The U.S. men’s national soccer team beat Honduras on Tuesday night in front of 20,250 fans behind Jozy Altidore’s goal in the 71^st minute.

“Utah gave us a real home field advantage and that’s what we needed,” Altidore said. “It really gave us a boost.”

Altidore finished a pass from Fabian Johnson with a left-footed strike into the lower right corner. It was Altidore’s fourth goal in four games, becoming only the sixth American score in four straight games.

Team USA had many scoring opportunities but couldn’t quite find the net against a very defensive Honduras squad until Altidore’s goal.

“A good team finds ways to score and that’s what they did,” U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsman said. “They scored and they deserve a huge compliment. In a game like this, what really matters is that you keep going and be patient and find the goal.”

The win puts the U.S. in prime position leading into the last portion of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Team USA is in first place with 13 points and has a 99.7 percent chance to qualify for the World Cup according to ESPN.com. It was the third consecutive victory in World Cup qualifying and showed the growth of Team USA on the international stage.

“The big picture is that we are growing with every game,” Klinsmann said.

Not only is the U.S. men’s national team growing, the sport is growing in popularity in the country and specifically in Utah.

The game was played in Sandy’s Rio Tinto stadium, home to Real Salt Lake of the MLS. Real Salt Lake’s attendance is at an all-time high, mirroring the growth of the popularity of soccer in the Salk Lake valley and all of Utah. This showed through Tuesday night with a record setting audience. It was the largest crowd ever to watch the U.S. men’s national team play at Rio Tinto.

MLS has grown steadily each year in existence and is currently the third highest attended professional sports league on a per game basis. Real Salt Lake’s popularity has been helped by winning the 2009 MLS Cup Championship and moving into Rio Tinto. One of the major factors in the attendance increase has been the popularity among 18-30 year-olds.

The popularity of soccer in the area brought Team USA to Rio Tinto hoping for an enthusiastic, loud environment. The U.S. will return to Rio Tinto on July 13^th to host Cuba in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and will expect a similar atmosphere.

“We know that the people here love soccer,” midfielder Michael Bradley said before Tuesday’s game.

The support of RSL and Team USA is earning Salt Lake the reputation of a soccer hot spot as the sport grows in the U.S. The fans lived up to that reputation Tuesday night.

Team USA will resume action on July 5th in San Diego against Guatemala as the Gold Cup gets underway. The next World Cup qualifier is against Costa Rica, currently sitting in second place, on Sept. 6.

The U.S. men’s national soccer team will host Honduras in front of a sold-out crowd at Rio Tinto stadium tonight.

“We’ve played here before,” midfielder Michael Bradley said. “We know the people here love soccer.”

Team USA expects an enthusiastic and loud crowd in a pivotal game in the qualifying standings. Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann was very complimentary of the crowd in Seattle and said he expects the same sort of environment tonight.

“I’m sure the fans will carry us through the game, help us to push the envelope, help us keep the energy high and help get these three points that we badly need,” Klinsmann said.

The U.S. sit atop the standings through five games with 10 points and Honduras is in fourth place with seven. A win would extend the lead and put Team USA in great position to finish at least in the top three, clinching a spot in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The game will kick-off just after 7 p.m. MST and will be aired on ESPN.

It looked like the Cougars were going to blow another great win opportunity until the 89th minute, when freshman Blake Frischnecht slipped the ball past the Southern California keeper to score the only goal of the match.

It was Frischnecht’s first appearance for the Cougars. After subbing in for Romy Lakip midway through the second half, Frischnecht help control the ball at midfield, creating chances for the BYU offense.

Prior to Frischnecht’s goal, it looked like the Cougars were going to have to settle for the tie, as chance after chance failed to find the back of the net. Forward Jonathan Junca created multiple chances for the Cougars, but the team was unable to connect when the Seahorses’ keeper made a couple of great stops.

“This was our best offensive output as far as shots,” head coach Chris Watkins said. “We had 21 shots and eight corners. We did a lot of things well.”

BYU also had a goal called back early in the first ten minutes of the game because of an unfortunate offside call. A few more offside calls in the first half against the Cougars ruined a few breakaway opportunities.

The Southern California offense had its chances in the first half as well but was stopped by BYU goalkeeper Brian Hale. Hale tallied five saves in the first half, one of which came in the 27th minute when a Seahorse forward broke free and had a one-on-one opportunity. Hale calmly stepped up and made a great read, which prevented Southern California from taking the lead.

The Cougars were able to fix those small defensive mishaps in the second half and didn’t give up a single shot on goal. BYU kept the pressure on the Seahorses’ half and had many chances to score. Each chance was stopped by the Southern California keeper in a great performance.

BYU used all five of its allotted substitutions, and Watkins opted to play a younger group to see if they would have any more luck at scoring. Two freshmen and a relatively inexperienced junior made the difference for the Cougars.

The Cougars now travel to Southern California to face the Seahorses on their home field. The match is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, at 7:00 p.m. BYU doesn’t return home to South Field until Thursday, July 4, when it hosts FC Tuscon.

The win puts the Cougars within one game of fourth place in the Southwest division of the PDL.

After the loss to the Baylor Bears in the semi-final of the NIT in April, BYU basketball’s big man Brandon Davies has been hard at work to improve his draft stock for the upcoming NBA Draft, which takes place June 27.

After the season’s end, Davies was invited to play in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where he impressed a number of scouts. At the tournament, Davies averaged 20.7 points on 68 percent shooting, 9.3 rebounds and 3 assists per game — enough to garner him a landslide victory at the tournament’s MVP honors.

