Eagles Sports Table of Contents
Front Cover.................................................................................... 1 Table of Contents........................................................................... 2 Swimming Preview........................................................................ 3 Women’s Basketball Preview..................................................... 4-7 Men’s Basketball Preview......................................................... 8-11 Fall Sports Recap.................................................................... 12-15 Back Cover................................................................................... 16
Eagles Sports is a product of the Bridgewater Department of Athletics in conjuction with the Eagle Club. This periodical is released three times a year to Eagle Club members free of cost via email and at BridgewaterEagles.com. All photos are property of Bridgewater College. Front Cover Design: Bridgewater Sports Information Photo on Front Cover: Senior Jordan Burkholder (taken by Tommy Thompson) Magazine Design: Bridgewater Sports Information Back Cover Design: Bridgewater Office of Public Relations Thank you for your membership in the Eagle Club.
Swimmers Look to Continue Record Setting Trend Following up of a record-breaking 2009-10 season, the Bridgewater Eagles swim team looks to continue its record-setting pace in 2010-11 as the squad was selected to finish in fourth place in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Last season, the Eagles re-wrote the record books in a successful year, which saw the fledgling squad finish in the top half of the conference. Then-freshman Danielle Dillon posted a number of school records, re-writing five individual marks and aiding in snapping six relay records. Another freshman also posted a stellar rookie season as Jeni Zeiler knocked off six individual
records to go along with three relay marks. All in all, the Eagles broke 28 team records, including nearly every individual record. As the 2010-11 swimming season has gotten under way, Bridgewater’s swim squad continues to shine, after already eclipsing more than a half a dozen school records in less than a month in the pool. Head coach Fran Smith brought in a deep and talented freshman Remaining 2010-11 Schedule class, with nine newcomers joining the mix and quickly acclimating to the collegiate environment. Nov 19, 2010 vs. Randolph Macon Bridgewater kicked its season off with a fourth place finish at the Invitational @ Ashland, Va. TBA ODAC Relays, breaking five school records in the process. tallied 207 points en route to a fourth place team finish. Nov 20, 2010 vs. Randolph Macon The Eagles snapped the 3x50 yard butterfly relay record with a Invitational @ Ashland, Va. TBA 1:31.92 finish, good enough for fourth place, while freshman Jessica Abbott posted a 29.65 split to lead the relay. Dec 4, 2010 Guilford * 1:00 PM In the 3x50 yard backstroke relay, the trio of Carrie Crowther, Maggy Sullivan and Lauren Clymore finished in a time of 1:40.72 Jan 7, 2011 at Hollins * 7:00 PM to set the squads second record of the day. Crowther's lead-leg 30.50 second time led the squad, which finished fourth in the Jan 15, 2011 College of Notre Dame event. 2:00 PM The Eagles snapped the 500 yard freestyle relay with a finishing time of 5:28.94, good enough for fourth place overall. Jan 15, 2011 Emory & Henry * In the 200 yard medley relay, the Eagles finished fourth in a time 2:00 PM of 2:10.47, before posting a fourth-place finishing time of 1:12.86 in the 100 yard dolphin kick relay. Jan 22, 2011 at Millersville 1:00 PM Bridgewater also kicked off its dual meet season with wins over Emory & Henry and Greensboro. Jan 28, 2011 at Sweet Briar * 7:00 PM
Willi’s Troops Ready fo
In her 15th year, head coach Jean Willi returns
or Run at ODAC Title
s a talented group that went 17-9 in 2009-10
