Huskers – Page 120 – North Platte Post Archive

Webster Heads to New Zealand to Earn National Team Spot

Posted on July 10, 2014

Lincoln – Sophomore Tai Webster begins a busy summer this weekend, as he returns to New Zealand in hopes of making the senior team’s roster for the FIBA World Cup.

Webster, who hails from Auckland, New Zealand, is one of 17 players selected to the camp. He has been in Lincoln training and taking summer classes which end this week. The competition begins for Webster next week, as New Zealand hosts Korea in a three-game series beginning on July 15 in Wellington. It is one of five events that New Zealand will participate in prior to the FIBA World Cup in late August.

New Zealand will play in the Three Nations Tournament in Korea, travel through China, Lithuania and Serbia before opening the 2014 FIBA World Cup on Aug. 30 against Turkey.

“What we have identified is we are maybe a little thin in the guard line,” Nenad Vucinic said after trimming the roster from 24 to 17 players this week. “Tai (Webster) boosts our stocks in that regard when he arrives on Monday. He was with us a couple of years ago and enjoyed a good season with Nebraska, and we are hoping that he comes back in good shape and good form and is able to slot in quickly.”

If Webster makes the World Cup roster, he will be tested in a six-team bracket that includes Team USA (Sept. 2), Turkey (Aug. 30), Dominican Republic (Aug. 31), Ukraine (Sept. 3) and Finland (Sept. 4)

Webster started 30 games for the Huskers in 2013-14, helping Nebraska make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998. He averaged 3.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He topped the Huskers with 63 assists and reached double figures four times as a true freshman.

Webster made his national team debut in 2012, leading New Zealand in scoring three times in six contests in his first competition on the senior national team. He averaged 13.5 points per game in the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, while shooting 52.5 percent from the field. He made his debut at age 17, becoming the youngest player to make the New Zealand National Team.

Three Huskers to Attend Big Ten Media Days

Posted on July 10, 2014July 10, 2014

Lincoln – A trio of Nebraska football players will be in Chicago later this month to represent the Huskers at Big Ten Media days. I-back Ameer Abdullah, wide receiver Kenny Bell and safety Corey Cooper will be in Chicago on July 28-29.

Abdullah, a first-team All-Big Ten performer and Doak Walker Award semifinalist in 2013, rushed for 1,690 yards last season, the most by a Nebraska player since 1997, and this fall he could become the first Husker to record three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He is also the nation’s active career leader in all-purpose yards and is on track to become Nebraska’s all-time leader in that category.

Abdullah will also speak at the Kickoff Luncheon on Tuesday, July 29, on behalf of the players in attendance.

Bell has been the Huskers’ leading receiver during his Nebraska career and enters the 2014 season with 134 career catches for 1,901 yards and 15 TDs. Bell enters his senior season poised to become the school’s all-time leader in both receptions and receiving yardage. As a junior, Bell had 52 receptions for 577 yard and four scores, while also averaging 26.5 yards on kickoff returns.

Cooper, a Maywood, Ill., native, started all 13 games at safety last season and led the Blackshirts with 91 tackles, including five for losses, to earn honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors in 2013. He had four games with at least double-digit stops, including 10 tackles in the Huskers’ Gator Bowl win over Georgia. A three-year letterwinner, Cooper has played in 38 games during his Husker career, including every game the past two seasons.

The Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, July 29, and features a new format for the 2014 event. Beginning at 10 a.m. CT, fans in attendance will take part in an autograph session with the head coaches and one former player from each school, while current players will take part in brief, live interviews highlighted by questions from fans on-site and through social media channels. Coaches and current and former student-athletes will be available for a photo session around 11 a.m.The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and will showcase interviews with all 14 head coaches, and include speeches by Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, Rose Bowl President Rich Chinen and Abdullah of Nebraska.

A limited number of tickets remain available for $110 per seat or $1,100 per table (10 seats). Contact Josh Munk at the Big Ten office at 847-696-1010, ext. 105, or[email protected] to purchase tickets.

Gregory Earns Spot on Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Posted on July 10, 2014

The preseason honors continue to roll in for Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory. The junior standout was named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Thursday.

The 6-6, 240-pound Gregory is among the nation’s top returning defenders. Gregory led the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks last season, including nine in conference games. He also led the Huskers with 19 tackles for loss and was third on the team with 66 total tackles.

Gregory earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for his efforts in 2013, and is considered a strong candidate for first-team All-America honors this fall. In addition to being named to the Nagurski Watch List on Thursday, Gregory was earlier named to the watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award and Lott Trophy.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented by the Football Writers Association of America and is given to the nation’s top defensive player. Five finalists for the award will be named on Nov. 20, and the winner will be announced at a banquet in Charlotte on Dec. 8. Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh won the award in 2009.

