Local/State Briefs

 COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UNK ranked fourth in team GPA

KEARNEY --  For the 12th straight year, the Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team has one of the 11 highest team grade point averages in NCAA Division II.

The WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association) recently released its academic honor roll for all three NCAA Divisions, plus the NAIA and junior colleges.

For the 2007-08 year, UNK ranked fourth (3.590) nationally in Division II, trailing only South Dakota (3.649), Michigan Tech (3.639) and Seton Hill of Pennsylvania (3.591). Over 275 schools sponsor women's basketball at the D2 level.

The Lopers were sixth last year after being No. 1 in the nation in 2005-06 (3.663) and 2002-03 (3.723). Also on the Division II list this year were RMAC-members Regis University (6th/3.528) and Colorado Christian (24th /3.396).

"I think this is a testament to the types of kids that we have in our program. They dedicate themselves to really being involved as a student, as well as being an athlete," said head coach Carol Russell.

UNK went 27-7 last winter, posting the second most wins in school history for a single season. The Lopers also won a game in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.

A team's GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by each student-athlete on a school's squad list in the given academic terms by the total number of hours earned by the team. The complete list is at www.wbca.org



 SOFTBALL

Slow pitch tournament slated for in Kearney

KEARNEY -- Registrations are being accepted for the third annual Wiegand Securty-Getting Ready for State slow pitch softball tournament set for July 26-27 at Harvey Park in Kearney.

The tournament features both men's and women's open divisions with a 5-game guarantee. The men's bracket will have two divisions.

Entry fees are $150 for men's teams and $125 for women's teams. Entry deadline is July 23.

For more information contact Steve Anderson at (308) 440-6056.



 NEWS AND NOTES

GOLF: Nebraska incoming freshman Natalie Gleadall continued her run by advancing to the semifinals at the 82nd Women's Western Golf Association (WWGA) National Junior Championship at the Knollwood Country Club in Granger, Ind., on Thursday. … Bev Meyer recorded a hole-in-one Wednesday at Riverside Golf Club. Meyer used an 11-wood to aced the 117-yard No. 14 hole. The shot was witnessed by Karen Colan, Mona Garrelts and Joan Apfel.