Athletics

THREE INDUCTED INTO ECU’S ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Three new members were inducted into the East Central University Athletic Hall of Fame at halftime of the ECU men’s home basketball game with Southeastern Oklahoma State on Feb. 25, 2012.

The trio included former women’s basketball star Stormy Griffith, former standout Terry Summers and Ron Miller, former head softball and assistant football coach.

STORMY GRIFFITH Women’s Basketball (2000-04)

Griffith is ECU’s all-time leading scorer with 1,759 points and she nabbed several awards during her playing career for head coach Kent Franz.

As a sophomore in 2001-02, Griffith earned a Daktronics South Central First Team All-Region award as well as being selected as an honorable mention AllAmerican after averaging 19.4 points.

During her junior season, she was an All-Lone Star Conference North Second Team pick after sporting 13.3 scoring and 3.9 rebounding averages.

Finally as a senior, Griffith averaged 16.4 points and 6.5 rebounds and was named an All-LSC North First Team honoree.

Four times in her career, Griffith scored 30 or more points in a single game. Her career-best scoring effort came as a sophomore when she poured in 40, two points short of a school record, in an overtime victory at the University of Central Oklahoma in 2001-02.

Her other three 30-plus scoring efforts came during her senior year – 32 in a loss to Angelo State, 33 in a win at Southeastern Oklahoma State and 31 in a career-ending LSC Tournament loss at Abilene Christian.

For her career, Griffith averaged 17.4 points and 6.0 rebounds.

She played high school basketball at Prague, where she was a member of a state championship team in 2000.

Tim Green All-Sports Golf Classic

THREE INDUCTED INTO ECU’S ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

TERRY SUMMERS Football (1985-86) RON MILLER

Summers spent two years in the ECU football program after transferring in from the University of Oklahoma.

As a senior in 1986, he was selected to the All-NAIA District 9 First Team and the All-Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference First Team for his efforts as a defensive tackle in which he posted 50 tackles, including 42 solos to go with 11 stops for lost yards.

Summers was an honorable mention All-OIC pick as a junior after registering 44 tackles, including 23 solo efforts.

He attended the training camps for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs. Coaching

Miller came to ECU as assistant football coach in 1977. He was offensive coordinator, under Hank Walbrick, during the school’s first and only football national championship in 1993. He was the first coach of the ECU softball program in 1995 and earned three LSC Coach of the Year awards in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

He guided the Lady Tiger softball program to over 200 victories in 12 seasons and was named Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference Softball Coach of the Year in 1995 after guiding the program’s initial team to a conference championship. ECU later nabbed an LSC North Division title in 1999.

Tim Green All-Sports Golf Classic

TIGER FooTball

After an 8-3 season in 2011, East Central University head football coach Tim McCarty has reason for optimism, specifically on defense, in 2012.

The Tigers return the last two conference defensive players of the year in Armonty Bryant (Lone Star Conference North Division Defensive Player of the Year in 2010) and Jason Catchings (Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2011).

To go with that pair, ECU welcomes back five other defensive starters, along with a slew of players who saw plenty of action on the defensive side of the ball as a first or second-team performer.

“We have the capabilities of executing at a high level because of our depth and speed on defense. I’m really excited about our overall team speed,” said McCarty.

Offensively, the Tigers enter the 2012 campaign with some question marks at quarterback and on the offensive line.

“Our defense will have to carry us early on until our offense can find some rhythm and execution,” McCarty said.

OFFENSE

With the graduation of Tyler Vanderzee, ECU has two players battling it out in a fierce competition at quarterback in sophomore Cody Miller and redshirt freshman Spencer Bond.

Miller saw action in about 50-70 plays last season in a backup role for Vanderzee.

“Obviously, we’re excited about the capabilities of them because they will be in the program for several seasons to come. There’s apprehension there, but there’s excitement as well,” said McCarty. “Both will need to understand how to manage the game, but both have the leadership abilities and tools to be proficient.”

As for the other skilled positions, the Tigers appear to be loaded.

At running back, junior Titus Mobley and senior Chad Winbush are back after making great contributions and improvement to a running game which struggled immensely in previous seasons.

Mobley netted 667 yards on 143 carries (4.7 yards per attempt) and scored six touchdowns a year ago by rush and another off a reception, while Winbush, who missed a few games due to injury, still managed to gain 371 yards on 91 attempts (4.1 yards per attempt) and scored three times. Mobley also caught 19 passes for 183 yards and one TD and Winbush was on the receiving end of 16 passes for 258 yards.

