and was the losing pitcher to fall to 5-5 on the season.  Hockin gave up five runs in 5.2 innings of work.

The Jimmies end the season with a 32-20 record after advancing to their second World Series.

May 23, 2008

(St. Louis, MO) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference picked up two national champions and seven additional placers in second day competition at the NAIA Track & Field Championships in St. Louis, MO.

Eric Flores of Black Hills State added a national championship in the shot put to his third place finish in the hammer throw.  Flores captured the national title with a toss of 58' 5.25".  Alex Boyeff of Minot State placed sixth in the event.  Other placers in the men's division on day two are Dominic Goodman of Dickinson State, fourth in the long jump; Sheldon King of Dickinson State, seventh in the high jump, Michael Sands of Dickinson State, eighth in the 100 meters and Dickinson State finished fourth in the 4x800 relay.

Shannon Hellman of Black Hills State added the 100 meter hurdles title to her resume.  She won the race in a time of :14.12.  Oth DAC placers in the women's division on Friday are Aubrey Baxter of Black Hills State, fourth in the discus and Chadee Moss from Dickinson State, eighth in the triple jump.

For complete results from the meet, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 22, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- Three softball players from the Dakota Athletic Conference have been selected as NAIA All Americans and seven players have earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition.

Minot State infielder Janessa Penner has been selected as a First Team All American. Dickinson State teammates Nicole Marcoux and Sara Jane Webster were selected for the Second Team.  Marcoux was chosen as an infielder and Webster was picked for an at-large position.

The NAIA Scholar-Athlete honorees are Jenna Egar of Dickinson State; Audrey Desmarteaux-Houle, Justin Rechenmacher and Kayla Price from Jamestown College; Stacey Boon and Ferran Cardinal from Mayville State and Kayla Mitchell from Minot State.

Complete lists of the All America teams and the Scholar-Athletes can be found on the NAIA web-site.

May 22, 2008

(St. Louis, MO) -- Black Hills State crowned a national champion and Dickinson State had a national runner-up in first day competition at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in St. Louis, MO.

Aubrey Baxter of Black Hills State won the women's hammer throw with an NAIA meet record breaking toss of 198'-9" and Kelsey Aide of Dickinson State placed second in the pole vault with a height of 11'-9.75".  Other placers from the DAC in the women's division were Chadee Moss and Sarah Holle of Dickinson State, sixth and seventh in the long jump; Jenny Castro of Minot State, seventh in the javelin and Christa Hofland of Dickinson State, seventh in the hammer throw.

Black Hills State had the only place finishers in the first day competition in the men's division.  Eric Flores placed third and Tyg Long finished sixth in the hammer throw.

For complete results from the meet, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 20, 2008

(Decatur, AL) -- DAC champion Dickinson State saw their season come to an end at the NAIA National Softball Tournament in Decatur, AL.

The Blue Hawks advanced to the eight team, double elimination bracket portion of the tournament after placing second in their pool with a 3-1 record.  DSU lost their opening game of the bracket, 9-0, to eventual champion Lubbock Christian, TX.  The Hawks stayed alive with a 6-1 win over Simon Fraser, BC and were then bounced from the tournament with a 7-0 setback to California Baptist.  DSU wrapped up the season with a 39-10 record.

For a complete wrap-up of the national softball tournament, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 18, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- Jamestown College is seeded tenth in the ten team, double-elimination NAIA World Series in Lewiston, ID on May 23-30. The Jimmies qualified for their second World Series appearance with a 2-games-to-1 win over Bellevue, NE in the Plains Super Regional series. Their previous appearance was in 2004.

Jamestown (32-18) will face seventh seed Spring Arbor, MI (37-7) at 8:30 AM on Friday, May 23.  Other first round matchups have number eight Bellevue, NE (51-15), an at-large invitee, will face ninth seed Ohio Dominican (40-14) at 12:00; fourth seed Azusa Pacific, CA (45-10) will take on number five Union, KY (47-16) at 3:00 and the finale of the day at 7:30 features number six Embree Riddle, FL (42-16) playing number three Lewis & Clark State, ID (53-5).  Top seed Lee, TN (59-8) and number two Oklahoma City (55-10) receive first round byes.

For more information on the NAIA World Series, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 18, 2008

(Decatur, AL) -- Dickinson State went 3-1 in pool play to advance to the eight team, double-elimination bracket of the NAIA Softball Tournament in Decatur, AL.

With rain pushing back the start of the first day of pool play on Friday, the Blue Hawks dropped a heartbreaker in the opener, 1-0 in 12 innings, to top ranked California Baptist. 

The Blue Hawks wrapped up the first day with a 5-2 win over Bethel, IN in a game that ended well past midnight in Decatur.  DSU then got back-to-back complete game shutouts from Sara Jane Webster and Meghan Shaw as they concluded pool play with a 1-0 win over Shorter, GA and an 8-0 triumph over Indiana Southeast.

The 3-1 pool play record puts the Blue Hawks into the double-elimination bracket as the number two seed from Pool A.  DSU will open the bracket portion of the tourney against Lubbock Christian, TX, the top seed from Pool D, at 12:30 PM.  The other matchup in the lower half of the bracket will feature Pool B top seed St. Gregory's, OK facing Pool C second seed Simon Fraser, BC at 12:30.  The top half of the bracket will have Pool A top seed California Baptist facing Pool D two seed Trevecca Nazarene, TN and Pool C top seed Mobile, AL going up against Pool B second seed Point Loma Nazarene, CA at 10:00 AM.

The championship second round and consolation game for the top bracket will play at 3:00 and the lower bracket games will take place at 5:30.  For complete pairings and further information on the national tournament, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 15, 2008

(Jamestown, ND) -- Jamestown College defeated Bellevue, NE two-games-to-one in the best-of-three Plains Super Regional to qualify for the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, ID, May 23-30.

The Jimmies rallied to win game one of the series, 6-5 on Wednesday.  Third baseman Ben Cairns hit a two run home run in the bottom of the ninth to lift his team to the victory.  Cairns went 2-for-5 with a pair of runs and three RBI and right fielder Cam McLachlan had two hits, a run and three RBI.

Bellevue captured game two, 16-7, on Thursday to force a deciding game three.  Cairns had two hits, two runs and three RBI and first baseman Jordan Dusanji had a pair of knocks.

In the rubber game of the series on Thursday evening, the Jimmies jumped out to a 7-3 lead after five innings.  Bellevue cut the lead to 7-6 with a three run sixth, but JC responded with a five run eighth to seal the victory, 12-6.  Catcher Miles Johnson went 3-for-3 from his leadoff spot and drove in three runs.  McLachlan had three hits and two RBI and left fielder Jeremy Burgard chipped in with three hits, a run and an RBI.  Cairns also had two hits, to give him six in the three game set.

With the series win, the Jimmies will take a 32-18 record to the national tournament.  JC last went to the World Series in 2004 when they beat Bellevue 2-1 in the Super Regional.

May 12, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- Region III Tournament champion Jamestown College and DAC Tournament champion Dickinson State each have three players on the All Region III Baseball Team and DAC regular season champion Mayville State has two on the all region squad.

Senior, second baseman David Sauter; senior, outfielder Jeremy Burgard and senior, pitcher Graham Campbell represent the Jimmies on the all region team.  The Blue Hawk all region selections are senior infielder, Dan Boudreau; senior, catcher Scott Tulloch and junior, designated hitter Tony Isbell.  The Comet honorees are junior, outfielder Erik

Scott and senior, pitcher Dan Knox.

Dakota State, Jamestown, Valley City State and Mayville State each placed one player on the Region III Gold Glove team.  The DAC Region III Gold Glove recipients are senior, first baseman Matt Burpee of Dakota State; senior, centerfielder Danny White of Jamestown; senior right fielderr Jeremy Whiebe of Vaalley City State and sophomore, pitcher Brock Gnadt of Mayville State.

Scott Berry of Mayville State was chosen the Region III Coach of the Year and Brock Hoch from Morningside, IA was voted the Region III Player of the Year.

For a complete list of the All Region III Baseball team and Gold Glove team, go to the Region III page of the NAIA web-site.

May  11, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- DAC champion Dickinson State placed five players on the NAIA All Region III Softball Team.  Mayville State, Minot State and Jamestown College each placed one player on the post-season honor squad.

The Blue Hawks on the all region team are senior, infielder Danielle Abrahamson; sophomore, designate player Kelly Jahn; sophomore, infielder Jody Lantz; junior, infielder Nicole Marcoux and freshman, pitcher Sarah Jane Webster.

The remaining DAC players on the all region squad are Mayville State senior, catcher Chelsa Carley; Minot State sophomore, infielder Jenessa Penner and Jamestown junior, infielder Kayla Price.

Penner was also voted the Region III Player of the Year and Webster was chosen the Region III Pitcher of the Year.  Heather Hupke of Briar Cliff, IA was picked as the Region III Coach of the Year.

For a complete list of the All Region III Softball team, go to the Region III page of the NAIA web-site.

May 11, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Jamestown College baseball team and Dickinson State softball team will continue their post-season play.

The Jimmies will host the Plains Super-Regional after capturing the Region III tournament championship with a 12-1 win over Northwestern, IA.  Jamestown will host Region IV champion Bellevue, NE in a best-of-three series on Wednesday-Thursday, May 14-15.  The winner of the series will advance to the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, IA on May 23-30.

The Blue Hawks received an at-large invitation to the NAIA Softball Tournament in Decatur, AL, May 16-21. DSU will play two pool play games on Friday, May 16 and two additional pool play contests on Saturday, May 17.  The top two teams in each of the four pools will advance to the eight team, double-elimination bracket that begins on Monday, May 19 and concludes with the championship game on Wednesday, May 21.

For more information on the Baseball Super-Regionals and the NAIA National Softball Tournament, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 07, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- Ryan Platt has been named the new Head Coach of Women’s Volleyball at Dickinson State University. Platt, who has spent his last two seasons as the 1st Assistant Coach at the University of Montana, comes to Dickinson State University with 16 years of successful coaching experience - eight at the collegiate level.

