Top 10 Bison Moments of the Year

The 2011-12 school year is coming to an end, which marks the closing of a historical year for Bison Athletics. Unforgettable moments and cherished memories piled up, and each program contributed in their own way. Here are some of these moments, broken down into a good old top-ten list.

10. NDSU men track team set 2 school records in Drake Relays
On the final day of competition at the Drake Relays, the men’s track team broke the distance medley relay and 110 meter shuttle hurdle relay school records. The 33-year-old distance medley relay record was broken by Moses Heppner, Jason Duchscherer, Alex Espeland and Travis Fitzke, with a time of 9 minutes and 41.85 seconds. The 110 meter shuttle hurdle relay team of Jerome Begin, Matt Tetzlaff, Parker McKittrick and Weston Leutz broke the school record with a time of 50.05 seconds.

9. Men’s basketball earns big win over Western Michigan
Before a crowd of 3,083 at the Bison Sports Arena, the Bison men’s basketball team won 86-73 over Western Michigan in a Sears BracketBusters game. NDSU trailed 34-28 at the half but a 10-0 run with 5:50 remaining pushed the Bison past the Broncos. Marshall Bjorklund led NDSU with 21 points.

8. Three Bison wrestlers compete in NCAA Tournament
125-pounder Trent Sprenkle, 157-pounder Steven Monk and 184-pounder Mac Stoll all represented NDSU at the 2012 NCAA Divisions I Wrestling Championship. Stoll was eliminated opening day of the tournament after going 1-2. Monk and Trent were both eliminated in the sixth round of the consolation bracket. Both finished the tournament with 3-2 records.

7. NDSU volleyball team earns NCAA Tournament bid
For the third time in four years, the Bison volleyball team earned their way into the NCAA tournament. NDSU was selected to play Minnesota, the team that eliminated the Bison the previous two appearances. The Bison entered the tournament having won ten straight matches but could not translate their momentum against the Gophers, losing all three sets.

6. Bison baseball and softball teams reach thirty wins
For the fourth time in program history, the Bison baseball team reached the 30-win mark after an 8-4 win over IPFW. John Straka struck out nine batters in seven innings and Wes Satzinger drove in two runs in the Bison victory. The softball team also reached thirty wins and added a Summit League regular season championship, the second in five years.

5. Bison football team beats the Gophers
Along with a herd of fans, the Bison football team traveled down to TCF Bank Stadium and took a 37-24 win from the Minnesota Gophers. Although not considered a major upset, the victory nonetheless gained NDSU national exposure by beating a FBS Big Ten school. Marcus Williams scored two defensive touchdowns for the Bison and DJ McNorton added 136 all-purpose yards in the win.

4. TrayVonn Wright dunk
In the first half of the Bison’s 82-59 win over South Dakota, TrayVonn Wright delivered a huge follow-up slam in front of the home crowd at the Bison Sports Arena. Off a missed 3-point attempt from Mike Felt, the high-flying Wright soared above everyone and rattled the backboard with a one-handed put-back dunk.

3. NDSU football defeats UNI
In a game that pitted the number two and number three nationally ranked teams, the home team was the victor. The Fargodome was rocking on October 29th as fans packed into the dome to watch their Bison defeat UNI and climb to the top of the national rankings board. Kyle Emanuel scored on a fumble recovery and Ryan Jastram hit two field goals en route to a 27-19 victory.

2. Amy Anderson’s historical season
Women’s golfer Amy Anderson has had one of the most memorable seasons in program history, and there is still more golf to be played. Anderson advanced to her third straight NCAA Tournament which will take place May 10-12. To add to her accomplishments, Anderson was awarded the Summit League championship MVP and All-Summit League first-team performer.

1. NDSU wins National Championship
The Bison football team won their first ever FCS Division I National Championship in a 17-6 win over Sam Houston State. Bison faithful made the thousand-mile trek to Frisco and showed the pride of North Dakota in the heart of Texas. Travis Beck’s interception led to QB Brock Jensen’s 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and the Bison never looked back. The game was broadcasted on national television.