State of the Vikings

Well, maybe not the year of the Viking, but it is the year of the ox according to the Chinese calendar. The ox represents a leader who can inspire anyone he or she encounters. This is fitting because when you take a look at Portland State Athletics, you cannot help but notice that the ox completely embodies the theme of each program this year.

“I think we’re poised across the board for a good season,” said Torre Chisholm, Director of Athletics.

Looking each at each sport, it is easy to see the drastic changes that each team has taken in the last few years. And now, with several programs transitioning into powerhouses, either currently or perennially, it’s easy to realize this upcoming year might be the best yet.

“Vikings fans, get ready for what could be a fantastic year,” said Chisholm.

Volleyball

This year should be another successful year for head coach Michael Seeman and his team. Returning a senior-laden class that includes last year’s tournament MVP Nique Fradella, as well as First Team All-Big Sky selection Marija Vojnovic, the Vikings are prepped to continue their run of 20-win seasons.

Picked to win the conference by the coaches’ poll this year, volleyball has cemented itself as a perennial powerhouse that should continue, thanks in large part to one of the team’s best incoming recruiting classes that includes Oregon Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year, Garyn Schlatter.

Football

Entering into what many experts consider the first time a coach can be judged on his performance, Glanville and the Vikings will need to take big strides in year three to rationalize all the hype of years past, and also to keep from being completely written off as a second tier to the other more successful teams in conference.

“The level of player they have brought in is very skilled, very athletic,” said Chisholm. “Bottom line, we have been doing the right thing for a long time and eventually you’re going to see the results of that.”

Soccer

With a second-place finish in the Big Sky last year, the addition of Laura Schott as head coach was one of the biggest reasons for the recent successes of the soccer program, including the huge turnaround it has seen in the win-loss column.

Not satisfied with last year, the Vikings started the season off with a marquee win against Oregon State that included a shutout, proving that not only does the team have solid coaching, but the Vikings also possess the overall talent to play competitively against anyone they might line up against.

Tennis

With the men’s tennis team coming off one of its most successful seasons in the Park Blocks, there is a lot to look forward this year. With ace Chris Rice leading the way, the men’s tennis team looks ready to continue taking steps in the right direction.

The women’s team also looks to improve over last year’s less-than-desired results. Comprising a majority of underclassmen, the team should begin to remedy the problems of last year with another year of experience under its belt.

Golf

With the addition of another rock-solid player in Tiffany Schoning, the women’s team should continue what has been one of the most consistently successful teams in PSU Athletics, while receiving less praise than some of the more underperforming programs on campus (read: football).

With a lineup that includes last year’s standout transfer Stephanie Johns and the incoming Schoning, the women’s team is sure to continue the winning tradition that third-year coach Kathleen Takaishi has put into place.

Basketball

Unless you’ve been in a coma the last two years, the successes of both the women’s and men’s basketball teams should need no introduction. With multiple NCAA Tournament playoff appearances and Big Sky Championships won between them, both teams have enjoyed unprecedented success in recent years.

However, both teams have huge holes to fill in Kelsey Kahle and Jeremiah Dominguez, who graduated last year. One thing is for sure, though: if anyone starts to miss them, all they will have to do is look to the rafters in the stadium to see all of the banners they added to their respective team’s trophy collections.

Cross country

With interim head coach Ronnye Harrison permanently taking over as head coach, and only a handful of scholarships to go around, expectations are somewhat mixed. Though if history repeats itself like it has so many times in the Park Blocks, the ushering in of a new coach should produce an immediate boost in the wins column.

Softball

Last year the Vikings achieved a mountain of accomplishments that included Jackie Heidi breaking the home run record. Reaching the NCAA tournament last year, the softball team lost to Stanford and Cal Poly ending a season that will go down as one of the best thus far.

Looking ahead to next season this spring, there is much to look forward to. With five incoming players that include Anna Bertrand, the Gatorade Oregon Softball Player of the Year, alongside 12 returning players, there is reason to believe a repeat of last year’s success is possible.

Track and field

With the graduation of Jernise Saunders, the women’s side of track and field is left with glaring hole that someone else must fill.

On the other side, the men’s team should fare better with the return of Nick Trubachik and DeShawn Shead who also plays cornerback for the football team

With a new coach, both teams should finally be able to focus on winning and building on last year’s successes.