Fresh Meat!

Meet the Fresh Meat!

It has officially been one month since school has been in session!  Let’s see how freshman, Jayla Leftwich (Pittsburgh, PA) and Jody Chickey ( Bethlehem, PA) have been adjusting to college life and their future goals as a mountaineer.

 

Jayla & Jody hugging it out

 

Jayla Leftwich

1.       Why did you decide to come to Mount St Mary’s?

       I loved the environment it seemed so peaceful. I was sold when I got to meet the coaches

2.       What do you enjoy doing when you aren't studying or playing basketball?

I love spending time with my teammates and going to chipotle. Also I love spending time with Jody we have become great friends.

3.       What are your goals for the upcoming season?

To do my best and try as hard as I can to become very successful at the college level

4.       What has been the most difficult part of adjusting to college life?

Managing my time with basketball and my classes it seemed impossible but I am getting the hang of it

5.       What is one thing your teammates would be surprised to find out about you?

 I don’t eat fried chicken L

6.       If you could script your collegiate debut how would it go?

I could come off the bench and have an amazing game Double Double.  My teammates would be so proud of me and I would say to myself “anything is possible, I can do it”

7.       How would you describe your game?

It is pretty good I would say.. It’s strong, well I guess it has to be or I wouldn’t be a power forward

8.       Favorite Quote:

Shoot for the moon because even if you miss you will still be a star J

Jody Chickey

1.       Why did you decide to come to Mount St Mary’s?

 I decided to come to The Mount because I loved the coaches, the campus and I loved how welcoming the team was.

2.        What do you enjoy doing when you aren't studying or playing basketball?

If I'm not studying or playing basketball I enjoy relaxing, traveling and eating!

3.       What are your goals for the upcoming season?

My goals for this upcoming season are to win the NEC, and make a positive contribution to the team.

4.       What has been the most difficult part of adjusting to college life?

The most difficult part to adjusting to college life is time management. 

5.       What is one thing your teammates would be surprised to find out about you?

I am pretty weird so I don't think they would be surprised of anything that I do, but I don't think they know I'm obsessed with Jennifer Aniston. 

6.       If you could script your collegiate debut how would it go?

Hmm if I could script my collegiate debut it would go a little like this... Playing Quinnipiac 5 seconds left,down by 2.  I drive to the middle of the lane do a behind the back pass to Jackie spotted in the corner for a three and she drains it for the WINNNNNNNN!!!!! 

7.        How would you describe your game?

I would describe my game as upbeat. I like to be involved in fast breaks, pushing it up the floor, and also dribble drive to kick out to the shooters.

8.        Favorite Quote:

My favorite quote is "Either you run the day or let the day run you" -Jim Rohn 

 

Jody & Jayla such characters!

 

Mount SUMMER 2012

Catching up with Mount Women’s Basketball : Summer 2012

Now that Summer 2012 is coming to an end we wanted to catch up with our student-athletes and see how their summer has been.

Every one of our student-athletes attended Mount Summer either during Session I, Session II or both!! The girls were able to get ahead in the classroom as well as work their game. The girls dedicated many hours in the gym, on the track and their favorite—the hills!  Here are the questions we asked them:  

1.       What has been your favorite memory from summer 2012?

2.       What are you most looking forward to when you return to The Mount?

3.       How did you use the summer to get ready for the season?

4.       What will be the one thing you make sure you do before returning to campus August 21st?

Rachel Mathews, Junior, F

1.       My favorite memory was experiencing cracker barrel for the first time with Jackie & Mariah

2.       I can’t wait to return to the Mount to see all my friends

3.       To get ready for the season I got surgery, changed my eating habits and worked out

4.       Before I return to campus I will make sure that I go to mine and whit’s favorite Mexican restaurant, Casa Grande, one last time.

Rachel & her friend Cat in Myrtle Beach

Ashley Christie, Junior, G

1.       My favorite memory was playing pick-up in memorial and the lights going out in the middle of a game

2.       I can’t wait to see and hang out with all my teammates and friends

3.       To get ready for the season I worked out with TJ, played pick-up, got shots up and did individual basketball workouts

4.       Before I return to campus, I will give my mom and dad a hug.

Jessie Kaufman, Courtney Christie, Nicole Christie, & Ashley Christie



Lindsay Williams, Sophomore, F

1.       My favorite memory would have to be going to the USA vs. Brazil exhibition game in Washington, DC

2.       I am looking forward to reaching my goals I set for myself, seeing new faces, the new season, getting to know my new teammates and making new friends.

