athletics
February 11, 2009
Despite bitter loss, a dream came true
The four game series against Robert Morris College was a big season opener for the Maple Leafs as they traveled to Minneapolis to play in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, home of the Minneapolis Twins. Despite the 50,000 empty seats, excitement was in the air as the team experienced this once in a lifetime opportunity in front of seven to 10 fans. “It was incredible,” said Maple Leafs Coach Josh Keister. “There is a surprisingly big difference between sitting in the front row and then walking down the tunnel and onto the field for the first time.” The Leafs’ excitement...
February 11, 2009
Rewarding Maple Leaf support during remaining season
First round of cash prize give-a-way With the basketball season coming to a close, the athletic department has developed a new game plan to increase support from Goshen College students. “We are giving away cash at halftime to generate more interest,” said Tim Demant, Goshen College athletic director. “We don’t have a large student following, so maybe we can entice them with cash.” Students are encouraged to enter their names in a ballot box at the ticket table for a 1-in-15 chance at winning a large sum of cash generated from gate revenues. Three names will be drawn at each...
February 4, 2009
Coaches vs. Cancer a success while Leafs struggle with Pilots
Coaches in Goshen, Mishawaka and across the country wore sneakers and suits to their games on Saturday in support of Coaches vs. Cancer. Over the past two years, this program has raised $175,000 from gate proceeds. Though the NAIA raised a significant amount of money for Coaches vs. Cancer, the Maple Leafs struggled with their own battle against rival school Bethel College. Coming into Saturday’s home game against the No. 22 Pilots, Goshen’s women’s team was depleted by injuries. The Maple Leafs were reduced to seven active starters due to a combination of previous player injuries and newly acquired injuries...
February 4, 2009
Findlay Classic suggests promising season
Bringing home one school record and five national-qualifying performances from the Findlay Classic on Friday, the track and field season looks promising for Goshen College. “For an opening meet,” said Goshen Head Coach Rick Clark, “we had some real quality performances.” The Maple Leafs men’s distance medley relay team finished second at the season opener with a record-breaking time for Goshen College of 10:40.34. Exceeding the previous record of 11:00.14 that had not been touched since 2005, were team members Samuel Chege, a senior; Alain Chaponniere, a first-year; Billy Funk, a first-year; and David Rumsey, a senior. The women’s team...
February 4, 2009
Maple Leafs to open season in a major league way
Though the bases remain frozen to the Goshen College baseball diamond, weather will not be an issue for the Maple Leafs as they open their season indoors at the Minneapolis Metrodome. This Sunday night, Goshen will go head-to-head in a four game series against Robert Morris College for their stylish season opener. According to Maple Leafs Coach Josh Keister, the opportunity to play in the home stadium of Major League Baseball’s Minnesota Twins arose when he was contacted by Robert Morris College’s new head coach. “[The Robert Morris] coach had been to the Metrodome during a previous job,” Keister said....
January 29, 2009
Tennis coach resigns in order to obtain degree
After eight years committed to the Goshen College women’s tennis team, Sarah Yoder has turned in her resignation. Yoder played four years of collegiate tennis but most recently served four years as head coach of the women’s tennis team. “Over the past year I have been back in school working on a secondary social studies teaching license,” Yoder said. “Next fall I will be ready for student teaching and I knew I wouldn’t be able to coach any longer. We have too many matches during the week that require leaving midday.” Though she leaves behind what she refers to as...
January 28, 2009
Athletic department collects shoes for Kenya
As part of the Leaf Relief program sponsored by the Goshen College athletic department, the men’s and women’s cross country teams are collecting shoes to send overseas. All donations will go to children and young adults in Kenya who are in need of shoes. Doug Yoder, head coach of both cross country teams, thought of the idea. “I went with a friend to Huntsville, Alabama to run the Rocket City Marathon in December,” Yoder said. “[My friend] took some old pairs of shoes with him because he said they usually collect them to send overseas. They didn’t collect them this...
January 28, 2009
Game against Indiana Wesleyan results in double loss
The Goshen College Maple Leafs lost more than just the game on Saturday against the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats. Returning from a knee injury that occurred on Jan. 17 against Marian College, Stormy Holder heard a loud snap when her ankle gave out from under her as she attempted to drive to the basket during Saturday’s 52-45 loss. “[When] I hit the floor,” said Holder, a first-year, “I was instantly in one of the worst pains of my life.” Though the extent of the injury has yet to be determined, Maple Leafs Coach Steve Wiktorowski said that Holder’s absence will impact...
January 21, 2009
Men score a win, prepare for four nationally-ranked teams
Last Tuesday, the Goshen College men’s basketball team won an important conference game against Spring Arbor, who ranks 15 in the Mid-Central College Conference. With this game, the team begins a four-game stretch against four nationally-ranked teams that includes conference rivals No. 1 Bethel College, No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan University and No. 21 Grace College. After dominating the first half, the Maple Leafs let Spring Arbor back into the game in the second half before winning 69-65. Goshen got off to a quick start and led by as much as 14 points in the first half. Thanks to a strong...
January 21, 2009
Senior learns from injury how to lead young team
With such determination and willpower found only in the most passionate student-athletes, Krystal Duensing, a senior, has consistently proved herself to be a valuable asset to the Goshen College women’s basketball team. Striving for improvement with her dedication to the team, Duensing has earned herself the title of co-captain for the third year in a row. However, to Duensing, this year is special. “As the only senior, I am the most experienced player,” said Duensing. “I know what Coach Wik wants – and I feel like, as a senior – it is my responsibility to help the younger players. I...
January 14, 2009
Men’s basketball visits Florida
While the rest of us were coping with cold weather over break, the men’s basketball team took a five-day trip to Florida to play against two quality opponents: Weber International University and Warner University. In their first contest on Dec. 17, Goshen (11-9) notched a narrow 72-69 victory against Warner University (11-6), ranked #28 nationally. Playing close throughout, Goshen pulled away late and used a strong defensive stand to close out the game. “We dug in on the last possession,” said head coach Gary Chupp, “and got the defensive stop when we needed.” The Leafs won despite being outshot 51...
January 14, 2009
Victory over Huntington in a struggling season
This season for the Lady Leaf’s has been anything but easy. Several injuries have kept them from a full roster and they continued to struggle over winter break with the brief absence of head coach Steve Wiktorowski. “It was tough,” said Wiktorowski, “because my father died during break, and I had to miss some games on the road. I think this put some pressure on the girls because they were trying to win for me but they were kind of out of their routine.” Over break, the Leaf’s accumulated two wins and five losses including a hard defeat by Indiana...