Five-Star Matchups

As a snowy January draws to a close, the games start to heat up in the Conference as basketball teams begin to jockey for playoff position, and swimmers and wrestlers prepare for championship time.

Johns Hopkins at Muhlenberg (Women's Basketball)
The first and second-place teams in the Conference meet in a rematch of their overtime clash on Jan. 17. The Blue Jays (12-2 CC, 15-3) held off the Mules (9-3, 13-4), 86-75, as Chantal Mattiola poured in a career-high 24 points. 'Berg's Alexandra Chili scored 27 of her game-high 32 points in the second half. Hopkins has not won at Memorial Hall since 2005 (0-7) - the last time that JHU swept the season series.

Dickinson at Ursinus (Women's Basketball)
Franklin & Marshall at Haverford (Women's Basketball)
These two games are critical for the playoff chances of all four teams. The Bears (8-5, 11-6) and the Diplomats (8-5, 10-8) can go a long way to securing a spot in the five-team field with wins. The Red Devils (5-8, 7-10) and the Fords (5-8, 8-10) can ill afford another CC loss and, with victories, can get right back in the playoff chase. Ursinus defeated Dickinson, 44-33, on Dec. 11 behind a 13-point, 12-rebound effort from Lindsay Teuber. The Bears look for their first season sweep of the Devils and their first home win against the Red since 2002. The Fords are also looking for their first-ever sweep of the Diplomats, following a 53-39 win on Dec. 11 as Nina Voith had a double-double with 21-13.

McDaniel at Washington College (Men's Basketball)
The Green Terror (6-4, 9-8) looks to set some program marks when it visits the "House of Cain" and the Shoremen (5-6, 6-12). McDaniel has already defeated Washington twice this season and a third victory would be a program first. Also, the Terror has lost 17 straight times in Chestertown since an 84-80 win back in 1982. The Shoremen need to hold (home)court in their quest to return to the Centennial playoffs.

Swarthmore at Gettysburg (Men's Swimming)
The two remaining CC unbeatens meet at Bullets Pool with first-place in the dual-meet standings on the line. The Garnet (3-0, 5-0) is led by sophomore Daniel Duncan, while the Bullets' (3-0, 5-1) Matt Libby may be the best sprinter in the Conference with the Centennial's top times in the 100 and 200 free and second-best time in the 50.

Ursinus, Stevens at Merchant Marine (Wrestling)
The three undefeated teams in the Conference dual-meet standings square off at Kings Point on Sunday. Merchant Marine (2-0, 8-2), the three-time defending Centennial champ, is ranked 11th nationally and has three wrestlers among the top 10 in their respective weight classes - 165 Vincent Renaut (4th), 174 Justin Diesel (7th) and 285 Judd Connell (3rd) - while Stevens 141 Ryan Bridge is ranked 6th. Matches to watch include 157 between USMMA's Dan Twito (7-2) and Stevens' Leo Dormann (19-8); 174 between Diesel (17-1) and the Ducks' Ryan Dormann (25-2) and 184 between Ursinus' Nate Murran (19-6) and the Mariners' Erik Schott (18-3).

McElligott Invitational (Track and Field)
One of the premier meets of the indoor season takes place Saturday at Haverford - the site of the 2011 CC Championship. Athletes to watch include Haverford's Tim Schoch, Eric Arnold (mile) and Christina Neilson (400); Swarthmore's Chelsea Hicks (55, triple jump); and Ursinus' Jordan Grannum (55, 200) and Amanda Laurito (55).

Track and Field Championship Preview

The 17th annual Centennial Conference Track and Field championship begins today at Swarthmore College with the multi-events and the 10K. And all eyes are on the Haverford men's and women's squads, as the Fords look to extend their championship streaks.

The Haverford men have won all 16 titles in the Conference's existence, but the Fords were defeated by Dickinson at the 2010 indoor championships. The Haverford women won their fourth consecutive Centennial championship last spring. The Fords will face challenges from Johns Hopkins, who finished second indoors, and Muhlenberg.

Some individuals to keep an eye on ... can Ursinus' Al Desiderio become the first male to repeat in the 100/200 since UC's Brandon Evans in 2005-06 ... can Muhlenberg's Alexandra Faust become the first four-time winner of the women's pole vault?

