February 14, 1999

MENOMONIE - Former UW-Stout football, wrestling and golf coach Sten Pierce died at the River Falls Hospital in River Falls, Sunday, Feb. 14.

Pierce, 61, came to Stout in 1965 as the head wrestling coach and an assistant football coach. During Pierce's tenure as wrestling coach from 1965-72, the Blue Devils won two conference championships - in 1966 and 1970 - produced 10 conference champions, five national qualifiers and five All-Americas.

Pierce was named the WSUC & NAIA District 14 wrestling coach of the year in 1966 and 1970. Pierce also helped in the development of John Peterson, who went on to win an Olympic gold and silver medal.

Pierce took over as head football coach in 1970, coaching the Blue Devils until 1976 where he produced two All-America and five first team all-conference picks.

Pierce picked up the golf clubs in the mid-1980s, coaching the Blue Devils to three consecutive conference titles in 1987, 88, and 89, and NAIA District 14 titles in 1988 and 89.

Pierce retired as a full-time professor in the UW-Stout Physical Education Department in 1995, but continued to teach on a part-time basis up until the time of his death.

An active member of the Menomonie Lions Club since 1970, Pierce held a number of local offices but his pet project with the Lions was as Sight Project Coordinator for the Eye Bank. An avid outdoorsman, Pierce was a member of Pheasants Forever.

A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at Our Savior's Church in Menomonie. Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie.

Pierce is survived by his wife, Jan of Menomonie, four sons, Kirby (Cynthia) Pierce of Appleton, Troy Pierce of Menomonie, Eric Pierce of Minneapolis, Minn., Brady (Lisa) Pierce of Woodbury, Minn., and three grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be designated to the Menomonie Lions Club.

February 13, 1999

MENOMONIE - Ben Kuepers (Jr, Dickeyville) scored 18 points and three other UW-Stout players scored in double figures to lead the Blue Devils to a 69-57 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) win over UW-Superior, Saturday, Feb. 13, at Johnson Fieldhouse.

Kuepers sparked the Blue Devils (13-10, 6-9) in the first half with 12 points and in the second half, dished off two assists, along with his six points.

Andy Myers (Jr, Eau Claire) finished with 15 points, while Jeremy Preston (Sr, Madison) scored 12 points and Pat Von Feldt (So, Stevens Point) 11.

Stout carried a 32-26 lead into halftime, then built that to as much as 17 points in the second half. The Blue Devils were outrebounded, 37-30, but made 23-of-29 free throws, while Superior made 16-of-28. Stout's normally effective 3-point game was flat, going 0-for-11 from beyond the arc.

The Yellowjackets (9-14, 3-12) got 12 points from Alin Andre.

Stout will close out the regular season Wednesday, Feb. 17 when they travel to UW-Platteville. The Blue Devils will open the inaugural WIAC Basketball Tournament Monday, Feb. 22, at a yet-to-be-determined opponent and site.

February 10, 1999

STEVENS POINT - In a game that featured 12 tied scores in the first half, UW-Stevens Point pulled away in the second half to a take a 73-66 win over UW-Stout Wednesday, Feb. 10 at Stevens Point.

The Pointers outscored the Blue Devils, 7-2, in the first two minutes of the half, and Stout only got as close as four points a couple of times through the rest of the game.

The Blue Devils (12-10, 5-9) cut the lead to 70-66 with 29 seconds remaining when Pat Von Feldt (So, Stevens Point) nailed a 3-pointer, but Stout was forced to foul and the Pointers Derek Westrum had 3-of-4 charity shots to close the game.

Jeremy Preston (Sr, Madison) kept the Blue Devils in the game, leading all scorers with 24 points. Von Feldt finished with 15 points. Ben Kuepers (Jr, Dickeyville) finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Jeremy Leibfried (Jr, Dickeyville) had 10 points.

The Pointers (13-10, 7-8), who used only seven players, had three players in double figures with Brant Bailey leading the way with 19 points. Gabe Frank had 15 and Westrum, 11.

Women's Basketball

February 13, 1999

SUPERIOR - The UW-Superior women's basketball team certainly has UW-Stout's number. For the second time in as many years, as the Blue Devils were coming off an upset win over a nationally ranked team, the Yellowjackets turned the tables on Stout, this time taking an 84-82 win at Superior, Saturday, Feb. 13.