“That was a lot of fun,” Davies said. “I got put on like a really good team … everyone just wanted to win so it made it fun, and (I) just was able to play my game and played pretty good I guess … my performance there is kind of what got me my invite to the combine.”

Brandon Davies has been working hard to prepare himself for the upcoming NBA Draft on June 27.

Davies was one of 60 players invited by the NBA to the draft combine that was held May 16 and 17 in Chicago. Since the combine, Davies has been invited to work out with a number of NBA teams.

Davies has worked out with eight different NBA teams thus far, including the Utah Jazz, and is scheduled to visit five more.

“(The workouts are) all pretty similar,” Davies said. “The Jazz workout was pretty fun ’cause that’s the team I kind of pretty much grew up watching … it was just fun to be there.”

The teams that have invited Davies to workouts have been trying to figure out what he can contribute immediately; but they have also been giving him some very useful feedback.

“They’re all really positive … but at the same time they’re really honest with you too,” Davies said. “I kind of ask them what they think I should work on … and how I would fit in their system and everything … they let you know honestly how they feel.”

Davies has been said to be one of the best scoring big men in the draft. NBA teams have taken notice of the number of quality post moves Davies possesses, along with his ability to distribute the ball and get his teammates involved.

Despite having a great offensive mind and feel for the game, Davies knows, and has been told by NBA general managers, that there is still a lot of room for improvement.

“I’ve definitely been working on my range and shot consistency and getting stronger,” Davies said. “Those are all things teams were kind of worried about when they first looked at me, but as they bring me into workouts … they’re letting me know they’re seeing the improvement and, you know, liking what they’re seeing.”

Davies has long dreamed about playing in the NBA and has worked hard every year to develop his game into a more professional caliber of play. His dream became more of a reality between his sophomore and junior years at BYU with the addition of coach Mark Pope to the BYU coaching staff.

“Coach Pope was really good at preparing me,” Davies said. “The stuff that we did, and the workouts … helped me to kind of change my game and change my approach to things, to start playing more as if I was ready to play at that level. That definitely helped me, having him come in and help me out and just kind of change, you know, my work ethic and things like that.”

Davies’ draft stock has risen steadily throughout his career at BYU and since the end of the season. Many NBA analysts speculate that he will be a late second-round draft pick.

“I’m really excited (for the draft) — I’m really confident as well,” Davies said. “But it’s just one of those things that you have no control over, so you just gotta kind of sit back and wait and see what happens … a lot of hard work has been paying off so far — hopefully that can continue as I continue to work.”

As soccer players go, goalkeepers are generally overlooked. They rarely get the glory of scoring the gamewinner and are often the scapegoat when a team loses. But any soccer player will tell you a good keeper makes life on the field a lot easier for a team.

Take a good keeper and replace it with a great keeper, and you come up with BYU’s junior goalkeeper, Brian Hale.

“You can always count on him, for sure,” teammate Colby Bauer said. “He is just an athlete.”

Goalie Brian Hale reacts to a shot during Friday night’s game at South Field.

Hale has played on the men’s soccer team for three years and started for the last two. His talent and leadership have been invaluable for the Cougars.

“Brian is our oldest, our most experienced (goalkeeper) and has seen the most situations,” coach Brandon Gilliam said. “There is a comfort level when he is in, because you know he’s seen more situations, gotten us out of more situations and allowed us to win games sometimes that we probably shouldn’t.

“(He) has a presence about him,” Gilliam continued. “Whenever he is on the field, you know he is there. You always know Brian is in goal, because he has that presence.”

Hale gets much of his competitive nature and talent from his family. Soccer is in his blood. Hale is the middle of five kids in his family. When asked about how soccer got started in his family, he attributed it to his older brother.

“My whole family plays,” Hale said. “Blaine, the oldest, started it and got us all going.”

The Utah Surf, formerly known as the Dynamo, is one of Utah’s premier club programs and was started by Hale’s brother; his older sister Jess is the girls’ director.

“It’s hard to play and be serious when we play against each other,” Jess Hale said. “We laugh a lot, but secretly we are all competitive. If we play on the same team against other people, then we are super competitive.”

Goalie Brian Hale takes a goal kick during Friday’s game at South Field.

This competitive nature drives Hale on the field, but it hasn’t stopped him from being a team player.

“On our team, he is the guy who grabs the bags without anyone asking him,” Bauer said. “He cleans up and compliments people. He is just that type of guy, just genuine.”

When asked about his teammates, Hale was nothing but positive and complimentary, really displaying the leadership and support he has become known for by his teammates, both on and off the field.

Hale had a great opportunity to train with the professional Real Salt Lake squad here in Utah prior to the 2012 season. He spent three months working with and learning from coaches and players that play on the highest level in the United States.

“It was neat, a good experience,” Brian Hale remarked. “It was a different style of play, so there was a lot to learn. The coaches knew a lot and were able to help me with a lot of little things.”

Because BYU plays in a semi-professional league known as the Premier Development League, the style of play is a lot faster than it would normally be on the university club circuit. Hale pointed out the similarities between training with RSL and playing in the PDL, but he was quick to note that there were some differences.

Goalie Brian Hale makes a diving save during Friday night’s game at South Field.

“It is definitely close,” he said. “But I think there are some slight differences. Which is why they play in the MLS (Major League Soccer) and we play in the semi-pros.”

Soccer has shaped Hale’s life, both on and off the field.

“He has a strong personality,” Gilliam said. “He’s not super talkative, more of a quiet guy, but he walks and acts like he knows who he is and is comfortable with who he is.”

