Sports – Page 10 – The Transcript

Bishop Ballers back in action

By: Ross Hickenbottom, Transcript Correspondent

NCAA basketball is back, ladies and gentlemen, and the Ohio Wesleyan University men’s and women’s basketball teams are ready to tip it off the right way.

The men’s team, led by NCAC Freshman of the Year Nate Axelrod, now a sophomore, looks to repeat as NCAC champions and improve from last season, where they went 226, 162 in the conference. After a heartbreaking loss in the opening round of the NCAA tournament to St. Olaf College, an appearance in the 2016 tournament is on their todo list, along with bringing another conference championship back to OWU.

Axelrod, who averaged 16.2 points a game last season, looks to improve his personal play, as well as team chemistry to contribute to the hopeful upcoming season.

“I think we all have high expectations for ourselves this year, considering our success last season and how much we’re returning,” Axelrod said.

As far as returning players go, the Bishops have an abundance of talent returning to the squad from the 2014 season, including senior Claude Grey, who led the team in scoring and junior Ben Simpson, key defensive contribution to the effort, who led the team in rebounds, steals and blocks last season.

“We should be very successful this year, much like last year,” Simpson said, “however, we definitely have a target on our back this year.”

“We’re a big game on everyone’s schedule this year,” Simpson added.

The women’s team returns from a 15-13 season, 97 in the conference, which is not ideal for their level of plays. After being knocked out of the NCAC tournament by Wittenberg University, the ladies’ season was over in a bitter fashion.

On top of that, after graduating, five seniors, including LaNiece McRae and Sarah McQuade, who led the Bishops last year in multiple categories, the younger, less experienced players will have to boost their contribution to the team this year in order to achieve success.

Junior Taylor Dickson believes the underclassmen will do just that.

“We definitely have a strong, promising underclassmen presence on our team this year. Our newcomers worked extremely hard over the summer and have proved since stepping on campus that they have the drive and work ethic to get better and compete at this level,” she said.

Dickson, who played in all 28 games last year will look to contribute a lot to the team’s winning

effort, along with junior Megan Kuether, and the two seniors of the team, Kelly Still and Hanna Fedorka. Dickson, Kuether, Fedorka and Still are the only returning players with varsity letters, so this year’s success will rely heavily on the contribution from the younger, more inexperienced players.

Wellwishers will fill the Edwards Gymnasium this year, in hopes that not one but both of the OWU basketball teams will see their hard work come to fruition.

Men’s rugby tournament hopes come to an end

By: Emily Rupp, Transcript Correspondent

The OWU rugby logo for both the men’s and women’s teams. Photo courtesy of Facebook.

The road to nationals for the Ohio Wesleyan men’s rugby team came to an early end in the final four, semifinal showdown.

The team lost their first game of the season on Nov. 7 against Calvin College at the Great Lakes Conference (GLC). Despite their early tournament, they ended the season with a record of 7-1.

“Unfortunately, the loss on Saturday knocked us out of the contention for nationals,” coach Cody Albright said.

Rugby player Carlos Jackson, a sophomore, said, “Being knocked out of the competition was really tough. We had high expectations for ourselves going into the playoffs because of our perfect regular season so it was really hard to see it all slip away.”

Coach John English said that although they did not qualify this year for nationals, it is their “ultimate goal in the future.”

With a past season record 33, the team improved dramatically over the one year period. They hope to continue this trend and finish with a perfect season this spring.

Jackson said, “I’ve been with the club since the first practice two years ago so it’s been amazing for me to watch how far this club has come.”

Albright said that the biggest difference in the team is the level of experience some players have.

“The vast majority of our players had never seen a rugby ball until they stepped onto campus,” Albright said. “Our players are focused and committed to getting better and growing every single day.”

That commitment involves lifting weights Monday and Wednesday and practicing Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The team also watches film as often as possible to help improve their techniques, English said.

The team will continue to work out on their own to advance their strength, speed and fitness until the spring season of rugby starts.

Jackson said, “I know we have a very talented team and if we put in a lot of work this winter we can definitely make it to nationals this spring.”

Axelrod, men’s basketball open season with high hopes

By: Evan Walsh, Transcript correspondent

In basketball, size matters.

Don’t tell sophomore Nate Axelrod that. Despite his small stature, last year’s National Freshman of the Year is ready to lead the Ohio Wesleyan men’s basketball team to another conference title.

