Catamount Baseball: #8 Dale Urquhart

It's 36 days until first pitch at Hennon Stadium against Washington State. While we're waiting, let's get to know this year's team and meet the sophomores.

#8 Dale Urquhart

Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Hope Mills, N.C.
High School: Southview HS
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 220
Position: OF
B/T: R/R



Read the entire profile on the Catamount Sports Forum, under Baseball 

The Sophomores
#1 Bradley Strong 
#6 Bryce Danielson


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CSN adds ESPN Radio 1310 & 970 AM

Courtesy WCU Sports Information - Western Carolina and the Catamount Sports Network are proud to announce an extended affiliate partnership with ESPN Radio 1310 & 970 AM out of Asheville to join the Catamount Sports Network (CSN) for the remainder of the 2012-13 men's basketball season.

The station carried network football broadcasts this past fall. ESPN Radio 1310 & 970 AM will begin game coverage beginning with Saturday afternoon's Southern Conference North Division showdown with preseason favorite, UNCG.

Catamount Sports Network coverage on Saturday begins with a 1:30 pm air time. ESPN Radio joins three other stations broadcasting Catamount basketball including WWCU-FM, Power 90dot5 in Cullowhee; 540 AM WRGC in Sylva; and 920 AM WPTL in Canton.


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UNCG game - Jackson County Day

   

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Cat Chat with Coach Larry Hunter

It's basketball season, and head coach Larry Hunter takes over WCU's "Cat Chat" feature.


The January 8th edition of Cat Chat on Big Wise radio (ESPN 1310), with Catamount Head Basketball Coach Larry Hunter.



                Listen here 



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Catamount Baseball: #6 Bryce Danielson

It's 37 days until first pitch at Hennon Stadium against Washington State. While we're waiting, let's get to know this year's team and meet the sophomores.

#6 Bryce Danielson

Class: RS Sophomore
Hometown: Etowah, N.C.
High School: West Henderson HS
Last College: Wingate
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 165
Position: LHP
B/T: L/L



Read the entire profile on the Catamount Sports Forum, under Baseball 

The Sophomores
#1 Bradley Strong 


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Game 16 - UNC Greensboro

Game #16 - UNCG Spartans 
Location: Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC
Date: Saturday, January 12th, 2013
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Series: Western Carolina leads the all-time series with UNCG, 24-16, having won nine of the last 10 meetings dating back to 2009
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV: none
Live Video: Catamount All Access (fee)



UNCG head coach Wes Miller is in his first full season as the skipper of the Spartans. Miller took over last year on an interim basis during the season and led the Spartans through one of the biggest turnarounds in UNCG basketball history. Miller led the Spartans to a 11-5 record over the last 16 games of the year and was named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year.  The Spartans won the SoCon North Division championship with a 10-8 conference record.

UNCG was the preseason pick to win the SoCon North Division championship as the Spartans return four starters from that divisional championship team.

UNCG enters Saturday’s game in Cullowhee with a 2-10 overall record and a 1-1 mark in Southern Conference play, with a lone victory over The Citadel Bulldogs and a loss to the Davidson Wildcats. Their two wins this season came over Winston-Salem State and the Citadel Bulldogs.  The Spartans are on a 5 game losing streak and are 0-6 on the road this season.

 UNCG leads the SoCon in scoring, but have allowed a league-high 81.6 points per game. The Spartans are averaging 74.5 points per game (41.8% FG Pct.) and average 7.6 three-pointers per game. UNCG is giving up 13 forced turn-overs per game.

Junior guard Trevis Simpson (6-4 / 185) leads the SoCon in scoring at 19.1 points per game and ranks 34th in the NCAA Division I. He has scored in double figures in every game except one this year, including four games of at least 24 points   Senior guard Derrell Armstrong (6-1 / 205) is second on the team in scoring at 15.5 points per game, while freshman forward Kayel Locke is averaging 11.3 points per game off the bench.

The Spartans play Lees McRae College (Div II, Conference Carolinas) on Wednesday night in Greensboro, prior to Saturday's meeting with the Catamounts.



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Catamount Baseball: #1 Bradley Strong

It's 38 days until first pitch at Hennon Stadium against Washington State. While we're waiting, let's get to know this year's team and meet the sophomores.