3.     I do physical therapy, work out, manage my time better and have a healthier diet.

4. Before returning to campus I will come up with a game plan for the fall semester.



Selina Mann, Senior, G

1.       So far my favorite memory from summer 2012 is attending the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert after my last final. Def was a memorable way to kick of the summer shenanigans  

2.       I’m looking forward to the new semester and seeing some friendly familiar faces

3.       To get ready for the season I took advantage of our summer workouts and got in the gym to get shots up. Also played lots of pick-up with my ballers.

4. One thing I will make sure to do before returning at the end of August is sleep in late.

Selina painting in Founders Plaza

Mariah Powell, Sophomore, F

1.       My favorite memory from summer 2012 was when all of the team at summer school hiked to the Indian Look out.  It was so much fun

2.       When I return to the Mount I look forward to meeting new people and making new friends, also reuniting with my teammates.

3.       I used the summer to get ready for the season by trying to eat the right foods

4.       Before returning to campus, I am going to make sure that I go on a big shopping trip and get my hair done J

hike with Mount ballers to indian look out



Jessie Kaufman, Junior, F

1.       My most memorable moment was going to stay with Ashley in Ohio for a week and a half and going up to the lake house with friends and family

2.       I’m most looking forward to being reunited with all my teammates and getting ready for the season to start

3.       Summer is the most important time for athletes to prepare for the upcoming season.  Working out with my teammates in summer school has definitely helped prepare us

4.       Before heading back to campus, I am going to hang out with friends and spend some QT with the family.

Jessie horseback riding

Jackie Brewer, Sophomore, G

1.       My most memorable moment was going to the beach with my best friend

2.       I am most looking forward to getting ready and preparing for the season

3.       This summer I have been working out a couple times everyday

4.       Before I return to campus I am going to go on vacation with my family and go SHOPPING!

Jackie with her brothers Aaron & Dylan

Melanie Mocniak, Sophomore, F

1.       My favorite memory by far this summer is spending time down at my beach house in Ocean City, Md with all of my friends and family

2.       I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on campus again and catching up with everyone

3.       Getting ready for the season I attended summer school where we worked out every day: running, lifting, shooting, and playing pick up

4.       One thing that I am going to make sure I do before I return to school is to spend every day at the beach

Jody, Mariah, Mel & Kayla havin fun in Summer School

Sydney Henderson, Junior, G

1.       My favorite memory was working my Internship and going to Florida!

2.       I am looking forward to the most when I get back to school is the wonderful Mount food. Kidding! I am looking forward to basketball season with a great group of girls

3.       I attended summer school in June and when I was at home I worked out on my own on a daily basis.

4. I will spend quality time with my family, especially those that I don’t see as often and my friends that play basketball too.

Tara Lonergan, Senior, F

1.       My favorite memory from Summer 2012 at school was getting to spend time with my teammates who were also returning while getting in shape and prepared for the upcoming season. It was also my last summer as an athlete at the Mount & wanted to make the best of it.

2.       I am most looking forward to getting back on campus to see friends & teammates after the summer.

3.       Personally I used the summer to get healthy and be as prepared as possible for the long season ahead (going to playoffs & obviously winning)

4.       I will definitely make sure I have my sneakers packed before returning to school.

Jessie & Tara

Kayla Grossett, Junior, G

1. My favorite moment during the summer was when, myself and the girls were playing pick-up and the power went out on us.  We all shared screams, laughs and fears. That night was a lot of fun.  We all had to run back to the dorm, in the pouring rain, we snapped a pic to capture the memory and then spent the night together without power.
2. I am looking forward to a new fresh start, a year to be successful as the previous year, if not better. I want to win our conferne and have a healthy season for myself.
3. This summer I stayed at The Mount all summer to get ahead in classes and be more conditioned, stronger, healthier and prepared for the season.
4. I will spend PLENTY of time with my family!  (considering I hadn't seen them all summer) Also continue to train and get ready for the mission I have as a Junior. 

