Fall Weekly Release #1
VOLLEYBALL
Head Coach: Vicki Brault
FINAL
2002 Records: 27-7 overall
8-1 OAC
THIS WEEK-- The volleyball team opens its season this Friday and Saturday when it travels to Cincinnati to participate in the Mt. St. Joseph Tournament. It is the beginning of the toughest schedule for BW in the history of its volleyball program.
Final 2002 Rankings -- BW ended 2002 ranked 22nd nationally and third in the Great Lakes Region but was not selected to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
Picked Second in the OAC in 2003 -- The Yellow Jackets were tabbed to finish second in the Ohio Athletic Conference this year by the OAC Coaches.
LAST YEAR -- BW finished the 2002 season at 27-7 overall, 8-1 during the OAC regular season and fourth at the OAC Tournament. Highlighting the season was a four-set victory against then Top 10-ranked Wittenberg.
Head Coach Vicki Brault is optimistic entering 2003 as she returns four starters and 13 letterwinners.
Senior Success -- During the past three years, seniors Cassie Palmer (Greenwich/ South Central), Emily Bowen (Tiffin Columbian) and Kerry Helm (Luckey/ Eastwood) have helped BW compile an impressive 81-23 record with a .779 winning percentage.
Returning All-OAC and All-Great Lakes Region Players -- All-OAC First Team: Emily Bowen, Cassie Palmer Second Team: Kerry Helm and Laura Leach (Norwalk/Senior).
All-Great Lakes: Cassie Palmer and Emily Bowen.
Returning Academic All-OAC Players -- Second Team: Kerry Helm and Cassie Palmer.
The 2003 "Quickie" Preview -- This fall, expectations are high for the Yellow Jackets with a solid core of returning players and being picked to finished second in the conference behind Ohio Northern.
Coming off a 27 win season and finishing 22nd in the nation in 2002, BW will play the toughest schedule in school history in 2003. The Yellow Jackets will face 11 teams ranked in the preseason top 25 including the 2002 Division III National Champions Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Seniors Cassie Palmer, Emily Bowen and Kerry Helm will lead the way in 2003. Palmer, a three-time All-OAC and two-time All-Great Lakes Region selection led BW last year in kills with 467 which is also the second most in a single season in school history. She is second all-time in kills (1,243) entering the 2003 season, 337 shy of Regan Pore.
Bowen, an All-Great Lakes Region selection in 2002, was second on the team last year in kills with 400 and was third in both digs (423) and blocks (109). She currently is sixth all-time in digs with 1,164.
Helm is third on the BW career assist list with 2,893, including a team-leading 1,418 assists a year ago.
Adding more muscle to both the offense and defense will be junior middle hitter and All-OAC player Laura Leach. She led both BW and the OAC with 1.44 blocks per game and 166 total.
Other players to look for this season are sophomore outside hitter Emily Albanese (Mentor) and junior defensive specialist Kari Kuhn (Amherst/Steele).
Albanese is coming off a solid freshman year and is expected to contribute greatly to the Yellow Jacket attack. A year ago, she had 205 digs, 60 kills and 30 blocks. Kuhn, one of the first players to come off the bench, contributed with 163 digs and 21 service aces.
FOOTBALL
Head Coach: John Snell
FINAL 2002
RECORDS: 8-2 overall
7-2 OAC
THIS WEEK -- The football team opens the 2003 season by hosting Allegheny (Pa.) on September 6 at The George Finnie Stadium in Berea on Community Night. BW defeated Allegheny a year ago in Meadville, Pennsylvania, 22-2.
The Preseason Polls -- The Yellow Jackets are ranked anywhere from third to 15th in the five NCAA Division III preseason polls that have been released. BW is third in the d3football.com poll, sixth in the Street & Smith's Preseason College Football magazine, eighth in Sports Illustrated, 10th by The Football Gazette and 15th in Lindy's.
The OAC Polls -- BW was tabbed to finish second in the Ohio Athletic Conference by both the OAC Coaches and the Media who cover the OAC at the annual Football Media Day on Aug. 6 in Independence.
LAST YEAR -- In 2002, the Yellow Jackets finished 8-2 overall and 7-2 in the OAC. BW was third in the OAC Standings and ranked both 22nd nationally by The Football Gazette and 25th by the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association).
Returning All-American, Academic All-American, All-North Region and Academic All-District IV Players -- Senior safety Greg Koch (Olmsted Falls) returns as a second-team Division III All-American by The Football Gazette and honorable mention choice by Hewlett-Packard. Senior offensive guard Joe Harbour (Upper San-dusky) returns as a second-team Academic All-American. Koch was joined as an All-North Region pick by senior quarterback Dan Larlham (Brimfield/ Walsh Jesuit).
Returning All-OAC, Academic All-OAC Players -- In addition to Koch, Harbour and Larlham, Tom DeLuca (Norwalk) returns as as second-team All-OAC defensive selection and senior Rob Becker (Dover) earned second-team All-North Region honors by the Football Gazette last year.