The win is only Superiors' second conference win of the season.

But the Blue Devils' Rachel Traynor (Sr, Ellsworth) did everything she could to try to fend off the upset, scoring a career-high 31 points, dishing off four assists and recording a steal. Traynor was named the WIAC player of the week for play against Superior and UW-Stevens Point.

But it wasn't enough as Stout (12-11, 9-6) tried to play catchup the entire game, falling behind, 50-38, at halftime. Stout did manage to take the lead late in the game, going ahead 73-71 on two free throws by Shannon Berg (Sr, Ellsworth).

Stout got 12 points and 10 rebounds from Heather Peterson (Jr, Altoona), 11 points from Berg and 10 points from Amy Zelinger (Fr, Racine). Olson led the Yellowjackets with 22 points. Mandy Giffen had 16 points, but also added 15 rebounds, and Calah Matthias added 16 points.

Stout will close out the regular season Wednesday, Feb. 17 by hosting UW-Platteville at 7 p.m. Stout will also host a first-round game in the inaugural WIAC Basketball Tournament, Tuesday, Feb. 23.

February 10, 1999

MENOMONIE - Rachel Traynor (Sr, Ellsworth) scored nine of her team-high 18 points to lead UW-Stout to a 77-64 win over UW-Stevens Point Wednesday, Feb. 10 at Johnson Fieldhouse.

Beginning with 6:24 left in the game, Traynor nailed a 3-pointer to move Stout (12-10, 9-5) out to a 61-57 lead and then added three more layups to give Stout a cushion.

Traynor also played a key defensive role, shadowing the Pointers' Jessica Ott, who scored 17 points in the first half, and holding Ott to no points in the second stanza.

The Pointers took a 36-33 halftime lead, then shot out to a six point lead, 42-36, early in the second half. Two steals and follow-up buckets by Stout's Heather Peterson (Jr, Altoona) around the 12 minute mark made it look like Stout was going to roll the Pointers (12-11, 7-8) out of the gym, but the Pointers stayed close, tying the game with 7:26 remaining.

The Blue Devils benefitted from a changed officials' call just before Traynor began her run. In the Stout offensive zone, and Stout up, 58-57, the rebounding ball was called off a Stout defender. But the call was reversed and Stout outscored the Pointers 19-7 the rest of the way out, with Traynor hitting a 3-pointer off the play.

The Blue Devils had four scorers in double digits, with Traynor leading the way. Peterson added 15, Stacie Anderson (So, Clayton) 14 and Shannon Berg (Sr, Ellsworth) 10. Tina Gillen (Fr, Northfield, Minn) pulled down a game-high nine rebounds and Amy Zelinger (Fr, Racine) added seven.

The Pointers' Carry Boehning led all scorers with 23 point. Amie Schultz added 12.

February 13, 1999

SUPERIOR - UW-Stout got three goals by three different players and got a stellar performance in the goal by Todd Sether (Sr, International Fall, Minn) to hand UW-Superior a 3-2 defeat Saturday, Feb. 13 in Superior.

The win marked the first time since Feb. 9, 1983 that Stout has downed the Yellowjackets on the ice. Stout's varsity program was discontinued after the 1982-83 season and was renewed again during the 1996-97 season. Since then, Superior has won seven straight games.

The Yellowjackets scored first, getting a power play goal seven-minutes, 14-seconds into the game. Superior pounded the goal, getting off 22 shots in just the first period.

Then it was time for Stout's offensive fireworks. Graham Lomen (Sr, Apple Valley, Minn) wasted little time in the second period, getting an unassisted goal 35 seconds into the period.

Shane Maher (So, Forest Lake, Minn) scored his second goal of the series, getting an assist from Jason Jones (Jr, Plymouth, Minn) with four minutes remaining in the period.

Stout (9-15-1, 6-9-1) came out of the gates quick again in the third period, when Luke Murray (Jr, Bloomington, Minn) also scored his second goal of the series, toasting the net with only 33 seconds gone, on assists by Steve Holeczky (Jr, Lincolnshire, Ill) and Mark Corbett (Sr, New Hope, Minn). The Yellowjackets (18-6-1, 10-7-0) added a power play goal with five minutes left.

