The Gwynmercian
Volume 64, No. 2
Gwynedd-Mercy College
February 2013
Men and Women Track and Freshman Field Teams Bring Back 2nd Tennis Team Has High Hopes For A Place Honors Bright Future
By Chris Panter, GMC Sports Information Director, and AnaLee Rodriguez
The Griffins track and field teams took an eight hour trip to Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va to compete at the Mason Dixon Conference Championships. Both teams were highly ranked with NCAA D3 national qualifiers on both teams heading into the championship meet. The host team, Christopher Newport University, successfully defended their first place standing, while the Griffins took home the silver. “So many people made a contribution to the team score and several athletes that were unable to finish in the top six still turned in season-best performances,” said Head Coach Michael Dager. “Overall, it was a great day for us.” Zakiyyah Richardson, a Griffin freshman, won Track Woman of the Meet, which was presented to freshman Zakiyyah Richardson. “I wanted to cry, because I was honored to be a freshman and receive the women athlete of the meet. This was a great honor, we don’t have that honor at Pennsbury [High School],” said Richardson. Richardson ran the tenth fastest 60 meter dash time in NCAA D3 history, clocking in at 7.66 seconds, which is a new school record and a personal best. She took first place in the 60 meter dash and in the 200 meter dash. Her performance in the 60 ranks Richardson second for the indoor performance list at the ECAC Championships on March 1 and 2. Jasmine Pugh impressively sprinted in the 60 meter and the 200 meter dash. She also had a personal record performance and placed fourth in both events. “Jasmine’s ECAC qualifying performance in the 60 meters was a huge season-best and well deserved,” remarked Dager. Richardson, Pugh, Christine Homont and Christina Smith teamed up to finish second in the 4x400 meter relay. The foursome crossed the line in 4:12.38, a seasonbest for the Griffins. Smith was also part of a 1-2-3 sweep in the 800 meter run for the Griffins. Smith captured the conference title in a season-best time of 2:23.51. Smith was on the track again for the mile, finishing in fourth with a season-best time of 5:32.19. Junior Danielle McCloskey was second in the 800 meter run in a season-best time of 2:23.85. Sophomore Holly McGarrity also posted a seasonbest time while finishing third in the 800 in 2:26.58. “The women’s sprinters and mid-distance runners had a big day,” said Dager. “The 1-2-3 sweep in the 800 meter run was big for us.” McCloskey and McGarrity teamed up with Kaitlin Iffrig and Emily Creighton to claim third in the Distance Medley Relay. The foursome posted a time of 13:22.05. In the 5000 meter run, junior Colleen Dalton finished fourth in a season-best time of 19:45.23. Sophomore AnaLee Rodriguez finished third in the shot put with a season-best throw of 10.17 meters or 33 feet 4.5 inches. Senior Sam Keliojor finished third overall in the 60 meter dash with a career-best and program-record-setting time of 7.01 seconds. The time ranks Keliojor in a tie for 33rd in the nation. The time ranks Keliojor in a tie for ninth among ECAC qualifiers. Freshman DeShaun Pickett was fourth overall in the
60 meter dash, finishing in a time of 7.09 seconds. Pickett has also qualified for ECACs and boasts a season-best time of 7.06 seconds. Pickett also claimed second in the 200 meter dash with a season-best time of 22.62 seconds. Junior Nick Keba finished second in the 400 meter dash, stopping the clock in a personal-best time of 49.69 seconds. Keba’s time ranks him 18th in the nation after the weekend results have been reported. The top 13 men advance to the national championships, as the time for 13th is currently 49.53 seconds, but is expected to be closer to 49.40 seconds closer to the deadline. Keba also claimed third place in the 200 meter dash with a time of 22.82 seconds. Sophomore Craig Gonzaga finished second in a very tactical 800 meter run. Gonzaga was boxed in by a group of CNU athletes as they allowed their teammate and eventual winner to pull away. Gonzaga waited for an opening and closed the gap, but ran out of room. Gonzaga’s time of 2:00.34 was not what he was hoping for, but he will get another chance to run a season-best time and attempt an ECAC qualifier next weekend at GMU. Brett Kubiak crushed the field in the mile run, posting a personal best and program-record-setting time of 4:16.56. The effort ranks Kubiak 28th nationally. Kubiak ran even splits of 32 seconds a lap in an impressive solo performance. Brett, who has focused his training on the 5000 meter run (14:52.46 -ranked 27th), will have to decide in which event he will attempt a national qualifier during the final two weeks of the season. It will likely take a time just under 4:13 in the mile or 14:40 in the 5000. “ The men had a really solid meet. Sam, Nick and Brett all ran some impressive times in their respective individual events,” said Dager. Joe Kubiak claimed third in the mile run with a time 4:28.71. The Kubiaks and Gonzaga teamed up with freshman Bobby Stone for the Distance Medley Relay, winning in an ECAC qualifying time of 10:37.61 seconds. The result is the first career ECAC qualifying performance for Gonzaga and Stone. Senior Tyler Rooke finished third in the 5000 meter run with a time of 16:00.75. Freshman Mike Demby claimed second in the 60 meter hurdles and fifth in the 400 meter run. Sophomore Chris Selke finished third in the 60 meter hurdles and sixth in the shot put with a season-best throw of 11.46 meters. Junior