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February 10, 2003
ALLEN'S AGGRESSIVE PLAY PAYS OFF
CWRU's Keesha Allen amongst the best in the nation in steals and assists,
Spartan wrestler Josh Schmidt has won 19 out of last 23 matches…
CLEVELAND, OH - Case Western Reserve University sophomore guard Keesha Allen came to University Circle as a highly touted scholastic player from local Regina High School and in just her sophomore season she has become a highly respected collegiate player. The Spartan women's basketball team is 12-8 (4-5 in the UAA), with five games remaining.
"I averaged seven across in high school," said Allen. "I never really got double-doubles in point and rebounds I don't think. But I always find myself around the basket, because I think I follow the ball."
The 5-7 point guard has over 100 points, rebounds, assists, and steals in 20 games this season. Allen currently leads the team in rebounding (166, 8.3 avg.), assists (114, 5.7 avg.), steals (115, 5.8 avg.), and is second in points (284, 14.2 avg.). She also leads the University Athletic Association and is third in the nation in steals and tied for tenth in assists. Allen is also second in the Association in rebounding and fifth in scoring. She has recorded two double-doubles this year and has been either just two points or two rebounds short six times. She has grabbed 10 plus rebounds six times and has only scored less than ten points four times.
"I expect to rebound, I expect to make steals, and I expect to have a lot of assists, as much as I have had, no, but am I complaining, no," said Keesha Allen.
In order to steal the ball as many times as she has this season, Allen has had to be aggressive and take chances. That, along with the referees maybe not realizing just how quick she is at first, had gotten her into some foul trouble early on this year, but she has digressed in the foul department of late, so how did she do it?
"A lot has to do with them (the referee's) understanding and a lot of it has to do with me being smart," said Allen. I don't go for the steal every time, granted, it would help us, but I don't think it is going to help us with me on the bench."
SCHMIDT IS SMASHING … Case Western Reserve University junior 197-pounder Josh Schmidt) St. Mary's - PA) has wrestled strong for the Spartans thus far this season. Going into this past weekend's tournament at Wheaton College, Schmidt, a 2003 University Athletic Association champion, was 21-6 on the year. Schmidt wrestled seven matches this past weekend at the "Pete Willson" Wheaton Invitational, finishing 5-2 and in fifth place. He defeated Zeke Lewis of Concordia 6-1 in match one, Christian Campbell of Wheaton in match two 8-3, and then lost to Matt Huset of the Milwaukee School of Engineering 4-5, dropping him into the consolation bracket. There, Schmidt defeated Zac Whitehead of Central 5-1, Jaime Hernandez of Embry Riddle 8-1, and was pinned (0:30) by Jeremy Kosch of Ohio Northern. That placed him in the fifth place match, where Schmidt defeated Sean Barnes of Chicago 4-3. Schmidt 26-8 on the season.
ALMOST A MONTH … The Case Western Reserve University men's basketball team snapped a seven game losing streak Friday night at home with a decisive 93-79 victory over UAA mate Carnegie Mellon University. Impressive, especially when you consider Carnegie Mellon beat them by almost 30 points, 58-82, in Pittsburgh five days prior. That seven game skid dated began back on January 15 and almost lasted a month, but it probably seemed like a year to second year Head Coach Adam Hutchinson. "Friday was a big win, I slept good that night," said Hutchinson. "I guess it's a gradual process. Every team has to find it's way to each other and what it believes in and I think we are getting there." Their momentum was quickly stopped with a 77-81 loss to the University of Rochester, who is currently ranked 11th the country, on Sunday in Cleveland. "It is a process though and we are where we are in the process," said Hutchinson. "What's encouraging to me is we haven't stop progressing. It's a credit to our guys, because most teams at 5-15 would address the envelope and mail it in."
OREN IS ON AND ON … Case Western Reserve freshman guard Carson Oren (South Bend - IN) has led the Spartans in scoring in seven total and four out of the last five games. Wait it gets better. He has also led CWRU in rebounding in seven contests this year and more recently, three out of the last four games. Not to shabby for a rookie. Oren is second only to the school's fifth all-time scoring John Link in points this year with 244 in 20 games (12.2 avg.). Oren is also second on the team in rebounding with 113 (5.7 avg.). Who would of thought? "What I knew about Carson is that he was a physically tough guy and that he knows the game inside out," said Hutchinson. "You think it's going to translate, but I can't say I knew. I remember being very excited when he told me he was coming."
KOVACIC CONQUERS … Case Western Reserve University sophomore Diana Kovacic (Rock Creek - OH) likes the infield at the Bill Sudeck Track in the Veale Center. Kovacic has token advantage of the Spartans indoor track teams two straight home meets with two consecutive first place finishes in the women's weight throw. Kovacic placed first this past Friday at the CWRU Invitational with a throw of 13.33 meters and two Saturday's ago she won at the Spartan Invitational with a 12.84 toss.