Sether finished the game with 41 saves and was named both the NCHA and the WIAC player of the week. The Blue Devils only got 23 shots off, but made theirs count.

The weekend series counted in the standings of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).

Stout will participate in the first round of the NCHA playoffs next weekend and in all likelihood will be at UW-Stevens Point Friday and Saturday in the best of three series.

February 12, 1999

SUPERIOR - After a scoreless first period, UW-Superior exploded for six goals in the second period and went on to down UW-Stout, 9-2, in a Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) contest Friday, Feb. 12 in Superior.

The Yellowjackets shelled Blue Devil goalie Ben Plester (Fr, Chemainus, BC) with 24 shots in the second period. By contrast, the Blue Devil offense got off only eight shots in the stanza.

The Yellowjackets added three more goals in the third period and Stout (8-15-1, 5-9-1) did get a couple of consolation goals, by Shane Maher (So, Forest Lake, Minn) and Luke Murray (Jr, Bloomington, Minn), both unassisted.

Superior (18-5-1, 10-6-0) outshot Stout, 48-27 in the game. Plester finished with 31 saves, while Todd Sether (Sr, International Falls, Minn) came on in relief to stop 11.

Women's Gymnastics

February 12, 1999

MENOMONIE - Powered by a strong effort on the vault and the floor exercise, the UW-Stout gymnastics team cracked the 100-point mark for the first time this season in a loss to UW-Whitewater, 135.30-101.65.

As a team, the Blue Devils scored season bests on both the vault and the floor and several performers had season and career-highs.

Andrea Hassel (So, Grand Rapids, Minn) hit an 8.75 to place fourth on the floor and finished second on the balance beam with an 8.70, both career-bests.

Brenna Jones (So, St. Paul, Minn) took top honors on the floor, hitting a 9.05 and was fourth on the vault with a season-best 8.75 and finished in a three-way tie for third on the uneven bars with a season-high 7.50.

Lauren Seebert (Fr, Appleton), coming off an ankle injury, hit a career-best 8.35 on the vault. Scarlett Ramey (Fr, Seattle, Wash) hit a career-best 7.65 on the floor, as did Alissa Martin (Fr, Coon Rapids, Minn) with a 6.45.

The Blue Devils return to action Wednesday, Feb. 17 when they travel to UW-Eau Claire. Stout will host the WIAC Championships Friday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.

UW-Whitewater 135.30, UW-Stout 101.65
(First place, all Stout finishers)
Vault: 1. Lisa McManus (WW) 8.95; 4. Brenna Jones 8.75; 7. Lauren Seebert 8.35; 9. Andrea Hassel 8.10; 10. Scarlett Ramey 7.55; 11. Kelli Mork 7.25; Uneven bars: 1. Ginger Giencke (WW) 8.30; 3. Brenna Jones 7.50; 8. Scarlett Ramey 5.2; Balance beam: 1. Ginger Giencke (WW) 8.90; 2. Andrea Hassel 8.70; 6. Brenna Jones 8.00; 9. Lauren Seebert 7.40; Floor exercise: 1. Brenna Jones (Stout) 9.05; 4. Andrea Hassel 8.75; 8. Scarlett Ramey 7.65; 9. Lauren Seebert 6.65; 10. Alissa Martin 6.45; 11. Kelli Mork 5.60; All-around: 1. Ginger Giencke 34.35; 3. Brenna Jones 33.30

Men's Track & Field

February 12, 1999

MENOMONIE - The UW-Stout men's track team used nine first place finishes and some solid depth to easily run away with their own Warren Bowlus Invitational Friday, Feb. 12 at Johnson Fieldhouse.

The Blue Devils scored 263.50 points, with their nearest competitor more than 100 points away in UM-Duluth with 155 points.

John Hanson (Fr, Grantsburg) ran the fastest 400-meter ever for a Stout freshman, nipping teammate Troy Wyatt (Sr, Byron, Minn). Hanson clocked a 51.24 and Wyatt a 51.43.

