The Loop

College preview 2006-07: Conference USA

September 11, 2006

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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*

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

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

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*

__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

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.

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.

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