Volume 136 No. 23

The Springfield Student Est. 1910

scstudentmedia.com // @TheSpfldStudent

Volume 136 No. 23

Winners/Finalists for five Society of Professional Journalist (SPJ) awards in 2021

The Tradition Returns

For the first time since 2019, the Sti-Yu-Ka games have returned to Alden Street with no restrictions.

See page 4

2016 Sti-Yu-Ka Games (Photo courtesy of Springfield College)

April 21, 2022

April 21, 2022

Campus News

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Standing up for herself Hannah Ludemann, a research and access specialist at the Learning Commons, has not let Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome keep her from doing what she loves.

_ By Cait Kemp _ @caitlinkemp09

After years of not knowing what was wrong but having a gut feeling about her chronic pain, navigating through a practically inaccessible college campus in a wheelchair and experiencing an everlasting aching feeling in her body, Hannah Ludemann finally got an answer. Her intuition was confirmed, and all the years of people telling her she was wrong were dispelled.

A doctor stood before her to deliver the news: “You have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.”

Ludemann is a Research and Access Specialist at the Springfield College Learning Commons. She can be found behind the information desk and is available to help students locate books, journals and other resources both in person and online. Her expertise is a huge help, especially around finals time when everyone is cramming for exams and writing essays that need specific research.

It was a chaotic journey for her to get here, though.

Just last year, she received the diagnosis

(Photo Courtesy of Hannah Ludemann)

of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). EDS is a genetic condition that affects her bones and connective tissue in her body. She loses mobility and experiences intense pain after a long day walking or standing on her feet. She has a wheelchair, but is not confined to it. She can be seen both in the chair and walking around on campus, but the wheelchair is there for when her pain becomes intolerable.

For most of her childhood, she never noticed anything was different or wrong.

Ludemann is from the Bronx, New York, and grew up in a very different environment than she experiences now.

Growing up she attended public school before making the switch to attend a private school in New York for her high school days.

“It was very, ‘Gossip Girl’, is the only way I can describe it,” Ludemann said.

She found Smith College in Northampton, Mass. after her guidance counselor gave her a list of small liberal arts colleges. At the time, she wasn’t sure what

she wanted to do but thought that she would do something with education.

Ultimately, Ludemann discovered the program for women and gender studies and minored in sociology.

While attending Smith, she worked at an elementary school as an after- school aide which led to an opportunity working in the library.

Her passion for library studies was growing – but her pain was alongside it.

“People weren’t believing me. Everybody was like, ‘You

just have anxiety, you have depression, you’re stressed,’” she said. “It made it worse because I was experiencing chronic pain and nobody was believing me.”

Her family told her it was just “growing pains” and that she was fine. Ludemann knew, however, that she was not fine.

It became up to her to advocate for herself about what she was going through. She got a wheelchair from a healthcare store because her mobility was decreasing from walking so much at school.

Her second and now third wheelchair she also obtained all on her own, as insurance would not cover anything because no one would acknowledge her symptoms. Finally, Ludemann knew she needed confirmation from a doctor about her pain, so she started to seek out someone to give her a diagnosis.

“It took 2 or 3 years for me to finally get an appointment with a doctor who knows about EDS,” Ludemann said. “It was this past July that I was finally able to go to him and he was like, ‘Yes, you have Ehlers-Danlos,’ and I

April 21, 2022 was like, ‘Thank you.

Vindication, finally!’”

All while her struggle for a diagnosis was taking place, she was still in school in the middle of a pandemic – deciding what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Through her experience working at the elementary school library, Ludemann acknowledged that she wanted to continue school after completing her undergraduate program. So, she began looking into Master’s programs for library sciences.

“I have always loved libraries. I went to the public library growing up and I love reading…I love books and I love learning so I was like, ‘I’ll take a job working at the library,’ and I fell in love with that job,” Ludemann said.

She applied and was accepted to Simmons University’s library services program and was enrolled prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This caused chaos in her plans, but she was able to find a job teaching young children virtually. However, that job did not end up being sustainable with the stipend it paid, so after a year, she was ready to find something that was more reliable.

She came across a job description for the Research and Access Specialist position at Springfield College and, as they say, the rest is history.

“I love seeing the light bulb moments when kids read something and they get it… it just warms my heart,” Ludemann said. “ I was

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that kid, I loved going to the library when I was younger, so I want to be that person.”

The job at Springfield College has been a very different experience for Ludemann. Although (working with?) two completely different age groups that require separate skills and needs, she has grown to love the college library environment and gets to do things that she may not have the chance to do when with younger students.

“Working with [college students] is so different because I was working with 3, 4, and 5 year olds and now I’m working with people that are basically the same age as me,” she said. “But I enjoy the job I do, there are aspects that I love doing like research and hunting down journals… and you can’t really do that with kids in librarianship.”

Ludemann has been able to thrive through difficult times in so many ways. She advocated for her medical diagnosis, she found her passion and what she loves to do, and she did it all living through a pandemic while taking masters program classes online. Her work ethic shines every day in her life, and it is easy to tell that she is a determined person.

