Athlete Beat

Valeriya Musina highlight video

2009-04-18T18:39:00.000-07:00

Check out other Lee sports highlights at: http://www.youtube.com/user/insideleebasketball

NBA Playoffs 2009 Prediction

2009-04-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

NBA PLAYOFFS 2009 PREDICTIONS

Eastern Conference

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons

Prediction: Cleveland in five

#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat

Prediction: Miami in seven
#2 Boston Celtics vs. # #7 Chicago Bulls

Prediction: Chicago in seven
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers

Prediction: Orlando in six

Western Conference

#1 LA Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz

Prediction: LA Lakers in four
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets

Prediction: Houston in six
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. # #7 New Orleans Hornets

Prediction: New Orleans in six
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks

Prediction: San Antonio in five

Ironman Charity Softball Tournament

2009-04-16T11:33:00.001-07:00

Ironman Charity Softball Tournament: Sponsored by Alpha Gamma Chi

“Homeruns for Houses”

Friday @ 7: Free Pizza, Drinks and Carnival Games!

Saturday starting @ 12: Cookout, Restaurant give a ways, Games and More!

Come join us in support of Walter and Patty Ploetz. Many of you know Walter and Patty through Lee University service in East Cleveland. This years Ironman, “Homeruns for Houses,” is raising money for the Walter and Patty building fund. Games start at 5 p.m. on Friday evening and will go all day Saturday. This is surely an event you don’t want to miss!

2009 NBA Playoffs: Where amazing will happen!

2009-04-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Easler, Russell sit down with LC sports

2009-04-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

Bobbi Easler

Q) What do you think the difference from the first half of the season to now is?
A) In he first half, we were all getting to know each other and it takes a while for new girls to figure out how Lee ball is played. In the second half of the season, we are more in tuned with each other. we are all on the same page, that page is to win conference torney and advance to nationals.

Q)What steps do you think need to be taken to win the conference championship?

A) The conference championship will take all 18 of us as a whole working together and adjusting to situations. our biggiest problem this year has been adjusting to pitchers and i think we are doing a better job now, but that is what will have us carrying the championship trophy. Growing up and maturing together.

Coach Russell

Q)How do you feel the season has gone so far in comparison to how you expected it to go?

A) I actually expected the season to go a little bit easier than it did at first. We are finally coming into our own and things are getting easier for us... now if we can get the weather to cooperate! We have played a very competitive schedule and the team struggled to put it all together early in the season. I think they have made some big strides toward that at this point. We just have to finish strong.

Q)What have been the toughest challenges your team has faced?

A) Injuries and rain. We have had 3 kidney stones, 1 concussion, shoulder surgery, along with the normal illness and injury that you see in a season. We have rained out of 18 games right now. We will get to make up 10 of those. That has been stressful

Q)What are your team's strongest points?

A) We have a lot of depth at pitching and some strong seniors that are really leading the team.

Q)How do you expect this season to finish?

A) I think we will finish deep into the national tournament. We have some very important games coming up in the conference. If we can win regular season I feel that we will be on our way to a great finish.

Q)Do you have any favorite moments from the season so far?

A) We just had 2 great conference games a few weeks ago. We won both 1-0 on solo homeruns. It was great to see us play such close games and come away with victories. It was a great boost for us.

Q)Who are your team leaders or captains, on and off the court, and why?

A) We did not have captains this year. Bobbi Easler is a obvious team leader on the field. As the catcher is called on to be a vocal leader for this team. She is a motivator for the team in that she ALWAYS wants the team to play their best. If you watched a game you would notice her as a leader. We have players that lead by their playing on the field. We also have some that motivate by practicing with intensity each day and making their teammates stronger. Without those players hard work and dedication we would not be as solid as a team unit.

Q)For the players not graduating or leaving after this season, who do you see as being the most dynamic for the future of the team, and why?

A) It will be hard to replace Bobbi's experience. She has worked hard to get herself to this level where she can lead the defense and also work so well with the pitchers. That will be a big void to fill. Tiffany Walker has come in and nailed down third base. I do not have to worry about a ball getting past her. That will be a big place for someone to fill. These seniors are replacing kids that played and made huge impacts themselves. They came in and made that their spot and made their own marks. It is sad but exciting to see who the next great player will be. Brittany Rowe has been a great person to have on the team. She is a steadying force and has been a real benefit to the program.

Q)Since the year you began coaching at Lee, which team would you say has been your favorite (and why), and which one was the most talented?

A) I would have to say there were 2 years. 2004 we upset Union University to win our first conference tournament and later we won the region tournament to go to the National tournament. That was an awesome feeling and I love those girls for the commitment that they had to me and to the program. They were great because they were a true team with no real stars just solid and they believed in each other and stepped up to each challenge that they face together. 2006 would be another one...that was a special group of players. Just going over the lineup in my head makes me smile. We had so much talent and so much drive to win. That was a great record setting year. Those girls came in and took us to the next level. The players of today owe so much to the former teams and players... these two team in particular.

Q) Do you have any favorite specific quotes or coaching phrases that you like to say to your players?

A) "Did she go?" ok that is a joke. I say lots of stuff...Each girl or team probably has something that I say that they have made a favorite. A few years ago it was, "It's a great day for softball" and I said it on every rainy or cold day that nobody wanted to be at the field. I said it on good days too but it reminded us that this is a gift and we have to enjoy it each day. This year I have talked to the girls a lot about walls. We talked about how walls are put up not for us that want it but for those that don't want it bad enough. It just keeps us focused on overcoming things that happen... like rain!

Photos courtesy of Sports Information

THE SPORTS GUY

2009-04-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

By: Bill Simmons

A friend asked me this question last week: How many consecutive columns could I extract from Alex Rodriguez?

My final answer: 10. No modern athlete brings more to the idea table. He plays in New York for a team that stopped making the World Series as soon as he arrived. He has made statistical history but cheated to do it. He's our highest-paid athlete in a tanking economy. He's the star client of this generation's most despised agent. He's handsome and articulate, only his polished personality is so contrived nobody can connect to him. If gossip rags and blogs had a Thank God for This Athlete fantasy draft, he'd unquestionably be the first pick.

We love to question clutch; he's notorious for coming through in small moments and choking in big ones. We love shortening sports names into catchy monikers; "A-Rod" works perfectly. We love taking those monikers and turning them into catty jokes; "A-Roid" works perfectly. We love "what ifs?" and he's provided two classics: What if that trade to Boston had happened, and what if the 2004 Yanks had finished that sweep at Fenway and A-Rod had become a playoff hero?

We love to romanticize chemistry, because we don't understand it.
It's an embarrassment of column-related riches. A-Rod has even shattered the Tyson Zone: when an athlete's life turns so bizarre you become numb to any twist in his story. A-Rod allegedly broke up Madonna's marriage? I'm not blinking. A-Rod kissed himself for a magazine photo shoot? I'm unfazed. A-Rod is having a torrid romance with conjoined twins? If you say so. He's A-Rod, dammit. I'm prepared for anything.

My favorite current A-Rod story line is his allegedly toxic affect on his teammates. The Yankees left spring training with, by all accounts, their best team chemistry in years. Credit was given to congenial arrivals CC Sabathia and Nick Swisher. But there was an underlying theme pushed by the media: A-Rod's absence while he recovered from hip surgery resulted in a more relaxed atmosphere. This wasn't the first time he seemed to unite a team simply by disappearing: It happened when he left Seattle (the Mariners jumped from 91 W's to 116) and Texas (71 to 89). As the theory goes, the never-ending circus that surrounds A-Rod -- his constant craving for attention multiplied by the nonstop media focus -- eventually overwhelms teammates and affects their play.

There's only one problem with the theory: It's not true.

Of all the ways A-Rod has been described over the years, nobody has ever used "bad person." We hear he's awkward, needy, annoying, easily rattled, humorless, obsessed with his image, unsure of himself and unable to fit into a group dynamic. Jason Gay, who profiled him recently for Details magazine, claimed that, out to dinner, A-Rod made his order based on how he wanted Gay to perceive it, not by what he wanted. He's simply a strange guy, not someone you'd want to drive cross-country with, for sure. But he's not a bad guy.

Comparing him with Barry Bonds, it's no contest. Bonds hogged three lockers, disparaged teammates, antagonized media members and allegedly cheated to get an edge. He sounded like an unequivocal nightmare, a perfect storm of rudeness. Other notorious cancers (Carl Everett, Albert Belle, Jeff Kent, Ugueth Urbina) earned their reputations by being hotheaded or fighting teammates or barking at team employees. In the end, even Manny went to the dark side, becoming such a distraction that Boston paid the Dodgers to take him.

Now explain this to me: How did teams "miraculously" succeed with every player in the previous paragraph? Everett won a ring with the White Sox. Kent and Bonds came within bullpen collapses of winning one of their own. A famous goofball like Manny won two rings, played on 10 playoff teams and (very, very secretly) compiled one of the most successful résumés in baseball history. Heck, Urbina closed for Florida's 2003 title team and went to prison four years later for hacking two Venezuelan ranch hands with a machete and pouring gasoline over them. He hacked them with a machete and poured gasoline over them! Think this was a good guy?

Look, we love to romanticize clubhouse chemistry, mainly because we don't understand it, but also because it's a story line with legs. These guys didn't win because they were good, they won because they got along! They lifted one another, looked out for one another! They were a team! You know, the "Hoosiers" model. Does this apply to basketball, football and hockey? Absolutely. You can't succeed individually without help from teammates, and you can fail individually because of teammates. That fragile dynamic cannot be compromised.

But baseball … baseball is an individual sport masquerading as a team sport. You are a worker bee. You have a job, and it's up to you to execute it. Yeah, it's always better to get along, but couldn't you say that about any work situation? Ultimately, it's just you. You're the one pitching, you're the one hitting, you're the one fielding. If everyone is pulling for one another, fantastic. You can even win a division that way -- good karma invariably leads to goofy bounces and luck. On the other hand, the deliriously happy post-Manny Red Sox mustered just three hits in their biggest game of the season (Game 7, 2008 ALCS). At some point in baseball, talent trumps all.

Don't believe me? Read Sparky Lyle's "The Bronx Zoo" for the hilarious Reggie Jackson stories. Reggie made Bonds seem more saintly than the blind guy on "American Idol." There was no bigger jerk or attention hog. During an era in which ballplayers behaved a certain way (reserved, respectful, hard-nosed, unselfish), Reggie made his own rules. For that, his teammates reviled him. Actually, they probably wanted to strangle him.

They also won the 1977 and '78 World Series with him.

Throw in three titles in Oakland and Reggie Jackson -- the biggest clubhouse cancer of his generation -- won five rings in seven years. Which makes me think baseball chemistry is more overrated than Tim Burton. If that's even possible.

I will even go this far: There are undeniable positives to having one antisocial wild card in any close-knit environment. You know that one grating guy in your dorm hall or in your office? Don't you like bitching about him? You lob grenades at him as soon as he leaves the room. He's your running joke, an easy target. But he's also a galvanizing force, one of the few things that bring everyone else together: a mutual contempt for one human being that won't go away. You're stuck with him, so you make the best of it -- by belittling him.

It's a common bond of sorts. Even as you believe he's tearing your group apart, he's bringing it closer and distracting anyone from turning on someone else. He's your mean decoy, your Paula Abdul, your Newman. He's your necessary evil.

So yes, the Yankees might not miss A-Rod right now. But give them a few weeks. Every group needs an outcast just like every columnist needs a go-to guy for his column. The 2009 Yankees may not appreciate Alex Rodriguez yet, but I sure do. I won't write 10 A-Rod columns, but I could, and maybe that's all that matters.

For more of the Sports Guy, check out the Sports Guy's World.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4050462

NHL Playoff standings

2009-04-14T12:07:00.000-07:00

NHL Playoffs

Playoffs begin April 15

Eastern Conference:

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers

#3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers

Western Conference:

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues

#4 Chicago Black Hawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames

Watch the WNBA Draft 3PM/ET ESPN2

2009-04-09T07:40:00.001-07:00

2009 MLB season predictions

2009-04-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

Major League Baseball has finally come. For the 2009 season I am going to make my official predictions for the season outcome. My predictions for the Division Champs and playoffs are as follows:

American League:

AL East: New York Yankees
AL Central: Chicago White Sox
AL West: LA Angels*
Wild Card: Boston Red Sox
ALCS: Yankees vs. LA Angels
AL Champion: New York Yankees

National League:

NL East: New York Mets
NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers
NL West: LA Dodgers*
Wild Card: Chicago Cubs
NLCS: Brewers vs. Dodgers
NL Champion: LA Dodgers
*denotes best record of American/National League

World Series: Yankees vs. Dodgers
World Champions: New York Yankees (in 6 games)

King of the quick turnaround

2009-04-06T08:58:00.000-07:00

DETROIT -- Jordan Ott is the video coordinator for the Michigan State basketball team. That's why he has a Diet Coke can in his left hand.

At this sleep-deprived stage of the season, caffeine is mandatory at every waking hour. And almost every hour is a waking hour for the guy in charge of the Spartans' famous preparation machine.

<== Chris Gardner/US PRESSWIRE

The Spartans are working on the last two-day turnaround of the year -- the last time Tom Izzo's particular brand of coaching genius is at work. Izzo is the king of the quick turnaround in the NCAA tournament: His record is 14-2 in rounds 2, 4 and 6, when the preparation time is condensed to a maximum of 48 hours. The science of that rushed prep exercise is why he's told his team throughout the three weekends of this tourney, "You get me through the first game, I'll get you through the second."

Which means Monday night is Izzo Time for the Spartans.

The coach's job is to find a way to reverse a 35-point beatdown suffered at the hands of North Carolina in December. He knows it won't be easy.

"If we play good and they play good, we're losing," Izzo said. "But we found a way to have some teams not play as good against us."

They've found a way against two straight No. 1 seeds, Louisville and Connecticut. And even at the long odds faced here against the Tar Heels, it's hard not to like Michigan State's chances of finding something in this 48-hour period that could allow the Spartans to shock the world.

If anyone can do it, Izzo is that guy. And he has the help of his assistant coaches and a tireless support staff.

Ott and his video coordinator predecessor, Kevin Pauga, refer to it as "a monster" built in the video computer room at Michigan State's Breslin Center. It is a driven and talented collection of video guys and managers -- annually in demand by NBA teams and other colleges -- who may be the best support staff in college basketball.

"It's almost become a brotherhood back there among the peons," joked Pauga, now a data analyst for the Big Ten. "There's no other teams that do it this way."

The "peons" -- Ott, two graduate assistants and 11 student managers -- tape every game that airs during the college basketball season. Yes, all of them -- roughly 1,800 games.

They are married to video during the season. Pauga, a journalism major at Michigan State with a number-crunching mind more suited to, say, aeronautical engineering, described his social life in eight years at the school as "nonexistent."

Pauga even devised a statistical scheduling model that allows teams to maximize their RPIs -- he calls it the "KPI." Former Izzo assistant Jim Boylen employed it in scheduling at Utah this year, and it produced a No. 9 RPI -- a number that helped inflate the Utes' worth and, ultimately, their seeding. (They were a No. 5, losing handily in the first round to Arizona.)

Pauga estimates that by the time he left last year for the Big Ten office, he'd spent 15 percent of his life in the Spartans' film room. Now Ott is in the same obsessive chair.

"Basically, you just work your ass off," Ott said.

The students work for free, doing it for "gear and experience," Pauga said. But Izzo is a loyal leader, getting to know each manager and his family by name and making sure his players treat them respectfully.

The video staff logs every game, breaking them down by baskets and categories. They've got the definitive video library on everyone. Former Izzo assistants Stan Heath (now at South Florida) and Brian Gregory (now at Dayton) have dispatched staffers to East Lansing just to gather tape on opponents.

Bob Donnan/US Presswire ==>

When Selection Sunday rolled around and Michigan State's name appeared in the bracket next to Robert Morris, Ott needed only to punch a few buttons to produce seven game films on the Colonials. And so on through the tournament.

Now State is in the midst of the great Carolina breakdown.

It is a succession of short, 20-minute film sessions and ballroom walkthroughs, with a couple of practices sprinkled in between. This is no time to subject the players to a marathon immersion for hours at a time; they need to keep their minds sharp by assimilating smaller information bites.

"It's only 15 or 20 minutes, but it could be as many as five, six times a day," Izzo said. "I think more soaks in."

They went to work Saturday night in a room at the team hotel, where Ott set up the four video computers the team travels with. When the Spartans returned from Ford Field after the first half of the Heels' victory over Villanova, the coaches were handed the first set of video splices by Ott's crew -- Carolina's vaunted transition game, which ran Michigan State off the court in December.

"Nothing else really matters," Ott said. "The transition game is what we need to stop."

The Spartans sat down together as a team to watch the transition cut-ups. Pizza was served -- "You could quiz the managers right now, and they'd recite what all 16 players want for topping on their pizza," Pauga said -- and a bucket of ice was set next to Izzo. He's a Diet Coke drinker who has to have a cup of ice with his drink, every time. A manager is always assigned to the ice bucket.

After 20 minutes and a few words from Izzo, the players were dismissed to their rooms -- though Travis Walton, the defensive stopper and a video junkie, got a couple more DVDs from Ott to watch on his own. One was the Carolina-Michigan State game from December, which he hadn't watched before. He viewed the first half and turned it off.

"I watch it more for kind of letting it go to rest," Walton said. "Sometimes you've got to lay that behind to go forward."

Meanwhile, in the film room, the coaches and support staff were just getting started. Ott has every machine up and running with Carolina film. Izzo and assistants Dwayne Stephens (who has the Carolina scouting assignment), Mark Montgomery and Mike Garland are viewing games. From time to time, someone will call out something they've found that they want the group to observe and consider.

The breakdowns are similar to the way football teams do it. If they need a splice of Danny Green transition three-pointers, Ott and video assistant Doug Herner can produce it quickly. If they want to show their post players that Deon Thompson likes to shoot over his right shoulder, they've got it. Carolina's trademark traps out of timeouts? Check.

Friends like former NFL coach Steve Mariucci and former Izzo assistants drop by to watch some tape, suggest an X-and-O alteration on the whiteboard, or briefly shoot the breeze.

"It's just this ultimate war-room feeling," Pauga said. "It's the best time. 'Iz' kind of lets his guard down a little bit. Everyone's kind of busting each other's chops."

Izzo likes to keep a packet of every opponent's box scores handy, flipping through them in search of something useful that could then be found on film.

The goal is to find an opponent that plays a style similar to Michigan State's, then see what that opponent did successfully and unsuccessfully against the Tar Heels.

Izzo thought he had something from Virginia Tech and Florida State -- until he realized the Heels' star point guard, Ty Lawson, didn't play in those games. So it was back to the film search.

Ott stayed at it until 3 a.m. Sunday. Then he was meeting with the team five hours later with a new day's worth of film.

Ott started off the Spartans' Sunday with a highlight tape of their tournament run to date, to get the juices flowing for the day. Then State ate breakfast and watched personnel splices on the Tar Heels.

Then it was across the hallway to a ballroom with a court taped on the floor, to implement what they just saw on film. (That's another managerial duty, taping down the floor.)
Izzo, staff shine when prep time is a precious commodity

After that, Michigan State headed to Ford Field for media sessions and a closed practice on the court. It will be radically different when the Spartans return Monday night to play before a massive State-favoring crowd.

In addition to the formal scouting report, there was to be more film work and walkthrough work Sunday night. Then one more round of film, walkthrough and practice Monday, the longest day of the year, before that 9:20 p.m. tipoff that decides everything.

"We're confident he's going to come out with a game plan and have something ready for us," Walton said. "That's why he's coach Izzo, and why he's a Hall of Famer one day. With one preparation day, the things he does are amazing."

Pauga doesn't know who will win Monday night. But he does know that Michigan State will not be surprised by much of anything it sees from North Carolina.

"I know it," he said. "I'm not even questioning it. If Michigan State gets beat, it'll be by a better team."

Pat Forde is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=4044481&sportCat=ncb

NCAA Championship tickets opportunity

2009-04-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

I received this message in my inbox this morning. Just thought I would pass it along...

I have 2 tickets for Monday night NCAA final game, Ford Field available. Dead Center Court, Section 331 Row 10. These are in the upper Bowl, but great location. These were the more expensive face value tix, and are scalping around $350/seat. I want $400.00 for the pair. If you can use them, please text me tonight at 248-705-1073, or call me tomorrow.

I obtained better seats at a charity fundraiser, and am ready to let these fly. Great location, just a little far (like most seats in the house).

We will not be opening our store as originally expected, zoning and ordinance requirements by the city of Southfield placed requirements on the building owner that set back our plans by almost 10 months now. It is unlikely we will open at that location, and continue to consider options. We will keep you informed if we find a location that makes sense.

Next time you plan to purchase, please contact us via email or phone for bottom line pricing. No one can beat our prices. Email for details, or text us, or call.

