Tuesday, January 11, 2011
2011 BCS National Championship
So I don't think last night was the game we were all expecting. Well maybe the outcome but the final score was far from what many NCAA football fans were expecting, especially those from Oregon and Auburn. Between my group of friends we were very split between these two teams. The SEC crew were not foiled that the Ducks would beat the Tigers, however there were many others who believed that Oregon's fast paced play was going to get the best of Auburn's defense. Last night's game is the reason why I love watching college football. It came down to the final seconds, there wasn't a purely dominant team, which to me displays that the right teams were chosen for the national championship game. While it can be argued that Stanford or TCU may have deserved it as well, we can't dwell on what could have been and just accept what was.
Leading up to the game like every year experts across the nation were trying to figure out what each teams game plan would be, how exactly they were going to win. Oregon during the season was purely dominant in the run game, averaging 300 yds per game, and their quick offense wore defenses down before the 1st quarter could even come to a close. Not to mention their "fancy" trick plays with shovel passes and reverses that confuse many teams in the NCAA kept their offense near impossible to read thus resulting in high scores. However, Auburn is from the SEC conference. A dominant conference in NCAA football. The SEC is known for already fast paced games so the fast paced Oregon offense wasn't going to be that shocking to Auburn. Not to mention Auburn does have the (controversial) Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. How was Oregon going to stop him? Not only can he throw the ball but he's a phenomenal runner and knows how to make plays.
The game started last night Oregon won the toss and elected to receive the opening kick off. Majority of the sports world expected this to be a game of offense. Some sort of score on every offensive drive. If each offense would have been on their game last night it could have easily been a 53-50 final score. After the 1st quarter ended it was still 0-0. Something no one expected. Each team had an INT in the 1st quarter, but no results from either turnover. Something that both teams throughout the regular season were successful with. The 2nd quarter began and that's where we finally started to see the teams settle into their usual game. Oregon went up 3-0. Then Auburn scored, 7-3. Almost immediately Oregon reciprocated but then also faked the FG and scored the 2-pt conversion, 11-7. Auburn safety, 11-9. Auburn TD, 16-11. This was the kind of game people were expecting. Fast offensive drives and scoring going back and forth. Going into the half with the lead Auburn was pumped up, but Oregon wasn't going to go down without a fight.
Only 4 minutes into the half Auburn scored a field goal to make it 19-11. A lot of football fans, not really rooting for either team, at this point started to believe that Auburn was going to run away with the game. They had the lead at the half and came out to score first in the 3rd quarter. It seemed as though Oregon was beat. The rest of the 3rd quarter despite turnovers, big 3rd down plays and a few defensive plays by both teams, the score remained 19-11 going into the final 15 minutes of the game. Running down the clock in the 4th quarter Auburn was still up by 8. Oregon needed a touchdown with a 2-pt conversion to just tie the game. And that's exactly what they got, with 2:33 left in the game. After Casey Matthews forced Newton to fumble the ball (a phenomenal play) Oregon marched into the endzone with 2 perfectly executed plays. 1st the 2-yd pass from Thomas to LaMichael James for the TD and then the pass to Jeff Maehl for the 2pt conversion. Game tied 19 all. From that point on however, it was Auburn's ball.
Using the last 2:30 on the clock marching down the field. All they needed was a FG to win. After a poor tackle by Oregon that resulted in a 37-yd run from Auburn (runner was never down on the play and continued to run) Auburn was set up to win the game with a TD. However down at the 1 they were forced to figure out a new game plan to not allow Oregon to even have another chance for a hail mary kickoff return to win the game. As unlikely as that would be, we've seen crazier plays to win a game. Auburn with 10 seconds left went back on the field, spiked the ball and used one of their remaining timeouts with 2 seconds left. Just enough time to kick the winning field goal and leave Oregon no time to rebuttal. Auburn became the 2011 BCS National Championship with a final score of 22-19. A significantly lower score than expected by the entire NCAA nation, but it came down to the final seconds literally, and Auburn prevailed.
As a general college football fan I just wanted to see a good game, and that's exactly what I got, but I openly cheered for Oregon. While it was a near even spread I wanted to see the "underdog" prevail. The SEC is very clearly the most dominant conference in college football but to see that a team from the PAC-10 held it's own was refreshing. A friend posted on Facebook: "Stanford could have beaten either one of those teams" and while that may be true, we'll never actually know. For the first time in a long time, I think I am happy with the entire game. There were no really bad calls against either team, maybe a few holding calls here and there overlooked, but the officiating crew did a fantastic job at making the right calls on both teams.
One thing that made me believe that there is still good in this sport, in the coaches and players, was Gene Chizik. Defensive linemen Fairley, dominant throughout the entire game was called twice on personal fouls during the game. One when he pushed Jones' back into the ground after a tackle and pretty much near kneed him in the face as well as he pushed his helmet into the ground later in the game. I am not condoning his actions by any means, and neither did Chizik. As the head official was announcing the penalty the cameras zoomed to Chizik screaming at Fairley for what he did. Seeing Fairley being scolded for his actions was a breath of fresh air. No player should ever play like that, in any sport.
Now that the 2010-2011 college football season is over I can focus my full attention to UConn bball and the Packers playoff push. This year was an interesting year to say the least. The Big Ten usually dominant in bowl games was shut out, Boise State was denied what they thought was their chance at the BCS title game when they lost to Nevada. Teams like Wisconsin who dominated with more than 160 points in their last 3 games of the reg season, lost in the Rose Bowl to TCU, prove that there should be a playoff system because at the end of the regular season there was no team that could have beaten the Badgers. I look forward to the next season but it shall be interesting first to see who is going to go into the draft and change their college teams game plan for the upcoming season.
