Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.Only an elbow to the head has slowed North Dakota State's Jamie Van Kirk.
Despite being a rookie, the Sutton, Neb., freshman has started most of the season at point guard for the Bison, a job she relishes.
"I embrace challenges like that,'' she said. "I don't shy away from being the one in control.''
Van Kirk said earning the role was a surprise and quite an honor with so many talented players on the roster. She hopes that her unselfish play, her ability to attack the basket and some tough defense played a role.
Her biggest challenge, as with many freshmen, has been taking care of the ball. After a few struggles, she said she's back on track.
"To really play complete games is what I've been working on,'' she said.
Van Kirk is averaging 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds and has 44 assists for North Dakota State (8-15). She's started 14 games.
She missed a couple while sitting out a week with a concussion after she ran into what she called a very large screen during a November tournament at Minnesota.
That trip and another to Las Vegas have been among the highlights of her freshman season.
"I've just been trying to soak it all in. It's a lot different than high school,'' she said.
Van Kirk said she never imagined that she'd be playing at a Division I school with a chance to go to the NCAA tournament if the Bison can win the Summit League tournament title.
"Our biggest goal is to be playing our best basketball when that tournament comes around,'' she said. "We're working to get better at all the little things. Our ultimate goal is to win the tournament and get into the dance.''
Van Kirk isn't the only Nebraskan on the roster. Katie Birkel, a senior guard from Lincoln Southeast, had surgery after injuring her knee in October. She's been undergoing rehabilitation and plans to return next season, the school said.
Dlagnev claims silver in Siberia
Former University of Nebraska at Kearney wrestler Tervel Dlagnev claimed a silver medal at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix in Siberia last weekend.
The event was held in Krasnoyarsk, where temperatures were about minus 35.
Dlagnev, who now competes for the Sunkist Kids in Columbus, Ohio, was one of two Americans to medal at the event, considered to be the toughest freestyle tournament of the year.
He placed second in the 265.4-pound class, with American Jake Varner, who wrestled collegiately for Iowa State, third at 211.5.
Dlagnev, who was third last year, won all of his preliminary matches to reach the final, where he was defeated by 2008 Olympic silver medalist Bakhtiyar Akhmedov of Russia.
"Tervel was in position to win. He really dominated until the finals but made a couple of mistakes that cost him,'' National Freestyle coach Zeke Jones told USA Wrestling. "Knowing Tervel, he'll go home and fix them."
Falling short of medals were Sam Hazewinkel (Oklahoma) at 121 pounds and Brent Metcalf (Iowa) at 145.5.
Updates
• Northwest Missouri State's 74-57 victory over Fort Hays State before 2,146 fans on Saturday was a thrill for senior Jake Reinders.
The school gave out 2,000 T-shirts as part of a white-out promotion. The game was televised on MIAA TV, and the team (16-3, 10-3) entered the game with a share of first place.
"We felt the hype all week about this game," Reinders said. "Coming out of that tunnel just gave you chills seeing the crowd, and they were loud. That really helped us in our win."
The Omaha Skutt graduate finished with 16 points.
• Kaitlin Petri scored 28 points as Chadron State edged Colorado Christian 74-71 on Saturday, the second straight overtime win for the Eagles, 7-12 and 7-8 in the RMAC. They've won six of their past seven games. She was named the RMAC and Nebraska Division II player of the week after averaging 22 points, six rebounds, two assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 80 percent (16 for 20) at the free-throw line and 54 percent (14 for 26) from the floor. In 74 minutes, she committed just one foul and had only three turnovers.
• The York College women's basketball team snapped its 13-game skid by defeating Central Christian 60-52 last weekend. Forty-seven fouls were called in the game, with the Panthers making 25 of 37 free throws. Alyssa Becker led York with 13 points.
• The No. 7 Wayne State women's basketball team has won 39 straight games at Rice Auditorium, moving to 19-2 and 13-2 in the Northern Sun with a 59-54 win over Concordia-St. Paul.
• Midland wrestler Kody Kersten pinned top-ranked Brian Block in 4:23 at 184 pounds in the No. 8 Warriors' 22-21 loss to No. 11 Morningside last weekend. The dual ended at 21-21 with Morningside getting the decision after winning more matches by criteria.
• Iowa Western's Nick Teetzel (800), Nash Beaudin (600), Samantha MacDonald (high jump) and Jordan Bright (triple jump) have qualified for nationals.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1034, marjie.ducey@owh.com
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