Category: Sports

So you think you’re bro?
Guess again. Lacrosse boys have been stereotyped since the day they learned how to cradle their stick and make the deepest pocket. These young men have been overheard talking about their new Patagonia, the length of their bro’s flow or how they just bought tickets to Pretty Lights or OAR more times than can be recorded.
But what is a lax bro?
Lax bros have been stereotyped as a bro, or dude who plays lacrosse and fully buys into the “lax culture.” Most of the bros populate the East Coast originating either from the Connecticut, Maryland or Boston area, where they most likely attended a boarding or private school.
Sophomore Sam Simon said, “I’m from Darien, Conn., and it’s pretty much lax-bro-county. Every boy I know in my town is the stereotypical lax bro.”
They tend to be suckers for Vineyard Vines, Polo shirts, Madras clothing and seersucker. But let’s also not forget the backward hats, mid-calf socks, neon 80s-styled rain gear or the classic “pinny.” A better example of what most people stereotype as a “lax bro” can be found on the popular YouTube video, “The Ultimate Lax Bro.”
The bros would prefer either a pair of Ray Bans or Oakley shades in the summertime, but most important is a pair of Rainbow flip-flops. After all they will be probably spending their summer throwing parties poolside or boating.
Not to mention that most bros tend to drive Jeeps. Their parents might buy them tricked-out Jeeps so they can carpool to and from practice. It’s a necessity. How else would they get their equipment to the field?
However, the most important feature of a stereotypical lax bro would be the hair. Laxers have sometimes even referred to their flow as “wavy lettuce,” and the longer the flow the better.
A lax bro lives the typical lax lifestyle, consisting of primarily chilling with only their teammates, having a catch with a fellow bro, working hard and partying harder. Lacrosse boys lead life thinking “once a bro, always a bro,” and they stay united as a team whether they play division or club.
Senior David Soohoo is an ex-lax bro and still finds that he hangs with his bros.
“I used to play lax in high school but stopped when I came to OWU, and one thing I’ve noticed is that I still chill with all my lax bros back home,” said Soohoo.
But not all bros fit the “lax bro label.” In fact, most lacrosse players here have broken that stereotype.
For example, junior Calvin Brown broke the lax bro stereotype long ago when he joined his fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. He played lacrosse at his boarding school, yes; however, when he came to Ohio Wesleyan, he didn’t join until his junior year.
“My main focus is on going to class, making grades and of course practice. We’re just trying to get better every day,” Brown said.
Junior Tim Carney from New Jersey is a key example of a lacrosse player who breaks the stereotype of a lax bro. Carney has been involved in the OWU community and demonstrates aspects of a well-rounded athlete, scholar and student.
Carney has played for the OWU men’s lacrosse team, but he was also the executive director for Mock Convention, co-chair of membership selection, former co-chair of leadership development for the President’s Club and former WCSA vice president.
When asked about being stereotyped as an athlete, Carney said, “I think there is a stereotype of the “lax bro” as seen by the YouTube video, but on OWU’s team this year, we have so many guys that break out of this stereotype and show they have a true drive for athletic and academic success.”
When it comes down to it, lax bros live a way of life similar to that of any other sports team here on campus.
They stick together whether they’re walking to class, going to practice, or maxing out their credit cards on fresh Patagonia pull-overs.
But what outsiders need to remember is that every lacrosse player is an athlete and scholar who clearly can break the stereotype of the “lax bro.”

