Gymnastics
Georgias Courtney Kupets, the winningest gymnast in NCAA history, has been named the recipient of the 2009 Honda Sports Award as the nations top collegiate gymnast.
A senior from Athens, she also won the Honda Award in 2007 and was a finalist for it in 2006. In national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools, Kupets was voted over three other finalists Utahs Kristina Baskett, LSUs Ashleigh Clare-Kearney and Denvers Jessica Lopez.
She now is automatically nominated for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year Award. The Honda-Broderick Cup will be presented to the winner at a ceremony in New York in June.
After missing the second half of the 2008 season with an Achilles injury, Kupets was the nations most dynamic gymnast in 2009. She won the all-around, bars, beam and floor competitions at the NCAA Championship, giving her a record nine individual national titles in just three seasons. She also became the first gymnast in NCAA history to win a national title in each event.
Moreover, Kupets paced the Gym Dawgs to their fifth straight and 10th overall national championship.
Kupets earned five All-America honors in 2009, giving her the maximum of 15 for the three years in which she participated in the NCAAs. She was named the AAI National Senior, SEC and Southeast Regional Gymnast of the Year. Kupets recorded seven perfect 10.0s, including at least one in each event to become just the third Gym Dawg to accomplish that feat.
Kupets also is an academic standout for Georgia. She was named to the Fall Semester Athletic Directors Honor Roll, was chosen as Georgias recipient of the Boyd McWhorter Scholarship and won UGAs Marilyn Vincent Award as the senior female student-athlete with the highest grade point average. She has a 3.8 GPA in Housing.
Baseball
Georgia pitchers Trevor Holder and Dean Weaver were among 50 players named to the College Baseball Foundation’s Pitcher of the Year Award Watch List, it was announced Tuesday.
A senior from Birmingham, Ala., Holder is 7-2 with a 3.79 ERA this season and last weekend tied former Dawg Cris Carpenter for fourth all-time at Georgia with his 22nd career victory. His seven wins this year is tied for second most in the SEC.
A junior from Douglasville, Ga., Weaver is 1-0 with nine saves this year—tied for seventh on Georgia’s single season saves chart. Weaver has allowed just two earned runs in his last 13 appearances and 14.2 innings. He leads the SEC in saves in conference play and in games finished.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Dawgs To Host NCAA Tennis 1st & 2nd Rounds
Men's Tennis
The fourth-ranked University of Georgia men’s tennis team will be the number four overall seed in the NCAA Championships and serve as a host for first and second round action at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex, the NCAA announced today.
The Dawgs (22-3) will play host to South Carolina State (14-7), Virginia Tech (14-7) and UNC-Wilmington (19-5) from May 8-9.
The Dawgs have reached the NCAA Championship match three straight years and won the national championship the past two seasons.
This year, the Dawgs captured the SEC Eastern Division title. They will be making their 31st overall appearance and looking to win their seventh NCAA title.
The Bulldogs have won 60 consecutive home matches.
Women's Tennis
The second-ranked University of Georgia women’s tennis team will be the number two overall seed in the NCAA Championships and will serve as a host for first and second round action at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex, the NCAA announced today.
The Dawgs (23-2) earned an automatic bid to this year’s NCAA Championships after winning the SEC Tournament this past Sunday in Fayetteville, Ark.
They will play host to No. 24 Alabama (15-8), No. 35 Boise State (23-4) and South Carolina State (14-4) from May 9-10.
Georgia, the 2009 SEC Champions, will be making its 23rd consecutive NCAA appearance.
They won the national title in 1994 and 2000
Volleyball
University of Georgia head volleyball coach Joel McCartney announced on Tuesday that Adria Fecteau of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, and Kathleen Luft of Thousand Oaks, California, have signed National-Letters-of-Intent and will join the Bulldogs for the fall 2009 season.
Fecteau will graduate from Fuquay-Varina High School in the 95th percentile of her class as a member of the National Beta Club, and she serves as the student council vice president. Fecteau is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Luft will graduate from Thousand Oaks High School as one of the most decorated three-sport female athletes of all time. Although Luft leaves the TOHS basketball program as the 2008 team Most Valuable Player and the track team with a school record in the shot put, she ultimately chose to pursue volleyball in college in the eleventh hour of her senior year.
The fourth-ranked University of Georgia men’s tennis team will be the number four overall seed in the NCAA Championships and serve as a host for first and second round action at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex, the NCAA announced today.
The Dawgs (22-3) will play host to South Carolina State (14-7), Virginia Tech (14-7) and UNC-Wilmington (19-5) from May 8-9.
The Dawgs have reached the NCAA Championship match three straight years and won the national championship the past two seasons.
This year, the Dawgs captured the SEC Eastern Division title. They will be making their 31st overall appearance and looking to win their seventh NCAA title.
The Bulldogs have won 60 consecutive home matches.
Women's Tennis
The second-ranked University of Georgia women’s tennis team will be the number two overall seed in the NCAA Championships and will serve as a host for first and second round action at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex, the NCAA announced today.
The Dawgs (23-2) earned an automatic bid to this year’s NCAA Championships after winning the SEC Tournament this past Sunday in Fayetteville, Ark.
They will play host to No. 24 Alabama (15-8), No. 35 Boise State (23-4) and South Carolina State (14-4) from May 9-10.
Georgia, the 2009 SEC Champions, will be making its 23rd consecutive NCAA appearance.
They won the national title in 1994 and 2000
Volleyball
University of Georgia head volleyball coach Joel McCartney announced on Tuesday that Adria Fecteau of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, and Kathleen Luft of Thousand Oaks, California, have signed National-Letters-of-Intent and will join the Bulldogs for the fall 2009 season.
Fecteau will graduate from Fuquay-Varina High School in the 95th percentile of her class as a member of the National Beta Club, and she serves as the student council vice president. Fecteau is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Luft will graduate from Thousand Oaks High School as one of the most decorated three-sport female athletes of all time. Although Luft leaves the TOHS basketball program as the 2008 team Most Valuable Player and the track team with a school record in the shot put, she ultimately chose to pursue volleyball in college in the eleventh hour of her senior year.
4 Dawgs Sign Free Agent Contracts
Football
After NFL teams drafted six Dawgs over the weekend, four more former Georgia football players have signed NFL free agent contracts since the league's draft wrapped up on Sunday.
Three out of the four Dawgs signed with teams from the AFC. Fullback Brannan Southerland of Dacula signed a contract with the New York Jets, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe of Hamlet, N.C., signed with the Baltimore Ravens and wide receiver Demiko Goodman of Newnan inked a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For the NFC, wide receiver Kenneth Harris of Cherryville, N.C., signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints.
The Detroit Lions selected quarterback Matthew Stafford of Dallas as the first overall pick in the 2009 draft on Saturday and five more Bulldogs followed. Running back Knowshon Moreno of Belford, N.J., (1st round 12th Denver Broncos), wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi of Charlotte, N.C., (2nd round 50th Cleveland Browns), defensive back Asher Allen of Tucker (3rd round 86th Minnesota Vikings), defensive tackle Corvey Irvin of Augusta (3rd round 93rd Carolina Panthers) and defensive end Jarius Wynn of Lincolnton (6th round 182nd Green Bay Packers) were the other five Georgia players selected.
The six Bulldogs chosen this year brings the total number of former Georgia players selected in the past eight NFL drafts to 46. The five players taken in the first three rounds ties the record set by the draft classes of 2005, 2003 and 2001.
Munson Into Hall Of Fame
Longtime University of Georgia radio announcer Larry Munson will be inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame during the organization’s 50th Annual Awards program scheduled May 2-4 in Salisbury, NC.
Munson called Georgia football games from 1966 to 2007. Starting at age 20, Munson began to accumulate lots of experience in sports broadcasting. He called games for major and minor league baseball, the University of Wyoming football and basketball, Nashville Vols (baseball), Vanderbilt football and basketball for 16 years and was a member of the original Atlanta Braves broadcast team when they moved from Milwaukee.
“This is an overwhelming tribute, and I am honored to be selected to this group of outstanding and accomplished professionals,” said Munson. “To be elected to any Hall of Fame is quite humbling, but to be chosen to the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame is the ultimate honor.”
This award will be added to his many other broadcasting accolades.
Munson was recognized by the Georgia General Assembly in 1983, inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1994 and the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
Men's Golf
Georgia golfers Brian Harman, Hudson Swafford, Harris English and Russell Henley have been named First-Team All-Southeastern Conference, according to an announcement Monday by the league office.
Adam Mitchell earned Second-Team All-SEC honors, meaning all five members of the lineup picked up conference recognition. In addition, Rob Bennett was selected for the SEC Community Service Team.
Harman earned First-Team All-SEC honors for the third time in his career, while Swafford made the First Team for the second time. Mitchell was a First-Team selection and English and Henley were Second-Team picks a year ago.
The No. 1-ranked Dawgs have won five tournaments this season, including the SEC Championship. Georgia will learn its NCAA Regional assignment next Monday.
Women's Golf
The No. 14-ranked Georgia women's golf team will compete in the NCAA East Regional in Gainesville, Fla., on May 7-9, the NCAA announced on Monday.
Georgia has posted nine top-10 finishes during the past 11 NCAA Championships and only failed to advance from the Regionals to championship play once since 1998.
After NFL teams drafted six Dawgs over the weekend, four more former Georgia football players have signed NFL free agent contracts since the league's draft wrapped up on Sunday.
Three out of the four Dawgs signed with teams from the AFC. Fullback Brannan Southerland of Dacula signed a contract with the New York Jets, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe of Hamlet, N.C., signed with the Baltimore Ravens and wide receiver Demiko Goodman of Newnan inked a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For the NFC, wide receiver Kenneth Harris of Cherryville, N.C., signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints.
The Detroit Lions selected quarterback Matthew Stafford of Dallas as the first overall pick in the 2009 draft on Saturday and five more Bulldogs followed. Running back Knowshon Moreno of Belford, N.J., (1st round 12th Denver Broncos), wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi of Charlotte, N.C., (2nd round 50th Cleveland Browns), defensive back Asher Allen of Tucker (3rd round 86th Minnesota Vikings), defensive tackle Corvey Irvin of Augusta (3rd round 93rd Carolina Panthers) and defensive end Jarius Wynn of Lincolnton (6th round 182nd Green Bay Packers) were the other five Georgia players selected.
The six Bulldogs chosen this year brings the total number of former Georgia players selected in the past eight NFL drafts to 46. The five players taken in the first three rounds ties the record set by the draft classes of 2005, 2003 and 2001.
Munson Into Hall Of Fame
Longtime University of Georgia radio announcer Larry Munson will be inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame during the organization’s 50th Annual Awards program scheduled May 2-4 in Salisbury, NC.
Munson called Georgia football games from 1966 to 2007. Starting at age 20, Munson began to accumulate lots of experience in sports broadcasting. He called games for major and minor league baseball, the University of Wyoming football and basketball, Nashville Vols (baseball), Vanderbilt football and basketball for 16 years and was a member of the original Atlanta Braves broadcast team when they moved from Milwaukee.
“This is an overwhelming tribute, and I am honored to be selected to this group of outstanding and accomplished professionals,” said Munson. “To be elected to any Hall of Fame is quite humbling, but to be chosen to the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame is the ultimate honor.”
This award will be added to his many other broadcasting accolades.
Munson was recognized by the Georgia General Assembly in 1983, inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1994 and the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
Men's Golf
Georgia golfers Brian Harman, Hudson Swafford, Harris English and Russell Henley have been named First-Team All-Southeastern Conference, according to an announcement Monday by the league office.
Adam Mitchell earned Second-Team All-SEC honors, meaning all five members of the lineup picked up conference recognition. In addition, Rob Bennett was selected for the SEC Community Service Team.
Harman earned First-Team All-SEC honors for the third time in his career, while Swafford made the First Team for the second time. Mitchell was a First-Team selection and English and Henley were Second-Team picks a year ago.
The No. 1-ranked Dawgs have won five tournaments this season, including the SEC Championship. Georgia will learn its NCAA Regional assignment next Monday.
Women's Golf
The No. 14-ranked Georgia women's golf team will compete in the NCAA East Regional in Gainesville, Fla., on May 7-9, the NCAA announced on Monday.
Georgia has posted nine top-10 finishes during the past 11 NCAA Championships and only failed to advance from the Regionals to championship play once since 1998.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Stafford #1 Pick On Draft Day
Football
As expected, former Dawg quarterback Matthew Stafford became the number one overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft after being selected by the Detroit Lions.
Stafford's deal was completed Friday evening and erased any doubt that he made the right decision to forgo his senior year at UGA. The six year contract is worth approximately 78 million with 41.7 million guaranteed and immediately makes him one of the highest paid players in the league before he even takes a snap.
The last great Detroit quarterback was Bobby Layne who attended the same high school, Highland Park, in Dallas as Matthew did, will the curse end?
Still waiting to determine where they will play Corvey Irvin, Jarius Wynn, Brannon Sutherland and Dannell Ellerbee.
Baseball
Joey Lewis' two-out grand slam in the top of the seventh broke a 2-2 tie and lifted top-ranked Georgia to a 6-3 win over Ole Miss in front of 9,232 fans Friday at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.
Lewis had been in a 1-for-19 slump, but his 13th home run of the season helped give Georgia (33-9, 14-5 SEC) its eighth straight SEC road win as the Bulldogs maintained a 1.5 game lead in the race for the SEC championship.
Men's Tennis
The No. 4 Georgia men's tennis team opened play in the SEC Tournament Friday afternoon with a 4-1 quarterfinal win against the 19th-ranked and host Auburn Tigers at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
Women's Tennis
Third-ranked Georgia posted a 4-2 win over 15th-ranked Florida in Fayetteville, Arkansas today to advance to the SEC Tournament final for the third year in a row.
Georgia (22-2) will be going for its third straight SEC Tournament crown on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET against either 10th-ranked Tennessee or 26th-ranked Ole Miss.
As expected, former Dawg quarterback Matthew Stafford became the number one overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft after being selected by the Detroit Lions.
Stafford's deal was completed Friday evening and erased any doubt that he made the right decision to forgo his senior year at UGA. The six year contract is worth approximately 78 million with 41.7 million guaranteed and immediately makes him one of the highest paid players in the league before he even takes a snap.
The last great Detroit quarterback was Bobby Layne who attended the same high school, Highland Park, in Dallas as Matthew did, will the curse end?
Still waiting to determine where they will play Corvey Irvin, Jarius Wynn, Brannon Sutherland and Dannell Ellerbee.
Baseball
Joey Lewis' two-out grand slam in the top of the seventh broke a 2-2 tie and lifted top-ranked Georgia to a 6-3 win over Ole Miss in front of 9,232 fans Friday at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.
Lewis had been in a 1-for-19 slump, but his 13th home run of the season helped give Georgia (33-9, 14-5 SEC) its eighth straight SEC road win as the Bulldogs maintained a 1.5 game lead in the race for the SEC championship.
