MSU-N Winter Sports Tab

8

MSU-N

WINTER SPORTS

Oct. 2013

www.havredailynews.com

Montana State University-Northern Winter Sports Schedules Lights Basketball November Nov. 1 Nov. 15 Nov. 16 Nov. 22 Nov. 24 Nov. 30

vs. MSU-Billings Havre, MT - 7:00 pm Arizona Christian Tournament Phoenix, AZ Arizona Christian Tournament Phoenix, AZ vs. MSU-Billings Billings, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Jamestown College Jamestown, ND - TBA vs. Carroll College Havre, MT - 8:00 pm December

Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Dec. 29

vs. University of Lethbridge Havre, MT - 7:00 pm vs. Augustana-Univ. of AB Edmonton, AB - TBA vs. Augustana-Univ. of AB Edmonton, AB - TBA vs. Northwest Indian College Havre, MT - 7:00 pm January

Jan. 2 Jan. 4 Jan. 9

vs. Rocky Mountain College Havre, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Dickinson State Dickinson, ND - 7:30 pm vs. UM-Western Havre, MT - 8:00 pm

Jan. 11 Jan. 17 Jan. 18 Jan. 24 Jan. 30

vs. Westminster College Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Montana Tech Butte, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Carroll College Helena, MT - 7:30 pm vs. University of Great Falls Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. University of Great Falls Great Falls, MT - 7:30 pm February

Feb. 1 Feb. 7 Feb. 8 Feb. 13 Feb. 14 Feb. 20 Feb. 21

vs. Lewis & Clark State Lewiston, ID - 7:30 pm vs. Montana Tech Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Lewis & Clark State Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. UM-Western Dillon, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Westminster College Salt Lake, UT - 7:30 pm vs. Dickinson State Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Rocky Mountain College Havre, MT - 8:00 pm

Skylights Basketball November Nov. 1 Nov. 2 Nov. 8 Nov. 10 Nov. 15 Nov. 16 Nov. 27 Nov. 30

vs. Eastern Oregon Univ.

Spokane, WA - 7:00 pm vs. Corban College Spokane, WA - 3:00 pm vs. University of Wyoming Sheridan, WY - TBA vs. University of Montana Missoula, MT - 2:00 pm vs. PaciďŹ c Union Great Falls, MT - TBA vs. Nebraska-Kearney Great Falls, MT - TBA vs. MSU-Billings Billings, MT - TBA vs. Carroll College in Havre, MT - 6:00 pm

Dec. 7 Dec. 8 Dec. 20 Dec. 21 Dec. 27 Dec. 28

vs. U of Augustana-AB Camrose, AB - TBA vs. U of Augustana-AB Camrose, AB - TBA vs. Willamette University Salem, OR - 7:00 pm vs. Alberta-Augustana Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Northwest Indian Havre, MT - 7:00 pm vs. Unversity of Regina Las Vegas, NV - 5:30 pm vs. McGill University Las Vegas, NV - 3:30 pm

November

January Jan. 2 Jan. 4 Jan. 9 Jan. 11 Jan. 17 Jan. 18 Jan. 24 Jan. 30

December Dec. 6

Lights Wrestling

vs. Rocky Mountain College Billings, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Dickinson State Univ.

Dickinson, ND - 5:30 pm vs. UM-Western Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Westminster College Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Montana Tech in Butte, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Carroll College Helena, MT - 5:30 pm vs. University of Great Falls Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. University of Great Falls Great Falls, MT - 5:30 pm February

Feb. 1 Feb. 7 Feb. 8 Feb. 13 Feb. 15 Feb. 20 Feb. 21

vs. Lewis & Clark State Lewiston, ID - 5:30 pm vs. Montana Tech Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Lewis & Clark State Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. UM-Western Dillon, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Westminster College Salt Lake, UT - 5:30 pm vs. Dickinson State Univ.

Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Rocky Mountain College Havre, MT - 6:00 pm

Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 14 Nov. 21

Nov. 23 Nov. 24

vs. Cowboy Open Laramie, WY - 9:00 am vs. Trapper Open Powell, WY - 9:00 am vs. University of Great Falls Great Falls, MT - 7:00 pm vs. Northwest College Havre, MT - 5:00 pm vs. Southern Oregon Univ.

Havre, MT - 7:00 pm Cardinal Duals Coeur d' Alene, ID - TBA Spokane Open Spokane, WA - All Day

December Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Dec. 22

Battle of the Rockies Duals Great Falls, MT - TBA Battle of the Rockies Open Great Falls, MT - 9:00 am Reno Tournament of Champ Reno, NV - All Day January

Jan. 11 Jan. 12 Jan. 18 Jan. 24 Jan. 25

NAIA National Duals Des Moines, IA - All Day NAIA National Duals Des Moines, IA - All Day vs. Western Wyoming C.C. Havre, MT 7:00 pm vs. Northwest College Powell, WY - 7:00 pm vs. Western Wyoming C.C. Rock Springs, WY - TBA February

Feb. 1 Feb. 6 Feb. 22

vs. Embry-Riddle Havre, MT - 7:30 pm vs. University of Great Falls Havre, MT - 7:30 pm West National Qualifying Tournament Menlo, CA - All Day March

March 7-8 NAIA National Championships Topeka, KS - TBA

2

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

www.havredailynews.com

Northern grapplers aiming high George Ferguson

Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com Rebuilding the wrestling program at Montana State University-Northern has been a challenge former Northern NAIA national champion Tyson Thivierge accepted from the moment he was hired as MSU-N’s head coach.

Now, entering his sixth season at helm of the Lights’ program, Thivierge is really starting to see the fruits of his labors pay off. Last spring, Northern rose back to its rightful place, among the NAIA elite. The Lights finished third at the national tournament, and brought home a stellar seven AllAmericans.

And with the dawn of a brand new season, the Lights could be even bigger and better this winter. Six of those seven AllAmericans return to the MSU-N lineup, a lineup which is deep, talented and motivated…motivated to take the 2013-14 season even farther than the last.

And that motivation has helped not just fuel the Lights, but put last season’s accomplishments in the past, something Thivierge said was important as Northern got to work earlier this month.

“Last year was last year,” Thivierge said.

“It was a great season. But we’re not going

to live off what we accomplished last year.

Yes, we have a lot of really good returners, and a lot of depth. We have some firepower.

But we need to be hungry again.

“There are plenty of things we have to improve on in order to be where we want to be” he continued. “We’re starting over. We need to start faster this season, we need to score more points, we need to get tougher, both mentally and physically. There are plenty of things we have to overcome in order to get to where we want to be, and that’s to win a national championship. And even if last season hadn’t have happened the way it did, our goal would still be to win a national championship this year.”

While a national championship is firmly in the Lights’ sights this season, Northern is now in the cross hairs of its foes. Defending national champion Southern Oregon lies within the same region and will be strong again this winter. And the intense rivalry with Great Falls will only be more heated this season, considering the Lights swept the Argos a year ago, and have won the last three duals.

“We opened some eyes last year,” Thivierge said. “These guys have to know they have a target on their backs now. They need to be hungry, they need to want to get better in the room every single day.”

Getting better shouldn’t be a problem

Havre Daily News/File Photo Montana State University-Northern's Mickey Cheff holds down a Great Falls wrestler during an NAIA dual last winter in Havre. Cheff is one of six returning NAIA AllAmericans for a Lights' team which finished third at the national tournament last spring and is a title contender this season.

with all the talent Northern houses in its own room. The Lights are deep enough that they could almost field two dual teams. And while MSU-N was strong in both duals and tournaments a year ago, Thivierge feels the Lights can still improve in both areas.

“I feel great about us as a dual team,” Thivierge said. “We have some big guns and those guys are pinners, so we know where we’re going to get big points from.

