Argo Athletics

Former University of Mary coach to guide the Lady Argos soccer team

GREAT FALLS, MT (Monday, May 5, 2008) — The University of Great Falls Athletic Director Jim Hall announced the hiring of Brian Clarke as the new women’s soccer coach at a press conference today. Clarke replaces Jamie Rizzuto who resigned in December. He becomes the second head coach of the Lady Argos as they head into the program’s fourth season of competition next fall. He will inherit 14 returners from a squad that produced a 3-13 overall record and a garnered the program’s first Frontier Conference victory last season.

Brian comes to the University of Great Falls from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. As a Marauder player, Brian was named team captain his senior year and was also named an NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete. After completing his playing career for the University of Mary, Brian stepped into the assistant coach’s role for the 2006 season. After just one season as the assistant, Clarke was promoted to the Head Coach position in January of 2007. The Marauders tallied a 4-13-1 record in a major rebuilding effort during Clarke’s first season.

“We are thrilled that Brian has agreed to be our next women’s soccer coach. He is an exceptionally mature and talented young coach who has a very bright future in front of him,” stated Hall. “We were especially impressed with his record as a recruiter as he has signed 17 players over the last two seasons despite some extenuating circumstances. Additionally, he has extensive ties to our recruiting bases in Montana and Wyoming and I have no doubt that he’ll be able to hit the ground running and continue to strengthen the talent level of our women’s soccer program.”

Clarke had this to say about the opportunity to take over the Lady Argos. “It was an easy decision. I saw a ton of potential for success. It is a great university, there is a tremendous athletic staff, and I was impressed with the recent and planned renovations to the athletic facilities and campus. I’d like to thank Athletic Director Jim Hall and President Eugene McAllister for giving me the opportunity to lead the women’s soccer program to the next level.”

Clarke has already begun recruiting and searching for an assistant coach. “There is a lot of work to be done, but it’s worth doing to ensure the continued rise of Argo women’s soccer,” stated Clarke.

What others are saying about Brian Clarke

“I have a lot of confidence in Brian Clarke, I wish we could have kept him here. The University of Great Falls has hired a good one. I am sure he’s going to do a great job.” -- Al Bortke – Director of Athletics, University of Mary

“I have a lot of respect for what Brian was able to accomplish in a short time at the University of Mary. From everything that I know about him personally and professionally he’s going to be a great fit here at the University of Great Falls.” -- Tim Brooks – Men’s Soccer Coach, University of Great Falls

“I am really excited about the fresh perspective and new ideas Coach Clarke will bring to our soccer program. His goals and objectives for the program closely matched those of our team and we really think he can lead us to the next level.” -- Kelsey Chytka – Current Soccer Player

By: Kevin Scott

University of British Columbia wins regional golf team and individual titles; Seven Argo golfers competed at regionals

COEUR D’ ALENE, ID (Tuesday, April 29, 2008) – The University of British Columbia golf teams won team titles at this year’s NAIA Region 1 Golf Tournament that took place at the Coeur d’ Alene, Municipal Golf Course in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. On Monday, the first two rounds were played and the third and final round of the tournament wrapped up on Tuesday.

The University of British Columbia’s Blake Rowe-Sleeman and two of this teammates finished in the top three on the men’s side of things. The Argo men finished the golf tournament in twelfth place. The Argos shot a 356 in the first round followed by 342 and 348. Big Fork, MT native Chris Richter finished tied for 51st overall with Montana Tech’s Jake Amerman with a score of 252. Richter’s teammate, Josh Wittman finished right behind him at 254. Other Argo finishers include Lance Wilson with a 267, Ryan Kovach with a 281 and Shay Thompson who finished with a 299.

The top three finishers on the women’s side were also from the University of British Columbia. Kaitlin Troop, Melissa Core and Alyssa Human all helped UBC take home the team title. Rocky Mountain’s Rachel Warren came in fourth place with a 238. Meanwhile, the UGF women had two women that competed but didn’t have enough athletes for a team score. Emily Pfeifer shot a 292 and Kirstin Thompson came in with a score of 303 for the Lady Argos.

The Argo men’s and women’s golf team will be back in action in September.

Round-by-Round Results: Men's Results (Round 1) l Men's Results (Round 2) l Men's Results (Final)

Round-by-Round Results: Women's Results (Round 1) l Women's Results (Round 2) l Women's Results (Final)

By: Kevin Scott

Medicine Hat student-athlete inks with Argos hoop team 

GREAT FALLS, MT (Monday, April 28, 2008) — The University of Great Falls men’s basketball team has announced the signing of a student athlete from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent for the 2008-2009 season.

Dallas Holyk is a 6’3” guard from Medicine Hat High School in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. He averaged 13.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game this past season on his high school team. Dallas was born in Twin Falls, Idaho and has a dual citizenship in the United States and in Canada. The newest member of the Argos basketball team was selected to the Southern Alberta All-Star Team this past season.

He is the son of Don and Marcia Holyk and he plans on majoring in physical education at the University of Great Falls.

"Dallas is a player who demonstrates excellent court vision and playmaking abilities. His unselfishness on the court makes him a tremendous team-oriented player which we welcome here at the University of Great Falls," said UGF men's basketball coach Steve Silsby.

By: Kevin Scott

Washington native added to the men’s cross-country and track team for the fall

GREAT FALLS, MT (Monday, April 28, 2008) — The University of Great Falls men’s cross-country and track team has announced the signing of a student-athlete from Chimacum, Washington to an NAIA/Frontier Conference Letter of Intent.

Jeremy Anderson will be joining the University of Great Falls from Chimacum High School in Chimacum, Washington. Although his high school didn’t have a cross-country team, he was able to run for nearby Port Townsend High School. He was voted Most Inspirational in both cross-country and track. Jeremy finished 54th overall (out of 158 runners) at the 31st Annual Salt Creek Cross-Country 5K Invitational this past fall with a time of 16:53. At the 2-A Washington cross-country State Championships in 2007, he qualified and finished 67th overall (out of 144 competitors).

At a spring track meet hosted by Washington High School in Tacoma, Washington, Anderson finished first overall for the Chimacum Cowboys in the 1,600 meters.

The newest runner for the Argo cross-country and track team has excelled in the classroom by maintaining a 3.10 cumulative GPA and has been on the honor roll throughout his high school career. During high school he earned a few awards including Student of the Month, a School Pride Award and a Scholastic Athletic Award.

Some of his favorite hobbies include snowboarding, wakeboarding, and riding dirt bikes.

Although he remains undecided on a college major, he is interested in math and science.

"Jeremy is very hard working and self-motivated. His 1-A high school in Chimacum, Washington didn’t have a cross-country program but that didn’t stop him from competing. He ran up a division for near-by Port Townsend High School and did very well. Jeremy also organized and put on a 5K fun-run for his community as a senior project. We’re excited to welcome him to our Argo running family,” said UGF Cross Country and Track Coach Jim Brewer.

For complete press releases from the other UGF Cross Country & Track recruits, please click here.

By: Kevin Scott

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