#1 Bradley Strong

Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Richlands, Va.
High School: Richlands HS
Height / Weight: 5-8 / 165
Position: INF
B/T: L/R



Read the entire profile on the Catamount Sports Forum, under Baseball 


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Cats 78 - Owls 53

The Warren Wilson Owls kept the game close in the first half, going to the locker room down only five points at half-time, 24-30, but weren't able to keep up with the Catamounts in the second half, as the Cats win 78-53.

Western shot 47.5% field goals, but were only 5 of 23 in three-pointers for 21.7%, while putting up 17 points from the free throw line, shooting 77.3%.
The Cats also out-rebounded the out-manned Owls, 40-29, and picked up 25 points off the 23 turnovers committed by Warren Wilson.

Trey Sumler lead all scorers with 18 points, while James Sinclair & Tom Tankelewics both put up 11 points. Warren Wilson also had three players in double figures, Tyler Triplett had 13 points and both Rashad Ali & Ty Johnson had 11 points.

The Cats remain home for the next two games, when SoCon play re-starts for Western Carolina.   UNC Greensboro will be in Cullowhee on Saturday, at 2 pm, then Elon will visit the Ramsey Center next Monday at 7 pm.

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Catamount Baseball: #45 Taylor Sandefur

It's 39 days until first pitch at Hennon Stadium against Washington State. While we're waiting, let's get to know this year's team and meet the juniors.

 #45 Taylor Sandefur

Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Mechanicsville, Va.
High School: Atlee HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 225
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R



Read the entire profile on the Catamount Sports Forum, under Baseball 

The Juniors
#2 Aaron Attaway
#4 Julian Ridings
#5 Luke Gragg
#11 Adam Martin
#12 Cody Jones
#14 Dykota Spiess
#28 Jordan Smith


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Scanning the SoCon - Week Ten

Each week, twelve bloggers/message boarders (one representing each team) all will vote on a Game of the Week and Power Rankings. At least four will answer a series of questions on their team and around the SoCon.




Game of the Week
Chattanooga at Charleston

Power Rankings  
1) Davidson 119 (9)
2) College of Charleston 110 (1)
3) Elon 97
4) Wofford 91
5) Western Carolina 81
6) Chattanooga 64
7) UNCG 57
8) Georgia Southern 50
9) Appalachian State 45
10) Samford 35
11) Furman 22
12) The Citadel 12

Questions
To read the entire article and see the answers to this week's questions, visit MocsMania


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Game 15 - Warren Wilson

Game #15 - Warren Wilson College Owls 
Location: Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC
Date: Monday, January 7th, 2013
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Series: Second meeting, Cats are 1-0
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV: none
Live Video: Catamount All Access (fee)


Warren Wilson General Information 
Location: Asheville, NC
Founded: 1894
Enrollment: 850
Mascot: Owls
School Colors: Green, Blue, and Gold Home
Affiliation: USCAA Division II

In head coach Greg Neeley's first season at Warren Wilson College, the Owls, of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), enters Monday's game against the Catamounts with a 7-6 record.

Warren Wilson brings a 4-1 December record to Cullowhee, having lost only to North Greenville back on December 11th. The North Greenville game was the last game scheduled and played by the Owls due to an extended holiday break, until the Monday's game in Cullowhee.

In the Owls 13 games to date, they are averaging 69.5 points per game.  As a team they are shooting 43.3% in field goals, which including 31.9% in three point shots.  The Owls are shooting 72.4% as a team from the free throw line, and average 38 rebounds per game.

Senior point guard Dan Jackson (6-0 / 180) is the Owls leading scorer at 13.5 points per game, with senior guard Anthony Barringer (6-0 / 200) putting up 12.3 points per game and is the teams leading rebounder at 7.2 per game.

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

The Cats win at McAlister Field House, now 3-0

Western Carolina halted a three-game losing streak this season, and a four-game road losing skid against The Citadel, with a 72-55 Saturday night victory at McAlister Field House over the Bulldogs.

The Catamounts have improved to a 3-0 to start the Southern Conference schedule, just the fourth time since joining the SoCon that the Catamounts have won their first three games of a season.

