June 2, 2010

Baseball| Season ends after loss in MAC title game, 4A Check out cm-life.com for a photo slideshow

Special olypmics | State Summer games start this week, 3A

Central Michigan Life

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

[cm-life.com]

CMU seeks $174,294 from former player, attorney Claims lawsuit against Guevara

by Heike frivolous

By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter

Legal battles involving women’s basketball head coach Sue Guevara and a former player aren’t over after all.

On Friday, attorneys for

Central Michigan University and Guevara requested U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington place sanctions on former player Brooke Heike and her attorney Cindy Rhodes Victor.

According to a 24-page court document obtained

by Central Michigan Life on Tuesday, Lansing attorney Michael E. Cavanaugh is seeking fees of $162,568 jointly and severally from Heike, Victor and her Victor

Firm, P.L.L.C. In addition, they are also seeking an additional amount of $11,726 exclusively from the Victor Firm. “(Heike) and her attorney violated ... numerous respects by filing and proceeding with this frivolous lawsuit, and defendants are entitled to an appropriate sanction, including their attorney fees,” Cavanaugh said in a motion filed Friday in U.S. District Court.

Cavanaugh questioned the competency of Victor, continuing: “(Heike) and her attorney knowingly accept- Sue Guevara ed the risk of sanctions for the attorney fees incurred by defendants during the course of this litigation.”

CMU General Counsel

Manuel Rupe and Director of Public Relations Steve Smith declined comment.

Heike filed a lawsuit on Feb. 6, 2009, against Guevara, CMU and its board of trustees, Athletic Director Dave Heeke and Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships Patricia Pickler alleging sexual discrimination after her scholarship was revoked by Guevara following the 2007-08 season.

Heike alleged Guevara said

on multiple occasions she was not her “type” because she wore makeup and had a boyfriend.

A portion of the suit was thrown out in September after it was determined that university officials were employees of the state and immune from such claims.

“As discovery continued, it became more and more evident that (Heike)’s remaining

A guevara | 2A

CMU unsure how MPSERS changes will affect departments Employees have until June 11 to make decision

By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter

Central Michigan University may have anywhere from 60 to 100 employees retiring before Sept. 1 due to changes in Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System legislation.

These retirements could strain department resources to continue operating as they are now, according to an e-mail about the MPSERS retirements sent out by Cali Clark, director of employment and compensation.

Jacqueline Pridgeon, interim director of benefits

and wellness, said it is too early to determine how this will affect employees in individual departments.

“There may be some departments that have more than one (employee affected), and some won’t have any,” Pridgeon said.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed legislation reforming the MPSERS into law May 19.

Starting July 1, all active employees enrolled in MPSERS who do not choose to retire early will have a 3 percent pay deduction which goes toward retiree health costs.

School employees have until June 11 to indicate whether or not they plan on retiring this summer.

“It’s a big decision to make,” Pridgeon said. “The photos by libby march/photo editor

A MPSERS | 2A

Incoming freshman Candace Macdonald, of Ithaca, laughs nervously while waiting to audition for the Chippewa Marching Band Tuesday in the Music Building. “I had dreams about puking into my saxophone,” Macdonald said a few minutes earlier. “And I had one last night, so this could be interesting.” MacDonald, who has been playing saxophone for about seven years, was accepted into the marching band a few minutes after auditioning.

fresh beats

Incoming freshmen audition for placement in music programs

By Joe Borlik | Senior Reporter

Libby March/staff photographer

Rose Arena’s construction continues Tuesday afternoon. It is scheduled to be completed in November.

Rose renovation halfway complete Construction on schedule for basketball season

By Maria Leone Staff Reporter

Expansion of the new $21.5 million events center at Rose Arena is running on schedule.

“We’re 50 percent complete,” said Steve Lawrence, associate Vice President for facilities management Lawrence said the first goal is to have the arena completed in time for the first basketball game in December and the second goal is to have the Student Activities Center expansion finished by February 2011. Construction began last October.

Lawrence said concrete is being poured on the concourse level of the arena and the electrical rough is being installed.