“Soccer has taught me that you get out of something what you put in,” Brian Hale said. “My parents always told me to work hard. I think if you work and you’re doing your best, things will work out.”

“We’re hoping that each keeper behind him will grow into the same thing,” Gilliam said.

Working hard and knowing who you are is what BYU soccer is all about. It’s what the coaches want, and it is what Hale has become.

BYU football’s Kyle Van Noy is picking up right where he left off at the end of last season, earning preseason All-American recognition this summer in anticipation of the 2013 season.

Van Noy was recently named to Phil Steele’s 2013 Preseason All-American team as a first-team selection and was also nominated for the Lott Trophy, which is awarded annually to the top overall defensive player in the nation.

Last season, Van Noy received All-American honors from numerous college football publications, including Phil Steele’s third team, CBS Sports’ second team and the Associated Press’ third team.

BYU line backer Kyle Van Noy bats down a pass from Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton on Oct. 5 at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Van Noy was awarded the CFPA Defensive Performer of the Year title on Tuesday. (Photo by Luke Hansen)

“It’s very honorable,” Van Noy said. “It’s cool to get noticed for the things you do on the field. But more importantly, people recognize BYU. Having more exposure to the team and school is pretty cool.”

Van Noy is the only player to record a statistic in every major defensive category two years in a row. He finished second in the nation last season in total sacks and forced fumbles. If he puts up similar numbers this season, more accolades will come for Van Noy, along with the ultimate possibility of being a high NFL draft pick.

“The pressure only gets worse so this is, in a way, practice,” Van Noy said. “I have more of a target this year. I think it will benefit the team. Other elite players will stand out.”

Bleacher Report’s Samuel Benson even named Van Noy to his preseason Heisman Trophy watch list. With several nationally televised games against traditional powerhouses like Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Boise State and Texas, Van Noy will have opportunities to stand out on a big stage.

Preseason hype is unavoidable, but Van Noy has grown accustomed to it and remains focused this summer.

“I don’t pay much attention to it,” Van Noy said. “My parents did a good job of keeping me grounded. They used to say you’re never as good as you think and never as bad as you think. You can always improve.”

Van Noy has worked hard on improving his speed and strength, maintaining a good diet, watching a lot of film and keeping a good balance of fun off the field to remain grounded during the offseason.

With several leaders from last season having moved on, Van Noy’s play will be critical to the Cougars’ success. He believes his role will be key this season.

“As it is every year, it’s to change momentum in games, get a stat in every category and raise the level of play of everyone around me,” Van Noy said.

Along with high personal expectations, Van Noy has high expectations for the whole team despite what many consider to be one of BYU’s toughest schedules ever. He believes the Cougars can achieve success if they keep things simple.

“Improve from last year and play every game like it’s your last,” Van Noy said.

Van Noy and his teammates will have the chance to live up to their preseason hype beginning Saturday, Aug. 31, when they open the season at Virginia.

BYU soccer will play for its first home win Friday night against the Southern California Seahorses.

The Seahorses have yet to win a regular season game in the Premier Development League and are currently sitting at the bottom of the standings. The Cougars have only won one game this season and are in fifth place in the division. A win would give the Cougars a lift and help them finish out the season on a high note.

“The players are more prepared than they ever have been,” BYU soccer coach Chad Sackett said. “(They) are ready to get a win this weekend.”

BYU started its summer soccer camps earlier this week and has spent a lot of time outside of practice helping the campers learn fundamental soccer skills. The campers will help to fill South Field Stadium for the match on June 14 against Southern California.

“We expect it to be a great atmosphere with many of our campers at the game,” Sackett said.

The players volunteer their time to work with the campers each day.

The Cougars wrap up their four-game home stand and are hoping for a big crowd. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

After the match Friday, the Cougars go on a two-game road trip until the first week of July, when they will return to South Field in Provo.

The BYU men’s soccer team gave up two goals in the second half to blow a 1–0 lead in a 2–1 loss to Real Colorado last Saturday.

The Cougars started strong, taking a 1–0 lead early in the first half when forward Jace Green broke away from the defenders and had a one-on-one chance against the Colorado keeper. Green was able to put it high in the top-right corner past the diving keeper. It was BYU’s first unassisted goal of the season.

The Cougars, however, let the lead slip through their fingers, a trend that seems to be increasing.

“We need to finish,” coach Chad Sackett said. “It’s a lack of finishing right now, it’s just putting it in the back of the net.”

BYU had a great chance early in the eighth minute when forward Jonathon Junca was tripped up in the Colorado box, resulting in a penalty kick. Senior Doug Clark took the kick but was unable to put it past the Foxes’ keeper. The ball bounced around in the box for a few seconds before it was cleared out by a Colorado defender.

“We missed a PK, but we were able to score again and go up 1–0.” Sackett said. “We just had some open nets that we need to put away, that’s what is tough about it.”

The Cougars came out strong and dominated the first half both in shots taken and time of possession. In the 30th minute, BYU had back-to-back opportunities where a through ball to Green resulted in one touch crossed to Junca, whose header and diving shot both went wide.

“This was the first time in a while that we felt momentum,” Sackett said, “Like it’s a Saturday morning game and you’ve got the oranges at halftime.”

The Cougars’ second half was full of mistakes that led to goals for the Foxes. The first came in the 64th minute off a careless throw-in by BYU, and the second was in the 76th minute after a blown coverage in the box.

The Cougars will look to rebound and pick up their first home win of the season against the SC Seahorses on Friday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m. on South Field.

