Bemidji, Minn. - The Viterbo University women's soccer team stepped outside of their normal competition and played two NCAA Division II teams this weekend. The V-Hawks traveled to northern Minnesota and played the University of Minnesota State - Moorhead and Bemidji State University. On Saturday, the V-Hawks defeated the Dragons of Minnesota State - Moorhead 2-0. They then fell to the Beavers 4-2 on Sunday.

In the win over the Dragons, the V-Hawks got on the board midway through the first half on a goal by Lauren Neet (So. - Plover, Wis.) in the 25^th minute. It is Neet's first goal of the season. Viterbo would look as though it would escape with the 1-0 win but freshman Steph Wisen (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) had something else in mind. Wisen scored her team leading third goal of the season in the 85^th minute to add a little insurance.

Junior Stephanie Stacey (New Berlin, Wis.) recorded her first shutout of the season by stopping 10 shots and playing all 90 minutes. The Dragons outshot the V-Hawks 16-9 and had an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks. Wisen led the V-Hawks with four shots while Neet finished with 2 shots.

On Sunday, the Beavers of Bemidji State University took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Jenny Stromberg in the 16^th minute. Neither team would be able to get on the board as the scored remained 1-0 at intermission. Viterbo would strike first in the second half as freshman Haley Lassche (Hugo, Minn.) scored her first goal of the season on an assist by Wisen in the 60^th minute. Unfortunately for the V-Hawks, the Beavers would then score three straight goals in a four minute period which would break open the game. The V-Hawks would finish off the scoring in the 85^th minute on a goal by Wisen.

Stacey started the game in goal for the V-Hawks and finished with 13 saves in 85 minutes of work. Freshman Tess Hostert (Lockport, Ill.) saw her first action of the season in goal as she played the final five minutes. Viterbo was outshot 39-10 in the contest as Wisen finished with three shots.

The split moves Viterbo to 1-4 on the season. The Dragons fall to 0-1 on the season while the Beavers improve to 2-0 on the season. Viterbo will be in action next when they host a scrimmage against Shattuck High School on Wednesday at 5:30 pm. They will then host Cardinal Stritch University on Saturday at 3:00 pm.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The Viterbo University cross country teams opened the 2010 schedule with quality performances at the 17^th annual Mustang Gallop hosted by Mount Mercy University. For the second straight season, the Lady Harriers won the meet title while the men's team finished fourth.

Individual Viterbo Results

Women (out of 67 runners, all times for 4-K)

3. Bea Foley 15:29

5. Kriston Siemianowski 16:22

7. Amanda Schield 16:47

9. Sandy Gebhart 16:51

11. Rosemary Loken 16:53

16. Lindsy Cook 17:14

18. Emma McCarthy 17:30

19. Cindy Leuck 17:33

20. Danielle Stark 17:38

27. Amanda McCarthy 17:56

55. Jackie Lutes 20:15

57. Jena Sunderlage 20:47

59. Erica Wilczek 20:56

60. Nicole Stanek 21:04

67. Kelsey Lange 23:40

Men's 5k

Overall Team Results:

Men: 1.) North Iowa Area College (15 points), 2.) Mount Mercy (71 points), 3.) Coe (76 points), 4.) Viterbo (99 points), 5.) Grand View (108 points), 6.) Mount Mercy Alumni Team (175 points), 7.) Clarke 201 points), 8.) Hawkeye Community College (incomplete)

Individual Viterbo Results

Men (out of 74 runners, all times for 5-K)

15. Nathan Spangler 17:35

18. Dakota Davis 17:39

20. Kekoura Sakouvogui 17:47

21. Michael Lessor 17:47

31. Josh Petersen 18:38

32. Ramon Martinez 18:39

36. Daniel Beltz 18:56

40. Matt Long 19:09

45. Patrick Understeller 19:30

48. Dennis Campos 19:56

50. Nick Olson 20:10

61. Cameron Olson 21:49

64. Kyle Nordby 22:04

La Crosse, Wis. - For the second straight game, the Viterbo University women's soccer team jumped out to a 2-0 lead but was unable to hold on as they fell 5-2 to #20 Trinity Christian College.