“Titus is an explosive player, who is now even stronger, bigger and faster. Winbush has explosive speed as well.” McCarty said.

Domonique Massengill is back for his sophomore campaign after sitting out last season as a redshirt and could contribute much from the backfield. Justin Todd is another experienced running back and Nathan Blakely, an all-state performer in high school, should also provide depth in the backfield.

“All of these guys have great hands and can catch the ball out of the backfield,” said McCarty.

Also back are LaQuan Harper and Michael Allen. Harper caught 20 passes for 355 yards and Allen latched on to five aerials for 22 yards a year ago. Providing depth at receiver is redshirt freshman Mariano Dillard along with true freshmen Caleb Holley, Lindsey Anderson and Jeff Guckenberg.

“We had some rewiring to do on the offensive line,” McCarty said.

The Tigers’ most experienced player is Tobyn Large, who will be moving from guard to center for the 2012 season.

“Tobyn did a great job at center for us this spring,” McCarty said.

ECU also welcomes back Talon Starkey, who sat out last year as a redshirt after drawing several starts the previous season.

Two redshirt freshmen – Travis Hening and Eli Cook – are expected to make an immediate impact along the offensive line as well as two junior college transfers in J.J. Farrell and Marcus Beale.

Also adding depth to the offensive line are D.J. Pifer, Mason Sixsmith and Spencer Damm.

At tight end, the Tigers have two capable returnees in senior Colter Huff and junior Cody Nall.

“They’ve both taken a lot of reps for us and we’re excited about this position. Both are big targets and have soft hands,” McCarty said.

Huff did catch one TD pass and finished the season with seven receptions for 19 yards while Nall made four grabs for 12 yards.

DEFENSE

The headliners on defense in Bryant and Catchings are only the tip of the iceberg concerning the capabilities of the ECU defensive unit.

Bryant logged 12.5 tackles for loss, including three quarterback sacks, to go with three forced fumbles and three blocked kicks a year ago. Catchings compiled 13 tackles for loss, including 6.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and a pass interception.

“Armonty is a picture-perfect defensive end with great speed, excellent ball awareness and terrific power,” said McCarty. “Jason is a utility-type player in that he plays outside linebacker and defensive end. He has excellent speed and power.”

Also returning to the defensive line are Erik Howell at nose tackle and Alex King at defensive end.

Howell finished with 2.5 tackles for loss and broke up three passes a year ago while King totaled three tackles for loss, including one sack, to go with three fumble recoveries, two

pass breakups and a blocked kick.

“Erik is a four-year player who has done a really great job at nose tackle. Alex is another terrific player,” McCarty said.

Otis Brooks, Lamares Shields and Antonine Peek should also see a lot of action along the defensive line, according to McCarty. The Tigers can also rely on three recent signees in Bryant Valentine, Daniel Holland and Justin Small. Garrett Martin, Patrick Diaz and Stephen Mapp are also possible candidates for playing time in the defensive trenches.

Catchings and Tyler McGrew should be the headliners at outside linebacker. McGrew led the team with four fumble recoveries last season and was third on the squad in total tackles with 70, including five for loss. McGrew also earned honorable mention all-conference accolades for the Tigers in 2011.

Dustin Lasell, Jamaal Whitney, Cole Weber and Adonis Wiley will also provide depth on the outside. Whitney sat out last season as a redshirt. Weber is a third generation football player in the ECU football program.

At inside linebacker, Amos Cherry leads the way.

Cherry earned an honorable mention all-conference award and was named D2Football.com National Defensive Player of the Week after an 18-tackle performance, including 14 solo efforts, in a 23-16 home overtime victory over Harding.

Also expected to make big contributions are returnees Ken Berry and Carter Grigg along with three incoming freshmen in Gumaro Murphy, Drevon Kaywaykla and Brett Gilstrap.

The secondary is extremely experienced as well with the return of Qumain Black, Ruben Tiller, Shaun Hoagland and Deon Criss, who all four weren’t starters but saw significant playing time in 2011. Bacarri Jackson, a redshirt freshman last year, is also expected to make an impact.

In addition, freshman Lexus Jackson should also figure into the equation for playing time this fall.

ECU welcomes back one of its top two safeties in senior Norris Wrenn at the strong side.

Wrenn topped the Tigers with 73 tackles in 2011, including 5.5 stops for lost yards and shared the team lead with five interceptions. He also broke up five passes, forced two fumbles and recovered another in earning First Team All-GAC honors.