Congrats again to Auburn on the national championship, y'all earned it. War Eagle!
Leading up to the game like every year experts across the nation were trying to figure out what each teams game plan would be, how exactly they were going to win. Oregon during the season was purely dominant in the run game, averaging 300 yds per game, and their quick offense wore defenses down before the 1st quarter could even come to a close. Not to mention their "fancy" trick plays with shovel passes and reverses that confuse many teams in the NCAA kept their offense near impossible to read thus resulting in high scores. However, Auburn is from the SEC conference. A dominant conference in NCAA football. The SEC is known for already fast paced games so the fast paced Oregon offense wasn't going to be that shocking to Auburn. Not to mention Auburn does have the (controversial) Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. How was Oregon going to stop him? Not only can he throw the ball but he's a phenomenal runner and knows how to make plays.
The game started last night Oregon won the toss and elected to receive the opening kick off. Majority of the sports world expected this to be a game of offense. Some sort of score on every offensive drive. If each offense would have been on their game last night it could have easily been a 53-50 final score. After the 1st quarter ended it was still 0-0. Something no one expected. Each team had an INT in the 1st quarter, but no results from either turnover. Something that both teams throughout the regular season were successful with. The 2nd quarter began and that's where we finally started to see the teams settle into their usual game. Oregon went up 3-0. Then Auburn scored, 7-3. Almost immediately Oregon reciprocated but then also faked the FG and scored the 2-pt conversion, 11-7. Auburn safety, 11-9. Auburn TD, 16-11. This was the kind of game people were expecting. Fast offensive drives and scoring going back and forth. Going into the half with the lead Auburn was pumped up, but Oregon wasn't going to go down without a fight.
Only 4 minutes into the half Auburn scored a field goal to make it 19-11. A lot of football fans, not really rooting for either team, at this point started to believe that Auburn was going to run away with the game. They had the lead at the half and came out to score first in the 3rd quarter. It seemed as though Oregon was beat. The rest of the 3rd quarter despite turnovers, big 3rd down plays and a few defensive plays by both teams, the score remained 19-11 going into the final 15 minutes of the game. Running down the clock in the 4th quarter Auburn was still up by 8. Oregon needed a touchdown with a 2-pt conversion to just tie the game. And that's exactly what they got, with 2:33 left in the game. After Casey Matthews forced Newton to fumble the ball (a phenomenal play) Oregon marched into the endzone with 2 perfectly executed plays. 1st the 2-yd pass from Thomas to LaMichael James for the TD and then the pass to Jeff Maehl for the 2pt conversion. Game tied 19 all. From that point on however, it was Auburn's ball.
Using the last 2:30 on the clock marching down the field. All they needed was a FG to win. After a poor tackle by Oregon that resulted in a 37-yd run from Auburn (runner was never down on the play and continued to run) Auburn was set up to win the game with a TD. However down at the 1 they were forced to figure out a new game plan to not allow Oregon to even have another chance for a hail mary kickoff return to win the game. As unlikely as that would be, we've seen crazier plays to win a game. Auburn with 10 seconds left went back on the field, spiked the ball and used one of their remaining timeouts with 2 seconds left. Just enough time to kick the winning field goal and leave Oregon no time to rebuttal. Auburn became the 2011 BCS National Championship with a final score of 22-19. A significantly lower score than expected by the entire NCAA nation, but it came down to the final seconds literally, and Auburn prevailed.
As a general college football fan I just wanted to see a good game, and that's exactly what I got, but I openly cheered for Oregon. While it was a near even spread I wanted to see the "underdog" prevail. The SEC is very clearly the most dominant conference in college football but to see that a team from the PAC-10 held it's own was refreshing. A friend posted on Facebook: "Stanford could have beaten either one of those teams" and while that may be true, we'll never actually know. For the first time in a long time, I think I am happy with the entire game. There were no really bad calls against either team, maybe a few holding calls here and there overlooked, but the officiating crew did a fantastic job at making the right calls on both teams.
One thing that made me believe that there is still good in this sport, in the coaches and players, was Gene Chizik. Defensive linemen Fairley, dominant throughout the entire game was called twice on personal fouls during the game. One when he pushed Jones' back into the ground after a tackle and pretty much near kneed him in the face as well as he pushed his helmet into the ground later in the game. I am not condoning his actions by any means, and neither did Chizik. As the head official was announcing the penalty the cameras zoomed to Chizik screaming at Fairley for what he did. Seeing Fairley being scolded for his actions was a breath of fresh air. No player should ever play like that, in any sport.
Now that the 2010-2011 college football season is over I can focus my full attention to UConn bball and the Packers playoff push. This year was an interesting year to say the least. The Big Ten usually dominant in bowl games was shut out, Boise State was denied what they thought was their chance at the BCS title game when they lost to Nevada. Teams like Wisconsin who dominated with more than 160 points in their last 3 games of the reg season, lost in the Rose Bowl to TCU, prove that there should be a playoff system because at the end of the regular season there was no team that could have beaten the Badgers. I look forward to the next season but it shall be interesting first to see who is going to go into the draft and change their college teams game plan for the upcoming season.
Congrats again to Auburn on the national championship, y'all earned it. War Eagle!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Year, New Outlook
I know it's beyond typical to write a new years post with all of your resolutions and everything you want to do in the next year, but bear with me as I write one myself. This years New Years was different than any other one I've ever had before. It kind of opened my eyes to a lot of things. I spent my evening with a few friends at the hospital in Evansville, IN with our friend Zach Powers (the one I wrote about a few months ago). He was going to be alone in the hospital, or possibly with his parents, and we didn't want that. New Years Eve is about being with friends and enjoying one another reflecting on the year that has passed. Zach was transferred down to a rehab facility in Evansville (his hometown) on Christmas Eve and we had made plans long before he moved to spend NYE with him. Me and 2 others, Ang and Matthew, drove down on the 30th and Adam from GA met us there. We spent the entire day with Zach on the 31st just hanging out. The highlight of the day/night was seeing him walk, get out of bed on his own just to give us a hug all in person. We had seen the videos of him walking and as amazing as they were, it was even better to see them in person. Words can't describe how amazing it was.