Our tournament teams did well last season, but I think that’s an area we can do better. We can score more points. We need to wrestle out in front better in tournaments. Start matches faster.

“We have good depth, we have some holes in the lineup too,” he continued.

“We return a bunch of All-Americans, and we have guys coming up we believe we can get there too. It’s all a matter of how hard these guys work. And they have worked hard. Our room is as competitive as it’s ever been.”

Northern’s returnees will light the way this winter. Junior Ethan Hinebauch returns after a third-place finish at the national tournament at 165 pounds. He’ll be a heavy favorite to win at 165 this season after a remarkable regular season a year ago in which he led the NAIA in pins. Also back is senior Cameron Neiss.

He’s a two-time All-American and finished runner-up at 133 pounds a year ago.

Neiss will wrestle at 141 early in the season, but will eventually go back to 133.

Fellow senior Kody Reed is back at 184 pounds. Reed was ranked No. 1 for much

See Wrestling Page 5

7

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

www.havredailynews.com

Lights: MSU-Northern men have the talent and depth to keep its dynasty rolling again this winter ■ From Page 4 the most dangerous 3-point shooters in the Frontier, while Brown is a steady point guard and a savvy floor general. Add in senior Mike LaValley (6-0), and the Lights have an ultraexperienced back court.

Northern also returns a wealth of talent and experience on the front line. Junior Corbin Pearson (6-6) is back after a breakout sophomore campaign which earned him AllConference honors. Pearson averaged seven points and a five rebounds per outing last year, and is one of Northern’s biggest emotional leaders and toughest defensive players. He’s joined by front-court mates Jesse Vaughan (6-5) and Will Perry (6-4). Vaughan averaged 10 points and four rebounds per game a year ago, while Perry led the Lights with over five rebounds per night. Northern also returns reserves Pate Jensen (6-7) and Anfernee Standing Rock (6-5).

“The guys we have coming back, we’re very excited about,” Huse said. “Those guys gained a lot of experience last year, they had a great a season. And they are back being leaders this year. It’s a great group of veterans and they bring a ton of experience and skill to our team. We lost Devin (Jackson), and a player like he was is the type you can’t just replace. But with all the guys we do have coming back, we’re very fortunate to go into this season with that much experience.”

While players like West, Miller, Pearson and Vaughan will be asked to carry a lot of the scoring load for the Lights this season, Northern will always look to hang its hat on defense. And though Huse brought in several newcomers who can help the Lights offensively right away, those newcomers will also add to an already outstanding Northern defense. A year ago, the Lights led the Frontier in scoring defense and were first in turnover margin. So Northern will once again look to its defense to light the torch.

And newcomers like Nick Blount (6-3) from Los Medanos College, Gabe Finley (6-4) from Sierra College, Damien Robinson (6-3) from Bakersfield College, and 6-8 power forward Xavier Shaw, a transfer from BYU-Hawaii, will all help the Lights on both ends of the floor. All four talented transfers are tenacious defenders, and that goes along with a solid offensive skill set. Blount averaged 26 points and seven rebounds in junior college a year ago, while Finley averaged 11 points per game and is a standout shooter. Robinson and Shaw will also give the Lights’ added depth and power in the interior.

“This group is really pushing our returners,” Huse said. “They are working extremely hard and we’re having some very competitive practices and that’s a good thing. We certainly have a group of new players who are going to help us right away. They add a lot of skill, depth and versatility to our team. And I think there are coming together with the returners very quickly. Our chemistry with this group is really good and that’s something we’ve always had, great chemistry on and off the court, and I think that will continue with this group.”

Northern Basketball Depth should be one of Northern’s many strengths this season. Of course, Huse wants his team to play trademark Northern defense

too. A year ago, the Lights led the Frontier in scoring defense, allowing just 64 points per outing. Northern was also first in the league in 3-point field goal defense. And those are trends Huse expects to continue this season.

MSU-N will still be a ball control offense where the premium is on unselfish play and getting the best shot available. But Huse feels like this year’s Northern squad has a chance to be a bit more dynamic. Northern has relied heavily on the 3-pointer in recent years, but with an exceptional amount of depth, Huse said his team will have a chance to be far from one-dimensional.

“Defense has been our staple and will continue to be,” Huse said. “We are going to give a great effort on defense every night, just as we always have. I think, with this group, we have a chance to be a bit better of a shooting team this year. I thought we weren’t quite as good as we needed to be last year in that department.

“I also think, with all of the talent and skill we have, we can be a very interchangeable team,” he added. “Depth is going to be a strength for us, and we can be very different with our rotations, and with our starting lineups. With the guys we’ve added this season, I think we can be a little more diverse with our rotations, and that will make us a little more difficult to prepare for.”

Preparation is also key for the Lights, and once Frontier play rolls around in January, Northern should be extremely prepared via a difficult schedule.

The Lights have a pair of huge home games in November, including Nov. 1’s date with Montana State-Billings. The Yellowjackets, who once resided in the Frontier, are coming to Havre for the first time since 1996. The Lights also begin conference play with Carroll Nov. 30 in Havre. November is also Northern’s biggest non-conference road stretch too. In between games with the Yellowjackets and Fighting Saints, the Lights will travel to Arizona for games against NCAA Division II New Mexico Highlands and rising NAIA power Arizona Christian. A trip to Jamestown, another NAIA contender is also scheduled for November. The Lights also have a return trip to MSU-B, while December will see the Lights make trips to Canada, as well as host two more non-conference tilts.

“Our schedule is a good balance of teams both home and away,” Huse said. “Obviously, it’s going to be a great challenge playing MSU-Billings twice. We’ve got some Canadian teams on our schedule that will really present us with different styles of play, and our trip to Arizona, we’re playing a very good (NCAA) DII team in New Mexico Highlands and an Arizona Christian team who went to the national tournament last year.

“So our non-conference schedule is going to really help us,” he added. “We’ll see many different styles of play, and we’ll see teams that will kind of mimic what we’ll see every night in our league. So we’re going to be tested a lot in the preseason. And we should be very well-prepared when we get to our full conference schedule.”

A Long Season With a difficult non-conference schedule which will help prepare the Lights for league

play in January, and a season-opening game ence too. So we won’t be perfect right away. in early October, Northern’s season will But I know we will come to play with energy once again be a marathon, not a sprint. And and intensity and with great team chemiswith so many veteran players returning, the try right away.

Lights know how to grind through the rigors “I really like this group,” he continued.

“They’ve worked really hard in practice. of an NAIA basketball season.

MSU-N also knows how to go Practices have been great so far.

And they’re excited to get out on after its goals. The Lights have the floor and get started. I’m very at least vied for a regular season Frontier title in each of the last excited about this team and very excited to get the season started.” six seasons, and have reached the Frontier semifinals every year since 2004. This year’s goals MSU-N Quick Facts are no different, and while Huse Lights went 23-10 overall and knows the season is a process, and expects some growing pains 10-6 (T3rd) in the Frontier. Lost to Western in the Frontier semialong the way, he’s very excited finals. Lost to Evangel in NAIA about the upcoming year and seeing what this new Northern team first round. Northern returns Huse four starters and 73 percent from can achieve. its scoring from a year ago. The “It’s very excited that it’s about to start all over again,” Huse said.

Lights have led the Frontier in “It seems like just yesterday we were sitting scoring defense in each of the last four seain that lockerroom in Kansas City talking sons. MSU-N is seeking its fourth straight about next season, and now it’s here. It’s go- berth in the NAIA national tournament. Uning to be a process and we have a lot of work der Huse, the Lights have won 20 or more in front of us. We understand that progress games seven straight seasons, and 19 or takes time and hard work and game experi- more games in a season nine times.

