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8 | SPORTS
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2016
SWIMMING AND DIVING
WVU starts 2016 with home split in Backyard Brawl
ASKAR SALIKHOV/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
WVU’s Andrew Marsh and Ross Glegg leap into the pool in October against Marshall.
BY ROGER TURNER SPORTS WRITER DAILYATHENAEUM
The WVU men’s swimming and diving team began the New Year in the WVU Natatorium with a win on Saturday, defeating Pitt in Backyard Brawl rivalry action. Saturday’s win for the Mountaineer men’s team marked its first win against Pitt since 2011. WVU dominated the Panthers in the annual rivalry, winning 180.5 to 119.5 and posting 12 first-place finishes. “We came out very
strong and seized the moment,” said WVU head coach Vic Riggs. “We knew it was going to take a total effort to win the men’s meet, and both teams did a great job. From the start to the end, the desire was there and we never let up.” Senior Andrew Marsh picked up right where he left off in the fall, leading the way for the men’s team with four victories. Marsh recorded his first victory of the day in the men’s 100 backstroke, winning with a time of 49.65. Marsh later claimed first place in the men’s 100 freestyle, 100 fly
and in the 400 free relay which also featured WVU swimmers Ross Glegg, Merwane El Merini, and Frank Csonka. The men’s team got off to a great start, claiming first-place in the 200 medley relay event, in which Daniel Rodriguez, Max Spencer, Frank Csonka and Merwane El Merini finished with a time of 1:32.18. “Having our 200 medley relay win the first event set the tone and got us going,” Riggs said. “It was a total team effort and I’m really happy for the men.”
The WVU women’s team was also in competition on Saturday but was defeated 188 to 111 by the Panthers. Four seniors stamped firstplace finishes in this year’s Backyard Brawl, including Lindsay Schmidt on the springboard. Schmidt won the 3-meter board event to follow up Courtney Miller’s first win of the day for the women’s team, which came in the 100 backstroke. “The women swam extremely well, and we had many season-best times,” Riggs commented. “We did get away a bit from our
race strategies and may have been a bit cautious in some of our races.” Natalie Johnsen notched a win for the women in the 200 fly, and Jaimee Gilmore won the 50 freestyle event to give the Mountaineers four wins on the day. Sophomore Amelie Currat came in second behind Miller in the 100 backstroke, touching the wall in 57.56. The women’s team dominated Pitt in the 200 fly event, finishing 1-2-3; Mackenzie Braden placed second behind Johnsen, and Kelsey Frantz
came in third with a time of 2:09.39. Schmidt also added a second-place finish on the 1-meter springboard event. “It is a special opportunity to win, and it’s even better when it’s against Pitt,” Riggs said. “I know this is something they will remember for a long time.” The WVU men and women’s teams will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to face-off against TCU on Saturday. Events are scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m. [email protected]
GYMNASTICS
Mountaineers start season in third-place at Denver BY JOHNNA HERBIG SPORTS CORRESPONDENT DAILYATHENAEUM
The West Virginia University gymnastics team opened its 2016 season in Denver, Colorado over winter break. WVU competed against Denver University and Southern Utah University in a tri-meet, held inside the Hamilton Gymnasium on Jan. 9. WVU finished last in the tri-meet, with a score
of 193.65. Denver won the match at home scoring 195.375, and Southern Utah followed closely behind them in second place with a score of 194.100. “This was not the score we wanted, but now we know where we need to improve, and we will bounce back,” said WVU head coach Jason Butts in an interview with WVUSports.com. The Mountaineers received third place rankings in uneven bars, beam and floor but were able to gain
a second place score on the vault. “I thought we competed scared tonight until we got to vault in the fourth rotation,” Butts said. “I was surprised by that, but it’s our first meet, and sometimes nerves happen. The skills are there, and there are certainly bright spots on each event. We just need to go back to Cary Gym and practice under more pressure.” This was the first match Denver has competed in since recently joining the Big
12 as an affiliate member. “We’ve put all the training in, and we’ve done all the hard work,” said senior gymnast Melissa Idell. “This is just the time to have fun and show the West Virginia show.” Junior Alexa Goldberg managed a career-high, all-around score of 38.975, good enough for third place in that event. Mountaineer senior Audrey Tolbert also notched a career-high score, landing her in 10th place.
