Women’s swimmers ninth at NEISDA championships

UMass Dartmouth had some very energetic fans for the New England Womens’ Swimming and Diving Championship held at UMass Dartmouth. The three day championship featured teams from throughout New England.

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass.- The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s women’s swimming team finished ninth in a 21-team field at the New England Intercollegiate Women’s Division II and III Swimming and Diving Championships, which concluded Sunday at the Tripp Athletic Center Pool.

UMass Dartmouth finished with 298.5 points, 14 points behind Roger Williams, and 15.5 points ahead of Simmons. Keene State finished first with 982 points, Bentley was second with 900, and Bryant finished third with 748.

Sunday’s highlights for UMass Dartmouth included the performances of sophomore Kathleen Foley, who finished eighth in the 200 yard breaststroke in 2:42.01. Senior Katelyn Chase finished sixth in the 200 yard butterfly in 2:26.43, while junior Lisa Sands was ninth in 2:25.37.

“It was good to see Katelyn and Lisa make it to the finals in the 200 fly,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Cathy Motta. “Our distance swimmers had lifetime best times in all three events, and I’m happy with our performance.”

Ten Tripp Athletic Center Pool records were set during the weekend competition. Jackie Foster of Keene State set marks in the 500 freestyle (5:10.38), 1000 freestyle (10:42.46), and 1650 freestyle (17:48.19). Jess Looney of Bryant set a record in the 200 backstroke (2:09.98), as did Anne Kaduboski of Bentley in the 200 butterfly (2:07.45). Liza Connolly of Bentley did likewise in the 200 freestyle (1:55.83), and the Bentley 400 medley relay team (3:59.23), and 800 freestyle relay team (7:56.04) and Keene State 200 medley relay team (1:51.07) and 400 freestyle relay team (3:37.38) also set pool marks.

Looney was named Swimmer of the Meet, and Bridgewater State’s Jennifer Jackson was named Diver of the Meet and Senior High Point Diver. Sarah Barber of Eastern Connecticut State was named Senior High Point Swimmer. Jack Fabian of Keene State was named Swimming Coach of the Year, and Dave Laing of Westfield State was named Diving Coach of the Year.

The Corsairs will return to action at the New England Intercollegiate Men’s Division II and III Swimming and Diving Championships at Roger Williams next weekend.

Men’s basketball squeezes by Eastern Connecticut, 80-76

Brandon Stephens shoots a three-pointer from the corner during the game versus Eastern Connecticut.

Cory Tynes jukes the opponent on his way to the basket. Fast moves like this earned the Corsairs an 80-76 win.

WILLIMANTIC, CT — The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s men’s basketball team built a 20-point lead in the second half and held off host Eastern Connecticut State, 80-76, in the second game of a Little East Conference doubleheader at Geissler Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.

The Corsairs, who outscored ECSU, 17-6 at the outset of the game, built a 14-point lead with five and a half minutes remaining in the first half and led at halftime, 36-23. Larry Kelley made a pair of layups for the Warriors at the start of the second half, but UMass Dartmouth countered with a 10-3 run that featured layups by junior guard Reece Freeman and senior center Dan Holbrook  and a three-pointer by senior guard A.J. Tavares to take a 48-28 lead with 17:09 remaining.

Eastern Connecticut outscored the Corsairs, 23-11 during the next nine minutes to pull to within eight points at 59-51 with 7:46 to play. But senior forward Cory Tynes, Holbrook and sophomore forward V.J. Divine hit layups as UMass Dartmouth stretched their lead to 11 points, 70-59 with 3:52 remaining.

The Warriors committed several fouls down the stretch, and the Corsairs made just 10 of 20 attempts in the final 3:05. A pair of free throws by Kelley allowed ECSU to cut the lead to three points, 77-74, with 20 seconds remaining. But Holbrook made one of two free throws, the Corsairs got the offensive rebound on the miss and sophomore guard Jeff Macchi made two free throws with nine seconds remaining to make it 80-74.

“We played well for most of the game,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Brian Baptiste. “They hit a couple of deep threes in the second half, and then they fouled us down the stretch, we missed several free throws and they ended up getting back into the game. The last three minutes of the game seemed like they lasted 30 minutes. Cory did a good job for us, Reece looked good, and Brandon played well on defense.”

Holbrook and Tavares each scored 16 points to lead UMass Dartmouth, and Holbrook also grabbed 12 rebounds to record his 10th double double of the season. Macchi added 12 points, 10 of them from the free throw line, while Freeman had nine points, five assists and three steals. Eastern’s Leon Martin led all scorers with 29 points, Kelley added 17 and Kevin Zalucki contributed 13. Martin had 12 rebounds and Zalucki 13 as each recorded a double double and the Warriors out rebounded the Corsairs, 36-29.

