The Behrend beacon. (Erie, Pa.) 1998-current, February 16, 2007, Image 9

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    Friday, February 16, 2007
Swimming and
By Jessica Carlson
staff writer
Members of the Penn State Behrend Swim and
Dive team can look back on quite possibly the
best swimming season the program has seen since
its start in 2001. One of the biggest accomplish
ments for the team occurred last weekend at
Grove City College when the men and women
made a mark in Behrend history by winning the
Allegheny Mountain Collegiate College (AMCC)
Championship for the first time ever.
"It was awesome, the team threw the coaches in
the pool at the end of the meet. I think it was our
best yet," said junior swimmer Missy Pilewski
who was unable to compete due to an injury.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Fairchild broke Behrend's 200 freestyle record.
Men's basketball
By Matt Waronker
assistant sports editor
The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team
split a pair of conference road games this past
week. The Lions lost the first of the two this past
Saturday against La Roche College, however, they
were able to pull even with a 66-60 victory against
rival LaketErie. While the disheartening 71-61 loss
against La Roche tallied the Lions second confer
ence loss of the season, the win against top seeded
Lake Erie gave Behrend their 17th overall win for
the season.
For the first half of their road series, Behrend
traveled to La Roche College. The Lions, who com
fortably rode a six game winning streak all the way
into Pittsburgh, were met by a tenacious La Roche
squad fighting to keep their post-season dreams
alive. After a closely matched first half Behrend
entered halftime with a slight 30-26 advantage.
The second half favored the opposing Redhawks
who, much to Behrend's dismay, came out shooting
a scorching 8-11 from beyond the arc. The Lions
could not contain La Roche's shooters, who in the
second half became practically automatic from the
floor, shooting an impressive 64% from the field.
Behrend allowed three La Roche players to reach
double digits in scoring, the most significant blow
coming from a 29-point performance from senior
guard Stacy Grady. This rare defensive breakdown
coupled with an assault of untimely turnovers led to
the second half collapse of what could have very
well been another tally on the Lions win column.
In the last meeting between Behrend and La Roche,
the Lions dominated the visiting Redhawks 74-56.
Leading the Lions was junior center Kevin
Buczynski, who scored 19 points in the losing
effort.
The Lions then closed out their final pair of road
games against rival Lake Erie College in what
turned out to be a fitting end to their road schedule.
The Lions fought to avenge their 63-51 loss to Lake
Erie earlier this season, while Lake Erie College
battled to protect their top seed in the conference.
The game quickly became a blow for blow slugfest,
with each squad answering the other's scoring run.
At the half the two teams were only separated by
'my:t0p....,1:.:9:'..5.::.,* . 0* . 90t s ongs
By Kara Struski
sports editor
These are a few of my favorite songs that get me
pumped while I'm working out. A few of these
songs were also on some of my warm up CD's for
soccer over the years. If you're looking to bum off
some of that winter weight, pop some of these
songs on your iPod and head over to the Junker
Center. Check out next week's issue for Danielle's
favorite work-out tunes.
1. Scorpion- "Rock You Like A Hurricane"
2. Tom Petty- "Runnin Down A Dream"
3. Motley Crue- "Kickstart My Heart"
4. P.O.D - "Boom"
5. Eminem - "Til I Collapse"
diving capture first-ever AMCC championship
This was the first year the team was recognized
as part of the AMCC's and they were sure to let
themselves be known. The men racked in 366
points, placing first in the conference. and fourth
overall. The women finished the weekend off
with 265 points, also clinching first place in the
AMCC's, and taking fifth overall. Other schools
competing for the AMCC Championship included
Frostburg State University, Penn State Altoona,
and Pitt-Bradford.
Along with winning the championship, five
men from the team qualified to compete in the
Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC)
Championship. The meet is to take place this
weekend at Harvard University. Behrend men
qualifiers include juniors Dustin Fairchild,
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Wilson is one of many to break swmming records.
split road games
Ben Gasbarre receives a pass in a recent game
three points, with Lake Erie College holding the
slight advantage. The second half would closely
mirror that of the first, with both teams exchanging
runs, fighting to top whatever slight lead the other
may have held. Buczynski and sophomore guard
Drew Seker led all scorers with 18 points each;
however Seker's most important shot of the night. a
game tying three pointer, came late in the half, with
time expiring to send the game into overtime. Once
in overtime, the Lions outscored the Storm 10-4,
holding Lake Erie College to a dismal 25% shoot
ing to seal the game.
Despite their previous loss to Lake Erie College,
head coach Dave Niland was confident in his
team's ability to bounce back with a win.