While in the past many of my New Years Eve celebrations were about going out to the bars or parties with friends and getting wasted, this year however was different. Midnight came and went and we almost didn't even realize it was upon us until about 10 minutes before. To ring in the New Year with a few of my best friends I couldn't have asked for more. We have been through so much in the remaining months of 2010 so for us to be together and know that we support one another was an incredible feeling. So with that, it's now 2011. I reflected on things that have happened in the past 5 years of my life:
1. graduated from UConn
2. spent a month traveling Europe alone (10 days w/ momma) finding out more about myself than ever before
3. lived in Chicago for 6 months working at an internship in a profession that I know I want to be in now.
4. traveled around the country seeing DMB and meeting some of the closest and best friends I could ask for.
5. found my soulmate, my person, Aris.
6. took chances, put myself out there, even if i failed, i kept trying.
2011 has a lot of potential and while right now things seem bleak I know I can turn things around. I'm currently living at home and working as an assistant boys swim coach, not exactly the glamorous post-college life I thought I'd be living. But it's up to me to change it, and only me. I know I've got the ability to do anything I want it's just about making it happen. With 2 days already completed in 2011 I've started to focus on a few goals and things I want to do:
1. Find a full-time career job: While I would love to be working in golf or sports ASAP, it's not exactly the easiest thing to get into, which is why I'm looking anywhere and everywhere for something that I can at least support myself without too much worry about money.
2. Living on my own: Yes I did that for a few months this summer, but I need to get out and away from home and truly live on my own.
3. Losing Weight: I've joined a biggest loser competition w/ my friends. I'm going to get back to where I used to be when I was swimming. I'm never going to be a size 2 but there is no reason why I can't be fit and get back into the clothes I wore when I was in high school.
4. 2014 Ironman: I'm going to do it. Starting this year I'm going to start training in different stages. The swimming part will come easily I just need to get a running and biking regime going so I can start doing marathons, mini triathalons and other types of road races. I know in a few years when I really need to start spending all of my spare time training it's going to be extremely difficult but worth it in the end when I say that I've completed an Ironman.
These are just a few of the goals that I've set for myself and I know that I can get them done. I want to be able to say that I've done something for myself in 2011, there are few years that I've ever truly completed some of my goals and I can feel that this year is going to be different. I'm sick of being just this average person who has nothing to show for themselves. It's going to change and I'm the only one who can do it.
2011... it's my year.
While in the past many of my New Years Eve celebrations were about going out to the bars or parties with friends and getting wasted, this year however was different. Midnight came and went and we almost didn't even realize it was upon us until about 10 minutes before. To ring in the New Year with a few of my best friends I couldn't have asked for more. We have been through so much in the remaining months of 2010 so for us to be together and know that we support one another was an incredible feeling. So with that, it's now 2011. I reflected on things that have happened in the past 5 years of my life:
1. graduated from UConn
2. spent a month traveling Europe alone (10 days w/ momma) finding out more about myself than ever before
3. lived in Chicago for 6 months working at an internship in a profession that I know I want to be in now.
4. traveled around the country seeing DMB and meeting some of the closest and best friends I could ask for.
5. found my soulmate, my person, Aris.
6. took chances, put myself out there, even if i failed, i kept trying.
2011 has a lot of potential and while right now things seem bleak I know I can turn things around. I'm currently living at home and working as an assistant boys swim coach, not exactly the glamorous post-college life I thought I'd be living. But it's up to me to change it, and only me. I know I've got the ability to do anything I want it's just about making it happen. With 2 days already completed in 2011 I've started to focus on a few goals and things I want to do:
1. Find a full-time career job: While I would love to be working in golf or sports ASAP, it's not exactly the easiest thing to get into, which is why I'm looking anywhere and everywhere for something that I can at least support myself without too much worry about money.
2. Living on my own: Yes I did that for a few months this summer, but I need to get out and away from home and truly live on my own.
3. Losing Weight: I've joined a biggest loser competition w/ my friends. I'm going to get back to where I used to be when I was swimming. I'm never going to be a size 2 but there is no reason why I can't be fit and get back into the clothes I wore when I was in high school.
4. 2014 Ironman: I'm going to do it. Starting this year I'm going to start training in different stages. The swimming part will come easily I just need to get a running and biking regime going so I can start doing marathons, mini triathalons and other types of road races. I know in a few years when I really need to start spending all of my spare time training it's going to be extremely difficult but worth it in the end when I say that I've completed an Ironman.
These are just a few of the goals that I've set for myself and I know that I can get them done. I want to be able to say that I've done something for myself in 2011, there are few years that I've ever truly completed some of my goals and I can feel that this year is going to be different. I'm sick of being just this average person who has nothing to show for themselves. It's going to change and I'm the only one who can do it.
2011... it's my year.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
UConn Women's Basketball
2 nights ago history was made. UConn Women's Basketball won their 89th game in a row. Geno Auriemma and his Huskies broke the 88-game win streak set by John Wooden and the UCLA Bruins in the late 1970's. A streak that no one thought anyone would break, let alone a women's team.
