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The men’s basketball team was an 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and for the first time in school history it “danced” in back-to-back seasons. UNI finished the regular season tied for third in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and posted non-conference wins against Iowa State, Valparaiso, Northwestern State and Western Michigan. The Panthers finished with a 21-10 record, 11-7 in the MVC.

Senior Chris Foster and junior Ben Jacobson became the first set of UNI teammates to each score 1,000 points since Cam Johnson and Randy Blocker in 1993-94. The Panthers had 226 three-pointers this season, most in school history, led by Jacobson and Erik Crawford with 71 and 57. Sophomore Grant Stout had 75 blocked shots, a UNI single-season record. Center Eric Coleman became the first Panther to earn MVC Freshman of the Year. Jacobson was first-team all-MVC.

National Limelight

The UNI wrestlers claimed a 20th consecutive West Regional title and two all-Americans. Senior Sean Stender took second at the Division I NCAA tourney in St. Louis. The 197-pounder is a three-time all-American and the first Panther since Justin Greenlee in 1995. Senior Eric Hauan was sixth at 174-pounds.

UNI sent six other wrestlers to the NCAA tournament: junior Chris Helgeson (125), freshman C. J. Ettelson (141), senior Jeff Harrison (149), junior Chris Bitetto (157), sophomore Nick Baima (165) and freshman Alex Dolly (184). The Panthers were 15th overall after posting an 8-7 dual record. UNI ranked 17th in the nation in team GPA (3.017) and is the only Iowa university to make the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Division I Top 30.

D-fense

The women’s basketball team had its best season ever. Led by seniors Alex Cook and Emily Berry, the Panthers were second in the MVC at 13-5. At 20-11 overall, it was the first time since joining Div. I in ‘82-83 that the Panthers reached 20 wins.

UNI had the best scoring defense in the history of the program, allowing just 57.2 points per game. The Panthers were sixth nationally in team blocked shots and set the school record with 200.

Cook became the first Panther to get 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. She has the most career rebounds with 1,049. Cassie Hager broke the MVC record for most blocks in a season (135) and broke UNI records with most blocks in a game (8) and in a career (209). Due to head coach Tony DiCecco’s persistence and leadership, he was named the 2004-05 MVC Rawlings Coach of the Year.

“This season has to be one of the most enjoyable times that I have ever had in my 34 years of coaching,” DiCecco said.

Makin’ A Racket

Two years after going 3-11, the women’s tennis team finished 19-4 overall and 8-4 in the MVC. It ended the regular season at 17-3, 6-3 in the Valley. Fourth seed at the conference tournament, UNI beat Wichita State in the first round and took revenge on Drake in the semifinals. The Panthers lost to two-time defending champion Illinois State in their first trip ever to the Valley championship match.

Head coach Sachin Kirtane said, “Now our goal is to win the Valley; second is no longer good enough.”

Fast Tracks

The men’s track and field team doubled up on MVC championships this year. At the indoor meet in Carbondale, Ill., UNI crowned eight champions en route to its sixth consecutive MVC indoor title. Senior Dirk Homewood was the high point scorer and MVP.

UNI hosted the MVC outdoor meet at the Mark Messersmith Outdoor Complex May 13-15. The Panthers won by 68 points, marking four MVC outdoor titles under head coach Chris Bucknam. Junior Cody Eichmeier had his appendix removed a week before the meet and still broke records in the long jump and the 4x100-meter relay. Homewood was Outstanding Male Track Athlete. Eichmeier earned Outstanding Male Field Athlete and Bucknam was Men’s Coach of the Year.

On The Diamond

The UNI baseball team was 26-28 overall, 9-15 in the Valley. For the second straight year the Panthers were a game away from making the MVC tournament. They won four of their last five series, sweeping Bradley in the final home stand. UNI also beat #22 Texas Tech in Lubbock and posted a 4-3 record in Bradenton, Fla.

The Panthers beat Iowa 9-7 in the Corridor Classic in Cedar Rapids, and put together a string of wins that included three straight MVC series and two over regular season champ Creighton.

The Panther softball team finished 22-25 overall, 10-17 for 7th in the MVC. UNI beat instate rivals Iowa State and Drake and took series from Southwest Missouri State, Bradley and Indiana State. Tracy Davis, Erin Strellner and Rachael Rogers were second team all-conference. Strellner was named to the 2005 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America District 7 Team.

For complete coverage and all the latest facts and figures visit www.unipanthers.com.

Maintained by the UNI Alumni Association
Last Modified: January 25, 2006