OU hockey looks to sign new prospects

While hockey fans across the nation are watching their favorite teams participate in the NHL playoffs, OU hockey fans are watching their team closely to see the offseason moves being made.
The Sooners, who finished postseason play with a 6th place finish in the final rankings, will lose eight players to graduation, and four more for personal reasons.
Junior Chris Nicolaou said the team will be hard-pressed to find replacements for all the players who will be lost.
“There are some guys you just can’t replace,” Nicoloau said. “But I know our coaching staff is doing its best to get a bunch of new guys in here for next season.”
Team officials say that the team is in the middle of the recruiting process, and has eyes on several players from the North American Hockey League, as well as the United States Hockey league.
“We as players are kind of in the dark right now as well,” Nicolaou said. “In the coming weeks, will all get a better idea of who will be skating for our team next season.”

OU Men's golf takes 10th in Tempe

OU Men’s golf snagged a 10th place finish this weekend at Arizona State’s Thunderbird Invitational. The event was the final regular season tournament for the men, who will begin postseason play April 27-29 at the Big 12 Championships in Hutchinson, Kan. 

Arizona State won the tournament by a wide margin, defeating Denver University, and San Diego State by 18 strokes. The Sun Devils were the only team in the tournament to finish under par, recording an outstanding score of -14 over the three-round tournament.

Junior Eric Durbin led the way for the Sooners, carding an even par finish, which was good enough to tie him for ninth place.

Sophomore Liam Logan, aided by a final round 69 (-2), finished in a tied for 25th.

Going in to the Big 12 Championships, the Sooners will have their work cut out for them. With the tournament just two weeks away, OU is currently ranked last in the Big 12 Golfstat rankings.

OU women's golf takes second

Sooner golf recorded a solid outing in its final regular season tournament of the season, taking second place in the 31st annual Susie Maxwell Berning Classic. The Sooner women gave up a two-round lead over Baylor, and allowed the Bears to take over the first place slot.

The second-place finish was somewhat overshadowed by a couple individual performances for the Sooners. Senior Kendall Dye took first place individually in the tournament, scoring a 225 (+9), and was followed in second place by fellow Sooner Ellen Mueller 229 (+13).

Dye said she was excited to win, but at least somewhat disappointed in the team finish.

I really wanted the team to win as well, but we still can’t be upset with a second place finish,” Dye said. “The conditions were tough, but it gave each one of us an experience that we can take with us into the future.

The future for the Sooner women will be the Big 12 Championship, which will be held in Lubbock, Texas, April 24-26.

Despite wind; women's golf leads tournament

In its final regular season tournament, women’s golf leads the windy 31^st Susie Maxwell Berning Classic with a two round total of 629. The Sooners lead Oral Roberts by four strokes going into Monday’s third and final round.

 After round one, second place OU trailed the University of Texas-El Paso by just one stroke, recording a 315 (+27). UTEP fell to 5^th after the second round, now trailing OU’s pace by six strokes.

 OU has had success on the individual side as well, as sophomore Ellen Mueller is tied for first with a two-round total of 151. Along with University of Arkansas-Little Rock’s Sara Wikstrom, Mueller leads OU Senior Kendall Dye by just one stroke. Dye and the rest of the golfers braved the elements, which involved heavy winds in the Norman area.

It was tough, but it was tough for everyone out there,”  Dye said.  “We spent the last week playing out there with the north and the south winds and even in the cold when we didn’t want to be playing in that."

The tournament, which is being held at OU’s Jimmie Austin Golf Club, will begin it’s final round Monday, with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

Jimmie Austin Golf Club Hiring

OU students looking for a spring or summer job could have an answer right here in Norman. 

OU's Jimmie Austin Golf Club is now hiring students for the outside staff area, part of the guest services department. 

According to www.jimmieaustingolf.com, the club's website, the course has served Norman residents, and OU students for over 50 years. The club is also home to OU's men's and women's golf teams.

Assistant Golf Professional Lance Maxwell said the club is looking to hire, "...outgoing students who enjoy working outdoors and interacting with customers in a golf course environment."

In an e-mail, Maxwell said that students interested in a position with the club should call the pro shop, or stop by and ask for an application.