6

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

www.havredailynews.com

Skylights: Northern women should get better and better with experience as the season goes along ■ From Page 3 and good people. And the upside for this group is really high.”

New and the Old With a perfect mix of returners and talented newcomers, Northern will, at times, run the same systems it has run in recent years, but at other times, the Skylights could look very different.

MSU-N is known for its trademark defense, as the Skylights have been one of the top scoring and field goal defensive teams year-in-and-year-out under Mouat. And actually, with a bigger presence in the post, Mouat said this year’s team has a chance to be even better on defense.

Offensively, Northern will also throw out some new wrinkles with its added height and athleticism in the paint. The Skylights will still be an unselfish, ball movement type of team, and they’ll still shoot their share from the outside (MSU-N has been one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the Frontier in each of the last three seasons), but Mouat noted that personnel on the floor will also dictate how MSU-N plays teams offensively.

“I think on defense, we have a chance to

be a bit quicker this year,” Mouat said. “I think we have a little more quickness and obviously we have more length. So I expect us to be very good defensively, and I think we’ll be a much better rebounding team this season.

“Offensively, what we run will depend on who’s on the floor,” he added. “We’ll still run a lot of what we have been the last few years, but it will also depend on the lineup on the floor. You’re going to see some different things from us this year, based on the players we’ve added. We’ll have some different looks offensively. I think that’s one of the nice things about this group. We have the opportunity to be pretty diverse. We can go with a lot of different combinations on the floor. We have a lot more depth.”

Early Challenges Mouat has always put together a rigorous non-conference schedule, with the idea that his team will be battle-tested come January, when Frontier play begins for good. And this year’s non-conference schedule will be no different. With the Frontier being deep and talented yet again, Northern’s early-

season schedule will surely get the Skylights ready.

MSU-N opens with powerhouse teams from Canada in Lethbridge and Mount Royal, both CIS contenders. But when the calendar turns to November, the Skylights will play a tough a schedule as any NAIA team in the country.

Northern opens the month with a game against NAIA power Eastern Oregon in Spokane. Then, the Skylights play back-to-back games against NCAA Division I powers.

MSU-N faces the University of Wyoming Nov. 8 in Sheridan, Wyo., while two nights later, the Skylights make their annual trek to Missoula to face the famed Lady Griz of the University of Montana. Northern will also battle NCAA DII stalwart NebraskaKearney in Great Falls, and road trip to Billings to face MSU-B, another DII powerhouse. The month finally ends with the Skylights’ Frontier opener against Carroll College Nov. 30 in Havre.

“We have four games against upper-level opponents,” Mouat said. “Our two home openers are against really good Canadian teams, plus we play Eastern Oregon who is coming off a fantastic season last year. That

schedule, especially November is going to be really tough.

“But we can learn from every one of those games,” he added. “And that’s the important thing. Early in the preseason, we just want to get our feet under us, establish an identity and continue to gel. And this schedule will certainly help us do all of that.”

In December, the Skylights host the MSU-Northern Duck Inn Holiday Classic, and also have road trips to Canada and Las Vegas right after Christmas to wrap up the non-conference season. And all of it should really let the Skylights know who they are and what kind of team they can be as Frontier play rolls around after New Year’s.

“If we grow, get better and use all of the experience we’ll get in the pre-season, we should be in good shape for conference play,” Mouat said. “I feel like this team has a lot of potential. We have a lot of talent and a lot of players who can do really good things for us.

“There’s a lot of potential in this group,” he continued. “I think our ceiling is very, very high, and I’m really excited about this team and what it can accomplish this season.”

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Montana State University-Northern's Taylor Cummings, left, looks to make a pass during a Frontier Conference women's basketball game last winter. Cummings is the only returning starter for the Skylights this season.

3

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

New-look Skylights start a fresh chapter MSU-N women must blend key returnees with talented newcomers

to Northern’s depth this season as will freshman Cydney Auzenne (5-10), who’s currently a redshirt on the MSU-N volleyball team.

But aside from playing an even bigger role this season, Mouat also expects his returnees to be leaders, on and off the floor.

“I think, being our point guard, it’s been natural for Taylor (Cummings) to kind of asGeorge Ferguson sume that role. She is our leader on the floor Havre Daily News sports editor because of the position she plays, and I think gferguson@havredailynews.com she’s really grown more comfortable in be As one of the most successful women’s ing a leader of this team. basketball programs in Frontier Confer- “But as a group, they all lead really well,” ence history, the Montana State University- he continued. “They are experienced. They Northern Skylights know what it’s like to go all played key roles on our team last year, through change. and they all had important minutes in big And entering the 2013-14 season, change is games last season. Those roles are going something the Skylights will have to get used to increase this season, and they are ready to, and get used to quick. because of the experience they gained last Veteran head coach Chris Mouat is back year.” for his ninth season at the helm of the North- Of course, there will be plenty of new facern program, but beyond that, the Skylights es on the floor this season too. Mouat signed will have a new look and feel this winter. a large recruiting class, loaded with players MSU-N went 17-13 a season ago, finished he expects to have an immediate impact on fourth in the Frontier and reached the program. the Frontier semifinals in March.

At the top of that list is 6-5 But, Northern graduated four transfer A’Jha Edwards, who averstarters from that squad which aged a double-double on her way means Mouat will be looking at a to NJCAA All-American honors at relatively new lineup this season, Pima Community College in Arias well have to meld a large class zona last season. Not since Stacie of newcomers with a solid group of Barker have the Skylights had an returnees. inside presence like Edwards, and “We have one starter coming she should give Northern an imback, and all our returning players mediate boost on both ends of the are guards,” Mouat said. “We have floor. a big class of new players and this

“She (Edwards) brings a Mouat class has the potential to be very lot to the table,” Mouat said. “She good. So early in the preseason, we has great size, she moves well and will have to really work on gelling she can shoot it from the perimeter. as an entire team. But I really like this team. She does a great job finishing around the rim They are fun to coach and be around every and she can rebound the ball. She is going to day. Their chemistry has been great so far, have a tremendous impact on our team for and I think the potential for this team is very sure.” high.”

And Edwards isn’t alone. Also from the Only junior point guard Taylor Cummings junior college ranks, the Skylights added (5-5) returns from last year’s starting lineup, Megan Feldman (6-1) and Tabra Teeters which means the Skylights have to replace (6-0) to give MSU-N even more power on about 70 percent of their scoring from a year the inside. Meanwhile, true freshmen Nataago. Gone are guards Nikki Tresch and Kylie lee Faupel, a 5-10 guard/forward from Butte Denham, as well as forward Laci Keller. High, and Molly Kreycik, a 5-6 guard from Northern also said goodbye to all-confer- Douglas, Wyo., where former Skylight great ence forward Jordan Bruursema, who was a Jaci Heny coaches, will also be called upon three-year starter and MSU-N’s top scorer a to contribute right away. year ago.

“Megan is a tough post player,” Mouat But the Skylights do return experience said. “She finishes and she can guard bigger beyond Cummings, who really blossomed players. Tabra might be undersized in the last season in her first year as a starter. post, but she’s very savvy around the rim Reserve guards Kassie Barta (5-8, Sr.), Ka- and she is a really good outside shooter. cie McKeon (5-4, So.) and Rachelle Bennett “Molly comes to us from a great high (5-8, Jr.) all saw significant minutes a sea- school program,” he added. “She’s got great son ago, and all three will play key roles in vision, she’s very mature and very unselfish.

