CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

Bronco Sports News

For Immediate Release

Monday, Feb. 14, 2005

Contact: Paul Helms

(909) 869-2812

Schedule of upcoming events:

MEN’S BASKETBALL:

vs. Cal State Stanislaus on Friday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

vs. Chico State on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:

vs. Cal State Stanislaus on Friday, Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m.

vs. Chico State on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

BASEBALL:

at Cal State L.A. on Monday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m.

vs. Chico State on Friday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.

vs. Chico State (DH) on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m.

vs. Chico State on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 11 a.m.

M/W TENNIS:

W/Ten at CS San Bernardino on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.

M/Ten hosts California Invitational on Fri-Sun, Feb. 18-20, All Day

TRACK & FIELD:

at Pomona-Pitzer All-Comers Meet on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 9:00 a.m.

FOLLOW THE BRONCOS ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB

http://www.csupomona.edu/~athletic

MEN’S BASKETBALL: BRONCOS GRAB SHARE OF CONFERENCE LEAD

2004-05 Record: 16-5. 2004-05 CCAA Record: 11-3

2004-05 Regional Ranking: 5

BRONCOS ROLL TO BIG WINS OVER ROADRUNNERS, GOLDEN EAGLES: Cal Poly Pomona’s men’s basketball team moved into a tie for the California Collegiate Athletic Association lead with six games remaining after impressive home victories over Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State L.A. The Broncos have won four straight games and have been victorious in 15 of their last 17 games. Cal Poly Pomona is bidding for its first conference title since 1981 when the Broncos shared the crown with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal State Dominguez Hills. The Broncos opened the weekend with a 76-58 victory over Cal State Bakersfield on Friday in front of a “Bring Back The Pack” night crowd of 1,472 in Kellogg Gym. The Broncos enjoyed a 42-29 rebounding advantage and limited the Roadrunners to just 33.9 percent shooting. Cal Poly Pomona led at halftime, 37-21, and then roared to leads as large as 31 points in the second half. The Broncos grabbed a 17-7 lead just nine minutes into the game and were up, 28-12, with six minutes left in the half. A three-point play by Billy Hofman (So., Sierra Madre, La Canada HS) gave the Broncos a 56-25 lead with 12:50 to go. Jeff Bonds (Sr., Compton, Mayfair HS) had 15 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while David Sybesma (Sr., Corona, Corona Centennial HS) had 15 points and nine rebounds. Dion Cook (So., Canoga Park, Chaminade HS) had 13 points, three rebounds and four assists and Jonathan Boyd (Jr., Fontana, Etiwanda HS) had 12 points and three rebounds. Hervey Malone II (Jr., Pittsburg, Pittsburg HS), Kevin Neveu (Fr., San Leandro, St. Joseph Notre Dame HS) and Kaelen Daniels (Fr., Compton, Artesia HS) had six points each. The Broncos then overwhelmed Cal State L.A., 80-51, on Saturday night. Sybesma had 18 points, six rebounds and five assists to lead four Broncos in double figures. Bonds had 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Malone and Cook had 11 points each. Cal Poly Pomona shot 59 percent for the game and limited the Golden Eagles to just 33 percent shooting. The Broncos limited the Golden Eagles to just seven first-half baskets while racing to a 34-18 advantage. Cal Poly Pomona scored the first eight points of the game and were ahead, 16-2, after five minutes of play. The Broncos opened the second half with a 24-9 run to take a 58-25 advantage with 12:47 to go. Boyd had eight points and three assists for the Broncos, while Neveu had six points, three rebounds and three assists.

BRONCOS MOVE TO FIFTH IN REGIONAL POLL: Cal Poly Pomona’s men’s basketball team jumped from seventh to fifth in the latest NCAA Division II West Region poll following the Broncos’ road wins at Sonoma State and San Francisco State on Feb. 4-5. Hawaii-Hilo remains first with Seattle Pacific, Western Washington, Cal State San Bernardino, Cal Poly Pomona, Chico State, Alaska Fairbanks, Cal State Bakersfield, BYU-Hawaii and Chaminade rounding out the top 10. New rankings will be released on Wednesday that will include the Broncos’ home victories over Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State L.A.