Thanks, Sincerely,
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SportsCard Central
Serving SportsCards to the World since 1977!
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WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48325-2225
P: 248-705-1073
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Great Strides 5k results

2009-03-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

Photo by Harrison Keely

CHECK OUT THE LEE CLARION PHOTO ALBUMS ON FACEBOOK!!!

65 Roses 5k Cystic Fibrosis (5k)
Lee University, Cleveland, TN (TN 06041 DJR)
Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 8:30AM
Ipico RFID Results by Chattanooga Track Club

********** OVERALL LISTING - 5K **********

**** OVERALL FEMALE ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 23 Anna Hrushka 21 FOPEN 20:14 6:31

**** OVERALL MALE ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 1 Johnson Nyorogi 26 MOPEN 15:17 4:55

**** FEMALE AGE GROUP: 14 & UNDER ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 48 Caitlin Duggan 14 F14UN 22:24 7:13
2 117 Bethany Bates 8 F14UN 26:29 8:32
3 150 Samantha Price 14 F14UN 28:38 9:13
4 242 Lorne Conn 13 F14UN 34:19 11:03
5 278 Katie Estes 8 F14UN 40:38 13:05
6 287 Amber Palmer 10 F14UN 44:40 14:23
7 288 Kim Jade Wycherley 11 F14UN 44:44 14:24

**** MALE AGE GROUP: 14 & UNDER ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 13 Issac Pacheco 14 M14UN 19:04 6:09
2 28 Patrick Shultz 14 M14UN 20:46 6:41
3 44 Jesus Cruz 13 M14UN 21:56 7:04
4 80 Chet Matheny 13 M14UN 24:32 7:54
5 81 Graham Hammond 11 M14UN 24:33 7:54
6 83 Will Hammond 11 M14UN 24:40 7:57
7 88 Caleb Saunders 11 M14UN 24:58 8:02
8 107 Christopher Pistrang 10 M14UN 26:11 8:26
9 134 Grant Taylor 10 M14UN 27:18 8:48
10 148 Zachary Hollis 14 M14UN 28:34 9:12
11 175 William Estes 10 M14UN 30:20 9:46
12 176 Logan Conine 11 M14UN 30:22 9:47
13 179 Mason Conine 11 M14UN 30:30 9:49
14 187 James Larson 14 M14UN 30:46 9:54
15 194 Connor Conine 11 M14UN 30:53 9:57
16 203 Jordan Lopez 10 M14UN 31:15 10:04
17 220 Trey Gregory 9 M14UN 32:25 10:26
18 235 Stephen Kossak 14 M14UN 33:51 10:54
19 252 Eddie Darresta 9 M14UN 35:47 11:31
20 258 Oliver Conn 10 M14UN 36:32 11:46
21 276 Jayson Newman 10 M14UN 40:29 13:02
22 277 Brandon Balmer 11 M14UN 40:31 13:03
23 292 Parker Starnes 8 M14UN 54:18 17:29
24 293 Ethan Starnes 7 M14UN 54:51 17:39

**** FEMALE AGE GROUP: 15 - 19 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 33 Kristin Cretton 19 F1519 21:10 6:49
2 43 Lindsay Bo 19 F1519 21:53 7:03
3 87 Maggie Opeit 19 F1519 24:57 8:02
4 132 Rachel Lins 19 F1519 27:14 8:46
5 163 Sophia Benavides 19 F1519 29:33 9:31
6 173 Brooke Orist 19 F1519 30:09 9:43
7 196 Bethany Lewis 18 F1519 30:58 9:58
8 217 Emily Jones 18 F1519 32:13 10:23
9 226 Jessica Gray 19 F1519 32:51 10:35
10 230 Abigail Mapes 19 F1519 33:20 10:44
11 279 Marci Dechant 19 F1519 40:46 13:08

**** MALE AGE GROUP: 15 - 19 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 3 Michael Walker 19 M1519 16:07 5:11
2 6 Nathan Bennett 19 M1519 16:48 5:25
3 17 Zach Orrlson 17 M1519 19:32 6:17
4 29 Sam Petrillo 17 M1519 20:48 6:42
5 31 Jason Hartman 19 M1519 21:03 6:47
6 32 Chris Jones 18 M1519 21:04 6:47
7 34 Marco Bianchini 18 M1519 21:25 6:54
8 36 Brandon Lancaster 19 M1519 21:31 6:56
9 42 Matt Spies 19 M1519 21:49 7:02
10 46 Shane Morgan 19 M1519 22:01 7:05
11 56 Austin Holcomb 19 M1519 22:57 7:23
12 61 Matt Nichols 17 M1519 23:23 7:32
13 67 Joel House 19 M1519 23:47 7:40
14 84 Jonathan Wiegand 19 M1519 24:51 8:00
15 94 Derek Dixon 19 M1519 25:30 8:13
16 95 Andrew Stout 17 M1519 25:36 8:15
17 96 Aaron Pickens 19 M1519 25:40 8:16
18 113 Austin Collins 18 M1519 26:23 8:30
19 146 Oluwajana 17 M1519 28:21 9:08
20 282 Timothy Hollis 17 M1519 41:25 13:20

**** FEMALE AGE GROUP: 20 - 24 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 55 Christi Deyton 24 F2024 22:53 7:22
2 62 Melissa Steve 22 F2024 23:24 7:32
3 86 Michelle Wayne 21 F2024 24:55 8:02
4 98 Sara Lewis 24 F2024 25:48 8:19
5 111 Janae Hennessey 21 F2024 26:19 8:29
6 120 Johni Chapman 20 F2024 26:46 8:37
7 122 Colleen Gillette 22 F2024 26:51 8:39
8 142 Danielle Metcalf 21 F2024 27:42 8:55
9 158 Christie Westerfield 21 F2024 29:27 9:29
10 160 Alyse Kopp 21 F2024 29:29 9:30
11 162 Christin Close 20 F2024 29:31 9:30
12 168 Tara Hoffman 23 F2024 29:44 9:35
13 177 Stephanie Fisher 20 F2024 30:25 9:48
14 186 Erica Schiller 20 F2024 30:44 9:54
15 198 Kirstin Johnson 24 F2024 31:08 10:01
16 215 Kaitlin Steiner 23 F2024 32:05 10:20
17 216 Brittany Spaulding 23 F2024 32:05 10:20
18 219 Ellen Hughey 22 F2024 32:17 10:24
19 224 Erin Brown 22 F2024 32:47 10:33
20 227 Rebecca Melvin 20 F2024 32:54 10:36
21 228 Allison Touchstone 24 F2024 33:05 10:39
22 232 Brithanie Odell 21 F2024 33:47 10:53
23 254 Ashley Jones 24 F2024 35:59 11:35
24 265 Melody Tedder 22 F2024 38:07 12:16
25 271 Stephanie Suttle 21 F2024 39:55 12:51

**** MALE AGE GROUP: 20 - 24 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 2 Caleb Morgan 21 M2024 16:04 5:11
2 8 Ryan Heming 24 M2024 17:25 5:37
3 9 Charles Webb 22 M2024 18:13 5:52
4 10 Josiah Young 21 M2024 18:20 5:54
5 16 Jean Paul 23 M2024 19:22 6:14
6 18 Aaron Stout 20 M2024 19:34 6:18
7 19 Jeff Porter 22 M2024 20:02 6:27
8 20 Steve Bontekee 24 M2024 20:06 6:28
9 24 Joe Jellison 22 M2024 20:30 6:36
10 35 Jared Barton 24 M2024 21:28 6:55
11 45 Justin Kossak 23 M2024 21:57 7:04
12 49 Matt Kesner 22 M2024 22:31 7:15
13 59 Joel Drach 22 M2024 23:20 7:31
14 60 Todd Stevison 22 M2024 23:20 7:31
15 63 Matt Pearson 20 M2024 23:26 7:33
16 68 Dustin Lynch 24 M2024 23:50 7:41
17 74 Joshua Warlick 22 M2024 24:09 7:47
18 106 Matthew Greetham 23 M2024 26:08 8:25
19 109 Bryan Sanders 22 M2024 26:13 8:27
20 112 Chris Hennessey 24 M2024 26:19 8:29
21 116 Jeremy Skinner 23 M2024 26:29 8:32
22 119 Cale Westbrook 21 M2024 26:34 8:33
23 127 George Chaney 23 M2024 26:59 8:42
24 131 Alex Lyon 21 M2024 27:11 8:45
25 144 Philip Bazikian 21 M2024 27:50 8:58
26 201 Tyler Franklin 21 M2024 31:11 10:03
27 218 Brian Helley 24 M2024 32:13 10:23
28 234 Aiaya Sharma 23 M2024 33:49 10:54
29 238 Laura Luloff 23 M2024 33:58 10:56
30 256 Chad Buckland 21 M2024 36:21 11:42

**** FEMALE AGE GROUP: 25 - 29 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 25 Erin Wasserfall 28 F2529 20:40 6:39
2 39 Elizabeth Sawyer 26 F2529 21:38 6:58
3 97 Caitlin Rogers 26 F2529 25:47 8:18
4 137 Morgan Waldrop 29 F2529 27:31 8:52
5 151 Katie Smith 28 F2529 28:40 9:14
6 161 Jennifer Grisham 26 F2529 29:31 9:30
7 184 Michelle Steffenhagen 26 F2529 30:40 9:53
8 188 Sheron Brand 29 F2529 30:46 9:55
9 190 Rebecca Williamson 25 F2529 30:50 9:56
10 200 Ashley Huffstetler 26 F2529 31:11 10:03
11 207 Brooke Edwards 26 F2529 31:37 10:11
12 223 Andrea Riley 25 F2529 32:44 10:33
13 225 Jennifer Purvis 29 F2529 32:47 10:33
14 245 Karrie Corington 29 F2529 34:40 11:10
15 246 Rebekah Kidwell 27 F2529 34:40 11:10
16 247 Edie Cooper 25 F2529 34:58 11:16
17 251 Ashley Hullender 25 F2529 35:43 11:30
18 257 Rachel Carril 29 F2529 36:24 11:43
19 262 Aimee Arp 28 F2529 37:26 12:03
20 268 Farah Claxton 27 F2529 39:27 12:42
21 272 Mary Sanders 25 F2529 40:01 12:53

**** MALE AGE GROUP: 25 - 29 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 4 Ryan McDermott 28 M2529 16:45 5:24
2 5 Will Jayroe 26 M2529 16:48 5:25
3 12 Adam Dodson 25 M2529 18:54 6:05
4 26 Sam Lewis 25 M2529 20:40 6:39
5 30 Casey Gallaher 28 M2529 20:59 6:46
6 51 John Lewis 29 M2529 22:37 7:17
7 53 Kyle Page 26 M2529 22:38 7:17
8 82 Robert Kelly 26 M2529 24:36 7:55
9 104 Chad Grisham 26 M2529 26:06 8:24
10 114 Sam Kidwell 27 M2529 26:26 8:31
11 143 Cole Strong 26 M2529 27:43 8:56
12 152 Matt Lewis 26 M2529 28:54 9:19
13 197 Taylor Smith 27 M2529 30:59 9:59

**** FEMALE AGE GROUP: 30 - 34 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 47 Laranda Carnahan 30 F3034 22:17 7:11
2 105 Cindy Parker 34 F3034 26:08 8:25
3 129 Krissi Martin 31 F3034 27:08 8:44
4 136 Cindy Akins 32 F3034 27:27 8:50
5 153 Carla Noya 30 F3034 28:56 9:19
6 178 Cyndi Matheny 34 F3034 30:28 9:49
7 183 Merica Stum 33 F3034 30:40 9:53
8 191 Sarah Norsworthy 32 F3034 30:51 9:56
9 205 Amy Gattis 34 F3034 31:31 10:09
10 211 Ana Garcia 33 F3034 31:48 10:14
11 241 Kori Studley 33 F3034 34:09 11:00
12 244 Mary Hutchins 30 F3034 34:39 11:09
13 267 Melanie Fangman 31 F3034 38:34 12:25
14 269 Nikki Williams 34 F3034 39:29 12:43
15 274 Olivia Hatcher 34 F3034 40:11 12:56
16 280 Maria Reeves 34 F3034 41:23 13:19
17 285 Janiese McKenzie 33 F3034 42:28 13:40
18 290 Jennifer Womack 30 F3034 47:45 15:23

**** MALE AGE GROUP: 30 - 34 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 11 Jason McKinney 32 M3034 18:33 5:58
2 14 Zach Cowart 33 M3034 19:08 6:10
3 21 Kelly Kiser 33 M3034 20:11 6:30
4 22 Artemio Lopez 34 M3034 20:14 6:31
5 58 Robert Greene 32 M3034 23:15 7:29
6 70 Brian Gallaher 30 M3034 24:01 7:44
7 78 Todd Sparks 30 M3034 24:26 7:52
8 115 James Ford 32 M3034 26:27 8:31
9 121 Paul Amos 32 M3034 26:46 8:37
10 135 Archie Crossland 33 M3034 27:22 8:49
11 147 Greg Danaser 31 M3034 28:26 9:09
12 149 Michael Rogers 30 M3034 28:35 9:12
13 167 Manuel Carril 33 M3034 29:44 9:35
14 181 Mike Covington 34 M3034 30:38 9:52
15 208 Stephen Regan 33 M3034 31:38 10:11
16 210 Andres Garcia 34 M3034 31:47 10:14
17 214 Andrew Mulvihill 31 M3034 31:52 10:16
18 259 Brian Conn 34 M3034 36:36 11:47
19 270 James Scheivelhud 32 M3034 39:55 12:51

**** FEMALE AGE GROUP: 35 - 39 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 155 Lara Louderback 39 F3539 29:17 9:26
2 182 Maria Shaver 35 F3539 30:39 9:52
3 195 Beth Ford 39 F3539 30:56 9:58
4 209 Jennifer Somerville 35 F3539 31:38 10:11
5 212 Wendy Bovell 39 F3539 31:48 10:14
6 229 Tracee Miller 38 F3539 33:16 10:43
7 261 Denise Moon 38 F3539 37:24 12:03
8 275 Ginger Brown 38 F3539 40:12 12:57
9 281 Diane Starnes 38 F3539 41:23 13:20

**** MALE AGE GROUP: 35 - 39 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 7 Manuel Ferrer-Rangel 37 M3539 17:00 5:29
2 38 Daniel Uson 38 M3539 21:36 6:57
3 52 Timmy Johnson 37 M3539 22:37 7:17
4 64 Scott Bennett 39 M3539 23:27 7:33
5 73 Tony Holmes 37 M3539 24:04 7:45
6 85 Chris Selman 36 M3539 24:54 8:01
7 128 Ron Masterson 38 M3539 27:07 8:44
8 141 Jamie Brown 36 M3539 27:42 8:55
9 145 Chris Parker 37 M3539 27:57 9:00
10 157 Matt Ryerson 37 M3539 29:24 9:28
11 172 Denny Marshall 35 M3539 29:53 9:38
12 213 Michael Estill 35 M3539 31:51 10:16
13 264 Rogelio Pacheco 37 M3539 37:45 12:10

**** FEMALE AGE GROUP: 40 - 44 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== ======= =====
1 50 Leann Barnes 42 F4044 22:35 7:16
2 171 Kimberly Spence 42 F4044 29:53 9:38
3 199 Bernice Delaney 43 F4044 31:10 10:02
4 233 Heather MacKinnon 42 F4044 33:47 10:53
5 266 Natalie Brewer 42 F4044 38:21 12:21
6 273 Sonia Johnson 44 F4044 40:06 12:55
7 283 Stephanie Taylor 44 F4044 42:14 13:36
8 286 Joylita Terpstra 40 F4044 42:41 13:45

**** MALE AGE GROUP: 40 - 44 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 15 Ryan Shrum 41 M4044 19:12 6:11
2 54 Jose Martinez 44 M4044 22:48 7:21
3 65 Kevin Gardner 41 M4044 23:32 7:35
4 79 Jonathan Price 40 M4044 24:27 7:53
5 99 Jerome Hammond 43 M4044 25:50 8:19
6 123 Troy Spence 44 M4044 26:52 8:39
7 159 Robert Green 44 M4044 29:27 9:29
8 169 Stephen Keenan 42 M4044 29:45 9:35
9 170 Marty Rowe 43 M4044 29:53 9:38
10 180 Chris Conine 43 M4044 30:30 9:49
11 202 Marty Gorby 42 M4044 31:15 10:04
12 206 Steve Crumley 40 M4044 31:35 10:10

**** FEMALE AGE GROUP: 45 - 49 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 92 Debbie Walden 46 F4549 25:23 8:10
2 100 Susan Gallo 49 F4549 25:52 8:20
3 124 Nikki Thomas 46 F4549 26:53 8:39
4 154 Tamarin Larson 45 F4549 29:10 9:23
5 156 Janice Wycherley 49 F4549 29:19 9:27
6 174 Sally Hoffman 48 F4549 30:10 9:43
7 237 Mary Holder 46 F4549 33:57 10:56

**** MALE AGE GROUP: 45 - 49 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 41 Ray Beem 47 M4549 21:44 7:00
2 69 Ron Casteel 49 M4549 23:58 7:43
3 71 Cameron Fisher 47 M4549 24:02 7:44
4 89 Tim Louderback 45 M4549 25:02 8:04
5 91 Charlie Millard 48 M4549 25:15 8:08
6 108 Mark Pistrang 46 M4549 26:13 8:27
7 110 Steve Tompkins 47 M4549 26:14 8:27
8 118 Mark Longwith 48 M4549 26:30 8:32
9 140 Mark Duggan 49 M4549 27:36 8:53
10 166 Ian Warper 49 M4549 29:44 9:35
11 192 Greg Redman 45 M4549 30:52 9:56

**** FEMALE AGE GROUP: 50 - 59 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 76 Rhonda Gage 51 F5059 24:14 7:48
2 103 Patsy Ging 54 F5059 26:01 8:23
3 185 Cindy Leary 56 F5059 30:42 9:53
4 204 Deb Hart 50 F5059 31:31 10:09
5 249 Kathy Fulton 51 F5059 35:18 11:22
6 253 Reda Lawson 52 F5059 35:55 11:34
7 291 Judy Keep 58 F5059 47:45 15:23

**** MALE AGE GROUP: 50 - 59 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 37 Carey Watson 56 M5059 21:31 6:56
2 40 Jim Bryan 56 M5059 21:42 6:59
3 57 John Crawley 57 M5059 23:08 7:27
4 75 David Presley 54 M5059 24:12 7:48
5 77 Danny Bzavers 57 M5059 24:22 7:51
6 93 Dennis Ford 55 M5059 25:27 8:12
7 102 Bill Kamm 57 M5059 25:59 8:22
8 126 Mitchell Guinn 52 M5059 26:59 8:41
9 130 Steve Dixon 54 M5059 27:11 8:45
10 139 David Klinger 56 M5059 27:36 8:53
11 165 Bill Moran 57 M5059 29:43 9:34
12 189 Don Lastine 53 M5059 30:48 9:55
13 193 Steve Brooke 53 M5059 30:52 9:56
14 250 Emmet Riddick 57 M5059 35:19 11:22
15 255 Thomas Lawson 53 M5059 36:07 11:38
16 263 Joe Mayeux 54 M5059 37:26 12:03

**** FEMALE AGE GROUP: 60 - 64 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 221 Judy White 61 F6064 32:27 10:27
2 222 Bonnie Wassin 64 F6064 32:30 10:28
3 236 Ann Garner 63 F6064 33:56 10:56

**** MALE AGE GROUP: 60 - 64 ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 66 Hoyt Brown 60 M6064 23:42 7:38
2 72 Rich Phillips 60 M6064 24:03 7:45
3 90 John Bryant 64 M6064 25:06 8:05
4 125 Dwayne Burnett 60 M6064 26:53 8:39
5 164 Dan Woughter 61 M6064 29:38 9:32
6 240 Craig Green 64 M6064 34:04 10:58
7 243 Paul Conn 63 M6064 34:26 11:05
8 248 Jack Milne 64 M6064 34:58 11:16
9 284 Jerry White 64 M6064 42:25 13:39

**** FEMALE AGE GROUP: 65 & OVER ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 260 Robbie Tompkins 72 F65OV 37:17 12:00

**** MALE AGE GROUP: 65 & OVER ****

Place O'All Name Ag Div Guntime Pace
===== ===== ======================== == ===== =======
1 27 Sergio Bianchini 68 M65OV 20:46 6:41
2 101 Doug Hawley 68 M65OV 25:56 8:21
3 133 Jim Selman 66 M65OV 27:14 8:46
4 138 Walter Sinor 66 M65OV 27:35 8:53
5 231 John Simmons 65 M65OV 33:47 10:53
6 239 Phil Thomas 67 M65OV 33:58 10:56
7 289 David Wycherley 65 M65OV 47:36 15:20

New times for Inside Lee Basketball

2009-03-27T10:45:00.001-07:00

New Times for Inside Lee Basketball

The new times have been released for this year's final edition of the Inside Lee Basketball show on CSS, Charter, and Oak Ridge.