Victor Weirich’s personal best vault earned All-American status. (Photo courtesy of BYU Photo)

BYU Track and Field athletes concluded their season at the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 5–7 in Eugene, Ore., with three athletes from the men’s team earning All-American honors.

The men’s team sent five athletes to the competition.

Senior pole vaulter Victor Weirich was the first of the Cougars to compete. Weirich was coming off a first-place finish at the MPSF championships and looked to place high at nationals.

“I was going into the meet saying it was my last meet so I’m going to have fun,” Weirich said. “I was feeling good just from practice and how I felt that day and the day before.”

Weirich overcame a unique situation when his poles did not arrive in Eugene on time for the competition, forcing him to share poles with a fellow competitor.

Weirich made the best of the situation and went on to post a personal best vault of 18-02.5, placing fifth in the nation and earning All-American status for the third time in his college career.

“Being an All-American is an honor, especially at BYU,” Weirich said. “BYU has always produced good pole vaulters. It’s something that means a lot to me.”

“What a great day for Victor,” head coach Mark Robison said. “We were scrambling for a while there, but Victor remained focused and was in control. I was really, really pleased for him. He had a lifetime best, and to do that at nationals without his poles was amazing.”

Junior distance runner Jared Ward placed eighth in the 10,000 meters with a time of 29:51.59. Ward was very aggressive throughout the race, holding second place for part of the race.

“I do feel like I was in the fittest shape of my life,” Ward said. “I thought, given how the field was set up, that I had a chance of racing hard and winning. I got competitive mid-race and went after the favorite. I was pleased being able to hold a top-eight finish.”

Fellow Cougar Tylor Thatcher competed in the same race, finishing in 14th place with a time of 30:07.12.

Curtis Carr was impressive in his first appearance at nationals, posting the fastest time for an American in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at 8:40.47. His time was good for fourth-place finish and was a personal record.

“Going into nationals, my goal was the top eight,” Carr said. “After the first round I had the fourth fastest time going into the finals. Going into the last lap (during finals), I think I was in 10th place, and with 300 meters to go I began my kick and I passed the pack that I was in and ended up in fourth place.”

Ward’s and Carr’s performances earned them All-American honors along with Weirich.

Ryan Waite also competed in his third outdoor NCAA Championships in the 800 meters. He finished in eighth place in a preliminary heat, failing to advance.

The Cougars tallied 10 points at the championships and finished in 24th place as a team; Texas A&M and Florida tied for first place.

“We performed well and competed well,” Robison said. “I was pleased to have three All-Americans when we had five guys. I felt like we did as well as we could.”

Kelsey Brown and Natalie Stewart represented BYU on the women’s side.

Brown ran in the 800 meters, finishing in ninth overall after the preliminary heats — one spot away from qualifying for the finals. Stewart concluded a successful senior season, placing 23rd overall in the 400 meters.

Five BYU baseball players were selected in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft, with redshirt freshman Jacob Hannemann, a center fielder, headlining the list of Cougar draftees.

Hannemann was drafted in the third round by the Chicago Cubs, with the 75th overall pick.

Hannemann had been drafted once before, shortly after his senior year of high school. He was selected in the 48th round by the Kansas City Royals. Hannemann opted to serve a two-year LDS mission then returned and red-shirted as a cornerback on the football team last fall before playing baseball this spring.

Adam Law, a junior infielder, was selected in the 12th round (364th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Law was a team co-captain this season and led the team in batting average (.365), on-base percentage (.440), hits (76) and stolen bases (14). He received All-WCC first team honors and was named to the WCC All-Academic and All-Tournament teams.

Junior outfielder Jaycob Brugman was picked up by the Oakland A’s in the 17th round (521st overall). Brugman was also a team co-captain this season and led the Cougars in RBI’s (52), home runs (11), walks (30) and slugging percentage (.609). He was named first team All-WCC and was named to the WCC All-Tournament Team.

Adam Miller, a junior right-handed pitcher, was drafted in the 20th round (600th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Miller started 14 games for the Cougars, going 4–8 with an ERA of .556.

JC Snyder, an incoming junior college transfer, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 36th round (1,077th overall).

Jacob Hannemann’s success this year points to a professional baseball career.

Jacob Hannemann was looking forward to living the dream as a two-sport athlete at BYU. A speedy, redshirt freshman cornerback with promise, he had his sights set on BYU football stardom as well as a central role on the baseball diamond as BYU’s centerfielder and leadoff man. After a stellar freshman season on the baseball diamond, however, Hannemann’s plans have changed.

“My ideal situation would be to get drafted high and start my career, my baseball life, this year,” Hannemann said. “That is what is presented at the table, an opportunity, and if that can become a reality I’ll take it.”

On June 7, opportunity knocked as Hannemann was drafted 75th overall by the Chicago Cubs, forcing him to leave his dream of playing college football behind.

“I love the football program. I’m grateful for what they’ve done for me,” Hannemann said. “I came here expecting to play both sports all four years. I didn’t think I had the potential to be a pro baseball player. When I see that potential now, I want to take advantage of that, and I don’t want the opportunity to pass by.”

Major League Baseball scouts frequented Cougar baseball games this season to get a glimpse of Hannemann’s success as he quickly became one of the team’s leaders. Hannemann helped the Cougars finish third in the West Coast Conference after many picked BYU to finish near the bottom of the conference this season.

“I feel like we exceeded our expectations for the season,” Hannemann said. “It started out rough, but we had a really good season. It was a little disappointing because we knew how good we were and could be, and we got to that potential in some games and other games we let slip away. That’s kind of how baseball is. We wish we would have had a shot in the NCAA tournament.”

