Sports – Page 6 – The Transcript

Men’s soccer team travels to Germany

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor

The Ohio Wesleyan men’s soccer team traveled to Germany this past summer to compete against local German clubs while also experiencing a culture different from the U.S.

This is not the first time the OWU soccer team has taken trips overseas. John A. Martin, the head men’s soccer coach, said the trip to Germany was his 13th trip overall while at OWU.

Over the years, the team has been to many places in Europe with the goal of playing good talent.

Twenty-six players went on the trip along with Martin, his wife and two assistant coaches. Martin said only four or five of his current players had been to Europe before.

Players on the team were able to fundraise for the trip and some had to pay out of pocket.

“[Americans] are behind when it comes to soccer,” Martin said, adding that he encourages his team to play up to any level and that an opportunity like this was a good way for the team to prepare for the upcoming season.

One major improvement was the team chemistry, which Martin said was one of his goals.

“They are more skilled and are more organized,” said senior Scott Harmanis who plays center back for the soccer team. “Soccer [in Germany] is a social event.”

The soccer team visited a small town in Germany called Baumholder. According to sistercities.org, Baumholder and Delaware, Ohio became sister cities in May 2011. But the two cities’ history goes back 20 years.

“Baumholder and Delaware have had a relationship for more than 20 years, thanks to the Ohio Wesleyan University men’s soccer team,” stated sistercities.org.

During the team’s visit, members of the team got to live with the citizen of Baumholder and stayed their for the majority of the trip. They also visited places like Trier, Heidelberg, Munich and Neuschwanstein. The trip was a mix of sightseeing and competition but Martin had a clear objective.

“My goals go far beyond the soccer field. It’s a cultural trip,” Martin said. “The relationship between our team and the people of Baumholder is very, very strong.”

The team played four German professional teams and also organized a clinic for the people of Baumholder. This experience gave the OWU men’s soccer team a feel of what it is like to play at a professional level, Martin said.

“This trip was probably the best trip we ever had,” Martin said. “The competition across the board was the best we have faced.”

The last two times the teams traveled to Germany, they won the NCAA National championship the following season. They went to Germany in 1997 and won the NCAA National Championship in 1998. The team went again in 2010 and won the championship in 2011.

Martin said the team this year is very young. Thirteen players of the team graduated in May and since then, OWU has recreuited eight freshmen who Martin said “are really good.”

“We are already better than where we were last year,” said Martin

Harmanis said he has high expectations for the team.

“We hope to win the NCAC,” said Harmanis.

This upcoming season will test the Bishops as the team’s schedule includes three top five teams that also made the NCAA tournament.

The OWU men’s team plays Calvin,who made the NCAA tournament last season, on Sept. 2.

Coaches Corner: Q&A with Roger Ingles

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor

Roger is leaving OWU this May to start at Capital University.

Q: Why did you feel this was the time to leave OWU?

A: It is as much about the great opportunity that Capital provides as it is the timing. I have been considering making a change for a while and the Capital position matches extremely well with my skill set and with the new enthusiasm President Paul has brought to campus and her focus on student experience, it was a great fit.

Q: How difficult was this decision and what were the factors?

A: This was very difficult. Making any move is a tough choice but to leave a place you deeply loved and have spent a lot of time and effort at is difficult. I have many wonderful friends among our staff, faculty and alumni. They will be hard to leave but staying close by makes it much easier. The key factors are the direction Capital is moving, the support for the athletic and recreation programs and the desire to grow and become one of the best Division III programs in the country. All are similar goals that I have.

Q: What are some of the things you love about OWU athletics?

A:The students are absolutely the best part of OWU athletics. I enjoy every day with them and watching them grow as students, athletes and people. We have a great staff of which many I have hired and we have a passionate and supportive alumni.

Q: What are you proud to have accomplished?

A: I am proud that I have always fought for gender equity and fairness in the department, demanding a commitment to being a true student-athlete and providing great coaches, facilities and programs to our athletes. We have increased the coaching staff, built and renovated our facilities and developed some great ways to recognize our students and alumni. I am very proud of our Bishop Backer group and the outstanding working relationship developed between the Delaware Community and OWU Athletics.

Q: What will you miss about OWU?

A: Everything but mostly the great people who Ohio Wesleyan attracts. The great thing about this move is my wife and I remain close, Jo will continue to teach at OWU and our son Brad works in the alumni office. The Capital teams play OWU a lot and I expect I will see a lot of OWU.