Freshman Kelsie Golabowski (Eagle, Wis.) put the V-Hawks on the board early as she scored an unassisted goal in the 16^th minute. It was her second goal of the season. It would only take four minutes until Viterbo would strike again. Danika Spitzer (Fr. - Grand Forks, N.D.) scored her first goal of the season on an unassisted goal in the 20^th minute. Unfortunately, Viterbo would lose two key defenders to injuries and the tide started to turn the other way. Trinity Christian College would then get on the board in the 27^th minute on an unassisted goal by Trisha Airth. Both teams would then tighten up the defense as the score remained 2-1 at the intermission.

The second half started out looking as though Viterbo would be able to pull out a victory. Trinity Christian had something else in mind as they turned up the heat on offense. The Trolls would finally breakthrough in the 75^th minute. Anna Marquez would tie the game on an assist by Bekah Gonzales. Just seconds later, the Trolls would strike again as Allison Doyle scored her first of two goals to put them up 3-2. After Doyle scored her second goal in the 79^th minute, Airth added the final goal of the game in the 82^nd minute.

Freshman Steph Wisen (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) led the V-Hawks with three shots while Golabowski and Anastasia Jensen (Sr. - Anoka, Minn.) each added two shots. Doyle led the Trolls with nine shots. Stephanie Stacey (Jr. - New Berlin, Wis.) and Carley Esser (Fr. - Oconomowoc, Wis.) split duties in goal for the V-Hawks with Stacey finishing with 4 saves while Esser finished with 9 saves. Hannah Gonzales played the whole game in goal for the Trolls and finished with 4 saves.

With the loss, the V-Hawks fall to 0-3 on the season. Trinity Christian College goes to 1-0 on the season and is ranked 20^th in the 2010 preseason NAIA top-25 poll. Viterbo will be in action next when they travel to Moorhead, Minn. to face Minnesota State University - Moorhead on September 4. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 pm.

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The V-Hawks first game will be on Wednesday morning at 11:00 am (PST) against #14 Point Loma Nazarene University. Interested fans, can watch the V-Hawks first game of the season via live stats or pay-per-view webcast by clicking here. The V-Hawks will then play in a three day tournament at Azusa Pacific University on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The competition does not get any easier at the Azusa Pacific tournament as they will play #6 Biola University and #9 Azusa Pacific University.

The trip will not only include volleyball matches but will also include plenty of opportunities for team building. Viterbo will make stops at the Beach in San Diego, at the San Diego Zoo, as well as Disneyland. Sixth year head coach Ryan DeLong is hopeful that by playing some of the best teams in the NAIA this week as well as spending plenty of time building team chemistry will pay dividends for the upcoming season.

Viterbo will be back in action closer to home when they play an exhibition game on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at Winona State University. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 pm on the campus of Winona State.

La Crosse, Wis. - Viterbo Men's Golf Coach, Jim Socha, received some excellent news today as two of his golfers were named to the Nelthorpe Cup team. Senior Derrick Meier (Chilton, Wis.) and junior Mike Hesselman (Edgerton, Wis.) were selected to participate in the Nelthorpe Cup.

The Nelthorpe Cup is an all star event that takes the top 12 amateurs along with the four highest ranked senior amateurs in Wisconsin and competes against their professional counterparts in a team competition conducted under a match-play format. The event features Individual (singles) matches and four-ball match play. The Nelthorpe Cup is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin PGA and the Wisconsin State Golf Association. This year's Nelthorpe Cup will be played Friday, August 6 at the Racine Country Club. The invitation only event annually showcases the state's best golfers.

The event will also help prepare Hesselman and Meier for the upcoming V-Hawk season which starts September 3^rd at the Edgewood College Invitational. Hesselman and Meier will try to help lead the V-Hawks to another tremendous season as they try to build on last year's 3^rd place finish at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Championships. Individually, Meier finished sixth overall while Hesselman redshirted after transferring back at semester from NCAA Division I Valparaiso University. Hesselman played his freshman season at Viterbo which was highlighted by being named Honorable Mention All-Conference. Meier and Hesselman will have plenty of help as well this season as everyone is back from last year's team.

