OSU IN BRIEF

Gazette-Times

Oregon State senior Brianne McGowan was named the Pacific-10 Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week for March 27-April 2 by the conference office on Tuesday.

A two-time All-American and the 2005 Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year, McGowan threw 28 of 33 innings for the Beavers last week, including every pitch in Oregon State’s three conference games.

For the week, the Reno, Nev., native went 3-1 record with four complete games and two shutouts. She held a 1.00 ERA in 28.0 innings, 20 strikeouts and moved within 14 of Crystal Draper’s (1999-02) school record of 809.

The honor is the sixth in McGowan’s career, tying her for eighth-most in conference history.

Benzing promoted

Volleyball coach Taras Liskevych promoted Laura Benzing to assistant coach Tuesday.

Benzing was director of volleyball operations last season, and replaces Brandy Kosty, who filled the position last season.

She played professionally in Germany. She is a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection as a middle hitter at Bradley.

“Laura’s attitude and work ethic led me to realize that she is an ideal candidate to help this team in an on-court capacity,” Liskevych said.

Gymnasts honored

Sophomores Jami Lanz and Tasha Smith and freshman Mandi Rodriguez were named to the Pac-10 All-Conference gymnastics team.

Lanz and Smith received recognition as all-arounders and Rodriguez was honored for her efforts on vault.

The all-conference team consists of the top six all-around competitors plus the top three competitors in each individual event not among the all-around selections.

Smith, the 2006 Pac-10 vault and floor exercise champion, finished second in the all-around (39.475) at Pac-10 Championships last weekend and ranks sixth in the conference and 22nd in the nation.

Lanz, who was a co-Pac-10 Freshman of the Year last season, finished tied for third in the all-around (39.450) at the conference championships and ranks eighth in the nation in the all-around and second in the conference.

Rodriguez was one of only two freshmen to earn all-conference status on an individual event. She is tied for eighth in the nation on vault and third in the Pac-10. Rodriguez scored 9.875 on the event to win the Pac-10 championship last weekend.

This marks the second time Smith and Lanz have been honored as all-conference gymnasts. Lanz earned all-Pac-10 status in 2006 in the all-around and Smith was honored on floor exercise.