Dominique Dawes may forever be identified as one of the “Magnificent Seven” from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but her impact on and off the mat extends far beyond that gold medal moment.
Dawes started in gymnastics at age six and was competing by age 10. She managed to score a place on the 1992 U.S. team bound for Barcelona, becoming the first African-American gymnast to qualify for the 
Olympics. Dawes ended up winning the bronze medal alongside her teammates. At the 1994 Nationals, she swept the board by winning the all-around title as well as securing gold medals in all four individual events. In addition to contributing to her team’s epic gold-medal victory, Dawes became the first African-American gymnast to win an individual medal at the Atlanta Games (a bronze for floor exercise). Dawes even managed to qualify for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
This three-time Olympian has kept busy since retiring from gymnastics. She’s worked as a multimedia correspondent for Yahoo! Sports during the Beijing Olympics and has covered both national as well as international gymnastics competitions for the likes of TNT, CBS Sports and Comcast Sports Net. Dawes also has made moves outside the broadcasting booth by appearing in the Broadway musical Grease as well as music videos for Prince and Missy Elliott.
Dawes is now making a name for herself as a motivational speaker. Sharing her personal and professional philosophy known as D-3 (Determination, Dedication, Desire). Dawes spreads her message of establishing self-esteem through positive body image coupled with a strong work ethic to youth and women’s groups. She also offers gymnastics clinics at facilities across the country, passing her love of the sport on to athletes of all ages. She earned her degree from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2002 and served as president for the Women’s Sports Foundation from 2005 to 2006. She’s even been a spokesperson for empowering crusades like the Girl Scouts of America’s Uniquely Me campaign.
With her accomplishments in the gym and her dedication to inspiring others, Dawes proves why she is affectionately known as “Awesome Dawesome.”
It’s a ton of fun to hit the bars and watch the Final Four games with your favorite group of friends. But let us provide a bit of a breakdown for you to help you sound like a professional NCAA follower.
Michigan State
• #2 rank out of the Midwest Region of the tournament
• Who They Beat to Make the Final Four: Tournament favorite Louisville by a score of 64-52 (that’s a sizeable difference)
• Close Call: Had a come-from-behind victory against defending champions Kansas, winning 67-62 despite the struggles of Kalin Lucus
• Players to Know:
- Kalin Lucas (#1, Sophmore, 6ft., Guard): His play has brought in the accolades this year and he continues to perform well in the tournament. Big Ten Player of the Year. Team MVP. Averages nearly 15 points per game, nearly 5 assists.
- Goran Suton (#14, Senior, 6ft. 10in., Center): The big guy can shoot from right under the basket or can take an outside shot, which makes him very dangerous. Averages 10 points per game, 8 rebounds.
• Famous Names from Michigan State Basketball: Magic Johnson
University of Connecticut (UConn)
• #1 rank out of the Western Region of the tournament
• Who They Beat to Make the Final Four: Missouri, 82-75
• Story of the Tournament: There’s been a lot going on with UConn these past few weeks but the one story that really has impact on this tournament is actually about their coach. Health problems forced Coach Calhoun to watch UConn’s first game of the NCAA tournament from a hospital bed. But he’s made it to the other games.
• Players to Know:
- Hasheem Thabeet (#34, Junior, 7ft. 3in., Center): The Tanzania native is likely to be a top 10 pick in the NBA draft. Averages nearly 14 points per game, 11 rebounds.
- A.J. Price (#12, Senior, 6ft. 2in., Guard): This dominant player’s college career has been stopped and restarted three times in five years, once due to a life threatening brain malformation, once due to suspension, and once due to injury. Averages nearly 15 points per game, 5 assists.
University of North Carolina (UNC)
• #1 rank out of the Southern Region of the tournament
• Who They Beat to Make the Final Four: A daunting Oklahoma team, 72-60
• The Preseason Pick: UNC was voted the number one team before this season started but has battled injury and other problems throughout the season. Coach Roy Williams has called this the most frustrating season of his career.
• Players to Know:
- Ty Lawson (#5, Junior, 5ft. 11in., Guard): When he’s on, UNC is tough to keep up with but he sat out the first game of the tournament with a toe injury. Averages 16 points per game, nearly 7 assists.