Leading by seven, at the six minute mark, the Catamounts outscored The Citadel 18-to-6 over the next five minutes to take a 19 point lead. The Catamounts converted 16 Bulldog turnovers into 16 points, and won the battle of the boards, 35-to-24.

WCU finished with 18 offensive rebounds - matching its second-best performance of the season - converting them into 17 second-chance points.

The Catamounts go out of conference on Monday night, hosting host Warren Wilson to tip-off its longest home stand of the season to date. The Catamounts and Owls square-off for just the second time ever, Jan. 7 in the Ramsey Center with a 7:00 pm tip-off.

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

Catamount Athletics Year in Review: #1

Catamount Athletics Year in Review: #2 - Western Carolina Faces Davidson in SoCon Title Game 

Seeded third in the Southern Conference's North Division, Western Carolina faced regular season South Division champion, Davidson, in the 2012 SoCon Tournament Championship at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, NC.

Western Carolina advanced to its first SoCon tournament final since 1996 with an 82-77 victory over the top seed from the North, UNC Greensboro. Davidson dispatched Elon 83-67 to move into the tournament championship game, its first finals appearance since winning the title in 2008 - its' third of three-straight SoCon crowns.

Entering the Championship Game- the first between WCU and Davidson since 1999 - the Catamounts had won three-straight games over the Wildcats in SoCon tournament play to hold a 4-2 overall record. Included in that three-game streak is the 69-60 win in the 1996 championship game, WCU's lone league championship.

The Catamountswere were trying to become the first team since the 1939 Clemson Tigers to win four games en route to a SoCon Tournament title. Seeded third out of the North division, WCU is just the fifth team since beginning divisional play in the league to reach the championship game without being seeded first or second. In its current format, though, no team has advanced from the first round to win the title.

Rallying behind a raucous purple-clad crowd that gathered at the U.S. Cellular Center, the Catamounts erased a 13-point deficit to Davidson over the final 2:47 of regulation to tie the game at 78 on three clutch free throws by senior Keaton Cole to force overtime.

Trailing by two at the end of overtime, senior Harouna Mutombo made two free throws with 26 seconds remaining with the WCU defense tightening on a last-second jumper by Davidson's De'Mon Brooks to force a second overtime. In the second extra session, Davidson's Clint Mann converted a drive to the bucket with a two-handed slam dunk with one minute showing on the clock to put the Wildcats up for good in the 93-91 double-overtime victory.

"What a whale of a ballgame in terms of heart and competitive effort," WCU head coach Larry Hunter started in his post-game press conference. "Congratulations to Davidson, they have such a great ball club. They had to do what they had to do. I told the guys in the last timeout that I didn't think we had a third overtime in us so I said that we were going for the win. We got our best shooter a really good look, but it didn't go in."

"I've been a college coach for 41 years now. I told the guys in the locker room that I've never had a team spill their guts like that team did tonight. They gave me everything they had - we had breakdowns, but it wasn't because of what was in our chest (heart)," added Hunter.

"My hat is off to Larry Hunter and the Western Carolina Catamounts," opened Davidson head coach Bob McKillop during the post-game press conference. "They had one of the greatest tournament runs in my tenure in the Southern Conference. They never quit. They had their backs against the wall and they were relentless with their willingness to fight to the end."

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

Purple & Gold's Year in Review - Top 10:
10.  WCU's 2012 Football Season
9. The 2012 WCU Athletic Hall of Fame Class
8. Foster Tabbed First Team All-Southern Conference

7. Trio of Baseball Catamounts Named All-Southern Conference

6. Soccer Earns NSCAA Team Academic Award

5. Manteo Mitchell

4. Western Carolina Scores Upset Win over No. 8 Georgia
3. Track & Field Takes Second in SoCon Championships
2. Men's Track & Field Takes 2012 SoCon Indoor Crown; Women Finish Second



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Catamount Baseball: #28 Jordan Smith

It's 42 days until first pitch at Hennon Stadium against Washington State. While we're waiting, let's get to know this year's team and meet the juniors.

