Wednesday's Regional Sports Briefs
UGF names new sports information director
University of Great Falls has hired Josh Wetmore as the athletic department’s next Sports Information Director.
Wetmore joins UGF after spending the past three years helping to build and grow a new NCAA program at Franciscan University of Steubenville as the Coordinator of Media Relations.
“We are very excited to add Josh to the Argo family. He brings an extensive and impressive background in media relations and sports information that will help portray the excitement and deep talent we have within our athletic community here at UGF,” said co-Athletic Director Arunas Duda. “Not only will Josh be helping run the many athletic games we have, but he plans to bring new ways of showcasing our athletes and how they live the mission of our university through sports and in the community. We are thrilled to have someone of his talents working in such an important position within our athletic department.”
While at Franciscan, Wetmore led two website redesigns, implemented the department's quarterly newsletter, and doubled its social media following. During that time the Barons rose from the bottom of the conference to finish second in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference’s President’s Cup rankings for the 2014-15 season.
Before joining the FUS Barons, Wetmore attended the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, earning a Bachelors of Science in Newspaper Journalism. Wetmore is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and played soccer at Mt. Lebanon High School.
UM's Holmes added FCS Watch List
Montana Grizzly star Tyrone Holmes leads the FCS with nine quarterback sacks, and now the defensive end has been added to the STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year (formerly known as the Buck Buchanan award) Watch List.
Holmes, a 6-4, 245-pound defensive end from Eagle Point, Oregon, leads the nation in total sacks. He was named the STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Week last week following the Northern Arizona game, where he was one sack away from tying the school record for sacks in a single game with four.
Holmes also leads the FCS in tackles for loss with 10.5 for a loss of 48 yards, and has 41 total tackles just halfway through the season. He also has four QB hurries, one of which led directly to a Caleb Kidder interception last week at UC Davis.
Holmes was one of three players added to the Watch List this week. He joins two other defenders from the Big Sky Conference on the list in James Cowser from Southern Utah, and Darnell Sankey from Sac State.
Shanae Gilham retires from Lady Griz
The Montana Lady Griz began basketball practice on Tuesday and suffered a loss when veteran Shanae Gilham retired because of knee problems.
Gilham played at Browning and Bozeman and was a standout as a true freshman at Montana.
“It’s kind of been a long time coming. I was mentally and physically tired of the whole process. It felt like no matter how much rehab and time I put into it, it was never enough for my knees to heal,” said Gilham. “It’s frustrating. I guess I just didn’t get a very good draw when it comes to knees.”
The Lady Griz are led by senior guard McCalle Feller of Lewistown and junior forward Kayleigh Valley. Both were honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference last season and selected for the preseason All-Big Sky team earlier this week.