10/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Athletes of the Week
Bryan Koniecko of the men’s tennis team won the singles title Oct. 20 at the 2008 Wilson/ITA Midwest Regional Championships at The Ohio State University Varsity Tennis Center. Koniecko, the tournament’s No. 9 seed, defeated defending singles champion and teammate, No. 8 Justin Kronauge 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 in the final. The win by Koniecko marks the third-consecutive year a Buckeye has taken the regional singles tournament crown.
Zac Dalpe, a freshman forward on the men’s hockey team from Paris, Ontario, was named CCHA Rookie of the Week Oct. 20 after helping the Buckeyes to a series split with Lake Superior State last weekend. Dalpe posted a team-best four points in the two games combined.
In the Buckeyes’ come-from-behind win vs. the Lakers (Oct. 18), Dalpe was named the first star of the game after posting a team season-high two goals and three points. He tied the game at 1 in the second period with his first career goal and set up Corey Elkins’ game-tying power-play goal in the third. Dalpe sealed the win with an empty-net goal from center ice with 47 seconds left. Friday against the Lakers, Dalpe had his first career point when he set up Hunter Bishop’s goal 14 seconds into the contest.
Athletics Good Stuff
Athletics
Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee announced the extension of Gene Smith’s contract as director of athletics through 2016 Oct. 16. Smith began his tenure as Ohio State’s athletics director in 2005. He was a finalist for Sports Business Journal’s athletics director of the year and was named to the Legends of Class Minority Athletics Administrators list.
Baseball
Head Coach: Bob Todd
Team Scarlet won the Scarlet and Gray World Series played at Bill Davis Stadium during the week of Oct. 13. Scarlet clinched the series in the deciding game, 7-4, courtesy of junior outfielder Ryan Dew’s homerun to right field in the sixth inning. Matt Streng, a junior from Upper Arlington, Ohio, hit a two-out blast deep into right field in the bottom of the fifth inning to pull Scarlet back into the lead at 6-4 after the Gray had taken a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning.
Michael Stephens led all hitters in the three-game series with a .750 average and three extra-base hits. He was 2-for-3 with two RBI in the finale. Ben Toussant (.429), David Corna (.375) and Brad Hallberg (.375) also had productive series at the plate. Scarlet was led at the plate by Joe Ciamacco (.600), T.J. McManus (.571), Streng (.556) and Dew (.545).
Men’s Basketball
Head Coach: Thad Matta
Ohio State will prepare for the 2008-09 season with a scrimmage vs. Walsh University at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 in Value City Arena before opening the year vs. Delaware State at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at St. John Arena.
Women’s Basketball
Head Coach: Jim Foster
The Buckeyes open the 2008-09 season with a three-game homestand, starting with Butler at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 in Value City Arena. Ohio State then will take on Army at 1 p.m. Nov. 16 and Syracuse at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 in Columbus. The Big Ten Network will stream both the Butler and Syracuse game live on BigTenNetwork.com.
Men’s Cross Country
Head Coach: Robert Gary
After not having their top four runners at the All-Ohio meet, the Buckeyes were back to full strength at the Pre-NCAA Invitational meet Oct. 18 in Terre Haute Ind. Ohio State placed 21st as a team out of 41 total teams in the men’s 8K Blue Race, which included 14 of the nation’s Top 30 cross-country teams.
Finishing first for the Buckeyes was Taylor Williams, who placed 44th individually in 24:24.3. The freshman has been Ohio State’s top runner in every race he has competed in this season.
Up Next: at Big Ten Championships, TBA Nov. 2 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Women’s Cross Country
Head Coach: Karen Dennis
The Buckeyes finished 35th at the Pre-NCAA Invitational meet in Terre Haute, Ind., Oct. 18. Sophomore Sara Foster, who has now been Ohio State’s top runner the past three meets, finished in 101st place in a time of 21:56. Junior Emily Thompson crossed the line second for the Buckeyes in 22:10. She was followed by sophomores Ellen Birmingham and Brittany Wise who finished the race in 23:08 and 23:11, respectively. Freshman Sarah Lowe rounded out the scoring for the Buckeyes in 23:22.
Up Next: at Big Ten Championships, TBA Nov. 2 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Women’s Golf
Head Coach: Therese Hession
Ohio State completed its second tournament of the fall season in sixth place at the Lady Northern Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind., Oct. 19. In the final 18 holes, the Buckeyes carded a team score of 320 to bring their two-day, 54-hole total to 938 (+74) and move up one position.
Leading the Buckeyes on the final day of competition with a score of 74 was senior Jessica Hauser. Moving up from the 26th position to finish in a tie for 10th, the Hartland, Wis., native carded three birdies in the final round to bring her two-day total to 229.
