Sports Editor- Charles Emerick |
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| Volume 26, Issue #2 |
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September 22, 1999
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Sports Editor- Charles Emerick |
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| Volume 26, Issue #2 |
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September 22, 1999
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| ATHLETIC SQUADS OPEN SEASONS... column by Charles Emerick |
| NIACC football and volleyball squads
have both opened their seasons and both teams have shown some signs of
promise.
The Trojan football team open its season at Fort Dodge Sept. 4 against the No. 5 Iowa Central Tritons in an Iowa Community College Athletic Conference game. The Tritons knocked off the Trojans 10-2 in the final minutes of the game. All 12 points were scored in the fourth quarter. “It was a tough game for us to lose,” Trojan football coach Dick Ramsey said. “It was tough to start with a good conference team.” Julian Montgomery recorded a safety in the fourth quarter for the team’s only points. Montgomery tackled Iowa Central punter Grant Finneran in the end zone. Trailing 3-2 with time running out late in the fourth “Iowa Central was in position to run the clock down,” Ramsey said. “We had to let them score in order to get the ball back. We needed to get the touchdown with a two-point conversion.” The Trojans got the ball back with about two and one-half minutes remaining, but failed to score. “The defense really stood out. It was hard for them to give up the touchdown,” Ramsey added. “The kids played well. We had a couple of opportunities to score, but we couldn’t convert.” A factor in the game was that NIACC was minus four in turnovers. The Trojans had three fumbles and two interceptions to the Tritons one fumble. “That was a key to our defeat,” Ramsey said. Quarterback Jason O’Donnell was 8-17 passing for 133 yards with two interceptions and Eric Williams picked up 69 yards rushing on 17 carries. On the defensive side, inside linebacker C.J. Petty recorded 13 tackles and defensive back Donault Moore had 12. D’Juan Johnson had seven tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery for the Trojans. For the Trojan volleyball team, it started the season with 2-1 record through Sept. 8. In the season opener on Sept. 1, the Trojans defeated Bethany Lutheran College 3-1 with game scores of 15-12, 15-11, 5-15, 15-13. The only loss for the Trojans came at the hands of the Wartburg Junior Varsity team Sept. 7. NIACC lost 7-15, 8-15, 15-7, 15-17. The Trojans rebounded after their loss by defeating Iowa Lakes in Estherville the following day. NIACC won 3-1. “We’re getting it together. I’m pleased with the way they’re playing,” coach Rachel McGuire said. Sophomore Casey Spree was 51-of-57 serving with three aces in the first three games. Against Iowa Lakes, April Lien was 22-of-26 hitting with 15 kills. As a team, NIACC was 97-of-116 hitting with 48 kills. The Trojans are 2-0 when winning the first game, but are 0-1 when losing. On another note, I have been employed at the Globe-Gazette for about the past ten months as a part-timer in the sports department. It has been a great experience. The people I work with are great and fun to be around. The main part of the job is putting together the Score and More page (page B2 in the Globe-Gazette). Another duty includes taking phone calls from area coaches. Now that it is football and volleyball season, it has become very busy. Friday nights can be very busy with all the football games and phones ringing off the wall until deadline. Coaches will call in with scores and stats and we will take what they give us and put together a short summary of the game. When beginning, it is tough because the coaches may be a little fast. After time, it becomes very easy. We also help produce the seasonal sports tabloids which provide information on all the area teams. Jana McBride, another Logos staff member, also works at the Globe-Gazette. She began working there last spring. Our hours usually run from 7 p.m. to around 12 a.m. It may sound like a bad time to work, but it actually isn’t all that bad. I’ve adapted to the late hours. Currently, I work about four to five times a week. We are now looking for candidates to help us out. With just Jana and I, it can be hard to get things done on time. If anyone is interested in sportswriting and is looking for a job, stop in and let one of us know or contact assitant sports editor Kirk Hardcastle at 1-800-421-0524. You’ll have a chance to improve your writing, learn about how a paper works and become even more computer literate. |
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| SOPHS EXCEL IN MULTIPLE SPORTS... by Mike Foster |
| Experience and time management often
represent two of the keys to athletic success.