The Corsairs improved to 21-2 and 10-2 in the Little East Conference with the victory, while the Warriors dropped to 12-11 and 5-7 with the defeat. UMass Dartmouth will return to action when they visit UMass Boston in the second game of a Little East Conference doubleheader Tuesday evening.

Corsairs defeat Framingham State, 7-2

Paul Jerusik skates the puck past a Wentworth defender during the Corsairs game on Saturday, February 16. The Corsairs glided to a 7-2 victory.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s hockey team scored at least twice in each period and defeated visiting Framingham State, 7-2, in an Eastern College Athletic Conference Northeast game at the Stephan Hetland Memorial Ice Arena Saturday afternoon.

The Corsairs wrapped the game up by scoring three times in the final period.

UMass Dartmouth took an early lead in the first period. Senior forward Mike McNulty flipped home the rebound of freshman forward Billy Carroll’s shot at 2:57. Sophomore forward Pat Welch drew the other assist.

Senior forward Jeff Grant made it 2-0 less than five minutes later, deflecting a wrist shot by freshman forward Joe Hill past Ram sophomore goaltender Peter Dundovich at 7:49. Senior forward Paul Garabedian also assisted.

UMass Dartmouth sandwiched a pair of goals around a Ram power play goal in the second period to take a 4-1 lead into the second intermission. Freshman defenseman Mickey Dudley scored on a slap shot from the point 58 seconds into the period, then sophomore defenseman Josh Williams of the Rams returned the favor at 3:13, firing home a slap shot from the point with Corsair defenseman Graeme Bourne in the penalty box for interference. Welch restored UMass Dartmouth’s three-goal lead when he rifled home a wrist shot after freshman forward Billy Carroll won a face-off in the FSC zone at 17:11.

The Corsairs wrapped it up with three consecutive goals in the third period. Welch scored on the rebound of Carroll’s shot at 6:59 to make it 5-1, Dudley took a drop pass from Grant and fired home a slap shot with UMass Dartmouth on the power play at 9:19, and junior forward Chris Shore made it 7-1 at 16:28. Senior forward Steve Butler scored the Rams’ second and final goal 28 seconds later.

“We scored some very nice goals today,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach John Rolli. “We moved the puck very well and were very unselfish. I like the seven, and I really like the two. We are the least penalized team in the league, and we have given up the least goals in the league, and those are two very important factors come playoff time.”

The Corsairs converted their only power play, while stopping the FSC on one of two chances. UMass Dartmouth out shot Framingham State, 50-24. Corsair junior goaltender Jeff Green made 22 saves, while Dundovich made 43 stops for the Rams.

UMass Dartmouth improved to 13-8-1 and 11-3-0 in the ECAC Northeast with the victory, while Framingham State dropped to 1-22-1 and 0-14-1 with the defeat. The Corsairs will return to action when they host Johnson & Wales in an ECAC Northeast Conference game Wednesday evening, while the Rams will visit Wentworth next Saturday.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Freshmen stars make their presence known nationwide

By Trevor Medeiros

While college freshmen usually have to wait a few years to become Big Men on Campus, that certainly isn’t the case anymore in the world of college basketball.

Thanks to NBA Commissioner David Stern’s recent rule which requires high school players to attend at least one year of college before going pro, we are seeing more and more freshmen phenoms making impacts on the hardwood.

Last year was the first year we saw this new rule take full effect. Texas forward Kevin Durant became the first freshman ever to take home the Naismith Trophy, college basketball’s version of the Heisman. Greg Oden and Mike Conely teamed up to lead Ohio State to the national championship game before losing to Florida. Brandan Wright was a major reason why North Carolina advanced to the Elite Eight.

Year two of this rule has brought even more freshmen to college basketball’s forefront. Indiana stud Eric Gordon jilted Illinois (the Illini fans let him know in vulgar fashion) for Indiana and has led the Hoosiers back to a top 25 ranking. Too bad Kelvin Sampson’s cell phone fetish has put a damper on what has been a renaissance season in Bloomington.

Oregon fans also voiced their displeasure recently towards seven foot UCLA wonder Kevin Love, who left his native Pacific Northwest for the sunny weather and winning tradition of the Bruins. Coach Ben Howland should thank his lucky stars everyday for signing this big man. Love possesses a dominant low post game, can pass the ball like a point guard, and can shoot an occasional three. It’s safe to say he’s the best UCLA five to play since Bill Walton was running down the floor at Pauley Pavilion.

Cross town rival USC recently felt Love’s wrath firsthand when they lost their rematch to the Bruins at the Galen Center. But don’t feel bad for the Trojans; they have a pretty talented freshman of their own.