More and more students on campus are voicing opinions about their sports teams and the timely obligations that come with them.
OWU athletes claim that they dread going to practices and games, yet continue to play the sport for various reasons. Past OWU athletes have decided to make the decision they found to be “right” for them.
Senior Robbie Shane said there are a few different reasons why he has stayed involved with the OWU baseball team, even at a Division III program.
“First and foremost, I love the game and I love being around my teammates,” he said. “When you’ve got 30 or so guys all working together as hard as they can for one single purpose, it inspires me to be a better player and person.”
Shane said baseball has always been a great stress relief as well as a break in his day and that he thinks it helps him stay conscious about being in shape.
“As everyone knows schoolwork can get very overwhelming and being able to escape from that for two hours a day is a nice way to clear my mind.” Shane said.
“I’ll admit that it is probably lower on the totem pole, but I think that would vary from sport to sport as far as importance,” Shane said.
Shane said he doesn’t know of anyone off the top of his head that has decided to hang it up based solely on practice being overwhelming.
Junior Marshall Morris is in the middle of his third season of basketball for the OWU men’s team and said many sports practices at OWU are intentionally grueling.
“Practices are the opportunity for a team or an individual to improve their skills,” he said.
Morris said no improvement would be seen if athletes just stayed in their comfort zone.
“I think it’s safe to say that you must constantly raise your skill level in order to remain competitive,” said Morris. “We stay in these sports because of the thrill and excitement of competing.”
He said that whether it’s during practice or games, athletes love to compete. Morris said games, matches and meets are an athlete’s outlet for showing that love for competition.
“We’re already in pain from practice, so we might as well see the reward by winning competitions,” said Morris.
Morris said he doesn’t feel as if practices are too intense to mess up the daily structure of his life.
“Many athletes continue playing because of the genuine enjoyment of their sports,” he said. “They do not simply remain in a sport because it’s been a part of their life for numerous years.”
On the other hand, Morris said the sport has become a part of the athletes’ lives.
“Going to practice every day is simply understood,” Morris said.
Morris also said staying in shape is a large aspect of continuing with sports.
“When you’re competing at a collegiate level, it’s necessary to maintain your fitness that enables you to compete,” he said. “Taking one or two days off can sometimes affect your fitness if you are regularly working out every day.”
Morris said some athletes refuse to take days because of that specific reason. He said it depends mostly on the sport and the individual athlete.
Junior Ryan Clark will have no lacrosse obligations weighing him down this spring. Having played for OWU’s men’s lacrosse team the past two years, Clark has decided to call it quits.
“To be honest, it is difficult to put my finger on one specific reason why I left the team,” he said. “There were a number of different contributing factors that led to my decision to stop playing lacrosse and move onto different experiences and opportunities.”
Clark said one big reason was because he just did not feel the same drive to continue playing and working as hard as he had when he arrived to campus freshman year.
“There are a number of different reasons for this, but one of the biggest would have to be that I was simply burned out on playing the sport,” he said. “I had been focusing heavily on lacrosse from a young age and played in summer tournaments and camps constantly since as long as I can remember.”
Clark said he had always been concentrating on playing lacrosse at a high level in college since he was a kid, but that high level eventually factored into him leaving the team. OWU’s program is extremely competitive and has a storied history of success and winning.
“The lacrosse team is consistently ranked within the top 25 teams in the nation and competes at a very high level,” said Clark. “As a result, the team is run essentially like a Division I program where you eat, breathe and live lacrosse.”
Clark said he found that type of schedule to be very tiring because it is what he had been doing for so long and added to the quick burnout of the drive he once had for the sport.
“I still love the sport, but it just became more of a chore instead of a love and passion like it once was,” he said. “That really helped me make my decision in the end, because you should be playing the sport for love instead of thinking of it as a chore and something you have to do.”
Clark said that since lacrosse has a fall season and spring season it can be difficult to deal with at times.
“To be honest, I’m not really sure what would have convinced me to stay on the team,” said Clark. “For me, I stayed as long as I did because of my teammates.”
“My decision was not based on a real hate for anything in particular, it was more my love and desire to keep playing,” said Clark. “I have also always been interested in other things outside of strictly sports.”
Clark said he has never felt that his life needed to revolve around sports. He said he has always tried to be active in other areas of either his school life or life within the community.
“Obviously playing sports interferes with daily life, but you kind of learn to accept it as being your daily life,” he said. “And for me, it just wasn’t what I wanted to keep doing every day for the rest of my time here at OWU.”
Clark said he was ready to try other things and get involved in different groups and activities on campus.
“OWU really does offer a lot of things to do and it can be just as exciting and educational as the lacrosse field can be.” Clark said.
Senior Field Hockey player Kelsey Morrison said she had seen many of her teammates quit the team in the past year due to the time obligations the sport brought.
“Two of my best friends used to be on the team,” said Morrison. “Both of them quit before this fall season to devote their time to school and other activities.”
“I play for my team and go to practices and games for my teammates, however the time commitment often wears on athletes having a full course-load and other extra-curricular activities” said Morrison.
Morrison’s teammate and fellow senior Alyse Marotta said she stayed with field hockey and was happy with the critical role that physical activity plays in continuing with the sport and in her daily life.
“As an exercise major, most of my studies surround all things in motion, but beyond that, I receive a certain amount of satisfaction through sport and activity.” Marotta said.
Marotta also said she enjoys the rigor of training, and the feeling of accomplishment that comes from pushing herself past perceived limits. She agrees with Shane, who explains the time spent during practice or in a game is more of an “outlet” rather than an obligation.
“It is also an outlet during the day through which I can blow off some steam and channel a bit of peace,” she said.
Marotta said she doesn’t know of many OWU athletes who have quit because of practices. “Usually, it would be a combination of pressures including practices that would cause an athlete to make the tough call of leaving their sport.”