Men's Tennis
The No. 4 Georgia men's tennis team opened play in the SEC Tournament Friday afternoon with a 4-1 quarterfinal win against the 19th-ranked and host Auburn Tigers at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
Women's Tennis
Third-ranked Georgia posted a 4-2 win over 15th-ranked Florida in Fayetteville, Arkansas today to advance to the SEC Tournament final for the third year in a row.
Georgia (22-2) will be going for its third straight SEC Tournament crown on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET against either 10th-ranked Tennessee or 26th-ranked Ole Miss.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Dawgs To Assist With Wheelchair Football
Football
Members of the University of Georgia football team will be volunteering at the 2009 Wheelchair Football Championships Saturday at Clarke Central High School.
"This is a great event," said University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt. "We are truly inspired by these guys. We admire their competitiveness and their love for the game of football. I look forward to our players learning a great deal from this experience."
The event will take place in the Clarke Central gymnasiums beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding with the trophy presentation at 7 p.m. The players will volunteer in shifts and work in various positions including announcer, distance markers and guest coach.
The annual state championship is organized by the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP) and will conclude their football season. There are eight teams participating from the members of the AAASP Athletic Association competing from all over the state; including teams from Oconee County, Athens-Clarke County, Henry County and DeKalb County. A winner will be chosen for both junior varsity and varsity teams.
"The high school athletes are ecstatic to spend the day with the UGA football players and the association is honored to have them there," said Scot Hollonbeck, Director of Partnerships and Community Outreach for AAASP. "We are excited to introduce the UGA players to wheelchair football and looking forward to the interaction between the athletes."
The AAASP partners with educational agencies across the country to establish programs, policies and regulations in interscholastic adapted sports for students with physical disabilities.
Men's Golf
Georgia golfer Adam Mitchell has been selected to participate in the Palmer Cup for Team USA, according to an announcement Thursday by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
The annual Ryder Cup-style competition between collegians from the United States and Europe will be played June 3-5 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver.
Mitchell will be making his second Palmer Cup appearance. He played for the Americans last year in their loss in Scotland. Mitchell is the seventh Bulldog chosen to play for Team USA (joining Michael Morrison, Nick Cassini, Erik Compton, Ryan Hybl, Brian Harman and Chris Kirk), plus Georgia coach Chris Haack twice captained the Americans.
Mitchell, a senior from Chattanooga, will be joined by Bud Cauley of Alabama, Oklahoma State¹s Morgan Hoffmann and Trent Leon, Jamie Lovemark of Southern California, Cameron Tringale of Georgia Tech, Marquette's Mike Van Sickle and Steve Ziegler of Stanford.
Women's Tennis
Third-ranked Georgia defeated 24th-ranked Alabama 4-1 to advance to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament in Fayetteville, Arkansas today.
Georgia (21-2) claimed a 1-0 lead by capturing the doubles point outside and then singles was moved inside due to sustaining winds of 20-plus miles per hour. It marked the second day that play was forced inside due to heavy winds.
Members of the University of Georgia football team will be volunteering at the 2009 Wheelchair Football Championships Saturday at Clarke Central High School.
"This is a great event," said University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt. "We are truly inspired by these guys. We admire their competitiveness and their love for the game of football. I look forward to our players learning a great deal from this experience."
The event will take place in the Clarke Central gymnasiums beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding with the trophy presentation at 7 p.m. The players will volunteer in shifts and work in various positions including announcer, distance markers and guest coach.
The annual state championship is organized by the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP) and will conclude their football season. There are eight teams participating from the members of the AAASP Athletic Association competing from all over the state; including teams from Oconee County, Athens-Clarke County, Henry County and DeKalb County. A winner will be chosen for both junior varsity and varsity teams.
"The high school athletes are ecstatic to spend the day with the UGA football players and the association is honored to have them there," said Scot Hollonbeck, Director of Partnerships and Community Outreach for AAASP. "We are excited to introduce the UGA players to wheelchair football and looking forward to the interaction between the athletes."
The AAASP partners with educational agencies across the country to establish programs, policies and regulations in interscholastic adapted sports for students with physical disabilities.
Men's Golf
Georgia golfer Adam Mitchell has been selected to participate in the Palmer Cup for Team USA, according to an announcement Thursday by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
The annual Ryder Cup-style competition between collegians from the United States and Europe will be played June 3-5 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver.
Mitchell will be making his second Palmer Cup appearance. He played for the Americans last year in their loss in Scotland. Mitchell is the seventh Bulldog chosen to play for Team USA (joining Michael Morrison, Nick Cassini, Erik Compton, Ryan Hybl, Brian Harman and Chris Kirk), plus Georgia coach Chris Haack twice captained the Americans.
Mitchell, a senior from Chattanooga, will be joined by Bud Cauley of Alabama, Oklahoma State¹s Morgan Hoffmann and Trent Leon, Jamie Lovemark of Southern California, Cameron Tringale of Georgia Tech, Marquette's Mike Van Sickle and Steve Ziegler of Stanford.
Women's Tennis
Third-ranked Georgia defeated 24th-ranked Alabama 4-1 to advance to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament in Fayetteville, Arkansas today.
Georgia (21-2) claimed a 1-0 lead by capturing the doubles point outside and then singles was moved inside due to sustaining winds of 20-plus miles per hour. It marked the second day that play was forced inside due to heavy winds.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Diamond Dawgs Remain #1
Baseball
Coming off a series win over fifth-ranked Arkansas, the Georgia baseball team is ranked No. 1 in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches' Poll for the second straight week. The Bulldogs (31-8, 13-5 SEC) received eight out of 31 first place votes.
Arizona State is ranked No. 2 followed by North Carolina, Texas and Rice to round out the top five.
Junior first baseman Rich Poythress went 4-for-4 with three home runs, a double and a walk to lead top-ranked Georgia to an 11-7 win over Kennesaw State Tuesday at Foley Field.
Poythress is the sixth player in Georgia history to hit three home runs in a game and first since Jeff Keppinger against Coastal Carolina in the 2001 NCAA Athens Regional. The Grovetown, Ga., native is now fifth on Georgia's all-time runs list with 37 and his 20 home runs this year is tied for the fourth most in a single season. Poythress' double in the first inning narrowly missed leaving the yard, and his three-home run performance came on Keppinger's 29th birthday.
Jacksonville State scored six runs in the fourth inning including five runs with two outs and beat top-ranked Georgia, 9-7, Wednesday in front of a record 2,887 fans at Rudy Abbott Field.
Women's Basketball
Teresa Edwards, a two-time All-American for the Georgia Lady Dawgs and the only basketball player -- male or female -- to represent the United States in five Olympic Games -- has been nominated for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
From now through June 16, fans can cast their votes for the 2009 class of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame online at www.teamusa.org/halloffame.
A native of Cairo, Ga., Edwards owns the unique distinction of being both the youngest (20 in 1984) and oldest (36 in 2000) U.S. Olympic women's basketball player to ever win a Gold Medal. She also was the youngest women's basketball player ever invited to participate in a USA Basket ballnational tournament when she competed in the 1981 National Sports Festival during the summer following her junior year of high school.
Edwards then earned a spot on the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team soon after completing her sophomore season in Athens. She secured the first of five Olympic Medals including four Golds in Los Angeles. Those Olympics began a remarkable run when Edwards was the backbone of virtually every United States National Team to enter a major international competition from 1984-2000. She helped the U.S. secure additional Olympic Gold Medals in 1988, 1996 and 2000, as well as a Bronze Medal in 1992.
While she capped her career as co-captain of the U.S. squad in Sydney in 2000, Edwards is most remembered for her spectacular effort during the 1996 Centennial Games in Atlanta. She was chosen as the one athlete among the 10,320 competitors from 197 countries in those Games to recite the Athlete's Oath at the Opening Ceremony. Edwards then led the Americans' undefeated run to Olympic Gold while defeating their opponents by more than 28 points per game.
All told, Edwards played in 216 games representing the United States and compiled some incredible statistics -- 2,008 points, 890 assists, 576 rebounds and 372 steals and a career field goal percentage of 50.3. Of a possible 18 medals competing for USA Basketball, she won 14 gold, one silver and three bronze medals, and U.S. teams with Edwards on the roster compiled an overall record of 205-14 for a 93.6 winning percentage.
Softball
Sophomore Alisa Goler tied four school records with one swing of the bat, a three-run home run, to lead eighth-ranked Georgia (34-8) to an 8-0, five-inning victory over Western Carolina (11-28) at the UGA Softball Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Goler, a native of Frankfort, Ill., highlighted a seven-run third inning by blasting the three-run home run to right, and in that one swing of the bat, she tied three individual player records as well as the team record for home runs in a single season. The three individual marks tied by Goler on the hit included the single-season records for home runs, extra-base hits and RBI.
"It was a heck of a hit," Georgia head coach Lu Harris-Champer said of Goler's home run. "She crushed it."
It marked the 16th time this season in which Goler has dialed long distance, and it was also her 32nd extra-base hit in 2009. Both of those marks tie the respective school records held by Megan McAllister, who hit 16 home runs in both 2005 and 2006. In 2006, McAllister set the single-season record for extra base hits with 16 doubles in addition to the 16 home runs. Goler's 32 extra base hits this season have also come on 16 doubles and 16 home runs. Additionally, Goler's three-run blast raised her season RBI total to 65, which ties the school record for runs-batted in set by Kim Wendland in 2004.
"It was obviously exciting to hit that home run and knockout three records at once," Goler said. "The best thing about it is that Kim Wendland held the RBI record and Megan McAllister held the home run and extra-base hits records, and those two players are great hitters. It's great to be in the same league as them, but I think what was really important was that we tied season home run record as a team. That's awesome to me. To see the improvement that we've made from last year is amazing."
Vollyball
The Georgia volleyball team participated in the Second-Annual Southeastern Conference Coaches Beach Volleyball Championships this past Saturday at "Fiesta on Siesta Key," and the defending champion Dawgs fell just one place short of repeating their title.
"Fiesta On Siesta Key," a beach volleyball competition billed as one of the largest collegiate volleyball events in the country, featured Second-Annual SEC Coaches Beach Volleyball Championships as well as the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Challenge. A total of 96 teams from 23 schools from across the country participated in the one-day event in Siesta Key, Fla.
Women's Golf
Georgia's Marta Silva Zamora has been selected as the SEC Freshman of the Year for women's golf, the league office in Birmingham, Ala., announced today. In addition, Silva Zamora and Mallory Hetzel were named first-team All-SEC in balloting of league coaches, while Carolina Andrade was tabbed second-team All-SEC and also was honored on the league's Community Service Team for women's golf.
A native of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Silva Zamora essentially wrapped up SEC Freshman of the Year honors by winning the individual title at last weekend's SEC Championships. She secured a four-shot victory by shooting 3-under 210. The victory was Silva Zamora's second of the spring. She also tied for medalist honors (with Hetzel) at the UNLV Spring Invitational.
Silva Zamora sports a team-best 73.49 stroke average and also leads the Bulldogs in par-or-better rounds (12) and top-10 individual finishes (five).
Coming off a series win over fifth-ranked Arkansas, the Georgia baseball team is ranked No. 1 in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches' Poll for the second straight week. The Bulldogs (31-8, 13-5 SEC) received eight out of 31 first place votes.
Arizona State is ranked No. 2 followed by North Carolina, Texas and Rice to round out the top five.
Junior first baseman Rich Poythress went 4-for-4 with three home runs, a double and a walk to lead top-ranked Georgia to an 11-7 win over Kennesaw State Tuesday at Foley Field.
Poythress is the sixth player in Georgia history to hit three home runs in a game and first since Jeff Keppinger against Coastal Carolina in the 2001 NCAA Athens Regional. The Grovetown, Ga., native is now fifth on Georgia's all-time runs list with 37 and his 20 home runs this year is tied for the fourth most in a single season. Poythress' double in the first inning narrowly missed leaving the yard, and his three-home run performance came on Keppinger's 29th birthday.
Jacksonville State scored six runs in the fourth inning including five runs with two outs and beat top-ranked Georgia, 9-7, Wednesday in front of a record 2,887 fans at Rudy Abbott Field.
Women's Basketball
Teresa Edwards, a two-time All-American for the Georgia Lady Dawgs and the only basketball player -- male or female -- to represent the United States in five Olympic Games -- has been nominated for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
From now through June 16, fans can cast their votes for the 2009 class of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame online at www.teamusa.org/halloffame.
A native of Cairo, Ga., Edwards owns the unique distinction of being both the youngest (20 in 1984) and oldest (36 in 2000) U.S. Olympic women's basketball player to ever win a Gold Medal. She also was the youngest women's basketball player ever invited to participate in a USA Basket ballnational tournament when she competed in the 1981 National Sports Festival during the summer following her junior year of high school.
Edwards then earned a spot on the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team soon after completing her sophomore season in Athens. She secured the first of five Olympic Medals including four Golds in Los Angeles. Those Olympics began a remarkable run when Edwards was the backbone of virtually every United States National Team to enter a major international competition from 1984-2000. She helped the U.S. secure additional Olympic Gold Medals in 1988, 1996 and 2000, as well as a Bronze Medal in 1992.
While she capped her career as co-captain of the U.S. squad in Sydney in 2000, Edwards is most remembered for her spectacular effort during the 1996 Centennial Games in Atlanta. She was chosen as the one athlete among the 10,320 competitors from 197 countries in those Games to recite the Athlete's Oath at the Opening Ceremony. Edwards then led the Americans' undefeated run to Olympic Gold while defeating their opponents by more than 28 points per game.
All told, Edwards played in 216 games representing the United States and compiled some incredible statistics -- 2,008 points, 890 assists, 576 rebounds and 372 steals and a career field goal percentage of 50.3. Of a possible 18 medals competing for USA Basketball, she won 14 gold, one silver and three bronze medals, and U.S. teams with Edwards on the roster compiled an overall record of 205-14 for a 93.6 winning percentage.
Softball
Sophomore Alisa Goler tied four school records with one swing of the bat, a three-run home run, to lead eighth-ranked Georgia (34-8) to an 8-0, five-inning victory over Western Carolina (11-28) at the UGA Softball Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Goler, a native of Frankfort, Ill., highlighted a seven-run third inning by blasting the three-run home run to right, and in that one swing of the bat, she tied three individual player records as well as the team record for home runs in a single season. The three individual marks tied by Goler on the hit included the single-season records for home runs, extra-base hits and RBI.
"It was a heck of a hit," Georgia head coach Lu Harris-Champer said of Goler's home run. "She crushed it."
