Yip leads team at tournament, earns MAC honors

Senior golfer Ryan Yip was named Mid-American Conference Golfer of the Week Wednesday after tying for the No. 11 spot in the National Invitational Tournament last week.

Yip ended the tournament in Tucson, Ariz., 3-under par 213. On the final day of the tournament, he shot a 4-under par with a 68 – his fourth finish below 70 this season. After 54 holes at the tournament, Yip’s 213 score was his best total of the season.

Overall, the Flashes placed No. 12 at the tournament in a field of 15 teams, including seven nationally ranked teams. Freshman Peter Ahn finished in a tie for the No. 28 spot with a 217. It was his career-best for 54 holes. Junior David Markle played as an individual and tied for 14th at 2-under 214.

– Kali Price

Haynes nationally recognized as an honorable mention

After winning the Mid-American Conference regular season title and the tournament championship and making his first NCAA Division I Men’s Tournament appearance, senior guard DeAndre Haynes was named as an honorable mention to the 2005-2006 Associated Press All-American men’s basketball team Tuesday.

In the Flashes’ (25-9) eighth consecutive 20-plus win season, Haynes posted an average of 13 points, 3.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game. Haynes earned the title of MAC Player of the Year, becoming the first Kent State player to be named player of the year. He is the third Kent State player to be honored with All-America recognition. Anthony Grier was an honorable mention after the 1984-1985 season as was San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates in the 2002-2003 season.

The All-America team also included Duke’s J.J. Redick and Gonzaga’s Adam Morrison. Redick earned his second-straight position on the All-America First Team.

The team was voted on by a panel of national media members who also select the Associated Press‘ Top 25 weekly.

– Kali Price

Football signs new quaterback, loses defensive coach

Although spring practice was wrapped up before Spring Break, it was still a busy week for the Kent State football team.

The Flashes picked up quarterback Julian Edelman Wednesday from the College of San Mateo, a junior college in California. Edelman had a record-setting season as a freshman as he claimed the title as the Most Valuable Player in All-State Region I. He threw for 1,312 yards and ran for a school-record 1,253 yards. His team finished 8-3 and finished No. 2 in the NorCal Conference.

“Julian is a very athletic player at the quarterback position,” Kent State coach Doug Martin said in a press release after the announcement of Edelman’s signing. “He can make plays not only throwing the ball but running it as well. He comes from a good program at San Mateo that has produced a number of Division I football players.”

The 5-foot-10 Edelmen has three years left of eligibility and will compete for a starting position with five other quarterbacks.

On the defensive end, the Flashes lost defensive line coach Mark Rhea to fellow Mid-American Conference school Toledo Wednesday. Rhea had joined the Flashes in February after former defensive line coach Jon Wauford left for Findlay.

Rhea played for the Rockets from 1988-1991 and began his coaching career at Toledo.

“Mark Rhea is a former Rocket great who has worked his way up the coaching ladder,” Toledo coach Tom Amstutz said in a press release. “We’re happy to have him back home. He brings enthusiasm and expertise at the defensive line position.”

The Flashes begin the season against Minnesota of the Big Ten conference at home in August.

– Kali Price

Flashes shine, break records at Penn State tourney

The Kent State men’s and women’s track and field teams dominated in the field events at the Jim Thorpe Invitational over the weekend hosted by Penn State.

The men’s team was led by senior Brent Shelby, last week’s Mid-American Conference Field Athlete of the Week. Shelby claimed first in the discus with an NCAA regional qualifying throw of 172-4. In the hammer throw, he finished fourth with a regional qualifying mark of 185-5 and improved his personal best by more than 10 feet.

Junior Andy Nicholas claimed the top spot in the hammer throw with a personal-best 209-6. His throw qualified him for the NCAA regionals as well.

Sophomore Jaroslaw Zakrzewski placed No. 3 in the discus with a 144-1 and No. 2 in the hammer throw with a 202-4. For the high jump, junior Shamel Smith placed second with a jump of 6-6.

The women’s team led the throwers as well with 10 women finishing in the top-five of their events.

Sophomore LeVania Henderson finished first in the shot put with a 44-10.75, second in the discus with a 151-7 and third in the hammer with a 163-11 and a personal best.

Senior Kelly Braden placed No. 5 in the shot put, but was first in the hammer with a personal-best 180-10 and a regional qualifying mark.

In the pole vault, sophomore Ashley Dodd took first place with a 10-11.75.

Sophomore Andrea Bryson took first in the 100-meter with a 12.11, followed by freshman Erica Mosby with a 12.27.

Both teams will compete next at the All-Ohio Championships this weekend in Columbus.

– Kali Price