12
WWW.GUlLFORDIAN.COM
First-year athletes develop on and off the field
By Omrlotte Cloyd
Staff Writer
Figiiring out how to live on your own in college is hard
enough. But add playing a sport on the varsity level to that
transition from high school to college.
Deciding whether to play sports on the collegiate level is
a no-brainer for some college first-years, while others must
consider whether or not pursuing their high school athletic
glory is a realistic option.
"I'm planning on running all four years," said first-year
cross-country runner Joseph Rangel. For Rangel, running
was always his intention. "With Guilford being a Division III
school, I can be on the team and practice and run."
For athletes playing college level sports. Division I schools
require even more time from
students, and coaches are
more likely to play fewer
athletes than a Division III
school like Guilford College
would.
Some athletes know
that pursuing their sport
is not always the easiest
option, especially when the
competition amongst players
is heightened at the college
level.
According to senior Sarah
Stangl, who played soccer at
Guilford during her first year,
the commitment to playing
soccer did not hold as much
importance for her as pursuing
other opportunities on campus. intend to stick with the sport they love, coaches and teammates
"There were too many people on the team, and there wasn't can help ease the stress that first-years may be experiencing
very equal playing time," she said. "The coach preferred to now that schoolwork and practice schedules have begun to
play the starters despite other people's efforts in practice." merge as we hit the fourth week of school.
As a result, Stangl joined the ultimate Frisbee team. College not only offers students a broad academic playing
"I decided I wanted to play a sport that was more field, but an accessible and varied literal playing field as well,
egalitarian," said Stangle. "People are really invested in not so do not be afraid to peruse the opportunities available on
only their own improvement, but also others' improvement." Guilford's campus.
Once students decide to commit themselves to a particular
sport, the obvious roadblock of being part of a new team as
well as living independently from family makes itself known.
"I've never had this type of responsibility," said first-year
baseball player Dexter Allen when considering the difficulties
of time management in a new environment that is both more
academically demanding as well as athletically challenging.
"It's a totally different type of learning and responsibility. I'm
actually really proud of myself for staying on top of stuff."
Varsity sports do not appeal to everyone, but for those who
do wish to commit a large part of their college experience to
sports, the coaching staff are there to support them.
"The first day, the first meeting, is all about time
management," said head cross country coach Bill Cason.
"When they have grades, we ask for them. There's not much
they can hide."
Coaches not only check
on grades, but also schedule
open office hours and study
halls for the students to
attend.
Demanding conditioning
I" and practice schedules
^ quickly drain time from
§ students' already busy days.
the coaching
f'" i
0 Fortunately,
1 staff and upperclassmen on
gi the teams help the first-years
First-year Chad Gunton prepares to kick a soccer ball during
seasonal practice on Armfield Athletic Center.
grapple with their transition.
"All of the upperclassmen
are really welcoming," said
Allen. "They're eager to coach
and learn."
For those students who
Juggling school and sports provides a
workout for athletic Bonners
By Ellen Nicholas
Staff Writer
The demands of college life can be
intense and stressful for any student.
Juggling classes, clubs, and friends
is at times strenuous, even for the
average college student. Add to that at
least 140 hours of community service
per semester, extra meetings, and a
sport and you have the demanding
life of athletes in the Bonner Scholar
program.
"There are a lot of meetings," said
Lily Wotkyns, junior soccer player
and Bonner Scholar. "We have family
Bonner meetings and then we have
our site meeting where we train
people and it's just all of that, it gets
really packed. My day is always
packed. I'm always at meetings,
classes, and soccer. Nothing else. But
it's worth it."
Bonner athletes have hectic
schedules and numerous obligations
that require their full, whole-hearted
commitment. Though their schedules
are jam-packed, Bonner athletes agree
that it is fully worth the effort.
"It's very worth it," said senior
soccer player Kereith Pinnock. "I
wouldn't give it up. I feel like the
Bonner program has done so much
for me. It pretty much allows me to
(attend Guilford), so that's where my
real responsibility lies. It's definitely
worth it."
"Definitely (worth it)," said
Wotkyns. "Love it. Love the people. I
can't stress enough how fun it is. We
may work a lot, but it's for the fun
and for the other people. We all have
a goal to change someone's life."
Some may think twice about
whether a student could be successful
in the Bonner program while also
balancing the regular demands of
college and playing a sport. Director
of Community Learning James Shields
does not give preferential treatment
to Bonner athletes.
"That being said, some of our
best students have been athletes,"
said Shields. "They understand the
importance of discipline, disciplining
themselves. They understand the
importance of working within the
confines of a system."
The Bonner Scholar program has
around 60 members at Guilford, 13 of
whom are also athletes.
"Not enough hours in the day, I
guess," said Pinnock when asked
about the drawbacks of the program.
"It's a big balancing act with soccer,
homework and Bonner but I feel like
once you get your time management
down it's not too bad. But it is a time
commitment."
Though the downside of a large time
commitment seemed to be a common
thread, there was also agreement that
it was all well worth it.
"I feel like being a Bonner has
allowed me to find something that I
really care about at Guilford and really
work with that," said Pinnock. "It's
given me, I guess, a greater purpose
over the last three years."
The appreciation and connection
these athletes felt with the Bonner
program was deeply apparent, and
what they gain from it seems to far
outweigh what they give up.
Wotkyns succinctly summed up
this feeling, saying, "Bonner love all
the way."
3. Taylor Phillips -
ii^ieybaii
138- digs - named to All-
Tournament Team Greensboro
Invitational Tournament-Team
1-4
4» Sarah Bradburd »
_ . . .
Soccer
2 goals -Team 3^0
5. Ben King - FootbaU^^
10 reception^ TjrLB^dsg^
-feffird-l
BmmaGimn -
Vptleyball
46 kills *^1eam 1-4
7, Msn^44oody -
VolleybaH
: 30 kills 37 digs -Team I -4
8* t aura Kopj^ld *-
^oljeybialf
36 ®s IT dl^ -Team M
9. Jprdan Farmer
Football
9 tackles; 6 solo -Team 0-1
10. Quan Parker -
Football
2 punt returns - 64yds'-
56long -1 td -Team 0-1
i Photos courtesy of Guilfordquakers.com