Walls will be sealed once

the rough is complete.

He also said the structural steel for the stairways and the east club room in the concourse is being placed and blocks are being laid for concession stands and restrooms.

Within the next week, brick will be seen on the exterior of the building, he said.

“I think that people are interested in seeing this new venue with all the changes and maybe there will be a possibility for new events that will definitely draw people in,” Mount Pleasant freshman Kaylee Harless said.

Lawrence said the expansion will be beneficial to sports teams, events and summer camps.

“The arena will now have two basketball courts available for summer camps,” he said.

Derek van der Merwe, senior associate athletic director, said every seat will be enhanced. On the A rose | 2A

M

att Rutkowski had something that set him apart from other incoming freshmen auditioning for the Chippewa Marching Band.

The Pinckney freshmen plays drums for the heavy metal rock band “Break the Day,” and has performed for crowds of more than 1,000 across the state.

“Playing is a big stress relief and helps get everything out,” Rutkowski said. “I like to go crazy and have fun on the drums.”

Rutkowski is one of about 140 incoming freshmen auditioning for Central Michigan University’s Marching Band this summer.

He tried out Tuesday night in the Music Building with about 30 others for the third of this summer’s six audition days.

About 120 students are returning to play in the band

and the band is looking to add musicians to its ideal ranks of between 220 to 250 total members, said James Batcheller, director of the Chippewa Marching Band.

Batcheller said he is looking forward to a terrific fall season for the band.

About 50 to 70 percent of the freshmen auditioning are accepted and most have previous performing experience, he said.

“A lot of the people who audition have experienced

Incoming freshman Candace MacDonald, of Ithaca, practices Handel’s Sonata #3 on her saxophone, wearing her favorite socks and shoes for the occasion of her audition into the Chippewa Marching Band. MacDonald said she has worn the socks for every important music event this year.

success and want to continue that,” Batcheller said.

Ithaca freshman Candace MacDonald played Handel‘s Sonata #3, which she said took four days to learn.

She was nervous before she came to the big show.

“I had dreams about puking into my saxophone,” MacDonald said.

She wore a pair of socks adorned with musical scales to her audition, the same pair she wears at all her musical events.

MacDonald’s worries turned out to be unfounded. Batcheller informed her she had been accepted into the band as soon as she finished her audition.

Canton freshman Ashley Stamper played “Hello” by Lionel Richie and “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin on her clarinet for her audition.

“I like to play jazz and show tunes,” Stamper said. “They’re fun.”

Just down the hall in Nina

A music | 2A

NEWS

VIDEO

MULTIMEDIA

Check the site for coverage of Mount Pleasant’s town hall meeting addressing the budget.

Watch Monday’s memorial day ceremonies from Mount Pleasant.

Look for news, video and photos of the Special Olympics State Summer games.

cm-life.com | News, sports, updates and multimedia all summer long

2A | Wednesday, June 2, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

cm-life.com

music |

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

EVENTS CALENDAR

continued from 1A

Nash-Robertson’s office, about 14 auditions took place.

Nash-Robertson, the director of Choral Activities, said 112 freshmen have scheduled choir auditions for the summer.

She said about 30 to 40 will make it to Concert Choir and about 50 to 60 to Women’s Chorus.

Nash-Robertson said choir auditions start with a vocal warm-up and then students can perform anything they want.

She said some sing gospel

Today

w Art Reach of Mid Michigan will host a solo narrative theatre performance titled, “Resurrection of a Life� written by William Saroyan at the Art Reach Center, 319 S. University from noon to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 773 3689.

Thursday

w The Book Shelf, 1014 S. Mission St. will host a book signing and open discussion with author Yusef Shakur at 7 p.m. His self-published political memoir, "The Window 2 My Soul" was released in 2008.

Friday

w The Broadway Theater, 216 E. Broadway St., will show the film “Mary Poppins� at 7 p.m. Tickets are $2 and will be available at the door. For more information contact 772 2075. w Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd., is hosting their 8th Annual Cruise ’n Car Show from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

There will be live outdoor entertainment, food and a picnic area for those in attendance.

