|
SCOTS SCOOP
– Feb. 7, 2008
– Vol.
8, No. 26 WE BLEW IT
Scots Scoop may want some ice cream to put on their humble pie.
We completely missed men’s basketball center Joe Terwelp becoming the
21st member of the men’s the 1,000 point club last week. The senior’s
milestone came with 15:23 left in the second half against Beloit Jan.
26. The over-achieving Terwelp’s current total of 1,008 points ranks him
19th on the Fighting Scots career list, just behind the first Scot to
score 1,000 points – Don Armstrong (’49) from 1945-49.
Terwelp is averaging nearly 16 ppg this season and carries a career
average of just over 13 ppg.
Not to put pressure on you, Joe, but at your current average you
could move past Troy Bennett’s (’04) 1,086 points (1999-2004) and into
14th place by season’s end.
A special Scots Scoop "Thank you" to Terwelp teammate Andy Moore and
Midwest Conference Sports Information Director Matt Troha (’04) for
tipping the Scoop on this one, we appreciate the assist.
SWIMMERS ENTER FINAL STAGES
Monmouth College’s swim teams were more interested in the times than
the final outcome for their dual meet last weekend at Lindenwood
University in St. Charles, Mo.
The Lions, whose men were NAIA national runner-ups in 2007 and women
were fifth, swept the Scots, 217-71 in men’s competition and 155-84 on
the women’s side. The Scots did turn in some impressive times as they
prepare for the Midwest Conference championships in two weeks.
"I had mixed emotions on our performance," said coach Keith Crawford.
"Half our swims were pretty good and half weren’t so great, but this was
one of our tougher opponents. I did feel like we did a nice job of
competing with them."
To make it even tougher, the Scots lost two swimmers early in the
meet. Jessica Holbrook was taken to the hospital after she slipped and
fell on the deck. Teammate Jessica Houser accompanied Holbrook to the
ER, putting the Scots down two swimmers on the women’s side. Holbrook’s
injury check out OK and Crawford expects her to be back in the pool
soon.
Monmouth’s women swept the top two spots in the 1000-yard freestyle.
Heather Plum and Meaghan Gritzenbach finished 1-2 in the distance swim
with times of 11:58.70 and 12:45.56, respectively. Plum also took second
in the 500- freestyle (5:49.65). Anne Lane made her return to the pool a
successful one, touching first in the 200- butterfly (2:20.65) and
finishing second in the 100- freestyle (58.25). Lauren Nelson took first
in the 200- backstroke with a personal-best 2:33.90 and placed third in
the 100- backstroke (1:14.48).Nelson dropped nearly four seconds off her
previous best in the 200- backstroke. In the diving well, Kayce DeRoo
took first in the 1-meter dive with 207.95 points.
Megan Wentzlaff and Jessica DeMink finished 2-3 in two events
– the 200- breaststroke (2:55.39 and 2:57.86,
respectively) and the 200- individual medley (2:37.05 and 2:46.06).
Wentzlaff also finished second in the 200- freestyle (2:18.70) and
DeMink was third in the 100- breaststroke (1:21.68). Lane and Sally
Thomas finished 2-3 in the 100- butterfly (1:04.72 and 1:17.20,
respectively.) Nelson, Wentzlaff, Lane and Plum teamed for a third place
in the 200- medley relay (2:11.13).
Crawford seemed pleased with his women’s squad. "Anne (Lane) had a
nice 200 fly," reported Crawford. "I think she could have got a bit
faster with a little more competition. Heather (Plum) had another good
meet and Lauren (Nelson) continues to improve. Kayce DeRoo’s had a
really nice performance for us in the 1-meter."
The Scots are still missing Kevin Raske, who is nursing an injury, on
the men’s side. Kurt Niemeier returned to the pool for the first time in
two weeks and took first in the 200- freestyle (1:49.63) and the 50-
freestyle (22.90). Kevin Satler swam a personal-best 2:22.62 in the 200-
breaststroke to finish second. "It was nice to get Kurt back in the
water," reported Crawford. "We feel really good about where he is in
terms of rehabbing and getting ready for the conference meet."
Joe Moran and Ryan Bouwman finished 2-3 in the 200- butterfly
(2:27.82 and 2:29.06, respectively). Chad Rowland and Ed Novak had a 2-3
finish in the 500- freestyle (5:15.12 and 5:15.68, respectively).
