WOLFPACK VOLLEYBALL DOESN’T PLAY BUT STILL DROPS IN THE CIS TOP 10 RANKINGS February 23, 2010
Posted by lread in Men's Volleyball.add a comment
Joel Caschetto (B. Cummins photo)
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team didn’t take to the floor last week in CIS play, but find themselves down a notch in the most recent CIS Top 10 rankings.
The WolfPack were ranked eighth in the top ten last week. But now find themselves ninth, exchanging spots with McMaster Marauders of the OUA. McMaster won twice last week.
Laval Rouge et Or remains where they have been for the last few weeks: in the number one position. Two time defending national champion Alberta Golden Bears have moved from third to second swapping spaces with the Dalhousie Tigers (AUS). Calgary, Brandon, Winnipeg and Trinity Western remain in the fourth through seventh spots.
Those positions could very well change based on this weekend’s (Feb 26-28) playoffs. Alberta has the weekend bye in the Canada West. Trinity Western will take on Winnipeg in one quarter final. Calgary will take on Manitoba while TRU will visit Brandon.
Manitoba remains 10 th in the CIS top 10.
TRU will host the CIS Nationals March 12-14 th at the Tournament Capital Center. Tickets are still available by emailing lread@tru.ca or calling (250) 377.6-117
Here is the CIS Top 10 ranking for February 22, 2010:
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
(regular season record) / (votes) / (previous rankings)
1. Laval (18-0) / 209.5 points / (1)
2. Alberta (14-4) / 185.5 / (3)
3. Dalhousie (16-2) / 181.5 / (2)
4. Calgary (13-5) / 147 / (4)
5. Brandon (12-6) / 127.5 / (5)
6. Winnipeg (11-7) / 104 / (6)
7. Trinity Western (11-7) / 89.5 / (7)
8. McMaster (17-3) / 65 / (9)
9. Thompson Rivers (10-8) / 61.5 / (8)
10. Manitoba (9-9) / 21 / (10)
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC.
WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index http://francais.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index
PAPE NAMED BCCAA COACH OF THE YEAR February 22, 2010
Posted by lread in Badminton.add a comment
Brad Pape receiving CCAA Coach of the Year in 2007-08
For the fifth time in his illustrious career coaching badminton at Thompson Rivers University, Brad Pape has been named Coach of the Year in the BC College Athletic Association.
Pape was selected Coach of the Year at the BCCAA Provincial Championships in Nanaimo this weekend.
“Coach of the year means that the rest of the coaches in the conference regard our team and myself highly,” says Pape, who won it for the second time in three years. “ I’m glad they see me in that light but, mainly I think it’s the team that wins the award for the coach>”
Pape says this honor is different from his previous achievements. “ I always appreciate the recognition but this one is a little different in that I also had the help of Robin and Becky (Barlow, former TRU players) to keep me organized and on track.”
Pape admits that the award is also a bittersweet one because his team finished out of the medals at this weekend’s Provincials and thus, will have no players at the upcoming Canadian College Athletic Association Championships in Edmonton next month. “ I think the teams this year were far stronger than in the past and any small falter could cause a big swing in the results. In the end, BC team selection comes down to one day and in many cases one match. It just didn’t work in our favour this year.”
Pape’s coaching future is uncertain but he did feel the 2009-10 BCCAA Coach of the Year honor should definitely be shared with his team. “ They struck together through some tough times and tough games. They made the coaching staff look good,” he added.
Pape was the CCAA Coach of the year in 2007-08.
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC.
WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index http://francais.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index
WOLFPACK WBB CONTINUES ITS DEVELOPMENT (LOOK BACK AT 2009-10) February 22, 2010
Posted by lread in Women's Basketball.add a comment
(A.Snucins photo)
The road to respectability is a long one, especially in University women’s basketball. So, although the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack picked up seven wins in 2009-10, that is still a big accomplishment.
“We made some big strides this year and closed a lot of gaps on teams,” said WolfPack head coach Scott Reeves, who finished up his fourth season with the program. “ We broke a number of school records including attendance, which was nice to see. It’ didn’t equate into enough conference wins but we did have seven against CIS opponents. We’ll be adding some pieces over the summer and playoffs is certainly on our mind and will be a focus this year.”
The WolfPack got off to a great start to the season, winning two of three at a pre-season tourney in New Brunswick before opening up with back to back wins over the University of the Fraser Valley on the opening weekend of the Canada West season. The team did suffer some ups and downs during the course of the campaign, usually occurring in the fourth quarter. ‘ Off the court, this is the tightest group we have ever had,” stated Reeves “ Young players got time to develop and now we need to commit to our off season workout program in order to improve for next season.”
