Thursday, February 28, 2013

Saints on the Road


Saints on the Road

            With the distance between the other Great Northwest Athletic Conference schools, it can cause for some serious travel situations. This means that teams have to play conference games in places ranging from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Billings, Montana. Soccer teams in the conference have to travel as far as South Dakota for games. What this means is that teams don’t have the capability to bus everywhere like some schools and that because we are student athletes, we tend to miss a number of classes because of the scheduling.

            For instance, this week our game schedule requires us to fly to Boise, Idaho for our game on Thursday against Northwest Nazarene University and then drive to Ellensburg, Washington for our Saturday clash with Central Washington University. Although travelling can be strenuous academically, it is one of the best parts of being a part of the team because it allows for us to hang out with one another and visit new places. Here is what a normal travel session might include from Wednesday through Friday when we return back to Saint Martin’s.

Wednesday

·         9:30 am Leave SMU for airport

·         10:30 am Arrive at SeaTac and check in

·         11:00 am Go through security and pair up to eat lunch

·         12:40 pm Depart on Alaska Airlines bound for Boise Airport

·         3:05 pm Arrive at Boise airport and pick up bags and vans

·         4:00 pm Check into hotel

·         6:10 pm Meet in lobby downstairs and head to NNU for practice

·         8:00 pm Leave for hotel

·         9:00 pm Eat dinner

·         10:00 pm meet in coach Cooper’s room for film and scouting report

·         11:59 pm In your own room and lights out

Thursday

·         8:30 am Wakeup call and eat breakfast in lobby

·         1:40 pm Meet in lobby downstairs and head to NNU for shoot around

·         3:00 pm Leave for hotel and pick up pregame meal

·         5:40 pm Meet in lobby to head to the game

·         7:30 pm GAMETIME!

·         10:00 pm Leave the gym for dinner and then to the hotel

·         11:59 pm In your own room and lights out

Friday  

·         8:30 am Wakeup call and eat breakfast in lobby

·         10:45 am Meet in lobby to head to airport

·         11:15am Arrive at airport and check in

·         12:55 pm Depart Boise for SeaTac Airport

·         1:30 pm Arrive at SeaTac

·         2:30 pm Arrive at SMU and turn in gear

·         5:00 pm Practice in the Pavilion

·         6:30 pm Watch film and go over scouting report in team room

When the team is on the road and we have free time, for example, the block of time on Thursday between breakfast and shoot around the guys normally do one of three things: homework, sleep, or hang out and watch TV. Although we aren’t required to do homework on the road like some teams, a lot of us do bring work on the road to try and keep up with our classes.
 

 

 

Friday, February 22, 2013

New Season, New Ways


It was a less than ideal situation. Coming off of two years of improvement, Saints senior guard Eric Taylor wanted to do was continue to raise the bar for a third season.  

After his first two years in the Saints uniform, the 6’2” guard from Ballard High School had improved in nearly every offensive category. As a true freshman he averaged a little over two points per game. The following year he doubled his scoring and was averaging over four points per outing. But it wasn’t just his scoring that had improved. He also got new season highs in field goal percentage, assists, steals, rebounds, while also averaging five more minutes per game. 
(photo courtesy of Aric Becker)

“I knew I was capable of playing at this level. I just hadn’t shown that yet,” Taylor said. 

Going into his junior year, Taylor still had the desire to improve and show what he was capable of on the court. After a few exhibition games against Division I Southern Utah University and cross-town rival Evergreen, it was off to Hawaii for the annual Great Northwest Athletic Conference versus Pacific West Conference Challenge. Although the Saints came back empty handed from the trip, it was a great experience for the team. 

“I felt like the team came back from Hawaii as a much tighter group. We bonded over there like no other team I had ever been a part of.” 

Over the next five games the team went 2-3 and had some real ups and downs. But the following game is where the season changed for Taylor. At a home game against Willamette University, Taylor went up for a fast break lay in mid-way through the first half. After missing the contested shot, he landed awkwardly on his left leg. Once the play had stopped, he came out of the game to be looked at by the trainers. Initially, he thought he could return to the game in the second half. Then after playing for a few minutes, he knew something wasn’t right. When the pain didn’t subside after a few days, Taylor scheduled an MRI for his knee. 

When the results came back with a grade-two knee sprain, the doctors told him he would be out for the rest of the year and be required to wear a brace for six weeks. To make matters worse, Taylor had played in two too many games to redshirt; ultimately missing his entire junior season.

