2008 Spring Sports Supplement

Red Bounces Back From Disappointing Year

Mitchell Drucker — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The women’s lacrosse team enters the 2008 season coming off of last year’s campaign that saw the team play to a 5-10 record in defense of its 2006 Ivy League Championship. Led by coach Jenny Graap ’86, this year’s squad is looking for a return to glory and has set ambitious goals for itself.

“The players set goals about effort and intensity — kind of commitment type things,” Graap said. “We didn’t want to overlook any of the real foundation principles. They were careful to set goals that they should be focusing on every day, as well as goals for winning the Ivy League and advancing to the postseason.”

Spring Schedule Gives Women Time to Shine

Evan Carr — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

If past performance is any indication, the women’s track team has a talented team this year. With recent strong performances and NCAA Regional qualifiers at the California State Northridge Invitational, the UC Irvine Classic and the Indoor Heptagonal Championships in March alone, this year’s standouts are looking to build on success earlier in the year.

In the 800, sophomore Katie Murdoch has been establishing herself as a real force for the women. With strong showings earlier in the year, Murdoch is a young, growing talent. Dealing with injuries in her freshman season, Murdoch still bounced back as a top performer to earn All-East honors in the outdoor season, while running the lead-off spot for a record 4x800 time for the freshmen in 2007.

Men’s Harriers Led By Talented Seniors

Evan Carr — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The spring track season is here: packed with more natural skill and talent than in recent memory, the men’s track team is setting its sights on a memorable finish to the year in these last three months.

Starting in March, the men boasted several NCAA and IC4A regional qualifiers, boosting their status as one of the elite varsity teams this year on campus and in Cornell history.

March seems to be promising: starting the month at the Heptagonal championships in Ithaca, N.Y., the men dominated the rest of the Ivy League conference competition, taking a 205-point victory and beating out second-place Princeton by 56 points. The Red won on the strength of nine event wins, seven second-place finishes and three NCAA qualifiers.

Experienced Di Ricco Excels in Leadoff Role

Allie Perez — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

On the baseball team, junior returning starter Dom Di Ricco is known as “Little Guy,” not for his physical size but for his home run-lacking style at the plate.

“This fall, when we would take batting practice, we would have silent competitions between [sophomore] Nate David and I,” Di Ricco said. “[David] refers to himself as Baby Bash … and I’m just Little Guy. … I tried to add a little power [in the offseason], but that didn’t work too well. I’m just a scrappy leadoff hitter. I love it. I get dirty every game, trying to slide everywhere.”

‘Tuch’ Brings Family Tradition to Cornell

Allie Perez — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Sophomore pitcher Tony Bertucci’s given name is actually Don Antony, but the biggest thing the Cornell hurler has in common with a Mafia mastermind is the Family emphasis — and, in Bertucci’s case, baseball is a prominent part of the family legacy.

“[I started playing baseball] in the backyard with my dad and my grandpa, just learning the game,” he said. “It goes back pretty deep in my family, so [there’s] a lot of pride as far as baseball’s concerned.”

Baseball is in the Bertucci blood. The Cornell pitcher’s older brother played one year at Notre Dame, while his younger brother is a sophomore on his high school team. All three brothers have answered to the same nickname in their baseball careers based on the family name, “Tuch.”

Productive Winter Fuels Golf’s Spring

Ware Cady — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The golf team is halfway through its season, but after nearly a five-month layoff since its last competitive match back in October, there is no doubt that the team is feeling a sense of a new season.

“[Starting back up in the spring] basically feels like a fresh start,” said sophomore C.J. Karrer. “It takes a few weeks to get back into the swing of things.”

The Ithaca weather does not allow for too much outdoor practice, but the installation of a new golf simulator, along with a week-long trip to Orlando, Fla., has allowed the players to get in good practice and stay on top of their game throughout the winter offseason.

M. Lax Aims for Fifth Straight Ivy Title

Cory Bennett — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

In the corner of men’s lacrosse head coach Jeff Tambroni’s office sits a trophy that reads “2007 NCAA Lacrosse Semifinalist.” The trophy only tells part of the story, though. Only Duke’s last-second goal separated Cornell from a trip to the NCAA final against Johns Hopkins. That goal also put the end to the careers of five Cornell All-Americans. The Red lost its main goal-scorer, its offensive quarterback, its defensive stalwart and its four-year starting goalie. But like every year, the system remains the same as new faces fill in the roles.

Defense

Baseball Returns Starters at Most Positions

Matthew Manacher — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The good news is that the baseball team improved both its overall and Ivy League record last year. The bad news is the team still finished in the cellar of the Ivy League’s Gehrig Division. However, this season the Red (6-8) welcomes a promising class of newcomers to join a solid core of veterans as the team vies for its second Ancient Eight title in the last four years.

Catchers

W. Crew Anticipates Successful Season

Danielle Schaub — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Before a single boat even launched into the water from the docks of the John Collyer Boathouse last spring, the 2007 women’s rowing team was left high and dry on shore in the wake of a sudden coaching switch when former head coach Dan Roock was replaced by head coach Hilary Gehman.

The resulting changes in the team’s training regimen and coaching style were a considerable shock to the squad. Fortunately, most of last year’s varsity boat returns to the inlet, one year later, with more experience and an unrivaled determination to build upon the hard work they did in the 2007 season.

Red Sports Deeper Rotation, Lineup

Zack Slabotsky — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

In 2007, the Red posted its best winning percentage in three years and developed a strong nucleus of young hitters. This year, the team hopes to continue to improve and make a run at the Ivy League title later in the spring. The team’s biggest strength may be the fact that it is well-rounded and does not have a discernable weak spot anywhere on the roster. Below is a breakdown of the team as it looks to improve on last year’s 35-14 record, which included a 13-7 record against Ivy League foes.

