Columbia Cougars

July 28, 2006
Stowe and Schoonover named to NFCA teams

Columbia, Mo. – Two members of the softball squad have been recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for their efforts on the field during the 2006 season.  

Stephanie Stowe has been named Louisville Slugger/NFCA NAIA Second Team All-American as well as First Team All-Region. 

Stowe, originally from Beulah, Manitoba, Canada, was also awarded NAIA First Team All-American, Region V First Team and American Midwest Conference (AMC) First Team during her junior season.   Stowe played in 51 games for Columbia and led the Cougars at the plate, posting a .375 batting average with 51 hits in 136 at-bats. She logged nine doubles and six home runs, in addition to a team-high 43 RBIs.

Chris Schoonover has been awarded NFCA Second Team All-Region.

Schoonover, originally from Clarence, Mo., was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Softball Team, Academic All-Region and Academic All-Conference.  Schoonover led the Cougars in hitting (.391) and triples (4) during the 2006 season.

The Cougars wrapped up the 2006 season with an overall record of 38-17 finishing seventh at the Region V postseason tournament.

 

July 19, 2006
Men's Basketball signs DeAndre' Carroll

Columbia, Mo. - Columbia College men’s basketball coach Bob Burchard officially announced today that he has signed DeAndre’ Carroll to a national letter of intent to play basketball for Columbia College beginning next season.

Carroll is a 6’5” junior forward from Pensacola Junior College in Pensacola, Fl.  DeAndre’ spent his freshman year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before transferring to Pensacola. 

Carroll is the brother of University of Missouri recruit DeMarre Carroll and the nephew of the Tigers Head Coach Mike Anderson.

“We are excited to have DeAndre’ join our program,” stated Burchard.  “DeAndre’ is coming to us with a great deal of experience both at the Division 1 and junior college levels. He will add size and strength to our perimeter positions and is a very versatile player.  We sincerely feel he is the type of student, athlete, and person we like to have in our program.”

Burchard lost five players to graduation in May, but returns nine from a squad that finished 24-9 and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament.

 

July 13, 2006
Cougar softball squad adds three to 2006-07 roster

Columbia, MO -- Cougar softball coach Wendy Spratt officially announced today that Columbia College has signed Tracy Rodriguez, Erin Sapp and Jena Strobel to national letters of intent to play softball for the Cougars. 

“We are excited to have these outstanding student-athletes join the 2006-07 Cougar squad,” Spratt said. “They will add strength and power to the line-up."

Rodriguez finished her career at Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights, Calif. this spring as a catcher. She ranked ninth overall in Southern California for catching, and was a two-time honorable mention all-conference recipient and the Defensive Player of the Year.  Rodriguez also earned the coaches’ award and Most Improved Player this past season.
 

Strobel, a senior at Russellville High School, was named first team all-conference and first team all-district for her efforts as a third baseman the past three years.  Jena also received first team all-region accolades her senior year at Russellville.  She recorded a .467 batting average in her final campaign while driving in 16 runs.  Strobel also competes for the Diamond Wildcats during the summer. In 2005 Jena led the Wildcats to two National Tournaments, while posting a .382 batting average. 

Erin Sapp, a junior at Blue Springs High School in Blue Springs, Mo., will join the Cougars in the spring when she transfers from high school in the middle of her senior year.  As a current member of the Indians 18UA summer softball squad Erin has received multiple MVP awards throughout her career and has been a team captain on almost all of her teams.  At Blue Springs High School, Sapp was a two-time Student of the Month Award winner. 

 

July 12, 2006
Lady Cougars sign Danielle Riekeberg to letter of intent

Columbia, MO -- Columbia College women’s basketball coach Mike Davis officially announced today that the Lady Cougar basketball program has signed Danielle Riekeberg to a national letter of intent to play for Columbia beginning next season.

Riekeberg, a 6’1” forward from Kirksville, Mo., totaled 342 blocks in four seasons at Kirksville High School, including 189 during her senior season.  For her efforts, Riekeberg earned all-conference honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. She was part of three conference championship teams as well as one district championship team. 

Riekeberg spent her first two collegiate seasons at Johnson County Community College where she was awarded all-region and all-conference accolades.  She averaged 8.1 points per game while posting 99 blocks as a sophomore. 

Riekeberg transferred to Florida Atlantic University last season for her junior year, helping the Owls to an NCAA Division I tournament appearance and a 20-11 overall record.  Danielle played in all 31 games and ended the season with a 57 percent field goal average. 

Amber Lewellen, who signed earlier this season to play for the Lady Cougars, and Riekeberg were former teammates at Kirksville High School where they were coached by newly appointed Lady Cougar assistant coach Curt Riley.