Good-Bye to January

It's the last day of the first month of 2009 and do we have a weekend of sports action for you around the Centennial Conference! Whether you are a hoops aficionado, a swimming supporter, or a grappling groupie, there are big games, meets and bouts at a number of Conference venues.

Muhlenberg, Ursinus, Stevens at Merchant Marine (Wrestling)
There are four unbeaten teams in Conference dual-meet competition and three of them meet at Kings Point Saturday. The 12th ranked Mariners (3-0 CC, 10-6) have won 12 straight Centennial duals since losing to both the Mules (2-0, 2-3) and Bears (2-0, 4-2) on Jan. 27, 2007. Merchant Marine's James Beshada (17-3) is ranked seventh nationally at 141, while teammate Dan Twito (15-4) is sixth at 149. Muhlenberg's Rob Kein (149, 13-2) and Matt Horn (19-2, 184) are a combined 32-4 overall, while Ursinus' Steve Kingsland (133, 18-4) and Chris Springer (157, 25-9) are 43-13. Ryan Dormann (174, 21-7) leads the Ducks (2-1, 8-7).

Franklin & Marshall at Dickinson (Men's Swimming)
Two of the CC's three unbeatens meet in Carlisle as the annual rivalry between the Diplomats (3-0, 3-5) and the Red Devils (3-0, 6-0) is renewed. Keep an eye on the freestyle sprints between F&M's Peter Fishler and Dickinson's Doug Murray. Murray holds the top 50 free time (21.70) and is second in the 100 free (47.97). Fishler has the season's top time in the 100 (47.26) and 200 (1:45.01) and the No. 2 clocking in the 50 (21.87).

Franklin & Marshall at Dickinson (Women's Swimming)
The Diplomat (4-0, 5-4) and Devil (4-0, 7-0) women put spotless Centennial records on the line as well Saturday. The backstroke could be one of the deciding events, as F&M's Brittany McCabe - who has the year's best times in the 100 (59.25) and 200 (2:11.12) - will be challenged by Dickinson's Serena Gibney (100, 1:02.30) and Elizabeth Schroll (200, 2:14.28).

McDaniel at Muhlenberg (Men's Basketball)
It is the day's best doubleheader, as the Green Terror (8-3, 13-5) and Mules (6-5, 10-7) open an exciting day of hoops in Allentown. Memorial Hall is not kind to many visitors, especially McDaniel, who has won just once in its last 11 trips and twice since 1987. The Terror looks for its first season sweep of 'Berg since 1980-81 after a 70-64 triumph on Jan. 7, as Kevin Henry poured in a game-high 23 points. Peter Barnes led Muhlenberg with 20 points, 13 boards and three blocks.

McDaniel at Muhlenberg (Women's Basketball)
The 22nd ranked Mules (12-0, 15-3) and the Green Terror (8-4, 10-7) meet in a rematch of their thrilling Jan. 7 game in Westminster which 'Berg pulled out in overtime, 77-76. The trio of Alexandra Chili (22), Lauren Boyle (14) and Kelly McKeon (11, 8 asst) combined for 47 points for Muhlenberg, while Ali Moreland led the Green and Gold with 18 markers. The Mule victory evened the overall series at 14 apiece.

Franklin & Marshall at Swarthmore (Women's Basketball)
Five teams in the CC are tied for second place with four losses ... so a game between two of them does have playoff implications. The Diplomats (6-4, 9-8) look for their third straight season sweep and seventh straight win overall vs. the Garnet (7-4, 10-8) after a 74-57 triumph back on Jan. 7. F&M placed four players in double figures, led by Alison Menna's 14 points, while Kathryn Stockbower led Swarthmore with 23 points and 14 rebounds. The Dips must shut down Ceylan Bodur, who has posted consective double-doubles in wins against Ursinus and Haverford.

Rivalry Night

It's one of those nights that makes collegiate sports special ... a game against your school's traditional rival. At D-1, it's Ohio State-Michigan, USC-UCLA or North Carolina-Duke ... at 1-AA, think of Yale-Harvard, Army-Navy or Lafayette-Lehigh. Tonight, it's Haverford-Swarthmore. Cliche time ... throw out the records when these two teams meet as Tarble Pavilion will be jumping. But that's not the only rivalry game of the night. Gettysburg makes the 20-mile jaunt down Route 97 to take on McDaniel, while the Dickinson men come down 283 to take on Franklin & Marshall. Washington crosses the Bay Bridge to the Charm City to do battle with Johns Hopkins ... and Ursinus heads north to Allentown to face Muhlenberg. All important games ... but a few have extra significance to the Conference playoff chase.