During the match, Goldberg and sophomore Zaakira Muhammad tied for third place on the uneven bars. In the fourth rotation, Muhammad was able to get a fourth-place rank on the vault, with a 9.825 score. “You could tell Alexa wanted it tonight,” Butts said. “I was really impressed with the way she carried herself.” The Mountaineers will be back at home next Sunday against New Hampshire
University. The theme for the match will be “Beauty and the Beast,” and will be accompanied by a wrestling meet against Oklahoma. This will be “Poster Day,” allowing fans to pick up the 2016 gymnastics poster, which has the team’s schedule on it. Also, face paintings and balloon creations will be offered by Mr. Twister. The match will be held at 4 p.m. in the Coliseum. [email protected]
ICE HOCKEY
WVU avenges early loss with road win at Alabama BY NEEL MADHAVAN
returned to the game this past weekend, in their first competitive action since before the holiday break. The West Virginia Uni- The Mountaineers split versity men’s hockey team back-to-back away matchSPORTS WRITER DAILYATHENAEUM
ups against the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning a thrilling first game 4-3 in overtime, while dropping the second to the Tide, 8-3. The win allowed West
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Virginia to avenge their season-opening losses to Alabama back in September. Eric Keefe helped the Mountaineers get off to a fast start in the first game against the Crimson Tide, scoring two goals in the first period to put his team ahead at the first intermission 2-1. After a scoreless second period, Alabama managed to score an equalizing goal with six minutes left in the third period. Alec Hnat broke the deadlock in favor of the Mountaineers to make it 3-2, but less than a minute later, Alabama’s Jake Collins scored his second goal of the game to send the game to overtime. Both teams had a number of chances to secure the victory in the overtime period, but stout goaltending by both sides sent the game
to a shootout. Neither team was able to score on their first three shootout opportunities, until James Murray beat Alabama goaltender Jack Safford on the fourth chance, and West Virginia goaltender Ryan Wickiser saved the Tide’s ensuing equalizing opportunity. The win marked the first time all season that the Mountaineers won consecutive road games. The second game was all Alabama, as the Crimson Tide had seven different goal scorers, led by two goals from John Moeller. Keefe continued his hot scoring streak as he finished with a goal and an assist for West Virginia. Poor defending and goaltending cost the Mountaineers. After Keefe’s second period goal cut the deficit
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to 3-2, the Tide rattled off five straight goals to put the game away for good. A bright spot in the loss for the Mountaineers was the strong attacking play of Murray, as he assisted on all three of his team’s goals. Riley Horvath and Vince Fornes also tallied goals for West Virginia. The Mountaineers were unable to capitalize on any of their eight power play opportunities. JP Sawyer added an assist for West Virginia to add to his teamleading total of 27 points on the season. The Mountaineers play again this weekend with two home games against the Syracuse Orange at 9:30 p.m., Friday and 4 p.m., on Saturday at the Morgantown Ice Arena.
Order Tickets at
WVU COLISEUM WVU STUDENTS ADMITTED FREE WITH A STUDENT TICKET AND VALID I.D.
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2016
SWIMMING AND DIVING
WVU starts 2016 with home split in Backyard Brawl
ASKAR SALIKHOV/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
WVU’s Andrew Marsh and Ross Glegg leap into the pool in October against Marshall.
