OFFICIAL PROGRAM
Conference season begins Tech men, women start 2012 against Westminster, Lewis-Clark State
D3
Westminster at Tech
Lewis-Clark State at Tech
Friday, January 6 Women 5:30 p.m. ■ Men 7:30 p.m. Kelvin Sampson Court
Saturday, January 7 Women 5:30 p.m. ■ Men 7:30 p.m. Kelvin Sampson Court
A publication of The Montana Standard and Montana Tech
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A brand new season ■ Following two months of preseason games, Frontier Conference slate set to go BY PAT RYAN of The Montana Standard
With more than two months of nonconference warm-up games slated for Frontier Conference basketball teams, the beginning of the league slate merely marks the halfway point of the season. Records now reset to 0-0, as Frontier teams prepare to battle in what is widely considered one of the toughest NAIA conferences in the country. “Coming in to the Frontier schedule, we like to say our easiest day was yesterday,” said second-year Tech men’s head coach Aaron Woliczko. “Our conference schedule is tough, and we open with Westminster right out of the gates. They’re No. 10 in the country for a
reason. They’re very tough and they play a tremendous schedule.” Montana Tech’s women are back after their first two trips to the NAIA National Tournament, which came in the last two seasons — the most successful so far for head coach Kerie DePell. The Oredigger women finished third in the last two Frontier Conference seasons, both times trailing Westminster and Lewis-Clark State, which just happen to be Tech’s opponents in the opening weekend of league play. “L-C State is ranked fourth in the country,” DePell observed. “They seem pretty high above the rest of the conference, but they’re still beatable. I don’t think we’re scared, but we respect them.” Both Tech head coaches also pointed to their Dillon opponents at Montana Western as dangerous teams this season. “From top to bottom, Western is good and deep,” DePell said of the Bulldog
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women’s team. “After that, it’s kind of a log jam in the middle. We’re right there with Great Falls with the worst records, but I believe we can compete with any team in the conference.” DePell pointed to her team’s performance in the final week of the preseason schedule, where Tech hung with fourth-ranked Vanguard and a talented Azusa Pacific team. “It’s obvious to us that we can compete at a high level,” DePell said. “We just need to get our younger players some more experience.” The Oredigger men face a stern test with this weekend’s opponents, but Woliczko said there are no easy matches from here out. Western’s men’s team also drew praise from Tech’s coach. “When you look at the teams that have played the best opponents, Westminster and Western are right there, and they’re backing it up with great wins,”Woliczko said. “They’re well
prepared for playing in what might be the best conference in the country. The Frontier sent three teams to the national tournament last year and it’s got a good chance to send four this year.”
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D4 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012
’Diggers primed for Frontier BY PAT RYAN of The Montana Standard
Montana Tech is poised to break out. The Oredigger men are coming off a very successful 8-3 preseason run, winning their last four in a row under second-year head coach Aaron Woliczko. The Orediggers have already eclipsed their number of wins from last season, when they went 6-22 overall, and sights have been set high. Montana Tech opens Frontier play Friday at home with the arrival of No. 10 Westminster. “We’ll be coming out the gates playing one of the top teams in the country,” Woliczko said. The Orediggers have done all possible to prepare for the conference grind, having worked through the stretched-out preseason schedule. Tech has played well in all 11 games, including the two exhibition wins and the one exhibition loss to Montana. Some of Tech’s more telling wins this
“We’ve got a heck of a senior group,” Woliczko said. “Cole and A.J. have been a part of Montana Tech basketball the last four years and they are showing great pride in trying to go out successfully. Tyree is the outspoken vocal leader, while Cole and A.J. are more of the lead-by-example guys.” Tech has seen great play from freshmen Adam Greger and Brandon Rydberg, as Greger is leading the team in scoring at 11.6 points per game. “I think Adam Greger was the steal of the Frontier Conference this year,” Woliczko said. “Some of the ‘higher level’ places who passed on this guy are going to be kicking themselves in the future.” Daniel Simon was originally recruited by L-C State as a point, but has since converted to forward, where he has made great strides in the new position. “Daniel’s working on finishing inside, but he can still play on the perimeter,” Woliczko said.