La Crosse, Wis. - #3 La Crosse Central beat #1 Spring Grove in an exciting come from behind victory. They were behind the entire game until very late when they took a 31-30 lead. Trailing 33-30 with just 3 seconds left in the game, Spring Grove ran a well designed play, but could not get off the 3 point shot to put the game into overtime.

In the third place game, Sparta defeated MVC rival Holmen.

La Crescent beat Caledonia in the consolation championship. These two teams have met in the Minnesota State High School League playoffs for the past two years with Caledonia prevailing each time.

La Crosse, Wis. - The Viterbo University women's basketball junior varsity summer league wrapped up on Sunday night with the annual end of the year tournament. La Crescent high school defeated Caledonia High school 35-29 to win the 2010 summer league.

The Holmen Maroon defeated Spring Grove 43-26 in the third place game. Then in the consolation game, La Crosse Aquinas defeated Holmen White 27-18.

The Viterbo University Athletics Department extends its deepest sympathy and prayers to the family of Jessica Lawrence (Wonewoc, Wis.), a second year student and a member of the V-Hawk women's cross country team who was killed in a car accident Friday July 9th in La Valle, Wis. Funeral services were held on Tuesday July 13th in Elroy, Wis. For a complete obituary, visit http://lacrossetribune.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/article_de9c1488-8c75-11df-bf51-001cc4c03286.html.

Mount Pleasant, Iowa - Viterbo University Director of Athletics Barry Fried, has been named the 2009-2010 Midwest Collegiate Conference Athletic Director of the Year by his peers in the MCC.

"While it's nice to receive this recognition, the credit really goes to the Viterbo student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff," comments Fried. "I know how much time and effort our staff puts in and I also see the dedication of our student-athletes.It's been fun to see the growth and success of our athletics programs and I share this honor with them."

The V-Hawks experienced plenty of success on and off the court during the 2009-2010 school year under the direction of Fried. Viterbo saw its athletics department grow to 13 sports by adding varsity men's and women's bowling teams, the third straight year the school has increased its number of sport offerings. The number of student-athletes also drastically increased as the 2009-10 recruiting class included a record 131 new student-athletes. Increase in student-athletes did not compromise the importance of academic success as the V-Hawks had another successful season in the classroom, finishing with a cumulative team GPA of 3.16.

Just as important to Fried as the athletic and academic success is the NAIA Champions of Character initiative. The Champions of Character program is designed to help teach coaches, student-athletes and spectators the role character development plays in athletics, and Viterbo was once again honored as a NAIA Champions of Character institution. V-Hawk teams sponsored 37 community service projects and hosted 3,349 youth in different camps, leagues and tournaments.

Also under the leadership and guidance of Fried, V-Hawk Athletics raised over $250,000 through sponsorships, booster clubs, golf outings, and youth camps/leagues. These fundraising efforts helped with numerous facility improvements during the past year. Viterbo installed brand new scoreboards which included new shot clocks and LED lighting displays in the R.W. Beggs Senior Gymnasium. The V-Hawks also received expanded work out facilities in the Varsity Athletic Center as a racquetball court was converted into a new fitness room. Finally, the Viterbo Outdoor Athletic Complex received a improvements including semi-permanent soccer goals, V-Hawk branded windscreens, and field improvements.

La Crosse, Wis. - Viterbo University Men's and Women's Cross County coach John Metelko announced today the addition of seven student-athletes for the 2010 season. These additions include two runners on the men's team, Amado Amezquita-Santos (Providence, RI), and Armando Zuniga (Apache Junction, Ariz.), and five runners to the women's' team, Andrea Ilgen (Mauston, Wis.), Taima La Fountain (Necedah, Wis.), Jessica Lawrence (Wonewoc, Wis.), Tanya Kaufmann (Stoddard, Wis.) and Lauren Ann Rehrauer (Las Vegas, Nev.).

Necedah High School graduate La Fountain will join the women's cross country team this fall. La Fountain is a four year letter winner in track and a letter winner in volleyball for the Cardinals. In track La Fountain was a four year qualifier for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletes Association track championship, and is part of the school record holding relay teams in the 3200 meter, 1600 meter and 400 meter relays. La Fountain is also a recipient of the U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award. La Fountain has also had success in the classroom as she was a member of National Honor Society and her class valedictorian. La Fountain is pursuing a degree in Biopsychology.