Drew Harris finished third in the pole vault with a clearance of 13 feet 4.5 inches. Senior Justin Turner claimed first place in the high jump for the second time in his career by clearing 1.91 meters or 6 feet and 3.25 inches. Turner returned to action after suffering a knee injury early in the semester. The plan was to test things out and everything seemed to go well as Turner cleared both 1.86 and 1.91 on his first attempt to secure the win. “It was nice to see Turner back in the line-up,” said Dager. Turner is currently ranked in a tie for seventh in the nation at 2.06 meters and has two weeks to sharpen up his technique before the national championships on March 8th and 9th. Finally, the Griffin 4x400 meter relay team of Demby, Pickett, Keliojor and Keba captured first place with a time of 3:26.79, fighting off a challenge from a Virginia Wesleyan team that posted a huge season-best performance in claiming second.
By Blaine Grisak
After winning only four of their past 19 matches, Gwynedd-Mercy’s men’s tennis team is hitting the reset button with an all freshman squad. “We’ve had a few tough years, but I think with this team we could definitely contend for the playoffs, that is our goal,” said Coach Jim Holt. “The future of this team is very bright. The sky is the limit.” The young Griffin’s tennis team has already played three matches this season, and although they did not win any of them, they played some tough competition and gained some important, much needed experience. “I believe those matches were very important,” said Holt. “We learned a lot about this team and what where we are and we gained some experience.” The team’s regular season begins at Rosemont College on March 22 and then comes home on March 23 to play Marywood, the defending CSAC champions. “I’m really excited about this season,” said Holt. “This team has a bright future and has the potential to win a conference championship soon.”
Immaculata University is sponsoring a networking event for Human Services, Psychology and Criminal Justice students. The event is a great way to get career tips and get some leads on internships and jobs. The deadline to register is Feb. 22. Here are the details: Networking Event (SEPCHE) (Human Services, Psychology and Criminal Justice) When: Tuesday, March 12 from 6-8 p.m. Where: Immaculata University (Great Hall) What: Students and alumni will have a chance to network with those in fields of interest. Who: Students majoring in human services, psychology and criminal justice. Students and alumni are invited. SEPCHE is a consortium of eight schools, including GMC. Register: If you are interested you must register with Career Services by Friday, Feb. 22 (email careerservices@gmc.edu, call 215646-7300, ext: 230 or stop by to register).
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Gwynedd-Mercy College
February 2013
Commentary
Remembering A Friend During American Heart Month
By Bridget McDonough
February is American Heart Month a time when we think about just how important our heart is to each of us and how much our heart can affect those around us. This year a month celebrating our hearts truly touches home for the Gwynedd-Mercy College community after the unexpected loss of our good friend and classmate Alexandrea Valeno, who was taken away from us on January 1, 2013 at the age of 21. No one would have guessed that a girl with such a bubbly personality and a contagious smile had suffered with a congenital heart defect her entire life, the result of an underdevelopment of her heart before she was born. It was controlled with surgeries at a very young age, countless checkups at the doctor’s office, and medications to help keep her healthy. That is why, this month in honor of Alex and many others who suffer from problems with their hearts, we should all work to better ourselves and work to keep our hearts healthy. We could have healthier diets, drink more water, and be more active on a daily basis; any of which will keep our minds and bodies healthier. Along with making ourselves healthier we can help make others healthier too by participating in some of the events going on around campus to raise awareness for organizations who work to help those affected with heart
problems. For Valentine’s Day the Resident Life staff sold candy grams in honor of our lovely Alex with their proceeds going to the Adult Congenital Heart Association. Coming up, the Student Activities Committee will be having a ‘Red Out’ Dance where all are encouraged to deck out in red to support the awareness of all those we think of in this month of February. Leading up to this dance they will be selling t-shirts for $10 and song requests at the dance will be sold for $1, all of these proceeds will be going to the American Heart Association. Then, on Wednesday March 6 at 1 p.m. in Waldron Board Room, a mass will be held in memory of our beautiful angel Alex, with all friends and family welcome to attend. People who don’t suffer from a heart problem, and don’t know anyone who does, might wonder why they should give money to help people they don’t know. The truth is, you don’t know who it can affect; it could be you, a family member, or like in my case your best friend. So whether you knew Alex Valeno or not I ask you to remember her this month and do something to help. Whether you help make your own heart healthier or help make someone else’s heart healthier, with something as small as a donation, live as Alex did by using her heart for its other main purpose, spreading the gift of love with those around you and even those you have never met.