Joining Hauser in the Top 20 was junior Emma Jandel and freshman Nara Shin who finished in a tie for 20th. After rounds of 79-75, Jandel, a co-captain from Dayton, Ohio, had a final round of 80 to move up two spots. Also tying for 20th with rounds of 80-78-76 was Shin, who competed in the tournament as an individual.
Up Next: at Landfall Tradition, TBA Oct. 24-26 in Wilmington, N.C.
No. 11/12 Football (7-1; 4-0 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Jim Tressel
Ohio State traveled to East Lansing, Mich., and defeated No. 17/20 Michigan State, 45-7, in Spartan Stadium. Freshman Terrelle Pryor made his fifth-consecutive start at quarterback for the Buckeyes. He is now 5-0 as a starter. Pryor was 7 of 11 for 116 yards and one TD, including a 56-yard pass to junior Brian Hartline in the first quarter Ohio State’s longest play from scrimmage this year.
Junior Chris Wells gained 140 yards on a season-high 31 carries, marking the fourth time in five games he has topped the 100-yard mark this season and the 13th time in his career. Wells is 14th on the NCAA active career rushing list entering Saturday and remains ninth on Ohio State’s all-time rushing list with 2,804 yards.
Ohio State’s defense held MSU running back Javon Ringer, the nation’s leading rusher coming into the game with 1,112 yards (2nd with 158.8 yards per game), to a season-low 67 yards on 16 carries. His previous low this season was 81 yards at California in the opener.
Ohio State forced a combined five turnovers for the second time this season (three fumbles and two INTs). The Buckeyes also forced five turnovers against Ohio this season (4 INT, 1 fumble).
Senior linebacker James Laurinaitis was named a Rotary Lombardi Award Semifinalist Oct. 27.
Up Next: vs. Penn State, 8 p.m. Oct. 25 in Ohio Stadium (Television: ABC)
at Northwestern, TBA Nov. 8 in Evanston, Ill.
Field Hockey (11-6; 2-3 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Anne Wilkinson
Redshirt-freshman Aisling Coyle scored twice to lead Ohio State to a 3-1 win against Miami University Oct. 15 at North Turf Field. Senior co-captain Linda Haussener scored her team-leading 15th goal of the season and junior Natalia Ciminello tallied two assists in the final nonconference matchup for the Buckeyes this season.
Freshman goalkeeper Ally Tunitis recorded her second-consecutive shutout of a Big Ten opponent to lead the Buckeyes to a 2-0 upset of No. 8 Iowa Oct. 19 in Iowa City. Senior forward Emily Mikac set up the first goal for junior Rachel Hunter and scored the second in the victory.
Up Next: vs. Northwestern, 3 p.m. Oct. 24 at North Turf Field
at Big Ten Tournament, TBA Nov. 6-9 in Bloomington, Ind.
Men’s Hockey (1-2-1; 1-2-1-1 CCHA)
Head Coach: John Markell
Ohio State scored 14 seconds into its game vs. Lake Superior State Oct. 17, but the Lakers responded with two goals in the next 6:06 to take a lead they would not relinquish en route to a 7-3 victory in Value City Arena. The Buckeyes cut the Laker lead to one to end both the first and second periods, but could not get the tying goal. The Lakers scored three goals in the third for the final.
Sophomores Hunter Bishop and Peter Boyd tallied for the Scarlet and Gray in the first period and senior Corey Elkins rounded out the OSU scoring with a goal in the second period.
The Scarlet and Gray scored twice in 24 seconds in the third period to tie the game and take the lead en route to a 4-2 victory over Lake Superior State Oct. 18 in game two vs. the Lakers in Value City Arena.
The Buckeyes tied the game at one in the second period before the Lakers regained the lead (2-1) at 6:42 of the third. Elkins scored on the power play for the Buckeyes at 8:24 and sophomore John Albert followed with a goal at 8:28 to put Ohio State ahead, 3-2. Freshman Zac Dalpe, who had a team-best two goals and three points in the game, sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:13.
Up Next: at Denver, 7:37 p.m. Oct. 24 in Denver, Colo. (Television: FSN Rocky Mountain)
at Denver, 7:07 p.m. Oct. 25 in Denver, Colo.
at Michigan, 7:35 p.m. Oct. 31 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
at Michigan, 7:35 p.m. Nov. 1 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Women’s Hockey (2-4-0; 0-4-0 WCHA)
Head Coach: Jackie Barto
The Buckeyes dropped an 8-1 decision to No. 2 Minnesota Oct. 17 in Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. Ohio State erased the shutout 4:56 into the third stanza. While behind the OSU net, sophomore Teal Bishop passed the puck along the boards to freshman Kelly Wild. Junior Raelyn LaRocque then returned from the penalty box and picked up the puck in the neutral zone off a long pass by Wild, skated it in and scored on the breakaway.