Lawrence was a four year letter winner in track, volleyball and basketball at Wonewoc-Center High School where she was also her class salutatorian. Lawrence was the captain of her track and field team her senior year and is the school record holder in the 1600 meter run. Lawrence is also part of the school record relay teams in the 3200 meter and 1600 meter relays. Besides athletics, Lawrence was involved in band, choir and the Spanish club at Wonewoc-Center. Lawrence is double majoring in Nursing and Spanish at Viterbo.

De Soto High School graduate Kaufmann will also join the women's cross country team this fall. A letter winner in track and basketball, Kaufmann will study either Dietetics or Psychology at Viterbo after transferring from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse where she was a student this past year. Besides excelling for the Pirates in track, Kaufmann is also De Soto High School's all-time leading scorer in basketball.

The final addition to the women's cross country team, Rehrauer will run cross country this fall after competing for the V-Hawk's women's soccer team last year. A graduate of the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, Rehrauer is double majoring in Organizational Communication Studies and Criminal Justice. Rehrauer has competed in half-marathons and marathons in Nevada and South Dakota and has been a member of the Las Vegas Running Team.

"The additions of Andrea, Taima, Jessica, Tanya and Lauren Ann will help add to our depth and will definitely have an impact on our program, not only on the course, but also off," said coach Metelko. "Each of these ladies are strong runners who will only get better at the college level. Off of the course, they are outstanding students as well".

The men's and women's cross country teams will kick off their 2010 campaign Saturday, September 4^th at the 17^th Annual Mustang Gallop in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

La Crosse, Wis. - The Viterbo University women's basketball team is once again hosting the annual junior varsity and varsity high school summer league. Teams from around the Coulee Region will once again get the opportunity to play basketball in a competitive manner through this league. Junior varsity games are played on Sunday nights while the Varsity league plays on Tuesday nights. For a link to the schedule, results, and standings please click here.

La Crosse, Wis. - Viterbo University Men's Basketball Head Coach Wayne Wagner announced today that Jasper Duberry (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) has signed a letter of intent to play for the V-Hawks in 2010.

"We are very excited to have Jasper bringing his talents to the Viterbo University campus," commented Coach Wagner. "The best way to put it is that Jasper is simply the complete package. He is a bright and talented individual of great character. He has been brought up and challenged the right way growing up and within the Champlin Park program, and that has translated into Jasper becoming the epitome of a leader."

"Overall, after visiting a couple of times, my family and I fell in love with Viterbo and knew it was the right fit for me," stated Duberry. "The way the President, Dr. Artman, and the Athletic Director, Mr. Fried, also reached out to me really was a huge part in me coming.This showed my family and I that I am not just wanted for what I can do on the basketball court, but also a student and person on campus."

Duberry joins the V-Hawks after having a stellar basketball career at Champlin Park High School where he was a three year starter. A point guard, Jasper was named to the Northwest Suburban All Conference First Team as a senior as well as a Channel 12 All-Metro selection. A team captain, he also helped lead his team to the 2010 Minnesota State High School League State Tournament. He was also given his team's Mr. Assist Award as a senior. As a junior, Duberry was also a team captain while being named to the Northwest Suburban All-Conference First team.

"Purely from a basketball standpoint, we think Jasper can add a great deal to our team early on at the point guard position," stated Coach Wagner. "He is a solid on-the-ball defender and offensively he has tremendous ball skills and toughness that allows him to create opportunities not only for himself but also for his teammates. "He certainly adds a great deal to our guard rotation, and coming off of our conference championship season, should be a key part in building our program for the next four years."

The basketball court is not the only area that Duberry has found success throughout his life. A top notch student, Duberry was selected a Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State player for his success in the classroom. Duberry's talents off the court find him having success as a talented artist as well. Duberry will use that talent here at Viterbo University as he will pursue a degree in Art Education.

