February 25th, 2010
From Stuart Kaufman, sports information:
The fourth-seeded Keene State College women’s basketball team will face a tough task when they travel to Danbury, Conn. for their semifinal Little East Conference tournament game against Western Connecticut State University on Friday (5:30 p.m.).
The game features the top scoring offense (WSCU: 70.0 ppg.) in the LEC against the top defensive squad (KSC: 52.5 ppg.).
Keene State dropped both of its regular season games against the Colonials, losing at home 60-55 and 53-44 in Danbury, when the team experienced a scoring drought late in the game.
For more on both teams — and the others in the semifinals — see Stuart’s full story.
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February 18th, 2010
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information:
Keene State men’s and women’s swim teams look to defend their crowns this weekend (Fri- Sun.) at the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA) championships in White River Junction, Vt.
The Owl women are going after their fourth overall and third consecutive championships while the KSC men are hoping to make it back-to-back titles.
For more information on individual swimmers and why Bentley’s the team to beat, see the full release, including a video interview with Krissy Trutor and Domingo Rose.
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February 4th, 2010
From Nancy Balla, Residence Life:
Nancy Balla ’73, of Residential Life, would like to thank the Athletic department for the recent recognition of the history of the Women’s Basketball program at KSC. Nancy was a member of the first intercollegiate team in ’69-’70, forty years ago! It was a joy and an honor to take part in the celebration and have the chance to see new and old friends again at Spalding Gym. A great time was had by all.
Indeed, and thanks for sharing, Nancy! Stuart Kaufman of Sports Information has a really nice story on the event on the keene.edu page.
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February 4th, 2010
From John Napolitano, Sports Information:
The winter edition of SOAR is available online.
Special thanks to Charlie Beach for putting together the 40th Anniversary of Women’s Basketball Recap Video!
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February 4th, 2010
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information:
There were big Owls and small Owls at Spaulding Gym on Saturday. Keene State College basketball players recognized members of the Pee-Wee Owl team at halftime of the women’s game against the University of Southern Maine.
The Pee-Wee Owls team, comprising boys and girls from the Monadnock region, grades K-2, recently completed four Sunday morning practices where they were introduced to the sport.
“I love their energy and enthusiasm,” said KSC women’s basketball coach and program director Keith Boucher. “This is the first time a lot of them have participated in an organized activity as far as sport goes.”
The young Owls are taught skills and then get to play games with members of the KSC men’s and women’s teams. “We lower the baskets so they can play the game and get a sense of accomplishment,” Boucher said. “The looks on the faces when they make a basket is priceless.”
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January 14th, 2010
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Keene State College will commemorate its 40th year of sponsoring women’s basketball on Saturday, January 23, at Spaulding Gym, when the Owls host the Beacons of UMass-Boston.
The College is extending a special invitation to women’s basketball players, coaches, and staff who contributed to the growth of the program. Players and coaches will be introduced at halftime of the women’s game and are invited to a post-game social at the Night Owl Café.
“I’m really looking forward to the event,” said long-time KSC women’s basketball coach Keith Boucher. “I think it’s very important for our current team members to meet the players who were the foundation of the program. These players not only left their mark on the court, but continue to be strong ambassadors for the College.”
Women’s basketball has a long and rich tradition at Keene State College. From the first baskets of Red & White games and play days to AIAW and NCAA competition in the New England Collegiate and Little East conferences, women’s basketball has become a staple of the winter athletic scene at KSC. Although they competed in different decades, all the players had several things in common: a passion for the game, the desire to improve, and the determination to be successful. We invite you to join us on Jan. 23 for a day that promises to be filled with memories, stories, and hoop hoopla.
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December 3rd, 2009
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Keene State placed two players on the recently announced National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-America team. Senior Carly Benning was named to the second team while senior Erin Dallas was a third-team selection. Dallas was also named to the first team of the womensfieldhockey.com All-America squad.
