Aug. 18, 2006
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -
JOE SUNNEN, BELLINGHAM HERALD
Western Washington University sophomore receiver Travis McKee is trying to stay positive about training camp. Sometimes that can be hard with a sling on your arm.
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Western Washington University sophomore receiver Travis McKee is trying to stay positive about training camp.
Sometimes that can be hard with a sling on your arm.
"It's getting better," McKee said. "It's disappointing, but I'll be able to get back out there."
McKee, a standout during spring practices, separated his shoulder a few days into camp. After the injury he was expected to miss more than a month of football, but he's healing faster than anticipated.
"He's been able to move his arm around and that's been encouraging," WWU coach Robin Ross said. "We'll see. Hopefully we can get him back sooner than expected."
The 6-foot-5 receiver had seven receptions for 152 yards in the Blue-Silver spring game in May and was working with the second-team offense early on this the fall.
JESSUP A BIG HITTER
Caleb Jessup was involved in two of the biggest collisions at Wednesday's football scrimmage.
The freshman safety from Inglemoor leveled a receiver over the middle just before halftime and had another good hit later in the day. He also provided solid support against the run.
With the Vikings' two starting safeties from last season returning this year, it could be difficult for Jessup to earn playing time. But he could have an impact on special teams.
VOLLEYBALL HOLDS PUBLIC PRACTICE
The WWU volleyball team will hold a public practice on Saturday at Meridian High School starting at 1 p.m.
The event is free.
The Vikings have several players from Whatcom County on the team this season including former Trojans Angie Alvord and Emily Castro.
Nooksack Valley standout Katie Robinson is also entering her junior year at Western.
WWU opens the season on Thursday in California at the UC San Diego Invitational Tournament. The team finished 18-9 last year.
FOOTBALL TO HOLD AUTOGRAPH SESSION
The Vikings football team is holding an autograph session on Aug. 26th at the Bellis Fair Mall food court beginning at 11 a.m.
Ross and the 2006 team will be at the event to talk about the upcoming season as well as take pictures and signs items.
Fans in attendance will receive a WWU poster and be eligible for several giveaways throughout the event.
BIRTHDAY WEEK AND A CANE The WWU football staff celebrated two birthdays this week. Offensive line coach Zach Tinker turned 31 on Monday and Ross turned 52 on Thursday.
The Vikings also are happy to have offensive coordinator Eric Tripp back on the practice field. Tripp tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee while playing basketball shortly before the start of the season.
He missed the first day of practice while recovering from surgery. Tripp has been using a cane at practice.
WWU RANKED FIFTH IN ACADEMICS AND ATHLETICS
Western is ranked fifth among NCAA Division II colleges in academics and athletics in the annual Collegiate Power Rankings announced by the National Collegiate Scouting Association.
WWU is the only Division II school in the Northwest ranked in the top 10. Central Washington is 19th and Seattle Pacific is 27th. Stonehill College in Easton, Mass., is the top-ranked Division II school.
Rankings are calculated by averaging a college's ranking in the U.S. News and World Report, the U.S. Sports Academy Director's Cup and student-athlete graduation rate.