Roger Ternes, Athletic Director at DSU, made the announcement, stating, “The search committee had a number of outstanding applicants. The more inquiries we completed and the further we examined his references, Ryan continued to move to the top of the candidate list.”

Previously, Platt had been on staff at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., the Head Coach for three seasons at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Ore., and an assistant coach at his alma mater, Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. At LCSC he helped lead the Warriors to a combined record of 48-11, two Frontier Conference championships, and two Regional tournament berths.

His breadth of experience in all three divisions of the NCAA and in the NAIA will undoubtedly benefit Blue Hawk volleyball as he is an experienced on-court leader and a proven recruiter who can draw from local, regional or international pools.

Ternes emphasized this point by adding, “Ryan has a vast array of experiences at every level. He has coached Jr. High, High School, elite club volleyball, NAIA and NCAA D-I Volleyball. We are confident he will continue the outstanding volleyball tradition at Dickinson State University.”

Platt will set the same tone for Hawk volleyball that he pursued as an undergraduate at LCSC. He was team Captain two years, and he was twice on the Dean’s List and three times LCSC earned all-academic team recognition. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and specialized in both Coaching Administration and Sports Psychology.

Ternes commented, “Ryan projects great enthusiasm, is an engaging communicator and has the ability to motivate others. He is a skillful coach who has a positive history of developing student athletes.”

Platt will take over immediately and he replaces Dave Moody, who led the Blue Hawks for 18 seasons and compiled a 466-159 (.746) overall mark. DSU was a perennial national power under Moody, winning the NAIA National Championship in 2000.

Platt is a sound tactician and his “athletes first, winning second” approach to volleyball fits well with his personality since he cares about the individual as much as he cares about them as an athlete.

“I am very excited and happy to be joining the Blue Hawk Athletic family,” Platt stated. “On my visit I was extremely impressed by all aspects of the city of Dickinson and Dickinson State University’s athletic and academic departments. Mr. Ternes put together a very thorough and professional interview process and made me feel confident and excited about the position of Head Volleyball Coach at Dickinson State University.”

May 07, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- Jamestown College is the winner of the 2007-08 Dakota Athletic Conference Commissioner's Cup.

Jamestown compiled 115.5 points to win the honor.  Black Hills State finished second with 110, Dickinson State was third with 106 followed by Minot State with 91, Dakota State with 62, South Dakota Mines with 57, Mayville State with 40.5 and Valley City State with 37.

The Commissioner’s Cup is awarded to the member institution with the best overall record in conference competition. Points are given based on each school’s finish in conference sports that include a conference championship.

May 05, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- Regular season runner-up Dakota State picked up eight spots on the All DAC baseball team, while conference champion Mayville State, Jamestown College and Dickinson State placed four players apiece on the squad. Dakota State, Jamestown College, Mayville State and Valley City State each had two players on the DAC Gold Glove team.

Catcher Scott Tulloch of Dickinson State was chosen the conference Most Valuable Player. Jamestown pitcher Graham Campbell was selected the Most Valuable Senior. Pitcher Dan Rhodes from Dakota State was voted the Freshman of the Year. Dan Knox of Mayville State was picked the Pitcher of the Year and his coach, Scott Berry, was named the Coach of the Year.

A complete list of the All Conference and Gold Glove teams are available on the Baseball All Conference page of the DAC web-site.

(Dickinson, ND) -- Regular season champion Dickinson State placed eight players on the All DAC Softball team, while runner-up Minot State has four on the honor squad.

Dickinson State’s Sara Jane Webster was chosen the conference Pitcher and Freshman of the Year. Minot State shortstop Janessa Penner was voted the Player of the Year. Catcher Chelsa Carley of Mayville State was picked as the Senior of the Year and Black Hills State’s Amy Gurney was selected the Coach of the Year.

A complete list of the All Conference team can be found on the Softball All Conference page of the DAC web-site.

May 05, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- The pairings are now set for the NAIA Region III Baseball Tournament in Mayville, ND and Softball Tournament in Sioux City, IA.

The regional baseball tournament will be held May 7-10.  The first round schedule has Dickinson State facing Morningside, IA at 10:00 AM CST, Jamestown College playing Northwestern, IA at 1:00 PM CST and Mayville State battling Briar Cliff, IA.  Go to the baseball page of the DAC web-site for the complete schedule.

The regional softball tournament is taking place May 7-9.  Dickinson State opens the tournament against Dana, NE; Minot State faces Doane, NE; Concordia, NE goes against Midland Lutheran, NE and Morningside, IA takes on Northwestern, IA.  All firrst round games will begin at 12:00 PM CST.  Go to the softball page of the DAC web-site for the complete schedule.

May 04, 2008

(Jamestown, ND) -- The Dickinson State men and Black Hills State women captured conference team titles at the Dakota Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Jamestown.

Dickinson State won their fifth straight men's conference title, compiling 286.5 points.  Black Hills State finished second with 162 points followed by Jamestown College with 120.5, Minot State with 96, Dakota State with 86 and South Dakota Mines with 43.

Three athletes were double winners in the men's division.  Dickinson State's Ramon Miller won the 200 and 400 meters.  Black Hills State teammates Cody Bordewyk and Eric Flores also captured to individual championships.  Bordewyk won the 5000 meters and the 3000 meter steeplechase and Flores tossed championships in the shot put and discus.

Dickinson State also picked up three post-season awards.  Blue Hawks' coach Pete Stanton was chosen Coach of the Year, Allan Ayala earned Track Athlete of the Meet honors and Sean Pickstock was the Overall Athlete of the Meet.  Eric Flores earned the Field Athlete of the Meet award and South Dakota Mines' Chandler Caldwell was voted the Senior Athlete of the Year.

Black Hills State grabbed their third consecutive women's crown with 279 points.  Dickinson State was the runner-up with 210 points.  Jamestown College placed third with 129, Dakota State was fourth with 94, Minot State finished fifth with 65 and South Dakota Mines rounds out the six team field with 14.

A pair of Black Hills State athletes were the only multiple event winners.  Shannon Hellman added the 100 meter hurdles and long jump to the heptathlon victory she picked up earlier at the multi-events competition.  She also finished second in the 100 and 200 meters to compile 46 points by herself.  Hellman's teammate Aubrey Baxter picked up wins in the shot put and discus.

The Yellow Jackets also picked up four of the five post-season honors.  Shannon Hellman earned the Track Athlete and Overall Athlete of the Meet awards. Aubrey Baxter earned the Field Athlete of the Year honor and Scott Walkinshaw was voted the Coach of the Year.  The Senior Athlete of the Year was Laura Tewes from Dakota State.

Complete DAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship results can be found on the Outdoor Track Results page of the DAC web-site.

May 04, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- Dickinson State captured the Dakota Athletic Conference baseball and softball tournament championships, earning themselves trips to the NAIA Region III tournaments.

The Blue Hawks' baseball team went 4-0 in competition at the conference tournament in Valley City. DSU capped off the tourney with an 8-4 victory over Minot State to win the tournament title.  The Blue Hawks, who entered the tournament as the number four seed, receive an automatic berth to the regional tournament in Mayville on May 7-10.  For game scores from the tournament, go to the baseball page of the DAC web-site.

The Blue Hawk softball squad added the tournament title to their regular season conference crown.  DSU went 3-0 in the tournament, winning the title with a 3-2 triumph over Minot State.  DSU receives an invitation to the regional tournament in Sioux City, IA on May 7-9.  For game scores from the conference tourney, go to the softball page of the DAC web-site.

May 01, 2008

(Valley City, ND) -- After completing the first day of the Dakota Athletic Conference baseball tournament in Valley City, the conference coaches decided to postpone the remainder of the tournament from Friday and Saturday, May 2-3 to Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4. 

With the forecast in Valley City calling for a 50% chance of rain, wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour and temperatures in the 40s, the coaches will give their teams Friday off before resuming the tournament on Saturday.  The schedule will remain the same with four games on Saturday and two or three games scheduled for Sunday. 

For the scores from day one and the schedule of the tournament, go to the baseball page of the DAC web-site and for boxscores from the completed games, go to the DAC tournament page on the Valley City State web-site.

April 30, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- With the weatherman calling for rain and snow, 20 to 30 mile per hour winds and high temperatures in the 40s in Jamestown on Friday, DAC coaches have decided to push back the conference softball tournament and track meet. 

The softball tournament is being pushed back from Friday and Saturday to Saturday and Sunday. Go to the softball page on the DAC web-site for the tournament schedule. 

The conference track and field championships have been moved from Friday to Sunday.  Go to the track and field page on the DAC web-site for the schedule of events.

April 30, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- KMAV Radio in Mayville and KDIX Radio in Dickinson will broadcast games from the DAC Baseball Tournament in Valley City, ND on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  To listen to Mayville State Comet games online, go to www.kmavradio.com and to follow the Dickinson State Blue Hawks, go to www.kdix.net.   For a complete schedule of the tournament, go to the DAC Baseball page.

April 29, 2008

(Sioux Falls, SD) -- The NAIA Region III Golf Tournament wrapped up its two days of competition at the Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls, SD.

On the women's side, Dakota Wesleyan won the team championship with a 659. Sioux Falls was second with a 694. Amber Raisanen from Dakota Wesleyan won the medalist race with a 159 (81-78).

Dickinson State finished in sixth place with a 740.  Megan Fisher placed eighth with a 36 hole total of 170 and Kelsey Boedecker tied for eleventh with a 173.  Lyndsey Kent shot a 187 and Staci Moore carded a 210.

Jamestown placed seventh with a 766.  Jessie Johnson led the Jimmies with a 188.  Courtney Haag had a190, Sarah Westlake shot a 193, Taylor Nogosek recorded a 200 and Katie Flikkema had a 203.