BY ROGER TURNER SPORTS WRITER DAILYATHENAEUM
The WVU men’s swimming and diving team began the New Year in the WVU Natatorium with a win on Saturday, defeating Pitt in Backyard Brawl rivalry action. Saturday’s win for the Mountaineer men’s team marked its first win against Pitt since 2011. WVU dominated the Panthers in the annual rivalry, winning 180.5 to 119.5 and posting 12 first-place finishes. “We came out very
strong and seized the moment,” said WVU head coach Vic Riggs. “We knew it was going to take a total effort to win the men’s meet, and both teams did a great job. From the start to the end, the desire was there and we never let up.” Senior Andrew Marsh picked up right where he left off in the fall, leading the way for the men’s team with four victories. Marsh recorded his first victory of the day in the men’s 100 backstroke, winning with a time of 49.65. Marsh later claimed first place in the men’s 100 freestyle, 100 fly
and in the 400 free relay which also featured WVU swimmers Ross Glegg, Merwane El Merini, and Frank Csonka. The men’s team got off to a great start, claiming first-place in the 200 medley relay event, in which Daniel Rodriguez, Max Spencer, Frank Csonka and Merwane El Merini finished with a time of 1:32.18. “Having our 200 medley relay win the first event set the tone and got us going,” Riggs said. “It was a total team effort and I’m really happy for the men.”
The WVU women’s team was also in competition on Saturday but was defeated 188 to 111 by the Panthers. Four seniors stamped firstplace finishes in this year’s Backyard Brawl, including Lindsay Schmidt on the springboard. Schmidt won the 3-meter board event to follow up Courtney Miller’s first win of the day for the women’s team, which came in the 100 backstroke. “The women swam extremely well, and we had many season-best times,” Riggs commented. “We did get away a bit from our
race strategies and may have been a bit cautious in some of our races.” Natalie Johnsen notched a win for the women in the 200 fly, and Jaimee Gilmore won the 50 freestyle event to give the Mountaineers four wins on the day. Sophomore Amelie Currat came in second behind Miller in the 100 backstroke, touching the wall in 57.56. The women’s team dominated Pitt in the 200 fly event, finishing 1-2-3; Mackenzie Braden placed second behind Johnsen, and Kelsey Frantz
came in third with a time of 2:09.39. Schmidt also added a second-place finish on the 1-meter springboard event. “It is a special opportunity to win, and it’s even better when it’s against Pitt,” Riggs said. “I know this is something they will remember for a long time.” The WVU men and women’s teams will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to face-off against TCU on Saturday. Events are scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m. [email protected]
GYMNASTICS
Mountaineers start season in third-place at Denver BY JOHNNA HERBIG SPORTS CORRESPONDENT DAILYATHENAEUM
The West Virginia University gymnastics team opened its 2016 season in Denver, Colorado over winter break. WVU competed against Denver University and Southern Utah University in a tri-meet, held inside the Hamilton Gymnasium on Jan. 9. WVU finished last in the tri-meet, with a score
of 193.65. Denver won the match at home scoring 195.375, and Southern Utah followed closely behind them in second place with a score of 194.100. “This was not the score we wanted, but now we know where we need to improve, and we will bounce back,” said WVU head coach Jason Butts in an interview with WVUSports.com. The Mountaineers received third place rankings in uneven bars, beam and floor but were able to gain
a second place score on the vault. “I thought we competed scared tonight until we got to vault in the fourth rotation,” Butts said. “I was surprised by that, but it’s our first meet, and sometimes nerves happen. The skills are there, and there are certainly bright spots on each event. We just need to go back to Cary Gym and practice under more pressure.” This was the first match Denver has competed in since recently joining the Big
12 as an affiliate member. “We’ve put all the training in, and we’ve done all the hard work,” said senior gymnast Melissa Idell. “This is just the time to have fun and show the West Virginia show.” Junior Alexa Goldberg managed a career-high, all-around score of 38.975, good enough for third place in that event. Mountaineer senior Audrey Tolbert also notched a career-high score, landing her in 10th place.