Despite returning one of the league’s top scorers and the majority of the offense from a team that went 17-9 in 2009-10, Bridgewater Eagles head coach Jean Willi is guardedly optimistic heading into the 2010-11 season. Senior guard Jordan Burkholder returns to the fray off of a fantastic junior season which saw the Turner Ashby grad score her 1,000th career point en route to earning first team All-ODAC honors. Burkholder leads a talented group of returners from last season’s team that was knocked out of the ODAC Tournament by Virginia Wesleyan in the Quarterfinal round in a game that left a bad taste in Bridgewater’s mouth. “For us to lose in the first round was disappointing. It left a bad taste in our mouths and we feel it’s a game we should have been able to win,” commented head coach Jean Willi, who enters her 15th year at the helm of the women’s basketball program. In the backcourt, the Eagles enter the 2010-11 season without the services of point guard Lacey Barnett, who was injured a season ago and will miss the entire season. Barnett averaged 22-and-a-half minutes per game prior to her career-ending injury at Randolph-Macon. Without Barnett in the lineup, the Eagles will turn to junior guard Jenny Logan who produced at a higher level for Bridgewater a season ago. Logan averaged 25 minutes per game a season ago and netted nine points a night in conference play. Joining Logan and vying for playing time at the point will also be juniors Jessie Owens and Sarah Boeren. “Jenny is one of the hardest worker on our team and I think she’s overcoming confidence issues that held her back in previous years. Sarah is also playing with more confidence, she’s getting used to our system. Jessie is also giving a stronger effort this season for us,” said Willi. Sophomore Jessica Mullen also returns to the mix after seeing a lot of action as a freshman. Mullen averaged over 10 minutes a game and shot 37.5% from the field during her rookie season. “We’ve been pretty impressed with Jess. She came back this year bigger and stronger and she just has that knack for the game. She’s going to be a solid player for us,” noted Willi. Bridgewater also welcomes a trio of freshmen who will provide plenty of depth and could work into the mix early for the Eagles in Holly Morgan, Berlyn Seitz and Molly Shelley. “Holly is going to be exciting for us to have. She’s a bit like Jordan, very tenacious, and is starting to understand our system more. Molly is working hard on defense and
has one of the quickest triggers that we’ve had in some time. Berlyn is athletic and is a pretty strong shooter and could work into the mix for us,” said Willi on her freshmen. At the forward position, Bridgewater returns three players who saw substantial playing time last season. Returners Bianca Booker, Katelynn Hottinger and Emileigh Lambert all saw more than 20 minutes a game for the Eagles and were the No. 4, 5 and 6 scorers on the Bridgewater team last season. Booker shot at a 48.1% clip in conference play to lead the Eagles, while Hottinger picked up 19 starts in the post during her freshman campaign. Hottinger averaged 5.7 points per game and 4.8 rebounds during her rookie season. “Bianca’s a hustler and is someone who provides a great spark for us,” said Willi. “We’re expecting bigger things this year from Katie. She’s a lefty, and she’s six feet tall, she just has to use her physicality to score the ball this season.” Bridgewater also returns the services of senior Emileigh Lambert, who was a definitive role player for the Eagles a season ago. “Emileigh plays hard all of the time. Last season was rough for her and I think she’s ready to atone for it during her senior season,” said Willi. Bridgewater also returns the likes of Caitlin Boles and Brittani Criss who both were injury-prone in 2009-10. Willi also welcomes one newcomer in the paint in Keymar, Md. native Rebecca Reifsnider. Reifsnider was home schooled, but played for a local team in Maryland and averaged a double-double. “Rebecca is a great listener and is a bright player for us on the court. Offensively, Rebecca is a great face up shooter. She may not be physically there yet, but it will come,” said Willi, Bridgewater was selected to finish fourth in the ODAC preseason poll, and Willi believes that the ODAC could be as strong as ever this season, with a top heavy slate that includes defending champion Washington and Lee and the perennial powers, RandolphMacon and Roanoke. But, Willi also feels the traditionally bottom of the barrel teams are making strides to make a stronger push in 2010-11. “I think the ODAC is as competitive as it can be. The team selected to finish tenth, Hollins, is big and has the defending Freshman of the Year. So from top to bottom the conference should be pretty strong,” said Willi about the ODAC. Bridgewater opens the 2010-11 regular season on November 18 when the Eagles host Mary Baldwin. The ODAC slate opens five days later when Lynchburg pays a visit to Nininger Hall.
Burgess Building in 2010-11 In his third year at the helm, Bridgewater head coach Don Burgess has an untested group.