Anne Langdell and Katie Campbell of Black Hills State and Whitney Stanley of Minot State also competed in the tourney.  Langdell placed eighteenth with a 177; Campbell shot a 193 and Stanley recorded a 180.

In the men's competition, Midland Lutheran came back on day two to win the team title with a 618.  The Warriors won their third straight regional title and edged second place Dakota Wesleyan by one stroke (619).  Luke Vermeer from Northwestern was the medalist with a 148 (70-78).

Minot State finished sixth with a 648.  Jordan Kelly was the Beavers top golfer, finishing fourth with a 152.  Justin Aberle shot a 160, Ben Edwards carded a 165, Matt Liebel had a 172 and Travis Mryglod finished with a 174.

Dickinson State placed seventh with a 664.  The Blue Hawks leadidng golfer was Jake Fladeland with a 162.  Thomas Weikle had a 163, Adam Cayko shot a 169, T.J. Poulsen finished with a 171 and Sean Sterkel carded a 172.

Brandon Eisenbaum from South Dakota Mines and Eddy Delzer of Jamestown College also took part in the tournament.  Eisenbaum tied for eleventh with a156 and Delzer finished play with a 174

The NAIA Region III Champions and Medalists will advance to the NAIA National Golf Championships. The NAIA Men's Golf Championships are May 13-16 in Plymouth, Indiana, while the NAIA Women's Golf Championships are May 20-23 in San Diego California.

April 28, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- The pairings are set for the 2008 DAC Baseball Tournament in Valley City on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 1-3 and the DAC Softball Tournament on Friday and Saturday, May 2-3 in Jamestown.

The baseball tournament begins at 10:00 AM Central Time on Thursday with regular season champion Mayville State facing sixth seed Minot State.  At 1:00, third seed Jamestown College faces number six Dickinson State, followed by number two Dakota State taking on the host and fifth seed Valley City State.  The tournament continues with a loser out game at 7:00 on Thursday with four games on Friday and the tourney wraps up on Saturday with two or possible three games.

For a complete schedule of the tournament, go to the DAC Baseball page. The winner of the tournament automatically qualifies for the NAIA Region III Tournament to be held in

Mayville on May 7-10.

The softball tourney starts out at 10:00 AM Central Time on Thursday with number four Jamestown College facing number five Mayville State and second seeded Minot State taking on Valley City State.  At 12:30, number three Black Hills State plays number six Valley City State and regular season champion Dickinson State plays the winner of Jamestown and Mayville State.  The tournament continues with four additional games on Thursday and four or five games on Saturday. 

For a complete schedule of the tournament, go to the DAC Softball page. The tournament winner advances to the NAIA Region III Tournament in Sioux City, IA on May 7-9

April 28, 2008

(Sioux Falls, SD) -- Day one is complete at the NAIA Region III Golf Championships at the Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls, SD.

On the women’s side, Dakota Wesleyan is the team leader with a 337 after the first 18 holes.  Sioux Falls is second (349) and Hastings third (352).  Amber Raisanen from Dakota Wesleyan leads the medallist race with an 81 (40-41).

Dickinson State finished the first day in sixth place with a 369.  Megan Fisher and Kelsey Boedecker both shot 86 and are in a tie for ninth place after the opening day.

Jamestown College is in seventh place with a 382.  Sarah Westlake shot an 88, putting her in a tie for 14th place.

In the men’s competition, Sioux Falls is the team leader with a 305 after day one.  Dakota Wesleyan is second (309) and Midland Lutheran is third (310).  Luke Vermeer from Northwestern leads the medallist race with a 70 (36-34) after round one.

Dickinson State is currently in sixth place with a 324.  Jake Fladeland is leading the Blue Hawks after shooting a first day 77, which is good enough to put him in a tie for tenth place.

Minot State is in seventh place with a 326.  DAC champion Jordan Kelly is the Beavers top golfer with a 76, putting him in a tie for sixth place.

South Dakota Mines’ Brandon Eisenbaum is in a tied for tenth with a 77.

Day two will tee off at 9:00 AM on Tuesday morning in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The NAIA Region III Champion and Medalist will advance to the NAIA National Golf Championships.  The NAIA Men’s Golf Championships are May 13-16 in Plymouth, Indiana, while the NAIA Women’s Golf Championships are May 20-23 in San Diego California.

April 22, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- With their victories in the Black Hills State Invitational, the Minot State men and Dickinson State women captured the 2007-08 DAC golf titles. 

The team and individual championships are determined from the five conference tournaments.  A point system is used in which teams and players are awarded points by virtue of their placing in each tournament.

In the men's division, Minot State completed the season with 17 points, edging runner-up Dickinson, who had 16 points. Jamestown College placed third with 7.5 and South Dakota Mines was fourth with 5.5.

Jordan Kelly of Minot State captured the individual conference crown with 85.5 points.  Terry Poulsen of Dickinson State finished second with 81; Justin Aberle of Minot State was third with 80.5; Jake Fladeland of Dickinson State placed fourth with 66 and Eddy Delzer of Jamestown College was fifth with 60.5. 

With the individual championship, Kelly also earned Most Valuable Player honors and Chipper Farrell of Minot State was chosen the Coach of the Year.  The top five placers earn all conference honors and a sixth player is chosen by the conference coaches to fill out the honor squad.  Joining Kelly, Poulsen, Aberle, Fladeland and Delzer on the all conference team is Brandon Eisenbaum of South Dakota Mines.

Dickinson State captured their sixth consecutive women's golf crown, compiling 23 points during the season. Jamestown College finished second with 17 points, followed by Black Hills State with 16, Minot State with ten and South Dakota Mines with four.

Whitney Stanley of Minot State earned the conference championship with 104.5 points.  Anne Langdell of Black Hills State was the runner up with 102.5 points.  Lyndsey Kent of Dickinson State finished third with 100; Jessie Johnson of Jamestown College was fourth with 99 and Sarah Westlake of Jamestown College rounds out the top five with 88.5.

Stanley also earned Most Valuable Player honors to her conference crown.  Dickinson State's Megan Fisher was chosen the Most Valuable Senior and her coach, Tim Daniel, was voted Coach of the Year.  The top five finishers in the regular season standings earn all conference selection and a sixth player if chosen by the conference coaches to round out the honor squad.  Joining Stanley, Langdell, Kent, Johnson and Westlake as all conference honorees is Dickinson State's Kelsey Boedecker.

The Minot State and Dickinson State men and Dickinson State and Jamestown College women qualify for the NAIA Region III Tournament to be held April 28-29 at the Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls, SD. 

Players who finished in the top ten in the conference and did not qualify as part of a conference champion or runner-up will also compete in the regional tournament.  Individual qualifiers for the men's division are Eddy Delzer of Jamestown College and Brandon Eisenbaum of South Dakota Mines.  Women's qualifiers are Minot State's Whitney Stanley and Anne Langdell and Katie Campbell of Black Hills State.

For the complete team and individual standings for the 2007-08 golf season, go to the DAC Golf Results page.

April 16, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- Dickinson State's Sara Jane Webster has been selected the NAIA Softball Pitcher of the Week for her performance during the week of April 7-13.  The freshman from Los Angeles, CA, picked up three wins during the week.  In 19 innings, she allowed just one run with 36 strikeouts and no walks. Webster is 10-0 this season with a 1.22 ERA and 111 strikeouts.

April 12, 2008

(Jamestown, ND) -- Jamestown College is adding women’s wrestling to its lineup of varsity athletic offerings beginning in the 2008-09 school year.

“Since adding men’s soccer two years ago, we have been evaluating possibilities for a new women’s sport, and we are excited to lead the way in this region with women’s wrestling,” says Jamestown College president Robert S. Badal. “We anticipate the addition of more teams in the years ahead and the opportunity to compete in Canada and the U.S.”

Current head men’s wrestling coach Cisco Cole will also serve as head coach of the women’s team.

“I am extremely excited about coaching the new women’s wrestling team here at Jamestown College,” Cole says. “Women’s wrestling is one of the world’s fastest growing women’s sports. There are more than 6,000 high school girls who wrestle, so being able to offer them an opportunity to continue wrestling at the college level just makes sense.”

Women’s wrestling made its Olympic debut at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens. Just eight other colleges in the United States offer women’s wrestling as a varsity sport: Northern Michigan University, University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky, Oklahoma City University, Missouri Valley College, Menlo College in California, Pacific University in Oregon, Missouri Baptist University and Yakima Valley Community College in Washington. There are also about 10 club teams across the country.

“We are in a great location for women’s wrestling,” Cole says. “There are currently 15 varsity college teams in Canada. Our location will allow us to be able to compete against the best Canadian teams, as well as the best U.S. teams.”

“This sport is beginning to emerge at the national level, and it is exciting to be at the front end of it in our area,” says athletic director Lawrie Paulson. “Coach Cole’s hard work will allow us to bring the number of our women’s programs back to the same level as the number of our men’s programs, and it will bring to our campus new students from several different parts of the country.”

April 09, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- Minot State shortstop Jenessa Penner has been selected the NAIA Player of the Week for her performance the week of March 31-April 6.  The sophomore from Morden, Manitoba, recorded eight hits in 11 at-bats and drove in nine runs in three games for the week.  She batted .727 with a 1.818 slugging percentage with four home runs and ten runs scored.  She also was 3 for 3 on stolen base attempts.

April 08, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- Ten players from the Dakota Athletic Conference have been selected to play in the Victory Sports Network Senior Classic on April 19 in Platte City, MO.  The rosters are a selection of some of the top seniors from the NAIA.  Kickoff is at 1:00.

Eight players of the 140 on the roster were named first team All-American on the Victory Sports Network All-American team or by the AFCA Coaches All-American team.

“The talent level of this year’s squad is tremendous” said Jason Dannelly of the Victory Sports Network. “There are a few guys in this game that will be on an NFL roster by the end of the month.”

