RGV Capsules: 2012 UTPA Hall class honored in Edinburg
EDINBURG — Monica Wesley Swift admitted she considered not competing in track & field after high school.
One phone call from former University of Texas-Pan American track coach Doug Erickson, however, was enough to convince the former Broncs standout to change her mind.
“I had never even heard of Pan American University or even the Valley,” Swift told the crowd gathered to honor the 2012 UTPA Athletics Hall of Fame inductees Saturday at the school’s ballroom. “This place — Edinburg — seemed really far from home.”
Her decision to attend UTPA began what she called her “journey,” one that included nine individual conference championships and multiple school records. The former long and triple jumper competed for the Broncs from 1987-91 and still holds the program record in the outdoor triple jump (41 feet, 6 inches) and in the indoor long jump (19-3 1/2).
After graduating from UTPA, Swift’s journey continued into education, coaching track at Edinburg Economedes and Sharyland. She is now a Sharyland administrator.
“This place is obviously still special to me,” Swift said after the ceremony. “I’m still (in the Valley). … I actually love it here.”
She was inducted as part of the UTPA’s sixth class along with her former track coach Reid Harter, former baseball players Jesse Trinidad and Ron Edquist and former golfer Mike Brisky.
Swift joked that Harter was a better coach than a bus driver. From 1985 to 1996, Harter helped lead the Broncs track team to five conference championships and the women’s cross country team to four consecutive American South Conference titles.
An emotional Harter, who went into the private sector in 1996, said one of the toughest decisions he has made in life was to leave coaching.
“It was time to chase other dreams,” Harter said in his acceptance speech. “It is kind of funny I use the word ‘dreams’ because I have this reoccurring dream where I come back here to coach.”
Brisky played seven years on the PGA Tour and three on the Nationwide Tour, earning nearly $2 million. In 1984, he carded a 67 while with the Broncs, which is still the third-lowest round recorded by a UTPA golfer.
Brisky was introduced by his eldest son Jacob, who said he remembers walking the greens with his dad when he was younger but never really understood the scope of his father’s talent.
“He was an amazing golfer,” Jacob said in his speech. “Every time I hear his accomplishments more and more, I see that. It is a privilege to be his son.”
Jesse Trinidad said it was the first time he had returned to UTPA since graduating. The former pitcher played for the Broncs from 1974 to 1976 and holds the NCAA Division I record for most shutouts with 14.
“Pan American has been a blessing to me, and I have never forgotten it,” Trinidad said. “Even though I haven’t been here, it sure is an honor to be back.”
Trinidad and Edquist were introduced by legendary former coach Al Ogletree. Edquist, who played for the Broncs from 1973 to 1976 and pitched a no-hitter against Dallas Baptist, was not on hand.
Former Pan American University President Ralph Schilling was inducted posthumously in the Hall of Honor. He oversaw the institution from 1690-81, presiding over the most successful era of Broncs athletics, including five straight NAIA tennis championships (‘61-’66), the 1963 NAIA men’s basketball championship and the 1971 College World series baseball team.
Peter Rasmussen covers UTPA athletics. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448 or via email at prasmussen@themonitor.com.
New starting five pays off for Broncs against HBU
EDINBURG – The way the UTPA Broncs’ new-look starting five came about may not have been ideal, but it’s working out.
After Broncs coach Ryan Marks suspended five players, he started Jesus Delgado, Enique Mason, Brandon Provost, Aaron Urbanus and Jared Maree against NJIT last Saturday. He liked the energy in which the team played with in that game so much, Marks started the same five against Houston Baptist on Saturday.
Carrying over the same energy from last week, the Broncs beat the Houston Baptist Huskies 81-71 at the Field House.
“I though tonight, there didn’t seem to be any sourness over who was starting and who was not starting,” Marks said. “… I thought that was really critical that the guys just seemed happy to do what they needed to do to win. That leads to playing that way – unselfishly.”
Whether it was Ruben Cabrera taking a charge, an extra pass or a big rebound, the Broncs played as well together Saturday than they have all season.
Provost led the way with a career-tying 23 points while Maree had 14. Earl Jefferson scored 13, including a 3 with 12:09 left in the game to put the Broncs up for good, 53-50.
Enique Mason had six rebounds in 14 minutes to lead the Broncs and Nick Weiermiller recorded a game-high seven assists.
“We functioned on all cylinders tonight and played unselfish,” Provost said. “We were just trying to be aggressive.”
Jefferson’s 3 ignited 27-10 run that gave the Broncs a commanding 77-60 lead with 3:40 left in the game.
