Sports – Page 664 – North Platte Post Archive

Robinson, Pollmiller Honored by Big Ten Conference

Posted on November 11, 2013

Nebraska senior outside hitter Kelsey Robinson and junior setter Mary Pollmiller were honored by the Big Ten Conference on Monday. Robinson was selected as the league’s Player of the Week, while Pollmiller earned Setter of the Week accolades.

Robinson led the Huskers to road wins over Wisconsin (3-1) and Minnesota (3-2) over the weekend. She averaged 4.9 kills, 3.4 digs and 0.6 digs per set. Robinson notched double-doubles against both the Badgers (21 kills, 13 digs) and Gophers (23 kills, 19 digs). She recorded a .330 hitting percentage and added three assists and an ace. The honor marks her third career Big Ten weekly award.

Pollmiller also guided the Huskers to a 2-0 record on the weekend. She paced the Husker offense, averaging 12.3 assists per set. Pollmiller also recorded 50 assists against the Badgers and 61 assists against the Gophers. She totaled 12 digs, six kills and three blocks on the weekend. The accolade marks her third career Big Ten weekly award.

2013 Big Ten Volleyball Players of the Week

Sept. 2 P: Tori Dixon, Sr., MINN

D: Bethany Yeager, Sr., IOWA

S: Taylor Sherwin, Jr., OSU

F: Maddie Mayers, ILL

Sept. 9 P: Kaitlyn Leary, Sr., OSU

D: Tori Dixon, Sr., MINN

S: Lexi Dannemiller, Jr., MICH

F: Abby Cole, MICH

Sept. 16 P: Lauren Wicinski, Sr., MSU

D: Faye Adelaja, Fr., PUR

S: Taylor Sherwin, Jr., OSU

F: Amber Rolfzen, NEB

Faye Adelaja, PUR

Sept. 23 P: Stephanie Holthus, Sr., NU

D: Tori Dixon, Sr., MINN

S: Caleigh Ryan, Fr., NU

F: Caleigh Ryan, NU

Sept. 30 P: Lauren Wicinski, Sr., MSU

D: Ashley Wittman, Sr., MINN

S: Mary Pollmiller, Jr., NEB

F: Haleigh Nelson, WIS

Oct. 7 P: Lauren Wicinski, Sr., MSU

Kelsey Robinson, Sr., NEB

D: Meghan Haggerty, So., NEB

S: Micha Hancock, Jr., PSU

F: Amber Rolfzen, NEB

Oct. 14 P: Katie Slay, Sr., PSU

D: Tori Dixon, Sr., MINN

S: Micha Hancock, Jr., PSU

F: Caleigh Ryan, NU

Oct. 21 P: Val Nichol, Jr., PUR

D: Annemarie Hickey, Sr., WIS

S: Lexi Dannemiller, Jr., MICH

F: Hannah Tapp, MINN

Oct. 28 P: Ashley Wittman, Sr., MINN

D: KiKi Jones, Jr., PUR

S: Mary Pollmiller, Jr., NEB

F: Kadie Rolfzen, NEB

Nov. 4 P: Kelsey Robinson, Sr., NEB

D: Cecilia Hall, So., NEB

S: Micha Hancock, Jr., PSU

F: Kadie Rolfzen, NEB

Lauren Carlini, WIS

Nov. 11 P: Kelsey Robinson, Sr., NEB

D: Katie Slay, Sr., PSU

S: Mary Pollmiller, Jr., NEB

F: Taylor Sandbothe, OSU

MPCC Rodeo Team Raffling Saddle to Raise Funds for Travel

Posted on November 11, 2013

The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team is raffling a handmade saddle to raise money for travel and other expenses incurred by members of the club.

“We travel extensively and when you figure the costs of transporting five to six horses, 9-10 kids, meals, fuel and other costs it can get pretty expensive,” said Mike Janecek, MPCC Rodeo Team faculty advisor.

The saddle, generously sponsored by Cowboy Connection in North Platte, has an estimated value of nearly $1,000. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. They can be purchased at the college’s Welcome Centers or from rodeo team members, coach Dustin Elliott, or Janecek.

The winner will be announced at the MPCC Rodeo Team’s mid-Winter social in February. For more information, contact Janecek at(308) 535-3645 or email [email protected].

