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Golfer Henry Smith earns varsity spot
BY BRITTANY MURDOCK
Staff Writer
As members of Guilford's golf team take to the green at
their home course at Cardinal Golf & Country Club, they are
in a mentally taxing and grueling battle for a varsity spot, an
honor only given to the top five golfers. After a total of 126
exhausting holes, sophomore Henry Smith was tied for fifth
place, putting him in a varsity position.
After five sudden deaths. Smith came out on top, making
his first appearance in the top five.
"The main basis (for top five) is qualifying scores
which consists of seven rounds (126 holes), to start the fall
semester," said Head Golf Coach Corey Maggard. "The top
five is interchangeable, but Henry came back from summer a
very much improved golfer and made the lineup."
The format for college golf is playing five players and
keeping the four best scores. The weekend of Sept. 29 was
Smith's debut at the Gordin Collegiate Classic in Columbus,
Ohio. The team finished sixth out of 12 teams in the
tournament.
"Last year on the team I was more along for the ride than
anything," said Henry. "I worked hard over the summer. It
was an awesome feeling knowing I made top five."
With the work ethic that Smith has developed, it is clear
that his hard work has paid off. He spent his summer
working on his game back at home in Edgartown, Mass, at
the Edgartown Golf Club.
"Henry is inuch more consistent this year out on the
course," said Maggard. "He doesn't make the big mistakes
like he did last year."
Sophomore Ben Strozier spent the summer with Henry
and was able to witness his hard work and dedication to the
improvement of his game.
"Henry would go to the golf course working to improve
his game and he wouldn't leave the golf course until it was
completely dark," said Strozier. "He was playing, taking
lessons and working on his game day in and day out."
Like any sport, it had to start somewhere. During a phone
interview, Henry's father. Hank Smith, revealed how his son
became involved with golf.
"I played golf myself and would take him out on the
course with me," said Smith. "He ended up riding the golf
cart around the entire time."
Henry attended Martha's Vineyard Regional High School,
where he was coached by Doug DeBettencourt.
"Henry was a good student and an outstanding golfer on
my team," said DeBettencourt. "He had excellent leadership
skills and had the respect of his peers."
Although golf is viewed as an individual sport, the team
has a strong bond on and off the course. Henry is considered
an encouraging teammate and the team has high hopes for
him.
"Henry's work ethic is the real thing that has changed
from last year to this year," said sophomore Drew Thompson.
"I think Henry will do very well this year. He has gained
confidence and always has a good attitude on the golf
course."
"He does a good job of staying positive which rubs off on
the rest of us," said sophomore Nick Shedd. "He keeps us all
laughing, which allows us to stay loose and get into a good
mindset before we tee off."
Assistant Coach Andrew Tilley has had a chance to witness
firsthand the different ways Henry is improving and has
nothing but positive things to say.
"Coach Maggard has been working with Henry on
different aspects of his game to change his weaknesses to
strengths," said Tlley. "I really look forward to watching his
progress throughout the year."
The season has just teed off and only high hopes remain
for Henry, as well as the rest of the team.
"My goal individually is to play well enough to stay in the
top five," said Henry. "As a team, my goal is to win as many
tournaments as possibly"
■7^
Wait, Guilford has a swim teamP
BY MILLIE CARTER
Staff Writer
The women's swim team is beginning
a new season despite having to overcome
several challenges, including a debate
regarding their existence.
Resurfacing this year with Head Coach
Emily \Mlson, the team has settled into
a new routine. V\llson, who acted as
interim head coach for the second half
of last season, had to step up quickly in
order to keep the team afloat. Her efforts
are already apparent to the returning
swimmers both in meets and at practice.
"When I started as a freshman, we were
lucky to get four girls at practice. Now we
are practicing with at least six girls in the
pool," said junior Kendra Medina. "We
have so much more talent on this team."
Senior Becca Dozier has noticed
changes as well.
"When Emily took over as head coach
last year, I knew there would be a lot of
change for the better and I can really see
it this year," said Dozier. "We have well-
oi^anized, well-planned practices."
The swimmers may exist, but what
about the pool?
"I think that the fact that there is no
pool on campus plays is a major reason
why people believe there is no swim
team," said Medina. "It bothers me a little
bit, but I think it just comes with time."
"(The team) copes by making the
best of what we have. We bond during
our trips to and from practice ... at the
American Hebrew Academy this season,
and we are so lucky to be able to use such
a nice pool," said Dozier.
Big changes have happened both in
and out of the pool including the change
in practice location from Greensboro
College, personal swimmer improvement
and overall team goals Wilson has for her
swimmers.
"For the team I expect a lot of new relay
records along with personal records," said
Medina. "For myself, I am hoping to make
finals again this year, but to also make top
eight in the 100 back or the 500 freestyle."
"Overall, we have excellent athletes that
are going to add depth to our breaststroke,
butterfly and individual medley events,"
said Wilson. "At this time our competition
is Emory & Henry College. I also tHnk we
can give the College of Notre Dame a run
for their money."
As the swimmers and their coach work
hard to reset and re-establish the team on
campus so that their presence is known to
the Guilford community, \Mlson believes
that the team is already changing the face
of Guilford swimming.
"Yes, Guilford has a swim team, and I
am on it!" said Dozier.
SPORTS
^^/Whats Going On
Guilford Sports
[.AST WEEK^S GAMl:S AND MATCHESjfj
Soccer
Men's Soccer:
Oct. 23 vs. Hampden-Sydney [W
2-0]
Women's Soccer:
Oct. 20 vs. Sweet Briar: [W 2-0]
Oct. 24 vs. Emory & Henry [L
3-2]
Football
Oct. 20: vs Randolph-Macon [W
38-35]
Volleyball
Oct. 23 vs. Greensboro [L 3-0]
Golf
Oct. 22 - 23: @ O'Briant Jensen
Memorial Tournament: 2nd out
of 16
[UPCOMING GAMES AND MATCHES
Soccer
Men's Soccer:
Oct. 27 vs. Randolph
Football
Oct. 27 vs. Hampden-Sydney
Volleyball
Oct. 27 vs. Shenandoah
Golf
Nov. 3: Hummingbird
Intercollegiate Tournament
Cross Country
Oct. 27: ODAC Championships
Harrisonburg, V.A.
Swimming
Nov. 3 @ Bridgewater
Signifies an
AWAY GAME
vs. Signifies a
HOME GAME