ACU GOLF WINS LSC CHAMPIONSHIP

ACU had a big day at the LSC Golf Championships. Alex Carpenter tied the three-day Championship record with a 65 just one group ahead of Cyril Bouniol who broke the record. Bouniol recorded a 64 which also tied the WinStar Golf Course record. Bouniol shot -8 on the day which included a streak of four consecutive birdies on the front nine. Here is a video courtesy of the LSC of Adam Carpenter's Eagle on the 18th.

Wildcat Weekend

Wildcat fans, just in case you haven’t been on our blog or website lately ACU Athletics is getting really exciting! Six Wildcat teams are ranked nationally including top 10 ranknigs from No. 6 baseball, No. 7 women’s tennis, and No. 3 women’s track & field while the men’s team in No. 9. Also two teams are the top ranked team in the region – golf and women’s tennis – while baseball in ranked No. 2.

This week baseball and softball are both on the road with important Lone Star Conference series. Baseball is in Oklahoma trying to hold onto the top spot in the LSC at Southwestern Oklahoma after a disappointing and rare loss this week against St. Edward’s.

On the softball diamond the Wildcats are in Stephenville for an important LSC series with Tarleton State. ACU just finished their biggest wins and series win of the season taking 2-of-3 from #21 Angelo State. The Wildcats are currently 6th in the LSC with three more conference series left as they make a push for the post season tournament in Durant, Oklahoma. The top four teams from the LSC North and South qualify for the LSC Championships.

Also this weekend the men’s and women’s track and field teams will be competing in California at the Mt. SAC Relays. The teams will continue in California while some will return to Texas for the Michael Johnson Classic in Waco. Wildcat athletes picked up a sweep in the men’s track and field athletes of the week while the women took field athlete of the week honors. Amos Sang was the LSC Track athelete whle James Hardin took home field honors. Paige Newby picked up field accolades on the women’s side.

Finally the No. 1 ranked men’s golf team just worked their way back into the Nike/Golf World Coaches rankings at No. 21 and will compete in Thackerville, Oklahoma at the LSC Championship. ACU boasts the No.3 ranked freshmen class in NCAA DII while Alex Carpenter is the 20th- rated player in the country after winning two tournaments this fall. Adam Carpenter, Alex’s twin brother, has a win from the fall and two top 20 finishes including a third place finish at the Red River Intercollegiate which is the same course they will play this weekend. Also not to forget about ACU all-America from last year, Cyril Bouniol who has three top 10 finishes on the season. Bouniol is coming off a runner-up finish at the UCO/Kickingbird Classic where next month’s South Central Regional will be held. Bouniol also finished 11th helping the Wildcats to a team win at the same Red River Intercollegiate and WinnStar Golf Course. Follow live scoring and more from the LSC tournament central here

Check back here on the ACU Sports Facebook page and on acusports.com as I will be traveling with softball and the men’s golf team. Hopefully everyone is enjoying the new videos that have been posted when our video camera is available. This weekend we will see if our camera skills will translate on the golf course from the WinnStar, so check back over the weekend for more updates.

No more blogging from the Masters

For those of you who enjoyed reading Grant Boone's posts from The Masters, we're sorry to inform you that CBS has banned all tweeting and blogging from the tournament.  So ... for now, Grant won't be able to blog or tweet about his experiences at the first major tournament of the season.

More from the Final Four

Monday on the women's side is a closed practice and interview day. So, today we sat through player and coach interviews for Stanford and UConn. My job assignment today was to sit in the individual player interview rooms as the five starters from each team were placed in individual breakout rooms. While we were in there the interviews were more informal and intimate as most of the reporters didn't sit in the seats, but rather gathered around the interview table. The two players I was assigned was Jayne Appel for Stanford and Mya Moore for UConn. It was neat to be that close and be able to just chat with the players in more of a conversational situation.

Tomorrow night the game will be on ESPN with the tip scheduled for 7:30. Most of us that are working are planning on getting together in a little bit to catch the men's game, so hope you all have enjoyed my reading a little inside with the NCAA Women's Final Four as I'll finish up tomorrow and post more once I get back to Abilene in a couple days.

Game Day

Today was the two National Semifinal games at the Alamodome.

Game one Stanford vs. Oklahoma was not nearly as close as the score showed. Nnemkiadi Ogwumike scored 38 points which was the most in a National Semifinal game and second most in a Final Four game. Sheryl Swoopes of Texas Tech scored 47 in the 93 Title game. It was something that was a very quite 38, but her 16 rebounds were noticable. She was awesome on the boards. Also Abi Olajuwon, daughter of Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon (who wass also in attendance) nearly recorded a double double with 9 boards and 6 points.

In game two most of Stanford and Oklahoma fans stayed around for the UConn vs. Baylor game. Both cheered for the upset giving the already largest fan base, Baylor the most "fans" in the arena. Player of the Year, Mya Moore scored 34 points against the Bears as teammate and fellow all-America post Tina Charles added 21.

This was a great game with all the fans chearing Baylor on as they pulled within three points mid-way through the second half. However, UConn proved why they have one, now 77 straight games. After the Huskies called a timeout the imediatly went on a 17-2 run and finished winning by 20.

Sorry for the quality of the pictures from my phone, but hope you all still enjoy. My seat behind the official scorer with Baylor and UConn preparing for the opening tip.

Final Four Practice Day 1

So first day in San Antonio and today was an open practice for the four schools. No, there wasn't as many fans show up for the girls' practices as their were in Indy; however, UConn and Baylor did out-number the other schools.

First observations: Mya Moore is crazy good! Moore was honored inbetween the four schools practices as only the third two-time recipient of the Wade National Player of the Year Trophy. (The Wade Trophy is named for the late Delta State head coach Lily Wade)

Also Baylor freshmen Brittany Griner=craziest female player I have ever seen! During two-line layups she dunked every layup. She should give undefeated 78-straight win UConn all they can handle! Oh, and did I mention she's only a freshmen?

Finally during my time hanging out on press row I got the chance to meet a few important individuals who work for the NCAA. In that group we talked a little bit about the expansion of the men's tournament. After our discussion we both decided that neither one of us knew what would happen, but we both agreed that it would be good for the game. An interesting stat he brought to my attention: Most every other sport has just around 25-40 percent of teams in Division I make a bowl game or postseason tournament. Basketball only has 18% of teams in the postseason.

With all that, can't wait for tomorrow. UConn vs. Baylor and Stanford vs. Oklahoma. Should be some good games.

Only picture of the day: the Stanford Cardinal "tree" dancing during their practice. Very Cool.

From the Final Four

The past week has been a great one for Wildcat athletics. #9 ACU baseball swept a series from Angelo State, men’s golf took home a third place finish, men’s a women’s tennis won a tune-up match before the Blue and Gray Classic, and softball finished their first sweep of the season.
With everything that’s happened the past week, and all the teams out-of-town this weekend, I’ve taken the week off as well. Kind of.
I am spending the weekend in San Antonio for the next few days helping work at the Women’s Final Four. After getting into town and checked into my hotel, which is right across from the Alamodome, I took a walk down by the river walk for some dinner.
There is a really big number of UConn fans all over that I have seen already and dispite Baylor being the “local” team the second most fans I have seen are from Stanford.
Here is a picture from my blackberry of the Alamodome.
More to come in the next few days.

ACU Football Spring Practice

Adam & Alex Carpenter Interview

Wildcats Sweep Texas A&M-International