Defending Champions (Men)
100: Al Desiderio, Ursinus
200: Al Desiderio, Ursinus
800: Tim Schoch, Haverford
400 Hurdles; Brendan Kirk, Muhlenberg
3000 Steeplechase: Kent Pecora, Dickinson
Shot Put: Ryan Lino, Johns Hopkins
High Jump: Travis Youngs, Ursinus
Discus: Anthony Abbate, Dickinson

Defending Champions (Women)
200: Christina Neilson, Haverford
400: Alex Faust, Muhlenberg
1500: Laura Paulsen, Johns Hopkins
10,000: Laura Paulsen, Johns Hopkins
100 Hurdles: Eliza Reiss, Haverford
Pole Vault: Alex Faust, Muhlenberg
Discus: Jackie Freund, Haverford
High Jump: Nicole Cox, Swarthmore

Men's Top Performances
Women's Top Performances

2010 Indoor Track and Field Championship

The 17th annual Centennial Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships will be held at Haverford College's Lutnick Center on Saturday. The collection of individual talent that is assembled will provide for outstanding competition for medals and for the team trophies. Click here for complete information on the championship.

Who 2 Watch 4?
Can Ursinus' Al Desiderio double again in the 55 and 200, joining Ursinus' Brandon Evans (2005-06-07) as the only athlete to turn the trick in back-to-back years? Can F&M's Kwaku Anno become just the second athlete to win the long jump three times, joining McDaniel's Broderick Maybank (2003-04-05) in the elite club? Is this the year that someone breaks Haverford's six-year stranglehold on the women's 55 hurdle title? Can the Fords' Christina Neilson double in the 200 and 400, becoming the first woman to win both in consecutive championships? Can Muhlenberg's Alex Faust become just the third woman in Centennial history to win her event (pole vault) four times?

Haverford College championship site

Trophy Time

Last weekend, the Centennial Conference crowned three champions in women's lacrosse and men's and women's golf. This weekend, we'll present championship trophies to seven more teams in baseball, softball, tennis, track and field and men's lacrosse. How can you keep up-to-date with all the latest results? The fastest way is to follow us on Twitter, as we'll be posting updates to our feed throughout the weekend. Don't have a Twitter account? It's easy to join and receive updates via web or cell. You can also get live stats from our championship websites.

Baseball Championship website
The biggest challenge facing the four teams in the tournament could be the weather, as rain will be a persistent factor. Top-seed Ursinus opens play at home today against #4 Haverford, while #2 Johns Hopkins plays host to #3 Franklin & Marshall. The losers meet in Collegeville on Saturday at 9 a.m., while the winners square off at 12:30 p.m. The Bears have one of the trump cards in the deck in Conference Pitcher of the Year Zeb Engle. Johns Hopkins counters with the Centennial Player of the Year in Todd Emr.

Men's Lacrosse Championship website
There's something different about this year's tournament ... oh yes, we're not in Gettysburg or Chestertown. For the first time in the tourney's nine-year history, the four teams will meet at Swan Field in Haverford. The top-seeded Fords take on #4 McDaniel in the opening game today at 1:30, while six-time defending champion Gettysburg and Washington tangle in the nightcap. Something has to give today ... neither Haverford nor the Terror has ever won a CC playoff game, while the Bullets and Shoremen are a perfect 8-0 in Centennial semifinal contests. The winners meet Sunday at 1 p.m. in Haverford for the title.

Men's Tennis Championship website
For the third straight season, Johns Hopkins welcomes the CC's top tennis teams to Baltimore for the Conference championship. The two-time defending champion Blue Jays open play this morning at 11 a.m. against #4 Washington in a matchup of the only two teams to win the Centennial title. #2 Swarthmore entertains #3 Haverford at 3 p.m. Hopkins features CC Player of the Year David Maldow at #1 singles.

Track and Field Championship websites - Men / Women
The 16th annual Conference championship gets underway today in Lancaster with the multi-events and the 10,000 meters. Haverford has won 15 consecutive men's crowns and the last three women's titles. For the men, the most competitive event could be the triple jump between Haverford's Chaz Thomas (47-0 1/2) and Ursinus' Travis Youngs (46-9). For the women, we'll be watching the 1,500 as Muhlenberg's Jenn Lynch (4:41.95) will battle Ursinus' Christa Johnson (4:43.41), Hopkins' Laura Paulsen (4:43.96) and Swarthmore's Cait Mullarkey (4:44.02) to the wire.