In case you’ve never heard of O.J. Mayo, well emerge from the rock you’ve been living under. Easily the most hyped player for the past few years, Mayo had the talent to go pro his junior year of high school. While he struggled against UCLA (10 turnovers), Mayo has been solid all winter, scoring double digits in nearly every game. Not bad for a school who didn’t even recruit Mayo.

Let’s not forget about Duke sensation Kyle Singler. He went against Love in high school several times, and those battles have made this fellow Oregonian an elite player. He’s perhaps the biggest reason Duke only has two losses this season. A tall, lanky player who can score inside and shoot the three with pinpoint accuracy, Singler is the biggest mismatch for Duke’s opponents since Mike Dunleavy, Jr.

Derrick Rose and his fabulous passing has helped Memphis to remain as the only unbeaten team in Division 1, although that could come to an end this Saturday against Tennessee.

While that’s quite a list of freshmen studs, it pales in comparison to the monster season Kansas State forward Michael Beasley’s having. Beasley came to college under the radar compared to the hype Mayo got, but he’s putting up numbers that would even make Carmelo Anthony circa 2003 blush. He put down 40 in a recent thrashing of Missouri and has led the Wildcats to the top tier of the Big 12 standings. If Mr. Beasley decides to enter the NBA Draft this spring, there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll be the first player taken.

Like it or not, most of these players I just mentioned will leave college after only one year, taking the same road Durant, Conley, Oden, and Wright took the year before them. We could complain how it’s a shame that college basketball’s best players only stay in school for a year, selfishly cashing in big NBA paychecks with a total disregard for the potential a college degree offers.

But I’m going to take the road less traveled when it comes to this issue. I thank David Stern for creating this paramount rule. Even if it’s only for a year, a year of college basketball helps many great ball players who aren’t quite ready for the pros. Plus, if it wasn’t for this rule, we would never have seen the likes of Oden, Durant, and Mayo wearing any school colors. Even if it’s only for a year, seeing these future NBA stars on campus is a treat. Imagine if this rule were created a few years ago, then we could have seen Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Amare Stoudamire, and LeBron James playing for college basketball’s elite programs.

So while some stand up and complain about how there’s too many freshmen stars on NCAA courts, I’m going to sit on my comfy sofa, grab a non-alcoholic beverage, and hear Dickie V yell “It’s awesome, baby!” as I watch future NBA stars playing for school pride instead of playing for money.

PROFESSOR TORCH

Leave poor Roger Clemens alone!

By Adam K. Ellis

That’s right, you heard me. In the paraphrased words of the wise and world-renowned Chris Crocker (see YouTube), I have three words for you: Leave Roger Alone!

How would you feel if your trainer and your wife were collaborating behind your back so that she could inject some illegally obtained HGH? Or heaven forbid you walked in on your wife half-naked alongside your friend, as he’s holding a syringe in the air, squeezing out the last oxygenic remnants from the tube.

Not everyone can share the Rocket’s ethically inclined views towards performance enhancing drugs. And not everyone could rebound from such an emotionally damaging situation like that. But thankfully for Debbie, she is married to, as Congressman Dan Burton so elegantly put it, “a titan.” And as he told us at the hearing, Roger is a forgiving and gracious person. I’m right along with Congresswoman Eleanor Norton in the belief that, “Roger, I’m sure you’re going to heaven.”

The whole scenario just sickens me. Poor Roger. It’s sooooo unfortunate that you have been surrounded by all these bad, bad people. Talk about a victim of circumstance! I mean, picture this: as you begin to attempt to recover from finding out about your wife and trainer engaging in illegal acts, you need someone to talk to. So you go to your good friend Andy, and tell him about what just happened.

You tell him the story, and seven years later, your best friend just happens to misremember this conversation? He misremembers the conversation and somehow puts you as the culprit. And when he gets called in front of Congress, he tells the whole world that you were using drugs. How can you not feel sympathetic towards this man’s endeavor?

I mean, misremembering happens all the time! I misremember where I put my keys. I misremember important dates such as holidays or birthdays. Heck, after a few drinks, I’m liable to misremember my own name let alone a conversation that happened seven years ago! It’s alright though Andy, Roger will forgive you. He’s that kind of man.

Personally, I think if we should be doing anything, we should be commending Roger for being ahead of the curve and warning us of an epidemic that is apparently sneaking up on our society, “in a New York minute,” if you will.

Think about it. Years from now, we could be discussing not just the greatest pitcher ever, but humanitarian for the ages: the great Roger Clemens. The name will once again become synonymous with all that is good in this world. Parents will want to name their children after the man.

Roger Clemens, a man who despite the intentions of those around him, rose above turmoil and controversy. Roger Clemens, a man who defied a country and saved the world. Roger Clemens, a hero, a legend, a titan.