The casino will give away a 1972 Chevelle SS. The event is open to the public. For more information, visit soaringeaglecasino.com. w Creedence Clearwater Revival’s bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford will perform live interpretations of CCR’s original songs at the Soaring Eagle, 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $25.

Corrections Central Michigan Life has a long-standing commitment to fair and accurate reporting.

It is our policy to correct factual errors. Please e-mail news@cm-life.com. Š Central Michigan Life 2009 Volume 91, Number 87

Rose | continued from 1A

lower bowl, seat backs and bottoms will be cushioned.

A second tier of around 1,000 seats will also be added with cushioned bottom seating and plastic backing. New contoured balcony seats will have a lot of space around them, van der Merwe said. “The entire university will benefit from the new event center,� van der Merwe said. “We have designed the spac-

or opera and some bring in instruments and CDs. “Their personal level of involvement in the artistry of the music and text can move you to tears,� NashRobertson said.

Lake Orion freshman Sarah Donetti was placed in the Women’s Choir. “I want to use what I’ve been blessed with,� Donetti said.

-Photo Editor Libby March contributed to this report studentlife@cmlife.com

Amelia eramya/staff photographer

Jon Radabaugh skates up the ramp in the Mount Pleasant Skate Park in Island Park, 331 N. Main St. Radabaugh, 15, just moved back to Michigan from Kalispell, Montana five days ago. He has been skating for more than three years. “I love skateboarding to music,� he said. “It clears my mind.�

MPSERS | continued from 1A

retirees want to know what is happening and how this impacts them. They want to make sure they’re prepared for their retirement.�

Pridgeon said at this point she does not know which department will be most affected and she has not heard any feedback about departments possibly being understaffed.

Clark’s e-mail said the retirement incentive creates an opportunity for the uni-

Guevara | continued from 1A

claims had no factual support whatsoever. In fact, it soon became apparent that (she) never had a reasonable basis to believe that evidence existed to support her claims and that she and her attorney included her most salacious claims regarding race and sexual preference discrimination merely to garner media attention and to publicly embarrass CMU and the individual defendants,� Cavanaugh said in the document.

The remainder of the orig-

es in the event center to be flexible and open to allow for multi-purpose use.�

He said the lobby will be used for banquets and the club lounge area for convenient meetings and social gatherings.

The practice gym will be used by teams and for space for any university sponsored events, said van der Merwe.

The new collegiate-level arena will have an intimate wrap around bowl effect, Lawrence said. “Space was pretty limited before, so the expansion will allow for bigger ‘names’ brought to Central,� said

versity to consider reorganizing to generate base budget savings.

To assist in workforce planning, the e-mail states that departments should work closely with Human Resources and Employment Services and that all vacancies need the approval of Provost Gary Shapiro before posting.

It listed several recommendations for departments, including considering the long-term implications related to filling a vacancy.

Clark’s e-mail also detailed the MPSERS retiree earnings limitations.

“Retirees cannot work the first full calendar month after their retirement, that includes not being able to volunteer,� the e-mail stated.

Pridgeon said it is difficult to determine whether the incentive could create new jobs. “It’s having an impact on the university but it’s too early to tell,� Pridgeon said. “We need to understand how many people are actually going to take the incentive and which departments they’re retiring from.�

inal lawsuit, which included claims of defamation and that Heeke was negligent in his hiring and supervision of Guevara, was dismissed on May 3 on similar grounds.

According to the documents, Heike and her attorney filed a separate lawsuit against CMU on April 7 alleging similar allegations under Title IX. The law, enacted in 1972, states that no person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial service.

The suit has not been served to CMU as of yet.

Heike would not comment when reached. Victor Rogers did not return any messages.

Kendall Boyle, a West Bloomfield junior. “Hopefully, that will draw larger crowds.� university@cm-life.com

university@cm-life.com

sports@cm-life.com

WHAT COULD YOU DO IN 85 MINS?

Catch up on a favorite book.

Surf the internet.

SAVE SOME TIME TO SAVE A LIFE. Schedule your appointment today and receive up to $180 per month!