BRONCOS WILL HOST TWO KEY GAMES THIS WEEKEND: Cal Poly Pomona’s men’s basketball team will try to continue its drive for its first California Collegiate Athletic Association title since 1981 when the Broncos host Cal State Stanislaus on Friday and Chico State on Saturday in Kellogg Gym. The Broncos are currently tied for the CCAA lead with Cal State San Bernardino. Chico State is one game back in third place. The game between the Broncos and Wildcats on Saturday will also have huge regional implications as well. Cal Poly Pomona was fifth and Chico State was sixth entering last week’s poll and both could move up following sweeps last weekend. Cal Poly Pomona has not won a conference title since sharing the crown with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal State Dominguez Hills in 24 years ago.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: BRONCOS FALL OUT OF CONFERENCE LEAD

2004-05 Record: 16-5. 2004-05 CCAA Record: 11-3

2004-05 National Ranking: 17

2004-05 Regional Ranking: 4

BRONCOS DROP OVERTIME HEARTBREAKER TO ROADRUNNERS: Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball team fell out of a three-way for the California Collegiate Athletic Association lead after losing an overtime heartbreaker to Cal State Bakersfield, 100-99, Friday night in Kellogg Gym. The Broncos rebounded to beat Cal State L.A. on Saturday to remain in a tie for second place in the conference with Chico State, just one game behind conference-leading Cal State Dominguez Hills. Cal Poly Pomona endured a frustrating loss to Cal State Bakersfield on Friday. The Broncos held a 16-point lead, 48-32, with 16:15 remaining, but the Roadrunners quickly got back into striking range with a 16-4 run. Cal Poly Pomona had a shot to win the game at the end of regulation, but a forced shot in the waning seconds missed the mark. The Broncos took a 99-98 lead in overtime with 15 seconds left on a spectacular three-point play by Brandi Fletcher (Jr., Pomona, Diamond Ranch HS), but the Roadrunners hit a pair of free throws with four seconds left to win the game. Candice Allen (Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona) had 32 points and 10 rebounds to lead three Broncos in double figures. Fletcher had a season-high 25 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, while Shanika Perkins (Jr., Oakland, Oakland HS) had 15 points on five 3-pointers. The Broncos, though, were hurt by 25 turnovers and 14 missed free throws. Cal Poly Pomona got back on the winning track on Saturday by beating Cal State L.A., 81-65. The win was the Broncos’ eighth in the past nine games. Allen had 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists and seven steals for Cal Poly Pomona, while Fletcher had 14 points, four rebounds and five steals. Perkins had 12 points and two rebounds. The Broncos trailed early, 10-4, and were down, 22-20, with 5:40 to go in the first half before a 16-4 run gave them a 36-26 advantage. The Broncos settled for a 39-31 halftime lead and had their lead sliced to 50-47 with 13:57 remaining. The Broncos, though, put the game away with a 10-1 run that gave them a 58-48 lead with 10 minutes left. Cal Poly Pomona led by as many as 19 points down the stretch.

BRONCOS HAVE A PAIR OF BIG CONFERENCE SHOWDOWNS AT HOME: Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball team, ranked 17^th in the NCAA Division II, will play two key California Collegiate Athletic Association games in Kellogg Gym this weekend. The Broncos will face Cal State Stanislaus on Friday and then meet Chico State in a battle between two of the conference and region’s top teams on Saturday. The Broncos and Wildcats are tied for second in the conference and, entering last weekend’s games, the Wildcats were No. 3 and Cal Poly Pomona No. 4 in the regional rankings.

