Knight of the Week: Danni Napoli

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Sophomore mathematics major Danni Napoli is a key figure within the Geneseo athletic community, as she represents the Knights on both the field hockey and softball fields. Napoli hopes to earn a SUNYAC title for both teams within the same year. (Jenna Harbus/Staff Photographer)

Being a student athlete in college is a commitment that requires a prominent level of time management and work ethic. Mixing a sport with the workload of a college student is a tall task, so one can only imagine what it must be like to add a second sport onto such a demanding schedule.

Sophomore outfielder Danni Napoli of Geneseo softball is one of the school’s few two-sport athletes. After winning a SUNYAC Championship with women’s field hockey in 2016, Napoli is leading the softball team in slugging percentage, runs batted in, doubles and walks. She is also batting .404 on the season, which is good for her second year on the team.

A native of Wading River, New York, Napoli played several sports growing up. She eventually settled on field hockey and softball while attending Riverhead High School. As a child, she said that sports were a huge part of her life, and she was inspired by her father and older brothers.

“I grew up with two older brothers and they both played sports. I always wanted to play with them. I would beg my dad to take me to my brothers’ baseball practices,” she said. “He always tells me this story that he left me home once and I cried the whole time, so he never left me home again.”

Napoli’s relationship with her brothers motivated her when it came to sports. Both college athletes, they taught her what it takes to be successful as an athlete.

“My brother Mike played baseball and had the best work ethic ever,” she said. “My other brother played football and still makes me come to the gym with him to this day.”

Along the way, Napoli learned the importance of taking things one day at a time, a trait that especially comes in handy as a two-sport athlete.

“I think it’s really important to take every single minute as its own and if something doesn’t go right, to bounce right back and do the best you can the next time without getting down on yourself,” she said.

Sports are not the only important thing, however, in Napoli’s life. Now a mathematics major, academics played a significant role in her decision to come to Geneseo.

“I knew for sure I wanted to major in math, so I wanted to go somewhere that had a good math program,” she said. “Then I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to play field hockey or softball, but Geneseo was a place that would let me have it all.”

After contacting both softball head coach David Sylvester and field hockey head coach Jess Seren to express her interest, Napoli was assured that she would have the opportunity to play both sports. While that opportunity is rewarding, it is not always easy to transition between seasons—when there is not enough time to attend all practices for both teams, according to Napoli.

With one SUNYAC title under her belt in field hockey, she is currently focused on winning another with softball. The team currently has a 14-6 record on the season, and Napoli believes that the team has the chemistry to accomplish that goal.

“I always say it would be the best year of my life if I could win two SUNYAC tournaments,” she said. “This is one of the best groups of people I’ve been around. We have great chemistry and then when the softball part comes in, it makes it that much better.”

Napoli hopes to become an actuary after graduation. She claims that she is often made fun of for not liking chocolate, and her favorite athletes are baseball players Mike Trout, Derek Jeter and Bryce Harper.

Napoli and the rest of the Geneseo softball team are set to travel for doubleheaders against SUNY New Paltz on Friday April 14 and SUNY Oneonta on Saturday April 15.

Men’s club lacrosse attracts new players

The Geneseo men’s club lacrosse team has started the year out strong. In their first three games, they have gone 2-1, with two of those victories coming from SUNY Fredonia. Their only loss was against St. Bonaventure University.

With a successful 2016 season and a good start to their spring season, junior accounting major Mel Ackley is content with where the team is at right now—especially since the team is still relatively new.

“We’re pretty happy with the 2-1 record,” Ackley said. “We’ve come a long way since we really picked up the team last fall.”

Formerly known as the Geneseo Lumberjacks, the club lacrosse team has recently changed their name to the Geneseo Land Sharks. The Land Sharks have been expanding their roster as the campus grows more aware of their league.    

“The interest level has really spiked … we’ve had a lot more guys being vocal about it,” Ackley said.  “Over the past year and a half we’ve seen a lot of growth, and it’s amazing to see.”

Though they may only be a club sport, the team is here to compete. With two hour practices two days a week, the men want to make sure that they have ample time to get everyone ready for the games. Despite students’ busy schedules, come game time, everyone is supporting each other. 

“We really do want to compete,” Ackley said. “Sometimes it is tough to get everyone to come out [for practice] because it’s a tough school—they’re busy. But a lot of the time we do have a good showing at practice, and when it comes to the games we’re all there supporting each other.”

The team has about 35 active members, including some who have never played lacrosse until this year—but that does not mean that they do not get playing time.  

“We do have guys that have never played before,” Ackley said. “We’ve got a couple guys that started about a year and a half ago when we first started, and they’ve been playing since then. They’ve really started to pick the game up.”  

The team has been fortunate enough to gain a few players from the varsity team who wanted a more relaxed lacrosse environment. The wide variety of skill level that makes up the Land Sharks results in a fun, yet competitive learning experience for the men.

Since the team is a club sport, they do not have a coach; rather, the team captains and more advanced players take initiative and act as the coaches. Even with the number of players on the team, the players are able to keep a good foundation, which is led by their team leaders and captains, according to Ackley.

Alongside the club’s president senior midfielder Pat Vullo, Ackley also described junior goaltender Connor O’Shell as a big part of the team’s success.  

“He’s a big leader out there,” Ackley said. “He’s very good and he knows the game really well, so we’re glad to have him.”

Looking forward this year, the team is trying to host a tournament on the Geneseo campus. Their aim is to gather 10 other teams from around the area to compete in the tournament, which would be an exciting experience for both new and seasoned players. The Land Sharks aspire to use this as a great opportunity to show off their hard work to their peers.

2017 Masters Tournament swings into spring

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Spain’s Sergio Garcia Fernandez celebrates his victory by holding up his Masters trophy at the green jacket ceremony after the tournament on Sunday April 9 in Augusta Georgia. Golf fans anticipate the spring season as it allows for the most skilled golfers to show why they are the best. (Sergio Garcia/AP Photo)

The long winter has come and passed. The grass is green and the azaleas are blooming. Spring is here and with it comes the first major golf tournament of the year and golf’s greatest tradition: the Masters Tournament. 

This tournament culminates every year after months of anticipation and suffering through chilly weather. For that reason, it is much more than a golf tournament—it is an opportunity to celebrate the game’s rich past and bright future. 

The weekend was off to a rickety start, given that for the first time in its 50-year history, the par 3 tournament at Augusta National was cancelled due to weather. This was, however, a small inconvenience compared to the glaring absence at this year’s Masters. 

This was the first time since 1954 that the tournament was played without the presence of Arnold Palmer given his death in 2016. Play is usually kicked off with a ceremonial tee shot from Palmer, as well as past champions Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. 

There was one less shot this year echoing off the Georgia pines on the first tee. Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne gave a heartfelt speech, as followed by a moment of silence for the “King.” 

The weather was the story of the first and second round on Thursday April 6 and Friday April 7, with high winds and cold temperatures causing some high scores. Charley Hoffman found a way to battle the elements and come away with a four-shot lead after Thursday April 6—the largest lead after the first round since 1955. 