Women's Tennis Championship website
The best netters in the Conference meet in the Charm City as Hopkins meets Haverford and Washington takes on Muhlenberg beginning Saturday at 11 a.m. The Jays, ranked ninth nationally, will look to the 1-2 combo of Carolyn Warren and Anita Bhamidipati to carry them to their third straight title.

Softball Championship website
The annual double-elimination softball tournament will once again be held at Ursinus beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. Gettysburg, led by Conference Player of the Year Erin Ober, and Muhlenberg get things started, while UC and Haverford plays in the day's second game. The top-seeded Bears will hand the ball over to Centennial Pitcher of the Year Lauren Davis and a 0.75 ERA as UC looks to defend its title.

Centennial Sends 18 to NCAA Track

The Centennial Conference will have 18 representatives at the 2009 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships which begin Friday in Terre Haute, Ind. Haverford senior Jessie Belden is the top seed in the pentathlon with a season-best 3,478 points. Classmate Chaz Thomas is seeded third in the long jump (23-5 1/4) and fifth in the triple jump (48-2 3/4), while Franklin & Marshall's Kwaku Anno is seeded third as well in the long jump (23-5 1/4). Dickinson's Stephen Hendrix and Johns Hopkins' Laura Paulsen are No. 4 seeds in the pole vault (16-4 3/4) and mile (4:55.92), respectively. The Hopkins women's distance medley relay is seeded third (11:51.64).

Get updates on Conference athletes via Twitter.

Schedule of Events

Women's Pentathlon - Friday
9:00 - 55 Hurdles; 9:45 - High Jump; 12:15 - Shot Put;
1:30 - Long Jump; 3:00 - 800 Meters.
Jessie Belden, Haverford

Women's Pole Vault - Friday, 12:00
Alex Faust, Muhlenberg.

Men's Long Jump - Friday, 3:30
Chaz Thomas, Haverford; Kwaku Anno, Franklin & Marshall.

Women's Mile - Friday, 4:00
Laura Paulsen, Johns Hopkins (heat 1); Cait Mullarkey, Swarthmore (heat 1); Jennifer Lynch, Muhlenberg (heat 2).

Women's Weight Throw - Friday, 5:00
Alyssa Catalano, Franklin & Marshall.

Women's Distance Medley - Friday, 6:05
Johns Hopkins (Rachel Hogen, Jordan Ireton, Paula Osborn, Laura Paulsen).

Men's Distance Medley - Friday, 6:25
Muhlenberg (David Chorney, Peter Rice, Bobby Torphy, Stuart Udis.

Men's Pole Vault - Saturday, 12:00
Stephen Hendrix, Dickinson.

Women's Mile FINAL - Saturday, 2:00

Men's Triple Jump - Saturday, 3:00
Chaz Thomas, Haverford; Travis Youngs, Ursinus.

Women's 5000 - Saturday, 3:55
Laura Paulsen, Johns Hopkins; Christa Johnson, Ursinus.

Swimming Takes Spotlight on Saturday

It's another full Saturday of action in the Centennial Conference with the spotlight shining squarely on the pool at the Kunkel Aquatic Center in Lancaster. It's the annual renewal of the best rivalry in Conference swimming as Franklin & Marshall plays host to Gettysburg. Despite the fact that the Centennial title is determined at the Conference championship meet in two weeks, dual-meet supremacy is on the line for both the men and the women.

Gettysburg at Franklin & Marshall (Women's Swimming)
The Bullets (6-0 CC, 7-2) come a-callin' on the Diplomats (6-0, 7-4) with the dual-meet championship hanging in the balance for the sixth time in seven years. Gettysburg has won 10 dual titles, including last season, while F&M won its four from 2004-07. The Bullets feature a potent 1-2 combination in Caitlin Reilly and Keira Heath, while the Diplomats counter with standout Brittany McCabe.

