The Behrend Beacon
Q £r A: Who's Behind the Scenes? i
Assistant coach (Pat (Mashuda j
woufdn’t teach anywhere efse \
by Kate Levdansky Petrikis
assistant sports editor
Pat Mashuda has been the golf
coach and assistant basketball
coach at Behrend for the past two
years. He spent the previous three
years as an assistant golf coach and
seven seasons as an assistant
basketball coach for the Redhawks
at La Roche College. Mashuda was
a two-year standout at Butler
Community College in basketball
and in golf. He then moved on and
competed for two more golf
seasons at Robert Morris College.
Mashuda earned a bachelor’s of
science in business administration
in 1992.
Beacon: Do you find it an
advantage to coach both basketball
and golf at Behrend?
Mashuda: Yes, 1 do find it an
advantage. Coaching both sports
allows me to gain head coaching
experience with the golf team,
while at the same time I am able to
continue developing as a basketball
coach. The two sports are very
different. Golf is more of an
individual sport, while basketball
is a team sport.
Beacon: Which sport did you
coach first?
Mashuda: I started coaching
basketball at La Roche College the
fall of 1993. Three years later, I
started helping out with the golf
team at La Roche. Then, in the fall
of 2000,1 came to Behrend to work
with coach Niland and became the
head golf coach at the same time.
It was a great opportunity for me.
Beacon: How did you become
the coach of the other sport?
Mashuda: I have always
enjoyed the game of golf and when
La Roche started a golf team, they
were looking for someone to help
out with the program. I was in the
right place at the right time. I was
Behrend
by Mike Bello
sports editor
Sometimes the biggest reason is the
simplest. The difference in the
women’s basketball game against Pitt
Greensburg on Friday in the
semifinals of the AMCC tournament
came down to one fact: Pitt
Greensburg made a greater percentage
of its shots.
The Lions, down by eight at the
half, could not contain Greensburg’s
Ann Sral in a 75-67 loss at the Adler
Gym in Altoona. Behrend shot 39.3
percent from the floor, while
Greensburg made 48.3 percent of its
shots. The Lions ended the season 14-
13 overall, 9-4 in the conference, and
for the first time in six years did not
make it to the championship game.
“The first half looked excellent, but
look at the stats,” said coach Roz
Fomari. “They shot better. We turned
the ball over a little too much in the
first half. The second half I thought
we took care of the ball better.”
The Lions did just that, as both
teams scored 42 points in the second
half. Behrend, though, let too many
opportunities slip away in the first
half. Overall, the Lions made as many
free throws as the Bobcats (16) and
had four more 3-pointers and
rebounds. In the end, it came down to
which team was sharper on offense
and, as Fomari said, which team had
a little more luck.
“We made some mistakes and I
don’t think there were too many
things that went our way during the
game,’’ said Fomari. “Whereas you
have to be good and you have to be
lucky. We just didn’t have it go our
Senior Kate Costanzo provided the
spark on offense, scoring 21 points,
including four 3-pointers. Erin
Phillips, the AMCC’s Player of the
Year, added 17 points and a game
high eight rebounds. Erica Mozdy
was the only other scorer in double
if
J
PHOTO BY MIKE BELLO / BEHREND BEACON Mashuda: After any loss,
Assistant basketball and golf coach y OU always have to look at how
Pat Mashuda coached at AMCC rival team was prepared for the
La Roche before coming to Behrend. game and what you could have
done differently to give your team
a better chance to win the game. In
any team sport, everyone has a part
of the winning and losing. As a
coach, you really look at every little
detail much more closely.
Beacon: What has been the
highlight of your career at Penn
State Behrend?
Mashuda: The opportunity to
work for a school that has a strong
tradition of success. I thought that
coming to Behrend was a great
opportunity for me and it has turned
out to be even better than I had
anticipated.
Beacon: What is the best
memory you have from coaching?
Mashuda: Most of my memories
don’t involve any particular games,
but instead they involve the
relationships you build with
everyone you meet along the way.
There are some games that stand
out, but I will always remember the
road trips to Chicago, Clemson,
S.C., Daytona Beach, Fla.,
Pinehurst, N.C., and all the great
memories along the way.
very fortunate.
Beacon: What sport do you enjoy
coaching more?
Mashuda: Basketball has always
been my passion! I enjoy golf when I
can, but I want to coach basketball for
a living. I enjoy what I do and I am
looking forward to the opportunity
and challenges of becoming a head
coach.
Beacon: What characteristic do
you think college athletes need to be
successful?
Mashuda: I think the most
important characteristic is self
discipline. The student athletes need
to have good time management skills
to excel academically and athletically.
At Behrend, we are very fortunate that
most of our student athletes have good
self-discipline.
Beacon: What do you think is the
most important thing to instill in your
athletes?
