PSU Magazine Winter 2001

MEN'S BASKETBALL This is a transition season for the men's program. The Vikings, which opened the schedule with three straight road games against Pac-10 schools, are Junior Jamaal Thomas (left) and freshman Seamus Boxley (right) bring excellent dunk and rebound skills to the Vikings. coming off of their third straight winning season, but the team al o lost four key seniors. With a core of new talent joining returners Anthony Lackey and Luke Dean, head coach Joel Sobotka sti ll has high expecta– tions. One thing is certain, Sobotka' up-tempo run and gun sty le will be exciting to watch this year as the Vikings move back on campus, playing 11 of their 13 home games at the Peter W. Stott Center. Newcom– ers Dony Wilcher and Jabbar Washington will play pivotal roles for PSU as they make a run in the Big Sky Conference. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL The Vikings tarted a tough non-conference schedu le with an 0-4 mark. Head coach George Wolfe has only one returning starter and seven new players for its Big Sky season, which started in January. Senior Hiedi Hatcher is capping off a stellar collegiate career and will try to duplicate or improve upon her honor– ab le mention, all-conference status from a year ago. The women's basketball team also boasts a two-sport star in senior A licia Russell. Russell is playing her first year on the team, having come from the softball diamond where he was a top player. WRESTLING The 2000-01 edition of the PSU wrestling quad looks to take another step forward since joining the Pac-10 conference in 1998. Following a 10th place finish in their inaugura l ea on, the Vikings jumped to eighth last season, and head coach Marlin Grahn is optimistic that this year's team will continue to improve in the tough Pac-10. The Vikings started the season with a bang, defeating con– ference rival Stanford in their first dual meet of the year. Portland State returns all three wrestlers who competed at la t year's NCAA Championships in St. Louis. Sophomore Eric Arbogast (157 pounds) and junior Jeremy Wilson (184 pounds) will return to their starting roles while sophomore Mike Pierce (174 pounds) will redshirt this season. Wilson opened the season ranked No. 14 in the nation at 184 by Amateur Wrestling News. FOOTBALL The Vikings completed what is very possibly its most impressive season, highlighted by an 8-4 overall record, a historic road win over Division I-A Hawaii, and a first-ever trip to the playoffs since moving up to Division 1- AA in 1996. The senior-laden squad made its mark in the PSU record book and wa ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation at one point during the season. Quarterback Jimmy Blanchard became just the second Viking in history to pass for more than 8,000 yards in a career, wide receiver Orsh– wante Bryant set all major career receiving records, and tail– back Charles Dunn demolished 12 school rushing records in becoming the third mot prolific running back in NCAA 1- AA history and Big Sky Conference Player of the Year. GOLF Both the men's and women's teams made impressive strides during their respective fa ll seasons. The women were led by Taya Battistella, who had a team-best 76.7 scoring average and led the Vikings to a best-ever third-place fini h at the Bronco Fall C lassic tournament. The men's team won its first team title in nearly two years by capturing the Idaho Vandal Fall Classic. SOCCER The team finished a dis– appointing 2000 campaign without a victory and the program will rebuild next year under a new head coach. Senior midfielder Aimee Mansoor was honored as a Second-Team All– Big Sky Conference selection. VOLLEYBALL The vo lleyball Viks will also get a makeover next season, as head coach Chris Stanley tepped down fo llowing a difficult 0- Junior Taya Battistella led the team with a 76.7 scoring average this fall. 25 season. Strong play from freshman Tiare Alailima and sophomore Stacy Ball are encouraging signs that last sea– son's struggles shou ld only be temporary. CROSS COUNTRY The men's and women's teams com– peted at the Big Sky Championships with the women tak– ing seventh and the men placing ninth. Freshman Brian Orth led the men's quad, while women's team senior Melissa Telford, two-time all-conference performer, ran only two race before the Big Sky Championships. Tickets to athletic events are available through the PSU Box Office, 503-725-3307, or by calling 1-888-VIK– TIKS. For a complete schedule of matches see the Web site www.goviks.com . WINTER 2001 PSU MAGAZINE 29