In one of the last races of his collegiate career as a sprinter for the track team, senior sprinter Emmanual Freeland seized the moment and emerged victorious.
Freeland is the last leg of the Owls’ track and field 4×100 meter relay, which finished first in the Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America Championship race on Saturday at the Penn Relays.
“The feeling was amazing. I had tears of joy after the race,” Freeland said. “I was overwhelmed. As a senior, there’s no other way I would rather end my last collegiate Penn Relays than as a champion.”
It was the only first-place finish for the Owls in the event’s three days, and it was completed in dramatic fashion. Freeland received the baton with the Owls in fourth place and brought his team back to a photo-finish victory. All other five anchors finished within a half a second of Freeland and the Owls’ winning time of 41.29 seconds. Freeland joined freshman Alex McGee, sophomore Dylan Pensyl and senior Miles Dryden in the champion relay.
“I got the baton from [McGee], and I saw that we were in fourth place,” Freeland said. “The atmosphere was amazing, the crowd was going crazy, my family was there, and I just left it all out on the track.”
“I told my team if they just kept me in the race, I would bring home the gold,” Freeland added. “They held their word, so I had to hold mine. I came from fourth place and got my team the victory.”
It was the first ICA4 men’s 4×100 relay championship in Temple history, and it wasn’t even supposed to happen. The 4×100 only qualified as an alternate for the championship race in the qualifying race on Friday. But Brown University did not show up Saturday, setting up Freeland and company’s heroics.
“We told ourselves to live for the moment and just trust each other,” Freeland said. “We are the first Temple 4×100 relay to win the ICA4 Championship. We made history. Nobody can take that from us.”
Freeland, Dryden, McGee and Pensyl also competed in the 4×200 relay qualifier on Friday, in which they placed 18th and earned a spot in the ICA4 Championship on Saturday. The relay gave another outstanding effort in that race, finishing just behind the University of Maryland/Eastern Shore for the team’s second Top 3 performance of the day.
“Our day one was not good at all,” Freeland said. “We had a long talk when we got back to school. We told ourselves that we were going to leave it all on the track day two, and that’s exactly what we did.”
The men’s track and field team had six individuals and four relay teams take the trip to Franklin Field to compete in the Penn Relays. On Friday, the individual standout was senior and Temple hammer throw record-holder Bob Keogh, who placed third in the same event.
Dryden and Pensyl, gold medal winners in the 4×100 on Saturday, also performed well individually in the long jump on Friday. Dryden placed fourth with a personal best mark of 23-11.00 and Pensyl placed 18th with a distance of 21-11.50.
Also performing as an individual on Friday was junior high jumper Tim Malloy, who placed 18th in the high jump. In relays, the 4×400 team of McGee, junior Alan Harding, freshman Chris Bradley and senior Derrhyl Duncan placed 50th, and the distance medley of freshman Will Kellar and seniors Aaron Taylor and Lou Parisi and junior Travis Mahoney placed eighth. On Saturday, freshman Gabe Pickett placed seventh in the triple jump and senior Chris Durante placed 15th in the javelin.
“It was a real solid performance for us,” distance coach Matt Jelley said about the team overall. “Whenever you get in an event like that when you’re out on the track, and you’re hearing all the people in the stands, it’s a pretty cool atmosphere. I thought the guys stepped up and were probably helped by the fact that they were in that atmosphere.”
The women’s track and field team took two individuals and four relay teams to Franklin Field. The 4×400 relay of freshman Ambrosia Iwugo, junior Tanisha Wells and seniors Shadaya Bennett and Paris Williams placed 27th in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship qualifying race. The lineup was altered for the championship race on Saturday, in which Iwugo, sophomore Victoria Gocht and seniors Tashima Stephens and Assata Cowart placed fourth, which was the women’s highlight of the weekend.
Cowart also performed as an individual on Thursday, in which she placed 32nd in the 400 hurdles. Also competing as an individual for the Owls on Thursday was junior Alanna Owens, who placed 20th in the shot put. Freshman Gennie Depass, sophomores Crystal Hercules and Dia Dorsey, and junior Andrea Butler placed 49th in the 4×100 to round out the Owls’ competition on Thursday.
On Friday, Depass, Hercules, Dorsey and sophomore Tessa West placed 35th in the 4×200 relay. On Saturday, Gocht and Bennett joined sophomore Tonney Smith and Stephens to place fifth in the 4×800.
Overall, the Owls performed very well. But the spotlight was stolen by the 4×100 relay and a standout senior who was determined to end his career at Temple on a high note.
