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College preview 2006-07: Conference USA
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__2006-07 outlook
Predicted champion:__ SMU
Predicted player of the year: Colt Knost, SMU
NCAA Regional bound: SMU, Tulsa, Houston
__2005-06 Accolades
Player of the year:__ Keven Fortin-Simard, Memphis
Freshman of the year: Nicolas Geyger, Tulsa
Coach of the year: Tom Shaw, Tulane
Conference USA medalist: Will Dodson, SMU
All-Conference USA First team:
Keven Fortin-Simard, Memphis
Pablo Acuna, Houston*
Sam Korbe, Tulsa*
Garrett Osborn, UAB*
Colt Knost, SMU*
__2006-07 RANKING
Coach:__ Jay Loar, 9th year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: Won
Events: 12 __ Wins:__ 4 (Tunica National, John Burns, Pinehurst, Conference USA)
Top-five finishes: 8
Seniors/starters lost: 3 (Will Dodson, Wes Homan, Zeke Reyna)
Opening tournament: NCAA Central Regional Preview, Sugar Grove, Ill., Sept. 9-10
Returning players:
David Clark, Soph.—Did not play in 2005-06
Brandon DeStefano, Sr.—73.27 SA; 4 top-10s in 11 starts; T-1 at John Burns
Arwed Fischer, Soph.—70.67 SA; 1 start
Dan Kleckner, Sr.—74.68 SA; 8 starts
Colt Knost, Sr.—72.36 SA; 4 top-10s in 12 starts; Win at Pinehurst Intercollegiate
Brian Ricketts, Sr.—Did not play in 2005-06
Scott Sikes, Sr.—73.88 SA; 8 starts
Incoming freshmen:
Evan Beirne, North Haven, Conn.
Peter Croonquist, Lakeland, Minn.
Bryant Hare, Raleigh, N.C.
Braegen Majors, Bixby, Okla.
James Minahan, transfer
Jacob Repokis, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Nicholas Soglanich, Australia
__2. TULSA
Coach:__ Bill Brogden, 21st year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 3rd
Events: 13 __ Wins:__ 0
Top five: 7
Seniors/starters lost: 1 (Tyler Carson)
Opening tournament: William H. Tucker Intercollegiate, Albuquerque, Sept. 22-23
Returning players:
Ryan Brooks, Soph.—80.1 SA; 2 starts
Jake Chominsky, R-Fr.—Redshirted in 2005-06
Mitch Cohlmia, Sr.—72.8 SA; 1 top-5 in 13 starts
Nicolas Geyger, Soph.—73.4 SA; 1 top-5 in 11 starts
Austin Hackett, Sr.—75.1 SA; 2 starts
Ryan Henry, Sr.—72.9 SA; 2 top-10s in 13 starts
Sam Korbe, Sr.—72.4 SA; 3 top-5s in 13 starts; Won Gator Invite
Rob Laird, Soph.—Did not play in 2005-06
Brett Myers, Sr.—73.2 SA; 1 top-10 in 13 starts
Incoming freshman:
Rob Laird, Tulsa, Okla.
__3. HOUSTON
Coach:__ Vince Jarrett, 4th year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 5th
Events: 13
Wins: 4 (North Texas Classic, All-American Intercollegiate, Louisiana Classics, Palmetto Intercollegiate)
Top five: 10
Seniors/starters lost: 6 (Brett Burke, Rian Butler, Zack Mowbray, Kevin Newman, Jeremy Reed, Ricky Romano)
__Opening tournament:__Mean Green Classic, Denton, Texas, Sept. 11-12
Returning players (stats include JV start):
Pablo Acuna, Sr.—71.9 SA; 4 top-10s in 13 starts; Won North Texas Classic
Todd Bissenden, Soph.—75.8 SA; 2 starts
Steven Frazier, Soph.—76.3 SA; 3 starts
Jordan Irwin, Jr.—73.0 SA; 3 top-10s in 12 starts; Won Palmetto Intercollegiate
Chad Marti, Jr.—81.3 SA; 1 start
Ashish Patel, Soph.—87.0 SA; 1 start
Ricky Romano, Sr.—72.5 SA; 5 top-10s in 13 starts
Adam Young, Sr.—76.3 SA; 1 start
Incoming freshman:
Jackie Lindsey, Houston
__4. CENTRAL FLORIDA
Coach: __Nick Clinard, 6th year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 2nd
Events: 11 __ Wins:__ 0
Top five: 3
Seniors/starters lost: 3 (Ben Leong, Donny Nimkhum, Stefan Wistorf)
Opening tournament: Topy Cup, Japan, Sept. 5-7 (finished fourth)
Returning players:
Chris Anderson, Jr.—74.93 SA; 5 starts
Steven Bain, Sr.—77.89 SA; 3 starts
Preston Brown, Soph.—Did not play in 2005-06
Kyle Davis, Soph.—74.6 SA; 1 top-10 in 10 starts
Nico Donaldson, Soph.—77.5 SA; 2 starts
James Dunkley, Soph.—78.0 SA; 1 start
Greg Forest, Soph.—74.96 SA; 1 top-10 in 9 starts
Giwon Suh, Jr.—74.3 SA; 2 top-10s in 11 starts
Incoming freshmen:
Nuno Henriques, Portugal
David Palm, Jacksonville, Gla.