Mashuda: The understanding of
the commitment level it takes to be
successful, on and off the field of
competition, as a student athlete. The
window Of opportunity to participate
in college athletics is very small and
don’t ever take it for granted. You
never want to look back and say what
if.
Beacon: What was the hardest
comes up short in AMCC semifinals
digits for Behrend (13). Greensbuig’s
Sral went 10-of-14 from the floor for
27 points.
“Of course we are disappointed in
how the season ended,” said
Costanzo. ‘The last thing I wanted to
do was lose to Greensburg one game
short of the championship game. But
you can’t overlook what we did
accomplish this year. We had some
big games and a lot of great times.”
Fomari was disappointed as well
that the team couldn’t finish better,
especially for the seniors.
“I know they’re disappointed. I’m
disappointed,” said Fornari. “I’m
more disappointed they didn’t find
themselves this year because they
were a better team than they played.
“They had a good season, a good
year, and a good career for all four of
them (seniors). I think our
underclassmen felt bad that they
couldn’t do things that they needed
to do for the seniors. I felt the same
way. If I would’ve had my pick, I
would’ve had my seniors go out on a
little bit better note,” said Fomari.
Behrend scored 67.6 points per
game this year and allowed 65.4 ppg.
The Lions shot .417 from the floor and
.323 from the 3-point line. The team
also finished the season with a 69
percent free throw average and
grabbed 38.2 rebounds per game.
The loss ended a rather up and
down season for the Lions. The team
started off the season 1-4 and 4-8, but
went 9-2 after that point to pull above
.500 on Feb. 2 for the first time since
an opening-season win. The Lions,
though, dropped three of their last four
games, including two to Greensburg.
Still, for some, the memories will
last a lifetime.
“I think our No. 1 strength was our
heart,” said Costanzo. “I enjoyed
every minute playing with this team.
We fought ‘til the end and never gave
up. I’m thankful my senior season was
spent with a team with so much
heart.”
SPORTS
H game you have ever coached? •
Mashuda: That would *
have to be the first time that •
Behrend went to La Roche •
during my first season here. It *
was a first semester game and •
our first league game. We did •
not play very well that night. It .
was tough because I was a part *
of that program for seven years. •
Beacon: Have you ever •
blamed yourself for an outcome *
of a game? •
Every week, the Beacon will\
engage in a little “ask and re- •
spond” with someone whol
doesn’t make the headlines. *
PHOTO BY JEFF HANKEY / BEHREND BEACON
Senior Katie Weigold, who returned from a knee injury to play against
Greensburg, is one of four starters the Lions will have to replace next year.
I j
AMCC Women’s Basketball All Conference Honors |
First Team
Erin Arnold Pitt-Greensburg
Kim Faust Frostburg
Jillian Kliner Altoona
Erin Phillips Behrend
Annie Sral Greensburg
■ Second Team
KateCostanzo Behrend
Kim Ebersole Altoona
Sherry Hogue La Roche
I Misty Meredith Altoona
I Jessica Porter Pitt-Bradford
Friday, March 1, 2002
Before last Saturday’s Mount
Union Invitational, it looked like Jay
Davids was going to make a lonely
trip to Boston for the ECAC
championships this weekend. But
seven teammates, who saved their
best efforts for their last regular indoor
competition, and will now accompany
Davids. The qualified athletes left
Thursday morning for Tufts
University in Boston.
Coach Dave Cooper was very
pleased with the team’s performance
at Mount Union. He is also looking
forward to the ECAC championship
competition.
“As of Monday, there were 73
teams entered in the Division 111
competition,” said Cooper. “This will
be the first time Behrend has had
athletes competing in the ECAC
indoor track championships.”
All of the competitors who met the
criteria for advancing to the ECAC
championships also set new school
records. For the women, Jessica
Sarver ran a 4:57.40, capturing first
place in the 1500 to send her to
Boston. Amanda Van Tassel took
third in the 500, running a 1:24.14 to
qualify for the championships. Also
earning a trip was Jen Smialek, who
won the 500 with a time of 1:23.60.
However, Smialek made plans to
travel to Spain before she qualified
and will not be able to compete in the
event.
The men’s 4 x 400 relay team went
from a time of 3:34 at Slippery Rock
to 3:30.74 at the Mount Union Invite
to capture first place in the event. The
team consisted of Keith Cerroni, Billy
McKinney, Mike Barlett, and Dave
Ober. McKinney also qualified in the
500 by taking second, finishing in
1:07.91. Ober is excited to be going
to another ECAC championship.
“Last year myself and eight of my
teammates competed in outdoor
ECACs in Springfield, Mass, and it
was one of the best experiences of my
track career,” said Ober.
