PSU Magazine Winter 1988

Winners again The Portl and State Football team fin– ished first again in the Western Football Conference and made it to the NCAA Division II playoffs. The regul ar season ended with seven straight wins for 8- 2- 1 and a fourth place national ranking . This is the second year in a row for the Viks in the Division II playoffs. They were 11- 2- 1 in 1987, losing to Troy State in the Division II national championship game at Florence, Ala. Because of last year's record- breaking crowds at Portland's Civic Stadium , the NCAA chose the Viks' home field for at least one of this year's playoff games. The playoff appearances, with a chance for national media coverage, should bring added recognition to PSU standouts such as quarterback Chris Crawford, running back Curtis Delgardo, and defensive ends Anthony Spears and Brent Napierbowski. More than a game Drawing big crowds into the Civic Stadium to cheer on the Vikings took on new importance to Football Coach Pokey Allen - a month's salary (after taxes) to be exact. Back in December 1987 Allen told the State Board of Higher Education that he was so confident of averaging 10,000 fans per home game he would bet his paycheck on it. " I forgot about the TV cameras," Allen said later. "I didn't really mean it." But Bill Clunie, a columnist for the Vanguard , didn't forget and called for Allen's $2 ,100 month's pay within the pages of the PSU student newspaper. Clunie suggested the money be donated to an English Department scholarship of Clunie's choice. He also sweetened the pot by adding his own month's pay, about $300, for an athletic department scholar– ship if Allen's prediction came true. The good natured wager ended on Nov. 12 when the Vikings beat University of Montana before a crowd of 13,934, which PSU 28 I SPORTS Viking running back Curtis Delgardo put fan averages above 10,000 and Clunie's check in the athletic department scholar– ship fund . Spikers take the court In top form again , the Viking Volleyball team ranked No. 1 national ly most of the season while burning the courts to the Western Regionals and possibly the NCAA II national champ ion– ships (not known at publication deadline) . In 1984 and 1985 volleyball was the big scorer with consecutive national champion– ships. After two years of rebuilding Coach Jeff Mozzochi again has a winning team lead by 1987 Second Team All American Jenny Norlin and seniors Cathy Kuntz and Shelley Rumberger. In mid- November the team had a 28- 5 winning record. High hopes for PSU matmen The wrestling team faces a tough schedule but promising 1988- 89 season, according to Coach Marlin Grahn. The Vikings did well in one of their hardest matches against two strong teams, defend– ing champion Arizona State and Oklahoma on Nov. 30. " I think we have an excellent chance to move up into the top three teams in Divi– sion ll and gain some Division I placers:· says Grahn. The team has a strong mix from top to bottom with Broderick Lee (118), Travis West (142) , and Dan Russell (150) who won the NCAA championship last year. The Viks have added four state high school champions to this year's team. 1988-89 Wrestling Home matches Jan. II Jan. 28 Feb. 2 Feb. 3 Feb. 4 Feb. 18 Boise State, 7:30 pm Oregon State, 6 pm Simon Fraser, 7:30 pm Utah State, 7:30 pm Brigham Young , 7:30 pm Western Regionals, 10 am Basketball outlook A young but able PSU Women's Basketball team will begin the home season on Dec. 29 against Brown Univer– sity, 7:30 p.m.. Portland State gym . Ac– cordi ng to Coach Greg Bruce this year's squad has the best athletic ab ility and overall depth in his three seasons. The return of senior Cathy Kuntz and the add ition of junior transfers Michelle Bateman and Sherri Ives. Northwest Junior College Region 3 Player of the Year, shou ld provide the necessa ry leadersh ip and experience to an otherwise young squad , says Bruce. 1988-89 Basketball Dec. 29 Jan. 6 Jan. 7 Jan . 28 Jan . 31 Feb. II Feb. 12 Feb. 28 Home games Brown Univ., 7:30 pm Univ. of Pacific, 7:30 pm Gonzaga Univ., 7:30 pm Western Oregon. 8 pm Uni v. of Portland , 7:30 pm Boise State, 7:30 pm U.S. International, 3 p.m. Univ. of Texas- El Paso. 7:30 pm