Compliments from an alum

Eds,
I wrote last year to say how nice it is to have The Tower Online for those of us living in the abyss–except for the relatively short unpleasantness of the presidential election– known as Florida's Big Bend, Tallahassee. My only complaint at the time, stemming from collegiate homesickness, was that there was no art or photos. Wow. Great re-design: functional, good looking and fun. Thanks a lot. Good luck next year.
Mark Riordan, Politics '87

Web Extra: Lonergan Hired to Coach Women's B-Ball

Maggie Lonergan, a former assistant coach at Mt. Saint Mary’s College and American University, has been named women’s basketball coach at Catholic University. She replaces Kathy Kilty, who left in April after five seasons.

"I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity to work at a great school," said Lonergan, the 10th coach in the program’s 31-year history. "It’s the ideal place for me and my family."

Lonergan joins her husband Mike, who is in his 10th year coaching the men’s basketball team at CUA. The Lonergans are believed to be only the second current husband-wife coaching combination in the NCAA, joining Steve and Melissa Lamie, who coach the men's and women's basketball teams at Division III Grove City College in Grove City, Pa.

A committee of Director of Athletics Bob Talbot, assistant ADs Jone Dowd and Bob Sargeant, two women’s head coaches and two women’s basketball players selected Lonergan. The Cardinals finished 11-14 last year, 5-9 in the Capital Athletic Conference.

"I’m delighted that Maggie has accepted our offer," Talbot said. "We interviewed several outstanding candidates for the job, and she was the top choice of each committee member. I think her experience in coaching and recruiting at the Division I level is a real plus for us.

"I have confidence that she’ll raise the women’s level of play to our men’s championship level."

As an assistant coach at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md., from 1995-98, Lonergan managed all aspects of the program, serving as the Mountaineers’ recruiting coordinator, schedule maker and practice planner. In 1998-99 she worked as an assistant at nearby American.

During her playing career at Mount St. Mary’s (1990-94), Lonergan, nee Meagher, helped the club post a record of 86-26 (.768), win four Northeast Conference regular-season titles and two NEC Tournament crowns. In 1994 the squad became the first team in school history to advance to the NCAA Division I Tournament. A three-year starting guard, she was named to the All-Newcomer team in 1991. She hit a school-record-tying 15 free throws against Monmouth in 1993.

Lonergan, the leading scorer (1,515 points) in Honesdale (Pa.) High history, graduated from the Mount in 1994 with a degree in business and finance. She earned her MBA from the school in 1996.

Matt Quinn

Over the past four years, the soon-to-depart class of 2001 has earned Catholic University a reputation as one of the finest Division III athletic programs in the country. Surprisingly however, the best athlete of this crop may not come from the consistently nationally-ranked football team or the national champion hoops squad.

Senior Matt Quinn has carried the Catholic track and field team from a rebuilding stage to a promising era of respectability. The reigning Mason-Dixon Conference MVP, who has already broken his older brother Sean’s (class of 1997) school records in the hammer and the 35 pound indoor weight, looks to challenge for conference titles in the shot put, hammer, and discus at the Capitol Athletic Conference (CAC) championship meet this weekend.

“Besides the fact that he scores the majority of our points, he has an incredible work ethic,” said junior high jumper John Clark, who pointed out that Quinn could compete at any number of Division I schools. “It’s a gift that we have him.”

More amazing than his impressive track and field resume is that his success comes in the midst of the busiest time of his life. As a senior English and secondary education major, Quinn student teaches at Archbishop Carroll High School. “With student teaching and comps, he still manages to fit two hours of throwing and an hour in the weight room a day,” remarked Clark. “He has a lot on his plate and he’s still breaking school records. That’s a testament to his work ethic.”

Quinn sees teaching as his vocation in life. “[Student teaching] has been great. I love it a lot,” he remarked, adding that he enjoys being able to “interact with younger kids and serve as a role model.”

For someone who has acquired a couple of titles during his time at Catholic—captain, conference champion, record holder—the title of role model seems to be the most meaningful.

–Cory Willey

Maureen Hegedus

“Give a five year old a tennis racket and see how far she can go…” There are many sentences that could open Maureen “Mo “Hegedus’ athletic biography. As for her current page, a few simple words offer a perfect summary: In her sophomore year she currently holds a 10-2 personal record, helping lead her team through an already amazing season.

