Sports Nuggets
By Joey Warren, athletics media relations director, contributing writer
Fans can follow ASU Athletics at www.jaguarsroar.com; www.facebook.com/ASUJaguars; and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/asu_jaguars.
Rohlfing named to All-Tournament Team
Augusta State outside hitter Alex Rohlfing was named to the 2011 Peach Belt Conference All-Tournament Team following the conclusion of the PBC Volleyball Championships.
The freshman from Waterloo, Ill., made an immediate impact on the squad, leading the conference in total kills and kills per set for the season. She also ranked 16th in total digs and block assists, and 20th in total blocks to garner PBC Freshman of the Year honors at the league’s annual awards banquet.
ASU trio tabbed All-Region
Fresh off two sixth-place finishes at the NCAA Southeast Regional, three Augusta State runners were honored for their efforts by being named All-Region runners by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Alicia Connolly, Dustin Ross, and Robert Blackwelder were each named to the list of nearly 400 of the best men’s and women’s Division II collegiate runners for their top-25 finishes. Connolly placed 23rd to pace ASU, running the 6K in 23:10 to help the Jaguars finish second behind NCAA Championship-bound Montevallo out of the Peach Belt teams. She placed fourth in the Pacer Invitational to help ASU grab their first win of the season, came in 15th in the Jaguar Invitational, and totaled three top-25 finishes for the season.
Ross capped a stellar sophomore campaign by finishing 18th after leading ASU to its first PBC Championship by crossing the line fourth, earning First-Team All-PBC honors. He won the Pacer Invitational, finished second in the Jaguar Invitational, and racked up four top-25 and five top-50 finishes on the year. He was named All-PBC runner of the week twice.
Blackwelder came on strong as the season progressed, ending his year 23rd at the regional meet after earning Second-Team All-PBC honors by placing 11th. He notched four top-25 finishes on the season and also earned his first Peach Belt Conference All-Academic award.
Jags picked third in PBC poll
Augusta State’s Men’s Basketball was picked to finish tied for third with Clayton State in the Peach Belt Conference Preseason Coach’s Poll, according to a release from the conference office.
The Jaguars won their third consecutive PBC Championship (fourth in the last five years) and their second PBC Tournament in the last three years in 2010-11. After making three straight trips to the NCAA Elite Eight, ASU advanced to the NCAA Southeast Regional Final and Sweet 16 for the fourth straight season.
Entering their eighth season under head coach Dip Metress, the Jags return two starters (senior guards O’Neal Armstrong and Tye Beal) and four letterwinners (juniors Kyle Armour and Travis Keels), along with redshirt freshmen Charles Robinson and Devon Wright-Nelson. Metress hit the recruiting trail hard, bringing in 11 newcomers, including eight freshmen, who are expected to contribute immediately.
ASU and Clayton State were tied for third place, with Montevallo in fifth and USC Aiken sixth. Georgia College, Francis Marion, Columbus State, Armstrong Atlantic State, Lander, North Georgia, and Flagler rounded out the voting.
Jags finish fourth In Dallas
Augusta State registered its best finish of the season last month following the final round of the Royal Oaks Intercollegiate at Royal Oaks Country Club.
ASU posted a 4-over 288 and finished at 4-under 848, good for fourth place behind winner Texas A&M, Duke, and Oklahoma. The tournament, which featured nine teams ranked among the top 50 in the nation, marked the end of the Jaguars’ fall schedule. ASU set season lows for lowest single round (a 9-under 275 in the second round) and for lowest 54-hole total (4-under 848).
Senior Taylor Floyd enjoyed a bogey-free round of 2-under 69 and junior Derek Chang birdied his final hole for an even-par 71 to earn a share of 13th place at 2-under 211. Senior Devin Komline managed a 2-over 73, and freshman Robin Petersson signed for a 4-over 75 and tied for 30th at 3-over 216. Senior Brendan Gillins, coming off his career-low 67 in the second round, had the squad’s non-counting score (a 6-over 78) and tied for 43rd.
The Jags open their 2012 schedule at the San Diego/TaylorMade Collegiate on Feb. 13-14 at San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista, Calif.
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