Category: Sports

Lady Bishops lacrosse ready for NCAC

By CQ Alonzo
Transcript Correspondent

Bishop women’s lacrosse fell short to the Mount Union Raiders last week, but the team still hopes to have a competitive conference season.

After sophomore Patricia Ryan scored a goal in the opening minute, the Raiders were quick to get a goal of their own.

The Bishops were able to answer with goals by seniors Cate Bailey and Theresa Wolfgang, and junior Eliee Foley securing a 4-1 lead for the Bishops.

With 14:12 left in the first half, the Raiders scored starting a 9-0 run against the Bishops going into halftime with the score Bishops 4, Raiders 10.

Coming out of halftime, the Raiders came on strong, scoring twice before the Bishops were finally able to break the streak. Bailey scored with 16:51 left and again with 8:06 left giving her a hat trick in the game. In the end, the Bishops fell to the Raiders 6-15.

Despite the loss, the Bishops said they are looking at it as a learning experience and a way to get better.

“Overall our turnovers and shot placement have kept us from a couple extras wins on the season, said head coach Chelsea Huguenard.  “I do believe that these minor issues are something we can figure out before our conference games start.”

The game against Mount Union was a non-conference game in preparation for the NCAC games, the part of the season that is most important and Huguenard hopes the team will play competitively.

“We have a great squad, and they have the ability to be successful this season,” Huguenard said.

While focusing on this season, the team also looks to the future.

Despite having very strong upperclassmen, the team also has a very strong sophomore class that has been making significant contributions to each game.

Additionally, Huguenard said she has been working on developing the freshman, expecting them to be game ready later this season.

With conference games against Transylvania and Kenyon on April 4 and April 6 respectively, the Bishops look to clean up on those issues and finish the season with a strong performance.

New coach brings fresh expectations

Drabczyk,_Tom-201314

Tom Drabczyk, Jr. Ohio Wesleyan’s new head tennis coach said his job has been a process.

“OWU has had great tradition in tennis, we are building the culture necessary to grow the program moving forward and bring us back to the glory days,” Drabczyk said.

Junior Whitney Lonnemann said Drabczyk has been an asset to the team.

“Our coach this year is pushing us harder and doing everything he can so that we improve,” Lonnemann said. “He is investing a lot of his time and has helped me improve my game.”

Lonnemann said this year the women’s team has a deeper bond.

“My goal for this year is to improve our overall record from last year as well as move up in the NCAC rankings,” Lonnemann said. “Personally, I am working on improving my mentality during matches because that is just as important as the strokes and technique.”

Drabcyzk said he is impressed with how the teams have adapted and improved throughout the season.

Senior Rich Karban said the beginning of the season was a little rough for him, but seems to be improving. He said he is excited to finish his last season strong and hopes to make the conference tournament.

Impossible to ignore

Junior post LaNiece McRae drives to the basket at Branch Rickey Arena. McRae was honored as a member of the all-NCAC second team.
Junior post LaNiece McRae drives to the basket at Branch Rickey Arena. McRae was honored as a member of the all-NCAC second team.
Photo from battlingbishops.com

Why the 2013-2014 women’s basketball season will never be forgotten

For NCAC Coach of the Year, Stacey Ungashick-Lobdell, her troop of assistants and her 16 players, the 2013-2014 women’s basketball season was one to remember.

The Lady Bishops finished 12-4 in the NCAC, going 18-9 overall by riding an 8 game win streak at the end of the season that started Jan. 29 and ended Feb. 25.

Ungashick-Lobdell said the team’s non-conference schedule difficulty helped prepare them for a tough season.

“St. Lawrence University, Emmanuel College, and Calvin College were all receiving votes for the top 25 preseason. I really just think that playing those games set the bar for the level we wanted to play on.”

The team’s finest win happened Feb. 22 against conference powerhouse DePauw University. The team won 65-64, a result of their two rebound advantage on the boards and 54 percent shooting from the field.

The win snapped DePauw’s 58 game winning streak and 77 game regular season win streak. Also, the two-time defending NCAC champs’ 55 game conference winning streak was erased.

Senior Tamra Londot said she will remember the DePauw win for the rest of her life.

“Words can’t even describe the feeling after beating DePauw! I couldn’t have asked for a better senior day” Landot said. “We had a really great week of practices leading up to it and our confidence level was right where it needed to be. We never let down the momentum the entire game and we left everything on the court. It was by far the best memory while playing at OWU.”

Junior Sarah McQuade and junior LaNiece McRae earned second team all-NCAC laurels at the seasons end. McQuade ranked third in the conference in assist, while McRae ranked second in blocks.

McRae also led her team in points with 10.3 per game, and in rebounds, 7.4 per game. She said her coaches have attributed tremendously to her growth as a player.

“In practice they demand my teammates and I to use moves that we aren’t usually comfortable with. This added to the moves we could successfully use during games,” she said. “The coaches also continued to remind us how much better we could be if we didn’t settle with where we were at, no matter how many ‘good games’ we had.”

Ungashick-Lobdell said this season is a tribute to her players’ and assistant coaches’ hard work.