Northern’s backcourt this season. Barta is And Natalee is just an outstanding athlete. a stellar outside shooter, while Bennett can She can do so many different things and she play inside-out. McKeon saw heavy minutes has the potential to be a very special player. as a true freshman a year ago, and really I think this entire class is really solid. They gave Northern an outstanding spark off the are good players, good students and good bench. Red-shirt freshmen Taryn Norby (5-5) and Jordan Powers (6-0) will also add See Skylights Page 6

www.havredailynews.com

4

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

www.havredailynews.com

Lights poised to remain an elite team Northern men have talent and experience, and will be Frontier contenders George Ferguson

Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com This time one year ago, the Montana State University-Northern men’s basketball team was preparing to open the season with a lot of uncertainty. After all, the Lights lost four starters and seven key players from a 2011-12 team which swept the Frontier Conference regular season and postseason championships and went to its second straight NAIA national tournament.

But the uncertainty at the beginning of the 2012-13 season quickly faded and the Lights went on to reach yet another national tournament, record another 20-win season under Shawn Huse and continue to be a major factor in the Frontier.

Now, Northern gets set to open a brand new season, and the uncertainty isn’t there.

Sure, MSU-N will still need to build and gel and work out the kinks in the coming months, but this fall, the Lights return four starters and a solid nucleus of veterans to build around a bevy of talented newcomers.

The Lights, who opened their season 3-0, return nine players from a team which went 23-10 a year ago, 10-6 in the Frontier and reached the Frontier tournament semifinals as well as the NAIA national tournament for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

And Huse says his team is much more ready to begin a new journey, than it was a year

ago.

“Right now, we’re light years ahead of where we were last October,” Huse said.

“That’s due in large part to the experience and leadership we have coming back. And due to how hard our guys have worked in the offseason. They didn’t hang their heads after that loss in Kansas City last year, instead, they came back and went right to work. They want to make this season better than the last.

“This is a really solid group of guys,” he added. “The leadership has been outstanding. All of our veterans are very vocal in practice. There’s been a lot of chatter, a lot of veteran guys showing the new guys how we do things, showing them what Northern basketball is all about. We have great leadership and it’s already showing. I’ve had to do a lot less of that because we have so many guys who are being vocal and showing great leadership right now.”

The Roster Leadership and experience will serve the Lights well.

Northern will feel the loss of four-year starter and 2013 NAIA All-American Devin Jackson, who led a balanced MSU-N scoring attack with 13 points per game a season ago. But, back for Northern are guards Roshawn West (6-1), Alfie Miller (6-0) and Alan Brown (6-1). West earned All-Conference honors a season ago, averaging eight points per game, but nearly 12 during Frontier play. Miller came off the bench to average 10 points a season ago, and is one of

See Lights Page 7

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Montana State University-Northern's Roshawn West looks to pass during an Oct. 13 game against Concordia University of Alberta in the Armory Gymnasium. West is one of many key returning players from a Lights' team which went to the NAIA national tournament a season ago. Picked to finish third in the Frontier Conference this season, the Lights will once again be an NAIA power.

5

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

www.havredailynews.com

Wrestling: Northern grapplers among the top returning teams in the NAIA for the 2013-14 season ■ From Page 2 of the 2012-13 season, but was upset twice at the national tournament, and he’ll get back on the mat hungrier than ever.

“Ethan is just a beast,” Thivierge said.

“He’ll be our lone wolf again at 165. I expect him to have a great year. He’s healthy, experienced and hungry. Kody (Reed) is on a mission. He knows it’s down to his last year.

He knows exactly what he’s got to do this season. He’s really eager to get started.”

The Lights return a pair of All-American 125-pounders in Aaron LaFarge, who finished fifth a year ago, and former Havre Blue Pony Duell Stadel, who placed sixth.

The 125-pound class used to be a struggle for the Lights, but now it’s one of their deepest weights, as sophomore Riley Miller also returns after redshirting last season. MSU-N also gets back All-American Mickey Cheff at 157. The junior finished fifth a year ago, and pulled off some dramatic wins for the Lights in the second half of the season. That weight will be one of many the Lights are at least doubled up at, as freshman Tommy Cooper is also expected to be a stalwart.

“The 125 pounders will battle all year,” Thivierge said. “They are all very good, they are all very tough. We’re going to be really competitive there. I like our options at 157 too. Mickey had a great season last year.

And he and Tommy are very competitive every day.”

The Lights’ depth is bolstered by even more returnees, and some fresh faces.

After yet another knee injury sidelined him a year ago, star Hunter Azure returns to the lineup at 149 pounds. He’ll be joined at 149 by junior college transfer Bryan Barocio.

Thivierge said Azure is healthy and ready to go while Barocio is a tough competitor who is explosive and athletic. Sophomore Toby Cheff, who placed an outstanding third in his first national tournament appearance, returns to man the 197-pound spot for the Lights, and like many of the other returnees, he’ll be looked at as a national title contender this season.

A familiar face returns to the 174-pound class for the Lights as well. Junior Jared Miller took his redshirt a year ago, and will likely man the spot alone as two-time All-American Max Payne decided to forgo his senior season. Two years ago, Miller reached the national tournament.

“We’re excited to get Jared back,” Thivierge said. “Physically, he’s just one of the meanest, toughest kids in the room. And he’s really excited to get back out there.”

At 197 pounds, freshman Garrett DeMers is an exciting redshirt who will make his official debut this season. DeMers is much like Toby Cheff, and together, they’ll create

a formidable tandem at 197.

The 184-pound class is also deep behind Reed. Northern added Clackamas College transfer Steve Conn, as well as redshirts Jake Leinwand and Colby Roberts, two former Montana state champions.

“We’re probably the deepest at 184,” Thivierge said. “We’ve got four guys who get to go at each other every day. They have some real good battles and they’ll all make each other better.”

MSU-N also has depth at 133-141 in transfer Justin Gardner, while the heavyweight spot has two powerhouse of different styles.

Former Chinook star Jorrell Jones has moved up to the heavyweight spot, and will use his quickness and speed to his advantage, while Clackamas transfer Rico Paz is a monster at in size and strength.

While Northern’s roster is loaded with depth, talent, experience, youth and potential, one name missing from the lineup this season will be familiar to Lights’ fans.

Eli Hinebauch, a former Havre Blue Pony state champion was set to make his full-time MSU-N debut this fall, but he’ll miss the entire season due to injury. Hinebauch redshirted a year ago, and when he wrestled unattached, he had a stellar record in his first year of college. He was set to wrestle at either 157, or join his brother Ethan at 165, and would have had a huge impact on the Lights right away.

“It’s going to hurt not having Eli,” Thivierge said. “He progressed really fast last year, I believe he was ready to be one of our

big guns right away. Not having him in our lineup definitely hurts.

“So we do have some holes at some spots, some areas where we just didn’t land the guys we went after last spring,” he continued. “But we have depth in a lot of other weights and that will make up for it. I love our roster. I feel like we’re built for another great season.”

A season which started in Idaho against North Idaho College, and also features two duals against rival UGF, the first being Nov. 14 in Great Falls and the rematch set for early February in Havre. The Lights have a double-decker home dual against Northwest College and Southern Oregon Nov. 21, and also host Embry-Riddle Feb. 1. As usual, MSU-N has a tough tournament schedule, and it all culminates with the Western Regional in Menlo, Caldi., and the NAIA national tournament March 7-8 in Topeka, Kan. And at that national tournament, the Lights hope to again leave their mark, but only this time, they’re shooting for the ultimate prize.

“Getting to the top has always been our goal, it’s our goal every year,” Thivierge said. “We have the talent to get there. We have a group of guys who are hungry and dedicated. But we also understand we have to take it step by step. We have to improve every time we step on the mat. We can’t get ahead of ourselves. And we have a lot of challenges to overcome before we get there.”

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Montana State University-Northern's Ethan Hinebauch, front, locks up a UGF rival during an NAIA dual meet last November in Havre.

Hinebauch is one of the top returning 165pounder's in the NAIA, and a returning AllAmerican for the Lights.