Catching

Senior Hurler Excited for Last Hurrah

John Forman — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Nearly four years ago senior Jenn Meunier arrived in Ithaca from Turpin High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she had been named to the All-State softball team. Three-plus seasons and 62 wins later, Meunier is set for her final year pitching in the red and white.

“I honestly don’t remember what I expected [before I came to Cornell],” Meunier said. “I just came planning on working hard and doing whatever job they gave me.”

Glynn Eyes Fourth Title

Yael Borofsky — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

When a partially torn ACL came back to haunt senior co-captain John Glynn in his sophomore campaign at Cornell, it was a huge disappointment to sit out an entire season. Down but not out, Glynn returned in his junior year with a vengeance, playing an important role as a midfielder and scoring the game-winning goal against Albany in the NCAA quarterfinals.

“Just not playing, I really kind of took a different view on the team,” Glynn said. “Last year, when I got the chance to come back and start playing the game, it was definitely more rewarding.”

Star Sophomore Right on Track

John Forman — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Before every game, softball head coach Dick Blood must decide on a batting order and a defensive alignment for the Red. Last year, the arrival of then-freshman infielder Alyson Intihar, who ended up playing at all four infield positions last season, may have added some confusion to the decision process. But any confusion Intihar may have caused, she made up for by hitting third all season and playing her way to team co-MVP honors as a rookie.

Versatile in the infield and at the plate, Intihar led the team in home runs, slugging, RBIs, walks, total bases and even hit-by-pitches. According to Intihar, however, the way she ended the year was very different from how it started.

Heavyweights Eager to Start Spring Season

Randall Brown — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Traditionally, the men’s heavyweight rowing team starts off its spring season by competing in the Ithaca Regatta. This year, however, the team will experience a change of pace after receiving an invitation to the selective Pac-10 Invitational where the squad will compete against California and Stanford.

“There is tenacity in this team,” said senior captain Dan Holodnik. “The guys are excited because they know that there is something for us to show to everyone.”

The heavyweights are coming off a strong season last year which saw two boats qualify for the IRA grand finals including the second varsity eight placing third in the National championship.

Despite the strong performance last season, the Red still wants to see more improvement this year.

M. Tennis Team Aims To Regain Hot Start

Graham Corrigan — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

As the men’s tennis team’s regular season makes its final push, it seems only right that we take a look back on the trials and tribulations that have shaped this season thus far.

The men’s tennis team, currently standing at 5-7 overall, is about to embark on a four game homestand with eight contests left in the season. The team is currently attempting to rebound from a disappointing trip to Florida, but the trip down south that ended with four losses has left the team viciously hungry for any type of redemption.

Seibald Hopes to Lead Red Back to Final Four

Yael Borofsky — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

It isn’t often that one of the top players on a Division I lacrosse team is willing to admit that his older sister used to fight his battles for him when he was in a pinch.

“She was always my protector,” Seibald said. “If anyone messed with me, she would beat them up”

And although he claims he’s capable of taking care of himself these days, he’s also willing to admit that he’s happy they live in the same apartment building on campus, just in case he needs a little backup.

“We actually live in the same apartment building so if I ever need some food she is only a couple steps away,” Seibald said.

Lightweights Bring in Young Talent

Danielle Schaub — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Easily the most successful program at Cornell, the men’s lightweight rowing team launches into the 2008 season set on defending two consecutive national titles and a runner-up finish at the esteemed Henley Royal Regatta last spring.

“We are definitely stronger than we’ve ever been before. We are working on things and picking up speed,” Bunnell said. “I don’t want to make predictions, but I think we’ve put ourselves in a good place to do well.”

Nathan Switches Sticks, Becomes Vocal Leader

Yael Borofsky — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

In the only sport where it’s possible to decide between a short stick and a long stick, senior co-captain Danny Nathan had to make the switch. In an impressive act of selflessness, Nathan agreed to undergo a metamorphosis from his former position on defense, which uses a long stick, to become a short-stick wielding defensive midfielder in his junior year so that then sophomore Nick Gradinger could gain a spot on defense. Lucky for Nathan, picking up a short stick was not quite so hard as it might have been since he had some experience with the position in high school. “Its been challenging at times trying to play a different position where you don’t have as much room for mistakes…” Nathan said. “I played short stick in high school so it’s good to get back to my roots. “

Farrell Hones Defensive Side of Game

Keenan Weatherford — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Despite the balanced offensive numbers, if you ask scouts or players who the Red’s most dynamic offensive weapon is, they will undoubtedly point to senior attacker Courtney Farrell. The 5-3 Syracuse-area native has led the team in scoring for three consecutive years, and is posed to do so yet again for her senior campaign. But this year, Farrell is not just a goal-making machine, she’s a more complete player than in seasons past.

“I think that this year as a senior, I’m really seeing her leadership improve and seeing her maturity on the field,” said head coach Jenny Graap ‘86, “and how important that aspect is to her overall success.”

Moyer Adopts Role of Main Defender

Cory Bennett — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

It’s fall 2005, and the men’s lacrosse team has just finished practice. Head coach Jeff Tambroni is addressing his squad before sending them home for the day. Tambroni, ever the coach who loves hard-working, scrappy players, points out to his team how hard one freshman worked during that day’s practice. That freshman was Matt Moyer.

“There were certain days that we as a coaching staff would point him out as being the symbolic leader of our team,” Tambroni said. “He would still come back the next day and feel like he needed to do it all over again.”

To Moyer, it probably just seemed natural to come out and work hard every day. But one can tell from the way he talks about it that Tambroni will never forget the first impression that Moyer made on him.