Saturday April 8 and Sunday April 9 were different stories. The weather reports for the final two rounds were summed up by one word—perfect. The sun was shining, the flags laid still and it was the slice of heaven typical of the Augusta National that we all know and love. It was time for the players to golf, and by the final round on Sunday April 9, the leader board was star studded.

The final round ended with a tie between Spaniard Sergio García Fernández—who many consider the best active player never to win a major—and 2013 U.S. Open champion Englishman Justin Rose. 

This tie led to a sudden death one-hole playoff between the two. García striped his drive down the middle of the fairway and Rose hit his tee shot into the woods, forcing him to punch out to García’s feet. With a one-shot advantage on the hole, García hit yet another clutch approach shot to the green and knocked down his birdie putt to win the green jacket and his first Masters Tournament. 

The Masters is a tradition unlike any other. It is more than golf. To many players and fans alike, it is the favored tournament of the year. From the champions’ dinner to the pimento cheese sandwiches to the esteemed green jackets, it transcends golf. 

It is not simply a welcome to the golf season. It is a welcome to spring and a celebration of a beautiful game.

Women’s lacrosse teamwork helps strengthen season

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Senior forward Kathleen Depillo leads her team in a drill during the women’s practice. The Knights had a successful game against Buffalo State College, beating them 12-11, and they look to maintain this momentum during their upcoming game against SUNY Cortland on Saturday April 15. (Ash Dean/Photo Editor)

Women’s lacrosse returned from their weekend road trip, once again with one win and one loss. 

The Knights lost to No. 12 Ithaca College on Friday April 7. Even with a final score of 8-4, the Knights played well against a difficult team. At the half, the statistics and the score were even. Ultimately, the Knights could not overtake Ithaca, but they were happy with their efforts.

This translated into a successful game at SUNY New Paltz on Saturday April 8, where Geneseo earned a well-deserved 16-5 victory. Although the team has had a bit of trouble keeping a consistent winning streak, it seems that momentum has shifted in their favor due to their experiences on the field and their challenging work. 

The positive momentum was seen in the Knight’s latest game. They defeated Buffalo State University 12-11 on Tuesday April 11 on their home field. The team played a strong game and their efforts paid off. This young team and they are starting to find their way around the field playing together. This bodes well for the upcoming games this season.

“They are fighters and want to win—they understand that we haven’t been playing to our potential on a consistent basis and want more for each other and themselves,” head coach Carly Ritchlin said in an email interview. “We have been working hard, we are focused and we will continue to push each other to be the best we can be.” 

This “all in” attitude is evident in the level of rigor that the team brings both to practice and to games. Putting in 100 percent of effort every time the athletes step on the field is part of that unique definition of Geneseo women’s lacrosse and the lofty standards they hold themselves to. 

The team is also special in that they really try to bond off the field as well, which helps their performance.

“We have team dinners before games all the time and I feel like I get to know my teammates so much more,” junior captain midfielder Karen Boronczyk said. “We are a family and I feel blessed to be a part of it.” 

Boronczyk also gave insight into what Geneseo women’s lacrosse means to her and the culture that she is a part of. 

“Geneseo women’s lacrosse means I get to be a part of something that is so much bigger than myself. I get to work with amazing athletes and coaches who all share the same goal of going to NCAAs,” Boronczyk said. “It’s an opportunity for me to pursue something I’m passionate about with my closest friends.”

Looking ahead, the team knows that each game is important, especially because they will only be playing conference rivals for the rest of the season. Every game becomes a “must-win” situation. 

“We are going to work really hard to prepare ourselves both mentally and physically,” Ritchlin said. “We are a very strong and talented team that understands the fact that we need to earn every single win. We need to out-work, out play, out-smart every team that meets us on the field.”

This commitment was matched by Boronczyk. 

“All in all, we’ve had up’s and down’s, but we work through them together and in the end, we continuously improve our game,” she said. “We always work to get better, every day.”

The team plays on Saturday April 15 at SUNY Cortland and then returns for a home game Tuesday April 18 against SUNY Oswego.

Track collects titles at Nazareth College

Sophomore distance runner Lorenzo Mazzuca leaps over the steeple chase as he looks for a first place finish. The Knights hope to earn more titles and break more records at their upcoming invitational at Bucknell University. (Ash Dean/Photo Editor)

The Geneseo men’s and women’s track and field teams produced another successful weekend at the Nazareth ROC City Classic on Sunday April 9. Both squads took home a combined five first place finishes, while simultaneously clinching several program records.

“The team is feeling good,” head coach Christopher Popovici said. “We had a lot of season bests, lifetime bests and even program bests across many events. It gives the team a nice moral boast knowing that we’re heading in the right direction.”

The men’s team captured first place in the 5,000-meter steeple chase thanks to the effort of freshman distance runner Jack Tate, who had a time of 15:38.30. Freshman pole-vaulter Terry Taylor III also put up a tremendous performance, tying the program record in the pole vault with a 4.56-meter mark, despite his fourth place finish.

The women’s squad finished with four first place finishes, which included senior runner Mackenzie Ross in the 800-meter run, senior runner Ashley Peppriell in the 5,000-meter run, senior jumper and sprinter Alexa Wandy in the long jump and the 4x400-meter sprint relay team of Wandy, Ross, junior jumper Camille Wutz, and junior sprinter Lauren Bamford.

In addition, Wandy set a SUNYAC and program record with a 5.99-meter mark in the long jump. 

Also of note were sophomore pole-vaulter Laura Piazza, who set a program record in the pole vault with a 3.30-meter mark, as well as Wandy and Wutz; Wandy and Wutz set the second and third fastest 100-meter sprint times with a 12.39-second finish and a 12.40-second finish, respectively.

Despite the increasing success of the season, the entire team’s eyes are locked on the weekend ahead, where they will participate on Friday April 14 and Saturday April 15 in the Bucknell Bison Classic.

“This upcoming weekend brings us to Bucknell University,” Popovici said. “It is a larger and longer meet by design because certain events are better run in cooler conditions at night and some are better in the middle of the day when it’s nice and hot out. We’ve gone to this meet for over a decade now and Friday night traditionally yields many of our distance performances that make nationals for the season.”

While the Knights look to place as many athletes into nationals as possible, the meet also is a terrific opportunity for younger classmen to leave an impression.

“I’m excited for Bucknell,” sophomore hurdler Austin Cutler said. “The closest thing I’ve participated in for indoor was Boston and this is three times the size of that. It’s good to change who you compete against, especially those who are better than you because it often is how you get better results. It’s a great opportunity to be able to compete against other athletes of this scale because it has a tendency to make me want to contribute even more to our team.”

Many colleges and universities will attend the Bucknell meet—and many of them will be at the Division I and Division II level. 

