Scott Soltis and Zoe Rose, sports editors
Men’s indoor track and field
season just around the corner
by Ed Mesaros
staff writer
For most schools across the country,
the track and field season will not be
gin for another couple months. For the
men’s team at Behrend, it began last
week. Dec 2 marked the first official
track and field practice of the year.
Outdoor meets will not begin until the
spring, but the men at Behrend have the
opportunity to compete in an indoor
track and field season.
Dave Cooper is once again serving
as head coach for the track and field
team. Garrett Arndt and Greg Cooper
are returning as assistant coaches.
As of now, the 2003 indoor season
looks to consist of six invitationals, with
the first on Jan 18 at SUNY Fredonia.
The team will compete at Fredonia
twice over the course of the season,
once at Slippery Rock, and once at
Mount Union.
The indoor season will conclude in
early March
with the
u Sophomore
This indoor season, we’re t i m
Champion-
ships, as well
as the NCAA
Indoor Cham-
going to have numerous great
performances. ” excellent
pionships the
following
weekend.
The indoor
track and field
season pays
dividents to the team.
“The main reason we do the indoor
season is to prepare adequately for the
Fall 2002 semester sports recap
Books are being sold back, and every student will
have three weeks to relax and recuperate from the stress
of the fall semester. It’s been a long 15 weeks, filled
with heavy workloads and tons of athletic events. The
semester is over, so long to fall sports.
But first here’s a recap. Driving by the tennis courts,
the Penn State Behrend women’s tennis team could be
seen practicing or competing in a match. Two vital
members joined this year’s team, Amy Frizzell and
Amber Weckoski, under the leadership of co-captains
Lennys Redondo and Becky Snyder. The season’s
focus was mainly on Frostburg State University and
school rival Penn State Altoona, a strong competitor
after clinching the AMCC Championship in 2002.
Before heading into the AMCC tournament held at
Penn State Behrend, the Lions had a 3-2 conference
record. Penn State Altoona slighted Behrend by earning
the championship title. Senior Becky Snyder and
doubles partner sophomore Christine Leininger won
the second doubles flight and Snyder was the runner
up in six singles at the AMCC tournament.
The women’s volleyball team fought a tough season,
coming out with an 8-4 conference record. Leading
the Lions was senior Rose Boni. Key juniors were
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sports editor
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outdoor season
while getting in
some competi
tions along the
way,” said coach
Cooper.
Competing
against other
schools during
the indoor season
will give the
men’s team an
idea of what it
will be up against
when it takes to
the outdoor
tracks.
The 2003
men’s team looks
to be strong and
also looks to im-
prove on their
performances
track team
from last season.
The team will be returning much of its
talent from
force in the
distance events. Sophomore Isiah
Meek is a strong hurdler, and returning
indoor record holder.
Lauren Senkevich, Danielle Bemis, and Katie Butler,
who all made a big contribution to this year’s squad.
Senkevich averaged 3.2 kills per game and five blocks
in the AMCC tourney. The Lions were not able to
defend their conference title however, losing to
Frostburg State University (3-0) in the championship
round.
The men’s and women’s cross country teams were
led by sophomore captain Tim Schultheis, and the two
Jessicas, Knapp and Sarver. Schultheis finished first
for the team in every meet except for the NCAA
Mideast regionals, where senior Brian Wheeler took
his spot. Penn State Behrend hosted the 2002 AMCC
men’s and women’s cross country championships,
taking second place to Frostburg State. Behrend’s top
runner was Sarver, who won the individual title in
24:18.26 in the 6k. On the men’s side, Schulteis placed
fifth in 28:52.
The 2002-2003 season for the men’s soccer squad
saw leadership from co-captains Jake Hordych and
Matt MacArthur. The team included 11 returning
players and a strong group of skilled freshmen. Six
conference games were played during the season
before the AMCC conference semifinal, which was
against Penn State Altoona. The Lions pulled out of
the battle with a tight win in the second overtime (3-
2). The championship game was played on Nov 8 with
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Friday, December 13, 2002
cross coui
Sophomore Mike Barlett, record
holder in the 800 meter event, and Se
nior Brian Wheeler, record holder in the
1000 meter and one mi le events, are both
returning, and should make an impact
this season.
last season
Sophomore Donnie Hackworth is also
a returning record holder in the pole
vault, and once again this season, should
help the team out in his event.
A strong group of freshmen will join
the team this season, and look to make
an impact on the team’s performance.
Although the season begins early for
the team, members feel that the indoor
season greatly helps them to prepare for
the outdoor season.
cross country
season, and
will look to
be a strong
fall will be running indoors
“ I feel that during this indoor season,
we’re going to have numerous great per
formances. Considering our outdoor
season is only five meets, the indoor sea
son will provide excellent competition
and opportunity to prepare ourselves for
outdoor,” said Clayton Kirshner, return
ing distance runner.
With the team’s first indoor invita
tional not for another month, the team
will continue to train, both indoors and
outdoors, in hopes of having a success
ful indoor season.
Behrend losing in overtime to Pitt-Greensburg.
The women’s soccer team placed fourth in the
conference behind AMCC champion Frostburg State.
The team was the youngest in the history of the
program with 12 freshmen and six sophomores on the
roster. Sophomore Erin Mauer led the team, assisted
by returnees Carrie Smock. Jen Baker, and Maria
Gahagan. Finishing 8-12 overall on the season, 4-3 in
conference action, the Lions lost to La Roche in the
opening round of play in the conference.
In their third year of competition, the men’s water
polo team saw three experienced seniors return to help
the incoming recruits to transition to collegiate level
play. Ben Atkins, Dario Kis, and Brian Vallor, along
with five returning players and a talented rookie class,
struggled to lead the team to a 6-21 overall finish.
The Penn State Behrend men’s golf team hosted the
AMCC championship at Peek n’ Peak and finished
fifth. The Lions turned in a 312, with top shooter
sophomore Anthony Pagliari (76), last season’s
newcomer of the year. Pagliari and junior Kirk Seth
earned All-Conference honors.
All in all, it was a good semester to be involved in
Penn State Behrend sports.
is season
ingH!
The Behrend Beacon
Calendar of
Kvents
Behrend
Athletic
Events
Saturday
Women’s Basketball
@ Penn State Altoona,
6 p.m.
Men's Basketball
@ Penn State Altoona,
8 p.m.
Swimming
@ Penn State Altoona,
1 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 3
Men’s Basketball
Behrend Tournament
vs. D’Y’ouville, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 4
Men’s Basketball
Behrend Tournament
Consolation Game,
Ip.m.
Championship Game,
3 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 7
Women’s Basketball
@ Case Reserve Western,
7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 8
Men’s Basketball
@ Allegheny, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 9
Women’s Basketball
@ Hiram, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 11
Women’s Basketball
vs. Thiel, 6 p.m.
Men’s Basketball
vs. Thiel, 8 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 13
Women’s Basketball
vs. W&J, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 15
Women’s Basketball
@ Lake Erie, 6 p.m.
Men’s Basketball
@ Lake Erie, 8 p.m
Friday, Jan. 17
Swimming
vs. Mount Union, 6 p.m
Intramunals
Schedule
5 vs. 5 Basketball
Men’s and Women’s
entries due Dec. 13
Games begin
spring semester
ty\E ARE
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