Speaking of her love for tennis, Hegedus explains “the fun is figuring out how to win.” Certainly her strong point, teammate and sophomore Bridget Guetle said that Hegedus “wins matches that no one would think she could win,” pulling through long stretches and never giving in. Junior doubles partner Molly Merrigan echoed this sentiment, explaining “she’s a fighter, she definitely fights to the end.”

With the Captial Athletic Conference (CAC) Tournament approaching, the history major is putting the finishing touches on a wonderful chapter of her work in progress. Of the success she has achieved, junior teammate Heather McDonald is quick to point that Hegedus “never lets it go to her head.” A leader by example, the Lansdale, Pa. native is still improving her game. With focus, speed, and a strong forehand, Hegedus remains unshaken in tight situations. Her three set victory this past Thursday is one of countless examples of this, defeating a Goucher senior with a homecourt advantage.

Yet Hegedus’ coach and teammates are certain she still has farther to go. Citing one of many inside jokes, Merrigan hounds Hegedus for an occasionl defensive stroke. Merrigan explained that Hegedus is best when playing aggressively: “If she swings through instead of using her cheap slice shot. Uggh, get rid of that! Hit through and win the point Mo!” A born competitor and passionate tennis player, more often than not Hegedus will land the point for CUA.

–Nicky Bhalla

Men's Lax Slips Up in Season Finale

During the past four years, the Catholic men’s lacrosse team has make great progress as it developed from a fledgling program in the tough Capital Athletic Conference (CAC). In 1998, the team marked the inaugural year of the Cardinal program by finishing with a 1-12 record. The 2001 edition of the lacrosse team, with eleven freshmen and eight sophomores, closed out the season this week with a record of 6-8.

Monday afternoon, the Cards squared off versus Marymount in the first round of the CAC tournament. Struggling on the wet and muddy field, Catholic fell to the Saints 22-5, ending the Cards’ fourth year of varsity play.

“They definitely had a home field advantage,” said head coach Brooks Singer. “Marymount also had a lot of very good athletes. They took the lead from the beginning of the game and didn’t look back.”

Sophomore midfielder Ryan Welsh led the Cardinal scoring with two goals. Junior midfielder Jimmy Nalls, along with freshmen attackers Jamie Lynch and Eric Slagle, each had a goal for Catholic.

Saturday, April 7, Catholic hosted Goucher College, nearly recording the first conference win for the program. With five and a half minutes remaining, the score was knotted at six goals apiece. As a result of a penalty, the Cardinals had a man advantage, but a shot from Welsh clanged off the goalpost. The Gophers scooped up the loose ball and scored a goal in transition. It was all Goucher would need, as they hung on to win 9-6.

“It was a great game against Goucher and it could have gone either way,” said Singer.

Catholic outshot Goucher and won a majority of the face-offs, while getting a good effort from sophomore goalie Rob Jablonski, who had 16 saves.

“We’re upset that we lost,” said Singer, “but we’ll take the positives from our good effort against a strong team in our conference.”

In only the fourth year of varsity competition, Singer has helped a young team improve each season. “Six wins is great,” he said. “We lost three very close games and could easily have nine wins instead. We’re right about to turn the corner. It takes time and it can be frustrating, but we’ll get there.

Women's Tennis Defeated by Goucher

The women's tennis team suffered a loss in their final match of the spring tennis season to Goucher College, ruining their undefeated record. The Cardinals will go into this weekend's Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Championships with an overall record of 8-1.

With some of their top players out yesterday, the Cards just weren't strong enough to rally against Goucher, losing by a score of 8-1. Sophomore #1 singles player Mo Hegedus was the only winner, winning in a close three-set match 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. In the match yesterday, junior Molly Merrigan may have sprained her ankle, causing a huge disappointment for the team. Also, freshmen Michelle Braley, Stephanie Gorman, and Sarah Sisak were all unavailable to play in the match yesterday due to sickness, and with Braley usually playing in the #2 position, it really put a damper on the team. Gorman and Sisak are out for the remainder of the season.