That’s what the NIACC Trojan volleyball squad seems to possess with several of its returning sophomore players this season. Two of the team’s players who provide exciting blocks, spikes and comebacks for fans this season include outside hitters 5’ 10” captain Casey Spree and 6’ 0” teammate Kelly Blunt. The two hope to help the team improve on an 18-16-2 record from last season. Another goal for the teammates includes winning a conference title. The squad should get the boost it needs from these veterans. The two sophomores combined for 589 kills last year, more than half of the team total. The two have picked up where they left off last season with strong opening performances this year. In Spree’s case, she was 50-55 hitting with 23 aces against the Wartburg J.V., 37-44 with 18 aces against Iowa Lakes and 22-23 with 16 aces against Bethany. Blunt has also put up good numbers with 13-16 hitting and six aces against Bethany. While both players are on the court, they tend to give opposing teams problems. “Casey and Kelly bring a great deal of leadership and very good volleyball skills to the team, as well as the game,” head volleyball coach Rachel McGuire said. The team started the season 2-1 and 1-0 in conference play. According to both Spree and Blunt, they expect the team to have a good season. “With hard work week in and week out, we should be good contenders for a championship season,” Blunt said. These two recognize the need to provide leadership, as well as skills. “I bring enthusiasm, leadership, a few good serves and spikes to the game so our team can be in position to win,” Spree said about her goals on the court. Spree and Blunt are not just volleyball players, they are also students. Both carry better than a 3.0 grade point average. Despite the time commitment for volleyball and studying, both still find time to be involved in multiple sports as they both play on the basketball team once the volleyball season is over. When asked how they juggle two sports, Blunt had the answer. “We take it season by season and mainly stay focused on one thing at a time,” Blunt said. With a majority of the squad being freshmen, it’s important for sophomores to serve as positive role models. “They (Spree and Blunt) have experience and they both show leadership on the court,” freshman teammate Kate Hensley said about the role both play on the team Veteran teammates also appreciate their efforts. “Whenever we’re playing, whether in practice or in a game, they both help motivate the team to do better,” sophomore teammate Natalie Meyer said. Both Spree and Blunt should help provide the combination of experience and time management to meet the team’s goals this season. |
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| INTRAMURALS UNDERWAY... by Chris Fraker, reporter |
| NIACC offers a variety of intramural
sports for interested students who want to stay active, fit and meet new
people. Anyone enrolled at NIACC can compete.
Some of the fall activities scheduled to start over the first few weeks of school include flag football, NFL QB Club, CoEd softball, three-on-three basketball, bowling, table tennis and soccer. Those who would like more information about deadlines for signing up for these activities and future events should contact Dave Tyner in the Athletic Office in the Activity Center. “Feel free to sign up,” Tyner said. “Plan teams ahead of time. Three-on-three starts Sept. 27. |
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| WOMEN RECEIVE OWN GOLF TEAM... by Nic Marzen, reporter |
| It’s finally time for NIACC women
to show off their golf skills this year.
Beginning this spring , NIACC will field a women’s golf team, which according to Bill Kammeyer, head coach for both the men’s and women’s golf team, has been in the works for the past couple of years. Kammeyer said that both the men’s and women’s teams will be united in a way. They will go to meets together, but they will golf separately. “I’m very optimistic this year,” Kammeyer said. “I know there have been a lot of talented golfers in North Iowa, but it just depends on how many of them attend NIACC.” According to Kammeyer, because of budget restrictions, squad members will not be offered scholarships this year, but hopefully, with some success, they will be able to in the years ahead. With five spots open on the team, Kammeyer said he hopes that many will sign up and try their best to make the team. Kammeyer said that the golf season begins in the spring of 2000. “I plan on getting together in the fall, to see where the team stands”, Kammeyer said, “But the main season doesn’t start until spring.” Those interested in trying out for the squad should contact the Athletic Office in the Activity Center. |
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| MAN FOR ALL SEASONS... article by Trason Fell, for the LOGOS |
| A man for all seasons might best
describe Trojan tight end Bob Gray who not only helps anchor the Trojan
offensive live, but serves as a leader both on and off the field at NIACC.