“I was devastated I had to be out for the rest of the year,” Taylor stated. 

“Losing Eric really hurt us because of the scoring he gives us off the bench,” head coach Keith Cooper added. “With him out, it changed the whole dynamic of the team.”

With Taylor out, this meant that I had the opportunity to partially step into his role and play the backup point guard position. For me this was one of the most bittersweet situations that could ever happen. Sure I was excited to get to play more and have the opportunity to play against some of the best players in the conference, but Taylor and I have been great friends since the day I met him our freshman year in the dorms. Not to mention, he is one of my best friends and one my roommates as well. 

(photo courtesy of Kim Karnofski)
I will say that while he was out, Taylor was my biggest supporter at games, practices, and back in the dorms. During games we would always talk about what we would see and certain plays we thought would work. Even when we were on the road, he would sometimes text me during the game so that it was waiting for me afterwards. Although he was out, he was a great teammate who was willing to cheer on the rest of the guys. 

With his junior season now in the books, Taylor decided to do something different to get himself ready for next year. He worked on his mental game. 

“I took the time to get my mind right and focus on my outlook towards life. I started reading a lot of books that talked about how to change my thinking and how to think more positively,” indicated Taylor. 

While also working on that, he began cracking down on his school work as well, earning himself a spot on the schools Dean’s List. 

But once the school year was done, Taylor rededicated himself to the gym. Over the summer he was lucky enough to earn two internships with personal trainers. This meant he had the ability to work out for free. So, for six weeks, Taylor began working out two to three times a day, five days a week. Or, as Taylor put it, “My confidence was at an all-time high coming into this year both mentally and physically.”  

After having a solid fall, Taylor was playing at high level. His extra effort in the off season had begun to show and it was paying big dividends for him out on the court. 

(photo courtesy Steve Herppich)
“I wanted to prove to everyone the type of player I know I am. I wanted to play better this season and change the course of my career,” Taylor said. 

That is exactly what he has done. Going into the Seattle Pacific game last night, Taylor was averaging 10.4 points per game, good for second on the team, while also leading the GNAC in three point field goal percentage at 50% on the year. But it isn’t his on the court actions that have grown over the last few years. 

“As Eric’s game has matured on the court, he has also matured as a person and as student as well,” Cooper added. “He is one of the most fun kids I have ever had the opportunity to coach on a daily basis. He’s a good kid and a good teammate.”

With one home game left in his final season as a Saint, Taylor, who will graduate this spring with a degree in biology, is thankful for the opportunity he has had while at Saint Martin’s.

“I have had a lot of good memories at Saint Martin’s and I want to thank everyone that has made this experience so special.” 

And you know what Eric, we’re happy we had the opportunity to share it with you; especially myself. 

Senior Night is tomorrow night at Marcus Pavilion as the Saints take on Montana State-Billings at 7 pm. SMU will honor Taylor along with fellow seniors Brady Bomber and Roger O'Neill before the game.

#saintsalive

Wednesday, February 20, 2013


 
After posting one of the best seasons in the programs history by batting .365, scoring 54 runs, smashing four homeruns and having a team leading 91 total bases; the Saints junior infielder is back at it again this year on the diamond. So far this season Lacey McGladrey is hitting .360 with two doubles and a homerun, while leading the team to 4-4 record heading into this weekend’s games in Idaho.  

  1. What is your most embarrassing athletic moment?

-          When I used to be a slap hitter and my cleat got caught on my shoelace when I stepped and I fell.

  1. If you could change one rule in your sport what would it be?

-          I wish we were allowed to lead off like baseball.

  1. What is the one item you always take with you on the road?

-           Homework

  1. What is your first memory you have playing your sport?

-           I was the only girl on my little league t-ball team.

  1. What is one of your pregame rituals or routines?

-          Listening to upbeat music.

  1. What one word best describes you in your opinion?

-           Outgoing

  1. Who is your favorite professor you have had at SMU?

-           Professor Stout who teaches business management.

  1. What is one fear you have that people might not know about you?

-           I’m scared of seals.

  1. What is your favorite road trip to take?

-           Turlock, California Tournament of Champions

  1. Is there any significance to your jersey number?

-          I just like even numbers.

  1. Who is the best prankster on the team?

-           Iman Gary

  1. What is the reason you decided to come to SMU?

-           It was close to home and my older sister was here.