The Blue Devils got first place finishes from: Billy Busch (Sr, Dickeyville) in the 600-meter dash (1:22.94); Eric Hanson (Jr, Winona, Minn) in the one-mile (4:21.02), beating teammate Tim Hamill (Sr, Brookfield) by four seconds; Clint Latz (Fr, Gilman) in the 3000 (9:08.80); Jesse Hunter (So, LaFarge) in the 200-hurdles (25.70); the 4 X 400-relay team (3:28.19); Aaron Scheffer (So, Humbird) in the high jump (6-2.25); Eric Moe (Fr, Whitehall) in the triple jump (43-3.25); and Corey O'Donnell (Sr, Chippewa Falls) in the 35-lb. weight.

Jamie Buchholtz (So, Bloomer) guaranteed himself a trip to the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships by clearing 15-feet, 8.25-inches to place second in the pole vault.

Stout returns to action Saturday, Feb. 20 at the UW-Stevens Point Invtational.

Warren Bowlus Invitational
1. UW-Stout 263.50; 2. UM-Duluth 155; 3. St. Mary's, Augsburg 51; 5. UW-Eau Claire 42.50; 6. UW-Superior 38; 7. Stout Alumni 30; 8. Mt. Senario 24; 9. Concordia-SP 14; 10. Mt. Marty 5

Individual Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
55: 1. Jared Nerison (UMD) 6.53; 3. Jesse Hunter 6.65; 7. Dan Reinert 6.83; 12. Aaron Scheffer 6.90; 13. Ryan Geier 6.92; 16. Billy Busch 6.96; 19. Jim Staska 7.01; 200: 1. Eric Farnum (UMD) 23.30; 11. Jim Staska 24.94; 400: 1. John Hanson (Stout) 51.24; 2. Troy Wyatt 51.43; 7. Dustin Green 52.62; 9. Ted Peterson 53.57; 600: 1. Billy Busch (Stout) 1:22.94; 5. Jeff Gross 1:31.93; 800: 1. Lawrence Mboga (Aug) 1:58.06; 4. Eric Hanson 2:01.03; 5. Tim Hamill 2:01.54; 6. Bryan Ott 2:02.96; 1000: 1. Ryan Bickler (St. Mary's) 2:38.37; 2. Aaron Haas 2:45.36; 4. Jeff Gross 250.24; One-mile: 1. Eric Hanson (Stout) 4:21.63; 2. Tim Hamill 4:25.02; 3. Ethan Webinger 4:34.04; 7. Aaron Haas 4:41.99; 8. Jamie Block 4:42.41; 10. Jason Donovan 4:45.98; 3000: 1. Clint Latz (Stout) 9:08.80; 3. Josh Webb 9:15.89; 6. Tim King 9:56.50; 5000: 1. Pete Kreminski (Sup) 15:18.86; 2. Ryan Hill 15:43.89; 3. Seth Kaste 16:44.77; 55-hurdles: 1. Desman Oakley (Aug) 7.79; 2. Aaron Scheffer 8.05; 6. Jeff Miller 8.41; 8. Luke Cobb 8.83; 200-hurdles: 1. Jesse Hunter (Stout) 25.70; 2. Jeff Miller 25.92; 4X200-relay: 1. Eau Claire 1:31.60; 2. Stout 1:34.53; 4X400-relay: 1. Stout 3:28.19;

High jump: 1. Aaron Scheffer (Stout) 6-2.25; 5. Bob Cahow 5-4.50; Pole vault: 1. Scott Trombley (UMD) 15-8.25; 2. Jamie Buchholtz 15-8.25; 4. Corey Knudsen 14-10; 5. Jeff Rotering 13-10; 6. Matt Lausted 13-10; Long jump: 1. Scott Whirry (EC) 21-0.75; 2. Eric Moe 20-9.75; 6. Aaron Scheffer 19-2.75; 8. Bob Cahow 19-0; 9. Luke Cobb 18-10.75; Triple jump: 1. Eric Moe (Stout) 43-3.25; Shot put: 1. Jason Lehman (Stout alumni) 50-2.75; 2. Mike Bethke 48-5.50; 3. Kevin McCulley 47-1.50; 7. Joe Scracic 42-10.75; 10. Luke Cobb 39-1; 35-lb wt: 1. Corey O'Donnell (Stout) 52-1; 4. Joe Scracic 40-3.50.