OWU football tackles Spanish turf

By Evan Walsh, Chief Copy Editor

Ohio Wesleyan football is looking for a big win …. in Spain. Thirty team members, led by coaches and staff, will make the trip to Barcelona next month,where they will spend two weeks practicing, playing and traveling.

Barcelona is home to the Badalona Dracs who are part of the first division of Liga Nacional de Fútbol Americano (LNFA). They happen to be the reigning champions of the LNFA, so OWU can expect to face the league’s best.

Coach Tom Watts is optimistic that this will improve the program, and promote the sport abroad. Watts hopes, most importantly, that it will provide students with a unique learning experience.

Mason Tomblin, a senior linebacker, has never been out of the country.

“I choose to go on this trip because I have never been out of the USA. And to play football there too would be a once in a lifetime deal,” Tomblin said.

Tomblin is not alone. Ryan Rhodes, who is currently taking Spanish classes here is looking forward to a new culture in a new place.

“I have never been to Europe before and have always been interested with how non-americans play football,” Rhodes said.

According to NCAA rules, colleges and universities are allowed to travel internationally once every four years. Four years ago, OWU visited Italy.

The university is not paying for the trip, instead, those attending will have to pay their way there. The cost covers airfare, meals, American Football Worldwide helped to organize and make arrangements for the stay.

An itinerary has already been made. The team arrives on the sixteenth and leaves on the twenty-fourth.

A practice is scheduled for the friday of that week and be followed up with an exhibition game against the Dracs on Monday.
The non-football activities are extensive. They include guided tours of Barcelona and Girona, a small but historic city two hours north.

OWU men’s lacrosse ready for postseason

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor

The Ohio Wesleyan University men’s lacrosse team is facing the end of the spring season and as the NCAC championship draws near, the team is prepared.

“We’re in the conference playoffs next week and we have to take it one game at a time,” said junior goalie Alexander Pacilio.

The OWU lacrosse team currently has the second best record in the conference with only one loss to Denison University this past Sunday,12-8. The Bishops are 9-5 overall this season and received votes in for national ranking, according to ncaa.com. The tough schedule this season is something that is good for the team as a whole, Pacilio said.

“It’s a challenge but have to play these teams since iron sharpens iron,” Pacilio said.

Sophomore defensive starter Jake Worrell said, “We’ve played a lot of tough teams and been really close to beating them. It’s kind of disappointing to not get over the hump yet but it … motivates myself and my teammates.”

Two teams that were the most demanding was Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Salsbury, Pacilio said. Both teams are currently in the top 5 rankings, according to ncaa.com. The Bishops lost to RIT 12-11, which was the start for freshman Joey Sichenzia. They also lost to Salisbury 10-6 but there are good things to come out of those games.

“Playing RIT the first game was an exciting experience,” said Worrell. “I know that if we got a shot at either of those teams we could pull a victory. We are a different team now and have gone through so much and we have learned so much and I would love to play either team again.”

The team’s expectations before the season started was to win the NCAC championship, said Worrell. He said he believes that they will see Denison in the championship game.

“Getting another chance to beat Denison is great,” Worrell said. He added that the team has struggled in the past against them but they are committed to correcting past mistakes and executing on their goals. The last scheduled game against the rival was a shootout which Denison came back from a six point deficit.

The post season is fast approaching and Worrell said he thinks that the team has the ability to win big.

“Winning the NCAC is very achievable,” Worrell said. “We have to finish up strong in the regular season first and beat Wooster to secure the second spot and then win our first round game.”

The Bishops have one more game against Wooster April 22. The team has tallied over 190 goals and average about 42.9 shots on opponents goal. The team also is strong in faceoffs winning 206 while losing 137.

Wooster is the Bishop’s last regular season opponent. The last time these two teams met, OWU won 22-6. But the team needs to stay on track, according to Pacilio.

“We have a lot of close games with a bunch of teams in our conference, but we believe if we play OWU lacrosse, it doesn’t matter how other teams play because we dictate our destiny,” Worrell said.

Coaches Corner: Kris Boey

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor

It’s now the spring season and the track and field team is ready to take the momentum from the winter into the new season.

Q: What is the attitude heading into this spring season?

A: The team’s attitude and purpose is excel- lent going into the outdoor season. We are building on a successful indoor season and as always we expect to be our best in May as the track and eld season culminates.

Q: What is the goal as a team this season?

A: Our goal is for each individual to improve and perform to the best of their capabilities and contribute to the overarching team goals. It’s a combination of individual achievements that allow the team to reach it’s full potential.

Q: What are the expectations heading into the spring season?