Final Four on 2008, UConn lost their last game to date. In a sport dominated by a few teams, it seemed only right for them to lose to Stanford, another top team. UConn was set to win yet another national championship that year, but they lost. That feeling in the locker room after losing so close to the championship changed the way the team wanted to play, wanted to win. There are many people in the sports world who disregard women's basketball as competitive and exciting as men's college basketball. The women's league is dominated by a few teams, but isn't that the same in men's as well? Men's bball has been dominated by teams like Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, UCLA, UConn and a few other teams. Yes there may be other championship teams that break up championship streaks, but looking at total championships won there are a few elite programs that stand out. It's sometimes hard to see because NCAA men's basketball has been around a lot longer than women's. Since the NCAA recognized women's basketball in 1982 the 3-4 teams that are discussed every year: Tennessee, LSU, Stanford and UConn, naturally. When you're an elite female basketball player, you dream to play for one of these teams, therefore they are always going to be the ones winning championships. There aren't as many successful programs in women's basketball, so unlike men's, the elite talent is not spread out amongst numerous programs.
While at UConn, and beyond, there are few teams that I've seen control and dominate in their sport like the Lady Huskies.During this win streak, there have been 2 games where they haven't won by more than 10 points. One of those games being the first game of the season this year against Baylor, where they won by 1, 65-64. They're only true test during this streak, even last year in the 2010 NCAA tournament they beat Baylor 70-50 in the final four then went on to defeat Stanford in the championship. On average they are beating opponents by 30+ points. In their win over Florida State for their 89th win, they won 93-62. Few teams in any sport can say that they truly dominate like these women do. No it's not the same as a men's team, but in relating even the Wooden's UCLA didn't dominate like these ladies are doing. It is a team sport, but in this era the game itself is dominated by a single player from UConn, Maya Moore.
There have been man players in NCAA women's basketball history who have completely dominated in their time playing for their team: Rebecca Lobo, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird (all from UConn), Candice Parker and Kara Lawson (Tennessee) and many others, but since 2007 there has been one player who can't be stopped: Maya Moore. It isn't a single person sport, but it's a team that since her arrival, has almost played around her. She's had some phenomenal teammates in Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles, both tops in UConn players, but when coming down to the wire of a close game (if there are any) you want Moore with the ball in hand driving the lane. In their last victory, at halftime Florida State had 27 points while Moore herself had 26. By the end of the game she had a career high of 41 points. Auriemma has instilled a motto with the team that has allowed their dominance, play a perfect game. They don't care what the score is, but they play to play a perfect game. 100% of shots taken made, no fouls, high rebounds, good defense. While the likelihood of that happening is slim to none, but this motto and goal has created this dominating team. And there is no one better to have on the team than the perfectionist Moore. When she was 2, she lost a game (not basketball) and hated the feeling of losing and vowed to herself that she would do anything in her power from then on to win anything she did. Her work ethic, if placed in any decent athlete, would make them great. She will stay after practice on her own and shoot layups or free throws or 3-pointers if during practice or a game she didn't make as many as she wanted. She's a phenomenal team player, if someone on her team is playing well in a game, she'll change her play to give them the ball. It's not just about her points, it's about the teams.
This is a big year in UConn sports. Men's basketball is ranked in the top 10 and playing like a high caliber team, football is going to it's first BCS bowl game, baseball is pre-season top 25, and my swim team has man swimmers in the top 50 and with NCAA qualifying times. It's not a bad time to be a Husky and with this women's team still winning, we're all proud.
U! C! O! N! N! UCONN! UCONN! UCONN!
Final Four on 2008, UConn lost their last game to date. In a sport dominated by a few teams, it seemed only right for them to lose to Stanford, another top team. UConn was set to win yet another national championship that year, but they lost. That feeling in the locker room after losing so close to the championship changed the way the team wanted to play, wanted to win. There are many people in the sports world who disregard women's basketball as competitive and exciting as men's college basketball. The women's league is dominated by a few teams, but isn't that the same in men's as well? Men's bball has been dominated by teams like Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, UCLA, UConn and a few other teams. Yes there may be other championship teams that break up championship streaks, but looking at total championships won there are a few elite programs that stand out. It's sometimes hard to see because NCAA men's basketball has been around a lot longer than women's. Since the NCAA recognized women's basketball in 1982 the 3-4 teams that are discussed every year: Tennessee, LSU, Stanford and UConn, naturally. When you're an elite female basketball player, you dream to play for one of these teams, therefore they are always going to be the ones winning championships. There aren't as many successful programs in women's basketball, so unlike men's, the elite talent is not spread out amongst numerous programs.
While at UConn, and beyond, there are few teams that I've seen control and dominate in their sport like the Lady Huskies.During this win streak, there have been 2 games where they haven't won by more than 10 points. One of those games being the first game of the season this year against Baylor, where they won by 1, 65-64. They're only true test during this streak, even last year in the 2010 NCAA tournament they beat Baylor 70-50 in the final four then went on to defeat Stanford in the championship. On average they are beating opponents by 30+ points. In their win over Florida State for their 89th win, they won 93-62. Few teams in any sport can say that they truly dominate like these women do. No it's not the same as a men's team, but in relating even the Wooden's UCLA didn't dominate like these ladies are doing. It is a team sport, but in this era the game itself is dominated by a single player from UConn, Maya Moore.