Gray, at 6’2, 220 lbs, played his high school football at Saydel High School in Des Moines before joining the Trojans last season at the starting tight end. Gray started all of last season for the Trojans and caught five passes for a total of 35 yards. Head coach Dick Ramsey said Gray has a lot of other qualities that he brings to the offense beyond what’s reflected in statistics alone. One of those qualities is the ability to help make the team’s ground game move the ball as well as the aerial attack. “He’s a very good blocker and he has tremendous feet,” Ramsey said. “And he runs very well for a tight end.” Fellow teammate and offensive lineman Rob Huffman, said he liked what he saw of Gray last season too. “He was a good addition to the line last year and really helped us out in our blocking,” Huffman said. Gray said he is looking for another good year after the preseason in August and opening game. “I think we’ll be all right,” Gray said. “We have good numbers and spring ball went really well.” Gray said he also realizes with his experience comes the responsibility of leadership. “I think my experience from last year will help a lot,” Gray said. “I’ll have to be more of a leader for the younger guys.” Aside from being a leader on the football field, Gray serves as the student adviser for one of the floors in the dorms and Gray said he’s looking forward to that job this year. “I think it will be fun,” Gray said. “I hope to get some football players on my floor and make them feel as at home as possible.” Gray, an art major and work study in that area, said he hopes to play somewhere after his football career is done at NIACC. |
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| KAMMEYER TO COACH GOLF SQUADS... by Natalie Meyer |
| He handles three jobs at once.
He’s an instructor at the West Hills Golf Course in Nora Springs, a staff instructor at J.D. Turner Golf Schools and now the head coach for the NIACC golf teams. Superman? Nope. Bill Kammeyer. After former coach Joyce Ruehlow stepped down from the head coaching position, Kammeyer had the opportunity to step in and fill it. “It is definitely a big step,” Kammeyer said. “Last year I only had one responsibility, now I have two. Joyce did a great job and I hope to follow in her footsteps.” A few changes are going to be made this year. Because of the many people trying out, there will have to be a cut this season. There were preliminary meetings held during the second week of classes for those interested in trying out for the teams. Anyone who was unable to attend should contact the Athletic Office in the Activity Center. Kammeyer said his squads will also start conditioning during the winter to get them ready for spring. One major change involving the golfers is going to be the addition of a women’s golf team. Currently, five of the Iowa community colleges have women’s teams, according to Kammeyer. This also means more responsibility for Kammeyer. However, he said he is very excited to see that more students will be getting involved. Kammeyer said he looks forward to this spring when they can start getting on the greens and teeing off. There are three returning players who played on the Regional team last year. Those include Nate Severin, Adam Pederson and Bryan Pearce. Kammeyer said he is expecting team leadership from these men and hopes the others can step-up to be leaders too. Kammeyer said he’s looking forward to his role on the NIACC coaching staff. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to be involved with the coaching staff at NIACC and will try to uphold the winning traditions and top-notch athletic teams,” Kammeyer said. Doing what he loves and what he does best, Kammeyer said he will try to bring the NIACC golf teams to a higher level. |
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| AN INSPIRATION... column by Mike Foster |
| When playing football in high school
or college, who would ever think of being the 193rd pick in the National
Football League on draft day?
Well, Martay Jenkins, a former NIACC football player, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with hopes of being a speedy target for Troy Aikman to hit on Sunday afternoons. After graduating from NIACC in 1993, Jenkins continued his college career at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. “I was impressed with his 4.3 speed and his nice frame at wide- receiver,” NIACC coach Dick Ramsey said. “I was shocked, when in 1993, he took a quick slant and pulled away from three defenders for a touchdown in the Cola Bowl.” Jenkins had a promising future at UNO until he suffered a broken leg and arm in back-to-back seasons as things just looked like he was on a down hill sprint. After recuperating from his injuries, Jenkins finished his senior year with only 540 yards and nine touchdowns. The Dallas Cowboys were impressed with his speed when they clocked him at 4.2 seconds in the 40 yard dash and when he showed sure hands during workouts. According to the Des Moines Register, Jenkins caught seven passes for 98 yards and a touchdown for Dallas during the pre-seasons exhibition games before getting cut and picked up by the Arizona Cardinals. When looking at former NIACC Trojan athletes who get their shot at the big time, it gives me a sense of motivation, enthusiasm and pride every time I step out on to the game field. Players like Martay Jenkins give players like myself, who strive for that ultimate goal of playing on Sundays, the message that hard work does pay off. |
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