- Danny Green (#14, Senior, 6ft. 6in., Forward/Guard): An all-round player, he made a huge impact in defeating Oklahoma with outside shooting and strong defense. Averages 13 points per game, nearly 5 rebounds.
• Most Notable Basketball Alumni: Michael Jordan
Villanova
• #3 rank out of the Eastern Region of the tournament
• Who They Beat to Make the Final Four: Big East Compatriot (or Foe) Pittsburgh, 78-76
• The Story: They’re definitely the underdog in this group but this team has been on a roll since they slammed UCLA in the second round.
• Players to Know:
- Scottie Reynolds (#1, Junior, 6ft. 2in., Guard.): This is the guy who made the game-winning shot with under a second to go against Pitt. His players trust him and he’s playing with a lot of confidence. Averages over 15 points per game.
- Dwayne Anderson (#22, Senior, 6ft. 6in., Forward/Guard): This guy has amped up his game for the NCAA Tournament and players refer to him as the leader of the team. Averages 9 points per game.
UConn vs. Michigan State, Saturday, 6pm, EDT
Villanova vs. UNC, Saturday 8:45pm, EDT
29
Mar
The First Victory of Women’s Pro Soccer
by Kenzie Rochelle
0 Comments | Posted by thatgirl in Making Waves
More than anything, it was a day of celebration, a day when the tenacity of hope had a tangible victory over defeat, a day that resounded the adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” It’s been five years since WUSA (Women’s United Soccer Association) fell into a crumble of debt and despair. And for a long 
while, we thought professional women’s soccer in the United States was gone for good. But today it returned. And, who better than a prodigal daughter in the form of Mia Hamm to hand the game ball to the officials? Afterall, it is her form that graces the WPS official logo.
14,832 people filed into the Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Sol for the inaugural match of the WPS (Women’s Professional Soccer) where the Sol played the Washington Freedom. Before the match, the crowds arrived to enjoy a small area called “Sol City” where they could make signs for their favorite players or watch a dog play soccer.
It may have been Mia mania in WUSA but it’s Marta’s magic in WPS. The moment Marta Vieira da Silva, the Brazilian international three time FIFA Player of the Year Awards (at age 23), touched the ball, the stadium was entranced. They screamed (most were girls, after all), yelled, and clapped their hands in anticipation. She would not score but would have an assist and create plenty of excitement as she weaved in and out of opposing defenders – or just speed past them. And yet, it was an unexpected name who led the Los Angeles Sol to the first WPS victory. A name you, an iatg reader, may recognize: Allison Falk.
Falk (interviewed here last week) came up from central defender for a corner kick early in the match and headed the ball past Washington goalkeeper Briana Scurry in the 6th minute. Her hands shot up into the air in excitement and astonishment. She, Allison Falk, a sweet girl from Danville, CA had just written her name in the history books – and with her head no less. Falk would continue with a solid performance, holding Wambach in check with the help of fellow Sol defenders, and would go on to be named the official Woman of the Match.
Of the goal, Falk would say, “The goal was an amazing ball from Aya [Miyama]. I just went up for it, wasn’t sure I was going to get it but just went for it and I think it kind of hit the side of me and went in.”
When the game concluded, the final score read: Los Angeles Sol 2, Washington Freedom 0. Camille Abily scored the second goal with a brilliant chip of the ball in the 87th minute. And an exquisite performance by Sol goalkeeper, Karina LeBlanc, kept the Freedom quiet. That’s how history will write it: Sol victory, 2-0. First match, over and done. But as a member of the crowd, you had to know there was much more to it.
It hadn’t worked with WUSA. But we’re trying again. We’re going for it. A successful women’s professional league in the country that dominates women’s international soccer. Surely it’s not a day of history; it’s only a beginning. And as Sol coach, Abner Rogers, said, “We came out with a good victory … it is only going to get better.”
Want to see more WPS pictures? Visit iatg on facebook.
photo by kenzie rochelle
25
Mar
The Bellism of Women’s Pro Soccer
by Kenzie Rochelle
1 Comment | Posted by thatgirl in Making Waves
As bellists, we characterize ourselves as women who are working toward the same goal, who recognize that we may not be equal but our combined strengths and weaknesses make us a force to reckon with, and, once and for all, we are on the same team. What better place to see that mentality at work than literally on a team. 
A sports team, that is. And with the new Women’s Professional Soccer League kicking off this weekend, we have the perfect candidates: members of the Los Angeles team, Sol (Spanish for “sun”).