 #28 Jordan Smith

Class: Junior
Hometown: Liberty, N.C.
High School: Providence Grove HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 210
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R




Read the entire profile on the Catamount Sports Forum, under Baseball 

The Juniors
#2 Aaron Attaway
#4 Julian Ridings
#5 Luke Gragg
#11 Adam Martin
#12 Cody Jones
#14 Dykota Spiess


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Catamount Athletics Year in Review: #2

Catamount Athletics Year in Review: #2 - Men's Track & Field Takes 2012 SoCon Indoor Crown; Women Finish Second

The Western Carolina men's track & field team was crowned the 2011-12 Southern Conference Indoor Champion, defeating rival Appalachian State by the narrowest of margins, a half of a point.

The men scored 155 points, while the Mountaineers had 154.5. Samford was also in the mix as the top three teams were separated by only seven and a half points. On the women's side, the Catamount women's track & field teams earned silver, finishing behind Appalachian State, 157.16 to WCU's 113.

Head Coach Danny Williamson was selected as the Men's Coach of the Year. It is the ninth time that Williamson has received the honor, matching the same number that Williamson has received it for his efforts with the WCU women's team.

The men's championship came down to the last event of the night, the 4x400-meter relay. Being down by three points, the only way the Catamounts could win the championship was to win the relay. Western Carolina did just that by winning the event in 3:15.08 with The Citadel finishing in second, three seconds behind the Catamounts. The relay team consisted of sophomore Aaron Tribble, junior Brandon Hairston, freshman Demari Boswell and senior Benny Davis. It was the second fastest time of the year for WCU.

Senior Benny Davis picked up the victory in the 200-meter dash in his final SoCon Indoor Championship of his collegiate career, winning the event in 21.35. Freshman Jeffrey Hendricks placed fifth with a time of 22.21. Davis also had a strong showing in the 400-meter dash, racing across the stripe in 47.84, earning silver. The top six of the 400-meter dash featured three other Catamounts besides Davis. Placing third was junior Brandon Hairston who finished in 48.51. Sophomore Aaron Tribble placed fourth (48.58) while freshman Demari Boswell placed sixth (49.53).

The 60-meter dash was also a big point-grabber for WCU. Hairston earned another top three finish as the junior earned silver with a season-best time of 6.91. Junior Ron Duncan - who had the fast preliminary time in the event - finished third (6.94) with classmate Willie Bowman placing fifth (6.96).

In the field events, sophomore Bob McNeil had another big day in the jumps. A day after winning the men's long jump, McNeil returned to the top of the podium winning the triple jump with a personal-best jump of 15.08. His mark of 7.25m in the long jump yesterday was also a personal best. In the weight throw, senior Jamie Van Pelt made the best of his final SoCon Indoor Championship, placing third with a career-best throw of 17.55m. Sophomore Jonathan Newton finished fifth with his throw of 16.23m.

Friday's women's competition did not pale in comparison to the men's accomplishments as Western Carolina set two SoCon Championship records on the track. In the women's 400-meter dash, senior Felisha Garren broke the previous SoCon record of 54.64 that was set back in 1995 by WCU alum Angela Rowe with her Friday time of 54.61. The time was just off of the Western Carolina record of 54.31.

Freshman Genevieve Emrick earned a spot on the SoCon All-Freshman team for her fourth place finish in the event, crossing the stripe in 56.81. The women's 4x400-meter relay team continued the tradition of strong Catamount relay teams by finding their own spot in the Southern Conference Championship record books. The team of sophomore Shiniqua Pryor, freshman Genevieve Emrick, freshman Lena Elliott and senior Felisha Garren won the event by setting a Championship record time of 3:44.98. That time was also just off the school record (3:44.47) that was set in 2010.

Felisha Garren was a member of that record-setting team as well. In the 200-meter dash, Garren placed third with a time of 24.74. Placing fifth and sixth in the 200 were Raven Parrish (25.09) and Brittany Diggs (25.20). Janise Robinson finished third in the 60-meter dash finals with a time of 7.74.

In the triple and high jumps, sophomore Raven Parrish placed third (11.52m) and fourth (5.52m).

 "On the women's side, it was probably the youngest team that we've brought to this meet since I've been here," continued Williamson. "With so many freshmen and sophomores, we were really excited and proud of how we competed. They did a very good job, and we are proud of both teams."