The CAC Championships are this weekend, and Catholic is pitted to face two reputable teams: Mary Washington College and Salisbury State University. However, sophomore Bridget Guetle is confident that the team can rally and play competitively this weekend. "Unfortunately Molly hurt her ankle, and a few of our players are sick," Guetle commented. "It is a little unnerving, but I think, like last year, we'll pull it together."

The women's team played against Navy on April 8, winning 6-3 in an exciting match. With wins coming from Hegedus, Braley, and Guetle, the Cards were able to pull out a close and exciting match. Braley and Guetle paired together in second doubles and helped gain a valuable doubles point. "We almost didn't end up playing," said Braley. "It was raining and we had to wait for the courts to dry. It was a close match."

After winning a close match to Navy, the Cards went on to ace Villa Julie 9-0 on April 9. The entire team performed well, earning an 8-0 record after that match. The team travels this weekend to Fredericksburg, VA, where the CAC Championships will take place. Hegedus is optimistic, restating that "the team did really well in the spring, and we are all playing well. I think that they [MWC and SSU] are going to be tough, but we can rally together as a team and come away victorious."

Basesball Loses 1st CAC Game

In a heartbreaking 14-4 loss to York College in the second round of the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Tournament, the Cardinals “put themselves in a little bit of a hole,” according to sophomore pitcher Adam Weiss.

Sophomore first baseman Mark Soisson and sophomore shortstop Chris Peregoy each had a run batted in. Weiss was the starting pitcher; also pitching were junior Doug Smith and sophomore Eric Cortina.

Senior captain and second baseman Marc Marini said, “We just got rocked. They hit the ball and we didn’t.”

“We got killed,” said Weiss. “It wasn’t a good start to the playoffs. We just didn’t connect right.”

The Cardinals received a first-round bye in the conference tournament, allowing them to play York at home yesterday. Tomorrow, the team heads to Mary Washington College.

“We have two games on Saturday, hopefully we can come together and pull it off,” said Weiss.

The Bleacher Beat

In 1998, Mary Schmich, a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, wrote a mock graduation speech entitled “Wear Sunscreen.” A big hit, the speech was soon posted on the Internet; it did not take long to travel around the world. Somewhere along the way, Schmich’s column was mistakenly attributed to novelist Kurt Vonnegut. However, Schmich rectified the problem, and turned her mock graduation speech into a small book.

In this last column of mine, I would like to borrow Mary Schmich’s idea, and offer you a little bit of “sports-ly” advice.

If I could offer you just one piece of advice, it would be to… play fairly. Don’t cheat. Don’t lie. Those who lie are just cheating themselves. Make sure you use your talents wisely, and don’t abuse your body.

Give thanks for each day. Thank your coach more often. Thank your parents more often.

Congratulate the winners and losers. If you want to show off, show off your sportsmanship. Spend more time getting to know your teammates. They can be your best friends on and off the playing field. Be courteous on and off the playing field.

Wear your uniform with pride. (And don’t forget to wash it.) Reward yourself with ice cream. Go running in the rain every now and then. Smile more. Don’t let yourself become an uptight adult. If you feel stressed, stop everything and dance.

Don’t be afraid to be random. Laugh loudly.

Cheer. If you say to yourself, “I can do this,” you most likely will.

Sing. In the locker room, during the van ride, after practice. You’ll realize that life isn’t so hard after all.

Don’t be afraid to admit your weaknesses. Everyone has weaknesses. But only those who are strong can face them.

Most importantly, have fun. If you’re not having fun, then you need to do something about it.

And if you choose not to take any of my advice, then please heed Mary Schmich: Wear sunscreen.

Men's Tennis Team Swings Away 40 Year Old Record

Defeating a Division I school for the second time this season, the men’s tennis team walked away victorious from Tuesday’s battle with Loyola College. The win over Loyola upped the team’s record to 17 wins and 2 losses, enabling this year’s team to hold the school record for the most wins in a single season.

“We broke a record that has stood since 1960, when I was senior captain,” said current tennis coach Marty Dowd. “That record of 15 wins has stood for 40 years, said Dowd, until this year. This year, they [the team] told me, ‘Coach, we’re going to break the record,’” said Dowd.