SAVE A LIFE.

Donate plasma.

989.773.1500

APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE TODAY!

Gather nice at Central

4279 Bluegrass Rd Mt Pleasant, MI 48858 www.biolifeplasma.com

y o u r f r i e n d s fo r a round of green one of these M i c h iga n c o u r s e s !

For Tee-Times:

012!"+10 Š

)) ! 6 $,)#

OAL@ KLM<=FL A <

772-5726 2 mi. W. of CMU on Broomfield

SPRING STUDENT SPECIAL OPEN PLAY ONLY

= H>L GHM BG<EN=> <:KM

FREE GOLF

2-for-1 Greens Fees

9 Holes Walking

7.50

$

p.p. Mon.-Th.

9.50 p.p. Fri.-Sun.

$

w/ coupon & student I.D. Exp. 6/20/10

$,)# ,2/0"

?>:MNK>L H9J L@J== @GD=K

H9J >GMJ @GD=K K9F< LJ9HK O9L=J @9R9J<K B G= BOB= N :E @KHN I KHHF I : <D:@> K:M>L :O: BE: ;E> ,I>K:MB G@ ?KHF 1A> $K>>G 0N BM>L LN

F F>KMHG FM IE>:L:GM

ROCK & BOWL Fri. & Sat. 9p.m.-12

2

$ 00 OFF

18 HOLES with cart

25

$

p.p.

p.p.

w/ coupon & student I.D. Exp. 6/20/10

2-SOMES/ 4-SOMES CALL FOR TEE TIMES

w/ coupon & student I.D. Exp. 6/20/10

Voted Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Three Years in a Row!

www.riverwoodresort.com

www.cm-life.com

[News]

International student health insurance still causes discontent

S tat e s u m m e r g a m e s

Issues with cost, selection, year-long coverage frustrate students

By Connor Sheridan News Editor

file photo by ashley miller

Area 15 athlete Wendy Marshall, 31, crosses the finish line after running the 100-meter dash at the Special Olympics Summer Games on Friday, May 29, 2009. This year, the State Summer games will be from this Thursday to Saturday.

Special Olympics to attract about 5,500 to Mount Pleasant

By Eric Dresden Editor In Chief

Sometimes it is hard for Lisa Grey to share her mother.

Lisa, 43, of Mount Pleasant has been an athlete in the Special Olympics since she was 8 years old, but for the last several years, her mother Connie Grey has helped out as the Area 7 assistant director.

Connie said sometimes she thinks it’s hard for Lisa to handle.

“It’s a team ... I have to remember (Lisa) is a part of that team and not just my daughter, so I have to spread my time with each individual person plus her,” Connie said.

Lisa said it’s a little difficult, but not as hard as Connie makes it out to be.

“It’s great, she’s my mom,” Lisa said.

The 2010 Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday with opening ceremonies at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Closing ceremonies will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, though there will still be several events on Saturday. The events are free to the public.

Kim Purdy, director of public relations for Special Olympics Michigan, said about 5,500 people will come to Mount Pleasant as a part of the games this week.

About 2,300 of them will be participating athletes.

Area 7, which includes Clare, Gladwin, Isabella and Gratiot counties, will have 230 athletes participate in the games, Connie said.

“Special Olympics is a ‘we’ program.

It’s not an ‘I’ program or ‘my’ program and ... it’s really taught me teamwork, like what the athletes learn.”

Connie Grey, Mount Pleasant resident

“The most rewarding part is to watch each athlete as they achieve their goal,” Connie said. “It makes every hard day worth everything that we do for them.”

Purdy said the games have a lot of meaning for those participating.

“Volunteers will tell you they get more out of it than they give,” she said.

She said Detroit Lions player Drew Stanton along with several former Lions players will be volunteering during the games. There will also be a “Rev It Up Ride” on Friday night which will bring motorcycle riders from all over Michigan to Mount Pleasant to participate in the closing ceremonies.

Athletes can compete in many different events including bocce ball, horseshoes, volleyball and bowling as well as running, walking and wheelchair events.

Connie said she has always been involved and has gained a lot from the experience.