 

Kayla & Mariah #picstitch

Jenn Carney, Sophomore, G

1.       My favorite memory from this summer has been being able to go to the beach with my friends and family & the lady Antebellum concert!

2.       When I return to the Mount I am looking forward to hanging out with my team and preparing for the season

3.       I used the summer to get ready for the season by going to the gym every day, working on what I needed to work on and going to summer workouts at school to improve my conditioning

4.       The one thing that I will make sure I do before going back to campus is spend time with my family before I leave.

Jenn with her friends at Lady Antebellum Concert

Jody Chickey, Freshman , G

1.       My favorite memory of this summer would have to be spending time with my roommates (Jackie, Mariah and Jayla) we had some good laughs!

2.       What I am most l am most looking forward to coming back is getting to know the team better and also starting the season.

3.       I used this summer to prepare for the season by working on all the little things I need to improve on. I also tried to focus on conditioning as well as lifting.

4.       One thing that I am sure to do before returning to The Mount is preparing for the timed mile.



girls after pick up outside of Memorial Gym

Jayla Leftwitch, Freshman, F

1.       My favorite memory from this summer was starting college and getting to know all the new people.

2.       I am looking to being with my teammates again, getting healthy and starting the season

3.       Due to my injury I was unable to work out, but I have been going to physical therapy so I can get better and work out soon.

4.       One thing I will make sure to do before returning to campus, is my homework… gotta stay focused J

Mariah, Jody, Jackie & Jayla

















Picture Highlight 11-12

Check out just our picture highlights from our 2011-2012 Highlight Video!!!

A Day in the Life with The Mount Cup!

As most of you already know, we are the 2012 Mount Cup Champs!!!   If you do not know this already check out last weeks blog under "Blue & White Banquet" to see what the Mount Cup is all about!

Here is our girls in a DAY IN THE LIFE with THE MOUNT CUP :)

Blue & White Banquet

Mount St. Mary’s Athletic Department held its Blue & White sports banquet Monday, April 30, 2012 in the Knott Arena.   The Blue & White Sports Banquet honors and celebrates the past year of all the athletic teams as well as honoring the departing senior players.  The event was hosted by the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC), which senior Sandra Andresson is a proud member of!  The banquet began with recognition of honored guests as well as team captains (juniors, Tara Lonergan and Selina Mann).  During dinner, a video made by Senior Track & Field star Tom FitzSimons was presented.  The footage was shot from one GoPro Hero video camera over a 6 week period that takes a look into Mount Athletics from an on field, up close, point of view perspective!  You can check it out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hdzsXrbj0A.  

After dinner, the senior awards and team MVP awards were presented to each team.  Coach Whitten started his speech with some Estonian “kuidas läheb“, meaning “how are you? “, to welcome Sandra’s mother, Aime, who is here in the States for the first time ever!!  Sandra will leave the Mount tied for most games played and 2^nd in the most games started in a career. 

After presenting Sandra with her senior gift, Coach Whitten announced the MVP of the 2011-2012 season.  Junior point guard, Selina Mann, was this years’ MVP for Mount Women’s Basketball.  Selina was named 2^nd team All-Conference in the NEC.  She also finished 3^rd in the country in steals per game and 34^th in assists per game!! 

To end the awards banquet, Chris Stack, Coordinator of Support Services for Student-Athletes, presented the Mount Cup Award.  This is the second year the Mount cup has been in existence and is based off of a point system of five different categories.  The first category is Academic Achievement, which is based on overall team GPA.  The second category is Community Outreach which includes all community service events organized by SAAC, Teams, Individuals or other organizations on campus. The next category is Personal Enhancement where teams can earn points by attending any CHAMPS/life skills event related to personal development. Examples include, career workshops, diversity, drug and alcohol speakers or nutrition workshops.   The fourth category is Mount Pride.  In this category teams can earn points by attending home contests of other teams.  The last category that is judged on is Athletic Achievement, which is given to the team for on field/court performance relating to where you finish in the conference. 