Now, after navigating all those years of feeling unsure, Hannah Ludemann can finally look back and be certain that she was right all along.

She is right where she wanted to be.

Top: Ludemann listens to presentation about accessibility. Bottom: Ludemann poses for picture with friends. (Photo Courtesy of Hannah Ludemann)

April 21, 2022

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Hypnotist kicks off Sti-Yu-Ka The long-lasting tradition of Sti-yu-ka week is back in action at Sprinfield College. Dale K. began the fun-filled week with a dazzling act of hypnosis on Monday in the Student Union. __ By Collin Atwood __ @collinatwood17

A Springfield College tradition that originated 60 years ago returned to campus this week at full strength. For the past two years, the week-long event known as Sti-Yu-Ka couldn’t reach its maximum potential due to the coronavirus. On Monday, April 18, the beloved events returned with no restrictions in sight.

Last year, the student-run Sti-Yu-Ka committee and Julie Koivisto, Assistant Director of Student Activities and Signature Programs, were limited in what they could do because of the virus.

They couldn’t have the annual spring concert — some students participated virtually and hand sanitizer found its way into the activities.

Now that COVID restrictions have been mostly lifted across the country, Koivisto and the committee can run Sti-Yu-Ka the way it was intended when it began in 1962 by a group of students who

Famous hypnotist Dale K. (Photo Courtesy of Clermont Performing Arts Center)

wanted to find a way to have fun without drinking.

“The fact that we’re all going to be able to be together is really the most exciting piece of it all,” Koivisto said.

Sti-Yu-Ka kicked off just the way that

she envisioned it would – together. This past Monday, 300 people gathered in the Student Union to see the comedic hypnotist, Dale K. That feeling of unity that Koivisto longed for was certainly in effect that night.

“That was a really great turnout,” Koivisto said. “No problems, no worries, no stress about masks. As long as you’re comfortable, we’re just going forward.”

After the rain postponed Tuesday’s plans, Wednesday kept the

week rolling with the Out of the Darkness Walk and a community-wide favorite event: bingo. This year’s bingo theme was “Anything but a chair.” Students brought whatever they wanted to sit in for the night as long as it

April 21, 2022 wasn’t a chair.

“It’s been a great week so far,” Koivisto said.

Planning the events for Sti-Yu-Ka is always a challenge, but the committee always finds a way to make it a week no one will forget.

They essentially spend the entire school year brainstorming ideas and organizing the activities. It’s a huge responsibility for students to take on, especially when their school schedules are busy enough.

This year, Koivisto received a lot of help from Emma Garneau, a first-year student at Springfield majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

“She has taken on the reins for years to come,” Koivisto said.

When she entered college, she didn’t know what she wanted to get involved with. All she knew is that she wanted to be a part of the campus community in some way. With no other immediate extracurricular interests, she joined the Sti-Yu-Ka committee.

“I wanted to get involved on campus,” Garneau said. “I asked Julie and she got me involved and I’m very happy I did.”

Garneau did not have to experience Sti-Yu-Ka in a COVID world, but she knows that a majority of the campus did.

Ever since she joined the committee, she has been trying to make sure this year’s events would be enjoyable.

“We wanted to make sure everything was fun for everybody and that

Campus News

they would have a good time,” Garneau said.

Garneau is also enjoying the event as a first time participant rather than a facilitator.

The laughs shared at Monday’s event showed her how great the week of Sti-Yu-Ka can be.

The weekend events are only going to enhance everyone’s love for the tradition. Sti-YuKa games and a Taste of Springfield will take place this Friday at 1 p.m. Sunday will include a Special Olympics Cornhole Tournament and the American Ninja Warrior and Wipeout courses that were supposed to take place on Tuesday.

Koivisto is especially looking forward to the return of the spring concert on Saturday, which will open with a performance by Sarah and the Sunday’s and end with Jesse McCartney. Other notable performers in the past include Lil Dicky, T-Pain and Lupe Fiasco.

This year’s theme is the 2000’s. McCartney, who shined during this time with his single, “Beautiful Soul,” fits perfectly within this theme.

“I’m really looking forward to Saturday.

That’s going to be the big day for sure,” Koivisto said. “Just seeing everybody in their element will be the caveat of it all.”

Along with the concert will be a carnival.

Food trucks, cotton candy, lava bracelets and airbrush hats are just some of the aspects of Saturday’s festivities.

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Koivisto wanted this year’s concert to feel like a festival where everyone could enjoy music while playing games and munching on some sweets.

Koivisto and her crew went all-in planning Sti-Yu-Ka this year. Exciting their plan was tough because of the ever changing COVID regulations.

Thankfully, everything ended up working out the way they wanted it to with no limitations.

“This year is definitely a redemption year,” Koivisto said.

A group of Springfield College students participate in being hypnotized while the rest of the community packs in to look on. (Photos Courtesy of Julie Koivisto)

Campus News

April 21, 2022

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Graduate Commencement speakers announced __ By Irene Rotondo __ @irenerrotondo

The intersection between mental health and athletics is a hot topic at Springfield College, and it speaks to other themes the school’s mission holds near and dear -- to take care of those around you, while exhibiting school spirit.

