Hastings College adds 12 recruits for 2008

HASTINGS Hastings College volleyball coach Fred Aubuchon has announced the addition of 12 newcomers to the Broncos' roster for next season.

Four area players will join HC's program, including outside hitter Shaina Lay of Adams Central, defensive specialist Brittany McGooden of Doniphan-Trumbull, outside hitter Lacy Nunnenkamp of Aurora and setter Kassy Wara of Litchfield.

Other members of the Broncos' 2008 recruiting class include outside hitter Briana Bedlan of Fairbury, middle blocker Jaime Blevins of Arnold, middle blocker Heidi Daubendiek of Beatrice, setter Shelby Gutshall of O'Neill, middle blocker Amy Hoefer of Omaha North, outside hitter Hennessey Hogeland of Southern Valley, outside hitter Tracia Norblade of Axtell, outside hitter Ashley Vergil of Bridgeport and outside hitter Drew Sothers of Pike Valley, Kan.

* COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Hastings College women defeat Dordt, 69-51

Hastings College won its sixth straight game with a 69-51 win over Dordt College on Saturday afternoon in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Broncos were led by Lindsay Ducey with 21 points and 5 rebounds while Kay Broekemeier added 17 points for the Broncos (23-4 overall, 12-3 GPAC).

Heather McKeon had a big day on the glass for HC, leading all players with 11 rebounds.Hastings will host Dana College at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Dordt downs Hastings men 65-61 in overtime

Hastings College lost a heartbreaker, 65-61 in overtime, to nationally ranked Dordt College on Saturday afternoon in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Broncos were led by Bobby Kempf with 14 points while Michael Etzelmiller added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Scott Wissing and Derrik Spooner each added 12 points a piece for Hastings (18-9 overall and 8-7 GPAC). The Broncos will host Dana College at 8 p.m. Wednesdayat the Lynn Farrell Arena.

UNK's Mathis, Hinkley named academic all-district

KEARNEY Nebraska-Kearney senior basketball players Amy Mathis and Melissa Hinkley have earned ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District 7 honors, as selected by CoSIDA.

Mathis was voted to the first-team while Hinkley made the third team. Mathis, who made the third team as a junior, will move on to the national ballot where she could earn Academic All-American honors.

UNK has never had a CoSIDA women's basketball Academic All-American.

The 2008 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference women's academic player of the year, Mathis currently lead the league in scoring (17.8 points per game), free-throw shooting (90 percent) and 3-point shooting (48.5 percent). She also is among the leaders in rebounds per game (8.0).

In the classroom, Mathis maintains a 3.84 cumulative GPA.

Also in the front court, Hinkley is averaging 11.3 points, seven rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. She also leads the Lopers in blocks (20) and offensive rebounds (65). As a Journalism major, Hinkley has a 3.76 grade point average.

The College Division in District VII includes NCAA Division II and Division III schools in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, North and South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.

* BASEBALL

UNK drops slugfest to Metro State in season opener

The Metro State Roadrunners scored 10 runs over the first four innings and then hung on to beat the Nebraska-Kearney baseball team, 15-10, Saturday afternoon in Denver.

This was the 2008 season opener for both team. The two teams will play a doubleheader noon today. All three contests are non-RMAC affairs.

The 'Runners took the lead for good in the bottom of the first when Jake Palmer (3 for 5, three RBIs) hit a two-out, two-run homer to left field. An inning later, Josh Marner led off with a homer and then Eric Mansfield (0 for 3, two RBIs) brought home another run with a ground out to second.

Metro then exploded for six runs in the fourth inning on five singles, two errors and a hit batter.

With sophomore Jared Loschen holding Metro scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings, UNK tried to mount a come back. A two-run fifth was highlighted by a an RBI single from senior Joe Nowaczyk (2 for 3, three RBI's) and then the Lopers scored two more in the seventh.

In that inning, senior Tyler Keeble (2 for 5, two RBIs) had an RBI double and junior Brad Hull an RBI single.

However, Metro scored three in its half of the seventh to take a 13-5 lead. The big blow was a two-run double form Brennan Brown (2 for 3, three RBIs).

Metro starter Steven Green earned the win by fanning six and allowing just two hits in five innings. Relief pitcher Ryan Eccles then struck out four Lopers in 2.2 innings of work.

Senior Ryan Wrobel (3.0 IP, seven hits, eight earned runs) took the loss for UNK. Loschen and two other pitchers combined to give up eight hits and four earned runs in five innings.

Hastings College downs Colorado Christian, 7-6

Hastings College won its second straight game in their early season, defeating Colorado Christian 7-6 Saturday afternoon in Pueblo, Colo. at Runyan Field.

The Broncos improved to 2-1 overall and will travel back out to Colorado to face Metro State in Denver, Colo. on Feb. 16. The Broncos will play two games, one 7-inning game and one 9-inning game starting at 11 a.m.

* COLLEGE WRESTLING

Hastings College downs Briar Cliff, 29-19

HASTINGS Hastings College defeated Briar Cliff 29-19 in its final regular season dual Saturday afternoon at the Lynn Farrell Arena. The Broncos finished 4-2 in the GPAC and 5-2 overall. The Broncos will now get ready for the GPAC Conference Tournament on Feb. 16 in Mitchell, S.D.

HASTINGS 29, BRIAR CLIFF 19

Saturday in Hastings

125-Jarrod Wiens (H) maj dec Sam Vice, 16-8

133-Julian Gunnels (B) pinned Troy Allen, 18 seconds

141-Brent Lowe (B) maj dec Andrew Wiens. 24-13

149-Andrew Hare (H) dec Zach Mullins, 10-4

157-Avery Rhodes (H) maj dec Travis Helmers, 19-8

165-James Schrader (B) pinned Jairin Potter, 1:12

174-Andrew Sorensen (H) won by forfeit

184-Jordaryl Logan (B) dec Jameon Rush, 3-1

197 Brandon Hudiburgh (H) won by forfeit

285-Cody Millard (H) pinned John Whitmyre, 1:00