Gettysburg at Franklin & Marshall (Men's Swimming)
The Bullets (5-0, 6-2) and the Diplomats (5-0, 5-5) also have the dual-meet crown at stake in the renewal of their men's rivalry. Showdowns abound in the freestyle sprints (Drew Close vs. Peter Fishler), the breaststroke (Brian Kaehler vs. Tom Grabiak) and the backstroke (Adam Taft vs. Matt Jaffee). F&M, the defending champion, has won two of the last three dual titles while Gettysburg has a Conference-leading 10 crowns to its credit but has been shut out since 2005.

Swarthmore at Dickinson (Women's Basketball)
The Garnet (8-5, 11-9) and the Red Devils (8-5, 11-9) meet in a battle between two of the five teams currently tied for second place in the Conference. Swarthmore defeated Dickinson, 71-56, back on Jan. 10 and goes for its first-ever season sweep of the Red and White. Dickinson has won five straight in the series at the Kline Center since a 2002 loss to the Garnet. Swarthmore's Kathryn Stockbower has scored in double figures in 42 consecutive games.

Haverford at Johns Hopkins (Men's Basketball)
The Fords (6-7, 9-10) and the Blue Jays (6-7, 11-9) meet in game that is crucial to both teams' playoff hopes. Hopkins captured a 69-56 decision on the Main Line on Jan. 10 and looks for its sixth straight win and second consecutive season sweep of the Fords. This is the 95th meeting between the two schools with JHU holding a 60-34 advantage.

Colden Invitational (Indoor Track and Field)
The annual meet at Ursinus' Floy Bakes Lewis Field House may feature another showdown between two of the Conference's top runners - the Bears' Christa Johnson and Johns Hopkins' Laura Paulsen. Paulsen has the CC's top time in the mile with a NCAA provisional clocking of 5:02.28, while Johnson is second with a 5:06.93 mark. Johnson has the season's top effort in the 5K (17:16.46), while Paulsen is second (17:27.48) - both provisional qualifying times.

Five Titles on the Line This Weekend

It's the final championship weekend of the 2007-08 academic year and five titles are on the line - baseball, softball, men's lacrosse and men's and women's track and field.

Baseball
Johns Hopkins (16-2 CC, 30-5) is the prohibitive favorite entering the double-elimination event in Baltimore. The Blue Jays face Muhlenberg (11-7, 20-18) - one of two CC teams to hand JHU a defeat this season - in Friday's opener, while Franklin & Marshall (12-6, 18-15) plays host to Haverford (12-6, 25-12-1). All four schools head to the Charm City for the weekend. Hopkins is in search of its ninth Centennial championship in the 15-year history of the Conference, while the Diplomats look for flag number four. The Jays lead the Conference in team hitting (.394), pitching (3.92 ERA) and fielding (.960). Championship website

Softball
The four top softball teams in the Conference converge on Collegeville for this weekend's double-elimination championship tournament. Ursinus (13-3, 28-9) is the top seed and will meet Swarthmore (10-6, 21-16) in the first round, while Dickinson (12-4, 24-14) and Haverford (12-4, 22-14) tangle in the opener. The Bears have won four CC titles, while Haverford has one championship to its credit. Pitching makes all the difference in tourney play, so keep an eye out on Ursinus' Lauren Davis (23-4, 0.50 ERA, 259 K in 183.1 IP), Dickinson's Allison Jordan (14-6, 1.40, 146 K, 130 IP), Haverford's Becky Garibotto (9-5, 1.86) and Swarthmore's Kathryn Riley (16-7, 1.74, 152 K, 156.2 IP). Championship website

Men's Lacrosse
The best DIII conference in the country holds its final four at Clark Field in Gettysburg with traditional powers and a newcomer to the field. Gettysburg (7-1, 13-2), ranked third in the country, is the top seed and is in search of its 12th Centennial crown in 15 years. The Bullets will take on Muhlenberg (5-3, 10-4) - the hottest team in the Conference - in the first semifinal. The Mules are winners of their last eight and make their debut in the CC tourney. Two other top 10 teams meet in the other semi as #4 Washington (7-1, 12-2) squares off with #9 Haverford (6-2, 11-3). The Shoremen have won three CC titles and have appeared in the Centennial final every season since 2001. The Black Squirrels are looking to break through and reach their first-ever Conference final. Championship website