“Because the sport is more individual based, you can have these kinds of matchups between divisions,” Popovici said. “It motivates a strong DIII team like ours to perform better, and because of this I believe we’re able to put more athletes in nationals every year than some of the other teams.”

Men’s lacrosse falls to Cortland at home

Sophomore defender Jack Crowley fights to maintain possession against the SUNY Cortland forwards during their game on Wednesday April 12. The men fell to Cortland 12-8 on their home turf, but hope to be successful during their next game against SUNY Potsdam. (Ash Dean/Photo Editor)

SUNYAC competition has finally begun for Geneseo men’s lacrosse. The Knights had a great start on Saturday April 8, beating SUNY Oswego on the road in overtime 8-7. They then took a loss 12-8 at home to defending SUNYAC champions SUNY Cortland on Wednesday April 12.

Junior forward Alex Leuze was the overtime hero against Oswego, scoring the game-winner with 1:29 left. Leuze finished with three goals in the game—his highest scoring game as a Knight. Head coach Nick Fiorentino confirmed that the game was as close as it looks on paper, but that a late timeout just before the winning goal was crucial in pushing them over the edge.

“It took all 60 minutes and a little extra,” he said. “We were able to get the ball on the ground defensively and get it to the other side of the field to call timeout. What we talked about and what we thought would happen happened and the guys took advantage of it.”

With just five conference games that decide who advances to the SUNYAC Tournament, every game has the potential to either make or break a team’s hopes of the playoffs. The Knights are currently in a four-year playoff drought, but a win like Saturday April 12’s can set them on the right track.

“You play a team once and that’s it,” Fiorentino said. “You have to get on top of those victories because once you get two or three games in, you know what place you’re fighting for. You don’t want to be the guys on the outside looking in.”

Sophomore forward Zachary DeBottis said the players understand the weight of these games as well.

“It’s the biggest part of the season,” he said. “Every game you just have to grind it out because every team wants to beat every team in this conference.”

Having to go up against a 9-1 Cortland team a few days later, a loss to Oswego could have put the Knights in a hole that would have been difficult to climb out of. Even with the win under their belt, the men saw room for improvement leading up to the game on Wednesday April 12.

“Anytime you play a quality opponent, you’re going to find a lot of things you have to do better, and that was the case on Saturday,” Fiorentino said.

When asked how he was preparing the team for a tough game against Cortland, Fiorentino relied on a mantra he has trusted throughout the season: worrying only about what they can control.

“We can control our effort and our attitude,” he said. “Everything we do is about what we can control, so we’re going to be high energy and be thorough in our preparation.”

Ultimately, the Knights came up short, suffering a 12-8 setback to the 24-time SUNYAC Champions the Red Dragons.

With 17 goals and 11 assists totaling a team-high 28 points, DeBottis is gaining a reputation as an offensive leader for Geneseo. Pleased with the success he’s having thus far this season, he credits the new system Fiorentino has brought in in his first season as head coach.

“Coach [Fiorentino] puts me in a lot of good spaces to either get shots or set up shots for my teammates,” DeBottis said. “His system works well with the guys we have. He wants to play to all of our strengths rather than put in a universal system that might not work for everyone.”

By following up a solid freshman season with the impressive stat line he is putting together this spring season, it is clear that DeBottis has a bright future with the Knights.

Geneseo men’s lacrosse are 7-3 on the season and will fight for their second conference win on the road, facing SUNY Potsdam on Saturday April 15 at 1 p.m.

Softball takes advantage of nice weather

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Sophomore catcher Anna Merante steps up to bat at a home game.  The women have maintained an impressive 11-3 record, and they hope to add more victories this upcoming weekend against SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Plattsburgh. (Ash Dean/Photo Editor)

Spring is officially here. The sun was out, base path drawn and softballs flying at Vic Raschi Field in Geneseo on Sunday April 2, as the Knights hosted the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles, coming out victorious.  

In the doubleheader, the Knights were finally able to play their first home game after multiple events were postponed due to inclement weather. Since conditions aren’t favorable for softball until mid-April in this area, many teams including Geneseo are forced to play doubleheaders to make up for the lack of games. 

Not being able to practice on an actual field certainly has its disadvantages, but senior infielder Abby Dennett said that the team has been able to cope with the situation. 

“We practice six out of seven days in a week, with an off day on Sunday. We start our formal practices in mid-January each year and we are typically found practicing inside the gym on campus for the first month or two,” Dennett said in an email interview.  

When it comes to softball, the qualities of strength, agility and accuracy are important for success—and all three of those things do not require a field.

Another disadvantage the Knights have seemed to overcome was the loss of several upperclassmen. As a matter of fact, there are only seven returning juniors and seniors, leaving Geneseo with a very young team. 

The age difference can sometimes be an issue with teams, but the women have managed to find a special balance and chemistry. 

“At this point in the season, our team chemistry feels really special,” Dennett said. “We all love coming to practice each day to work together and a lot of nights we hang out with each other outside of practice and games.”     

With all those struggles averted, the Knights moved into conference play against the Golden Eagles and came out successful. In game one of two, sophomore pitcher Taylor Moore pitched a shutout, giving up only three hits to the Brockport offense. Sophomore outfielder Danni Napoli hit a solo homerun and senior outfielder Alyssa Presutti knocked in a RBI in Geneseo’s 2-0 victory over Brockport. 

Game two of the doubleheader was a little more intense for Geneseo fans, however, as the Knights trailed by two going into the fifth. With only three innings left to make a move, the Knights tied the ballgame on Napoli’s sacrifice RBI and a sophomore catcher Anna Merante homerun in the fifth. 

Geneseo was able to keep the game tied into the seventh. Freshman outfielder Abbey Whitney was called to pinch hit in the bottom of the seventh and became the hero of the night, singling in Napoli for a Knights walk-off win.

The women added another two victories to their record after defeating Nazareth College in a doubleheader on Wednesday April 5.

Despite having a few obstacles during pre-season, the women have begun to come together and prove that Geneseo has a strong softball program, too. Dennett summed up their dynamic perfectly by stating, “Combining the younger player’s drive and eagerness with the older player’s experience and wisdom has made a really special dynamic on our team.”

Knight of the Week: Drew Madarasz

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Senior communication major Drew Madarasz is a key asset to the Geneseo men’s lacrosse team, as he is a figure for the underclassmen to look up to. After graduation, Madarasz plans to use the skills he has learned at Geneseo in the digital marketing field. (Annie Renaud/News Editor)

Geneseo men’s lacrosse’s defensive midfielder Drew Madarasz began playing lacrosse in first grade in Smithtown, New York. He is the third sibling in his family to attend Geneseo as well as the second to play a sport at the college. 

“My brother played soccer here and really enjoyed playing a sport at Geneseo,” Madarasz said. “My sister also had a very positive experience, so when it came time to pick a college, I honestly always felt like I was going to come here.”  

Madarasz originally picked up lacrosse because many of his family members and friends also played the sport. Madarasz’s family-friend headed the lacrosse youth program in Smithtown, and they taught him everything he knows about the game, according to Madarasz. 