They are:

CSS Wednesday, April 1 at 5:00 PM Charter 22 Thursday, March 26 at 9:00 PM and every day at 9:00 until April 2 Oak Ridge 12, Thursday, March 26 at 9:30 PM Comcast Chattanooga 96, Monday, March 30 at 9:00 PM

Longer men's 3-point line hurts women's shooting too

2009-03-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

It’s well-documented that the extra foot added to the 3-point line has affected the men’s game — bringing down the national average for made 3-pointers to its lowest since the 1998-99 season at 34.23 percent, according to statsheet.com — but are there any effects on the women’s game as a result?

The easy answer would be no, because the women’s line has stayed in its original place, 19 feet, 9 inches from the basket. However, research by the Daily Iowan suggests the opposite — the women’s 3-point percentage has decreased at almost the same rate as the men’s 3-point percentage.

Junior guard Alyssa Hollins is closing in on a couple of 3-point shooting records for Missouri. ¦ BEN DILLON
BY BY DANNY MEHIGAN ~ Missourian

The 2007-08 season saw the highest 3-point percentage in the men’s game, 35.02 percent, since the national adoption of the line before the 1986-87 season. In the BCS conferences of women’s basketball — the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-10, and SEC — the 3-point percentage has dropped more than 0.6 from last year. The percentage as of Feb. 18 in the major six conferences is 31.94, compared with last year’s 32.58.

“It’s hard, because I never really look down at the line,” said Iowa senior Kristi Smith, who is shooting 42.9 percent from beyond the arc. “If I catch it, I’m open and in range, I’m going to shoot it.”

In an attempt to curb any decrease in 3-point shooting percentage, Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder addressed the problem at the beginning of the season by spending time in practice stepping on the men’s line.

“I was so tired of our women spotting up from behind the men’s 3-point line,” Bluder said. “I actually just made them come out and jump on top of the men’s 3 line so they got used to stepping on that line.
“It’s human nature to not step on the line.”

Despite the initial drill at the beginning of the season, senior Wendy Ausdemore, who is shooting 37.3 percent from downtown, admitted needing constant reminders during practice.

“Coach calls us out in practice all the time and she says, ‘Make it easier on yourself. You’re way behind the men’s line,’ ” Ausdemore said. “But as a player, I guess I don’t really notice when I do it except for if my shots are consistently short. Then, I can look down and tell that I’ve been behind the line.”

Ausdemore estimated that she gets told at least once a practice by Bluder that she is well beyond the men’s line. Despite the reminders, she has endured her lowest 3-point percentage since her freshman year — In 2007-08 she held the third-highest 3-point percentage in the NCAA at 45.6 percent, and in 2006-07 she finished in 14th, connecting on 41.6 percent of her 3-point attempts.

Only the two coastal conferences, the ACC and the Pac-10, have increased their 3-point percentages thus far in comparison with the 2007-08 campaign. Iowa’s Smith, whose 42.9 3-point percentage ranks 20th in the NCAA, has also increased her percentage from last year’s 34.6 percent, and she has reason to believe the new men’s line might actually be beneficial.
“Coach had us stomp on the men’s line because she wanted us to toe up to the women’s line,” Smith said. “It’s always in the back of my mind that I have to toe up and get that much closer.”

Another issue to be taken into account when considering the decrease in 3-point percentage is the varying colors of 3-point lines. In Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the women’s line is black, and the men’s line is white. In contrast, Duke, which Iowa played at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Dec. 4, has a white women’s line and a blue men’s line — Iowa’s shot 27.78 percent from 3-point range in Durham, N.C.; its season average is 36.1 percent.

“What makes it also difficult is in our arena our line is the black line and the men’s line is the white line. But you could go to a different arena, and it could be reversed,” Bluder said. “I think it probably needs to be more uniform at least with the outside line being this color and the inside line one being darker and one being lighter. That could be maybe a national change that would help that situation.”

By Jeff Pawola
February 24, 2009
Source: The Daily Iowan, U. Io

LC Sport Editor's 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Bracket

2009-03-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

Picks by Sports Editor, Cameron Fry

Storms Hall to hold March Madness bracket tournament

2009-03-18T09:24:00.001-07:00

Hey guys,

Welcome back from Spring Break!!!! As most of you probably know, it's
March Madness time. It's time to get out that bracket, study up on
the teams, and decide who is going to win it all. Although the pride that
comes with winning is great, here at Storms, we believe that not only
should winning make you feel good, but it should put money in your
pocket as well. The top four finishers will receive prizes with the
grand prize being worth more than $50.

So here's what you need to do:

1) Print out your own bracket or get a bracket from either myself
or your RA
2) Fill it out and put your name on it (very important).
3) Return it to us by Tuesday morning to get counted for the first
game (only worth 1 point so it's not that big of a deal) or return it
to us by Thursday morning at the latest. You can just slide it under
either of my doors or hand it to one of your RA's.

Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck to you all. Go Badgers!!!!

Justin

A baseball's response to steroids & uncut March Madness predictions

2009-03-14T23:51:00.000-07:00

Flames golf tournament updates

2009-03-14T23:30:00.000-07:00

From SI

DAYTONA, Fla. - Lee's women's golf team is in its first year of competition, but it hasn't taken a pair of its players long to grab the attention of several of the NAIA top golfers.

Julie Donnestad, who was a standout for the women's national championship soccer team, has joined the Lee women's golf program this spring and is tied for second place after the first round of the Eagle Invitational that is being hosted by Embry-Riddle. Donnestad opened tourney play with a 3-over-par 75. She is tied with Anna Haller of Embry-Riddle, Jackie Yu of Northwood (Fla.) University, and Charlotte Gullieux of Wayland Baptist (Texas). Daniela Iacobelli of Florida Institute of Technology is the leader with a 2-under-par 70.

Rachel Ingram, who transferred to Lee from UT-Knoxville this season, tallied a 76 and is tied for sixth with Tara Wiley (Southern Indiana). Jessi Hodge came in at 102 for the Lady Flames and Shauna Webb carded a 116.

The Lee ladies are in 12th place in the 12-team event. Host Embry-Riddle is the leader at 310, while Northwood is second at 315. The Lady Flames finished at 369.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the men's side, Lee men's golf team will have to battle from 20-strokes back if it entertains any hope of bringing home the first-place trophy from the 20th Annual Eagle Invitational being hosted by Embry-Riddle.

Lee senior Matthew Clouse had an outstanding first 18. He fired a 1-under-par 71. However, Clouse came back with a 78 in the final 18 holes of the long day and stands at 149 after 36 holes of the 54-hole tournament.

Freshman Taylor Huse is tied with Clouse for 10th place in the overall medalist battle. Huse was much more consistent with a 74-75 - 149. Wes Nobles is tied for 26th after a 75-79 - 154 and Joshua Lawson rounded out the Lee scores that counted with a 79-76 - 155. He is tied for 31st.

John Pannone and Reed Howard, both of South Carolina Beaufort, are one and two in the medalist hunt. Pannone started with a 73 and finished with a 70 for a 143 total. Howard posted a 71-73 - 144.

Baseball's Era of Steroids

2009-03-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

Steroids in baseball has become the hot topic for the last few years, but steroids have been used noticeably since the mid to late 90s.

Once steroids became big in baseball, the game changed a lot. Guys started to look like body builders, and it became a more offensive game.

More and more guys started to hit 30 or more home runs per season. More fans came to games because people wanted to see the long ball, and with steroids the balls went further more consistently.

The number of users went up over the years. Back in the mid to late 90s the most notable users were Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.

More and more players began using them in the early 2000s. Barry Bonds became the face of baseball after breaking the single season and career home run records. Bonds was ousted from baseball, but he remained the face of the steroid era.

Most recently, superstar Alex Rodriguez inherited the title. Most people thought Rodriguez would save baseball from this era. This just showed how big steroids is in baseball.

People say that the steroid era ruined baseball, but I like to think otherwise. This era gave people what they wanted.

For the owners it meant more money went into their pockets because more fans were coming to games and more merchandise was being sold.

For the fans, they got to see more balls launched out of the park. It was a win-win situation for the owners and fans.

Steroids, though, do not give you talent. Granted it lets you hit the ball further but you still have to be able to put the bat on the ball.

It does not give you talent; it gives you a chance to enhance the talent that was given to you.

Look at it this way. If you were making $45,000 a year, and a coworker told you about a pill or injection that would let you double your salary.

The majority of people would take that pill or injection because we want to make more money. I think that is the way the athletes feel.

It is a competitive world and you have to do what you can to get the edge over the next guy to achieve the things you want to achieve.

~ Chris Dubon

Lady Flames soccer honored for greatness

2009-03-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

On Feb. 20 the Lee University Lady Flames were inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. The honor was one of many accomplishments the team has achieved this school year, in addition to winning the NAIA national championship last December and seeing team members Jaime Achten and Christiane Christensen named 1st-Team All-Americans.

Joining the Lady Flames in the induction were two other Tennessee collegiate teams: Bethel College men’s soccer team for taking home the NAIA men’s national championship and the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team for capturing the 2008 national championship.

“To me that is so awesome because everyone knew about the University of Tennessee women's basketball team, and to be honored along with them is really special," said junior mid-fielder Molly Hoeweler. "I think that it is a great reward for all the hard work our whole team put into the season and not just the regular season but the off season too.”

This is the first time in school history that a Lee University team has been inducted into the Tennessee Hall of Fame and won a NAIA national championship.

“I feel really accomplished,” said mid-fielder Jenna Achten. “It was one of my goals that I was going to leave Lee with a national championship under my belt.”

The Lady Flames are already beginning conditioning and practice for the 2009-2010 season and hope to bring home another national championship next year.

~ Amy Kresge

Penguins set to resurface

2009-03-04T16:04:00.000-08:00

With a little under two months left in the regular season, things have begun to heat up in NHL. The race to the playoffs is in full swing, and many teams have made some drastic changes that might be enough to boost them into a coveted playoff spot.

One team that stirred up some commotion in the past few weeks has been the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins had thus far not lived up to the team of the 2007-2008 season. Michel Therrien, the coach that had pulled the Penguins out from the ashes had seemingly lost his way behind the bench.

Less than 24 hours after Pittsburgh lost a heartbreaking Valentine’s Day game against the Toronto Maple Leafs by a deficit of four goals, General Manager Ray Shero gave Therrien the pink slip.
Despite his overall impressive record with the Penguins, Therrien simply could have lost the connection with his players. He was always a tough coach, who never minced his words. While expecting the best is always a good thing, the negativity that most likely filled the Penguins locker room couldn’t have helped an already struggling team.

A day after Therrien was fired; Shero announced that the Penguins new interim head coach would be 38-year-old Dan Blysma. Blysma had been the head coach of the Penguins AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and comes with the reputation of being a player’s coach. So far, his aggressive play approach seems to be working, as the Penguins are 6-1-1, and currently on a four game winning streak.

Shero created even more waves when he traded defenseman Ryan Whitney for Anaheim Ducks forward Chris Kunitz and prospect Eric Tangradi. Ryan Whitney had been one of Penguins key players, and a part of the new generation that the team was centered around.

Kunitz’s speed and ability to get the puck to the net makes him a valuable asset to a team whose star players have been having scoring inconsistencies. Kunitz has already impressed many, and is on a streak himself having gotten at least one point in the past four games.

Don’t count this year’s team out yet because with a couple new faces the floundering Penguins may have been revived.

~ Saralyn Norkus, LC hockey analyst

Painsworth taken by Redskins

2009-03-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

The Washington Redskins emerged victorious last Friday after acquiring free agency's greatest prize in ex-Tennessee Titans star, Albert Haynesworth.

The defensive specialist had been riding the fence for months concerning his football future. Even during a memorable 13-3 regular season run in 2008, and carrying the franchise tag (a honor given to the face of the team), Haynesworth struggled to keep trade talks from becoming a distraction.

Bodog Beat News Ticker | December 7th, 2007

The contract at play called for $100 million over seven years, with $41 million guaranteed. In addition to Haynesworth, the Redskins reeled in ex-Oakland Raider DeAngelo Hall to a more modest six-year deal guaranteeing $22.5 million.

With the deal official, several National Football League analysts and fans alike have debated whether Haynesworth deserved the contract extended to him. Many felt Haynesworth's value failed to equate to the sum he was asking for, thus providing a financial favor for the Titans, while others feel the Titans will regret matching the offer.

"The Titans never even made a market value offer," said Mike Rizzo of North Jersey, N.J.

"There were a half dozen teams willing to pay our biggest free agent what we weren't willing to pay...[the] Titans had the third money under the cap - way more than Washington. I say [that's] pathetic and he should have taken the money elsewhere."

Although the Titans were adamant in retaining an intimidating defense, the team believed they would not only risk losing multiple key players for the sake of one, but the money spent would put a cap on signing other free agents and draft picks down the road.

"I think he was one of the best free agents on the market, but that kind of money, especially with the economy struggling the way it is, just seems absurd," said Lee University senior Ben Pressley.

Still others will miss the 6'6", 320 pound defensive end, despite the headaches he created for front office management.

"I am deeply saddened by losing Haynesworth because he...made the defense the dominating unit that it was," said Michael Branch of Phoenix, Arizona.

"I am not by any means diminishing anyone else on the defense because it is a terrific unit, but when Haynesworth didn't play, there was a huge difference in the defense."

"Haynesworth was the heart and soul of our defensive line. Letting a player like that go will take years to recover from," said Lee University freshman Daniel Diffenderfer.

"A hundred million dollars is too much money to give him, but he'll definitely be missed."

Haynesworth will now anchor a much improved defensive unit for the Redskins, leaving the Titans with a gaping hole in the middle. However, one must ask himself which team won in the future department.

~ Cameron Fry

NEW SPORTS TWITTER now up and running...

2009-02-28T12:36:00.000-08:00

http://twitter.com/FlameSports

Updated scores and breaking sports stories will be posted on here frequently throughout each day, and will show up automatically on LeeClarion's twitter feed linked to www.leeclarion.com (This will show up on the home page underneath the facebook ad):

In case you missed out...

2009-02-18T13:20:00.000-08:00

...on all the great sports moments at Lee from the 2007-08 year...enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDEE_qJrcgQ

Recruiting news: Part IV

2009-02-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

From SI

Flames add Reyneke to soccer squad

Having a former player as a local high school coach is paying big dividends for the Lee University men's soccer team.

Already with a trio of players that led Cleveland High to its first TSSAA State Soccer Tournament last spring, Flames coach Henry Moyo has inked a fourth key Raider from that squad with the signing of forward Sias Reyneke.

"We were district champs in 2007. Last year we won the region and sectional championships and made our first state tournament. Sias played a significant role in both of those championship seasons," former Flame and current Cleveland High coach John Brose related.

With his senior season just a few weeks away, Reyneke was thrilled to accept the offer to continue his soccer career with a program that played in back-to-back NAIA national tournaments. "It is a real challenge for me to get the opportunity to play for a program that competes on a national level," expressed Reyneke, who will be joining former Raider teammates Edgar Cordero, Drew Henderson and Marlon Ayala, all freshmen with the Flames.

"I have been watching this program (Cleveland) for several years and saw John (Brose) develop it into a strong program that is producing some very strong players," coach Moyo commented. "Sias is a very, very technical player with strong skills and a very good work ethic."

"He has come to our camps and I have watched him develop. He has very good field vision and a strong understanding of the game. He has a passion for the game and most importantly is willing to learn. He wants to get better and is willing to work hard to do that."

"Sias has a great work ethic and is very coachable," coach Brose related. "He is one of the smartest players Ive ever coached. He knows the game. He has meant a lot to our program and we are looking forward to another great year with him leading the way."

Reynekes abilities on the pitch are just one of the things that attracted the attention of the Lee coaching staff. "He is very strong academically and has a very strong, Christian family background, stated Coach Moyo. He is a great kid all the way around in the classroom, in life, as well as on the field," added Brose.

With a 4.0 grade point average, Reyneke is tied for first in this class academically with just a couple of months remaining until graduation. "One the main reasons I chose Lee is because of their academics," explained Reyneke. "Ive had a great experience here (at Cleveland High). The team has a special bond. We have a very positive atmosphere and pick each other up if we get down. I hope to have that same experience at Lee."

After scoring four goals and an assist for an 11-8-1 Raider team as a sophomore, Reyneke upped his production to 10 goals last year as Cleveland went 18-6. He scored the game-winning goal in the region semifinal victory over Ooltewah that advanced the Raiders to the sectional game.

As for switching from the spring high school season to the fall college game, Reyneke stated, "Ive been playing for the PSA club team in Chattanooga. That has prepared me to play year-round against high quality players."

Reyneke will be following in the footsteps of some top-notch players who have worn the Flame uniform, including Ricardo Pierre-Louis and Stanley Nyazamba. The pair were NAIA All-Americans two years ago before playing this past season for the Columbus Crew which won the Major League Soccer Championship over the New York Red Bulls in November.

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Yelton announces signing class for 2009

Lee University head soccer coach Matt Yelton announced the signing of nine players to scholarships on Wednesday as the Lady Flames look to defend their national championship.

The Lady Flames are coming off a year that saw them post a 24-1-1 on their way to the school’s first ever NAIA National Championship. The Lady Flames return 8-of-11 starters in 2009, and should have the necessary firepower to put up on a strong defense of their national championship.

Lee’s 2009 recruiting class is a large one, and Coach Yelton states, “This may be the best class that we have ever signed at Lee, and given the nature of our success the last few years, that is saying something.”

The members of the 2009 class are Darcy Brannen, Amy Cochran, Kim Conrad, Ali Eisnaugle, Louise Fensome, Claire Lanter, Lindsey Muratta, Missy Shaw, and Leah Wilson. “I'm extremely excited about these nine players and I'm looking forward to working with them for the next four years," said Yelton.

“This is a very versatile class and all of these players will be able to come in and contribute right away. One of the issues we felt we had to address with this recruiting class was to bring in quality players that can get into our team quickly and by their sophomore season be able to step into the void that we will have after graduating a large senior class.”

Coach Yelton summed up his class by stating, “One of our priorities in recruiting has always been to bring in the best local players that we can, and I believe that we have added five of the top players from the state of Tennessee with this year’s class. "In addition," he added. "we have been able to stay even closer to home and reach out and bring three of the top players in the 2009 Chattanooga senior class to Lee.”

Brannen comes to Lee from Soddy-Daisy, Tenn., where she played for East Ridge Express Soccer Club and has played the last four seasons for Yelton. She is the daughter of John and Jacquie Brannen and is the younger sister of Nikki who plays college soccer at Carson Newman.

She helped lead her club team to a the 2007 State Cup Final, and in 2008 was a crucial member of the squad that captured the Region Three Premier League title and advanced to Southern Regionals. For the last three seasons she has lead the team in scoring while playing as a forward or attacking midfielder.

Branned played her high school soccer at Notre Dame High School, under the tutelage of Coach Jim Schermerhorn, where she was a four-year starter. Along the way, she was named the team’s best midfielder as Notre Dame advanced to the state semi-final game in each of her four years.

“Having had the honor to coach Darcy the last four years, I believe she is going to bring a great deal to our Lee team.” Yelton said. “Darcy is a force on the field because she can play and score from almost anywhere and is an extremely competitive player. Also, she is an absolute soccer junkie and has a great understanding of the game and is a true student of the game.”

Cochran comes to Lee all the way from Yorba Linda, Calif. Cochran played for one of the top high schools in Southern California (Esperanza High School) under the direction of coach John King and helped lead her team to the 2008 Sunset League Championship and to the state semi-finals in 2007 and state quarterfinals in 2008.

For her efforts she was named to the All-League team. Esperanza is currently ranked as the No. 6 team in the nation by ESPN Rise Magazine. Amy’s club accomplishments are just as impressive as she played for one of the top club teams in the United States, Slammers FC, under the direction of coach Ramon Reid.

“Amy is a quality athlete. She is a talented soccer player and her best soccer is still in front of her. I was impressed with her impact on the game every time I watched her. She will be an outstanding college soccer player. Her experience playing in big games will only make it easier for her to step up to the college level.” Amy is the daughter of David and Marguerite Cochran.

Conrad hails from Murfreesboro, Tenn. She attends Siegel High School and played her high school soccer under the direction of Eric Shelton, and plays her club soccer for Stones River Soccer Club where she is currently coached by Graham Whitehouse. She is the daughter of Dan and Janet Conrad.

Kim comes to Lee as one of the most decorated players coming out of the state of Tennessee in the 2009 recruiting class. The Stones River Strikers have captured seven straight state championships and were semi-finalist at Southern Regionals in 2005 and 2006 and advanced to the quarterfinals in 2008. In her seven years with the team, Kim has served as a team captain for four of those seasons.

Conrad has been equally successful while playing for Siegel High School. She captained the team to the 2008 Tennessee AAA State Championship. During her high school career she has won multiple district and regional honors and was selected Tennessee All-State in 2007 and 2008. She finished her career as the third-leading goal-scorer in school history.