The Scarlet and Gray returned to Ridder Arena Oct. 18 for game two vs. the Golden Gophers and lost, 8-2. Sophomore goaltender Deidre Facklis made 49 saves, one short of her career-high, in her first start of the season. A pair of freshmen in Natalie Spooner and Laura McIntosh had three points each as they tallied a goal and assist.
Up Next: vs. Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m. Oct. 24 in OSU Ice Rink
vs. Bemidji State, 1:07 p.m. Oct. 25 in OSU Ice Rink
at North Dakota, 12:07 p.m. Nov. 1 in Grand Forks, N.D.
at North Dakota, 12:07 p.m. Nov. 2 in Grand Forks, N.D.
Pistol
Head Coach: James Sweeney
The Ohio State pistol team won both the open and women’s events against the U.S. Military Academy last weekend in West Point, N.Y. The Buckeyes won the open competition, 6,361 to 6,161, sweeping all three events. OSU won air pistol, 2,217 to 2,157, free pistol, 2,024 to 1,902 and standard pistol, 2,120 to 2,102. In the 2,720 to 2,561 victory in the women’s events, the Buckeyes won air pistol, 1,103 to 1,033 and sport pistol, 1,617 to 1,528.
In the open air pistol, OSU’s Anthony Lutz was the high scorer with a 563. Teammate Nick Mowrer was second at 561. In free pistol, Buckeye Seth Berglee finished first with a 530. Lutz was second at 520. Mowrer was the top shooter in standard pistol at 554. Army’s Kim Schultz was second at 543.
In the women’s events, OSU’s Christina Heaton won the air pistol event with a 375. Buckeyes Kelsey Imig and Erin Meadows were tied for second at 364. In sport pistol, Army’s Schultz was first with a 548. Ohio State’s Imig finished second at 543.
Up Next: at Purdue, TBA Nov. 7-8
Rifle
Head Coach: Pat Cherry
Ohio State finished second at the Boilermaker Invitational Oct. 18 in West. Lafayette, Ind. The Buckeyes shot a combined 4,524 at the event with Akron winning with a 4,536. Ohio State was first in smallbore rifle with a 2,264, finishing 21 points ahead of Akron. The Zips captured the air rifle event with a 2,293. Ohio State was second at 2,260.
Freshman Gina Cheliras was Ohio State’s top shooter in smallbore rifle with an event-high 580. In air rifle, freshman Jed Neidigh had a team-high 580 for the Buckeyes, finishing in a three-way tie for second.
Up Next: vs. Akron, TBA Nov. 1 in Converse Hall
No. 22 Men’s Soccer (8-4-2; 2-2-0 Big Ten)
Head Coach: John Bluem
The Buckeyes traveled to Morgantown, W. Va., Oct. 15 where they faced the Mountaineers and dropped a 1-0 decision. Ohio State posted 12 shots in the match.
The Scarlet and Gray returned to Big Ten Conference action with a 2-1 win over Wisconsin Oct. 18 in Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Junior Konrad Warzycha and senior Danny Irizarry each scored in the second half to pace the Buckeyes. Junior goalkeeper Byron Neal tallied a career-high 10 saves, including six in the second half.
The win is the sixth this season and 13th-consecutive for Ohio State at home, dating back to Oct. 2, 2007, and a 1-0 shutout victory vs. Cal State Bakersfield. The Buckeyes’ last loss in JOMS was against Northwestern Sept. 23, 2007.
Up Next: vs. Cleveland State, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 in Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium
vs. Indiana, noon Oct. 26 in Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium
at Michigan, 7 p.m. Nov. 1 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Women’s Soccer (7-7-2; 4-3-0 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Lori Walker
Behind the hat trick by freshman Paige Maxwell, the Scarlet and Gray downed Iowa, 3-2, Oct. 17 in Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Maxwell’s first two goals in the 8th and 50th minutes off assists from Lauren Beachy staked the Buckeyes to a 2-0 lead. Then after Iowa’s Morgan Showalter scored in the 54th minute to close the gap to 2-1, Maxwell scored off her second header of the game 10 minutes later to give the Buckeyes another two-goal lead.
Facing a squad who leads the league in shutouts, Ohio State lost a 2-0 decision to Minnesota Oct. 19 in Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Seniors Caitlin Colfer, Lisa Collison and Amy Graeff were honored prior to the game, their last at JOMS. The trio helped the Buckeyes to 36 wins over their careers and to the 2007 Big Ten tournament title game and the 2007 NCAA tournament.