In addition to playing lacrosse, Madarasz also played soccer and various other sports growing up, each for a season or two. Madarasz decided to focus primarily on lacrosse and soccer, however, due to the significant amount of time required to play both sports year-round on travel and school teams. 

While playing on Geneseo’s lacrosse team, Madarasz explained that he has thoroughly enjoyed forming relationships with the other players and that the team is close. 

“All the kids that I play with are some of the best kids I have ever met. Honestly, it’s a very tight-knit group,” Madarasz said. “We’re all one big family and everyone gets along really well, and I can’t even imagine my experience at Geneseo without being on the lacrosse team.”

Madarasz is currently studying communication and when he graduates he hopes to work in digital marketing in either New York City or on Long Island. 

During his time at Geneseo, Madarasz has already obtained experience in the marketing field by running the lacrosse team’s social media, Max’s Ink Tattoos & Piercing’s social media as well as participating in the Adopt-A-Business program throughout his junior year. In this program, Geneseo and local businesses in Livingston County partner students with a business based own the students’ credentials and interests. These students work to improve the businesses’ presence on social media and overall marketing techniques. 

Madarasz worked with Livingston Lanes and Pub and ran their Instagram account in addition to hosting a fundraiser for Matthew Hutchinson ‘16 and Kelsey Annese ‘16 after their deaths. 

When Madarasz is not attending practices five days a week or studying, he enjoys watching sports in his free time, primarily basketball and lacrosse. 

Madarasz is proud of the collective leadership the lacrosse team has established among the senior class after the team has become more focused and committed to the winning process with the hiring of a new coach.

“The senior class is a collective leader within itself. Everyone adopted the role as leaders on the team, especially with the new coach,” Madarasz said. “One of his biggest things this year was having the seniors change the culture of previous years with our old coach. So basically, he just relied on us to issue a new culture for our program and change it all together.”

Madarasz hopes that the foundation this year’s team has set will serve as a model for future Geneseo lacrosse teams. 

“The coach always says that our legacy will be the success of the team five, 10 or 15 years from now,” Madarasz said. “He said all the success for future teams will go back on our shoulders because we’re the ones that were able to make the change to the culture.”

Women’s lacrosse struggles for victory

Despite a powerful second half rally, Geneseo women’s lacrosse was unable to come up with a win in their first conference game against SUNY Oneonta on Saturday April 1. 

The final score was 12-9, with Oneonta taking an early lead in conference play. Their most recent game on Tuesday April 4 against SUNY Brockport ended in a 14-4 loss for the Knights. 

Both losses came on the road, but the team is committed to the mentality that the results are not always indicative of the actual play. Strong outings do not necessarily equal wins and the team has discovered that this season. Considering there is still a lot of the season left to play, the women’s lacrosse team can still use what they are learning on the field to improve their season’s record. 

“We had a really strong second half [against Oneonta]. We just ran out of time and didn’t control the ball as much as we would have liked to,” head coach Carly Ritchlin said.  

Ritchlin, however, was happy with the team’s efforts.

“We are headed a step in the right direction because they played really hard and didn’t give up for one second,” Ritchlin said.  

This battling through entire games attitude is a standard for Geneseo women’s lacrosse. 

One of the team’s biggest aims for the season was to score more goals, and they have accomplished this. In eight games, the Knights have scored 73 goals. There are many players who have been able to score so far and are doing so consistently. 

“We’re connecting on offense and our biggest strength right now is that we have multiple threats,” Ritchlin said. 

This forces opponents to spread their defenders instead of keeping a few key players at bay for a game and being successful. This is another positive note for the Knights because team morale improves when many players are performing well. 

Every player is in a position to score and every player is in a position to help, which reinforces the concept of family and teamwork that has been instilled in the women’s lacrosse program at Geneseo. 

Even with some less desirable end results, Ritchlin is still proud of the team’s attitude and composure. 

“The team is continually committed to working to get stronger,” Ritchlin said. “Every day we step on the field, they are pushing themselves and they are pushing each other.” 

The team’s main focus right now is to work on correcting and improving the small things in a game in the hopes that making proper adjustments now will pay off later. 

In preparation for each game, while the team must change their approach depending on the strategies of the opponent, their strategy is always on sharpening their foundational skill and strategy.     

The team has to excel at playing their game and perfecting their approach before they can use the scouting reports and other research to change for the other team. The identity of Geneseo lacrosse is essential for the success of the program and is a top priority for both Ritchlin and the athletes. 

The Knights will face Ithaca College on Friday April 7 and SUNY New Paltz on Saturday April 8.

WrestleMania serves as top entertainment

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The Undertaker looks at the crowd after entering the ring for his last WrestleMania match on Sunday April 2. The performance that World Wrestling Entertainment athletes put on kept their fans on edge, as they not only provided wrestling matches, but also John Cena’s proposal to Nikki Bella. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP Photo)

Every year, World Wrestling Entertainment puts on their biggest show—WrestleMania. This year, the company’s event was held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The event offers big surprises as superstars battle it out for main event belts. 

This event always attracts excited fans. The remarkable thing about WrestleMania is that it is, first and foremost, put on for entertainment. There are characters, high flying stunts, and WWE seems to always know exactly what the fans want. Wrestling, however, is changing and with it the characters that fit. 

Perhaps the most notable part of the entire event was the retirement of WWE superstar, The Undertaker. In the final match on the card, The Deadman faced Roman Reigns in a 23-minute bout. Reigns was eventually able to pin The Undertaker to become victorious. The Undertaker, then, removed his gloves, hat and jacket and placed them in the center of the ring to a standing ovation, signifying his retirement. 

As was stated before, the wrestling of years and decades past is different than the wrestling of today. The Undertaker played an undead mortician whose tolerance for pain won him countless matches. The fans of years ago loved this supernatural aspect of the sport. In today’s wrestling world, he simply does not fit. 

This is not to say that WrestleMania is an event that sees all new-aged superstars. One of the biggest crowd reactions came from the surprise appearance of the legendary tag team duo the Hardy Boyz. The two siblings were able to take the tag team title and take home the belt. 

Another huge highlight of the night was the engagement of star John Cena to fellow wrestler Nikki Bella. After their win against the Miz and Maryse, he got on one knee and asked Nikki to marry him, to that her answer was, of course, yes. 

Yes, wrestling is fake. Yes, it is staged and yes, producers seem to know who will win. For many, they can’t get past that aspect of it. For others, however, they have no problem seeing the beauty of it. 

These people are pure entertainers and no doubt athletic. They jump from 20 feet in the air, do flips and break tables. That is by no means a small feat. It is fun to watch. 

So, while it is fake, the entertainment is real. These wrestlers take on these personas for the fans. They risk their bodies for the fans, which isn’t something that can be said for other athletes. 

WrestleMania is the epitome of this kind of entertainment. In a world of sports that can often be frustrating and disappointing, the WWE always seems to deliver. There are no rules. There are super characters. They seem to always listen to their fans. They give the people what they want, and that is far more than can be said for other sports organizations. 