“When we got on that podium and [coach Eric Mobley] ran out there, and we were taking pictures, giving autographs and getting congratulated from everyone, I could just think of those workouts where [Mobley] tried to kill us, running in the rain, running in the snow and lifting weights at 6 a.m.,” Freeland said. “This is where it all pays off. We will never forget this moment. And until 2012 Penn Relays, Temple 4×100 are the ICA4 champions.”
Friday, May 6, 2011
Spotlight: Phillies Fans
The Philadelphia Phillies lost last night, 2-1 to the New York Mets in extra innings. What on the surface appears as just another divisional matchup in May lends greater meaning if you listened closely to the sounds of Citizens Bank Park that began quietly in the top of the ninth inning:
“U-S-A! U-S-A!”
The Phillies’ fans were reacting to the new that spread quickly throughout the ballpark that Osama Bin Laden, the world’s most wanted terrorist and the man most responsible for the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, had been killed.
In a breaking news address to the Nation last night, President Barack Obama informed the country that a U.S. armed force infiltrated a mansion in Pakistan and, after a brief firefight, killed Bin Laden and captured his body which was returned to the United States.
"[Bin Laden’s] demise should be welcomed by all those who believe in peace and human dignity," Obama said.
The news of Bin Laden’s death traveled by word of mouth throughout the ballpark, and by the end of the ninth inning, it was clearly audible to the national audience watching the game from home on ESPN.
“I don’t like to give Philadelphia fans too much credit, but they got this one right,” Mets third baseman David Wright said after the game.
The atmosphere on the field was undoubtedly affected by the fans’ cheers. It is very possible that most of the players didn’t know what had happened until the Phillies’ fans gave them a hint. The fact that New York and Philadelphia were on the field, two cities that were obviously greatly affected by 9/11 contributes an even greater meaning to the game.
"I asked what was going on with all the yelling 'U-S-A, U-S-A,'" Mets reliever Pedro Beato said. "I just asked [pitching coach John Debus], and he said supposedly they caught bin Laden."
"It's probably a night I'll never forget," Mets starter Chris Young. "There are some things bigger than the game and our jobs. I was inside. You could hear the crowd chanting, 'U-S-A.' And I got chills hearing that. It was a pretty neat atmosphere and place to be to get that kind of news.”
Philadelphia is universally recognized as the most hated sports city in the country. Specifically, Philadelphia fans are often criticized for booing too often and expressing criticism without a heart. With their touching moment of patriotism last night, Philadelphia sports fans have taken a step in the right direction of winning over the hearts of the rest of America
“U-S-A! U-S-A!”
The Phillies’ fans were reacting to the new that spread quickly throughout the ballpark that Osama Bin Laden, the world’s most wanted terrorist and the man most responsible for the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, had been killed.
In a breaking news address to the Nation last night, President Barack Obama informed the country that a U.S. armed force infiltrated a mansion in Pakistan and, after a brief firefight, killed Bin Laden and captured his body which was returned to the United States.
"[Bin Laden’s] demise should be welcomed by all those who believe in peace and human dignity," Obama said.
The news of Bin Laden’s death traveled by word of mouth throughout the ballpark, and by the end of the ninth inning, it was clearly audible to the national audience watching the game from home on ESPN.
“I don’t like to give Philadelphia fans too much credit, but they got this one right,” Mets third baseman David Wright said after the game.
The atmosphere on the field was undoubtedly affected by the fans’ cheers. It is very possible that most of the players didn’t know what had happened until the Phillies’ fans gave them a hint. The fact that New York and Philadelphia were on the field, two cities that were obviously greatly affected by 9/11 contributes an even greater meaning to the game.
"I asked what was going on with all the yelling 'U-S-A, U-S-A,'" Mets reliever Pedro Beato said. "I just asked [pitching coach John Debus], and he said supposedly they caught bin Laden."
"It's probably a night I'll never forget," Mets starter Chris Young. "There are some things bigger than the game and our jobs. I was inside. You could hear the crowd chanting, 'U-S-A.' And I got chills hearing that. It was a pretty neat atmosphere and place to be to get that kind of news.”
Philadelphia is universally recognized as the most hated sports city in the country. Specifically, Philadelphia fans are often criticized for booing too often and expressing criticism without a heart. With their touching moment of patriotism last night, Philadelphia sports fans have taken a step in the right direction of winning over the hearts of the rest of America
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Track record holders look forward to Penn Relays
It has been a breakout year for track and field teams, and they said they hope to continue the momentum on a national stage at the Penn Relays this week.
“I’d say that it’s been a breakout year,” distance coach Matt Jelley said. “In the distance events, we just keep getting better and better.”
