Basketball: Rena Wakama

Meet the 2012-13 women's basketball team.

Rena Wakama 

Class: Junior
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Wake Forest Rolesville HS
Height: 5-7
Position: G




2011-12 (Sophomore): Played in 31 games and started 17 ... Scored a season-best 205 points ... Ranked second on the team in scoring averaging 6.6 points per game ... Scored in double figures six times including a career-high 19 against North Carolina Central ... Second on the team in assists with 31 and ranked third for steals with 38.

2010-11 (Freshman): Named to the 2011 Southern Conference All-Freshman Team ... Played in 30 games and started 34 ... Got the first start of her career against Davidson on January 5 ... Scored a career-high 15 points against Elon ... Led the team in scoring twice ... Scored in double figures eight times ... Ranked fourth on the team averaging 5.9 points per game.

High School: Played at Wake Forest Rolesville High School ... As a senior, averaged 14.9 points, 2.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds per game and 2.5 steals per game ... Named Cap-7 Most Valuable Player, McDonalds High School All-American nominee, All-District First Team and All-State First Team .... As a junior earned All-District Second Team and Team MVP.

Personal: Rena S. Wakama ... Daughter of Rosana Oba ... Has two sisters, Yvonne and Mina.

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

Men's Basketball Practice starts

The Catamount men's basketball practice officially began Friday at 5:00 p.m.in the Ramsey Center. 

"This is a fun time of the year for college basketball players and coaches to be able to get back on the court and practice with the whole team," said head coach Larry Hunter. "It's a time to start to put the pieces of the puzzle back together to see what you're going to have."

"We have good basketball players in our program. Our junior class with Trey Sumler, Tawaski King, Brandon Boggs, Preston Ross, Tom Tankelewicz and Josh Mendenhall is really a very good, talented class. Skill wise, athletically, they are very strong. We have some good basketball players there. Then, our sophomores and freshmen are going to add to that."

"We're excited to have some potential depth on our team, and hopefully it can all come together and we can play some solid basketball."

Basketball: Alex Abraham

Meet the 2012-13 women's basketball team.

Alex Abraham 

Class: Junior
Hometown: Stone Mountain, Ga.
High School: Paideia School
Height: 6-0
Position: F




2011-12 (Sophomore): Played in 29 games and started 23 ... Had a stellar sophomore campaign, upping her scoring average from 1.4 as a freshman to 5.1 her sophomore season ... She more than tripled her scoring output her sophomore year with 147 points, in contrast to 41 as a freshman ... She scored a career-high 14 points against Charleston Southern (11/14) ... Scored in double figures five times.

2010-11 (Freshman): Played in 29 of 31 games ... Career-high two blocks against College of Charleston on February 19 ... Led team in rebounds once ... Averaged 1.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.

High School: Four-year letterwinner at Paideia High School ... As a senior, helped lead her team to a 25-4 record and reached the Georgia-A Elite Eight ... Named All-State Honorable Mention, All-Region, Atlanta All-Metro Team, Team MVP and GHSA North Georgia All-State and to Dekalb County All-Star Team ... As a junior, named All-Region and team ended with a 19-11 record and a Georgia-A Sweet 16 finish ... As a sophomore, team posted a 24-7 record and a was Georgia-AA state runner-up.

Personal: Alexandra Anne Abraham ... Daughter of Ansley, Jr. and Linda Abraham ... Has one brother, Ansley Abraham III ... Father Ansley played basketball at Florida State University.

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

Basketball: Hana Haden

Meet the 2012-13 women's basketball team.

Hana Haden 

Class: Junior
Hometown: Springfield, Mo.
High School: Oak Hill Academy
Last College: Mineral Area Junior College
Height: 5-4
Position: G





Prior to Western Carolina:  Spent two seasons at Mineral Area Junior College ... In final season at Mineral Area JUCO averaged 7.6 points per game, shot 40 percent from the floor, hit 41 three pointers, and shot 72 percent from the free throw line last season ... Also dished out 6.4 assists per game, which ranked her seventh in the National Junior College Athletic Association. Haden was also named Honorable Mention All-Region.

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

The Cats travel to Charleston to play the Bulldogs

Western Carolina travels to Charleston to play The Citadel Bulldogs at historic Johnson Hagood Stadium, with kickoff at 2:00 pm ET on Saturday, October 13.

Saturday's game can be heard on the Catamount Sports Network, with live stats by GameTracker and live video by the Citadel's Game Central.  

The Bulldogs will be looking to snap their current three-game losing streak as they return for a home game after last week's loss at Samford.  To start the season, the Dogs rolled over the Big South's Charleston Southern, 49-14.  The Citadel then started conference play with big wins over nationally ranked Georgia Southern and Appalachian State and reached as high as No. 10 in the nation in The Sports Network poll.