Bridgewater College head coach Don Burgess will look to compete in the rugged Old Dominion Athletic Conference this season with an untested and young squad. Only two starters return from a year ago when the Eagles finished with a 10-15 record. “We’ve got an interesting mix of players,” Burgess said. “We have some guys returning who are hungry for minutes because they have been role players for most of their careers. “Then you add in a talented group of freshmen who bring a lot of athleticism, excitement and energy to the program. They’re hungry for minutes as well because they see an opportunity to play right away.’ Seniors Drew Maynard and Justin Brake are back and will join three more seniors in a class that will be counted on to improve production this season. Maynard returns at the point and brings a steadying influence on the court. He averaged two points per game a year ago and had a solid assist-to-turnover ratio with 52 assists and 38 turnovers. Brake is a high-energy player who returns at a forward spot. He averaged 3.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 14 minutes of action per game. Kyle Hammond, a 6-3 senior, will see plenty of action at the second guard spot. He averaged 4.2 points per game and made 41 percent of Senior Rick Maloney will provide some size for the Eagles inside game. his 3-point attempts. Seniors Rick Maloney and Mark Gibbs could see their minutes increase this season. At 6-8, Maloney provides much-needed size inside. He averaged three points and three rebounds per game in 12 minutes of action. Gibbs is a rugged inside player in the paint and should be a valuable asset on the boards. Junior Cody Griffith will see time at both guard positions. He is the leading returning scorer at 5.0 points per game and one of the team’s top 3-point shooting threats. Sophomore Russell White is a 6-6 banger who could see his playing time increase this season. The rest of the roster features 12 first-year players. The class features a solid mix of players with six guards, four forwards and a couple of big men inside. At the guard spot, Tavis Stapleton and Ronnie Thomas could figure into the rotation early. Stapleton is a 6-3 slasher with the ability to score while Thomas is a 6-4 guard who could develop into a lockdown defender. Rashaad Moore and Malcolm Dixon will both add quickness to the BC backcourt. At the forward spot, Kenneth Waugh brings a smooth shooting stroke while David Larson and Daniel McClain add athleticism to the roster. Inside, 6-9 Romie Powell and 6-8 Josh Irwin provide the Eagles with some size in the paint. Bridgewater opens its regular season at the Eastern Mennonite Classic in Nov. 19-20. The Eagles play Southern Virginia on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and then meet Penn State-Brandywine on Saturday, Senior Drew Maynard is one of the top returning also at 6:00 p.m. The Eagles home opener is Nov. 24 when they scorers for the Eagles. entertain Southern Virginia.
Indoor Track Preview
Eagles Look to Replace One All-American, but Have Another Returning as the Season Approaches
The Bridgewater College indoor track teams return several talented performers as they prepare for competition this winter. The women’s team will miss one of the top all-around athletes in the nation with the graduation of do-it-all performer Courtney Hartman. Hartman earned AllAmerican honors in the indoor pentathlon and won the national championship in the heptathlon during the outdoor season. The women will be bolstered by the return of senior Christina Rhodes, an All-American in the pole vault during the outdoor season. Rhodes is a three-time conference champion during the indoor season. The Eagles should also fare well in the throws as junior Katie Cummings placed in both the shot put and weight throw at the conference meet. She is the BC record-holder in each event. On the track, sophomore Morgan Keplinger returns in the 800, an event she won at the ODAC Outdoor Championship meet. The Eagles should also be solid in the distance events where sophomore Molly Smith returns. Smith set new BC records in the mile and 5000 meters during her freshman indoor season. Sophomore Olivia Mills is also expected to excel in the distance events after qualifying for the national meet during cross country season in the fall. The men’s squad returns several solid performers to the team that finished second in last year’s conference indoor meet. Sophomore Jacob Kroko will anchor throws. Kroko was named conference Freshman of the Year in 2010 after winning the shot and placing fourth in the weight throw at the ODAC meet. Leigh Bradley returns to lead the jumpers after placing second in both the high jump and triple jump a year ago. The distance events should also be well-manned as several members go into the winter after a solid cross country season. Jordan White and Brian Barnett both placed at the ODAC meet a year ago. The Eagles also return one of the top hurdlers in the conference as sophomore Dalton Slagle is back after finishing second in the 55 meter hurdles a year ago. In the sprints, junior Julius Delbridge returns to lead the way after winning the 200 meters at the ODAC Outdoor Championship meet. Bridgewater opens the 2010-11 Indoor Track and Field campaign on January 22 when the team travels to the Keystone State to take part in the Susquehanna Orange and Maroon Classic, hosted by Susquehanna University.