Hannemann finished the season batting .344 with 53 runs scored in 51 games. He led the team in doubles (16), triples (7) and runs (53). He was the team’s second-leading hitter with 76 hits and was also second on the team in batting average (.344), on-base percentage (.415), slugging percentage (.553), home runs (5) and stolen bases (14).

Hannemann’s drive and talent have come from years of experience, as well as a genuine love for the game. Like many baseball players, he started playing at a young age. He would emulate center fielders like Ken Griffey, Jr. and Kenny Lofton, and he enjoyed the atmosphere and the basics of baseball.

“I always played baseball to have fun,” Hannemann said. “The competitive nature of it is really fun for me. I love competing. The basic things like hitting and catching, I love doing those things.”

In a game notorious for superstition, Hannemann has found success in ditching the rituals and symbols and relying on work ethic to hone his abilities.

“If something is going wrong, I just like to fix it,” Hannemann said.

That work ethic helped Hannemann fulfill his preseason goal of starting in centerfield.

“My expectations coming into it were to start,” Hannemann said. “There are a lot of good players on our team, and I wanted to fight for a starting spot. I was in left field the first few weeks of the year and then I moved over to center, so I got that goal.”

Little did Hannemann know that he would far exceed his preseason goals. Hannemann’s work ethic earned him numerous awards, including All-WCC First Team, All-WCC Freshman Team and WCC Freshman of the Year.

“When I found out, I was pretty surprised,” Hannemann said. “I knew I had a good year. I was grateful for it, grateful for the people that helped me out. We had a good team, and that makes it easier to play well.”

Hannemann’s success has given him plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks as he starts his career as a pro baseball player.

“I think I had a good year and have a lot of ceiling left. And to give up football for baseball, I think I could reach my potential,” Hannemann said. “There’s always room for improvement, and I love working and getting things perfected. I feel like I’ll be a good baseball player. I have the drive and motivation to do that, and I really want to play. If another team out there recognizes that, I’ll take that and give them all I have.”

BYU track and field athletes concluded their season at the 2013 NCAA Outdoor National Championships June 5-7 in Eugene, Ore., with several athletes posting top-eight finishes and achieving All-American status.

The men’s team sent five athletes to the competition. Pole vaulter Victor Weirich was the first of the Cougars to compete. Coming off a first place finish at the MPSF championships, Weirich finished in fifth place in Eugene, with a personal best vault of 18-02.5.

Jared Ward placed eighth in the 10,000 meters with a time of 29:51.59. Ward ran aggressively throughout the race, holding second place until the last several laps. Teammate Tylor Thatcher also competed in the event, finishing in 14th place with a time of 30:07.12.

Curtis Carr rounded out BYU’s top placers, posting the fastest time for an American in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at 8:40.87, fast enough for a fourth place finish and a personal best time.

Ryan Waite also competed in his third NCAA championships in the 800 meters. Waite finished in eighth place in a preliminary heat, failing to advance.

Weirich, Ward and Carr were named All-Americans after their performances.

Kelsey Brown and Natalie Stewart competed for BYU on the women’s side.

Brown ran in the 800 meters, finishing ninth overall in her preliminary heat — one spot away from qualifying for the finals. Stewart concluded a successful senior season, placing 23rd overall in the 400 meters.

The BYU men’s soccer team continues its home stand this weekend against the Real Colorado Foxes.

BYU dropped a match against the Foxes in Colorado earlier this season, losing 3–0. The Cougars have struggled to find the back of the net early on this season, but the team is hopeful it can turn this around.

“We are working hard at practice everyday,” head coach Chris Watkins said.

The Cougars are currently in a three-game losing slump but know they have what it takes to pull out a victory. Though BYU has had many opportunities in all the games it has played to put points on the board, Watkins knows that the young squad has had its challenges on offense.

“We need to be better in our attack and score more often,” he said.

BYU will have the opportunity to do just that on Saturday night. Tickets are available at the front gate and are being offered as a two-for-one deal before kickoff. Pass of all Passes holders get into the game for free. Students pay $5, and adults pay $6. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.

The Cougars have one more home game on June 14 against the Southern CA Seahorses before going on the road again.

Winter semester has come to a close and many students have gone their separate ways, but those that remain in the Provo area are re-discovering the joys of the great outdoors.

The Provo area has a lot to offer when it comes to outdoor recreation. Students have access to a number of activities ranging from hiking and camping, to boating on Utah Lake. The large amount of city parks in the area provide students with a quick getaway where they can participate in activities like Ultimate Frisbee, and new crazes like Spikeball and slack lining.

Many students that remain in the Provo area for spring and summer terms are from all over the country and are discovering new unique ways to enjoy the outdoors. Many of these activities are made possible by the geographic landmarks that are just a short distance to the east.

“I’ve always loved the mountains,” said Brooke Morgan, a sophomore majoring in exercise science and athletic training from South Lake, Texas. “There are no mountains in Texas and I’m really excited to go hiking.”

The close proximity to the campus and students’ homes makes the mountains easy to visit.

“I love the hiking nearby,” added Derrik Chandler, a senior from Wendell, Idaho, majoring in chemical engineering. “The mountains are only ten minutes away, it’s awesome. That also makes it easy to go camping. … I love to camp, That’s the best part of summer.”

Hiking and camping are just the beginning when it comes to what can be done in the mountains. Students have discovered the joys of rock climbing on the jagged cliffs of Rock Canyon, and riding down Provo Canyon on a long board. The adventurous possibilities are endless in the nearby Wasatch Mountains.