With a team full of national elite players (like Shannon Boxx of the U.S. and Marta of Brazil), very experienced players (like Camille Abily of France and Stephanie Cox of the U.S.), and, of course, the rookies (like Notre Dame grad Brittany Bock, Stanford grad Allison Falk, and UCLA grad Val Henderson), a brand new soccer team seems like the perfect place for egos to clash and cleats to tear…but they don’t.
We spoke with the rookies and got an overwhelming sense of team camaraderie despite the fact that season was yet to start. Each girl loved to speak about the team bonding that occurred, especially with the internationals. Brittany Bock said, “One day after practice we were having a French lesson in the locker room. Another day we were giving Han [Duan, of China] driving lessons. You know, red means stop.” Bock loves the give as well as the take of having so many cultures in such a small space and the ability to teach and to learn drives her interactions.
The same could be said of these players on the field. Surprisingly, none of the rookies we spoke to really felt like rookies. Val Henderson admitted to having a low confidence level going into preseason. But all that changed when she met her new teammates and started playing with them in an informal setting at the UCLA fields before entering into their official Sol team training. “As a result, I felt a lot more ready,” she said. “And I was really a lot more excited than anything.” Just being together, playing together, strengthens and encourages confidence in these women, these teammates.
Still, as the younger, less experienced players, they do have players they look up to on the field. Allison Falk mentioned what a joy it was to get to play with Kendall Fletcher and Stephanie Cox on the Sol defense (both of whom have played on the U.S. National squad). Falk added, “It’s great just to be able to learn from them and help me help the team.”
Bock, a midfielder, noted the influence of Shannon Boxx, who had only arrived to team training some 24 hours before we met with Brittany. Watching the Sol play in a scrimmage against FC Gold, we immediately noted the halftime chat Boxx initiated with Bock and the intensity on Bock’s face as she focused on the suggestions provided. One day in and Boxx was already making a point to help her teammates however she could
It’s a unique concept that exists on a soccer field or really amongst any team of athletes. They understand that their jobs are to work cohesively so as to exaggerate the others’ strengths, to provide support when it’s needed, encouragement constantly, and celebration whenever possible. And it’s a concept which, if we pay a little closer attention, wouldn’t be quite so unique. Hook up with your local bellists, and you can have it, too.
Follow the Sol in the inaugural match of the WPS on Sunday afternoon, 3pm PT, Fox Soccer Channel. Or log onto womenssoccer.com to find out how to get tickets for your local team.
—————-
Allison Falk
Hometown:Danville, CA
College: Stanford
Position: Defender
My friends describe me as: tall, funny
My teammates describe me as: giant
My motto is: “Give it Your All”
My biggest challenge was: developing as a player at Stanford
If I could play any other sport, it would be: basketball
If I were not a professional athlete, I would be: a lawyer
A woman I really look up to is: Kristine Lilly
My favorite comfort food is: chocolate
Do you ever miss your mom? Yes, when things are going rough.
I feel most confident: on the soccer field when I make a great play or when I score a goal.
I feel most beautiful when: people tell me I am.
—————-
Brittany Bock
Hometown:Naperville, IL
College: Notre Dame
Position: Midfielder
My friends describe me as: goofy
My teammates describe me as: intense, determined
My motto is: “Always Believe”
My biggest challenge was: confidence
If I could play any other sport, it would be: basketball
If I were not a professional athlete, I would be: struggling
A woman I really look up to is: my grandma
My favorite comfort food is: cereal
Do you ever miss your mom? Yes. Always. She’s been there for me always. I thank her for that.
I feel most confident when: I have people who believe in me.
I feel most beautiful when: I’m happy.
—————-
Val Henderson
Hometown:Orinda, CA
College: UCLA
Position: Goalkeeper
My friends describe me as: crazy, loud, loyal, competitive, fun
My teammates describe me as: strong
My motto is: “Go Big or Go Home”
My greatest success is: yet to come
If I could play any other sport, it would be: football
If I were not a professional athlete, I would be: in another country
My favorite comfort food is: Diddy Riese
Do you ever miss your mom? Yeah, I do when I’m hungry. No, when I see something that reminds me of her or a situation that she would appreciate
I feel most confident when: my teammates are confident in me.
