Post by LongBlade on Nov 24, 2004 19:41:56 GMT -6
Sudafed, Sabres, and Spandex
by Layla Halle
Columbia University Spectator
November 24, 2004
www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/11/24/41a43b9e8c22e
Ah, winter... a time to curl up in the warm toasty blanket of depression on a Sudafed high and look out your window at the barren, grey landscape that is New York City. For those of us who came from the West Coast, winter is a time to realize that there are only two seasons: summer and winter. It’s a time to lament our decision to attend Columbia (coincidentally, winter coincides with the first round of exams, which also tend to make us feel this way) and wish that we were back in Santa Barbara, where we should be, slathering on tanning oil, cancer be d**ned!
Despite all this, wintertime at Columbia also brings with it the end of gloom and a harbinger of hope. Around November, the painful fall sports season ends and the not-so painful winter one begins. Now, before anyone gets on my case about how bad basketball is (or isn’t), let me just say that I have no plans to address it in this column except to say good luck and Godspeed, Mr. Jones. But, for the most part, the winter season is a chance for Columbians to shine in various sports.
The wrestling team, which has long been a source of pride for the Columbia athletics department, recently opened its season with two strong meets against nationally-ranked competitors. The Lions tallied seven place-winners at last weekend’s East Stroudsburg Open, signaling the beginning of what could be a record-setting season.
Not only do the Lions have a healthy squad returning from last year, but this year’s crowd of first-years was ranked 21st in the nation at the beginning of the season. First-years Derek Francavilla, Rory O’Donnell, and Nick Sommerfield have all placed in their weight-classes at meets. Also, sophomore Ricky Turk has returned to school after a year off; despite a full year’s break from competition, he has proven himself to be one of the team’s top contenders in both meets in which he’s participated.
The wrestling team should have a strong, solid season and might just be the team to watch when Ivy League championship time rolls around. Ivy titles are always appreciated, even if they come from the sport that manages to involve both ringworm and men in leotards.
Speaking of Ivy League champions, we Lions cannot help but feel warm and fuzzy when we think of the fencing team. Last year, the men were League champions and the women came in second place. Nevertheless, second place is not exactly something to sneeze at in the world of Ivy League fencing—hello, did anyone hear of something called the Olympics? OK, maybe not this year because the organizers did their best to mess everything up, but several Ivy Leaguers competed and did quite well. In fact, the Lions have managed to improve their odds of another championship by adding several accomplished first-years to the roster, including Olympian Emily Jacobson in sabre. The Lions had mixed results in their first meet against another strong Ivy League team, Harvard, with the men victorious and the women losing.
Finally, keep an eye out for the archers. I know, I know, all of you are lamenting the lack of Tara Kreiger’s column, but never fear, Layla is here! Apparently the ladies of the Columbia team (and by “Columbia” I mean “Barnard”) are pretty d**n good, as they proved earlier this week by dominating their first tournament.
So, to recap, if you’re looking for championships this winter season, keep your eye on the grapplers, the swordfighters, and the bow and arrow-ers (eh, I tried). Columbia is home to some of the best athletes in the country in these sports, and it would be a shame to miss out on the opportunity to see champions at work.
by Layla Halle
Columbia University Spectator
November 24, 2004
www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/11/24/41a43b9e8c22e
Ah, winter... a time to curl up in the warm toasty blanket of depression on a Sudafed high and look out your window at the barren, grey landscape that is New York City. For those of us who came from the West Coast, winter is a time to realize that there are only two seasons: summer and winter. It’s a time to lament our decision to attend Columbia (coincidentally, winter coincides with the first round of exams, which also tend to make us feel this way) and wish that we were back in Santa Barbara, where we should be, slathering on tanning oil, cancer be d**ned!
Despite all this, wintertime at Columbia also brings with it the end of gloom and a harbinger of hope. Around November, the painful fall sports season ends and the not-so painful winter one begins. Now, before anyone gets on my case about how bad basketball is (or isn’t), let me just say that I have no plans to address it in this column except to say good luck and Godspeed, Mr. Jones. But, for the most part, the winter season is a chance for Columbians to shine in various sports.
The wrestling team, which has long been a source of pride for the Columbia athletics department, recently opened its season with two strong meets against nationally-ranked competitors. The Lions tallied seven place-winners at last weekend’s East Stroudsburg Open, signaling the beginning of what could be a record-setting season.
Not only do the Lions have a healthy squad returning from last year, but this year’s crowd of first-years was ranked 21st in the nation at the beginning of the season. First-years Derek Francavilla, Rory O’Donnell, and Nick Sommerfield have all placed in their weight-classes at meets. Also, sophomore Ricky Turk has returned to school after a year off; despite a full year’s break from competition, he has proven himself to be one of the team’s top contenders in both meets in which he’s participated.
The wrestling team should have a strong, solid season and might just be the team to watch when Ivy League championship time rolls around. Ivy titles are always appreciated, even if they come from the sport that manages to involve both ringworm and men in leotards.
Speaking of Ivy League champions, we Lions cannot help but feel warm and fuzzy when we think of the fencing team. Last year, the men were League champions and the women came in second place. Nevertheless, second place is not exactly something to sneeze at in the world of Ivy League fencing—hello, did anyone hear of something called the Olympics? OK, maybe not this year because the organizers did their best to mess everything up, but several Ivy Leaguers competed and did quite well. In fact, the Lions have managed to improve their odds of another championship by adding several accomplished first-years to the roster, including Olympian Emily Jacobson in sabre. The Lions had mixed results in their first meet against another strong Ivy League team, Harvard, with the men victorious and the women losing.
Finally, keep an eye out for the archers. I know, I know, all of you are lamenting the lack of Tara Kreiger’s column, but never fear, Layla is here! Apparently the ladies of the Columbia team (and by “Columbia” I mean “Barnard”) are pretty d**n good, as they proved earlier this week by dominating their first tournament.
So, to recap, if you’re looking for championships this winter season, keep your eye on the grapplers, the swordfighters, and the bow and arrow-ers (eh, I tried). Columbia is home to some of the best athletes in the country in these sports, and it would be a shame to miss out on the opportunity to see champions at work.