Gopher Roundup: More U athletes honored

Hey Big Ten, just send those awards right to the U of M's athletic department. Find out who was honored this week, and read about how you can watch the Gophers wrestling team against Iowa State, and if Hutchinson football star Nathan Swift will become a Gopher, not a Husker

It seems to be a weekly ritual. The weekend comes, Gophers women sports dominates, the Big Ten awards office rewards them on Monday. Hey, Gophers fans can live with that.

Janel McCarville was named the Big Ten Player of the Week for her performances in victories last week over Drake, Texas A&M and Southern California. The 6-2 junior center averaged 22.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in that three-game span. She opened the week with her second double-double of the season with 22 points and 13 rebounds against Drake. Then on her way to earning all-tournament honors in the Junkanoo Jam, McCarville was unstoppable in the paint, converting 17 of her 20 field goal attempts in scoring 17 versus Texas A&M and a career-high 27 in the championship game against USC. The honor is the second of McCarville’s career.

Minnesota (5-0) jumped to No. 9 in the Associated Press National Poll released Monday, and plays host to Creighton on Thursday. The ranking matches the highest AP ranking in school history. The Gophers were ranked No. 9 on Jan. 6, 2003.

Another Hockey Player Honored

Is there anything that can get in the way of the Gophers women’s hockey team this year? The top-ranked Gophers earned some more hardware Monday when the WCHA announced that Gopher forward Andrea Nichols received the WCHA Rookie of the Week award following her performances against North Dakota this past weekend.

Nichols added an assist in the 6-2 win over UND Saturday. She added two goals in the 10-1 win Sunday. It was Nichols' first multiple-goal game of the season, her third multiple-point game of her freshman campaign. Nichols also registered a plus/minus rating of +4 over the weekend. The 2003 recipient of Let's Play Hockey's Ms. Hockey award, Nichols has four goals and five assists for nine points her freshman year.

Minnesota returns to WCHA action this weekend when the Gophers host Bemidji State at Ridder Arena. Friday's game is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start, while Saturday's is slated for 4:05 p.m.

They Get It Done In The Classroom Too!

University of Minnesota senior Justin Isom has been named to the second team of the 2003 CoSIDA Academic All-America Football Team at defensive back.

This is the second academic honor for Isom this season as he was named to the 2003 Verizon Academic All-District V Football Team last week. Isom has a 3.87 grade-point-average as a sports management major. The Huber Heights native is the team leader in interceptions with three and is second on the team in pass break-ups with seven. Isom has recorded at least one interception in all four seasons that he has played.

Gophers Wrestlers Open Dual Season Dec. 12

Tickets are still available for Ice Dual 2003 as the Golden Gopher wrestling team will meet Iowa State at the Target Center on Friday, Dec. 12. The match will begin at 7 p.m.

In addition to the dual match between the non-conference rivals, the event will also feature an elaborate pre-game celebration. At halftime of the match, three-time U.S. National Champion Brandon Paulson will participate in a Greco-Roman exhibition against five-time Danish champion Hakan Nyblom.

The Gophers open the season ranked No. 3 in the nation, according to TheWrestlingMall.com poll. The Gophers will participate in the 22nd annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Friday and Saturday at the Las Vegas Convention Center before returning home to open the dual season against Iowa State, who has emerged as one of the top teams in the nation thus far.

The doors at Target Center will open at 5:30 p.m. and the first 10,000 fans will receive a souvenir cup. Food and beverage specials will run from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with many items reduced to just $2.50.

Call 612-673-1311 to purchase tickets by asking for the "Gopher Wrestling Club Offer". Reserved tickets are priced at $40 (matside), $20 (lowel level) and $15 (upper level). $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to the Gopher Wrestling Club.

Swift a Gopher?

Hutchinson star and Nebraska recruit Nathan Swift said in recent media reports that the firing of Nebraska coach Frank Solich could alter his decision to play for the Huskers, but that nothing is final. Swift, who gave only a verbal commitment, said the Gophers could be a team he considers if he backs out of his Nebraska commitment.