A first-time All-American, Benning led the Little East Conference in points (58) and goals (27). A starter in all 24 matches, she registered multiple points in 18 matches. She had a knack for netting the decisive score this season, notching game-winning goals in 14 of Keene State’s 18 victories. The Little East Offensive player of the Year and a first-team All-Region and All-LEC selection, Benning concludes her career fourth on KSC’s all-time goal (54) and point (124) list. She is the seventh Owl to reach the coveted 100-point career milestone.
Dallas becomes the first player in the program’s history to become a three-time All-American. She earned first-team honors the past two seasons as a midfielder and was recognized for her performance on defense this season. The talented back helped anchor an Owls’ defensive squad that posted a program-best 12 shutouts, including six scoreless matches to start the 2009 season. Keene State limited its opponents to fewer than two markers in 16 matches to post a team goal against average of 0.99. Dallas also contributed to the offensive rush on penalty corners with 14 points, including 10 helpers. She is the first student-athlete in the history of the Little East to be honored as both an Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year in her career and is a three-time first-team All-Region and All-LEC pick. Returning to the Keene State team after making a miraculous comeback from a post-surgical infection to play her final season for the Owls, Dallas became the Owls all-time assist (42) leader this season.
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November 19th, 2009
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: After 110 minutes of scoreless play, the second-seeded KSC women’s soccer team connected on four of their five penalty kicks to capture the ECAC New England tournament crown from top-seed and two-time defending champion Brandeis University 4-2 in Waltham, Mass., on November 14. KSC sophomore goalkeeper Megan Dempsey, who registered her third-straight shutout, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. The Owls also won the ECAC Division III title in 2005 and as a Division II member in 1986, 1987, and 1993.
“We dominated most of the second half but just couldn’t find the back of the net,” said KSC Head Coach Denise Lyons. “Winning the ECACs is a great way to end our season and a nice way to send off our seniors.”
The 2009 ECAC Women’s Soccer Champions (photo courtesy of Brandeis University)
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October 29th, 2009
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: The lucky 13th edition of Midnight Madness was celebrated at Spaulding Gym on Friday, October 23. Night Owls who came out for the festivities were treated to a great night of fun and entertainment. The cheerleaders’ cheers brought everyone to their feet, the dancers danced the night away, and students contested for valuable prizes. While the season might be a few weeks away, the introduction of Owl players was greeted with a large roar that could be heard all the way up in Plymouth!
KSC students at Midnight Madness (courtesy photo)
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October 29th, 2009
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Just over 1,250 freshmen enrolled at Keene State College this fall, and many of these students brought to campus a special athletic talent that provides them the unique opportunity to play varsity sports.
Tyler Penn will never play soccer on the Keene State men’s soccer team, but few will argue that the freshman from Manchester, N.H., doesn’t possess a varsity player’s drive and determination to excel in the sport. Born with cerebral palsy, a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movements and muscle coordination, Tyler subscribes to the theory that he can do anything he sets his mind on doing.
Penn is currently fulfilling one of his goals as a member of the U.S. Paralympic soccer team. He is spending two weeks playing at the World Paralympic Games in Amsterdam (read more here).
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October 22nd, 2009
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Keene State will hold its annual Midnight Madness celebration at Spaulding Gym on Friday night, October 23. Members of the College and Keene community are encouraged to attend. Doors are scheduled to open at 10:30 p.m., with festivities getting under way at 11. The first 1,800 students that come through the door will receive a specially designed Madness t-shirt.
Program highlights include unusual contests, incredible prizes and giveaways, and performances by the KSC cheerleading and dance squads, all leading up to the introduction of this year’s men’s and women’s basketball teams at the stroke of midnight. Prizes include a pair of $10,000 shots, airline vouchers, iPod and computer giveaways, a $300 Synergy gift certificate, and bookstore and meal-plan awards. “It’s like the Keene State version of Let’s make a Deal,” said KSC women’s basketball coach Keith Boucher.
Following the games, the Keene State men’s and women’s basketball teams take the floor and entertain the crowd with slam dunk and shooting contests. Midnight Madness is sponsored by KSC athletics, the Lloyd P. Young Student Center, the Vice-President’s Office for Student Affairs, and Keene State Student Government.