Coach Yelton had this to say about Conrad, “I think Kim is one of the top players coming out of Tennessee this year. She has the ability to play in a number of different positions and has demonstrated a great deal of success along the way. The quality that I especially appreciate about Kim is that while her individual play may not be incredibly flashy, by the end of the match she is often the player who has made the biggest contribution to her team’s winning result.”

Eisnaugle comes to Lee by way of Franklin, Tenn. and will join older sister Chelsea in wearing the maroon and white. She played her high school soccer at Independence under the direction of David Cordero de Jesus. She is the daughter of Jon and Amy Eisnaugle.

Ali, along with fellow signee Kim Conrad, plays her club soccer for the Stones River Strikers team. Eisnaugle had an outstanding senior season and earned several individual awards while playing for Independence. She was selected to both the All-Region and All-District Team and her season was capped off with the tremendous honor of being named to the Tennessee All-State Team.

“Ali is a very polished player and has the knack for being in the right place at the right time,” coach Yelton stated. “She impressed us in how much she contributed to each team we watched her play for in the last year and a half. She was always making players around her better and we believe she is only going to get better and will be a very good college player.”

Fensome becomes Yelton’s latest addition from the UK and hails from St Neots, England. She is currently enrolled at Filton College where she is a member of the Bristol Academy team and is coached by Mark Sampson. Bristol Academy is regarded as the top Academy in England and has won back-to-back national championships. She is the daughter of Sue Fensome.

Fensome has been a starter at Bristol Academy for the two years she has been enrolled in the program and currently serves as one of the team captains. Bristol is undefeated in their march towards a third consecutive national championship.

“Louis is a quality defender that can excel anywhere across the backline. She has an outstanding understanding of the game and her experience playing at one of the top levels in England will be very valuable to our squad,” Yelton stated.

Lanter hails from Soddy-Daisy, Tenn. and attended Soddy-Daisy High School. Her older sister, Paige, plays her college soccer at Samford under the direction of Coach Matt Yelton’s brother, Todd Yelton. Claire is the daughter of Greg and Jeana Lanter.

Claire had a very successful high school career at Soddy-Daisy under the direction of coach Moises Drummond. While she captainied the team, Soddy-Daisy won two district and regional championships and also advancing to the state quarterfinals in 2007. For her efforts she was twice voted the District 6 MVP and also Regional Defensive Player of the Year Honors in her junior and senior seasons. In addition she was twice recognized as the Times-Free Press Best of Preps award winner, and capped off her senior season with an all-state selection.

Lanter played her club soccer under Yelton and a was crucial to the teams success the last two season as the club advanced to the 2007 State Cup Final. In 2008, Lanter was a key component of the squad that captured the Region Three Premier League title and lead the league in goals against as Express advanced to Southern Regionals.

“Claire is another local player who we are excited about getting into our program," said Yelton. "Having had the opportunity to work with her the last three years, I believe she has all of the qualities of an excellent college player. Claire possesses everything we look for in a player – size, speed, quickness, work rate, passing ability and skill to make things happen. "She loves the game of soccer and her abilities in defense will impact our team immediately," added Yelton. "Claire has really come into her own the past two years and could help us in a number of defensive positions. We are excited to have her as a Lady Flame and our fans will enjoy her abilities.”

Muratta is one of two players that Yelton reached into the state of Alabama to recruit. Lindsey is from Gadsden and prepped at Gadsden City High under the direction of coach Billy Martin. She played her club soccer for the Gadsden Tornado. She is the daughter of Paul and Mary Muratta and Cindy Kasper.

While at Gadsden City, she led the team to a Final Four of the Alabama State Tournament as a freshman and then went on to be named her team’s MVP the next four seasons. She was named to multiple all-district and all-region teams. For her club team she helped direct the team to two state championships while also spending time with the Alabama ODP team.

“Lindsey is a hard working defender who is going to give you her best every time out," said Yelton. "She is a good passer of the ball and is constantly hitting quality distribution from the back line. She is also strong on the ball and reads the game well. I believe she will develop into a very good player for the Lady Flames.”

Shaw is the second player that Yelton was able to persuade to leave the state of Alabama. She is from Birmingham and has spent the last five seasons of a very successful high school career at Briarwood Christian. She is the daughter of Bob and Cindy Shaw.

Missy has been a mainstay in midfield for Briarwood, starting as an eighth grader and establishing the team as one of the tops in Alabama. In her time patroling the midfield, Briarwood has played in four straight state championship matches, and won the title twice in 2005 and 2006. She will be looked upon to lead the team to their third state title as the 2009 season kicks off in a few weeks.

Her club team has been equally impressive in their achievements while she has been a member of the team. She has spent her club career playing for Birmingham United Elite and has been a part of three state championship teams. This past December her team captured the championship while competing in the elite Disney Showcase.

“Missy is a player who I think has a great understanding of the game,” said Yelton. “She has worked hard to develop her own game and because of her technical ability rarely concedes possession. She will bring a lot of intensity and desire to our team and we believe that she will make an impact right away.”

Wilson is the final member of the 2009 class. She is another local product from Chattanooga who prepped for Chattanooga Christian. She is the daughter of Gerald and Janice Wilson.

Leah has spent the last five seasons as the starting goalkeeper for one of the top A-AA schools in Tennessee. In her five years with the team, CCS has played in one state final, two semi-final matches, and one quarterfinal match.

In her five-year career, she racked up 58 shutouts on her way to being named a three year member of the Chattanooga Best of Preps team and was selected to the prestigious Tennessee All-State Team in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

“The biggest thing about her is she brings skill and athletic ability that are hard to find in a goalkeeper,” Yelton said. “She already has the skill to step into a good college program and play right away, and I think she’ll continue to improve.”

Becoming a Lee sports fan

2009-02-09T08:36:00.000-08:00

Students at Lee have many ways to get connected on-campus: service groups, Greek clubs, intramurals, on-campus jobs and a plethora of other options. One aspect of Lee that a lot of people take pride is the athletic departments. You can connect by supporting and being a fan, but you don’t just have to sit in the stands to be connected.

Lee University offers many ways to become part of the team without actually participating in a sport.

Become a manager for one of Lee's seven men’s sports and seven women’s sports. Lee also offers club sports, such as rugby and wrestling.

Summer Smith was manager for the Lee University volleyball team this past season. Her experience included hard work, but it also included friends and travel, among other things.

Coach Andrea Hudson knew Smith had played volleyball in high school and was knowledgeable about the sport. This would help when Smith took statistics, a job that requires a lot of attention to detail.

“If you miss one thing the whole play will get messed up, and then the stats will not equal out," said Smith.

She also said she was thankful for the help of another student with the statistics because she could not have handled it by herself.

Smith also got to travel to places such as Texas and Ohio with the team for tournaments. This kind of travel is a great way to get to know the team.

"The girls on the team are great and fun to be around. The coaches are wonderful as well. It was a great experience,” said Smith.

For a list of sports offered at Lee, visit www.leeuniversity.edu/athletics.

Recruiting news: Part V

2009-02-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

From SI

Maupin lands Tyler Smith for men's golf

Lee University coach John Maupin has gone fishing in a big pond and has apparently landed a prize golfer. Tyler Smith has agreed to enter Lee and become a member of the men’s golf team in August.

“I have been in constant contact with Tyler since this past summer,” said Maupin. “He has been one of our top targets since I took over as head coach. It goes without saying that I am very happy to have him on board.”

Smith is from Peachtree City, Ga., and attended Starrs Mill during his freshman and sophomore years of high school. He has been homeschooled for the past two years. “I decided on Lee because of the way I felt stepping onto the school campus,” he noted. “I could feel that it was the right fit with the guys on the team and a very good coach stepping in to lead the team.” Smith was asked to play at Georgia State and University of Southern Mississippi before accepting Maupin’s offer.

“I feel that coming to a program that will be relying on me as one of the leaders will be great,” he admitted. “It is the kind of pressure that makes great players. I think that it will push me to play great golf and learn to know my game better than I have before. I think that it will just be overall a great experience.”

“As a player Tyler’s tournament scores speak for themself,” pointed out Maupin. “This past summer he won the SJGT Tour Championship, which is a very big tournament. The SJGT is one of the most competitive junior tours in the country. Tyler is also rated as one of the top junior golfers in the state of Georgia. I have been very impressed with his work ethic and his focus on the game. He understands what we are trying to accomplish here at Lee and I have no doubt that he can help the team accomplish its goals.”

Maupin is also getting an outstanding student. Smith had a 3.5 GPA at Starrs Mill and now has pushed that mark to a 4.0.

Of course Maupin understands he has to replace quality players. “We lose four valuable seniors off this year’s team,” the coach stressed. “I was looking to bring in players that could come in and make an impact right away. I believe that Tyler will be able to do that. We were looking to bring in two very good players in the 2009 recruiting class. I believe we have done that with the additions of Tyler Hollister and Tyler Smith.”

"I have been playing golf since I was six years old and I really knew when I was 12 that this was what I wanted to do with my life,” Smith said. He lettered for two years in high school golf and had a 37-stroke average during his sophomore year.

Smith gives two people (his father Tim Smith and instructor Charles McLendon) credit for having the biggest impact on his career. “My dad has been amazing supporting me and teaching me how to be disciplined and practice hard. Mr. McLendon has got my golf swing to where it is now and opened many doors for me in golf. He really has made me into the player I am,” said the proud golfer.

The new Lee signee feels the strongest part of his game is his solid iron play. “I have always hit a lot of greens in regulation and I think that that will help me at Lee,” he confessed. “The part of my game that I am working on the most is the short and mental aspects. Those two are really the key to playing great golf.”

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Moyo signs two midfielders for men's soccer

Lee men’s soccer coach Henry Moyo recently announced the addition of graduate assistant coach Thuba Nkomazana and also the signing of a pair of midfielders, Kwame Adu Boamah and Earl Curtis Alcide.

Nkomazana just completed his studies from Coastal Carolina University where he received a degree in Sports Management. The latest addition was an honor student at Coastal Carolina. He was on the Dean’s List and a member of the All-Big South Academic team for two years.

The new Lee assistant began his college soccer career at Lindsey Wilson (2004-05) He was named All-Region and All-American and helped the NAIA soccer power win a national championship. Originally from Zimbabwe, Nkomazana transferred to Coastal Carolina and help the South Carolina team reach the semifinal round of the NCAA tournament before falling to Auburn University.

Moyo noted that Nkomazana is not only familiar with NAIA competition, but he also played at very competitive levels and is bringing that experience to Lee. At Coastal, Nkomazana played just one season and suffered a career-ending injury. “He has already worked a couple of our summer camps the last two years,” said Moyo.

“Thuba is a hard worker, dedicated to excellence. He is a proven winner.” Nkomazana will be responsible for everyday program management, management of the academic aspect of the players, office work, recruiting, some scheduling and equipment management as well as helping with training, according to Moyo.

“I am very excited to have him work for me,” said Moyo, who is replacing former graduate assistant Nick Odeny. “He has his coaching license and has proven that he is a successful coach by taking his girls youth team to the state finals in one year.”

Kwame Adu Boamah comes to Lee from American Academy in Tampa, Fla. He came to the United States after playing youth soccer in Ghana. “He is a very solid and experienced defender and midfielder,” said Moyo. “Adu has very good passing skills and likes to play simple, but effective soccer.”

Said Moyo, “Boamah was offered several scholarships in the Florida area, but chose to come to Lee and we are very pleased. Following his visit to Lee last fall he started working on beginning his studies in January so that he can get used to academic life in college.”

Earl Curtis Alcide is a junior college All-America from St. Lucia by way of Bryant and Stratton College in Syracuse, N.Y. The midfielder comes with very high recommendations from all his coaches both in college and club, stressed Moyo. “Curtis was also fortunate to play for St. Lucia national team in last year’s World Cup qualifiers,” added the Lee skipper.

Moyo pointed out that the St. Lucia team may not have reached far in the World Cup, but said Curtis will bring that experience to our Lee program. “We look forward to his contributions. He is another player who has great vision and sees the play two steps ahead and makes simple plays. He is a midfield/forward and will replace veteran Ivan Heredia.”

Team or self? A comparison off Super Bowl XLIII reflection

2009-02-02T09:48:00.000-08:00

After watching the Super Bowl between the Cardinals and Steelers, I decided to compare two stars from the game: Larry Fitzgerald from the Cardinals, and Santonio Holmes from the Steelers. Both are wide receivers who made clutch touchdown passes, giving their team the lead late in the game. Fitzgerald’s came with just a few minutes left in the game, while Holmes’ TD catch came with less than a minute left to play.
While both are spectacular athletes with a true gift for playing football, there was one difference that I noticed between the two. Every time Fitzgerald caught the ball, he would immediately get up, toss the ball to the nearest referee, and go back to his team huddle. Holmes, on the other hand, would strut around and show off after every catch he made, even the ones that were hardly significant. At one point, late in the game, when his team needed to run a hurry-up offense, he made a great catch near the end zone. Instead of hurrying back to the line of scrimmage, however, he strutted around and wasted time, forcing his team to call a timeout.
While many players show off and dance around after making great plays, it seems that the players who are humble enough to act like they have made big plays before and simply go back to their huddle are the ones who deserve the most recognition. Granted, Holmes and the Steelers won the game, and Holmes made one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history, clinching the win with just seconds to go. But he also made himself look childish compared to the behavior of his counterpart, Larry Fitzgerald.

~ Ben Pressley

Midseason basketball athlete reflections

2009-01-26T08:23:00.000-08:00

"Everyone had high expectations coming off of the great year the team had last season. So far with losing four games it would seem that our team has not lived up to those expectations. We see it different though. Often you can't enjoy the sweet times without experiencing some sour times in between. Our team has gone through adversity and faced many challenges, and now I believe we are better equipped for the end of the season. Now, when the national tournament rolls around, we will have more experience when facing difficult situations and times. We are getting stronger every day and are looking forward to finishing strong..."

- Stephen McClellan

"I think that this year is different than last year is, obviously our record. We have had a few close games this year thus far, losing some and winning some. Having lost a few games, it motivates us to get better and better each day. Having an uphill battle to come out on top in the conference motivates us to come out everyday in practice and in games to compete hard and give everything we got on the court. I think that our team has really come together since the beginning of the year and we are playing more together. Lee can expect big things to happen with this squad as we enter crunch time in conference play and hoping to further our season to make our return to Kansas City for the national tournament."

- Jeff Barnhart

"We are a more inside-oriented team than a year ago, having said that we are still running our same offense from last season with a few new wrinkles to it. We have very strong senior leadership and great returning players; coupled with a strong recruiting class, [that] has led to great things. This team has the ability to be as good as they want to be. Our goals really don't change from season to season, we are first trying to win our regular season conference, then win the conference tournament championship which gives us an automatic bid to the national tournament. Our offensive and defensive adjustments we really do as we prepare for every game and then more often than not we make adjustments in game, which is usually the difference in the game. We are 12-4 for a reason, and if closing out games was a problem for us I think our record would show it. We are very pleased with the growth of our new players and we expect great thing out of them and the rest of our team in the weeks to come.

- Coach Tommy Brown

Recruiting news: Part IV

2009-01-22T19:14:00.000-08:00

From SI

Lee golf coach John Maupin has reached into the Memphis area to add an experienced golfer to his 2009-10 women’s squad. Evangelical Christian School’s Amanda Martin (Cordova, Tenn.) has signed to become a Lady Flame.

Lee hired Maupin to coach the men’s team and to start a new women’s golf program last year. He sees Martin as an immediate women’s impact player on the NAIA level. “I think this a big signing for our program,” he stressed. “Since we lose our top two players off this year’s team, we need to bring in players that can come in and contribute in a big way.”

Maupin pointed out that Martin has played in many big tournaments and has shot some good numbers in those tournaments. “I expect Amanda to come in and compete like a No. 1 player for us. She has the ability to make a big impact on the national scene as a freshman. She comes from a small Christian school, which I think will make her adjustment to Lee easier. She is an outstanding student as well. I really feel that Amanda is the total package and I am very excited about her future career here at Lee."

”Coach Maupin was a big reason I chose Lee,” said Martin “He showed a lot of interest in recruiting me and was very good at getting me to take a look at the school. His enthusiasm for Lee and the goals that he has for winning a national title, as well as the idea of bringing in four other girls to build the program around, really interests me.”

The new Lee recruit said she also considered and met with the coaches from Alabama, Ole Miss, Arkansas and Vanderbilt who showed some interest. “I also had some offers from Shorter College (Rome, Ga.) and Pfeiffer University (DII school near Charlotte, NC).”

While Maupin is excited about Martin’s decision to come to Lee, the new recruit is ready for the opportunity. “I am very excited about the opportunity to begin my career with four other freshman as well as the other players on the team,” she explained. “We have a chance to be very good in our first year. We will have a strong chance to finish near the top at the nationals over the next few years and hopefully win a national title.”

Martin picked up on golf at an early age. She began putting on the carpet in her living room with her dad when she was three years old. He initially taught her the game and then put Amanda in her first tournament when she was seven.

She points directly to her parents (Scott and Kim) as having the biggest influence on her career. “They provided me with the coaching, tournaments and practice facilities that I needed to be successful in the game,” Lee’s new recruit stressed.

Martin has played in eight AJGA national events, (the premiere tour for juniors). The highlight was a 1-under 34 on the back at the TPC Southwind, which turned out to be the lowest 9-hole score of the tournament in 2007. She played in the Optimist Tennessee State Championships four times, winning the title in 2006. She advanced to play the Optimist International in Palm Beach, Fla. at PGA National four times. In her last appearance, she finished 29th out of 58 of the best junior players in the world.

Beginning in the eighth grade, Martin took part in the TSSAA State High School Championships four times. Her highest finish was seventh (158). Add 35-plus appearances in United States Junior Golf Tour Tournaments and you can see why Maupin is so excited, especially since his latest signee won approximately 20 of those events and was named player of the year in the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons.

Martin says the strongest part of her game is her short game and specifically her putting. “I need to work on my distance off the tee and my approach shots, which will allow me to hit more greens in regulation, thus lowering my scores."

She has been working with swing coach Ted Butler for the past four or five years. He described his student as having a great attitude and a strong fundamental game. “We’re working on getting her a little more length and that will come,” said Butler. “She hits the ball consistently straight. She comes out of a very strong junior golf program and I view her as a solid college golf recruit.”

Maupin expects to announce the signing of at least two more women’s golfers during the next 10 to 12 days.

Recent thoughts on Lee basketball: Part 1

2009-01-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

For those who caught basketball fever at Lee last year, it probably wouldn't be so hard to understand how this season for both men's/women's teams has been...different.

With the season's midpoint behind us, it's time to analyze the progress of both teams. So in the coming weeks, different members of Lee Clarion's sport section will pitch in comments and expertise with quotes and images of your favorite players. Check back in the coming days as we update our series as Lee hosts an array of home games to conclude January:

Men's Basketball

Jan. 22

Reinhardt College
8:00:00 PM EST
104.1 FM/Teamline

Jan. 24

Southern Polytechnic
7:00:00 PM EST
104.1 FM/Teamline

Jan. 29

Southern Wesleyan
8:00:00 PM EST
104.1 FM/Teamline

Women's Basketball

Jan. 22

Reinhardt College
6:00:00 PM EST
104.1 FM/Teamline

Jan. 24

Southern Polytechnic
5:00:00 PM EST
104.1 FM/Teamline

Jan. 29

Southern Wesleyan
6:00:00 PM EST
104.1 FM/Teamline

For now, revisit some early season highlight videos:

Recruiting news: Part III

2009-01-14T14:26:00.000-08:00

From SI

The Lee baseball season is only three weeks away and coach Mark Brew has added three transfers to his program. Two are expected to step in and help immediately, while the other will be added to the red-shirt list. Aaron Everett was one of the top hurlers for coach Todd Raleigh at UT-Knoxville last season. His 2008 season ended with an arm-injury while pitching against the University of Florida. The native of Loudon, Tenn., is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander. He played for coach Bill Thompson at Loudon High and was a two-time all-state. During his senior season he was 13-1 with a 1.27 earned run average. During three seasons for the Vols, he was 8-1 with three saves and an ERA 2.82. He holds the UT record for eight-consecutive game appearances.

From the Chattanooga area, Tanner Moore is a 6-foot, 200 pound versatile player, who bats left and throws right and will be battling for playing time in the Lee infield. A two-time all-state player for Coach Chris Richardson at McCallie High School, Moore attended East Tennessee State University his freshman year and played for Coach Tony Skole. He started all 43 games as a freshman and hit .288 with three homers and 22 RBI. He also was second on the team hitting .338 in Atlantic Sun Conference action. In 2008 at Tennessee, he played for coach Raleigh and appeared in 50 games, starting in 14. He posted a .218 average with three doubles and seven RBI.

If looks are any indicator of talent, Brew has a big-time player with the signing of Junior Rodriguez. He's a transfer from Palm Beach Community College. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, the right-handed hitter can be used at third base or behind the plate. He graduated from Coral Gables High School in Miami and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 46th round of the 2006 MLB draft. At Palm Beach, he played for coach Alex Morales and was first-team all-conference in 2007 home runs and hitting .365 with 31 RBI. He was all-conference again in 2008, batting.385 with eight homers and 51 RBI.