Rowland also took a third in the 1000- freestyle (10:58.90). Other
thirds came from Jon Peterson in the 100- breaststroke (1:04.90); Josh
Van Swol in the 200- backstroke (2:07.87); John Kaiser in the 100-
butterfly (58.37); and Harrsion Heilman in the 200- individual medley
(2:11.81). The 200- freestyle relay team of Dan Campione, Tom Pederson,
Kaiser and Niemeier swam to a second place finish (1:34.26).
All things considered, Crawford was upbeat about the Scots’
performance. "Josh Van Swol had another good performance in the 200
back," claimed Crawford. "Jack Clifford was outstanding for us in the
1-meter. Steve Whittle went under a minute for the first time in the 100
fly (59.26). I’m hoping in two weeks we’ll see 90-percent of our
swimmers have season-best times."
Divers DeRoo and Clifford will compete this Saturday at Illinois
Wesleyan while the rest of the Scots are off until the MWC Championships
held Feb. 15-17 in Appleton, Wis. The Scots’ men finished second at last
year’s meet, their highest finish since the 1967-68 season. The Monmouth
women placed fourth, the highest finish in the three-year history of the
women’s program.
HI HO, HI HO, IT’S OFF TO WORK WE GO
By many track programs’ standards, the Monmouth College track team
had a decent meet at the Cornell Hilltop Invitational at Mt. Vernon,
Iowa last weekend. By Monmouth standards it could have been better.
"We weren’t very good," said MC track coach Roger Haynes of his
team’s performance at the meet where no team scores were kept. "We’ve
got some work to do."
Although the Scots were not up to their usual high standards, they
did see performances that resulted in four provisional marks and two
personal-bests.
The freshmen women ruled the day. Freshman Mary Kate Beyer logged a
personal-best in winning the women’s 3,000-meters. Her time of 10:57.99
was a little more than seven seconds off the school record.
"Mary Kate ran really well," praised Haynes. "She ran a very strong
second leg of that race."
Another freshman, Jae Moore, took third in the 55-meters (7.69) and
was eighth in the 200- (27.99). Classmate Heather Hull ran to a
fourth-place finish in the 55- hurdles (10.13) and was tied for sixth in
the high jump (4’9-3/4). Freshman Morgan Leffel jumped to eighth place
in the long jump (15’5-1/2) and classmate Whitney Didier captured eighth
in the triple jump (31’9-1/2).
The Scots upperclassmen contributed in the pole vault, throws and
high jump. Senior Jessica White cleared 11’5-3/4 to win the pole vault
and freshman Whitney Didier took sixth (9’0-1/4). Senior Jenny Babos and
sophomore Gloria Lehr finished 5-6 in the shot put
– Babos turned in a personal-best 40’3-1/4 and Lehr put
the shot 40’1-1/2. While encouraged by Babos’ new best in the shot,
Haynes knows she can throw even better – she threw approximately four
feet further during warmups. Had she duplicated that in the finals, she
would have won the event by more than a foot.
Babos also finished third in the weight throw, while improving on her
provisional mark with a throw of 51’5-1/2. Senior Megan Clennon finished
second in the high jump (5’1-3/4) and freshman Sarah Stinson took fourth
(4’9-3/4). Shannon Turczyn logged a finals-qualifying time in the 55-
hurdles (9.12), but was unable to compete in the finals event.
While neither improved on their previous provisional marks for the
men, senior Zach Wilson and freshman Logan Hohl recorded provisional
marks in the weight throw and 55-meter hurdles, respectively. Wilson won
the weight throw with his provisional mark of 58’11-1/4 which was also a
track record at Cornell. Hohl’s time in the 55- hurdles (7.73) was good
for second. Wilson also won the shot put (50’5-1/2).
The 4x400 relay team of Hohl, Brad Gross, Jacob Stott and Luke
Reschke won the event in a time of 3:24.21. Sophomore Sean Wells’ mark
of 6’2 was good for first in the high jump and freshman Tyler Hannam
took ninth (5’10).
"Sean (Wells) is making really solid technical improvement," reported
Haynes. "He’s starting to understand the event and putting everything
together well."
Reschke clocked a second-place time in the 200- meters (23.08), Hohl
was second (23.15) and Gross finished seventh (23.35). Seth Leitner’s
800- performance was good for eighth (2:02.68), just in front of
teammate Clay Staley (2:02.88). Staley finished fourth in the 3000-meter
run (9:05.80). "Seth (Leitner) had a good day for us," said Haynes. "He
ran a fast leadoff leg in the distance medley relay and had a good leg
in the 4x4. He had a nice day that’s worth mentioning."