Gettysburg at McDaniel (Women's Basketball)
The Bullets (6-4 CC, 9-8) and the Green Terror (8-3, 10-6) meet for the 75th time in a rivalry that dates to 1949. Gettysburg has won all three games last season to close its all-time series deficit to 42-32. McDaniel won 10 straight games from 2003-07 and is 14-4 against the Orange and Blue at the Gill Center since 1994. The Terror's Ali Moreland has blossomed into one of the CC's top all-around performers, averaging 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game with 48 steals. Westminster native Allie Drechsler - whose father is a McDaniel alum - averages 10 points per game for the Bullets.

Washington at Johns Hopkins (Women's Basketball)
Even though we're just at the halfway mark of the season, the loser of this game could find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time. The Shorewomen (4-5, 9-6) have dropped five of their last six overall and are winless against the Blue Jays (4-5, 6-10) in 20 all-time contests. In fact, just one of those games has been decided by fewer than 10 points. Washington will need a big game from Jane O'Donnell (14.8 ppg) while putting the defensive clamps on JHU's Lyndsay Burton, who has a streak of five consecutive 20-point performances.

Gettysburg at McDaniel (Men's Basketball)
It's a border war when the Bullets (8-2, 13-3) and the Green Terror (7-3, 12-5) get together and when first place in the Conference is on the line, the stakes are even higher. Gettysburg swept the season set last year to take a 69-27 all-time series lead. McDaniel had won two straight from the Bullets at home before dropping a 66-65 overtime decision last winter at Gill. This one could be decided by the big men - Gettysburg's Andrew Powers (17.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and McDaniel's Josh McKay (17.3 ppg over his last three games).

Ursinus at Muhlenberg (Men's Basketball)
It's the 94th meeting between the Bears (5-5, 9-8) and the Mules (5-5, 9-7) and a game that could decide a playoff berth at the end of the year. Ursinus, the defending CC champs, is just 2-7 on the road this season but has won five of the last six at Memorial Hall. Muhlenberg is 6-2 on its home court with its losses coming by a combined total of three points to CC co-leaders Gettysburg and F&M. The game has an interesting contrast between the Bears' guard-oriented lineup, led by John Noonan (19.8 ppg), and the Mules' power game inside, headed by Peter Barnes (13.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg) and Spencer Liddic (11.8, 7.6).

Big Monday

Two games take center stage on the Centennial's "Big Monday," as defending Conference champion Ursinus visits Franklin & Marshall and Johns Hopkins travels to the Battlefield to take on Gettysburg.

Ursinus at Franklin & Marshall
It's hard to believe that the Diplomats (7-2 CC, 14-2) hold a commanding 74-32 lead in this series that began in 1914, since the Bears (5-4, 9-7) have won seven straight and 11 of the last 13 meetings. F&M has not beaten Ursinus since a 91-60 thumping at Mayser in 2005. The Bears' four-game win streak in Lancaster is the longest against the Diplomats at home since Gettysburg won 11 in a row from 1964-74. Can F&M's defense contain high-scoring UC guard John Noonan, the CC's leading scorer at 19.5 ppg?

Johns Hopkins at Gettysburg
The Bullets (7-2, 12-3) took three games from the Blue Jays (6-3, 11-5) last season to extend their series advantage to 43-25. Hopkins has not won at Bream Gym since 2005, capturing a 58-48 decision. The battle of the big men could decide this one, as Gettysburg's Andrew Powers (17.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and JHU's Andrew Farber-Miller (13.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg) are among the CC's top 10 in scoring and rebounding.

Five-Star Matchups

The atmosphere in Centennial gyms should be electric this weekend as the second semester is underway throughout Conference campuses. The basketball seasons hit the halfway mark for Conference play, while the dual wrestling season kicks off with a quad involving the top four teams in the Centennial.