Gregory is one of 10 Big Ten defenders on the watch list, including fellow defensive ends Joey Bosa (Ohio State), Shilique Calhoun (Michigan State) and Frank Clark (Michigan).

Additional watch lists will be announced through Friday, July 18.

Green Takes Silver at University Worlds

Posted on July 9, 2014

Pecs, Hungary – Husker wrestler James Green earned the silver medal at 70 kg/154 pounds in the men’s freestyle division of the University World Championships on Wednesday.

Green (Titan Mercury WC/Nebraska RTC) opened the day with an 11-1 victory over Finland’s Jere Kunnas in the quarterfinals before taking down Russia’s Shamil Magomedov, 8-4, in the semifinals. In the finals, Evgheni Nedealco of Moldova pinned Green.

Green, Willingboro, N.J. native, earned a spot on the team by winning both of his matches at the University Nationals in Akron, Ohio on May 25. He defeated past All-American Adam Hall (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club), 4-1, 4-2.

This year’s competition marked the second consecutive year that Green competed in the University World Championships. Last summer Green posted a 1-1 record in Kazan, Russia.

Green will return to Nebraska’s lineup as a senior in 2014-15. He is a three-time All-American and the reigning Big Ten champion at 157 pounds. Green placed third at the 2014 NCAA Championships after taking seventh during both his sophomore and freshman seasons.

11th University World Wrestling Championships: Men’s Freestyle 70 kg/154 pounds
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: James Green (USA) def. Jere Kunnas (Finland), 11-1
Semifinals: James Green (USA) def. Shamil Magomedov (Russia), 8-4
Finals: Evgheni Nedealco (Moldova) def. James Green (USA), pin

Huskers Announce 2014 Schedule

Posted on July 9, 2014

The Nebraska soccer team released its 2014 schedule on Wednesday, which features three games against top 10 teams from the final 2013 RPI Rankings.

The defending Big Ten regular-season and tournament champions will compete in an exhibition match against Colorado College on Aug. 15 in Colorado Springs, Colo., before beginning the regular season at home on Aug. 22 against SMU. The game between the Huskers and Mustangs starts at 6 p.m., and will be the first of 12 home games for the Huskers at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

On Sunday, Aug. 24, NU hosts DePaul at 1 p.m. The following weekend, the Huskers will play Butler at home on Friday, Aug. 29 before traveling to Marquette for a Sundayshowdown on Aug. 31 at 1 p.m., in Milwaukee, Wis. The Golden Eagles finished the 2013 campaign with the No. 6 RPI ranking.

Nebraska returns home for the following two weekends to host four games, including the start of Big Ten play. On Friday, Sept. 5, Oklahoma takes on the Huskers at 5:30 p.m., before NU competes against North Dakota on Sept. 7. The Huskers’ Big Ten opener is against Northwestern on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 14, NU hosts Illinois at 1 p.m.

The Huskers journey to Madison, Wis., on Saturday, Sept. 20 to face the Wisconsin Badgers at 7 p.m. The next weekend, NU will host the Big Ten’s two newest members at the Nebraska Soccer Field. The Huskers face Rutgers on Sept. 25 before taking on Maryland on Sept. 28.

NU hits the road for the next two weeks, first visiting Michigan before going to Minnesota. On Thursday, Oct. 2, the Huskers battle Michigan at 2:30 p.m., before taking on Michigan State on Sunday, Oct. 5 at noon. Nebraska plays Minnesota on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m., in Minneapolis, Minn.

On Friday, Oct. 17, Purdue comes to town for a 4 p.m. matchup. Nebraska will also host Indiana that weekend on Sunday, Oct. 19 at noon.

The Huskers’ final regular-season road trip is set for Oct. 24-26. On Friday, the Scarlet and Cream battles Penn State in University Park, Pa., before taking on Ohio State on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio.

Senior Day is slated for Oct. 31 at the Nebraska Soccer Field when the Huskers host Iowa at 3:30 p.m. Nebraska’s Big Ten Tournament defense begins Nov. 5 in West Lafayette, Ind. The tournament runs through Nov. 9.

Last season, Nebraska compiled a 19-4-1 record and went 10-1 in the Big Ten. The Huskers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after winning the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles.

62 Huskers Named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars

Posted on July 9, 2014

A total of 62 Nebraska student-athletes across all sports earned recognition as Big Ten Distinguished Scholars during the 2013-14 academic year, including 14 Huskers who posted perfect 4.0 grade-point averages.

