UTPB cuts men’s programs
UTPB announced Sunday, in a statement from the Office of the President, that based on a recommendation from Vice President for Athletics Todd Dooley, the school will be shutting down the men’s soccer and men’s cross country programs.
Athletes currently on the soccer and cross country rosters will have the choice to stay at UTPB to complete their degree or transfer to another school sponsoring their respective sports.
Students wishing to complete their degrees at UTPB will retain their athletic scholarship through graduation.
The statement added that the decision is related to budget pressures that include a steep increase in expenses due to inflationary factors and that the reduction in the number of sponsored sports will provide a better experience and more support for student athletes.
Schedule set
UTPB’s 2023 football schedule has been finalized, the school announced Tuesday.
The Falcons, under new head coach Kris McCullough, open their season on Sept. 2 against Texas College at Astound Broadband Stadium in Midland.
UTPB will be on the road the following two weeks at Western Colorado University (Gunnison, Colo.) and Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, British Columbia).
The Falcons will play just one game at Ratliff Stadium this season, hosting Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sept. 30.
Wranglers win
The Odessa College men’s basketball survived another tough contest against rival Midland College, winning 63-58, in a Western Junior College Athletic Conference game Monday at the OC Sports Center.
Dontrell Hewlett scored 17 points to lead the fourth-ranked Wranglers (25-2, 12-1), with Kiree Huie adding 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Keonte Jones scored a game-high 28 points to lead the Chaparrals (22-6, 8-6), with Doug Young adding 14.
Neither Jones or Young were on the court at the end of the game for Midland College after fouling out.
Young scored 29 points in the first meeting of the season, a 70-67 victory by the Wranglers on Jan., 23 at the Chaparral Center in Midland.
Odessa College goes on the road to face Frank Phillips College at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Borger.
Lady Wranglers
The Odessa College women’s basketball team avenged an earlier defeat at the hands of Midland College, winning 68-54, in WJCAC play Monday at the OC Sports Center.
Ivana Krajina scored 15 point to lead the Lady Wranglers (14-8 overall, 7-4 WJCAC), with Nahawa Diarra Berthe and Tanila Marshall each finishing with 10 points in the victory.
Diarra Berthe also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.
Midland College won the first meeting this season, 66-61, on Jan. 23 at the Chaparral Center.
Safena Williams scored a game-high 19 points off the bench to lead the Lady Chaps (11-15, 6-7), with Nikki Sainsbury finishing with 11 in the loss.