I feel most beautiful when: I’m smiling.
3
Mar
WPS is Already Skirting the Issue
by Kenzie Rochelle
1 Comment | Posted by thatgirl in Making Waves
I was shocked not to hear more about it really. It came and went without comment. No, I’m not talking about the league itself but the unique twist Puma put on the WPS uniforms which were released last week. And that’s a “wrap.” At least, that’s what the WPS is officially calling the piece of removable fabric on the uniforms of the Los Angeles Sol, Boston Breakers, FC Gold Pride and Sky Blue FC. The so-called wrap, when worn, makes the athletes’ shorts look more like skirts. <Insert jaw drop here followed by flashback to A League of Their Own.>
“The uniforms will have a cut more tailored to a woman’s body,” says commissioner Tanya Antonucci. I’m not quite sure how to take that in light of the wrap.
I’ve never thought of female athletes as the type of girls who’d be quick to show their femininity on their turf of choice: court, field or otherwise. Out on the town may be a different story but when it comes to sport it’s all toughness. That’s why we play with the boys and punch (not slap) them when they defend us with half their strength, or when they give us a bonus shot. We want to be taken seriously as competitiors, not sex symbols. Nothing less and nothing more.
Tracy Hamm, a defender with FC Gold Pride, was somewhat dumbfounded when she attempted to describe her first reaction to the idea of having a skirt associated with the soccer field. “I don’t want to say demeaning because it’s not the right word,” she said, “but I think it’s a little bit, I don’t know, ridiculous isn’t the word either. I definitely think it skews the image that professional female athletes are going for.”
The images from the modeling show in Manhattan on Tuesday, where players from each team adorned home and away jerseys, turned the girls in skirts into models rather than just professional soccer players. And though surely a girl can be both, she shouldn’t have to be.
The WPS will officially tell you that she doesn’t have to be; that’s why the additional piece is optional and removable; it won’t be worn in matches. But that misses the point. The skirt, excuse me, the wrap tells onlookers that these fierce women aren’t just here to entertain with their athletic talents but with their feminine looks because women, ultimately, are supposed to be looked at and admired for their physical attributes. The messages are dangerous and conflicting for the thousands of girls who will surely be fans of their local WPS team, who will idolize the WPS players.
The players themselves may find them demeaning, ridiculous or just comical. They may use them for joking around and end up ridiculing the idea of the wrap rather than being ridiculed themselves. And though the wraps may be cute in and of themselves, when they’re part of the official uniform of professional sports franchises, fun for jest and cute for leisure are no longer the issues. Now the issue has become why an optional piece, not to be used in matches, that arguably disparages the image of women in sports would ever be put in the line up to begin with. It should have been cut from the team during try-outs.
photo by howard c. smith / isiphotos.com
25
Feb
Surfing into the Past with Betty Heldreich Winstedt
by Nalea J. Ko
1 Comment | Posted by thatgirl in Making Waves
Betty Heldreich Winstedt has had quite an accomplished life. She’s been an Olympic hopeful, a pilot, a competitive surfer and an adventurer that redefined gender norms. Now the 95-year-old can add poet to her list of accomplishments. She’s just completed a book of haikus (Japanese poetry) that documents her life.
“When you’ve lived to be my age, you do a lot things,” Heldreich Winstedt said. “I just love to do things that are daring. It’s amazing I lived to be 95.”
Born in 1913, the Utah native moved to California after graduating from high school. Her adventures quickly took flight when she got her pilot’s license at 23, after graduating from the University of Southern California Dental College.
“I crashed a glider at the airport [Los Angeles Municipal Airport],” Heldreich Winstedt said. “I didn’t get a chance to fly very much after that.” The accident left her with a broken leg, dashing her dreams of becoming an Olympic swimmer. She had been training with the L.A. Athletic Club.
After the crash, Heldreich Winstedt continued to work in the dental hygiene field in California. She married jeweler Ronald Heldreich in 1937 and had two daughters, Vicky and Gloria. A trip to Hawaii in the 50s sparked Heldreich Winstedt’s love of surfing. Soon the family of three relocated from Chino, Calif. to the island of Oahu in Hawaii. In her 40s, Betty learned to ride a longboard at Waikiki beach, where waves are small enough for fledging surfers.