Individually, freshman Abraham Faison was named the 2012 Freshman of the Year. Faison placed in the top eight in the long jump (fourth), triple jump (eighth) and the 60-meter hurdles (fifth).


Courtesy WCU Sports Information

Purple & Gold's Year in Review - Top 10:
10.  WCU's 2012 Football Season
9. The 2012 WCU Athletic Hall of Fame Class
8. Foster Tabbed First Team All-Southern Conference

7. Trio of Baseball Catamounts Named All-Southern Conference

6. Soccer Earns NSCAA Team Academic Award

5. Manteo Mitchell

4. Western Carolina Scores Upset Win over No. 8 Georgia
3. Track & Field Takes Second in SoCon Championships


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Catamount Baseball: #14 Dykota Spiess

It's 43 days until first pitch at Hennon Stadium against Washington State. While we're waiting, let's get to know this year's team and meet the juniors.

#14 Dykota Spiess

Class: Junior
Hometown: Morganton, N.C.
High School: Patton HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 200
Position: INF/OF
B/T: L/R



Read the entire profile on the Catamount Sports Forum, under Baseball 

The Juniors
#2 Aaron Attaway
#4 Julian Ridings
#5 Luke Gragg
#11 Adam Martin
#12 Cody Jones

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Catamount Athletics Year in Review: #3

Catamount Athletics Year in Review: #3 - Track & Field Takes Second in SoCon Championships

The Western Carolina men's and women's track & field teams wrapped up competition in the 2012 Southern Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships held in Cullowhee. Both the men's and women's teams placed second in the outdoor championships for the second straight year.

Western Carolina was edged by Appalachian State in the men's results with the Mountaineers tallying 238 points. WCU earned 225 points with Samford finishing in third with 107 points. On the women's side, WCU totaled 149 with ASU taking the title with a score of 207.50.

Individually, WCU student-athletes were awarded two accolades as Benny Davis was named Most Valuable Track Performer and Alisha Bradshaw was named Freshman of the Year.

The men's 4x400-meter relay won their eighth consecutive title with a time of 3:15.90. WCU's team consisted of Aaron Tribble, Aaron Harris, Demari Boswell and Benny Davis. The women's team - consisting of Lena Elliott, Genevieve Emrick, Jocelyn Keen and Felisha Garren - also won the 4x400-meter title with their time of 3:46.80.

In the women's 4x100-meter relay, Western Carolina's five-year reign in the event ended as WCU placed second with a time of 46.02. Appalachian State won the event, crossing the stripe in 45.92.

Three Catamounts earned points in the men's triple jump with WCU's Cornelius Williams winning the event with his jump of 14.99m. His jump was a personal best for the senior. Bob McNeil (14.69m) and Sam Lusty (13.63m) placed third and seventh, respectively.

Western Carolina picked up the top five spots in the men's 400-meter dash with Aaron Harris picking up his first win in the event with his personal best time of 48.03. Aaron Tribble (48.53), Benny Davis (48.86), Brandon Hairston (49.68) and Demari Boswell (49.73) rounded out the top five. On the women's side, two student-athletes finished in the top five as Felisha Garren finished second, crossing the stripe in 55.00 while Lena Elliott placed fifth with her time of 56.39.

Benny Davis also won his first SoCon Outdoor 200-meter title with his personal best time of 20.82, just off former Catamount Manteo Mitchell's record of 20.73.

In the women's 5000-meter run, junior Mara Smith placed third with a personal best 17:34.48. Alisha Bradshaw picked up her second win of the weekend as she won the women's discus with her throw of 43.71m. Classmate Aleisha Archie-McMillan placed second with her 42.17m throw. Sophomore Kim Cannon also earned points in the discus with her throw of 38.98m. In the men's discus, Jamie Van Pelt threw 51.55m to earn second place in the event.

In the men's shot put, sophomore Jonathan Newton threw a personal best 14.84m to place third.

In the decathlon, junior Luke Burton finished second overall with his highest point total of the season as the junior tallied 6207 points. Teammates Kyle Bernier (5375) and Wayne Parker (5150) placed fifth and sixth in the decathlon.

In the women's high jump, freshman Xaviera Bass earned All-Freshman status for her fourth place finish. Bass cleared 1.65m, a personal best.