“I think Adam Greger was the steal of the Frontier Conference this year. Some of the ‘higher level’ places who passed on this guy are going to be kicking themselves in the future.” Tech coach Aaron Woliczko
season have come in close games. The Orediggers have won all five of their games decided by five or fewer points. “The guys have really stepped up, especially in those close ones,” Woliczko said. “We’ve put ourselves in the position to be able to win in the last 3-4 minutes. We’ve been getting the stops on defense and rebounding the ball. And then we’re knocking down the free throws, especially down the stretch.” Tech looks to a solid group of seniors, including Butte High product Cole Conway and guards A.J. Paine and Tyree Haynie.
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NAIA Men’s Basketball Poll Team Vote Pts. 1. Concordia (Calif.) (8) 9-0 309 2. Robert Morris (Ill.) (4) 10-0 304 3. Oklahoma Baptist 9-0 293 4. Shorter (Ga.) 11-0 282 5. Rogers State (Okla.) 8-0 265 6. Georgetown (Ky.) 11-1 261 7. Texas Wesleyan 6-1 258 8. Martin Methodist (Tenn.) 9-2 236 9. Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 7-2 233 10. Westminster 10-2 215 11. Mountain State (W.Va.) 9-4 212 12. Cumberlands (Ky.) 9-2 198 13. Southern Poly (Ga.) 8-2 192 14. Evangel (Mo.) 10-3 181 15. Biola (Calif.) 7-2 163 16. Southern Nazarene (Okla.) 6-2 161 17. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) 9-3 155 18. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 7-3 136 19. MSU-Northern 12-2 130 20. John Brown (Ark.) 10-2 116 21. Xavier (La.) 6-2 112 22. St. Xavier (Ill.) 8-3 101 23. Our Lady of the Leak (Texas) 7-3 70 24. Fresno Pacific (Calif.) 6-3 62 25. Campbellsville (Ky.) 8-3 61 Note — First-place votes in parentheses. Others receiving votes — Tougaloo (Miss.) 58, Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) 50, Columbia (Mo.) 40, Montana Western 31, Cumberland (Tenn.) 19, Oklahoma Christian 17, Shawnee State (Ohio) 14, MidAmerican Nazarene (Kan.) 6, Baker (Kan.) 5, Westmont (Calif.) 5, Great Falls 1, Lee (Tenn.) 1, Hope International (Calif.) 1, Oklahoma City 1, Spring Hill (Ala.) 1, Voorhees (S.C.) 1, Pikeville (Ky.) 1.
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’Diggers ... Continued from Page D4 Simon, at 6-foot-6, also leads the team in blocks this season. Butte Central product Tanner Neumann was credited with playing 100 percent, 100 percent of the time. “Tanner’s done a tremendous job playing hard,” Woliczko said. “He’s the the reason we won some games last year, just getting a finger on the ball.” Transfer player Brian Cummings brings “flash and pizazz,” Woliczko said. “Brian can be a great shooter and great scorer, but now he’s learning some defense,” the coach added. “He’s been taking charges, sacrificing himself, and he’s shown defense that’s been impressive.” Reed Baerlacher redshirted last year, and has seen some quality minutes off the bench. The Orediggers have lost a few players, but the toughest to take was that of sophomore guard Bryan Bock,
who broke his foot. “When they got the X-ray they said it looked like he played six months on a stress fracture,” Woliczko said. Bock has since undergone surgery and is preparing to get back in school. “Bryan was really playing well,” Woliczko said. “He did an unbelievable job working in the off season. He’s a guy who was playing better than anyone at the time and had only missed one free throw at that point.” Woliczko expressed excitement with his stable of redshirt players, and is working hard to keep their extra season intact. “We’re still in the building process,” he said. “I want the young guys to have the opportunity to play four more years. I don’t want them to give up their best year for their worst.” Recruiting has been a full-time job for Woliczko and his staff, but the team is beginning to see the fruit of that labor. The coaching staff has also put in countless hours scouting opponents and formulating game plans. “We try to do the best we can with
just a few guys to get all the information we can,” the coach said. “We never go in blind, and try to do what we need to do to be successful.” The Orediggers, who have done well getting to the free throw line this season, are ranked eighth in the NAIA in percentage at the stripe with 74. Paine leads the nation in free throw percentage at 92. The Orediggers also place well in scoring defense and turnover margin. Conway, who has gone out of his way to become the team’s leading rebounder, has the team sitting in the nation’s top
50 in total rebound defense. “We’ve got some mentally strong kids,” Woliczko said. “We’re doing a great job taking care of the ball and we’re rebounding well too.” The Orediggers, who are 3-0 in the friendly confines of the Kelvin Sampson Court in the “Great Western” HPER Complex, look forward to even bigger crowds than were seen during preseason contests. “The guys really do appreciate the support from the community,” Woliczko said. “It means a lot to us when we get a crowd whether we’re winning or not.”