For Saturday's game, the Citadel will be down three players, including two starting linebackers, Carl Robinson (ACL) and Rah Muhammad (broken ankle), as well as, backup B-Back Terrell Davis (broke foot).

Catamount Basketball - Get Ready

SoCon Weekly Teleconference - 10-9-12

"Obviously, Georgia Southern is an outstanding football team," Speir opened during his time on the teleconference. "Coach (Jeff) Monken and (his team) are just blue-collar guys that are physical and fast - and that's a deadly combination when you've got a physical football team like they do and have the speed that they have on the field. That defense doesn't get enough credit because you hear all the time about the double-slot option attack, which is really good. But, that defense is awful stingy and doesn't give up a lot."

"We tried to hang with them for a while and had some bright spots, some positive spots. Offensively, we had a couple of nice drives and defensively did some nice things. We just couldn't sustain it for an entire ball game. And they held the ball, kept it away from our offense," Speir added.

"The good thing is our players hopefully can learn from the mistakes our defensive guys from seeing the same type of offense," said Speir. "Our offense has got to become more consistent because The Citadel defensively, they do a really nice job. They are a sound team and they make you drive - they don't give up a lot of big plays. They make you drive and count on you making a mistake. And we've had problems with that, the consistency part."


Coach Speir's SoCon Football Teleconference

The October 9th edition of Cat Chat on Big Wise radio (ESPN 1310), with Catamount Head Football Coach Mark Speir.


Listen here 

The Eagles literally run over the Catamounts

The Georgia Southern Eagles ran for 664 yards of offense, with 619 of those yards came from their rushing attack. The Eagles had three players rushing for 100+ yards against the Catamounts, in their yearly thrashing of WCU, by a final score of 45-13.

The 614 rushing yards by GSU's triple option attack are the most ever by an opponent at Whitmire Stadium against the Catamounts. The rushing total was the fourth-largest in Georgia Southern school history, and the win was Georgia Southern's 18th-straight victory over the Catamounts, which is the longest current winning streak in the Southern Conference.

“I think I’ve said it enough times, but we have to run the ball if we’re going to be successful. We try to establish the run in every game, and fortunately we were able to gain some yards and keep the chains moving on those first two drives. It was a good job by the offense to start the game,” Head Coach Jeff Monken said after the game.

The Eagle defense held the Catamounts to 207 yards of total offense and just 95-yards passing. The quarterback duo of Eddie Sullivan and Troy Mitchell combined for 8 for 17 in passing attempts.  Mitchell led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 41 yards and a score. Michael Vaughn added another 35 yards on 11 carries, and  Shaun Warren scored a touchdown in six carries.

"We played a very good football team in Georgia Southern. All the turnover troubles they had been having, they didn't have one today," said head coach Mark Speir in post game comments. "I thought there were some positive things (for us) for three quarters, the guys played hard. I was very disappointed by the way we were played in the fourth quarter."

The Catamounts were without starters Jacoby Mitchell - wide receiver , senior tailback Michael Johnson and tailback Darius Ramsey.  On defense, the Cats were missing defensive end Caleb Hawkins, and linebacker Rock Williams, both sidelined with injuries.

Cat Chat with Mark Speir (10-3-12)

The October 3d edition of Cat Chat on Big Wise radio (ESPN 1310), with Catamount Head Football Coach Mark Speir.


Listen here 

Georgia Southern at Western Carolina

The #9 nationally ranked Georgia Southern Eagles bring their highly touted triple option offense to Western Carolina after back-to-back home wins over Elon and Samford. Those two wins raised their record to 3-1 overall, and 2-1 in the Southern Conference.

The Eagles will enter Saturday's WCU Homecoming game in a three-way tie with The Citadel and Samford, in second place behind 2-0 Wofford. The Eagles' lone loss of the season came at The Citadel, by a score of 23-21 early in September.

Last season, Georgia Southern set a rushing record of sorts against the Cats, for the most rushing yards ever allowed by the Catamounts, 634 yards rushing in the 52-20 win over Western Carolina.

This season, The Eagles defensive unit is giving up just 96.5 yards a game on the ground, which ranks them 12th nationally in the FCS.  However, the GSU rush defense may be tested by the WCU rushing game, which ranks 33rd nationally in the FCS in rushing offense with 182.2 yards a game.

