RIT’s Dan Ringwald, Right, catches a mid-air puck while Canisius’s Dave Kostuch, Left, gives chase on January 25’s game at Buffalo State Ice Arena. RIT won the game 4-3.
Evan Witek

Since mid-October, our winter sport athletes have been donning their practice gear to prepare for the upcoming season. This is what Tigers fans can look forward to this quarter.

Men’s Hockey

Winning their second Atlantic Hockey Association league title last season, the hockey team has a lot to be proud of. This year, however, they aim to not only win the league title, but also make a run at the NCAA tournament.

Coach Wayne Wilson feels that RIT’s defense will be a major asset to the success of the team. The team is well-balanced, with fourth year Business Administration major Jared DiMichiel continuing to dominate the ice and strengthening the offense.

“They have really brought our team together and make it fun to be around every day,” Wilson asserted, going on to highlight the hard work ethic of the whole team and the newcomers in particular.

“We work hard against each other every day, it makes everyone better,” Wilson said. Despite injuries that have kept some players off the rink for a game or two, he knows that the team will come together and really push to put together a great season. The Men’s Hockey Team’s next home game will be against Niagara University on December 12. The puck will hit the ice at 7 p.m.

Athletes compete in in the high jump competition at the Rochester Winter Track League Invitational on January 10 at the Gordon Field House.
Evan Witek

Women’s Hockey

“We’ve established ourselves as one of the top programs in Division III,” Coach Scott McDonald asserted. With several top scorers returning to the lineup and nine freshmen bringing new energy to match the veteran players’ work ethic, he feels that RIT will be a force this season.

“We’re working on improving our consistency and playing to our full potential, instead of playing to the level of our opponent,” McDonald continued. Last year, the women lost in the first round of postseason NCAA tournament play — something that the team aims to avoid this season.

Starting off with three wins and one draw, the talent on the team is crystal clear. In a blowout game against SUNY Potsdam the team scored 17 times, while their opponent only made a single goal the entire game.

The Women’s Hockey Team will have a “Pink in the Rink” double header against Utica with the Men’s team on January 30. Proceeds will benefit cancer research.

Men’s Basketball

Entering into the 2009-2010 season as defending Empire 8 league champions, the RIT Men’s Basketball team is gearing up for some great conference play this season. Despite a two losses to start, several athletes are feeling their way into the void left by RIT 2009 alumnus Mark Carson, an all-American selection and leading rebounder in the country last season.

“It [combining first and fourth years] doesn’t win games but provides a good foundation,” Coach Bob McVean said. That foundation is being built upon through hard work, as their agility and speed shows. “Our quickness is the best we’ve had in a long time, and we want to capitalize on that with pressure defense and an up-tempo offense,” he continued.

The Men’s Basketball Team’s next home game will be against Stevens on December 6 at 2 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

With their current season starting strong with two wins and a tough loss, Coach Amy Reed is definitely happy with the work her team has put into the program.

“With 17 people on the roster, we’re very optimistic about the season,” Reed said. Such depth on the bench and the lack of injuries bodes well for the team’s chances at a successful season, particularly when the preceding two seasons began with 12 to 15 players and ended with seven to nine able-bodied players.

“We have a lot of athletic guards who can push the ball up the floor,” Reed said. Her concern is defense, reflected in the team’s goal of holding teams to less than 60 points in every game this season.

The Women’s Basketball Team’s next home game will be against Stevens, defending Empire 8 league champions, on December 6 at 12 p.m.

RIT’s Caitlyn Burr in the Women’s 800 yard freestyle race on Saturday, December 6, 2008.
Evan Witek

Indoor Track and Field

With a heartbreaking one-point loss to Ithaca for the men’s Empire 8 title last season and a second place finish for Empire 8 for both the men and women, the Indoor Track and Field teams begin the journey to a first place title this season.

“Both the indoor and outdoor track programs have really taken it up a notch; we’re more well rounded now,” said Coach David Warth. “Our assistant coaches are best in Division III. Our athletes can learn and really improve,” Warth continued.

The one weakness he can foresee this season is in the sprint events because other schools have the luxury of recruiting sprinters from their football programs.

“We have a very focused team that is good at setting personal goals and seeing what they have to do to achieve that bar they’ve set for themselves,” Warth continued. “We see so many people’s progress ... It’s hard to single out people who have improved the most.” The Indoor Track and Field teams will host the Empire 8 Championships at the Gordon Fieldhouse on January 31 at 11 a.m.

Swimming and Diving

The Swimming and Diving teams are starting their season off respectably, with the men’s record of 3-1 and the women going on 2-2.

With a few returning athletes posting great times last season and even qualifying for the NCAA tournament, the season promises to be one of great potential. Fourth years Accounting major Caitlyn Burr and Mechanical Engineering major Steve Rois return after a great 2008-2009 season under their belts, and they are looking to continue that success. The Swimming and Diving teams have a meet against the University of Rochester at the Judson Pool at 1 p.m. on December 12.

Notre Dame’s Victor Crenshaw attempts to pin RIT’s Jason Wake in the 165lbs championship match of the wrestling tournament on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at RIT’s Clark Gym. Wake lost the match 7-2 to Crenshaw.

Wrestling

Ending last season as the 12th ranked team in the nation and losing the Team Academic All-American distinction by .04 of a point, the wrestling team proved their skills. Coach Scott Stever feels that their success will continue to grow, and he even predicts that a handful of his athletes will qualify for the individual NCAA tournament provided they continue to work to their full potential.

The upperclassmen that continue to impress are fourth year Accounting major Jason Wake, who took first place in the 165 lb. weight class at RIT’s last tournament, and second year Computer Engineering major Ben Johnstone, who took second for the 174 pounders.

According to Stever, the team’s overall love for the sport and supportive nature give the team the best potential. “Those who really enjoy it work hard to do well,” he said.

The Wrestling team will face off against Ithaca College in Clark Gym on December 9 at 7 p.m.