During the match, Goldberg and sophomore Zaakira Muhammad tied for third place on the uneven bars. In the fourth rotation, Muhammad was able to get a fourth-place rank on the vault, with a 9.825 score. “You could tell Alexa wanted it tonight,” Butts said. “I was really impressed with the way she carried herself.” The Mountaineers will be back at home next Sunday against New Hampshire
University. The theme for the match will be “Beauty and the Beast,” and will be accompanied by a wrestling meet against Oklahoma. This will be “Poster Day,” allowing fans to pick up the 2016 gymnastics poster, which has the team’s schedule on it. Also, face paintings and balloon creations will be offered by Mr. Twister. The match will be held at 4 p.m. in the Coliseum. [email protected]
ICE HOCKEY
WVU avenges early loss with road win at Alabama BY NEEL MADHAVAN
returned to the game this past weekend, in their first competitive action since before the holiday break. The West Virginia Uni- The Mountaineers split versity men’s hockey team back-to-back away matchSPORTS WRITER DAILYATHENAEUM
ups against the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning a thrilling first game 4-3 in overtime, while dropping the second to the Tide, 8-3. The win allowed West
Chateau Royale APARTMENTS
Now Renting for May 2016 YOU DESERVE THE ROYAL TREATMENT
Seconds away from WVU Football Stadium, Health Sciences, Evansdale Campus, Law School & PRT.
Great Rates that Welcome You Home!
Minutes From Downtown, Apartments located on Free University Bus Route every 15 minutes.
Virginia to avenge their season-opening losses to Alabama back in September. Eric Keefe helped the Mountaineers get off to a fast start in the first game against the Crimson Tide, scoring two goals in the first period to put his team ahead at the first intermission 2-1. After a scoreless second period, Alabama managed to score an equalizing goal with six minutes left in the third period. Alec Hnat broke the deadlock in favor of the Mountaineers to make it 3-2, but less than a minute later, Alabama’s Jake Collins scored his second goal of the game to send the game to overtime. Both teams had a number of chances to secure the victory in the overtime period, but stout goaltending by both sides sent the game
to a shootout. Neither team was able to score on their first three shootout opportunities, until James Murray beat Alabama goaltender Jack Safford on the fourth chance, and West Virginia goaltender Ryan Wickiser saved the Tide’s ensuing equalizing opportunity. The win marked the first time all season that the Mountaineers won consecutive road games. The second game was all Alabama, as the Crimson Tide had seven different goal scorers, led by two goals from John Moeller. Keefe continued his hot scoring streak as he finished with a goal and an assist for West Virginia. Poor defending and goaltending cost the Mountaineers. After Keefe’s second period goal cut the deficit
KANSAS
TUESDAY, JAN. 12 • 7 P.M.
Monday - Thursday: 8-7 Friday: 8-5 Saturday: 10-4 Today! Sunday: 12-4
WVUGAME.com or 1-800-WVUGAME
WWW.CHATEAUROYALEAPARTMENTS.COM
[email protected]
VS
ALSO FEATURING... • PET FRIENDLY • HEATED SWIMMING POOL • STATE OF THE ART FITNESS AND RECREATION CENTER
Call 304.599.7474
to 3-2, the Tide rattled off five straight goals to put the game away for good. A bright spot in the loss for the Mountaineers was the strong attacking play of Murray, as he assisted on all three of his team’s goals. Riley Horvath and Vince Fornes also tallied goals for West Virginia. The Mountaineers were unable to capitalize on any of their eight power play opportunities. JP Sawyer added an assist for West Virginia to add to his teamleading total of 27 points on the season. The Mountaineers play again this weekend with two home games against the Syracuse Orange at 9:30 p.m., Friday and 4 p.m., on Saturday at the Morgantown Ice Arena.
Order Tickets at
WVU COLISEUM WVU STUDENTS ADMITTED FREE WITH A STUDENT TICKET AND VALID I.D.