Lisa said she enjoys the games because they have given her an outlet to make new friends.

“I like Special Olympics because I’m in it and I’m

Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, June 2, 2010 || 3A

If you go... w

w

w

What: Opening Ceremonies for Special Olympic State Summer Games When: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday Where: Kelly/Shorts Stadium

happy and I’m getting involved in more activities,” Lisa said.

Connie said the entire program taught her a lot.

Special Olympics was an “eye-opener” for her, because since she got involved it became like a big family, she said.

“Special Olympics is a ‘we’ program,” she said. “It’s not an ‘I’ program or ‘my’ program and ... it’s really taught me teamwork, like what the athletes learn.”

Purdy said she hopes the community will be involved with the games too.

“We invite and welcome community members,” Purdy said. “(We want people) to experience the joy of what the athletes are doing.” metro@cmlife.com

Central Michigan University Health Service’s recent decision to only allow preapproved plans for international students has become a cause for concern among many internationals.

Originally the international students would have been required to buy CMU’s health insurance plan at $1,480 per year. After negotiations with representatives from five groups of students on May 10 three alternative plans were also accepted.

Some international students found the results unsatisfactory.

Nigeria junior Evelyn Famutimi said the three alternative plans do not solve the fundamental problem that many international students will now be required to purchase another insurance for an entire year.

“The point still remains that a lot of international students cannot afford to

pay for a year of insurance,” Famutimi said.

Health insurance has always been required for international students, but after Health Services took over insurance administration from the Office of International Affairs earlier this year, it decided to more closely regulate by only allowing pre-approved plans.

“It was thought that might be a better way to make sure requirements had been met,” said Angela Smith, assistant director of business services for Health Services. “Otherwise you would have to review every single policy and there is not enough administrative power to look through every policy.”

Famutimi, who is also president of the African Student Association at CMU, said because many international students travel home for several months, such as over the summer, it is unfair to force them to buy year-long insurance in the U.S. Korea graduate student Mihyang An said she and many of her Korean friends are contending with just that problem. She said she couldn’t just get by with an American insurance plan because it would not cover

her at home.

“Most of my Korean friends head back to their country over the summer,” An said. “It kind of wastes money, it’s really bad actually.”

Unfortunately, year-long insurance is required for students because potential health issues that occur while students are off the plan might not be covered once they get back to the U.S., Smith said.

This means any treatments related to those conditions could be denied by the insurance and the patient would have to pay out of pocket, Smith said.

She said to keep the program manageable for the coming year, the decision had to be made to require a year of insurance except for students graduating in the next semester.

“We will monitor and reassess the program continually and will be in contact with the (international) student representatives as we go out to bid for the student insurance company next year,” she said. “If we are able to change this for next year we will certainly consider it.” university@cm-life.com

Mount Pleasant heats up with full schedule of events Concerts, new trails, festivals over coming months

By Maria Leone Staff Reporter

Though the school year might slow down over the summer, city life in Mount Pleasant is rarely more interesting.

The summer months are full of things to do in Mount Pleasant, said Michelle Sponseller, downtown development director.

“I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into, but I’m glad I did,” said Sponseller.

Concert series Max and Emily’s Summer Concert Series will begin June 10 with Verve Pipe’s lead singer, Brian Vander Ark, Sponseller said. Other performers will include the Saucecats on July 22 and actor Jeff Daniels on August 21 in downtown Mount Pleasant.

“There is always a great crowd with the series and people love it, “she said.

Access Adventure Trail The grand opening for the Access Adventure Trail will begin at Island Park on June 26, said Carol Moody, recreation coordinator for Parks and Recreation. The trail will include a newly built bridge over the Chippewa River, which will include glass paneling on the sides, she said. The bridge will be much wider and more accessible for multiple people to cross side by side.

Summer festival The 26th annual Mount Pleasant Summer Festival will kick off on June 23 and conclude June 27, said festival coordinator Jane Plamondon.

The Great Lakes Timber Show will appear for the second year in a row. Plamondon said the show will feature chainsaw wood carving, axe throwing and more.

