Local/State Briefs

COLLEGE GOLF

UNK names Lydiatts as interim coaches

KEARNEY -- Nebraska-Kearney athletic director Jon McBride announced Wednesday that Elizabeth and Chad Lydiatt will be the Lopers interim coaches for the women's golf program during the upcoming fall season.

In addition, Kami Hehn will be a graduate assistant coach with the program. The Clear Lake, S.D., native was an All-RMAC, and Academic All-RMAC, selection last year.

They replace Amy Harder, who resigned this summer after one year at the helm of the women's team.

"UNK is very fortunate to have Elizabeth, Chad and Kami assist with our women's program," said McBride. "Their collective expertise should prove to be a very valuable resource for our young ladies."

Chad Lydiatt is currently the head golf professional at Kearney Country Club with Elizabeth serving as KCC's golf shop manager. Both will continue in those positions.

The UNK women's team begins its fall season Sept. 15th at the RMAC Crossover in Scottsbluff.



COLLEGE SOCCER

Hastings men tabbed as favorites for GPAC title

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- The Hastings College men, after posting a 13-4-1 record in 2007, have been selected by the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) men's soccer coaches' as the favorite for the 2008 GPAC men's soccer season.

The Bronco men, who won the GPAC last season with a 10-2 record, totaled 142 points and eleven first place votes in the poll. Northwestern, which advanced to the NAIA National Soccer Tournament, was picked second with 123 points and one first place vote. Nebraska Wesleyan totaled 116 voted and garnered one first place vote.

The 2008 schedule will consist of 12 league games as once again all 13 teams will compete for the conference crown. This year the GPAC will have two automatic births to the national tournament under direct qualification.  The GPAC regular season champion receives the first automatic birth. The GPAC tournament champion will earn the second bid, unless it is the regular season champion. In that case, the tournament runner-up will advance to the tournament.

Morningside women picked to claim GPAC title

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- The Morningside women, after posting a 17-3-1 season in 2007, have been selected by the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) women's soccer coaches' as the favorite for the 2008 GPAC women's soccer season.

The Mustang women, who advanced to the NAIA National Soccer Tournament for the second consecutive season, totaled 137 points and eight first place votes in the poll.  Morningside was 11-0-1 in the league last year. Hastings College garnered 135 points and four first place votes and were picked second in the conference. Midland Lutheran totaled 118 points and claimed the other first place vote.

The 2008 schedule will consist of 12 league games as once again all 13 teams will compete for the conference crown. This year the GPAC will have two automatic births to the national tournament under direct qualification. The GPAC regular season champion receives the first automatic birth. The GPAC tournament champion will earn the second bid, unless it is the regular season champion. In that case, the tournament runner-up will advance to the tournament.



USHL

Storm trainer resigns to take new position in AHL

KEARNEY -- Nebraska's Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League announced today that athletic trainer/strength and conditioning coach Mark Doren has resigned effective immediately. Doren has accepted the athletic trainer position with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League. The Crunch is the affiliate team of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL.

"I would like to thank the Storm organization for everything they have done for me and my family. We loved the city of Kearney, but this is an opportunity that could not be turned down," Doren said.

Doren was a huge part of the Storm organization. He took on many duties that included treating and evaluating the players' health, making in-season and off-season training guides for the players and handling all of the team equipment needs.

"We are excited about this new opportunity for Mark and his family. He is moving up in the hockey world and we wish him nothing but the best. We would like to thank him for all of his time and hard work. He will be missed by the players and fans," stated Vice President Kyle Means.

The American Hockey League serves as the primary development league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Mark's new position is another example of how the USHL is a stepping stone to help individuals advance in their careers.



TRACK AND FIELD

20 Huskers named to USTFCCCA All-Academic team

The Nebraska track and field team again showed that its excellence stretches from the track to the classroom on Wednesday with the release of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Teams. Individually the Huskers had 20 student-athletes named to their respective all-academic squad, representing four states and four countries. Both the men's and women's team as a whole were also honored with the distinction of being a USTFCCCA All-Academic Team.

The Husker men had the most student-athletes on the men's squad with nine representatives, led by two-time honorees Keith Lloyd and Dan Christensen. The Big Red was followed closely by Oregon and Stanford, each with eight student-athletes on the team. The men's team as a whole was also honored as an all-academic team, posting a 3.019 team GPA.

The Husker women were loaded with repeat winners as Kayla Wilkinson was honored for a third time (2004, 2006, 2008), while Natalja Zarcenko, Kim Shubert, Joslyn Dalton, Erin Hannon, and Rachel Carrizales earned all-academic honors for the second straight year. As a team, the Husker women carried a 3.386 GPA, placing 15th among the 117 qualifying teams. A record total of 468 student-athletes representing 140 Division I institutions composed the women's 2008 All-Academic team. The Husker women were represented by the fifth-most athletes with 11, trailing Rice and Wisconsin who led all institutions with 13 student-athletes each on the All-Academic team and Arkansas and Oregon with 12.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have met either the NCAA Division I Indoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard or the NCAA Division I Outdoor regional or national qualifying standard in their respective event. For a team to be nominated, the team must carry a minimum 3.000 team cumulative grade-point average.



PREP SPORTS

GISH announces information on first day of practice

Grand Island Senior High has announced the schedule for the first day of practice for its fall sports programs.

It includes:

-- Football: 7 a.m. Monday at the GISH practice fields

--Volleyball: 3:45 p.m. Aug. 18 at the GISH West Gym

--Softball: 3:50 p.m. Aug. 18 at Forrest Street Fields (north of GISH)

--Girls Golf: 4 p.m. Aug. 18 at Riverside Golf Club. Bring your clubs.

--Boys Tennis: 3:45 p.m. Aug. 18 at the GISH tennis courts.

--Cross Country: 3:45 p.m. August 18  south of the high school. A preseason cross country meeting will be at 5 p.m. Aug. 14 in the GISH commons.

Also, the school reminded athletes that they must have a valid physical on file in the activities office in order to start practice. For more information, call 385-5581.

The GISH Fall Athletic Booster Banquet will be at 6:15 p.m. Aug. 25 in the north cafeteria at Senior High. Islander supporters are invited to help kick off the fall sports season.



BOWLING

Senior League to hold organizational meeting Aug. 13

The Silver Liner Senior Bowling League will hold an informational meeting at 1 p.m. Aug. 13 at Westside Lanes. Anyone interested can come to the meeting or call Helen for more information at 382-9426.