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2011-12 October
14 15 27 30 November 11 11 12 14 25 25 26 December 7 10 20 29 29 30 January 6 7 13 14 21 27 28 February 2 4 10 11 13 14 18 23 25 March 1, 3, 5 14-20
Grande Prairie Regional College (Exhibition) Grande Prairie Regional College (Exhibition) Black Hills State University Dickinson State University & Coyote Classic: Eastern Oregon University College of Idaho Northwest Nazarene University Capitol City Tournament: Willamette University Corban or Western Oregon University of Montana (Exhibition) Whitworth University Walla Walla University Perkins Classic: Black Hills State University South Dakota Tech Westminster College *& Lewis-Clark State College *& Montana State University-Northern *& University of Great Falls *& University of Montana-Western *& Rocky Mountain College *& Carroll College *& Lewis-Clark State College *& Westminster College *& University of Great Falls *& Montana State University-Northern *& Utah Valley University (Exhibition) Utah State University (Exhibition) University of Montana-Western *& Carroll College *& Rocky Mountain College *& Frontier Conference Tournament NAIA National Tournament
* Frontier Conference Games & Double Header with Women
Butte, MT Butte, MT Butte, MT Butte, MT
8 p.m. 7 p.m. 8 p.m. 3 p.m.
Caldwell, ID Caldwell, ID Nampa, ID
6 p.m. 8 p.m. 7 p.m.
Salem, OR Salem, OR Missoula, MT Spokane, WA Butte, MT
4 p.m. TBA 7 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m.
Spearfish, SD Spearfish, SD Butte, MT Butte, MT Havre, MT Great Falls, MT Butte, MT Butte, MT Butte, MT Lewiston, MT Salt Lake City, UT Butte, MT Butte, MT Orem, UT Logan, UT Dillon, MT Helena, MT Billings, MT TBA Kansas City, MO
6 p.m. 4 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. TBA 7:05 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. TBA TBA
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THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012 D7
MONTANA TECH
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2011-2012 January
6 7 13 14 21 27 28
Westminster College* Lewis-Clark State* MSU-Northern* University of Great Falls* Montana Western* Rocky Mountain College* Carroll College*
Butte Butte Havre Great Falls Butte Butte Butte
5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
February 2 4 10 11 18 23 25
Lewis-Clark State* Westminster College* University of Great Falls* MSU – Northern* Montana Western* Carroll College* Rocky Mountain College*
Lewiston, ID Salt Lake City, UT Butte Butte Dillon Helena Billings
7 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
March
1-3 Frontier Conference Playoffs 14-20 NAIA National Tournament
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2011-2012 ROSTER
2011-2012 ROSTER
2011-2012 ROSTER
# Player
Yr
Pos. Ht/Wt Hometown