Mike Stern, Miami
__5. MEMPHIS
Coach:__ Grant Robbins, 4th year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 4th
Events: 12 Wins: 1 (Memphis Intercollegiate)
Top five: 4
Seniors/starters lost: 3 (Clayton Ellis, Keven Fortin-Simard, Mike Regenold)
Opening tournament: Scenic City Shootout, Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 11-12
Returning players:
Gavin Aldridge, Jr.—77.7 SA; 1 start
Brad Benjamin, Soph.—74.3 SA; 1 top-10 in 2 starts
Lewis Clarke, Jr.—75.5 SA; 8 starts
Robbie Greenwell, Jr.—75.6 SA; 1 top-10 in 10 starts
Jeff Hall, Soph.—Did not play in 2005-06
Josh Ray, Soph.—80.7 SA; 3 starts
Ian Rochester, Jr.—74.3 SA; 2 top-10s in 12 starts
Incoming freshmen/transfers:
Philip Bredding, Morristown, Tenn.
Brandon Bunn, Knoxville, Tenn.
Hugo Lauzon, St. Heroem, Quebec
Jordan Payne, transfer from Arkansas
Kyle Peterma, Sherman, Ill.
Kyle Ritchie, transfer from Tulane
Mark Trow, Wales
__6. EAST CAROLINA
Coach:__ Press McPhaul, 2nd year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: T-7
Events: 12 __ Wins:__ 1 (Pirate Fall Intercollegiate)
Top five: 4
Seniors/starters lost: 0
Opening tournament: Mid-Pines Intercollegiate, Pinehurst, N.C., Sept. 11-12
Returning players (Individual Stats not available):
Chris Ault, Jr.—
Anthony Cartrette, Jr.—
Elliott Jones, Jr.—
Mrkus Leandersson, Soph.—
Martin Nicholls, Jr.—
Philip Reale, Sr.—
David Smith, Jr.—
Robin Smith, Sr.—
Andre Thorsen, Jr.—
Incoming freshmen:
Tanner Briele, New Bern, N.C.
Tripp Brizendine, Morrisville, N.C.
Brett Emmers, Wilson, N.C.
Anthony Reale, transfer from UT-Chattanooga
__7. UAB
Coach:__ Alan Kaufman, 9th year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 6th
Events: 11 Wins: 1 (Western Carolina Intercollegiate)
Top five: 5
Seniors/starters lost: 1 (Clark Brown)
Opening tournament: Scenic City Shootout, Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 11-12
Returning players (individual stats not available):
Cathal O’Malley, R-Fr.—Redshirted in 2005-06
Garrett Osborn, Sr.—
Kyle Sapp, Jr.—
Zack Sucher, Soph.—
Josh Thompson, Soph.—
Kaylor Timmons, Jr.—
Incoming freshmen:
Brad Smith, won National Junior College Athletic Association title last year
Adam West, Montgomery, Ala.
Blake West, Montgomery, Ala.
