Lacrosse reflects on seniors during final home game of season

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

Mount Holyoke Lacrosse celebrated their Senior Day by hosting Coast Guard Academy at their last home game of the year on Saturday, April 21. Though the Lyons suffered a 13-5 loss, the four seniors on the team, Leila Kouakou ’18, Kaitlin Braz ’18, Clarissa Leight ’18 and Julia Lankin ’18, were honored for their achievements. Kouakou reached 100 career points last week, only the 15th player in school history to do so, and Braz is currently ranked third in the conference for caused turnovers (35).

Track and field hosts Spring Fling Invitational at home

BY KARI FOSSUM ’20

Mount Holyoke track and field hosted the Spring Fling Invitational on Saturday, posting impressive results across the board. The atmosphere leading up to the event, this week’s Game of the Week, was very festive; several other Mount Holyoke athletic teams stood on the sidewalk leading to Kendall to cheer their fellow Lyons on. The team powered to a fifth-place team finish out of 12 schools, with Eastern Connecticut State taking the win.

Decorated rider Juliana Ronn ’18 will join team at nationals

Decorated rider Juliana Ronn ’18 will join team at nationals

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

Western riding team captain Juliana Ronn ’18 is headed to nationals in Harrisburg, PA on May 3 to compete individually in Open Horsemanship and Reining, the highest level of the Western Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). Ronn has been a member of the western team for three years and its captain for two. 

Lyons face competitive play during the month of April

BY KARI FOSSUM ’20

Lacrosse posts small victories: Lacrosse competed against Salve Regina on Thursday, April 5, and against Eastern Connecticut on Saturday, April 7. The team first travelled to Rhode Island, where they took home a 10-8 victory, led by captain Leila Kouakou ’18. Kouakou tallied a game-best five goals and six draw controls, including two successful shots towards the end of play to give the Lyons a two-point lead. 

Daisy Chain ranks third in division III ultimate

Daisy Chain ranks third in division III ultimate

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

The Mount Holyoke ultimate team — known as the Daisy Chain — is currently ranked third in the nation for the USA Ultimate (USAU) Women’s Division III Ultimate Frisbee after a big win at the Jersey Devil Tournament on March 24 and 25. 

Athletics celebrates National Division Three Week

B LEXI LOBDELL ’20

The Mount Holyoke athletics department, in conjunction with schools across the country, sponsored the National Division III (D3) Week from April 3-April 7, to recognize the hard work and experiences of student athletes. The week kicked off on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. in Kendall in the field house.

Mount Holyoke empowers athletes on and off the field

Mount Holyoke empowers athletes on and off the field

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

Recent sexual assault cases involving National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) teams and coaches have brought women’s rights to the forefront of collegiate sports discussion.

Mount Holyoke’s mission includes improving education and leadership, as well as creating opportunities for women and advancing women’s rights. Adhering to this mission, the athletics department has several policies in place to cultivate a safe environment for student-athletes.

SuperBlanch creates big change for athletes

BY KARI FOSSUM ’20

Students returning to the Mount Holyoke campus for the spring semester were welcomed with the opening of the long-awaited centralized Dining Commons. The comfort and cuisine of the previously scattered dining halls into SuperBlanch streamlines the day-to-day hustle of many Mount Holyoke students. 

Basketball Coach of 14 years leaves mid-season

Basketball Coach of 14 years leaves mid-season

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

After 14 seasons, head coach Michelle Scecina, left her position with the Lyons’ basketball team. On Jan. 4, Scecina was named the assistant athletic director for Student-Athlete Enhancement at Springfield College. Springfield is Mount Holyoke basketball’s number one competitor, currently leading the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference. It is also Scecina’s alma mater. 

Mount Holyoke Basketball Falls to MIT in conference play, 63 - 24

Mount Holyoke Basketball Falls to MIT in conference play, 63 - 24

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Lyons hosted the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) basket ball team, the Engineers. Despite their best efforts, Mount Holyoke’s young roster couldn’t keep up with MIT’s experienced players, and fell 63 to 24. 

Students debate PE credits for club and varsity sports

Students debate PE credits for club and varsity sports

BY KARI FOSSUM ’20

Spanning six sports, Mount Holyoke’s club athletics have a definite presence on campus. Club-level teams include the dressage and western riding teams, ice hockey, fencing, rugby and ultimate frisbee. Each team competes regionally, often against the same schools that Mount Holyoke varsity athletics competes against, but club sports differ from varsity and NCAA athletics in several ways. 

Dining Services to plan meal options for athletes

Dining Services to plan meal options for athletes

BY KARI FOSSUM ’20

Both students and athletes have been curious about the foods that will be offered at the Blanchard Community Center following the completion of its construction. Richard Perna, director of Dining Services at Mount Holyoke, currently oversees the day-to-day operations of every dining hall on campus. Less visible is the task that is extremely important to Perna: feeding the athletes on Mount Holyoke’s 13 varsity sports teams. As he oversees the dining experience, Perna is looking to expand and improve the ways that Dining Services feeds the athletic department.

Athletics opens online store for the holidays

Athletics opens online store for the holidays

BY KARI FOSSUM ’20

The holiday season is fast approaching, and for the first time, the athletic department has put together a holiday store stocked with items from Mount Holyoke sponsor Adidas. The store includes cold weather options such as sweatshirts, hats and blankets, as well as polos and T-shirts for the warmer months. While the apparel options do seem small, Athletics is attempting to offer the community exclusive apparel typically only available to athletes. Jamesa Allen ’19, who plays for the Volleyball team, said that while the selection seems, “limited...it is all very cute!”

Andy Whitcomb changed the game

Andy Whitcomb changed the game

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

When Andy Whitcomb took over the Mount Holyoke field hockey team in 1998, the team was last-place in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), having won only five games in five years. Fast forward to 2017, Whitcomb’s team has an impressive resume featuring multiple NEWMAC championships and NCAA tournament appearances. 

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