Cornerback Toby Ball and defensive tackle Derek Gosch of Dakota State have been selected for the Americans team.  Second team All American safety Gary Thomas, offensive lineman Dale Ackland and receiver Marcus McCrary of Jamestown College; linebacker Karson Storey, linebacker Dominic Vargas, offensive lineman Chris Hayes and punter Robert Stevens of Mayville State, and receiver Brandon Siverson of Valley City State will play for the Nationals team.

Last year’s roster had four players signed to NFL contracts, two to the CFL and numerous others to AFL, AF2 and other professional contracts.

Complete rosters and more information on the VSN Senior Classic can be found on the Victory Sports Network web-site.

April 01, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference and B2 Networks have announced a multi-year partnership to broadcast regular season and conference championship events from the campuses of the conference’s eight members. The partnership, which is the first between B2 Networks and an NAIA conference, will begin with the 2008-09 academic year.

"The partnership with B2 networks is a very exciting venture for the Dakota Athletic Conference and can only make a great conference greater.  In addition to recruiting area athletes, the conference members have been reaching out to distant states and foreign countries to fill their rosters," said LaVern Jessen, DAC Commissioner.  "Families, friends, & alumni, no matter where they are located in the world, will now be able to watch live any football, basketball or volleyball contest.  I also anticipate that in the future, viewing opportunities will expand to additional sports and other campus activities." 

Over the course of the next three years, B2 Networks will broadcast DAC football, women's volleyball and men's and women's basketball, with the possibility of adding more sports throughout the course of the deal. Fans will be able to access the games on a pay-per-view basis. In addition, season passes will be available for individual sports.

Prices and other details will be announced at a later date.

"B2 Networks is excited about partnering with the Dakota Athletic Conference," stated Richard Brosal, B2 Networks Executive Vice President for Business Operations and Marketing. "This is a high quality conference that is a perfect fit in the B2 family. With the average distance between DAC campuses being nearly 300 miles, this partnership will bridge the distance by bringing the games right into homes of DAC fans anywhere in the world."

B2 Networks is a premier provider of reliable and secure international television and pay-per-view broadcasting systems. Our worldwide network of arenas, stadiums, local venues and data centers are currently in use to distribute live sports and events to personal computers, television screens, mobile devices and commercial venues around the world.

Working with organizations such as the AHL, ECHL, NLL, IHL, USHL, NAHL, Arena Football Leagues and selected NCAA and NAIA conferences and member institutions, B2 Networks has established itself as a leader in innovative global direct to home, mobile and television broadcasting.

For the B2 Networks' Programming Guide visit www.b2tv.com, or for information about B2 Networks, visit www.b2now.com.

March 31, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- After 18 seasons, and a career record of 466-159 (.746), Dave Moody has resigned as Head Volleyball Coach at Dickinson State University.

“We appreciate and admire Dave’s commitment to the volleyball program at Dickinson State University,” said DSU Athletic Director Roger Ternes. “We wish him the best as he moves forward in his professional career.”

The Blue Hawks were 30-4 in 2007, ended the year ranked #7 by the NAIA and posted a 14-0 Dakota Athletic Conference mark--their third straight undefeated conference season and their 11th during Moody’s tenure. Since 1995, DSU has enjoyed a remarkable 150-3 (.980) record in DAC play and recorded 91 consecutive match wins between 1996 and 2004.

Moody led the Hawks to 12 regular season conference titles, 11 conference tournament championships and 12 region appearances. He also led DSU to eight national tournament appearances and won the 2000 NAIA National Championship with a Blue Hawk team that went 39-1. Moody was named the NAIA’s National Tournament Coach of the Year and DSU’s top player, All-American Neslihan Yilmaz was named Player of the Year. In total, Moody coached 21 All-Americans.

He cited his family as the prime reason for his resignation, stating, “I want to leave the legacy of being a father who places the pride of parenting above the professional rewards of coaching a winning volleyball program.”

Moody will remain at DSU and continue to teach classes in the Department of Health and Physical Education. A national search for his replacement will begin immediately.

March 19, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- Four women's players and one men's player from the Dakota Athletic Conference were recognized as NAIA Division II Basketball All Americans and nine other players received Honorable Mention recognition.

Seniors Melanie Vedvei of South Dakota Mines and Lacey Haughian of Black Hills State were honored as 1st Team All Americans.  Seniors Jessica VanLoy of Dakota State and Kendra Meyer of Minot State were selected as 2nd Team All Americans.  Honorable Mention selections include Laura Big Crow and Cassie Leraas of Mayville State, Guili Varriano of Jamestown College, Laura Tewes of Dakota State and Snjezenna Dojciniovic of Black Hills State.

Senior Jake Holen of Jamestown College was a 3rd Team All American on the men's side.  Joe Backus of Dakota State, Kyle Iverson of Jamestown College, Marques Benjamin of Mayville State and Matt Witwer were recognized as Honorable Mention honorees.

Ten women's players from the DAC were also recognized as NAIA Scholar-Athletes.  The group includes Lindsey Buthe of Black Hills State; Ashley Bakich-Emmons from Dickinson State; Erika Anderson of Mayville State; Kayla Rettig and Brittni Walker from Minot State; Melanie Vedvei and Amber DeWeerd of South Dakota Mines and from Valley City State, Brittany Olson, Abby Dralle and Jodi Burrer. 

Six men's players from the conference earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors. The academic honorees are Corey Doolan of Black Hills State; Ryan Bogner, Drew Erhardt and Ryan Ernst from Dickinson State; Matt Witwer from Minot State and Brandon Smith from South Dakota Mines.

Complete lists of the All American teams and Scholar-Athletes are available on the NAIA web-site.

March 18, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced Monday that the Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau has been awarded the 2009 and 2010 NAIA Women's Golf National Championships. The 15th Annual event will be contested May 12-15, 2009, at Meadowbrook Municipal Golf Course in Rapid City, S.D. The 2010 national championship tournament will take place May 25-28. 

"The NAIA is excited to partner with the Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau for the NAIA Women's Golf National Championships. Rapid City is supportive of character-driven intercollegiate athletics and will provide a great championship experience for student athletes," said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. "Meadowbrook is a fantastic facility and has a proven record for hosting prestigious events. We look forward to this partnership."

The event consists of four championship rounds and one practice round with a maximum of 129 golfers. Approximately 24-25 teams and 5-10 individual qualifiers will make up the field. The best NAIA golfers throughout the United States and Canada will travel to Rapid City, known as one of the friendliest and most supportive sports communities in the northern hemisphere.  

"From the beginning of the bid process Rapid City showed how supportive they would be of the NAIA and this event," said NAIA Championship Event Manager Becki Almeida. "They have a great venue that will challenge the participants, and the location of Rapid City offers an array of sites and recreational activities for teams to take part in, as well as an easy location for travel."

Teams will compete on the links at Meadowbrook Golf Course, an 18 Hole Championship Facility, located at the foot of the beautiful Black Hills of Western South Dakota. Designed in the mid 1970's, by David Gill and Associates, Meadowbrook is traditional in its layout. At over 7,100 yards in total length, the course is an impressive challenge and offers a wonderful golf experience. Rapid Creek flows through the course and comes into play on five of the eighteen holes. The large undulating greens are very well protected by more than 60 bunkers. Meadowbrook is considered one of the very best Championship Facilities in the country. The pristine greens have played host to the 1984 U.S.G.A. Women's Public Links Championship, one of the only two U.S.G.A. events ever to be held in South Dakota.

Matt Reed, Sports & Events Manager for the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau, partnered with Kristy Lintz, Program Coordinator of the Rapid City Department of Recreation to host the event. "We're excited to show the athletes of NAIA the caliber of golf, as well as hospitality, that Rapid City and the Black Hills are known for. This is a great opportunity for everyone involved," Reed said.

South Dakota has been the location for past NAIA men's and women's golf national championship events, however, this is the first time for an NAIA event to be held at Meadowbrook Municipal Golf Course. "Bringing the NAIA Women's Golf Championship to Rapid City gives us a chance to showcase the quality of golf we have in South Dakota. Meadowbrook Golf Course has a long tradition of playing host to SDGA championships and is one of our most popular venues. I am confident that the young women competing will find that Meadowbrook offers a stern, yet fair test of golf," said South Dakota Golf Association Executive Director, Wade Merry.

Reigning champion Oklahoma City is among the 130 member institutions that sponsor women's golf and vying for a chance to play for another national championship title. To learn more about the NAIA and the women's golf visit the NAIA web-site.

For additional information on Meadowbrook Municipal Golf Course visit www.golfatmeadowbrook.com and to learn more about the Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau visit www.visitrapidcity.com.   

March 16, 2008

(Johnson City, TN) -- The Minot State University Track & Field team visited Mountain View Elementary School in Johnson City, TN prior to their participation in the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships last week.   

The NAIA contacted the Beavers about visiting three classes at Mountain View to talk to the children about the NAIA’s Champions of Character school visit program.  The NAIA holds this program at each of national championships the NAIA hosts. 

Jill Lockie, Drew Hysjulien, Cody Goetz and Ulysses Dalton II met with two fifth grade classes and one first grade class for thirty minutes each.  The Beavers started each class by introducing themselves and then talking about the five core character values of the Champions of Character program – Respect, Integrity, Responsibility, Servant Leadership and Sportsmanship.  

Starting with Mrs. Ford’s fifth grade class, the Beavers asked the students what it meant to be a champion of character.  One by one the 20 students responded by telling the Beavers what they learned that day the previous few weeks while the school had been participating in the program.  At the end of the visit the Beavers proudly announced that class member Kobey Walton had been selected as the Mountain View Elementary Champion of Character and that he would be presented an award on Saturday at the track & field championships. 

The Beavers moved on to Ms. Boone’s first grade class where the students were more interested in where each Beaver was from and the type of equipment/clothes the Beavers used in their events.  Jill brought her spike shoes, Ulysses a shot put, Drew a tape measure and Cody his speed suit. 