Hey Gwynedd Students, Want To Do Something Different Today? Give Blood!
By Anastasia Ness
Well, I guess the weekdays are always the usual: 9:30 a.m. class, 11:30 a.m. lunch at the caf, 1:00 p.m. class, 5:00 p.m. practice, and 8:00 p.m. pep pizza for dinner. Doesn’t it seem to get a little monotonous? Do you ever get sick of doing the same old thing every day? Well here is a chance to get out of your comfort zone for just a few minutes and allow yourself to feel something different. On Monday and Tuesday, March 18 and 19, Gwynedd-Mercy College students and faculty have the opportunity to save lives! By giving just twenty minutes of your day to donate blood to the American Red Cross, you are guaranteed to improve the health of someone else in the world. Knowing that you’ve done something to make a difference, can alter your gloomy attitude and uplift your dull spirit. After the process, you will sit up from the table (slowly!) feeling fulfilled and empowered. And who doesn’t want to feel that? So don’t forget; The American Red Cross van will be making a stop on campus very soon! Switch up your boring daily routine, and become a lifesaver on Monday and Tuesday, March 18 and 19, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Julia Ball Auditorium lobby. Contact the Student Activities Committee for more details.
Dmitry Krivenko: Streetball’s Best Kept Secret
By Brendan Stanton
As far as streetball goes, Ukraine might as well be Mars. Most Americans probably can’t even find the Eastern European nation on a map. So when Dmitry “Smoove” Krivenko first joined the world renowned Team Flight Brothers early in 2012, there was a small uproar on Internet message boards. Team Flight Brothers has become an internet sensation, with their YouTube videos having over 65 million views and confirming their popularity as basketball’s premier dunkers. Krivenko, a 22-year-old Ukrainian,Team Flight Brother’s first European member, took many by surprise with his amazing acrobatics, but dunking “has always been just another part of my game,” according to Krivenko. That game stretches back a while: “Smoove” has been on the European streetball scene since he was 16 years old. Most streetballers fall into one of two categories, show-stopping dunker or sensational ankle- breaker. However, this is where “Smoove” sets himself apart from the pack. Dmitry is the total package: he can break off a defender with a nasty crossover, and then rise above the rim and throw down some truly amazing dunks. Imagine a player with the hops of “Air Up There” and the smooth handle of “Skip To My Lou” and almost no one west of the Atlantic has ever heard of him. This rare combination of skills, is the reason why “Smoove” is truly streetball’s best kept secret . Since Krivenko’s hometown of Kharkov, Ukraine is not exactly Rucker Park, how does a kid growing up in a country with an average temperature of 17 degrees during its winter months become one of the top streetballers in the world? Dmitry, like many other kids around the world, grew up idolizing NBA superstars like Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson. When Dmitry was about 13 years old, he first saw the AND-1 mixtapes using his family’s computer. “I knew soon as I saw it, (AND-1 Mixtapes) it was something I wanted to do,” he said. From that point on, Dmitry spent countless hours every night after school working on his ball handling ability. Dmitry even got his friends interested in streetball as well. “We were very young and loved the game (Street-
ball) very much, we spent so much time working on new moves and making our own videos. It was just very fun,” said Anatoliy Lutickiy, Dmitry’s best friend and a fellow streetballer. Anatoliy and Dmitry have been very close since they were children. They even live together and refer to themselves as brothers. Although these two world class free-stylists are unknown in the United States, they are celebrities in their native Ukraine. Their rise to national fame came about through some superb performances on the popular television program Ukraine’s Got Talent. Dmitry, Anatoliy, and other members of their free-style crew put on some breathtaking ball-handling shows that helped them become finalists on the show. Dmitry and Anatoliy both admit that “the show was huge” for them and it “feels good” to be recognized at train stations and other public places. Their newfound celebrity also helped them turn their hobby into a career. Since they