Against Loyola, number one player and junior Deke Polifka won two to one. Dowd said, “All his practice and playing, it’s paying off for him. His season was about as good as you can get.” Polifka ended his season with a 17-2 record at the number one position.

Although he was down 4-3 in his second set, senior captain and number two player Steve Balshi came back to win, 6-2, 6-4, giving him an overall record of 16-3. Balshi said his match “went very well. When we first got on the court, I was a little concerned. I thought it would be a tough match, and it was.” About fending off his opponent, Balshi continued, “I was able to get on top early and I just never let him get back into the match.”

Graduate student Doug Rowe “won easily” according to Dowd, with a 6-2, 6-1 score. He finished with a 14-1 record. Rowe said, “It was very windy, but I played well, I thought. Loyola played pretty tough.”

Sophomore P. J. Bautista won one to one. Dowd said, “He probably played his best game of the year.” Bautista ended the season with a 12-4 record.

Number five player and fellow sophomore Patrick Rose lost with 6-2, 7-6, but finished with a 12-5 record. Dowd said, “Pat Rose had a terrific year; it’s the first year he’s starting, too. He’s really been a clutch player.”

Catholic was able to win the doubles point, with the number one team of Rowe and Balshi winning 8-3. “They did outstanding,” claimed Dowd. The number two team of Bautista and Polifka won 8-5.

“The doubles went well,” said Rowe. “It was Steve’s and mine last home match ever, and it was nice to go out on a winning note.”

Tomorrow and Sunday, the men will be participating in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Championships at Mary Washington College. About the season, Balshi said, “It was great being part of a record season and it’s quite an honor to be on a record-breaking team.”

A Year Full of Accolades and Achievements

Fall Sports for Year in Review:

The 2000-2001 school year has been witness to …

Cross-Country:

Captained by seniors Dan Dougherty and Ryan McDermott, the men's cross-country team was led by Dougherty, fellow senior Pat Leonard, junior Matt McHugh, and newcomer Mike Audette. All four of these runners were named All-Conference at the Mason-Dixon Conference meet in Fredericksburg, VA on Oct. 21. It was the first time since 1975 that CUA had four runners on the All-Mason-Dixon team. At the meet, Catholic finished fourth out of six teams.

Additionally, Audette and Leonard were both named to the second team All-CAC honors at the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Championship meet, held at Salisbury State University on Nov. 4. Again, Catholic placed fourth out of six teams. At the meet, Audette finished tenth overall in a time of 27:40, while Leonard placed 15th in 28:02.

The men also swept their one and only home meet in early October. Winning 3-0, the team raced against area schools Columbia Union, Bowie State, and UDC.

Their season ended at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Regional Championships in Newport News, VA on Nov. 11. Racing to an eighth place finish out of 19 teams, Audette placed 33rd overall and McHugh finished in 47th. More highlights of the men's season include a second place finish at the Shepherd College Invitational, a first place finish at a tri-meet against York College and Albright, and a first place finish at the York Invitational.

The women's cross-country team also had a successful three-month season. The team was led by co-captain and senior Nicky Bhalla, who earned first team All-CAC honors at the CAC Championship meet in early November with her fourth place finish. Junior Donna Flanagan earned second team honors by placing 12th. Bhalla was also named CAC women's cross-country athlete of the week after the team's victory at the Mississippi College Invitational in Clinton, Miss. Bhalla, running a time of 20:11, placed seventh overall. Out of eight teams, the women won with 52 points, four ahead of host Mississippi College, and beat out several Division I schools. Flanagan placed tenth; junior Emily Levasseur crossed the finish line in 12th place.

Along with the men, the women won their home meet, with a 2-0 shut-out. Bhalla set a course record of 20:30. At the NCAA Regional meet, Catholic placed 12th out of 21 teams from the South-Southwest region. Bhalla finished in 26th place and Flanagan, 41st.

The team also had strong showings at the Shepherd College Invitational, where they placed first; at the York-Albright tri-meet, the team placed first; and at the Mason-Dixon Conference Championships, the team placed fifth.