Women’s track and field has had two Top 5 overall finishes in seven events this year. The team hasn’t finished outside the Top 15. Senior hurdles runner Assata Cowart set the Temple all-time record for the 1K run in January and senior distance runner Sarah Rutter set the Temple record for the 3K run.
“We’re a strong squad in the [400 and 800 meter run],” Jelley said. “On the girls side, across the board, we’re a pretty well-rounded team.”
The 2010 Atlantic Ten Conference Women’s Rookie of the Year, sophomore mid-distance runner Victoria Gocht, will head to the Penn Relays for the second year in a row to compete in the 800 after posting a team-best of 2 minutes, 12.38 seconds in the same event last week.
“We have a bunch of 800 runners who are doing excellent led by [Gocht], who is coming off an injury and doing an excellent job,” Jelley said.
The men’s track and field team has had six Top 5 performances in seven events this year. Junior distance runner Travis Mahoney has gained national attention for his performance in the 3K steeplechase.
“The standout would be [Mahoney],” Jelley said. “He ran an 8:41.6 [in the steeplechase], which is the second fastest time in the country this year, which qualifies him for the regional qualifiers and qualifies him for USA’s.”
Another standout on the men’s side is senior thrower Bob Keogh, who broke the Temple record for the hammer throw earlier this month.
“[Keogh’s] having an incredible season,” Jelley said. “He’s broken the school record four or five times. It seems like every time he goes out, he breaks the school record.”
“Not only does he do well on a performance basis, but he also is a great leader,” Jelley added. “He ended up helping the younger guys and girls. He’s been like a player-coach for us.”
Mahoney and Keogh have a chance to display their talents on a larger stage at the Penn Relays. Keogh will compete in the hammer throw and Mahoney will run the 1,200-meter leg of the distance medley.
The Penn Relays represent a dual opportunity for the Owls’ track and field teams. It is an opportunity for the teams to display their talent to a national audience and finish their seasons on high notes.
“The only time we’ve competed indoors, we finished fifth overall out of 88 teams, which is why we want to go and compete against the best teams in the country and show them what Temple is all about,” Jelley said.
“I’d say that it’s been a breakout year,” distance coach Matt Jelley said. “In the distance events, we just keep getting better and better.”
Women’s track and field has had two Top 5 overall finishes in seven events this year. The team hasn’t finished outside the Top 15. Senior hurdles runner Assata Cowart set the Temple all-time record for the 1K run in January and senior distance runner Sarah Rutter set the Temple record for the 3K run.
“We’re a strong squad in the [400 and 800 meter run],” Jelley said. “On the girls side, across the board, we’re a pretty well-rounded team.”
The 2010 Atlantic Ten Conference Women’s Rookie of the Year, sophomore mid-distance runner Victoria Gocht, will head to the Penn Relays for the second year in a row to compete in the 800 after posting a team-best of 2 minutes, 12.38 seconds in the same event last week.
“We have a bunch of 800 runners who are doing excellent led by [Gocht], who is coming off an injury and doing an excellent job,” Jelley said.
The men’s track and field team has had six Top 5 performances in seven events this year. Junior distance runner Travis Mahoney has gained national attention for his performance in the 3K steeplechase.
“The standout would be [Mahoney],” Jelley said. “He ran an 8:41.6 [in the steeplechase], which is the second fastest time in the country this year, which qualifies him for the regional qualifiers and qualifies him for USA’s.”
Another standout on the men’s side is senior thrower Bob Keogh, who broke the Temple record for the hammer throw earlier this month.
“[Keogh’s] having an incredible season,” Jelley said. “He’s broken the school record four or five times. It seems like every time he goes out, he breaks the school record.”
“Not only does he do well on a performance basis, but he also is a great leader,” Jelley added. “He ended up helping the younger guys and girls. He’s been like a player-coach for us.”
Mahoney and Keogh have a chance to display their talents on a larger stage at the Penn Relays. Keogh will compete in the hammer throw and Mahoney will run the 1,200-meter leg of the distance medley.
The Penn Relays represent a dual opportunity for the Owls’ track and field teams. It is an opportunity for the teams to display their talent to a national audience and finish their seasons on high notes.
“The only time we’ve competed indoors, we finished fifth overall out of 88 teams, which is why we want to go and compete against the best teams in the country and show them what Temple is all about,” Jelley said.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Spotlight: The Memphis Grizzlies
After sixteen years of futility, the Memphis Grizzlies have suddenly found themselves on a golden stage in the national spotlight.
The Grizzlies are currently leading the San Antonio Spurs, 2-1 in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs in the NBA.
