Making their third straight appearance in the Southland Conference (SLC) tournament, the Roadrunners entered as one of the hottest teams winning their last six-of-seven games. But the Islanders of A&M-Corpus Christi were riding a team with veteran experience, as all but two of the ten players hadn’t played in the SLC tourney.
As the final whistle blew, the Roadrunners season would come to an end one game short of a 20-win season. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed and UTSA as the No. 6 seed.
In the 50th meeting in the history between UTSA and UT-Arlington, the Roadrunners and the Mavericks entered the Southland Conference (SLC) tournament aiming to settle the rivalry, at least for this season. The orange and blue entered as the defending back-to-back tournament champion.
In the end, the ‘Runners would forfeit their two-year hold on the SLC tournament losing to the Mavericks, 68-63.
In fourteen games of non-conference action- Hotel Encanto Invitational (Las Cruces, N.M.), Marriot Houston Invitational (Houston, TX), UTSA Invitational (San Antonio, TX)-the UTSA softball team compiled a disappointing record of four wins and 10 losses. Although not all was lost, playing the likes of No. 13 Texas, No. 22 Louisiana-Lafayette, Nebraska, Purdue, Penn State and other comparable programs, the Roadrunners gained valuable and hard-earned experience that will guide them through Southland Conference (SLC) play.
The UTSA women’s basketball team was dealt a 77-61 loss by Stephen F. Austin (SFA) this past Saturday on Senior Night at the Convocation Center.
The Roadrunners finished the regular season going 16-13, and 10-6 in Southland Conference (SLC) play- UTSA will be the No. 4 seed in next week’s SLC tournament.
In their victory, the Ladyjacks guaranteed themselves a share of the SLC regular season title- SFA will enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed.
Although the Roadrunners struggled offensively in the first half, shooting 7-24 from the floor, they headed into the break down only nine, 31-22. UTSA was outrebounded 26-16 while committing 16 first half turnovers.
The lady Roadrunners have had two golf tournaments in the 2010 season and have had a strong start.
The Roadrunners opened the 2010 season at the Koasati Pines Classic in Kinder, Louisiana . They finished in third as a team and four of their five players finish in the top 20 of the tournament.
The four top athletes included senior Shelly Martinez, senior Madison McClain, sophomore Summer Batiste and sophomore Bruna Spengler.
Saturday Feb. 27 UTSA’s Alumni Association hosted a record breaking 26th annual Diplobma Dash 5K, in which 1,345 runners and walkers participated.
“This the largest Diploma Dash we’ve ever had and this is our 26th year so that really says something for the fact that people like to exercise, they like to get out on a pretty day and they like to support scholarships,” Jane Findling Burton, assistant vice president of Alumni Programs said of the record -breaking participation.
The UTSA women’s basketball team is preparing to regroup for their final two regular season games after a 66-63 loss to Lamar Feb. 27 at the Convocation Center.
Sophomore Whitney York led the Roadrunners (15-12, 9-5) with a game-high 20 points. The Bryan native also recorded seven rebounds while reaching career-best eight assists and six steals.
Diploma Dash raises money for scholarships and promotes Alumnus at our school. You get a good workout and it’s for a good cause.
Two weeks before the Diploma Dash I hurt myself during Taekwondo Club practice when a sparring partner kicked my shin with destructive, life-threatening force. If his kick was near any of my vital organs, I might have been killed. It was that bad. Anyways, excuse my exaggeration, but after the injury, I wasn’t able to walk without limping for two days. What’s worse, I couldn’t walk without feeling pain until three days before the diploma dash. Because of my shin, I didn’t prepare for the event properly, and I trained inconsistently because of the pain.
Sunday Feb. 21 the UTSA Men’s
lacrosse team was defeated by LSU
24-9.
Through most of the first half
the teams were pretty evenly
matched. In the first quarter LSU
took and early 1-0 lead and were
quick to extend it to 3-1. However
as the quarter was winding down
the Roadrunners seemed to come
alive. Attacker Todd Walling was
able to score twice and give the
Roadrunners a one goal deficit.
Runners take out conference leader in 91-90 overtime win
Junior Devin Gibson scored a game
high 22 points and seniors Terry Fields
and Omar Johnson both pitched in
19 points a piece to halt the Bearkats
11-game winning streak in a 91-90
overtime victory Saturday night in the
Convocation Center.
The UTSA softball team was
swept in five games at the Marriot
Houston Invitational this past
weekend. The Roadrunners are
currently on an eight game losing
streak.
The UTSA baseball team stepped
off their 2010 campaign with a pair
of wins at Roadrunner Field this past
weekend.