"They have everything I want to try to accomplish in terms of my major and after meeting with the professors and hearing stories from students, I feel confident that I will get the attention I want and have a name, not a number," commented Duberry. "Academically, I am looking forward to having a great experience both through my classes, the people I will meet, and the work that I will do. Athletically, I am looking forward to having a big impact to help the team right away and help build on the winning tradition at Viterbo. All of these things will help to further build me as a better leader, student and person.

Duberry will join Alex Brooks (Stoughton, Wis.), Alex Diciaula (Brookfield, Wis.), and Cole Lewis (Eastman, Wis.) to make-up the incoming class of 2010-2011 for Coach Wagner.

La Crosse, Wis. - After finishing a very strong season, which included competing for the Midwest Collegiate Conference title until the final regular season game, the Viterbo University baseball team will have significant representation among several of the top collegiate summer baseball leagues.

Viterbo Baseball Head Coach Chad Miller was recently named as an assistant coach of the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. Five members of Coach Miller's V-Hawk program will also play collegiate summer baseball. This includes Brandon Buelow (Jr. - Milwaukee, Wis.), Joey Bergeles (Jr. - Geneseo, Ill.), Drew Farrell (Jr. - Middelton, Wis.), Howard Heinrich (Jr. - Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.), and Brett Rettenmeier (Jr. - Cedar Rapids, Iowa).

"We are thrilled these guys have been given the opportunity to compete against a high level of competition this summer," commented Coach Miller. "In addition to the high level of competition, they will be receiving quality coaching in an environment conducive to continued development. Great college baseball programs have players who are eager to get out and work on their game in the summer and this only confirms the positive direction our program is going."

Miller joins the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod League, which is widely known as the premier collegiate summer baseball league in the United States. In 2009, 217 Cape League alumni played Major League Baseball. Miller's last stint coaching summer ball came in 2005 when he led the Thunder Bay Border Cats to the Northwoods League Championship and received the league's Field Manager of the Year award.

Known as the Hyannis Mets through 2009, the Hyannis ball club is coached by current MCC foe Waldorf College Head Coach Chad Gassman who is entering his second season as the manager of the Harbor Hawks.

"Coaching in the Cape is an opportunity to not only help some of the best college players in the country continue their development," commented Coach Miller. "It is also an opportunity to continue learning as a coach and to ideally bring a few things back that I can implement in our program in the fall to help our players prepare to win an MCC Championship next year.

Buelow is playing his summer ball for the Martinsville Mustangs of the Coastal Plains League. Through five games, Buelow has started all five in the outfield for the Mustangs and is batting .238. As a V-Hawk this past season, Buelow led the team in almost every offensive category this season including batting average (.388), hits (66), homeruns (11), and runs batted in (43). The eleven homeruns was the third most in a single season by any V-Hawk. He also had a 100% field percentage which helped him land one of three outfield spots on the MCC Gold Glove team.

Bergeles will start the summer playing for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the Northwoods League. The Rafters are the newest expansion team of the Northwoods League as they enter their first season. Bergeles finished his junior season with the V-Hawks with a .241 batting average. He was used a lot this past season as a pinch runner as he finished with ten runs scored. Farrell will join Bergeles on the Rafters this season as a pitcher. Farrell finished his season with the V-Hawks making the second most appearances on the mound with 14. He finished with a team best 3.97 ERA in 45.1 innings and also recorded 34 strikeouts.

Heinrich will spend his summer playing baseball for the Cheyenne Grizzlies of the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League. A left handed pitcher, Heinrich was one of the top pitchers this past spring for the V-Hawks. He tied with Farrell with 14 appearances for the V-Hawks and finished the season with a 5-6 record. He pitched two complete game shutouts and recorded a season high 65.2 innings pitched. He also led the V-Hawks with 53 strikeouts on the year as well.

Rettenmeier will travel the shortest distance to play as he will play locally for the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods league. The starting shortstop for the V-Hawks was a MCC honorable mention all-conference selection this past spring. He finished the season batting .348 and drove in 27 runs. He also scored 32 runs which was the third most on the team for the V-Hawks.

Coach Miller is confident that having these guys playing at such a high level this summer will transfer into another successful season for the V-Hawks in 2011.