Brandon Cunniff joined the Flames during the fall semester. From Corona, Calif., the right-handed hurler graduated from Norco High School. He played at Riverside Community College in California as a freshman. He transferred to New Mexico Junior College for his sophomore season. Originally and infielder, Cunniff was converted to a full-time pitcher at New Mexico and recorded 7-3 mark with a 3.74 ERA. He registered 77 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched.

Thoughts from the Sports Editor:

Again, coach Mark Brew has exemplified professional discernment in his four selections, keeping in mind his team's needs after falling to Lewis-Clark State in last year's NAIA World Series. Despite a 63-10 record, Brew focused his attention on big time performers who could deliver in the clutch consistently. The addition of Everett will deepen the pitching rotation, and with his knack for endurance, the ex-UTK star could prove useful in case the injury bug strikes.

Easing the transition for Everett will be his former UTK teammate, Tanner Moore. Moore may be the most well-rounded pick up by Crew in the offseason and will be huge in the long run for the Flames.

In the final two losses against Lewis-Clark State, the heart of Lee's lineup failed to squeeze out clutch hits. The acquisition of Junior Rodriguez should help fill in any power gaps in the middle of Brew's order.

Finally, Brandon Cunniff will bring relief firepower to an already solid bullpen, as he averaged over a strikeout per inning at New Mexico Junior College. Given the strength and recognition of NM's program, Cunniff could be the sleeper of all the additions to Brew's crew.

Flames Face No. 1 Mountain State on Saturday

2009-01-09T13:25:00.000-08:00

Remembers last year's come-from-behind 73-72 upset of Mountain State? Well, get ready to unleash the excitement in hope for a repeat lashing Saturday night.

From SI

After finding a way to win a key SSAC game against Emmanuel College on Thursday, the Lee men's basketball team will turn its attention towards a battle with No. 1-ranked Mountain State University (W.Va.) on Saturday at 8 p.m.

Lee traveled to Beckley, W.Va. and upset Mountain State last season. Coach Tommy Brown and his Flames would like to turn the trick in Walker Arena. However, Brown admits it will take Lee's best effort of the season to turn back the powerful Cougars.

For the second straight Saturday, all elementary school-age students will be admitted free. "I encourage the local community to come out and witness one of the finest teams in basketball on any level," said Brown. "Coach Bob Bolen does a great job of recruiting top-notch players from all over the country."

Mountain State has been in the NAIA National Tournament for 15 straight years and won the championship in 2007. On the other hand, Brown has taken the Flames to the national tournament three straight years and the Flames reached the final eight in 2008.

Hockey at Lee?

2009-01-05T09:10:00.001-08:00

Clubs and organizations abound at Lee University, yet there is still one activity that hasn’t been explored. We have wrestling and rugby, so perhaps the sport of hockey should be taken into consideration.

While it’s probably not the most realistic of choices, there are a few positive aspects of having a hockey team formed here at Lee.

1. A hockey team could help Lee gain the interest of more international students. In countries such as Canada, Russia, Finland, and Sweden, hockey is a very popular sport. Perhaps the opportunities to play or watch a hockey game near campus would encourage more students to come to Lee.
2. Forming a team would give current students a chance to experience this action packed sport. Unless you are coming from an area where hockey is prominent, chances are that it has flown under your sports radar; it is time for an awakening.
3. Having a hockey team would provide PR and advertising majors with an excellent opportunity to get out in the community and hone their skills.

However, as a realist, I must leave my soap box behind momentarily. It’s sad to say, but there are a number of reasons why Lee will most likely not have a hockey team.

1. The closest ice rink to the Cleveland area happens to be in Knoxville. That is a pretty long distance to drive to have an afternoon practice.
2. While hockey is a popular sport, I can safely hypothesize that a good portion of the student wouldn’t be interested in the formation of a team.
3. Lee doesn’t have a formal football team, which is by far one of the more popular sports in this region. If we don’t even have a football team, chances are highly stacked against a hockey team.

~ Saralyn Norkus

Brett Favre must retire

2009-01-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

I don't know how you feel about Brett Favre these days.

Photo from AP Press

Yes, I felt excited for him last August when he signed with the New York Jets. And yes, I quietly rooted for him behind the scenes despite my uncanny loyalty being entirely committed to the Tennessee Titans. And after a 8-3 record through the first 11 games of the regular season, I, along with much of the sports nation, could not help but feel Favre's decision to come back and play football with a new team was the right decision.

But as you well know by now, Favre and his underachieving Jets fell short of the NFL playoffs after a 1-4 finish through the season's final five games. Favre's impressive numbers and quarterback ratings through the season's halfway point eventually fell from noteworthy to something around medicre (perhaps subpar by Favre's standards) by season's end. Now Favre faces the prospect of retirement...again.

Oh boy, we've seen this before for what seems like the past 10 years, haven't we? Favre finishes another season short of accomplishing his ultimate goal, and at his final conference, he addresses all that's going on in that unpredictable head of his. So now let the media games and drama being! Perhaps ESPN should donate some coverage time to TNT, since they claim to know drama!

Luckily New York still has the Giants to cheer for, otherwise the situation in the Long Island/Empire state would be fairly bleak at the moment. Overall you can't blame the Jets' failure solely on Favre. However, now that his season is over, I can't bare to stand anymore articles/releases on what Favre's next move might be. It seriously prompts the question why do I even bother keeping up with his personal matters anymore. The Jets invested in a man who could be temporary face of a franchise that is years removed from locking in on a Super Bowl appearance. And chances are at least moderately high the Favre era in New York will be one and done.

Recruiting news: Part II

2008-12-31T05:26:00.000-08:00

COOKEVILLE -- When judging her priorities for a college choice, Cookeville High School senior Taylor Enochs said education was of great importance to her. The softball standout said after a trip to Lee University, it was clear that was the school she wanted to attend.

Enochs, a catcher, recently signed with the Lady Flames to continue her education and softball career. She said everything felt right when she visited the school and talked with coach Emily Russell.

"The campus was really, really pretty. And the team and the coach really helped me make my decision because Coach Russell is really involved in her team's life," Enochs said. "She took me and my dad out, and we didn't talk about sports. We just had a conversation, and I could tell it was something where she wasn't just going to worry about 'as long as I'm doing well and passing my classes'.

They have a tutor that travels with them, so I don't have to worry about somebody not caring about my grades."

Russell said she's excited to land a player like Enochs. "We are very happy to have Taylor Enochs sign with our program. She is a tremendous student-athlete," Russell said. "This is the type of player that any college coach looks for. She is a powerful hitter and a very strong catcher. "I look for her to help replace a graduating four-year starter behind the plate. She has great size and athletic ability. I am excited to see her in a Lee uniform. She will be very successful during her four years at Lee."

Enochs said she wants to study pre-med and oncology research, and would like to become a pediatrician. Among the other schools she said she considered were Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Emory (Ga.), Rhodes (Tn.) and Virginia Intermont.

Enochs said she's glad to have the choice behind her. "It's December, so that means I can spend my school year just concentrating on that," she said. "I don't have to worry about looking for that college and signing. It's a relief, more than anything."

Former Cookeville coach Joey Jones, who helped guide Enochs through her first three years of high school play, said Enochs' decision is a good one. "She's an outstanding player. I'm just proud of Taylor's decision," Jones said. "I think a lot of her decision was the education, which is what it's all about to begin with. She's a hard worker, and they couldn't have gotten a finer person to represent their program. I think she'll make Cookeville High School proud."

In addition to the educational aspect, Enochs has high hopes for her role with the softball team. "I'm hoping to maintain a position as a starting catcher," she said. "It's supposed to be me and another freshman catcher, so there's gonna be that competition there. I’ll hopefully be in the top of the batting lineup. I know one of the reasons (Russell) likes me is because of my hitting, and I'm hoping I can keep that up. I really hope we can do something this coming year."

The Lady Flames compete in the NAIA's Southern States Athletic Conference. In 2008, they finished with a 32-22 record and advanced to the Region XIII Tournament.

With the college decision made, current CHS coach Jeff Williams said Enochs is primed for a big senior year with the Lady Cavaliers. "She can catch, she can play first, she can play third," Williams said. "She can play multiple places and I like that. She's just a leader."

For Cookeville, Enochs has compiled a .324 batting average. As a sophomore, she was the team's co-captain. Enochs won the team's Lady Cavalier award as a junior, and is serving as captain for the team this year. She has also played for a summer travel league team, the 18-U Elite Diamonds, for whom she has batted .350.

From Sports Information

Life of Reilly

2008-12-23T12:22:00.000-08:00

LIFE OF REILLY

There are some games where cheering for the other side feels better than winning.

by Rick Reilly

Melinda Wright
Gainesville State players douse head coach Mark Williams in celebration.

They played the oddest game in high school football history last month down in Grapevine, Texas.

It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School and everything about it was upside down. For instance, when Gainesville came out to take the field, the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.

Did you hear that? The other team's fans?

They even made a banner for players to crash through at the end. It said, "Go Tornadoes!" Which is also weird, because Faith is the Lions.

"I WOULDN'T EXPECT ANOTHER PARENT TO TELL SOMEBODY TO HIT THEIR KIDS. BUT THEY WANTED US TO!"
It was rivers running uphill and cats petting dogs. More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name.

"I never in my life thought I'd hear people cheering for us to hit their kids," recalls Gainesville's QB and middle linebacker, Isaiah. "I wouldn't expect another parent to tell somebody to hit their kids. But they wanted us to!"

And even though Faith walloped them 33-14, the Gainesville kids were so happy that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he'd just won state. Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.

But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field and two and two started to make four. They lined the players up in groups of five—handcuffs ready in their back pockets—and marched them to the team bus. That's because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility 75 miles north of Dallas. Every game it plays is on the road.

This all started when Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan, wanted to do something kind for the Gainesville team. Faith had never played Gainesville, but he already knew the score. After all, Faith was 7-2 going into the game, Gainesville 0-8 with 2 TDs all year. Faith has 70 kids, 11 coaches, the latest equipment and involved parents. Gainesville has a lot of kids with convictions for drugs, assault and robbery—many of whose families had disowned them—wearing seven-year-old shoulder pads and ancient helmets.

So Hogan had this idea. What if half of our fans—for one night only—cheered for the other team? He sent out an email asking the Faithful to do just that. "Here's the message I want you to send:" Hogan wrote. "You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."

Some people were naturally confused. One Faith player walked into Hogan's office and asked, "Coach, why are we doing this?"

And Hogan said, "Imagine if you didn't have a home life. Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."

Next thing you know, the Gainesville Tornadoes were turning around on their bench to see something they never had before. Hundreds of fans. And actual cheerleaders!

"I thought maybe they were confused," said Alex, a Gainesville lineman (only first names are released by the prison). "They started yelling 'DEE-fense!' when their team had the ball. I said, 'What? Why they cheerin' for us?'"

It was a strange experience for boys who most people cross the street to avoid. "We can tell people are a little afraid of us when we come to the games," says Gerald, a lineman who will wind up doing more than three years. "You can see it in their eyes. They're lookin' at us like we're criminals. But these people, they were yellin' for us! By our names!"

Maybe it figures that Gainesville played better than it had all season, scoring the game's last two touchdowns. Of course, this might be because Hogan put his third-string nose guard at safety and his third-string cornerback at defensive end. Still.

After the game, both teams gathered in the middle of the field to pray and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody by asking to lead. "We had no idea what the kid was going to say," remembers Coach Hogan. But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us."

And it was a good thing everybody's heads were bowed because they might've seen Hogan wiping away tears.

As the Tornadoes walked back to their bus under guard, they each were handed a bag for the ride home—a burger, some fries, a soda, some candy, a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player.

The Gainesville coach saw Hogan, grabbed him hard by the shoulders and said, "You'll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know."

And as the bus pulled away, all the Gainesville players crammed to one side and pressed their hands to the window, staring at these people they'd never met before, watching their waves and smiles disappearing into the night.

Anyway, with the economy six feet under and Christmas running on about three and a half reindeer, it's nice to know that one of the best presents you can give is still absolutely free.

Hope.

Story from: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373

NHL midseason report

2008-12-19T08:22:00.000-08:00

As December reaches its midway point, teams of the NHL are beginning to measure each other up and are preparing for the second half of the 2008-2009 season.

Thus far, the season has been somewhat of a shock, with a few teams charging out of the gate. One such team is the Boston Bruins. As of 12/18/08 they were 2nd in a league made up of 30 teams. While the Bruins have always had the right tools for success, it seems that this year things have finally clicked. Boston has assembled a power house team, with players such as Marc Savard and Phillip Kessel leading the team with 38 and 34 points respectively. This very likely could be Boston’s year, but they still have much to prove if they wish to win it all.

Another team that is making waves would be the Chicago Blackhawks. Currently, the Blackhawks are 7th in the league. The past few seasons have been very shaky for this team. Nikolai Khabibulin is partly to thank for the Blackhawks’ successful season. The 2004 Stanley Cup winning goalie has a 2.44 GAA (goals against average) and a .930 save percentage. While he is not breaking any NHL records, Khabibulin is supplying the team with much needed support between the pipes. It will be interesting to see if the Blackhawks can hold their current position.

Some teams who seem to be lacking so far this season would be the Dallas Star and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Dallas Stars have usually been a very strong team, but that is not extremely evident in the first half of the season. Currently ranked a dismal 25th in the league, it appears that their offense could use a major overhaul while defense could use a swift kick in the rear. With players such a Mike Modano, Brad Richards, and Mike Riberio in their lineup, goal scoring should not be a problem. So far, the Stars have only posted 86 goals. Things could be clearing up for the Stars; they have won their past two games.

The Pittsburgh Penguins had an amazing 2007-2008 season. While they ultimately lost in the Stanley Cup finals to the Detroit Red Wings, they still managed to raise the bar for themselves. In the first half of the 2008-2009 season, it seems as if the team is having trouble living up to their new reputation. The Penguins are ranked 11th in the league, and injuries could be partly to blame for this. The Penguins have a tendency to be slow starters. The second half of the NHL season is where they truly begin to shine. If history is to repeat itself, then the coming months will be very exciting for Penguins fans.

~ Saralyn Norkus

Recruiting news: Part I

2008-12-14T18:33:00.000-08:00

Softball

Lee softball coach Emily Russell has added another Chattanooga-area athlete to the 2010 roster. Hixson High School corner infielder Jenevieve Cena became the latest area player to sign before her senior season.

“I really liked the school atmosphere and the fact that it’s a Christian-based college,” Cena said Wednesday morning during a gathering at the high school to celebrate her signing.

“It’s not too big and not too small, and I really liked the players. And the coaches are awesome.”

Cena has a career batting average of .317 for the Lady Wildcats, after batting .348 with 20 RBIs in 24 games last year, and she plays summer travel ball for the Pines Thunder in southern Florida.

Women's Golf

Lee coach John Maupin did not have to go far to sign his first recruit for the 2009-10 women’s golf season. Bradley Central High School’s Chelsea Rakestraw made it official by signing the scholarship papers on Thursday afternoon.

For years the name Rakestraw was automatically identified with football and wrestling at BCHS, but Chelsea, the No. 1 player on the Bearettes’ golf team for the past four years, has helped change all that.

She directed Bradley to a second-place finish in the district this past fall and made the state tournament field during her junior and senior seasons. “I’m gonna miss her,” said Jimmy Kibler, her high school coach over the past four years. “She’s a great kid. Lee will love her. Young people like Chelsea are the reason I coach. She hits the driver well and she always competes.

“Chelesa was the first girl to take me to the state,” said Kibler. “She needs to continue to work on her chipping and putting and her scores will drop. I expect her to do real well as a college golfer.”

Coach Maupin is excited about his first signing from Bradley Central. “Bringing Chelsea onto next year's team is a great addition for our program,” the coach, in his first full year at Lee stated. “She has had some good finishes in her district and regional tournaments, and she also has state tournament experience.

Stories from Sports Information

Lady Flames soccer championship quotes

2008-12-12T19:14:00.000-08:00

"It was great to win the championship, and especially the win against Martin. We had been practicing PK's for weeks and it paid off. It was kinda hard to go into the tournament right before finals but I had to focus on soccer and not all the exams, so it was hard to get back to the finals. However, it was totally worth it! I've already started thinking about next season and there's no doubt in my mind, we're gonna win again."

~ Linn Meløy Christensen

"It has just been awesome. The whole team is like a family and it's something we have worked together for for so long. Now that we are national champs, it's kinda hard to believe. The season has gone so fast. We're gonna win again next year."

~ Christiane Meløy Christensen

"What amazed me the most this season was watching how the girls can change their way of play on the field so quickly. During our game against Concordia in the finals, we started off a little slow. Concordia was beating us to every 50-50 ball and shutting down our passes. The game became very nerve wrecking for all of us. During the last 20 minutes of the first half, the girls took note of Concordia’s high pressure and began combining quick passes together. Eventually it paid off with six minutes left of the first half when we scored our first goal to then score another two minutes later. These girls are amazing at overcoming obstacles!"

~ Meghan Guinn

"Well, it's really hard to put on words what I felt that saturday and what this season has represented to myself. Nationals was an unforgettable experience. It could not had gone any better. Beating Martin Methodist on PK's had an amazing taste and made our confidence stronger, being the right recipe to win. Also, I want to share how proud I am of my teammates and coaching staff for all the hard work, bounding and the will to sacrifice it all for one goal.
It feels great to be part of the 1st team to win a National Title on the Lee History."

~ Marina Lima

"Wow, where to begin!? I finally feel a sense of satisisfaction. This team sets goals early on in the season and winning a national championship was one of them. After we beat Martin, our coach told us to not let it be the high point of the tournament. Although it was amazing to send Martin home, we had to keep our focus because as a team we were not yet satisfied. We knew it was our year and I felt it. We wanted this more than anything and we were not going to let ANYONE stand in our way of what was rightfully ours to take. We worked so hard and we have overcome so much this year as a team that I couldn't imagine NOT winning this thing. As for history, it feels AMAZING to be the first team to bring a national championship home. This team that i'm on, the relationaships i have built is perfect and there is no other team that is mnore deserving than this one. We worked for it, we fought for it, we cried for it, we laughed for it, and together we DID IT!!!"

~ Candice Shelton

"Wow. I have never enjoyed a soccer season as much as this one, and I have played a lot of years on a lot of teams. This team made soccer exciting for me, and helped me discover even more my love for the game. I can't say how much I respect Coach Yelton and his leadership. He is a top-notch coach. All of us girls worked so hard this season. We went through a lot, but by God's grace, we came out on top and accomplished our goals. We set high standards for ourselves, and through dedication, heart, and overall depth and talent we pulled it together! It started with an amazing trip in Brazil and ended with history! Couldn't ask for anything better than that. Winning a national tournament with my best friend/sister was a special memory we will share together. I feel blessed to be on this team and all of the girls are close to my heart."

~ Jamie Lynn Achten

"It has been an incredible experience in the last few weeks as we hosted our first ever national tournament event and to then go on and win the championship has just been an amazing chain of events to be a part of."

"The quality of the character that the players on this team posseses was on display all year. With the adversity this team was able to overcome and the chemistry that was displayed, these girls are well deserving of a championship."

"Of course none of this success would be possible without the support that we get from the Lee community, from the administration to the faculty and fans."

~ Matt Yelton
Head Soccer Coach

NFL Playoff Predictions 2008

2008-12-05T10:35:00.000-08:00

It's winter and its almost the best time of the year: The NFL playoffs. Ok so most people only watch the Superbowl, and half of them only watch it for the commercials. However, for hardcore football fans, it is the best time of the year. Hear are my predictions:

AFC
AFC East- This is the closest division of the four in which three of the four teams have a good shot at winning the division. The Patriots, Jets, and Dolphins all have easy schedules with the Jets and Dolphins having to play the last game of the year against each other. The only way the patriots can get in is if the Jets lose to the Fins and the Fins lose to someone else. The only way the Fins can get in is if they beat the Jets and don't lose another game. The only way the Jets can get in is by winning out. All this assuming the other teams win their other possible games. My Prediction: Jets

AFC North- The Ravens are going into the last quarter of the season one and a half games back from the Steelers. The two teams will play in two weeks and its likely the winner of that game will win the division. However, the Ravens play a really rough schedule before and after the Steelers game which I don't think they can come out of alive. My Prediction: Steelers

AFC West- This division is pretty much locked up by the Denver Broncos. It would take the Broncos losing all of their games and the Chargers winning theirs to make a difference. Honestly I don't think thats going to happen. My Prediction: Broncos

AFC South - This division is held by three games by the Titans. It would take a miracle for the Colts to win the AFC south. The Titans play the Browns, Texans, Steelers, and Colts. If they can either lock up two of these wins their in. If they only beat the Texans or Colts their in. So it is nearly impossible for the Colts to win the division this year. My Prediction: Titans

Wildcards - Assuming my predictions were right the wildcard possibilities would be: Patriots, Dolphins, Ravens, and Colts. The Ravens have a really hard schedule coming up and I think the Dolphins will lose to the Jets which will give the Patriots advantage over them. My Prediction: Colts; Patriots.

