Sports Briefs

Author: [no author name found]

WOMEN'S SQUASH DAZZLES

The women's squash team competed in team nationals at Harvard last weekend. A record of 2-1 in the "B" flight resulted in an impressive 13th place finish for the Panthers. The rank marks the highest national ranking for the squad in the past 10 years, and the 19 wins sets a new school record.

A 6-3 loss against Bowdoin in the first game of the Kurtz Cup dashed the Panthers' hopes at a ninth-place finish. Wins against George Washington and Bates, however, sealed the 13th place finish.

Many individual achievements were also realized at the end of the tournament. Liz McMorris '10 finishes her season with a record of 21-5, amounting to the most wins by a single player in any season at Middlebury. First-years Jamie Burchfield and Alexandra Boillot accrued an astounding 20 wins on the season. Senior tri-captain Sarah Hatfield earned a total of 16 wins as the #1 singles player in her career at Middlebury, setting the school record for most by a #1 player.

- Kevin Carpenter, Sports Editor

MIDDLEBURY'S ANNUAL WINTER CARNIVAL SET TO COMMENCE

While students will spend this Friday engaging in all manner of wintry activities in lieu of usual classes as they kick off Middlebury's 86th Winter Carnival, the original hosts of the carnival - that is, the nordic and alpine ski teams - are getting ready to compete against some of the top skiers in the country.

The Carnival officially opens with the men's slalom race on Friday morning, followed immediately by the women's slalom. Co-captain Andrew Wagner '09 promises to light up the slopes and give powerhouses UNH, Dartmouth and UVM a run for their money this weekend, as he captured first place in the men's giant slalom run at last year's Carnival. On the women's side, look for standout performances from co-captains Mattie Ford '09 and Tucker Burton '09, as well as from Natasha Woodworth '11, whose recent results indicate an exciting weekend ahead.

The nordic races also begin on Friday morning as the men's squad vies for the top spots in the 10K Classic, lead by co-captains Simeon Hamilton '09 and Tim Reynolds '09 along with rising star Chase Marston '12. As for the nordic women, first-year phenom Elise Moody-Roberts '12 will likely put forth a stellar performance alongside key teammate Robyn Anderson '09.

The races continue all day Friday and Saturday, so be sure to head out to Rikert and the Snow Bowl to pay homage to the reason we get a day off from school, and to witness the hard work that Middlebury's oldest Division-I teams have accomplished this season.

- Emma Gardner, Sports Editor

AARON SMITH '09 AWARDED WITH ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN HONORS

At Middlebury, we often hear the refrain about how varsity athletes at the school are true student-athletes, or perhaps more accurately, athlete-students. Aaron Smith '09 provides concrete evidence for that claim.

The senior men's basketball player was recently named a District I Second Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors Association.

Smith is a film and media culture major who boasts a 3.69 GPA at the College. Last year, he also earned the distinction of being an All-NESCAC Academic selection.

Smith's prowess on the basketball court is evident as well, as he currently leads the men's basketball team and ranks fourth in the NESCAC with 7.3 rebounds per game. He has played an integral part in elevating the team to elite status in Division III basketball.

Smith and the Panthers will face Conn. College in a NESCAC quarterfinal game this Saturday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m.

- Jeff Klein, Sports Editor