Mount Holyoke Club Ice Hockey competed in two games on the weekend of Dec. 3 and 4 at Fitzpatrick Ice Skating Rink in Holyoke, Massachusetts. On Saturday, Ice Hockey fell to Paul Smith’s College, while Sunday’s game saw another loss to Springfield College. The scores were unconfirmed; according to team member Camden Breckenridge ’24, “We play for the fun of it, and do not pay much attention to the score so long as we are having a good time.”
Mount Holyoke Swimming and Diving competed the weekend of Dec. 3 and 4 at the Don Richards Invitational, hosted at Rochester Institute of Technology. The meet ended with Mount Holyoke taking fifth place out of seven competing teams, including RIT who took first, Skidmore College who took second, St. Lawrence University who took third, Clarkson University who took fourth, Hobart and William Smith Colleges who took sixth and Bard College who took seventh. Mount Holyoke completed the meet with a score of 344 total points.
Photo courtesy of Mount Holyoke Athletics. Xaria Durocher '24, above, won matches against Bard College and Wellesley College.
Mount Holyoke Squash competed against three teams on the weekend of Nov. 19 and 20. Saturday saw the team handily beat Bard College 9-0 and Wellesley College 8-1. Sunday’s competition resulted in a 9-0 loss to the Georgetown University team, which is ranked 22nd in the nation.
On Saturday, Xaria Durocher ’24 competed in Mount Holyoke’s No. 1 spot and beat Bard’s No. 1 player three games in a row with scores of 11-6, 11-5 and 11-2. Durocher also faced Wellesley’s No. 1 player in a tougher matchup that saw Durocher initially lose two games before rebounding to win 3-2 with scores of 7-11, 11-13, 11-4, 11-3 and 11-9.
“Being able to compete with my teammates after training hard during our preseason practices felt amazing,” Durocher said. “It really gave me something to look forward to continue fighting for. I can't wait to make new memories with my team and coaches.”
In the No. 2 position, Tina Mei ’26 stormed to victory over the Bard player 3-1 with scores of 9-11, 11-4, 11-5 and 11-1 and the Wellesley player 3-0 with scores of 11-5, 11-3 and 11-0. Ku Paw ’26, Paige Gershuny ’25 and captains Elba Barra Montgomery ’23 and Dnyaneshwari Haware ’23 all won their matches against their Bard and Wellesley opponents 3-0. Sally Philpott ’23 lost to the No. 7 Wellesley opponent and won against Bard by default, and Cydney Socias ’25 and Keying Lin ’23 won against Bard and Wellesley by default.
Though all Mount Holyoke players lost their matches against Georgetown on Sunday, Montgomery was the Lyons’ top scorer, taking a total of 11 points across three matches in the No. 4 position. The competitions leave Mount Holyoke at 3-1 overall for the season so far.
Durocher expressed disappointment at her Sunday result but said she remains motivated for the rest of the season. “During my match with my opponent from Georgetown, I felt like I disappointed myself,” she said. “For my next matches moving forward, I’m going to fight for my [No. 1] position like it’s my last moment being [No. 1]. I refuse to let other squash teams look down on us or think we’re an easy team to beat because we’re not.”
Head Squash Coach Erin Robson spoke about the value of the weekend’s matches. “With Bard and Wellesley, … we were able to attack and to control the pace,” she said. “Georgetown exposed some weaknesses. We know what we need to work on as a team and individually.”
Looking forward to rest of the season, Robson detailed some areas the team is planning to work on. “We know that we need to return serve better and continue to work on more consistent play from the backcourt,” Robson said. “We have time to focus on these areas before our next matches, and we will need to make steady improvement so that we can compete with confidence against teams like Wesleyan, Colby and Bowdoin in January.”
The Lyons’ next competitions will take place on Jan. 13 and 14 at Wesleyan University, where they will compete against Denison University, Haverford College, Wesleyan University and Brown University.
Trailblazing Sports Illustrated reporter Jane Gross, who paved the way for female sports journalists as the first female sports writer to access a professional basketball locker room for a post-game interview in 1975, died on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in New York City. The New York Times stated that, according to her brother and sole immediate survivor Michael Gross, several falls culminated in a traumatic brain injury that led to her death at age 75.