NFC
NFC East - Giants have a three game lead in the division and there is really no chance for the Cowboys, Eagles, or Redskins to catch up. My Prediction: Giants

NFC North - The Vikings have the lead in the division right now, but they have a hard remaining schedule while the Bears and Packers have easier schedules. Green Bay won in their first meeting with Chicago and if they beat Chicago again I think they will win the division. Also as long as they beat Detroit and the Vikings lose two more of their games (in which they have to play the Giants for one of them) the Green Bay Packers will win that division. My Prediction: Packers

~ Blaize Pennington

A good ending for the BCS?

2008-12-04T12:58:00.000-08:00

There is one thing almost every college football fan will agree on: no one likes the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) except the people making money from it. Why is this such a big deal? The BCS is what is keeping one loss teams Texas Tech and Texas from even having an opportunity to go to the National Championship. However, this year has one of the most open opportunities to go to the National Championship.

Five of the top six teams legitimately have a shot at the National Championship. The five teams with potential to make it are Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida, USC and Utah. Texas is the odd man out and this is simply because they have no chance at winning their conference, and as Georgia saw last year you can't go to the National Championship without winning your conference.

So I'm going to break down for you how each team could get a berth in the bowl games:
Alabama - It's simple: beat Florida and you're in.
Oklahoma - All you have to do is beat Missouri and you're in.
Florida - Beat Alabama and you'll be in the National Championship.
USC - Oklahoma loses to Missouri and beat UCLA and you're in.
Utah - You've won the Mountain West conference which consisted of three top 20 teams this year. Now if Oklahoma loses to Mizzou and USC loses to UCLA you are in.

~ Blaize Pennington

Pair of Kiffin's join UT football staff

2008-12-02T13:38:00.001-08:00

At his final press conference Phillip Fulmer announced his expectations for the next coach: “To me he ought to win every football game next year. How's that for pressure on the new guy?” Fulmer said.

Lane Kiffin, who is officially the new head coach of the University of Tennessee (UTK) football team, will have to deal with that pressure. Kiffin is replacing Fulmer, who won two conference titles and the 1998 National Championship in his 17 seasons at Tennessee.

Kiffin, 33, is best known as the debacle of the Oakland Raiders, where he coached for one and a half seasons with a record of 5-15. Before the Oakland job, he was recruiting coordinator and offensive coordinator for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans. Kiffin recruited Heisman trophy winners Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush.

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton hopes the same charisma Kiffin showed to recruits at USC will attract that kind of talent to the big orange. Recruiting has become extremely difficult in the south with national powerhouses in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Kiffin emphasized that he will search anywhere and everywhere to find the best football players in America.

If Kiffin thought Al Davis was a tough boss, he is in for it when he runs out of the tunnel and faces all 108,000 of his new bosses at Neyland Stadium next fall. These bosses expect productivity and all competitors to be crushed, immediately.

ESPN is reporting from multiple sources that Kiffin’s father, Monte Kiffin, the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will follow his son to Knoxville. The move would be a great help to the younger Kiffin as he settles in to life as a football coach in the SEC. Good luck Lane; you’re going to need it.

~ David Cowart

Former Flames Celebrate MLS Cup Win

2008-12-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

Henry Moyo is as calm and even-keeled as any coach you’ll meet, but he admits he “lost it” last Sunday when he saw two of his former Lee University soccer players on television, taking part in the Columbus Crew celebration of the MLS Cup championship in Carson City, Calif.

Ricardo Pierre-Louis and Stanley Nyazamba were NAIA first-team All-Americans for Moyo a year ago, and both wound up on the Crew roster and became champions as professional rookies.

“I was very emotional,” Moyo said Friday while Pierre-Louis and Nyazamba sat with him in his campus office. “These guys call or text me once or twice a week, and to see them with the winningest team in America lifting the most important cup in America - that got to me.”

It touched him also when the two drove from the Ohio capital to watch the
2008 Flames win at Berry College for the Southern States Athletic Conference championship a day before they had to get back for the Crew’s flight to Los Angeles for the MLS Cup.

“That says a lot to me. I didn’t know they were coming until they were at my house, and it meant a lot to the team,” Moyo said.

The day after the Crew's 3-1 championship win over the New York Red Bulls, the two called him from the Atlanta airport on their circuitous way back to Columbus and a crazed crowd of fans. The team was honored at the Ohio Statehouse on Tuesday, and by Wednesday night Pierre-Louis and Nyazamba were on the Lee campus again.

Pierre-Louis, whose 101 career goals are a school record, left Saturday to join the Haiti national team in Jamaica for the Caribbean Championship tournament the next two and a half weeks. Then he'll take a vacation, he said, including some time back in his home country with his family.

Nyazamba, a Zimbabwe native who holds the Flames’ assists records, said he may hang around Lee a couple of weeks. Moyo expects both to be around quite a bit before next season, and he plans to use them to inspire young players in the area.

“If some organization is interested, we can come and let them talk to the kids and sign autographs,” Moyo said. “These guys are the same old boys who played for me. They have not changed a bit.

“I visited them for their last regular-season game (against D.C. United) and stayed in their apartment. They cooked for me and showed me around and introduced me to everyone. And as you see, they consider this their home in the States.” Both graduated from Lee last May with degrees in business administration.

Pierre-Louis, 24, was the NAIA national player of the year in 2007 and the only NAIA player invited to the MLS draft combine. The Crew made him the 22nd pick in the SuperDraft in January, and he trained with the pro club on weekends until graduation.

He joined the club full-time in early June, more than two months into the season. Nyazamba, 25, didn’t get to the Crew until September, after becoming the rookie of the year in the United Soccer Leagues with the Richmond Kickers.
From the Chattanooga Times Free Press

The former Flames took full part in Crew practices and got extra experience in reserve games held the day after main games.

“We were there to play, but it was hard to break into the lineup,” Pierre-Louis said.
“The team was winning before we got there,” Nyazamba noted. “But it was good to be in a winning program and play with guys winning games.”

Indeed, the Crew became the first team since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2002 to win both the MLS Supporters’ Shield for best season record and the big Cup. They had the league MVP, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who also was the Cup MVP after assisting on all three Crew goals; the MLS defender of the year, Chad Marshall; and the coach of the year, Sigi Schmid.

“It was very rare. We won everything we could possibly win this year,” Nyazamba said.
“This team well deserved to win the championship, with the work they put in every day at practice,” Pierre-Louis said. “It was a good feeling to be part of it.”

Schmid’s contract expires immediately and he has other offers, so the Lee graduates will see what happens with that before making their own decisions about next year. But they believe this was only the start of successful pro careers.

“Coach Schmid told me that these two guys have quite a future in the MLS,” Moyo said. “And they already are champions in a major league. Some guys play for years and can¹t say that.”

Soccer, Volleyball available for subscription

2008-11-25T13:42:00.000-08:00

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today a partnership with JumpTV to exclusively stream live video and audio of the 2008 NAIA Men's and Women's Soccer and Volleyball National Championships. In all, there will be 37 events for public viewing during the NAIA Fall National Championships. These events can be viewed by going to http://www.watchnaia.com/, http://www.collegesportsdirect.com/, or by clicking here.

JumpTV, a business unit of NeuLion Inc. provides services to over 200 collegiate and professional sports properties. Additionally, JumpTV provides services to over 200 international television channels in approximately 40 countries. JumpTV is one of the largest live streaming companies in the world, having streamed approximately 16,000 live sporting events in the 12 months ended August 31, 2008. According to ComScore, JumpTV consistently ranks as one of the top US Internet video sports sites as measured by traffic year-to-date in 2008 (minutes viewed).

Both NAIA Soccer Championships run from Dec. 1-6 with all 15 matches at each site available for subscription. The NAIA Volleyball National Championship runs from Dec. 2-6 and the Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championship event will be available for video-streaming on Dec. 5-6. Refer to the Championship schedules, which can be found by clicking on the Championship links below. Each event will also be available for on-demand viewing.

"The NAIA is pleased to partner again with JumpTV to stream Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Volleyball Championships live on the Internet. This is an exciting opportunity for NAIA fans across the country," said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. "This service allows the NAIA to broaden its fan base and bring new attention to the competition and quality of play going on in the NAIA."

Two different subscription plans will be available for tournament coverage. Users can purchase the All-NAIA pass, which includes every event offered on College Sports Direct from all three tournaments for $39.95. Each of the three Championships can be purchased separately for $24.95 and any single day can be purchased for $9.95. Your computer must have the latest version of Windows Media Player, which you can download for free here. Before a user subscribes to any package, make sure to test your computer, which you can do by clicking here. For any technical assistance, please click here.

"We are pleased to provide the NAIA with streaming services for their soccer and volleyball championships for a third consecutive year, said Chris Wagner, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder at NeuLion. Wagner continues, "We pride ourselves in being able to connect fans to these great tournaments and the continuation of such a great relationship as the one we have with the NAIA."

More information will follow regarding video streaming and the 2008-09 NAIA Winter Championships and the 2009 NAIA Spring National Championships.

JumpTV Inc. live video stream is available for the following three NAIA national championships:
Dec. 1-6, 2008 (15 events)
50th Annual Men's Soccer National Championship - Ramirez Field, Fresno, Calif.

Dec. 1-6, 2008 (15 events)
25th Annual Women's Soccer National Championship - Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium, Daytona Beach, Fla.

Dec. 2-6, 2008 (7 events)*
29th Annual Volleyball National Championship - Tyson Events Center, Sioux City, Iowa.
*NOTE: The Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championship matches will be video-streamed only from Dec. 5-6

Courtesy of www.goleeflames.com

Best places to run near and around Lee

2008-11-21T20:40:00.000-08:00

The temperatures are plummeting drastically across the area and outside running/walking is become increasingly scarce. Unlike this time a month ago, scenic runs & hikes are hardly what they used to be (unlike you're in mountainy terrain). But as warmer weather invades the south periodically throughout the winter, chances are high those indoor runs should be exercised outside. Not to leave out the fact several trees have managed to maintain its leaves despite last weekend's windy afternoons. And in case you haven't noticed, with the gradual lack of 'outsiders', now may be the time to enjoy that serene run - one void of awkward makeout couples and saturated sidewalks of cocky underclassmen clusters. With that said, here's my top four places to run, walk or hike near and around Lee University campus (within a respectable driving distance).

4) Schimmel's Park - For those who prefer the peaceful run, weekends and late nighters (post 8-9 pm depending on the day) are the best time to take advantage of the Schimmel's track. Sure runs in the dark may not be your personal preference, but anytime you have 20-30+ people roaming about the park, runs can become painfully distracting. Sometimes mixing these runs by doing a various of campus loops (the Church Street loop for instance) can be enough to keep your runs from reaching lackluster state.

3*) Cherokee National Forest - For most hikers, the Cherokee National Forest has the most variety of trail difficulties, from easy to advanced. Both the Appalachian Trail and the Benton McKaye trail run through the area, providing hikers with opportunities to hike long distances if they choose.

2*) Red Clay State Historic Park - The last of the council grounds of the Cherokee Nation before their removal along the tragic Trail of Tears. A Cherokee farm and council house of the period have been replicated to offer visitors a glimpse of how the area might have looked 150 years ago. The sacred council spring produces over 400,000 gallons of sapphire-blue water a day, providing the area's long-ago residents with fresh spring water. An interpretative center houses a theater, exhibits and artifacts. Recreational facilities include a 500-seat amphitheater, a picnic pavilion, picnic area with grills and tables, and a two-mile loop trail with a beautiful limestone overlook tower. This trail is perfect for beginners and for hikers with small children.

1*) Fletcher Park - A 720-acre passive, nature oriented park. Five-mile walking trail, 100+ year-old springhouse, fishing pond and picnic area. Other features are a boardwalk, observation walkway and amphitheater. On Tennessee Nursery Road.

* = Information courtesy of www.visitclevelandtn.com/

Fitness Diaries: Issue #5

2008-11-15T17:01:00.000-08:00

Dear readers,

I was thinking about how important a good stretch is; not only does it make working out less stressful on your body, but it also improves muscle flexibility and can actually make workouts more effective. I’m all for getting more effectiveness, because that means less working out for the same results. I strongly encourage everyone to go online and get the total body stretches for complete effectiveness.

-Ciara

Chest Stretch:

Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your legs slightly bent. Clasp your hands behind your back. Pull your tummy muscles in and keep your head, neck and shoulders relaxed. Keeping your back straight, lift your arms away from your back until you can feel the stretch across your chest. You should feel your chest "opening". Hold the stretch for 30 seconds, then return to the start.

Tricep Stretch:

Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your legs slightly bent. Raise one of your arms and place your hand over your back.
Try to reach as far down the midline of your spine as possible. Increase the stretch by gently pushing the elbow back with your other hand.
Hold the position for 30 seconds.
Slowly return to the start position and repeat with the other arm.

Inner Thigh Stretch:

Sit with your back straight.
Place the soles of your feet together and, holding your ankles, pull your feet in towards you.
Hold the position for 30 seconds.
Intensify the stretch by placing your elbows on your knees.
While keeping your back straight, gently ease your body forwards from the hips.

Outer Thigh Stretch:

Sit with your one leg out in front of you and the other leg crossed over it.
With one arm for support, use the other to ease your knee across your body. Alternatively, hug your bent knee with both arms and pull your knee diagonally towards the opposite shoulder.
Hold the position for 30 seconds.Repeat the stretch with your other leg.

A glimpse of heaven

2008-11-12T23:03:00.000-08:00

The title of this entry is credited to Misha Goetz, a senior at CPA who took the following video. This footage features the final moments of a dramatic upset win for CPA when they knocked off David Lipscomb last month. To understand the significance of the clip, you need to read the accompanied story entitled "Volleyball team wins hearts, triumphs over loss" on www.leeclarion.com/sports.

For the story:
http://www.leeclarion.com/sports/2008/11/07/volleyball-team-wins-hearts/

For the video:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1018781559084&subj=1511490245

Volley for the Cure Highlights

2008-11-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

Final Score: W 25-12, 25-19, 25-13

End of an Era

2008-11-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

University of Tennessee head football coach Phillip Fulmer announced Monday that he would not return next season. While on the verge of tears Fulmer explained that he would coach the Vols for the remainder of this season.

In 17 years as head coach Fulmer amassed the second highest winning percentage of any college coach with a record of 150-51. Fulmer won two SEC Championships and the 1998 National Championship during his tenure. He coached future NFL stars like Payton Manning, Jamal Lewis, Al Wilson, Albert Haynesworth and Peerless Price.

This season is the culmination of a slow decline in national prestige for the football program on Rocky Top. With a 3-6 record and 1-5 SEC record fans and administration alike recognize that it’s time for a change.

With the SEC East being one of the toughest divisions in any conference in the country, Tennessee simply cannot fall any further behind. Georgia, Florida and Alabama have catapulted ahead of the Vols with new coaches Mark Richt, Urban Meyer, and Nick Saban. Between 2000 and 2008 Fulmer was 11-16 against these three powers. This simply doesn’t cut it in a program that expects championships.

So where do the Vols go from here? The short list of possible new coaches consists of: Lane Kiffin, Minnesota Head Coach Tim Brewster and Boise State Head Coach Chris Peterson. No matter who gets the job, the pressure will be intense as Vols fans expect to win immediately.

It is sad that such a great man is essentially being forced out of his job. Few other coaches are more respected or have won more games. But, it is obvious to everyone who follows the program that a new direction is needed. However, we will always respect Phillip Fulmer.

~ David Cowart

Sources: Fulmer agrees to step down as Vols coach

2008-11-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

Phillip Fulmer, who a decade ago brought Tennessee its first national championship in 47 years, will not return as the Volunteers' coach next year, multiple sources told ESPN.com.

An announcement is being planned for later Monday at Neyland Stadium. Fulmer, who has won 150 games at his alma mater and is the dean of SEC coaches, met with Tennessee officials Monday morning, and they reached a mutual agreement that it would be best for all parties if Fulmer did not return next season.
SEC blog

ESPN.com's Chris Low writes about all things SEC in his conference blog.

The sides also agreed that Fulmer would coach the remainder of the 2008 season.
The Vols (3-6, 1-5 SEC) have lost three of their past four games and are in danger of posting their second losing season in the last four years.

"Anybody that likes Tennessee and cares about what the product looks like on the field is frustrated," Fulmer said Sunday night, according to The Tennessean.

In the story posted on the Nashville newspaper's Web site, Fulmer told his coaches in a Sunday meeting to shield the players from their frustration.

"It's about our energy, the looks in our eyes, our demeanor and how we approach it in meetings and film sessions," Fulmer said about his coaching staff, according to the Tennessean. "We're professionals and we have and we will continue to be looking forward to playing."

There had been increasing scrutiny on Fulmer, who took over full time as head coach in 1993 and has been at his alma mater as a player, assistant coach and head coach for more than 30 years.

The Vols won the national title in 1998 and were one of the top programs in all of college football in the 1990s, but the program hasn't been the same this decade. They've lost 31 games since the end of the 2001 season.

Workouts on the go: Part 1

2008-11-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

Think working out in the car is a lame attempt of burning calories? Think again! Health experts state most forms of dancing burns about 6.3 calories per minute on average. Obviously the plus/minus on this statistic is huge given several external elements can lower or raise the C/M rate.

Here, Jessie Wright & Michelle Bollman not only show why in-car dancing is where it's at, but illustrate how one can still exercise and burn the cals despite sitting down in confined spaces.

Volleyball for the Cure '08

2008-10-31T15:05:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7

4:00 PM - Silent Auction begins in Paul Dana Walker Arena
5:00 PM - Volley for the Cure - High School Volleyball Showcase
6:00 PM - Pink Party Meet & Greet with Phil Stacey, Hair Painting, Face Painting, Cotton Candy & more
6:45 PM - Pack the Stands with Pink
7:00 PM - The Main Event - Lee University Lady Flames vs. SWU Lady Warriors

For more information, please call: (423) 614-8453 or (423) 596-9159

The North Anna catch: Fish, friends and our Maker (Joshua

2008-10-31T07:22:00.000-07:00

Embarking on the great Smallmouth adventures on the North Anna River in Central Virginia is no easy task, and few river floats have been easy. As much as fishing for hours while floating down small, historically-marked rivers may in itself contain the adventures of leisure time, placing the canoes by the river’s ramps and making sure all the necessities are accounted for is another thing. But few things have given me more pleasure in life than to be able to sink my line with a friend in a small river full of one of God’s toughest river fish, the Smallmouth Bass. And it was in such a place I found one of the strongest fish I had caught thus far.

The difference between the Smallmouth bass and the Largemouth, its relative, is simply in the name. The Largemouth has a larger mouth while the Smallmouth is a smaller fish by weight and has a smaller mouth and jaw.

As much as a Largemouth may outweigh the Smallmouth by several pounds at times, the fight, catch and feel of the Smallmouth on the end of the rod is a completely different feeling than that of its cousin. Largemouths mainly live and exist in still water such as ponds and lakes, while the Smallmouth is most of the time a river fish which sits against the rivers currents waiting for food to come over the rapids and tops of rocks. Usually searching for bugs and even small amphibians to fall into the water or waiting for water creatures to choose a path toward the appetite of the fish, it usually waits under rocks and ledges mostly in the shade, especially on the hotter days of summer.

Our float along the North Anna lasted two days. The first day of the trip was unsuccessful for myself, whereas my best friend, his dad and my dad had been successful in catching at least a few fish, among which were; chain pickerel and Smallmouth. The following day, leaving the small bank we camped on for the night, we floated along a series of ledges not even fifty feet past the campsite. This is where I had decided to stop trying to be a genius with deciding which lure would make a catch. I started using a Wacky Worm by Gary Yamamoto, which is a simple rig used by jiggling a large colorful worm along the water from the bottom to the top. The hook is inserted through the middle of the lure to make it drag against the water.

With one cast I let the worm sink a few feet. As I reeled up the line from the bottom of a ledge I watched as a nearly four pound Smallmouth jumped from the shade of a large ledge, sucked the worm down to retreat back into the shade. I had now set the hook, and he had now started to fight pulling the canoe any way he wanted. His incredible strength was due to his lean muscles produced from spending all his life working against the river’s strong and steady current. After fighting for several minutes for one of the most memorable catches of my life, I had him in the boat long enough to take the hook out of his mouth, kiss him and show everyone the wonderful catch I made only because “God wanted me to make that catch,” as I said. I let him back into the water, back to his ledge, back to his shade, so that hopefully he would get bigger, and I would come back one day and meet an old friend again in hopes to repeat one of the greatest catches of my life: a large emotion and presence of God’s wonderful creation.