1 Tia Pappas 2 Rebecca Beaudoin 3 Shelby Ellsworth 4 Megan Smith 5 Allie Eastman 10 Amy Krommenhoek
FR SO FR JR JR FR
G G G F G G
5-7 5-8 5-11 5-11 5-9 5-7
12 Nicole Yazzie
JR
G
5-7
20 Dana Bates 22 Cydney Tibbitts 23 Jenteal Jackson 31 Brooke Blonquist 32 Olivia Pierce-Eiselein 33 Brooke Larsen
SR JR SR FR JR JR
F F G F F F
5-9 6-1 5-7 5-11 6-3 6-0
Head coach — Shelley Jarrard Assistant coach — Elaine Elliott Assistant coach — Candace Smith
Price, Utah Sandy, Utah Pasco, Wash. Alpine, Utah Woodruff, Utah American Fork, Utah W. Valley City, Utah Warden, Wash. Pasco, Wash. Salt Lake City S. Jordan, Utah Billings Kearns, Utah
# Player RSShelby Barnes*
Yr
Pos.Ht/Wt Hometown
3 Tasha Bishop
SO SR
G G
5-8 5-10
10 Annie Kane 11 Kirsi Voshell
JR SR
G P
5-7 6-3
20 Loree Hill
SO
F
6-2
21 Brittaney Niebergall 22 Jasmine Stohr 23 Kelli Rice
FR SR FR
G G G
5-3 6-0 5-7
24 Tanis Fuller
FR
F
5-10
31 Alyssa Fierro 42 McKenzie Heaslet Wash.
SR FR
P P
6-2 6-1
Head coach — Brian Orr Assistant coach — Kyle Palmer
Asotin, Wash. Meridian, Idaho Lapwai, Idaho Pullman, Wash. Liberty Lake, Wash. Portland, Ore. Yakima, Wash. Springfield, Ore. Lewiston, Idaho Bigfork, MT Uniontown,
# Player
Yr
Ht/Wt Pos. Hometown
2 Jessica Sturm 3 Bryn Hasquet 4 Ivana Lacmanovic 22 Lisa Laslovich 14 Dannielle Devenny 20 Brianne McClafferty 23 Kelsey DeWit 24 Shaye Murphy 32 Mandy Machinal 33 Laini Kalumbi 34 Tabitha Tomlinson 44 Erika Jenkins 50 Molly Werder
So So So So So Sr So Jr Fr So Sr Jr So
G G G G F F C C G G G C F
5-9 6-0 5-8 5-7 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-1 5-7 5-8 5-7 6-1 6-2
Roy Missoula Belgrade, Serbia Anaconda Perth, Australia Butte Columbia Falls Riverton, Utah Richland, Wash. Provo, Utah Puyallup, Wash. Great Falls Port Orchard, Wa.
Head coach: Kerie DePell, fifth season Assistant coach: Lindsie Wilson, first season
D8 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012
Lewis-Clark State men’s roster
Tech men’s basketball roster 2011-2012 # 1 3 4 5 20 21 22 23 30 33 34 40 44 RS RS RS RS RS RS RS
Player Tyree Haynie Tanner Neumann Bryan Bock Cole Conway Chet Pannabecker Reid Baerlocher AJ Paine Roman Pruneda-Garza Adam Greger Brian Cummings Trent Thompson Brandon Rydberg Daniel Simon Mitch Buerkle Travis Peevey Paul Engstrom Cooper Fink Ryan McCarty Quinn Smith Kendale Washington
Yr RSSr RSJr So Sr RSFr RSFr Sr Jr Fr RSJr RSFr Fr RSJr Jr Jr Fr Fr Fr Fr Fr
Ht/Wt 5’9/170 6’2/200 6’3/190 6’3/215 6’3/185 5’11/175 6’0/185 6’1/175 6’6/195 6’2/180 6’8/235 6’3/195 6’6/215 6’0/160 6’2/180 6’7/210 6’5/175 6’2/165 6’9/215 6’1/175
Position PG G/F G F G G G PG G/F G F/C G/F F PG G/F F/C F G C PG
2011-2012 Hometown Chico, Calif. Butte Rialto, Calif. Butte Choteau Florence Billings Othello, Wash. Florence Brooklyn, N.Y. Plains Bozeman Ephrata, Wash. Big Timber Missoula Lake Glendive Harrison Florence Perris, Calif.