"I'm happy we're where we are," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. "We could be in that other position in that other locker room, so it's nice to be where we are.”
The Spurs entered the playoffs with the best overall record in the league at 61-21. They have clearly been the best team in the NBA all year long and it seemed inevitable that Tim Duncan and co. would make another run at a title this year.
But the Spurs may have overlooked the Grizzlies, who are an eight seed in the playoffs after winning 46 games in the regular season. The Grizzlies also carry a history of failure in the playoffs; they had gone 0-12 in their previous four playoff appearances.
Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph has been the driving force behind the Grizzlies’ early success. He has averaged 20 points and eight rebounds over the series’ three games while holding Duncan to 15 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Randolph scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in game one in San Antonio. Despite trailing going into the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies showed great resiliency and outscored the Spurs 31-24 in the fourth. Small forward Shane Battier hit a go-ahead three pointer with 23.9 seconds left. It was the Grizzlies first ever playoff win, and it came against a one seed on the road.
"It was awesome. I'm really happy for the city," Battier said, who has played in Memphis for six of his eleven career years as a professional. “Most of these guys don't know the history or the heartache that the city has gone through. I'm happy for the city."
"We're in the playoffs," Hollins added. "It's not important to me that it's our first playoff win ever."
Despite a Grizzlies lead at halftime in game two, Duncan and the Spurs rallied in the second half to win at home, 93-87. Duncan had 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The series then shifted to Memphis. The Grizzlies proved that game one was no fluke, Randolph turned in another outstanding performance to lead Memphis to a 91-88 win and a 2-1 series lead. Randolph, despite being mostly an inside presence, hit a three with 41.9 seconds left that ultimately sealed the win.
“It's nice to get a victory at home in front of our fans in a playoff game,” Hollins said. “That's special as well because they've been wanting one and hoping for one, and we came in and got it the first opportunity."
The Grizzlies are taking their season slogan of “Let’s make history” to heart as they have already accomplished more than any other Grizzlies team in the franchise’s sixteen year history. Not only have they won their first ever playoff game at home and away, but they are doing it against what many people believed were the favorite to win the NBA championship coming into the playoffs.
If Randolph and the Grizzlies can continue their forward momentum and beat the Spurs in this series, it would be one of the all-time greatest upsets in the NBA. And it would transform the fantasy of a season slogan into a reality.
The Grizzlies are currently leading the San Antonio Spurs, 2-1 in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs in the NBA.
"I'm happy we're where we are," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. "We could be in that other position in that other locker room, so it's nice to be where we are.”
The Spurs entered the playoffs with the best overall record in the league at 61-21. They have clearly been the best team in the NBA all year long and it seemed inevitable that Tim Duncan and co. would make another run at a title this year.
But the Spurs may have overlooked the Grizzlies, who are an eight seed in the playoffs after winning 46 games in the regular season. The Grizzlies also carry a history of failure in the playoffs; they had gone 0-12 in their previous four playoff appearances.
Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph has been the driving force behind the Grizzlies’ early success. He has averaged 20 points and eight rebounds over the series’ three games while holding Duncan to 15 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Randolph scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in game one in San Antonio. Despite trailing going into the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies showed great resiliency and outscored the Spurs 31-24 in the fourth. Small forward Shane Battier hit a go-ahead three pointer with 23.9 seconds left. It was the Grizzlies first ever playoff win, and it came against a one seed on the road.
"It was awesome. I'm really happy for the city," Battier said, who has played in Memphis for six of his eleven career years as a professional. “Most of these guys don't know the history or the heartache that the city has gone through. I'm happy for the city."
"We're in the playoffs," Hollins added. "It's not important to me that it's our first playoff win ever."
Despite a Grizzlies lead at halftime in game two, Duncan and the Spurs rallied in the second half to win at home, 93-87. Duncan had 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The series then shifted to Memphis. The Grizzlies proved that game one was no fluke, Randolph turned in another outstanding performance to lead Memphis to a 91-88 win and a 2-1 series lead. Randolph, despite being mostly an inside presence, hit a three with 41.9 seconds left that ultimately sealed the win.
“It's nice to get a victory at home in front of our fans in a playoff game,” Hollins said. “That's special as well because they've been wanting one and hoping for one, and we came in and got it the first opportunity."
The Grizzlies are taking their season slogan of “Let’s make history” to heart as they have already accomplished more than any other Grizzlies team in the franchise’s sixteen year history. Not only have they won their first ever playoff game at home and away, but they are doing it against what many people believed were the favorite to win the NBA championship coming into the playoffs.