The Mount Holyoke Cross Country team earned an 11th place finish out of 21 teams at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Mideast Regional Championships. The race was held at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, on Saturday, Nov. 12. With an overall team score of 327, the Lyons finished behind Connecticut College and ahead of Westfield State University, while Williams College took first place with a total score of 47.
Mount Holyoke Soccer was defeated 3-1 by Wellesley College in their designated Senior Day game on Saturday, Oct. 29, at home. Despite the loss, the team recognized its five graduating seniors: defender Carolina Alvarez ’23, forward Posy Labombard ’23, forward Fionna Kennedy ’23, defender Lo Jean-Jacques ’23 and midfielder Sarah Forster ’23. In preparation for the celebrations, the team decorated the Field House lounge and locker room in Kendall Sports and Dance Complex with balloons and streamers and presented each senior with personalized posters and gifts.
For the first time since 1994, Mount Holyoke Volleyball bested Wellesley College in a home match on Saturday, Oct. 1. The Lyons sprung back from a 2-0 disadvantage, winning the last three sets to defeat the Blue 3-2 (17-25, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15 and 15-10). The match was also the Lyons’ first triumph of the season over a fellow New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference member.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association has been a lucrative institution since its inception in 1906, bringing in millions of dollars in revenue every year from its participating schools. The way the NCAA operates has long seemed set in stone, but over the years the question of whether or not Division I student-athletes should be paid has risen to prominence following conversations about the monetization of athletes’ name, image and likeness.
The Lyons were cheered on by student-athletes from Mount Holyoke Basketball through posters spotlighting each player and signs that read ‘Basketball loves Field Hockey’ and ‘Let’s go FHockey.’ The basketball team also decorated the pavement around campus with chalk art to encourage students to attend the game.
Photos courtesy of Jenny Yu ’24 (left) and Anneke Craig ’22 (right).
Left: Mount Holyoke Club Ice Hockey plays at Fitzpatrick Ice Arena on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Right: Mount Holyoke Club Fencing welcomes interested new members to join the team this semester.
By Emily Tarinelli ’25
Sports Editor
Club Corner is a new biweekly column dedicated to highlighting Mount Holyoke College club sports. This week, Club Corner spotlighted Ice Hockey and Fencing.
Ice Hockey
Answers by Abby Mann ’24, captain
1. Describe ice hockey in three words. Fast, thrilling and fun.
2. What are the basics of ice hockey? It’s a contact sport in which players — on ice skates and wearing protective gear — use sticks to push a round, flat-sided “puck” on ice, trying to score points by getting the puck into the other team’s goal. Each team has five players and one goalkeeper on the ice at a time. It’s a total blast!
3. When and where do you practice? We practice in the Kendall [Sports & Dance Complex Field House] on Thursdays and at Fitzpatrick Ice Arena in Holyoke on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
4. What is your favorite team memory? My first game — we lost horribly, but no one cared. Everyone was joking and high-fiving the whole time. Even though we lost, I had a great time because no one made it about winning. We play every game that way and it’s awesome.
5. Tell me about your coach. Coach Tom [Cardosi] is all about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and supported and has a good time. His “Rule One” is to always have fun, and he teaches the team to skate and play with that in mind.
6. What’s the best part about ice hockey? Playing a sport on ice skates is so fun, and our team is full of fantastic people.
7. If you had to pick a song to describe ice hockey, what would it be? Jokingly, … “Livin[g] the Dream (Junior Hockey Anthem)” by Chucky Slick –– our team loves this song.
8. Who would ice hockey be perfect for? Anyone who wants a chance to get on the ice [and] try something new.
9. How can someone join the team? We have a website you can visit! It pops up first if you type “MHC club ice hockey” into the search bar. There, you can find information about how to join. Shoot an email to the captains if you’re interested.
10. Anything else to add? Our website also has our game schedule! Even if you’re not interested in joining, you can always come support us in the [fan] section at a home game in Holyoke. Also, follow us on Instagram @mhcicehockey and stay tuned for open skate events.
