Michigan State senior center fielder Brandon Eckerle has been named to the Lowe's Senior CLASS All-America first team, Lowe's announced over the weekend. FULL STORY
June 2011 Archives
It's been an exciting few days for Penn State volleyball standout Blair Brown.
Last week, Brown was named one of three finalists for the Honda-Broderick Cup, awarded annually to the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. Days later, the Big Ten Player of the Year was selected as one of five ESPY nominees for Best Female College Athlete. The ESPYs will be held on July 13 in Los Angeles and be televised by ESPN.
A three-time All-Big Ten selection, Brown finished her career with 1,295 kills, ranking 14th all-time at Penn State. Last season, she started all 37 matches in leading the Nittany Lions to their fourth straight national championship.
Chris Whitten has been named Michigan's head men's golf coach, athletic director Dave Brandon announced on Thursday. Whitten has spent five years on the Wolverines' coaching staff, serving as the team's assistant coach.
Click here for Michigan's complete release.
Big Ten newcomer Nebraska will face some familiar foes when it joins the conference this season.
Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson is spending his summer back on the mat training for the World Championships.
Illinois' Meyers Leonard, Michigan's Tim Hardaway Jr. and Michigan State's Keith Appling have been named to the 12-man roster for the USA U19 World Championship Team, USA Basketball announced on Thursday. COMPLETE RELEASE
Five Big Ten student-athletes have earned spots on the Capital One Academic All-America Women's Track & Field and Cross Country teams, it was announced on Wednesday. Indiana's Vera Neuenswander received first-team honors, while teammate Faith Sherrill and Michigan's Kaitlyn Peale earned second-team laurels. The Hoosiers' Chelsea Blanchard and Sarah Pease picked up third-team accolades to round out the group of Big Ten honorees.
Click here to see the complete list of Academic All-Americans.
Three Big Ten men's cross country and track and field student-athletes have been named Capital One Academic All-Americans, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced on Tuesday. Penn State's Ryan Foster earned first-team status, while Indiana's Andy Bayer and Wisconsin's Elliot Krause picked up third-team laurels.
Click here to see the complete list of Academic All-Americans.
Three Big Ten men's golfers have earned All-America recognition from Golfweek, the publication announced on Monday. Illinois' Luke Guthrie was tabbed a first-team All-American, while Iowa's Vince India was chosen as a second-team honoree. Michigan's Lion Kim earned honorable mention recognition.
Click here to see the complete list of Golfweek All-Americans.
Mike Turk has been named the head coach of men's track and field at Illinois, the university announced on Wednesday. Turk has spent six seasons with the Fighting Illini after joining the coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2006 and being named interim head coach for the 2010-11 season.
Click here for Illinois' release on Turk.
Illinois' Meyers Leonard, Michigan's Tim Hardaway Jr. and Michigan State's Keith Appling are among the thirteen finalists for the 2011 USA Men's U19 World Championship Team, USA Basketball announced on Sunday. The selections, which were made by the USA Basketball Junior National Team Committee, came after three-days, four training sessions, during the USA U19 Team training camp that got underway Friday. The USA squad will look to defend the gold medal won in 2009 at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship that runs June 30-July 10 in Latvia. COMPLETE RELEASE
Ohio State's Josh Dezse was named a Freshman All-American as a utility player by the NCBWA. COMPLETE RELEASE
As the 2011-12 women's basketball schedule comes together, the Big Ten has identified each team's single-play opponents. Teams will play a 16-game conference schedule, facing five squads twice and six opponents once. Below is a list of each team's single-plays.
Illinois
Home: Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State
Away: Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State
Indiana
Home: Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin
Away: Minnesota, Nebraska, Penn State
Iowa
Home: Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota
Away: Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State
Michigan
Home: Minnesota, Ohio State, Purdue
Away: Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin
Michigan State
Home: Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio State
Away: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Minnesota
Home: Indiana, Michigan State, Wisconsin
Away: Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern
Nebraska
Home: Indiana, Michigan, Northwestern
Away: Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue
Northwestern
Home: Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue
Away: Nebraska, Ohio State, Wisconsin
Ohio State
Home: Iowa, Northwestern, Purdue
Away: Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State
Penn State
Home: Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State
Away: Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue
Purdue
Home: Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin
Away: Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State
Wisconsin
Home: Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern
Away: Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue
During the 2011-12 Big Ten men's basketball season, each team will play seven teams twice and four teams once. Below are each team's "single-plays" for the upcoming season, as well as home-away designations for those games.