“I surfed in the 50s and 60s. There weren’t too many women.” Heldreich Winstedt continued, “I just learned from the fellas. I was 43 then and I was kind of wild.”
In her first stint as a competitive surfer, Heldreich Winstedt came in second place at the International Surfing Championships at Makaha. Makaha is situated on the west side of Oahu where waves range anywhere from 2 to 30 feet, according to the Surfer’s Guide to Hawaii. She was then invited to compete in an international surfing competition in Peru.
“Women didn’t surf. Women didn’t even wear pants. It sounds like such a strange concept now,” said Vicky Durand, the eldest of Heldreich Winstedt’s two daughters.
Surrounded by surfing legends such as Fred Van Dyke and Buzzy Trent, Heldreich Winstedt’s eldest daughter soon dove into the sport as well. Durand, then 17, won first place in the International Surfing Championships at Makaha, Hawaii.
After taking first place, Durand and her mother went to Lima, Peru. The duo competed in the international surf competition at a time when women were typically absent from the sport.
“Mother told me to keep notes. She said this is going to be big,” Durand said. “It wasn’t until later that I realized how special her life was.”
Durand did not take notes, but she called on those memories when she penned a short biography of her mother in Betty’s Haikus. Durand’s contribution is a portion of the book, which is filled with poetry by Heldreich Winstedt. The book will be available for purchase at Hawaiianwearableart.com.
“She’s a true matriarchal figure around here.” Durand continued, “She’s just a wonderful person.”
She has four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. The 95-year-old stills swims, makes pottery, writes poetry and drinks daily cocktails. Battling macular degeneration, Heldreich Winstedt is now legally blind. Although she cannot see the ocean as clearly as before, she knows the beach is near when she hears the crashing of the waves and smells the ocean spray from her beachfront property.
“I dream about surfing… I can walk to the front gate and know the water is there.” Heldreich Winstedt added, “I’ve had a good life. It’s part of my past now.”
photo by clarence maki shows Betty Heldreich Winsted at 40 in 1956 at Makaha in Hawaii
Bethany Hamilton was born into a family of surfers in Hawaii. By the age of 7, Bethany was surfing without help from her parents. At age 8, her parents entered her into her first surf contest where she won first in both divisions. By 13 she was an incredible surfer and continued winning surf contest after surf contest. But her dream of becoming a pro surfer was interrupted by a serious shark attack in 2003 severing her left arm. However, unlike most people, she maintained an incredibly positive attitude based largely on her faith and was determined to come back to surfing. Despite the difficulty in surfing with only one arm, and requiring serious physical therapy, Bethany defied all odds and returned to her dream of being a pro surfer.
In fact, she was back in the water less than a month after the attack. Rather than accept the additional five minutes the judges were willing to give her in competitions, she denied any special treatment. With the confidence of a warrior, Bethany ignored her fears of sharks, dared the impossible, and in 2005 took FIRST PLACE in the Explorer Women’s division of the NSSA National Championship, winning her first NATIONAL TITLE! She continues to compete in the most challenging wave and competitions as she continues living out her dream of being a pro surfer.
Since then Bethany has been on every major talk show and radio station, you can find her face on the covers of magazines and she recently wrote a book called Soul Surfer. As if that’s not enough, she is also working on a career as a singer and songwriter with her first album, Armless.
Bethany defines fearlessness. Not even losing her arm could prevent her from achieving her dreams and, at 18, she is rocking it as a pro-surfer, author, singer and a living, breathing inspiration. Too often in life do we make excuses for why we can’t do this, achieve that and yet Bethany defies all odds to relentlessly pursue her dreams. Bethany is “That Girl” in every way.
photo by kanaka’s paradise life
8
Jan
It’s Snow Fun: More Ways to Play in the Cold
by Kenzie Rochelle
0 Comments | Posted by thatgirl in Amuse Me, Get Creative, Making Waves
We sure do love the winter weather with its warm fires and hot toddies but there’s a lot more to snow than cozy socks. A good layering of snow provides the means for a trip to the mountains to hit the slopes on skis or snowboards. But there are some other winter sports you may want to give a try…
1. Snowshoeing
One of the fastest-growing winter sports, snowshoeing is easy, fun, and relatively cheap as snow sports go (all you need is a pair of snowshoes and warm clothes). It’s great for runners and hikers who will be able to enjoy their regular paths when they’re covered in white and it can take you through the backwoods to the really pretty powder. Either way, snowshoeing is a great way to get outdoors with friends, burn some calories, and have some quality time with the mother everyone loves to adore, Mother Nature.
