Jonathan Yanez broke a school record during the meet.
Freshman runner Jonathan Yanez erased the old school record of the 8000 meter (8K) when the OLLU men’s cross country participated in the Eighth Annual University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Cardinals Invitational held Saturday morning at the Live Oak City Park in San Antonio. The meet was hosted by the NCAA Division I UIW Cross-Country program and featured 15 universities representing NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and the NAIA. The total number of participants was 111 runners. Read more online.
Marcelo Chapa helped keep the Brownsville team scoreless.
The men’s soccer team controlled the No. 6 team in the NAIA — University of Texas at Brownsville for most of the competition and delivered the Ocelots their first loss in the Red River Athletic Conference. The 2-0 win moves the Saints to 3-1 in the conference and 10-2 overall, and the Ocelots drop to 3-1 and 10-2 overall. The two teams, along with the University of St. Thomas (2-0/6-2-2), are tied for second place and one game behind league leader Huston-Tillotson University (4-0/5-4-2). Graduate Assistant Coach Gary Hamilton said, “The team got the job done. It’s always good getting a win against Brownsville because they are our biggest rival and they always have quality teams.” Read more online.
Stephania Vazquez led her team in shooting with five, three on goal.
The women’s soccer team stunned the No. 15 team in the NAIA University of Texas at Brownsville by a score of 1-0 last Thursday. The win keeps the Saints undefeated in the Red River Athletic Conference with a 4-0 record and 12-1-1 overall. Brownsville, which previously was tied with the Saints for first place, has dropped to third place with a 3-1 conference and 8-3 overall record. Huston-Tillotson University (3-0-1/4-4-2) is ½ a game behind the No. 1 Saints. OLLU keeper freshman Gabriela Lopez recorded four saves, while Brownsville’s starting keeper Maria Eriksen recorded one and allowed the one goal. Second-half keeper Amanda Fulton finished with four saves for the Ocelots. Read more online.
World Boxing Champion Jesse James Leija poses with the men’s basketball team.
The men’s basketball finished its preseason Oct. 4, with a boxing session held by San Antonio boxing legend Jesse James Leija at his ChampionFit Gym. This was the fifth time that the men’s basketball team ended its preseason at Leija’s gym located on San Pedro Avenue in San Antonio. Head Coach Russell Vanlandingham started the tradition five years ago, when he was introduced to Leija by Roy Terracina, chairman of the Board of Trustees of OLLU. Terracina himself has been working out with the two-time world boxing champ for more than 20 years. Terracina worked out alongside the players Friday morning. Vanlandingham hopes that the workout can make his team tougher and play with a different mentality. “Boxing makes you develop a mentality and toughness that we could use,” explained Vanlandingham, “It is also important for the guys to meet a guy like the champ who got the most out of his abilities.” Read more online.
The Saints women’s tennis team is looking for new players this season. Anyone interested in trying out for the team must have played at least two years of high school tennis or the equivalent of USTA tennis tournament experience. Those interested should contact Coach Sal Castillo at scastillo@ollusa.edu or 210-872-1637 to set up a tryout.
Megan Jeffries recorded a hat trick during the game on Saturday.
OLLU recorded four wins during “Saints Super Saturday.” First on the schedule was the women’s soccer team, which faced Texas College at 1 p.m. Junior Megan Jefferies set a new Saints all-time single game record of 10 shots and she finished with a hat trick to guide the Saints to an 8-0 win. The win improves the Saints record to 11-1-1 overall and 3-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference, while Texas College drops to 3-7-2 overall and 0-3 in the conference. The Saints are now tied for first place with the University of Texas at Brownsville (8-2/3-0) and both are ½ a game ahead of Huston-Tillotson University (3-4-1/2-0). Bacone (5-8/1-3), Wiley (0-10/0-1), Southwest (3-7/0-3) and Texas College follow.
The volleyball team came up next on the schedule, and the Saints defeated Texas College in straight sets, 25-14, 25-8 and 25-18. The Saints’ overall hitting percentage was .519, while Texas College’s was .029. The match took a few minutes more than an hour to complete.