Fencing
Answers by Willow Gumpel-Jones ’24, captain
1. Describe fencing in three words. En garde, prêt, allez.
2. What are the basics of fencing? Fencing is a combat sport [with] three different weapons that each have a distinct set of rules, target area and personality types [that] they attract. It’s modern-day sword fighting that’s all about technique and good form.
3. When and where do you practice? Monday through Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in [Kendall Sports & Dance Complex] gym.
4. What is your favorite team memory? We play ultimate frisbee as a warmup every practice, and it gets so intense — it’s so awesome.
5. Tell me about your coach. Our coach, [Dianna McMenamin], is really great with beginning fencers and getting them comfortable with the sport. She has so many fun stories — you should ask her to tell [you] some!
6. What’s the best part about fencing? Fencing is all about problem solving mixed with skills, so for me, learning your opponent’s patterns and tricking them into a hit is the most satisfying thing in the world.
7. If you had to pick a song to describe fencing, what would it be? “Cut Self Not” by Faraquet.
8. Who would fencing be perfect for? Fencing is perfect for those with attention to detail [and] anyone who is competitive and compassionate. … If holding a sword sounds fun to you, come check it out!
9. How can someone join the team? Contact anyone on the board! We are so enthusiastic about inviting new people to the team. [Find] our posters around campus or visit our [team] Instagram page, [@mhc_fencing].
10. Anything else to add? If you haven’t heard it yet from absolutely every member of the team, you should join the fencing team!
Editor’s Note: Sophie Soloway ’23 and Jenny Yu ’24 are members of Mount Holyoke Ice Hockey.
Photo courtesy of Mount Holyoke Athletics.
Lauren Selkin ’23 won the Women’s Varsity 5K at the Sept. 17 UMass Dartmouth Invitational.
By Lauren Leese ’23
Staff Writer
Mount Holyoke Cross Country, led by Lauren Selkin ’23, rallied to 10th place overall out of 38 teams at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 17.
Selkin, who qualified for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Cross Country National Championship in 2021, took first place in the Women’s Varsity 5K with a time of 17:49.3. Following an overall victory at the Wellesley College Invitational on Sept. 2, this race marked Selkin’s second-consecutive win of the year and the fourth first-place title of Selkin’s collegiate cross country career. On Sept. 19, Selkin was named the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week.
“I managed to stick to my game plan and felt very confident and comfortable throughout the entire race,” Selkin said. “I love competing and always look forward to each of the races throughout the season.” Looking to the future, Selkin hopes to qualify for the NCAA National Championship again in 2022 and garner NCAA All-American athlete honors.
Tessa Lancaster ’25 was the second Mount Holyoke runner over the line, taking 35th place overall with a time of 18:54.1. Next for the Lyons, Bridget Hall ’24 ran a time of 19:33.6, placing 73rd. Greta Trapp ’25 took 102nd with a time of 19:59.9 and Kim Beaver ’25 earned a time of 20:37.5 and placed 149th.
This relatively large group of Mount Holyoke athletes competing in the varsity 5K was notable for the team. “Only [Selkin] and [Lancaster] had run the varsity race before,” Head Track and Field and Cross Country Coach Jennifer “Jay” Hartshorn said. “Given the fact that it was a new experience [for] so many athletes on the team, they stepped up.”
In the Women’s 5K Junior Varsity race, Amanda Kearney ’23 finished the course with a time of 22:42.2, taking 66th place. Emma Quirk ’26 came 82nd with a time of 23:39.0 and Eliza Butler ’23 ran a 24:20.50 to place 93rd.
“I felt pretty controlled during my race,” Butler said. Speaking of the season to come, she added, “I’m most looking forward to our future races. … I’d love the team to qualify for regionals again.”
Hartshorn also indicated that the team already has its sights on the NCAA Championship. “The season is really about building to the end of the year. Hopefully we can gain confidence through the season and feel ready going into the championships,” she said.
This meet followed a change of coach for the cross country team. “We have been just getting to know each other for the past month,” Hartshorn said. “Having a new coach can be hard for a team, so I appreciate their ability to adapt to my style. I feel really excited and blessed to be a part of this community. “
Next, the Lyons will head to Williamstown to compete in the Purple Valley Classic on Oct. 1, 2022.
