age 4B The Behrend Beacon Men's basketball team ready to play by Zoe Rose sports editor Soccer's almost done, volleyball's over, and don't forget about tennis. The leaves are bright red, orange, and yellow and the sports calendar has drifted into the men's basketball season. Penn State Behrend Lions basketball team has taken over the courts. With Matt Keith graduating last year, the team will now be under the leadership of senior guard Steve Merrill. The 2002-2003 squad features a talented group of underclassmen dedicated to improving on last season's 18-9 record. Stepping up in the backcourt for the lions is Merrill, who comes off an impressive season. Competing for time for this positipn will be returning guard Tom Lulich and Joe Lucas. Keith was a vital player in last year's team, placing high expections this year on Merrill. "Steve has improved each year, he works hard as any player in the program. When you work hard, good Q &A with head water polo coach Josh Heynes by Lauren Packer assistant sports editor Beacon: With water polo and swim 'ng seasons overlapping, do you find ifficult to balance both teams at once'? eynes: The seasons are balanced. season is prepared six months in ad ce so we always have an idea of what fter this, will be In ikr-ny .1., '-'4,tl th , t I 'l,l f n , ,-11, in, . In the , e• c,ll y: , carcet, dke I:f.t mdk ng rt c oi• I v, 1 F. ) IC , -,-q-qll,lteve You'll tuiC, tht (4h1.1,_‘ ~, r 't, t itzF ARMY ROTC Unlike any other college course you can take. \ppl) now In . : po Ninniner it:lining and aru officer opportunities Endure a summer of sell-liiipro‘etnent and money management. Ind out how to earn $7OO this slimmer 'Li 898-7279, things happen. We will miss Matt, he was as good a shooter that we have had here. That is tough to replace." Five freshmen have earned a spot on the young team, which has only one senior player. Skilled freshmen include guards Justin Jennings (5-10),Doug Merski (6-0), and Travis Butler (6-0). For the forwards, freshmen Adam Boettche (6-8) r and Josh Sindlinger (6- 7) will be up against experienced returning starters juniors Casey Ponsoll (6-3) and David Hairston (6-3). Coming off of an amating season last year, James Curren (6-6) will fill the center position. Even with last year's impressive 9-3 conference record, coach Niland knows exactly what needs to he improved on in order to come away with the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Championship victory. - Defensively, we were weak last season, which cost us in some big games. We also had stretches in big games that we turned it over. We need to improve a great deal in those areas. The good thing Z y y? 7 0 (_) w is CC Lij 011111°1111.'- CC w CO 11 0 is going on. Having Jen Slack as an assistant coach really helps and makes the transition from corn ' s water polo to swimming much easier. Also, having 90 percent of one team comprise 90 percent of the other team makes the transitions easier. Knowing the play the corporate ladder a piece of pc kelt„ a.ADE [l li IA okei ' 4 ` , ikiii•O Josh Heynes coachs of both the w and swimming teams r), , A to yo!ir .Art; v ~..1 mbi I held ... ... ...„.. . .......,........„ ..... po • ~ • .-- .. .. ~ ..... . . . ....‘. i „IS ws , ~,,,,ao, .. , ae , ~,,,, t Friday, November), 2002 is that players feel the same way. In practice we have looked better defending," said Niland. The squad will start its second year playing in the Junker Center, as compared to Erie Hall. The 2002- 2003 season kicks off on Nov. 23 with the Penn State Behrend Tournament at 6 and 8 p.m. After some strong non-conference competition, the lions will get into the heart of their demanding 11-game AMCC schedule. The first road game will be hosted by Grove City on Nov. 26 followed by a two home game stretch against Washington & Jefferson and Pitt-Bradford, on Dec. 4'" and Dec. 7'h, respectively. "We have a lot of competition for playing time so practice has been fun. The freshmen have come along well. All in all we are excited," said Niland. The Penn State Behrend Lions basketball team is ready to rock the 'I V 1 r Awn, 1 ' 11111 1t.. 44 • , ers you have to train and where they are in regards to their training also makes it easier. Beacon: How much of a time com mitment is it to be the head coach of two sports at once? Scott Soltis and Zoe Rose, sports editors Steve Merrill will be looked at for leadership this season Heynes: It's 24-7-365. Recruiting at night after practice is key. The joh doesn't end after practice does. It's almost like be ing a parent. Parents expect a surrogate role, as well as a coach, when they hand their children to you. With training during the week and tournaments on the weekend plus fundraising, it doesn't leave much free time Beacon: What goals (I() you have for your teams? Heynes: When we first started the aquatic teams three years ago, the goal was to get better each year. Now that that goal has been accomplished, we are focusing on making a name for ourselves at the national level. We also want to start placing and doing better in Championships. We've had a lot of success with individual men in swimming, the women's swimming team won the AMCC meet and the women's water polo team missed nationals by one vote. Once you've gotten your loin in the door at major meets, the other kids see what they can do and then they want to reach their potential. Beacon: Because the aquatics team arc only three years old, how did you handle teaching the kids who joined and didn't ••••••••••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ;October Intamural Wrap-Up Intramural Champions Tennis Men's Singles "A - Flight - Eric Laska Men's Singles "13" Flight - Greg Sleese Men's Doubles "13" Flight - Nick Plugh & Keith McMillen Women's Doubles - Cori Lesniak & Kelly Calabrese Coed Doubles - Keith McMillen & Lisa Jacobs IM POINTS SYSTEM STANDINGS Tau Kappa Epsilon - 398 Points Kappa Delta Rho - 268 Points Women's Theta Phi Alpha - 290 Points Alpha Sigma Alpha - 115 Points Almy -290 Points Tomohawks - 165 Points Super Delta Five - 155 Points Slow Pitch Softball Men's- Sig Tau Gamma Coed - Tomohawks Flag Football Men's- XXX Men Coed - Super Delta Five Fraternity Sig Tau Gamma - 683 Points Independent Monkeys w/Guns - 535 Points XXX Men - 390 Points Super Delta Five - 315 Points Residence Hall Alrny - 403 Points Niagra - 85 Points Coed 2! A i t air zigil have any prior experience? Heynes: Patience. A severe amount of patience. We made great strides in three years. We are the only teams playing Di vision I and II schools. The final scores don't always reflect what happened in the game. If the inexperienced players arc willing to commit the time and effort into learning then I am willing to commit the time and effort to teach them The ones who come and want to learn arc really what keep you going as a coach Beacon: What are you focusing on for your next season? Heynes: We're still looking for people to help our team. We are always looking to he bigger and better. I can recruit a lot hut there is talent that can be tapped here at Behrend. You get to travel to schools you probably never otherwise would and you get away for theweekends. But people have to realize what they are in for. playing sports at the 'collegiate level is a tough task for any vivision. w • Cia. cr 0
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