There have been man players in NCAA women's basketball history who have completely dominated in their time playing for their team: Rebecca Lobo, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird (all from UConn), Candice Parker and Kara Lawson (Tennessee) and many others, but since 2007 there has been one player who can't be stopped: Maya Moore. It isn't a single person sport, but it's a team that since her arrival, has almost played around her. She's had some phenomenal teammates in Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles, both tops in UConn players, but when coming down to the wire of a close game (if there are any) you want Moore with the ball in hand driving the lane. In their last victory, at halftime Florida State had 27 points while Moore herself had 26. By the end of the game she had a career high of 41 points. Auriemma has instilled a motto with the team that has allowed their dominance, play a perfect game. They don't care what the score is, but they play to play a perfect game. 100% of shots taken made, no fouls, high rebounds, good defense. While the likelihood of that happening is slim to none, but this motto and goal has created this dominating team. And there is no one better to have on the team than the perfectionist Moore. When she was 2, she lost a game (not basketball) and hated the feeling of losing and vowed to herself that she would do anything in her power from then on to win anything she did. Her work ethic, if placed in any decent athlete, would make them great. She will stay after practice on her own and shoot layups or free throws or 3-pointers if during practice or a game she didn't make as many as she wanted. She's a phenomenal team player, if someone on her team is playing well in a game, she'll change her play to give them the ball. It's not just about her points, it's about the teams.
This is a big year in UConn sports. Men's basketball is ranked in the top 10 and playing like a high caliber team, football is going to it's first BCS bowl game, baseball is pre-season top 25, and my swim team has man swimmers in the top 50 and with NCAA qualifying times. It's not a bad time to be a Husky and with this women's team still winning, we're all proud.
U! C! O! N! N! UCONN! UCONN! UCONN!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
2001 WIAA HS Swim & Dive State Champions
Going back and remembering a night, a single night, that happened a little over 9 years ago can be very difficult even when it's one of the most important nights of your life. However for me, remember this night, it seems like it was yesterday. I can remember it all perfectly. Friday November 10, 2001 changed my life forever.
August of 2001 was the beginning of my high school swimming career, a new chapter in my life. As a freshman, myself and the entire team knew that I was going to come in as one of the top swimmers immediately. Regardless, I was still scared shitless of the upperclassmen and the pressure of being at Shorewood. In the late 1990's, Shorewood had won 4 state championships in a row and were the team. Dominating every meet they went to and at the beginning of my freshman year there were some talks about our team in the next few years had potential to be almost as good. With a new coach we were nervous about how we were going to adapt to a new coaching style, but as the season progressed we started winning meets and swimming fast. Something was obviously clicking.
Conference and sectionals came and went and the next thing we know, we're preparing ourselves for the state meet. In Wisconsin, hs swimming is divided into 2 divisions, the smaller schools in division 2 and the larger schools in division 1. As one of the smallest schools with a swimming program in division 2, we were still able to have a dominant force. Winning our sectional and qualifying a number of swims to state our coach sat us down and Monday and told us how real it was that we COULD win state. Of course we wanted to win, but I think in the back of our minds we weren't sure if it really was possible. We had a week to prepare for the final meet of our season and come Thursday night, we were ready. With only 11 or so girls on our state team, we found it wildly hilarious that when we got to the parking lot Friday morning, our coach Rob had rented a full size school bus (that was the last year we did that) but of course it just made the day even better. We got in our bus and headed to Madison but before we went to the pool we stopped for lunch and a movie. Of all movies to see we sat down for Serendipity, a Christmas romantic comedy. Finally it was time to get to the UW-Madison Natatorium.
Now for anyone, the Nat can be a frightening place. Walking into the pool area, the pool itself and the separate diving well aren't so intimidating, except for the 2.5 ft high gutters and walls that make it nearly impossible to get out of the pool after you're done swimming, it's the stands that are the kick in the stomach. You walk on deck, turn around and look up to see the stands that seem to go on for an eternity, holding nearly 4,000 people. We walked onto the deck not really knowing what to expect, and as soon as our parents, teammates and other Shorewood students saw us a huge roar erupted followed by Shorewood cheers. If we weren't nervous before, we were at that moment. We got in for warm-ups and kept our routine the same as it had been all season. I don't get nervous often for a meet, I was always a very relaxed swimmer, but that night was one of the first moments I ever truly felt sick to my stomach with nerves.
We started the meet off with a bang, placing 2nd in the 200 Medley Relay. We had a good relay team all through the season, but unlike Whitnall, we weren't a sprinting team, so we knew that was their relay. With that energy that we got in that relay we continued to swim right where we needed to be, placing in the top spots either at our seeds or higher. What helped us win that meet wasn't just our swims that got us on the podium, but rather the ones that didn't. Everyone says that in order to win you need to win all the events, and yes that will help immensely, but it's the people who bring in the small points that can creep up on you. We had a few swimmers who got in those 4,5, and 6 points to keep us near the top of the leader board. To me there is no other meet quite like any high school state meet. Being in the Nat, you can barely hear yourself think at times because it's so loud. Everyone one of the competitors are there to win, there is no extra bonus or side incentive, pure competition to win the trophy and state title. We don't get paid to be there, we're there simply because we love the sport. Every stroke, race and finish is for ourselves and our team, nothing else.
As the meet progressed we started to realize that we really did have a chance to win the meet. We continued to place high in every race with at least one swim keeping ourselves in the mix. By the 100 Breaststroke, we were in 3rd place, but not by much. The rest of our team and coaches had figured out that if we won the final event, 400 Freestyle relay, we could win the meet, but for good reason did not tell us on the relay. Rob pulled us together before we walked to the blocks for the final race of the meet. Word for word he said (yes I still remember it): "Ladies, it's the last race of the night, you're in lane 1, outside smoke, no one's going to expect us. Swim fast and I better need a fucking crane to pull you out of the water when you're done". Our relay team of Marika Ross, Emily Whipp, myself, and Allison Clark had been together nearly all season. We knew exactly how we swam together and we ready for our final swim of the season.