The Roadrunners (2-0) were supported
with quality pitching as UTSA
was able to defeat Houston Baptist 9-2
on Saturday and 7-2 on Sunday.
Following Southland Conference (SLC) first place finishes in 2007 (36-22, 24-6) and 2008 (39-19, 22-8), the 2009 Roadrunners were the consensus favorite to capture the title again in 2009.
Ultimately UTSA fell short in the SLC tournament, losing back-to-back extra inning games against Sam Houston State, 6-8, and Southeastern Louisiana, 4-5. But what we learned about the validity of preseason rankings in 2009 could guide the Roadrunners back to glory in 2010.
The UTSA Alumni Association is holding its 26th annual Diploma Dash 5K and Walk on Feb. 27.
Diploma Dash is a five km (3.1 miles) certified race that recognizes UTSA alumnus, promotes the school and raises money for UTSA alumni scholarships. Marcia Mattingly, marketing and communications consultant, said the Diploma Dash can be found in all Southwestern Texas race calendars and had a record high of 1079 participants last year.
DeMarco Stepter came up big Saturday afternoon with a team high 15 points as the Roadrunners were able to claim victory over Southeastern Louisiana 64-57. The win ended a five-game losing streak for the Roadrunners and improves their overall record to 13-8 (3-5 Conference).
Although the UTSA football program is uncertain as to when they will reach their goal of becoming an independent of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), previously Division 1-A, head coach Larry Coker and his staff are off to a great start after a successful signing day last Wed. where the school inked its first 25 student-athletes.
If there’s one thing that being a Saints fan for all of these years has taught me is that you must have a sense of humility to make it through the ups and downs of life. Things can be taken away, but things can be given back in return.
On Feb. 3 Head Football Coach Larry Coker announced UTSA’s first-ever signing class, which consists of 25 high school athletes and two sophomore transfers.
Large donation by S.A. couple
University of Texas at San Antonio officials announced Jan. 19 that Jim Bodenstedt, a graduate of UTSA’s College of Business (1996) and a local restaurant franchise owner, and his wife, Cathy Bodenstedt, a current undergraduate, are the first to award a million-dollar donation to support the upcoming UTSA football program.
Women’s
Senior Dana Mecke won the mile and posted a runner-up showing in the 800 meters to lead a solid effort by the UTSA women’s track & field team at the Houston Invitational/Multis held Friday-Saturday at Bill Yeoman Field House.
Men’s
Senior All-American Teddy Williams improved his ranking on the NCAA’s 60-meter dash leaderboard to highlight the UTSA men’s track & field team’s two days of action at this weekend’s Houston Invitational/Multis.
“Sub-Zero” wins.
You may think I’m talking about the character from Mortal Kombat, but I am not. I am talking about the two time All-American senior Teddy Williams.
The UTSA women’s basketball team collected their second Southland Conference loss of the season last Saturday to the Lamar Cardinals (17-4, 7-0). The Roadrunners (10-9, 4-2) are currently third in the West of the Southland Conference; both UTSA conference losses came from division leaders Lamar and Texas A&M Corpus Christi (13-6, 5-1).
The UTSA men’s tennis team opened up their 2010 season with a 7-0 sweep of Prairie View A&M on Saturday, and a 6-1 win against Laredo Community College on Sunday at the UTSA Tennis Center.
UTSA head men’s basketball coach Brooks Thompson announced Wednesday evening that senior guard Chris Allen (Kansas City, Mo.) has been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules.
The Roadrunners suffered their fourth straight loss Saturday night against Lamar off Morris Smith led UTSA with a team high 19pts. No other Runner was in double figures as UTSA continued their offensive struggles. The Cardinals, led by Anthony Miles’ 19pts had three players in double figures as they broke their 11-road game losing streak.
For the first time since 1993, when the Dallas Cowboys played the Buffalo Bills, the two number-one ranked teams in the NFL are going to meet this Sunday for Super Bowl XLIV—the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts.
Freshman Katie Bragg shattered the school record in the weight throw to highlight action for the UTSA women’s track and field team at the Texas Tech Invitational held Friday-Saturday at the Athletic Training Center.
The Roadrunners came up short Saturday night as Texas A&M Corpus Christi pulled away in overtime and handed UTSA a 62-66 loss. Senior Morris Smith’s game-high 19 points were not enough as the team struggled offensively, shooting only 18-39 from the field.
The UTSA women’s basketball team dropped its first Southland Conference game with a 52-48 loss at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Saturday afternoon at the Dugan Wellness Center.