Ohio Wesleyan’s men’s basketball team was eliminated from the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament in the semifinals on Friday night against Wooster.

The final score was 89-80 in Wooster’s favor.
The Bishops, with shots by juniors Marshall Morris, Andy Winters and Eric Easley, brought the game within 5 points with 2:05 left, leaving the crowd excited.
This proved to be too little too late as Wooster was able to hang on and make free throws at the end to seal the victory.
First Half
Wooster jumped out ahead of OWU and had an 11-point lead with 9:22 left. The Bishops kept the game within 9 points for most of the remaining time.
Easley was fouled with no time left on the clock, giving Wooster only a 7-point lead at half.
Second Half
The Bishops worked to bring the score within striking distance. After the first five minutes Wooster already had seven fouls on OWU.
However, Wooster began hitting 3-pointers and went ahead 70-51 with just 8:34 left in the game. These 3-pointers and successful free throws helped Wooster close out the game and defeat OWU.
Overall
“All of them can shoot, so they are difficult to guard,” sophomore guard Dre White said.
“We couldn’t take possessions off, which has been an emphasis all season. They had two or three (3-pointers) in a row, which made a difference.”
“I was really proud of our effort,” Coach Mike DeWitt said. He said it was constant and aided in wins.
Despite the loss, the Bishops had four players score double digits. Senior guard Tim Brady led in scoring with 18 points, Winters had 17 points, Morris had 16 points and White had 15 points.
“We knew going in the game they were going to focus on Tim for scoring,” White said. “We knew other guys would need to step up, be aggressive and just look to score.”
Although they lost, the Bishops were still able to obtain a bid to the Division III NCAA tournament. The team found out on Monday afternoon when this year’s bracket was released. Winters said most of the team was in the film room when the bracket was released.
“We all thought and expected we were going to make it,” Winters said. “We were still excited to see that we got in with the first region.”
The Bishops will play Hobart on Friday at Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa.
At press time, the time of the game was still to be determined. Winters said the team will leave Wednesday night and have a normal week of practice and preparation at Cabrini. He said they will watch film and scout Hobart.
“It’s a relief to find out we are still playing,” White said. “We do not know much about them (Hobart), but we have to make the most (of) our opportunities now.”

“You guys can’t even make a play!”
That’s what head coach of the Falcons, Jeff Roberts, said to his players after Ohio Wesleyan’s men’s lacrosse team led them in the first quarter 6-0.
OWU showed athletic and strategic superiority over Concordia University on Saturday, Feb. 5, beating them 17-5.
The first quarter was partly propelled by Junior Drew Scharf, who had two assists and one score.
The Bishops won 6 out of 7 faceoffs and had possession of the ball the overwhelming majority of the time.
The Bishops, fast and well organized, easily maneuvered the ball around the Falcon’s defense and goalie, play after play.
OWU head coach Mike Plantholt said they came out pretty strong in the first quarter but doesn’t know what happened in the second, where OWU only scored 2 goals and Concordia scored its first.
“We were started by six freshman and Concordia is not an easy team to play.” It was a big learning experience for (the team). We are just better. Concordia is a good team though.”
Senior Attacker A.J. Pellis, who scored two goals and had an assist against Concordia, said the Falcons are a good team but are in a new program. “We also moved the ball right offensively,” he said.
This is the Falcon’s second season. They went 8-6 their first, according to their athletic website.
Senior Defenseman Nathan Barnett said OWU had some good saves (6 in all).
Plantholt said that it is hard to tell what the game will say about the season.
“They played great, but it’s really too soon to know what just one game means.”
Sophomore Spencer Schnell and junior Pat Bassett each scored 3 goals. Drew Scharf, Colin Short, Tommy Minkler, David Walter, and A.J. Pellis each scored 2.
The team will play their next game against Washington & Jefferson College on Feb 3 at 1 p.m. in Selby Stadium.

