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Charger sports succeed in '03-'04 season
By Cheryl Heitzman
Collegian Reporter
The perennial beauty of sports lies in its
ability to be new, and renew. Everyone is undefeated. The mistakes
of one season erased, athletes strive and achieve new goals
for themselves and their team.
An entire program leaves behind the memories
of difficult decisions. Only a year after budget cutbacks cut
entire programs, athletes began to fully concentrate on reaching
a talent level achieved by few across the country.
Some can even boast the title of All-American
or All-GLIAC or conference Freshman of the Year.
Women's track
Two of those women can also claim helping
paint the highlight of the year for Hillsdale athletics. It
came in March, when junior Stephanie Carroll and sophomore DiOnna
Williams earned All-American status in indoor track by placing
in the top eight of their events.
Carroll set a school record in the mile, and
placed eighth, while Williams ran a 7.72 in the 60-meter dash
and placed sixth overall. Carroll continued her dominance April
18 when she provisionally qualified for the outdoor nationals
in the 800-meter. Senior Tauna Blacquiere also provisionally
qualified in the 400-meter hurdles.
Men's Track
The men's outdoor team has also enjoyed success,
with senior Steve Larson, sophomore Scott Kallgren and junior
Michael Nikkila all provisionally qualifying. Nikkila also earned
a bid to the NCAA championships last fall in cross country,
where he placed 66th.
Volleyball
The volleyball team brought yet another worthy
highlight. Despite a late stumble, the team entered the GLIAC
championships with confidence. They lost a hotly contested first
round game to Grand Valley State, but freshman Taryn Rudland
received GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors.
Rudland was also named First Team All-GLIAC.
Fellow freshman Becky Grzegorski earned Second Team honors and
junior setter Karin Poschke earned honorable mention.
Though other sports did not have the same
success, individual efforts will propel the programs into next
year, where they can start anew.
Women's Basketball
The women's basketball team did not qualify
for the GLIAC championships in coach Claudette Charney's second
year, but the strong play of the freshman class is promising.
Freshman Nikki Wustman made Second Team All-GLIAC.
Freshmen Jodie Haines and Jenn Carlson added consistent three-point
shooting, and the aggressive defense of junior Jen Rolling and
sophomore Gretchen Rocco kept many games close.
Baseball
Although it looks like the playoffs are out
of reach for the baseball team, sophomore Corey Krug is still
working hard. He earned Pitcher of the Week for April 19 and
led the league in strikeouts. Coach Paul Noce earned his 200th
win this season.
Softball
The softball team, however, keeps the tournament
in sight with the help of junior slugger Colleen McNutt. McNutt
hit the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the eighth
to defeat Gannon's Heather Ford for the first time in four years
Friday. Sophomore Lindsey McNaughton threw a perfect game on
April 14 to defeat Findlay.
Golf
The golf team finished 11th at the GLIAC championships
for the second year, and decreased their overall score by 47
shots. The Chargers have seen great rounds from freshman Mike
Ketelaar and sophomore Rob Schlitts.
Football
Though the football team compiled only a 4-7
(4-6 GLIAC) record in Keith Otterbein's second year, close calls
were the story. They gave No. 1 Grand Valley State and No. 2
Saginaw Valley State a scare. In both games, the tenacious Chargers
would not give in, scoring a combined 46 points.
Senior Silas Johnson was named First Team
All-GLIAC and earned a spot on the 2004 Cactus Bowl East Team
plus, junior Josh Mott was named to the Second Team All-GLIAC,
leading with 135 tackles-good enough for fifth place nationally.
Men's Basketball
The men's basketball team ended with defeat,
but senior Tom Farmer ended his career positively by being named
to the First Team All-GLIAC. Sophomore Cory Coe secured a spot
on the Second Team. Coach Ed Douma has much to look forward
to with Coe's return, breakout sophomore post John Farr, plus
sophomore guards Rodney Whaley and John Hamood.
Women's Tennis
Though the women's tennis team didn't win
a match this year, the team is looking to junior Jessie Miller
to lead next season. Miller is a force to reckon with at No.
1 singles, and hopefully the rest of the team can step up next
season.
Women's Swimming
The women's swimming team finished the year
by hosting the GLIAC swimming championships. They broke eight
school records and produced 8 NCAA "B" time standards,
as well as finished the GLIAC championships with an all time
best of 230 points.
Club Sports
The 2003-2004 school year also brought the
hockey team, the rise of the equestrian team and the birth of
the marksmanship club.
The hockey team ended its inaugural season
without a win, but will return with solid experience.
Junior Betsy Teetor will represent the Hillsdale
equestrian team at nationals. Her participation will bring recognition
to a team that has worked hard to establish itself.
Combined with the return of many hardworking
veterans and a strong recruiting class, the next few years of
Hillsdale athletics are going to be exciting.
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