Rollercoaster ride

In a year of bailouts and budget cuts, sports have been a nice distraction from some of the grim realities facing Portland State graduates. With plenty of unbelievable outcomes and a long list of firsts, there was many a debate over which events stood out as the most spectacular of the last year.

10. NFL potential
Over the past three years, Portland State has had unbelievable success in placing players on NFL teams. With Andy Schatz being invited to the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers mini-camp, Portland State has a chance to have three different linebackers on NFL rosters. The other two, Jordan Senn and Adam Hayward, play for Indianapolis and Tampa Bay, respectively.

Keeping in mind the recent hardships of the football team, this stands to be a real positive when Glanville tries to reel in new recruits to continue the development of Portland State into a championship-caliber program.

9. Women’s soccer
Having wallowed in relative obscurity since their inception, expectations for the Portland State women’s soccer team were predictably low. That was until the team found lightening in a bottle with an early regular season coaching change.

With the addition of Laura Stott as the new head coach, the Vikings showcased a renewed energy that pushed them all the way into the conference semifinals before it was even all said and done. With most of the team returning next year, you can be sure they will be repeat performers on this list.

8. Merritt Paulson
For years, Portland has been considered Soccer Town, U.S.A. Yet, for one reason or another, Major League Soccer has snubbed the Rose City. That was until Merritt Paulson arrived and gave us our dignity back.

Offering to pay the $40 million MLS franchise fee, Paulson has become an instant local hero to Portlanders and soccer fans alike.

7. Wrestling
After review by a university task force in January, Portland State athletics decided to cut the wrestling team from the department’s roster. With over 40 years of history, the men’s wrestling team was one of the most successful over that time, winning titles in Division II in 1967, 1989 and 1990.

With the current budget shortfall facing Portland State, it was determined that the wrestling program had to be cut in order to keep other programs afloat both athletically and academically. One thing is for sure: The wrestling team will be greatly missed.

5. Women’s softball
Portland State’s softball team has been, without a doubt, one of the most successful teams in recent memory. With the addition of their newest Pacific Coast Softball Conference championship trophy, Portland State softball has now claimed two of the last three conference championships. What makes this even more spectacular is the fact that they did so with two different coaches.

4. Women’s basketball
Similar to soccer, the Portland State women’s basketball team had previously been deprived of any real success on the hardwood. That, however, changed when the player claiming the No. 2 spot arrived. Powered by the play of senior Kelsey Kahle as well as the flawless play of Claire Faucher, the Vikings reached new heights for the program.

With a second-place finish in PCSC play, the women’s team made it all the way to the conference finals, placing second as well. Proving they were no fluke, the Vikings also defeated University of Portland in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament, solidifying this season as their best ever.

3. Ken Boone
After giving us two unbelievable years, both resulting in invites to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Bone decided to take his game and head to Washington State in hopes of continuing to build on the Cougars’ recent success.

Leaving as one of the all-time greatest coaches in Portland State history, Bone’s time will forever be remembered as one of the rare instances that Portland State could claim the title of best in state for a sport. For that, we will always be grateful.

2. Kelsey Kahle
After four extremely successful years on the Portland State women’s basketball team, Kelsey Kahle leaves with plenty of hardware in her trophy case. Garnering over 11 different women’s basketball records for her play on the court, Kahle was also one of the core reasons that the Portland State women’s basketball team nearly claimed a regular season Big Sky Championship.

Further proof of her hard work, Kahle was voted as Defensive Player of the Year in the Big Sky Conference and competed in the Western Regional Championships in the high jump.

1. Men’s basketball
Probably one of the best runs in recent memory for any Portland State sports team, men’s basketball enjoyed another triumphant run to the Big Dance this year, marking the second time in a row they have made it.

With huge wins over the then No. 7 Gonzaga Bulldogs, a one-point loss to Washington in Seattle and a Big Sky Conference Tournament Championship, Portland State is in the midst of one of the all-time best stints for any sport.