Despite Thiel College’s attempt to make a comeback late in the game, the OWU women’s lacrosse team was able to open their season with a non-conference win (11-9) last Saturday.
The Bishops led the first half, taking an early lead with the help of a goal by junior midfielder Molly Curry, followed by three goals by sophomore midfielder Cate Bailey. That brought the score to 4-1. The Bishops finished the half leading 5-2.
Following the break, Thiel closed the deficit to 5-4 with a pair of scores early in the half, but the Bishops countered with another 3-0 run with goals from junior attacker Annie Swanson, sophomore midfielder Theresa Wolfgang and junior midfielder Meredith Wholley to make the score 8-4. Thiel fought back late in the half, bringing the score to 11-9 with 2:36 left in the game. A foul near the end of the game gave Thiel a free-position shot that would have brought them within 11-10, but senior Lauren Figy made the stop, and the Bishops were able to run out the clock to win the game.
Bailey said that she thought the team performed very well in their first game and was happy with the way they played as a team.
“I think the game went well. It was pretty cold out there, but we had a great little fan section, which was awesome, and it was definitely a fun and great way to start off the season, especially with a win,” Bailey said. “We worked really well together and the freshmen did great!”
Wolfgang also though the win was a good way to start the season, especially because it gave them an idea of what they need to work on.
“It was a good first game, and we were able to see what our current strengths and weaknesses are,” Wolfgang said. “It could have been a little warmer, but we still had fun.”
Freshman Eilee Foley agreed with Wolfgang and said that she thinks this season looks promising.
“I thought yesterday’s game was a good way to start our season,” Foley said. “We still have things we need to work on, but yesterday was a great way to test our ability, and to start with a win, it does not get any better than that.”
Sophomore Steph Martineau said that she is excited about the rest of their season and hopes that the team will continue their success.
“I am so excited to start our season with a win and cannot wait for the rest of the season,” Martineau said. “It was really great to see everything from practice come together.”

Ohio Wesleyan hopes to re-energize its football program with the hiring of a new head coach, Tom Watts, in early February.
After Head Coach Mike Hollway left the program after 25 years, Watts beat out over 200 applicants to be chosen by the football head coach search committee as the head coach of the OWU football program, Athletic Director Roger Ingles said.
Ingles and many of the football players are excited about the energy and enthusiasm that Watts will bring to the program.
“Coach Watts will bring high energy, enthusiasm and passion for football,” Ingles said. “He will work very well with our current staff of coaches and will attract quality assistants to work with. Tom is a very good recruiter and has the highest of recommendations.”
Junior James Huddleston, a two-time letterman defensive end, said Watts will bring changes to the program that are not limited to the playbook.
“Coach Watts brings fresh ideas, not just on the field but in the classroom too,” Huddleston said. “He has implemented a system to help us track our academic success.”
Watts is excited for his future with the OWU football program.
“(OWU) has a great academic reputation with an excellent location,” Watts said. “It also has a very proud athletic tradition, which with those combined is a great opportunity to build an excellent football program.
“There has been a huge commitment from administration and alumni to build the program the right way and make it into a championship program.”
Sophomore Mason Espinoza, quarterback, is optimistic of the energy and excitement Watts will bring to the program.
Espinoza said one problem the team has had in the past is the retention of players.
He said he hopes Watts will be able to make the program a quality place where players can stay for four years.
“(Watts) is an energetic and personable guy and I think that he will definitely get the team and people around the community and on campus excited about OWU football now and in the future,” Espinoza said. “Coach Watts also has made a very good effort to connect with the current players and learn about us on an individual basis, which is something we respect.”
Watts stressed the importance of student athletes earning their degrees before trying to win championships.
“There are three things we have stressed to the team,” Watts said. “First, we’ve stressed the importance of earning an excellent degree from OWU. Second, we want our athletes to be prepared for the real world when they graduate.
“Finally, we want to win championships!”
Huddleston said the team aims to win the conference championship next season. He said he hopes Watts will help lead them in the right direction.
“The team is excited to move forward, Coach Watts will lead us in right direction,” Huddleston said. “He has a lot off experience and has been a strong part of turning around programs before.”
Watts said the team has been working hard this spring in preparation for next season.
Watts has a tremendous background in football, Ingles said. He is a fourth-generation coach from a family line of great football coaches.
“His great grandfather coached at Baldwin Wallace, his grandfather won state championships at Canton McKinley and his father coached at three different high schools,” Ingles said. “He has great experience, been very successful in his past positions.”
According to the OWU athletic homepage, Watts has spent the last three seasons at Baldwin-Wallace as an assistant coach.
Prior to coaching at Baldwin-Wallace, Watts served the 2008 season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Westminster College (Pa.).
He also served four seasons as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Watts said.
Watts’s coaching career began at Waynesburg College (Pa.) as a co-defensive coordinator and graduate assistant coach in 2003, Watts said.
“I have no qualms about leaving the Baldwin-Wallace community,” Watts said. “It’s a great place with a lot of great people, but my family could not be more excited to be a part of the OWU family!”