McDaniel at Franklin & Marshall (Men's Basketball)
The first-place Green Terror (7-1 CC, 12-3) travel to Lancaster to take on the Diplomats (6-2, 13-2) in a game that will tell us a lot about both squads. McDaniel looks for a season sweep of F&M after downing the Blue, 66-57, just 11 days ago in Westminster. The Diplomats have dropped four straight to the Terror after winning 18 in a row from 1998-2007. Keep an eye on two matchups - guards Miguel Jones and Georgio Milligan and pivotmen Josh McKay and James McNally.

Muhlenberg at Washington (Women's Basketball)
Ordinarily, a matchup between the #25 team in the country and a team that has lost four of its last five would not warrant much attention. But if history teaches us nothing else, it's that if we don't learn from it, we're doomed to repeat it. On their last trip to the Eastern Shore in 2007, the Mules traveled to Chestertown sporting a national ranking and a 22-game win streak against the Shorewomen and were upset, 64-63. You've heard of the play, "Six Characters in Search of an Author." Well, this game may turn on how Washington (4-4, 9-5) can contain Muhlenberg's (10-0, 13-2) "Three Scorers in Search of a Nickname" - Alexandra Chili (15.7), Lauren Boyle (14.6) and Kelly McKeon (11.6). The Mules are just the fourth team to start the Centennial season 10-0.

McDaniel, Merchant Marine, Washington & Lee at Stevens (Wrestling)
The Centennial dual-meet season opens Saturday with the Green Terror (2-0, 6-9), Mariners (0-0, 7-6) and Generals (1-0, 2-2) traveling to Hoboken to face the Ducks (0-0, 6-6). USMMA is ranked 13th nationally and features a trio of ranked grapplers in #8 Philip Greene (133), #8 James Beshada (14-3, 141) and #6 Dan Twito (12-4, 149). Stevens' Mark Bisitis (141) is 16-5, while the Dormann brothers - Leo (157) and Ryan (174) - are 18-8, 19-7, respectively. W&L's John Christopher is 10-4 at 285 and could face McDaniel's Brock Glotfelty (23-1), ranked 10th nationally, in one of the premier bouts of the day.

Getting Down to Business

The Inauguration festivities are over ... and now our 44th President is getting down to the business at hand. And tonight, the Centennial Conference men's basketball race gets down to business as well with two titanic tilts that will change the face of the playoff chase.






#22 Gettysburg at #24 Franklin & Marshall (Men's Basketball)
It's the most-played series in the Conference and one of the most heated. Tonight is the 197th meeting between Gettysburg (6-1 CC, 11-2) and Franklin & Marshall (6-1, 13-1) in a series that began in 1902 And this may be one of the first times that the rivals have met as ranked teams in the national poll. The Bullets, who lead the series 105-91, have won three straight from the Diplomats and four of the last five. Last season's sweep was the first for the Orange and Blue since 1997. Two of the Centennial's best young players will take center stage tonight in Gettysburg's Andrew Powers (17.8 ppg., 7.1 rpg.) and F&M's James McNally (17.1, 7.1).

Johns Hopkins at McDaniel (Men's Basketball)
Just 35 miles separate these two long-time rivals who renew acquaintances for the 139th time tonight at the Gill Center. It's uncharted territory for the Green Terror (6-1, 11-3) who is in a three-way tie for first place in the CC. Westminster, however, has been friendly to the Blue Jays (5-2, 10-4) who have won 10 of the last 11 games from McDaniel on its home floor and holds a 76-62 overall series lead. This game could be decided on the boards as JHU's Andrew Farber-Miller (6.1 rpg.) works the glass against the Terror's Chad Arrington (7.4) and Josh McKay (6.0).

NCAA Convention Review

The 103rd annual NCAA Convention came to a close on Saturday in Washington, D.C. and as Conventions go, this one was pretty quiet. The Centennial Conference was 8-for-8 on its votes on legislative proposals, siding with the majority position. The delegates voted against August 15 as a new date for the start of the fall preseason, while voting in the affirmative to specify that a season of participation shall not be counted when a student participates in the one date of nontraditional competition (baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, women's volleyball).

The most important legislation that was adopted specifies that each head coach shall be certified in first aid, CPR and AED. Endorsed by the national SAAC, the vote carried 420-33-6.

The Convention concluded the service of John Fry, president of Franklin & Marshall College, as chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council. Fry was recognized by the delegates for his service to the Association.

The most important news to come from the Convention was that the Centennial Conference has added Susquehanna University to the Conference as an associate member in football and women's golf. The Crusaders will participate in the 2009 golf championship and will compete for the CC title in 2010. Susquehanna's gridders will begin Centennial play in 2010.