The Husker honor winners were among 684 student-athletes across the Big Ten’s 12 participating schools in 2013-14 to earn the prestigious academic award, including 101 with perfect 4.0 GPAs. The award requires a 3.7 GPA or better for the academic year (excluding summer school). The student-athletes must also be in at least their second academic year at the institution and letterwinners in their sports.

Coach Gary Pepin’s track and field program was honored with 21 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars across the men’s and women’s sports. A total of 11 student-athletes from the women’s side, including five with 4.0 GPAs were joined by 10 Husker men, including a pair with 4.0 GPAs for the track and field team.

Coach John Walker’s Big Ten champion women’s soccer team added a strong contingent of seven Big Ten Distinguished Scholars, while Coach Pablo Morales’ swimming and diving program contributed seven more.

Big Ten Faculty Representatives established the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program.

Nebraska’s Big Ten Distinguished Scholars (2013-14)

(Bold indicates 4.0 GPA during academic year; Class year listed is athletic eligibility in 2013-14)

Blake Headley (Baseball), Jr., Criminology & Criminal Justice, Omaha, Neb.
Trevor Menke (Men’s Basketball), Jr., Social Science Education, Beatrice, Neb.
Jordan Hooper (Women’s Basketball), Sr., Psychology, Alliance, Neb.
Sadie Murren (Women’s Basketball), So., Business Administration, Colon, Neb.
Isabel Andrade (Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field), Sr., Elementary Education, Petaluma, Calif.
Tyler Evans (Football), Jr., Biological Sciences/Psychology, Waverly, Neb.
Lane Hovey (Football), RFr., Business Administration, Adel, Iowa
Brent Qvale (Football), Sr., Nutrition, Exercise and Health Science/Applied Science, Williston, N.D.
Ryan Grassel (Men’s Golf), Sr., Economics/Global Studies/Political Science, Chesterton, Ind.
Josh Reinertson (Men’s Golf), Jr., Business Administration, Gibbon, Neb.
Steffi Neisen (Women’s Golf), Sr., Social Science Education/Coaching, New Prague, Minn.
Ryan Irick (Men’s Gymnastics), So., Nutrition Science, Wichita, Kan.
Ethan Lottman (Men’s Gymnastics), So., Art, Omaha, Neb.
Eric Schryver (Men’s Gymnastics), Sr., Nutrition Science, Richardson, Texas
Amanda Lauer (Women’s Gymnastics), Jr., Nutrition Science, Sioux City, Iowa
Jennifer Lauer (Women’s Gymnastics), Jr., Nutrition Science, Sioux City, Iowa
Emily Wong (Women’s Gymnastics), Sr., Nutrition Science, Grand Forks, N.D.
Sunny Russell (Rifle), Sr., Child, Youth & Family Studies, Stratford, Texas
Stacy Bartels (Soccer), Sr., Elementary Education, Omaha, Neb.
Alyssa Flannery (Soccer), So., Child, Youth & Family Studies, Omaha, Neb.
Caroline Flynn (Soccer), So., Communication Studies, Lincoln, Neb.
Karlee Gansebom (Soccer), RFr., Pre-Nursing, Bennington, Neb.
Kylie Greischar (Soccer), Sr., Communication Studies, Overland Park, Kan.
Maritza Hayes (Soccer), Sr., Psychology/Advertising & Public Relations, O’Fallon, Mo.
Katie Kraeutner (Soccer), So., Nutrition, Exercise & Health Science, North Saanich, B.C.
Mattie Fowler (Softball), Jr., Finance, Tucson, Ariz.
Cecilia Hall (Volleyball), So., Biochemistry, Linkoping, Sweden
Michaela Cunningham (Swimming & Diving), So., Biological Sciences/Mathematics, Severna Park, Md.
Shannon Guy (Swimming & Diving), Sr., Psychology, Omaha, Neb.
Samantha Hardewig (Swimming & Diving), So., Art, Cincinnati, Ohio
Ciara Jenkins (Swimming & Diving), Jr., Elementary Education & Mild/Moderate K-6, Mesa, Ariz.
Rebekah Land (Swimming & Diving), Jr., Communication Studies, Hannibal, Mo.
Bailey Pons (Swimming & Diving), Sr., Geology/English, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Kristin Strecker (Swimming & Diving), Sr., Biological Sciences, Topeka, Kan.
Scott Elsass (Men’s Tennis), So., Finance, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Chris Schindler (Men’s Tennis), RFr., Business Administration/Economics, Frankfurt, Germany
Brandon Videtich (Men’s Tennis), Sr., Business Administration, Lincoln, Neb.
Bradford Zitsch (Men’s Tennis), So., Agronomy, Columbia, Mo.
Maggy Lehmicke (Women’s Tennis), So., Journalism, Kirkland, Wash.
Maike Zeppernick (Women’s Tennis), Sr., Economics, Hamburg, Germany
Nolan Border (Men’s Track & Field), So., Nutrition Science, Lincoln, Neb.
Travis Englund (Men’s Track & Field), Sr., Psychology, Grand Island, Neb.
Guy Fenske (Men’s Track & Field), RFr., Nutrition, Exercise & Health Science, Sargent, Neb.
Levi Gipson (Men’s Track & Field), So., Nutrition, Exercise & Health Science, Lincoln, Neb.
Jacob Griess (Men’s Track & Field), Jr., Psychology, Grand Island, Neb.
Mark Hilderbrand (Men’s Track & Field), Jr., Agricultural Engineering, Gothenburg, Neb.
Sean Pille (Men’s Track & Field), So., Elementary Education, Oakland, Neb.
Patrick Raedler (Men’s Track & Field), Sr., Biochemistry, Baiersbronn-Obertal, Germany
Cody Rush (Men’s Track & Field), So., Nutrition Science, Grand Island, Neb.
John Welk (Men’s Track & Field), Jr., Nutrition Science, Bismark, N.D.
Melanie Blum (Women’s Track & Field), RFr., Forensic Science, Wahoo, Neb.
Ellie Grooters (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Speech-Language Pathology, Fargo, N.D.
Mary Lloyd (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management, San Diego, Calif.
Maggie Malone (Women’s Track & Field), So., Business Administration/Management, Geneva, Neb.
Anne Martin (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education, Waverly, Neb.
Anna Minnick (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Art Education K-12, Omaha, Neb.
Carlie Pinkelman (Women’s Track & Field), Jr., Elementary Education, Cozad, Neb.
Jillanna Scanlan (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Communication Studies, Plattsmouth, Neb.
Tristen Sharp (Women’s Track & Field), So., Special Education, South Sioux City, Neb.
Lauren Welch (Women’s Track & Field), Jr., Animal Science, Papillion, Neb.
Eric Coufal (Wrestling), So., Agribusiness, Howells, Neb.
Tim Lambert (Wrestling), So., Environmental Restoration Science, Forest Hills, Mich.