“I’m not tall,” Axelrod said. “But you can’t let what you don’t have define you.”

Axelrod has found other ways to compensate for his size, or lack thereof. With technical precision that belies his 5’7 frame, the young man from Dublin, Ohio, has spent his life developing his skill set as a player.

“He’s constantly looking for ways to improve. Coaches and other players appreciate a blue collar work ethic,” said Matt Jeske, a senior forward and team captain.

That hard work bore fruit in a 2014-2015 season in which he took home National Freshman of the Year, First Team all NCAC and Third Team All-American honors. No small feat for a small man.

Still, basketball is a team game, and Axelrod knows his personal accomplishments mean nothing when it comes to the team’s success. “I get to suffer through the emotional highs and lows with my best friends, my teammates,” Axelrod said. “I need their support. Without it I never could have won those awards.”

Coach Mike Dewitt draws comparisons to former Battling Bishop and All-American, Andy Winters, class of 2013. “Both guys are undersized, but they work hard to control the rhythm of the game by getting teammates involved,” Dewitt said.

“It’s his selflessness that separates Nate from the other players and young men I’ve coached,” Dewitt said. “He’s a leader in everything he does.”

Axelrod is an equally capable student, making the Dean’s List each semester while mentoring at-risk students for several hours each week.

Through the first three weeks of practice Axelrod is optimistic about this year’s team. All five of last years starters return this year and look to redeem themselves after last year’s loss to St. Olaf College in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament.

“We’re going to win the regular season conference title and the conference championship,” Axelrod said.

The No. 13 ranked team in the nation open their begin their season Saturday, Nov. 14 against conference rival, Otterbein University.

Ohio Machine leaves Selby

By: Ross Hickenbottom, Transcript Correspondent

The Ohio Machine, Ohio’s only major league lacrosse (MLL) team has called OWU’s Selby Stadium home for the past four years. Starting this year, they are moving on to another venue.

On Oct. 27, the Ohio Machine announced their new host will be Panther Stadium, home of the Ohio Dominican University athletics teams.

Although the organization is moving on, Gregg Klein, Machine’s vice president of business operations, has nothing but great things to say about Selby Stadium and the OWU family.

“Let me start by saying how lucky we were to have such great partners in Ohio Wesleyan University the last four years,” Klein said. “From an expansion club in 2012, to hosting a MLL semi-final game at Selby Stadium, our team grew up at Selby.”

The move was part of a plan for the organization to grow, and according to Klein, Ohio Dominican is the perfect place to initiate the growth the Machine is looking for.

“As we grew over the years, our front office analyzed our season ticket member demographic and asked for feedback from our fan base,” Klein explained. “We discovered that finding a location central to the downtown Columbus area was an important next step in the team’s growth.”

Despite Klein’s helpful explanation, news of the move has not been widespread.

Junior Doug Sanders considers himself a “pretty informed” sports fan and said he had not heard about the move.

“I never even knew they were moving to Ohio Dominican,” Sanders said. “But I can see why the Machine would want to move closer to downtown Columbus. More people, more attendance, it seems smart.”

“I personally never went to a game and don’t know anyone who did, so honestly, I don’t think the OWU student body will miss the Machine too much,” said junior David Pugh.

In their new stadium, the Machine will add extra seats for the 2016 MLL season, planning to expand their seating capacity in Panther Stadium to over 3,000, which is 6,000 less than Selby Stadium.

Bishop’s swimming and diving kicks off season at Kenyon Relays

By: Ross Hickenbottom, Transcript reporter

The Ohio Wesleyan men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams participated in the Kenyon Relays this Oct. 24 in Gambier, Ohio.

In the men’s meet, the Kenyon Lords won their annual home opener with 124 points. OWU finished fifth with a total of 44 points. The Denison Big Red won the women’s meet, scoring 120 points. OWU finished with a total of 16 points, placing seventh.

Junior Greyson Goodwin, was a part of the fourth place 200 meter freestyle relay team. He said the team’s hard practice week paid off.

“Our teams performance was representative of the amount of work we’ve put into our practices,” Goodwin said. “The team defied the expectations we had, and managed to come together to have an exceptional meet.”

Freshman Shannon Bermingham’s introduction to collegiate competition did not disappoint.

Bermingham said the electrifying meet was of a caliber she had never experienced before.