Another meet, another record-breaking performance for UTSA two-time All-American Teddy Williams. The senior from Tyler etched yet another line to his already-impressive resume at Saturday’s Texas Tech Invitational.
UTSA head football coach Larry Coker announced Wednesday the hiring of Travis Bush, formerly of Texas State, as an assistant coach. He will serve as the Roadrunners’ offensive coordinator and his appointment is effective immediately.
Now that the semester has once again started, so have intramurals. If you are looking to make new friends and have fun all at once, join intramurals.
The Paisano reviews the most recent round of the NFL playoffs.
Marquez Haynes poured in 38 points, including 30 in the second half, and UT Arlington rallied from a double-digit deficit to hand UTSA a 72-66 defeat on Saturday night in Southland Conference action at Texas Hall.
Three winning performances, a trio of NCAA provisional qualifying marks and a trifecta of school records highlighted the UTSA men’s track & field team’s season opener at Friday’s Leonard Hilton Memorial.
Offense main factor in win over Mavericks
The last time UT Arlington saw the UTSA women’s basketball team, the Roadrunners were celebrating a Southland Conference Championship at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.
Going into the first game against the Western division foe since the 74-63 win to clinch last year’s NCAA Tourney berth, the Roadrunners were prepared to re-open some fresh wounds.
Bring it - Sport Column
This past Saturday I got to meet one of my favorite soccer players, Claudio Reyna, and he definitely lived up to all my expectations (except I thought he was taller).
Women face challenging season
Setting their sights on a three-peat return to the 2010 NCAA Women’s Tournament and a trip across town to the Final Four at the Alamodome, the UTSA Roadrunners (6-7, 1-0) opened Southland Conference play on Jan. 9 at the Convocation Center.
Sports Column
Hi there UTSA. My name is Vanessa Elizarrarás, and I am The Paisano’s Sports Editor for Spring 2010. I wanted to give you all a little heads up on what you can expect to see in the sports section this semester.
Men stay strong, start semester with 11-3 record
The UTSA men’s basketball team has kept busy during the winter break.
The team has posted a record of 6-2 in their last eight games, including an unforgettable 83-82 win against the University of Houston on New Year’s Day in which the Roadrunners were able to hold the NCAA’s leading scorer Aubrey Coleman to only 10 points.
Following round one of the NFL playoffs the winning teams are moving on to face their next opponent. Here is a recap of this weekend’s games.
New York Jets vs.
Signing day. Those are the buzz words in UTSA’s football department. On National signing day—Feb. 3—high school recruits can sign an official letter of intent to play for a specific university.
Friday night the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks eliminated the Roadrunners from the Southland Conference Tournament by defeating them 25-27, 27-25, 19-25, 21-25 in the last match of the quarterfinals. The Roadrunners opened the match with an impressive first set.
The Roadrunners rolled past East Central 103-80 Wednesday night at the Convocation Center. The Runners put on an offensive show, shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc for the game. Devin Gibson led the way, scoring a game high 24 points including a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line.
Junior Amber Gregg’s season-high 20 points was not enough as the UTSA women’s basketball team dropped a 62-45 decision at College of Charleston Saturday afternoon on the final day of the Lowcountry Classic.
Vanessa Elizarraras
The volleyball team was swept 25-16, 25-21, 25-15 Thursday night by the Texas State Bobcats.
GoUTSA.com
Senior Morris Smith IV led five Roadrunners in double figures with 16 points and UTSA handed Iowa its first home-opening loss in 47 years with a 62-50 victory Sunday evening at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Roadrunners (1-0) picked up their first win against a school from the Big Ten conference and snapped a seven-game losing streak in road openers.
Ben Orsak
On Friday, the women’s team lost a close game to the Texas Lady Longhorns, 71-60.
Team members talk about the new team, future
Two years ago, the UTSA Club Lacrosse team was suspended for allowing a high school player to replace one of their team players. This is the first semester the team is allowed to play again. The Paisano sat down with two of the players, business major Drew Graves and chemistry major Zach Smith to ask them about the new team.
GoUTSA.com
Senior Dana Mecke and sophomore Layne Nixon both earned all-region honors to help lead the UTSA men’s and women’s cross country teams to eighth- and 11th-place finishes, respectively, at the NCAA South Central Regional held Saturday at Cottonwood Creek Golf Course.
Ben Orsak
Readers have asked why the Paisano covers the Texas Longhorns instead of other UTSA Sports. Maybe it’s because on Saturday the Texas Longhorns clinched their tenth straight win in a 47-14 beat down against the Baylor Bears.
