A Look Into Sports 3/1 – 3/5
Goalie Max Milosek tracks the puck. Photo courtesy of Dalen Dahl.

A Look Into Sports 3/1 – 3/5

Pointers Sweep Regular, Postseason WIAC Titles

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point men’s hockey team captured the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament championship for the second consecutive year on Saturday, outlasting UW-Eau Claire 3-2 at KB Willett Arena.

The contest featured a scoreless first period, but Ethan Strong’s goal with under five minutes to go in the second gave the Pointers the early advantage. Minutes later, the Blugolds responded with a goal of their own to tie the game at 1-1 heading into the final period.

Senior captain Kyle Sharkey takes a shot during warm–ups. Photo courtesy of Dalen Dahl.

Senior captain Kyle Sharkey takes a shot during warm–ups. Photo courtesy of Dalen Dahl.

UWSP relied heavily on its veterans down the stretch. Lawrence Cornellier’s short-handed goal with 15:27 to go in regulation put the Pointers back on top, 2-1. The goal moved Cornellier into third all-time in UWSP career short-handed goals.

From there, the Pointers wouldn’t look back, as Tanner Karty’s goal with less than five minutes to play gave UWSP a bit more insurance.

After pulling their goalie, the Blugolds scored, cutting the deficit in half. UWSP fended off late rally attempts over the final minutes to secure the Commissioner’s Cup.

Up next for the Pointers is the NCAA Division III Tournament, where the reigning national champs will square off against Adrian College at KB Willett Arena on March 18, with a 7 p.m. start.

 

Track and Field Ready for NCAA National Championships

The Univesity of Wisconsin-Stevens Point track and field teams made their last preparations for the NCAA National Championships during Saturday’s Pointer Final

UWSP Women's hurdlers run during their race. Photo courtesy of Dalen Dahl.

UWSP Women’s hurdlers run during their race. Photo courtesy of Dalen Dahl.

Qualifier.

On the women’s side, Briana Simonis won the high jump event, recording a height of 1.65 meters. Pointer teammate Shannon Callahan also competed in the event, notching a fifth-place finish with a height of 1.55 meters.

In the 4×400-meter relay, the quartet of Kathy Derks, Leah Trempe, Sarah Vils and Hannah Mertens put forth another strong outing, clocking in at second place with a time of 3:56.27.

Abigail Clement finished third in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.80 seconds, just .006 behind the second-place finisher.

In men’s action, Brent Reierson’s second-place finish in the shot put was

Thrower Isaiiah Yaroch readies the shot put. Photo courtesy of Dalen Dahl.

Thrower Isaiah Yaroch readies the shot put. Photo courtesy of Dalen Dahl.

good enough to qualify for the men’s indoor championship meet.

Reierson also participated in the weight throw, placing fourth with a distance of 17.44 meters. Fellow Pointer Logan Heil finished second in the event, recording a distance of 18.36 meters.

The NCAA National Championships will take place March 10-11 in Naperville, Ill. UWSP will have representatives in 15 events.

 

Baseball Season Underway

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point baseball team got its 2017 season started last week with doubleheader action at U.S. Bank Stadium, in Minneapolis, against the University of St. Thomas.

The first game of the set saw the Pointers take a 2-0 lead before falling, 6-2.

Clint Rose and Ryan Stanicek each tallied RBI singles to put UWSP in front. However, a trio of Pointer errors in the sixth inning allowed St. Thomas to take a 4-2 lead.

The Tommies scored an additional pair of runs in the seventh, and final, inning to secure a 6-2 victory.

In the latter game, the Pointers trailed 7-3 before the action was halted in the bottom of the sixth inning.

UWSP fell behind early, as UST scored four runs in the bottom of the second. Ben Gerber got the Pointers on the board in the top of the third with an RBI single, before Clint Rose, sacrifice fly, and Ryan Stanicek, RBI groundout, each drove in runs to cut the deficit to 4-3.

The unfazed Tommies responded with three more runs of their own over the span of the next two innings. The teams’ time to use the field ran out in the bottom of the sixth inning, which halted the action until the teams can resume the contest at a date to be determined.

Up next for UWSP is a March 16 date with Clarkson in Auburndale, FL. The game will begin the Spring Trip for the Pointers.

 

Pointers Earn All-Conference Honors

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point athletics has continued its tradition of producing outstanding players and coaches across multiple sports, including basketball, hockey and track.

On the men’s basketball team, guard Ethan Bublitz earned first-team all-conference honors, as well as a spot on the all-defensive team. Bryce Williams received an honorable mention, and Jared Gjertson earned a spot on the all-sportsmanship team.

The women’s basketball team also featured several all-conference awards. The senior tandem of Autumn Hennes and Lauren Anklam earned first-team all-WIAC honors, while Taylor Barrett received an honorable mention. Sarah Gamillo landed a spot on the all-sportsmanship team.

The women’s hockey squad earned four all-conference selections, headed by first-team all-conference nods for Cara Lemirande and Ellie Punnett. Sydney Conley, who earned an honorable mention selection, was joined by Meredith Ingbretson, who also received a nod on the all-sportsmanship team.

The men’s hockey team earned seven All-WIAC selections. Ryan Bittner, Lawrence Cornellier and Kyle Sharkey all earned first-team honors, while the quartet of Jacob Barber, Mark Bittner, Stephan Beauvais and Max Milosek each earned honorable mention selections. Ethan Strong represented UWSP on the all-sportsmanship team.

UWSP track and field features a clean sweep of Coach of the Year honors. Brett Witt was named WIAC Coach of the Year on both the men’s and women’s sides for indoor track, representing the first time a UWSP coach has won the award on either side.

 

Chris Watkins

Sports Editor

cwatk917@uwsp.edu

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