McAlman thriving at Nevada

McAlman thriving at Nevada

BY DARRELL MOODY

Appeal Sports Writer

RENO - Former Carson High School track standout Constance McAlman enjoyed a successful weekend at the Hornet Invitational in Sacramento.

McAlman, a sophomore at Nevada, won the hammer throw and placed fourth in the javelin.

McAlman's hammer mark of 55.52 meters moved her into fourth place on the school's all-time list. She recorded a mark of 13.13 meters in the shot put.

Nevada will participate in the California-Nevada Invitational in Fresno this weekend.

RICHMOND NAMED HEAD COACH

Mike Richmond was named head coach for the Nevada women's swim team today.

Richmond had run the team on an interim basis this past season, and he led the Pack to its second consecutive Western Athletic Conference title, and was named the WAC Coach of the Year.

"I'd like to thank [Nevada associate athletic director] Cindy Fox and [athletic director] Cary Groth for this opportunity to guide the Wolf Pack swimming program," Richmond said. "I couldn't be more excited and honored to be named the head coach for such a fantastic institution as the University of Nevada, and continue to be part of such a first-class athletic department."

Richmond had spent the past eight years as an assistant coach. Groth said she made a nationwide search before coming back to Richmond.

"Mike spent eight years at Nevada as an assistant coach and when given the challenge to lead this team the past season, took control at a late date and led them to a conference title," she said. "He is very deserving of this position."

Richmond formerly guided the Lubbock Swim Club, and it was one of the top teams in Texas for 11 years.

Three Nevada athletes competed in the NCAA Championships last weekend: WAC Swimmer of the Year Margaret Doolittle, Kim Kabesh and diver Candice Minette.

Jeanette Tour was named the Freshman of the Year in the WAC.

SOFTBALL SWEEPS USU

The Nevada softball team enjoyed a big weekend with a three-game sweep of Utah State on Friday and Saturday, running its record to 23-11.

Former Carson and Douglas star Brittany Puzey went 3-for-9 in the series and is hitting .230 on the season.

Two other former Northern Nevada stars, Britton Murdock of Reno and Sarah Hunt of McQueen, have seen plenty of action. Hunt was hitting .219 entering the series, while Murdock was at .288.

Former Carson and Douglas star Kayla Dunn, who is now at Utah State, went 0-for-4 in the series.

The Wolf Pack returns to the road next week, traveling to El Paso, Texas, for a doubleheader with UTEP on Thursday, March 27, and continuing WAC play with three games at New Mexico State on Saturday and Sunday, March 29-30.

• Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling (775) 881-1281