Many events for children will be occurring at the festival, including a parade and a duck race, Plamondon said.

During the parade, children can dress up, decorate floats, and ride their bikes from Sacred Heart Parish to Island Park, she said. The duck race will pit 1,000 marked rubber ducks against each other in a

race down the river.

“People run along the river to try to catch the ducks. It’s a lot of fun,” Plamondon said.

A fireworks show will take place on the 25 and 26 and the festival will conclude with the Rods in the Park car show Sunday morning, said Plamondon.

Downtown arts From July 22 to 24 downtown Mount Pleasant will be filled with arts for all ages at the Mount Pleasant Street Festival. The festival will feature arts and crafts, sidewalk sales and professional chalkart, Sponsellor said. She said there will also be face painting and a blues concert.

Choreography and street dances will be held with Vision Studios of Dance talents, she said.

“It’s my first summer up here, so it’ll be nice to see some parts of Mount Pleasant I can’t get during the school year,” Jenison senior Kris Stenglein said. “I’m from a small town, so I will feel right at home going to these sorts of things.” metro@cm-life.com

4A || Wednesday, June 2, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

BASEBALL

TRACK & FIELD

Pilling, Rose to NCAAs

By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter

SEAN PROCTOR/staff photographer

Sophomore outfielder Scott Phillion takes a breather after reaching third base in the bottom of the fifth inning against Kent State on Saturday in Chillicothe, Ohio. Although CMU threatened with two men in scoring position and one out, the Golden Flashes were able to pitch their way out of the jam, limiting the Chippewas offensively en route to a 5-3win for the MAC championship.

SHATTERED DREAMS CMU rallies by scoring four in bottom of ninth to advance to MAC title game, but then loses to No. 2 seed Kent State

By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – All season long, the Central Michigan baseball team thrived on comeback wins.

But on Saturday evening, when it needed one the most, luck ran out as Kent State held off CMU 5-3 to win its second consecutive Mid-American Conference championship at V.A. Memorial Stadium.

After falling behind 5-0 to the MAC East Division champions, CMU scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to pull within two. Sensing their second comeback of the day, the Chippewas got runners on first and second with nobody out in the ninth.

Instead, one of the worst-case scenarios happened. Senior James Teas lined to KSU shortstop Jimmy Rider, who stepped on second base and doubled up junior Matt Faiman to deliver the knockout blow.

The play would seize CMU’s momentum and stop them one game short of its goal of winning the MAC tournament.

“There will be tears of joy but there will also be tears of how close we were,” a somber and emotional head coach Steve Jaksa said after the game. “We wanted to set a standard. We were so determined that we wanted to get back to a regional.

It doesn’t always work out for you.”

Kent State (39-23) scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth and another in the 10th to come from behind and beat Eastern Michigan to advance to the title game earlier in the day. With the win over CMU, the Golden Flashes receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament and will play UCLA at 9 p.m. Friday in the Los Angeles regional.

“It hasn’t hit yet that this is my last game, but it will,” Teas said after game. “We battled through

cm-life.com/category/sports

[Sports]

“There will be tears of joy but there will also be tears of how close we were. We wanted to set a standard.”

Coach Steve Jaksa the whole game. Unfortunately, you can’t win them all.”

Senior Jesse Hernandez (8-3) took the loss after pitching on just two days rest. Hernandez, the 2010 MAC Pitcher of the Year, did not look his sharpest as KSU hitters tacked him for three runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings.

“It just didn’t work out,” Jaksa said. “I wish I had a better answer for it – I don’t have any answers. I just wish the result would’ve been different.”

CMU had several opportunities to score earlier, but a series Steve Jaksa of bad breaks and inability to get a hit with runners on base kept it off the scoreboard for much of the game.

Trailing 3-0 in the fifth inning with runners in scoring position, junior Matt Faiman hit a shot up the middle that bounced off the shin of KSU starter Kyle Hallock. Instead of skirting one or another, it went straight up in the air and resulted in an out.

The Chippewas would end the inning without scoring.