COLLEGIATE FIRST … Case Western Reserve University freshman runner Jaime Hurlbut won her first indoor track event as a collegiate student-athlete this past weekend. Hurlbut, who was also a member of the Spartan cross country team this past fall, placed first in the 3,000 meter run (11:05.87) at the CWRU Invitational this past Friday.
SPARTAN SCORES…
MEN'S BASKETBALL (5-15, 2-7 UAA) … Senior guard John Link (Lakewood - OH), a Padua grad, scored a team high 21 points as the Case Western Reserve University snapped a seven game losing streak this past Friday with a 93-79 win over Carnegie Mellon University in a University Athletic Association contest in Horsburgh Gymnasium at the Veale Center. The Spartans forced nine Carnegie Mellon turnovers in the first half to take a 40-37 lead at the intermission. Both teams were evenly matched in shooting and rebounding in the first twenty minutes, CWRU was 18 of 39 (46.2%) with 21 boards, the Tartans were 14 of 30 (46.7 %) with 20 rebounds. Link scored all 21 of his points in the second half as the Spartans outscored the Tartans 53-42. CWRU also out rebounded Carnegie Mellon 22-17 in the last 20 minutes and shot 52.9% (18-34) from the field as a team. The Spartans had three other players score in double digits. Freshman guard Carson Oren (South Bend - IN) had 16, sophomore guard Isaac White (Baltimore - MD) had 11, and sophomore forward Dave Lenzer (N. Canton - OH) had 10. Junior forward Matt Kaitz (Scarsdale - NY) led the Tartans with game highs in points (23) and rebounds (8). Oren scored a team high 24 points in a 77-81 loss to the number 11 ranked team in the nation (by D3hoops.com), the University of Rochester (17-3, 7-2 UAA), this past Sunday in a University Athletic Association contest in Horsburgh Gym. Oren also grabbed a team high seven rebounds. Oren scored 12 of those points in the first half as CWRU and the Yellowjackets were deadlocked 35-35 at the break. Rochester junior center Brian Jones (Cuylerville - NY) also had a big half, recording 15 of his game high 25 points. The Spartans out rebounded the Yellowjackets 17-14 in the first twenty minutes as both teams shot over 40 percent from the field (CWRU: 13-29: 44.8%, Rochester: 13-28, 46.4%). Turnovers, liked they have all year long, hurt CWRU in the second half. Rochester forced the Spartans to turn the ball over 12 times (17 in the game) in the last twenty minutes on the way to their fourth straight victory. CWRU had two other players score in double digits. Senior guard John Link (Lakewood - OH) had 14 and sophomore guard Isaac White (Baltimore - MD) 12. Junior forward Andy Larkin (Cincinnati - OH) added 19 points and a gamer high eight rebounds for the Yellowjackets. The Spartans will travel to the University of Chicago this Friday for an Association game at 8:00 p.m. CST).
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL (12-8, 4-5 UAA) … Sophomore guard Keesha Allen, a Regina grad, recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds as Case Western Reserve University snapped a three game losing streak with a 67-53 victory over Carnegie Mellon University in a University Athletic Association contest at Horsburgh Gymnasium in the Veale Center this past Friday. Both teams struggled from the field and turned the ball over in the first half as the Spartans led by four 28-24 at the break. The Tartans shot only 29.4% (10-34) and turned the ball over 12 times, while CWRU shot 31.0% (9-29) and recorded 14 turnovers in the first twenty minutes. Spartan junior guard Angie Zeuch kept her team in it with 11 points in the first half. The Spartans began the second half with a 14-0 run, leading 42-24 at the 13:37 mark and never looked back. CWRU sophomore center Rachel Spadafore (Meadville - PA), another Regina product, scored 11 of her game high 18 points in the last 20 minutes. Spadafore also grabbed seven rebounds in the game. Senior guard Michelle Sodini (Pittsburgh - PA) led Carnegie Mellon with team highs in points (16) and rebounds (7). Allen grabbed a team high seven rebounds, and recorded game highs in assists (4) and steals (8), as the Spartans lost to the University of Rochester (17-2, 7-2 UAA), who is currently ranked ninth in the country (by D3hoops.com), 68-64 in a University Athletic Association contest in Horsburgh Gym on Sunday. Allen also added 14 points. Despite only shooting 39.3% (11-28) from the field in the first half, CWRU only trailed by three, 35-32, at the intermission. Spartan junior guard Jasmine Rowan (Richmond Hts. - OH) scored 11 of her team high 16 points in the first twenty minutes. The Yellowjackets out rebounded CWRU 20-13 in the half as both teams turned the ball over 11 times. The Spartans shot worse in the second half, only connecting on 12 of 38 (31.6%). Allen had six steals in the last twenty minutes as CWRU forced Rochester to turn the ball over 12 times. The Yellowjackets continued to hit the boards, out rebounding the Spartans 43-29 in the contest. The Spartans led 55-54 with six minutes left in the game and only trailed by two, 66-64, with eight seconds remaining in the game, but failed to score on their last possession. Rochester hit two free throws at the end to clinch the victory. Sophomore forward Kelly Wescott (Burke - NY) led Rochester recorded a double-double. Wescott had a game high 13 rebounds and 17 points. The Spartans travel to the University of Chicago this Friday for an Association game at 6:00 p.m. (CST).