“Norris has been a four-year starter for us and has had as many reps as anyone. We’re excited and think he can have a dynamic senior season,” said McCarty.

Waiting in the wings at the safety positions are Cameron Napoleon, Chance Carey and Aaron Ballard.

“Cameron will be fighting for a starting job after having a terrific spring,” said McCarty.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Brian Gonzalez returns as the team’s punter and kicker. He earned second team all-conference accolades as a punter in 2011, after averaging 41.1 yards per boot, including one for 70 yards and eight more which traveled 50-plus yards. He was also 11-of-17 on field-goal tries with the longest going for 44 yards. He was also 38-of-43 on extrapoint attempts.

Freshman Mason Briggs also joins the team as a punter.

Grigg and J.R. Ramirez will be battling it out for long snapper.

Black, Wrenn, Dillard and Criss could all see punt and kickoff return duty as well as Jackson in his collegiate debut.

GO TIGERS!!!

2012 Football Schedule

8/30/12 7 p.m. @ Northwest Missouri State Maryville, Missouri

9/08/12 6 p.m. vs. Southern Nazarene

9/15/12 6 p.m. @SOSU* Weatherford

09/22/12 6 p.m. vs. Arkansas-Monticello*

09/29/12 6 p.m. @Harding* Searcy, Arkansas

10/6/12 4 p.m. vs. Northwestern (ECU Homecoming)

10/13/12 2 p.m. vs. Southern Arkansas*

10/20/12 3 p.m. @ Henderson State* Arkadelphia, Arkansas

10/27/12 2 p.m. vs. Ouachita Baptist*

11/3/12 2 p.m. @ Arkansas Tech* Russellville, Arkansas

11/10/12 2 p.m. vs. Southeastern* Home events are in bold. * - indicates GAC event

Men’s Cross Country

After losing six runners, including its top three, the a (cross country) race together the way he works out, but East Central University men’s cross country program has he’s a really talented runner who should be consistently in an uphill climb in 2012. our top five,” said Sawyer.

The Tigers are coming off an 11th-place finish at the ECU could get another new boost from newcomer NCAA Division II national meet, a second-place finish at Jason Ogan, a transfer from Oklahoma Baptist University. the NCAA Division II South Central Regional and a Great “Jason ran a 15:20 in the 5k for OBU and should be a American Conference Championship. good addition for us,” Sawyer said.

But gone are last year’s top three Tigers in All- The No. 6 through No. 8 spots could be up for grabs American Armando Saldivar, and one of those Daniel Kiptoo and Ezekiel candidates is returning Kissorio. Saldivar and Kiptoo sophomore Taylor have used up their eligibility Nasu along with and Kissorio transferred to freshmen newcomers Division I Texas Tech. Jonathan Ogan,

“I think we can be good. younger brother of We just won’t be as deep as Jason, and Arturo last year,” said ECU head Nava. coach Steve Sawyer. “We “Taylor is a really return two of our top five and fast runner, but a bit our goal is to win conference inconsistent. I think again.” he puts too much

The Tigers welcome pressure on himself. back junior Cale Eidson and senior Austin Christian, but should also get a huge boost Men’s Cross Country Schedule 2012 from junior college transfer Aug. 30 Midwestern State (Wichita Falls, TX) Viktors Slesarenoks, a Sept. 8 EAST CENTRAL TIGER CHASE native of Latvia. Sept. 15 Missouri Southern State (Joplin, MO)

At Cloud County Community Sept. 29 Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree (Stillwater, OK) College, Slesarenoks finished third in Oct. 13 Arkansas Chile Pepper Festival (Fayetteville, AR) the nation in the 10k and runner-up Oct. 20 GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS in the half-marathon at junior college Nov. 3 NCAA Division II Regional Championships (Joplin, MO) nationals. Adding to his list of impressive credentials, Slesarenoks also set an amateur national record in the half-marathon for the Jonathan was a runner-up in the state in Class 5A in country of Latvia. the two-mile,” said Sawyer. “Arturo has trained a little with

“He hasn’t run since January due to injury, but if he (former ECU runner) Kolin Styles. Arturo lives and dies gets back healthy he could be our No. 1 runner. His times to run. He’s a super, fast kid with a 4:29 in the mile and a have been pretty equal to Armando,” Sawyer said. 15:45 in the 5k. I think he’ll do some big things.”