I had the wonderful free will to put him back on that hanging ledge that lay just under the water’s surface, hopefully to see him another day and feel the power of God’s handiwork once again. I have not been back to the North Anna since that trip, but the last time I went trekking through the low water level and pulling canoes through “Rock Garden,” I found a greater view of God and one of the most memorable experiences of life in the outdoors.

~Josh Hughes

Hoops! I did it again: 2008-09 NBA Preview

2008-10-23T20:39:00.000-07:00

It seems like yesterday I was happily watching Kevin Garnett win his first NBA Championship. Along with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce the Boston three-party reasserted the Celtics’ right to the throne of basketball. However, this season is going to be all about the team the Celtics defeated last summer - the Los Angeles Lakers.

Embarrassing Kobe Bryant on the biggest stage in basketball should put fear in everyone wearing an opposing jersey. Not only is he arguably the best player, he now wants to restore his bruised ego, one of the highest motivations an athlete can have. This will be the year Bryant wins his solo championship and establishes his name as the heir to Michael Jordan.

Looking at the roster of the Lakers, it’s easy to see how they are the pre-season favorites to win it all. A now healthy Andrew Bynum will give the team the toughness they lacked against the Celtics, and Paul Gasol and Lamar Odom will give the Lakers an imposing lineup. Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic are role players that will contribute heavily when needed.

The East will have three great teams: Boston, Cleveland and Detroit. Any of these teams would be a great finals opponent for the Lakers. Boston lost key role player James Posey and could suffer a hangover from such an exhilarating previous season.

Cleveland will once again be ruled from the throne of King James. Lebron will show us all why he’s the second best player in the game but his lack of support will hold him back once again.

Detroit will be Boston’s biggest contender. With a great coach and experience that’s almost unparalleled, they should dominate the regular season, but lose to either Cleveland or Boston in the playoffs.

Needless to say, the 2008-2009 NBA campaign is shaping up for what would be an oh-so-sweet re-match between Boston and Los Angeles. This time expect Kobe and the Lakers to do what the Celtics did last year. Simply want it more.

~ David Cowart

Photo by Amanda Lucidon / The Press-Enterprise

2008-09 Regular Season Predictions

Eastern Conference

1) Boston Celtics: 60-22
2) Detroit Pistons: 54-28
3) Cleveland Cavaliers: 51-31
4) Orlando Magic: 50-32
5) Philadelphia 76ers: 48-34
6) Toronto Raptors: 47-35
7) Miami Heat: 42-40
8) Chicago Bulls: 39-43
9) Atlanta Hawks: 36-46
10) Milwaukee Bucks: 35-47
11) Indiana Pacers: 33-49
12) Washington Wizards: 33-49
13) New Jersey Nets: 30-52
14) Charlotte Bobcats: 27-55
15) New York Knicks: 25-57

Western Conference

1) Los Angeles Lakers: 58-24
2) New Orlean Hornets: 56-26
3) Houston Rockets: 53-29
4) Utah Jazz: 52-30
5) San Antonio Spurs: 51-31
6) Phoenix Suns: 47-35
7) Portland Trailblazers: 45-37
8) Dallas Mavericks: 43-39
9) LA Clippers: 42-40
10) Golden State Warriors: 38-44
11) Denver Nuggets: 36-46
12) Sacramento Kings: 30-52
13) Minnesota Timberwolves: 26-56
14) Memphis Grizzlies: 24-58
15) Oklahoma City Thunder:19-63

Titans' perfect mark might be only window dressing

2008-10-20T07:49:00.000-07:00

DAVID CLIMER
dclimer@tennessean.com
615-259-8020

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Undefeated?

Yes.

Untouchable?

Hardly.

Don't be fooled by the events of Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium. Granted, the Titans disposed of Kansas City 34-10 and made the Chiefs look downright amateurish in the process. But much work remains.

Next up is Indianapolis, a week from tonight. And while the Colts of 2008 might not be playing up to their pedigree of the past few seasons, they remain the AFC South standard against which others are compared.

"Until somebody beats them, they are the division champs," Titans tackle Michael Roos said. "For years, they have been the measuring point in this division."

Running back LenDale White called Titans-Colts games "instant classics."

"Everybody is going to have their eyes on this game," said White, whose 80-yard fourth-quarter run against Kansas City showcased unexpected speed, albeit against a defense that was already beaten.

Yes, this is a Titans team that has its helmet screwed on straight. Through six games and six victories — not to mention an open date — the Titans have taken care of business like no one else in the NFL. For the moment, their record is envy of the league.

"I'd be lying if I said we'd be 6-0 to start the season," linebacker Keith Bulluck said. "But I thought we'd have a very decent record."

Decent, sure. But undefeated?

"I like the way we're playing right now," defensive end Jevon Kearse said. "But we've got to play better."

Sobering stat: The six victories have been against teams with a combined record of 12-26. None of Tennessee's six victims has a winning record.

Still, there is something to be said for the way the Titans keep handling things. We can quibble about the records of the competition, but you can only play — and beat — the teams that are on your schedule.

The Titans also proved they could focus on the Chiefs after a bye week and before the showdown with the Colts. Somebody spread mousetraps in the locker room during practice last week. The point was made.

"Everybody wanted to talk about the Monday night game and talk about us having a trap game," Bulluck said. "This shows how focused we were coming into this game, coming into this week and coming into this season."

The Titans didn't dress either of their top two wide receivers, Justin Gage and Justin McCareins, but still undressed the Chiefs' defense.

I guess Kansas City didn't get the memo about covering the tight ends and watching out for screen passes. Rookie Lavelle Hawkins had his first two catches as a pro — and they were the only receptions by Titans wide receivers on the day.

It was so bad that Kerry Collins threw only 18 passes — nine in each half — and instead handed the ball off to Chris Johnson and White, who combined for 317 yards.

"I'm probably supposed to be carrying out my fake a little better, but I'll do a little spectating and see how the hole develops," Collins said. "Obviously our running game is strong and I hope it will continue that way."

Likewise, the Titans defense was so dominant that defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch was able to exit after the first series to save any further wear on his groin injury. The extra rest should be beneficial when Peyton Manning and friends arrive at LP Field next Monday night.

Frankly, it's painful to come to a one-time pro football mecca and find both a deteriorating Arrowhead Stadium and a Chiefs team that puts up only token resistance.

A blowout like this needs comic relief. And Johnson, the rookie running back with quick-twitch moves, was more than happy to provide it.

After finishing off his 66-yard fourth-quarter sprint with a head-first vault into the end zone, he hustled to a nearby bandstand and briefly played the drums.

The beat goes on.

Photo by Donn Jones

Brew named National Coach of Year

2008-10-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) recently announce that Lee University head coach Mark Brew is the Rawlings-NAIA and ABCA National Baseball Coach of the Year. The award will be presented to coach Brew at the 2009 Rawlings-NAIA Awards Luncheon on Jan. 3 in San Diego, Calif. The luncheon is part of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Convention which runs from Jan. 2-5 at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina.

"I am extremely surprised and humbled to receive this award,” said Brew. “The NAIA is full of great coaches and to even be considered for this award is hard for me to grasp.”

“Though this is an individual award, many had a hand in the success that our team had in 2008 and I would like to thank them publicly,” he stressed. “First and foremost was our 2008 team. The 2008 Flames battled all year to put us into the position to play for a national championship and they should be commended for there work ethic and desire to succeed.

“As any coach knows, we are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with and a lot of the credit has to go to our coaching staff (Coach Travis Watson, Coach Craig Kleinmann and graduate assistant coaches Aaron Simmons, Jared Gaston, and Chris Shepherd). They are tremendous at what they do and it makes my job much easier.

“Also to the administration at Lee with President Dr. Paul Conn, Vice President Gary Ray, and Director of Athletics Larry Carpenter who have provided our program with the necessary resources to operate at a high level. To Coach Dave Altopp, who started this program in 1996 with a vision and helped mold it into a championship caliber program and believed in me enough to make me a part of it.

“Finally, to my wife Rachel who has supported me and traveled with me to just about every game I have coached. It is not easy being a coach’s wife and her support for me and the Flames program is second to none. I am grateful and thankful to all of these people and honored to share this award with them.”

AD Carpenter praised the work of his young coach. “I am extremely proud of the job coach Brew has done over the past 12 years and especially the last two. In only his second season as head coach he took his team to within one pitch of winning the World Series and firmly established Lee as one of the top programs in the country.

“I can think of no one more deserving to win the NAIA National Coach of the Year,” Carpenter added. “Mark is an extremely hard worker who understand the mission of Lee and makes it a priority as he works with his team. This is a great honor for Mark, our baseball team, the athletic department, Lee University and the City of Cleveland.”

Brew, who guided the Flames to a national runners-up spot in 2008, is 114-25 entering his third season. Last year, Lee made its third World Series appearance overall and earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament. The Flames ended their year with a 63-10 record. Brew mentored two players to NAIA-All American status including First-Team pitcher Pablo Lopez and Second-Team first baseman Chris Warters.

The Flames rattled off 34 straight wins during the 2008 campaign starting with a 6-0 win on Feb. 8 and continue to win for nearly two-and-a-half more months. After appearing in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Championship, Lee took home Region XIII Championship honors wiping out LSU-Shreveport. Winners of the Super Regional, Lee again was on a hot streak heading into the World Series winning nine of its last 11 games.

Searching for its first ever national championship, Brew and the Flames won their first four World Series contests averaging 8 runs per game. However, their hot streak and season came to a halt when Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) won in consecutive nights to take home the national hardware.

As a team, Lee was third in the country in batting average (.361) and averaged 8.4 runs per game, good for eighth in the nation. Known for his pitching, Brew should have been proud of his pitching corps. As a unit, Flames’ pitchers held opponents to a .243 batting average, which was 13th lowest in the NAIA.

This award is Brew’s first in his career. The 1994 Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) University graduate pitched for the Trojans. He was the squad’s closer for four seasons. He earned his master’s degree from the U.S. Sports Academy in 2006.

Prior to head coach status, Brew served under coach David Altopp for 10 years as the assistant. Altopp will be inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame during the Convention.

Jenna Achten scores 'hat trick' in Lee win

2008-10-12T14:20:00.001-07:00

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Junior Jenna Achten recorded the "hat trick" in leading the Lee women's soccer team to a 6-0 over host Faulkner University on Saturday evening.

The win was the sixth straight by coach Matt Yelton Lady Flames, who are ranked No. 2 nationally by the NAIA. Lee improved to 5-0 in Southern States Athletic Conference action and 12-1 overall. Faulkner is 1-3 in the SSAC and 5-4-1 overall.

Yelton admitted his Lady Flames were sluggish, especially in the first half. It was their third straight road game for his tired team, but the coach noted that Faulkner was a vastly improved soccer club and really defended well in the opening half.

Meg Willette finally broke the scoring ice in the 33rd minute. She tallied on an excellent cross from Chris Christensen. Jamie Achten was also credited with an assist on the play. In the 40th minutes, Linn Christensen posted an unassisted goal to put Lee up 2-0 at the half.

In the second half, Yelton moved sophomore Candice Shelton to forward and she responded with a goal to put the Lady Flames up 3-0. Kristina Chase got the assist. "Candice did a fantastic job," said the Lee coach. "She gave us a nice lift."

The rest of the night belonged to Jenna Achten. Her first goal came on an assist from Samantha Hare. Achten's second tally was helped by Marina Lima's assist and the final score came after an assist from Sandra Kaelin.

The Lady Flames will continue their road adventures on Wednesday, moving to Rome, Ga. for a SSAC contest with Shorter College. They will finally return to the Lee Soccer Field on Oct. 21 for a key conference match-up with Berry College.

Article from Sports Information

Playing around

2008-10-07T20:48:00.001-07:00

Role models—these can be some the most influential people in the world to a small child who put these “grown ups” on a pedestal. These role models are everything that the child ever wants to be—rich, famous, and talented. Progressively, however, role models for children are quickly becoming non-role model material.

The media keeps us fully informed of this in Hollywood. When Jaime Lynn Spears and Miley Cyrus made their respective mistakes, parents across the country raised their voices in protest, refusing to let their daughters look up to such actresses.

While I agree with these parents, I have a question. Why does the entertainment industry receive all the notice for bad role models? While parents repeatedly warn their children that young Hollywood should not be looked up to, they never say a word about the increasing trend among sports stars to abuse substances.

Why the double standard? Why is it unacceptable for an actor or actress to abuse drugs, but it is the social norm for sports stars? Should our heads be turned to athletes’ use of drugs, since they are doing it simply to “win the big game?" Are we honestly so desperate for a U.S. runner to win the Olympic medal that we are willing to condone her use of steroids, even in front of our children?

But non-ethical behavior in sports does not limit itself to substance abuse. In recent news, boxer Kimbo Slice was revealed as a phony, when he went down in just fourteen seconds in a fight with little-known boxer Seth Petruzelli. While many have no problem with the charade Slice pulled, I find it unacceptable, especially where children are concerned. If children are told that it is acceptable for an athlete to cheat, nothing will stop from cheating, whether in school or in sports.

As ethics gradually disappear from sports, role models follow suit. Children can no longer look up to hard-working, talented sports stars; instead, they listen to story after story of athletes losing their titles or medals due to drug use (such as Floyd Landis and Marion Jones) or sports stars being arrested (most recently, Brandon Backe).

In the face of intense sports rivalries, ethical behavior may not seem important, but if ethics are not considered now, the future of sports is not pretty. With no ethics, games will no longer be a competition of skill, but of cheating ability. Personally, I believe we see enough of that in politics.

~ Tiffany Buckler

MLB 2008 playoff predictions

2008-10-03T17:01:00.000-07:00

MLB 2008 Playoff Predictions

NLDS

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs finished with the best record in the NL. While Chicago's pitching and bullpen are superior to that of LA, I must point out how the Dodger's offense matches up very well with the Cubs.

Last year, the Cubs were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and despite very solid campaigns the past two seasons, the Cubs have yet to win a playoff game since game 4 of the 2003 NCLS.

With that said, I think the Dodgers will pull this series out, though it won't be so much LA beating Chicago as compared to Chicago beating Chicago. The question is who or what will keep the Cub's curse alive?

Prediction: Dodgers in 4

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies

I'm very excited for the Brewers, who went over a quarter of a century without tasting the postseason until this season. The Phillies possess more experience and have more consistency with their pitching.

The Brewer's bullpen has been shaky at times, and besides CC, the starting rotation hasn't pitched to their potential. With the Phillies thirsty to avenge their disasterous series against the Colorado Rockies last year, I expect Philadelphia to win this in four games.

Prediction: Phillies in 4

NLCS

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The Dodgers haven't advanced to the NLCS in quite some time now - 20 years to be exact! Kirk Gibson, anyone? I'm sure if both the Angels and Dodgers somehow advance to the Championship Series, baseball fever will be at an all-time high in LA this month.

The Phillies, with the better record, may turn out to be the Colorado Rockies from last year. They perform very well on the road, and I expect the trio of Rollins, Utley and Howard to have solid performances throughout.

I think either team can turn the tables on the other quite quickly with so much versatility on both sides. Instincts say Phillies, however. Not sure why, since I'm more of a Dodger fan myself. I do hope I'm wrong on this because an Angels/Dodgers World Series would be awesome!

Prediction: Phillies in 6

ALDS

Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are for real this year. I saw them play up at Safeco Field in August, and they possess the most balanced offense in the AL. Each hitter in their 1-9 order can come through with clutch hitting.

Unlike most critics, I'm more impressed with the pitching rotation. Little known names such as Matt Garza and Scott Kazmir have made significant improvements this season and have surpassed respectability in my opinion.

I believe the Rays believe in themselves more than the White Sox do. The Rays are more hungry and are clearly the more stable ball club. In essence, the Rays are the AL's Cubs, with the huge exception they are not cursed and will not defeat themselves with costly mental breakdowns.

Prediction: Rays in 3

Los Angeles of Anaheim Angels vs. Boston Red Sox

This may be the hardest series to predict, since both teams have experience and tremendous confidence in themselves. Since 2002, the Red Sox and Angels have won three of the past six World Series. Both teams match up very well in almost every aspect. I'm almost certain the fate of each team will boil down to the 'little things' such as 'extra-base' hitting and infield defense - maybe each pinch-running! Who knows!?! Each out, each bit of strategy is important. The Angels may have the better regular season record, but the Red Sox have an unshakable belief in themselves. Ever since 2004, the Red Sox have been monsters in the postseason and I don't see that trend fading anytime soon.

Prediction: Red Sox in 5

ALCS

Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays

The ALCS will be an full-fledged duel between the top two AL East teams. The outlook of this series will be eerily familiar to the Angels/Red Sox ALDS preview, with the Rays playing the role of the Red Sox. Yes, I have caught a bit of 'Rays' fever this season, along with everyone else it seems. If I were a betting man, I would give the pitching edge to Tampa Bay and the batting edge to Boston. But like with basketball and football, defense wins championships, and if ever a game came down to 'small ball', Tampa Bay should be the favorites every time.

Prediction: Rays in 7

World Series

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays

I would be shocked if any MLB expert picked this for their World Series matchup back in March. I feel the ALCS challenger will pose more of a threat to the Ray's chances at a title than whichever team comes out of the NL. The Rays have more depth and more speed than any NL team, and if anyone has kept up with baseball this season, Tampa Bay has more than utilized their strengths.

At this point, fatigue may be more of a player than in the earlier series, and the Rays are more prone to bounce back from costly injuries than the Phillies (or anyone other NL team). I can only hope the 2008 World Series contains the kind of exciting elements and bizarre plot twists that were seen in the 2001 World Series and 2004 ALCS.

Prediction: Rays in 6

Expect the Ray's magic to continue throughout October

Questel dives, Harris soars, Behan shoots, Kaelin scores: Lee athlete's share most memorable moments

2008-10-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Question: What has been your greatest/most memorable sports moments at Lee so far?

"My most memorable moment was pitching the conference tournament championship game against Faulkner my sophomore year. I had one of my single game highs in strikeouts, and had such a huge backing from all my friends and family there. My teammates played so solid to back me up. It was a game that would've not been mine normally in the rotation, but because of some injuries in the bullpen, I was given the opportunity."

~ Brittany Rowe

"Spring '05 - Lee Rugby vs. Western Kentucky University
Down 17-0 at half-time.
Half-time 'speech.'
Came back to win 28-17."

~ Jared McElhaney

"Lady flames beating Vanguard University in the Hawaii tournament in 2007."

~ Keaton Bodiford

Fitness Diaries: Issue #4

2008-10-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

Walking - the workout of champions. Slight exaggeration. Walking is probably an obvious choice for a lot of people; it is low impact. We walk a lot in general, and our bodies are good at it. That is why it’s important to spice up those walking boots.

Varying a workout can add dimension and burn more calories. Suggestions from About.com for such spice come in the form of hills, adding upper body, exaggerating movements, etc. Hills are a good way to enhance heart rate and vary monotony. Perhaps take a new route that includes a hill, or walk you existing route from end to beginning. Variety is always good.

Adding upper body movements while walking is a great idea. It sounds embarrassing, but I’ll perhaps just do it while walking in place indoors during television watching. Circling the arms over head or lifting them in motion stimulates cardio efficiency.

Exaggerating movement of the arms while walking inside or out is another way to burn more calories. Warning here: NEVER walk with weights. That is dangerous and can hurt you and your body.
Not only can you use upper body, but you can also use lower body. While walking, perhaps inside again, bring your knees as high as you can to your chest while continuing upper body movement. This is harder than it sounds…believe me!

Well estudiantes, I’m heading out. Don’t want to overwhelm you. It’s just a walk, but it may the STEP in the right direction!

-Ciara

Two Minute Mini-Walk

Carpenter named NAIA AD of the Year

2008-09-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that Lee University (Tenn.) Athletics Director (AD) Larry Carpenter has been named the 2007-08 NAIA-Athletics Director Association (ADA) Athletics Director of the Year. The award recognizes Carpenter’s leadership, impeccable integrity and boundless energy for college athletics.

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

“The NAIA congratulates Larry (Carpenter) on this award and applauds his work to advance character driven intercollegiate athletics. Larry’s service to college athletics on the school, conference, region and national level is admirable and is highlighted by many awards and accolades,” said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. “Larry is a wonderful advocate for the NAIA and I thank him for his years of service.”

Carpenter has served the Lee University athletics department since the late 1970s. Throughout his time at Lee he has held coaching and administrative posts taking over as athletics director in 1995.

Under Carpenter’s leadership Lee University has earned the Commissioner’s Cup for three straight years and recorded seven conference championships in the highly competitive Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC). Carpenter’s long list of honors include induction into the Lee University Athletics Hall of Fame, SSAC and TranSouth Athletic Conference AD of the Year awards, NAIA Region XI AD of Year award and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics AD of the Year for the NAIA Southeast Region award.

”I am deeply grateful and humbled by this prestigious award,” said Carpenter. “There are so many deserving athletics directors in the NAIA and to be chosen by your peers makes this really special. I’m blessed to work at an institution that believes in and supports athletics. This award would not be possible without the hard work of an outstanding group of coaches and staff. I often tell people that there’s never been a day that I’ve dreaded coming to work and few people are able to say that.”