BASEBALL: BRONCOS OPEN CONFERENCE PLAY WITH A PAIR OF PITCHING GEMS

2005 Record: 3-3. 2005 CCAA Record: 2-0

WILDING FLIRTS WITH NO-HITTER TO SPARK A DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP: Cal Poly Pomona’s baseball team opened California Collegiate Athletic Association play with an impressive doubleheader sweep at Cal State L.A. on Sunday. The Broncos beat the Golden Eagles, 12-0 and 7-0. Taylor Wilding (Jr., Alta Loma, Etiwanda HS) tied a program record with 17 strikeouts while firing a one-hit shutout in the opener. Wilding carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning before allowing a one-out double. After walking the leadoff batter in the game, Wilding retired the next 25 batters in a row. Wilding’s gem marks the fourth time in Cal Poly Pomona history that a pitcher has struck out 17 in a game. Mike Kurnik did it against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1994, Mark Wiley did it against Stanford in 1970 and Mark Foss did it against Southern Utah in 1965. Wilding got plenty of offensive support thanks to a 15-hit attack. Jake Mendrin (Jr., La Habra Heights, Cal State Fullerton) slugged a pair of home runs and drove in three, Jarrod Allen (Sr., Poway, San Diego Mesa College) belted a two-run home run in the eighth inning and Greg Denning (Sr., Atascadro, Cuesta College) smacked a solo home run. Matt Lopez (Sr., Lancaster, Quartz Hills HS) had two hits and drove in four runs. In the nightcap, Luis Carreras (Jr., San Dimas, Walnut HS) blanked the Golden Eagles on six hits over six innings and picked up the victory. John Lee worked a hitless seventh inning to finish things up. Mendrin homered again, giving him three home runs and five RBI in the doubleheader. Marc Evans (So., Alta Loma, Etiwanda HS) drove in a pair of runs and Matt Stevens (Sr., Riverside, Rubidoux HS), Denning and Chris Janowicz (Jr., Arroyo Grande, Oregon State) had two hits each.

BRONCOS TO CONCLUDE SERIES WITH GOLDEN EAGLES, THEN HOST WILDCATS: Cal Poly Pomona’s baseball team will conclude its three-game series at Cal State L.A. with a 2 p.m. contest on Monday at Reeder Field. The Broncos will then host defending conference champion Chico State in a four-game series beginning Friday at 2 p.m. at Scolinos Field. The series will continue with a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TENNIS: BRONCOS FACE OPPONENTS AND RAIN

Men’s Overall 2005 Record: 0-1

Women’s Overall 2005 Record: 0-2

WOMEN’S TENNIS LOSES TO AZUSA PACIFIC: Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s tennis team lost a non-conference match to Azusa Pacific and then had its California Collegiate Athletic Association opener against UC San Diego on Saturday postponed by rain. The Broncos’ lone match came against Azusa Pacific and Cal Poly Pomona dropped a hard-fought 7-2 decision. Katrina Holmberg (Jr., Pukalani, Maui, HI, King Kekaulike HS) won her match at No. 2 singles, 7-6, 3-2, ret., while the No. 3 doubles team of Erica Lin (So., Arcadia, Arcadia HS) and Ellyn Caprara (Fr., Carlsbad, The Woodlands HS, TX) won its match, 7-2. Dehlia Feliz (Sr., San Gabriel, San Gabriel HS) lost a tight match at No. 1 singles, 6-4, 7-5 and Feliz and Holmberg lost a competitive match at No. 1 doubles, 8-6.

MEN’S TENNIS FALLS TO UC SAN DIEGO: Cal Poly Pomona’s men’s tennis team, which has recorded 11 winning seasons in the past 12 years, opened its 2005 season with an 8-1 loss to UC San Diego. The Broncos’ lone point came at No. 1 doubles, where Andy Chang (Sr., Torrance, Cal State L.A.) and Alan Chang (Sr., Torrance, Cal State L.A.) won their match, 8-0. Sebastian Torres (Jr., Cali, Columbia, Cameron University) had a close match at No. 4 singles, but fell, 7-6, 7-5.

MEN’S TENNIS TEAM TO HOST CALIFORNIA INVITATIONAL: Cal Poly Pomona’s men’s tennis team will host the California Invitational this weekend at the Kellogg Tennis Complex. The Broncos will face regional foe Sonoma State on Friday, Westmont on Saturday and Azusa Pacific on Sunday. Alliant University and Western New Mexico are also entered in the tourney.

MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD: BRONCOS TO OPEN SEASON AT POMONA-PITZER

BRONCOS WILL OPEN 2005 SEASON WITH HIGH HOPES: Cal Poly Pomona’s men’s and women’s track and field teams will open the 2005 season at an All-Comers meet at Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday. The Broncos will then host the Bronco Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Kellogg Stadium. The Broncos return several top performers from last season, including All-Americans Mark Batres (Jr., Rowland Heights, Don Bosco Tech HS) and Carmen Franklin (Jr., Sacramento, Loretto HS). Batres earned All-America honors last season in the 10,000 meters, while Franklin earned All-America honors in the women’s 800 meters. Jason Johnson (Sr., San Dimas, Citrus College), the defending CCAA champion in the 100 meters, returns after qualifying for nationals last season, as does hurdler Sean Myrill (Sr., Riverside, Riverside CC). Jumper Valerie Henderson (Jr., Los Angeles, St. Mary’s Academy) is also back after qualifying for the nationals in the triple jump last season.

MORE NEWS

“HER STORY” LUNCHEON IS A HUGE SUCCESS: Tracy (Wills) Worley-Hagen, a two-time women’s tennis All-American and a member of Cal Poly Pomona’s Hall of Fame, was the featured speaker at Cal Poly Pomona’s Her Story luncheon last Thursday at the Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cal Poly Pomona President Dr. J. Michael Ortiz and his wife, Betty, both spoke at the luncheon as well. Betty Ortiz served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Kristin Farmer, who competed for Cal Poly Pomona’s track and field, cross country and soccer teams and was a two-time All-American, was a featured speaker and so was Britt Sumida (Sr., Chino Hills, Ayala HS), who is completing her fourth season as a member of the women’s basketball team and has been a part of a national championship squad. The luncheon was held to spotlight Cal Poly Pomona’s rich tradition in women’s athletics and to increase scholarship dollars for the women’s sports teams. For more information on donating to the women’s athletic programs, contact Julie Hall at (909) 869-2825.

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR A CHANCE TO FISH WITH THE COACH: There are still tickets remaining to win a chance to go fishing in Cabo San Lucas with Cal Poly Pomona Head Women’s Basketball Coach Paul Thomas. The all-inclusive trip will include roundtrip airfare from LAX, hotel, food and drinks and lodging at the Hilton Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort. The $100 raffle ticket gives you a chance to win the trip. A maximum of 100 tickets will be sold. All proceeds will benefit Cal Poly Pomona’s Women’s Basketball Trophy Club. The winner will be announced on Friday, March 4. The winner need not be present to win. “I’m looking forward to relaxing with one of our valued fans and catching a trophy-size marlin,” Thomas said. “This will truly be a five-star trip at a first-class resort.” For more information, contact Julie Hall at (909) 869-2825 or Thomas at (909) 869-2824.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ALUMNI NIGHT IS SET: All former Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball players are invited to participate in an evening honoring the student-athletes that have made the program the most successful in the NCAA Division II. All alumni are encouraged to join the team for the regular-season finale against Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday, March 4, for a special halftime reception in their honor. The former student-athletes are also invited to join the team for the Senior Night festivities immediately following the game. “We believe the strength of the program today and in the future has a direct correlation to the past. Each person who has worn a Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball jersey should be proud of their contribution to the program,” Cal Poly Pomona Head Coach Paul Thomas said.

SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL TEAMS HOLD AWARDS BANQUETS: Cal Poly Pomona’s volleyball and soccer teams held banquets recently and announced team award winners. For volleyball, Kellie Francis (Jr., Chino, Don Lugo HS) was named the team Most Valuable Player, Allison Anderson (Jr., Chino Hills, Ayala HS) got the award for Best Offense, Kiting Kolar (Fr., La Canada, La Canada HS) and Breezie Jordan (Jr., Ventura, Buena HS) got the honors for Best Defense, Antoinette Kathol (Fr., Sierra Madre, La Salle HS) was named Most Improved and Jenna Kageyama (So., Irvine, University HS) and Stephanie Chen (Fr., Walnut, Walnut HS) got awards as the top student-athletes. The Broncos finished the season with an 18-12 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 1997. At the soccer banquet, Kory Felix (Sr., Brea, Brea-Olinda HS) was named the team Most Valuable Player and the squad’s Best Defensive Player. Dustin Venegas (Fr., Lakewood, Los Alamitos HS) was named the Best Offensive Player. For the women, Lisa Araujo (Sr., Rialto, Eisenhower HS) was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and Best Offensive Player. Nicole Munoz (Sr., Claremont, Mt. San Antonio College) was named the team’s Best Defensive Player.