Texas vs. the Nation highlights

Just in case you didn't get to see it, here are some highlights someone cut of Bernard Scott and Johnny Knox at the Texas vs. the Nation game. The quality isn't great, but the video is cut just to feature the two players and the commentators talking about ACU.

There was an error, they said that both Johnny Knox and Jerale Badon each had 1,000 yards receiving in 2008. However, Badon actually finished his eligibility in 2007 as the LSC's leader in career receptions and yards.

Even still, great performances by Knox and Scott - and great press time for the Wildcats.

Angelo State Basketball Galleries, other ntoes

Here are a couple of photo galleries for the men's and women's basketball doubleheader against Angelo State Jan. 24. The pictures were taken by Gerald Ewing.

Men's Gallery
Women's Gallery

•A busy week as the basketball season now overlaps with the beginning of spring sports. The baseball team has a four-game set with New Mexico Highlands, head coach Britt Bonneau could gain his 500th career win as early as today when the Wildcats take on NMH at 4 p.m. If not, he'll get a chance with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday and a single game Sunday at Noon.
•The softball team is playing several games in San Antonio, so check for updates
•The golf team heads to Laredo to open the season with a 3-round tournament Monday and Tuesday; Mike Campbell's Wildcats are ranked No. 16 in the nation.
• The track team continues its indoor season Friday in Lubbock at the Texas Tech Invitational
• The tennis teams host a multitude of opponents Saturday at the Eager Tennis Pavilion

Good Luck Wildcats!

Soccer adds seven

Read the official release here.

Below, read some tidbits, view available pictures, quotes from head coach Casey Wilson, and see links on the seven newcomers that the staff brought in to continue ACU's progression towards being an elite soccer team in the LSC.

Junior College:

Ashley Holton – Junior | Santee, Calif. | Forward | Cuyamaca College

• 2-time Pacific Coast Conference Player o the Year
• 2008 NSCAA/ADIDAS Junior College Division III Women all-West Region Team
• 40 goals, 30 assists over two seasons

"We are thrilled Ashley chose to come to ACU. She is a tremendous competitor who will be a playmaker for us. Her breakaway speed is impressive and is great in the air. Ashley has proven over the past two years at Cuyamaca College that she is a force to be dealt with."
- Casey Wilson

High School:

Julie Coppedge | Amarillo | Midfield | Amarillo H.S.

• This photo, courtesy of Amarillo.com, features Coppedge on the right, along with four other Amarillo High School standouts that signed with LSC teams
• District 2-5A MVP as a junior

"Julie is a talented soccer player who has the ability to make the players around her even better. Her ability to read and control the pace of the game will make her an integral part of our team. She is one of those players who we can put anywhere one the field and she will produce. We expect great things from Julie in the next four years."
- Casey Wilson

Arielle Moncure | Leawood, Kan. | Goalkeeper | Blue Valley North H.S.

"Arielle is was one of the best goal keepers around. Her ability to get the high crosses as well as come off her line make her such an asset to our team. She is great with the ball at her feet and has exceptional hands. We expect her to come in and strengthen our already stout defense."
- Casey Wilson

Katherine Garner | Arlington | Midfield | Lamar H.S.

• Photo courtesy of lamarsoccer.com; view her high school profile here

"Kat is a talented player with a very strong left foot. She is a hard tackler and physical player who is not afraid to mix it up. We are excited to have Kat join the program."
- Casey Wilson

Lexi Stirling | Littleton, Colo. | Midfield / Forward | Heritage H.S.

• View Stirling's junior year stats, view Stirling's sophomore stats
• Helped Heritage H.S. to a 33-5-1 record her sophomore and junior years
• Compiled six goals and nine assists in her first two seasons as a varsity player

"Lexi comes to us from one of the top high school teams in Colorado. She is strong on the ball and dominant in the air. Her ability to use both feet equally well and her knowledge of the game will make her a threat to opposing teams from anywhere on the field."
- Casey Wilson

Jennifer Hill | Amarillo | Defense | Randall H.S.

• Photo courtesy of Amarillo.com; read the Amarillo.com story that quotes Hill's decision to come to ACU and mentions fellow signee Julie Coppedge
• Helped Randall H.S. to 12th consecutive district 3-4A title as a junior

"Jennifer is a hard worker and will be a great addition to our defense. She moves players off the ball well and has great foot skills. We are excited to see Jennifer grow during her four years at ACU."
- Casey Wilson

Krysta Grimm | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Midfield/Forward | Pikes Peak Christian H.S.

• See Grimm's junior year statistics, see Grimm's sophomore year statistics
• Scored 50 goals and recorded 11 assists as a sophomore and junior for Pikes Peak

"We are excited about Krysta and what she will bring to this team. She is very versatile, great on the ball and has a knack for finishing in front of the goal. Krysta is a confident and physical player that fits the mold of the player we like in this program."
- Casey Wilson

Signing class complete ... for now

ACU's 2009 football signing class is complete, and the story and the list are posted on the ACU athletics Web site.

ACU head coach Chris Thomsen said he is very pleased with the overall strength in the high school signing class, as well as in the junior college transfer class.

Thomsen, though, said that while Wednesday's signing day is basically an end for NCAA Division I programs, most Division II programs are just getting started.  Thomsen said the Wildcats would like to add two linebackers, another defensive lineman, two defensive backs, two running backs and one wide receiver via transfer.

He said his coaching staff have identified several transfer prospects and could have several of them in the fold in the next few weeks.

For complete information on this year's signing class, go to www.acusports.com.  

Fans can also see two different FREE video interviews on the ACU Web site detailing Thomsen's thoughts on the 2009 ACU signing class.  Fans will have to sign up to be a Wildcat Insider on the ACU Web site, but you don't have to purchase a plan in order to see the videos. 

Once you've signed up, simply click on the "On Demand" button to find the archived information.  Thomsen's interview with the local media is the first video listed, followed by h is interview with ACU radio play-by-play voice Grant Boone.

Wildcats sign Mesquite Horn WR

ABILENE -- ACU head football coach Chris Thomsen released his first group of signees Wednesday at 11 a.m., and its led by Class 5A all-state wide receiver Taylor Gabriel of Mesquite Horn High School.

Gabriel finished the season with 90 catches for 1,354 yards and 13 touchdowns to earn Texas Sports Writers Association first team Class 5A all-state honors.  He was an Associated Press second team all-state pick and the District 11-5A MVP.

The Wildcats' first release also included San Angelo Lake View High School quarterback John David Baker, who threw for 2,245 yards and 22 touchdowns and ran for 668 yards and 18 touchdowns, leading the Chiefs to the area round of the playoffs.

ACU signees:

• Taylor Gabriel, WR, 5-9, 170, Mesquite (Horn HS)

• John David Baker, QB, 6-0, 190, San Angelo (Lake View HS)

• Darian Hogg, WR, 6-2, 180, Arlington (Seguin HS)

• Brock Niederhofer, OL, 6-2, 245, San Antonio (Churchill HS)

• Zac Scoggin, OL, 6-3, 290, Austin (Bowie HS)

• Blake Rudd, LB, 6-0, 205, Dallas (Christian HS)

ACU JC transfers:

• Mark Sprague, P, 6-1, 215, Blinn JC (Dickinson HS)