It marked the 16th time this season in which Goler has dialed long distance, and it was also her 32nd extra-base hit in 2009. Both of those marks tie the respective school records held by Megan McAllister, who hit 16 home runs in both 2005 and 2006. In 2006, McAllister set the single-season record for extra base hits with 16 doubles in addition to the 16 home runs. Goler's 32 extra base hits this season have also come on 16 doubles and 16 home runs. Additionally, Goler's three-run blast raised her season RBI total to 65, which ties the school record for runs-batted in set by Kim Wendland in 2004.
"It was obviously exciting to hit that home run and knockout three records at once," Goler said. "The best thing about it is that Kim Wendland held the RBI record and Megan McAllister held the home run and extra-base hits records, and those two players are great hitters. It's great to be in the same league as them, but I think what was really important was that we tied season home run record as a team. That's awesome to me. To see the improvement that we've made from last year is amazing."
Vollyball
The Georgia volleyball team participated in the Second-Annual Southeastern Conference Coaches Beach Volleyball Championships this past Saturday at "Fiesta on Siesta Key," and the defending champion Dawgs fell just one place short of repeating their title.
"Fiesta On Siesta Key," a beach volleyball competition billed as one of the largest collegiate volleyball events in the country, featured Second-Annual SEC Coaches Beach Volleyball Championships as well as the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Challenge. A total of 96 teams from 23 schools from across the country participated in the one-day event in Siesta Key, Fla.
Women's Golf
Georgia's Marta Silva Zamora has been selected as the SEC Freshman of the Year for women's golf, the league office in Birmingham, Ala., announced today. In addition, Silva Zamora and Mallory Hetzel were named first-team All-SEC in balloting of league coaches, while Carolina Andrade was tabbed second-team All-SEC and also was honored on the league's Community Service Team for women's golf.
A native of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Silva Zamora essentially wrapped up SEC Freshman of the Year honors by winning the individual title at last weekend's SEC Championships. She secured a four-shot victory by shooting 3-under 210. The victory was Silva Zamora's second of the spring. She also tied for medalist honors (with Hetzel) at the UNLV Spring Invitational.
Silva Zamora sports a team-best 73.49 stroke average and also leads the Bulldogs in par-or-better rounds (12) and top-10 individual finishes (five).
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Golf Team Wins SEC
Men's Golf
The No. 1-ranked Georgia men's golf team claimed another SEC Championship today at Frederica Golf Club, running away from the field to win by 13 strokes.
Playing under clear skies but steady wind, the Dawgs ended the tournament at 15-under-par 849, including a 2-under 286 in the final round. Arkansas closed with a 1-over 289 to finish at 2-under 862 for the tournament and claim runner-up honors. Florida's Billy Horschel claimed individual honors, closing with a 1-under 71 to finish at 10-under 206.
"That was enjoyable out there today," said Georgia coach Chris Haack. "We have had some really good teams the last two years and haven't been able to win the SEC Championship with them, which shows the strength of this conference. Getting out to a good start was key for us today, and allowed us to really enjoy this victory coming in."
The conference title is the 27th in Georgia's storied history. Haack has led the Bulldogs to six championships, with the last coming in 2006 at Sea Island Golf Club.
Women's Golf
Georgia freshman Marta Silva Zamora earned individual medalist honors at the 2009 SEC Championship at Cobblestone Park Golf Club today. She fired an even-par 71 in the final round to finish at 3-under 210 and secure a four-stroke victory. No. 14 Georgia placed sixth in the team competition.
With the win, Georgia has now produced eight SEC individual champions all time. That tally ties Florida for the most in conference history.
All told, the Bulldogs have captured a league-leading 19 titles in women's golf -- 11 team and eight individual crowns.
Silva Zamora joined Shauna Estes and Reilley Rankin to become the third Bulldog freshmen to secure the SEC title.
Baseball
Brett Eibner tossed a complete-game one-hitter and struck out 12 as fifth-ranked Arkansas avoided the sweep with a 2-0 win over No. 1 Georgia Sunday at Foley Field.
Eibner and the Razorbacks (26-11, 11-6 SEC) handed the Bulldogs their first shutout loss since a 9-0 setback to Ole Miss on April 8, 2007. It was also the first time Georgia was one-hit since an 8-0 loss to Georgia Tech on April 20, 1994.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs still have a two-game lead in the overall SEC standings.
Softball
The sixth-ranked Georgia softball team completed a three-game, Southeastern Conference series sweep of the Auburn Tigers with a 12-6 victory today at Jane B. Moore Field. The three-game sweep secured the Bulldogs a berth in the SEC Tournament.
Georgia improved to 33-8 overall and 14-6 in SEC play with the win while Auburn fell to 27-20 overall and 7-13 in league action.
The No. 1-ranked Georgia men's golf team claimed another SEC Championship today at Frederica Golf Club, running away from the field to win by 13 strokes.
Playing under clear skies but steady wind, the Dawgs ended the tournament at 15-under-par 849, including a 2-under 286 in the final round. Arkansas closed with a 1-over 289 to finish at 2-under 862 for the tournament and claim runner-up honors. Florida's Billy Horschel claimed individual honors, closing with a 1-under 71 to finish at 10-under 206.
"That was enjoyable out there today," said Georgia coach Chris Haack. "We have had some really good teams the last two years and haven't been able to win the SEC Championship with them, which shows the strength of this conference. Getting out to a good start was key for us today, and allowed us to really enjoy this victory coming in."
The conference title is the 27th in Georgia's storied history. Haack has led the Bulldogs to six championships, with the last coming in 2006 at Sea Island Golf Club.
Women's Golf
Georgia freshman Marta Silva Zamora earned individual medalist honors at the 2009 SEC Championship at Cobblestone Park Golf Club today. She fired an even-par 71 in the final round to finish at 3-under 210 and secure a four-stroke victory. No. 14 Georgia placed sixth in the team competition.
With the win, Georgia has now produced eight SEC individual champions all time. That tally ties Florida for the most in conference history.
All told, the Bulldogs have captured a league-leading 19 titles in women's golf -- 11 team and eight individual crowns.
Silva Zamora joined Shauna Estes and Reilley Rankin to become the third Bulldog freshmen to secure the SEC title.
Baseball
Brett Eibner tossed a complete-game one-hitter and struck out 12 as fifth-ranked Arkansas avoided the sweep with a 2-0 win over No. 1 Georgia Sunday at Foley Field.
Eibner and the Razorbacks (26-11, 11-6 SEC) handed the Bulldogs their first shutout loss since a 9-0 setback to Ole Miss on April 8, 2007. It was also the first time Georgia was one-hit since an 8-0 loss to Georgia Tech on April 20, 1994.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs still have a two-game lead in the overall SEC standings.
Softball
The sixth-ranked Georgia softball team completed a three-game, Southeastern Conference series sweep of the Auburn Tigers with a 12-6 victory today at Jane B. Moore Field. The three-game sweep secured the Bulldogs a berth in the SEC Tournament.
Georgia improved to 33-8 overall and 14-6 in SEC play with the win while Auburn fell to 27-20 overall and 7-13 in league action.
2nd National Championship In 2 Days
Equestrian
With a resounding win in the Hunt Seat discipline and a fourth-place finish in Western, Georgia took home its second consecutive overall title at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships in Waco, Texas Saturday.
The Dawgs totaled 51 points in the overall standings, nine better than runner-up Texas A&M. Oklahoma State was third with 31 points, and SEC rival Auburn tied with Texas Christian for fourth place with 28 points.
“This is a truly wonderful feeling, a tremendous accomplishment by our team,” said Georgia coach Meghan Boenig, who has now led the program to four national championships in just seven years. “One of our goals all along was to repeat our national title. Today, and the entire weekend, was just the affirmation of a great season. Our riders just came through with a tremendous effort today.”
In addition, junior Haylie Jayne captured her first national individual championship. She backed up her No. 1 seeding by edging her teammate, Kelley Cowperthwait, in the final round.
Football Recruiting
The Dawgs picked up their fourth verbal commitment Saturday when B.J. Butler (6-3, 235)became the second player from Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Florida to join the class of 2010. Butler held numerous offers including ones from Florida, Alabama and Florida State but felt that Georgia was where he felt most at home.
Butler joins teammate Marc Deas as the newest Dawgs.
Baseball
Matt Cerione’s one-out double in the bottom of the ninth scored Miles Starr from first and gave Georgia its second straight 4-3 win over Arkansas Saturday at Foley Field.
It was Cerione’s RBI single in the ninth that lifted the Bulldogs to the win on Friday.
“Matt has been playing really well for us lately,” Georgia coach David Perno said. “He’s huge for this team and when he plays well like he has been we are a much better team.”
Women's Tennis
Second-ranked Georgia wrapped up the top seed in the upcoming Southeastern Conference Tournament as well as the outright league title with a 5-2 win over 13th-ranked Tennessee Saturday.
The Dawgs finish the regular season 20-2 overall and SEC Champions with a 10-1 league mark. Georgia denied the Lady Vols (15-5, 8-3) a chance for a share of the title with its impressive road win.
Men's Tennis
A season-high crowd of 1,060 watched the fourth-ranked Georgia men’s tennis team extend its home match winning streak to 60 with a 5-2 victory over sixth-ranked Tennessee Sunday.
The Dawgs improved to 21-2 overall and won the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title outright with a 10-1 league mark. Georgia went 13-0 during the regular season at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. The Volunteers were denied a share of the crown and fell to 19-5, 8-3 in the SEC.
Soccer
Carrie Patterson and Mariah Krase accounted for Georgia's two first-half goals as the Dawg soccer team capped its spring season with a 2-0 victory over Clemson Saturday afternoon at Riggs Field.
It was the team's first shutout of the spring season.
Golf
The top-ranked Georgia men’s golf team continued its strong play at the SEC Championships on Saturday, extending its lead to 10 strokes.
Playing under near ideal conditions at the Frederica Golf Club, the Dawgs posted a 7-under 281 to move to 13-under 563 for the tournament and for the second consecutive round had the lowest score of the day. Arkansas, who trailed by eight at the beginning of the day, now trails by 10 strokes and remains in second place at 3-under 573.
Track & Field
Georgia track and field managed 20 wins and 16 NCAA regional qualifying marks during the teams' third home meet of the season at the Bulldog Limited on Saturday.
"This was our best weekend of the outdoor season so far mainly because of the weather we had and the time of year that it is now," said head coach Wayne Norton. "Regardless of the competition we faced today, we had a very good day. We didn't get everything done that we wanted to, but I would call this meet a big success since we had season bests, personal bests and regional marks."
Gymnastics
Georgia senior Courtney Kupets set the career record for the most individual titles at the NCAA Championships on Saturday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
Hours after being named the AAI Senior Gymnast of the Year, Kupets won the bars, beam and floor titles, giving her nine in her career. Kupets broke the NCAA record of eight set by Kentucky's Jenny Hansen.
Kupets, who led Georgia to its fifth straight team title on Friday, also became the first gymnast to win all four events at the NCAAs. She won bars and beam in 2006 and 2009, vault in 2007 and floor in 2009. She also won the all-around titles in 2006, 2007 and 2009. Kupets missed the 2008 NCAAs due to an Achilles injury.
"She is the Muhammad Ali of gymnastics -- she is the greatest," said Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan, whose 26-year career came to a close on Saturday. "There's no question she is the greatest college gymnast of all time. She has the perfect combination of mental and physical strength."
Kupets won the bars title with a score of 9.95. Teammate Kathryn Ding claimed fifth with a score of 9.8875 in her first NCAA appearance and Grace Taylor came in 14th with a score of 9.4625.
Kupets and teammate Courtney McCool went 1-2 on beam for Georgia. Kupets had a score of 9.9875, while McCool, the 2008 beam champ, posted a score of 9.95.
Kupets shared the floor title with LSU's Ashleigh Clare-Kearney with a score of 9.95.
Kupets finished third on the vault with a score of 9.8563.
Kuepts' four individual national titles tied Hansen and Utah's Missy Marlowe for the most in a single NCAAs.
"It's my senior year and I wanted to go out with a bang and have zero regrets," Kupets said. "I do what I do because I love it and I have fun doing it."
With a resounding win in the Hunt Seat discipline and a fourth-place finish in Western, Georgia took home its second consecutive overall title at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships in Waco, Texas Saturday.
The Dawgs totaled 51 points in the overall standings, nine better than runner-up Texas A&M. Oklahoma State was third with 31 points, and SEC rival Auburn tied with Texas Christian for fourth place with 28 points.
“This is a truly wonderful feeling, a tremendous accomplishment by our team,” said Georgia coach Meghan Boenig, who has now led the program to four national championships in just seven years. “One of our goals all along was to repeat our national title. Today, and the entire weekend, was just the affirmation of a great season. Our riders just came through with a tremendous effort today.”
In addition, junior Haylie Jayne captured her first national individual championship. She backed up her No. 1 seeding by edging her teammate, Kelley Cowperthwait, in the final round.
Football Recruiting
The Dawgs picked up their fourth verbal commitment Saturday when B.J. Butler (6-3, 235)became the second player from Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Florida to join the class of 2010. Butler held numerous offers including ones from Florida, Alabama and Florida State but felt that Georgia was where he felt most at home.
Butler joins teammate Marc Deas as the newest Dawgs.
Baseball
Matt Cerione’s one-out double in the bottom of the ninth scored Miles Starr from first and gave Georgia its second straight 4-3 win over Arkansas Saturday at Foley Field.
It was Cerione’s RBI single in the ninth that lifted the Bulldogs to the win on Friday.
“Matt has been playing really well for us lately,” Georgia coach David Perno said. “He’s huge for this team and when he plays well like he has been we are a much better team.”
Women's Tennis
Second-ranked Georgia wrapped up the top seed in the upcoming Southeastern Conference Tournament as well as the outright league title with a 5-2 win over 13th-ranked Tennessee Saturday.
The Dawgs finish the regular season 20-2 overall and SEC Champions with a 10-1 league mark. Georgia denied the Lady Vols (15-5, 8-3) a chance for a share of the title with its impressive road win.
Men's Tennis
A season-high crowd of 1,060 watched the fourth-ranked Georgia men’s tennis team extend its home match winning streak to 60 with a 5-2 victory over sixth-ranked Tennessee Sunday.
The Dawgs improved to 21-2 overall and won the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title outright with a 10-1 league mark. Georgia went 13-0 during the regular season at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. The Volunteers were denied a share of the crown and fell to 19-5, 8-3 in the SEC.
Soccer
Carrie Patterson and Mariah Krase accounted for Georgia's two first-half goals as the Dawg soccer team capped its spring season with a 2-0 victory over Clemson Saturday afternoon at Riggs Field.
It was the team's first shutout of the spring season.
Golf
The top-ranked Georgia men’s golf team continued its strong play at the SEC Championships on Saturday, extending its lead to 10 strokes.
Playing under near ideal conditions at the Frederica Golf Club, the Dawgs posted a 7-under 281 to move to 13-under 563 for the tournament and for the second consecutive round had the lowest score of the day. Arkansas, who trailed by eight at the beginning of the day, now trails by 10 strokes and remains in second place at 3-under 573.
