Men's Basketball

February 22, 2000

EAU CLAIRE - After looking like UW-Stout would get a start on repeating their playoff run from a year ago, the Blue Devils came up just short as UW-Eau Claire needed overtime to take a 92-85 win in the quarterfinals of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) tournament Tuesday, Feb. 22 at Eau Claire.

The Blue Devils (11-14) came back from a halftime deficit and took the lead late in the game. But Eau Claire (21-4) came up big when they needed to.

With Stout leading 72-71 and 28 seconds remaining, the Blugolds' Dave Mellenthin was fouled. After missing the first, Mellenthin canned the second and Stout could not get a shot off.

Fouls would become the name of the game in the overtime period. The Blue Devils lost four players to fouls and the Blugolds lost key player Jon Wallenfelsz. Eau Claire took advantage, making 9-of-10 free throws in the final two-minutes, 11-seconds. Matt Fermanich proved to be the most lethal, scoring the Blugolds' final five points from the line.

Eau Claire led nearly the entire overtime period, but Stout pulled to within two points with 1:30 left when Dave Larson (So, LaCrescent, Minn) pulled down a rebound, tossed the shot in while falling back, and drew the foul. With the free throw, Stout trailed 85-83. Larson would get another bucket with 13 seconds remaining, but the game was almost out of reach at that point.

While the Blugolds shot 47 percent from the field and outboarded Stout, 50-31, they made two more turnovers and also shot just 60 percent from the foul line while Stout was making 21 of 29.

Stout's Aaron Vachowiak (Jr,Wausau) had another stellar performance, scoring a game- and career-high 27 points before fouling out with 3:17 remaining in overtime. Vachowiak picked up his fourth foul midway through the second half, scoring 17 points with four fouls. Vachowiak finished with 11 rebounds.

Ben Kuepers (Sr, Dickeyville) finished up his career with 21 point and Jeremy Leibfried (Sr, Dickeyville) had 12 points. Wallenfelsz led the Blugolds with 24 points. Sherm Carstensen tossed in 23 points, Fermanich 19 and Mellenthin, 16.

Last season, Stout began a run to the tournament championship game by defeating Eau Claire in the quarterfinal game.

Eau Claire will host UW-Oshkosh Thursday, Feb. 23. The Titans upended UW-Platteville, 67-66. Around the league, UW-Stevens Point defeated UW-La Crosse, 89-82 and UW-Superior downed UW-River Falls, 66-43. Superior will play at Stevens Point Thursday.

February 22, 2000

MENOMONIE - Aaron Vachowiak (Jr, Wausau/West) scored UW-Stout's first seven points of the game, then put Stout in position to defeat UW-Platteville in the final three minutes of the game as the Blue Devils downed the Pioneers, 69-67, Feb. 16 in Menomonie. For his efforts, Vachowiak was named as the player of the week from the West Region by Columbus Multimedia and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).

With 2:40 remaining and Stout trailing by five, Vachowiak completed a three-point play with a lay-up and the ensuing free throw. With 1:21 remaining, Vachowiak tied the game with another lay-up, setting the stage for the eventual winning shot with six seconds remaining by Jeremy Leibfried. For the night, Vachowiak scored 20 points, had 10 rebounds, one assist, three blocked shots and one steal.

The win marked the first time Stout had beaten the Pioneers, the two-time defending national champion, since the final game of the 1991-92 season.

On the season, Vachowiak finished as the Blue Devils' leading scorer and rebounder, tallying 15.2 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per contest.

Vachowiak and the Blue Devils (11-14) finished the season Tuesday, Feb. 22 with a 92-85 overtime loss at UW-Eau Claire in the first round of the WIAC tournament.

Vachowiak scored a game- and career-high 27 points and also pulled down 11 rebounds, his second consecutive double-double of the season. Vachowiak picked up his fourth foul of the game midway through the second half, then scored 17 points before fouling out with 3:17 left in the overtime.

Vachowiak's 802 career points currently ranks him 35th on the all-time Stout scoring list.

Women's Basketball

February 23, 2000

EAU CLAIRE - Stacie Anderson (Jr, Clayton) did everything she could in the final minute to get UW-Stout into a position to defeat UW-Eau Claire in the semi-final game of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) tournament Wednesday, Feb. 23 at Eau Claire. Anderson scored two baskets within 12 seconds of each other to pull the Blue Devils to within two points, but the Stout comeback came up short as UW-Eau Claire took a 61-59 win.

With Stout (15-11) trailing 61-55, Anderson scored a bucket, then turned around, stole the ball and laid the ball in for what would prove to be the final score.

Anderson helped the Blue Devils get the ball back with about 15 second remaining. The Blue Devils set up a pick-and-roll, but an Andrea Bresette (Sr, Ashland) shot rolled off the rim with four second remaining. Bresette fouled Jacci Smieja while doing battle for the rebound. Smieja missed the free throws, but Stout could only get off a desparation shot.