2. Ice Climbing
Ever want to climb up a waterfall? Well, you can (if it’s frozen, of course). Ice climbing is a hit for the more adventurous. Originally created out of mountaineering, today’s ice climber’s tend to come from rock climbers dealing with a bit of snow fever. It does require several pieces of equipment. In each gloved hand, you’ll be handling a short ice axe and your feet will be covered in special boots that have steel spikes called crampons. You know what that means…a new outfit (and some)!
3. Curling
This sport actually exists collegiately and appears in the Winter Olympics but there are various opportunities to engage locally. Curling is played on a sheet of ice (originally lakes and ponds but now there are specific curling locations available) with two teams, usually of four people each. There are targets (called houses) at each end of the ice where players will take turns trying to place their stones. The point of the game is to get the stone to land closest to the center of the house and therefore steal the point for that round from the opposing team. Sure to be a laugh for all amateurs, gather a group and see who’s got the best moves – and we suggest skipping the curls in your hair for this type of curling.
4. Kite Skiing/Kite Boarding
Usually enjoy the traditional skiing and snowboarding? Amp that sport up (literally) by adding a kite to your normal gear. The pull in kite skiing/boarding comes from the wind so just relax (if you can) and take a deep breath (that sounds more like it) as you speed by onlookers. Some have been clocked in at going over 60 miles/hour. The best part about kite skiing/boarding, you can do it in an open field or on a frozen lake which means you won’t have to wait for the ski lift (or pay for it). With that kind of news, you’re sure to be flying high.
photos by ben amstutz, andrea williams
21
Dec
Dominance Defined: Penn State Women take down Stanford in NCAA Championships
by Kenzie Rochelle
1 Comment | Posted by thatgirl in Making Waves
The hope from the Cardinal crowd was to walk out of the Qwest Center in Nebraska on Saturday night, into the 0 degree weather, redeemed. In their third consecutive NCAA National Championship, Stanford faced the team who had beaten them in last year’s championship match: the Penn State Nittany Lions. Since then, (and even before then,) Penn State had not lost. Oh what retribution Stanford planned to have, to win the NCAA title back from the team who defeated them one year ago and to slaughter their perfect season in the process. And for the first half of the first set, it looked like Stanford had a fighting chance. But then the Nittany Lions went on a 15-5 run and took the first set 25-20. Penn State would continue on route to a 3-0 win, 25-20, 26-24, 25-23. And instead of Stanford being redeemed, it was Penn State who was justified and the Nittany Lions who took hold of the title ‘Best Team Ever.’
That’s right. I said ever. Despite three previous women’s team winning a championship in an undefeated season, neither USC in 2003, Nebraska in 2000, nor Long Beach State in 1998 did it with the sheer domination of Penn State. The final tally for Penn State: 38 wins, 0 losses; 112 sets won, 2 lost; 64 consecutive matches won (a streak that started in September of 2007); 6 All-Americans; 1 Coach of the Year; 1 Player of the Year; 1 National Championship Most Outstanding Player; and 2 back-to back National Championship titles.
Coming into the final match, I thought Stanford might be able to shock Penn—but that’s mainly because I figured the crowd would be a pro-Stanford crowd. Penn State had beaten Nebraska in front of over 17,000 fans in a 5 set heartbreaker just a couple nights before. Nebraska fans would be out to avenge the loss in the semis and Stanford players would be out to avenge the loss in last year’s finals: a dangerous combination. But the crowd of 14,000 seemed surprisingly indifferent. If not that, then if anyone could beat an undefeated team in the finals, it would have to be Stanford who did it to UCLA in 1992 and Long Beach State in 2001. But no such luck there either. And the last tick of the pendulum to swing things Stanford’s way: they were the last team to beat Penn State—even if it was 63 matches ago. But the crowd enjoyed a nonpartisan viewing and Stanford couldn’t seem to swing history their way while Penn State was busy making their own.
With a huge push from junior outside hitter, Megan Hodge, Penn State dominated Stanford (with set scores that are deceivingly close) just as they did every team this season. Hodge, who has been invited to train with the National Team in the past and will undoubtedly be asked again in the future, has been a strong attacker all season but in the NCAA tournament, she played some wicked defense.