In the pole vault, Peter Sprecher cleared 14’5-1/4 to capture third
and freshman Brock McAnally finished in a tie for fifth with a height of
12’11-1/5. Brad Begyn recorded an eighth-place finish in the mile run
(4:36.52). Haynes reports the approach in the vault may have affected
Sprecher’s performance. "The pole vault approach is a tight fit and
Peter didn’t have the extra few feet he needs to really vault well,"
reported Haynes.
The Scots’ distance medley relay team of Leitner, Patrick Mundshenk,
Tim Bentz and Craig Maher clocked a time of 11:24.04 to finish sixth.
Michael Blodgett took sixth in the triple jump (39’8-1/2). Nick Law made
it to the finals of the long jump, finishing ninth with a mark of
19’10-1/4. Peyton Lumzy took seventh in the weight throw (45’4-1/4) and
eighth in the shot (45’4-1/4).
While the Scots’ performances were anything but stellar by MC
standards, they weren’t the only athletes searching for answers
Saturday. "It’s a brand new track," said Haynes. "A lot of athletes from
other teams were talking to me wondering why they were running so slow
as well. It might be a bit tighter than what we’re used to. Our kids
know it wasn’t a great meet for us, but they’re determined to get
better. It will be an interesting week of practice for sure."
Monmouth travels to Bloomington this Saturday for the Illinois
Wesleyan Invitational.
IT’S NOT NICE TO FOOL MOTHER NATURE
The Scots’ men’s and women’s basketball teams may want to change the
adman’s saying to "It’s not nice to fool WITH Mother Nature."
A snow storm predicted to arrive about the time the Scots were to
travel to Grinnell, Iowa for their games with the Pioneers forced the
teams to postpone their meetings to Mon., Feb. 18 at Grinnell. The game
times will remain the same.
Also put on hold is Ashley Yeast’s pursuit of the school’s career
rebounding record. The 6-1 center is just two rebounds from tying
rebounding legend Roger Sander’s record mark of 939 career boards. In a
strange twist of fate, Yeast should break the all-time school record for
men or women in the first game of this weekend’s double-header against
Lawrence. Yeast set the women’s career mark of 810 rebounds in December
against – Lawrence.
Friday’s probable record-setting performance by Yeast will be
available on the web at
http://www.midwestconference.tv/.
A RETURN TO THE COURT – PART I
Saying "It’s never a good thing" to have two weeks off in the last
third of the season, Monmouth men’s basketball coach Mark Vershaw is
ready to get his team back on the court after a nearly two-week layoff.
The snow storm that blanketed the Midwest pushed the Scots’ return to
the court back from the original 10-day break to a 13-day layoff.
Vershaw was able to use the extra practice time to prepare and repair
for the final six games. "We’ve been able to look at a few things," said
Vershaw. "We’ve had a chance to work on some problem areas in practice.
We should be well-rested and ready to come out and give it a good effort
for 40 minutes."
A good effort will be needed this weekend – the Scots travel to No.
23-ranked Lawrence for a Friday night matchup and then visit the team
that just handed the Vikings their first league loss last Saturday –
Carroll. "This will be a tough weekend, we’ll have our work cut out for
us," claimed Vershaw. "Carroll showed what a resilient and tough group
of kids they have. A week after they fell to Knox, they come back and
beat a nationally ranked team in overtime."
After the long break, Vershaw is hoping his "well rested" team will
put forth a full 40 minutes of effort and execution, but knows his
team’s history on double-header weekends. "It’s a concern," he said of
the team’s struggles on the second day of a long weekend. "That’s
something that has plagued us this year. We’ve come out flat on Day 2.
We need to come out and play a solid 40 minutes both days."
While the Scots’ playoff chances aren’t quite as strong as they were
a few weeks ago, they can still have a vote in determining the league
champion. Including this weekend, Monmouth will have games with five of
the top six teams in the standings.
Call it the Midwest Conference version of "Super Tuesday."
A RETURN TO THE COURT
– PART II
"Super Tuesday" wasn’t for the Fighting Scots teams. The winter storm
that postponed the Scots’ return to the court disrupted a women’s team
anxious to get back into the fray.