The game was nip-and-tuck the entire way, even though at one point Eau Claire (26-0) led by as much as 11 points. If either team would get a lead, the two long-time rivals would come back at each other.

The game was tied at 25-25 at halftime, but Eau Claire would take their biggest lead of the night before Stout would cut the score by holding Eau Claire scoreless for the final two mintues of the game.

The Blugolds' Jayme Anderson led all scorers with 22 points, but the Blue Devils made Anderson work, allowing her to connect on 8-of-21 attempts from the floor. Vanessa Schley scored 17 points for the Blugolds.

Heather Peterson (Sr, Altoona) led Stout with 16 points and nine rebounds. Peterson was 3-for-9 from the floor, but connected on 9-of-10 charity shots. She also had four assists. Aslynn Johnson (Jr, Clinton) scored 10 points. Stacie Anderson finished the night with seven points, with four coming in the final minute.

February 21, 2000

MENOMONIE - The UW-Stout women's basketball team had to overcome their own worst enemy - themselves - as they came back to defeat UW-River Falls, 92-82, in the quarterfinals of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) tournament, Monday, Feb. 21 at Johnson Fieldhouse.

The Blue Devils (15-10) committed 26 turnovers, 18 in the first half and five in the first two minutes of the game. The Falcons (13-12) converted eight first half turnovers into 16 points and took a 42-33 halftime lead.

It looked like more of the same in the second half, as the Blue Devils turned the ball over again, and the Falcons jumped out to a 15-point, 48-33 lead only one minute into the second half.

But the Blue Devils made a charge starting at the 15 minute mark. Heather Peterson (Sr, Altoona) hit a 3-pointer to pull within 55-45. Bethany Halvorson (So, Whitehall) spurred the Blue Devils' defensive effort, grabbing two steals in rapid succession, which were converted to tighten the score to 55-49. Stout did pull to within three points, 55-52, but the Falcons built the score up to a nine point lead with 11 minutes left.

Stout made their move, going off on an 18-6 run to tie the score at 70-70 on a Peterson trey, then move ahead for good on a Stacie Anderson (Jr, Clayton) long range bomb. Stout slowly built up a lead, and Andrea Bresette (Sr, Ashland) completed a three-point play with 1:23 remaining to give Stout an 88-82 lead. River Falls was scoreless the final two minutes of the game.

It rained 3-pointers for the Blue Devils in the second half as they connected on 10-of-22 long range missles. Stout's defense did an about-face by shutting down the Falcons' long range game in the second half. The Falcons hit 5-of-11 3-pointers in the first half, but were held to 2-of-8 in the second. Anderson and Amy Zelinger (So, Racine) each connected on three 3-pointers, all in the second half.

Zelinger led the Blue Devils with 15 points. Bresette, Anderson and Aslynn Johnson (Jr, Clinton) each finished with 13 points and Peterson had 12 points. The Falcons' Steph Olson led all scorers with 22 points. Andrea Long added 18, Dana Stouvenal 17 and JoLynn Sieburg 10.

The Blue Devils pounded the boards all evening, holding a 42-29 advantage.

Men's Ice Hockey

February 23, 2000

MENOMONIE - UW-Stout freshman goalie Justin Wiskie (Janesville) was named to the first team of the 1999-2000 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Ice Hockey team.

Wiskie was the only Stout player named to the first team, but named to the honorable mention squad were Steve Holeczy (Sr, Lincolnshire, Ill), RJ Schriefer (Sr, Cottage Grove, Minn) and Brad Weappa (Jr, Brooklyn Center, Minn).

Weappa was the Blue Devils' leading scorer, notching 10 goals and four assists.

Holeczy had the best offensive output of his career, getting three goals and six assists. Holeczy played in the most games of any Blue Devil during his career. Holeczy played in 104 games over four years.

Schriefer overcame one injury after another this season and scored four goals and four assists. All four of his goals came on the power play. Schriefer is third for most career games played with 101.

Women's Gymnastics

February 25, 2000

EAU CLAIRE - UW-Stout freshman Tasha Pasch (Northfield, Minn) won the all-around title at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Gymnastics Championships Friday, Feb. 25 at Eau Claire.

Pasch hit a career-high 36.10 to edge out UW-La Crosse's Jenny Moore for the title. Moore scored a 35.90. Pasch finished fourth on the vault (9.175), 10th on the uneven bars (8.55), second on the balance beam (9.125) and seventh on the floor exercise (9.25).

As a team, the Blue Devils placed fourth with a season-high score of 168.95. UW-La Crosse repeated as conference champion, scoring a 181.125. UW-Oshkosh was second (177.10) and UW-Eau Claire third (169.50).

Katie Hanson (Fr, Duluth, Minn) was fifth in the all-around (35.375) and placed ninth on the bars (8.60) and 10th on the floor (9.225).