Track & Field
Georgia track and field managed 20 wins and 16 NCAA regional qualifying marks during the teams' third home meet of the season at the Bulldog Limited on Saturday.
"This was our best weekend of the outdoor season so far mainly because of the weather we had and the time of year that it is now," said head coach Wayne Norton. "Regardless of the competition we faced today, we had a very good day. We didn't get everything done that we wanted to, but I would call this meet a big success since we had season bests, personal bests and regional marks."
Gymnastics
Georgia senior Courtney Kupets set the career record for the most individual titles at the NCAA Championships on Saturday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
Hours after being named the AAI Senior Gymnast of the Year, Kupets won the bars, beam and floor titles, giving her nine in her career. Kupets broke the NCAA record of eight set by Kentucky's Jenny Hansen.
Kupets, who led Georgia to its fifth straight team title on Friday, also became the first gymnast to win all four events at the NCAAs. She won bars and beam in 2006 and 2009, vault in 2007 and floor in 2009. She also won the all-around titles in 2006, 2007 and 2009. Kupets missed the 2008 NCAAs due to an Achilles injury.
"She is the Muhammad Ali of gymnastics -- she is the greatest," said Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan, whose 26-year career came to a close on Saturday. "There's no question she is the greatest college gymnast of all time. She has the perfect combination of mental and physical strength."
Kupets won the bars title with a score of 9.95. Teammate Kathryn Ding claimed fifth with a score of 9.8875 in her first NCAA appearance and Grace Taylor came in 14th with a score of 9.4625.
Kupets and teammate Courtney McCool went 1-2 on beam for Georgia. Kupets had a score of 9.9875, while McCool, the 2008 beam champ, posted a score of 9.95.
Kupets shared the floor title with LSU's Ashleigh Clare-Kearney with a score of 9.95.
Kupets finished third on the vault with a score of 9.8563.
Kuepts' four individual national titles tied Hansen and Utah's Missy Marlowe for the most in a single NCAAs.
"It's my senior year and I wanted to go out with a bang and have zero regrets," Kupets said. "I do what I do because I love it and I have fun doing it."
Friday, April 17, 2009
*** NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ***
The No. 1-ranked Georgia gymnastics team won the program's 10th national title, including its fifth in a row, to send Coach Suzanne Yoculan into retirement as a champion once again.
The Gym Dogs scored a 197.825, their second-best score of the year, to win the championship.
Georgia opened on bars, scoring a 49.425 led by Courtney Kupets' 10.0. Tiffany Taylor posted a 9.9, followed by Grace Taylor and Gina Nuccio each with a 9.85 and Kathryn Ding with a 9.825.
The Gym Dogs posted a 49.2 on beam as Kupets earned a 9.95 and Courtney McCool scored a 9.9. Georgia also counted a 9.875 from Tolnay, a 9.775 from Taylor and a 9.7 from Hilary Mauro.
Georgia came out of its first bye on fire, scoring a 49.575 on floor. After Abby Stack, Mauro, McComb and Taylor got 9.9s to open for the Gym Dogs, Kupets went 9.95 and Tolnay went 9.925.
Ending on vault, the Gym Dogs recorded a season-high 49.625. Kupets nailed the 10.0, while Ding and Tolnay each had a 9.95, Newby scored a 9.875 and McComb added a 9.85.
Saying she has completed the gymnastics portion of her"bucket list," Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan is preparing for the next chapter of her career.
Yoculan's plans include doing professional public speaking. She has launched a website, SuzanneYoculan.com, so that businesses, clubs, coaches and anyone else interested in lining her up for a speaking engagement can get in touch with her.
"I am very excited about the new web site," Yoculan said. "We have lots of information on the site, and we expect to update it periodically with even more items. I want to share my experiences and help groups reach their full potential, as we've tried to do every year with our gymnastics teams."
Yoculan is a popular and sought-after public speaker. She has spoken to such groups as Georgia Power and Coca-Cola as well as to several different civic and booster clubs.
At SuzanneYoculan.com, one can find information about many of her speeches, including keynote addresses, making the transition from high school to college, how to build team chemistry and the importance of communication.
Yoculan is a five-time NCAA and eight-time SEC Coach of the Year, more awards are surely to follow.
The Gym Dogs scored a 197.825, their second-best score of the year, to win the championship.
Georgia opened on bars, scoring a 49.425 led by Courtney Kupets' 10.0. Tiffany Taylor posted a 9.9, followed by Grace Taylor and Gina Nuccio each with a 9.85 and Kathryn Ding with a 9.825.
The Gym Dogs posted a 49.2 on beam as Kupets earned a 9.95 and Courtney McCool scored a 9.9. Georgia also counted a 9.875 from Tolnay, a 9.775 from Taylor and a 9.7 from Hilary Mauro.
Georgia came out of its first bye on fire, scoring a 49.575 on floor. After Abby Stack, Mauro, McComb and Taylor got 9.9s to open for the Gym Dogs, Kupets went 9.95 and Tolnay went 9.925.
Ending on vault, the Gym Dogs recorded a season-high 49.625. Kupets nailed the 10.0, while Ding and Tolnay each had a 9.95, Newby scored a 9.875 and McComb added a 9.85.
Saying she has completed the gymnastics portion of her"bucket list," Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan is preparing for the next chapter of her career.
Yoculan's plans include doing professional public speaking. She has launched a website, SuzanneYoculan.com, so that businesses, clubs, coaches and anyone else interested in lining her up for a speaking engagement can get in touch with her.
"I am very excited about the new web site," Yoculan said. "We have lots of information on the site, and we expect to update it periodically with even more items. I want to share my experiences and help groups reach their full potential, as we've tried to do every year with our gymnastics teams."
Yoculan is a popular and sought-after public speaker. She has spoken to such groups as Georgia Power and Coca-Cola as well as to several different civic and booster clubs.
At SuzanneYoculan.com, one can find information about many of her speeches, including keynote addresses, making the transition from high school to college, how to build team chemistry and the importance of communication.
Yoculan is a five-time NCAA and eight-time SEC Coach of the Year, more awards are surely to follow.
Tolnay Ties School Record For All-America Honors
Gymnastics
Dawg gymnast Tiffany Tolnay earned four All-America honors at the NCAA Championships on Thursday to tie the school record.
Tolnay finished her career as a 16-time All-American, matching the standard set by Agina Simpkins from 1992-95. Tolnay earned First-Team honors in the all-around and on vault and floor, and she was Second Team on beam.
Courtney Kupets earned All-America status in all five categories on Friday to wind up her career with 15. On Friday's first session of the NCAAs, Kupets won the all-around with a score of 39.8 matching the highest figure for an all-around winner at the NCAAs, tying the mark set in 1995 by Kentucky's Jenny Hansen. Tolnay was second with a 39.5. Kupets also won on beam (with a 10.0) bars and floor. Tolnay was second on floor.
Grace Taylor picked up All-America honors on beam and bars, giving her seven in her career.
Courtney McCool earned All-America status on beam to push her career total to two.
Kathryn Ding earned her first All-America citation on bars. Taylor and McCool were second on beam and Taylor was second on bars.
Men's Golf
The No. 1-ranked Georgia men’s golf team leads after round one of the Southeastern Conference Championship.
Playing today at the Frederica Golf Club, the Dawgs posted a 6-under-par 282. Georgia leads Arkansas, who fired a 2-over 290, by eight strokes heading into the second round.
“I thought it was a solid first day,” Georgia coach Chris Haack said. “I thought we were very consistent and it was great having all five guys shoot even par or better. Any time you throw out an even par round you should be in it. We look to go out tomorrow and continue what we did today and see where it stacks up.”
Harris English and Brian Harman, a native of nearby Savannah who has played the Sea Island courses for years, carded first-round 2-under-par 70's to pace the Bulldogs. English and Harman are tied for fourth, three shots behind Kentucky's Jordan Blann.
Sophomore Russell Henley and Junior Hudson Swafford carded a 1-under 71's to stand tied for 8th. Senior Adam Mitchell had the Bulldogs’ non-counting score of even par 72 and he is tied for 14th.
Overall, the Bulldogs have won 26 SEC titles. That is the most of any conference men's golf team and is the most of any Georgia athletic squad.
Women's Golf
The No. 14-ranked Georgia women's golf team shot 300 in the opening round of the 2009 SEC Championships at the Cobblestone Park Golf Club today, leaving the Bulldogs tied for fifth place and 11 shotsoff the lead.
Baseball
The Diamond Dawgs took advantage of some timely ninth inning hitting to defeat Arkansas 4-3 this evening at Foley Field and now hold a one game lead over LSU in the SEC.
Dawg junior Dean Weaver is one of 45 relief pitchers named to the midseason watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award.
The award is given annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I college baseball. Former Georgia All-American Joshua Fields won the award in 2008.
Football Recruiting
Gainesville, Georgia wide receiver Tai-ler Jones (6-0, 175) announced Thursday that he will attend Stanford University. Jones selected the Cardinals over offers from the Dawgs, Ohio State, Cal, UCLA, North Carolina and Notre Dame where his father played.
Jones becomes the second player from Gainesville to leave the state following quarterback Blake Sims who committed to Alabama.
Dawg gymnast Tiffany Tolnay earned four All-America honors at the NCAA Championships on Thursday to tie the school record.
Tolnay finished her career as a 16-time All-American, matching the standard set by Agina Simpkins from 1992-95. Tolnay earned First-Team honors in the all-around and on vault and floor, and she was Second Team on beam.
Courtney Kupets earned All-America status in all five categories on Friday to wind up her career with 15. On Friday's first session of the NCAAs, Kupets won the all-around with a score of 39.8 matching the highest figure for an all-around winner at the NCAAs, tying the mark set in 1995 by Kentucky's Jenny Hansen. Tolnay was second with a 39.5. Kupets also won on beam (with a 10.0) bars and floor. Tolnay was second on floor.
Grace Taylor picked up All-America honors on beam and bars, giving her seven in her career.
Courtney McCool earned All-America status on beam to push her career total to two.
Kathryn Ding earned her first All-America citation on bars. Taylor and McCool were second on beam and Taylor was second on bars.
Men's Golf
The No. 1-ranked Georgia men’s golf team leads after round one of the Southeastern Conference Championship.
Playing today at the Frederica Golf Club, the Dawgs posted a 6-under-par 282. Georgia leads Arkansas, who fired a 2-over 290, by eight strokes heading into the second round.
“I thought it was a solid first day,” Georgia coach Chris Haack said. “I thought we were very consistent and it was great having all five guys shoot even par or better. Any time you throw out an even par round you should be in it. We look to go out tomorrow and continue what we did today and see where it stacks up.”
Harris English and Brian Harman, a native of nearby Savannah who has played the Sea Island courses for years, carded first-round 2-under-par 70's to pace the Bulldogs. English and Harman are tied for fourth, three shots behind Kentucky's Jordan Blann.
Sophomore Russell Henley and Junior Hudson Swafford carded a 1-under 71's to stand tied for 8th. Senior Adam Mitchell had the Bulldogs’ non-counting score of even par 72 and he is tied for 14th.
Overall, the Bulldogs have won 26 SEC titles. That is the most of any conference men's golf team and is the most of any Georgia athletic squad.
Women's Golf
The No. 14-ranked Georgia women's golf team shot 300 in the opening round of the 2009 SEC Championships at the Cobblestone Park Golf Club today, leaving the Bulldogs tied for fifth place and 11 shotsoff the lead.
Baseball
The Diamond Dawgs took advantage of some timely ninth inning hitting to defeat Arkansas 4-3 this evening at Foley Field and now hold a one game lead over LSU in the SEC.
Dawg junior Dean Weaver is one of 45 relief pitchers named to the midseason watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award.
The award is given annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I college baseball. Former Georgia All-American Joshua Fields won the award in 2008.
Football Recruiting
Gainesville, Georgia wide receiver Tai-ler Jones (6-0, 175) announced Thursday that he will attend Stanford University. Jones selected the Cardinals over offers from the Dawgs, Ohio State, Cal, UCLA, North Carolina and Notre Dame where his father played.
Jones becomes the second player from Gainesville to leave the state following quarterback Blake Sims who committed to Alabama.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Lady Dawgs Add To Roster
Women's Basketball
Angie Criner and Ebony Jones have signed letters of intent to join the Georgia Lady Bulldog Basketball program this fall, head coach Andy Landers announced on today, the first day of the NCAA's spring signing period.
In addition, Landers announced that Candace Williams will be a member of the Georgia roster as a walk-on beginning with the 2009-10 season.
Criner is a 5-8, guard, from Jenks, Okla., who played at Butler Community College in Kansas during the 2008-09 season.
Jones, a 6-2, forward from Cedar Hill High School in Cedar Hill, Texas, was named the District 7-5A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.
Williams, is a 5-8 guard from Union County High School in Blairsville, Ga.
Today's additions bolster a recruiting class that already has been ranked among the nation's top-five groups by most scouting services. Last fall, the Lady Dawgs inked a quartet of prep prospects all ranked among the nation's top-50 players by one or more recruiting services -- Anne Marie Armstrong, Jasmine Hassell, Jasmine "JJ" James and Tamika Willis.
Softball
Sixth-ranked Georgia split a Southeastern Conference double header against Mississippi State at the UGA Softball Stadium on Wednesday winning game one, 10-0, in five innings but falling in game two, 3-1, in 10 innings.
Angie Criner and Ebony Jones have signed letters of intent to join the Georgia Lady Bulldog Basketball program this fall, head coach Andy Landers announced on today, the first day of the NCAA's spring signing period.
In addition, Landers announced that Candace Williams will be a member of the Georgia roster as a walk-on beginning with the 2009-10 season.
Criner is a 5-8, guard, from Jenks, Okla., who played at Butler Community College in Kansas during the 2008-09 season.
Jones, a 6-2, forward from Cedar Hill High School in Cedar Hill, Texas, was named the District 7-5A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.
Williams, is a 5-8 guard from Union County High School in Blairsville, Ga.
Today's additions bolster a recruiting class that already has been ranked among the nation's top-five groups by most scouting services. Last fall, the Lady Dawgs inked a quartet of prep prospects all ranked among the nation's top-50 players by one or more recruiting services -- Anne Marie Armstrong, Jasmine Hassell, Jasmine "JJ" James and Tamika Willis.
Softball
Sixth-ranked Georgia split a Southeastern Conference double header against Mississippi State at the UGA Softball Stadium on Wednesday winning game one, 10-0, in five innings but falling in game two, 3-1, in 10 innings.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Dawgs Recognized
Men's Tennis
University of Georgia junior Nate Schnugg has been named the Southeastern Conference Tennis Player of the Week, the league announced today.
Schnugg went a combined 3-1 at No. 1 singles and doubles in helping Georgia clinch the SEC Eastern Division title this past weekend. This is the second time Schnugg has been honored by the SEC this season.