Huskers’ Smith Suffers Torn ACL

Posted on July 8, 2014

Lincoln – University of Nebraska men’s basketball coach Tim Miles announced Tuesday afternoon that senior forward Leslee Smith has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. The injury was discovered during an MRI examination Tuesday afternoon in Lincoln.

Smith will be out indefinitely, as Miles, men’s basketball athletic trainer R.J. Pietig and the Husker medical staff are currently in the process of developing a timeframe for his surgery and rehabilitation. This is the second time that Smith as torn an ACL, as he tore the ACL in his right knee in March of 2011 when he played at SMU.

Smith, a 6-foot-8 forward from Longlook, British Virgin Islands, suffered the injury on July 3 playing for the British Virgin Islands at the FIBA Caribbean Basketball Championships in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The injury occurred in the first half of an 89-60 loss to the Virgin Islands.

Smith, who averaged 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game despite playing just eight minutes in Thursday’s loss before the injury. Prior to the injury, the British Virgin Islands was 2-0 in tournament action, but went winless after Smith’s injury and placed fourth.

As a junior, Smith played in all 32 games for the Huskers, averaging 5.4 points on 52 percent shooting and 4.8 rebounds per game as the Huskers’ first post player off the bench. He was third on the team in rebounding and second in both steals (29) and blocked shots (20). Smith led the Huskers with three double-doubles and had five games with at least 10 rebounds in his first season at Nebraska, as the Huskers went 19-13 on the season and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998.

Mark Pelini Named to Rimington Watch List

Posted on July 8, 2014

Nebraska senior Mark Pelini is one of 66 centers who have been named to the official watch list for the 2014 Rimington Trophy announced Tuesday morning.

The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the nation’s top center. The award is named in honor of Dave Rimington who twice won the Outland Trophy and captured the Lombardi Award during his All-America career at Nebraska.

Pelini has been a valuable member of the Husker offensive line each of the past two seasons. A year ago, he saw extensive time at center and his role increased in the second half of the year when injuries hit the offensive front.

The 6-0, 290-pound Pelini helped Nebraska feature one of the nation’s top running attacks in 2013. Behind the play of the offensive line, I-back Ameer Abdullah racked up 1,690 rushing yards, the most by a Nebraska player since 1997.