The team’s backcourt improved dramatically thanks to the arrival of Jen Ju (2nd year, Vancouver, BC) from U.S. Junior College. But, one of the brightest signs for the future came with the maturing of 3rd year guard Kaitlyn Widsten (Tswwassen, BC). Widsten was the leading scorer for the ‘Pack in seven of their last 10 league games. “Statistically, we were much better in a number of categories,” the coach explains. “ Jen was a terrific addition for our offense. She can relieve pressure and is learning our half court offense. Diane’s (Schuetze, 2nd year, post, Vernon, BC) foot work is much improved and I am looking for big improvements in her game over the summer. Kaitlyn was outstanding in the second half and should be a staple for us next season.”
The Canada West is arguably the toughest league in the country. The WolfPack have been garnering more respect among the other teams and are looking for a break out campaign in 2010-11. Reeves has sent the message to his returnees that more will be expected and demanded come next year. “ We need to commit to the entire student athlete experience,’ he says . “ We will have triple the amount of Academic All-Canadians this year so that shows their maturity in the classroom. This off season will show their commitment to the basketball aspect of this experience. Players are made in the off season.”
As Reeves gets set to recruit for the coming season, he has two things on his wish list: “rounding out our guard play and improving upon our toughness inside.”
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC.
WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index http://francais.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index
BADMINTON FINISHES FIFTH AT PROVINCIALS TO WIND UP SEASON FOURTH February 22, 2010
Posted by lread in Badminton.add a comment
Marlee Mertens won a bronze medal (A. Snucins photo)
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack badminton team wound up fourth in the BC College Athletic Association for 2009-10. And, they will have none of their players moving onto the National Championships.
The WolfPack struggled in both the team and individual events this weekend (Feb 20-21), at the BCCAA Provincials hosted by Vancouver Island University.
Saturday in the team event, TRU finished fifth. The ‘Pack downed Langara 4-1 but lost to Douglas College, VIU, Kwantlen Polytechnic and Capilano University College.
On Sunday, the WolfPack garnered only one individual medal. Marlee Mertens (3rd year, Salmon Arm, BC) finished with the bronze medal in women’s singles.
The other TRU results were as follows: Joey Chu (1st year, Kamloops, BC) was fourth in men’s singles. The duo of Alex Perkin and Noah Woods (both 3rd year, Kamloops, BC) were fourth in men’s doubles. Garrett Babichuk (3rd year, Kelowna, BC) and partner Whitney MacKenny (4th year, Port Alberni, BC) were fourth in mixed doubles. Kia Lidster (2nd year, Kamloops, BC) and partner Anica Arduini (1st year, Kamloops, BC) were fifth in women’s doubles.
The top competitors go to the Canadian College Athletic Association Championships in early March in Edmonton.
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC.
WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index http://francais.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index
WOLFPACK SWEEP WEEKEND SERIES IN CASTLEGAR February 21, 2010
Posted by lread in Men's Hockey.add a comment
Jose Reyes had a hat trick for TRU (A. Snucins photo)
It was mission accomplished in Castlegar for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s hockey team. The WolfPack went into the West Kootenays and came away with the maximum four points against the Selkirk College Saints. The score in BC Intercollegiate Hockey League action on Sunday morning (Feb 21) was 13-6.
Tru led 6-0 after the first period thanks to a pair of goals from Joel Leonard (3rd year, forward, Kamloops, BC). It was 8-2 ‘Pack after 40 minutes.
TRU (now 15-7 in league play) got a hat trick from Jose Reyes (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC). He had two of his three goals in the final period. Nathan Michaels (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC) and Mick Ludvig (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC) also added two goals for TRU, who outshot Selkirk (now 1-20-1) 59-37.
TRU got single markers from Tyler Stothart (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC), Daren Hermiston (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC), David Gore (2nd year, forward, Kamloops, BC) and Casey Patterson (1st year, forward, Chase, BC).
Thomas Gobeil (1st year, Armstrong, BC) went the distance for TRU in the nets.
“An explosive start sealed the win for us,” said WolfPack head coach Chris Hans, “Selkirk worked hard but again, our speedy forwards pinned them in their own end for most of the game.”
The WolfPack, who will likely finish second in the regular season standings, close out their BCIHL season next Friday and Saturday (Feb 26 and 27) against the University of the Fraser Valley. Friday’s game goes at 8:15 pm at the Interior Savings Center. Saturday’s tilt is set for Memorial Arena at 8:45 pm. The WolfPack have been unbeaten thus far on home ice this season.
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC.
WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index http://francais.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index