MEN'S FENCING (Dual Meets: 8-8, 0-0 UAA) … The men's fencing team traveled to Philadelphia this past Saturday for a multi-meet at the University of Pennsylvania. CWRU finished the day 0-3 in dual meet action. The Spartans began with a 4-23 (Sabre: 3-6, Foil: 0-9, Epee: 1-8) loss to Pennsylvania, and then Drew University beat them 10-17 (Sabre: 3-6, Foil: 3-6, Epee: 4-5) in their second meet. CWRU then fell to Rutgers University 3-24 (Sabre: 0-9, Foil: 1-8, Epee: 2-7) in their last meet of the day. The Spartans will travel down the street to Cleveland State University this Saturday, February 15.
WOMEN'S FENCING (Dual Meets: 4-12, 0-0 UAA) … The women's fencing team also traveled to Philadelphia this past Saturday for a multi-meet at the University of Pennsylvania. CWRU finished the day 0-3 in dual meet action. CWRU was defeated 25-2 (Sabre: 1-8, Foil: 0-9, Epee: 1-8) in meet one by Pennsylvania and then by Drew University 18-9 (Sabre: 2-7, Foil: 1-8, Epee 6-3) in meet two. The Spartans also lost to Rutgers University 3-24 (Sabre: 3-6, Foil: 0-9, Epee 0-9) in their third and final meet. CWRU will travel down the street to Cleveland State University this Saturday, February 15.
MEN'S SWIMMING (Dual Meets: 6-2, 0-1 UAA) … The men's swimming & diving teams had the weekend off in preparation for the 2003 University Athletic Association Swimming & Diving Championships, which they will host in the Veale Natatorium, Thursday, February 13 through Saturday, February 15.
WOMEN'S SWIMMING (Dual Meets: 6-2, 0-1 UAA) … The women's swimming & diving teams had the weekend off in preparation for the 2003 University Athletic Association Swimming & Diving Championships, which they will host in the Veale Natatorium, Thursday, February 13 through Saturday, February 15.
MEN'S INDOOR TRACK … The men's track team co-hosted their second consecutive home invitational this past Friday at the Bill Sudeck Track in the Veale Center. Freshman Devin Harris (Columbus - OH) continues to run well for CWRU. Harris finished second in both the 55 meter dash (6.68) and the 200 meter dash (23.63). Other second place finishers for the Spartans were junior Matt Finnerty (Poland - OH) in the 3,000 meter run (9:06.40) and sophomore Dan Haylett (Mantua - OH) in the pole vault (4.26 meters). Senior Patrick Francis also finished third in the 55 meter hurdles (8.21). Relay wise, CWRU had two teams placed third. The 4x200 meter relay team (1:41.03) made up of junior Adam Anderson (Louisville - KY), junior Adam Minadeo (Aurora - OH), junior Doug Bernauer (Hinkley - OH), and junior Pat Conochan (Concord - OH) and the 4x400 relay team (3:34.74) of Harris, junior Mike Garrels (Burbank - CA), sophomore David Kallevig (Brecksville - OH), and senior Paul Tesar (Eastlake - OH). CWRU will travel to Oberlin College this Friday for their third invitational of the year.
WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK … The women's track team co-hosted their second consecutive home invitational this past Friday at the Bill Sudeck Track in the Veale Center. Besides Kovacic's and Hurlbut's first place finishes, CWRU sophomore Galina Nikolskaya (Cleveland Hts. - OH) had a nice meet. Nikolskaya placed second in the 200 meter dash (26.95) and third in the 55 meter dash (7.54). Relay wise, the Spartan distance medley team made up of freshman Brenda Lauer (Alliance - OH), freshman Harmonie Foster (Bedford - OH), senior Kathy Beck (Mogadore - OH), and sophomore Amy Staub (Oil City - PA), placed second (13:06.97). CWRU will travel to Oberlin College this Friday for their third invitational of the year.
WRESTLING (Dual Meets: 0-9, 0-2 UAA) … The wrestling team traveled to the Pete Willson Wheaton College Invitational this past weekend (Friday & Saturday). CWRU finished 22nd out of 28 teams with a score of 21.5. Beside Josh Schmidt's fifth place performance, senior Michael Huang (Avon Lake - OH) was the only other CWRU wrestler of note. Huang, a 133-pounder, finished 2-3 and in eight place. Huang defeated Ty Klofta of Ohio Northern 6-4 in his first match, lost to Brant Bruner of Lindenwood 3-14 in his second bout and fell into the losers bracket. Huang then pinned (1:51) LaCarvas Davis of Missouri Valley, lost to Larry Amedio 2-8, and finally lost to Rodrigo Nagel of Embry Riddle 1-4 in the seventh place match. The Spartans will host their annual CWRU Quad this Saturday in the Veale Center (Heidelberg, Rochester Institute of Technology, Washington & Jefferson).
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