Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. It just seems to magically appear each year and doesn’t have all of the hustle and bustle swirling around it like Christmas always did for my family. It’s almost like the day just creeped up on everyone’s calendars and starts off the holiday season with a feast centered around family and giving thanks for the good things in life.
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.
By Brian Vigna | bvigna@flagler.edu
The women’s basketball team has signed a key high school standout to play for the women’s team in the 2009-10 season.
Rachel Brown, a center from Clearwater High School, has earned a spot on the Flagler roster based on her excellent play over the past four seasons at Clearwater High under coach Tom Shaneyfelt.
By Sarah Locke and Matthew Boyle | gargoyle@flagler.edu
Photo contributed by Brady Reich
In the third episode of The Noisemakers, co-hosts Sarah Locke and Matthew Boyle interview Flagler College alumnus and local musician Brady Reich about his music and play one of his tracks, “Live it Up.”
Reich plays live throughout St. Augustine on a regular basis. For more information on him, his music or upcoming shows, visit www.bradyreich.com.
By Kellye Wantz | gargoyle@flagler.edu
“When all is said and done, killing my mother came easily.”
From the moment you read that first sentence, Alice Sebold captures your attention in her most recent book, “The Almost Moon.” Like her earlier novel, “Lovely Bones,” and her memoir, “Lucky,” Sebold’s third book is just as graphic and violent. All three take dark, overlooked subjects and bring them up front and center.
The plot of this twisted tale revolves around murder.