SWIMMING & DIVING SET FOR HOME OPENER ON WEDNESDAY
The Clark University women’s swimming and diving team will step onto the pool deck undefeated in their home opening meet at the Kneller Athletic Center on Wednesday (6 p.m.). Unfortunately, so will their competition.
The Cougars (3-0) will face off against Bridgewater State College, which also enter tonight’s meet with an unbeaten 3-0 mark. Last year, Clark lost to the Bears by just two points (149-147).
“Last year’s meet came down to the last relay and we were out-touched by .03, said head coach Paul E. Phillips. “We want to defend our home pool while staying focused on our long-term goals for the season.
Clark has only lost to Bridgewater twice (2007 & 2004, 139-155) in the last eight years.
While the women are stocked with veteran talent, including freestylers Britney Wigley and Liz Rosen; backstroke specialist Dana Akerfelds, and butterflier Kayleigh Lagasse, the Cougars will also introduce nine newcomers to the enthusiasm of home opening day.
“Our season goals will only be accomplished with 100% contribution from every person,” Phillips said. “This is not an exercise in individualism – this needs to be a full team effort every day.”
Freshman Erin Smith, who earned the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) first-ever Swimmer of the Week award after stellar marks in her first two meets, should push to add some points to the board Wednesday, while first-year divers Alex Wohler, Eileen Garcia, and Jordan Heller will contribute to the team’s efforts as well.
Not to be outdone by the Cougar women, the Clark men’s team (2-0) will also be competing against their Bridgewater counterparts tonight. The Cougars have beaten the Bears (1-1) the last three times the teams have met.
Senior Drew Jackson, a multiple school record holder, is expected to lead the group which also includes up-and-coming backstroker Ryan Garr and first-years Cooper Hart and Lamar Duffy. Senior Captain Tim O’Keefe’s leadership has pushed the team forward over the past four years.
“Our freshman guys have done well but they are still adjusting,” said Phillips. “They need to continue forming an identity as a class. Some guys are giving a tremendous effort every day including Josh Yocum and Cory Coose.”
Additionally, the Cougars also welcome back Dan Howard (butterfly) and Brian Walsh (freestyle). “Dan had a breakout year last season and followed up with a lot of hard work in the weight room over the summer,” Phillips added. “I cannot say enough about his preparation for the season and his commitment to the team. While Brian put up the 3rd fastest time in Clark history in the 1650 as a sophomore. He is capable of getting back to where he was and beyond this season.”
While both the women and the men’s squads have all of the strokes covered, the diving board is well-armed as well. Jess Baker is in her fourth season on the boards – and a multi sport athlete (rowing). Senior Sal Pezzella, a top-five diver in the conference as a freshman - has returned after a year and a half away from the sport. Both divers should boost the group to the next level – and sophomore Greg Wetmore has been an integral part of the emergence of the diving contingent. First-year Sam Moody and junior Mark Stabile are converted gymnasts who have shown promise on the boards.
“I am so excited about our diving group,” said Phillips. “They are hard working, dedicated and enthusiastic. They are eager to make their presence felt on the team this year.”
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CLARK WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GEARS UP FOR
WORCESTER CITY TOURNAMENT
The Clark University women’s basketball season will get underway at the 27th annual Worcester City Tip-Off Tournament held at WPI’s Harrington Auditorium this weekend.
The Cougars, the defending Worcester City Champions, will face off against Worcester State College on Friday (8 p.m.). WPI will take on Nichols College in the earlier game that same day at 6 p.m. The consolation and championship games are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively, on Saturday.
“This tournament is always very competitive,” said long-time head coach Pat Glispin. “Any of the four teams can win it and any of those teams can go 0-2. It’s always a very exciting match-up. We’ve been fortunate to do pretty well in the tournament over the years. We’ll see how it turns out this weekend.”
Winners of 11 of the last 12 titles, including 18 total championships, Clark returns to the court after a disappointing 8-17 season. However, with 11 veterans back and a strong recruiting class, the Cougars hope to get back to their winning ways.
