1997
May
February
1995
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September
May
May 1997
Good seasons for ISU
March Madness was twice as nice at Iowa State Ñ both the Cyclone women's and men's basketball teams received NCAA tournament bids.The women's squad made history by appearing in its first NCAA tournament, and the men's team received its ninth bid in the past 13 seasons en route to a "sweet 16" finish.
Coach Bill Fennelly's Cyclone women finished 17-11 and set several team records. ISU's 9-7 Big 12 Conference mark set a school record for most league wins in a season. The team's 74-56 win over then No. 9- ranked Texas was its first-ever victory over a top 10 opponent.
The NCAA bid came during a remarkable rebuilding job by Fennelly. The team had only two winning seasons in the 18 years before Fennelly arrived, including a 2-25 mark in 1992-93. In two seasons at ISU, Fennelly has led ISU to a 34-21 record and its first back-to-back winning seasons since the 1970s.
The Cyclones lost to Utah in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Junior forward Jayme Olson was named first-team all-Big 12 and first- team academic all-American.
Coach Tim Floyd's men's team beat Illinois State and Cincinnati in the NCAA tournament before losing in overtime to UCLA, 74-73, on a last- second shot. The last time ISU advanced to the final 16 was 1985-86.
The Cyclone men were ranked as high as fourth in the nation in the Associated Press poll this season. ISU ended the season at 22-9, which tied for the third most victories in school history. The team was 10-6 in the Big 12 Conference.
Six seniors completed their careers, including Dedric Willoughby, who was named to the all-Big 12 team, and Kelvin Cato. Both players are probable NBA draft choices.
National performances
Coach Bobby Douglas' team finished fourth in the NCAA wrestling tournament. ISU crowned one national champion when Barry Weldon beat Ohio State's Mitch Clark, 6-2, to capture the 177-pound title. Weldon finished the season at 34-3 and became ISU's 53rd wrestling national champion.
The Cyclones' Chris Bono, a defending national champion, was runner-up at 150 pounds. Bono finished his Cyclone career as a three-time all- American.
ISU finished in a third-place tie at the NCAA men's indoor track championships in Indianapolis. It was the highest indoor finish in school history.
Kim Mazza scored a perfect 10.0
in the floor exercise at the Big 12 Conference women's gymnastics meet. Mazza also was named first-team academic all-American.
Steve Jones, News Service
The Iowa Stater, Stater@iastate.edu, University Relations
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