Students have found a number of ways to enjoy the summer sun, including long boarding. (Photo by Jake Slater)

The mountains are not the only natural landmark to keep students entertained. A short distance to the west of Provo lies a body of water that also provides many opportunities for students to spend their time.

“I’m looking forward to going boating,” said Kristin Young, a senior from Pittsburgh, Penn., studying human development. “I don’t have a usual spot, but last summer I went to Utah Lake.”

Utah Lake provides a number of opportunities for students to enjoy the summer sun: fishing, canoeing and picnicking near the lake, just to name a few.

Provo’s local parks provide a perfect place to participate in a number of social games and sports.

Ultimate Frisbee has become one of Provo students’ favorite summer pastimes (Photo by Jake Slater)

“Spikeball is super fun to play,” Chandler said. “It’s a great social game that pretty much anyone can play.”

Spikeball has made a large imprint among students in a short amount of time. Spikeball is a variation of volleyball, but is played with a small round net placed at ankle level that the teams use to bounce the ball off of to change possessions. Only four people can play Spikeball at one time (two teams of two players) but it has proven to be an enjoyable social game, which is why it is taking Provo by storm.

Of all the things that the remaining students are enjoying about the summer months, being with friends in a time of minimal stress has been the favorite.

“I like that here in Provo, as opposed to back home, all my friends are right here,” Young said. “And it’s so close I don’t always have to be far from home to be with friends.”

The college scene provides a social atmosphere that makes it easy to meet new people and make new friends, which is very easy to do during the summer months.

“Being at college, it is a lot easier to do things with a large group of friends,” Morgan added. “It’s easier to do things at BYU because everyone is so nice.”

Athletes from the BYU track and field teams will compete June 5–8 at the 2013 Division I NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore.

The men’s team qualified five participants that all look to be very competitive. Coach Mark Robison believes that all five “have a chance” to place in the top eight in their respective events.

Points are awarded to each team with a participant that places in the top eight in an event. The team with the most points at the end of the meet wins the national championship.

Victor Weirich hopes to place high in the pole vault at the NCAA Championships. (Photo by Chris Bunker)

BYU will look for Victor Weirich to place high in the pole vault. Weirich tied for first place at the West Regional with a vault of 17-08.50. Weirich, who is making his second appearance at the national championships, placed fourth overall in 2011.

Jared Ward is making his return to the championship meet in the 10,000 meters. Ward placed fifth last year and hopes to duplicate that success. Joining Ward in the 10,000 meters is Tylor Thatcher. Thatcher ran well at the West Regional but will likely have to run his best race ever to place in the top 10.

Ryan Waite is making his third appearance at nationals in the 800 meters and Curtis Carr makes his debut running in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.

“When you get to nationals you better hope to bring your ‘A’ game, because if you don’t you won’t go very far,” men’s head coach Mark Robison said.

The women’s team qualified two athletes in Kelsey Brown and Natalie Stewart.

Brown, who will compete in the 800 meters, enters the competition with the seventh-fastest time among all participants in the event.

“I think we had a real good training session this last week,” women’s head coach Patrick Shane said. “We worked on some tactical and strategy applications. I expect her to have her best race ever.”

Stewart has been peaking of late in the 400 meters and qualified with her personal best time at the West Regional. Shane also expects Stewart to run her best race ever during the meet.

• BYU’s Bowl game future:

“We’re in talks right now, it’s different as an independent because most of the talks with Bowls regard around conferences.”

Regarding the bowl situation; “I think that it’s going to be more similar to what it’s been so I wouldn’t anticipate that the cotton bowl’s going to open up.”

“There’s a few more bowls that we’re in discussions with, but any game that we’ve played in, in the past would be happy to have us back, and there’s a few other games that we haven’t been in that we’re having discussions with.”

“I’m hoping that we can contract with bowls like we did when we went independent…we could possibly do a couple in the next couple months, most possibly one year deals. And take advantage of multiple bowls because as an independent that’s possible.”

• Changes in football due to the announcement of a Playoff:

“I don’t think it will change much, as far as the Bowls are for us.”

On BYU’s access to Bowls; “I think it just depends on how good you are, and if we’re really good, we’ll get in.”

“If I’m going to be a purist and say ‘put the best teams in’ it’s hard for me to say that’s not the best way to go. If we were the best than I’d want to be in, and if we’re not then I’m not going to try and weasel my way in by some…bylaw.”

• BYU and Utah Basketball:

“We’d play them once a year and we’d alternate. What we’d try to do is have the home football game be at one school and a home basketball at the other, so that’s what (Chris Hill, Utah athletic director) and I are talking about.”

• Series with Notre Dame:

“(the series is) where it’s at when we signed the contract. Haven’t heard a word from Notre Dame other than the fact that we’ve talked about…the series and that it’s been good”

• Scheduling, and the current strength of schedule:

“The really good teams don’t really have trouble scheduling…The great teams, they don’t back away from people. Now they won’t play us if they’ve already scheduled, you know, a really, really good team outside of their really, really good conference. They’ll catch us on another year.”

“Right now we’re not a top ten team…(BYU’s) a recognizable name, It’s a good name, It gets good ratings.”

In reference to 2013 schedule; “It’s a tough schedule.”

“If you want to be relevant, we don’t want to slip in…If we win ten games this year, that’s a really, really good season.”

“I haven’t tried to put together mediocre schedules so in the future, if there’s a bad schedule, then it’s on me. We’re trying to put together, but you can’t get everybody you want.”