__
Coach:__ Drew Scott, 2nd year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: T-7
Events: 12 Wins: 0
Top five: 3
Seniors/starters lost: 2 (Parker LaBarge, Daniel Lee)
Opening tournament: Scenic City Shootout, Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 11-12
Returning players:
Addision Awe, Jr.—74.82 SA; 1 top-10 in 12 starts
Kaz Hoffman, Soph.—75.87 SA; 1 top-10 in 5 starts
Kyle Kelley, Soph.—75.08 SA; 1 top-5 in 12 starts
Jeff Krakowiak, Jr.—75.4 SA: 1 top-10 in 12 starts
Heon Young Lee, Sr.—Did not play in 2005-06
Erik Petersen, Soph.—77.67 SA; 1 start
Bobby Thomure, Soph.—78.33 SA; 2 starts
Incoming freshmen:
Christopher Brown, Garland, Texas
Michael Buttacavoli, Miami Beach, Fla.
Zach Wilson, Austin, Texas
__
Coach:__ Jerry Weeks, 1st year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 9th
Events: 12 __ Wins:__ 1 (Reynolds Plantation)
Top five: 7
Seniors/starters lost: 5 (Jonathan Atkins, Jason Cuthbertson, Danny Dennis, Justin Elliott, Tim McCabe)
__Opening tournament:__The Honors Invitational, Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 11-12
Returning players (individual stats not available):
Paul Apyan, R-Fr.—redshirted in 2005-06
Austin Bowen, Jr.—
Rocky Cleland, Soph.—
Joel Myrick, Sr.—
Kyle Ramey, Jr.—
Incoming freshmen:
Wesley Carter, Birmingham, Ala.
Robert Hudson, Fayetteville, Ark.
Frederick Janneck, Madison, Miss.
Alexander Park, Ithaca, N.Y.
Tyler Sparks, Belmont, Miss.
__10. MARSHALL
Coach:__ Joe Feaganes, 35th year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 10th
Events: 11 __ Wins:__ 0
Top five: 2
Seniors/starters lost: 1 (Jeremy Graham)
Opening tournament: Mid-Pines Intercollegiate, Pinehurst, N.C., Sept. 11-12
Returning players:
Phil DiLorenzo, Soph.—Did not play in 2005-06
Andy Foster, Jr.—80.67 SA; 2 starts
Brandon Katzeff, Sr.—78.27 SA; 5 starts
Nathan Kinker, Soph.—78.22 SA; 1 top-10 in 9 starts
Jonathan Pepe, Jr.—77.0 SA; 10 starts
Trent Schambach, Jr.—75.81 SA; 1 top-10 in 9 starts
Matt Scytkowski, Jr.—76.29 SA; 9 starts
Chris Tipper, Jr.—79.05 SA; 6 starts
Shawn Warren, Sr.—73.27 SA; 5 top-10s in 11 starts
Incoming freshmen:
Not available
__11. UTEP
Coach:__ Rick Todd, 8th year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 11th
Events: 12 Wins: 0
Top five: 1
__Seniors/starters lost:__2 (Trent Rommann, Mike Goldwater)
Opening tournament: Falcon Invitational, Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 9-10
Returning players:
Facundo Gutierrez, Jr.—78.5 SA; 1 top-10 in 2 starts
Zac Hildenbrand, Jr.—Did not play in 2005-06
Chad Keohane, Soph.—75.0 SA; 9 starts
Colby Lindsay, Sr.—72.9 SA; 1 top-10 in 12 starts
Nick Quintela, Sr.—80.0 SA; 2 starts
Roger Sloan, Soph.—75.5 SA; 11 starts
Tanner Taff, Soph.—79.7 SA; 1 start
Manuel Torres, Jr.—74.8 SA; 9 starts
Incoming freshmen:
Travis Moore, El Paso, Texas
David Murray, San Antonio
Josh Taylor, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
WOMEN
__2006-07 outlook
Predicted champion:__SMU
Predicted player of the year: Laura Cross, SMU
NCAA Regional bound: SMU, Tulsa
__
2005-06 Accolades
Player of the year:__ Stacey Tate, Memphis
Freshman of the year: Lene Krog, East Carolina
Coach of the year: Todd Selders, SMU
Conference USA medalist: Lene Krog, East Carolina
All-Conference USA First team:
Lene Krog, East Carolina*
Stacey Tate, Memphis*
Laura Cross, SMU*
Lacey Jones, SMU*
Michaela Cavener, Tulsa*
__2006-07 RANKING
Coach:__ Todd Selders, 7th year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 2nd
Events: 11 Wins: 1 (Wolverine Invitational)
Top-five finishes: 7
Seniors/starters lost: None
Opening tournament: Jeannie McHaney Invitational, Lubbock, Texas, Sept. 18-19
Returning players:
Jennifer Ackerson, Sr.—75.91 SA; 4 top-10s in 11 starts
Kate Ackerson, Soph.—78.13 SA; 1 top-10 in 10 starts
Laura Cross, Sr.—75.97 SA; 3 top-10s in 11 starts
Ashley Deatherage, Sr.—81.56 SA; 3 starts
Whitney Eckert, Sr.—Did not play in 2005-06
Lacey Jones, Jr.—75.42 SA; 4 top-10s in 11 starts; Win at Central District
Kristina Rothengatter, Sr.—77.23 SA; 3 top-10s in 10 starts
Incoming freshmen:
Michelle Cronan, El Macero, Calif. (transfer from St. Francis)
Sarah Dodson, Tulsa, Okla.