The Ohio Wesleyan’s men’s tennis team easily out-played the Capital University Crusaders in a non-conference match Feb. 17, winning 7-2.
Doubles
No. 1 OWU doubles duo junior John Rissell and sophomore Richie Karban demonstrated tentative superiority against the Crusaders. Their rapport helped propel them.
The duo’s cohesion rang clear, especially in pressing times, against the No. 1 Capitals doubles players Kenny Duncan and Tommy Stein.

In one rally, Rissell shoots his racquet with too much topspin. The ball tries, but just cannot clear the net’s peak: sweet-words by partner Karban, maybe a high-five or two later, and Rissell is back on his game, serving aces and spitting winners.
That is how the majority of the match went—general dominance by Rissell and Karban with short spurts of inconsistent shots remedied by excellent team cohesiveness.
From the forefront it was clear: the Rissell-Karban combo had the communication and togetherness their opponents lacked. Rissell and Karban’s moves were calculated and strategic while Duncan and Stein stayed stagnant. Rissell and Karban clinched the match, 8-4.
Rissell said he and Karban have been playing together for over a year.
Singles
OWU No. 1 junior Will Thieman dominated in singles against Capital No. 1 John Murray.
After the first game and a few self-motivating shouts: “I need to focus, I need to focus”– he was off. Pushing almost no unforced errors, Murray would have to win each point to beat Thieman, said Bishop tennis coach Eddie Echeverria.
Each game Thieman won in the first set seemed to cause visible redness in Murray’s face. Game after game after game after game went to Thieman. His opponent made false calls: “Out,” Murray indicated with an open finger. Murray’s own teammate on the sideline said, “That was in.”
Thieman goes on to beat Murray in the set 6-0. In the second set Murray fared a bit better, but was trumped by Thieman’s persistent consistency and collectedness, who won the set, 6-2.
Thieman said he has been playing tennis since he was 10 and has learned to stay mentally tough. Despite his high match scores he said he thought he would do better.
Overall
Echeverria said the team did very well. “It helps build confidence (for the upcoming match),” he said.
Echeverria said he expected an overall win, but warned that it could lead to player overconfidence.
“Once a man gets lazy, a man’s legs get lazy. Overconfidence brings error and the opponent feels they have a chance,” he said.

Despite Ohio Wesleyan’s eighth place finish in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Championship, individual swimmers and divers finished the season strong.
The championship took place in Canton, Ohio over a four-day period starting Feb. 15 and ending on the 18. At the meet OWU swimmers and divers shattered records and ended the season on a good note.
OWU women’s 400 medley relay record, which has been in place since 1991, was cleared from the record books when senior Anne McComas and sophomores Kate Helfrich, Melissa Ward, and Olivia Gillison broke the record on the second day of the competition.
McComas said all members of the relay swam the best time they had all season. “It was very exciting to break the school record, we had tried for the record last year, but missed it in this event by a few tenths of a second,” she said.
“This year our goal was to go out and swim our best and if we got the record it would just be an added bonus to a great swim,” McComas said.
Freshman Matthew Mahoney led the Bishops with the best individual finish on the second day of the competition.
Mahoney said it felt great to know that his good performance helped set the tone for the meet.
“The team as a whole performed very well at conference and we had many individuals place high in their events and drop large amounts of time in their races,” Mahoney said.
He said that the swim team had many individuals step up and demonstrate how talented the team is and placed in the finals.
Senior Ali Russ said it was one of the best jobs they had done in her four years at OWU.
“Even though we have some of the fastest teams in the nation in our conference including Kenyon, Denison and a new addition this year, DePauw, we were able to swim fast and compete very well at our conference meet,” Russ said.