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

Purple & Gold's Year in Review - Top 10:
10.  WCU's 2012 Football Season
9. The 2012 WCU Athletic Hall of Fame Class
8. Foster Tabbed First Team All-Southern Conference

7. Trio of Baseball Catamounts Named All-Southern Conference

6. Soccer Earns NSCAA Team Academic Award

5. Manteo Mitchell

4. Western Carolina Scores Upset Win over No. 8 Georgia


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Catamount Baseball: #12 Cody Jones

It's 44 days until first pitch at Hennon Stadium against Washington State. While we're waiting, let's get to know this year's team and meet the juniors.

#12 Cody Jones

Class: Junior
Hometown: Marietta, Ga.
High School: Harrison HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 235
Position: C
B/T: R/R



Read the entire profile on the Catamount Sports Forum, under Baseball 

The Juniors
#2 Aaron Attaway
#4 Julian Ridings
#5 Luke Gragg
#11 Adam Martin


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Game 14 - The Citadel

Game #14 - The Citadel
Location: McAlister Field House, Charleston, SC
Date: Saturday, January 5th, 2013
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Series:  28-34, Cats won both games last season
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV: none
Live Video: Stretch Internet (Fee)




In head coach Chuck Driesell's third season as the skipper of the Citadel, the Bulldogs were picked 6th in the SoCon's South Division in the preseason poll. The Bulldogs are coming off a 6-24 overall record (3-15 SoCon) last season, and enter the Western Carolina game 3-8 overall (0-1 SoCon) this year.

The Citadel is currently in the midst of a seven game losing streak, including a 84-54 loss to conference foe Greensboro, back on December 1st.  The Bulldogs' wins all came at home, to VMI and two non-Division I teams.   Like the Catamounts this season, the Bulldogs have been road warriors during the month of December, as the Citadel will meet the Catamounts at home after 6 straight away games, all losses.

The Bulldogs return two starters off last season's team, and added 4 newcomers in the off season. Senior center Mike Groselle (6-8/244) leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 15 ppg, and 7.8 rebounds per game. He's followed by freshman forward Matt Van Scyoc (6-6/218) with 9.9 ppg and 4.1 rebounds. The Citadel is averaging 63.9 ppg, but have given up 76.4 points per game. The Bulldogs field goal average is 43.2% and they average 5.7 three pointers per game.

The Bulldogs are a good free throw shooting team (bad news for the Catamounts) shooting 72.1%, while they are giving up about 17 turnovers per game.

This is a very important game for the Catamounts, as it's not only a conference game, we will not play the Bulldogs in Cullowhee this season.  So, we only get one shot for the win, the Cats must make this one count.


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Catamount Athletics Year in Review: #4

Catamount starting pitcher Adam Curtis

Catamount Athletics Year in Review: #5 - Western Carolina Scores Upset Win over No. 8 Georgia

Western Carolina's win over the nationally-ranked Bulldogs was its first over a ranked opponent since 2009 when the Catamounts defeated the fourth-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 10-9, in Cullowhee on April 22.

Western Carolina pushed across three runs in the top of the fifth inning to erase a one-run deficit, holding on for a 5-3 victory over eighth-ranked Georgia in nonconference action at Foley Field.

Junior left-handed pitcher Adam Curtis pitched a solid 6.2 inning effort for the Catamounts, giving up three runs on six hits. The Arden, N.C., native worked around three walks with a pair of strikeouts in earning his second victory of the season. Georgia pitcher Pete Nagel was saddled up the loss for the Bulldogs.

The Catamounts capitalized on UGA's lone error and three walks in the top of the frame to hand the Bulldogs its first loss of the season. The Catamounts had their biggest offensive inning of the night in the top of the fifth getting started with right fielder Cody Jones reaching on a fielding error by the Georgia short stop. Georgia loaded the bases by adding two walks to Aaron Attaway and Dykota Spiess with second baseman Ross Heffley coming to the plate. Heffley picked up his second RBI of the night with a single to left field. UGA walked DH Jacob Hoyle to bring in Aaron Attaway. The final run of the game was brought in off a sacrifice fly by Tyler White that scored Dykota Spiess.