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October 22nd, 2009
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Kerri Paquette may no longer play for the Owls, but the former KSC standout defender was on the mind of Keene State women’s soccer players, coaches, and fans on October 17. Members of the team held a raffle during halftime of Saturday’s game against UMass-Boston for Paquette who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It’s just devastating; she’s just 26 years old,” said KSC Coach Denise Lyons, who, along with several of her former teammates, attended a benefit for Paquette in her hometown of Millbury, Mass. “Kerri was a tough competitor on the field, and I know she’ll battle through this tough time as well.”
Former teammate Tara Wagner donated the top prize for the raffle, which raised $350. Paquette played four seasons for the Owls (2001-04), earning All-LEC honors as a junior.
Kerri Paquette
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October 15th, 2009
Stuart Kaufman (Sports Information) was honored by the College Sports Information Directors of America (COSIDA) with second-place honors in the 2009 Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest for his article, “From Baseball to the City Beat.” The 2008-09 contest drew 316 total entries in six categories, including the national stories of the year. More than a third of the entries were student-athlete profiles. Entries were first judged at the district level, with district winners advancing to a national committee.
In district competition, Kaufman placed 2nd in District I for “Autism Doesn’t Slow Down Keene State’s Pierce” in the athlete profile category. He also earned 2nd place in District I for “Colina Sets Owl Javelin Record on First Try” in the event coverage category.
In 2007-08, Kaufman earned district honors in two different categories. His story “The Right Track: Keene State Jumper, Runner win NCAA Titles” placed second in the event coverage category. In the general feature category, he placed third for “Blaisdell Knows the Rules.”
Stuart Kaufman (Courtesy photo)
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October 15th, 2009
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Several members of Keene State’s men’s lacrosse team recently put down their sticks and picked up shovels to help out at the Surry Village Charter School. The school recently moved, and director Matora Fiorey was looking for volunteers to help spruce up the new location. Craig Roach, KSC assistant men’s lacrosse coach, works as a paraprofessional at the school, and knew he had the right men for the job.
“The guys really enjoyed it,” said Roach, a 2003 KSC grad, who earned his graduate degree in education last spring. “The coaching staff always tries to express how important it is to give back to the community. They jumped on board and were ready to go.”
“It was a dream when 13 of the players arrived early on Saturday morning to do a variety of jobs, including digging ditches, collecting trash, and transporting fencing,” said Fiorey. “The pride, enthusiasm, and leadership shown was truly inspirational and will long be remembered. ‘Come on guys, let’s show them what Keene State is all about,’ is a quote that sums up the day.”
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October 8th, 2009
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Surprises come in all shapes and forms. On Sunday, October 4, Keene State athletic trainer Nancy Bleam expected just a few KSC supporters to join her at the Annual Walk for Polycystic Disease (PKD) in Worcester. Instead, a busload of supporters from the College met her there. “I rounded the corner to register and was greeted by 25 Keene State athletes and student athletic trainers,” said a surprised Bleam, who was participating in her second walk after receiving a life-saving kidney transplant two years ago. “They made all the arrangements and kept it totally secret from me.”
Members of the KSC field hockey and men’s lacrosse teams and student athletic trainers made all the plans, and Athletic Director John Ratliff provided the bus. Dianne Arsenault, an accountant in the athletic department, served as chaperone. Following the walk, Keene State was given an award for having the largest fundraising group at the event. “It definitely feels good to give back to her because she helps us out in so many ways other than just as an athletic trainer,” said Kyle Barnett, a senior on the Owl men’s lacrosse team. “Nancy definitely goes above and beyond what she’s supposed to do.” PKD affects 600,000 Americans and 12.5 million children and adults, worldwide. Bleam, who lost her mother to the disease, was touched by all the support. “I am totally humbled, and so proud of ‘my kids,’” she said.