Indiana and Nebraska Earn First Weekly Men’s Basketball Honors

Posted on November 11, 2013

Player of the Week

Shavon Shields, Nebraska

G – So. – 6-7 – Olathe, Kan. – Northwest

Scored a game-high 28 points in Nebraska’s 79-55 season-opening win over 2013 Sweet 16 participant Florida Gulf Coast
Shot 61.5 percent (8-for-13) from the field and was 12-for-12 from the free throw line
Pulled down six rebounds and dished out three assists against zero turnovers in 35 minutes
His 28 points were the most by a Big Ten player during the opening weekend of the season and the most for a Nebraska player in a season opener since 2008
Earns his first career Big Ten Player of the Week honor
Last Nebraska Player of the Week: Andre Almeida (Dec. 3, 2012)

Freshman of the Week

Noah Vonleh, Indiana

F – 6-10 – Haverhill, Mass. – New Hampton School

Produced a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds in his first college game, helping Indiana post a 100-72 win over Chicago State

Went 5-for-5 from the free throw line and recorded three blocks in 22 minutes off the bench
Rebounding totals came on 11 defensive caroms and three offensive boards
Became the fourth freshman in the Tom Crean era to post a double-double in his first-career game, joining Tom Pritchard, Christian Watford and Cody Zeller
Earns his first Freshman of the Week honor
Last Indiana Freshman of the Week: Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell (March 4, 2013)

Two Huskers Earn Big Ten Player-of-the-Week Honors

Posted on November 11, 2013

A pair of Nebraska players were honored on Monday for their outstanding efforts in the Huskers’ 17-13 victory at Michigan on Saturday.

Sophomore defensive end Randy Gregory was named co-Defensive Player of the Week, sharing the honor with Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland. Redshirt freshman quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. earned Freshman-of-the-Week honors.

The 6-6, 255-pound Gregory dominated the line of scrimmage against the Wolverines. Gregory recorded four total tackles, including three sacks for 14 yards in losses, including a sack on Michigan’s final offensive possession. Gregory also added a pair of quarterback hurries in the contest.

Gregory’s play paced an outstanding effort by the Blackshirts. Nebraska held Michigan to -21 rushing yards and recorded a season-high seven sacks in the contest. Gregory leads the Big Ten Conference in sacks with 7.5 on the season, including seven sacks in conference games. Nebraska ranks fourth nationally with 3.3 sacks per contest.

Armstrong was honored for leading Nebraska’s victory at Michigan. Armstrong completed 11-of-19 passes in the game, including the game-winning five-yard touchdown pass to Ameer Abdullah with 2:03 to play. Armstrong was at his best on the Huskers’ clinching drive, completing 5-of-7 passes for 59 yards on the drive, while also rushing for seven yards.

Armstrong improved to 5-0 as Nebraska’s starting quarterback, matching Taylor Martinez for the best start to a career by a freshman quarterback.

Armstrong’s honor marked the second straight week Nebraska has won the freshman honor after Jordan Westerkamp was honored for his performance against Northwestern. NU has four total winners this season after Ameer Abdullah was the Offensive Player of the Week for his rushing effort against Wisconsin.

Big Ten Football Players of the Week

Posted on November 11, 2013

Following Big Ten football games on Nov. 9, the offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week and freshman of the week in the Big Ten were announced this morning. Below are this week’s honorees:

Offensive Player of the Week

Tevin Coleman, Indiana

So., RB, Tinley Park, Ill./Oak Forest

• Rushed for a career-high 215 yards on 15 carries, a 14.3 average, and two touchdowns to help Indiana defeat Illinois on Saturday

• Scored on touchdown runs of 75 and 64 yards, giving him 12 rushing scores on the year to move into eighth on the program’s single-season list

• Became the first Hoosier since BenJarvus Green-Ellis in 2003 to rush for more than 200 yards in a single game and first since Green-Ellis in the same year to rush for over 100 yards in two straight games

• Records the first Offensive Player of the Week award of his career

• Last Indiana Offensive Player of the Week: Cody Latimer (Nov. 5, 2012)

Defensive Co-Players of the Week

Randy Gregory, Nebraska

So., DE, Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern

• Recorded a career-high three sacks and helped Nebraska hold Michigan to minus-21 rushing yards in the Cornhuskers’ road victory

• Recorded the most sacks in a game by a Husker since Ndamukong Suh in 2009, increasing his sack total to a Big Ten-leading 7.5 on the season

• Part of a defense that limited the Wolverines to 175 total yards, the fewest by a Nebraska opponent since 2010

• Claims his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor

• Last Nebraska Defensive Player of the Week: Lavonte David (Nov. 28, 2011)