Ms. Smith’s fifth grade class was the last stop of the day.  The students were very attentative and knowledgeable about the Champions of Character program and track & field, wishing the Beavers all good luck with their events in the coming days. 

The MSU athletes left the school remembering themselves at those ages and how this type of presentation was rewarding and enjoyable to do. 

This is the third year that Beaver track & field athletes have participated in the NAIA’s Champions of Character school visit program while at the indoor national championship and their second time to visit Mountain View Elementary.

March 15, 2008

(Sioux City, IA) -- Northwestern, IA shrugged off an early threat from Black Hills State to cruise to a 91-69 victory in the quarterfinals of the17th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship in Sioux City, Iowa.

Northwestern (33-2) weathered the first half onslaught in the first half as Black Hills State was able to keep the game within two points at 44-42 at halftime. The Red Raiders though went on a 15 to three run in the beginning the second half and did not look back.

The Yellow Jackets (28-6) did not have an answer for All-American Debbie Remmerde who keyed the Red Raider run with a game high and tournament high 40 points on 13-of-21 shooting. Amy Larson added 15 points while Randa Hulstein added 14 points off the bench for Northwestern.

Black Hills State was led by Lacey Haughian with 18 points while Snjezana Dojcinovic added 17 points.

Black Hills State ends the season in the quarterfinals matching their best finish in the NAIA Div. II National Tournament since the 1997 season when they lost in the championship game to Northwest Nazarene, ID, 64-46.

(Sioux City, IA) -- Morningside, IA survived a scare from the 2008 version of Cinderella, with an 87-86 victory in the quarterfinals of the17th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship in Sioux City, IA.

Morningside (33-3) looked to be cruising taking a 13 point lead into halftime 49-36, but then the seventh seed Minot State (21-11) found their groove and began to chip away at the Mustangs lead.

Minot State slowly but surely began to wear on Morningside taking the first ten minutes of the second half to cut the lead to single digits. The Beavers kicked it in high gear, trailing by nine with 3:42 remaining, Minot State went on an 11 to two run to tie the game at 82-82 with 2:03 remaining.

Minot State then picked up their first lead in the game with a runner in the lane by senior Kendra Meyer 84-82. Morningside junior Dani Gass answered with a circus shot that found the bottom of the net while being fouled. Gass added the free throw to give the Mustangs the advantage with :50. The Beavers answered when Meyer again hit a runner in the lane while being fouled by J.J. Hall. Meyer though missed a free throw that would have put the Beavers up two, instead Minot's lead sat at 86-85.

Morningside set up their half court offense with :37, clearing the lane to allow Gass to drive to the hoop. Her layup would fall short but Meyer would be called for a foul to send Gass to the line. Gass a 79.6 percent free throw shooter on the season would sink both shots to give Morningside back the lead with:15. The Beavers quickly moved the ball up court and managed two close range shots that could not find their mark but caught a break with 1.6 seconds remaining and two Mustangs fought each other for a rebound and were called for traveling.

After consecutive timeouts Minot set up their inbounds play from underneath their basket. The Beavers junior Lashay Bagsby's attempt rimmed out and Brittini Walker grabbed a rebound and appeared to have hit a game winning shot. The officials reviewed the tape and came to the conclusion that the buzzer had sounded and the game had ended before Walker's shot left her hand giving Morningside the 87-86 victory.

Gass led the Mustangs with 22 points powered by 9-of-10 free throw shooting, while J.J. Hall added 18 points and Autmn Bartel contributed with 17 points for Morningside.

Minot States Lashay Bagsby led all scorers with 30 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field while Britini Walker added 18 points for the Beavers.

Minot State ends the season in the quarterfinals matching their best finish in the NAIA Div. II National Tournament.

March 14, 2008

(Sioux City, IA) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference has two of their three representatives in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, IA.

Black Hills State moved into the round of eight with a 63-48 win over Eastern Oregon.

BHSU and EOU were tied at 21 with 2:38 remaining in the first half, but the Yellow Jackets rattled off the final nine points of the half to take a 30-21 lead into the lockerroom.  The Jackets then scored the first seven points of the second half to swell their lead to 37-21. EOU could get no closer than ten the remainder of the contest to see their season come to an end.

Black Hills State was led by Lacey Haughian with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists.  Snjezana Dojcinovic added ten points and eight rebounds and KateLynn Lamb scored ten.

The Yellow Jackets improved to 27-5 and will face Northwestern, IA (32-2) at 8:00 Saturday night in the tournament quarterfinals.

Minot State advanced to the Elite Eight with a wild 94-93 double overtime victory over William Jewell, MO in second round play.

The Beavers built a 24 point lead of 38-14 just over the midway point of the first half and duplicated the lead at 40-16 with nine minutes left in the half.  William Jewel climbed to within seven at 40-33 with four minutes left, but MSU built the lead back to double digits and went into the break leading 49-38.

In the second half, MSU extended the lead to 61-42, but William Jewell chipped away at the deficit, eventually tying the score at 70-70 on a Sasha An field goal with less then three minutes left in regulation.  Britni Walker made one of two free throws to take the lead to 75-72 with under 30 second left in the second half.  Erica Ferguson hit a 3-point bucket with ten seconds remaining to tie the game at 75 and Mackenzie Mack's missed 3-pointer at the buzzer sent the game into overtime.

The two teams traded the lead in the extra session.  Faith Ponitus gave the Cardinals the lead at 82-80 with a field goal with just over a minute left, but the Beavers tied it at 82 as Lashay Bagsby hit a bucket.  Neither team could score in the waning seconds of the first overtime to send the game into a second extra period.

In the second overtime, the teams again traded the lead until MSU took an 89-86 edge on a 3-point basket by Walker with 2:31 left.  The Beavers built the lead up to five at 92-87 before WJC's Haley Stockton cut the lead to two on a 3-point shot with 1:03 remaining. Bagsby went two for two from the charity strip with 13 seconds left to build the lead to 94-90.

William Jewell (23-10) made the last :06 interesting when Adams was fouled on a desperation three-point attempt and drained all three free-throws. Following the final free-throw, Loftsness was fouled before the Beavers could inbound the basketball and missed both free-throw attempts giving the Cardinals life. Adams drove the length of the court but a Beaver defender was able to get a hand on the ball and she was never able to attempt a final shot.

The Beavers were led by Walker's 22 points and 15 rebounds.  Kendra Meyer added 19 points and six assists, Mack chipped in with 16 points, Loftsness had 14 and Bagsby 12 to lift MSU to a 21-10 record on the season.  The Beavers will play at  6:00 Saturday evening in the tournament quarterfinals against Morningside, IA (32-3).

Earlier, the Lady T's of Dakota State saw their season come to an end with a 70-67 setback at the hands of Bethel, IN in a game that saw 16 ties and ten lead changes.

The two teams were tied at 28 with less than a minute remaining in the first half.  Natalie Young converted a putback with 33 seconds left in the half to give Bethel a 30-28 edge at the break.

The two squads traded runs in the second half with Bethel building leads up to five on four occasions before Dakota State took their biggest lead of the half at 60-56 with just under four minutes remaining.  The Lady Pilots reclaimed the lead 65-64 on a pair of Natalie Young free throws with 90 seconds left.  Laura Tewes hit one of two free tosses to tie the contest at 65.  Young hit two from the charity stripe to give Bethel the lead at 67-65, but DSU responded with two free thows by Megan Swecker to knot the contest at 67 with 44 seconds on the clock.  Nora Didrick hit two free throws in the closing seconds to give Bethel the lead for good and Bekah Basinger hit one of two from the line to build the lead to the final score of 70-67 with just three ticks on the clock.

The Lady T's had three players in double figures, led by Tewes' 17 points on 7 of 8 shooting from the field.  Jessica VanLoy added 14 and Swecker came off the bench to contribute ten.  Maria Gengler had a game high nine rebounds to go along with eight points as DSU closed out the 2007-08 season with a 21-11 record.

Bethel had a pair of players score in double digits.  Young had a game high 34 points on 12 of 34 shooting from the field and a 10 of 11 performance from the line.  Didrick chipped in with 11 points as Bethel improved to 31-4 and advances to the quarterfinals.

March 13, 2008

(Sioux City, IA) -- Black Hills State squeaked out a 63-61 win over Rio Grande, OH in first round play at the 17th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, IA.

Despite shooting just 26 percent in the first half, the Yellow Jackets led 30-21 at the break, thanks to a 13-4 run in the final six minutes of the half.  BHSU continued the run following the intermission and built the lead to as many as 14 as their shooting improved to 45 percent in the second half.

The Redwomen chipped away at the deficit and cut the lead to two points with 25 seconds left in the contest.  After a URG foul, the Jackets missed the bonus, giving their opponents a final possession.  The Redwomen got an open shot in the final seconds but could not convert and saw their season come to a close.

Black Hills State was led by Lacey Haughian with 24 points and seven rebounds.  Snjezana Dojcinovic had 18 points and a game high 12 rebounds.

Rio Grande was led by Sarah Drabinski's 14 points.

Black Hills State improved to 27-5 and will match up with with Eastern Oregon (26-5) in the second round at 9:15 Friday evening.

(Point Lookout, MO) -- Minot State saw their season come to an end with a 97-90 loss to fifth seeded Northwestern, IA in the first round of the 17th annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Championship in Point Lookout, MO.

Northwestern went on a 12-0 run to take a 26-15 lead, their biggest of the first half.  Minot State cut the lead to 40-34 at half.  The Beavers opened the second half on an 8-2 run to tie the contest at 42-42 and were within 71-70 with six minutes left in the game. 

Northwestern then went on a 10-0 run and hit free throws down the stretch to top MSU.

The Beavers shot a cool 31 percent from the field in the first half and just 37 percent in the ball game.  The DAC tournament champs had four of their starters in double figures, but got only 13 points from their bench compared to 44 points for the Northwestern reserves.