Twenty-five Keene State athletes and student athletic trainers joined athletic trainer
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October 8th, 2009
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: The team that climbs together stays together: That’s what coach Rob Colbert and his staff are hoping. The men’s basketball team recently completed a trek up Mount Monadnock, a climb that Colbert said has become an annual event for his team. “It’s been one of the traditions of the program that emanated from prior leadership,” he said. “They do it as a bonding experience, but it’s also as a way to break up the workout routine before the season gets underway.” The Keene State men’s basketball team opens its season against Colby-Sawyer College at the Jacob’s Bridge Through Autism Classic that takes place at New Hampshire Technical Institute on Sunday, November 15.
KSC men’s basketball team on Mt .Monadnock Summit (Courtesy photo)
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September 24th, 2009
Dr. Wanda Swiger stands on a bench to tape a 6’6” tall athlete at Deaflympics. (Courtesy photo)
Dr. Wanda Swiger (Athletic Training) was in Taiwan earlier this month, serving as an athletic trainer for the team at Deaflympics, the international competition for hard-of-hearing and profoundly deaf athletes.
Swiger was part of the medical staff providing comprehensive health care for the 191 athletes in the U.S. delegation. The selected medical staff must be licensed and nationally certified, be in good standing within their profession, have demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of sports medicine, and be proficient in American Sign Language. As a child of deaf adults (CODA), Dr. Swiger was given preference in her selection.
Over the three weeks, the athletes and the medical staff had to adjust to high ambient temperatures and the high humidity. The games began with an opening ceremony event on September 5 and concluded on September 15. While Dr. Swiger was responsible for athletics (track and field athletes), the medical staff (nine ATCs, one orthopedic surgeon, and one family practice physician) collaborated on prevention, injury diagnosis, and injury management for all 191 athletes. While her assignment required long days, she did have time to visit the CKS Memorial Hall and take a harrowing trek to the top of TAPEI 101 (for Wanda and her fear of heights, this was a major accomplishment). “I hope to be lucky enough to be selected again,” she said. “It was an opportunity of a lifetime.”
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September 24th, 2009
Professional teams have been turning back the calendar for years, but the resemblance for the KSC team is actually more coincidental than intentional. Senior setter Jordan Pokryfki designed the new volleyball uniforms and, since she was born in 1988, Keene State coach Bob Weiner aptly points out that her knowledge of the early Owl teams is extremely limited.
The Keene State team rotates its uniforms every three years. Keene State assistant coach Lloyd Sheehan, whose tenure in the sport dates back to 1980, says that volleyball uniforms have come a long way. “One of the first uniforms I saw were called bloomers - literally bathing suit bottoms,” he said. “From there they went to different lengths of spandex. The players were able to move much easier, and their hands and thumbs didn’t get caught when diving and swinging.”
The Owls retired last year’s uniforms after capturing their first Little East championship and NCAA tournament berth. In addition to providing an up-to-date look, microfiber comfort, and maneuverability, Keene State players hope the new uniforms also bring them success.
The latest Owl volleyball uniforms sport long sleeves and big numbers, just like they did in ’84. (Courtesy photo)
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September 24th, 2009
From Keith Boucher, Women’s Basketball: The Women’s Basketball Team would like to thank the campus community for supporting their charity car wash on Saturday, September 12. Unfortunately, it rained all day, but the team would like to say thank you to all those people for their kind gesture of giving. Two hundred and twenty dollars was raised and will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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September 17th, 2009
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Earning the #19 spot in the national field hockey poll earlier in the day (the team’s first appearance in the poll since 2002), the Women’s Field Hockey Team (6-0) celebrated the occasion by not only defeating Williams College (1-0) for the first time, but by also setting a program record with their sixth-straight shutout on September 15. It was Keene State’s first win against the Ephs (1-2) in eight tries. The Owls had five-straight shutouts in 1981 and 2007.