“I think going from winning nine games our first year, eight games our second season and 18 now definitely shows all the work we’ve been putting in is paying off,” she said.

“We’re at a place now where we expect to win which was an obstacle for two years. Believing in each other and knowing how to make each other better is how a team grows into reaching their potential every season.”

Men’s lacrosse solely worried about winning

Photo: battlingbishops.com

Halfway through the season, the Bishops lacrosse team carries a 5-2 record into conference play.

After winning the NCAC’s inaugural tournament last season, members of the team feel ready for the raised stakes that come with every upcoming game.

Last year one of the team’s biggest goals was to win the conference, and this year is no different.

Coach Mike Plantholt elaborated on the reasoning behind this, as the conference tournament winner now automatically qualifies (AQ) for the NCAA tournament.

“In years past our conference didn’t have enough teams with lacrosse programs to create an AQ schedule.  That changed last year, and now everyone is vying for that conference title, the stakes are higher.”

The team was predicted  as the favorite to win the conference this year in the preseason coaches’ poll, and despite two disappointments feel confident.

Consistent Confidence 

While they haven’t cracked the official top 20 rankings yet, junior Tommy Minkler says that rankings aren’t what matters to them.

“Our coach says a lot to take care of the little things and the big things will come, and our team buying in to being process rather than results oriented has helped us improve.”

Minkler was injured last year, suffering a tear to his ACL, MCL, and meniscus.  He started playing for the team his freshmen year and is excited to contribute to this year’s efforts.

Minkler described the team as fast-paced, one who looks to get up early on teams and dictate the tempo.

He said in doing so they can force teams to play their game and take forced shots and settle for worse looks.

Defensively, the Bishops have been in the top 10 in team defense the past two years, and this year looks to be the same.  Anchored by co-captains Steve Coin and Steve Barnett, three of this year’s four senior starters have played together, getting valuable playing time as a unit for the past three years.

Behind that defense is goalie Ryan McMahon.  He has ranked in the top three in saves in the conference for three consecutive seasons. According to Planholt, he is a player other teams need to game plan for.

Spencer Schnell, recently drafted into the PLL’s Ohio Machine, is another threat on the team’s roster.

Minkler described him as a player who “could play on any other team in the country.”

The senior midfielder was drafted late last calendar year to play professionally as a result of making last years All American team.

Senior Casey Helms elaborated on the need for roles to change this season.

New Roles 

“We lost about half of our starters from last year, but have plenty of veteran presence to step up and fill those spots,” Helms said.

“Personally, as a senior on the team my role has evolved into one of a leader, the younger guys look up to us all for an example, and I strive to be a good role model both on and off the field.”

In conference play, OWU’s biggest roadblock for repeating as conference champions is rival Denison.

The Denison Big Red is currently ranked number eight in D-III, and the Bishops get the chance to play them near the season’s end.

Helms said the team will be well prepared for the challenge by then, and at their peak.

“There is a noticeable change that I can see from week to week.  We have taken huge strides to tighten things up, and I think that once we get into conference play we will really hit our stride,” Helms said.

The Bishops will begin conference play on March 22  against Oberlin, and will wrap up the regular season April 19 with a home game against Wittenberg.

Track and field take NCAC by storm

Junior Matt Hunter competes in the high jump portion of the heptathlon event during the NCAC championship at Denison University on March 8. Photo by Dianne DeAngelis

The men’s and women’s indoor track team emerged victorious at the NCAC indoor track and field championships in Lincoln, Nebraska on March 7 and 8.

The women’s team brought home their eighth straight conference title and the men’s team placed second behind Wabash College.

Head Track and Field Coach Kris Boey said both the men’s and women’s team put forth efforts in all events throughout the season.

“This season our women’s team posted 39 performances that rank top 10 in the program’s history with seven school records being set,” said Boey.

“The men’s team had 27 top 10 performances and set four school records.”

Boey said that some team highlights include senior, Sarah Bechtel winning her fourth consecutive NCAC pole vault title senior Cara DeAngelis being named NCAC distance runner of the year and team members, senior Holly Fouch; freshman Sierra Wright; freshman Paige Springhetti, and sophomore Sara Johnson setting a conference record for the 4×400 relay.

The men also had impressive highlights, freshman Colin McShane received the NCAC sprinter of the year award and set a conference record in the 200 dash, while, junior Matt Hunter also set a conference record in the heptathlon.

Boey said that the teams are full of leaders, which help contribute to the “winning culture” of this season.

Sophomore Sara Johnson said that women’s captains Fouch, junior Olivia DeMeio, senior Sarah Bechtel, senior Antoinette Jollif, and DeAngelis guided the women’s indoor track team throughout a successful season.

“They have truly helped our team this past season from the amount of effort they have brought in,” said Johnson.

“From keeping our heard on the right track at all times, it has led us to a great season and another Indoor Conference title for the 8th time running!”

Johnson said that the team reached over 100 “personal best” times and scores in the indoor season and hopes to add to these personal achievements during the outdoor season.