Statistical Leaders -- Offensively, Dan Larlham, Mark Anders and Dave LaBahn led the way. Larlham completed 141 of 216 passes for 65.3 percent and 1,873 yards with 16 TD and ten interceptions. He has an efficency rating of 153.30 and is also second in rushing with 493 yards in 120 attempts with 12 TD. Anders topped the team in rushing with 864 yards in 135 attempts (6.4 per carry) with a team-leading 13 TD. He has also caught 13 passes for 99 yards and one TD and averages 20.1 yards in 11 kick returns. Randale Richmond was third in rushing with 385 yards and three TD. LaBahn was the top receiver in 2002 with 38 catches for 619 yards and eight TD. Dave Ehrman was second with 22 catches for 264 yards and two TD and sophomore tight end Nate Wilder (Youngstown/ Cardinal Mooney) was third with 19 grabs for 279 yards and a TD.
On defense, Greg Koch was the top tackler with 84 total stops and a team-leading five interceptions. Safety Jeff Fox (Willoughby South) was second in tackling with 61 stops. Nate Mitchell was third in tackles with 53. Bryan Parobek was fourth with 52 tackles and second on the team with six QB sacks. Rob Wittensoldner was fifth in tackles with 50, third in QB sacks with five and first with 19 tackles for losses of 55 yards. Brady Myers was sixth in tackles with 43 and second in tackles for loss with 17 for minus 77 yards and led the team in QB sacks with seven. Tom DeLuca has the most pass breakups with 14 and is tied for fourth in interceptions with sophomore CB Justin Andes (Canal Fulton/ Canton Central Catholic) with two each. DeLuca also averages 22.7 yards per kickoff return. Matt Walker is averaging 9.1 yards per punt return.
In the kicking game, Rob Becker averaged an OAC-leading 39.3 yards per punt in 28 attempts, including eight that have landed inside the 20-yard line. Kevin Hille booted 36 of 42 PATs and four of seven FGs for 48 points.
MEN'S SOCCER
Head Coach: Reid Ayers
FINAL
2002 Records: 5-12-2 overall
1-6-2 OAC
THIS WEEK -- The men's soccer team begins the 2003 season against Hiram at the PSU-Behrend Tournament in Erie, Pa. BW will play its first home game on September 14 against Thomas More (Ky.) College at The George Finnie Stadium.
LAST YEAR -- The Yellow Jackets finished 5-12-2 overall and 1-6-2 in the conference.
Returning All-OAC Players -- A year ago, freshman Steve Lampinen was the only Yellow Jacket to eran All-OAC accolades. He is not back.
2002 Statistical Leaders -- The Yellow Jacket men were led in scoring by current sophomore Geoff Andrews (North Ridgeville) with 14 points on five goals and four assists. He also took the most shots with 36. Current junior Dave Saeltzer (Brunswick) was second in scoring with four goals for eight points. Matt Doslak and junior J.T. Joyner (Doylestown/ Chippewa) were tied for third with seven points each. Doslak was second in shots taken with 25.
In goal, graduated senior Ryan Edgar played more than 1,429 minutes, made 125 saves and allowed 2.01 goals per game. Also, freshman Nate Christian (North Ridgeville) played more than 319 minutes, made 16 saves and allowed 2.54 goals per game.
The 2003 "Quickie" Preview -- This fall, the Yellow Jackets return 12 letterman and nine starters and are expected to be much better than a year ago. In addition, a bevy of incoming talent is expected to make BW a force in the OAC for years to come.
On offense, sophomore and 2002 Offensive Player of the Year Geoff Andrews will lead the way.
The Yellow Jacket defense will be led by junior All-OAC sweeper and 2001 Defensive Player of the Year David Mustar (North Ridgeville) who returns after not playing soccer last fall. Junior midfielder Dave Saeltzer (Brunswick) will also provide defensive prowless after being named the Defensive Player of the Year last season.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Head Coach: Reid Ayers
FINAL
2002 Records: 9-8-3 overall
3-4-2 OAC
THIS WEEK -- The women's soccer team begins the season in Erie, Pa. for the PSU-Behrend Tournament and first round oppenent Hiram College on Saturday, August 30.
BW will play its first home game on September 4 against Ursuline College at The George Finnie Stadium.
LAST YEAR -- The Yellow Jackets finished the season 9-8-3 overall and 3-4-2 in the OAC. The nine victories tripled the total of wins from a season ago and were more wins than the previous three years combined.
Avram Returns as 2-Time OAC Goalie of the Year -- Two-time OAC Goalie of the Year Amanda Avram (Kirtland/Villa Angela - St. Joseph) will look to extend her long list of accomplishments in 2003.
Avram currently holds the single season record for saves (225) which she set as a sophomore. Last season, Avram recorded 164 saves in 19 games and allowed 28 goals for a 1.73 goals against average. She will be one of the top returning netminders in Division III in 2003.
Returning All-OAC Players -- The Yellow Jackets return four All-OAC players. They are first-team pick Amanda Avram, second-team choice Lisa Przepyszny (Erie, Pa./Mercy-hurst Prep) and honorable mention picks Lynda Barnhart (Madison) and Shireen Shatti (Hubbard).