"We were ready to play Tuesday, but the weather didn’t cooperate,"
said coach Melissa Jones. "The long break has made it difficult to
focus, but we have had a chance to make some adjustments. At this point
of the season, most of what we do is set, so it’s a matter of improving
what we do."
The Scots travel to Appleton, Wis., Friday night for a rematch with
Lawrence. The Scots needed overtime in December to clip the Vikings
75-70. Viking all-conference player Jenny Stoner suffered a broken hand
during that stretch and Kelly Mulcahy, another Viking all-conference
performer has also been sidelined with an injury. "Having two returning
all-conference players out for long stretches has hurt," reported Jones
of the Vikings injuries. "It wouldn’t surprise me if they were both
healed up and ready for us."
If the Scots want to make up some ground in the MWC race, they’ll
need to be ready for this weekend. After a tough and perhaps healthy
Lawrence squad Friday, the Scots play at Carroll Saturday. Carroll
defeated the Scots at Glennie Gym 59-49 in December. "We need to win on
the road if we want to be one of the top teams in the conference," said
Jones. "We were very flat against Carroll the first time. We must have
intensity and supply our own spark. It’s a must-have on the road. We
need to be the aggressor from the beginning. I think they’re a beatable
team, but we’ve got to show we can win on the road."
Heading into the weekend, the Scots are tied for fifth in the MWC
with Grinnell. They’re both two games back on the loss side behind
fourth-place Beloit.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
It’s been exactly 70 years since the legendary Bobby Woll guided the
Monmouth College men’s tennis team to the Fighting Scots’ last
– and only – conference team title.
Head coach Chad Braun will have two returners with conference titles
and hopes to use that experience coupled with talented newcomers to
duplicate Woll’s feat of 1938. "We’re going to be well-balanced,"
reported Braun, now entering his fifth year at the helm. "We have six
very solid players, so I think we’ll be tough to beat. We should be
exceptionally tough at doubles."
Although last years’ No. 1 singles player, Jared Kunkle was lost to
graduation, the cupboard is not bare. Junior Kyle Korb (Quincy,
Ill./Quincy), who last year saw action at No. 1 singles late in the
season, is back and expected to hold the top spot. "Kyle has some
experience at No. 1 coming in," said Braun. "He played very well for us
in that spot last year. He’s matured some and got a lot of confidence
from playing No. 1 last year."
Senior Kevin Kamenjarin (Alsip, Ill./Marist) is expected to hold the
No. 2 singles spot and team with Korb at No. 1 doubles. Korb should be
excited about the pairing – Kamenjarin has more doubles victories than
anyone in the history of the program (55). Kamenjarin experienced his
best season as a sophomore, when he posted a 17-9 record and teamed with
Kunkle to win the conference title at No. 2 doubles. Braun expects his
senior to be extremely focused for his final season. "Kevin has realized
this is it," said Braun. "He’s a senior now, so I think he has a sense
of urgency this season and wants to go out the right way."
The Scots will have a freshman with a name synonymous to tennis
greatness holding down the No. 3 singles spot. Sam Graf (Mascoutah,
Ill./Mascoutah) – no relation to Steffi – has impressed Braun in
practice. Saying he has improved "a lot" since his high school career,
Braun is anxious to see what his recruit can do. "He’s going to gain
some experience," reported Braun. "He’s a much more powerful player than
he was in high school. He has a lot of tools. It will be a case of him
learning to manufacture points. He should have a good year for us."
The battle for the Scots’ No. 4 spot is still raging – and that’s
good news for the Scots. Fiery senior Matt Moser (Des Plaines,
Ill./Maine West), who could be matched with Graf on the No. 2 doubles
team, may have the early inside track on the No. 4 singles spot over
junior Eric Brandhorst (Quincy, Ill./Quincy) who will make his
collegiate tennis debut this weekend. "Eric was a guy I recruited a
couple of years ago," said Braun. "He decided to concentrate on his fine
arts studies the first couple of years, but has decided to return to
tennis this season. We’re glad to have him."
A conference champion in high school, Brandhorst is expected to have
an impact on the Scots program once he regains his old form – something
Braun expects to happen fairly soon. "We’re going to ease him back into
it, but he’s already striking the ball extremely well," praised Braun.
"He’s definitely going to be a huge asset for us this year."