As a sophomore, Eidson finished fifth in last fall’s GAC Also back are senior Hunter Henrie and junior Will Championships to garner all-conference honors and ended Baldwin. up 23rd at regionals. “Hunter has never had consistent training and hasn’t

“He will die running if he has to. This year, I feel he can run his best yet, but he has the talent to do it. Will had be an All-American type runner, conference champion and some heart surgery and may be a bit out of shape coming place in the top five of regionals,” said Sawyer. in. Our goal is to have him be in tip-top shape by the

Christian, a senior, was one of the Tigers’ top five (Arkansas) Chile Pepper in October,” Sawyer said. runners at nationals last year. He finished 32nd at The Tigers welcome another newcomer in freshman regionals and picked up an all-conference award after walk-on Zacharie Jeandemange, out of Paoli. finishing eighth in the GAC meet. “He’s a good runner and had a 10:21 on a two-mile

“Austin is really tough and really strong. He has never track. He did about every sport in high school, but hasn’t beaten Cale, but will be right there with him,” Sawyer said. had much distance running. If we can get some miles

Also back for his senior season is Chase McMichael. under him and stay healthy, he’s got some potential,” said

“Chase had an awesome track season. He hasn’t put Sawyer.

Women’s Soccer

After securing a Great American Conference regular season title and postseason tournament championships last season, the East Central University women’s soccer program is hungry for more in 2012. ECU reeled off a 12-6-1 overall record, including a 5-1 mark in GAC regularseason play and a two-game sweep in the conference tournament played in Ada. “Last year was a pleasant surprise, not that it wasn’t our goal, but it’s always nice when it works out and the ladies are rewarded for the time and hard work they put in,” said ECU fourth-year head coach Riley Bailey. “We have 18 returning players from last year’s team. We have key members of that team back with experience and maturity. Our girls are hungry to go out and try to win another championship.”

FORWARDS The Lady Tigers lost a chunk of offensive firepower as Whitney Watts exhausted her eligibility after being named GAC Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player of the GAC Tourney. Watts collected three goals and five assists during the 2011 campaign and is now third on ECU’s all-time scoring list. “Back on the forward end is a trio of seniors in Brittany Grady, Andi Reagan and Rachel Hudgins along with sophomore Kourtney Holleman. Two newcomers – Taylor Kennedy and Traebiyana Dimanche – could be making some contributions right off the bat.

MIDFIELDERS Experience should be a major factor in the midfield area for ECU with six players who have solid experience, two more with some playing time under their belts after one season and four newcomers.

DEFENDERS

The Lady Tigers appear to be loaded on defense with the return of senior captain Carla Rodriguez and 2011 GAC Freshman of the Year Margaret Glutz, twin sister of teammate Katie Glutz. Rodriguez was an All-GAC Second Team pick in 2011 while Margaret notched an AllGAC First Team honor. “Carla is a great leader on and off the field and does a lot of things that people don’t realize. We look for Margaret to have another solid outing and continue the success that she’s had,” Bailey said. Another experience defender is junior Susana Galvez, who drew several starts while scoring one and assisting on another goal in 2011.

GOALKEEPERS ECU will certainly start a freshman between the pipes as rookies Hunter Malcolm and Taylor Lowe will be battling it out.

Soccer 2012 Schedule:

Aug. 31 - 5 p.m. Emporia State, St. Joseph, MO Sept. 2 - 2:30 p.m. Missouri Western State, St. Joseph, MO Sept. 7 - 5 p.m. TEXAS WOMAN’S

Sept. 11 - 7p.m. Northeastern, Tahlequah Sept. 14 - 3 p.m. St. Mary’s, San Antonio, TX Sept. 16 - 1 p.m. McMurry University, Abilene, TX Sept. 21 - 4 p.m. HARDING*

Sept. 23 - 1 p.m. OUACHITA BAPTIST*

Sept. 28 - 6 p.m. Northwestern*, Alva Sept. 30 - 1 p.m. Southwestern*, Weatherford

Oct. 4 - 7 p.m. Southern Nazarene*, Bethany, OK Oct. 7 - 1 p.m. CENTRAL MISSOURI

Oct. 12 - 7 p.m. Harding*, Searcy, AR Oct. 14 - 1 p.m. Ouachita Baptist*, Arkadelphia, AR Oct. 19 - 4 p.m. NORTHWESTERN*

Oct. 21 - 1 p.m. SOUTHWESTERN*

Oct. 26 - 4 p.m. SOUTHERN NAZARENE*

Oct. 28 - 2 p.m. Austin College, Sherman, TX Home events are in bold. * - indicates GAC event

in the Fall...