4

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

www.havredailynews.com

Lights poised to remain an elite team Northern men have talent and experience, and will be Frontier contenders George Ferguson

Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com This time one year ago, the Montana State University-Northern men’s basketball team was preparing to open the season with a lot of uncertainty. After all, the Lights lost four starters and seven key players from a 2011-12 team which swept the Frontier Conference regular season and postseason championships and went to its second straight NAIA national tournament.

But the uncertainty at the beginning of the 2012-13 season quickly faded and the Lights went on to reach yet another national tournament, record another 20-win season under Shawn Huse and continue to be a major factor in the Frontier.

Now, Northern gets set to open a brand new season, and the uncertainty isn’t there.

Sure, MSU-N will still need to build and gel and work out the kinks in the coming months, but this fall, the Lights return four starters and a solid nucleus of veterans to build around a bevy of talented newcomers.

The Lights, who opened their season 3-0, return nine players from a team which went 23-10 a year ago, 10-6 in the Frontier and reached the Frontier tournament semifinals as well as the NAIA national tournament for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

And Huse says his team is much more ready to begin a new journey, than it was a year

ago.

“Right now, we’re light years ahead of where we were last October,” Huse said.

“That’s due in large part to the experience and leadership we have coming back. And due to how hard our guys have worked in the offseason. They didn’t hang their heads after that loss in Kansas City last year, instead, they came back and went right to work. They want to make this season better than the last.

“This is a really solid group of guys,” he added. “The leadership has been outstanding. All of our veterans are very vocal in practice. There’s been a lot of chatter, a lot of veteran guys showing the new guys how we do things, showing them what Northern basketball is all about. We have great leadership and it’s already showing. I’ve had to do a lot less of that because we have so many guys who are being vocal and showing great leadership right now.”

The Roster Leadership and experience will serve the Lights well.

Northern will feel the loss of four-year starter and 2013 NAIA All-American Devin Jackson, who led a balanced MSU-N scoring attack with 13 points per game a season ago. But, back for Northern are guards Roshawn West (6-1), Alfie Miller (6-0) and Alan Brown (6-1). West earned All-Conference honors a season ago, averaging eight points per game, but nearly 12 during Frontier play. Miller came off the bench to average 10 points a season ago, and is one of

See Lights Page 7

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Montana State University-Northern's Roshawn West looks to pass during an Oct. 13 game against Concordia University of Alberta in the Armory Gymnasium. West is one of many key returning players from a Lights' team which went to the NAIA national tournament a season ago. Picked to finish third in the Frontier Conference this season, the Lights will once again be an NAIA power.

5

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

www.havredailynews.com

Wrestling: Northern grapplers among the top returning teams in the NAIA for the 2013-14 season ■ From Page 2 of the 2012-13 season, but was upset twice at the national tournament, and he’ll get back on the mat hungrier than ever.

“Ethan is just a beast,” Thivierge said.

“He’ll be our lone wolf again at 165. I expect him to have a great year. He’s healthy, experienced and hungry. Kody (Reed) is on a mission. He knows it’s down to his last year.

He knows exactly what he’s got to do this season. He’s really eager to get started.”

The Lights return a pair of All-American 125-pounders in Aaron LaFarge, who finished fifth a year ago, and former Havre Blue Pony Duell Stadel, who placed sixth.

The 125-pound class used to be a struggle for the Lights, but now it’s one of their deepest weights, as sophomore Riley Miller also returns after redshirting last season. MSU-N also gets back All-American Mickey Cheff at 157. The junior finished fifth a year ago, and pulled off some dramatic wins for the Lights in the second half of the season. That weight will be one of many the Lights are at least doubled up at, as freshman Tommy Cooper is also expected to be a stalwart.

“The 125 pounders will battle all year,” Thivierge said. “They are all very good, they are all very tough. We’re going to be really competitive there. I like our options at 157 too. Mickey had a great season last year.

And he and Tommy are very competitive every day.”

The Lights’ depth is bolstered by even more returnees, and some fresh faces.

After yet another knee injury sidelined him a year ago, star Hunter Azure returns to the lineup at 149 pounds. He’ll be joined at 149 by junior college transfer Bryan Barocio.

Thivierge said Azure is healthy and ready to go while Barocio is a tough competitor who is explosive and athletic. Sophomore Toby Cheff, who placed an outstanding third in his first national tournament appearance, returns to man the 197-pound spot for the Lights, and like many of the other returnees, he’ll be looked at as a national title contender this season.

A familiar face returns to the 174-pound class for the Lights as well. Junior Jared Miller took his redshirt a year ago, and will likely man the spot alone as two-time All-American Max Payne decided to forgo his senior season. Two years ago, Miller reached the national tournament.

“We’re excited to get Jared back,” Thivierge said. “Physically, he’s just one of the meanest, toughest kids in the room. And he’s really excited to get back out there.”

At 197 pounds, freshman Garrett DeMers is an exciting redshirt who will make his official debut this season. DeMers is much like Toby Cheff, and together, they’ll create

a formidable tandem at 197.

The 184-pound class is also deep behind Reed. Northern added Clackamas College transfer Steve Conn, as well as redshirts Jake Leinwand and Colby Roberts, two former Montana state champions.

“We’re probably the deepest at 184,” Thivierge said. “We’ve got four guys who get to go at each other every day. They have some real good battles and they’ll all make each other better.”

MSU-N also has depth at 133-141 in transfer Justin Gardner, while the heavyweight spot has two powerhouse of different styles.

Former Chinook star Jorrell Jones has moved up to the heavyweight spot, and will use his quickness and speed to his advantage, while Clackamas transfer Rico Paz is a monster at in size and strength.

While Northern’s roster is loaded with depth, talent, experience, youth and potential, one name missing from the lineup this season will be familiar to Lights’ fans.

Eli Hinebauch, a former Havre Blue Pony state champion was set to make his full-time MSU-N debut this fall, but he’ll miss the entire season due to injury. Hinebauch redshirted a year ago, and when he wrestled unattached, he had a stellar record in his first year of college. He was set to wrestle at either 157, or join his brother Ethan at 165, and would have had a huge impact on the Lights right away.

“It’s going to hurt not having Eli,” Thivierge said. “He progressed really fast last year, I believe he was ready to be one of our

big guns right away. Not having him in our lineup definitely hurts.

“So we do have some holes at some spots, some areas where we just didn’t land the guys we went after last spring,” he continued. “But we have depth in a lot of other weights and that will make up for it. I love our roster. I feel like we’re built for another great season.”

A season which started in Idaho against North Idaho College, and also features two duals against rival UGF, the first being Nov. 14 in Great Falls and the rematch set for early February in Havre. The Lights have a double-decker home dual against Northwest College and Southern Oregon Nov. 21, and also host Embry-Riddle Feb. 1. As usual, MSU-N has a tough tournament schedule, and it all culminates with the Western Regional in Menlo, Caldi., and the NAIA national tournament March 7-8 in Topeka, Kan. And at that national tournament, the Lights hope to again leave their mark, but only this time, they’re shooting for the ultimate prize.

“Getting to the top has always been our goal, it’s our goal every year,” Thivierge said. “We have the talent to get there. We have a group of guys who are hungry and dedicated. But we also understand we have to take it step by step. We have to improve every time we step on the mat. We can’t get ahead of ourselves. And we have a lot of challenges to overcome before we get there.”

Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Montana State University-Northern's Ethan Hinebauch, front, locks up a UGF rival during an NAIA dual meet last November in Havre.

Hinebauch is one of the top returning 165pounder's in the NAIA, and a returning AllAmerican for the Lights.

6

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

www.havredailynews.com

Skylights: Northern women should get better and better with experience as the season goes along ■ From Page 3 and good people. And the upside for this group is really high.”