Pelini will also be counted on for leadership on the offensive line in 2014. The Huskers graduated five seniors from its 2013 offensive line, leaving Pelini as one of the most experienced members of the position group.

Pelini is one of 10 Big Ten centers on the watch list. The winner of the 2014 Rimington Trophy will be honored at a banquet in Lincoln on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015.

Boldt Earns Third Freshman All-America Honor

Posted on July 7, 2014

Lincoln – Nebraska freshman outfielder Ryan Boldt earned his third freshman All-America honor on Friday, as was a second-team pick by Perfect Game. Following a stellar freshman season in 2014, Boldt has also been named a freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and was a second-team selection by Baseball America.

A native of Red Wing, Minn., Boldt is the 12th Husker freshman since 2000 to earn freshman All-America honors and the first do so since 2012 when Pat Kelly and Kyle Kubat were both tabbed as freshman All-Americans. Boldt’s selection by three different publications is the most since Kelly, when he was picked by four publications, including Collegiate Baseball, Baseball America, Perfect Game and NCBWA.

Boldt is currently playing summer baseball for the Rochester Honkers in the Northwood’s League and earlier this summer he was invited to Team USA’s Collegiate National Team Training Camp.

An unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten Freshman team and a two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week honoree in 2014, Boldt started in center field in 55 of NU’s 62 games. The freshman hit leadoff for the Huskers 29 times on the year, including the final 28 games of the season. NU posted a 22-7 record on the year with Boldt in the leadoff spot.

Boldt finished the year third on the team with 74 hits, two shy of Kelly’s team-high 76 hits. Boldt led NU in runs scored (47), triples (6) and stolen bases (7). He ranked second on the team with 12 doubles and notched 31 RBIs, including a team-high 20 RBIs with two outs.

Tabbed as the No. 2 freshman in the country prior to the 2014 season by Baseball American, Boldt excelled in the postseason with a .462 average. With the Huskers playing in their first NCAA Regional since 2008, Boldt led the team in hits (6) and runs (5). Half of his hits in NU’s three games in Stillwater were for extra bases, as he roped a pair of triples and notched a double.

Abdullah, Bell, Gregory Named to Watch Lists

Posted on July 7, 2014

Husker seniors Ameer Abdullah and Kenny Bell and junior Randy Gregory were each named to watch lists announced on Monday morning.

One of the nation’s top returning rushers, Abdullah was named to watch lists for both the 78th annual Maxwell Award and the Paul Hornung Award. Bell was also named to the Hornung Award Watch List, while Gregory was listed on the watch list for the 20th annual Chuck Bednarik Award.

The Maxwell Award has been given to America’s College Player of the Year since 1937 and is presented by the Maxell Football Club. The club also presents the Bednarik Award, given annually to the College Defensive Player of the Year, since 1995. The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in college football.

Abdullah rushed for 1,690 yards last season, the most by a Nebraska player since 1997, and this fall he could become the first Husker to record three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He is also the nation’s active career leader in all-purpose yards and is on track to become Nebraska’s all-time leader in that category.

Like Abdullah, Bell is a dual threat for the Huskers, excelling as a receiver and kickoff return specialist. Bell enters his senior season poised to become the school’s all-time leader in both receptions and receiving yardage. He is also one of the nation’s top returning kickoff returners after averaging 26.5 yards per return last season, including a 99-yard touchdown.

Gregory became one of the Big Ten’s top defenders last season and has earned preseason All-America accolades in 2014. In his first year with the Huskers, Gregory led the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. Nine of Gregory’s sacks came in Big Ten Conference play, including a season-high three sacks at Michigan.

Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced Nov. 3, while the three finalists for each award will be unveiled on Nov. 24. The winners will be announced as part of the ESPN College Football Awards show on Dec. 11.

Monday’s announcements were first of several watch lists which will be unveiled over the next two weeks. The National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) has spearheaded a coordinated effort to promote each award’s preseason candidates. Following is the complete 2014 preseason watch list calendar:

Mon., July 7: Bednarik Award / Maxwell Award

Tue., July 8: Mackey Award / Rimington Trophy

Wed., July 9: Lou Groza Award / Ray Guy Award

Thurs., July 10: Bronko Nagurski Trophy / Outland Trophy

Fri., July 11: Jim Thorpe Award

Mon., July 14: Butkus Award / Rotary Lombardi Award

Tue., July 15: Biletnikoff Award

Wed., July 16: Davey O’Brien Award

Thurs., July 17: Doak Walker Award

Fri., July 18: Walter Camp Award