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

Purple & Gold's Year in Review - Top 10:
10.  WCU's 2012 Football Season
9. The 2012 WCU Athletic Hall of Fame Class
8. Foster Tabbed First Team All-Southern Conference

7. Trio of Baseball Catamounts Named All-Southern Conference

6. Soccer Earns NSCAA Team Academic Award

5. Manteo Mitchell

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Catamount Baseball: #11 Adam Martin

It's 45 days until first pitch at Hennon Stadium against Washington State. While we're waiting, let's get to know this year's team and meet the juniors.

#11 Adam Martin

Class: Junior
Hometown: Marietta, Ga.
High School: Harrison HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 235
Position: C
B/T: R/R




Read the entire profile on the Catamount Sports Forum, under Baseball 

The Juniors
#2 Aaron Attaway
#4 Julian Ridings
#5 Luke Gragg


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Happy New Year

Cats foul their way to a loss

Tawaski King (32) - Photo by Mark Haskett

Another loss - to another bad Big South team. The Cats have now lost to both UNCA and Liberty (probably the worst team in the Big South with an RPI of 343 of 347 teams).

The Catamounts committed 19 personal fouls against the Liberty Flames, sending them to the free throw line for 22 attempts, where they made 18 points (81.8%).

However, it was the technical foul (for calling an excessive time out) assessed against the Cats by Scott Smith (son of Dean) with 5 seconds remaining - that was a game changer.

While attempting an inbound play under the Liberty backboard, with a 1 point lead and 5 seconds on the clock, the Cats were assessed with a technical foul, that sent the Flames to the free throw line for the final time.  That technical foul was the measure of victory for Liberty.

One point down, Liberty's Tavares Speaks sunk two final free throws, giving the Flames a one point victory, 63-62 in the Ramsey Center.

Trey Sumler stated that a "time-out" was not called, but a set play was called & repeated three times - the set play is named Catamount.  "Catamount" - "Catamount" - "Catamount" - was the only thing said according to Sumler.  Smith said he heard "time-out" "time-out" "time-out" called out three times, and of course we all know, the officials are never wrong.  Now in addition to glasses,  I guess they also need a hearing aid check prior to game time.  

Not a great way to end the game, it's certainly not good, when an officials' call decided the outcome. But this game was lost prior to the technical, it was lost by excessive fouls and cold shooting by the Catamounts.

Not having played in 10 days, the Catamount shooting was colder than ice all afternoon. The Cats hit only 23 of 61 field goal attempts for 37.7% and were able to hit only 4 of 23 attempted 3-point shots, for a meager 17.4%. Tom Tankelewicz, this season's three point ace, went 0-6 in treys, prior to fouling out of the game.  The Cats were also out rebounded by 10 by the Flames,  36-26.

The lone stat that provided the ability for the Catamounts to remain in the game and stay close; then tie & take the lead in the final minutes was Liberty's forced turnovers. The Flames committed 23 turnovers, most of which the Catamounts failed to take advantage of, due to their poor shooting on the night.

Trey Sumler was the high scorer in the game, with 23 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, & 3 steals; Tawaski King put up 12; and James Sinclair 11 points.  The Flames were lead by Tavares Speaks, coming off the bench with 13 points and 2 rebounds.

The Cats now travel to the Citadel on January 5th.  This game is now very much up in the air. The 3-7 Bulldogs play at Clemson on Tuesday.  The Citadel has only one Div I win, that came in their season opening game over VMI in Charleston.

Read the article about the time out contrevesy in the Asheville Citizen Times here


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Catamount Athletics Year in Review: #5

Catamount Athletics Year in Review: #5 - Manteo Mitchell

Former Western Carolina Track & Field standout Manteo Mitchell is a world champion.

Mitchell was part of the United States’ 4x400-meter relay team finishing in 3:03.94 at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey that claimed the Gold Medal. Team USA consisted of Frankie Wright, Calvin Smith, Mitchell and Gil Roberts.

Mitchell ran the third leg of the event, taking the handoff from Calvin Smith with the United States in second place behind Great Britain. Mitchell ran a personal best split of 44.8 to move Team USA into first place. Gil Roberts maintained the lead for the Americans to win the world championship.