Marika was our lead-off swim, she had the best start and got us out in front with Sauk Prairie and Oregon. Emily then dove in and kept us right there in the mix of things. Between us and the other 2 teams at this point we knew it was going to be a close race. Standing on the block for the 3rd leg we had the lead, I was shaking with nerves thinking "don't false start, don't false start"(and I'm shaking right now). Emily came into the wall and rather than making it risky I stayed safe, but still fast and dove into the water. I could barely see the other girls in the water because we were outside in lane 1, but I knew all I had to do was swim fast and keep my stroke strong and I could either pull ahead or stay with these girls. Finishing my 100, Allison dove in. She was our anchor our go to girl, if she was in the water we knew she'd be doing anything in her power not to lose the race. I pulled myself out of the water, out of breath, legs nearly dead, but I somehow mustered up the air left in my lungs to scream as Allison swam the final leg of our race. Allison swam that leg against two of the fastest girls in the state, Brittany Shutes (Oregon) and Lauren Bruenig (Sauk Prairie, 100 Freestyle state champion) and it all came down to the last 5 yards, the last stroke into the wall.
All 3 relay teams, state teams, fans in the stands, watched intently as these 3 girls came into the wall. With us being in lane 1 you could barely even see us swimming from the stands. The girls came into the wall at what to the naked eye was the exact same time and the entire natatorium went dead silent as everyone (including other teams) turned their heads to the scoreboard to see who won. What seemed like an eternity for the scoreboard to release the times it finally showed:
Shorewood 3:40.56
Oregon 3:40.62
Sauk Prairie 3:40.68
12-hundredths separated us from 3rd place. Chills ran up my back and all through my body with excitement and before I could even fathom what was going on we were jumping up and down with pure excitement that we had won the relay. We looked into the stands and saw the Shorewood cheering section erupting chanting "Shorewood Relays... Shorewood Relays!!!" Allison got out of the water and we were beyond ecstatic as our the rest of our team on the deck came running to us screaming "We won! We won!" we looked at them and were like of course we did, but then we realized as they changed the scores on the leader board that we had done it... we won state. That relay, those .06 hundredths of a second, won us the meet. Allison's perfect finish won us that meet. We couldn't believe it. Jumping up and down, looking to the stands, the feeling can't be described, it just can't no matter how much I try. Joy, excitement, elated, exhausted, pride, overwhelmed, nothing can describe how amazing it felt.
We waited impatiently as the award ceremonies happened then finally we got our chance to stand atop the podium for the 400 FR relay. The four of us squished on thee small podium didn't matter, we looked into the stands to see our teammates, family and friends, raised up the #1 and it was perfect. Finally, it was our chance, they announced the runner-up team, Whitnall, acknowledged their great meet. Then our trophy was handed to us, it was even better to see in person in our hands. Holding it up to the rest of the team, it was our time, our moment, and no one can take that away from us. We jumped in the water all together didn't matte if clothes were on. Once we were able to change in the locker room we walked out to the main hallway to an eruption of cheers and a mob of hugs. The amount of pride that came from our high school couldn't be matched that night. Even our principal and other teachers were there to support us. Our tradition was to go to the Olive Garden after the meet, they keep it open for us and bringing that trophy back there once again was indescribable. We ate, laughed, and shared stories from the night. Getting back onto the bus to drive back to Milwaukee we were rowdy and on such an adrenaline high we thought we'd stay awake the whole ride home, but alas we fell asleep. I woke up about halfway home and looked to the back of the bus, between the 11 of us there, everyone was laying across the aisle on two seats parkas on, we were a team, we won together and now we were all sleeping together. A perfect way to end the night. I can't help but smile right now thinking about how amazing that day was for us. No event in my life has been able to match the joy of that night and to this day I still remember it like it was yesterday.
"Shorewood Re-lays... Shorewood Re-lays..."
We... We are... We are the mighty... We are the mighty Greyhounds...
August of 2001 was the beginning of my high school swimming career, a new chapter in my life. As a freshman, myself and the entire team knew that I was going to come in as one of the top swimmers immediately. Regardless, I was still scared shitless of the upperclassmen and the pressure of being at Shorewood. In the late 1990's, Shorewood had won 4 state championships in a row and were the team. Dominating every meet they went to and at the beginning of my freshman year there were some talks about our team in the next few years had potential to be almost as good. With a new coach we were nervous about how we were going to adapt to a new coaching style, but as the season progressed we started winning meets and swimming fast. Something was obviously clicking.
Conference and sectionals came and went and the next thing we know, we're preparing ourselves for the state meet. In Wisconsin, hs swimming is divided into 2 divisions, the smaller schools in division 2 and the larger schools in division 1. As one of the smallest schools with a swimming program in division 2, we were still able to have a dominant force. Winning our sectional and qualifying a number of swims to state our coach sat us down and Monday and told us how real it was that we COULD win state. Of course we wanted to win, but I think in the back of our minds we weren't sure if it really was possible. We had a week to prepare for the final meet of our season and come Thursday night, we were ready. With only 11 or so girls on our state team, we found it wildly hilarious that when we got to the parking lot Friday morning, our coach Rob had rented a full size school bus (that was the last year we did that) but of course it just made the day even better. We got in our bus and headed to Madison but before we went to the pool we stopped for lunch and a movie. Of all movies to see we sat down for Serendipity, a Christmas romantic comedy. Finally it was time to get to the UW-Madison Natatorium.
Now for anyone, the Nat can be a frightening place. Walking into the pool area, the pool itself and the separate diving well aren't so intimidating, except for the 2.5 ft high gutters and walls that make it nearly impossible to get out of the pool after you're done swimming, it's the stands that are the kick in the stomach. You walk on deck, turn around and look up to see the stands that seem to go on for an eternity, holding nearly 4,000 people. We walked onto the deck not really knowing what to expect, and as soon as our parents, teammates and other Shorewood students saw us a huge roar erupted followed by Shorewood cheers. If we weren't nervous before, we were at that moment. We got in for warm-ups and kept our routine the same as it had been all season. I don't get nervous often for a meet, I was always a very relaxed swimmer, but that night was one of the first moments I ever truly felt sick to my stomach with nerves.
