Aug. 11, 2004

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University head football coach Rob Smith and his staff welcome 103 players to fall training camp Thursday, with the first practice that evening at 6:30 p.m. on the campus field. The players don full pads for the first time Monday. The first of two scrimmages is Sat., Aug. 21 (1 p.m.) at Bellingham's Civic Stadium. Another scrimmage is slated for Fri., Aug. 27 (6 p.m.), also at Civic Stadium. Following the final scrimmage, Western moves into its regular game-week routine and opens the 2004 season by entertaining Fort Lewis (Colo.) on Sat., Sept. 4, at 1 p.m. The Great Northwest Athletic Conference defending champion Vikings return 12 starters and 31 letter winners from last year's 4-6-0 squad, which closed the season with three consecutive victories. Western plays arch-rival Central Washington twice, meeting the Wildcats on Sept. 25 (6 p.m.) in the second annual Wells Fargo Battle in Seattle at Qwest Field and on Oct. 30 (1 p.m.) at Ellensburg. Western junior wide receiver Andy Olson (Chehalis/W.F.West) and senior punter/placekicker Michael Koenen (Ferndale) were named to the Don Hansen's Football Gazette Preseason All-America Team announced last week. Koenen ranks No.2 all-time among northwest small college leaders in punting (43.0) and No.6 in kick scoring (196). Olson already ranks No.6 among school career leaders in touchdown catches (12), No.15 in receptions (82) and No.16 in receiving yards (1,405). Last season Olson caught 64 passes for 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns, and Koenen ranked fourth nationally in punting (43.4 avg.) after leading the country as a sophomore. The Vikings return seven starters on offense, which will be directed by senior quarterback Steve Nichols (Stevenson), who threw for 1,484 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Junior running back Duncan Sherrard (Seattle/Roosevelt) was a first-team all-league pick, running for 760 yards and three touchdowns, and senior tight end Rick Carte, a unanimous GNAC all-star, caught five touchdown passes. Just three starters are back on defense. Leading that unit are senior strong safety Rob White (Woodinville/Inglemoor), a first-team all-league pick who led the team in tackles (90) for the second straight year, and junior end Joey Joshua (Ferndale), a second-team GNAC all-star.