Track and Field
The best athletes in the Conference gather at the Battlefield in Gettysburg for the 15th annual Centennial championships. The Haverford men are the prohibitive favorite - after all, the Fords have won the previous 14 CC titles. The women's competition should be close, as two-time defending champion Haverford will be challenged by five-time champ Dickinson and four-time winner Gettysburg. Championship website

Time Management and the Three-Sport Athlete

by Annick Lamar, Haverford

For 11 sporting seasons and seven semesters I have been a Haverford College student and runner. When first asked to write an article about how a three-season athlete manages her time, I had trouble identifying with the person I was supposed to be writing about. Over these four years, as my running has become a lifestyle, my ability to manage my time has become second nature.

There was a moment at Haverford when running became more than a sport to me. It was perhaps during one the races of my freshman year that instead of thinking of training as a tiresome burden, training became the road to achieving my dreams. I wanted to ice more, stretch more, run longer miles, faster times, bigger venues, and risk much to achieve my goals. I approached cross country, indoor and outdoor track not as simple races but as personal challenges that I could rise above and answer. Yes, I am better than the week before. Yes, my fear does not control me. Yes, I dare to show the competition the back of my singlet. Never having been a spectator, I don’t know what non-runners see when we perform. I only see runners willing themselves beyond their physical boundaries, demanding that they yield. And, because I see battles in races and unimaginable strength in those willing to push their limits, I have built my life around doing what I love and doing everything I can to preserve it.

Despite my previous analysis about the psyche of a runner, I am first a student at Haverford College. Whether I want to be five seconds faster than last week, an All-American, or a shock to Division I runners that I dare to be better than, I can achieve none of this without being the kind of student Haverford demands of me. Haverford sets such high expectations and in answering these expectations, I again achieve victories, though they may not be as obvious as the ones on the track. If I can successfully write the best thesis of which I am capable, prove that I am well read in Africana existentialist philosophy, and understand the complexities of Black Nationalism, then I am victorious in the most essential part of this balancing act.

Though I write as if I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders, I am no Atlas. On my team alone, I find nothing but intelligent women who must organize their schedules, plan their time, and make choices—not sacrifices—all to participate in an activity that gives their life a certain amount of meaning. I can only reason that this is why my team of 40 goes to bed early, brings homework to meets, writes papers in advance, and participates in its own personal balancing act day in and day out. As for advice I can only say that if you truly love your sport and you respect your professors, then the burden you bear of having not enough hours in the day will be lessened. Choose classes that interest and challenge you, and do not be afraid to lean on your teammates to get you through the hard times. For me, these past 11 sporting seasons and seven semesters would have meant nothing without the other, and for that, I have learned how to keep my balance.

Trophy Time

It's the final weekend of competition for the 2006-07 Centennial Conference season with titles up for grabs in baseball, softball, men's lacrosse and men's and women's outdoor track and field.

Baseball
Two-time defending champion Franklin & Marshall welcomes the "final four" to Caplan Field after a pair of first-round games in Lancaster and Baltimore. The Diplomats face CC Pitcher of the Year Chris Liegel and his Gettysburg teammates this afternoon, while Johns Hopkins and CC Player of the Year Rob Sanzillo entertain Ursinus. The double-elimination tournament continues Saturday and Sunday at F&M.

Softball
There will be a new champion this spring, as defending titlist Haverford did not make the "final four." Ursinus plays host to Swarthmore, Gettysburg and Dickinson this weekend, looking for its fifth championship. The Bullets have two titles to their credit, while the Garnet and the Red Devils look to make program history this weekend.

Men's Lacrosse
The toughest Conference in Division III showcases its four best teams today in Gettysburg. The top-seeded Bullets take on No. 4 seed Haverford, looking to avenge their only regular-season CC loss in the last three seasons. Dickinson and Washington meet in the nightcap with the Shoremen looking to make it three in a row over the Devils in the CC semifinals at Musselman Stadium. The title game is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Track and Field
It's tough not to pick Haverford when you talk about the favorites to win the Centennial track title. The Ford men have won 13 consecutive CC championships, while the Haverford women won last year's outdoor title and this season's indoor crown. And the meet will be held at Haverford's Walton Field.