During 2012, Mitchell was also selected to repesent the US as a member of the US Olympic Team in the 4x400-meter relay. Mitchell ran in the opening leg for Team USA in 4x400-meter relay semifinal. The Bahamas and United States finished 1-2 in the heat, with identical times of 2:58.87, the fastest time ever run in the first round of the relay at the Olympic Games.

During Mitchell's run, he broke of his left fibula bone, but completed the race. The US ultimately won the Silver Medal in the 4x400 relay.

Purple & Gold's Year in Review - Top 10:
10.  WCU's 2012 Football Season
9. The 2012 WCU Athletic Hall of Fame Class
8. Foster Tabbed First Team All-Southern Conference

7. Trio of Baseball Catamounts Named All-Southern Conference

6. Soccer Earns NSCAA Team Academic Award

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Catamount Baseball: #5 Luke Gragg

It's 46 days until first pitch at Hennon Stadium against Washington State. While we're waiting, let's get to know this year's team and meet the juniors.

#5 Luke Gragg

Class: Junior
Hometown: Shelby, N.C.
High School: Crest HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 170
Position: OF
B/T: L/R




Read the entire profile on the Catamount Sports Forum, under Baseball 

The Juniors
#2 Aaron Attaway
#4 Julian Ridings


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Scanning the SoCon - Week Nine

Each week, twelve bloggers/message boarders (one representing each team) all will vote on a Game of the Week and Power Rankings. At least four will answer a series of questions on their team and around the SoCon.




Power Rankings 
1) Davidson 131 (10)
2) College of Charleston 118 (1)
3) Elon 109
4) Wofford 102
5) Western Carolina 87
6) UNCG 69
7) Georgia Southern 64
8) Chattanooga 58
9) Appalachian State 51
10) Samford 31
11) The Citadel 22
12) Furman 16

Game Of The Week
Duke vs. Davidson in Charlotte

Questions 


To read the entire article and see the answers to this week's questions, visit MocsMania


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Game 13 - Liberty

Game #13 - Liberty Flames
Conference: Big South
Location: Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC
Date: Monday, December 31th
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Series:  tied at 1-1
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV: none
Live Video: Catamount All Access



Liberty head coach Dale Layer enters his fourth season with the Flames, and returns only two of his top five scorers from last season – John Caleb Sanders and Tavares Speaks.  This will be the third meeting between the Catamounts and Flames, with each team looking to pick up a win in the rubber match.

The Liberty Flames were selected to finish fourth in the Big South's  North Division for the 2012-13 season. Liberty is coming off a 14-18 season, finishing fifth in last year's conference standings. This season, Liberty is 3-10 overall, with wins over Div III Southern Virginia and NAIA's  Milligan College, and Union College (NAIA). The Flames do not have a Division I win thus far this season. 

The Flames are currently led in scoring by junior Davon Marshall (guard / 5-11 / 170) with 12.1 ppg and junior John Caleb Sanders (guard / 6-0 / 180) with 9.8 ppg and  4 rebounds per game. Sanders scored a career high 24 points against Milligan in the Flames last outing. Marshall is first in the Big South in three-pointers per game, averaging nearly three per contest. Junior JR Coronado (forward / 6-8 / 245) leds the Flames in rebounding this season, with 8.5 per game and is ranked third among Big South players in rebounding.

Liberty is averaging 63.3 points per game on the season, shooting 40.9% from the field, while averaging 7.7 three pointers per game and averaging 15.9 turnovers per game. Liberty is tops among Big South squads in three-point field goal defense, forcing opponents to shoot 28.6 percent from long range and remain 11th in the nation in three-point field goal defense.

Redshirt junior Joel Vander Pol (center / 6-10/ 230) has returned to the Liberty lineup after missing the first 9 games of the season, he is currently averaging about 10 minutes per game since his return.  At this point in his development for this season, I do not expect Vander Pol to be a difference maker for the Flames in this game. However, playing in his fifth contest since returning to the Flames' lineup, Joel Vander Pol scored a season-high 12 points and a career-high 11 boards against Liberty's last opponent, Union College (NAIA) last Friday night in Lynchburg, VA.


Liberty Game Notes 

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