We started the meet off with a bang, placing 2nd in the 200 Medley Relay. We had a good relay team all through the season, but unlike Whitnall, we weren't a sprinting team, so we knew that was their relay. With that energy that we got in that relay we continued to swim right where we needed to be, placing in the top spots either at our seeds or higher. What helped us win that meet wasn't just our swims that got us on the podium, but rather the ones that didn't. Everyone says that in order to win you need to win all the events, and yes that will help immensely, but it's the people who bring in the small points that can creep up on you. We had a few swimmers who got in those 4,5, and 6 points to keep us near the top of the leader board. To me there is no other meet quite like any high school state meet. Being in the Nat, you can barely hear yourself think at times because it's so loud. Everyone one of the competitors are there to win, there is no extra bonus or side incentive, pure competition to win the trophy and state title. We don't get paid to be there, we're there simply because we love the sport. Every stroke, race and finish is for ourselves and our team, nothing else.
As the meet progressed we started to realize that we really did have a chance to win the meet. We continued to place high in every race with at least one swim keeping ourselves in the mix. By the 100 Breaststroke, we were in 3rd place, but not by much. The rest of our team and coaches had figured out that if we won the final event, 400 Freestyle relay, we could win the meet, but for good reason did not tell us on the relay. Rob pulled us together before we walked to the blocks for the final race of the meet. Word for word he said (yes I still remember it): "Ladies, it's the last race of the night, you're in lane 1, outside smoke, no one's going to expect us. Swim fast and I better need a fucking crane to pull you out of the water when you're done". Our relay team of Marika Ross, Emily Whipp, myself, and Allison Clark had been together nearly all season. We knew exactly how we swam together and we ready for our final swim of the season.
Marika was our lead-off swim, she had the best start and got us out in front with Sauk Prairie and Oregon. Emily then dove in and kept us right there in the mix of things. Between us and the other 2 teams at this point we knew it was going to be a close race. Standing on the block for the 3rd leg we had the lead, I was shaking with nerves thinking "don't false start, don't false start"(and I'm shaking right now). Emily came into the wall and rather than making it risky I stayed safe, but still fast and dove into the water. I could barely see the other girls in the water because we were outside in lane 1, but I knew all I had to do was swim fast and keep my stroke strong and I could either pull ahead or stay with these girls. Finishing my 100, Allison dove in. She was our anchor our go to girl, if she was in the water we knew she'd be doing anything in her power not to lose the race. I pulled myself out of the water, out of breath, legs nearly dead, but I somehow mustered up the air left in my lungs to scream as Allison swam the final leg of our race. Allison swam that leg against two of the fastest girls in the state, Brittany Shutes (Oregon) and Lauren Bruenig (Sauk Prairie, 100 Freestyle state champion) and it all came down to the last 5 yards, the last stroke into the wall.
All 3 relay teams, state teams, fans in the stands, watched intently as these 3 girls came into the wall. With us being in lane 1 you could barely even see us swimming from the stands. The girls came into the wall at what to the naked eye was the exact same time and the entire natatorium went dead silent as everyone (including other teams) turned their heads to the scoreboard to see who won. What seemed like an eternity for the scoreboard to release the times it finally showed:
Shorewood 3:40.56
Oregon 3:40.62
Sauk Prairie 3:40.68
12-hundredths separated us from 3rd place. Chills ran up my back and all through my body with excitement and before I could even fathom what was going on we were jumping up and down with pure excitement that we had won the relay. We looked into the stands and saw the Shorewood cheering section erupting chanting "Shorewood Relays... Shorewood Relays!!!" Allison got out of the water and we were beyond ecstatic as our the rest of our team on the deck came running to us screaming "We won! We won!" we looked at them and were like of course we did, but then we realized as they changed the scores on the leader board that we had done it... we won state. That relay, those .06 hundredths of a second, won us the meet. Allison's perfect finish won us that meet. We couldn't believe it. Jumping up and down, looking to the stands, the feeling can't be described, it just can't no matter how much I try. Joy, excitement, elated, exhausted, pride, overwhelmed, nothing can describe how amazing it felt.
We waited impatiently as the award ceremonies happened then finally we got our chance to stand atop the podium for the 400 FR relay. The four of us squished on thee small podium didn't matter, we looked into the stands to see our teammates, family and friends, raised up the #1 and it was perfect. Finally, it was our chance, they announced the runner-up team, Whitnall, acknowledged their great meet. Then our trophy was handed to us, it was even better to see in person in our hands. Holding it up to the rest of the team, it was our time, our moment, and no one can take that away from us. We jumped in the water all together didn't matte if clothes were on. Once we were able to change in the locker room we walked out to the main hallway to an eruption of cheers and a mob of hugs. The amount of pride that came from our high school couldn't be matched that night. Even our principal and other teachers were there to support us. Our tradition was to go to the Olive Garden after the meet, they keep it open for us and bringing that trophy back there once again was indescribable. We ate, laughed, and shared stories from the night. Getting back onto the bus to drive back to Milwaukee we were rowdy and on such an adrenaline high we thought we'd stay awake the whole ride home, but alas we fell asleep. I woke up about halfway home and looked to the back of the bus, between the 11 of us there, everyone was laying across the aisle on two seats parkas on, we were a team, we won together and now we were all sleeping together. A perfect way to end the night. I can't help but smile right now thinking about how amazing that day was for us. No event in my life has been able to match the joy of that night and to this day I still remember it like it was yesterday.