__2. TULSA
Coach: __Trelle McCombs, 1st year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 3rd
Events: 10 Wins: 0
Top five: 2
Seniors/starters lost: 4 (Cas Bridge, Danielle Rosebury, Courtney Jones, Polly Travica)
Opening tournament: Ron Moore Intercollegiate, Littleton, Colo., Sept. 25-26
Returning players:
Laura Beth Bevill, Soph.—Did not play in 2005-06
Michaela Cavener, Jr.—75.6 SA; 3 top-10s in 10 starts
Leisl Hasbrouck, Jr.—76.7 SA; 1 top-10 in 10 starts
Anna-Christina Kindgren, Sr.—81.1 SA; 3 starts
Incoming freshmen:
Livia Amado, Brazil
Tara Geoedeken, transfer from Wichita State
Ashleigh Odgers, Australia
__3. EAST CAROLINA
Coach: __Kim Lewellen, 2nd year
__NCAAs:__DNP Conference USA: Won
__Events:__10 Wins: 1 (Conference USA)
Top five: 4
Seniors/starters lost: 2 (Heidi Helliesen, Jamie Quinn)
Opening tournament: UK Wildcat Invitational, Lexington, Ky., Sept. 30-Oct. 1
Returning players (Individual Stats not available):
Jessica Hauser, Sr.—
Shawn Kelley, Jr.—
Lene Krog, Soph.—
Emelie Lind, Jr.—
Michelle Williams, Sr.—
Incoming freshmen:
Abby Bools, Hickory, N.C.
Kristen Billings, Wilmington, N.C.
__4. CENTRAL FLORIDA
Coach:__ Emilee Klein, 2nd year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 3rd
__Events:__10 Wins: 0
Top five: 5
Seniors/starters lost: 2 (Ashley Grier, Jessica Trein)
Returning players:
Holly Boot, Sr.—78.07 SA; 1 top-10 in 10 starts
Kristy McLaughlin, Sr.—78.08 SA; 2 top-10s in 9 starts
Lauren Motyl, Sr.—79.15 SA; 1 top-10 in 7 starts
Annabel Silk, Jr.—79.27 SA; 4 starts
Mayule Tomimbang, Soph.—79.64 SA; 5 starts
Incoming freshman:
Leigh Crosby, Athens, Ga.
Sara Hurwitch, Potomac Falls, Va.