Joe Gathings led MSU with 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.  CJ DeWitty added 21 points, five rebounds and five steals.  Aaron Patterson chipped in with 17 points and Matt Witwer had 16 points and six rebounds as the Beavers closed out the campaign with a 19-12 record.

Northwestern also had four players score in double digits.  Starters Chad Schuiteman had 22 points and a game high 12 rebounds and Curt Schilling 18 points.  Andrew Stimson and Ben Brown came off the bench to score 20 and 15 points, respectively.

Northwestern (28-4) advances to the second round at 1:45 Friday to face Oklahoma Wesleyan.

(Sioux City, IA) -- DAC regular season champion Dakota State rallied from a double-digit deficit at halftime to defeat Ohio Dominican, 76-73, in first round action at the 17th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, IA.

Ohio Dominican led 42-30 at the break and built the lead to as much as 19 in the second half, but the Lady T's chipped away at the lead.  During a six minute stretch of the second half, DSU ran off an 18-5 spurt to tie the game at 63-63 with 5:48 remaining.

The two clubs traded baskets and the lead until the Lady T's took the lead for good as Laura Tewes hit a tough layup and was fouled.  Tewes added the free throw for the old fashioned three point play to give her team a 74-73 lead.  DSU held the Panthers scoreless for the final 2:28 and added a late transition basketball to build the lead to three.

Tewes led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field and added nine rebounds for DSU.  Jessica VanLoy had 13 points, a team high ten rebounds and five assists and Maria Gengler added 11 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots.

Krissy Haines led Ohio Dominican with 21 points and Katalin Becker added 12.

Dakota State improved to 21-10 with the win and will face the winner of the Bethel, IN (30-3) at 10:15 Friday morning.

March 12, 2008

(Sioux City, IA) -- Minot State shot 54 percent from the floor to upset Shawnee State, OH, 94-82, in opening round play of the 17th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship in Sioux City, IA.

The Beavers, who received the ninth and final at-large invitation to the national tournament, took the lead for good with 8:25 remaining in the first half on a basket by Kendra Meyer.  MSU closed out the half on an 18-9 run and went in to the locker room at intermission with a 44-34 lead.  The Beavers built the lead to as much as 20 in the second half before settling in for the 12 point victory.

Meyer led all scorers with 28 points and added four rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.  Brittni Walker had 23 points and seven rebounds, Lashay Bagsby chipped in with 14 points and five boards and Whitney Loftsness was also in double-figures with 13 points.

Shawnee State, who lost for just the third time this season, connected on just 17 percent of their 3-point field goal attempts and were out-rebounded 41-33.  Kelly Wagner led the Bears with 25 points and also had six rebounds, five steals and three assists.

The Beavers (20-10) will face William Jewell, MO (23-9), who knocked off defending national champion Indiana Wesleyan, 49-38, at 4:00 Friday in the second round of the tournament.

(Point Lookout, MO) -- Fifteenth seeded Cedarville, OH used a strong first half in handing DAC regular season champion Jamestown College an 83-59 defeat in first round action at the 17th annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament in  Point Lookout, MO.

Cedarville used a 15-5 run in the final 7:29 of the first half to open up a 38-28 lead at the break.  The Yellow Jackets built the lead to as much as 29 points in the second half en route to the 24 point win.

The Jimmies shot just 35 percent from the field, including 15 percent from behind the 3-point arc as their season came to an end with a 23-9 record.  Kyle Iverson led Jamestown with 18 points.  Jordan Olson added 14 points and a game high nine rebounds and Jake Holen scored 13 points and handed out four assists.

Cedarville had three players in double-figures.  Grant Walker had 17 points, Ryan Short added 16 and Chris Beals chipped in with 11.

Cedarville (23-7) moves in to the second round to face the second seed from MidAmerica Nazarene, KS at 4:00 Friday.

March 08, 2008

(Sioux City, IA) -- For the second consecutive year, Dickinson State finished third at the NAIA National Wrestling Tournament in Sioux City, IA.

Lindenwood, MO repeated as national champs with 130 points.  McKendree, IL was second with 109.5 followed by Dickinson State with 107.5, Great Falls, MT with 101 and Dana, NE with 91.5.

The Blue Hawks finished with one national champion, one runner-up, three fourth place finisher and an eighth place finisher.  Justin Schlecht captured his third straight national crown at 197 and his brother, Stanton was the runner-up at 165.  Cory Johnston at 125, Matt Michaelson at 197 and Karter Kleeman at 285 each finished fourth.  Eli Zuniga placed eighth at 133.   Justin Schlecht was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament and was also awarded the Gorriaran Award as the NAIA Wrestler of the Year.

For complete tournament results, go to the NAIA web-site.

March 08, 2008

(Johnson City, TN) -- Dickinson State and Black Hills State finished in the top five in the men's division and the Black Hills State women placed in the top five at the NAIA National Indoor Track and Field Championships in Johnson City, TN.

In the men's team race, Azusa Pacific, CA won the championship with 64.75 points with Oklahoma Baptist close behind with 64 points.  Dickinson State finished third with 55 points; Doane, NE fourth with 42 points and Black Hills State finished out the top five with 29.  South Dakota Mines tied for 30th place with six points and Jamestown College and Dakota State were in a group in 44th place with one point each.

Dickinson State was led by Dominic Goodman with a national championship in the long jump and a runner-up finish in the triple jump.  Ramon Miller won the 400 meters and the Blue Hawks captured the championship in the 4x400 relay.  Other point scorers for DSU were Michael Sands, second in the 60 meters; Kurt McCormack, fourth in the triple jump; Sean Pickstock, fifth in the 400 meters, Antillio Bastian, fifth in the triple jump and Sergio Jimenez, sixth in the 1000 meters.

Black Hills State's top performer was Eric Flores, who was third in the shot put and fourth in the weight throw.  Other place finishers for the Yellow Jackets were Tyg Long, third in the weight throw; Cody Bordewyk, third in the mile; Allen Wood, fourth in the 3000 meter; Jason Boeding, sixth in the shot put and BHSU placed fifth in the distance medley relay.

Other placers from the DAC were Chandler Caldwell from South Dakota Mines, third in the pole vault; Jamestown's Dan Lawson, sixth inn the long jump and Tyler VanPeursem, sixth in the 800.

In the women's competition, Wayland Baptist, TX won the team title with 71 points followed by Azusa Pacific, CA with 70; Simon Fraser, BC with 59; Oklahoma Baptist with 47 and Black Hills State with 35.  Dickinson State was the only other DAC school to score, finishing in a tie for 15th place with 13 points.

The Yellow Jackets top performer at the national meet Aubrey Baxter, who won the weight throw and was runner-up in the shot put.  Shannon Hellman captured the national title in the 60 meter hurdles and was sixth in the pentathlon and Amber Broederson placed third in the shot put.

Dickinson State crowned a national champion as Kelsey Aide won the pole vault.  Valdeana Bain was the only other scorer for DSU with a fourth place tie in the high jump.

Complete team and individual results can be found on the NAIA web-site.

March 05, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- Black Hills State, Dakota State and Minot State will travel to Sioux City, IA for the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament.

Black Hills State received an automatic invitation with their 75-65 triumph over Mayville State in the Dakota Athletic Conference Tournament.  The Yellow Jackets (26-5) are seeded third in their bracket and will begin tourney play at 5:45 on Thursday, March 13 against Rio Grande, OH (23-7).

Dakota State, the DAC regular season champs, received the third of nine at-large berths to the national competition.  The Lady T's (20-10) are the fourth seed in their bracket and will face Ohio Dominican (22-9) on Thursday, March 13 at 8:30 AM.

Minot State received the final at-large invite to the national tourney.  The Beavers (19-10) are seeded seventh in their bracket and begin competition on Wednesday, March 12 at 4:00 versus Shawnee State, OH (27-2).

For further information on the national tournament, go to the NAIA web-site.

(Kansas City, MO) -- Minot State and Jamestown College will represent the Dakota Athletic Conference at the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament on the campus of the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, MO.

Minot State received an automatic berth to the national tournament with an 87-85 win  of Jamestown in the DAC Tournament Championship Game.  The Beavers (19-11) will open the tournament at 12:00 noon on Thursday, March 13 against fifth seeded Northwestern, IA (27-4).

Jamestown, the regular season conference champions, received the fifth of eight at-large invitations to the national tourney.  The Jimmies (23-8) begin play in the tournament on Wednesday, March 12 versus number fifteen Cedarville, OH (22-7) at 4:00.

For complete information on the tournament, go to the NAIA web-site.

March 03, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- Regular season champion Jamestown College placed one player on the Dakota Athletic Conference Men's Basketball First Team, while DAC Tournament champ Minot State placed one on the honor squad.

Jamestown's Jake Holen and Kyle Iverson head up the DAC First Team.  They are joined by Matt Witwer of Minot State, Marques Banjamin of Mayville State and Joe Backus of Dakota State.

Holen was also selected the DAC Most valuable Player and Backus was picked as the Most Valuable Senior.  Cain Atkinson of Black Hills State was voted the Newcomer of the Year, Mike York of Valley City State was awarded Defensive Player of the Year honors and Jamestown's Jeff Trumbauer was chosen Coach of the Year.

A complete list of the All DAC Men's Basketball Teams and Post-Season Awards can be found on the All-Conference Performers page of the DAC web-site.

(Dickinson, ND) -- Five different schools are represented  on the Dakota Athletic Conference Women's Basketball First Team.

Players selected for the DAC First Team are Melanie Vedvei of South Dakota Mines, Lacey Haughian of tournament champion Black Hills State, Minot State's Kendra Meyer, Jessica VanLoy of regular season champion Dakota State and Laura Big Crow from Mayville State.

Meyer was chosen the DAC Most Valuable Player and VanLoy was voted Most Valuable Senior.  Guili Varriano of Jamestown College was honored as the Defensive Player of the Year, Jerika Ihnen of South Dakota Mines was picked as Freshman of the Year and Black Hills State's Mark Nore honored as Coach of the Year.

