Experienced player brings depth to squad

NICOLE DUGGAN ASST SPORTS EDITOR NLD723@CABRINI EDU

you are feeling good enough to break pace and go find the Kenyans, you hit what is so commonly known as “the wall.” This wall I speak of cannot be explained in words alone, for it is a state of mind and one that I really don’t want to discuss. I suppose you could say it feels like someone poured cement in your shoes and tied a bus to your back, expecting you to pull the weight.

Pulling out of such a feeling and finishing the race is something that one really cannot do alone. I have to admit that I could not have finished the race had it not been for the generosity of the people on the streets, going hoarse while cheering us on.

But even with the people of Austin behind me, during miles 20 through 24 the emergency medical tents were looking awfully inviting. I mean, it dangles the mile marker signs in front of you just like those cartoons with people running for the Twinkies on a string that they’ll never catch.

And just when you think you have a good hold on it, it moves them further... and further and further apart.

And then it just laughs in your face.

When the windy suburban streets finally revealed the skyline of the city, I was determined to cross that finish line. As we made it through the final stretch, and our friends and family were right on the sidelines cheering us on, we crossed the finish at a speed we no longer thought we could reach. I was in a trance. As soon as I finished and I heard the announcer yell, “Nicholas Pitts from New Jersey!”

I realized that I won my battle, but at the same time, I had nothing but respect for the route that I barely made it through.

I have decided that this may be the best love-hate relationship I’ll ever have. It is the ultimate emotional rollercoaster. I went from belated, to nervous, back to confident, to weary and finally, totally wiped out but so proud at the same time.

Just incase anyone wondered just what it was like to finally cross that finish line, imagine being hit by an 18-wheeler truck, then getting up and walking away from what should have been catastrophic, with just a slight limp.

As I sit on my Philly bound flight, wanting nothing more than to just, bend my legs because they still hurt, I think about the question that everyone asked me upon finishing. Will I do another one? Just for the sake of a good story, I’ll give you all my usual answer: Ask me that again when I can walk without hobbling.

The Cabrini women’s basketball team is rounding off one of their best seasons in years. The team is full of talented players and one of them is sophomore Alyssa Brady. She is currently the team’s third leading scorer averaging 7.7 points per game and second on the team in rebounds with 110.

The sophomore came to Cabrini from Allentown, Pa. where she attended Allentown Central Catholic High school. There she was a fouryear varsity member and three-year starter. She was part of an extremely successful team, winning two gold state medals and one silver during her high school career. She talked about why she came to Cabrini and what drew her in when she visited.

“When I came on my recruiting trip the girls impacted me a lot. They made me feel so comfortable,” Brady said. “Knowing someone who went here already helped me a lot too.”

She went on to say how close the team is now and how that is a big part of how the team is so successful.

“We’re all really close,” she said. “It feels like we are all sisters.” college level. He also stressed that guidance was lacking in the recreation department at Cabrini before his arrival, therefore he has been set on making more and more changes. Flag football was one of the activities that sky-rocketed last year in popularity. Jespersen has seen the participation in most activities increase more this year than ever before, and it continues to improve.

Coach Bobbi Morgan knew she wanted Alyssa to be a part of Cabrini’s program when she saw Alyssa play in high school and is extremely pleased with what she has brought to the team these past two years.

“She’s ultra competitive and determined. She doesn’t ever have a down moment in the way she plays in terms of effort,” Morgan said. “She has really stepped up this year. Just given our very balanced team, she is a strong threat and great offensive rebounder.” as rock climbing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, canopy tour, ski trips and paintball.

In addition to more outdoor recreation, indoor athletics have been given more attention with open play and even tournaments for soccer, flag football, basketball, volleyball, dodge ball, ultimate Frisbee, squash and Nintendo Wii.

“More students participate now more than ever,” Jespersen said when comparing the intramural program at Cabrini years ago to today. “The increase of students living on campus has definitely helped the involvement in recreation.”

According to Jespersen, people expect a well-established intramural program at the

Since Jesperson has come to Cabrini, he has been overseeing club sports such as baseball, dodge ball, paintball and capoeira. Each of these club sports were added to the collection of intramurals and there are more expected to come. He stresses the concept that when students contribute their own activity ideas, it makes the program more meaningful.

“You are the odd man out if you don’t play,” Jesperson said, which is the thought he is trying to instill in Cabrini students year after year.

Last year the team finished the regular season with a second place seed for playoffs. They won the semifinal game and advanced to the PAC championship where they fell just short to rival Gwynedd-Mercy. The team this year is currently in second and could very well finish that way going into playoffs. Because the team is in familiar territory at the end of this season, Brady thinks that because they have been here before they will know how to handle the pressure.

“I think this year we are more experienced. We aren’t as young so we aren’t making as many mistakes. We’ve been in this situation before so we know what to expect and how to handle it,” Brady said. “My goal is to win the rest of the games and win the PAC championship.”