Multnomah University - Ambassador Yearbook (Portland, OR)

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In the eight game winning streak that followed, the team set several school records and changed their mediocre 6-7 record into a quite respectable 14-7, and, in the process, established themselves as strong contenders for the league title. Prior to their win streak, the team had worked hard starting in the middle of October when the players were selected. The team this year con- sisted of veteran co-captains Tim Pearson and J on West, along with senior Dave Steward, and juniors Mike Peterson, Ervin Wood, Ross Shultz, Mickey Simmons and Matt Hensley. Freshmen this year were Dan McRenolds, Paul Meyer, Willie Newman and Eric Weber. McRenolds, a 6'9,' center from Albequerque, New Mexico made his presence known right away by dropping in points, sweeping the boards and block- ing so many shots he made the middle on Mu1tnomah's defense no-man's-land for the opponent offense. Newman, a freshman from Portland's Madison High School, took the helm as Multnomah's floorleader and carried himself on the court with cool not common in many veterans. During Thanksgiving Vaca- tion, the team traveled to the North Valley Baptist Invitational Tournament in Redding, Cali- fornia where they took the first place trophy. The team returned a week early from their Christmas Vaca- tion to attend the Blue Mountian Invitational Tournament in Pendleton, preparing to beef up their current 5-5 record. Placing third in the Blue Upper right: Exhibiting the enthusiasm native in cheer leaders, Joan Farwell directs MSB fans in voice-straining cheers. Lower right: In Multnomahis first game against Puget Sound, Dan McReynolds shows his talent as he steals two for the Ambassadors. Upper left: While psyching-up for the second half Ambassadors get a warm wel- come from their over-anxious fans. Lower left: Full of spunk and spirited smiles, Kristi Beattie, Cindy Lauer, Kandee McCracken, Teri Thomas, Joan Farwell, and Laurel Haley entertain the crowd during halftime.

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Basketbal I- Courtin' MSB Style The key to the 1976-77 Ambassador Basketball success came when the team began to break. Fastbreak that is. After a 76-48 shellaking taken from eventual league champions, Northwest Christian College from Eugene, Coach J im Skagen employed a change in strategy that sent the team on an eight game winning streak. Northwest Christian de- feated Multnomah on their first league game just after Christmas break. The coach then sent Dave Steward into the starting lineup to share ball handling responsibil- ities With Willie Newman and told the new, quicker line-up to fast break. Left: Jon West, while going for a lay-up, pulls the team to victory against the Anchormen during Preview Weekend. Below: Adrenalin doubles its pace as Dan Mc-Reynolds controls the jump for his team in the opening half

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Mountain Tourney, they then opened their league play with a disaster against Northwest Chris- tian. The team met Sheldon Jackson College in the midst of their eight-game tear and set several school records. When the final buzzer had sounded that night, Multnomah had tallied 126 points. Dan McRenolds had ripped 21 re- bounds out of the opponents hands and Dave Steward had dished out 15 assists. All were unprecedented in Multnomah basketball history. The team scored in triple figures four times the second half of the season, winding up with a solid second place in the final league standings and a 8-2 record. In the annual National Little College Athletic Associa- tion's Northwest Regional Tournament held in Multno- mah's gym again this year, the team won their first game over Eugene Bible but stumbled the next night, losing to Concordia by a narrow two point margin. They had to settle for third place finish, defeating Trinity Western College in the tourney's consola- tion contest for their last game of the season. The team was cheered on this year by the following: head cheerleader and senior Joan Farwell, senior Kandee McKracken, junior Cindy Lauer, and freshmen Christie Beattie, Laurel Haley, and Teri Thomas. The team finished with an overall won-loss record of 18-9. Dave Steward, Jon West and Willie Newman were selected for the Northwest all-conference team.