By Clayton Coffman | ccoffman@flagler.edu
Flagler women’s basketball coach, Sherri Abbey-Nowatzki believes there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Unfortunately, getting to the end has been a hard battle for the Saints.
By Sarah Vaccaro | gargoyle@flagler.edu
The Collegiate Surfing Association’s inaugural Southeastern Regional Championships took off this month with several other Sunshine State colleges, including Flagler College.
By Clayton Coffman | ccoffman@flagler.edu
It’s the biggest sporting event on the face of this planet. The Super Bowl has captivated the eyes of billions of people across the globe and, once again, the game has as many intricacies as a grass maze.
By Clayton Coffman | ccoffman@flagler.edu
The terms ‘greatness’ and ‘best all-time’ have been thrown around for many figures in politics, sports, etc. Unlike Bill Clinton or Kevin Garnett, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow not only reaches both of those platforms, he sets the bar even higher.
After the thrill of leading Florida to its second national title in three seasons, Tebow has the ultimate choice of returning for more collegiate glory or testing the waters of the NFL. Everyone knows he has the ultimate passion for the game unlike any other, but will that translate to the professional ranks? Many think not. NFL Draft “expert” Mel Kiper thinks Tebow can’t play quarterback and should focus his incredible skills as … gulp … a tight end.
By Brian Vigna | bvigna@flagler.edu
Photo by Matthew Boyle
PHOTO CAPTION: The Saints have lost some of the early momentum of the season and now look forward to the remaining challenges of 2009 for their chance to bring respect back to the program. Sophomore Guard John Pietkiewicz drives towards the basket here in a losing effort against Embry-Riddle.
The Saints are 1-6 and fans want answers. The honest truth is that the team just can’t finish games, but the reason behind this fatal flaw isn’t so easily seen.
The lack of true centers or big men on the team is an obvious shortcoming. Ask anyone who’s ever played basketball against their older brother or sister and they’ll tell you that you just can’t win against someone twice your size. The fact that in each game so far this season we’ve faced teams that average a full 3-5 inches bigger than our squad is not one to overlook.
By Lindsey Williams | gargoyle@flagler.edu
The season started dismal for last year’s women’s basketball. With seven losses as the season opened, the 2007 record read 15-17. As the 2008 season kicked off to a new start, the team has won two of the last seven games. No losing streak here.
Players hope to continue court improvements as the season thickens. Winning two of the last three home-games, the Saints have proven to be stronger at home than on the road. Perhaps the missing ingredient: more home support.
Photo by Matthew Boyle
By Kate Shoaf | gargoyle@flagler.edu
By Ryan Day | gargoyle@flagler.edu
At this time last year, the men’s soccer team was finishing out a two-win season, the men’s golf team hadn’t placed better than 12th in a tournament, men’s tennis included five underclassmen on its roster and expectations were going to be low until those underclassmen got some experience and men’s basketball was one day away from a 13-point loss to in-state rival Embry-Riddle, their fourth loss in eight games.
“I think the move to Division II will really boost this team,” men’s tennis coach Walter Shinn said shortly after season’s end last year.
By Kathy Novak | gargoyle@flagler.edu
At about a third of the way through the season and with a 2-4 record, the Lady Saints are dealing with changes that involve more competition and bigger challenges.
In the past, they have played a hard game of basketball, displaying all that they’ve got on the court. But this season it’s different.
“With a new season, comes new players on both ends – Saints and opponents. We are in Division II now – we will compete better. Will that result in wins? That’s up to the kids to find a way to do that,” Coach Sherri Abbey-Nowatzki said.
By Chelsi de Cuba | gargoyle@flagler.edu
Photo contributed by John Jordan
Freshman guard for the Flagler Saints women’s basketball team Charlsea Owen aspires to be a player her team can count on. Owen is a St. Augustine native who grew up watching Flagler athletics. She started playing basketball at age five and graduated from Pedro Menendez High School in St. Augustine.
Owen was introduced to basketball when her neighbor asked her to rebound for her. She would always walk across the lawn and rebound, which helped her launch a basketball career. Her biggest inspiration to play basketball was her middle school coach.