appeared on Ukraine’s Got Talent, Dmitry and Anatoliy have traveled across Europe putting on shows and playing in streetball games. “ I don’t know how he does some of the stuff he does, (Dmitry) can do it all, he is an amazing free-styler, one of the best in Europe, but some of the dunks he does are unbelievable. Behind his back, off the backboard, and between the legs dunk, that’s stuff the players in the NBA can’t do,” said Lutickiy. “Smoove” credits his astonishing aerial abilities to “all of the years of doing free-style.” He believes that the hours he spent working on his ball handling ability “really helps with hand-eye coordination.” This allows Dmitry to manipulate the ball more easily when performing a dunk. He has been winning dunk contests across Europe for the past two years now, and has finally begun receiving his much deserved acclaim since he joined Team Flight Brother’s last year. Dmitry “Smoove” Krivenko is definitely a name to remember in the world of streetball. In a game where you are either an artist with the ball or an artist in the air, “Smoove” refuses to be put into a select category. And it may come as a surprise to most basketball fans to think that streetball’s best kept secret is from a European country over 4,000 miles away .
Dmitry Krivenko
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Gwynedd-Mercy College
Griffin Take 10: Student Edition By AnaLee Rodriguez Have you ever seen a familiar face around campus and wanted to know more about the person? Well, now is your chance to get to know the people in your neighborhood. Griffin Take 10 is a feature in which The Gwynmercian spotlights outstanding individuals in the GwyneddMercy community with short, 10 question profiles. This edition’s featured student is Liza Leyes.
February 2013
Student Wins Education Scholarship
Danielle McCloskey, a senior education major has been awarded the Todd Roche Memorial Scholarship by the Autism Society of America, Lehigh Valley Chapter. “The memorial scholarship is named for a promising special education teacher—Todd Roche—whose life was tragically cut short in an automobile accident. He was fulfilling his dream by working as a teacher’s aide at Muhlenberg Elementary School in Allentown, and planned on furthering his education. Todd’s family hopes to keep his dream alive by helping others obtain careers in a similar field,” wrote Anthony Stipa, communications specialist, in a press release. McCloskey is involved in numerous campus clubs and activities, including the Education Club, Sigma Phi Sigma National Mercy Honor Society and GMC’s Track and Field Team. Congratulations Danielle McCloskey!
For Valentine’s Day this year, we ran a series of stories about love and heartbreak on our website gwyneddnow.org. Here, we reprint our staff favorite.
1.) What is your major? 8.) What has been your I am a Human Services major. best experience as a Happy Valentine’s student at Gwynedd2.) Are you involved Day...We Should See Mercy? in any clubs, activi Other People My best experience as a student at GMC ties, or organizations on has been playing on the women’s basketball team. Being on this team is not just By Rob Gregor campus? about competing with other teams. We I am on the women’s basketball team.
3.) What are three things you cannot live without?
My cell phone, iPad mini, and camera.
4.) What is your favorite food? Cheesesteaks.
5.) What is your favorite TV show? Scandal.
create a bond that no one can take away from us. We are more like a family than teammates.
9.) What are you known for at GwyneddMercy and why? I am known for playing on the women’s basketball team, but I am also known for tearing both of my ACLs during my basketball career. These injuries have been painful as well as stressful. However, I have a great support system and my family, friends, and coaches have been a huge help in my recovery, as well as my success at GMC. Without them, my recovery as well as my success at GMC would not have been possible.
10.) What advice 6.) What is your favorwould you give to other ite movie? Gwynedd-Mercy stuCoach Carter. dents? 7.) What are your plans Other GMC students should join clubs and meet as many people as they can after graduation? while in college. I am in my 5th year at After graduation, I would like to go to graduate school to get my master’s.
GMC and I have made a lot of friends that I will always keep contact with. So with that said, my advice is to make as many friends as possible.