2011-2012 Category Winners: 

1. Academic Achievement : Women’s Soccer
2. Community Outreach: Women’s Basketball
3. Personal Enhancement: Women’s Track & Field
4. Mount Pride: Women’s Basketball
5. Athletic Acheivement : Men’s Lacrosse 

And the overall winner of The Mount Cup is ………….

WOMEN’s BASKETBALL!!!

For the second year in a row, our girls have stepped up to the plate and won the Mount Cup.  

Take a look below at the photos and videos from last night’s banquet  

NY State of Mind

Last weekend we traveled to NYC to play against Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus and Saint Francis College of New York. We went 1-1. Our team has some NY flavor. Tara Lonergan is from Rockville Center, NY and Kelly Guerriero is from Floral Park, NY. Junior Captain Tara Lonergan talks about the trip.

Some of the players braved the cold weather to catch the Manhattan Skyline after dinner Sunday night.

Hi, I'm Tara Lonergan a junior here on the Women's Basketball Team and I am from Rockville Centre, NY. Staying in Brooklyn last weekend was awesome. I just love being in New York City even though it wasn't my hometown. Everyone says I have a strong New York accent.I love being around people who sound like me or have even stronger accents. My favorite part of the tip was being able to eat pizza. Pizza is hands down made best in New York. I always look forward to playing in New York, because I am able to see my family and friends when they come to the games.

At LIU, my whole family came except my sister Megan who plays on the Queens College basketball team. She had a game the same day. At St. Francis my dad, sister, friend and her father came to the game to see us get a W. Playing in front of my family is exciting, because they get to watch me do what I love and its always fun seeing familiar faces in the crowd.

Our first game of the weekend at LIU started out great. We were hitting a majority of our shots and found a strong rhythm with each other. However, LIU made a comeback and took the lead and we weren't able to come back. Our game at St. Francis started the opposite of LIU, we weren't making shots and we were looking for a spark. Being down 9 at halftime we came out strong, tied up the game, and eventually took the lead.

This weekend we are traveling up to Conneticut to play Sacred Heart and Quinnipiac and are hoping to get two W's. Being 4-4 in conference and tied for 4th with four other teams, every game is important to get into playoffs. The rest of our schedule will be tough, but there's no doubt in my mind we can keep winning and make it into playoffs. GO MOUNT!

Alumni Update - Agnus Berenato

Being apart of the Mount Women's Basketball Family doesn't end when you play your last game or walk across the stage to graduate. A part of our Behind The ARCC posts will be Alumni Updates from former players. Our first update comes from Agnus Berenato '80, who is currently the Head Women's Basketball Coach at the University of Pittsburgh. The Mount WBB team lost to Pitt December 29 this season 58-45. She wrote a post about her experience playing for the Mount, how it feels to play against us, and what it means to be apart of the Mount family. Enjoy!!

 

Playing for the Mount was an awesome experience. Of course, like any team, we had great wins and tough losses but the special thing was the competition and team. Fr Delaney was my first Coach, and I still consider his daily lessons my game plan for life. Fred "Mad Dog" Carter was my other coach at the Mount and I cheer him and jeer him depending on the day! Coach Carter is the main reason I am coaching today so when we have a big victory, I cheer him and when I suffer a devastating loss, I jeer him.

The team was what made it work for me. The likes of Margaret Diaz, Sue Janowiak, Lynne Phelan, Maureen Cashen and our self appointed manager/operations man AJ DeLaurentis made the Mount team special. The team Masses. J Term. Van rides and stops at that damn Pizza Hut off Hagerstown Rd. Team meals. Scrimmage vs the twisted Coyle twins of Rutgers. These were the memories I will never forget. The game is the game but life is what the game is all about. I learned many things at the Mount being on the basketball team, but the best was just having a uniform and a seat on the bus.

When I coach against the Mount it is very difficult for me. My emotions run high and I wonder if the student athletes know how lucky they are to attend such a great University. Honestly, I get goose bumps every time I speak of the Mount but when it comes to competition, winning is the name of the game!!!

I was and am fortunate to have the Mount woven into the fabric of who I am. I will always be thankful for the Spirit of the Mount and it makes me smile to think of the wonderful Catholic Community I belong to.