“After the meet I was very tired, but it was a great feeling to have a team fully behind you and cheering you on,” she said. “I loved the atmosphere and I’ve never had support like this before. I thought we did really well as a team.”

Bermingham plans on giving this season her all. She will be happy, regardless of the results, “as long as I have my coach and my teammates by my side anything is possible, even the hardest of times.”

Despite only being in the water for around five weeks, the Battling Bishops were very impressed with their results, but agree that improvements can be made.

Freshman Alicia Margello, a member of the 400 medley relay team that finished eleventh, now knows what it’s like to finish at the end of the pack. She plans on “improving by working hard throughout the season during practice.”

With the first meet on the books, both the men and women look to improve their results for their upcoming home conference opener against Wittenberg College on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Water polo team hosts state champs

By: Beth Ward, Transcript correspondent

Ohio Wesleyan University’s water polo club team had the opportunity to host the Women’s State High School Water Polo Championships. Preliminaries were held on Friday, Oct.

23 and finals on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The OWU water polo club has hosted the event for the past three years at the Meek Aquatics Center to earn money for their water polo fund. Each year ten teams compete for the

title of Ohio High School Water Polo Champions.

The OWU water polo club was responsible for the setup and tear down of the facility, concessions and life-guarding. Concessions were open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, with two

members of the team doing sales. All profits went to the water polo club team.

The OWU team also provided three lifeguards for every hour. Each lifeguard was paid $10 an hour, and all funds made by lifeguards went to the water polo club team.

“The money will be used to help pay for entrance fees at tournaments, transportation, lodging, and the purchasing of new equipment this year,” said senior Bryce Uzzolino, head of the

OWU water polo club team.

Nicki Stanley, head of Meek’s facility and assistance coach, said that the water polo club did a fantastic job hosting the women’s state championships.

“Everything went smoothly, there were not accidents and there were always multiple members of the team here to help. They will be hosting this event again next year to raise money

for the 2017 season,” said Stanley.

The water polo club team is going into its fourth year of competing at a division three level. The team has been small in size over the past three years because of low funds.

Uzzolino hopes that the money raised will help spread word about the club team and allow them to purchase the equipment they need to train properly for the season.

Uzzolino and Stanley will have a meeting in the upcoming weeks to discuss what the water polo club can purchase with the funds earned, to prepare for the upcoming season that

starts February 2016.

Swimming and diving kicks off season at Kenyon Relays

By: Ross Hickenbottom, Transcript reporter

Photo courtesy of the Battling Bishops website.

The Ohio Wesleyan men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams participated in the Kenyon Relays this Oct. 24 in Gambier, Ohio.

In the men’s meet, the Kenyon Lords won their annual home opener with 124 points. OWU finished fifth with a total of 44 points.

The Denison Big Red won the women’s meet, scoring 120 points. OWU finished with a total of 16 points, placing seventh.

Junior Greyson Goodwin, was a part of the fourth place 200 meter freestyle relay team. He said the team’s hard practice week paid off.

Freshman Shannon Bermingham’s introduction to collegiate competition did not disappoint.

Bermingham, from Orchard Park, New York, said the electrifying meet was of a caliber she had never experienced before.

Despite only being in the water for around five weeks, the Battling Bishops were very impressed with their results, but agree that improvements can be made.

With the first meet on the books, both the men and women look to improve their results for their upcoming home conference opener against Wittenberg College on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Jack of all trades

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Wes Welker kicked a field goal against the New England Patriots in 2004. An NFL wide receiver has not kicked a field goal since.

The Ohio Wesleyan football team has a wide receiver of their own who, unlike Welker, has been kicking field goals all season long.

Junior wide receiver Tim Shadoan has gone six for eight this year kicking field goals, including two from more than 40 yards and a game winner.

“I enjoy kicking for the team because it’s another challenge,” Shadoan said. “It’s something that I know my teammates trust me doing.”

His biggest kick of the year came in their conference matchup against Kenyon College a week ago. He converted on a 43yard kick in second overtime to give the Bishops the win.

“I didn’t think about much during the kick against Kenyon, I didn’t want the pressure to get to me so all I thought about was doing my job and that’s what I did,” Shadoan said.

Shadoan kicked his junior year of high school, but this is the first time he has for OWU. Mile Mackenzie, OWU’s allconference kicker graduated in 2015. Head Coach Tom Watts spent the off-season looking for his replacement.