Women's Track & Field

February 12, 1999

MENOMONIE - With the distance team putting out a strong effort, the UW-Stout women's track team placed second at their own Warren Bowlus Invitational Friday, Feb. 12 in Johnson Fieldhouse.

The Blue Devils got wins from Katy Olsen (Sr, Rice Lake) in the one-mile run (5:25.63), Katie Jacobson (Sr, Eau Claire) in the 3000-meter (10:15.34) and Jen Wucherer (Jr, Edgar) in the 5000-meter (18:50.94). Wucherer buried the field, finishing more than a minute ahead of the second place competitor.

Katie Kuffel (So, Minneapolis, Minn) placed second in the 1000-meter (3:13.20).

Michelle Abramczak (So, Stanley) racked up two second place finishes in the hurdle events, clocking a 9.27 in the 55-hurdles and a 30.98 in the 200-hurdles, getting edged by only .21 seconds.

Noel Green (So, Alexandria, Minn) was second in the 200-meter dash (28.26).

The Blue Devils will be at the UW-River Falls Invitational Friday, Feb. 19.

Warren Bowlus Invitational
1. UW-River Falls 166; 2. UW-Stout 129.50; 3 UM-Duluth 126.50; 4 UW-Eau Claire 106; 5. Winona State 79; 6. UW-Superior 31; 6. Concordia-SP 31; Augsburg 30; 8. St. Mary's 30.

Individual Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
55: 1. Jody Myhre (RF) 7.59; Noel Green DQ; 200: 1. Krysten Bodenburg (RF) 27.26; 2. Noel Green 28.26; 8. Becca Carlson 28.74; 16. Nora Ready 30.07; 20. Tia Richardson 31.52; 22. Ann Marie Curtis 32.04; 400: 1. Jody Myhre (RF) 1:02.22; 6. Katie Larson 1:07.81; 9. Nora Ready 1:08.61; 13. Tia Richardson 1:18.30; 600: 1. Ruth Fagerland (RF) 1:44.45; 800: 1. Tammy Stang (UMD) 2:25.05; 5. Katy Olsen 2:33.53; 6. Jen Bahr 2:36.79; 1000: 1. Sherri Lien (St. Mary's) 3:09.86; 2. Katie Kuffel 3:13.20; One-mile: 1. Katy Olsen (Stout) 5:25.63; 5. Jen Bahr 5:39.67; 6. Amy Arndt 5:39.84; 3000: 1. Katie Jacobson (Stout) 10:15.34; 7. Dana Piper 11:59.61; 5000: 1. Jen Wucherer (Stout) 18:50.94; 55-hurdles: 1. Gina Zakariasen (UMD) 9.18; 2. Michelle Abramczak 9.24; 3. Alison West 9.38; 10. Jamie Schwabenlender 10.25; 12. Marion Doble 10.34; 200-hurdles: 1. Meghan Thieke (RF) 30.77; 2. Michelle Abramczak 30.98; 3. Alison West 31.23; 11. Marion Doble 33.81; 4X200-relay: 1. River Falls 1:48.36; 3. Stout 1:51.96; 4X400-relay: 1. River Falls 4:11.06; 4. Stout 4:22.51;

High jump: 1. Kady Kleven (RF) 5-5; 3. Andrea Schwabenlender 5-1; 5. Ann Marie Curtis 4-11; 8. Alison West 4-9; Pole vault: 1. Brandi Long (RF) 9-6.25; 9. Dana Rozmenoski 6-0; Long jump: 1. Susan St. Clair (ED) 16-8.50; 6. Jamie Schwabenlender 15-2.75; 8. Alison West 14-11.75; 13. Marion Doble 13-11.50; Triple jump: 1. Nikki Fahey (UMD) 34-4.75; 6. Ann Marie Curtis 31-2.50; 9. Marion Doble 29-1; Shot put: 1. Christy Pettit (UMD) 41-10.75; 4. Sara Pivec 36-11; 10. Jamie Schwabenlender 30-2; 20-lb wt: 1. Carrie Lund (Aug) 51-11.25; 7. Jennifer Turner 40-8.75; 11. Sara Pivec 35-5.25;13. Caroline Myrlie 33-6.50; 17. Amy Lueder 29-5.25.