Pac-Tending 03-31-10

"I felt pretty good. My race wasn't as fast as I would've liked, but it feels great to be an NCAA champion."

- Sophomore Stanford men's swimmer Chad La Tourette after he won the 1650 freestyle event at the NCAA championship, becoming the first Cardinal to win the event in 23 years and helping Stanford to a fourth-place finish overall.

A pair of Pac-10 hoop teams are still alive in post-season play on this final day in March while UCLA wins the conference title in women's gymnastics and Pac-10 teams dominate in the men's NCAA swimming championships.

The updated 2008-09 Director's Cup standings were released and 15-time defending champ Stanford, once again, continues to establish their dominance for the run at their 16th consecutive title while five Pac-10 teams were in the Top 25.

Meanwhile, at NCAA HQ, the online viewership of the men's basketball championship tournament has hit new records in 2010.

Oregon State

In football, projected starting defensive lineman Matt LaGrone has left the team for personal and family reasons.

Stanford

In women's hoop, the Cardinal defeated Xavier in the NCAA tournament to advance to their third consecutive Final Four.

WSU

In men's hoop, the Cougars lost guard Xavier Thames to transfer as well as guards Michael Harthun, John Allen and Anthony Brown.

In track and field, junior - the two-time defending NCAA champion in the men's 400-meter hurdles - won his first race of the year at Stanford.

In baseball, Wazzu split with Cal State-Bakersfield and dropped to 14-7 overall with an RPI of 42.

In tennis, the Cougars lost to USC and UCLA to fall to improve to 8-10 overall and 1-3 in Pac-10 play.

In rowing, the 16th-ranked Cougars finished fourth in the varsity race, while the JV finished third and the novice boat won their grand final last week at the San Diego Crew Classic.

Arizona

In baseball, sophomore outfielder Steve Selsky was named as the conference's player of the week.

Washington

In football, Husky player Andru Pulu was charged with second degree assault.

UCLA

In men's hoop, assistant coach Donny Daniels is leaving UCLA and center J'mison Morgan is transferring.

Arizona State

In women's hoop, the Sun Devils will sign guard Olivia Major from Central Arizona Community College.

Oregon

In administration, athletic director Mike Bellotti resigned to take a job with ESPN and received a $2.3 million buyout which the state's department of justice is reviewing.

California

In men's hoop, the Bears lost to Duke in the second round of the NCAA tourney, then lost guard D.J. Seeley to transfer.

USC

In men's hoop, sophomore forward Leonard Washington was dismissed from the team.

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