The Dawgs (20-2, 9-1 SEC) moved up one spot to No. 4 in the latest Campbell/ITA Tennis Rankings. Georgia closes out the regular season here Saturday at 5 p.m. against No. 6 Tennessee. Georgia is 12-0 at home this season and owns a 59-match home winning streak at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
Track & Field
University of Georgia senior Justin Gaymon has been named the Southeastern Conference Male Runner of the Week.
Gaymon, a 5-9 native of Stewartsville, N.J., won the 400-meter hurdles with an NCAA regional qualifying and season-best time of 49.60 at the Spec Towns Invitational in Athens over the weekend. His time not only gives him the league's top time this season, but it also ranks second in the NCAA and is tied for fifth in the world so far this year.
Baseball
Tenth-ranked Georgia Tech scored eight runs in the first three innings and cruised to an 11-6 win over top-ranked Georgia in front of 4,077 fans Tuesday at Foley Field.
“We pushed them as much as we could push them,” Georgia coach David Perno said. “You can’t get down on a good team like that. There is no margin for error. It was disappointing but our kids are accountable and they know that we just have to play better.”
University of Georgia junior Nate Schnugg has been named the Southeastern Conference Tennis Player of the Week, the league announced today.
Schnugg went a combined 3-1 at No. 1 singles and doubles in helping Georgia clinch the SEC Eastern Division title this past weekend. This is the second time Schnugg has been honored by the SEC this season.
The Dawgs (20-2, 9-1 SEC) moved up one spot to No. 4 in the latest Campbell/ITA Tennis Rankings. Georgia closes out the regular season here Saturday at 5 p.m. against No. 6 Tennessee. Georgia is 12-0 at home this season and owns a 59-match home winning streak at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
Track & Field
University of Georgia senior Justin Gaymon has been named the Southeastern Conference Male Runner of the Week.
Gaymon, a 5-9 native of Stewartsville, N.J., won the 400-meter hurdles with an NCAA regional qualifying and season-best time of 49.60 at the Spec Towns Invitational in Athens over the weekend. His time not only gives him the league's top time this season, but it also ranks second in the NCAA and is tied for fifth in the world so far this year.
Baseball
Tenth-ranked Georgia Tech scored eight runs in the first three innings and cruised to an 11-6 win over top-ranked Georgia in front of 4,077 fans Tuesday at Foley Field.
“We pushed them as much as we could push them,” Georgia coach David Perno said. “You can’t get down on a good team like that. There is no margin for error. It was disappointing but our kids are accountable and they know that we just have to play better.”
Monday, April 13, 2009
Diamond Dawgs Ranked #1
Baseball
For the third time this season, the Georgia baseball team is ranked No. 1 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll released today.
Arizona State is No. 2 followed by LSU, Rice and North Carolina to round out the top five.
The Dawgs garnered 17 of the 33 first place votes.
Georgia (29-6, 11-4 SEC) swept Kentucky last weekend to gain sole possession of first place in the SEC. The Dawgs, who lead Florida by two games in the SEC East, are ranked No. 2 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 8 by Baseball America.
Georgia plays host to No. 10 Georgia Tech Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Foley Field, and fifth-ranked Arkansas visits Athens for a three-game series beginning Friday. The Razorbacks trail Georgia by a half game in the SEC standings.
First baseman Rich Poythress continues to swing a hot bat. His 60 RBI leads the NCAA, and he is ranked in the top two in the SEC in eight statistical categories including first in batting average, on-base percentage, hits and RBI, and second in slugging percentage, runs scored and total bases.
Through 35 games this season, Poythress is batting .430 with 16 home runs and is on track to shatter the school single season RBI record of 77 set last season by Gordon Beckham.
Basketball
The spring signing period begins Wednesday and new coach Mark Fox is hoping to ink a couple of new Dawgs. Point guard Vincent Williams of South Dade High School in Homestead, Florida and Trae Golden from Powder Springs, Georgia are both high on the Dawgs wish list.
For the third time this season, the Georgia baseball team is ranked No. 1 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll released today.
Arizona State is No. 2 followed by LSU, Rice and North Carolina to round out the top five.
The Dawgs garnered 17 of the 33 first place votes.
Georgia (29-6, 11-4 SEC) swept Kentucky last weekend to gain sole possession of first place in the SEC. The Dawgs, who lead Florida by two games in the SEC East, are ranked No. 2 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 8 by Baseball America.
Georgia plays host to No. 10 Georgia Tech Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Foley Field, and fifth-ranked Arkansas visits Athens for a three-game series beginning Friday. The Razorbacks trail Georgia by a half game in the SEC standings.
First baseman Rich Poythress continues to swing a hot bat. His 60 RBI leads the NCAA, and he is ranked in the top two in the SEC in eight statistical categories including first in batting average, on-base percentage, hits and RBI, and second in slugging percentage, runs scored and total bases.
Through 35 games this season, Poythress is batting .430 with 16 home runs and is on track to shatter the school single season RBI record of 77 set last season by Gordon Beckham.
Basketball
The spring signing period begins Wednesday and new coach Mark Fox is hoping to ink a couple of new Dawgs. Point guard Vincent Williams of South Dade High School in Homestead, Florida and Trae Golden from Powder Springs, Georgia are both high on the Dawgs wish list.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Women's Tennis Wins SEC
Women's Tennis
The second-ranked Georgia women’s tennis team clinched the 2009 Southeastern Conference title with a 5-2 win over 23rd-ranked Kentucky today at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
The Dawgs (19-2) notched their eighth conference crown in school history, improving to 9-1 in the SEC this year. They finish the regular season at 13th-ranked Tennessee (15-4, 8-2 SEC) Saturday.
The SEC champion is determined by conference winning percentage in the 11 league matches. With a victory over the Volunteers, Georgia would win the title outright and claim the top seed for the SEC Tournament. Georgia now has won the SEC title in 1983, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2007 and 2009.
The Dawgs will enter the SEC Tournament as the two-time defending champions as well.
Baseball
Joey Lewis’ solo home run in the ninth inning lifted No. 5 Georgia to a 5-4 win and a series sweep of Kentucky today at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Rich Poythress homered in the fifth inning, his 16th of the year and moved into seventh all-time at Georgia with his 34th career home run and is now tied for seventh on UGA’s career RBI list with 159.
The Dawgs (29-6, 11-4 SEC) earned their third SEC sweep and hold a half-game lead over Arkansas for first place in the league at the midpoint of the conference season. Georgia plays host to Arkansas next weekend at Foley Field.
Men's Tennis
Fifth-ranked Georgia surged past 14th-ranked Kentucky 6-1 today at the Boone Tennis Complex, sweeping all six singles matches including the final four in three sets and clinched at least a share of the SEC Eastern Division title and a first round bye at the SEC Tournament in two weeks.
The second-ranked Georgia women’s tennis team clinched the 2009 Southeastern Conference title with a 5-2 win over 23rd-ranked Kentucky today at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
The Dawgs (19-2) notched their eighth conference crown in school history, improving to 9-1 in the SEC this year. They finish the regular season at 13th-ranked Tennessee (15-4, 8-2 SEC) Saturday.
The SEC champion is determined by conference winning percentage in the 11 league matches. With a victory over the Volunteers, Georgia would win the title outright and claim the top seed for the SEC Tournament. Georgia now has won the SEC title in 1983, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2007 and 2009.
The Dawgs will enter the SEC Tournament as the two-time defending champions as well.
Baseball
Joey Lewis’ solo home run in the ninth inning lifted No. 5 Georgia to a 5-4 win and a series sweep of Kentucky today at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Rich Poythress homered in the fifth inning, his 16th of the year and moved into seventh all-time at Georgia with his 34th career home run and is now tied for seventh on UGA’s career RBI list with 159.
The Dawgs (29-6, 11-4 SEC) earned their third SEC sweep and hold a half-game lead over Arkansas for first place in the league at the midpoint of the conference season. Georgia plays host to Arkansas next weekend at Foley Field.
Men's Tennis
Fifth-ranked Georgia surged past 14th-ranked Kentucky 6-1 today at the Boone Tennis Complex, sweeping all six singles matches including the final four in three sets and clinched at least a share of the SEC Eastern Division title and a first round bye at the SEC Tournament in two weeks.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
G Day 2009
Football
A fourth-quarter field goal and touchdown lifted the Red team to a 13-3 win over the Black team in the annual G-Day Game at Sanford Stadium on Saturday.
A crowd of 42,458 and a national ESPN television audience viewed Saturday's game, which marked the end of the Dawgs' spring practices.
With the score tied at 3-3, kicker Andrew Jensen drilled a 48-yard field goal with 2:13 remaining for the go-ahead points. Tailback Carlton Thomas (#30 Red) sealed the victory with a 20-yard touchdown run with nine seconds remaining.
The rest of the scoring took place in the second quarter. Kicker Blair Walsh, who had the PAT after Thomas' touchdown, booted a 51-yard field goal for the Red team. Kicker Jamie Lindley hit from 24 yards for the Black's only points.
Thomas led the Red team with 59 yards on eight carries. Fullback Shaun Chapas had 25 yards and tailback Caleb King rushed for 22.
Quarterback Joe Cox went 9-of-16 passing for 105 yards, while tight end Aron White had three catches for 50 yards.
Tailback Kalvin Daniels paced the Black team with 20 yards on three attempts.
Quarterback Logan Gray went 9-of-13 for 91 yards. Receiver Israel Troupe had a game-best five catches for 38 yards.
Safety Baccari Rambo and linebacker Nick Williams each had five tackles for the Red team.
Linebacker Marcus Washington posted three sacks and linebacker Marcus Dowtin added two sacks.
Linebacker Christian Robinson had five tackles to lead the Black. Defensive end Justin Houston added four tackles for loss, including three sacks.
Safety Bryan Evans had an interception.
A fourth-quarter field goal and touchdown lifted the Red team to a 13-3 win over the Black team in the annual G-Day Game at Sanford Stadium on Saturday.
A crowd of 42,458 and a national ESPN television audience viewed Saturday's game, which marked the end of the Dawgs' spring practices.
With the score tied at 3-3, kicker Andrew Jensen drilled a 48-yard field goal with 2:13 remaining for the go-ahead points. Tailback Carlton Thomas (#30 Red) sealed the victory with a 20-yard touchdown run with nine seconds remaining.The rest of the scoring took place in the second quarter. Kicker Blair Walsh, who had the PAT after Thomas' touchdown, booted a 51-yard field goal for the Red team. Kicker Jamie Lindley hit from 24 yards for the Black's only points.
Thomas led the Red team with 59 yards on eight carries. Fullback Shaun Chapas had 25 yards and tailback Caleb King rushed for 22.
Quarterback Joe Cox went 9-of-16 passing for 105 yards, while tight end Aron White had three catches for 50 yards.
Tailback Kalvin Daniels paced the Black team with 20 yards on three attempts.
Quarterback Logan Gray went 9-of-13 for 91 yards. Receiver Israel Troupe had a game-best five catches for 38 yards.
Safety Baccari Rambo and linebacker Nick Williams each had five tackles for the Red team.
Linebacker Marcus Washington posted three sacks and linebacker Marcus Dowtin added two sacks.
Linebacker Christian Robinson had five tackles to lead the Black. Defensive end Justin Houston added four tackles for loss, including three sacks.
Safety Bryan Evans had an interception.
Friday, April 10, 2009
G Day Game Tomorrow
Football
University of Georgia football fans get their first look at the 2009 edition of the Dawgs tomorrow. The annual G-Day spring game will kick off at 1:00 p.m. and be televised live by ESPN.
Brad Nessler will handle the play-by-play duties, with Kirk Herbstreit providing the color analysis and Wendy Nix adding sideline reporting.
Admission to the game is free.
A lettermen's alumni game will precede the varsity game, the starting time is scheduled for 11:15 a.m.
"To have our spring game on national television is certainly great for our program," said UGA head coach Mark Richt. "I think it speaks to the interest in our program not only within the state and regionally, but also nationally. We are looking forward to it."
"The G-Day game in Athens will be special for a lot of reasons," said ESPN's Nessler. "Just like Dawg fans, I want to see who'll replace Matthew, Knowshon and all the other departed starters. Are Joe Cox and Caleb King ready for the 'big time'? And who will play a major role to help out Rennie Curran on defense? The questions are all there at spring practice, and April 11th, the answers start to emerge. For me, it's Easter weekend at home in Georgia....between the hedges again. A perfect way to spend a Saturday!"
The G-Day festivities will begin at 11:15 when approximately 80 Georgia football letter winners from six different decades will take part in a flag football game. That contest will now feature 14 former All-SEC performers.
"It's always enjoyable to have former players come back to show they're still very much a part of our program," Richt said. "It will be even more special to have so many return at once. I'm sure it will be an entertaining contest."
The current Dawgs will then take center stage. Georgia returns 49 lettermen and 14 of 25 starters off the 2009 Capital One Bowl Championship team that finished 10-3 and ranked No. 10 and No. 13 in the final USA Today/ESPN and Associate Press polls, respectively.
The Dawgs have now posted double-digit win tallies in six of the last seven seasons and also recorded six top-10 finishes during that span.
Seven offensive starters, including All-SEC lineman Clint Boling and receiver A.J. Green, the 2008 SEC Freshman of the Year, are back.
On defense, six starters are returning, headlined by All-SEC performers Geno Atkins (DT), Rennie Curran (WLB) and Reshad Jones (FS).
Sanford Stadium gates will open at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Gates utilized for the public will be the main gate under the Sanford Drive bridge as well as gates 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9.
In lieu of an admission fee, fans are encouraged to bring food donations to benefit the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. Among the items most needed are soups, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, rice, pasta and pop-top canned goods.
"I would like to encourage the fans not only to participate in the food drive but also just be there at G-Day to show the rest of the country what the Dawg Nation is all about," Richt said.
Spring Awards Announced
Best All-Around Offensive Player: Clint Boling, OT, Alpharetta
True Grit Award: Ben Jones, C, Centreville, Ala.
Most Improved Offensive Lineman: Casey Nickels, OT, Tignall
Most Improved Player: Marquise Brown, WR, Lanham, Md.
Most Improved Running Back: Carlton Thomas, RB, Frostproof, Fla.
Biggest Surprise of Spring (Offense): Logan Gray, QB, Columbia, Mo.
Outstanding Walk On (Offense): Casey Nickels, OT, Tignall
Most Consistent Running Back: Shaun Chapas, RB, St. Augustine, Fla.
Most Improved Defensive Tackle: DeAngelo Tyson, DL, Statesboro
Most Improved Defensive End: Justin Houston, DE, Statesboro
Most Improved Linebacker: Christian Robinson, LB, Norcross
Most Improved Defensive Back: Brandon Boykin, DB, Fayetteville
Outstanding Walk On (Defense): Brandon Wheeling, DL, Dallas
Coffee County Hustle Award: Joe Cox, QB, Charlotte, N.C.; Michael Moore, WR, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Nick Williams, LB, Bainbridge; Demarcus Dobbs, DE, Savannah; Bryan Evans, DB, Jacksonville, Fla.