Inauguration Ball

Although there are at least 10 Inauguration Balls scheduled for tonight in Washington, we know of at least one more in Carlisle as McDaniel travels to Dickinson in a matchup between teams battling for second place in the Conference. It is the 66th meeting in a series that began in 1970. McDaniel holds a 41-24 advantage but the teams have split the last eight meetings. Keep an eye on a pair of high-scoring guards in McDaniel's Ali Moreland (13.4) and Dickinson's Brooke Muller (15.7).

Tuesday Tips

It's the start of the annual Centennial Conference three-game basketball week ... a chance to get some games in before the second semester kicks into high gear.

McDaniel at Swarthmore (Women's Basketball)
This one could tell us a lot about both teams' chances to make the Conference playoffs. The Green Terror (3-2 CC, 5-5) has taken seven of the last nine meetings against the Garnet (3-2, 6-6), but Swarthmore captured an 86-79 decision last season at Tarble and a 71-69 contest back in December. Can McDaniel put the clamps on Kathryn Stockbower? The soph has 11 double-doubles and leads the Conference in scoring (18.8) and rebounding (16.1)?

Franklin & Marshall at McDaniel (Men's Basketball)
The 21st ranked Diplomats (4-0, 11-0) face one of their toughest challenges to date as they venture into the Gill Center to take on the Green Terror (3-1, 8-3). McDaniel has won three straight in the series, including a pair in Westminster by a combined total of seven points, after ending an 18-game losing streak to F&M. Two of the top sophomores and two of the top freshmen in the CC will be on display tonight as the Dips' James McNally and Georgio Milligan square off against the Terror's Kevin Henry and Louis Sarris-Grau.

Conference Joins Group to Initiate START Officiating Program

The Centennial Conference and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Associate Executive Director Robert A. Lombardi, in conjunction with four other NCAA Division II and III conferences, announced the initiation of the START program at the Pennsylvania State Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (PSAHPERD) annual convention recently.

START stands for Students of Today Are Referees of Tomorrow, with a goal of recruiting new officials in all sports on the collegiate campuses as well as increasing opportunities for scholastic officials to advance to the intercollegiate level.

Member institutions of these conferences will be offering classes to become a registered sports' official with Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association or their sister association in each member institution's respective state throughout the Middle Atlantic Region.

Working in conjunction with the Centennial and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association are the commissioners of the Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) along with Division III Capital Athletic Conference (CAC), Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) and Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation (MAC).

"This program will enable students to learn about what it takes to become an official and give graduates of START the opportunity to begin working games immediately," stated Steve Ulrich, Executive Director of the Centennial Conference.

The initial courses are to be offered during the spring semester at several college campuses.

The pilot program offered by the Centennial Conference will aim to recruit officials for baseball, softball, boys lacrosse and girls lacrosse on the first three Thursdays of February, 2009 (2/5, 2/12 and 2/19).

The three sessions will run approximately 75 minutes, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Steinman College Center at Franklin & Marshall College. Although the program is primarily for students from any college or university, others interested in becoming scholastic, and potentially collegiate, officials are encourage to attend.

At the end of the third meeting, students with proper college ID will be offered the opportunity to take the PIAA officiating test for that sport free of charge. Non-students may take the PIAA test at the regular $30 fee.

Those that pass the test will be assisted in contacting local officiating chapters so they can begin officiating PIAA sanctioned events (and other intramural, youth or recreation league events) as soon as possible.

Other pilot programs are tentatively scheduled to be offered at York College of Pennsylvania (CAC), Cabrini College (CSAC), DeSales University (MAC) and Lock Haven University (PSAC).

Five-Star Matchups

Conference play is back in full force this weekend with four men's/women's doubleheaders and all 21 teams in action on the court.

McDaniel at Ursinus (Men's Basketball)
The Green Terror and the Bears meet in Collegeville in a game that has a lot of intrigue. Both teams are 2-1 in the CC, but seem to be going in different directions. McDaniel has won three straight, including a 70-64 win against Muhlenberg on Wednesday. Ursinus has dropped three straight road decisions since earning a #13 national ranking in mid-December. The last two games between the teams at Helfferich Hall have been decided by a combined total of three points - a 76-75 Terror overtime win in 2007 and a 68-66 Bear triumph last season.