Photo: Ryan McKernan; Owls celebrate first victory over Williams in program history
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September 10th, 2009
From Keith Boucher, Athletics: The Keene State women’s basketball team will hold its annual charity car wash on Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mobil Gas Station on West Street in Keene. Donations will go to the Alzheimer’s Association and will coincide with the association’s Memory Walk in Keene that day. The team would like to thank the campus community in advance for their support of this event.
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September 3rd, 2009
Nancy Bleam and Kerri Lafond ‘98, athletic trainers in the Athletic Training curriculum program, co-hosted a KSC alumni party while attending the annual convention of the National Athletic Trainers Association in San Antonio, Texas, in June. This party was held in combination with the athletic training program at Plymouth State University. Approximately 30 alumni from both schools gathered and were provided snacks and an opportunity to mingle and chat. The KSC Alumni department provided gifts for the KSC alumni, and Wanda Swiger notes that they continue to raise funds for the Sherry Bovinet Athletic Training Scholarship.
Scot Ward reports that he was invited to serve as an athletic trainer for the U.S. Soccer Under 15 Boys National Team in June. The domestic training camp was held in Somerset, N.J., and was the last camp for the U15 Boys National Team annual cycle. Scot adds that Tony Lepore ‘90 (a four-year player for Coach Butcher) was an assistant coach for that team.
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August 27th, 2009
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Former Keene State women’s volleyball players will get together on Saturday, August 29, for a first-ever alumni match against the current Owl team.
Bob Weiner, KSC’s fifth-year coach is expecting 12 to 15 alums to play in the game scheduled for 2 p.m. at Spaulding Gym. “I want to salute the women who helped build the program,” he said. “I think this is a great way to get them connected with the present team, because it’s a program to be proud of.”
Weiner said the alumni game came about because the NCAA allows teams to have a scrimmage, and Keene State needed someone to play. “I thought, ‘What better than to organize an alumni game?’” he said. “I’ve been here long enough to have worked with some top-level alumni players.”
Weiner enlisted Kristen Mullins ‘03, a former four-year player and assistant coach, and Shelly Ellis ‘07, a standout outside hitter, to help recruit alums for the game. Mullins reports that several alums are still playing or coaching: Marla Malinauskas ‘02, Sandy Bernard, Stacy Parr ‘05, Abbe Robichaud Bryant ‘03, Lauren Graham ‘07, and Kelly Yankowski ‘08, are all coaching various high schools, junior high, or junior Olympic teams. Many participate in winter or summer leagues, or play in area tournaments.
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August 20th, 2009
The Keene State women’s soccer team returned from a nine-day trip to Spain and France this week. While there, they practiced and played three games against club teams (courtesy photo).
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August 6th, 2009
Jordan Pokryfki, and Brittany O'Bryant in front of a glacier out of College Fjord in Prince William Sound (courtesy photo).
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Beach volleyball in Alaska? “It’s like an oxymoron,” said recently graduated Keene State volleyball standout Brittany O’Bryant, visiting Alaska on a two-week vacation. The last thing the former Owl thought she’d do in the Last Frontier was put on shorts and dive around in some sand. But earlier this month, O’Bryant put on her sunglasses, joined up with her college teammate Jordan Pokryfki, from Wasilla, Alaska, and finished second at the Fufudabo beach doubles tournament at Springer Park in Anchorage.
Playing outdoors in sand is a little different than the hard court of Keene State’s Spaulding Gym. The loose surface challenges even the best of players, including a pair of accomplished indoor stars like O’Bryant and Pokryfki. O’Bryant holds multiple KSC records for kills, while Pokryfki broke the Owl career-assists mark last season. The pair helped lead the Owls to the program’s first Little East Conference championship and NCAA tournament berth last fall.
After showing the sites to O’Bryant, Pokryfki, a biology major, returned to the pipeline on the North Slope, where she is completing an internship at a medical facility. Although the Owls lost several key contributors to last year’s LEC championship, Pokryfki is looking forward to returning to Keene and helping KSC defend its title.
O’Bryant isn’t quite sure of her plans for the fall. Still looking for a teaching job, she will serve as a JV coach at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua.
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