A: The expectations are to continue building the good work we’ve been doing all season and represent OWU in the best possible manner.

Q: Who, from Ohio Wesleyan, should people keep an eye out for?

A; In order to have the kind of team success that we are striving for, every team member will need to play an important role.

Q: Will we see another national championship performance from Robinson?

A:Cirrus has achieved a great deal in her rst season, and I believe she is far from her ceiling. My hope is that she enjoys the process and works towards her goals. If that is her mindset, then she will certainly be in a position to accomplish great things into the future.

Q: What events will Ohio Wesleyan be strong in?

A: We pride ourselves on being a complete, well-rounded team.

Mike DeWitt, men’s basketball head coach, selected as interim athletics director

By Sara Hollabaugh, Online Editor

Men’s basketball head coach Mike DeWitt will serve as the interim athletics director.

According to a campus-wide email from Chuck Stinemetz, provost, DeWitt will take over Ingles position in mid-May.

”Roger leaves big shoes to fill, but Mike’s stellar career with the Battling Bishops—as a student-athlete, a coach, and a leader in Division III athletics—makes him the ideal person to serve as interim director of athletics,” Stinemetz said.

Stinemetz added DeWitt’s experience at OWU, especially as the winningest men’s basketball coach at OWU will be beneficial to his new post.

“Mike has served as an associate athletics director since 2011 and was an assistant athletics director from 2004-11,” Stinemetz said in the email. “Furthermore, he has been a leader at the conference and national levels, serving on the NCAA Division III Great Lakes advisory committee from 2003-06, and he was on the NCAA Division III national committee from 2009-13, serving as committee chair during the 2012-13 season.”

Stinemetz also announced a committee that will search for the new athletics director, which he will chair.

“I will be joined by the following individuals: alumni Christie Allen, Kevin Hinkle, Bob Morrill; head coaches Kris Boey, Kirsta Cobb, Jay Martin, Cassie Cunningham; faculty Barbara MacLeod, David Eastman, Shala Hankison; admissions Ross Grippi; [and from] advancement, Colleen Garland.”

Stinemetz also said two students will join the committee but they have not been selected yet.

DeWitt said he was asked by Stinemetz to be interim director at a meeting after it was made known Ingle’s was leaving.

“I am honored to be asked by our administration to lead our department in this time of transition, and I am extremely fortunate to work with an outstanding group of coaches that will make this transition go as smoothly as possible,” DeWitt said.

DeWitt said he and Ingles will work closely before he leaves.

“Having been a part of the administrative staff over the years certainly will help me be aware of most of these issues as I serve in this role until a new Director of Athletics is hired,” DeWitt said.

DeWitt was not certain of Ingle’s official date of departure and when he will start as interim director.

Ultimate frisbee wins first place in the High Tide tournament

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor

The ultimate frisbee club at Ohio Wesleyan University traveled to South Carolina to compete in the High Tide tournament and walked away with first place in their bracket over spring break.

The ultimate frisbee club entered the High Tide tournament that went from March 14-16 and stayed in Little River, SC just north of Myrtle Beach. According to hightideultimate.com, it is one of the biggest ultimate tournaments and was founded in 1996.

“We managed to get a house right on the beach which was nice,” said sophomore Espen Stalder who is a captain for the team. “There were around 120 teams overall, and about 40 within our division. Most of those were D-III schools but there were a few larger ones like Syracuse.”

The team had eight wins and one loss in their mixed bracket which included clubs as well as Division-I teams. The term “mixed” means that both men and women participate on the same team. The team’s attitude seemed calm even during the matches.

“It was very relaxed, even at the tournament,” said Stalder. “It’s not a sanctioned tournament meaning it doesn’t count for official ranking, so winning isn’t as important so much as just hanging out. If you wanted to make stupid plays for fun you absolutely could.”

Before heading to High Tide, the club struggled to organize practices before the tournament began but seemed to come together nicely once tournament play began.

“The main challenge was people unable to come to practice,” said Stalder. “We only had one mixed practice a week, and oftentimes half the team wouldn’t be able to come. I had class most of the time so I went into the tournament not knowing most of the girls. Not knowing the playing styles of half the team is definitely a challenge, but we figured it out pretty fast.”

Stalder said that the team tries to practice three times a week during the school year but mixed practices are limited to once a week.

The team would eventually make it to the finals of their bracket where they would play Syracuse University. They beat the Division-I school and showed that they are able to compete amongst the other clubs and teams.