Johns Hopkins at Haverford (Men's Basketball)
The Blue Jays and the Fords get together at Gooding Arena for a game that could tell us a lot about both teams. Hopkins is fresh off a 73-70 win against #21 Ursinus - the Jays' first win over a ranked opponent since Feb. 22, 2003. Haverford is coming off its second straight Centennial win - a 73-60 road victory at Dickinson. The last two meetings between the teams on the Main Line have both been decided in overtime and ended with JHU triumphs.

Gettysburg at Muhlenberg (Women's Basketball)
The Bullets (3-1, 6-5) and the Mules (5-0, 8-2) meet in a rematch of their Nov. 25 matchup at the Battlefield that ended with a 72-63 Mule victory. Lauren Boyle and Alexandra Chili combined for 40 points, including all 10 in the decisive run, in a game between the teams ranked 1-2 in the CC preseason poll. The two teams split the season series last year with each school winning on the opposition's home court.

Franklin & Marshall at Washington (Women's Basketball)
The Diplomats (3-1, 5-5) and the Shorewomen (2-1, 7-1) meet in Chestertown in a game that could tell us if Washington is a contender or pretender in the Centennial title chase. F&M has won 13 of the last 14 contests between the schools, only dropping a 66-52 decision at the Cain Center in 2007. Washington's 7-1 start is the best in program history.

Wednesday Night Chat

We'll begin our chat around 6:10 p.m. tonight due to a family commitment. Thanks.

Five-Star Matchups

Swarthmore at Franklin & Marshall (Women's Basketball)
The Diplomats (2-1 CC, 4-5) and the Garnet (2-1, 5-5) meet for the 38th time since 1977 tonight at the Mayser Center. F&M has won five straight from Swarthmore and holds a 29-8 all-time series lead. The Garnet has not won in Lancaster since capturing a 67-55 decision in the 2001 CC semifinals and not in regular season since 1999. Two of the Centennial's best will be on display tonight in Swat's Kathryn Stockbower (18.7 ppg, 15.8 rpg) and F&M's Sarah Meisenberg (16.8 ppg, 4.9 apg).

Muhlenberg at McDaniel (Women's Basketball)
It's become one of the Conference's top rivalries and the Mules (4-0, 7-2) and the Green Terror (2-1, 4-4) meet for the 28th time since 1986 tonight in Westminster. Muhlenberg swept the season set last year to take a 14-13 series advantage. McDaniel swept the season set of games in 2004, 2005 and 2007, while 'Berg took two from the Terror in 2006. McDaniel's Ali Moreland (13.0 ppg) will have her hands full with the talented Muhlenberg backcourt of Lauren Boyle (13.9 ppg), Kelly McKeon (12.0 ppg) and Alexandra Chili (14.2 ppg).

Ursinus at Johns Hopkins (Men's Basketball)
The 21st ranked Bears (2-0, 6-3) take a two-game losing streak to Baltimore to take on the Blue Jays (1-1, 6-3). It is the 79th time that the two teams have met on the hardwood with Hopkins holding a 41-37 lead. Ursinus has closed that gap by winning six of the last eight games. Keep an eye on the glass as UC guard Remy Cousart (7.7 rpg) goes up against JHU forward Andrew Farber-Miller (7.0 rpg).

Muhlenberg at McDaniel (Men's Basketball)
It is the 63rd meeting between the Mules (1-1, 5-3) and the Green Terror (1-1, 6-3) in a series that dates to 1965. 'Berg has won 17 of the last 21 meetings and holds a 41-21 all-time advantage. McDaniel is just 1-6 against the Mules at the Gill Center since 2000. The battle between the Terror's Josh McKay and Muhlenberg's Peter Barnes (14.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg) in the paint could be telling.

Don't forget to join us tonight at 6 p.m. for our first live chat. We'll talk basketball as we keep an eye on all of tonight's tilts.

Why We Play Division III

"It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making SportsCenter. It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don't even know. We don't practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent. We don't lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor. We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO. It's a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand. Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are students first. We don't sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions. When we miss a kick or strike out, we don't let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. But the hurt is still the same. We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class. And in that class we are nothing more than students. It's about pride in ourselves, in our school. It's about our love and passion for the game. And when it's over, when we walk off that court or field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim...college athletes."

- written by Sean Sornsin, who played baseball at Cornell College, Dec. 3, 1999