So, who cares that it’s not real? WrestleMania is entertainment first and foremost.

Men’s lacrosse adapts well to new coach

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Senior mid-fielder Eric Lengenhausen looks for an open teammate to pass the ball. The Knights have had a promising season thus far, maintaining a 6-2 record, a momentum which they hope to keep for the remainder of the games. (Ash Dean/Photo Editor)

Geneseo men’s lacrosse is set to begin conference play on Saturday April 8 on the road at SUNY Oswego after finishing their non-conference schedule. The Knights recorded a resounding 22-2 victory over Elmira College on Saturday April 1 and a 8-4 win against Scranton University on Wednesday April 5.

The dominant performance against Elmira saw eight different Knights with a multi-goal game. Sophomore forward Zachary DeBottis and senior forward Tim Wright led the offense with three goals each. First-year head coach Nick Fiorentino was pleased with the effort on both sides of the ball.

“It was definitely our best offensive performance so far,” he said. “I think on the defensive side, too, they’re communicating well and pressuring the ball.”

Moving ahead of the Knights’ winning game against Scranton, Fiorentino emphasized the importance of the contest as their final chance to compete before beginning conference play.

“Scranton is a very well-coached team,” he said. “We’re going to be able to really see where we’re at, and it’s an exciting opportunity for us.”

In their first season under Fiorentino, the Knights enter SUNYAC competition with a 6-2 record. They have already surpassed their final win totals of five from each of the past four seasons. The Knights will now have to finish in the top four in the SUNYACs in order to advance to the playoffs—something they have not done since 2012.

Fiorentino has approached his coaching all season as a learning experience for both himself and the team; they adjust throughout the season, as each game teaches them more about themselves and what they need to do in order to remain successful.

“I think after some games, through two losses against very well-coached teams, we were able to identify some things we need to work on,” he said.

A winning record heading into conference play has not always proved to be a promise of success for the program. During the 2016 season, the Knights went 4-3 against non-conference opponents, but won just one more game over the rest of the season to finish 1-5 in the SUNYAC; they missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

One thing that the team has shown this year, however, is an ability to bounce back from a loss. Two of their highest scoring games this season both came after losses, which Fiorentino said could be a testament to how they reflect on themselves.

“Great teams are always going to look at themselves in the mirror and ask what they can do to better themselves,” he said. “That’s one of the things that happens right away after those losses—it is to put down a plan of what we have to do to be better.”

The players have responded well to his new system, as shown in the team’s results. Fiorentino is confident in the team’s ability to be ready to adjust as the season goes on.

“They’re extremely coachable and we throw a lot at them every day,” he said. “A lot of the time we’re in one place one week, and then we’re going at it from a different direction the next week, so it’s something where they have to be on their toes every day.”

With goals set on the SUNYAC Tournament and beyond, Fiorentino said the key to success is worrying about what they can control.

“Priority number one is our effort and attitude—we can control that,” he said. “What follows that is our execution. Our flow to our offense, communication to our defense and organization at both ends is critical for our success. If we can do that, I like our chances against anyone.”

The Knights will face off against their first SUNYAC opponent SUNY Oswego on Saturday April 8 at 12 p.m.

USA women’s hockey wins in battle for equality

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United States forwards Gigi Marvin and Meghan Duggan celebrate teammate forward Hannah Brandt’s goal during the third period of an International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship game, in which the women took a 5-3 victory over Finland on Monday April 3. The women feel more stability playing the game they love, as they have recently obtained greater pay equality. (Carlos Osorio/AP Photo)

Last week, on Thursday March 30, the United States women’s hockey team recorded a historic win: increased pay and support from the country’s governing body of the sport, USA Hockey. 

This contract agreement reached its conclusion after a 15-month campaign and the threat of boycotting the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships. 

“Today reflects everyone coming together and compromising in order to reach a resolution for the betterment of the sport,” USA Hockey President Jim Smith said. “We’ll look back on this day as one of the most positive in the history of USA Hockey.”  

Under this new four-year contract, the U.S. team will be compensated approximately $70,000 per player, and that figure has the potential to increase pending success on the ice. 

In addition to the raise, this agreement also will provide more funding and support for women and girl’s hockey programs across the country. This will be achieved with the establishment of an advisory committee made up of former players, staff leaders and volunteers. 

“We are asking for a living wage and for USA Hockey to fully support its programs for women and girls and stop treating us like an afterthought,” USA captain and forward Meghan Duggan said.  

This call for equal treatment brings up broader concerns of gender equality, especially in professional sports. Due to physicality and the nature of our culture’s socialization patterns, professional sports are a male dominated field. 

“We have represented our country with dignity and deserve to be treated with fairness and respect,” Duggan said.  

Female athletes have begun speaking out, condemning the practices of institutions that do not devote enough time, coverage and resources to all-woman sports programs. This affects more than just the pro-athletes; girls and young women are much more likely to quit playing sports at the collegiate and even the high school level. 

Many attribute this to the social implications that are associated with the “ideal” woman as being one without much muscle mass or physical strength. Not recognizing the traits of successful female athletes and giving national attention to their performances leads advocates to see the pro-sports world as perpetuating these cultural stereotypes. 

It is not only women who believe in this cause. The men’s national team also reported that they would boycott the world championship games as well. Even though a resolution was reached before they played, having the men stand in support of the women showed unity. 

The players’ associations for multiple sports additionally voiced their support for the women since March 15.

The pay inequality between men and women in professional sports is not solely based on gender. Men’s sports are more popular and bring in more revenue. Their tickets and merchandise sell more and the games are well publicized. 

It is not shocking that the women demanded more than just monetary compensation; it is the hope that the advisory committee will give more attention to women’s hockey programs not only at the professional level. 

By advocating for women in sports, attendance and public interest should increase; thus, the gap between men and women’s sports will slowly get smaller. The goal to become a professional athlete in a sport you are passionate about should be available for every young player—male or female.

Women’s basketball earns “Together We R” award

It was a record-breaking season for the Geneseo women’s basketball program, and it was recently capped off with a much-deserved team award.  

The team was honored with the “Together We R” award, given out by Russell Athletic and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. The award is given out to a team that overcomes unforeseen barriers during the current season and finishes the year with accomplishments that exceed expectations.  

The team must exemplify strong commitment to core values of togetherness, courage, unparalleled work ethic and heart, and must personify the “Together We R” belief that teams are stronger than individuals.  

“The determination and perseverance the players, coaches and families showed is a perfect demonstration of what we can endure when working together as a team,” said Russell Athletic Vice President of Marketing Matt Murphy.  

The “Together We R” award is a national honor—any team in any division is eligible to receive it. The Knights share the honor with the Northwestern University’s women’s basketball program. This is the second time in just 11 months that the Geneseo women’s basketball program has received this award.  

