SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

BY ALEX CONOVER
Sports Editor

SOFTBALL
Although the softball team graduated major contributors in Cassie Otte and Danielle Geske, Head Coach Jen Miller is confident that her 2010 team can improve on last year’s fifth-place finish in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).

“The Cardinal fastpitch program will be lead by a strong cast of returners,” said Miller. “We graduated two seniors that will be missed, but we have brought in quite a few underclassman to help us out.”

After making the playoffs in 2007, the Cardinals have barely missed the playoffs the last two seasons. “We are looking to return to the MIAC tournament,” said Miller. “The ladies are working very hard in practice, and we are very optimistic about the season.”

TENNIS
With the young men’s squad in transition and the women’s team looking to move up from the middle of the MIAC, Saint Mary’s University tennis is looking forward to a fun and exciting season.

The men’s team will have a blend of veteran and rookie play. Seniors Andy Weigman and Pawel Szczepkowski will provide leadership for an impressive freshman class that includes a new No. 1 singles player in Mike Lunka. The women’s team is returning sophomore Rebecca Snyder, a smart player who went 11-2 in singles play a year ago. Sophomore Bailey Edwards will also look to improve on a good freshman campaign, as she enters the season ranked No. 24 regionally.

“The men’s and women’s tennis teams are looking for steady progress from last year,” said Head Coach Jeff Halberg. “Both squads have increased their depth and hope to make some more noise in the conference and region.”

BASEBALL
Now in his second year as head coach, Nick Winecke looks to improve on last season’s 8-28 record with a solid senior class.

“We’ve got nine seniors that will all contribute in some way,” said Winecke. Leading the senior effort will be All-MIAC selection Zach Olberding’s excellent hitting and Kyle Ryan’s standout play at shortstop. Brett Ferschweiler will see time at the pitching mound along with David Dahlstrom and junior Andrew Ruf.

The SMU baseball team will open its season in Minneapolis, playing double headers at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on March 10, 15 and 21. On March 26, the team will head south to Arizona for a seven-game spring break trip.

“We’re ready,” said Winecke. “The field is in great shape – maintenance has done a good job.We’re just trying to get one percent better every day; if 31 guys can improve by one percent, that’s 31 percent per day. It’s about getting the little things right.”

TRACK AND FIELD
After breaking several school records during the winter indoor season, the SMU Track and Field team has reason to be optimistic in the spring. Senior sprinter Curt Van Asten secured the school indoor record in the 200-meter hurdles early in February, and junior transfer Andrew Brueggen has already tossed an NCAA-qualifying weight throw several times. The women’s team returns senior sprinter Teri Heinzen, the school record-holder in the outdoor 200-meter dash. The team also boasts a record-setting 3,200-meter relay team from the indoor season.

Two outdoor events will be hosted on SMU’s new home track, starting with the Saint Mary’s Open on April 24. Additionally, the MIAC Outdoor Championships come to Winona on May 14.

“I’m very encouraged for our upcoming outdoor season,” said Head Coach Shawn McMahon. “The indoor season has been very successful, but track is meant to be an outdoor sport. We culminate the year with the MIAC Outdoor Championships right here on campus, and we are excited to show off our new track to everyone in the MIAC. I’d love for the entire campus community to come out and share in what will be a great event – one this place has never seen.”