#
Player
Yr
Position Ht/Wt
Hometown
2 3 4 5 10 12 13 20 21 23 24 32 34
Kale Schmidt Chris Hepperly Sean Fischer Jeray Key Spencer Drury Joey Wayman Nick Fromm Donte Archie Danny Marshall PJ Bolte Darious Walker Darin Stewart Ray Stout
FR SO FR SR SO SO JR JR JR JR SR SR SR
G G G G G G F G F F F G F
Standwood, Wash. Sandpoint, Idaho Spokane, Wash. Longview, Wash. Spokane, Wash. Hoquiam, Wash. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Los Angeles, Calif. Spokane, Wash. Tacoma, Wash. Tacoma, Wash. Mission Viejo, Calif. Genesee, Idaho
Brandon Rinta - Head Coach - 1st season Austin Johnson - Assistant Coach - 2nd season Drew Church - Student Assistant - 1st season
Our Team Supporting Butte’s Orediggers
Westminster men’s roster 2011-2012 # 1 2 3 5 10 11 12 13 21 22 24 31 32 33 35 41 42
Player Alex Drecksel Chris Wheelock Jake Orchard AJ Reilly Chris Cassity Colton Moon Adam Egan Jordan Hayter Ben Walker Josh Schouman Adam Rainbird Brad Brown Marcus Parry Jordan Bjornberg Drew Phillips Jordan Hamilton Tanner Gregory
Yr JR FR JR SR SR FR SO JR SR SR SO SO SO JR SO FR SR
Ht/Wt 6-4 /195 5-9/165 6-4/200 5-10/175 6-0/175 5-11/170 5-10/165 6-3/190 6-7/210 6-6/215 6-5/205 6-7/215 6-5/195 6-5/210 6-4/195 6-7/210 6-6/215
Position F G F G G G G G F F F F F F G F F
6-3/175 5-10/180 6-1/185 6-1/200 6-0 /195 5-10/173 6-6/255 6-3/183 6-6/205 6-6/205 6-6/240 6-3/180 6-6/260
Hometown Pocatello, Idaho Coeur D’Alene, Idaho Salt Lake City, Utah San Diego, Calif. Sandy, Utah Burley, Idaho Salt Lake City, Utah Grants Pass, Ore. Lehi, Utah Boise, Idaho Belnheim, New Zealand Orono, N.M. Littleton, Colo Blackfoot, Idaho Brisbane, Australia Alpine, Utah Provo, Utah
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THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012 D9
Youth aplenty for Tech women Orediggers regrouping after pair of postseason showings BY PAT RYAN of The Montana Standard
Following a successful run last season that culminated in a the team’s second straight trip to the NAIA National Tourney, the Tech women’s basketball team is looking at a youthful lineup. “We don’t have a ton of experience,” said head coach Kerie DePell, noting that her current starting five includes a freshman and three sophomores. That having been said, DePell is happy with the quality of players on her team, and has seen steady improvement in the squad as they have gained experience through the preseason schedule. “We’re still trying to figure out our team identity and what roles we all have,” DePell said. “Every day in practice and every time we step on the court I can see us getting better. We have good
players — we’re just inexperienced.” DePell’s lineup starts with and depends heavily upon senior point guard Tabitha Tomlinson — who has started since she arrived at Tech four years ago. “Tabby’s exactly what a point guard should be,” DePell said. “She’s an extension of the coach. She has good control of the game and she’s out there doing everything I want her to do.” Opposite the senior leader is freshman Mandy Machinal, whom DePell said should be high in the running for Freshman of the Year in the Frontier. “Mandy’s probably our best allaround scorer,” DePell said. “She can hit the three and get to the basketball. She’s very talented.” Sophomore guard Bryn Hasquet is DePell’s stand-by, as the 6-footer is rarely on the bench. “Bryn’s one of our best outside shooters and she’s always a threat,” DePell said. “A lot of times you don’t notice she’s been in there 38 minutes,
“We’re still trying to figure out our team identity and what roles we all have. Every day in practice and every time we step on the c ourt I can see us getting better. We have good players — we’re just inexperienced.” Kerie DePell, Montana Tech women head coach