Up Next: at Purdue, 4 p.m. Oct. 24 in West Lafayette, Ind.
at Illinois, 1 p.m. Oct. 26 in Champaign, Ill.
at Penn State, 4 p.m. Oct. 31 in State College, Pa.
Synchronized Swimming
Head Coach: Linda Lichter-Witter
Holly Vargo-Brown has been named associate head coach, TJ Shelton, assistant athletics director-sport administration, announced.
The Toledo, Ohio, native, is beginning her 18th year with the synchronized swimming team. She has helped the Buckeyes to 12 national titles as a member of the coaching staff. She assisted the Scarlet and Gray from 1986-90 before taking a two-year leave, rejoining the program in 1993.
Men’s Tennis
Head Coach: Ty Tucker
No. 9 Bryan Koniecko won the singles title at the 2008 Wilson/ITA Midwest Regional Championships at The Ohio State University Varsity Tennis Center Oct. 20. Koniecko defeated defending singles champion and teammate, No. 8 Justin Kronauge 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 in the final. Koniecko lost to Kronauge 7-6, 6-3 at the 2007 singles regional championship in the semifinal match. The win by Koniecko marks the third-consecutive year a Buckeye has taken the regional singles tournament crown.
Three Buckeyes, 2008 ITA All-Americans Koniecko, Kronauge and Steven Moneke, all won four-consecutive matches in the tournament to advance to the semifinals.
In the semifinals, Koniecko defeated classmate and No. 11 Moneke in three sets 3-6, 7-6, 6-4. In the second semifinals match, Kronauge defeated No. 72 Marek Michalicka of Wisconsin in three sets 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.
With their appearance in the singles final, Kronauge and Koniecko both received automatic selections for the singles tournament at the ITA National Indoors, which take place Nov.6-9 at the Boar’s Head Sports Club in Charlottesville, Va.
Up Next: at 2008 Big Ten Singles Tournament, TBA Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison, Wis.
Women’s Volleyball (10-10; 1-7 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Geoff Carlston
Ohio State lost, 3-1, at Indiana Oct. 17 in a match played in Assembly Hall. Sophomore Katie Dull and Indiana’s Erica Short shared match-high point honors with 17 each. Dull posted 15 kills, adding an ace serve and two assist blocks.
The Buckeyes fell, 3-0, to top-ranked Penn State Oct. 18 in Rec Hall. Dull had a team-high nine points in the contest with eight kills and a solo block.
Up Next: vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m. Oct. 24 in St. John Arena
vs. Iowa, 2 p.m. Oct. 26 in St. John Arena
at Purdue, 7 p.m. Oct. 31 in West Lafayette, Ind.
at Illinois, 7 p.m. Nov. 1 in Champaign, Ill.
Ohio State Athletics Schedule
Oct. 22-28
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Men’s soccer vs. Cleveland State, 7:30 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio
Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium
Thursday-Tuesday, Oct. 23-28
Women’s tennis at ITA Midwest Championships, TBA
East Lansing, Mich.
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 24-26
Women’s golf at Landfall Tradition, TBA
Wilmington, N.C.
Men’s golf at Bank of Tennessee at the Ridges, TBA
Johnson City, Tenn.
Friday, Oct. 24
Field hockey vs. Northwestern, 3 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio
North Turf Field
Women’s soccer at Purdue, 4 p.m.
West Lafayette, Ind.
Women’s lacrosse Alumni Game, 5 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio
Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium
Women’s swimming Scarlet and Gray Meet, 5 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio
McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion
Men’s swimming Scarlet and Gray Meet, 5 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio
McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion
Women’s volleyball vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio
St. John Arena
Women’s hockey vs. Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio
OSU Ice Rink
Men’s hockey at Denver, 7:37 p.m.
Denver, Colo. (Television: FSN Rocky Mountain)
Saturday, Oct. 25
Fencing at Remenyik Open, TBA
Chicago, Ill.
Women’s hockey vs. Bemidji State, 1:07 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio
OSU Ice Rink
Men’s swimming in Alumni vs. Varsity, 3 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio
McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion
Men’s hockey at Denver, 7:07 p.m.
Denver, Colo.
Football vs. Penn State, 8 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio Stadium (Television: ABC)
Sunday, Oct. 26
Men’s soccer vs. Indiana, noon
Columbus, Ohio
Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium (Television: Big Ten Network)
Women’s soccer at Illinois, 1 p.m.
Champaign, Ill.
Women’s volleyball vs. Iowa, 2 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio
St. John Arena