La Crosse, Wis. - The Viterbo University men's soccer program will be offering three soccer camps for youth this summer. Two of the camps will be junior boys and girls camps while the third camp will be an elite high school boy's camp. To visit the camp website click here.

The junior camps will be offered for individuals 14 and under and will run either July 5-8 or July 19-22. The cost of the four day camp is$110 and runs from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm each day. This camp will feature game-like training methods resembling those used by top class teams from around the world in order to develop technique, tactical awareness, and decision-making.

The elite high school camp will be offered July 26-29^th and is for individuals ages 14-18. The cost of the four day camp is $150 and runs from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm each day. The camp is aimed specifically at the best high school soccer players in the area and will provide the highest quality coaching to prepare each player for their upcoming season. Players will be involved not only in small sided games and technical sessions, but also in daily 11 v 11 matches where they will be encouraged to adopt different tactics and formations in order to develop a greater understanding of the game.

All three camps will be run by the Viterbo University coaching staff along with guest coaches from college teams and academies in Great Britain. The camp staff will also include current V-Hawk soccer players. Each camper will receive a camp t-shirt and over 16 hours of quality coaching.

For information or to register, please visit the Viterbo soccer camp website at http://www.viterbosoccercamps.com/ or contact Coach Andy Lee at 608-796-3822 or awlee@viterbo.edu.

La Crosse, Wis. - Viterbo University men's soccer Coach Andy Lee announced today that James Johnson (Menomonie, Wis.) has signed a letter of intent to play for the V-Hawks this season.

"I'm delighted to have James as part of our squad," commented Coach Lee. "He impressed on his visit to Viterbo by showing that he is a very good player and also someone who will fit in well with the way we do things at Viterbo. James will be pushing to play up front or in a central midfield role. He is good in possession, strong on the ball, and capable of creating chance or scoring goals. Physically he is ready for the college game, as well as being confident and determined to succeed. All of which are attributes that we look for in our players."

Johnson joins the V-Hawks after having a stellar high school career at Menomonie High School. A four year starter for the Indians, Johnson played both forward and midfield during his high school career. During his senior season, Johnson was named First Team All-Conference in the very competitive Big Rivers Conference. Prior to that, he was named honorable mention all-conference twice. More impressively is that Johnson was the team's leading scorer all four seasons for the Indians.

"I chose Viterbo as I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the campus and the men's soccer program," stated Johnson. "During my visit, it was made apparent to me that the whole Viterbo staff will go out of their way for you and make it feel like a home away from home."

Johnson also experienced success on the soccer field at the club level. Johnson first started playing soccer as a child in England where he played for numerous clubs. More recently, Johnson has been playing for premier club teams out of the Twin Cities area in Minnesota. Last season, Johnson played for the Westside Reds who won the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association Premier League as well as the prestigious Schwan's USA Cup.

"I am really looking forward to attending Viterbo University where I feel I will get a degree from a school that has an outstanding reputation," commented Johnson. "I am also looking forward to being a part of a team that sets their goals very high and will work hard both together and as individuals to achieve that goal and I truly feel that is what Coach Lee expects from his program."

La Crosse, Wis. - Viterbo University cross country coach John Metelko announced Tuesday that Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association State Meet qualifier Dakota Davis (Mohrsville, Penn.), and Firebaugh, California running standout Daniel Beltz will continue their running and academic careers with the V-Hawk's men's program beginning next fall. Davis and Beltz become the sixth and seventhrunners to join the men's cross country team for the 2010-2011.

"Both Dakota and Daniel will have an impact on our program, not only on the course, but also off," said Metelko."On the course, they are exceptional runners who will only get better at the college level. Off of the course, they are both outstanding students who are eager to contribute to our university. I am looking forward to seeing both of them on campus here in the fall."

During his senior year at Schuylkill Valley High School, Davis earned all-county honors in his first season running cross country and qualified for the Pennsylvania State Championship where he finished 71st overall. While at Schuylkill Valley, Davis also lettered four years in wrestling, earning all-state honors his senior year, and lettered one year in track. In track and field competition this spring, Davis is running the 3200 and 1600 meter runs and a leg of the 4 X 800 meter relay for the Panthers.

"Dakota has limited distance running experience, only competing one year in cross country and track in high school, but he has shown the potential to be an outstanding runner at the college level," said Metelko.