but she’s playing hard the whole time.” Austrailian forward Danni Devenny, the vocal leader of the team, has no problem going where she’s needed the most. “Danni’s very versatile,” DePell said. “She can post up and she can play the perimeter. She fills different roles for us and she brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm.” Columbia Falls sophomore post
Kelsey DeWit rounds out the starting five, and has established herself as an inside scoring force thus far in the season. “Kelsey’s possibly one of best post players in the conference,” DePell said. “She’s worked very hard and has also really improved on defense.” The Orediggers are deeper than five, as senior forward Brianne McClafferty of Butte has seen starting duty and can play about anywhere. “Brianne can play three, four or five,” DePell said. “She’s very versatile and is another good outside shooter, certainly one of our main contributors.” Shaye Murphy is the backup center, but isn’t limited to the inside game. “Shaye has a really nice outside shot that helps spread the floor on offense, but she’s also great on defense,” DePell said. Laini Kalumbi is a reserve guard who is getting a handle on her game.
See TECH, Page D10
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NAIA Women’s Basketball Poll
Tech ... Continued from Page D9 “Laini is our best athlete,” DePell said. “She has the quickest first step I’ve ever had on a team, and she’s just learning how to get the basket and finish with both hands. So far, she’s the most improved player this year.” Jessica Sturm comes in as a three and brings high energy and a presence on defense. She’s joined by fellow sophomore guard Ivana Lacmanovic, who is nearing recovery from a couple ACL tears. Erica Jenkins plays a four and has established herself as a solid rebounder, while honing her outside shot. DePell lamented the loss of Anaconda sophomore Lisa Laslovich, who tore an ACL Dec. 9 in Seattle. “Lisa was really coming on strong,” DePell said. “She’s very good rebounding and on defense. It was a big blow to us to have lost her, but she’s working hard to come back next year.” Despite graduation claiming a number of talented teammates last season, the Orediggers are coming together as a team quite well, said their coach. “Everyone is stepping up and trying hard to do what we ask,” DePell said. “We’ve had to change that around a bit, but we’re evolving as we go.”
Team Vote Pts. 1. Oklahoma City (11) 7-0 281 2. Union (Tenn.) 11-1 272 3. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) 9-2 263 4. Lewis-Clark St. 9-1 252 5. Westmont (Calif.) 10-1 243 6. Shawnee State (Ohio) 10-2 233 7. Langston (Okla.) 9-0 226 8. Vanguard (Calif.) 6-1 215 9. Lee (Tenn.) 9-1 207 10. St. Xavier (Ill.) 9-2 195 11. Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 5-3 192 12. Campbellsville (Ky.) 9-3 188 13. Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 10-2 170 14. Cumberlands (Ky.) 10-1 169 15. So. Nazarene (Okla.) 6-3 156 16. Xavier (La.) 7-3 143 17. Lubbock Christian (Texas) 6-3 136 18. Shorter (Ga.) 9-1 128 19. Bethel (Tenn.) 6-4 112 20. Georgetown (Ky.) 10-3 102 21. Robert Morris (Ill.) 9-1 100 22. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 8-3 89 23. Columbia (Mo.) 8-4 86 24. Rocky Mountain 10-2 68 25. Rogers State (Okla.) 9-3 52 NOTE — Oklahoma City was a unanimous No. 1 selection. Others receiving votes — William Woods (Mo.) 46, Biola (Calif.) 39, Loyola (La.) 32, Avila (Mo.) 22, Belhaven (Miss.) 19, Shreveport (La.) 12, Lyon (Ark.) 6, Park (Mo.) 5, Westminster 4, Benedictine (Kan.) 3, St. Gregory’s (Okla.) 3, Montana Western 1, The Master’s (Calif.) 1, St. Francis (Ill.) 1, St. Catharine (Ky.) 1.
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