S PORTS
Spring predictions: Golf potential champs, Women's LAX buoyed by strong defense
February 11, 2011
By Will Cornelius
Staff Writer
Here we go, Quaker Nation. It's once again the spring
semester, and this year's athletic schedules are packed with
more than enough action to keep you on the edge of your
seats. Been slacHng with your own Quaker coverage? No
problem. I am back to bring you the inside scoop, and
maybe even dazzle you with some possibly preposterous
predictions. Let's get started, shall we ...
Baseball
Overview: This year, Quakers look to rebound from their
14-23 campaign a year ago with a steady blend of senior
leadership and underclassmen talent. The addition of full
time pitching coach, Daniel Hadra, has quickly solidified the
pitching staff while the newly completed Maynard Batting
Center has provided its own advantages and will certainly
benefit the offense this spring.
Don't sleep on 'em: Although the Guilford baseball
players haven't been showered with love in the preseason
polls, the team has high expectations for the upcoming
season. Guilford's main strength this year are its 11 seniors,
led by undisputed offensive juggernaut, Kyle Wooden, who
has led the team in RBIs the past two seasons. The Quakers
look poised to make a run amidst the sea of doubters, as they
continue rolling after a emotional win this past weekend
against perennial power Piedmont.
They said it: "Our whole team lives at the field and all of
us cannot wait to get the season underway," said Wooden.
"We are going to shock some teams that perennially get the
best of us."
The final call: (24-16; 9-9 ODAC)
Although the Quakers may appear less talented than in
years past, there is a new attitude present amongst the team.
I expect this new mantra to carry the Quakers all the way to
Lynchburg for their first conference tournament appearance
since 2006.
Golf
Overview: The men's golf team is already battle-tested.
Because they benefit from playing a fall and spring season,
the Quakers have been in action since newly-hired Corey
Maggard took over the program in August 2010. New
coach, same outcome. Guilford currently sits number one in
the polls after an unblemished fall, and looks the favorite to
make a run for yet another D-III national championship.
Dynamic Duo: The Quakers look to sophomore Noah
Ratner and junior Matt Hennick to continue carrying the
brunt of the load this spring. Ratner led the team in stroke
average this fall with a startling 72.3, while Hennick
remained hot on his heels with a 72.5 stroke average of his
own. Ratner and Hennick also account for two of Maggard's
three golfers who have scored under 70 this season, the other
being junior Dusty Roberts.
They said it: "The guys know they kind of have a target
on their back, but all of us are out there everyday gearing
up and preparing to the bring the trophy home in the end,"
said Maggard.
The final call: don't be at all surprised if the Quakers find
their way back into the NCAA National Championships. In
fact, don't be totally shocked if they win the whole thing. I'm
giving them the early edge, especially since the tournament
is held in our own backyard at the Grandover Resort.
Softball
Overview: The Guilford softball Quakers are, without
question on the right path under head-man Dennis Shores.
When Shores took over in 2007, the softball program was
consistently on the bottom end of the ODAC standings.
Since then. Shores has done nothing but steadily improve
the number of wins each season, culminating a best 28-win
season a year ago.
Full House: Look for the softball squad to be yet again
loaded with talent. The ladies lost just two players from last
year's record-setting season and also return First Team All-
ODAC selection Kimberly Keys. Also coming back is the
Quaker's power-threat in senior Julie Langseth, the team's
leader in home runs last season. Jessica Burcham and Shelby
Bowser both return to add a veteran pitching-attack to the
total package.
They said it: "We just need to be disciplined, as a team, in
our approach, so we can stay focused for the entire season
and hopefully bring back an ODAC Championship in the
process," said Langseth.
The final call: (29-7; 14-4 ODAC)
The softball team exudes confidence. And as well they
should. I expect them to continue winning during the 2011
season. Although softball will face off with perennial foes
Bridgewater and Roanoke on the road. Shores and the
Quakers will turn heads again and bring home an ODAC
title in the process.
Women’s Lacrosse
Overview: The women's lacrosse team enters the 2011
campaign with a firm grasp on their new identity, working
around the graduation of three major offensive contributors.