The win improves the Broncs to 7-16 overall and to 2-1 in the Great West Conference, which does not have an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
The seven wins are the most the Broncs have had under Marks. The last two seasons the Broncs have been stuck at six.
“I’ll be honest with you, it feels great,” Provost said.
To start the season, Marks had hoped that this would be the team to record double-digit wins.
“We talked about – in some ways in context – what would be a nice substantial progress,” Marks said. “We felt double-digit wins would signify that.
“Obviously, we wanted to be competitive – a .500 or better team in conference. We have taken the early steps here in the conference in that direction.”
FREE THROWS: The coaching staff of both teams took part in the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend by wearing sneakers Saturday. The cause supports the American Cancer Society. …HBU falls to 6-14 and to 0-3 in the GWC. … Terry Bembry (17), Marcus Davis (15) and Tyler Russell (16) each scored in double-figures for the Huskies.
Peter Rasmussen covers UTPA athletics. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448 or via email at prasmussen@themonitor.com.
Broncs go on 17-0 run, beat Houston Baptist
HOUSTON – The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs women’s basketball team went on a 17-0 run during the second half to come from behind to beat the Houston Baptist University Huskies 55-41 on Saturday at Sharp Gym.
The Huskies (1-18, 0-3 GWC) led 32-27 six minutes into the second half, but that’s when the Broncs (9-12, 2-1 GWC) started their 17-0 run. Donna Jackson hit three straight baskets, Johnondra Patterson converted a three-point play, Erin Lewis hit a jumper, Adanna Opara hit back-to-back baskets and then Patterson hit a jumper to cap the run with the Broncs leading 44-32 at the 9:16 mark.
Jackson led all scorers with 18 points on 9 of 17 shooting to go with 10 rebounds, her third double-double of the season. Patterson scored a career-high 13 points on a career-best 5 of 8 shooting, to go with a career-high seven rebounds and a career-high four steals. Opara scored nine points with a game-high 11 rebounds and Keandra Goodson scored four points with nine rebounds.
The Broncs outrebounded the Huskies 55-45 while outshooting them .338 (24-for-71) to .226 (12-53).
Jackson hit a pair of jumpers and Opara sunk a layup on an assist by Jackson as the Broncs took an early 6-2 lead. The Huskies took the lead at 11-8 on a 3-pointer by Brittany Barton, but Goodson and Patterson hit back-to-back baskets to put the Broncs back on top.
The Broncs led 17-13 on a Jackson basket with 5:49 left in the first half, but the Huskies closed the half on an 8-2 run to go ahead 21-19.
The Huskies were led in scoring by Tayler Jefferson, who scored 10 points.
The Broncs return to action at 8:05 p.m. Thursday when they visit Utah Valley University.
-- UTPA Services
Hockey
Murray perfect as Bees shut out Allen
ALLEN - John Murray made 36 saves in between the pipes as the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees shut out the Allen Americans 3-0 on Saturday.
The Bees (18-16-6) took an early lead thanks to Dan Gendur, and second-period goals by Aaron Boogaard and Tomas Klempa cemented the victory. The shutout was the first against the Americans (23-10-7) this season, the first against the Americans at the Allen Event Center since Dec. 18, 2010, and only the second in history.
The Killer Bees took the lead just 1:24 into the game as Gendur scored his 11th of the season. Gendur raced after an errant Jason Dixon pass and threw the puck toward the net. Allen goalie Rejean Beauchemin was not expecting a shot as he didn’t make a move, and the rubber tickled the twine.
The Bees increased their lead to two when Boogaard scored his fifth of the season at 11:31 of the second period. Phillip Ischi left the puck behind for Boogaard, who picked off the near side post for the goal.
Klempa further extended the Bees' lead with an unassisted goal at 2:38 of the second period. A misplay behind the Americans' net allowed Klempa to work the puck in front and he roofed the shot gloveside for his team leading 19th goal of the season.
Murray continued his heroics throughout the third period including a tough final six minutes as Allen pulled their goalie for the extended period. Chance after chance was turned away by Murray, who recorded his second shutout of the season.
The Killer Bees and Allen Americans face off again at 5:05 p.m. Sunday before heading to Tulsa for a Tuesday night showdown.
-- Killer Bees Services
Killer Bees sign Warsofsky
The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, proud affiliates of the Florida Panthers and San Antonio Rampage, announced Saturday they have signed defenseman Ryan Warsofsky. The signing of Warsofsky brings the Bees to the league maximum 18 players.
Warsofsky joins the Bees from Turnhout White Caps, who play in multiple leagues in Europe. The White Caps recently withdrew from the North Sea Cup. Warsofsky will wear No. 37 with the Bees.
-- Killer Bees