If Randolph and the Grizzlies can continue their forward momentum and beat the Spurs in this series, it would be one of the all-time greatest upsets in the NBA. And it would transform the fantasy of a season slogan into a reality.
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Boston Massacre
It is a tradition at ESPN before each MLB season for a panel of experts to lay out their predictions for the upcoming year.
Each expert picks the winner of each division as well as wild card winners, league winners, individual award winners, and ultimately the winner of the World Series championship.
45 experts chimed in this year from across the ESPN landscape to share with the world their take on the 2011 baseball season. Out of the 45 expert picks, 43 chose the Boston Red Sox as the winner of the American League and 35 picked the Sox to win it all.
Following an offseason that included the signing of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Carl Crawford, two of the most highly regarded free agents on the market, it is clear that the majority of America believed that this would be a special year for Boston baseball.
So where do the Red Sox stand now, 14 games into the regular season? Try 4-10, the worst record in all of baseball.
“We're just not putting everything together,” Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester said after a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. “One night it's the pitching. One night it's the hitting. Some nights it's both. Nothing right now is clicking for us."
Lester is exactly right. Nothing is working for Boston right now.
The Red Sox can’t hit. They are currently tied for fourth to last in the American league with 50 runs scored and are third to last with a team batting average of .230.
And those two major additions that they added this offseason that were supposed to be the catalysts to a World Series championship? Crawford is batting a putrid .127 and has been benched due to poor play and Gonzalez it batting .269 and has only managed one home run and eight RBI in his first two weeks of play.
“He’s trying too hard,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said of Crawford. “No one doubts that he’s going to be the player everyone thinks he is. He’s real good. It just takes time sometimes. We know how good he’s going to be.”
The Red Sox can’t pitch. They have an MLB worst 6.32 team ERA and have allowed the third most runs in all of baseball. Their starting rotation has been atrocious. They have a staff ERA of 8.17 and starters have accounted for seven of the teams ten losses.
The Red Sox and Francona believe the starting pitching woes are crippling the team and preventing them from digging themselves out of their early hole.
"How many times do you hear people say, 'Momentum goes as far as your next day's starter.’?” Francona said. “It’s true.”
The Red Sox struggles is a classic example of a team who tries to buy success but fails to consider the importance of team chemistry. The new additions have not performed well and it has created a domino effect across the team in which the homegrown players are struggling as well.
If the Red Sox cannot pull themselves out of this hole then the American League could be wide open and 43 so called “experts” may be forced to relinquish that unfortunate title.
Each expert picks the winner of each division as well as wild card winners, league winners, individual award winners, and ultimately the winner of the World Series championship.
45 experts chimed in this year from across the ESPN landscape to share with the world their take on the 2011 baseball season. Out of the 45 expert picks, 43 chose the Boston Red Sox as the winner of the American League and 35 picked the Sox to win it all.
Following an offseason that included the signing of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Carl Crawford, two of the most highly regarded free agents on the market, it is clear that the majority of America believed that this would be a special year for Boston baseball.
So where do the Red Sox stand now, 14 games into the regular season? Try 4-10, the worst record in all of baseball.
“We're just not putting everything together,” Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester said after a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. “One night it's the pitching. One night it's the hitting. Some nights it's both. Nothing right now is clicking for us."
Lester is exactly right. Nothing is working for Boston right now.
The Red Sox can’t hit. They are currently tied for fourth to last in the American league with 50 runs scored and are third to last with a team batting average of .230.
And those two major additions that they added this offseason that were supposed to be the catalysts to a World Series championship? Crawford is batting a putrid .127 and has been benched due to poor play and Gonzalez it batting .269 and has only managed one home run and eight RBI in his first two weeks of play.
“He’s trying too hard,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said of Crawford. “No one doubts that he’s going to be the player everyone thinks he is. He’s real good. It just takes time sometimes. We know how good he’s going to be.”
The Red Sox can’t pitch. They have an MLB worst 6.32 team ERA and have allowed the third most runs in all of baseball. Their starting rotation has been atrocious. They have a staff ERA of 8.17 and starters have accounted for seven of the teams ten losses.
The Red Sox and Francona believe the starting pitching woes are crippling the team and preventing them from digging themselves out of their early hole.
"How many times do you hear people say, 'Momentum goes as far as your next day's starter.’?” Francona said. “It’s true.”
The Red Sox struggles is a classic example of a team who tries to buy success but fails to consider the importance of team chemistry. The new additions have not performed well and it has created a domino effect across the team in which the homegrown players are struggling as well.
If the Red Sox cannot pull themselves out of this hole then the American League could be wide open and 43 so called “experts” may be forced to relinquish that unfortunate title.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)