“It feels great, most of the people on the team have never won a tournament outright before,” said Stalder. “There’s a sense of pride that comes from beating Division-I teams like Syracuse as a small, relatively unknown Division-III school.”

Stalder went on to say that their main goal was just to “have fun” and that this was their first time competing in a mixed bracket. Looking ahead, the club’s members will maintain their positive approach after learning a valuable lesson about themselves.

“It’s a milestone for the club as this is the first time anyone on the team has won high tide,” said Stalder. “It also shows that we can in fact function mixed better than when we’re separate.”

Freshman track and field athlete wins national title at Division III event

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor

A national champion was crowned for Ohio Wesleyan University track and field while two others placed in the Division III national championship meet March 10 and 11.

Cirrus Robinson, Sarah Fowler, and Nate Newman all placed in their individual competitions at the NCAA championship meet. Robinson, a freshman, won the NCAA title in high-jump and is the second woman from OWU to win an individual championship.

Junior Nate Newman participated in the heptathlon and placed in the top 6. He received All-American honors joining senior Fowler who also received All-American honors. Fowler broke a school record in the 5000-meter with a finishing time of 16:54.38 and the previous record was 17:04.66 also set by Fowler earlier in the season according to battlingbishops.com. Freshman Robinson took the crown as national champion in high-jump and, according to battlingbishops.com is the second women in track and field to win a title.

“It was just a special moment,” said Kris Boey who is the the director of track and field, cross country and the head coach for track and field. He said this season gives the team a sense of pride and the tradition they have is “great.”

The national meet was hosted by North Central College in Illinois and Boey said that the meet was organized well.

“There was a lot of energy,” Boey said. Sometimes meets can get the best of athletes because of the stressful atmosphere, but Boey was confident that the freshman would handle the pressure.

“[Boey] was really realistic with me,” said Robinson.

While two OWU athletes placed, Robinson won the NCAA title in high-jump just beating Emma Egan, a freshman from Williams College.

“I was completely overjoyed,” said Robinson.

“I think it is tremendous for her and the track program,” said Athletic Director Roger Ingles. “It is unbelievable.”

Boey felt that she was willing and able to leap ahead of the competition. He said she kept a level head and that she was able to perform under pressure.

“She knows how to have Fun,” Boey said. “After the conference meet, I knew she was ready. I knew she was going have a great meet.”

Robinson competed the second day and was seeded second heading into the meet. She said staying calm was key in her performing her jump and mentioned that Boey helped her get comfortable in the moment.

“We just kept focusing on making the heights,” Boey said. “We didn’t even talk about winning.”

The decision went down to how many missed attempts the separate individuals had in total and Robinson had the least missed jumps with just three.

“It took a while to sink in,” said Boey referring to how Robinson reacted to her win. “We have seen just the tip of the iceberg.” Robinson represents the program well, according to Boey, and this was a great moment for her and the team.

Robinson said she received several text messages from friends and family after she won and this moment solidified her confidence as an athlete.

This indoor track and field season has been a successful one for OWU. Boey hopes that success will lead to more in the upcoming spring season.

“I believe she will continue to grow and progress. I can’t say for sure but I know she will put herself in a position to be successful,” Boey said adding Robinson has the ability to be one of the best track and field athletes in Division III.

Robinson mentioned her two teammates, Newman and Fowler, played a big role by inspiring her to work and compete harder.

There is an overall sense of pride for the program and there is anticipation for what is yet to come from players and coaches. Robinson said that she does not feel content and she is currently preparing for the spring season. But for now, she can now breath a sigh of relief knowing that she is a champion and that this is only the beginning of her collegiate career.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our team,” said Boey. “They represent Ohio Wesleyan and they did it in the best of fashion.”

OWU alumnus shares passion for recruiting Battling Bishops in Ohio

While Ohio Wesleyan was originally Patrick Huber’s backup plan for college, it ended up being his best plan.

The Air Force Academy first opened its doors in April 1954 in the city of Colorado Springs, CO. Huber aspired to go to the Air Force Academy and graduate with the second class to ever attend.

For admission to the academy, Huber was required to pass a physical examination. His examination took place at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, just east of Dayton, Ohio, about two and a half hours away from his home in Tiffin, OH. However, Huber failed the exam due to his eyesight because he did not have 20/20 vision.

With 20 minutes left in the nearly three hour drive home, Huber’s father broke the silence of the car ride and said they needed to come up with a backup plan for attending college.

He chose Ohio Wesleyan.