New and the Old With a perfect mix of returners and talented newcomers, Northern will, at times, run the same systems it has run in recent years, but at other times, the Skylights could look very different.

MSU-N is known for its trademark defense, as the Skylights have been one of the top scoring and field goal defensive teams year-in-and-year-out under Mouat. And actually, with a bigger presence in the post, Mouat said this year’s team has a chance to be even better on defense.

Offensively, Northern will also throw out some new wrinkles with its added height and athleticism in the paint. The Skylights will still be an unselfish, ball movement type of team, and they’ll still shoot their share from the outside (MSU-N has been one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the Frontier in each of the last three seasons), but Mouat noted that personnel on the floor will also dictate how MSU-N plays teams offensively.

“I think on defense, we have a chance to

be a bit quicker this year,” Mouat said. “I think we have a little more quickness and obviously we have more length. So I expect us to be very good defensively, and I think we’ll be a much better rebounding team this season.

“Offensively, what we run will depend on who’s on the floor,” he added. “We’ll still run a lot of what we have been the last few years, but it will also depend on the lineup on the floor. You’re going to see some different things from us this year, based on the players we’ve added. We’ll have some different looks offensively. I think that’s one of the nice things about this group. We have the opportunity to be pretty diverse. We can go with a lot of different combinations on the floor. We have a lot more depth.”

Early Challenges Mouat has always put together a rigorous non-conference schedule, with the idea that his team will be battle-tested come January, when Frontier play begins for good. And this year’s non-conference schedule will be no different. With the Frontier being deep and talented yet again, Northern’s early-

season schedule will surely get the Skylights ready.

MSU-N opens with powerhouse teams from Canada in Lethbridge and Mount Royal, both CIS contenders. But when the calendar turns to November, the Skylights will play a tough a schedule as any NAIA team in the country.

Northern opens the month with a game against NAIA power Eastern Oregon in Spokane. Then, the Skylights play back-to-back games against NCAA Division I powers.

MSU-N faces the University of Wyoming Nov. 8 in Sheridan, Wyo., while two nights later, the Skylights make their annual trek to Missoula to face the famed Lady Griz of the University of Montana. Northern will also battle NCAA DII stalwart NebraskaKearney in Great Falls, and road trip to Billings to face MSU-B, another DII powerhouse. The month finally ends with the Skylights’ Frontier opener against Carroll College Nov. 30 in Havre.

“We have four games against upper-level opponents,” Mouat said. “Our two home openers are against really good Canadian teams, plus we play Eastern Oregon who is coming off a fantastic season last year. That

schedule, especially November is going to be really tough.

“But we can learn from every one of those games,” he added. “And that’s the important thing. Early in the preseason, we just want to get our feet under us, establish an identity and continue to gel. And this schedule will certainly help us do all of that.”

In December, the Skylights host the MSU-Northern Duck Inn Holiday Classic, and also have road trips to Canada and Las Vegas right after Christmas to wrap up the non-conference season. And all of it should really let the Skylights know who they are and what kind of team they can be as Frontier play rolls around after New Year’s.

“If we grow, get better and use all of the experience we’ll get in the pre-season, we should be in good shape for conference play,” Mouat said. “I feel like this team has a lot of potential. We have a lot of talent and a lot of players who can do really good things for us.

“There’s a lot of potential in this group,” he continued. “I think our ceiling is very, very high, and I’m really excited about this team and what it can accomplish this season.”

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown Montana State University-Northern's Taylor Cummings, left, looks to make a pass during a Frontier Conference women's basketball game last winter. Cummings is the only returning starter for the Skylights this season.

3

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

New-look Skylights start a fresh chapter MSU-N women must blend key returnees with talented newcomers

to Northern’s depth this season as will freshman Cydney Auzenne (5-10), who’s currently a redshirt on the MSU-N volleyball team.

But aside from playing an even bigger role this season, Mouat also expects his returnees to be leaders, on and off the floor.

“I think, being our point guard, it’s been natural for Taylor (Cummings) to kind of asGeorge Ferguson sume that role. She is our leader on the floor Havre Daily News sports editor because of the position she plays, and I think gferguson@havredailynews.com she’s really grown more comfortable in be As one of the most successful women’s ing a leader of this team. basketball programs in Frontier Confer- “But as a group, they all lead really well,” ence history, the Montana State University- he continued. “They are experienced. They Northern Skylights know what it’s like to go all played key roles on our team last year, through change. and they all had important minutes in big And entering the 2013-14 season, change is games last season. Those roles are going something the Skylights will have to get used to increase this season, and they are ready to, and get used to quick. because of the experience they gained last Veteran head coach Chris Mouat is back year.” for his ninth season at the helm of the North- Of course, there will be plenty of new facern program, but beyond that, the Skylights es on the floor this season too. Mouat signed will have a new look and feel this winter. a large recruiting class, loaded with players MSU-N went 17-13 a season ago, finished he expects to have an immediate impact on fourth in the Frontier and reached the program. the Frontier semifinals in March.

At the top of that list is 6-5 But, Northern graduated four transfer A’Jha Edwards, who averstarters from that squad which aged a double-double on her way means Mouat will be looking at a to NJCAA All-American honors at relatively new lineup this season, Pima Community College in Arias well have to meld a large class zona last season. Not since Stacie of newcomers with a solid group of Barker have the Skylights had an returnees. inside presence like Edwards, and “We have one starter coming she should give Northern an imback, and all our returning players mediate boost on both ends of the are guards,” Mouat said. “We have floor. a big class of new players and this

“She (Edwards) brings a Mouat class has the potential to be very lot to the table,” Mouat said. “She good. So early in the preseason, we has great size, she moves well and will have to really work on gelling she can shoot it from the perimeter. as an entire team. But I really like this team. She does a great job finishing around the rim They are fun to coach and be around every and she can rebound the ball. She is going to day. Their chemistry has been great so far, have a tremendous impact on our team for and I think the potential for this team is very sure.” high.”

And Edwards isn’t alone. Also from the Only junior point guard Taylor Cummings junior college ranks, the Skylights added (5-5) returns from last year’s starting lineup, Megan Feldman (6-1) and Tabra Teeters which means the Skylights have to replace (6-0) to give MSU-N even more power on about 70 percent of their scoring from a year the inside. Meanwhile, true freshmen Nataago. Gone are guards Nikki Tresch and Kylie lee Faupel, a 5-10 guard/forward from Butte Denham, as well as forward Laci Keller. High, and Molly Kreycik, a 5-6 guard from Northern also said goodbye to all-confer- Douglas, Wyo., where former Skylight great ence forward Jordan Bruursema, who was a Jaci Heny coaches, will also be called upon three-year starter and MSU-N’s top scorer a to contribute right away. year ago.

“Megan is a tough post player,” Mouat But the Skylights do return experience said. “She finishes and she can guard bigger beyond Cummings, who really blossomed players. Tabra might be undersized in the last season in her first year as a starter. post, but she’s very savvy around the rim Reserve guards Kassie Barta (5-8, Sr.), Ka- and she is a really good outside shooter. cie McKeon (5-4, So.) and Rachelle Bennett “Molly comes to us from a great high (5-8, Jr.) all saw significant minutes a sea- school program,” he added. “She’s got great son ago, and all three will play key roles in vision, she’s very mature and very unselfish.

Northern’s backcourt this season. Barta is And Natalee is just an outstanding athlete. a stellar outside shooter, while Bennett can She can do so many different things and she play inside-out. McKeon saw heavy minutes has the potential to be a very special player. as a true freshman a year ago, and really I think this entire class is really solid. They gave Northern an outstanding spark off the are good players, good students and good bench. Red-shirt freshmen Taryn Norby (5-5) and Jordan Powers (6-0) will also add See Skylights Page 6

www.havredailynews.com

2

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

www.havredailynews.com

Northern grapplers aiming high George Ferguson

Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com Rebuilding the wrestling program at Montana State University-Northern has been a challenge former Northern NAIA national champion Tyson Thivierge accepted from the moment he was hired as MSU-N’s head coach.