Valentines Day: A day meant for love and enjoying the company of that special someone. At least that is the general idea. While some couples use this day to keep the fire of their love fiercely burning, others use this day for a much different reason: ending that special relationship. Rarely are breakups “clean.” We have compiled the top five worst ways you could break off a relationship on Valentine’s Day. 5. The fifth worst way to breakup with your significant other this Valentine’s Day would be by giving her a nice box of chocolates. Seems normal, right? With this box of chocolates, the trick is to replace the chocolates with a note. A note that makes it extremely clear that the relationship is no longer. If you take this approach, prepare for an earful of profanities. 4. Coming in at number four on the list is the good ol’ fashioned drive-by breakup: simply yell out the window of your car. While this method is certainly frowned upon, and could easily be called cowardly, it gets the job done while avoiding the awkwardness of a face-to-face breakup. This method, however, is not typically encouraged for long-term relationships. 3. Nothing says “respectable” like telling your significant other to meet you at the pawnshop with everything you have ever given her. This is a very clear message that displays your intentions. This approach isn’t all bad, though. Pawning items can easily take care of the month’s rent. 2. The second worst way to end a relationship on Valentine’s Day would be through a seemingly romantic poem. You will have your significant other thinking you are ready to confess your love, when in reality, your intentions are nothing of the sort. If you use this method, prepare for the worst. This will not go over well. At all. 1. The worst way to breakup with that special someone this Valentine’s Day would be through flowers. Doesn’t seem too bad does it? The key is that the flowers must be dead. Nothing says “our love no longer lives” like a bouquet of dead flowers. Happy Valentine’s Day! If it isn’t so happy, and you decide to try one of these methods, I ask that you prepare for the worst. The results are unpredictable. I wish you luck in your endeavors. Stay classy Gwynedd-Mercy.
Follow us on the web at gwyneddnow.org!
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Lent Season Events
During Lent this year, Campus Ministry is partnering with several student organizations and faculty to show the powerful documentary Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. Sponsored by Sigma Phi Sigma National Mercy Honor Society and numerous other campus organizations There will also be several sessions devoted to: Week of March 4: Education Week of March 11: Maternal Mortality Week of March 18: Forced Prostitution Week of March 25: Economic Empowerment
Gwynedd-Mercy College
Ash Wednesday: Still A Tradition At GMC
By AnaLee Rodriguez
After feasting on New Orleans-inspired fare at the cafeteria for Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday was the day after and so was the fasting of many students. On February 13, students at Gwynedd-Mercy College went to the numerous mass services held on campus. As a student walking around campus, everywhere you would look, you were sure to find fasting people with ashes on their foreheads. The ashes signify the start of Lent and preparation for Easter. Campus eateries have also made alterations to their menus while students refrain from eating meat on Fridays. Lent activities show how religion remains a part of Gwynedd-Mercy’s Catholic tradition.
A “Kind Family” Awards $30K To GMC Adult Health Center
By AnaLee Rodriguez
The Patricia Kind Family Foundation has recognized and awarded Gwynedd-Mercy College’s Adult Health Center $30,000 to make elite care available to a rising group of under-insured patients. The foundation helps people and organizations receive physical and mental healthcare, particularly those who are unable to afford such high quality care. The Adult Health Center helps about 3,500 patients and people each year. “The Patricia Kind Family Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of the Adult Health Center and their
patients through the years,” President Kathleen Owens, PhD. said. “I’m excited to see what the next three years of this partnership will bring.” The Patricia Kind Family Foundation rewarded a comparable $30,000 three-year grant with the Adult Health Center in 2009. In January 2009 the facility developed and was able to obtain new equipment. The grant also helped with the possibility of accommodating more patients. This was all possible due to the “Kind Family’s” gracious grant and generosity.
February 2013
Are you a good journalist looking to get published, but are unsure where to go? Come to The Gwynmercian! We accept most stories and will work to make sure that you get published. Contact Daniel Freed (freed.d@gmc.edu) or AnaLee Rodriguez (rodriguez.a1@gmc.edu) for more information.
Looking for a mid-afternoon snack? Come to the ARC sponsored Student Success Forum on Wednesday, March 6 at 3:00pm in the Masucci Room (1st Floor Lourdes Library) to cook up some yummy treats while discussing the key ingredients for academic success! Call 267-448-1370 to reserve your spot
The Gwynmercian Staff Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437 Volume 64, No. 2 February 2013 Editors-in-Chief......................................Daniel Freed and AnaLee Rodriguez Contributors...........................................Rob Gregor, Blaine Grisak, Bridget McDonough, Anastasia Ness, Chris Panter, and Brendan Stanton
We hope you enjoyed reading this edition, and continue reading many more editions! If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail freed.d@gmc.edu or rodriguez.a1@gmc.edu.