Beltz excelled mainly in cross country and track at Firebaugh High School. Beltz earned All-League honors as a sophomore, junior and senior in the West Sierra League for cross country. Beltz was also a three time team MVP in cross Country.Beltz also excels in the classroom, as he has been an Honor Roll student and made the Superintendents List for academic achievement. Besides lettering in cross country and track, Beltz also lettered two years in basketball and one year in football for the Eagles. Beltz will join Firebaugh High School graduate Ramon Martinez (Firebaugh, Calif.) on the men's cross country team.

"Daniel is someone who I think can really make an impact on our men's program," commented Metelko. "He had a good senior season in track, and really has untapped potential on the cross country course with his speed and athleticism".

Beltz and Davis will join a men's cross country team which finished fourth overall in the Midwest Collegiate Conference last season.

La Crosse, Wis. - Viterbo University softball junior Betsy Ward (River Falls, Wis.) and freshman Bethanee Nitz (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) and Sami Weaver (Trempealeau, Wis.) all received Midwest Collegiate Conference All-Conference honors announced recently.

Ward, a First Team All-Conference selection, has now been named to the first team each of her three seasons with the V-Hawks. Ward finished the season second on the team with .347 batting average and set the school's single season home run record with 12. She also led the V-Hawks with 37 RBI and started every game behind the plate. Her 12 homeruns also helped her surpass the school's all-time home run record as she now has 21 homeruns as a V-Hawk.

Nitz and Weaver earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors as they were two of the top freshman this season for the V-Hawks. Nitz was the top pitcher for the V-Hawks as she finished with a 3.97 ERA. She led the team with 21 appearances including a team high 12 complete games. She also finished with 56 strikeouts in 121.2 innings of work.

Weaver was the biggest surprise for the V-Hawks this season as she joined the team late as she was also a member of the V-Hawk women's basketball team. Weaver played in 37 games this season and led the V-Hawks with a stellar .377 batting average. She led the team with 43 hits and was second on the team in doubles (9) and homeruns (4).

As a team, the V-Hawks had a tough season as they finished 10-33 overall and 4-18 in MCC action. The V-Hawks lose four seniors, Christina Breuer (Glen Haven, Wis.), Marissa Rathbun (Rochester, Minn.), Jessica Reinert (Viroqua, Wis.), and Kelly Sentkowski (Plainfield, Wis.) but are hopeful that with the return of Ward, Weaver, and Nitz along with a strong recruiting class that next year the V-Hawks will be a team that will compete in the MCC.

La Crosse, Wis. - The Midwest Collegiate Conference announced earlier this week that three Viterbo men's and women's golfers earned All-Conference honors. V-Hawk Men's golfer Derrick Meier (Jr. - Chilton, Wis.) was named MCC First Team All-Conference while women's golfers Lauren Lindsley (Fr. - Green Bay, Wis.) and Chelsey McCoy (Fr. - Brookfield, Wis.) were honored as MCC Honorable Mention All-Conference selections.

It is the third straight season that Meier has been honored by the MCC as well as the second straight season he has earned first team recognition. Meier finished the season with five top five finishes including first place finishes at the Ripon College Invitational and the Ronnie Eastman Invitational. After shooting a tournament low 67 in the first round of the MCC Championships, Meier struggled a little in rounds two and three to finish sixth individually. For the season, Meier finished with a team best 74.57 scoring average. Good news for the V-Hawks is that Meier will return for one more season in a V-Hawk polo.

The freshman duo of Lindsley and McCoy was pretty impressive as they led the V-Hawks all season. Lindsley finished her first year as a V-Hawk with an 86.11 season average. She had five top five finishes including a first place finish at the Viterbo Invitational. Another highlight for Lindsley this season was a fourth place finish at the MCC Championships. McCoy was equally as impressive her first year in a V-Hawk uniform as she led the V-Hawks with an 82.9 scoring average. Like Lindsley, she also finished with five top five finishes and finished ninth at the MCC Championships. The freshman tandem led the V-Hawks in every match this season helped them finish a program best second at the MCC championships this season.