“[During the season] the weakest part of my game was definitely defense,” said Hodge in a post-match interview with Karch Kiraly, “and that’s something I needed to pick up for this tournament.” Hodge closed out the championship match with a double-double, which in volleyball terms looks something like this: 16 kills and 14 digs. Every time Stanford made a push to bring the score close to even, Hodge seemed to reply with both hitting successes and defensive digs to keep her team in the point. Other notable play came down the middle in the form of Christa Harmotto and the consistent play of setter Alisha Glass.
Unlike last year’s championship, where Penn State lost no key players to graduation, the Nittany Lions will graduate Player of the Year Nicole Fawcett and middle Christa Harmotto in two vital team roles. But Stanford will have similar losses in outside hitter Cynthia Barboza and middle Foluke Akinradewo. Could we see these teams meet again next year? We’ll have to wait and see. I’m sure there are a few teams with histories of their own who’ll have something to say about that.
7
Dec
Huge Dreams and Huge Success
by Kenzie Rochelle
0 Comments | Posted by thatgirl in Making Waves
As a young girl, I always looked forward to the day when all my dreams would come true. It was a very Disney-esque picture, singing and dancing as I landed my dream job, my dream guy, and all my enemies found themselves shoveling horse manure for the rest of their lives…and crying. A lot. And in every setting of the dreams-come-true world, everything happened all at once, days, weeks, or months in a sweep of happiness from a fairy godmother’s wand. It hasn’t happened like that for me…not yet, anyway. But zip-a-dee-doo-dah! It’s happened for someone else. And we could all use a vision of cartoon fairy tales in reality.
A native of New Jersey, a girl called Tobin Heath was born just 3 days before me (and several years later). She grew up playing a sport on the rise for young girls: soccer. But let’s fast-forward many years later. This year, in fact…when this 20-year-old soccer player often described to have a Brazilian quality in her skill set,made the final cut for the U.S. Women’s National team and headed off to China for the Beijing Olympics. Known to look up to players like Ronaldinho and Marta of the Brazilian men’s and women’s teams, Heath would soon be face-to-face on the field with the latter.
In winning the gold, Heath became a member of a team that had completed a feat no other team had: they won back-to-back gold medals. And defeated rival Brazil in the final by one goal. That was August. Now to December, just a few months later when Heath, as one of only three active collegians (Amy Rodriguez of USC and Lauren Cheney of UCLA being the other two) chosen to the Olympic squad, had the opportunity to complete one dream of a year, adding a NCAA championship to her Olympic gold.
Heath plays for the UNC soccer team, the most dominant team in collegiate sports. For those of you non-soccer freaks, permit me a moment on this one. This is the school of Mia Hamm, of Kristine Lily. More recently, players like Lindsay Tarpley and Heather O’Reilly have been Tar Heel products. And this is just a slight pinch of the players out of UNC who have gone on to win gold medals and world cups and other serious soccer accolades. Want to see something freakishly awesome? Check out this list of champions. 27 years, 19 titles. That’s 70%, statisticians. Former National Team coach Tony DiCicco has been quoted as saying, “[Girls] dream of two things: playing for North Carolina and playing for the U.S. national team.”
And this year, Heath was one of the stars at UNC. A team ranked fourth of the four teams who made the College Cup but left as champions. A team which came through the semi-finals beating an undefeated UCLA squad only to confront their rivals in the final (sound familiar to August?), another undefeated team in Notre Dame. It came down to the final 4 minutes, when the score was still tied 1-1. Then Tar Heel forward Casey Nogueira’s (remember that name for future world cups) shot from the left side of the penalty box deflected over the goal keeper’s outstretched arm and into the net.
Five months. Two major dreams.
The only downside of attaining so much so fast is the follow-up: what now? That’s why those beloved Disney story’s end with the marriage and we have no clue what comes next for our fictitious friends. But Tobin’s not a fictional character. And she has another year of college soccer to look forward to, who knows how many potential Olympic medals or world cup championship, and a women’s professional soccer league starting up in another four months. Um, Disney, I know it’s an unusual name for you to take on, but most of your names are slightly odd. So consider this. It’s time for a new princess, the princess of women’s soccer: Tobin Heath.
Need more Tobin? Check out this indulgent video from ussoccer.com.