Both teams find success on court, in front of supportive crowd
Womens Roadrunners’ starting guard Judy Jones threw a block party in a 74-53 win against the St. Edwards Hilltoppers at the Convocation Center Saturday night, and the rest of the Roadrunners joined in the festivities. Jones’ team leading six blocks (four of which were in the first half) helped set in motion the defensive dominance the Roadrunners unquestionably crave to establish for their first regular season game against the University of Texas Longhorns on Nov.
Nine years after their last championship the Yankees win the World Series, yet again. This is the 27th championship the Yankees organization has won, after beating the Philadelphia Phillies in 6 games 4 – 2.
Saturday’s match-up between the No. 2 Texas Longhorns and the Central Florida Knights was a tale of two halves.
If you arrived late during the Roadrunner Ruckus this past Friday at the Convocation Center, you might have been confused by both the men’s and women’s basketball players dancing hand-in-hand at mid-court to a Michael Jackson musical arrangement.
After last seasons devastating conference championship loss, the men’s basketball team is back gearing up for another season. Head Coach Brooks Thompson and three players told The Paisano what they were looking forward to this season and how the new team is working together.
Runners miss out on last-minute oppurtunity, drop to 3-6 for the season
UTSA soccer team fell 1-0 against Baylor in overtime on Sunday afternoon at the UTSA Recreational Complex.
This past weekend the UTSA Roadrunners hosted No. 3 Washington and Middle Tennessee for the UTSA Classic. (Rice was scheduled to play, but was unable to due to an influenza outbreak on the team) The tournament ended on a sour note for the Roadrunners with losses to both teams.
Junior Caroline Dedering defeated Ina Kauppila of Boston College in Flight A singles to lead the UTSA women’s tennis team’s effort last weekend at the Harvard Classic in Cambridge, Mass.
San Antonio will host the 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Southwest Regional at the Alamodome, as selected Monday by the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. The dates are tentatively set as Friday, March 25, and Sunday, March 27.
Adam Ngyuen
In the interest of developing just such a team, Coker has been racking up working hours dedicated to the short-term goals of recruiting and fundraising. In fact, Coker’s daily routine is divided into those two distinct interests: recruiting players and raising money.
“Each day I dedicate time to recruiting, and then I dedicate time to fundraising,” he said.
Goutsa.com
Five relay teams finished in the top eight overall, as the UTSA cross country teams turned in a solid showing at the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Relays on Friday evening at West Guth Park.
Goutsa.com
Five relay teams finished in the top eight overall, as the UTSA cross country teams turned in a solid showing at the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Relays on Friday evening at West Guth Park.
Outside hitter Kendra Rowland recorded a double-double of 17 kills and 15 digs as UTSA held off North Texas in five sets (25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 16-25, 15-12) in the season opener for both teams on Friday at the Mean Green Classic.
The UTSA men’s and women’s cross country teams will begin the 2009 campaign at the Trinity Opener held at 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Olmos Park.
Walk-on tryouts to be held in March 2010 for students.
Football Head Coach Larry Coker and the athletics department have spent the summer preparing for the first season, which will start in the fall of 2011. Coker hired three assistant coaches–Mike Menefee, Eric Roark and David Ross– in April.
Senior Halee Hamm gave UTSA its first win of the season with her golden goal, as the Roadrunners defeated Houston, 2-1, in double overtime at Robertson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Someone will take a UTSA player
As I watched some of the NFL draft on Saturday a thought occurred in my mind. One day there will be someone drafted from UTSA. It may not be in the first round but one day someone will have their name called and the school they came from will be UTSA.
Michael Omyejialta picks up pound-for-pound award
Luke Johnson can lift more than anyone else at UTSA. That fact was made known on Saturday at the third annual UTSA Strongest Man competition.
UTSA football has taken the next step towards putting a product on the field with the hiring of three assistant coaches. Now the next step is to start building the team. Recently, Head Coach Larry Coker took the time to talk to the Paisano about what UTSA must do to make good on the promise of becoming the next great Texas football program.
Baseball’s Mr. 300, Michael Rockett, bares all to The Paisano
Michael Rockett took some time off of the diamond to talk to The Paisano about everything from Facebook to his batting stance and bowling. What follows is a little insight into Mr. 300.
Allie Jordan made history by becoming the first UTSA golfer to win an individual Southland Conference Championship. In between practicing and celebrating, Jordan took the time to talk to the Paisano about her experience.
Junior Kelly Cato’s pinch-hit, two-run single in the bottom of the sixth lifted UTSA to a 4-3 victory over Northwestern State in game one of a Southland Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Roadrunner Field. The Roadrunners plated 10 runs in the first inning and cruised to a 13-4 run-ruling in the nightcap.
and 