"We looked at our mistakes and realized why
they happened. We highlighted strengths and weak
nesses and ultimately we got in the mindset to win,"
Niland said. "Our players knew we could win."
The Lions will play their last game of the regular
season this Saturday, Feb. 17 against Pitt-Bradford
at home in the Junker Center.
away the stresses of college by hitting the gym
6. Van Halen -
7. Fort Minor -
8. U 2 - "Elevation"
9. AC/DC - "It's A Long Way To The Top"
10. Ozzie Osbourne - "Crazy Train"
"Right Now"
"Remember the Name"
r r
1
i... ---- '''' — . I .
*. ..:mer,
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Anthony Spoto, and Toni Weir. along with fresh
men Jason Hall and Joe Reese. They will be rep
resenting Behrend as part of the 32 teams compet
ing in the meet. Fairchild. Reese and Spoto qual
ified in four events; Hall will he competing in
three events, and Weir will swim in two.
Another big accomplishment for the team this
season was the number of records that were bro
ken. On the women's side, Colby Seibert.
Danielle Wilson. Leah Haller and Sarah Breese
broke the Women's 200-yard freestyle relay
record. Seibert also broke the 100 yard butterfly
record, while Breese broke the 50-yard freestyle
record. Diver Michelle Quail also set new school
and personal records for the one and three-meter
hoards.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Quail is one of the top divers in the AMCC's.
Lions hit a rough spot on the road
Lady
By Matt Waronker
assistant sports editor
The Penn State Behrend women's basketball
team is glad to be home this weekend. The Lady
Lions, who return home this Saturday, Feb. 17 to
face Pitt-Bradford at the Junker Center, are 13-1
at home. On the road, however, is a much differ
ent story. In the past Week alone, the Behrend
women have dropped two of their last three
games. all of which were on the road. The Lady
Lions fell to conference leading Medaille last
Wednesday, Feb. 7 and then to Lake Erie College
this Wednesday, Feb. 14. Behrend's sole win on
the road trip came Saturday in a decisive 68-45
victory against La Roche. The Lady Lions, who
are currently 19-4 overall, sit in second place in
the AMCC with a conference record of 14-3.
The Lady Lions sole victory came Saturday at
La Roche College. Behrend dominated the
Redhawks on both sides of the ball, holding La
Roche to a frigid 30% shooting for the game.
Offensively, Behrend had plenty of help with
three players reaching double digits in scoring.
Sophomore forward Victoria Innes led all scorers
with 17 points, while senior guard Brittany Mays
and junior guard Julia Andrus contributed 14 and
12 points respectively. The Lady Lions controlled
The Behrend Beacon I
For the men, there were three relay records bro
ken. Hall, Fairchild, Reese and Spoto broke both
the men's 200 and 400-yard medley relays.
Spoto, Fairchild, Hall, and Tim Porter broke the
400-yard freestyle relay. Fairchild also broke the
200 and 500 yard freestyle record. Spoto broke
the 100-yard freestyle record, and Reese broke the
100-yard butterfly record.
The 2006-07 season has set a high standard for
upcoming seasons. However, because this year
brought in such a large freshmen class, next year
is looking very promising for another successful
season. Information and updates on the ECAC
meet will be posted live throughout the competi
tion on the ECAC website (www.ecac.org) and the
Harvard website (www.gocrimson.com).
AMCC Championship Meet Results
Women's Swimming/Diving
300
Penn State Behrend
Penn State Altoona
Frostburg State
Pitt-Bradford
Men's Swimming/Diving
Penn State Behrend
Penn State Altoona
Frostburg State
Pitt-Bradford
the hoards, out rebounding La Roche 38-29.
In their following game at Lake Erie College
the Behrend squad that head coach Roz Fornari
saw against La Roche was unrecognizable.
"There were two different teams out there on
Wednesday," says Fornari. "The first team was
flat with no intensity and the second team was the
Behrend team."
The first half saw Behrend shoot a horrific 9-
29 from the floor, and 2-9 from beyond the arc.
The Lady Lions were outscored 44-20, and
entered the half with an intimidating hole to
climb out of.
"In the first half our intensity level was flat and
we didn't work through it very well, - says
Fornari. "In the second half we were able focus
and finish. and were much better with our
offense.-
While the Lady Lions were able to fight back
into competition, outscoring the Storm 38-24 in
the second half, their efforts fell short, as Lake
Erie College was able to prevail 68-58. Behrend
was led by Mays and Andrus who scored 21 and
11 respectively in the losing effort.
The Lady Lions will finish their regular season
this Saturday at home against Pitt-Bradford.
AMCC conference tournament play begins Feb.
20.
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