NCAA Division II wrestling coaches are picking Adams State ninth in the preseason poll released Wednesday. The Grizzlies, who finished 10th at last season’s national championships, received 86 points. Defending national champion Nebraska-Omaha is the choice to repeat, receiving 160 points. Other Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams ranked in the top 20 include Nebraska-Kearney (eighth) and Fort Hays State (10th). Colorado Mines and Western State also received votes.
Adams State has three returning athletes ranked in the top eight nationally: Rob McCabe (125 pounds), Raymond Dunning (133) and Evan Copeland (165). Western State’s Marques Bravo is in the top eight at 125 pounds, as is Colorado Mines’ Nathan Pilcher in the 157-pound class.
UNC men’s hoops hires Dan Sparks
University of Northern Colorado men’s basketball coach Craig Rasmuson says he hit a “grand slam” with his hiring of Dan Sparks as an assistant. Sparks compiled a 706-193 record in 26 years at Vincennes (Ind.) University, claiming 18 national junior college region titles and three final four appearances. Sparks retired at Vincennes after the 2004-05 season. His teams won 20 games in 25 of 26 seasons and 30 or more 10 times.
Buck to consolation, Leimbach wins at ITA
Air Force senior Shannon Buck lost to Sheeva Parbhu of Notre Dame 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 in the first round of the 32-player ITA National Indoor Tennis Championships on Thursday in Columbus, Ohio. Buck will play in the quarterfinals of the consolation draw today.
Former Pine Creek High School star Nicole Leimbach, playing for TCU and the No. 1 seed, beat Natalie Frazier of Georgia 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.