Editor’s Note: Emma Quirk ’26 is a staff member of the Mount Holyoke News.
Photo courtesy of Bob Blanchard.
Dr. Jodi Canfield is the new director of athletics and chair of physical education at Mount Holyoke.
By Emily Tarinelli ’25
Sports Editor
After almost a year and a half without a permanent director of athletics and chair of physical education, Mount Holyoke College named Dr. Jodi Canfield to the role in June 2022. She officially stepped into the position on Aug. 1, 2022.
Canfield succeeded Lori Hendricks ’92, who retired from the position on Feb. 28, 2021 after 14 years with the College. From March 2021 through July 2022, Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Erica Lemm served as interim director of athletics, while Mount Holyoke Lacrosse Head Coach Miriam Esber served as interim chair of physical education.
Originally from Canton, N.Y., Canfield grew up surrounded by sports. Her mother was a physical education instructor, and her father was a collegiate skiing coach. She later attended St. Lawrence University — where she played lacrosse and tennis — and graduated cum laude with her bachelor’s degree.
From there, she entered the business industry at a ski and sporting goods company. However, when a lacrosse coaching position opened up at St. Lawrence, she knew she had to take the role.
“It was the best thing I had ever done,” Canfield said.
She remained the St. Lawrence lacrosse coach for 15 years, and was involved in several campus committees including the Diversity Commission, the Middle States Review, the Insititutional Strategies and Assessment Committee, the Sexual Violence Advisory Board and the Academic Advising Team. Additionally, she participated in several National Collegiate Athletic Association organizations, such as the Empire All-Region and All-America Committee and the Regional Ranking Committee. During this time, she obtained her master’s degree in counseling from St. Lawrence and her doctorate in child and family studies from Syracuse University.
After coaching at St. Lawrence, Canfield transitioned to athletics administration and served another five years as the University’s assistant athletics director. When the position of athletics director became available at Sweet Briar College, a small historically women’s college in central Virginia, she decided to pursue the opportunity.
“I’d never be the [athletics director] of St. Lawrence,” Canfield said. “[The current St. Lawrence athletics director] was going to stay. He’s still there. So I made a significant decision to leave and become the A.D. at Sweet Briar College.”
At Sweet Briar, Canfield was a member of the president’s cabinet and directed seven NCAA Division III varsity teams, in addition to an equestrian program.
Canfield said that while she embraced the single-gender sports program at Sweet Briar, “the gender diversity, inclusivity and … holistic viewpoint of gender” at Mount Holyoke was “much more appealing.”
“It was a no-brainer,” Canfield said. “I love the people at Sweet Briar, … but this [position at Mount Holyoke] was an opportunity to step into a very similar role, [with] more sports, more students [and] more going on.”
One of Canfield’s goals for this academic year is to understand the culture of Mount Holyoke and its athletics department. She has already started getting to know the student-athletes and coaches by learning about their visions and motivations in sports.
“I’m really focused on what I call the ‘student-athlete experience,’” Canfield said, noting her interest in expanding programs available to student-athletes. She stated that this year, she aims to continue building up the strength and conditioning program, which started in April 2022 with the hiring of strength coach Jay Mendoza. Additionally, she revealed that the department is in the process of hiring a third athletic trainer.
Canfield also emphasized that interacting with student-athletes and coaches is highly important to her.
“I have a very open door policy,” Canfield said. “If a coach has something that is of concern to them, they don’t need to make an appointment. If the door is open, I can multitask. … I really want to …[be] a coach’s coach, versus this A.D. administrator.” She added that because her office is somewhat detached from the main sections of Kendall Sports and Dance Complex, she makes concerted efforts to visit coaches down the hallway to say hello or congratulate them on their games.
“So far, I have not missed a home contest, [and] I won’t be able to keep that streak up forever, but it’s something that’s really important to me early on in the season,” Canfield said. “[It’s important] to just make sure the coaches know that I’m there.”
“[The students] who know me are now coming in and saying hey,” Canfield said. “Mount Holyoke has been such a welcoming community. I can’t express gratitude enough.”