Chris Borland, Wisconsin

Sr., LB, Kettering, Ohio/Archbishop Alter

• Finished with 13 tackles and matched his career best of two sacks to help Wisconsin defeat BYU in non-conference play last weekend

• Notched his 16th career double-digit tackle game and fourth this season and also recorded a quarterback hurry that led to a first-quarter interception

• Part of the Badger defense that held the Cougars to 15 points and more than 140 yards below their season averages

• Records his fifth career Defensive Player of the Week honor, tying him with Penn State’s Paul Posluszny for the most in conference history

• Last Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Week: Chris Borland (Sept. 24, 2012)

Special Teams Player of the Week

Peter Mortell, Minnesota

So., P, Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy

• Averaged 46 yards per punt, placing three inside the 20-yard line, to help Minnesota defeat Penn State for its eighth victory of the season

• Totaled 184 yards on four punts, including a career-best 62 yarder, while the Nittany Lions had just two return yards on the day

• Placed punts at the Penn State one-, two- and 12-yard line

• Claims his second career Special Teams Player of the Week honor and second in as many weeks

• Last Minnesota Special Teams Player of the Week: Peter Mortell (Nov. 4, 2013)

Freshman of the Week

Tommy Armstrong Jr., Nebraska

QB, Cibolo, Texas/Steele

• Led Nebraska on a come-from-behind touchdown drive in the fourth quarter to defeat Michigan last Saturday

• Went five-for-seven for 59 yards on the winning drive, completing a five-yard pass to Ameer Abdullah for the go-ahead score with just over two minutes to play

• Finished the game with 152 yards of total offense, completing 11 of 19 passes for 139 yards and adding 13 yards on the ground

• Wins his first career weekly award

• Last Nebraska Freshman of the Week: Jordan Westerkamp (Nov. 4, 2013)

Nebraska Has Shot to Return to Big Ten Title Game

Posted on November 10, 2013

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Nebraska has given itself a shot to get back to the Big Ten championship game with two straight wins on late touchdown passes.

Michigan, meanwhile, is relegated to playing for bowl positioning.

The Cornhuskers host Legends Division-leading Michigan State on Saturday with a shot to control their championship chances. If Nebraska hands the Spartans their first Big Ten loss, it will move into a first-place tie in the division and would win the tiebreaker if both teams finish the regular season with two more wins.

The Wolverines lost hope of ending the school’s Big Ten title drought at nine years by losing three of the last four games. They play at Northwestern and at Iowa before hosting archrival and potentially undefeated Ohio State with only pride at stake.

Huskers Crowned B1G Tournament Champions

Posted on November 10, 2013

Champaign, Ill. – The Nebraska soccer program added a second conference tournament trophy to its mantle on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Iowa to claim its first Big Ten Tournament Championship. Jaycie Johnson’s penalty kick goal in the 30th minute was the difference as the Huskers locked up both regular-season and tournament titles for the fourth time in school history and first since 2000.

Johnson, who leads NU with 13 goals, earned a penalty kick chance in the 30th minute after an excellent through ball from junior Mayme Conroy. The speedy freshman converted on the ensuing PK opportunity beating the Iowa keeper right side with a powerful shot to give NU the 1-0 edge. The score was the first allowed by Iowa in four matches and was enough to clinch the tournament crown.

The Nebraska defense had a tough tasks on its hands as Iowa outshot the Huskers by a 16-11 margin. However, NU allowed just three shots on goal while putting up four attempts on target. Jordan Jackson led the Scarlet and Cream with five attempts.

Ari Romero, Kylie Greischar, Mayme Conroy, Jordan Jackson and Maritza Hayes all played 90 minutes for Nebraska.

Senior goalkeeper Emma Stevens, who also worked the entire 90, made three stops in the title battle and make some excellent touches later in the match to avoid the equalizer en route to her 18th win of the year. The victory for the Corona, Calif. native is the 36th of her career.

The 18th-ranked Huskers (18-3-1) are on a season-best nine-game win streak and have won 16 of its last 17 matches for the first time since 2002 when NU ran off 22 of its first 23 matches. NU has now scored in 18 consecutive matches, its longest streak since 2000 when Nebraska scored in its first 23 contests. The 18 victories are also the most since 2000.

In a brief ceremony following the title celebration, Jordan Jackson, Ari Romero and Jaycie Johnson were all named to the 2013 Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Johnson was selected Offensive Player the Tournament, while Romero was named Defensive Player of the Tournament.

