Friday, October 12, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. - Western Washington guard John Allen has been selected a Super 16 selection and the Vikings are ranked eighth in the Division II Bulletin men's pre-season basketball poll.

Allen, a senior from Brier, Wash., averaged 14.6 points last season in leading the Vikings to the NCAA Division II national title.  He is one of three starters, along with guard Richard Woodworth and center Chris Mitchell, returning off that team. 

The publication named two players from each of the eight regions to its Super 16 team.  Also selected from the West Region was Cal Poly Pomona senior guard Mitchel Anderson.

West Liberty is ranked No. 1 in the pre-season poll.  Joining Western Washington in the Top 10 is Seattle Pacific at No. 10.  The Falcons, who lost to WWU in last year's regional championship game, are coming off a  23-8 season.  Chico State is the only other West Region team in the Top 25.  The Wildcats are ranked 18th.

Western Washington is also ranked in the Top 25 in the Women's Division II Bulletin pre-season poll.  Defending regional champion Alaska Anchorage was listed among "others to watch."  Last year, WWU finished 22-8, including 14-4 in the GNAC.  UAA ended up 30-5 advancing to the quarterfinals of the Elite Eight tournament.

Ashland (Ohio) is the No. 1 ranked team in the women's poll.  UC San Diego is the top-ranked West Region team at No. 7.  Grand Canyon is ranked 15th and Chico State is ranked 23rd.

Super 16 selections from the region included UC San Diego guard Daisy Feder and Grand Canyon guard Maylinn Smith.