Field Hockey:

Twenty members strong, the field hockey team was led by sophomore captain and forward Andi Snyder, senior midfielder Meredith McMahon, and sophomore forward Steph Roselle. Strong offensive play came from junior Maggie Mahoney, and sophomores Kim Nolen and Anne Gateau. On the defensive side, the key players from the season were seniors Beth Brennan and Trish Cassidy, juniors Courtney Halter, Aileen Gambescia, Rebekah Dunbar, and Sondra Pires, and sophomore Anne Keane. Throughout the season, sophomores Katie Iannacone and Nikki Brewer tended goal.

The field hockey team's season ended with a 5-12 overall record. Their conference wins came against St. Mary's, Goucher, and York. About the Goucher game, second year coach Lisa Thompson said, "It was an unbelievable effort and everyone contributed."

At the CAC Tournament face-off with St. Mary's, CUA walked away with a 5-2 victory. Their season ended on Oct. 26 at Salisbury State; the women lost, 5-2.

However, the team steadily improved toward the end of the season, winning two of their last three games. The team's only two seniors, McMahon and Cassidy, were honored at the Oct. 15 home game against Roanoke.

Football:

Although the football team's hopes for a fourth consecutive NCAA play-off berth were dashed after their devastating loss to Bridgewater College on Nov. 11, the team still enjoyed a solid season. At the end of the season, their record was 6-4 overall, and 4-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Under head coach Tom Clark's guidance, the team shut out Franklin and Marshall 39-0, and Washington and Lee 47-0. They also faced off against two Division I teams, John Carroll and LaSalle; however, the team lost to both.

Senior right tackle Dan Riely was named first team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and D3football.com. He helped his team earn a 2,228 rushing yard school record, enabling CUA to be ranked 24th nationally. Likewise, junior running back Dan Boyle set a school record of 1,533 rushing yards. Catholic finished tenth in the nation in rushing. Junior quarter back Derek McGee led the ODAC in passing for the second straight year. Catholic was subsequently ranked 29th in the nation in total offense with 4,096 yards.

Boyle, Riely, Tim McCarthy, Damian Richard, Matt Steiner, James Parker, and Mike Fleet were all named first team All-ODAC. Seniors Larry Waters and Tim Varian were named to the second team, and junior Puri Garzone received honorable mention.

Soccer:

In his fourth year at the helm of CUA soccer, head coach Scott Racek led his team to wins against Gallaudet, Lincoln, Goucher, and Newman. The team's season ended with a 4-13-2 overall record, and 2-5 in the CAC. Senior Pat Heenan and junior Pat Hanley captained the 21 member team.

Returning nine starters and eight letterwinners from the 1999 season, junior forwards Gregg McGuirl and Jason Arce anchored the team. Sophomores Corey Wright and Todd Magin goaltended for each game. Despite losing at their season-opening Swarthmore Tournament against Swarthmore and Widener, the team proved their mettle near the end of the year. In the last four games, CUA won two, tied one, and lost one.

Racek also coached the women's soccer team for the second year in a row. The women's overall record finished at 6-12, 2-5 in the CAC. The women also returned nine starters from the previous year, as well as four letterwinners. The group was led by sophomore midfielders Colleen Redlinger and Julie Cosden, and captained by senior Heather Winters. Junior forward Nicole Pino and sophomore goalies Rachel Glennan, Molly Moran, and Meghan Baroody also gave stellar performances.

Playing a total of 18 games, the women won three home games, facing off against Goucher, Gallaudet, and Neumann. Additionally, the team played several tough teams in a row, including Division I Howard in late September.

Volleyball:

This past year's volleyball squad finished with an overall record of 35-6. The team won a school record of 18 consecutive matches and reached the CAC regular season championship. For the first time in the program's history, the volleyball team was ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), earning a ranking of 17th. They also earned second place in the Mid-Atlantic region.

For the third time, Coach Nagy Abdelrazek was named CAC Coach of the Year. He was also honored by the (AVCA), who named him Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. Four of Abdelrazek's players also received awards: junior outside hitter Mary Ellen Ryan and sophomore setter Bridget Guetle earned first team All-CAC honors, while junior Liz Carden received second team honors, and freshman Kathleen McGlynn was honored with CAC Rookie of the Year.

The team won three tournaments, including the Washington and Lee Invitational, Gallaudet Invitational, and the second annual CUA Invitational. Their winning streak was finally blocked by Salisbury State at the CAC Championship game on Nov. 4.

Next Page »