Brenna Jones (Jr, St. Paul, Minn) returned to the all-around event for the Blue Devils for the first time since early January when she injured her ankle. Jones, who had been competing only on the vault and the uneven bars through January and February, placed 11th in the all-around (32.75).

The Blue Devils will compete at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) West Regionals Friday, March 3 at UW-La Crosse.

WIAC Championships
1. UW-La Crosse 181.125; 2. UW-Oshkosh 177.10; 3. UW-Eau Claire 169.50; 4. UW-Stout 168.95; 5. UW-River Falls 168.475; 6. UW-Whitewater 166.375.

Individual Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
Vault: 1. Melissa Cummins (Osh) 9.325; 4. Tasha Pasch 9.175; 14. Katie Hanson 8.90; 24. Brenna Jones 8.45; 29. Erika Opoien 8.30; 31. Andrea Hassel 8.25; 36. Lis Carlson 7.70;

Uneven bars: 1. Joni Hetchler (LX) 8.95; 9. Katie Hanson 8.60; 10. Tasha Pasch 8.55; 11. Erika Opoien 8.475; 20. Brenna Jones 7.80; 34. Andrea Hassel 6.25; 35. Scarlett Ramey 6.00;

Balance beam: 1. Jenny Moore (LX) 9.425; 2. Tasha Pasch 9.125; 12. Andrea Hassel 8.725; 14. Katie Hanson 8.65; 31. Brenna Jones 7.60; 33. Alissa Martin 7.525; 36. Erika Opoien 7.15;

Floor exercise: 1. Sabrina Ashton (Osh) 9.65; 7. Tasha Pasch 9.25; 10. Katie Hanson 9.225; 21. Brenna Jones 8.90; 26. Andrea Hassel 8.775; 34. Erika Opoien 8.425; 35. Lis Carlson 8.00;

All-around: 1. Tasha Pasch (Stout) 36.10; 5. Katie Hanson 35.375; 11. Brenna Jones 32.75; 13. Erika Opoien 32.35; 15. Andrea Hassel 32.00.

February 21, 2000

WINONA, Minn - The UW-Stout gymnastics tuned up for the WIAC conference meet by taking on one of the top schools in the NCAA Division II, Winona State, Monday, Feb. 21 at Winona.

The Warriors captured the top three spots in all events, and took the meet, 178.525-164.85.

The Blue Devils' Tasha Pasch (Fr, Northfield, Minn) was fourth on the uneven bars, matching her season best of 8.45. Pasch was also fourth on the balance beam (8.80). Katie Hanson (Fr, Duluth, Minn) was fourth in the floor exercise (9.00).

Stout will be at the WIAC Championships, Friday, Feb. 25, at UW-Eau Claire.

Winona State 178.525, UW-Stout 164.85
(First place, all Stout finishers)
Vault: 1. Marnie Brys (Win) 9.325; 5. Tasha Pasch 8.925; 7. Katie Hanson 8.75; 8. Erika Opoien 8.60; 10. Andrea Hassel 8.35; 11. Lis Carlson 7.65; 12. Alissa Martin 7.10;

Uneven bars: 1. Megan Bondeson (Win) 9.05; 4. Tasha Pasch 8.45; 6. Katie Hanson 8.35; 8. Erika Opoien 8.20; 9. Brenna Jones 7.675; 11. Andrea Hassel 6.80; 12. Scarlett Ramey 6.00;

Balance beam: 1. Marnie Brys (Win) 9.225; 4. Tasha Pasch 8.80; 7. Erika Opoien 8.50; 8. Andrea Hassel 8.475; 10. Katie Hanson 8.00; 11. Lis Carlson 7.075; 12. Alissa Martin 6.25;

Floor exercise: 1. Kassy Kroening (Win) 9.35; 4. Katie Hanson 9.00; 6. Tasha Pasch 8.80; 8. Andrea Hassel 8.40; 9. Erika Opoien 8.25; 10. Lis Carlson, Alissa Martin 7.80;

All-around: 1. Marnie Brys (Win) 36.45; 3. Tasha Pasch 34.975; 4. Katie Hanson 34.10; 5. Erika Opoien 33.55; 6. Andrea Hassel 32.025.

Men's Track & Field

February 26, 2000

STEVENS POINT - A week after not being able to clear his opening height, UW-Stout's Jamie Buchholtz (Jr, Bloomer) captured the pole vault title at the 16-team Pointer Invitational Saturday, Feb. 26 in Stevens Point.

Buchholtz won the event with an NCAA Division III provisional qualifiying height of 15-feet, 5-inches. Jeff Rotering (So, Waumandee) placed fourth in the same event with a provisional qualifying height of 15-2.25.

The distance relay team also hit a provisional qualfying time in placing third, coming with a time of 10-minutes, 18.34-seconds.

As a team, Stout placed seventh of 16 teams.