Pac-Tending 04-14-10

"I didn't think anybody would intentionally step on my foot."

- Stanford women's hoop center Jayne Appel, explaining why she kept a stress fracture in her right foot - incurred in a first round NCAA tournament win over UC-Riverside - as a secret for the remainder of the tourney.

Spring at the Creek is normally a good time of the year for the Pac-10 but it is even better in 2010 as the conference currently has the nation's top-ranked teams in baseball, softball, men's volleyball, women's water polo and women's golf as well as having four teams in the top 25 in the pseudo-RPI's of baseball.

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 four Pac-10 teams were in the Top 25.

Meanwhile, at NCAA HQ, the Football Rules Committee would like to eliminate wedge blocking on kickoffs for the 2010 season [ a wedge is defined as two or more players standing shoulder to shoulder within two yards of each other - the new rules would apply if three or more players were aligned in such a way.

California

In women's track & field, the Bears defeated rival Stanford on the last event - the 4x400 relay - to win the Big Meet for the first time in a decade.

WSU

In track and field, junior Anna Layman won the 800 meters at UCLA.

In baseball, Wazzu took two of three from top-ranked Arizona State to improve to 17-11 overall with an RPI of 36.

In tennis, the Cougars defeated Montana and Gonzaga but lost to California to move to improve to 12-13 overall and 1-6 in Pac-10 play. Sophomore Elisabeth Fournier set a new school record with 29 single season wins and freshman Liudmila Vasilieva recorded her 26th victory, the second-most for a freshman in school history and was named as the conference's player of the week.

In rowing, the varsity eight boat of 14th Wazzu defeated ninth-ranked rival Washington in Seattle.

USC

In women's rowing, eighth-ranked USC defeated Notre Dame and Clemson.

Stanford

In women's tennis, 11th-ranked Stanford shut out Oregon to improve to 17-1 overall and remain undefeated at 6-0 in conference play.

Washington

In softball, senior pitcher Danielle Lawrie was named as the conference's pitcher of the week.

Arizona State

In men's track and field, senior shotputter Ryan Whiting was named as the conference's field athlete of the week.

UCLA

In football, junior receiver Josh Smith suffered a knee injury and will miss the remainder of spring practice.

Arizona

In women's tennis, the Wildcats defeated UCLA for the first time in school history.

Oregon

In women's track and field, sophomore sprinter Amber Purvis was named as the conference's track athlete of the week.

Oregon State

In women's cross country, the Beavers signed Emily Wheeler to the 2011 class.

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