Eagles Turn In Stellar Fall Sports Season Wins over Nationally-Ranked Programs, a Program First, and Gameday Improvements Highlight the Fall Sports Season
It was another successful fall sports season as the Bridgewater Eagles sports teams turned in a stellar sports season. While the fall sports season didn’t feature an ODAC Championship, the transitiion from summer to winter did provide a bevel of excitement and intrigue as the leaves of the Mall turned to the leaves of Fall. Football Picks Up Eight Wins in 2010 With their most wins in four years, the Bridgewater College football team improved by one game on their record from 2009 en route to an 8-2 season in 2010. The season also marked a record-setting campaign for one Eagle and started off with a bang for the defense. Bridgewater jumped out to a 4-0 mark early, knocking off the likes of Ferrum and Shenandoah along the way, before dropping the conference opener in a heartbreaker against Hampden-Sydney at Jopson Field. Following the tough loss to the Tigers, Bridgewater travelled to Guilford and drubbed the Quakers before returning home to do battle with an up and coming Washington and Lee squad. Both teams battled back and forth, but a missed extra point and missed field goal proved costly as the Eagles fell to the eventual ODAC champions by a 35-34 tally, effectively keeping Bridgewater out of the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Bridgewater rounded out the season with wins over Emory & Henry, Randolph-Macon and Catholic to get to 8-2 on the year, but the story was bigger than wins and losses. Senior Tyler Beiler (Ronks, Pa./Conestoga Valley) posted a season for the ages, setting every school receiving record there was and being one of the top offensive players in the nation. Beiler ended the regular season as the national leader in all-purpose yards, receiving yards and receiving yards per game. Defensively, junior Dominic Jeter (Yorktown, Va./Tabb) recorded 9.5 sacks, to post the third-highest tally in school history, while leading the conference in sacks and tackles for a loss. Overall, the Bridgewater defense went from worst to first in total defense and rushing defense as the unit ratcheted up the defense all year. Women’s Soccer Continues Historic Rise The Bridgewater College women’s soccer program took another step up the ODAC ladder during the 2010 season as the Eagles finished fourth in conference standings and hosted an ODAC tournament game for the first time in program history. One season after posting a program best 13 victories, the Eagles posted a 9-8-1 record against a very challenging schedule. In addition to the always-tough conference slate, the Eagles played non-conference contests against nationally-ranked Emory University and College of New Jersey. Bridgewater finished the conference schedule with an 8-3 record, the most ODAC wins in program history, Bridgewater defeated Washington and Lee, 1-0, in the final regular season game to claim fourth place in the conference standings, one spot higher than the previous season. In the first round of the ODAC tournament, the Eagles lost a tough 1-0 decision to W&L. The Eagles also had their best showing on the allconference team with four second-team picks and one honorable mention selection. Named to the second team were forwards Melanie Waters (Pasadena, Md/Chesapeake Senior) and Brittney Harris (Laurel, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt), midfielder Meghan Groos (Linden, Va./Warren County) and defender Jessica Palmer (Fairplay, Md./ Williamsport). Midfielder Abby Dehoff Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) received honorable mention. Waters, a freshman, led the Eagles in scoring with Women’s Soccer continued its historic rise through the ODAC, hosting the program’s first ever postseason game. 20 points on nine goals and two assists. Harris, a
sophomore, finished with 11 points on five goals and one assist. Groos, a junior, earned second-team honors for the second straight season. She scored two goals and led the team in assists with six. Palmer, also a junior, anchored a defense that recorded six shutouts on the season. Dehoff, a sophomore, scored 11 points on five goals and one assist.
On the field hockey pitch, the Bridgewater Eagles finished the season with a 9-9 mark, and had five All-Conference choices.