La Crosse, Wis. - Viterbo University women's basketball Head Coach Bobbi Vandenberg announced today that Alyssa Bowe (Barneveld, Wis.) has signed a letter of intent to play for the V-Hawks.

"We're very excited that Alyssa has chosen Viterbo to continue her academic and athletic career," stated Coach Vandenberg."She brings experience and a winning attitude and gives a boost to our junior class for next year.She adds needed depth for us at the post position and there is no question that she will contribute to our team effectively as she did at Madison College."

Bowe joins the V-Hawks after playing her first two seasons of college basketball at Madison College (formerly Madison Area Technical College). Bowe helped lead the WolfPack to the 2009-2010 Division III National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship. During her final season with the WolfPack, Bowe averaged 6.1 points per game and almost 4 rebounds per game. As a freshman, she averaged over 8 points and 5 rebounds per game. A team captain, she also posted a 58.3 field goal percentage in 2009-10 which is fifth best in school history. Her final year at Madison College was recently capped by her being named the "2010 Madison College Women's Sportsperson of the Year," which is presented to a female student-athlete who has shown remarkable maturity and leadership during the past two seasons as a student-athlete at Madison College.

"Alyssa is an extremely coachable player with an outstanding work ethic," commented WolfPack head coach Jessica Pelzel. "She has been a key leader for us these past two seasons. Her willingness to do whatever her team needed her to do speaks volumes of her personality."

Bowe not only made an impact on the court for the WolfPack but also off of the court. She offered assistance in the Fitness, Health and Recreation Center at Madison College and served as a team manager for the WolfPack volleyball team. A great ambassador for Madison College, Bowe helped out at numerous basketball camps and was the first person to volunteer for community service projects. Bowe has also had plenty of success in the classroom and will pursue a degree in Elementary Education.

"I anticipate a smooth transition for Alyssa because she has the maturity and motivation to take the next step," commented Coach Vandenberg."The fact that she was a very important contributor to a national championship team and played on highly successful teams at Barneveld High School was a big plus when we recruited her. Being named the "Sportsperson of the Year" at Madison College just confirms that Alyssa is the type of student-athlete we strive to bring to the Viterbo University campus. The more I get to know Alyssa, the more I see that she will be an excellent fit for our team."

Brandon Buelow (Jr. - Milwaukee, Wis.), Brett Moravec (Jr. - Boulder City, Nev.), and Eli Tupuola (Sr. - San Diego, Calif.) were all honored as MCC First Team selections while Shawn Loch (Sr. - Suamico, Wis.) and Brett Rettenmeier (Jr. - Cedar Rapids, Iowa) were selected as Honorable Mention honorees. Junior Drew Farrell (Middleton, Wis.) was joined by Buelow as MCC Gold Glove recipients.

Buelow led the V-Hawks in almost every offensive category this season including batting average (.388), hits (66), homeruns (11), and runs batted in (43). The eleven homeruns was the third most in a single season by any V-Hawks. He also had a 100% field percentage which helped land one of three outfield spots on the MCC Gold Glove team. Moravec was honored by the MCC as an infielder as he was the starting third baseman almost all season. He finished second on the team in hitting with a .357 average and was tied for second with seven homeruns. He also drove in 40 runs while scoring 33 himself. Tupuola served as the V-Hawks designated hitter for most of the season and finished with a .325 batting average. He also finished with seven homeruns, eight doubles, and 33 RBI's.

Loch served as the V-Hawks centerfielder all season and finished with a .313 batting average. A contact hitter, Loch finished with 46 hits on the season and scored the second most runs (36) of any V-Hawk this season. He also committed just three errors on the season. Rettenmeier was honored by the MCC as an infielder as he spent most of the season as the V-Hawks starting shortstop. Rettenmeier started the season on an absolute tear as he was batting well over .400 but he suffered an injury midway through that cost him a couple of weeks. He finished the season batting .348 and drove in 27 runs.

Farrell was one of the most consistent pitchers all season for the V-Hawks. He finished with a team best 3.97 ERA and made 14 appearances on the season. He also recorded 34 strikeouts in 45.1 innings of work. Defensively, Farrell finished with a 100% fielding percentage and 32 assists.