Ezayi Youyoute has started at quarterback for the Eagles in each of the four games thus far this season, but Jerick McKinnon may get the nod this weekend in Cullowhee. McKinnon has seen time this season at slot back, wide receiver and quarterback, and  last week in the Samford game, he sparked the Eagles when he replaced Youyoute at quarterback in the second quarter. McKinnon led the Eagles on a touchdown drive in his first series and ended up with a total of 162 yards on 12 carries, while playing quarterback.

"I don't know," head coach Jeff Monken said when asked about who will start Saturday in Cullowhee. "We'll determine through practice, and who we think will give us the best chance to win."

There is no doubt that McKinnon will start the game, it's just where he starts. He is a play-maker for the Eagles, and will make an impact anywherr he plays. “Not a lot of guys can play a lot of positions, and play them effectively,” Monken said. “One of the things is being able to spend time learning a lot of the fundamental details. We try to keep him based at quarterback so he knows and understands the quarterback position, which he does.

SoCon Weekly Teleconference - 10-2-12

Quotes from Coach Speir's teleconference

"It was probably our worst outing of the year as a team," Speir opened, reflecting on last Saturday's 45-24 road loss at Furman. "I don't know what it was, that's just part of coaching, I guess, trying to figure it out. We were just very lethargic, and Furman did a nice job, had a good game plan and we just didn't execute very well on offense and didn't fly around like we had been on defense."

"We all know that Georgia Southern is a tremendous football team," said Speir of the Eagles. "They're flying around and having a lot of enthusiasm. They've got a lot of skill on their defense; they can run, they're big up front with Brent Russell and that front four and they play extremely hard. And then, as always, trying to defend the double slot option attack that they have and they run so well. The speed that they have on the field, you can't be hesitant like we were last week."

"Number one, which concerned me coming off of the Furman game, is you have got to play - whether you've got as much talent on the field or speed on the field as Georgia Southern - you have to play with a lot of confidence and just being authoritative. You've got to get to the point of attack whether you're on a dive, on the quarterback, running the alley or out on pitch, defensively you cannot have any hesitation," Speir began when asked about what he's seen over the years in trying to slow the option offense. "You don't have to be as fast as Georgia Southern to go play well against them - but mentally, you have to be as fast as Georgia Southern, and that's what we're preaching to our defensive players." He added, "And offensively, our guys have got to just execute - the consistency is what we're lacking on that side of the ball."


Listen to Coach Speir's Teleconference

WBB Practice starts Oct. 1st

The Catamount women's basketball began its first day of team practice Monday, for the 2012-13 season. 

Head Coach Karen Middleton's Catamounts will return four starters and 11 letter winners from last season's team.  Returning starters include senior guard Diamond Hunnicutt, forward Janae' McKinney, junior forward Alex Abraham and sophomore Ali Lane.

The Cats open the 2012-13 season on the road at UNC Asheville at 4:30 p.m. on November 10th, but return to Cullowhee to play its six of their first eight games in the friendly confines of the Ramsey Activity Center.

"How We Roll"

Western Carolina at Furman

The Catamount Legacy

Catamount athletics is welcoming home ALL former student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and team managers home to Cullowhee for a special Homecoming reunion. The first-ever "Catamount Legacy All Sports Reunion" which will coincide with the 2012 WCU Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 5-6, 2012.

For more information or to reserve your spot for the "The Catamount Legacy All Sports Reunion," please contact Stefanie Conley, WCU Athletics Director of Special Events at (828) 227-2401 or by E-mail at slconley@email.wcu.edu

SoCon Football Teleconference

"It was a great ball game up here in Cullowhee - one we hate we lost with the 11-point lead going into the fourth quarter. But Samford did a great job of making plays in the fourth quarter and we didn't. It became a game of field position," said Speir while reflecting on last Saturday's four-point loss in Cullowhee. "We had a great atmosphere, a great crowd. I just hated it for our players and our fans that we didn't get it done last Saturday. But we got beat by a good football team; Samford is a class act. It was just a good college football game. But we feel like we let one get away."

"We got another tough game coming up this weekend down in Greenville against a Furman Paladin football team. You know what you're going to get when you go play Furman. They've got a lot of good football players so we're anticipating another big ball game," said Speir while breaking down the Paladins.

"(Furman's) a sound team that is going to try to establish the run game and then hurt you with the play action off of those runs they do so well. Our defense has to be disciplined," explained Speir. "On offense, we've got to finish drives. We've moved the ball at times but have trouble other times in finishing drives with points. Furman's not going to give you a lot of big plays, so we've got to stay consistent."


SoCon Football Teleconference

Lauer named SoCon Soccer POW

Catamount sophomore Jennifer Lauer is the Southern Conference’s women’s soccer player of the week for matches Sept. 17-23.

Lauer posted nine saves to go along with a 0.00 goals against average as WCU tied Elon 1-1 on Friday and topped UNCG 1-0 on Sunday.