“We return a strong senior class and our first-year class is equally as talented,” Glispin said. “So, the key for us this year will be how well we can accept roles and blend together as a team.”
Clark welcomes back all but one starter. Top returning scorers include Sarah Roderigue (17.5 ppg) and Jillian Camilleri (11.9 ppg), while senior Sara Hagstrom (5.24 apg) returns as the team’s floor general.
The list of newcomers looking to make an impact include guard Maggie Croft (East Aurora, N.Y.), forward Kate Minister (Manchester, England), who’s brother Jack Minister plays for the men’s team, guard Michelle Chambers (Bronx, N.Y.) and guard Ivori Aiken (Harlem, N.Y.).
Entering the tournament with two games under its belt, Worcester State was also 8-17 last season.
Leading the list of Lancer returnees is sophomore Alexis George, who averaged 10.5 points per game.
“For us, it’s our season opener,” Glispin said. “The other teams have played a little bit, so I don’t know if that’s a plus or a minus. We’ll have to see how that plays out.”
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GIACOBBE RUNS FOR A REASON
Clark University men's rower Russell Giacobbe, from Nyack, N.Y., ran in the New York City Marathon to benefit the Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, N.Y. The senior captain raised $3,600 in the event.
"The wall hit me pretty hard around mile 20," Giacobbe said to the New York Lower Hudson Valley Journal News. "My left leg was cramping up. ... I'm content with my time. I re-evaluated during the race and said, 'Let's shoot for under four hours and get across the finish line.' I don't think I fully comprehended how bad it would be. But going across the finish line was one of the most amazing feelings I've had in my life."
Giacobbe finished the marathon in a time of 3:53.22.
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CLARK UNIVERSITY ALUM DR. FISH SPEAKS TO ATHLETES
Dr. Joel Fish ’76 came back to his alma mater to deliver a message on mental toughness to over 200 student-athletes at Clark University’s Atwood Hall this past Thursday.
Fish, a former two-year Cougar baseball player, is a nationally recognized expert in sports psychology. He has worked extensively with athletes of all ages and skills levels, from youth sport through the Olympic and professional ranks. Dr. Fish has been a sport psychology consultant for the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, the Philadelphia Phillies Organization, the Philadelphia Charge, and the USA Women’s National Soccer Team.
Prior to the session with the athletes, Dr. Fish encouraged coaches to devote 15 minutes a week to the mental aspect of the game. He urged the coaches to participate in exercises with their teams to discover how each athlete handles pressure. “It is a tangible thing that we as coaches can do to better help us relate and communicate with the college athlete of today,” said head lacrosse coach Evan Davis.
Dr. Fish talked to the student-athletes about the five big mental skills necessary for success: confidence, composure, concentration, communication and cohesion. Speaking on composure, he said, “when an athlete gets caught up in the moment and feels the pressure of competition, each individual needs to implement their own action plan to calm themselves down.”
Also, in an effort to sustain motivation and maintain enthusiasm throughout the season, Dr. Fish asked the athletes to think about who makes them laugh and smile the most on their team and gravitate towards that person.
“It was interesting to hear about the mental part of the game, because we spend so much time concentrating on the physical part,” said Lauren King ’10, a co-captain on the women’s soccer team. “Even though our season is over, it was helpful to hear those things and try to implement some for next year.”
Speaking as an alum, as well as a trained sports psychologists, Dr. Fish concluded by acknowledging the unique opportunity he had at Clark. In the end, he told the athletes to hold strong to the relationships with their teammates and to the University.
Dr. Fish has spoken nationwide on sport psychology at over 200 universities and is a popular presenter at a variety of athletic functions. He is currently the Director of The Center for Sport Psychology in Philadelphia. Dr. Fish received his B.A. from Clark University, an M.A. from Temple University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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The highlights for this newsletter are provided by
Dalya Qualls, Sports Information Director, 508-793-7164.
Email: dqualls@clarku.edu
Newsletter designed by Joe Brady
(Head Women's Soccer Coach/Athletic Web Site Administrator)
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SWIMMING & DIVING SET FOR HOME OPENER ON WEDNESDAY
