Winter Sports Preview

With the north winds blowing down the Hanover Plain, Big Green athletes will be heading indoors and out to the slopes with hopes of wins, records and titles. What better way to spend a cold, dark afternoon or evening than cheering them on? Here is a preview of the upcoming 2004-2005 intercollegiate winter sports season.

TEAM OVERALL (IVY) 2003-04 PAST GLORIES SCOUTING REPORT MEN'S BASKETBALL 3-25 (1-13) 18-8 and Ivy League runner-up in 1996-97 Last year was a test of character given key injuries, bad breaks and close losses. Players are excited as Terry Dunn era begins and expect to be in the running for Ivy honors. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 15-12 (8-6) Back-to-back Ivy titles; NCAA berths 1998-99 and 1999-2000 Says coach Chris Wielgus: "This team is fun to watch and a blast to coach. The season will be an adventure; I can't wait to get started!" In addition to Ivy rivals, tough schedule includes Virginia, Kansas, DePaul and Richmond. MEN'S HOCKEY 14-11-9 (10-5-7 ECAC) Ivy titles in 1978-79 and 1979-80 (when coach Bob Gaudet was goalie) Team takes to Thompson Arena ice looking to build on last year's sea- son with a mix of veterans and strong freshmen; depth at all positions will boost chances for ECAC title and a trip to the NCAAs. WOMEN'S HOCKEY 24-8-2 (14-3-1 ECAC) 2nd in ECAC; 4th in NCAAs last year With just 18 players, everyone staying healthy will be key to success. As always, Harvard will be the team to beat. MEN'S TRACK & FIELD l-l (1-1): 8th at Heptagonals Four consecutive indoor Heptagonal titles, 1988-91 Exemplary work ethic distinguishes seniors; team looks to better 8th-place finish at Heps and qualify individuals for NCAAs. WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD l-l (l-l); won Dartmouth Relays 2nd in 1996 Indoor Heptagonals Several outdoor NCAA regional qualifiers return, bolstered by 21 freshmen. Talk about a youth movement! Looking to finish in Top 5 in the league. MEN'S SQUASH 12-4 (3-3) 13-5 in 2001-02 Lone freshman recruit Adam King '08 from Oromocto, New Brunswick, is expected to have an immediate impact as team rebuilds after losing three starters from last year's 5th-ranked team. WOMEN'S SQUASH 8-5 (2-4) 6th in the nation last year Most of team returns, minus captain Crosby Hayes '04. Coach John Power counting on impressive group of freshmen to step up against Yale, Trinity, Harvard and Princeton. MEN'S SWIMMMING & DIVING 6-6 (3-6 EISL) 3rd in East; 12th at NCAAs in 1969-70 After setting nine new school records and graduating seven seniors, the team will be bolstered by five new swimmers and two new divers. Squad anchored by co-captains Mike Hipps '05 and Sean Robinson '05. WOMEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING 3-8 (1-6) Top 10 in Eastern Championships 1991 through 1998 Seven seniors will lead a team determined to shatter even more than the six records broken last year—and place even more times into All-Time Top 10. (There were 10 last year.) MEN'S TENNIS 9-14 (1-6) Ivy champs in 1993 and 1997 Coach Chuck Kinyon looking to co-captains David Webb '05 and Andres Reyes '05 to lead team through indoor season. Freshmen include Jeffrey Schechtman '08, who has ranked as high as 40th in the U.S. WOMEN'S TENNIS 13-8 (2-5) 5th in Ivy League last year Freshmen from New Zealand and Germany will have fall seasoning; Jayme Ahmed '05 looking to make All-Ivy again. SKIING 8th at NCAAs; won Dartmouth Carnival for first time since 1984 Won men's NCAA Championship in 1976; women's in 1977 Paul McDonald '04, 2004 NCAA men's slalom champion, Courtney Calise '07, NCAA women's slalom runner-up, and NCAA giant slalom qualifier Christin Lathrop '03 lead alpine squad; top three women from last year and Mike Sinnott '07 lead cross-country competitors.