Now, entering his sixth season at helm of the Lights’ program, Thivierge is really starting to see the fruits of his labors pay off. Last spring, Northern rose back to its rightful place, among the NAIA elite. The Lights finished third at the national tournament, and brought home a stellar seven AllAmericans.

And with the dawn of a brand new season, the Lights could be even bigger and better this winter. Six of those seven AllAmericans return to the MSU-N lineup, a lineup which is deep, talented and motivated…motivated to take the 2013-14 season even farther than the last.

And that motivation has helped not just fuel the Lights, but put last season’s accomplishments in the past, something Thivierge said was important as Northern got to work earlier this month.

“Last year was last year,” Thivierge said.

“It was a great season. But we’re not going

to live off what we accomplished last year.

Yes, we have a lot of really good returners, and a lot of depth. We have some firepower.

But we need to be hungry again.

“There are plenty of things we have to improve on in order to be where we want to be” he continued. “We’re starting over. We need to start faster this season, we need to score more points, we need to get tougher, both mentally and physically. There are plenty of things we have to overcome in order to get to where we want to be, and that’s to win a national championship. And even if last season hadn’t have happened the way it did, our goal would still be to win a national championship this year.”

While a national championship is firmly in the Lights’ sights this season, Northern is now in the cross hairs of its foes. Defending national champion Southern Oregon lies within the same region and will be strong again this winter. And the intense rivalry with Great Falls will only be more heated this season, considering the Lights swept the Argos a year ago, and have won the last three duals.

“We opened some eyes last year,” Thivierge said. “These guys have to know they have a target on their backs now. They need to be hungry, they need to want to get better in the room every single day.”

Getting better shouldn’t be a problem

Havre Daily News/File Photo Montana State University-Northern's Mickey Cheff holds down a Great Falls wrestler during an NAIA dual last winter in Havre. Cheff is one of six returning NAIA AllAmericans for a Lights' team which finished third at the national tournament last spring and is a title contender this season.

with all the talent Northern houses in its own room. The Lights are deep enough that they could almost field two dual teams. And while MSU-N was strong in both duals and tournaments a year ago, Thivierge feels the Lights can still improve in both areas.

“I feel great about us as a dual team,” Thivierge said. “We have some big guns and those guys are pinners, so we know where we’re going to get big points from.

Our tournament teams did well last season, but I think that’s an area we can do better. We can score more points. We need to wrestle out in front better in tournaments. Start matches faster.

“We have good depth, we have some holes in the lineup too,” he continued.

“We return a bunch of All-Americans, and we have guys coming up we believe we can get there too. It’s all a matter of how hard these guys work. And they have worked hard. Our room is as competitive as it’s ever been.”

Northern’s returnees will light the way this winter. Junior Ethan Hinebauch returns after a third-place finish at the national tournament at 165 pounds. He’ll be a heavy favorite to win at 165 this season after a remarkable regular season a year ago in which he led the NAIA in pins. Also back is senior Cameron Neiss.

He’s a two-time All-American and finished runner-up at 133 pounds a year ago.

Neiss will wrestle at 141 early in the season, but will eventually go back to 133.

Fellow senior Kody Reed is back at 184 pounds. Reed was ranked No. 1 for much

See Wrestling Page 5

7

MSU-N

Oct. 2013

WINTER SPORTS

www.havredailynews.com

Lights: MSU-Northern men have the talent and depth to keep its dynasty rolling again this winter ■ From Page 4 the most dangerous 3-point shooters in the Frontier, while Brown is a steady point guard and a savvy floor general. Add in senior Mike LaValley (6-0), and the Lights have an ultraexperienced back court.

Northern also returns a wealth of talent and experience on the front line. Junior Corbin Pearson (6-6) is back after a breakout sophomore campaign which earned him AllConference honors. Pearson averaged seven points and a five rebounds per outing last year, and is one of Northern’s biggest emotional leaders and toughest defensive players. He’s joined by front-court mates Jesse Vaughan (6-5) and Will Perry (6-4). Vaughan averaged 10 points and four rebounds per game a year ago, while Perry led the Lights with over five rebounds per night. Northern also returns reserves Pate Jensen (6-7) and Anfernee Standing Rock (6-5).

“The guys we have coming back, we’re very excited about,” Huse said. “Those guys gained a lot of experience last year, they had a great a season. And they are back being leaders this year. It’s a great group of veterans and they bring a ton of experience and skill to our team. We lost Devin (Jackson), and a player like he was is the type you can’t just replace. But with all the guys we do have coming back, we’re very fortunate to go into this season with that much experience.”

While players like West, Miller, Pearson and Vaughan will be asked to carry a lot of the scoring load for the Lights this season, Northern will always look to hang its hat on defense. And though Huse brought in several newcomers who can help the Lights offensively right away, those newcomers will also add to an already outstanding Northern defense. A year ago, the Lights led the Frontier in scoring defense and were first in turnover margin. So Northern will once again look to its defense to light the torch.

And newcomers like Nick Blount (6-3) from Los Medanos College, Gabe Finley (6-4) from Sierra College, Damien Robinson (6-3) from Bakersfield College, and 6-8 power forward Xavier Shaw, a transfer from BYU-Hawaii, will all help the Lights on both ends of the floor. All four talented transfers are tenacious defenders, and that goes along with a solid offensive skill set. Blount averaged 26 points and seven rebounds in junior college a year ago, while Finley averaged 11 points per game and is a standout shooter. Robinson and Shaw will also give the Lights’ added depth and power in the interior.

“This group is really pushing our returners,” Huse said. “They are working extremely hard and we’re having some very competitive practices and that’s a good thing. We certainly have a group of new players who are going to help us right away. They add a lot of skill, depth and versatility to our team. And I think there are coming together with the returners very quickly. Our chemistry with this group is really good and that’s something we’ve always had, great chemistry on and off the court, and I think that will continue with this group.”

Northern Basketball Depth should be one of Northern’s many strengths this season. Of course, Huse wants his team to play trademark Northern defense

too. A year ago, the Lights led the Frontier in scoring defense, allowing just 64 points per outing. Northern was also first in the league in 3-point field goal defense. And those are trends Huse expects to continue this season.

MSU-N will still be a ball control offense where the premium is on unselfish play and getting the best shot available. But Huse feels like this year’s Northern squad has a chance to be a bit more dynamic. Northern has relied heavily on the 3-pointer in recent years, but with an exceptional amount of depth, Huse said his team will have a chance to be far from one-dimensional.

“Defense has been our staple and will continue to be,” Huse said. “We are going to give a great effort on defense every night, just as we always have. I think, with this group, we have a chance to be a bit better of a shooting team this year. I thought we weren’t quite as good as we needed to be last year in that department.

“I also think, with all of the talent and skill we have, we can be a very interchangeable team,” he added. “Depth is going to be a strength for us, and we can be very different with our rotations, and with our starting lineups. With the guys we’ve added this season, I think we can be a little more diverse with our rotations, and that will make us a little more difficult to prepare for.”

Preparation is also key for the Lights, and once Frontier play rolls around in January, Northern should be extremely prepared via a difficult schedule.

