PSU Magazine Spring 1996

' THIS FALL Portland State moves to the Big Sky Conference in all sports, except baseball and wrestling (PAC-10) and softba ll (Independent). The Vikings will compete in Division I against Montana, Montana State, Idaho State, Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona, Weber State, Sacramento State, and Cal State-Northridge. MEN'S BASKETBALL: Head Coach Ritchie McKay already has 11 players on the roster for the resurrection of men's basketball next season. The Vikings will play 10 games in the Rose Garden, the first game on Nov. 12 against the Chinese National Team, followed by the University of Oregon on Dec. 4. Road games include Oregon State, Washington, University of Portland, Mississippi, and Tulane. " FOOTBALL: Coach Tim Walsh return for the fourth year with a 25-11 record after guiding PSU to the quarter– finals in 1995. The 1996 Big Sky Conference schedule is: Sept. 7 at Boise State Sept. 14 Sonoma State at PSU Sept. 21 North rn Arizona at PSU Sept. 28 at Eastern Washington Oct. 5 at Cal State- Northridge Oct. 12 UC Davis at PSU Oct. 19 Weber State at PSU Oct. 26 at Montana State Nov. 2 Sacramento State at PSU Nov. 9 at Montana Nov. 16 Idaho State at PSU Top returning receiver, Kyle Holley, will be a star player as the Vikings take on the Big Sky Conference. BASEBALL: The Vikings had a lackluster season, finishing 14-37 and 6-18 in the PAC-10. Three infielders hit over .300 this season: Don Marbut (.323), Graham Schetzsle (.318), and Matt Dorey (.303). True freshman Jimmy Smith led the Viking pitchers with a 4-3 record and 3.41 ERA. Smith may soon become a standout two-sport athlete at PSU; he is competing for the quarterback position on the football team. SOFTBALL: The Vikings returned to the always tough NCAA II West Region tournament for the fifth time in the past seven seasons. They lost to Cal-Davis, finishing the sea on 42-20. Senior catcher Michelle Guertin set new school records for home runs and runs batted in before the season was two-thirds completed. Both freshmen pitchers Shevaun Seibert and Beth Stidham won more than 15 games. This was head Coach Teri Marian i's 20th season, and the ninth time the team has made it to the playoffs under her leadership. TRACK AND FIELD: 1995 Nat ional Heptathlon Champion Robin Unger has qualified for the U. S. Olympic Trials. Unger owns a total of seven school records and has qualified for Nationals in four events (heptathlon, high jump, 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles). The National Meet takes place May 23-25 in Riverside, Calif. Javelin thrower Dave Island and distance runner Andy Maris are other All-Americans who will represent PSU in the men's national meet. Senior Robin Unger holds seven school records and has qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials. WOMEN'S TENNIS: The team concluded its season 6-15 overall. Sophomore Leinani McAneney had a strong first year for the Vikings with an individual record of 11-10. McAneney and Kristen Crawford were best of team at doubles with a 9-10 season mark. The Viking are expected to return intact next year. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: The Viking women won a fifth straight Pacific West Conference Championship and another trip to the Elite Eight National Championship, only to lose to eventual champ North Dakota State. Seniors Kim Manifesto and Kristi Smith, both first-team All-Americans for the second year in a row, led the team to a 25-5 record. Head Coach Greg Bruce, who built a 198-90 winning record over the past 10 seasons, has resigned to coach the American Basketball League's new Portland entry. WRESTLING: The Vikings sent five wrestlers to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championship match and came back with two All-American medals earned by Doug Keldsen and Tony Teuscher. PSU's 20th-place finish over– all was its lowest since 1981. However, Coach Marlin Grahn expects new recruits to make a strong showing as the team enters the PAC-10 next season. HONORING OUR OWN: The University's new Sports Hall of Fame is seeking to honor athletes, teams, coaches, and supporters who have contributed to the excellence of PSU's athletic program for the past 50 years. Anyone wishing to nominate an individual or team, should contact Bob Tayler, Viking Club executive director, at 725-5628. SPRING 1996 PSU MAGAZINE 29