Carpenter has been an instrumental leader on the local, regional and national levels while assisting numerous committees. Carpenter served as the chair of NAIA Region XIII, member of the NAIA Direct Qualification Task Force, president of the NAIA-ADA, member of the Council of Athletic Administrators, and NAIA-Council of Affiliated Conferences and Independents and vice president of the TranSouth Athletic Conference. Carpenter currently serves on the NAIA National Administrative Council.

“It is very rare to find an employee that can quickly demand the respect of their peers, parents and administration,” said Gary Ray, Lee University Vice President for Administration. “Larry’s approach begins with a level of concern and care that easily breaks down walls to help athletics to be considered a great asset for Lee University.”

The athletics department at Lee has developed into one of the premier programs in the SSAC and NAIA. Lee teams continue to dominate conference championships and teams are consistently ranked among the nation’s top in nearly all sports.
Within the SSAC, Lee University has hosted nine conference tournaments, a regional and a super regional tournament during the past three years. Carpenter and his team have taken a tremendous amount of time to host these events ultimately creating memorable student-athlete experiences. Carpenter oversees 13 intercollegiate sports with a staff of 30 and continually educates his department on NAIA standards and promotes the NAIA’s flagship program Champions of Character.

During his tenure, Lee University has constructed new baseball and softball facilities, added a hitting cage and artificial infield to the baseball complex, added lights and a press box for the soccer facility and renovated Walker Arena. Over the past five years Carpenter and the Lee University athletics department has improved its number of national championship tournament appearances greatly.

Ten of 12 teams participated in a national championship event in 2006-07 and six teams in 2007-08. Off the field Carpenter and Lee University have set academic standards and for the past seven years student-athletes have had a higher GPA and graduation rate than the general student body. In addition, student-athletes carry an overall GPA in excess of a 3.00 with a high of 3.20 during the 2002-2003 school year.

Carpenter will be recognized for the NAIA-ADA Athletics Director of the Year award at the 2009 NAIA Awards Banquet held in Kansas City, Mo. as part of the 2009 NAIA Annual Convention scheduled April 17-21, 2009. For additional information on the award contact Ruth Stein, NAIA Manager of Championships Sports, at rstein@naia.org or 816-595-8108.

Blog courtesy of Sports Information

MLB Pennant watch update I

2008-09-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

Priceless Yankees?

The MLB regular season wraps up a week from Thursday, meaning the much anticipated "One October" postseason is just around the corner. With several playoff positions yet to be decided, the final week should include some memorable moments and fantastic finishes, and perhaps no matchup epitomizes this more than the ongoing duel between the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox in the AL Central.

As of Wednesday, the White Sox hold a 1.5 game lead over the Twins with six games remaining; however, many critics believe the Twins, despite trailing in the standings, are in the driver's seat to win the division, since the visiting White Sox come to Target Field, only 1-6 on the year. It only takes a two game reversal to lift the Twins into the playoffs, so I'm putting my bets that Minnesota will squeeze into the postseason and live to face either the Tampa Bay Rays or the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS.

As October fever fans into flame, you'll notice a familiar team absent from the list of contenders. Yes, I'm talking about those "love 'em or hate 'em" New York Yankees, the pinstriped failure of 2008. Despite a current record of 86-71, the Yankees will miss the postseason for the first time since the lockout-shortened season of 1994. The Yankees can thank the no-longer-surprising Tampa Bay Rays and the steadfast Boston Red Sox for their early exit - one that diehard fans clearly did not see coming regarding the "old" Yankee Stadium legacy.

The Rays have utilized their young talent better than any team in baseball, while the Red Sox have once again found a solid, winning combination among their upcoming players, established veterans and newly acquired acquisitions - two facets of the game the Yankees fell way short in this season.

In the National League, the wild card race is still hot, as the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros vie for the final spot. The likely candidate for the wild card position appears to be whichever team finishes runner-up in the AL East; however, odds are that team will be the shaky New York Mets, and we all know how the Mets fared last year in September. If history repeats itself, it could be the Brewers sneaking into the playoffs for the first time since 1982. But if I were a Brewer fan, I would still be walking on eggshells for two reasons: first, the Brewers are 3-7 in their last 10 games and haven't showed signs of rekindling early-season magic under their new GM, Dale Sveum; and secondly, the Brewers end the season with a three-game home stand against the NL's best team, the Chicago Cubs. If the Brewers don't take at least two out of three games from the Cubs, their playoff hopes are virtually null, especially since the Mets will close their regular season out against the recently eliminated Florida Marlins, who have nothing left to play for.

Stay tuned next week for my full MLB postseason predictions.

Fitness Diaries: Issue #3

2008-09-23T20:04:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! It’s time to target legs. I am really excited because this is the area most of us have trouble knowing how to work out. Enjoy!

-Ciara

Ice Skater

Targets: hips, butt, and outer thighs
Stand with feet slightly less than shoulder width apart. Extend arms to hold the back of a chair for support. Keep your abs tight, bend left knee slightly while you extend the right leg to the right side. Point your toe toward the floor as you do this and rotate the leg outward. Then bring your right leg behind the left as far as possible without touching the floor while bending your left leg. Return to start. Do 12 to 15 reps, and then repeat on the opposite side.
*Note: This sounds like a lot to do, guys. You may want to read and do it slowly to get the feeling and then start for real! Oh, and don’t forget to keep the abs engaged and the inner thigh contracted!

Lunge Hinge (Modified)

Targets: abs, hamstrings, quads
Stand with feet together, hands in fists with palms facing the body. Lunge back with the right leg keeping the left knee at 90 degrees. Stand up and squeeze glutes. Hinge forward (fancy term for bend over), keeping your back flat. Extend your right leg behind you parallel to the floor. Lower hands toward knees. Bring upper body up and then bring leg down to standing position. Do 12-15 reps on both sides.

Jodi Miller Explains the Lunge"

Young not fit for football?

2008-09-16T20:37:00.000-07:00

After a disastrous start that left Kerry Collins looking like a good quarterback things got really bad for Vince Young. The Titans quarterback had to leave the game against the Jaguars when Daryl Smith hit Young's leg. An MRI later in the week showed Young had a torn MCL and would miss 2-4 weeks.

The physical aspect of Young's injuries are cut and dry, but much more has been speculated about his mental health. Reports from therapists, team officials, and even Young's own mom have left everyone wondering how stable Young is. A therapist for the Titans has said Young mentioned thoughts of suicide.

Vince Young is a very talented, very young quarterback. He needs someone who he can talk to who then will not talk to a reporter. There's nowhere safe for him to go and someone needs to provide it to him. Otherwise we will be missing out on one of the most gifted quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen.

~David Cowart

Inside Preview: Golden Ducks vs. OBGYN

2008-09-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Cleveland, Tenn. - Tomorrow evening at 9 p.m., the Golden Ducks will meet OBGYN (O'Bannon Got Your Number) in a rematch of last years B-League Championship game. It will, no doubt, be a spectacle to behold as both teams boast undefeated records and have only met previously in Championship games.

The decision was made this year by League Commissioner, Eric Eledge, to place OBGYN in the same division as the Golden Ducks.

"We really wanted to make things interesting this year. Putting OBGYN and the Ducks in the same division accomplishes that. This will be the most anticipated regular season matchup in years," Eledge commented Tuesday.

The star power at this game should be unbelievable. The teams will showcase a combined nine All-Americans along with reigning Coach of the Year, Ben Pressley. Commissioner Eledge has also reported that the game has been sold out.

Unlike most rivalries in Lee Intramurals this one is friendly. The reason for this is the mutual respect that each team feels for the other.

"We like playing OBGYN. Its always fun to play a worthy opponent to see where you stack up compared to the best. There are no hard feelings between us. We enjoy this rivalry," Golden Ducks 3B Bairet Bazemore remarked on Monday.

OBGYN 3B Zach Buechner agreed when made aware of Bazemore's comments during an interview on Tuesday.

"We feel the same way on our team. We've been looking forward to this game since the schedules were released. Its going to be phenomenal," said Buechner.

While the rivalry is friendly, there are many things at stake for both teams headed into tomorrow evening's game. First and foremost is an undefeated record and the division championship. This matchup means that one of these teams will not go undefeated and win a division championship for this first time in three seasons.

Also at stake is pride and bragging rights. Two seasons ago OBGYN knocked off the surging Golden Ducks for their first title. A season later, the Ducks returned the favor. Which team will have the upper hand and gain an edge headed into the playoffs?

No matter the winner this game promises to be one for the ages.

By: Bairet Bazemore

September 17, 2008

Golden Ducks vs. OBGYN Highlights

Golden Ducks roundtable discussion

2008-09-14T15:16:00.000-07:00

Staff members of the Lee Clarion recently met with players from the 2008 Lee University Men's Softball B-League Champion Golden Ducks. This is a transcript of that discussion:

Lee Clarion: Thanks for taking time out to talk to us guys.

Ben Pressley: No problem.

Bairet Bazemore: Anything for the fans.

Wyatt Bevis: Or newspapers.

LC: Well all of us at the Clarion are excited for a chance to get an inside look at the Golden Ducks and the season. You guys are 3-0 right now and undefeated in the regular season dating back over four seasons. How does it feel?

BB: To tell you the truth, it feels great. I've only personally been here for two seasons with the Ducks but I'm enjoying every minute.

WB: Yeah, its been a great so far.

BP: Yeah, definitely. Right now we're 3-0 and that's where we want to be.

LC: You're last win was against the Lee Singers. What was it like to stomp them into the ground and make them look like a middle school special ed team, especially after all of their trash talk in the week prior to the big game?

WB: It was a great feeling. I was a little bit nervous going into the game because I had to fill Ben's position at shortstop but once we got going, we really played well.

LC: Now, Ben. Why weren't you able to play in this game?

BP: I suffered a staph infection in the aftermath of a dirty slide in Tuesday's game against Obannon I.

BB: He didn't disinfect the cut.

BP: It was more like, I was in such pain I just took a shower and went to bed.

BB: Without putting some hydrogen peroxide on it.

BP: Whatever!

LC: So you guys took down the Singers to go 4-0 against them lifetime. Are they ever going to be able to talk trash to the Ducks again?

WB: I mean, they can try to talk trash. I don't see any ESPY awards in their trophy case though.

LC: Wait, you guys have won ESPYs?

BB: Oh yeah, of course. This year we won the ESPY for Best Intramural Champion from a Private University.

BP: We also won the ESPY for Top Intramural Softball Infield from a Private University.

BB: Yeah, I've got that one displayed back at my apartment.

WB: I sold mine on eBay.

BP: Oh yeah, I forgot about that! Didn't you use it to pay for tuition this semester?

WB: Sure did.

LC: Wait, you guys aren't on scholarship here at Lee?

BB: Unfortunately, no. Lee doesn't give out scholarship for outstanding Intramural athletes.

BP: Its really sad that they don't. Especially since our championship game in the spring was the top drawing sports event on campus for the Spring 2008 semester.

WB: Yeah, its ridiculous.

LC: So, no compensation for the Intramural stars whatsoever?

BP: Well, Walt Mauldin did come up to us before the championship game last semester trying to bribe us to lose.

BB: Yeah he offered us free tuition until we graduate.

WB: And free Hummers.

BB: We turned him down though.

BP: The honor of the game is more important to us than free tuition and some SUV.

WB: My parents weren't too happy though.

BB: Mine either.

BP: Yeah, I was like "What's the big deal? I'll just pawn my Divisional Championship ring from last year, I have like 5."

LC: You guys receive endorsements though, correct?

BP: Yeah since we are not governed by the NCAA or NAIA we are technically not restricted by amateur status.

BB: I'm currently signed with Nike and Coca-Cola.

WB: I'm also with Nike and Gatorade.

BP: I'm with Nike, Rawlings, and Mountain Dew.

BB: Nike has us signed as part of their Intramural Grassroots Program. They're trying to widen their exposure among Intramural Athletes.

WB: Or, "forgotten" Student-Athletes.

LC: That's great to hear. In addition to Nike's Intramural Grassroots Program, are the Golden Ducks involved in any other organizations or programs?

BP: The Golden Ducks actually host a "Read To Achieve" event each year at Golden Duck Park. Its a great way to show the kids that we care about their success not just on the field but in the classroom.

BB: We also host an annual "Golden Ducks Celebrity Softball Game to Benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of America."

WB: That's probably my favorite event. Last year the Ducks destroyed the celebrity team.

BP: That was hilarious when Bairet hit that line drive in the gap and Tom Cruise way overplayed it!

WB: What about when I stole second and Jessica Simpson thought it was a force play and just tagged the bag?

BB: That was insane!

WB: I was actually disappointed because I was looking forward to the tag.

BP: In all seriousness, our charity event are very important to us.

LC: That sounds wonderful. So before we finish up: any predictions for the playoffs this year?

BB: We're not too big into giving other teams bulletin-board material.

BP: I will say we are confident in our team though.

WB: Very confident.

BB: Our big championship re-match against OBGYN next Wednesday will be a good measure of our team's ability this season.

LC: We'll be sure to cover that game guys! Thanks again for taking the time to talk to us.

BP: No problem.

WB: Yep, no problem.

BB: Make sure and come out to see us against OBGYN next Wednesday night at 9 PM Eastern.

~Submitted by Bairet Bazemore

*Picture courtesy of new Golden Ducks Media Manager: Jennifer Mitchell

Lance Armstrong to return for eighth stab at Tour de Francè title

2008-09-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

It seems that in the world of sports, if you're proven as an elite specialist, then you'll more than likely rattle the definition of "retirement" at least once.

Earlier this week, Lance Armstrong broke the breeches of retirement by announcing he will be making a second comeback, joining the likes of Michael Jordan, Brett Favre and Dara Torres, just to name a few. A testicular cancer survivor, Armstrong will be aiming to win his eighth Tour de Francè and his first since making race history by earning his seventh consecutive victory in 2005.

"I have decided to return to professional cycling in order to raise awareness of the global cancer burden," the seven-time Tour de France champion said in a statement issued by his LiveStrong Foundation.

While post-retirement comebacks generally make me cringe, I must say for the record I'm all for this move by Armstrong. Though he has already cemented his legacy years ago, Armstrong is more or less concerned on adding on to his list of accomplishments.

If anything, I believe at the heart of Armstrong's comeback is the motivation to drive home an important and encouraging message, primarily to cancer survivors, by providing them hope and confidence that they can overcome and keep on overcoming physical and emotional battles to achieve individual goals and even greatness.

And yes, I would imagine there is still that burning competitive side to him that desperately wants America and the world to know he still has it in him. But in Armstrong's case, I would hope ego is less of a player in this Tour de Francè than in previous ones.

If he does go on to win his eighth championship, there's no doubt in my mind it will go down as his greatest victory.

~ Cameron Fry

Fitness Diaries: Issue #2

2008-09-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

Hey y’all!

It’s time for fitness again. I know “ugh,” but because I share those same sentiments, we will be doing new workouts again this semester. This first fitness blog will be less telling you what to do, but suggesting practical ways to work out.

One of the best workouts comes in the form of water! Swimming is a great way to work out with less stress of impact on our bodies; there is no messy sweat or tedious treadmill running. It feels low impact, but it really works. Even an active swim/ tread session at our local hot spots, like the blue hole, can be a workout. With the weather getting colder, a workout center with an indoor pool might help keep us motivated.

If we need help trimming down before we get in that bathing suit, we can always approach dinner time with healthy habits. That is definitely easier said than done when the snickers in the candy dish seems to be relentlessly calling our names. Let’s be bold this month and just go for it. We can start that workout we’ve put off because we’ll do it when we are a little more fit, or that run we’ve been wanting to take but feel to out of shape for. We can do it.

Why can’t we walk to our classes? Another practical tip is parking far away when going to shopping centers, restaurants, and other businesses. I’ll be the first to admit that I circle the parking lot for a front row spot, but I’m going to toughen up this month and try to park a little farther from the automatic doors.

Well, bloggers, hope these tips will inspire you to get fit for life. We’ll try together! Until next time…

~ Ciara Doll

Email author at cdoll000@leeu.edu.

Intramural softball special: Golden Ducks vs. I Eta Pi

2008-09-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

The Golden Ducks continued their winning ways by beating I Eta Pi 8-4 on Wednesday evening. The victory ran their regular season win streak to an unprecedented 16 games. Strong pitching and fielding propelled the Ducks to victory on a night where their offense was less than impressive.

The Ducks had their smallest offensive output in two seasons as they were held to single digits for the first time since the fall 2007.

"Our bats really weren't there tonight. It's the first game of the season, though, so I'm not too worried. There were a few moments where I got really frustrated but all in all, a win is a win," said coach Ben Pressley, concerning offensive production.

Despite the low run total the game was not without its exciting moments. In the top of the first innning with two outs, Coach Pressley called a double steal with 3B Bairet Bazemore on third and LF JJ Hulet at first. As the I Eta Pi catcher threw down to second, in a vain attempt to catch Hulet, Bazemore took off for home, sliding in safely to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead.

Later in the game Hulet and Bazemore would team up again, this time for a sharp double play keyed on Hulet's laser throw to double off a runner at third. 2B Wyatt Bevis also made an unassisted double play by catching a line drive and stepping on second to double off a runner. Pressley would also garner two webgems by snagging a liner up the middle and running down a pop-up in foul territory behind third base.

Overall, the Ducks looked a tad rusty in their first game back. Only time will tell if they will regain their championship form or fade into oblivion as yet another one time title winner.

- Blaize Pennington

Check out the Golden Duck's official blog page at www.goldenducks2.blogspot.com

*Picture courtesy of new Golden Ducks Media Manager: Jennifer Mitchell

NFL 2008: Will the soap operas continue?

2008-09-02T09:35:00.000-07:00

With one of the busiest off-seasons in football history behind us, many fans and critics are beginning to wonder just exactly what can we expect from this year's NFL season? Will the Cowboys actually win a playoff game? Can Vince Young reverse his sophomore slump? Will announcers refer to Chad Johnson as "Ocho-cinco"?

The summer saga of Brett Favre may have been the biggest off-season football story of our lifetimes. It will be odd but interesting to watch how Favre guides the young Jets in the tumultuous AFC.

On the other side of the equation is Aaron Rodgers. Many think the Packers have what it takes to make it to the Super Bowl, and most everyone is anxious to see how Rodgers responds to the challenge now that it is his time.

With so many questions up in the air, some things are certain: the usual powerhouses will be as strong as ever, the Colts and Patriots will battle it out for the AFC title, leaving Chargers fans in tears once again, and the NFC will be wide open for the Cowboys to finally take their place among the NFL elite.

And to the demise of the Big Apple, as the playoff race closes in on the season finale, the New York Giants will not repeat as Super Bowl champions. With the retirement of Michael Strahan and the loss of defense end, Osi Umenyiora, the Giants' defense will be too weak and too vulnerable to compete.

The great thing about football is that we don't know what will happen. A team or player could -- and probably will -- come from nowhere and change everything. But as always, all we can do is wait and see.

-David Cowart

Fitness Diaries: Issue #1

2008-08-31T17:44:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,

Feeling like the only shape you’re in is round? It’s time to get fit with quick exercises to leave you feeling slim and trim. Now I’m not one who loves to work out, but I do want to stay healthy. Like most of you, my time is precious to me; I don’t want to spend countless hours a day working out. So I have devised a plan to blog a few fitness workouts for us to try. After a few weeks if we like them then great, if not, we can try new exercises. Most blogs will contain a little less talk and a lot more action; seeing how this was the first blog I figured we better get acquainted! Happy workout!

-Ciara Doll

Butterfly Crunch

Targets: rectus abdominus (“six pack”)
Lie on your back with the soles of your feet together as close to your body as possible, with knees bent out to sides. Place hands behind your head, elbows in line with ears. Keeping your back flat on floor and stomach muscles contracted, exhale and curl your chest up a few inches off the floor toward your legs. Lower to start. Repeat 10 times. This one is nice because I feel like the butterfly of the legs during the crunch improves my flexibility…I like it!

Side to Side

Targets: Obliques
Lie on your back, knees bent and feet flat on the floor, with your arms at your sides. Exhale and contract your abs as you slide your right hand toward your right foot. Your head and neck should remain aligned and your lower back pressed to the floor. Return to start, then switch sides. Repeat 15 times. At first this confused me, but your head and neck will move to the side you reach they just have to stay aligned!

Front Plank

Targets: transverse abdominals
Start on your hands and knees. Keeping your back and ab muscles contracted, drop down to your forearms while extending legs out behind you so you are resting on the balls of your feet. Be sure to keep your back straight, hips up, and neck relaxed. Hold for three seconds, then return to start. Repeat 10 times. This is my personal favorite exercise for abs. Make sure hips up doesn’t result in behind in the air! Haha I like to hold the plank for as long as I can (about 1 minute) instead of going from hands and knees to plank. Try both and see what you think!