“I am thrilled for the opportunity to lead a program that I have been a part of for nine years,” said Cameron in a press release. “I believe in this program and the foundation in was built on. I’m looking forward to continuing the great tradition of Michigan Tech women’s basketball.”

Cameron was a former student of Michigan Tech graduating in 2005. During her tenure as a student at Tech she played on the Women’s Basketball squad, which earned a 71-42 record during her time on the team. During her senior season the Huskies made the NCAA Tournament.

Cameron will be taking over the head coach position immediately and the search for the vacant assistant coaching position is now commencing.

Be sure to check back to the Lode’s website for updates on this and other happenings during the summer months.

Barnes had an impressive career while at Tech, earning several awards and recognitions. One of his achievements was being named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year three times. During his seven-year career he racked up an impressive 155-56 record. His 155 wins is the second-most wins in school history.

Since Barnes took over the program in 2003, there was never a losing season under his helm. Under his head coaching regime the team earned three GLIAC North Division titles and advanced five times to the NCAA Tournament.  In his final two seasons his squad won the NCAA Midwest Regional title as well. Barnes had three players earn All-American status.

Barnes is following in the steps of Kevin Borseth who is Tech’s winningest coach. Borseth jumped boats to Division I and is now currently the Head Coach at the University of Michigan.

Michigan Tech’s Director of Athletics Suzanne Sanregret said that the search for a new head coach will begin immediately. She said in a press release, “We will begin a search for the next head coach, seeking an individual who will continue our tradition of success both on and off the court.”

Keep checking back online at www.mtulode.com for more information regarding the replacement of Head Coach John Barnes. On behalf of the Michigan Tech Lode Sports Staff, we would like to thank John Barnes for all he has done for the Michigan Tech Women’s Basketball program and wish him luck in his future coaching position with the Badgers.

Gilkerson said in a press release, “Earning a trip to nationals was always a goal of mine. I have no regrets about the way I raced today [May 29]. I ended my career with my fastest time ever.”

As you look back at the career of Gilkerson, he leaves no doubt that his name will be sealed in the Michigan Tech record books for many years to come. He leaves Tech holding eight of the top ten times in the 800-meter run. Coach Joe Haggenmiller said in the same press release, “We are very proud of everything Kenny has accomplished over his career.” He added, “He was a great representative of our program. He leaves Tech with eight of the 10 fastest times in the 800 in school history. He was also a great student graduating with a 3.94 in mechanical engineering.”

Gilkerson, the only Husky participating in the invite took third place overall in the run with a time of 1:51.28.  Gilkerson now owns eight of the top ten fastest times in the event at Michigan Tech.

The top ten times for Michigan Tech are as follows:

1: Ken Gilkerson, 1:51.28, 2010

2: Gilkerson, 1:52.29, 2010

3: Gilkerson, 1:52.50, 2009

4: Gilkerson, 1:54.34, 2010

5: Pat Lencioni, 1:54.40, 1987

6: Gilkerson, 1:54.55, 2010

7: Gilkerson, 1:54.74, 2009

8: Gilkerson, 1:54.91, 2008

9: Gilkerson, 1:54.96, 2009

10: Tim Montroy, 1:55, 1984

With his record-breaking time of 1:51.28, Gilkerson has earned himself 12th place on the NCAA Division II Performance Chart and has qualified for the NCAA Division II Track and Field Tournament which will be held in Charlotte, N.C. starting on May 19th. Visit www.mtulode.com for updates and results from the tournament.

As far as the testing goes, the event will start with members attempting to earn their colored belts. After this has completed members will then attempt to earn higher degrees in the black belt.  To conclude the day Dan Hoffman will be the one Michigan Tech student that is testing for his black belt.  The black belt is something that Dan has been working towards for a long time.  Be sure to keep checking back with the Lode to see if Dan reaches his goal on Saturday. If you have any questions regarding the testing session or the Husky Taekwondo club, feel free to contact Ryan Beatty via e-mail at rdbeatty@mtu.edu.

After her first season at Northern Michigan University the coach that brought her in decided that it was time to hang up their hat and quit coaching.   Maria was left high and dry, with a new coach taking over and, “a new system was implemented that didn’t fit me anymore.” Now came a time where she had to search for another school and this was when Sarah Stream went to Marquette for spring break.  After talking with Stream, Maria decided that it was time to talk to Head Coach John Barnes and Assistant Coach Kim Cameron. “After meeting with Coach Barnes and Coach Kim I was driving back to Marquette and called my dad to talk about the visit.  Once I got out of Chassell and back into having cell phone service I called Coach and told him I wanted to be a Husky.  So, in 11 miles my mind was made up.” When I was talking to my dad on the phone driving back from Tech, we didn’t talk long and he said ‘if it feels right, do it.’  That was when I called coach back and said I wanted to be a Husky.  It felt right three years ago and it still does.”

With two seasons of redshirts behind her Kasza was now set to play in her third and final season for the Huskies.  This season was perhaps the greatest of any season in Michigan Tech history, with the team breaking several records along the way.  Kasza said that her favorite record had to be when the attendance record at the SDC was broken.  “Having that many people come out and show their support and create that atmosphere shows why it’s so special to play for Tech.” The journey did not end for the Huskies there though, as the Huskies moved on to the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Elite Eight for the second straight season. “Four years ago if someone would have told me I would be playing for Tech, let alone in the Elite Eight I would have laughed for a long time.  This journey has been the greatest three years of my life and there were certainly some bumps along the road (sitting out two seasons), but that made me appreciate this ride so much more.  I was surrounded by the best people (coaches, teammates, administrators, trainers, photographer and the fans), playing for the greatest program and that is what I’ll always remember.”

“Unforgettable” is the word that Kasza used to describe the team.  Maria then went on to explain how her relationship with the team is much like being a part of a family.  “Families trust each other.  Families believe in each other.  Families enjoy the best moments together, but more importantly they pick one another up after bad ones.  All of those things reflect our team, our family.  You trust, believe, celebrate, and pick up each other in all aspects of life; I mean basketball is just one more thing.  We knew Lindsey (Lindstrom) would make her free throws against Northern Michigan University, Zim (Zimmerman) would hit a 3 against Findlay, Tara (Ferris) would take a charge to swing momentum or stop a run and Stream would somehow get it to Wysocky to force overtime against Grand Valley State University. After we lost to Emporia State we were there picking each other up the best could, talking it out, and leaning on one another.  The neat thing is that I feel that it won’t end when we leave this campus, and that’s a good feeling.”