“Everyone associated with these programs came together to ensure they had the support needed to continue,” Murphy said. “Russell Athletic is proud to recognize SUNY Geneseo and Northwestern University with the ‘Together We R Award.’”

In terms of wins, the program saw its best season in school history. The Knights finished 25-0 in the regular season and earned a No. 1 seed in the SUNYAC Tournament.  

The girls went on to lose a hard-fought battle in the SUNYAC championship game to SUNY New Paltz, 58-57.

The Knights bounced back in the NCAA Tournament, beating Muhlenberg College in the first round, 65-53, and then beating the University of Rochester in the second round, 78-72. The Knights reached their second sweet 16 berth in three years before falling to Ohio Northern University, 72-55.

The women earned their highest national ranking in 20 years at the end of the year. The Knights were selected 13 in the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association NCAA Division III Top 25 and 14 in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll.

Their previous best was in the 1994-95 season when they finished 15 in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and 16 in the D3hoops.com Top 25.  

Head coach Scott Hemer, who just finished his 10th season as the Knights’ head coach, led the Knights. The two-time SUNYAC coach of the year was also named the Rochester Area Coach of the Year. 

“Scott Hemer and Joe McKeown [Northwestern’s head coach] have demonstrated exemplary leadership … Scott and Joe’s commitment to their student-athletes and their families are a testament to the power of their calling as coaches,” WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew said.

On top of that, senior guards Kara Houppert and Katie Durand earned first-team selections on the Rochester Chapter of the United States Basketball Writers’ Association Division II and III teams. Houppert was also selected as a D3hoops.com All-Region second teamer.  

The Knights hope to keep the momentum going as they look to next year and strive for another great season.

Geneseo hosts track & field invitational

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Freshman multi-event athlete Alexa LaPierre represents the Geneseo Knights in the 100-meter hurdles at the Geneseo invitational. The home meet put Geneseo at an advantage as they had friends and family on campus to cheer them on. (Ash Dean/Photo Editor)

Geneseo put on an impressive performance on Sunday April 2 for their first home meet of the season for both the men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams. 

“As a whole, we did very well at the meet,” head coach Chris Popovici said. “Eighteen colleges were in attendance and we thought it was a great way to start the season off against that large of a competitive field. To win an early invitational is not always the goal, but when athletes succeed in taking first, it’s a good indication to us that we’re heading in the right direction.” 

While the meet did not feature some of the upperclassmen from both squads due to the short gap in between indoor nationals and the beginning of the outdoor season, the day was a chance for the underclassmen to shine.

For the men, sophomore runner Lorenzo Mazzuca took first place in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:47.71. Sophomore hurdler Austin Cutler also grabbed himself a 1st place personal best of 15.78 seconds in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, while right behind him in 3rd was freshman hurdler Jacob Converse with a time of 15.96 seconds. 

“That was a great race for both of our underclassmen hurdlers,” Popovici said. “For Converse, it was his first college hurdle race at that height against strong competition, and we thought it was a great way for him to debut at this level. For Cutler, he’s our school record holder from indoor. He handled eight hurdles well and almost fell on the ninth, but was still able to salvage a personal best, which is encouraging to see this early in the season because to us it means that he’s clicking on all cylinders.”

The women’s squad found even more success at the home meet, and took 1st in a total of eight separate events: the 4x100-meter relay, the 100-meter dash, 3000-meter steeplechase, the 100-meter hurdles, the 1500-meter run, the long jump, the 4x400-meter relay and the triple jump. 

Junior jumper Camille Wutz led the Knights at the meet with three 1st place finishes including a 5.6l-meter long jump, a 12.67 second 100-meter dash and as a member of the 4x100-meter relay team, alongside senior jumper Alexa Wandy, sophomore hurdler Erin MacDougall and freshman jumper Lauryn Krupa to finish with a 49.28.

Also of note is the 12.72-meter triple jump poster by Wandy that has already qualified her for nationals given it stands currently at number one in the nation, according to Popovici. The reigning NCAA Indoor Track & Field triple jump national champion will look to continue her dominance in the meet to come.

Despite the absence of several upperclassmen, Popovici remarked that it was a promising sign for the future of the program with a tremendous degree of young talent.

“When we look at those seniors that are doing so well and look at their path and progression, we have a lot of underclassmen that are already meeting and ahead of those types of marks,” Popovici said. “You never know who will suddenly jump to the next level.”

NFL draft has fans excited for season

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Defensive end Haason Reddick of Temple University goes through a drill during the National Football League football Scouting Combine, held in Indianapolis. Many other players demonstrated their skills at this combine with the hopes of getting the attention of NFL coaches. (Michael Conroy/AP Photo)

It has been more than a month since the New England Patriots captured their sixth Super Bowl Championship in Houston. Overcoming a 28-3 deficit at halftime to the Atlanta Falcons, quarterback Tom Brady and company came up victorious in overtime with a score of 34-28. This comeback has garnered historic fame as one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history, let alone the Super Bowl. 

As the New England fans clamored with the feeling of victory for a record-sixth time, the National Football League fans of the 31 other franchises could barely hold the anticipation for what the 2017-18 season would bring for their beloved teams. Even though the NFL calendar did not begin until March 9, scouts, general managers and coaches all gathered in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium for the NFL Scouting Combine starting Feb. 28. 

This event marked the beginning of the draft process for those college football athletes who declared eligibility for April’s draft. 

Prospects from all skill positions competed in various drills to test their skills in certain football situations. Many athletes participated in the bench press, 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and on-the-field workouts. For each position group, the workouts varied. For example, the running back prospects would catch passes, while the offensive linemen would focus on their footwork and moving laterally. 

To begin this event, the linemen and running backs performed on March 3, the quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends on March 4, linebackers and defensive linemen on March 5 and the safeties and cornerbacks on March 6. Through every drill and workout, the players tried to raise his draft stock and prove to a potential NFL franchise that he is worth the selection. 

 Not only did the prospects display their football ability, but at the end interviews were conducted to get to know the players’ background and the people they grew up with. Some coaches even tried to interview their little-league coaches about what they were like as kids. 

After the combine concluded, there were still questions surrounding the prospects and the franchises searching for talent. The Cleveland Browns have the No. 1 overall pick and the No. 12 pick in the first round—but it is still unclear what their plans are. 

Myles Garrett, one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class, did not disappoint at the combine. He showed power, speed and quickness throughout every drill. Even though it has been said the Browns will take him with the first pick overall, head coach Hugh Jackson has not ruled out selecting a quarterback. 

With the onset of a new NFL year, free agency began on March 9 at 4 p.m. Usually, several teams try to sign veterans who can fill glaring holes on their rosters. The implications of this period would give potential first round picks hope and despair if a team that was interested had signed another player to compete at their position. This would ultimately determine if a highly sought after athlete would be taken in the first round, or slide into the later rounds. 

Teams may look to sure up a certain position if the individual they signed is older. With the recent onslaught of pro days and individual workouts, players can show the scouts and coaches first-hand how talented they are in a more intimate setting. 