“Our main focus and goal for this outdoor season is, as a team, obtaining another Outdoor NCAC Conference title making our seniors this year, go out in a perfect record and hopefully keeping our streak until my senior year and more,” said Johnson.

Boey said the main goal now is to have a large representation of red and black at the NCAA D-III and NCAC outdoor championships.

“As we head outdoors, the goal is always to be the best in the NCAC and among Ohio D-III schools,” said Boey.

“We want to represent Ohio Wesleyan to the best of our abilities in every capacity and to be well represented here at home when we host the NCAA Outdoor Championships in May.”

Men make NCAA tournament

Although OWU men’s basketball NCAC championship hopes were ended last Friday after their loss to Wooster 67-78 in the tournament semifinal, they were selected to play in the NCAA D-III tournament Monday morning.

The team will play nationally ranked No. 5 St. Norbert’s College March 7 in Bloomington, Ill at 6:30 p.m.

Senior Dre White said having the opportunity to play in an NCAA tournament game is like a new beginning.

“Getting into the NCAA tournament is like new life after feeling our season was over last Friday at Wooster,” said White.

“It is exciting us our seniors to have one last shot to make a run in the tournament, but it is also exciting for our younger guys to be able to experience this as well.”

St. Norbert’s College is 24-1, with an impressive 18-0 Midwest Conference record. The Green Knights averaged 83 points per game with three players averaging 16 points or more.

Athletic Director Roger Ingles said St. Norbert’s program is talented, but the Battling Bishops are well prepared.

“St Norbert is a very confident, mentally strong, and evenly balanced team but our (OWU) regular season schedule has prepared us for anyone.”

The Battling Bishop’s invitation to the 2014 D-III NCAA tournament marks DeWitt’s second consecutive appearance. OWU President Rock Jones said the team is a model of success.

“The Battling Bishop’s men’s basketball program is recognized as one of the premier programs in the NCAC and the NCAA,” said Jones.

“Coach DeWitt’s leadership and the commitment of each member of the team to disciplined work on and off the court have led to this success.

“I wish them the best as they compete in then national tournament.”

New coach, new team

New women's lacrosse Head Coach Chelsea Huguenard. Photo from BattlingBishops.com
New women’s lacrosse Head Coach Chelsea Huguenard.
Photo from BattlingBishops.com

The women’s lacrosse team has a fresh start this season with new Head Coach Chelsea Huguenard, accompanied by new assistant coach Jim Leake.

After a 3-11 last season, the team hopes to get back on track and has set high expectations for this year.

Huguenard, who was previously head girls lacrosse coach at Olentangy High School, hopes to bring motivation and positivity to the team.

“This team has the talent and drive to win games,” she said.

“They work well together on and off the field.  We want to finish in the top four of our conference, and get a chance to play in the NCAC conference tournament.”

Players also have high expectations for the season.

Sophomore attack Meghan Doherty is eager to get the season started and believes the team’s hard work during the preseason will pay off.

“I am optimistic that our team has the talent and drive to make it deep into the post season,” said Doherty.

“We currently have a low NCAC preseason ranking but I see us as an underdog.”

Junior defense Eilee Foley believes that the team’s leadership will help guide them to more wins this season.

“All of our players lead us in some way,” said Foley. “For example, (senior)Jenna Ortega is one of the team’s strongest motivators and (senior) Cate Bailey and (senior) Theresa Wolfgang help run the mid-field.

“You have (sophomore) Patricia Ryan on attack leading the way and setting pace, and back on defense you have (senior) Steph Martineau and (junior) Sara Lawrence playing some of the best defense.  Another example is (junior) Abbie Love, who helps transition the ball really well from defense to attack.”

Huguenard’s enthusiasm and determination have spread throughout the team according to senior defense player, Jenna Ortega.

“She is fully involved in our team and there for us when we need her,” she said. “She believes in us and makes us work to our potential.”

“I believe myself and my assistant Coach Leake have showed them we can be successful this season,” Huguenard said.

“That will be put to the test when we open with Otterbein March 5th.”

Men’s basketball chases NCAC title for Coach Dewitt

Men’s basketball will advance in the NCAC tournament after defeating Kenyon 78-67 in the first round Feb. 25.

The Battling Bishops will face rival and No. 1 seed Wooster on Feb. 28.

Head Coach Mike DeWitt has coached his team to their 5th consecutive NCAC tournament semi-final game. Athletic Director Roger Ingles said DeWitt’s coaching style is based on consistency.

“He is fundamental and very consistent in his approach,” Ingles said.

“His teams play hard, with confidence, and most importantly they consistently play defense. If you play defense every night, you’ve got a chance to win the game.”

OWU is currently averaging 74.3 points per game, good enough for second in the NCAC behind Wooster who averages 75.7 points per game.

Sophomore Claude Gray owns the best three-point shooting percentage in the NCAC, shooting 43.4 percent from beyond the arc.   Gray said he has confidence in his team to bury shots as the tournament progresses.

“Shooting is a mentality,” said Gray. “Some days you have, some days you don’t, but hopefully throughout this tournament we’ll have guys pick up the slack if anyone is having an off night.”