If George Bush can see it, why can’t you?

Track fourth, fifth and sixth at LEC/Alliance Championships

GORHAM, Maine — The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s men’s track and field team finished fourth at the Little East Championships, the women finished fifth in the conference and both teams finished sixth at the New England Alliance Championships at the University of Southern Maine’s Field House Saturday.

The Corsair men scored 62 points in the conference meet, 24 1/2 points back of third place Eastern Connecticut State, and 59 points in the Alliance Championships, a point and a half behind Worcester State and six points in back of ECSU.  Keene State won both men’s championships.

The UMass Dartmouth women scored 42 1/2 points in the LEC meet and 42 points in the Alliance meet. Southern Maine won both championships.

Senior Jon Garcia won a pair of conference championships for the men’s team, finishing first in both the 55 meter hurdles (7.78 seconds) and in the long jump (22 feet, four inches). Senior Chris Jodoin also was a conference champion, finishing second in the Alliance meet at 200 meters in 23.17 seconds, which was the top LEC score. He finished second at 400 meters in 50.95 seconds. Freshman Nick Deininger was third in the 55 meter hurdles in 8.14 seconds, sophomore Matt Lemanski fifth at 1000 meters (2:38.66), senior Eric Holmes seventh in both the mile (4:27.75) and at 1000 meters (2:40.20), sophomore Derek Stevens seventh at 3000 meters (9:12.79), sophomore Nick Farrara eighth in the high jump at 5-11 3/4, and the 4 x 800 meter relay team of Jodoin, sophomore Tim Whelan, freshman Steve Burke and Lemanski was third in 8:20.49.

For the women, freshman Linee Mello-Frost broke the school record when she ran the 55 meter hurdles in 8.60 seconds in the trials. In the finals, she ran 8.71 seconds and finished second. She was fourth in the triple jump at 32 feet, 8 1/2 inches. Junior Hilary Baker was second in the shot put at 35 feet, five inches, while freshman Ashley Kelly was fifth at 32-4. Senior Leanne Nygaard was fourth at 1000 meters in 3:15.37, sophomore Jess Carpenter 5th at 800 meters in 2:30.26, senior Deanna Bealby was eighth in the 55 meter hurdles in 9.57 seconds, the 4 x 200 meter relay team of freshman Briley Morrill, Bealby, Mello-Frost and junior Lenora Benson was fifth in 1:54.19, and the 4 x 400 meter relay team of Morrill, Carpenter, Nygaard and Benson was seventh in 4:29.94.

“We had a good day,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Jon Hird. “The majority of our people got personal bests today, and they really competed well. I was especially pleased with Nick Deininger in the 55 meter hurdles and Chris Jodoin in the 200 and the 400. Leanne Nygaard came back to take fourth place in the 1000 with a time four seconds better than she had run all year, and Linee Mello-Frost did very well. We had a lot of seasonal bests today.”

The Corsairs will travel to Tufts and Smith for the New England Division III Championships next Saturday.

MMA

Mirko Filopovic leaving the UFC

By Timm Freitas

Right around this time last year UFC fans were getting pumped up for Pride Heavyweight Mirko “Cro-Cop” Filopovic to make his debut with the organization.

After being widely considered the #2 heavyweight in the world, fans held high expectations for the fighter, expectations that “Cro-Cop” did not fail to live up to in his first match with the then undefeated UFC Veteran Eddie Sanchez.

“Cro-Cop” dominated his first bout and had MMA fans all over the globe guessing at when he would eventually take the Heavyweight title and dominate the weight class, but that all came to an end when he was matched up against Massachusetts’s Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 70 in England. “Cro-Cop” suffered a vicious knockout via head kick, and that’s when it started.

He again fought in England against French opponent Cheick Kongo and was completely dominated once again, and this time MMA coinsures had to begin questioning “Cro-Cops” ability to compete with UFC fighters. And since then, he has not been seen in the Octagon, and as it appears, he won’t be back anytime soon (but he states he will be with the UFC again someday).

Last week Filopovic was granted leave from his UFC contract in order to fight in a new Japanese promotion- Dream (set up by former Pride FC executives). The only stipulation about this situation different from the UFC is that after a few fights with this new organization “Cro-Cop” will be back in the cage, hopefully making a run for the title again.

Due to his lack of success in the UFC, it’s hard to say whether fans will find it hard to see him go, but with his leaving, it does open up a new door for him, and hardcore MMA fans as well — one that would allow him to get a much anticipated rematch with Fedor Emelianenko. This rematch would have definitely meant more before “Cro-Cop” had his rough stint with the UFC, but it is still considered another fight that should be added to Emelianenko’s “dream matchup” list.