Victoria Tomko, Belgium
__
Coach:__ Jenny Bruun, 3rd year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: 6th
Events: 9 __Wins:__1 (Lady Eagle Invitational)
Top five: 2
Seniors/starters lost: 2 (Bernie Rosero, Kayla Stewart)
Opening tournament: Wisconsin Invitational, Madison, Wis., Sept. 10-11
Returning players:
Cameron Barber, Sr.—78.8 SA; 4 starts
Ashley Burross, Sr.—81.7 SA; 2 starts
Dawn-Marie Conaty, Jr.—77.9 SA; 1 top-5 in 5 starts
Rachel Larson, Soph.—79.3 SA; 9 starts
Meghan Mahoney, Jr.—Did not play in 2005-06
Kathryn O’Rourke, Sr.—79.1 SA; 4 starts
Stacey Tate, Sr.—74.1 SA; 7 top-10s in 9 starts; Wins at Pat Bradley, Lady Panther, Lady Eagle
Incoming freshmen/transfers:
Not available
__6. UAB
Coach:__ Kim Wilcox, 5th year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: T-8
Events: 9 __Wins:__0
Top five: 1
Seniors/starters lost: 1 (Ashlee Claydon, Janey Deimling)
__Opening tournament:__Scenic City Shootout, Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 11-12
Returning players (individual stats not available):
Martha Hudson, Sr.—80.33 SA; 1 top-10 in 8 starts
Lois Jones, Sr.—91.17 SA; 2 starts
Krista Tressler, Soph.—86.9 SA; 7 starts
Christina Wentworth, Soph.—78.62 SA; 3 top-10s in 9 starts
Incoming freshmen:
Carolyn Cochran, Daphne, Ala.
Jennifer Head, Midland, Ga.
Ashley Looney, Scottsboro, Ala.
Alyson Mitchell, transfer from Birmingham-Southern
__7. UTEP
Coach: __Jere Pelletier
__NCAAs:__DNP Conference USA: 5th
__Events:__10 Wins: 1 (Red Rock Invitational)
Top five: 3
Seniors/starters lost: 1 (Amy Young)
Opening tournament: Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational, Albuquerque, Sept. 11-12
Returning players:
Valerie DeLa Cruz, Sr.—81.9 SA; 10 starts
Christina Dominguez, Jr.—Did not play in 2005-06
Samantha Garza, R-Fr.—Redshirted in 2005-06
Daniela Ito, Jr.—Did not play in 2005-06
Julianne Kim, Sr.—76.5 SA; 3 top-10s in 10 starts
Brandi McKnight, Jr.—81.5 SA; 6 starts
Gerina Mendoza, Sr.—76.8 Sa; 4 top-10s in 10 starts
Bea White, Jr.—83.3 SA; 4 starts
Incoming freshman:
Deborah Martinez, Mexico
__8. MARSHALL
Coach:__ Meredith Knight Rowsey, 3rd year
NCAAs: DNP Conference USA: T-8
Events: 10 Wins: 1 (Lady Herd Invite)
Top five: 2
Seniors/starters lost: 3 (Sheena Caron, Katy O’Neal, Jodie Switzer)
Opening tournament: Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup, Simpsonville, Ky., Sept. 18-19
Returning players:
Chelsey Adams, Soph.—Did not play in 2005-06
Amber Churchill, Sr.—84.36 SA; 2 top-10s in 8 starts
Meredith Crislip, Sr.—86.2 SA; 7 starts
Allyson Hatcher, Sr.—79.15 SA; 2 top-10s in 7 starts; Win at Lady Herd
Trammy Mahar, Sr.—82.4 SA; 1 top-10 in 9 starts
Stacy Wagner, Sr.—82.25 SA;1 top-10 in 8 starts
Whitney Wolejko, Jr.—85.4 SA; 7 starts
Incoming freshmen:
Allison Crislip, Parkersburg, W.Va.
Erica Houser, Parkersburg, W.Va.
Larie Lynch, Huntington, W.Va.
Mary Oliver, North Hills, Calif.
__9. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Coach:__ Julie Gallup, 1st year
__NCAAs:DNP Conference USA: 7th
Events:__ 10 Wins: 0
Top five: 3
Seniors/starters lost: 7 (Ashlea Beener, Jennifer Kelly, Alyson Kilday, Johanna Kristiansson, Nicole Mackey, Kami Mueller, Beth Sprague)
Opening tournament: Lady Herd Fall Invitational, Huntington, W.Va., Sept. 11-12
Returning players (individual stats not available):
Helena Backlund, Jr.—
Jennifer Bodemann, Jr.—
Kate Burns, R-Fr.—Redshirted in 2005-06
Lina Jorneskog, Jr.—
Incoming freshmen/transfers:
Heather Golden, transfer from Mobile
Samantha Holt, Pensacola, Fla.
Ashley Joubert, Ponchatoula, La.
Rebecka Nilsson, Laholm, Sweden