SPORTS TIMELINE:

Sept. 3, 2005

 The Vikings’ football team challenged the Division I-A Oregon State Beavers in the season opener. A packed crowd watched the first game in OSU’s new Reser Stadium and was surprised to see the Viks stay with the nationally recognized Beavers. The Vikings lost 41-14 in a second-half fallout.

Sept. 24, 2005

 Senior running back and All-American Joe Rubin had his best performance of the season during the fourth game of the year. Rubin rushed for 362 yards on 47 carries and had five touchdowns in the Vikings’ victory against Northern Colorado. The Vikings won 41-17.
Oct. 7-8, 2005

The Viks’ volleyball team swept Montana and Montana State to continue an eight-game win streak. The team finished the year with a 21-9 record (10-4 in conference play). The Viks lost in the final tournament in the semifinals to Sacramento State and took third in the conference.

Nov. 26, 2005

Following a 3-23 year, the women’s basketball team got a glimmer of hope in freshman forward Kelsey Kahle. Kahle captured her first career double-double, with 25 points and 15 rebounds in the team’s win over SEC powerhouse Arkansas. The Vikings won 67-65.
Dec. 27, 2005

The men’s basketball team scored a gritty 54-52 win over Oregon at Mac Court. The Vikings were led by center Scott Morrison, who chipped in a game-high 15 points on 6/7 shooting. The win was the fourth in a five-game winning streak for the team.
Feb. 25, 2006

The men’s basketball team beat Montana in overtime 93-92 to make the Big Sky tourney. The game was highlighted by a near brawl as time expired when Montana guard Kevin Criswell and Vikings senior Josh Neeley almost came to blows. The tourney appearance would be the Vikings’ second straight.
March 2, 2006

The women’s basketball team beat Sacramento State and clinched a spot in the Big Sky Conference Tournament. Led by co-freshman of the year Kelsey Kahle, the Viks make their first tournament appearance since 2003. The Viks make a quick exit, losing to Northern Arizona in the first round.
March 17, 2006

The softball team and sophomore right-hander Mandy Hill picked up their first win over UTEP in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic. Hill began her dominant year 1-1 before going on a tear and leaving the entire conference begging for hits. The Viks smoked the Miners 6-3.
April 8, 2006

Michele Hext of the Viking softball team improved her record to 8-6 after a one-hit complete-game shutout of the St. Mary Gaels. Hext had proven to be the perfect pairing for the dominant Mandy Hill. Hext finished the year with a 1.82 ERA and a 14-12 record.
June 26, 2006

Track star Ashley Quay became the second PSU athlete in school history to compete in the NCAA Division I Track and Field Outdoor Championships. Quay earned her trip to the national meet, hosted by Sacramento State, by finishing second at the NCAA West Regional with a best high jump of 5 feet 7.25 inches.