The Huskers appeared in a conference tournament championship match for the seventh time, registering a 6-1 record, in school history and first since 2002 when NU brought home the Big 12 title. The Scarlet and Cream are 12-0-1 this season when scoring first and now have a 21-10 overall record in conference tournament matches, including five titles.

The B1G Tournament title is the 10th conference championship for Head Coach John Walker after starting the NU soccer program 20 years ago. Nebraska won regular season titles in 1996, 1999, 2000 and now 2013, while taking home tournament titles in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 and on Sunday.

Nebraska will now await their NCAA Tournament bid, which will be revealed on Monday at 3:30 p.m. with the Selection Show streamed live on NCAA.com.

2013 Big Ten Soccer All-Tournament Team

Illinois forward Jannelle Flaws

Indiana midfielder Kayleigh Steigerwalt

Michigan midfielder Tori McCombs

Minnesota forward Simone Kolander

Wisconsin forward Rose Lavelle

Penn State goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom

Iowa defender Melanie Pickert

Iowa goalkeeper Hannah Clark

Nebraska defender Ari Romero

Nebraska forward Jordan Jackson

Nebraska forward Jaycie Johnson

Individual Awards

Defensive Player of the Tournament: Ari Romero, Nebraska

Offensive Player of the Tournament: Jaycie Johnson, Nebraska

Big Ten Champion

Nebraska

UNL to Compete in Game Day Challenge on Recycling

Posted on November 10, 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — On Saturday the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will compete in the Game Day Challenge recycling competition.

It will be UNL’s fourth consecutive year in the competition. The Game Day Challenge aims to divert as much waste as possible during one fall football game.

Dozens of volunteers will be needed outside Memorial Stadium to help round up refuse from tailgaters.

The Game Day Challenge measures success based on waste minimization, diversion rate, greenhouse gas reduction and other factors. Last year UNL ranked second in the Big Ten Conference in both waste minimization and diversion rate.

People interested in volunteering can contact the recycling coordinators at 402-472-9139 or [email protected].

No. 25 NPCC Knights Take Down Garden City

Posted on November 10, 2013

The No. 25 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team (4-0) took down the Garden City Community College Broncbusters (3-1) in the conclusion of the Garden City Classic. The Knights were able to overcome a three point halftime deficit to earn the victory 67-62.

The game started slowly offensively for both teams as each worked to gain a rhythm. Both the Knights and Broncbusters were held to 37 percent shooting in the first half with Garden City making three more free throws to earn the advantage at intermission. Ethan Montalvo led the Knights at the break with 8 points.

The second half started with the Knights falling behind by six points before they rallied to take the lead. The Knights were able to find their scoring groove led by Tim Simmons’ 11 second half point on the way to scoring 40 points in the second.

Simmons finished with a game high 16 points and four assists. Montalvo and Cameron Williams were also in double figures as they both finished with 14 points. Williams and Jake Maslo led the Knights in rebounding with six apiece.

“We were able to turn our defense into offense,” said Simmons. “We were screening for each other and finding the open man.”

Jalen Variste led the Broncbusters with 16 points and Rueben King finished with 10 points. Jade Cathey finished with a game high seven rebounds.

“It is always a good win when you go on the road and win on someone else’s home court,” said head coach Kevin O’Connor. “We competed and found a way to win two tough games this weekend.”

The Knights have their first home game of the year on Tuesday Nov. 12 as the take on the York College JV at 7 p.m.The game is the start of a five game home stand for the Knights. Midland University JV and Doane College JV come to town on Friday Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. respectively. The following weekend the Knights open up Region IX play as Otero Junior College and Trinidad State Junior College come to North Platte.

Nebraska Beats Michigan 17-13 on Another Late TD

Posted on November 9, 2013November 9, 2013

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw a left-handed, 5-yard shovel pass to Ameer Abdullah for a go-ahead touchdown with 2:03 left and Nebraska’s defense made enough stops to seal a 17-13 win over Michigan on Saturday.

The Cornhuskers (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) kept their chances alive of returning to the conference championship game.Nebraska can move a big step closer to its goal by beating Legends Division-leading Michigan State next Saturday at home.

The Wolverines (6-3, 2-3) dashed hopes of earning a Big Ten title for the first time since 2004 with their first loss in 20 home games under coach Brady Hoke, turning the ball over on downs during their last possession.

Michigan went ahead 13-10 on Brendan Gibbons’ 40-yard field goal with 8:08 left after Jordan Westerkamp fumbled on a punt return, then its defense allowed the Cornhuskers to convert a fourth down on a 75-yard, game-winning drive.