University of Georgia football fans get their first look at the 2009 edition of the Dawgs tomorrow. The annual G-Day spring game will kick off at 1:00 p.m. and be televised live by ESPN.
Brad Nessler will handle the play-by-play duties, with Kirk Herbstreit providing the color analysis and Wendy Nix adding sideline reporting.
Admission to the game is free.
A lettermen's alumni game will precede the varsity game, the starting time is scheduled for 11:15 a.m.
"To have our spring game on national television is certainly great for our program," said UGA head coach Mark Richt. "I think it speaks to the interest in our program not only within the state and regionally, but also nationally. We are looking forward to it."
"The G-Day game in Athens will be special for a lot of reasons," said ESPN's Nessler. "Just like Dawg fans, I want to see who'll replace Matthew, Knowshon and all the other departed starters. Are Joe Cox and Caleb King ready for the 'big time'? And who will play a major role to help out Rennie Curran on defense? The questions are all there at spring practice, and April 11th, the answers start to emerge. For me, it's Easter weekend at home in Georgia....between the hedges again. A perfect way to spend a Saturday!"
The G-Day festivities will begin at 11:15 when approximately 80 Georgia football letter winners from six different decades will take part in a flag football game. That contest will now feature 14 former All-SEC performers.
"It's always enjoyable to have former players come back to show they're still very much a part of our program," Richt said. "It will be even more special to have so many return at once. I'm sure it will be an entertaining contest."
The current Dawgs will then take center stage. Georgia returns 49 lettermen and 14 of 25 starters off the 2009 Capital One Bowl Championship team that finished 10-3 and ranked No. 10 and No. 13 in the final USA Today/ESPN and Associate Press polls, respectively.
The Dawgs have now posted double-digit win tallies in six of the last seven seasons and also recorded six top-10 finishes during that span.
Seven offensive starters, including All-SEC lineman Clint Boling and receiver A.J. Green, the 2008 SEC Freshman of the Year, are back.
On defense, six starters are returning, headlined by All-SEC performers Geno Atkins (DT), Rennie Curran (WLB) and Reshad Jones (FS).
Sanford Stadium gates will open at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Gates utilized for the public will be the main gate under the Sanford Drive bridge as well as gates 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9.
In lieu of an admission fee, fans are encouraged to bring food donations to benefit the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. Among the items most needed are soups, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, rice, pasta and pop-top canned goods.
"I would like to encourage the fans not only to participate in the food drive but also just be there at G-Day to show the rest of the country what the Dawg Nation is all about," Richt said.
Spring Awards Announced
Best All-Around Offensive Player: Clint Boling, OT, Alpharetta
True Grit Award: Ben Jones, C, Centreville, Ala.
Most Improved Offensive Lineman: Casey Nickels, OT, Tignall
Most Improved Player: Marquise Brown, WR, Lanham, Md.
Most Improved Running Back: Carlton Thomas, RB, Frostproof, Fla.
Biggest Surprise of Spring (Offense): Logan Gray, QB, Columbia, Mo.
Outstanding Walk On (Offense): Casey Nickels, OT, Tignall
Most Consistent Running Back: Shaun Chapas, RB, St. Augustine, Fla.
Most Improved Defensive Tackle: DeAngelo Tyson, DL, Statesboro
Most Improved Defensive End: Justin Houston, DE, Statesboro
Most Improved Linebacker: Christian Robinson, LB, Norcross
Most Improved Defensive Back: Brandon Boykin, DB, Fayetteville
Outstanding Walk On (Defense): Brandon Wheeling, DL, Dallas
Coffee County Hustle Award: Joe Cox, QB, Charlotte, N.C.; Michael Moore, WR, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Nick Williams, LB, Bainbridge; Demarcus Dobbs, DE, Savannah; Bryan Evans, DB, Jacksonville, Fla.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Durham To Miss 2009 Season
Football
Georgia wide receiver Kris Durham will miss the 2009 season due to a shoulder injury and will redshirt during the upcoming campaign, head coach Mark Richt announced in his post-practice media session on Wednesday.
"Kris will have surgery in May and will redshirt and not play this season," Richt said. "It's a decision we all think is in his best interest. He wants to make sure his senior year is a good, strong, healthy one. It's really a six-month recovery time before you can go and train at full speed. That would be a tight window to be ready. If he didn't have the option to redshirt and have a fifth year, the decision might be different."
Durham, a 6-5, native of Calhoun, Ga., has torn the labrum in his left shoulder. He has recorded 32 receptions in 36 games played in his first three seasons with the Dawgs. Durham started four of 10 games played as a junior, posting 13 catches for 199 yards including a 61-yard touchdown catch against Georgia Southern. Durham, who was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III first team in 2008, missed three games last season due to ankle and hand injuries.
Basketball
University of Georgia basketball coach Mark Fox on Wednesday announced the addition of Kwanza Johnson and Philip Pearson as Assistant Coaches on his new staff.
Johnson, 37, had spent the previous three seasons coaching along side Fox as an assistant for the Wolf Pack program. In his first year there, his work with the Nevada frontcourt players helped forward Nick Fazekas earn first-team All-America honors and his third Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year honor. The next year Johnson worked with big man JaVale McGee, who was an All-WAC selection and the 18th player chosen in the 2008 NBA Draft (Washington Wizards).
Pearson, 38, has spent 16 of the past 20 years representing the Alabama program, either as a player or coach. Most recently, he served as the Crimson Tide's interim head coach for the final 13 games of the 2009 season, winning six of them, including a first-round contest in the SEC Tournament.
Baseball
Joey Lewis hit two home runs including a grand slam in the bottom of the third to lead Georgia to a 13-2 win over Winthrop as the fifth-ranked Bulldogs split a doubleheader with the Eagles Wednesday at Foley Field. Winthrop won the first game 7-4.
Softball
Seventh-ranked Georgia defeated the 22nd-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 7-5, at the UGA Softball Stadium on Wednesday afternoon in front of a season-high home crowd of 1,095.
Georgia wide receiver Kris Durham will miss the 2009 season due to a shoulder injury and will redshirt during the upcoming campaign, head coach Mark Richt announced in his post-practice media session on Wednesday.
"Kris will have surgery in May and will redshirt and not play this season," Richt said. "It's a decision we all think is in his best interest. He wants to make sure his senior year is a good, strong, healthy one. It's really a six-month recovery time before you can go and train at full speed. That would be a tight window to be ready. If he didn't have the option to redshirt and have a fifth year, the decision might be different."
Durham, a 6-5, native of Calhoun, Ga., has torn the labrum in his left shoulder. He has recorded 32 receptions in 36 games played in his first three seasons with the Dawgs. Durham started four of 10 games played as a junior, posting 13 catches for 199 yards including a 61-yard touchdown catch against Georgia Southern. Durham, who was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III first team in 2008, missed three games last season due to ankle and hand injuries.
Basketball
University of Georgia basketball coach Mark Fox on Wednesday announced the addition of Kwanza Johnson and Philip Pearson as Assistant Coaches on his new staff.
Johnson, 37, had spent the previous three seasons coaching along side Fox as an assistant for the Wolf Pack program. In his first year there, his work with the Nevada frontcourt players helped forward Nick Fazekas earn first-team All-America honors and his third Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year honor. The next year Johnson worked with big man JaVale McGee, who was an All-WAC selection and the 18th player chosen in the 2008 NBA Draft (Washington Wizards).
Pearson, 38, has spent 16 of the past 20 years representing the Alabama program, either as a player or coach. Most recently, he served as the Crimson Tide's interim head coach for the final 13 games of the 2009 season, winning six of them, including a first-round contest in the SEC Tournament.
Baseball
Joey Lewis hit two home runs including a grand slam in the bottom of the third to lead Georgia to a 13-2 win over Winthrop as the fifth-ranked Bulldogs split a doubleheader with the Eagles Wednesday at Foley Field. Winthrop won the first game 7-4.
Softball
Seventh-ranked Georgia defeated the 22nd-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 7-5, at the UGA Softball Stadium on Wednesday afternoon in front of a season-high home crowd of 1,095.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Curran & Owens Names To Lott Watch List
Junior linebacker Rennie Curran and senior defensive tackle Jeff Owens have been named to the 2009 Lott Trophy Watch List, it was announced today by Ronnie Lott at a luncheon in Newport Beach, California.
Curran, a 228-pound All-SEC linebacker from Snellville, Ga., finished second in the SEC with a team-best 115 tackles last year.
Owens, a 300-pound tackle from Sunrise, Fla., went down with a knee injury in the 2008 season opener and missed the remainder of the year. He was on the Lott Trophy Watch List a year ago and is one of 14 repeat nominees.
The No. 1-ranked Georgia men's golf team came in fourth on Tuesday at the United States Collegiate Championship.
Playing at the Country Club of the South on Tuesday, the Dawgs shot an 8-over-par 296 to wind up at 19-over 883 for the tournament. Clemson took the team title at 12-over 876.
The University of Georgia women’s tennis team maintained its No. 2 spot in the latest Campbell/ITA College Tennis rankings released by the ITA today.
The Dawgs (17-2) lead the Southeastern Conference with a 7-1 league mark and have three matches remaining in the regular season. Georgia will play host to 17th-ranked Vanderbilt Friday at 5 p.m. and then 23rd-ranked Kentucky Sunday at 1 p.m.
Curran, a 228-pound All-SEC linebacker from Snellville, Ga., finished second in the SEC with a team-best 115 tackles last year.
Owens, a 300-pound tackle from Sunrise, Fla., went down with a knee injury in the 2008 season opener and missed the remainder of the year. He was on the Lott Trophy Watch List a year ago and is one of 14 repeat nominees.
The No. 1-ranked Georgia men's golf team came in fourth on Tuesday at the United States Collegiate Championship.
Playing at the Country Club of the South on Tuesday, the Dawgs shot an 8-over-par 296 to wind up at 19-over 883 for the tournament. Clemson took the team title at 12-over 876.
The University of Georgia women’s tennis team maintained its No. 2 spot in the latest Campbell/ITA College Tennis rankings released by the ITA today.
The Dawgs (17-2) lead the Southeastern Conference with a 7-1 league mark and have three matches remaining in the regular season. Georgia will play host to 17th-ranked Vanderbilt Friday at 5 p.m. and then 23rd-ranked Kentucky Sunday at 1 p.m.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Gym Dawgs Top Seed
The Georgia gymnastics team will be the top seed at next week's NCAA Championship, the NCAA confirmed today.
The Gym Dawgs finished the regular season with the nation's highest regional qualifying score (RQS) of 197.255, then added a 197.770 at the SoutheastRegional on Saturday. The combined total of 394.955 officially made Georgia No. 1 for the NCAAs, which will be held April 16-18 in Lincoln, Neb.
The NCAA also announced Monday that Georgia will compete in the afternoon session on April 16 and will start with a bye before floor. That is the same rotation the Gym Dawgs had at the Southeast Regional.
"I feel great about this rotation," Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan said. "Ending on beam is great for us, and we love to start a meet out on ago-for-it type event like floor or vault. For us, competing at the end ofthe meet makes it so much more fun."
Georgia will compete with Stanford, Penn State, Oklahoma, LSU and Florida in the afternoon session on April 16. UCLA, Utah, Illinois, Oregon State, Alabama and Arkansas have been assigned to the evening session. The top three teams from each session will advance to the Super Six on April 17. The individual championships will be held on April 18.
Georgia is making its 26th straight appearance, all under Yoculan, at the NCAAs. The Gym Dawgs have won national titles, including each of the last four.
The No. 1-ranked Georgia men's golf team improved from 10th to fourth on Monday in the second round of the United States Collegiate Championship.
Playing at the Golf Club of the South, the Bulldogs carded a second-round 4-over-par 292 to move to 11-over 587 for the tournament. Stanford is the team leader at 3-over 579.
The second-ranked Georgia women’s tennis team dispatched 25th-ranked Alabama 6-1 Sunday at the Crisp Indoor Facility.
The Georgia football team practiced for an hour and a half inpads and shorts at the Woodruff practice fields on a blustery Monday afternoon.
With the wind gusting up to more than 30 miles an hour and temperatures dropping into the 40s, the Bulldogs had their first of three practices before the annual G-Day game arrives on Saturday.
The Gym Dawgs finished the regular season with the nation's highest regional qualifying score (RQS) of 197.255, then added a 197.770 at the SoutheastRegional on Saturday. The combined total of 394.955 officially made Georgia No. 1 for the NCAAs, which will be held April 16-18 in Lincoln, Neb.
The NCAA also announced Monday that Georgia will compete in the afternoon session on April 16 and will start with a bye before floor. That is the same rotation the Gym Dawgs had at the Southeast Regional.
"I feel great about this rotation," Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan said. "Ending on beam is great for us, and we love to start a meet out on ago-for-it type event like floor or vault. For us, competing at the end ofthe meet makes it so much more fun."
Georgia will compete with Stanford, Penn State, Oklahoma, LSU and Florida in the afternoon session on April 16. UCLA, Utah, Illinois, Oregon State, Alabama and Arkansas have been assigned to the evening session. The top three teams from each session will advance to the Super Six on April 17. The individual championships will be held on April 18.
Georgia is making its 26th straight appearance, all under Yoculan, at the NCAAs. The Gym Dawgs have won national titles, including each of the last four.
The No. 1-ranked Georgia men's golf team improved from 10th to fourth on Monday in the second round of the United States Collegiate Championship.
Playing at the Golf Club of the South, the Bulldogs carded a second-round 4-over-par 292 to move to 11-over 587 for the tournament. Stanford is the team leader at 3-over 579.
The second-ranked Georgia women’s tennis team dispatched 25th-ranked Alabama 6-1 Sunday at the Crisp Indoor Facility.
The Georgia football team practiced for an hour and a half inpads and shorts at the Woodruff practice fields on a blustery Monday afternoon.
With the wind gusting up to more than 30 miles an hour and temperatures dropping into the 40s, the Bulldogs had their first of three practices before the annual G-Day game arrives on Saturday.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
LSU Takes Game 3
Mikie Mahtook hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to put LSU ahead and the second-ranked Tigers held on for a 7-5 win over No. 1 Georgia Sunday in front of 3,377 fans at Foley Field.
The Diamond Dawgs (25-5, 8-4 SEC) had taken a 5-4 lead in the fifth off a three-run blast by Matt Cerione, but the Tigers (23-8, 8-4 SEC) came back in the sixth and held Georgia scoreless in the final four innings.
Georgia had the tying run on base with two outs in the ninth, but Matty Ott struck out Zach Cone on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.
