Campus notes

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 9, 2004

BYU

BASEBALL: BYU signed 14 recruits during the early November signing period.

Three have previous ties to Cougar athletics: Dane Nielsen, a second baseman, from Sugarland, Texas, is the son of former football and basketball player Gifford Nielsen. Stetson Banks, an infielder from Mesa, Ariz., is the nephew of former Cougar All-American Brian Banks, who played on the 2003 World Series champion Florida Marlins. Michael Ward, a right-handed pitcher from Dallas, is the son of former BYU pitcher Colby Ward, who also played in the majors.

Also signed are: Jason Johnson, 2B, Houston; Jacob Wortham, OF/ LHP, Dallas; Jesse Craig, RHP, Henderson, Nev.; Clayton Mortensen, RHP, Rexburg, Idaho; Chris Highmark, LHP/OF, Paradise, Ariz.; Seth Johnson, OF, Albuquerque; Kasey Ko, 1B, Honolulu; Brandon Michon, LHP, Hamilton, Va.; Jordan Muir, RHP, Las Vegas; JT Musso, C, Pueblo, Colo.; and Kent Walton, OF, Yucaipa, Calif.

Utah

VOLLEYBALL: Utah's Lyndsey Henderson garnered her third accolade of the season when the American Volleyball Coaches Association named her to the West all-region squad. The 6-foot-5 middle blocker's 1.67 blocks per game ranked second in the Mountain West Conference and eighth nationally. She averaged 3.59 kills per game and hit .322 for the season, checking in at third and fifth in the MWC, respectively.

Utah State

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Utah State women's basketball team stays on the road this week for its fifth and sixth straight games away from Logan, as it travels to Albuquerque on Friday to play San Diego at 6 p.m. in the opening round of the University of New Mexico Tournament. Depending on the outcome of Friday's game, the Aggies will play either New Mexico or Bowling Green on Saturday at 6 or 8 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Nate Harris, a 6-7 junior from Smithfield, Cache County, averaged 23.0 points to lead Utah State to decisive victories against in-state rivals Brigham Young and the University of Utah last week. For his efforts he was named Utah State Athlete of the Week.

FOOTBALL: Utah State football player Kevin Robinson was named twice to The Sporting News Freshman All-America teams. The 6-0, 188- pounder from Fresno, Calif., was tabbed as the second-team return specialist as well as a third-team wide receiver. A week ago, Robinson earned first-team all-Sun Belt Conference return-specialist honors as well as second-team all-purpose accolades.

Utah Valley

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Head coach Cathy Nixon has announced the signing of four recruits during the early signing period. Joining the Wolverines next fall will be Hollie Beaman, Robyn Fairbanks, Sandy Marvin and Ashley Grimm.

Beaman is a point guard from Kingwood, Texas. She was voted one of the top 25 players in Texas during the preseason. Fairbanks is a forward from Canada. She was named Alberta rookie of the year as a sophomore in Canada's largest school classification. Marvin is a guard from Payson High School and can play point or shooting guard. Grimm is a forward from Skyline High School in Salt Lake City; she averaged 10 points, five rebounds and three assists for the Eagles last year.

VOLLEYBALL: Utah Valley State head volleyball coach Sam Atoa added some help on the front line as he signed outside hitter Kari Heers and middle blocker Kristen Bromley to letters of Intent. Both athletes will come in as freshman for the Wolverines next season. Heers, 5-9, from Honokaa High School in Honokaa, Hawaii, was voted Player of the Year by league coaches. Bromley, 6-3, Dixie High School, St. George, is a two-sport athlete playing both volleyball and basketball.