FINAL 20-Game Statistical Leaders -- Offensively, Freshman Megan Stark (North Olmsted) topped the squad with six goals and two assists for 14 points. She also took the most shots with 48. Junior Lindsey Shilling (Jamestown, N.Y./ Southwestern Central) was second in scoring with six goals and one assist for 13 points. She was tied with freshman forward Katie Demby (Westlake) for second in shots taken with 34. Junior forward Emily Panek (North Olmsted) was third in scoring with five goals and one assist for 11 points. Junior Katie Johnson (Erie, Pa./ Mercyhurst Prep) and freshman Nikki D' Amore (Perry) were tied for fourth with eight points each. Demby and freshman Emily Roll (Dover) were tied for sixth with six points each. D'Amore and Johnson tied with Lisa Przepyszny for the most assists with four each.
In goal, Amanda Avram faced 295 shots, made 164 saves and allowed 1.73 goals per game. She had five shutouts to tie her career-high. Michelle Henry has faced 71 shots, allowed 11 goals per game for 2.54 per game with two shutouts and 38 saves.
WOMEN'S GOLF
Men's Coach: Chris Kibler
Women's Coach: Jim Meyer
THIS WEEK-- The women's golf team opens the 2003 fall season with the two-day Grand Valley State Invitational beginning on Monday, September 1.
The men's golf team begins its season at the Olivet (Mich.) Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5-6.
LAST YEAR -- The women's golf team had a solid season a year ago including a third place tie at the OAC Championships. Current sophomore Lauren Buckner (Westlake) led the way for the Yellow Jackets with a two-day total of 187 strokes and earned All-OAC accolades for her efforts. She was joined on the All-OAC team by current sophomore Emily Scheetz (Massillon/ Perry).
The men's golf team also had a strong season, highlighted by a third place finish at the conference championships. Current junior Steve Weir (Brunswick) shot a two-day total of 150 strokes to earn OAC medalist honors. In addition, junior Mark Speaks (Apple Creek/ Waynedale) was eighth and earned All-OAC accolades.
The 2003 Women's "Quickie" Preview -- Second-year Head Coach Jim Meyer returns five letterwinners. Buckner and Scheetz will be the top returning players and are joined by seniors Lindsay Light (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) and Karissa Kusick (Chicora, Pa./Karns City) and junior Sarah Todd (Seneca, Pa./Cranberry).
The 2003 Men's "Quickie" Preview
The men's team returns its entire roster from last season, including seven lettermen. Weir will be the leader. He will be joined by Speaks and sophomore 2003 spring season stroke average leader Rob Santerre (Cincinnati LaSalle) as the top players.
Weir Played in US Amatuer -- Steve Weir became the first Yellow Jacket golfer in school history to compete at the United States Amatuer Tournament in Pittsburgh, Pa. last week. Weir carded rounds of 85 and 80 and did not make the 36-hole cut.
Congratulations, Steve.
CROSS COUNTRY
Head Coach: Dr. Bill Taraschke
THIS WEEK -- The cross country teams are idle. BW opens its season on Saturday, September 6 at the Hanover Invitational in Hanover, Indiana.
OAC Success -- The Yellow Jackets are no stranger to success in the conference having won a fourth consecutive conference title in 2002 and their 11th title in the past 12 years.
Regional and National Success --
BW made its fourth straight NCAA Divsion III national meet appearance last year including an eighth place finish was the best finish in school history
Returning All-OAC Runners -- Jennifer Southall (Willoughby South) will be the lone returning All-OAC runner.
The 2003 Women's "Quickie" Preview -- The women's team returns eight letterwinners including seniors Jen Southall, Khara Sosko (Ellwood City, Pa./ Riverside), Tara Perry (Brookpark/ Berea), Stacey Havaich (Austintown/Fitch) and Tatum Gruskiewicz (Williamsfield/ Pyma-tuning Valley) and juniors Lisa Bartkiewicz (Berea), Jaime Luketic (Rootstown) and Abby Cominsky (Fremont Ross).
Southall returns after placing 10th at last year's OAC Meet to earn All-OAC honors in the fall, and placing fifth and earning Division III track All-America honors in the 3000 meter steeplechase last spring. Havaich, who transferred to BW last fall from Division I Ohio University, was 14th at the OAC Meet and Bartkiewicz was 19th. Overall, Taraschke returns five runners who placed in the Top 23 at the OAC Meet.
The 2003 Men's "Quickie" Preview
The men's team returns four letterman in 2003. The team will be led by senior Jason Ream (Burton/Berkshire)
Ream returns this fall along with fellow lettermen in junior Josh Fetzer (Ashland/Senior), senior Brian Adkins (Berea), and sophomore Kevin Andrzejewski (Eastlake/North).
A year ago, Ream placed 36th at the OAC Championship Meet and his best finish was 21st-place showing a the Polar Bear Invitational at Ohio Northern University. In addition to last year's OAC Meet, Adkins was 42nd, Fetzer was 44th, and Andrze-jewski was 64th.
2003 Fall Release Archive
Weekly Release #1
Weekly Release #2
Weekly Release #3