A complete list of the All DAC Women's Basketball Teams and Post-Season Awards can be found on the All-Conference Performers page of the DAC web-site.

March 02, 2008

(Spearfish, SD) -- Black Hills State earned a berth to the NAIA Division II Women's National Tournament in Sioux City, IA with a 75-65 win over Mayville State in the Dakota Athletic Conference tournament championship game in Spearfish, SD.

The Yellow Jackets led 36-33 at halftime and built the lead to double digits by outscoring the Comets in the second half 39-32.

The Jackets had four players in double figures.  Snjezana Dojcinovic had 20 points and seven rebounds; Lacey Haughian added 19 points and a game high eight rebounds.  Britanny Fuhrman added 15 points and KateLynn Lamb scored ten off the bench.

Mayville State had three players score double figures.  Jamie Wheeler had 20 points, Cassie Leraas added 15 and Danielle Guilbert chipped in 13.

The Yellow Jackets improved to 26-5, while the Comets close out their season with a 16-12 mark.  Black Hills State could be joined at the national tourney by DAC regular season champion Dakota State, who were ranked ninth in the final poll of the season.

Seedings and pairings for the national tournament will be announced on Wednesday afternoon.

(Jamestown, ND) -- Minot State got a last second field goal from CJ DeWitty to give the second seeded Beavers an 87-85 victory over top seed Jamestown College in the Dakota Athletic Conference tournament championship game at the Jamestown Civic Center.

The Jimmies led the Beavers 50-40 at half, but were outscored 47-35 in the second half.  The victory earns Minot State a berth to the NAIA Division II National Tournament in Point Lookout, MO, March 12-18.

The Beavers had four starters and one reserve in double figures.  DeWitty led MSU with 23 points; Aaron Patterson added 16, Matt Witwer 14 and Joe Gathings ten.  Andy Leraas came off the bench with 12 points and a team high 11 rebounds.

Jamestown had two players in double figures.  Jake Holen had a game high 31 and Kyle Iverson added 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Minot State improved to 19-11, while Jamestown dropped to 23-8.  The Jimmies, who won the regular season conference title, could still receive an at-large invitation to the national tournament as they were ranked seventeenth in the final regular season poll.

Seedings and pairings for the national tournament will be released on Wednesday afternoon.

February 23, 2008

(Spearfish, SD) -- The Black Hills State women and Dickinson State men captured the team championships at the Dakota Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Meet at Black Hills State.

The Yellow Jackets scored 229.50 points in winning their third straight conference indoor crown. Dickinson State scored 164 points to finish as the runner-up.  Jamestown College finished third with 112 points, followed by Dakota State with 58.50, Minot State with 53.50 and South Dakota Mines with 23.50.

Shannon Hellman led Black Hills State with five individual championships.  She won the pentathlon, long jump, 55 meters, 200 meter and 55 hurdles.  Other individual titlests for the Yellow Jackets were Nicki Shinkle in the 400 meters; Wendy O'Lexey in the mile and the 3000 meters; Shelli Scheffler in the 800 meters and Aubrey Baxter in the shot put and the weight throw.  BHSU also won the 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 relays.

The Blue Hawks record 238 points enroute to their fourth consecutive indoor conference title.  Black Hills State placed second with 163.50 points, followed by Jamestown College with 92.50; Minot State with 74; Dakota State with 58 and South Dakota Mines with 57.

Individual champions for Dickinson State were Michael Sands in the 55 meters; John Ingraham in the 200 meters; Ramon Miller in the 400 meters and Dominic Goodman in the Triple Jump.  DSU also won the 4x200, 4x400 and 4x400 relays. 

For complete results and award winners, go to the DAC Indoor Results page.

February 20, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Jamestown College men and Dakota State women are the top seeds for the Dakota Athletic Conference post-season basketball tournaments that tip-off on Sunday.

The top-seeded Jimmies (11-3/21-7) will play host to Dakota State (3-11/6-22) at 3:00 Sunday.  Other first round matchups have number five Black Hills State (7-7/15-13) on the road to face fourth seed Mayville State (7-7/12-15) at 4:00; number two Minot State (10-4/16-11) plays  host to number seven South Dakota Mines (4-10/7-21) at 4:00 and sixth seed Dickinson State (4-10/10-18) will travel to Valley City State (10-4/21-7) for a 3:00 matchup.

The number one seeded Lady T's (11-3/19-9) will be at home to face Valley City State (0-14/5-22) at 3:00 Sunday.  Other first round contests have nummber four Mayville State (8-6/14-11) hosting number five South Dakota Mines (6-8/19-9) at 2:00; number seven Dickinson State (4-10/8-20) travels to number two Black Hills State (11-3/23-5) at 3:00 and third seed Minot State (10-4/19-9) is at home to play number six Jamestown College (4-10/8-20) at 2:00.

The semifinals will be played on Wednesday, February 27 with the championship games schedule for Sunday, March 2.  The tournament champions will receive an automatic berth to the NAIA Division II National Tournaments, March 12-18.  The men's national tourney will be held in Point Lookout, MO with the women's tournament taking place in Sioux City, IA.

February, 20, 2008

(Mayville, ND) -- Lindsey Kruse has been named the head volleyball coach at Mayville State University, Mayville, N.D. She assumes the post following the retirement of former head coach Maxine Mehus, who retired after the 2007 volleyball season. Kruse will begin her duties at Mayville State on March 10.

Kruse, from Underwood, Minn., is a 2002 graduate of Mayville State University, where she earned a degree in elementary education with minors in coaching and educational technology. She was a two-sport athlete who competed in both volleyball and softball.

While finishing her college degree, she served as head volleyball coach at Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg High School. During her tenure at May-Port-CG, the Patriots won a state championship and also finished second in the state tournament.

After graduating from Mayville State, Kruse was a graduate assistant at St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minn. for two years before becoming the head volleyball coach at Buena Vista College in Iowa, where she’s been for the past three seasons.

“We are excited to have Lindsey on board,” stated Mayville State athletic director Mike Moore. “She brings a lot of energy and intensity to the situation. With her background at Mayville State and because she is from this region, Lindsey will be able to hit the ground running. Recruiting will be an immediate priority for her.”

January 30, 2008

(Kansas, City, MO) -- Marques Benjamin of Mayville State has been selected as the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Player of the Week for the week of January 21-27.

Benjamin, a 6-0 senior guard from San Francisco, CA., helped Mayville to two wins over Top 25 opponents last week and the top spot in the Dakota Athletic Conference standings. In the 103-93 win over No. 23 Jamestown, Benjamin put in a double-double with 23 points and a season-tying best of 11 assists. He went a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line.

One day later in the 84-80 win against No. 16 Valley City State he netted 24 points, one shy of his season-best. He dished out seven assists and grabbed four boards. His scoring total pushed his double-digit streak to three straight games and four out of his last five.

Benjamin is currently averaging 12.9 points per game for the Comets while handing out 7.3 assists per game.  Among all NAIA players, Benjamin is second in assists.

January 30, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- Dickinson State is the lone school from the Dakota Athletic Conference ranked in the NAIA Preseason Softball Poll. The Blue Hawks (32-8), the defending DAC and Region III champions, are rated ninth in the preseason balloting.   Defending national champion Oklahoma City picked up 12 of 13 first place votes to top the poll. The complete poll can be found on the NAIA web-site.

January 29, 2008

(Jamestown, ND) -- Jamestown College president Robert S. Badal and athletic director Lawrie Paulson on Tuesday announced the return of Emmett “Bud” Etzold as the college’s head football coach.

“I am excited for the opportunity to come back to Jamestown College,” Etzold says. “I feel like I’m coming home.”

Etzold served as the Jimmies’ head football coach from 1995-1999.  Under his leadership, the Jimmies won two conference championships in 1997 and 1998.  In 1997 he was named Male Head Coach of the Year by the North Dakota Sportswriters and Sportscasters, and he received North Dakota Collegiate Athletic Conference Football Coach of the Year honors that same year.

Etzold was named athletic director at Jamestown College in 1999 and served in that capacity until 2000 when he accepted the position of associate vice president for institutional advancement. 

In 2002, Etzold left Jamestown College for a coaching and development position at the University of Mary, where he has been until now.

“Our goal was to find someone who would continue to move the football program in the direction it has been headed over the past four years and do it in a manner consistent with our mission,” Paulson says. “Bud’s proven leadership and familiarity with Jamestown College, along with his obvious skill as a football coach, make him the right choice for the position.  I have no doubt that he will hit the ground running and that the rest of the staff and players will find it easy to follow his lead.”

Etzold holds a bachelor of science degree in K-12 physical education from Dickinson State University and a master’s in exercise science from Missouri State University.  He has nearly 30 years of experience in post secondary education along with collegiate experience in institutional advancement, residential life, admissions and athletics. 

Etzold is welcomed back to the Jamestown community by many friends and supporters.   

“Bud brings with him a wealth of information pertaining to the college, our football program, and the community of Jamestown,” Dr. Badal says. “We are happy to have Bud back on campus as he is highly qualified in all aspects of the position.”

Etzold will assume his new responsibilities immediately. The college had been interviewing candidates for several weeks following the resignation of Tom Dosch.

Etzold and his wife, Peggy, have a grown son and daughter.

January 23, 2008

(Story Courtesy Brad Blume, SD  Mines Sports Information Director)

RAPID CITY --- South Dakota School of Mines senior Melanie Vedvei has been committing grand larceny and getting away with it for the past four years but it finally caught up with her --- on the basketball court that is.

The 5-foot-7-inch guard for the Lady Hardrockers recorded nine steals over the weekend during Dakota Athletic Conference action against Mayville State, N.D., and Dakota State, S.D., which pushed her grand total over the top for the NAIA national career steals record. So far in her four-year tenure at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Vedvei has 416 steals as a Lady Hardrocker. The old record, held by Joy Wilkinsen of Malone, Ohio, was 411 from 1999 to 2003.