Illinois
Home: Iowa, Michigan State
Away: Indiana, Penn State
Indiana
Home: Illinois, Northwestern
Away: Nebraska, Wisconsin
Iowa
Home: Michigan, Ohio State
Away: Illinois, Michigan State
Michigan
Home: Minnesota, Wisconsin
Away: Iowa, Nebraska
Michigan State
Home: Iowa, Penn State
Away: Illinois, Northwestern
Minnesota
Home: Ohio State, Purdue
Away: Michigan, Penn State
Nebraska
Home: Indiana, Michigan
Away: Northwestern, Purdue
Northwestern
Home: Michigan State, Nebraska
Away: Indiana, Wisconsin
Ohio State
Home: Penn State, Purdue
Away: Iowa, Minnesota
Penn State
Home: Illinois, Minnesota
Away: Michigan State, Ohio State
Purdue
Home: Nebraska, Wisconsin
Away: Minnesota, Ohio State
Wisconsin
Home: Indiana, Northwestern
Away: Michigan, Purdue
Big Ten standouts ranked among the nation's top 50 in various statistical categories at the end of the 2011 softball season. Below is a sampling of where conference student-athletes ranked nationally. Complete team and individual statistics can be found online at NCAA.com.
Batting Average
4. Emily Allard, NU, .491
6. Adrienne Monka, NU, .461
20. Malisa Barnes, MINN, .433
26. Andie Varsho, PUR, .426
28. Danielle Zymkowitz, ILL, .425
31. Amanda Chidester, MICH, .423
47. Bree Evans, MICH, .411
RBI per game
4. Amanda Chidester, MICH, 1.29
8. Ashley Lane, MICH, 1.20
18. Adrienne Monka, NU, 1.09
25. Lindsey Hansen, MSU, 1.04
45. Brett Williams, MSU, 0.96
Stolen Bases per game
2. Emily Allard, NU, 1.05
4. Jennifer Krueger, WIS, 0.81
7. Molly Garst, PUR, 0.68
7. Andie Varsho, PUR, 0.68
Walks per game
1. Adrienne Monka, NU, 1.53
2. Dorian Shaw, MICH, 1.14
8. Malisa Barnes, MINN, 0.89
30. Liz Watkins, IOWA, 0.71
41. Lauren Kramer, MSU, 0.67
On Base Percentage
1. Adrienne Monka, NU, 0.707
4. Dorian Shaw, MICH, 0.595
7. Malisa Barnes, MINN, 0.569
34. Emily Allard, NU, 0.512
Strikeouts Per Seven
7. Morgan Melloh, IND, 10.8
13. Jordan Taylor, MICH, 9.9
42. Sara Moulton, MINN, 8.3
Victories
6. Morgan Melloh, IND, 32
10. Jordan Taylor, MICH, 31
18. Sara Moulton, MINN, 28
26. Suzie Rzegocki, PUR, 26
Saves
1. Jordan Taylor, MICH, 8
31. Jessica Smith, NU, 3
31. Shelby Wise, MSU, 3
Strikeouts
2. Morgan Melloh, IND, 494
9. Jordan Taylor, MICH, 340
14. Sara Moulton, MINN, 330
Shutouts
7. Sara Moulton, MINN, 14
8. Morgan Melloh, IND, 13
12. Jordan Taylor, MICH, 12
21. Suzie Rzegocki, PUR, 10
36. Cassee Layne, MSU, 8
In the final polls of the 2011 softball season, a pair of conference squads received votes from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and USA Softball on Tuesday. Michigan appeared at No. 17 in each polling service, while Penn State appeared among those also receiving votes in both rankings.
Michigan tied for the third-most wins of any team appearing in the top 25 in either poll, recording 53 triumphs this season. Penn State returned to the postseason for the first time since 2007 and hosted during NCAA Regional play.
Thirty-four Big Ten women's outdoor track and field athletes have been named USTFCCCA All-Americans as announced on Monday. Fifteen Big Ten athletes earned first-team honors after placing in the top eight in their respective events at the NCAA Championships, while 19 picked up second-team honors. The complete list of Big Ten All-Americans can be found below.
ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM
Ashley Kelly, ILL - 400m dash
Kelsie Ahbe, IND - pole vault
Vera Neuenswander, IND - pole vault
Faith Sherrill, IND - shot put
Emily MacLeod, MSU - 5000m run
Beth Rohl, MSU - discus
Christina Manning, OSU - 100m hurdles
Letecia Wright, OSU - 100m hurdles
Doris Anyanwu, PSU - 4x400m relay
Megan Duncan, PSU - 4x400m relay
Shavon Greaves, PSU - 4x400m relay
Ijeoma Iheoma, PSU - 4x400m relay
Stacey Wannemacher, PUR - shot put
Dorcas Akinniyi, WIS - heptathlon
Jessica Flax, WIS - heptathlon
ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM
Melissa Bates, ILL - 4x100m relay
Chantelle Groenewoud, ILL - 3000m steeplechase
Ashley Kelly, ILL - 4x100m relay
Cheria Morgan, ILL - 4x100m relay
Tamika Robinson, ILL - 4x100m relay
Sarah Pease, IND - 3000m steeplechase
Betsy Flood, IOWA - 5000m run
Ashley Lawrence, MSU - discus
Beth Rohl, MSU - hammer throw
Nikki Swenson, MINN - 1500m run
Nicole Tzanakis, MINN - discus
Todea-Kay Willis, MINN - long jump
Christina Manning, OSU - 4x100m relay
Madison McNary, OSU - 4x100m relay
Chesna Sykes, OSU - 4x100m relay
Letecia Wright, OSU - 4x100m relay
Evonne Britton, PSU - 100m hurdles
Megan Duncan, PSU - 400m hurdles
Laura Loht, PSU - javelin
Karlee McQuillen, PSU - javelin
Emily Breslin, PUR - high jump
Monika Jakutyte, WIS - high jump
Emily Sisson, WIS - 5000m run
Forty-three Big Ten men's outdoor track and field athletes have been named All-Americans by the USTFCCCA based on their finish at the 2011 NCAA Championships. The conference boasts 16 first-team honorees and 27 second-team athletes. The entire list of Big Ten All-Americans can be found below.
ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM
Stanley Azie, ILL - 100m dash, 4x100m relay
Andrew Riley, ILL - 110m hurdles, 4x100m relay
Azeez Shogbuyi, ILL - 4x100m relay
Cody Wisslead, ILL - 400m hurdles
Josh Zinzer, ILL - 4x100m relay
Kind Butler, IND - 4x100m relay
Devin Pipkin, IND - 4x100m relay
Andrew Poore, IND - 3000m steeplechase
Tyler Sult, IND - 4x100m relay
De'Sean Turner, IND - 3000m steeplechase
Chris Vaughn, IND - 4x100m relay
Troy Doris, IOWA - triple jump
Lonnie Pugh, MSU - discus
Joe Kovacs, PSU - shot put
Casimir Loxsom, PSU - 800m run
Geoff Davis, PUR - high jump
ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM
Stanley Azie, ILL - 200m dash
Ben Hubers, IND - 5000m run
Andy Weatherford, IND - 3000m steeplechase
Chris Barton, IOWA - 4x400m relay
Jeffery Herron, IOWA - high jump
Ethan Holmes, IOWA - 400m hurdles
Patrick Richards, IOWA - 4x400m relay
Erik Sowinski, IOWA - 800m run, 4x400m relay
Steven Willey, IOWA - 4x400m relay
Craig Forys, MICH - 3000m steeplechase
Zack Hill, MSU - shot put
Codi Mattix, MSU - pole vault
Harun Abda, MINN - 800m run, 4x400m relay
Kevin Bradley, MINN - 4x400m relay
Jacob Capek, MINN - 4x400m relay
Micah Hegerle, MINN - hammer throw
John Holton, MINN - 4x400m relay
Marcus Brooks, OSU - 4x400m relay
Mike Hartfield, OSU - long jump
Thomas Murdaugh, OSU - 400m dash, 4x400m relay
Aaron Roberts, OSU - 4x400m relay
Korbin Smith, OSU - 4x400m relay
Samuel Borchers, PSU - 800m run
Blake Eaton, PSU - shot put
Hanif Johnson, PSU - triple jump
Mohammed Ahmed, WIS - 5000m run
Reed Connor, WIS - 5000m run
Maverick Darling, WIS - 10000m run
Seven Big Ten rowers have earned CRCA Pocock All-America honors as announced on Friday. Big Ten Rower of the Year and Michigan State senior Laura Cowal earned first-team honors and was joined by Michigan's Felice Mueller on the first team.
Five conference rowers received second-team recognition as Michigan's Natalie Eisermann, Michigan State's Kellie Lapointe, Ohio State's Ulrike Denker and Claudia Schiwy, and Wisconsin's Vanessa Kleiss took home honors.
Click here to see the complete list of CRCA Pocock All-Americans.