The Quakers will thus aim for a more balanced offensive
attack, pressuring defenses with longer possessions and
fewer turnovers. The team's second-leading scorer from
last season, junior Summer Frazier, returns to help senior
attackers Hannah Merrell and Kaitlin Feeney stabilize the
offense.
Defense Wins Championships: Another stark difference
between this year and last is the heightened focus on defense.
Junior Kathryn Carella has emerged as the defense's vocal
leader, and must work in unison with experienced defenders
Sarah Bradburd and Meaghan Dill in order to anchor the
black half of the field. The defense also has the luxury of
a game-changing caliber goalkeeper in sophomore Liza
Mettler.
They said it: "It comes down to defense, possession and
transition," said head coach Matt Grosso. "That is our focus,
and if we can do those things I think we will really surprise
some teams this year."
The final call: (8-8; 4-4 ODAC)
Don't expect offensive shootouts like in years past. The
Quakers will keep games more manageable with better
defense, but will also sorely miss the scoring triumvirate
from last season.
Men’s Lacrosse
Overview: The men's lacrosse team is, without a doubt,
under construction. In fact, last year's 3-13 season is a distant
memory and first-year head coach Tom Carmean is already
hard at work helping his team to forget the past while also
getting them mentally-prepared to face a powerful ODAC
conference.
Right Frame of Mind: The players have already begun
to respond to the upbeat and positive attitude of Carmean,
an 11-year professional player himself. In addition to an
established mutual trust, Carmean holds a balanced diet of
experienced seniors and talented first-years. Leading the
charge will be junior Chris Sisk, the team's second-leading
scorer from a year ago, and a much-improved goalie in senior
Mark Guillen.
The final call: (6-10; 2-5 ODAC)
It would really be one of those "Rocky" type efforts for the
Quakers to make a run at the title this year, but I certainly
expect them to progress and move forward. Coach Carmean
is steering them in the right direction.
Track & Field
Overview: Both the men's and women's track and field
teams are already off and running ... yes, pun intended. In
just its third season, the track and field program continues to
build by bringing in a talented class of first-years. This year,
it is first-year Taylor Stokes, a distance runner fo the women,
who has already made her mark on the Guilford record
books. For the men, first-year Jonathan Smith has jumped on
the scene quickly, and has already set a school record in the
200-meter dash.
Maybe there is an 'T in team: For neither the men's nor
women's teams have the Quakers posted a team score this
season. Individually, however, Guilford track and field
is beginning to make its mark. Stokes, who placed in the
South/Southeast Regional Championship this past fall,
broke school records in the mile and 3K. On the men's side,
first-year Michael Mellinger emerged in the 400-meter dash
with a time of 52.49 seconds, also a new school record. First-
year Dylan Skinner legged out a season-low 4:33 mile time,
good enough for 23rd overall and also proving the lowest
time for any D-III contestant.
They said it: "We're pretty close as a team...and with good
workouts each week, we are getting better all the time," said
Stokes. "If we maintain and stay healthy, then we will come
See "Predictions" On Page 16
Whats Going On in Guilford
last week's ganIes /^b match es
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Feb. 9 GUILFORD 68 Washington and Lee 57*
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Feb. 4 GUILFORD 65 Randolph-Macon 82*
Feb. 5 GUILFORD 68 Virginia Wesleyan 55*
BASEBALL
Feb. 6 GUILFORD 0 Piedmont 19
Feb. 7 GUILFORD 12 Piedmont 3
Feb. 9 Guilford 2 Methodist 5
MEN’S LACROSSE
Feb. 5 GUILFORD 6 Catawba 9!
Key:*-ODAC match !-Scrimmage Home Team in CAPS
UPCOMING games AND MATCHES
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Feb. 12 GUILFORD v Randolph*
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Feb. 11 GUILFORD v Washington and Lee*
Feb. 12 GUILFORD v Lynchburg*
SWIMMING
Feb. 11,12,13 ODAC/ Atlantic States Championships
BASEBALL
Feb. 10 GUILFORD V Bluefield State
Feb. 12 GUILFORD v Southern Virginia
WOMEN’S AND MEN’S TENNIS
Feb. 12 GUILFORD v Winston-Salem State
Feb. 13 GUILFORD v Greensboro
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
Feb. 12 Vince Brown Invitational