• Possibility of playing an international football game:

“ I would be really excited about that. There’s not a lot of other teams that are really excited about that. They don’t see it like the world is our campus. That is our motto. We’ve gone international…It works for us.”

• Relationship with the WCC:

“I like our relationship with the WCC. What my assessment is, is that the top teams in every sport are really good. Now the depth doesn’t go all the way down, but it’s hard to win championships in the West Coast Conference…there’s always a really, really tough foe in every sport.”

“I think the depth of the conference is improving rapidly, and that’s a good thing.”

• On the possibility of Joining another conference:

“I’m not actively pursuing a conference spot now when the answer has been ‘No, we’re not interested at this time.’ I see those athletic directors all the time, and we always talk, we’re friends…And we always talk about what’s going on.”

“I’m always reading the tea leaves, just as you are and right now it’s a slow time… At the right time and place, (joining a conference) could happen.”

• Baseball off-season options:

“More things that we’re looking to do next year and in the future is do like our softball team has done and play like in St. George.”

On spring tournaments in Arizona; “Spring training and those games in Arizona is fantastic.”

• Odds of Utah State football game being moved to November: 

“As far as addressing Utah State…there’s no strained relationship.”

If the game were in November they would possibly play a home and home “I’d love to play that game in November…Utah State doesn’t think it’s great right now.”

• Basketball practice facility:

“It’s not something that has been approved…we’re looking at silent kind of fundraising and behind the scenes, it’s not a campaign or anything like that.”

“It’s kind of a thing to do now…some of the older facilities around the country…just don’t have the access that they need now”

“I would say it’s important for our future.”

• Dave Rose and the BYU basketball team.

“There are actually a lot of concerns that (Rose) brings up, and I think that’s why it runs so smoothly is he’s very good at foreseeing issues of the future and addressing them.”

“(Rose) deals with a lot of issues behind the scenes and addresses them before they occur. He’s very well organized, has a great vision of what he wants to do and does it.”

• Fans:

“I think that there’s a fair number of fans that don’t like us being independent, and I think there’s a fair number of fans that like us being independent, and there’s a large number of fans that follow BYU no matter what.”

“There are things that we can do, that we’re discussing about reaching out more as a group with athletes and coaches.”

For more information on Tom Holmoe’s visit with the media see:

http://universe.byu.edu/beta/2013/05/31/tom-holmoe-meets-with-the-press-to-discuss-bronco-mendenhall-contract-extension-and-byuutah-rivalry/

Fisher, a senior on the track and field team holds a 3.92 GPA as a biophysics major.

Fisher has enjoyed success both on and off the track this season placing first in numerous indoor and outdoor meets. Her top vault during the outdoor season was 4.01 meters and placed her among the top pole vaulters in the West.

According to the news release, Fisher now advances to the Capital One All-America Team ballot where she could earn a place as a first, second, or third team Academic All-American.

Softball has played a major role in senior JC Clayton’s life. Not only has she surpassed milestones in BYU softball history, but she has also influenced the lives of many teammates.

BYU head coach Gordon Eakin recruited Clayton to play for the Cougars after she had played all four years and lettering in both softball and soccer at San Benito High School. She didn’t come on timidly either, winning BYU softball’s Offensive Player of the Year and Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year right away.

“Her entire career here at BYU stands out to me,” Eakin said about Clayton. “It’s exceptional.”

Clayton knew she wanted to play for BYU after her recruiting visit before freshman year.

“I was recruited by Eakin and just instantly liked it,” Clayton said. “I enjoyed the facilities. … The facilities are fabulous. I loved the mounds and the environment.”

Shortstop JC Clayton makes a play during a game against Houston. (Photo by Sarah HIll)

Not only is she teammates with some great girls, but roommates and good friends as well. Clayton has enjoyed living with fellow softball teammates throughout her college career. Katie Manuma, Bailie Hicken and Hannah Howell are some of her best friends and current roommates. They expressed that one aspect of Clayton’s personality is her sense of humor, which can be seen on and off the field.

“I’ve known her since I did my recruiting trip my senior year,” Manuma said of Clayton. “We have been roommates since my freshman year. I actually didn’t want to live in her apartment, but it was the only one left, so I had to live with her. JC still gets on me and gives me a hard time about that.”

The hard work Clayton puts in shows in her accomplishments. This year, she was named to the Top 50 Watch List for the 2013 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. As for hitting BYU milestones, Clayton broke the all-time hit record, set the single-game record for stolen bases and set the all-time stolen base record, having 47 on her career.

The girls have felt Clayton’s love and support throughout their careers as well.

“She is kind of like an older sister figure for me and all of the other girls on the team, but she’ll also get on you for things and try to make you better,” Manuma said. “Especially with the new freshman girls that join the team every year; JC really takes them under her wing and is like a mom or sister figure for everyone.”

Clayton is known amongst her friends and teammates for making people better. She is a leader on and off the field.

“She was the cornerstone of our team both offensively and defensively,” Eakin said. “She has great softball instincts, and because she knows the game so well she has great leadership skills and tries to teach.”

Since day one at BYU, Clayton has been a laid-back friend but also a fierce competitor. Her leadership skills have flourished over the past four years and will continue to benefit the Cougar’s softball team next year. Clayton plans on being a fifth-year coach at BYU for the softball team before graduating with a degree in recreation management.

BYU softbal has reaped the benefits of having Clayton the past four years. Her outstanding athletic ability has brought positive attention and recognition to BYU. The Cougars look forward to having her stick around for one more year.