Five Earn Field Hockey All-Conference Honors With wins over a nationally-ranked program and a slew of near-misses, the Bridgewater Eagles field hockey team finished the season with a 9-9 mark, bowing out of the ODAC Quarterfinals after a loss to EMU. Bridgewater opened the season with a bang, winning eight of its first 10 games, to get out to one of the best
starts in program history. One piece of the Eagles beginning of the season puzzle was a 2-1 victory over then-nationally ranked St. Mary’s (Md.). Another piece was stellar goalkeeping and a defense that was allowing just over a goal per game, with two shutouts to its credit. For their standout season, the Eagles earned five AllConference selections, including two on the first team. Senior Kalah Hess (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) joining goalkeeper Taylor Waddell (Reedsville, Pa./Indian Valley) on the first team, while sophomores Jennifer Bateman (Poolesville, Md./Poolesville) and Joan Burleson (Newport News, Va./Menchville) were selected to the second team and senior Brianna Jacques (Orange, Va./Orange) earned honorable mention honors. In all, the Eagles turned in a solid 2010 campaign and has a lot to look forward to in the future. Volleyball wrapped up the season with a 15-18 mark, and had one All-ODAC selection- junior Katie Baker
Volleyball Turns In Roller Coaster Season The Bridgewater College volleyball team endured an up-and-down season in 2010, finishing with a 15-18 overall record and a 4-6 ODAC record. The Eagles posted some solid wins during the season, including a 3-2 victory over Roanoke and a victory over a Frostburg State team that won 30 matches. The Eagles lost in the ODAC tournament first round to Randolph-Macon College in three straight games. Bridgewater College junior Katie Baker (Strasburg, Va./Strasburg) was named to the All-ODAC Volleyball Second Team released Friday. The team was recognized between quarterfinal games at the conference tournament being played at Hollins University. Baker, a junior, led the team in total kills during the season with 246 for a 2.65 average per game. She finished the season with a .247 hitting percentage while also leading the team in service aces with 38 and blocks with 71. Baker ranked ninth in the ODAC in service aces. Sophomore outside hitter Ashley Scott (South Riding, Va./Heritage) led the conference in kills with 3.68 per game.
Men’s Soccer Shows Signs of Improvement The rebuilding process continued for the Bridgewater men’s soccer program during the 2010 season. Despite their 2-13-2 overall record and 1-7-2 conference mark, the Eagles showed improvement throughout the year. Bridgewater defeated Emory & Henry, 1-0, and picked up ties against Virginia Wesleyan and Eastern Mennonite during conference play. Two Eagles were recognized on the all-conference team as Shane O’Donnell earned second-team honors for the second straight year while teammate Kevin Gorman received honorable mention. Cross Country Notches Best Season in Program History The Bridgewater College men’s cross country team turned in a solid season under the direction of first-year head coach Brian Flynn. The Eagles finished fourth at the ODAC Championships. Senior Jake Griffin paced the Eagles effort with an 11th place finish to earn second-team All-ODAC honors. The Eagles bunched the rest of their scorers as the next four runners finished between 18th and and 24th. Ryan Barnett placed 18th with a time of 27:45 and Paul Johnson finished 21st at 27:55. Abe Rittenhouse placed 23rd with a time of 28:00, just two seconds ahead of teammate Jordan White in 24th. Men’s Soccer won a pair of games in the Bridgewater ended ODAC, behind a youthful flock of Eagles. its season with a solid effort at the South/Southeast Region meet where the team placed 10th out of 25 teams. Griffin again led the way as he finished 34th overall. The Bridgewater College women’s cross country team turned in a stellar performance during the 2010 season. The Bridgewater College Eagles challenged for the title before settling for third place at the ODAC Women’s Cross Country Championship Meet. Bridgewater placed two runners on the All-ODAC first team. Sophomore Olivia Mills placed second overall with a time of 23:20. Mills led for much of the race before being caught and passed by Lynchburg’s Jennie Pernisi who won the individual title with a time of 22:58. Molly Smith, also a sophomore, jonied Mills on the All-ODAC first team as she finished seventh with a time of 23:59. Junior Katie Notarangelo placed 14th overall with a time of 24:33 to earn All-ODAC second team recognition. The Eagles placed ninth out of 25 teams at the South/Southeast Region meet. Mills and Smith both earned All-Region honors. Mills finished sixth overall to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championship meet. Olivia Mills claimed All-Region honors in her first season with the Eagles.