Saints fans then headed outside to watch the men’s soccer team dominate the Texas College Steers to secure an 8-0 win. The men move to 9-2 overall and 2-1 in the Red River Athletic Conference, while Texas College drops to 3-6 overall and 1-2 in the conference. The Saints are one game behind league-leader the University of Texas at Brownsville (10-1/3-0) and ½ a game behind University of St. Thomas (6-2-1/2-0) and Huston-Tillotson (3-4-2/2-0). OLLU is followed by Texas College, Southwest (2-7/1-2), Wiley (4-4-1/0-2) and Bacone (1-10/0-4). Senior Yared Temesgen recorded a hat trick during the game.
“Saints Super Saturday” ended with the volleyball team defeating Jarvis Christian College 25-9, 25-17 and 25-23. The two wins move the Saints to 10-8 overall and 6-2 in the Red River Athletic Conference, while Jarvis drops to 0-18 overall and 0-6 in the conference, and Texas drops to 0-13 overall and 0-4 in the conference. The Saints are now two games behind league-leader the University of Texas at Brownsville (16-0/8-0) and one game ahead of Wiley (11-11/4-2).
Jay Tope and Michael Thompson are busy at work during Saints’ games.
OLLU’s intercollegiate athletic teams continue to grow in popularity among the OLLU community and throughout San Antonio and beyond. The Saints’ soccer, volleyball, basketball and softball teams are especially successful, and their popularity can be partly attributed to two men who have been a part of the athletics program since 2009. The two are known as the “Voices of the Saints.” Jay Tope provides in-game announcing for the four sports’ (six teams) home competitions. He also participates in pep rallies and other special events for the University throughout the year. Michael Thompson provides play-by-play announcing for live broadcasts of Saints’ volleyball matches, as well as for men and women’s basketball games. Both Jay and Michael bring an enthusiastic element to Saints’ competitions. Sports Information Interns Sera Quiroga and Allie Guzman took some time to talk to Jay and Michael. Read full story online.
In 2009, the OLLU Athletic Department and the Office of Marketing and Communications launched a new athletic Web site, and this year, the University has announced a new and improved version that went live at noon last Friday. The site, which has the same address — www.ollusaintsathletics.com — will be managed by the OLLU news and sports information office. “Our intercollegiate program is entering its seventh year, and I am proud to say that we have enjoyed a lot of success. We have won conference championships, we have qualified for nationals, and all of our teams have experienced winning seasons despite being so ‘young,'” said Jack Hank, OLLU Athletic Director. “Our website has done a great job in showcasing our students and their achievements, and with the brand-new design and added flair, our University will continue to reap the benefits of having one of the best websites in the NAIA.” Read more online.
OLLU’s Jorge Cantu‘s hat trick helped the men’s soccer team bounce back from two straight losses as the Saints defeated the University of Houston – Victoria 3-0. The Saints arrived in Victoria with two consecutive losses on their minds and were determined to turn things around as they played their fourth straight game on the road. The Saints outshot the Jaguars in the first half 9 to 7, but did not manage to find the back of the net. OLLU keeper Zackery Brewer kept the Saints in the match with four saves. The next game for the men will be the conference home opener at the OLLU Soccer Field on Oct. 3 at 3 p.m. The Saints will take on Bacone College from Muskogee, Okla. In six previous matchups, the Saints have won five and lost one. Bacone is currently 0-2 in the conference and 1-8 overall. Read more online.
Stephanie Diaz scored the one goal for the Saints.
The women’s soccer team extended its winning streak to six games after winning 1-0 over the University of Houston – Victoria at the UHV Soccer Field Saturday afternoon. The Saints have not lost since they played NCAA Div. I University of the Incarnate Word early September and junior Stephanie Diaz made sure that things stayed that way as she scored the only goal on a rebound in the 23rd minute. The record for the women’s team is now 9-1-1 overall and 1-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference, while UHV dropped to a 5-6 record overall and suffered its first loss of the season at home. The Saints play Bacone at the OLLU Soccer Field on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. The Saints have played the team from Muskogee, Okla., six times since 2008 and have won all six games. Read more online.