“The errors and strikeouts caught up with us,” Georgia coach David Perno said. “Offensively we did a better job, but we struck out 12 times. We have to play better. We are fortunate to be 3-2 this week. We have a lot of talent and a great team, but right now we are not doing things consistently that it takes to win a championship. Sometimes it takes a hard loss to send a message to the guys, and I’m confident we will bounce back.”
Cerione finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and three RBI. Colby May had his third straight two-hit game and finished the series 6-for-9 with two doubles and two walks. Bryce Massanari also had two hits including his fourth home run of the weekend and eighth in the last 10 games.
Louis Coleman (7-1), who also pitched 2.1 innings in relief on Friday, worked eight innings and allowed five runs on eight hits to earn the win. Ott picked up his sixth save.
Will Harvil (2-1) took the loss after giving up the two-out home run to Mahtook. Both runs were unearned after a dropped fly ball earlier in the inning. Georgia starter Justin Grimm allowed four runs on four hits in 4.2 innings.
LSU loaded the bases with one out in the first and scored to go ahead 1-0. Then in the bottom of the inning, Cerione drew a one-out walk, then scored on a double by Rich Poythress, then Massanari followed with a solo home run to give Georgia a 2-1 lead.
After Grimm retired the first two batters in the fourth, LSU scored three runs off a walk and doubles by Leon Landry and Tyler Hanover.
The Dawgs came back with three runs in the fifth as May doubled to start the inning and Levi Hyams reached on an infield hit. LSU then recorded two outs before Cerione connected on his third home run to give the Bulldogs a 5-4 lead.
LSU regained the lead on Mahtook’s home run in the sixth and scored another run in the eighth. Cerione kept Georgia in the game with a leaping catch over the wall later in the inning to rob Jared Mitchell of a three-run homer.
Otto entered the game in the ninth and allowed two hits and struck out three batters. The Dawgs outhit LSU 10-7.
Georgia plays host to Winthrop in a two-game series Tuesday and Wednesday at Foley Field.
The No. 1-ranked Georgia gymnastics team won the NCAA Southeast Regional on Saturday at North Carolina State's Reynolds Coliseum to qualify for the NCAA Championship.
Behind 10.0s from Courtney Kupets and Courtney McCool, the Gym Dogs rolled up a score of 197.7. Kupets was selected as the Southeast Regional Gymnast of the Year.
The NCAAs will take place April 16-18 in Lincoln, Neb. The Gym Dawgs will be going for the 10th national title in school history and their fifth in a row.
Sixth-ranked Georgia dropped the series finale to fourth-ranked Alabama, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at the University of Alabama Softball complex in front of a crowd of 1,949.
With the win, the Crimson Tide completed a series sweep of the Dawgs to improve to 31-6 overall and 10-4 in Southeastern Conference action. Georgia dropped to 25-7 overall and 7-5 in league play with the loss.
Rebekah Perry scored her first goal as a Dawg and it proved to be the game-winning strike as the soccer team recorded a 3-2 victory over Central Florida Saturday night in the Second Annual Ovarian Cancer Awareness Tournament in Viera, Fla.
The Diamond Dawgs (25-5, 8-4 SEC) had taken a 5-4 lead in the fifth off a three-run blast by Matt Cerione, but the Tigers (23-8, 8-4 SEC) came back in the sixth and held Georgia scoreless in the final four innings.
Georgia had the tying run on base with two outs in the ninth, but Matty Ott struck out Zach Cone on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.
“The errors and strikeouts caught up with us,” Georgia coach David Perno said. “Offensively we did a better job, but we struck out 12 times. We have to play better. We are fortunate to be 3-2 this week. We have a lot of talent and a great team, but right now we are not doing things consistently that it takes to win a championship. Sometimes it takes a hard loss to send a message to the guys, and I’m confident we will bounce back.”
Cerione finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and three RBI. Colby May had his third straight two-hit game and finished the series 6-for-9 with two doubles and two walks. Bryce Massanari also had two hits including his fourth home run of the weekend and eighth in the last 10 games.
Louis Coleman (7-1), who also pitched 2.1 innings in relief on Friday, worked eight innings and allowed five runs on eight hits to earn the win. Ott picked up his sixth save.
Will Harvil (2-1) took the loss after giving up the two-out home run to Mahtook. Both runs were unearned after a dropped fly ball earlier in the inning. Georgia starter Justin Grimm allowed four runs on four hits in 4.2 innings.
LSU loaded the bases with one out in the first and scored to go ahead 1-0. Then in the bottom of the inning, Cerione drew a one-out walk, then scored on a double by Rich Poythress, then Massanari followed with a solo home run to give Georgia a 2-1 lead.
After Grimm retired the first two batters in the fourth, LSU scored three runs off a walk and doubles by Leon Landry and Tyler Hanover.
The Dawgs came back with three runs in the fifth as May doubled to start the inning and Levi Hyams reached on an infield hit. LSU then recorded two outs before Cerione connected on his third home run to give the Bulldogs a 5-4 lead.
LSU regained the lead on Mahtook’s home run in the sixth and scored another run in the eighth. Cerione kept Georgia in the game with a leaping catch over the wall later in the inning to rob Jared Mitchell of a three-run homer.
Otto entered the game in the ninth and allowed two hits and struck out three batters. The Dawgs outhit LSU 10-7.
Georgia plays host to Winthrop in a two-game series Tuesday and Wednesday at Foley Field.
The No. 1-ranked Georgia gymnastics team won the NCAA Southeast Regional on Saturday at North Carolina State's Reynolds Coliseum to qualify for the NCAA Championship.
Behind 10.0s from Courtney Kupets and Courtney McCool, the Gym Dogs rolled up a score of 197.7. Kupets was selected as the Southeast Regional Gymnast of the Year.
The NCAAs will take place April 16-18 in Lincoln, Neb. The Gym Dawgs will be going for the 10th national title in school history and their fifth in a row.
Sixth-ranked Georgia dropped the series finale to fourth-ranked Alabama, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at the University of Alabama Softball complex in front of a crowd of 1,949.
With the win, the Crimson Tide completed a series sweep of the Dawgs to improve to 31-6 overall and 10-4 in Southeastern Conference action. Georgia dropped to 25-7 overall and 7-5 in league play with the loss.
Rebekah Perry scored her first goal as a Dawg and it proved to be the game-winning strike as the soccer team recorded a 3-2 victory over Central Florida Saturday night in the Second Annual Ovarian Cancer Awareness Tournament in Viera, Fla.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Diamond Dawgs Beat LSU 10-8
Rich Poythress, Bryce Massanari and Joey Lewis had three hits apiece including two doubles by Lewis and another home run by Massanari as top-ranked Georgia beat No. 5 LSU, 10-8, in front of 4,092 fans Saturday at Foley Field, the fifth largest crowd in stadium history.
Massanari homered to right center in the first inning, his third home run in as many at-bats going back the eighth inning Friday night, and also drew a walk, drove in three runs and scored twice.
Georgia (25-4, 8-3 SEC) led 10-3 going to the eighth, but LSU (22-8, 7-4 SEC) scored three in the eighth and two in the ninth and had the tying run at the plate with two outs when Dean Weaver got Mikie Mahtook to pop up to end the game.
Matt Cerione, Colby May and Levi Hyams each added two hits and May had three RBI.
Alex McRee (3-0) threw a career-long six innings and surrendered three runs-two earned-on seven hits to pick up the win.
“We had a much better approach today and got some key hits,” Georgia coach David Perno said. “We struck early and answered, and we played more to our identity. We are moving in the right direction and today was a huge step for us.”
Jared Mitchell gave LSU a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a solo home run, then Georgia responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning. After a leadoff single by Cerione and a walk to Poythress, Massanari’s home run gave Georgia a 3-1 lead. Lyle Allen then walked, moved to third on a double by Lewis and scored on May’s sacrifice fly to make it 4-1.
LSU scored on a passed ball in the third, then the Bulldogs came back with a pair of runs. Massanari singled then scored on another double by Lewis, and May followed with a base hit to score Lewis and make it 6-2.
Ryan Schimpf hit a solo home run in the fourth to pull LSU to within three, then Georgia posted single runs in the fifth and sixth. A two-run seventh extended the lead to 10-3 before LSU rallied in the final two innings.
Austin Ross (4-3) took the loss for the Tigers, allowing six runs on nine hits in three innings.
Georgia and LSU will play the rubber game of the series Sunday at noon. Sophomore righty Justin Grimm (2-1, 4.11) will get the start for the Bulldogs, and LSU will counter with right-hander Louis Coleman (6-1, 1.38).
Massanari homered to right center in the first inning, his third home run in as many at-bats going back the eighth inning Friday night, and also drew a walk, drove in three runs and scored twice.
Georgia (25-4, 8-3 SEC) led 10-3 going to the eighth, but LSU (22-8, 7-4 SEC) scored three in the eighth and two in the ninth and had the tying run at the plate with two outs when Dean Weaver got Mikie Mahtook to pop up to end the game.
Matt Cerione, Colby May and Levi Hyams each added two hits and May had three RBI.
Alex McRee (3-0) threw a career-long six innings and surrendered three runs-two earned-on seven hits to pick up the win.
“We had a much better approach today and got some key hits,” Georgia coach David Perno said. “We struck early and answered, and we played more to our identity. We are moving in the right direction and today was a huge step for us.”
Jared Mitchell gave LSU a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a solo home run, then Georgia responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning. After a leadoff single by Cerione and a walk to Poythress, Massanari’s home run gave Georgia a 3-1 lead. Lyle Allen then walked, moved to third on a double by Lewis and scored on May’s sacrifice fly to make it 4-1.
LSU scored on a passed ball in the third, then the Bulldogs came back with a pair of runs. Massanari singled then scored on another double by Lewis, and May followed with a base hit to score Lewis and make it 6-2.
Ryan Schimpf hit a solo home run in the fourth to pull LSU to within three, then Georgia posted single runs in the fifth and sixth. A two-run seventh extended the lead to 10-3 before LSU rallied in the final two innings.
Austin Ross (4-3) took the loss for the Tigers, allowing six runs on nine hits in three innings.
Georgia and LSU will play the rubber game of the series Sunday at noon. Sophomore righty Justin Grimm (2-1, 4.11) will get the start for the Bulldogs, and LSU will counter with right-hander Louis Coleman (6-1, 1.38).
Dawgs Scrimmage Today
The Georgia Bulldogs conducted their second scrimmage of the spring Saturday morning at Sanford Stadium.
The two-hour workout in full pads featured much better effort and enthusiasm compared to the first one, according to Bulldog head coach Mark Richt.
“It was hard-hitting, the energy was there all the time, and I saw some good leadership,” said Richt. The defense started strong and no one was better than sophomore end Justin Houston. He was credited with four tackles, two tackles for a loss, two sacks and a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown. “Justin was the most productive defensive player Saturday,” said Richt. “He caught my eye and made a lot of plays. We missed some more opportunities to catch the ball.”
Houston’s touchdown came on the first play of a one-minute drill with Joe Cox directing the offense. The senior finished the day 6-for-18 for 65 yards and two touchdowns including a 26-yard scoring strike to sophomore A.J. Green. The longest touchdown play of the morning came from freshman Aaron Murray to sophomore flanker Israel Troupe. The pair hooked up on a 64- yard bomb right before halftime. Murray ended up 6-for-10 for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
Troupe was the team’s leading receiver with three catches for 111 yards. Sophomore quarterback Logan Gray was 7- for-9 for 52 yards and one touchdown while freshman Zach Mettenberger was 1-for-5 for 39 yards.
Meanwhile at tailback, Georgia’s current healthy options are sophomore Caleb King (10 rushes for 43 yards) and redshirt freshman Carlton Thomas (6 rushes for 25 yards). Junior Kalvin Daniels shared the workload in the last scrimmage but did not see action Saturday due to a shoulder injury. Therefore, junior Fred Munzenmaier saw extensive playing time Saturday with a team-high 11 carries for 54 yards and one touchdown.
“Fred did well today and a lot of his reps were tailback rushes, and he looked very fluid,” said Richt. “If we blocked it for three yards, he got five. He did a good job of finishing runs. He runs like an athletic fullback with power and vision.”
In the fall along with King, Daniels and Thomas, Georgia will have a healthy Richard Samuel, Dontavius Jackson and incoming freshman Washaun Ealey competing at tailback. For now, Munzenmaier has made the most of his playing time and presents a different style of runner, according to Richt.
Georgia had one injury during the scrimmage when junior reserve safety Andrew Johnson dislocated his right ankle.
The Bulldogs will have three more practices next week before wrapping up spring drills with the annual G-Day game next Saturday at 1:05 p.m.
For the second straight day, Georgia won all four events, including another 5-0 sweep in Western Horsemanship, to defeat Auburn 15-5 and win the 2009 Southern Equestrian Championship in Bishop Saturday afternoon.
Georgia’s title was the program’s fifth straight at the Southern Championships, which equate to the SEC title meet. On Saturday, the top-ranked Bulldogs (12-4) had beaten South Carolina by an identical 15-5 tally.
“This was just a beautiful day all around,” Georgia coach Meghan Boenig said. “The weather was ideal, the riding conditions were terrific, and the level of competition was extremely high on both sides. I’m just really, really pleased at how our girls performed today. It was a great momentum builder for Nationals.”
The two-hour workout in full pads featured much better effort and enthusiasm compared to the first one, according to Bulldog head coach Mark Richt.
“It was hard-hitting, the energy was there all the time, and I saw some good leadership,” said Richt. The defense started strong and no one was better than sophomore end Justin Houston. He was credited with four tackles, two tackles for a loss, two sacks and a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown. “Justin was the most productive defensive player Saturday,” said Richt. “He caught my eye and made a lot of plays. We missed some more opportunities to catch the ball.”
Houston’s touchdown came on the first play of a one-minute drill with Joe Cox directing the offense. The senior finished the day 6-for-18 for 65 yards and two touchdowns including a 26-yard scoring strike to sophomore A.J. Green. The longest touchdown play of the morning came from freshman Aaron Murray to sophomore flanker Israel Troupe. The pair hooked up on a 64- yard bomb right before halftime. Murray ended up 6-for-10 for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
Troupe was the team’s leading receiver with three catches for 111 yards. Sophomore quarterback Logan Gray was 7- for-9 for 52 yards and one touchdown while freshman Zach Mettenberger was 1-for-5 for 39 yards.
Meanwhile at tailback, Georgia’s current healthy options are sophomore Caleb King (10 rushes for 43 yards) and redshirt freshman Carlton Thomas (6 rushes for 25 yards). Junior Kalvin Daniels shared the workload in the last scrimmage but did not see action Saturday due to a shoulder injury. Therefore, junior Fred Munzenmaier saw extensive playing time Saturday with a team-high 11 carries for 54 yards and one touchdown.
“Fred did well today and a lot of his reps were tailback rushes, and he looked very fluid,” said Richt. “If we blocked it for three yards, he got five. He did a good job of finishing runs. He runs like an athletic fullback with power and vision.”