The Lights have a pair of huge home games in November, including Nov. 1’s date with Montana State-Billings. The Yellowjackets, who once resided in the Frontier, are coming to Havre for the first time since 1996. The Lights also begin conference play with Carroll Nov. 30 in Havre. November is also Northern’s biggest non-conference road stretch too. In between games with the Yellowjackets and Fighting Saints, the Lights will travel to Arizona for games against NCAA Division II New Mexico Highlands and rising NAIA power Arizona Christian. A trip to Jamestown, another NAIA contender is also scheduled for November. The Lights also have a return trip to MSU-B, while December will see the Lights make trips to Canada, as well as host two more non-conference tilts.

“Our schedule is a good balance of teams both home and away,” Huse said. “Obviously, it’s going to be a great challenge playing MSU-Billings twice. We’ve got some Canadian teams on our schedule that will really present us with different styles of play, and our trip to Arizona, we’re playing a very good (NCAA) DII team in New Mexico Highlands and an Arizona Christian team who went to the national tournament last year.

“So our non-conference schedule is going to really help us,” he added. “We’ll see many different styles of play, and we’ll see teams that will kind of mimic what we’ll see every night in our league. So we’re going to be tested a lot in the preseason. And we should be very well-prepared when we get to our full conference schedule.”

A Long Season With a difficult non-conference schedule which will help prepare the Lights for league

play in January, and a season-opening game ence too. So we won’t be perfect right away. in early October, Northern’s season will But I know we will come to play with energy once again be a marathon, not a sprint. And and intensity and with great team chemiswith so many veteran players returning, the try right away.

Lights know how to grind through the rigors “I really like this group,” he continued.

“They’ve worked really hard in practice. of an NAIA basketball season.

MSU-N also knows how to go Practices have been great so far.

And they’re excited to get out on after its goals. The Lights have the floor and get started. I’m very at least vied for a regular season Frontier title in each of the last excited about this team and very excited to get the season started.” six seasons, and have reached the Frontier semifinals every year since 2004. This year’s goals MSU-N Quick Facts are no different, and while Huse Lights went 23-10 overall and knows the season is a process, and expects some growing pains 10-6 (T3rd) in the Frontier. Lost to Western in the Frontier semialong the way, he’s very excited finals. Lost to Evangel in NAIA about the upcoming year and seeing what this new Northern team first round. Northern returns Huse four starters and 73 percent from can achieve. its scoring from a year ago. The “It’s very excited that it’s about to start all over again,” Huse said.

Lights have led the Frontier in “It seems like just yesterday we were sitting scoring defense in each of the last four seain that lockerroom in Kansas City talking sons. MSU-N is seeking its fourth straight about next season, and now it’s here. It’s go- berth in the NAIA national tournament. Uning to be a process and we have a lot of work der Huse, the Lights have won 20 or more in front of us. We understand that progress games seven straight seasons, and 19 or takes time and hard work and game experi- more games in a season nine times.

8

MSU-N

WINTER SPORTS

Oct. 2013

www.havredailynews.com

Montana State University-Northern Winter Sports Schedules Lights Basketball November Nov. 1 Nov. 15 Nov. 16 Nov. 22 Nov. 24 Nov. 30

vs. MSU-Billings Havre, MT - 7:00 pm Arizona Christian Tournament Phoenix, AZ Arizona Christian Tournament Phoenix, AZ vs. MSU-Billings Billings, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Jamestown College Jamestown, ND - TBA vs. Carroll College Havre, MT - 8:00 pm December

Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Dec. 29

vs. University of Lethbridge Havre, MT - 7:00 pm vs. Augustana-Univ. of AB Edmonton, AB - TBA vs. Augustana-Univ. of AB Edmonton, AB - TBA vs. Northwest Indian College Havre, MT - 7:00 pm January

Jan. 2 Jan. 4 Jan. 9

vs. Rocky Mountain College Havre, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Dickinson State Dickinson, ND - 7:30 pm vs. UM-Western Havre, MT - 8:00 pm

Jan. 11 Jan. 17 Jan. 18 Jan. 24 Jan. 30

vs. Westminster College Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Montana Tech Butte, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Carroll College Helena, MT - 7:30 pm vs. University of Great Falls Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. University of Great Falls Great Falls, MT - 7:30 pm February

Feb. 1 Feb. 7 Feb. 8 Feb. 13 Feb. 14 Feb. 20 Feb. 21

vs. Lewis & Clark State Lewiston, ID - 7:30 pm vs. Montana Tech Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Lewis & Clark State Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. UM-Western Dillon, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Westminster College Salt Lake, UT - 7:30 pm vs. Dickinson State Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Rocky Mountain College Havre, MT - 8:00 pm

Skylights Basketball November Nov. 1 Nov. 2 Nov. 8 Nov. 10 Nov. 15 Nov. 16 Nov. 27 Nov. 30

vs. Eastern Oregon Univ.

Spokane, WA - 7:00 pm vs. Corban College Spokane, WA - 3:00 pm vs. University of Wyoming Sheridan, WY - TBA vs. University of Montana Missoula, MT - 2:00 pm vs. PaciďŹ c Union Great Falls, MT - TBA vs. Nebraska-Kearney Great Falls, MT - TBA vs. MSU-Billings Billings, MT - TBA vs. Carroll College in Havre, MT - 6:00 pm

Dec. 7 Dec. 8 Dec. 20 Dec. 21 Dec. 27 Dec. 28

vs. U of Augustana-AB Camrose, AB - TBA vs. U of Augustana-AB Camrose, AB - TBA vs. Willamette University Salem, OR - 7:00 pm vs. Alberta-Augustana Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Northwest Indian Havre, MT - 7:00 pm vs. Unversity of Regina Las Vegas, NV - 5:30 pm vs. McGill University Las Vegas, NV - 3:30 pm

November

January Jan. 2 Jan. 4 Jan. 9 Jan. 11 Jan. 17 Jan. 18 Jan. 24 Jan. 30

December Dec. 6

Lights Wrestling

vs. Rocky Mountain College Billings, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Dickinson State Univ.

Dickinson, ND - 5:30 pm vs. UM-Western Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Westminster College Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Montana Tech in Butte, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Carroll College Helena, MT - 5:30 pm vs. University of Great Falls Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. University of Great Falls Great Falls, MT - 5:30 pm February

Feb. 1 Feb. 7 Feb. 8 Feb. 13 Feb. 15 Feb. 20 Feb. 21

vs. Lewis & Clark State Lewiston, ID - 5:30 pm vs. Montana Tech Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Lewis & Clark State Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. UM-Western Dillon, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Westminster College Salt Lake, UT - 5:30 pm vs. Dickinson State Univ.

Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Rocky Mountain College Havre, MT - 6:00 pm

Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 14 Nov. 21

Nov. 23 Nov. 24

vs. Cowboy Open Laramie, WY - 9:00 am vs. Trapper Open Powell, WY - 9:00 am vs. University of Great Falls Great Falls, MT - 7:00 pm vs. Northwest College Havre, MT - 5:00 pm vs. Southern Oregon Univ.

Havre, MT - 7:00 pm Cardinal Duals Coeur d' Alene, ID - TBA Spokane Open Spokane, WA - All Day

December Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Dec. 22

Battle of the Rockies Duals Great Falls, MT - TBA Battle of the Rockies Open Great Falls, MT - 9:00 am Reno Tournament of Champ Reno, NV - All Day January

Jan. 11 Jan. 12 Jan. 18 Jan. 24 Jan. 25

NAIA National Duals Des Moines, IA - All Day NAIA National Duals Des Moines, IA - All Day vs. Western Wyoming C.C. Havre, MT 7:00 pm vs. Northwest College Powell, WY - 7:00 pm vs. Western Wyoming C.C. Rock Springs, WY - TBA February

Feb. 1 Feb. 6 Feb. 22

vs. Embry-Riddle Havre, MT - 7:30 pm vs. University of Great Falls Havre, MT - 7:30 pm West National Qualifying Tournament Menlo, CA - All Day March

March 7-8 NAIA National Championships Topeka, KS - TBA