Isiah Meek rounds out the men who
will travel more than 500 miles east
on Thursday. Meek ran an 8.08 and
ToreyAuld Greensburg I
Melissa Ballentine Lake Erie I
Danielle Berardinelli Lake Erie |
Carletta Harrell Lake Erie |
Holly Myers Frostburg |
Johnetta Owens La Roche |
Most Valuable Player ■
Erin Phillips Behrend
Newcomer of the Year
Sherry Hogue La Roche '
Coach of the Year I
Carol Gelet
Indoor team fin'
by Scott Soltis
staff writer
Honorable Mention
Green sburg I
took third in the 55
hurdles to earn the
right to compete this
weekend.
Aside from the
qualifiers, there were
also quite a few
athletes who came
very close.
“Many of those who
placed, but didn’t
qualify, missed the
qualifying standards
by the narrowest of
margins,” said Cooper.
The men set four
new school records
that came within
seconds and fractions
of a second of sending
them to Boston. Brian
Wheeler set two
records Saturday by
placing fifth in the
1000 with a 2:46.80
and running a 4:44.20
mile. Barlett ran a
1:59.60 to take second
in the 800. This time
was just a fraction of a
second away from
qualifying, but Barlett
was a member of the
relay team so he will
contend in that event this weekend.
Taking second in the 5000 was Kevin
Ritzert, who crossed the line in
9:10.50.
The women set five new records in
addition to their ECAC qualifying
times. The 4 x 400 relay team
continued to be impressive not only
in that event, but also in the
accomplishments of the individuals.
The team took third with a time of
4:23.58, dropping eight seconds from
their Slippery Rock time a mere two
weeks before. Marlena McNutt, Suzie
Szafran, Van Tassel, and Smialek
filled the team. Van Tassel and
Smialek qualified for ECACs, and
Szafran set a new record in the 800
by running a 2:30.
•Jessica Knapp Won the fOOO to set
the new school record at 3:22.90. In
the 5000, Andrea Sanko broke her
own record by finishing at 12:01.30.
The final women’s record established
Costanzo and Phillips provided
their own memories through the year.
Phillips broke the all-time scoring
record (men and women), setting a
new record with 1,581 points, 115
more than the previous holder (Rick
Demski). Phillips also leaves Behrend
basketball first in points per game for
a career (14.8), first in field-goal
percentage (53.9 percent), and first in
free throws made (513).
Costanzo broke the 1,000-point
barrier and holds fourth place on the
all-time scoring list (1,055). In the
2001-’O2 season, Costanzo averaged
14.0 ppg and 5.0 rebounds per game.
Phillips finished with 17.5 ppg and 7.6
rpg-
Phillips, besides winning the league
MVP award, was tabbed for the all
conference first team. Phillips, a
graduate of McDowell High School,
won the Newcomer of the Year award
her freshman season. Costanzo, who
hails from Kittanning High School,
was named to the second all
conference team for the second year
in a row.
The Lions lose two other seniors
this year, Christine Charnock and
Katie Weigold. Charnock averaged
9.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg and Weigold
finished with 4.0 ppg and 2.0 rpg.
With four seniors, and starters,
leaving, the remaining players will
have to step up next year, but Fornari
already saw that happening this year.
“The second half of the season we
saw pieces of what it’s going to be
like next year,” said Fornari. “It was
hard, losing Carly Cochran, losing
Crystal McGarvey. They are two very
key factors for next year.
“1 think we’ll have a solid crew to
build around. I think we’re bringing
in some real quality players to add to
what we have,” said Fornari. “F have
no idea how it’ll pan out for next year
and that’s kind of the fun part about
coaching, and playing. It's going to
be competitive next year and we're
going to be young, but dangerous.”
behrco!ls @ aol.com
PHOTO BY MIKE BELLO / BEHREND BEACON
Sophomore Missy Mong hurls the javelin
Monday during one of the few times the
Lions have been able to practice outdoors.
The outdoor season begins March 23 against
Clarion.
at Mount Union was in the 55 hurdles.
Heather Efaw ran a 10.04 to establish
a new mark in the event.
The ECAC Championships today
and Saturday will mark the end of an
amazingly successful indoor season.
Of the 19 events that the men
competed in this season, 15 now have
new records. For the women, 11 of
the 15 events they competed in now
have new bests. There are only 15
athletes on the women’s roster
altogether.
The team will train for the outdoor
season individually over spring break
and will start outdoor competition on
March 23. If the indoor season is an
indication of things to come, the
outdoor portion is primed for success.
With many nrore scored meets in'the
outdoor season, th 6 Lions look to
translate their indoor accomplish
ments into outdoor victories.
Food Service
Athlete
of the Week
pennState
JHjjp Erie
(Biff
McKinney
McKinney led the
Behrend Lions Feb. 23
at the Mount Union In
vitational. Setting two
record times, he fin
ished the 500-meter in
a time of 1:07.91 and
contributed in the 4 x
400 relay with an over
all finishing time of
3:30.74. Both perfor
mances qualified for
the ECAC Champion
ships.
The Championships
will be held Saturday
and Sunday at Tufts
University in Boston,
Mass.
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