“It’s something I have never even thought about. I didn’t even know that I was close to (the record) until after our last home weekend when someone mentioned it,” Vedvei said. “It’s a huge honor, but it is one of those things that is a honor for our whole team.”

The Lake Preston, S.D., native holds the NAIA record, along with every SD Mines school steals category record, include career steals, steals in a season (124 in 2006-07) and steals in a game (11 vs. Holy Names during the 2004-05 season).

“She’s a phenomenal athlete,” said Lady Hardrocker head coach Barb Felderman. “I think she is one of the best athletes in the NAIA. In fact, a guy this past weekend told me he thought Mel could excel very well at the (NCAA) DII and DI levels.”

Felderman said Vedvei is a complete player both offensively and defensively, which is probably the main reason she’s received the conference MVP the past two years as well as a NAIA First Team All American accolade last season.

“She has a love for the game,” Felderman said. “She is able to read her opponents very well. On offense she sees the court to distribute (the ball) or make her move, whether it would be to take a shot, or penetrate. Then on defense she has that same vision. She can see the whole thing evolving. She has great, quick hands.”

“I didn’t think that’s where I would be at. It’s nothing that we ever really talk about or think about, until it actually happens. You hear about it and then (you become aware of it),” Vedvei said. “But it’s another big honor to get.”

Vedvei added that it’s more about winning the game each weekend and again Felderman agreed.

“We never address points --- ever. I rarely know what’s going on as far as records. It’s all about getting a win and playing together,” the coach added.

So with nine games left in the regular season, there is no telling what Vedvei’s final statistical tally will be and what other recognition the talented point guard will receive. She is just going to play one game at a time and take whatever comes her way.

On that note, she has already received the DAC player of the week honors multiple times this season in arguably one of the toughest conference in the NAIA.

But don’t ask Vedvei about it.

“I don’t even know how many times it’s been,” Vedvei said who is obviously more concerned about winning games than earning awards.

But for the record, Vedvei has been awarded DAC Player of the Week four times this year ---- it’s been available seven times this season.

September 11, 2007

(Madison, SD) -- The Dakota State Men’s Basketball program took time to volunteer to help at the Habitat for Humanity House in Madison, SD. The Trojan men’s basketball program had 21 members, along with Head Coach Wade Kooiman and Associate Head Coach Orion Thompson, working on the interior framing of the house. In addition, there was a group of kids helping with siding preparation.

Susan and Brandon Nordaune are the recipients of the work and the house. Susan works as a Senior Claims Clerk at Dakota State University.

"I was excited to see the Men’s Basketball program participate and look forward to having their help in the future," said Susan Nordaune. "I’m very thankful for the involvement of these young men and sincerely appreciate it."

The men’s basketball team worked for one day, but are planning for another time to volunteer.

August 29, 2007

(Some information courtesy Reauters News Service)

(Dickinson, ND) -- While most track fans eagerly awaited the showdown between world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica and American Tyson Gay in the 100 meter race at the world track and field championships in Osaka, Japan on Sunday, Dickinson State track coach Pete Stanton and Blue Hawk fans were anxious to cheer for a man from the Bahamas.

Derrick Atkins finished second in the much anticipated race. The former Blue Hawk ran a 9.91 to finish behind Gay, who ran a 9.85, but ahead of Powell, who clocked in at 9.96. Atkins' 9.91 is the fourth fasted non-wind aided time in the world in 2007.

Atkins was a seven time NAIA national champion and nine time All American. He helped lead Dickinson State to national championships in 2004 and 2005 and was a member of the Blue Hawk coaching staff during their national championship season of 2006.

After failing to survive the first round of the world championships in Helsinki, Finland two years ago, Atkins was pleased with his performance in Japan.

"I'm pretty happy," he said. "A silver medal is pretty good for a little country of 300.000 people. I'm happy to be a Bahaman right now and hold our flag high in the sky."

Atkins emerged on the world scene this summer, setting the Bahaman national record with a 9.98 in winning the 100 meters at a meet in Berkley, CA, in late April. Atkins then broke his national record with a 9.95 race in Greece in July and lowered the mark again with his silver medal performance at the world championships.

"It was so exciting to watch Derrick accomplish what he did. Not only what he did at the world championship, but over the course of the past two years," said Stanton. "Derrick has committed himself to be one of the best through his focus and hard work. Although I would have been proud of him no matter where he finished at the world championship, I was so happy for Derrick because he is so deserving of his success."

Atkins' work on the track has already qualified him for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. He will be the second Blue Hawk to compete in the Olympics, joining fellow Bahaman Aaron Cleare, who ran in the 4x400 meter relay in the 2004 games in Athens, Greece.

"It was an exciting day for our school and program. Derrick has been a great ambassador for Dickinson State and the NAIA," Stanton added. "Derrick has been a role model for our athletes at Dickinson State and for the athletes in his country. One of the things I am most proud of Derrick is the person that he is and the class in which he has handled his success. This attitude will continue to help him at the world level as he gets ready for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

"With the success of Bryan Clay (2000 NAIA champion, 2004 Olympic silver medalist and 2005 world champion in the decathlon from Azusa Pacific, CA) and Derrick, among others, hopefully people will realize how good the NAIA track and field is. Several NAIA athletes continue to make an impact at the world level."

August 29, 2007

(Story courtesy of the North Dakota Associated Press)

(Northwood, ND) -- The Mayville State University men's basketball team had a workout their coach says they will never forget.

Twenty-eight members of the team and two coaches helped with cleanup from the tornado that wiped out much of Northwood, a community of about 870 people located approximately 35 miles southwest of Grand Forks. Northwood was struck by a tornado with winds in excess of 150 miles-per-hour on Sunday evening.

The team went door-to-door removing debris from yards and buildings. Head coach Justin Johnson says many of his players have never seen damage caused by a tornado. He says they didn't expect such widespread devastation.

Northwood teacher Mike Voglewede says the players did a lot of work in a short amount a time. And he says they were smiling the whole time.

August 22, 2007

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference has two men's teams and two women's teams ranked in the NAIA Preseason Cross Country Polls.

Black Hills State is the top DAC team in the men's poll. coming in at number six, while Dickinson State is ranked 21st. Malone, OH, is the number one team in the preseason.

The complete men's poll is available on the NAIA web-site.

Black Hills State is also the top ranked DAC team in the women's poll at number four. Jamestown College is also in the rankings, coming in at number fourteen. Simon Fraser, BC, is the preseason number one.

The complete women's poll can be found on the NAIA web-site.

August 15, 2007

(Dickinson, ND) -- One Dakota Athletic Conference team is ranked in the NAIA Preseason Volleyball Poll.

Dickinson State (28-11), the defending DAC champs, are ranked fifth in the preseason poll.

Defending national champion National American, SD, received ten first place votes to top the balloting. Fresno Pacific, CA, picked up the other first place selections to place second. Californis Baptist; Concordia, CA and Dickinson State finish out the top five.

The complete poll is available on the NAIA web-site.

August 13, 2007

(Dickinson, ND) -- Two Dakota Athletic Conference teams are ranked in the NAIA Preseason Football Poll.

Defending conference champion Black Hills State (8-3 in 2006) is ranked tenth and Jamestown College (8-3) is ranked sixteenth.

Defending national champion Sioux Falls, SD (14-0) received 15 of 16 first place ballots to top the poll. Last year's national runner-up, St, Francis, IN (13-1), received the other first place vote and placed second. Missouri Valley (13-1); Carroll, MT (11-2) and Saint Xavier, IL (10-3) round out the top five.

The complete poll can be found on the NAIA web-site.

July 18, 2007

(Madison, SD) -- Dakota State Athletics announces the hiring of the new Trojan Baseball head coach, Dean Berry.

Prior to coming to Dakota State University, Berry was the head coach for Presentation College softball team during the 2007 season. He led the team to its first ever UMAC conference tournament with a runner-up finish and set a school record for most wins in a season (more wins than previous three years combined). As a result, Berry was named the UMAC conference coach of the year.

Berry has over thirteen years of coaching experience in college and high school levels from all over. He was the assistant baseball coach at Mayville State University from 2002-2006 under current head coach Scott Berry. He was also the recruiting coordinator and academic supervisor.

During summer 2004, Dean was the co-head coach for USA Athletes International, competing in Prague, Czech Republic and finished fourth. Dean Berry was the head baseball coach for former DAC member Huron University from 2000-2002 and led the team to the National Playoffs in 2002.

Dean coached high school baseball teams for a total of eight years in Washburn (ND) and West Fargo (ND) and American Legion baseball teams in LaMoure (ND), West Fargo (ND), Devils Lake (ND) and Jamestown (ND). In 1995, he was named to North Dakota Legion Baseball "Coach of the Year." In addition, he also coached at the college levels at NCAA Division I Dartmouth College in New Hampshire as an assistant baseball coach as well at NCAA Division III Concordia College (MN).

Dean graduated from Mayville State University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and minor in coaching.

While at Mayville State, he lettered in baseball and football for four years. In baseball, he played on four Conference Championship teams, four District 12 Championship teams, and two time Region 3 runner-ups teams. He was named to NDCAC All-Conference team in 1993. In football, Dean played on one NDCAC Conference Championship team and voted as team captain. In 2006, he received his master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at University of North Dakota.

In addition to his head baseball coach duties, Dean will also serve as Events Manager at Dakota State University. Berry will take over the position held by Patrick Dolan, who accepted the baseball head coach job at NCAA Division II St. Cloud University last June.

"I am very excited about this new opportunity to take over the Dakota State baseball program," said Coach Berry. "Dakota State has been one of the top teams in the DAC Conference as well as Region 3 and I’m looking forward to continuing that success. DSU is committed to providing student-athletes with a top notch educational experience and with the success of the baseball program; it makes this opportunity very exciting."

Dean has as wife Julie and three year old daughter Abby.