Huber graduated with the class of 1962 and continues to share his passion for OWU with prospective students. Huber has now been recruiting for roughly 15 years in the Lima, OH area.

A devoted OWU recruiter in the Lima area, Huber originally started recruiting at college fairs, however these fairs have become less popular. Nowadays, Huber visits high schools to meet prospective students and receives a lot of recommended names from high school coaches, counselors, and teachers.

Huber stresses the importance “comfort”, which he believes is critical to the college selection process. “There’s no scientific formula for finding a college. I say when you get to that place where you really have a comfort level, that’s probably where you should go to school,” Huber said.

Ohio is a competitive state for college recruiters. While there are large state schools such as Bowling Green State University or Ohio State University, there are also colleges that can offer athletic scholarships such as the University of Findlay or Ashland University that have advantages against OWU recruiters.

“The most rewarding part is meeting the young students and then hearing them say they’re going to be a Bishop. To be able to watch them grow and hear their experiences at OWU … [it’s] probably more rewarding for me than to them,” Huber said.

Huber can be found at different OWU sporting events, cheering on the many Battling Bishops he has helped bring to OWU.

Huber has three children and five grandchildren; the youngest grandchild is 10 years old and the oldest grandchild is 21 years old. Huber said it was as if all three of his children wanted to rebel since none of them attended OWU; he has high hopes that one of the younger grandchildren will become a bishop.

Huber graduated with majors in both economics and political science. During college, he played on the football team for his first two years before a knee injury ended his career. His Senior year he joined the track team. Huber was also the Circulation Manager for The Transcript his final two years at OWU.

Huber was also involved in Greek Life as a member of Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji). He held the position of pledge trainer. As an alumnus, he was heavily involved in the process of reestablishing the fraternity on campus.

Besides being an active recruiter for OWU, he’s an avid fundraiser and currently serves as President of the “W Association,” which is the alumni board for former OWU varsity athletes. He is on the Football Advisory Board and previously served on OWU Alumni Board for six years. In June 2017, Huber will end his eighth year as president of the “W Association.”

Within the Football Advisory Board, he helped launched a mentoring program that helps juniors and seniors find internships, jobs and supports students who want to go to graduate school. The program started this year and Huber hopes other sports teams will start a similar program within their organizations.

Huber, along with three others, are recipients of the Alumni Award and will be recognized at alumni weekend in May, the following weekend of commencement. The Alumni Award is given to alumni who demonstrate outstanding service to OWU.

Huber is a supporter of the 2,020 students initiative and plans to help achieve that goal as best he can. Other ambitions of his includ updating the seating in Branch Rickey and increasing OWU’s endowment to make the university more financially stable.

“I have a passion for the university. I think there’s so many great young people here and it’s important for them to have the opportunity to succeed and go on,” Huber said.

New athletic opportunities for upcoming school year

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor

Ohio Wesleyan recently announced the addition of several new athletic teams and a marching band for the coming academic year for new and current students to join.

Before they were approved, OWU offered 23 different sports which were separated into 11 male varsity sports and 12 female varsity sports. Men’s wrestling and women’s rowing now join the growing Bishop family. It is not just sports being added, however, as a marching band will support OWU athletics during games.

“I used to be a part of the marching band in high school so I think that it is really cool that the school will now offer it,” said ju- nior Emma Stilgenbauer.

Athletic Director Roger Ingles said that after the two sports were chosen it took two years before they could be approved. He said this will provide more opportunities for students to continue their athletic careers after high school.

Questions about funding the teams remain. So do questions about where these teams will practice and play.

The athletic department has created a sample budget for the administration’s approval.

According to Ingles, this will provide help for OWU’s goal for admission of 2020 students by 2020.

Wrestling was once offered at OWU but was dropped in 1984. This decision was made before Ingles led the position as athletic director.

“I am excited [wrestling] is coming back,” Ingles said, adding that the sport is growing and popular in the area with maximizing recruiting opportuntiies. During his time as athletic director, Ingles has brought softball, and now wrestling, back to OWU.

He said he is very proud of that accomplishment.

“I think it is awesome that [wrestling] is now a varsity sport,” said freshman Max Aaronson who is in the wrestling club at OWU. “A lot of guys were happy to hear that it was being considered.”

Ingles also said that he spoke with members of the club and that there was a definite interest for it to be a varsity sport.

Women’s rowing was added because of its growing popularity in the area, according to Ingles.

Coaches for the new sports are being considered, and a hiring decision will be made late this spring. Ingles said that he is looking for coaches that are knowledgeable about the sport and that are committed to starting fresh.