"Shorewood Re-lays... Shorewood Re-lays..."
We... We are... We are the mighty... We are the mighty Greyhounds...
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
UConn Football
A school really known for anything other than basketball is now hearing more about it's football program on ESPN than basketball. Well not really especially since the women's team are 2 wins away from tying the all time winning record of 87 games in a row (John Wooden's UCLA team) and the men's team is finally showing themselves to be worthy of ranking again thanks to Kemba Walker. But for right now, at least until January, UConn country is looking at the football field. Last night thousands of UConn students, alumni and fans were glued to ESPN during the BCS special to find out that UConn will be playing Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ on January 1st.
UConn football has been far from a powerhorse like many teams from the SEC, Big 12 or the Big Ten, but in the last few years they have come from a nearly invincible team to right in the mix of things. While we maybe don't deserve to be in the Fiesta Bowl like some other teams but it's the way things panned out and we can't change it at this point. We're going to a bowl game, it's happening, and we're ready for it.
I was at UConn from 2005-2009, but being from Wisconsin I grew up watching Badger football. It's just a notch above the program UConn has and not to mention a very different atmosphere at the games. I went to my first football game the first week at UConn (student-athletes get in free) and while different than the games I've seen at Wisconsin, it was a lot of fun. Like any college sporting event it's a time for students to come together and have a great time. As my years continued at UConn I got to know some of the players. You see them in class, in the training rooms and around the campus (even sometimes at the bar) and unlike some other bigger programs, they don't feel so unapproachable because of their "celebrity" status. So when we're watching these games on tv or at the stadium you look at them more as peers and you can actually say "hey I know that guy!". Randy Edsall has a different type of program and while it may not work for other teams, it works at UConn.
Edsall is still building a program, but going from 1-AA to a BCS bowl in 12 years is pretty damn good. No we haven't beaten a lot of powerhouses but this team is slowly establishing themselves as a team that should be recognized. We don't have any flashy all stars or Heisman trophy candidates, but we do have a group of phenomenal athletes who together work as a team. Last season we lost one of our teams best players, Jasper Howard, in a fatal incident after the homecoming game victory against Louisville. The next weekend we played Notre Dame @ South Bend, a very emotional game for the UConn community. This was quite possibly going to be one of the biggest games to date that UConn would play. A team like Notre Dame, who in recent years has fallen off, but is known historically for their success is playing an unknown program from UConn at home. I don't think a lot of people thought it was going to turn out the way it did, but UConn prevailed. For us it was a big moment, a win over that kind of program in prime time tv. Fast foward to the current season. UConn traveled to Michigan to play in the Big House. We faltered in the beginning of the game and fell behind, but coming back out in the 2nd half we played pretty well holding our own. The experience for our team to play in that kind of environment really helps for future seasons.
Now that the season is over, UConn players are watching tapes of Oklahoma and vice verse, preparing for one more game of the 2010 season. It's not the national championship, but it's still a big deal. These players need to think about this as just another football game, 4 15:00 quarters to execute plays and score more points. As a UConn alum, it's an exhilarating feeling to be able to watch my school in a BCS game. I've watched many games throughout the years wanting a team to win, but it never meant as much as this one. Let's Go Huskies!
UConn football has been far from a powerhorse like many teams from the SEC, Big 12 or the Big Ten, but in the last few years they have come from a nearly invincible team to right in the mix of things. While we maybe don't deserve to be in the Fiesta Bowl like some other teams but it's the way things panned out and we can't change it at this point. We're going to a bowl game, it's happening, and we're ready for it.
I was at UConn from 2005-2009, but being from Wisconsin I grew up watching Badger football. It's just a notch above the program UConn has and not to mention a very different atmosphere at the games. I went to my first football game the first week at UConn (student-athletes get in free) and while different than the games I've seen at Wisconsin, it was a lot of fun. Like any college sporting event it's a time for students to come together and have a great time. As my years continued at UConn I got to know some of the players. You see them in class, in the training rooms and around the campus (even sometimes at the bar) and unlike some other bigger programs, they don't feel so unapproachable because of their "celebrity" status. So when we're watching these games on tv or at the stadium you look at them more as peers and you can actually say "hey I know that guy!". Randy Edsall has a different type of program and while it may not work for other teams, it works at UConn.
Edsall is still building a program, but going from 1-AA to a BCS bowl in 12 years is pretty damn good. No we haven't beaten a lot of powerhouses but this team is slowly establishing themselves as a team that should be recognized. We don't have any flashy all stars or Heisman trophy candidates, but we do have a group of phenomenal athletes who together work as a team. Last season we lost one of our teams best players, Jasper Howard, in a fatal incident after the homecoming game victory against Louisville. The next weekend we played Notre Dame @ South Bend, a very emotional game for the UConn community. This was quite possibly going to be one of the biggest games to date that UConn would play. A team like Notre Dame, who in recent years has fallen off, but is known historically for their success is playing an unknown program from UConn at home. I don't think a lot of people thought it was going to turn out the way it did, but UConn prevailed. For us it was a big moment, a win over that kind of program in prime time tv. Fast foward to the current season. UConn traveled to Michigan to play in the Big House. We faltered in the beginning of the game and fell behind, but coming back out in the 2nd half we played pretty well holding our own. The experience for our team to play in that kind of environment really helps for future seasons.
Now that the season is over, UConn players are watching tapes of Oklahoma and vice verse, preparing for one more game of the 2010 season. It's not the national championship, but it's still a big deal. These players need to think about this as just another football game, 4 15:00 quarters to execute plays and score more points. As a UConn alum, it's an exhilarating feeling to be able to watch my school in a BCS game. I've watched many games throughout the years wanting a team to win, but it never meant as much as this one. Let's Go Huskies!
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