Moser, who was 13-6 a year ago and trails only the graduated Alex
Carter in career singles wins (49 and 54, respectively), adds
experience, success and flavor to the Scots’ program. "Matt wears his
emotions on his sleeve, that’s what makes him go," praised Braun. Moser
is also the only singles champion in the history of Scots men’s tennis,
winning the title at No. 5 singles in 2006. He may have added another
title last year at No. 4 if not for leg cramps in the finals.
A "very athletic" freshman – Ben Morrow (Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) –
has laid claim to the No. 6 spot. With good ground strokes, Braun
expects Morrow to be a significant contributor to the team’s success.
"He just needs to learn to manage his game and gain some consistency
with his serves," said Braun. Morrow and Brandhorst are projected to
form the No. 3 doubles pairing.
Sophomore Alexander Potts (Willowbrook, Ill./Hinsdale South) and
freshman Tony Castro (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) round out the Scots’
squad. "Potts and Castro are working extremely hard," reported Braun.
"They’re coming into the season with a great work ethic and attitude.
We’re looking forward to working with them this season."
Braun sees the Midwest Conference race in the south division
clear-cut – at least for the top seed. "Grinnell is loaded," reported
Braun. "After that, it’s a four-way race for the one remaining spot in
the conference team tournament."
If Braun and Co. get their way, the perfect blend of experience and
youth could mean a return to the past and a conference title.
GRAPPLING WITH FAME
This weekend, retired Monmouth College wrestling coach Mike Olson
will be inducted into his fourth Hall of Fame and his second in less
than a year.
Olson, who coached no less than seven sports at Monmouth, was
selected for inclusion in the University of North Carolina-Pembroke Hall
of Fame. Last October the veteran coach, already a member of the
Jamestown College Hall of Fame and the NAIA Wrestling Coaches Hall of
Fame, was inducted into Upper Iowa University’s Hall of Fame for his
accomplishments while serving as the Peacocks’ wrestling coach from
1966-71.
Following a successful career at Upper Iowa which produced 15
all-Americans and five national champions, Olson took his talents to
UNCP. He led the Braves for 10 seasons, compiling a 143-32 career record
at Pembroke while mentoring 16 all-Americans, as well as 29
all-conference and 69 all-district honorees. The Braves won nine
district championships under Olson’s watch, as well as five consecutive
(1977-81) Carolinas Conference titles.
Olson, the school’s all-time winningest coach in terms of winning
percentage (.817), recorded 14 or more dual meet victories in seven of
his 10 seasons at Pembroke, including an 18-2 mark during the 1972-73
campaign after turning in a 17-3 clip the previous season. He is the
only coach in the history of the UNCP wrestling program to record a
perfect season as well, leading the Black and Gold to an unblemished
12-0 record during the 1979-80 season.
"I’m humbly grateful to be included in the names that are already in
the hall of fame there," said Olson. "I am very excited and I am very
deeply privileged to have this honor. We took a program and built a
foundation and that’s all I wanted to do. The kids bought into it and I
had great athletes that worked their tails off. It is amazing to me to
see it shine still as one of the best wrestling programs in the
country."
Olson’s 39-year coaching record in wrestling stands at an amazing
428-95-1 in dual meets. During his tenure, he produced 61 All-Americans
and eight national championships at six collegiate institutions. He
coached at Monmouth College from 1990 until his retirement following the
2005 football season. His 1997 team posted the only Midwest Conference
wrestling title in school history.
Olson will be inducted at Pembroke Feb. 8 along with UNCP women’s
basketball standout Ginnell Curtis. The pair will be honored at the 2008
Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet in the UC Annex. Their likeness
and name will be permanently displayed on UNCP’s Wall of Honor as well.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Fri., Feb. 8
Women’s Basketball – at Lawrence, 5:30
pm
Men’s Basketball – at Lawrence, 7:30 pm
Sat., Feb. 9
Men’s Tennis – at Carthage (Racine Tennis Club) with Concordia
(Wis.), Noon
Swimming – Divers Only – at Illinois Wesleyan Titan Diving
Invitational, 11:00 am
Indoor Track – at Illinois Wesleyan Invitational, 11:30 am
Women’s Basketball – at Carroll, 1:00 pm
Men’s Basketball – at Carroll, 3:00 pm
Wed., Feb. 13
Women’s Basketball – at Knox, 5:30 pm
Men’s Basketball – at Knox, 7:30 pm
*Basketball games are available on the web at
http://www.midwestconference.tv/
SCOTSIVATIONAL
"Quitting is only a short cut to losing". - Anonymous |