Consequently, this provided teams with a chance to see an athlete perform in his home field. Additionally, players not only received a comprehensive description of how they would fit in with the teams that they have an interest in, but the prospect also could attempt to correct any drill that he performed poorly at the combine. 

Through this individual workout, the player’s stock will skyrocket with the comforts of home.

Knight of the Week: Nancy Nasky

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Sophomore free style swimmer Nancy Nasky has proven her worth to the Geneseo Blue Wave as she continues to dominate in the pool and break records. Nasky was influenced by her brother to come to Geneseo and she looks to have a future in accounting. (Alicia Roth/Staff Photographer)

Varsity distance free-style swimmer Nancy Nasky is a sophomore accounting major here at Geneseo who has been hitting the pools competitively since just before she began seventh grade in her hometown of Brighton, NY. 

She originally began to swim because her mom wanted her to pick something to stick with. Nasky dropped dance to follow in her brother’s wake as a swimmer. 

Nasky was influenced by her brother John to come to Geneseo because she saw how well he thrived as a Knight and how much he enjoyed the school. Nasky already knew the coach she would train under, so she could prepare for his style and methods.  

“It was the path I saw myself going on,” she said.  

As a member of the Blue Wave, Nasky has made a name for herself, as she holds personal and official records. This includes a Division III time of 5:00 for the 300-meter freestyle and the 1650-yard freestyle at 17:04. These times are records in the SUNYAC conference and awarded her ninth place at nationals, giving her the coveted status as an All-American athlete.

Nasky sees her teammates as more than just co-athletes when thinking about her experience at Geneseo. The teammates are her family, according to Nasky. 

“They have taught me so much, like time management, goal orientation, determination, compassion and communication,” Nasky said.  

The other swimmers create a support system and experience for her that is indescribable, according to Nasky—and it’s a good thing that she likes the people who she swims with, considering she is in practice every day for four-five hours. 

Coupled with her dedication to her academic studies here, there is not much time left to do anything else. When she does have spare time, however, Nasky is involved with the Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership Development program and will soon achieve the silver status.

After graduation, she wants to go on to get her master’s degree in business administration or accounting and is looking to attend either the program at Geneseo or the one at the Rochester Institute of Technology. 

Juggling a varsity sport with its time commitments and the academic schedule of a student here at Geneseo can be a bit stressful at times. Nasky, however, would not trade it for anything and she strongly suggests it to those who don’t know what it’s like. 

Nasky is the definition of a dedicated and hardworking athlete who puts in 110 percent every time she is asked to jump in the pool. With two years left as a Geneseo Knight, Nasky looks to improve her techniques and to evolve into being the best swimmer that she can be.

Sports medicine deserves more recognition

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Carolina Hurricanes goalie Eddie Lack is treated on the ice for an injury during a game against the Detroit Red Wings in Raleigh, North Carolina on Monday March 27. A trainer or sports doctor must be readily available at all times for their athletes, especially during a competitive game. (Gerry Broome/AP Photo)

When someone answers the question, “What do you want to do with your biology major?” with “I want to go into sports medicine,” people tend to make assumptions about the field and write it off. 

It will most likely not be a sports doctor that cures cancer. It will not be a team doctor that discovers how to regenerate a heart from a spinach leaf, or how to transplant a human head. In many ways, however, the job of sports doctors is far more difficult. The world of sports changes every day and doctors need to be able to change with it. 

The world of sports, especially professional sports, is drastically different than what it looked like 10, 15 or 20 years ago. Players are bigger, faster and stronger. Equipment has changed and, with it, the whole game. 

Let us look at the game of hockey, as the changes in the past decade have been significantly notable. In the 1970s-80s, shoulder pads worn by hockey players were small, thin garments with little plastic to help protect the player wearing them. Throwing a body check in that era meant physical punishment for both sides, so players tended to shy away from big body checks thrown at full speed. 

Today, shoulder pads are large, tight fitting and sturdy. Players hardly feel these big impacts on their shoulders, thanks to the design. These shoulder pads turn the player that is wearing them—moving at 30 miles per hour—into a weapon. 

Sports doctors today are seeing impacts that resemble that of the force of a brutal car accident. Slow motion technology shows that targeted impacts in contact sports like football and hockey resemble crash test dummies in Subaru commercials. Sports medicine no longer means taping up knees and setting broken fingers. It now must encompass things like the treatment of serious head injuries and ligament repair and transportation. 

Advancements in the sports medicine field have not been restrained to just contact sports. In baseball, pitchers are throwing harder and stats like bat speed and exit velocity give us a clear idea as to the damage a baseball can do. While fans desire a faster, stronger, more entertaining game, this opens the door to more danger and sports doctors need to be able to keep up. 

Perhaps the most interesting thing about sports medicine is the research and development that has been done in the past decades. Doctors have done extensive research and have developed new technologies in terms of equipment to keep the game moving at this speed. New helmet technology has appeared for contact sports like hockey and football. Tommy John surgery for baseball pitchers has been perfected to allow maximum longevity for some of the league’s best players.

So while sports medicine needs to adapt to a changing game, it also fosters it. It allows the games and athletes to become bigger, faster and stronger in pursuit of a more entertaining and elite game in all respects. It is the jobs of the individuals in sports medicine to not only protect the players in these games, but to also protect the games themselves. 

Track anticipates home invitational

It was a monumental indoor season for both the Geneseo men’s and women’s track and field squads. A trip to nationals for both teams saw three individual national championships and two top 10 finishes overall at the national level.

“We did not expect to walk out with the number of accolades that we did,” head coach Chris Popovici said. “Statistically, it’s easy to argue that it was one of the most successful seasons in our program’s history. We’ve never had two national champions come out of the same season, but [this winter] we had three, which is more than impressive.” 

The men’s indoor track and field team tied for 10th overall nationally in a field of 100 teams for the 2016-17 indoor season with another SUNYAC championship under their belt. Junior distance runner Isaac Garcia-Cassani continues to achieve top honors as he claimed his first national championship in the men’s mile run with a time of 4:07.77. Named the Outstanding Male Track Athlete of the Meet, Garcia-Cassani also scooped up the SUNYAC Indoor Track & Field Men’s Track Athlete of the Year with his 1st place performance in the mile. 

Additionally, Garcia-Cassani also anchored a 2nd place distance medley relay team of sophomore runners Luke Holtzman, Zachary Hannahoe and Gillan Faulkner.

The women’s indoor track and field team also claimed a top 10 finish, placing No. 8 nationally after earning another SUNYAC championship. Senior jumper Alexa Wandy won a pair of national championships in the triple jump and long jump. Posting a meet record final jump of 41 feet, 5 3/4 inches and a career-best 19 feet, 6 1/4 inches mark in the long jump, besting the runner up by a mere inch. 

Wandy was honored as the Outstanding Field Athlete of the Meet as well as the SUNYAC Indoor Track & Field Women’s Field Athlete of the Year. 