Northwestern's Paul Snieder was named one of 10 semifinalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, the College Baseball Hall of Fame announced on Friday. The winner of the Olerud Award will be announced in Lubbock, Texas, on July 3, as part of the College Baseball Hall of Fame's Night of Champions. COMPLETE RELEASE
Five Big Ten student-athletes have earned recognition on the Capital One Academic All-America Women's At-Large teams, announced on Thursday. Minnesota swimmer Kaylee Jamison earned first-team Academic All-America honors, while Michigan gymnast Sarah Curtis and Illinois gymnast Melissa Fernandez picked up second-team laurels. Northwestern golfer Kelsey Lindenschmidt and Wisconsin ice hockey's Becca Ruegsegger received third-team recognition.
Click here to see the complete Academic All-America teams.
Four Big Ten players are among 22 of the nation's top collegiate athletes that have accepted invitations from the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team Committee to attend the 2011 USA Basketball Men's World University Games Team training camp.
Michigan State's Draymond Green, Minnesota's Trevor Mbakwe, Northwestern's John Shurna and Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor will attend the training camp, which will be held July 29-Aug. 7 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo. The training camp will be used to select the 12-member team that will represent the USA at the 2011 World University Games men's basketball competition Aug. 13-23 in Shenzhen, China.
Purdue head coach Matt Painter was selected as head coach of the 2011 USA Men's World University Games Team.
Four Big Ten players were named Louisvilee Slugger Freshman All-Americans, Collegiate Baseball newspaper announced on Wednesday. Click HERE for the complete release, including more information on each player.
BIG TEN FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICANS
Dustin DeMuth, IND, 3B
Joey DeNato, IND, LHP
Michael O'Neill, MICH, OF
Josh Dezse, OSU, UT
Player, School - Round - Pick - Team
Alex Dickerson, Indiana - 3rd - 91 - Pittsburgh Pirates
Tyler Mills, Michigan - 9th - 290 - St. Louis Cardinals
Adam Davis, Illinois - 11th - 335 - Baltimore Orioles
Justin Gominsky, Minnesota - 11th - 340 - Houston Astros
Josh Parr, Illinois - 12th - 364 - Arizona Diamondbacks
Blake Monar, Indiana - 12th - 367 - Washington Nationals
Jeff Holm, Michigan State - 12th - 377 - Detroit Tigers
Corey Kimes, Illinois - 18th - 568 - Minnesota Twins
Kurt Wunderlich, Michigan State - 20th - 616 - Oakland A's
Nick O'Shea, Minnesota - 24th - 745 - Cincinnati Reds
AJ Pettersen, Minnesota - 25th - 778 - Minnesota Twins
Scott Matyas, Minnesota - 27th - 827 - Detroit Tigers
Matt Dermody, Iowa - 29th - 888 - Colorado Rockies
Jordan Steranka, Penn State - 30th - 910 - Houston Astros
Brandon Eckerle, Michigan State - 32nd - 977 - Detroit Tigers
Chris Lashmet, Northwestern - 33rd - 992 - Pittsburgh Pirates
Austin Lubinsky, Minnesota - 36th - 1,107 - San Francisco Giants
TJ Oakes, Minnesota - 41st - 1,258 - Minnesota Twins
Willie Argo, Illinois - 43rd - 1,292 - Pittsburgh Pirates
Indiana's Alex Dickerson was the first Big Ten player taken in the 2011 MLB First Year Player Draft, selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the first pick in the third round, 91st overall. FULL STORY
Ohio State's Brad Smith has been named to the Capital One Academic All-America At-Large Second Team, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced on Tuesday. A finance major, Smith holds a 3.95 grade-point average and is one of just five golfers to earn the honor.
Click here to see Ohio State's release on Smith.
Penn State's Miguel Pineda has been named to the 2011 Capital One Academic All-America At-Large First Team, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced on Tuesday. Pineda, a science major, boasts a 3.99 grade-point average and is the lone men's gymnast to earn Academic All-America status.
Click here to see Penn State's release on Pineda.
Patrick Chambers, who last season led Boston University to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002, has been named the 12th head coach in Nittany Lion Basketball history, Penn State Director of Athletics Tim Curley announced Friday. COMPLETE RELEASE
Chambers will be introduced live at 2:30 p.m. on Monday on the Big Ten Network and on www.BTN.com. MORE INFORMATION
Three student-athletes and three coaches represent the Big Ten among the USTFCCCA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Regional Award winners, as announced on Monday. The complete list of award winners from the Big Ten can be found below.
TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
De'Sean Turner, Indiana - Great Lakes Region
Casimir Loxsom, Penn State - Mid-Atlantic Region
FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Michael Hartfield, Ohio State - Great Lakes Region
COACH OF THE YEAR
Larry Wieczorek, Iowa - Midwest Region
ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR
Joey Woody, Iowa - Midwest Region
Ed Beathea, Ohio State - Great Lakes Region
Two Big Ten student-athletes and two conference coaches have earned USTFCCCA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Regional awards as announced on Monday. The complete list of award winners hailing from Big Ten teams can be found below.
TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Christina Manning, Ohio State - Great Lakes Region
FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Beth Rohl, Michigan State - Great Lakes Region
COACH OF THE YEAR
Karen Dennis, Ohio State - Great Lakes Region
ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR
John Newell, Michigan State - Great Lakes Region
SUNDAY'S RESULTS
No. 4 ILLINOIS def. No. 1 Cal State Fullerton, 7-5
Illinois advanced to the Regional final and eliminated Cal State Fullerton with a 7-5 victory over the Titans on Sunday. The Illini will face Stanford on Saturday night at 11 p.m. ET, and with a win, would force a second final game on Monday night.
No. 2 Stanford def. No. 4 ILLINOIS, 14-2
Illinois' season came to an end on Sunday night with a 14-2 loss to Stanford in NCAA Regional finals. Prior to falling to the Cardinal, the Illini eliminated No. 1 seed Cal State Fullerton. RECAP & BOX SCORE
SUNDAY'S SCHEDULE
No. 1 Cal State Fullerton vs. No. 4 ILLINOIS
7 p.m. ET - ESPNU
No. 2 Stanford vs. No. 4 ILLINOIS
11 p.m. ET - ESPNU
SATURDAY'S RESULTS
No. 4 ILLINOIS def. No. 3 Kansas State, 5-3
Josh Parr went 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI, and John Anderson allowed only one earned run in eight innings of work as Illinois defeated Kansas State, 5-3, advancing in NCAA Regionals. The Illini will play again at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday evening. RECAP & BOX SCORE
No. 1 Cal State Fullerton def. No. 4 ILLINOIS, 10-4
Senior first baseman Matt Dittman gave fourth-seeded Illinois a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer in the second inning but top-seeded Cal State Fullerton scored six runs in their final three times to the plate to pull away for a 10-4 win in front of a season-high 2,715 fans at Goodwin Field in the second game of the NCAA Fullerton Regional on Friday. Brandon Hohl and Casey McMurray each had two hits for the Illini, who will face third-seeded Kansas State in an elimination game Saturday at 6 p.m. CT. RECAP & BOX SCORE
Illinois opens NCAA Championship play on Friday night against Cal State Fullerton at 11 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
No. 1 Cal State Fullerton vs. No. 4 ILLINOIS
11 p.m. ET - ESPNU
Illinois Notes - Big Ten Notes
Six Big Ten women's cross country and track and field student-athletes earned Capital One Academic All-District honors, announced on Thursday. Indiana's Chelsea Blanchard, Breanne Ehrman, Vera Neuenswander, Sarah Pease and Faith Sherrill were chosen to the District 5 First Team, while Michigan's Kaitlyn Peale was selected to the District 4 First Team. All six honorees are now eligible for Academic All-America consideration.
Click here to see the complete Academic All-District teams.
Four Big Ten student-athletes have been named to the Capital One Academic All-District Men's Track & Field/Cross Country teams, announced on Thursday. Indiana's Andy Bayer (District 5), Michigan State's Anthony Agrusa (District 4), Penn State's Ryan Foster (District 2) and Wisconsin's Elliot Krause (District 5) have each earned first-team Academic All-District honors. After receiving first-team recognition, all four Big Ten honorees are eligible for Academic All-America consideration.
Click here to see the complete Academic All-District teams.
Michigan State's Jeff Holm was named to the Louisville Slugger All-America third team, Collegiate Baseball newspaper announced on Thursday. Holm becomes the first Spartan since 2002 to collect All-America accolades. COMPLETE RELEASE
Seven Big Ten standouts were named Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-Americans, the organization announced. Included on the list were two first-team members, two second teamers, and three third-team honorees.
Big Ten Player of the Year Amanda Chidester of Michigan was named to first-team All-America at third base, while Northwestern first baseman Adrienne Monka was an at-large selection to the first team. Michigan teammates Ashley Lane (2B) and Jordan Taylor (P) were chosen as second-team members, while Illinois second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz, Michigan outfielder Bree Evans, and Michigan State shortstop Lindsey Hansen earned third-team status.
To read the complete release from the NFCA, click here.