In the fall along with King, Daniels and Thomas, Georgia will have a healthy Richard Samuel, Dontavius Jackson and incoming freshman Washaun Ealey competing at tailback. For now, Munzenmaier has made the most of his playing time and presents a different style of runner, according to Richt.
Georgia had one injury during the scrimmage when junior reserve safety Andrew Johnson dislocated his right ankle.
The Bulldogs will have three more practices next week before wrapping up spring drills with the annual G-Day game next Saturday at 1:05 p.m.
For the second straight day, Georgia won all four events, including another 5-0 sweep in Western Horsemanship, to defeat Auburn 15-5 and win the 2009 Southern Equestrian Championship in Bishop Saturday afternoon.
Georgia’s title was the program’s fifth straight at the Southern Championships, which equate to the SEC title meet. On Saturday, the top-ranked Bulldogs (12-4) had beaten South Carolina by an identical 15-5 tally.
“This was just a beautiful day all around,” Georgia coach Meghan Boenig said. “The weather was ideal, the riding conditions were terrific, and the level of competition was extremely high on both sides. I’m just really, really pleased at how our girls performed today. It was a great momentum builder for Nationals.”
Diamond Dawgs Beaten By LSU
LSU hit a trio of home runs in the first three innings including a three-run blast by Ryan Schimpf as the fifth-ranked Tigers beat No. 1 Georgia, 8-4, in front of 4,009 fans Friday at Foley Field, the sixth largest crowd in stadium history.
Georgia dropped to 24-4 overall and 7-3 in league play and had its seven-game SEC winning streak snapped while LSU improved to 22-7 and 7-3 in conference action.
“We just didn’t play well on any front,” Georgia coach David Perno said. “Offensively our guys just didn’t do it even though (Bryce) Massanari ended up with a good night. We didn’t make anything come our way and you could feel it coming with all the hype. I really appreciate the fans coming out and I’m apologetic we didn’t play as well as we could have.”
The Diamond Dawgs will try to even the series in game two Saturday at 1 p.m. Alex McRee (2-0, 1.80) will start for UGA while LSU will counter with Louis Coleman (6-1, 1.23).
The second-ranked Georgia women's tennis team picked up a 5-2 road victory over 29th-ranked Auburn here Friday.
Junior Naoko Ueshima won her 18th straight match to clinch the victory for the Bulldogs who improved to 16-2 overall and 6-1 in the Southeastern Conference. Ueshima has clinched a team-best six matches this season.
The Tigers fell to 11-7 overall, 3-3 in the SEC.
The third-ranked Georgia men's tennis team registered a 5-2 win over 27th-ranked Auburn Friday in front of a season-high crowd of 539 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
With the latest victory, the Bulldogs (17-2, 6-1 SEC) extended their home winning streak to 58 matches. Also, sophomore Javier Garrapiz won his 16th straight match, and it clinched the win, posting a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 decision over Tim Puetz at No. 2. He is now 28-6 on the year.
The Tigers dropped to 10-7 overall and 3-4 in the SEC.
The Dawgs held a 90-minute practice in shoulder pads and shorts on Friday afternoon in preparation for Saturday morning's closed scrimmage at Sanford Stadium.
"We want them to have a lot of juice in the morning," head coach Mark Richt said. "The temperatures should be in the mid-40s or mid-50s and it is supposed to be sunny. I think the guys should be in the right frame of mind to have a good scrimmage."
On Friday, the Dawgs spent approximately half their practice focusing on the kicking game, with the remainder including work on fundamentals and pass skeleton.
"Joe Cox was very, very accurate," Richt said. "When he throws it, he hits them and he hits them on the run. One thing that was disappointing was the defense's inability to intercept the ball. We had four balls that hit defenders in the hands, and we didn't hold on to one of them. In the last scrimmage, I think we had two interceptions that we fumbled back away. Ball security is something that defensive players have to work on, too. Hopefully, they'll spend some time in the offseason concentrating on that because it is certainly something you can improve."
Richt also announced the format for next Saturday's G-Day game.
"We are going to play four eight or 10-minute quarters with a regular game clock," Richt said.
"It will be Red vs. Black. One team will be wearing white jerseys but that is the Black team. We won't kick off. We're researching where the average field position was after kickoffs, and we'll place the ball there. We'll punt, but it won't be live. We'll have extra point and field goal attempts. And it will be on national television."
ESPN will air the contest live.
"I hope we look like a bunch of guys who play hard and compete," Richt said."I'm looking for that as a team thing more than individually. I want the nation to see us play hard and compete and have fun doing it. That's what I want to see every day in practice."
There will be no admission fee charged and Sanford Stadium gates will open at 10:30 a.m. Gates utilized for the public on April 11 will be the maingate under the Sanford Drive bridge as well as gates 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9.
In lieu of an admission fee, fans are encouraged to bring food donations. Among the items most needed are soups, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, rice, pasta and pop-top canned goods. Those items will be donated to the Northeast Georgia Food Bank, where the football staff and their families recently volunteered.
"My job was to check the expiration date on items," Richt said. "It was amazing how much food we could not use and just had to throw away. I'd like to encourage folks to not only bring food but also check to make sure it's food that can be used and isn't wasted."
Earlier on Monday, Richt met new Georgia basketball coach Mark Fox.
"We were in an academic meeting as a staff, and we stopped when we had the chance to meet Coach Fox," Richt said. "I was able to attend his press conference, too. You can tell he's very intelligent. You can tell he's someone who communicates well. You can tell he's someone who understands (building a program) is a process. I think he'll do a very nice job."
Georgia dropped to 24-4 overall and 7-3 in league play and had its seven-game SEC winning streak snapped while LSU improved to 22-7 and 7-3 in conference action.
“We just didn’t play well on any front,” Georgia coach David Perno said. “Offensively our guys just didn’t do it even though (Bryce) Massanari ended up with a good night. We didn’t make anything come our way and you could feel it coming with all the hype. I really appreciate the fans coming out and I’m apologetic we didn’t play as well as we could have.”
The Diamond Dawgs will try to even the series in game two Saturday at 1 p.m. Alex McRee (2-0, 1.80) will start for UGA while LSU will counter with Louis Coleman (6-1, 1.23).
The second-ranked Georgia women's tennis team picked up a 5-2 road victory over 29th-ranked Auburn here Friday.
Junior Naoko Ueshima won her 18th straight match to clinch the victory for the Bulldogs who improved to 16-2 overall and 6-1 in the Southeastern Conference. Ueshima has clinched a team-best six matches this season.
The Tigers fell to 11-7 overall, 3-3 in the SEC.
The third-ranked Georgia men's tennis team registered a 5-2 win over 27th-ranked Auburn Friday in front of a season-high crowd of 539 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
With the latest victory, the Bulldogs (17-2, 6-1 SEC) extended their home winning streak to 58 matches. Also, sophomore Javier Garrapiz won his 16th straight match, and it clinched the win, posting a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 decision over Tim Puetz at No. 2. He is now 28-6 on the year.
The Tigers dropped to 10-7 overall and 3-4 in the SEC.
The Dawgs held a 90-minute practice in shoulder pads and shorts on Friday afternoon in preparation for Saturday morning's closed scrimmage at Sanford Stadium.
"We want them to have a lot of juice in the morning," head coach Mark Richt said. "The temperatures should be in the mid-40s or mid-50s and it is supposed to be sunny. I think the guys should be in the right frame of mind to have a good scrimmage."
On Friday, the Dawgs spent approximately half their practice focusing on the kicking game, with the remainder including work on fundamentals and pass skeleton.
"Joe Cox was very, very accurate," Richt said. "When he throws it, he hits them and he hits them on the run. One thing that was disappointing was the defense's inability to intercept the ball. We had four balls that hit defenders in the hands, and we didn't hold on to one of them. In the last scrimmage, I think we had two interceptions that we fumbled back away. Ball security is something that defensive players have to work on, too. Hopefully, they'll spend some time in the offseason concentrating on that because it is certainly something you can improve."
Richt also announced the format for next Saturday's G-Day game.
"We are going to play four eight or 10-minute quarters with a regular game clock," Richt said.
"It will be Red vs. Black. One team will be wearing white jerseys but that is the Black team. We won't kick off. We're researching where the average field position was after kickoffs, and we'll place the ball there. We'll punt, but it won't be live. We'll have extra point and field goal attempts. And it will be on national television."
ESPN will air the contest live.
"I hope we look like a bunch of guys who play hard and compete," Richt said."I'm looking for that as a team thing more than individually. I want the nation to see us play hard and compete and have fun doing it. That's what I want to see every day in practice."
There will be no admission fee charged and Sanford Stadium gates will open at 10:30 a.m. Gates utilized for the public on April 11 will be the maingate under the Sanford Drive bridge as well as gates 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9.
In lieu of an admission fee, fans are encouraged to bring food donations. Among the items most needed are soups, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, rice, pasta and pop-top canned goods. Those items will be donated to the Northeast Georgia Food Bank, where the football staff and their families recently volunteered.
"My job was to check the expiration date on items," Richt said. "It was amazing how much food we could not use and just had to throw away. I'd like to encourage folks to not only bring food but also check to make sure it's food that can be used and isn't wasted."
Earlier on Monday, Richt met new Georgia basketball coach Mark Fox.
"We were in an academic meeting as a staff, and we stopped when we had the chance to meet Coach Fox," Richt said. "I was able to attend his press conference, too. You can tell he's very intelligent. You can tell he's someone who communicates well. You can tell he's someone who understands (building a program) is a process. I think he'll do a very nice job."
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Breaking News!!!
The University of Georgia will introduce Mark Fox, head coach at the University of Nevada as the new head basketball coach at an 11:00 a.m. news conference Friday morning. Fox has an excellent record of winning both at home, on the road and in the NCAA tournament.
He is taking over a program that is not totally devoid of talent but it will take him a season or two to be consistently competitive.
He is taking over a program that is not totally devoid of talent but it will take him a season or two to be consistently competitive.
Diamond Dawgs Rally
The top-ranked Dawgs scored three runs in the ninth to erase a one-run deficit and beat No. 22 Clemson, 4-2, Wednesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The Dawgs (24-3) were limited to just two hits in the first seven innings, but came back with a home run by Colby May in the eighth, then rallied to win in the ninth.
Trailing 2-1, Matt Cerione led off the ninth with a single followed by a walk to pinch hitter Johnathan Taylor. Rich Poythress singled to right field to drive in Cerione and a fielding error by the Clemson right fielder allowed Taylor to score and Poythress to move to third. Joey Lewis drove in Poythress with an RBI groundout to give the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead.
Will Harvil (2-0) closed the door on the Tigers (18-9) with a perfect ninth.
Georgia plays host to fifth-ranked LSU in a three-game series beginning Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets for all three games are sold out.
Approximately 80 Georgia football letter winners from six different decades will return to Sanford Stadium next Saturday to take part in a flag football game prior to the Bulldogs' G-Day Spring Game on April 11.
The contest will begin at 11:15 a.m. and precede the G-Day contest at1:05.
"It's always enjoyable to have former players come back to show they're still very much a part of our program," head coach Mark Richt said. "It will be even more special to have so many return at once. I'm sure it will be an entertaining contest." Athens residents Mack Guest and Jack Davis will serve as the coaches of the two teams.
Sophomore Megan Wiggins highlighted a six-run second inning with her first-career grand slam to lead sixth-ranked Georgia past Furman, 9-3, at the UGA Softball Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The basketball coaching search continues, AD Damon Evans is not releasing any information and the Dawg Nation is getting restless.
The Dawgs (24-3) were limited to just two hits in the first seven innings, but came back with a home run by Colby May in the eighth, then rallied to win in the ninth.
Trailing 2-1, Matt Cerione led off the ninth with a single followed by a walk to pinch hitter Johnathan Taylor. Rich Poythress singled to right field to drive in Cerione and a fielding error by the Clemson right fielder allowed Taylor to score and Poythress to move to third. Joey Lewis drove in Poythress with an RBI groundout to give the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead.
Will Harvil (2-0) closed the door on the Tigers (18-9) with a perfect ninth.
Georgia plays host to fifth-ranked LSU in a three-game series beginning Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets for all three games are sold out.
Approximately 80 Georgia football letter winners from six different decades will return to Sanford Stadium next Saturday to take part in a flag football game prior to the Bulldogs' G-Day Spring Game on April 11.
The contest will begin at 11:15 a.m. and precede the G-Day contest at1:05.
"It's always enjoyable to have former players come back to show they're still very much a part of our program," head coach Mark Richt said. "It will be even more special to have so many return at once. I'm sure it will be an entertaining contest." Athens residents Mack Guest and Jack Davis will serve as the coaches of the two teams.
Sophomore Megan Wiggins highlighted a six-run second inning with her first-career grand slam to lead sixth-ranked Georgia past Furman, 9-3, at the UGA Softball Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The basketball coaching search continues, AD Damon Evans is not releasing any information and the Dawg Nation is getting restless.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
More Recognition For Dawgs
Junior first baseman Rich Poythress has been named a College Baseball Insider Southeast Region Co-Player of the Week, and he has also been named to the College Baseball Foundation’s National All-Star Lineup, it was announced today.
Senior Monika Dancevic has been named the Southeastern Conference Tennis Player of the Week. She is the third Bulldog to earn SEC Player of the Week honors this season, joining sophomore Cameron Ellis (Feb. 9) and freshman Chelsey Gullickson (March 24).
After a 16-year break, Georgia and Georgia Tech's track and field teams will meet again in a dual meet at Tech's George C. Griffin Track in Atlanta on Thursday afternoon.
The meet will kickoff with the men's hammer at 5 p.m. while the women's 3000-meter steeplechase at 6:30 p.m. is the first event scheduled on the track. Five points will be awarded to each event winner and the second-through fourth-place individual finishers will earn three points, two points and one point, respectively, to decide the overall team winners.
Georgia swept the last dual meet in Atlanta in 1993 before Bulldog thrower Brent Noon won his second of three NCAA crowns in the shot put.
Senior Monika Dancevic has been named the Southeastern Conference Tennis Player of the Week. She is the third Bulldog to earn SEC Player of the Week honors this season, joining sophomore Cameron Ellis (Feb. 9) and freshman Chelsey Gullickson (March 24).
After a 16-year break, Georgia and Georgia Tech's track and field teams will meet again in a dual meet at Tech's George C. Griffin Track in Atlanta on Thursday afternoon.
The meet will kickoff with the men's hammer at 5 p.m. while the women's 3000-meter steeplechase at 6:30 p.m. is the first event scheduled on the track. Five points will be awarded to each event winner and the second-through fourth-place individual finishers will earn three points, two points and one point, respectively, to decide the overall team winners.
Georgia swept the last dual meet in Atlanta in 1993 before Bulldog thrower Brent Noon won his second of three NCAA crowns in the shot put.
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