In addition, senior distance Marissa Cossaro was also honored for an 8th place finish in the 3,000-meter with the SUNYAC Women’s Track Athlete of the Year recognition. 

Popovici was also honored with his first SUNYAC Coach of the Year award after leading the Knights to two conference championships and top 10 national finishes.

On the transition from the indoor season to outdoor, Popovici said that the teams’ messages do not change their goals.  

“We’ve done all these things right so far—we’ve won conference championships in both men’s and women’s cross country and indoor track, and we’re looking to come out on top for outdoor as well,” Popovici said. “I think some of [this year’s] meets we’re excited for is when we get to face Division I competition. Some of the top programs in the northeast put on strong meets and we will do the best we can.”

The Knights hit the track for the first time this outdoor season on home turf Saturday April 1. 

“It’s nice for the athletes,” Popovici said. “They don’t need to worry about traveling and get to bring and compete in front of their friends and peers who come out and support them. We enjoy it because we don’t always get to show off in front of our home crowd and have them cheer us on.” 

The Geneseo early season invite will have more than 12 teams attending—making it a large meet.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to host that and put on a big invitational spectacle,” Popovici said.

United States wins World Baseball Classic Championship

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The eagle statue, which represents the United States, is placed on the pitcher’s mound to celebrate the U.S. victory over Puerto Rico in the final for the World Baseball Classic. The 8-0 victory for the U.S.  marked their first World Baseball Classic Championship. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo)

The World Baseball Classic finished up its fourth running on March 22 with a United States victory. The U.S.’ 8-0 victory over Puerto Rico in the championship game gave the U.S. their first World Baseball Classic championship.

For the first time, the total attendance at the WBC rose to over 1 million attendees this year. The final between the U.S. and Puerto Rico—and its 2.3 million viewers—was the second most watched telecast on Major League Baseball Network ever. It was also streaming on ESPN2 in Spanish, which drew about 800,000 viewers, making a total of roughly 3.1 million viewers.  

The last final in 2013 between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic only drew about 1.1 million viewers. 

We have now seen four World Baseball Classics since its debut in 2006—each one being better than the last. Just looking at its television rankings can prove this. Hosted all around the world in cities like Seoul, Tokyo and Miami, the tournament provided a great foundation for baseball to reach an international scale that anyone can enjoy.

When many thought that this year might be the last WBC due to its low viewers and low ratings, the world of baseball turned it around with what turned out to be a great tournament for all who participated and watched. Thus, it’s hard to believe that there won’t be another until 2021.

Focusing on this year and not the future, however, the U.S. started off with wins in two of their first three games in group play. This included victories against Colombia and Canada. In that span, they also lost to defending champions, the D.R.  

The U.S. followed up with the same record in the next round. With a victory over Venezuela to start off the round, the U.S. then lost to Puerto Rico 6-5—making their next game against the D.R. a must-win to get into the single elimination championship rounds.

The U.S. came from behind against the D.R. and in the bottom of the fourth took a lead they would not relinquish. The 6-3 victory over the D.R. was capped off with an impeccable catch by U.S. outfielder Adam Jones to rob D.R. infielder Manny Machado of a homerun.  

The win secured the U.S. a spot in the semifinals and a matchup against powerhouse Japan.  

With a great all around pitching effort, the U.S. secured a 2-1 victory over Japan and advanced to the finals, where they faced unbeaten Puerto Rico.  

There, the U.S. showcased a stellar performance by Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman, who pitched a no-hitter into the seventh inning, struck out three and only walked one hitter. Stroman—who decided to pitch for the U.S. instead of Puerto Rico—led the U.S. to the WBC championship and was named tournament MVP.  

The 8-0 win gave the U.S. its first WBC championship. It is not only a stepping-stone for baseball in general, but also for baseball in the U.S.

Men’s lacrosse defeated on the road

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Sophomore attacker Jack Ladd heads up the field through the rain in search of the net. The men currently have a 7-3 record, which they look to improve upon during their upcoming game against Elmira College on Saturday April 1. (Ash Dean/Photo Editor)

After starting the season 3-0, the men’s lacrosse team was dealt two losses on the road against St. John Fisher College on Thursday March 23 and against Skidmore College on Tuesday March 28. The Knights escaped the week with a win, however, as they came out on top over Olivet College on Saturday March 25. They now stand at 4-2 on the year.

The low-scoring affair against St. John Fisher saw Geneseo with a 4-0 lead in the third quarter, but a four-goal surge by St. John Fisher in a three-minute span tied the game going into the fourth quarter. The hosts were eventually able to pull away and win, 8-5, handing the Knights their first loss of the season.

“It was a tough game,” senior forward Tim Wright said. “We were up four and then they changed face-offs and it kind of set us back. They scored a couple quick ones on us and attacked a couple weak points we were not ready for, which cost us at the end.”

Wright saw limited action in that game due to an ankle injury and did not play in the games against Olivet and Skidmore. As one of the team’s leading players, Wright is tied for the highest number of assists on the team with junior midfielder Alex Leuze. 

The Knights performed well in the 18-11 win over Olivet, who kept it close early on but found themselves down 12-5 after the Knights scored five unanswered goals to end the first half. Despite the score, Wright suggested that the team was not overly pleased with the performance and that improvements could be made.

“It was a good game to kind of show us where we are,” Wright said. “Coming into a game like that where we should have rolled them and then allowing 11 goals … we figured out where we made some mistakes and are changing them.” 

Geneseo then traveled to take on Skidmore on Thursday March 28 and were handed a 10-5 loss, the fourth game in a row for the year in which a strong Skidmore defense held their opponents to just five goals. Now 5-3 on the year, one of Skidmore’s losses came against conference rival SUNY Plattsburgh.

An urgency to make the playoffs this season exists for the Knights’ group of seniors, who have yet to play in the SUNYAC Tournament. Only two non-conference games remain on the Knights’ schedule before they begin SUNYAC competition—games that will decide their playoff contention. Wright maintains that the team is confident in their chances of achieving that goal.

“That is goal number one, which we feel really good about,” Wright said. “[The SUNYAC] is pretty wide-open this year, so we have a chance. Whoever shows up to play that day is winning these games this year.”

Wright said that the level of togetherness that exists within the team this year could be a factor in the team’s ultimate success going forward—a quality inspired by head coach Nick Fiorentino.

“Coach [Fiorentino] is all about being a family,” Wright said. “We actually stayed here all spring break; he kept us together and we did a lot of team activities … We mesh very well, even our freshmen and transfers.”

Fiorentino seems to be making an early impact in his first year as the Knights’ head coach. Fiorentino’s new system was different at first, but the team is responding to it well, according to Wright. 

“He fires everyone up every day,” Wright said. “You’re running around all the time at practice and excited to be there. Everyone’s getting in shape and it’s making us play better.”

The Knights will host Elmira College on Saturday April 1 at 1 p.m. and then travel to the University of Scranton on Wednesday April 5 for a final contest before beginning conference play.