Spring Break
Grade time, Part uno
Casey Grogan
Issue date: 4/5/07 Section: Sports
So, the winter sports season is for the most part, minus gymnastics, over. And let me say, it was full of positive and uplifting results. Overall though, I am very stoked for what the future will bring, but there are always things we can improve on.
All right winter sports, you've completed your seasons, now it's time for me to dish out the first part of what I call the winter sports grades.
Wrestling: If you knew your collegiate wrestling, you would know that hiring Jim Zalesky, a celebrity among the wrestling scene, was a huge hire for a program that just could not get back to the national picture like it was when Dale Thomas was here. Zalesky came in and took an experienced lineup from the middle of the pack to a Pac-10 title and a solid showing at nationals in his first season. Now that's coaching ability. The program looks to be back to in great shape, and with a few recruiting classes, Zalesky can forget about losing his job after finishing fourth at nationals his last season at Iowa and build a national title contender.
You've earned yourself this grade.
Grade: A-
Gymnastics: I know, I know, their season still isn't over, but you've done so well that you won't have to take the final. The season was definitely a success once again. Coming off the nationals last season, the team had zero seniors but a lot of good gymnasts returning. Underclassmen Tasha Smith and Jami Lanz stepped up and continued to be awesome once again, grabbing all-conference honors.
On an annual basis, Tanya Chaplin is continuing to make the gymnastics program the best on campus. If you look at the last 10 years, no Oregon State team has been consistently as good as they have. And they have a good chance of making nationals again with a strong performance at the Regionals next week.
Grade: A-
Women's Swimming: In case you did not know, Pac-10 swimming is pretty damn good. So to see the Beavers make some hardcore strides this year clearly shows how good this team is getting. Yes, they only won one conference meet, but a 29th place finish at nationals is proof to how good the 2007 season was for the swimmers. With a very young team, they broke numerous records when it counted most, which is of course in the postseason. Sophomore Saori Haruguchi earned her second straight All-American honor, which will huge for the team this year. OSU swimming is ready to take more steps upward in a tough Pac-10 in the next couple years. You've improved on your performance, so you deserve a better grade this year. So here it is ... get ready ...
Grade: B+
So, here are the first half of my grades. Now I want you sports I graded today to use this as ample motivation and make progress. Learn from each other, and your achievements and mistakes. I have all the faith in you young men and women. I will see you next winter and this is to be continued. Peace.
All right winter sports, you've completed your seasons, now it's time for me to dish out the first part of what I call the winter sports grades.
Wrestling: If you knew your collegiate wrestling, you would know that hiring Jim Zalesky, a celebrity among the wrestling scene, was a huge hire for a program that just could not get back to the national picture like it was when Dale Thomas was here. Zalesky came in and took an experienced lineup from the middle of the pack to a Pac-10 title and a solid showing at nationals in his first season. Now that's coaching ability. The program looks to be back to in great shape, and with a few recruiting classes, Zalesky can forget about losing his job after finishing fourth at nationals his last season at Iowa and build a national title contender.
You've earned yourself this grade.
Grade: A-
Gymnastics: I know, I know, their season still isn't over, but you've done so well that you won't have to take the final. The season was definitely a success once again. Coming off the nationals last season, the team had zero seniors but a lot of good gymnasts returning. Underclassmen Tasha Smith and Jami Lanz stepped up and continued to be awesome once again, grabbing all-conference honors.
On an annual basis, Tanya Chaplin is continuing to make the gymnastics program the best on campus. If you look at the last 10 years, no Oregon State team has been consistently as good as they have. And they have a good chance of making nationals again with a strong performance at the Regionals next week.
Grade: A-
Women's Swimming: In case you did not know, Pac-10 swimming is pretty damn good. So to see the Beavers make some hardcore strides this year clearly shows how good this team is getting. Yes, they only won one conference meet, but a 29th place finish at nationals is proof to how good the 2007 season was for the swimmers. With a very young team, they broke numerous records when it counted most, which is of course in the postseason. Sophomore Saori Haruguchi earned her second straight All-American honor, which will huge for the team this year. OSU swimming is ready to take more steps upward in a tough Pac-10 in the next couple years. You've improved on your performance, so you deserve a better grade this year. So here it is ... get ready ...
Grade: B+
So, here are the first half of my grades. Now I want you sports I graded today to use this as ample motivation and make progress. Learn from each other, and your achievements and mistakes. I have all the faith in you young men and women. I will see you next winter and this is to be continued. Peace.
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