  1. What it your best non-athletic talent?

-          I’m good at working with numbers.

  1. How do you want people at SMU to remember you?

-          Friendly

  1. What is the hardest class you have taken at SMU

-          Quantitative analysis

  1. What is your nickname?

-          Lacey Jo

 

17.   What one major sporting event would you like to attend?  

-          A Major League Baseball World Series game.

 

18.   What is one song on your iPod that would surprise people? 

-          Lorelei by Styx

 

19.   What is one thing you wish you knew how to do? 

-          I wish I could sing.

 

20.   Other than your own, what is your favorite Saints team to watch play? 

-          Men’s basketball
 
 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Soaring to New Heights



It wasn’t a matter of if, but when for Laura Tesch. There had always been the potential for greatness, but a few factors seemed to keep holding her back. That is, until this year at least. 

Tesch, a senior high jumper from Renton, Washington (Kentridge High School), is currently ranked 13th in Division II and first in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference heading into this weekend's conference finals in Idaho.


Jumping a bar that is nearly as tall as the average female isn’t anything new for the 5-8, two-time Red Lion GNAC Athlete of the Week in January and February. Coming into college, Tesch had a career personal-best jump of 5’-5” that she cleared as a freshman in high school. Although she was never able to break that personal record in high school again, she found her way down to California at division two Humboldt State. After competing there for two years and jumping 5’-4.25”, which was good enough for second best in school history, she decided that it was time for a change. 


            “I just missed home so much,” Tesch said. “It (Humboldt State) just wasn’t a good fit for me really.”


            Part of the reason that it wasn’t a good fit was because as Tesch put it, “We just had a lot of coaches come and go.” Along with the numerous coaching changes, she continued to battle injuries along the way. Over the course of her two years at Humboldt State, there were repeated knee injuries that kept her from being able to compete at the level she knew she was capable of in college. 


            “It was definitely frustrating knowing that I was capable of competing better than I was, since I had done it before,” Tesch claimed. “Trying to jump if you’re unhealthy gives you a lot less confidence than if you were healthy.”


            Tesch knew she had the ability to excel in high jumping. Although, there were some doubts in the back of her mind since it was so long ago. She honestly wondered if she would ever break her mark again. 


Tesch sets up her approach.
            But, after transferring mid-way through last school year and being able to train and compete in a few meets, something changed for Tesch. She started to find that niche again that she had once had. After breaking the school record last year during the outdoor season and placing seventh at the GNAC Championships, she began preparation for the 2013 indoor track & field season. Although she was going into her senior season, Tesch and current interim head track and field coach Chad Colwell decided to approach it a different way. 


            She rested. Rather than doing all the pounding and beating that had caused her so much pain in the past, they chose to do more event specific training. By doing this it allowed the current school record holder in the high jump the opportunity to heal and work on maximizing her high jump training. 


            “I ran a lot of hills and stairs over the summer,” Tesch stated with a laugh. 


            During the summer there were also repeated physical therapy sessions done in order to try and rebuild the strength she once had. Once she was a little healthier, coach Colwell also decided to change his leading jumper’s technique. Rather than using her normal 10-step approach, he altered it to an eight step. 


            “Having a more consistent approach, along with being healthier allows for the ability to improve,” Colwell said. “She is incredibly talented. We just needed to train the approach first in order to make it more consistent.” 


Tesch clears the bar earlier this season at a meet in Boise
            If consistency is what Colwell wanted, then consistency is what he got. At the first indoor meet of the season at Boise State Tesch broke her own school record with a jump of 5’-3”. At the University of Washington she one upped herself again with a lifetime PR of 5’-5.75.” In the third meet of the year, she smashed her own record with an amazing jump of 5’-6.5”. 


            After resting last weekend, Tesch was back at it again this week, working on her technique and watching a ton of film to prepare for conference. She is doing everything in her control to prepare herself in hopes of reaching her ultimate dream; qualifying for nationals.  


            If she continues to do anything like she has done the previous meets, who knows how high she might jump or what records she could break. But no matter what happens Tesch knows she is at the right place. 


             “Saint Martin’s was a great fit for me and I’m glad that I came here.”


            Tesch will begin her quest towards her goal of qualifying for nationals Saturday morning at 10:30 am as she and the rest of the Saints track & field team compete at the GNAC Championships in Idaho.  

#saintsalive