The weekly award is the first of the Acworth, Georgia, native’s career.

Quotes about the Samford game

Quotes about the game.

 "It was a tough loss. I am proud of the effort our guys put forth, but we didn't come here to just be competitive. We came to win," WCU first-year head coach Mark Speir opened during his post-game media press conference. "I feel we let one slip away. Give credit to Samford as they made the plays at the end. When you go into the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead, you've got to win those."

“A lot of hurt coaches, players, managers, doctors, fans,” Speir said. “What an awesome fan (turnout). I can’t say enough about Western North Carolina and the fans and the band. It just hurts. I just want it so bad for this place.”

“I think the defense played a great football game,” said WCU quarterback Eddie Sullivan, who completed 16 of 35 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns but was picked off twice. “They did what they were supposed to do. The offense, we need to tighten up and get things better. We need to capitalize on all assignments.”

“We had enough heart to come back and win the football game, and that is what’s special about this team,” Samford coach Pat Sullivan said. “Our guys have taken pride in how hard they’ve worked, and they believe the fourth quarter is their’s.”

Conner Orr scores

Senior tight end Connor Orr hauls in the first touchdown of his career Saturday night against Samford.

Photo: Courtesy WCU Sports Information

Cats let the win slip away in the 4th

Samford rallied for 15-points in the fourth quarter, to overcome the Catamouts 11 point lead, to slip away with a 4 point victory on Saturday afternoon, 25-21, at E.J. Whitmire Stadium.

"It was a tough loss. I am proud of the effort our guys put forth, but we didn't come here to just be competitive. We came to win," WCU head coach Mark Speir said during his post-game press conference. "I feel we let one slip away. Give credit to Samford as they made the plays at the end. When you go into the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead, you've got to win those."

Fabian Truss led the Bulldog attack, rushing 23 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns, and added a team-high five catches out of the backfield for 23 yards.

The Cats travel to Travelers Rest, S.C., next Saturday to battle the Furman Paladins in their annual "White Out" game. Kickoff at Paladin Stadium is at 1:30 pm.

Baseball - Scout Day

The Catamounts held scout day last Wednesday, Sept. 19 on-campus at Hennon Stadium. A total of 22 Major League baseball teams were represented, as well as the MLB scouting bureau were on campus to watch and evaluating the Catamounts' fall practice session. Fall practice continues both Saturday and Sunday with intrasquad scrimmages. Practice begins at 10:00 am on Saturday morning and 11:00 am on Sunday. Courtesy WCU Sports Information

Basketball Season Tickets on sale

Mitchell visits White House

The 2012 United States Olympic team, including former WCU sprinter Manteo Mitchell visited Washington D.C., and the White House last Friday afternoon.

At the White House, President Obama singled out Mitchell, saying that his story was "one of my favorite stories of the whole Olympics."

"He talked about the Olympians being an inspiration, and when he said that my story was the most inspiring, it caught me off guard," recalled Mitchell. "The White House sent me the script because I didn't believe that he actually said it, but there it was. I thought it was cool. I inspired him, and he's the President of the United States of America. It humbled me to know that he was inspired by our team and me."

The Bob Waters Memorial

Catamount Golf Tour – The Bob Waters Memorial 

 September 21, 2012 (Friday before WCU vs. Samford)
 High Vista Country Club - Mills River, N.C. 

10:00 am Shotgun Start

All funds raised from this event will benefit WCU Athletics.

Individual Entry: $125.00 Team Entry: $600.00 (Includes 4 Man Team plus Hole Sponsorship)

All Entries include:
 · 18 Hole Golf Tournament
 · Dinner · Beverages
 · Tournament Gift
 · Tournament Awards
 · Interaction with WCU Coaches and Staff

Hole Sponsorships for this event only are available: $100.00 per hole

Tournament Format: 4 Person Captain’s Choice (Scramble)

Contact the Catamount Club office to register at 828.227.3047 or jfisher1@wcu.edu.

Football: Samford Bulldogs on Saturday

Wofford rolls over the Catamounts

Wofford's ground game pounded out 49 points as the ninth-ranked Terriers romped over the Catamounts, 49-20, at Gibbs Stadium Saturday night.

Wofford senior Eric Breitenstein finished the night with 160 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns. Wofford quarterback Michael Weimer rushed six times, for a total of 141 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Donovan Johnson finished the night with 126 yards rushing and one touchdown.  The Terriers gained over 590 yards total on the night, with only 5 of those yards coming from their passing attack.

14th-Annual Great Smokies Intercollegiate Sept. 16-18

Cats at Wofford