“We went through the off-season looking to see who his replacement would be,” Watts said.

“Shadoan started to kick for us when we took our team to Italy, so we were able to see what he was able to do.”

“Shadoan won the job being the most consistent,” Watts continued. “He is an extremely talented athlete and a huge competitor.”

In addition to kicking, Shadoan is leading the team with 25 catches for 206 yards. He has also tallied two touchdowns, one receiving score and one off a kick return. OWU has a current record of 24 and will play against Depauw University at Selby Stadium on Oct. 24.

Gordin Classic golf tournament turns 25

It’s a cause for celebration. Named after Ohio Wesleyan’s long-time golf coach Dick Gordin, the Gordin Classic golf tournament has been a fixture of OWU athletics for a quarter century.

Gordin was coach of the men’s golf team from 1955 to 1993. In his last 25 years as coach, he led teams to the NCAA postseason tournament 22 times, including six top5 finishes. He won seven Ohio Athletic Conference titles and five North Coast Athletic Conference crowns. To top it all off, he was named NCAA Division III Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1993.

The current coach Ian Miller still learns from Coach Gordin everyday.

“I have learned many things and still learn from him every time we speak,” Miller said. “But one things has always remained constant and will never be sacrificed in our program, we will always do things the right way, act and play like gentleman and strive to win championships.”

The players of the team are glad to have the Coach of the Year around as well, according to senior Ben Thieman.

“Although he is not as actively involved in local sports as he used to be, [Gordin] still remains active around the golf team, which is cool for the players,” Thieman said.

The Gordin Classic invites only the top teams from last year’s season to compete. This year the tournament featured eight of the top11 teams from last year’s NCAA Division III Championships.

Miller gives all the credit for the tournament’s prestige to Coach Gordin.

“It has been prestigious from the beginning because of Dr. Gordin and what he meant to the growth of Division III golf,” Miller said.

Berry College out of Georgia won the tournament by eight strokes over Pennsylvania’s Methodist University this year. Ohio Wesleyan came in 12th place in the tournament.

“Our goal was to see how the hard work that we put in prior to this event would match up against the other teams,” Thieman said. “Although we did not compete on the same level as most of the other teams, myself and the rest of my teammates gave it our all.”

Miller also commented on the results of the tournament.

“We fought hard after getting off to a bad start on day one and we improved each round,” Miller said. “That shows the team is starting to and gain valuable belief in themselves and their abilities.”

Bishops dominate in volleyball invitational

By: Ross Hickenbottom, Transcript Reporter

It was one for the record books. The Bishop Invitational took place on Sept. 25 and 26 at Ohio Wesleyan’s Branch Rickey Arena and with a record of four wins, zero losses, the volleyball team extended their winning streak season to 13 matches. A school record.

“It’s honestly one of the best feelings ever,” said junior Shelby Ksiazek in regards to breaking the record. “We have put a lot of work in on the court and the weight room, and we have such great team chemistry on the court.”

Opposing teams participating in the tournament included Hanover College, John Carroll University, Defiance College, Alma College, Mount Union College, Grove City College and Manchester College. This many participants meant that the winning team had to play and win four total games, including the championship game.

Sophomore Iris Anderson explained the process of winning a tournament as well as the fatigue that naturally follows. “When you’re playing four games, and you’re going hard every game, of course you’re going to be tired. But when you’re playing for your teammates, because you see how tired they are and that they are still giving it everything they have, you push through it.”

In matches against Defiance, Mount Union, Hanover and John Carroll, two Bishops managed to receive alltournament honors, including Anderson and sophomore Brianna La Croix. In addition to alltournament team, Anderson also received the honor of being named The Bishop Invitational’s MVP.

“I feel very honored to receive that title. I just try to play my hardest for my teammates,” Anderson said. “The harder they play and give all of their effort, the more it makes me want to work even harder.”

In her second season as head coach, Kirsta Cobb, who last year led the Bishops to one of their best seasons since 2006, emphasizes daily improvements in her players’ games in order to complete a successful season.

“We want to continue to get better each day. Get better in fundamentals, team play and volleyball IQ. The ultimate team goal is to win a conference championship and make it into the NCAA tournament,” said Cobb.

The OWU volleyball squad will continue their action with their last non-conference contest before NCAC play: Capital on Tuesday, Sept. 22 7 p.m. at Branch Rickey Arena.