With a pair of runners on in the sixth, sophomore Scott Phillion launched a fly ball to left field that was feet away from tying the game. Instead, CMU remained scoreless.

“If we had any of those balls, we would have had multiple runs, but it didn’t work out,” Jaksa said. “Even with that, with all those things happening, we still score and put two runners on in the ninth. I got no complaints with this group of guys.

They showed great character

and I loved the effort they gave and the way they went about their business.”

STAYING ALIVE Earlier in the day, the Chippewas rallied for four innings in the bottom of the ninth inning of the first tournament semi-final game to beat Bowling Green 9-8.

CMU took a comfortable 5-1 lead into the seventh inning on sophomore Trent Howard’s fourth start of the season. After Howard ran into some trouble, MAC Freshman of the Year Dietrich Enns was brought in.

Enns struggled in the eighth, allowing five runs on two hits as the Falcons took an 8-5 lead.

But the Chippewas wouldn’t go quietly, rallying with three consecutive singles in the ninth to pull within two. After sophomore Nate Theunissen walked to load the bases, senior Dale Cornstubble singled to center field and Phillion tied the game with a sacrifice fly.

Senior Ricky Clark capped off the comeback with a bloop single.

“I know, deep down, that they will get a picture up on the wall and there will be reunions and talks about this championship season,” Jaksa said. “There will always be that that nobody can ever take away from them.

There’s still a lot of pain, because wanted more.

“When you play at the level we’re playing at, it becomes a bonding and love affair. Not with each other but with the game, and you want to keep going.” sports@cm-life.com

And then it comes down to two.

Discus throwers Greg Pilling and Alex Rose were the only members of the Central Michigan track and field team to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships over the weekend at the East Preliminaries in Greensboro, N.C. Pilling, a senior, will make his second trip to nationals after finishing runner-up in the prelims with a throw 183 feet, two inches. He also finished second in last year’s Mideast Regional.

“I wasn’t expecting to place that high,” Pilling said. “I was ranked sixth going in and it was kind of a shaky season. But it felt good being able to put up a solid performance after winning the MAC championship.”

Rose, a freshman, posted a toss of 179 feet, five inches, good for seventh overall.

“I tried to make sure he was sticking to his own game plan,” Pilling said. “During warm ups, he wasn’t paying attention to others and doing what he needed to do.”

Track and field director Willie Randolph said he was pleased with both athletes’ performance given the hot and humid conditions.

“We’re very proud of Greg and Alex,” Randolph said. “It wasn’t about classification, it was about competing.

They stayed Willie Randolph focus on what they were there to do.”

Senior pole vaulter Marcus Breidinger, participating in his fourth outdoor regional, placed 13th (17 feet, 3/4 inch), just missing a chance to go to nationals.

After reaching NCAAs and missing All-American status via jump off during the indoor season, senior Erika Schroll will not make it to outdoor nationals.

Schroll finished 14th in the high jump with a height of five feet, eight 1/2 inches.

“We were a little surprised,” Randolph said. “Erika’s someone who’s going to compete to the best of her ability. It’s unfortunate she had an off-day, but we’re still very proud of her.”

Junior Raeanne Lohner finished 18th (35:58.47) in the 10,000 meter while Mykal Imbrock placed 23rd in the hammer throw with a distance of 177 feet, 10 inches.

Sophomore Joshua Kettlewell posted a career-high height in the pole vault of 16 feet, 8 3/4 inches, finishing 24th.

Rounding out CMU’s roster was junior Branden Post (32nd, 400-meter hurdles) and sophomore Dierra Riley (43rd, 100meter race).

“We knew going in there it was going to take a certain level of maturity,” Randolph said.

“We told (the underclassmen) to go in and compete like they knew how to and they would

FILE PHOTO BY MATTHEW STEPHENS

Senior discus thower Greg Piling finished runner-up at the NCAA East Preliminaries on Saturday. Freshman Alex Rose also placed in the top 12, qualifying for nationals.

have no problem qualifying for nationals. While they didn’t, they set up good things for the program going forward.” sports@cm-life.com

cm-life.com Check the website for a story on the 2010 volleyball schedule