After four years of physically punishing their bodies in football, most players move on to new jobs and phases in their lives. For a select few, however, the dream lives on. Some players get the opportunity to continue playing football by competing in the National Football League.

Six former players from last year’s BYU football team are currently trying to make NFL teams and continue playing the sport at its highest level.

A day in the life of an NFL free agent is long, stressful and challenging. The typical day requires the players to wake up around 5:30 a.m., eat breakfast and attend morning meetings and walk-throughs. A practice then ensues, and lunch follows.

In the afternoon, more team and position meetings are held before another practice. Dinner is next, with more film sessions and meetings until about 9 p.m.

Romney Fuga, a defensive tackle, is currently with one of the top NFL teams from last year, the Denver Broncos. He has been impressed with the organization thus far.

Romney Fuga (98) makes a tackle against Idaho last season. Fuga is currently with the Denver Broncos, attempting to make the final roster. (Photo by Luke Hansen)

“The veterans are very welcoming,” Fuga said. “The organization is very classy, and it reflects with the players and how they treat others.”

The Broncos run a different defense than what BYU ran, so Fuga has had to learn a whole new defense.

“At BYU we ran a 3–4 defense, and here in Denver they run a 4–3 defense, so it’s been taking some time to adjust to playing their schemes,” Fuga said. “At BYU, I was over the center. Here I can be over the center or outside the guard.”

Fuga went on to say it has felt unnatural at times and he has had to go against the position training he received at BYU but that the new schemes are coming along.

While Fuga is learning a different scheme, a lot of what he learned at BYU has stayed with him and is beneficial during practice.

“I think what BYU does a good job at is teaching us how to practice hard,” Fuga said. “Coach Mendenhall was on our case if we were jogging on the field. They always wanted you to go all out in practices.”

Fuga explained that all rookies have been housed in a hotel together during workouts. Another former Cougar, Uona Kaveinga is one of the rookies with Fuga in Denver trying to make the team.

“The rookies kind of hang out together because we’re all in the same boat trying to make the team,” Fuga said. “Naturally, we gravitate to each other. It’s nice to have a familiar face out here especially in a tough environment where this business isn’t the easiest to succeed in.”

Preston Hadley, a cornerback from last year, was working with the Seattle Seahawks before a broken hand ended his brief stint with the team recently.

Preston Hadley sacks Hawaii’s quarterback Sean Schroeder during a game last season at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Hadley is currently attempting to make an NFL roster. (Photo by Chris Bunker)

Before the injury, Hadley had done well in Seattle and enjoyed his time with the Seahawks.

“The coaches were super positive and super enthusiastic,” Hadley said. “They had a positive attitude toward everything. They try to instill confidence in all the players.”

Hadley should be healthy again in a few weeks and hopes to be given a chance by another team.

While with the Seahawks, Hadley learned what the NFL was like and the challenges that came with it.

“Mentally it tires you out,” Hadley said. “They install so many of the schemes so fast and you have to be able to take it all in. You have a day to learn it in the morning, then you’re supposed to know it at practice.”

Like Fuga, Hadley believes the way BYU’s football team practiced helped him be prepared for the NFL.

“We practice really hard,” Hadley said. “Seattle is huge on effort, and that’s the biggest thing here. I thought I was better conditioned than most of the guys there.”

The life of an NFL free agent is not for everyone. The mental challenges, along with the physical demands brought on by the jump in competition, are tough to overcome.

“There is a lot of pressure,” Hadley said. “You’re being evaluated every day, and you never know when it’s your last day.”

Other former BYU players trying to make their own stories in the NFL are linebackers Uona Kaveinga, currently with the Broncos alongside Fuga, and Braden Brown, currently with the St. Louis Rams.

Linebacker Brandon Ogletree and offensive lineman Braden Hansen signed free agent contracts with the Miami Dolphins and the Oakland Raiders, respectively, but both have been cut from the rosters.

The Cougars dropped the second match of their back-to-back home opener Saturday night 4-0 to the Fresno Fuego.

The loss was their fourth straight, dropping their record to 1-4-1 on the season. Despite the outcome, BYU looked good for most of the match.

“It’s so hard because we played so well,” coach Chad Sackett said. “We out-possessed them the first half and had the same amount of shots. You see the score as 0–4 and think we got killed, but we didn’t. That’s the hard thing.”

The highlight of the match for the Cougars was goalkeeper Brian Hale. Despite letting in four goals, Hale had 11 saves. The Fuego’s offense had many chances to score but was repulsed again and again by Hale and his defense, including a few spectacular diving saves.

BYU started the game a little sluggish and allowed Fresno to challenge Hale on multiple occasions. The Fuego scored on a breakaway in the 11th minute, and again in the 24th after Hale was forced to challenge a Fresno forward, leaving the right side open for a streaking teammate.

The Cougars’ defense stiffened after that and didn’t allow another goal until a free kick in the 72nd minute. A Fresno forward was left unmarked in the box, and his header sailed just over Hale’s head. The Fuego sealed the victory with a deep shot from outside the box in the 87th minute that slipped through a diving Hale’s fingers.

Fresno was able to make the chances they were allowed, in contrast to the Cougars, who were unable to capitalize on the chances and mistakes of the Fuego defense.

BYU has been held scoreless in four of its last five matches.

“We are going to struggle scoring,” head coach Chris Watkins said. “You can ask me every game this season, we are gonna struggle.”

The Cougars tallied 12 shots, but only three challenged the Fuego keeper.

BYU will stay in Provo for next week’s home match on Saturday, June 8, against Real Colorado. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm on South Field.