It’s only fitting that the Graduate Commencement speakers will carry those themes on through to graduation day. Two nationally-known athletic counselors and researchers in the field of sport psychology, Judy Van Raalte and Britton Brewer, have been selected to speak on May 14 for the ceremony.

In a first for the College, the married pair of veteran and distinguished faculty in the Department of Psychology will share the honor. Both Van Raalte and Brewer have been at the College for over 30 years and have built remarkable careers in the fields of sport and exercise psychology.

As professors of psychology at the College, the couple is thrilled to speak amongst their colleagues alongside each other and help cel-

ebrate the graduates.

“It feels like a Spider-Man moment, like a great honor and responsibility,” Van Raalte said.

“We want to do it justice for the students and their families… it’s a lovely honor and a challenge we’re taking very seriously to do a good job.”

Van Raalte and Brewer met in graduate school and have been married since 1990. The couple’s list of accolades and accomplishments is long: highlights include doctoral degrees from Arizona State University, 269 pieces of scholarly output (books, chapters, and articles) between them, awards from four nationally recognized psychology associations, serving as chairpeople for multiple thesis committees, presenting their research globally -- just to name a few.

Following this year, Brewer will retire from the College. He said he will still be busy, with “backlogs” of years of work he can finally finish after leaving his faculty position.

“I’ve been going to

Judy Van Raalte (left) and Britton Brewer (right) are set to deliver the graduate student commencement speech. (Photos Courtesy of Springfield College)

school in one capacity or another for more than 50 years. I figure that’s kind of a lot; [time to] give other folks the chance to participate,” Brewer said.

Van Raalte will keep her position as graduate Director of the Athletic Counseling program.

She was the 2019-20 Distinguished Professor of Humanics and a Visiting Scholar at Wuhan Sports University.

Raalte said her experience at Wuhan Sports University has reinforced her love of Springfield College because it allowed her to see the similarities

and differences between the issues students face on each campus, and to better understand the psychology behind it.

“One of the things I love about being at Springfield College, or working in this field, is ideas and input from people -- all the different things enrich each other,” Van Raalte said.

“Being involved at Springfield College, I get one point of view, but interacting with the students in China gives me another perspective about what’s important and what people are doing.”

Through both Brew-

er’s and Van Raalte’s extensive and highly-celebrated research, the pair has reached a deep understanding of the relationship between mental health and athletics.

Their positions as those who care for others’ mental health, along with being an advocate for those affected in the realm of sports psychology, will make Van Raalte and Brewer the ideal speakers at the Graduate Commencement ceremony as the students close their Springfield College chapter.

April 21, 2022

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Title IX trailblazers

A cross-generational panel of Springfield College icons discussed the impact the landmark law has had on all facets of their lives. ___ By Braedan Shea ___ Staff Writer

On April 18, a group of Springfield College sports pioneers gathered in the Museum in Judd Gymnasia to reflect on what Title IX has meant to them. The event was recorded and was part of “Celebrating Opportunity: 50 Years of Title IX” at Springfield College. It will be part of the National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy’s “The Voices of the Academy” webcast.

This episode of the webcast featured a panel of exceptional women who span multiple generations -- including Springfield College alumnae, faculty, staff and students - discussing how Title IX has impacted their academic, athletic and professional lives.

The panel included Professor Emeritus Mimi Murray ‘61, G’67, PhD; Attorney Elle Morgan, Esq.; Head Softball Coach Kate Bowen, G’16; Assistant Director of Athletics Adaeze Alaeze-Dinma; and senior sport management major and basketball team member Grace Dzindolet. It was moderated by Shawn Ladda, G’85, EdD. “The panel was amazing,” Dzindolet said. “Having different generations of women talk about what Title IX means to them is so important in educating people. It’s crazy to think that I never think twice about playing a sport in college because it was always an option for our generation. But Mimi Murray wasn’t allowed to play sports or attend college because she was a female.”

The webcast will air on June 23, 2022 -- the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, the landmark civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination at educational institutions that receive money from the U.S. Department of Education..

“We have come a long way, but it was incredible to learn about how much is left to go. It was great to learn from others. I am excited to continue to march,” Dzindolet said.

From left: Mimi Murray, Elle Morgan, Adaeza Alaeze-Dinma, Kate Bowen, Grace Dzindolet and Shawn Ladda at the Celebrating Opportunity: 50 Years of Title IX event April 18. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College)

April 7, 2022

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Katie Martel

Katie Martel. (Photo Courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

Katie Martel took the top spot in the poll for The Springfield Student Women’s Athlete of the Week with 45.8% of the vote. This was after the senior midfielder for the women’s lacrosse team led the team in goals throughout the week. She had three in the Pride’s 20-3 victory over Clark, and four in their loss to MIT. Right with her in the poll was Mackenzie Doyle with 41.7% of the vote.

The star outfielder for the softball team went 11-for-21 with six runs scored, five runs batted in, and three stolen bases in Springfield’s six games throughout the week. That was highlighted by a 4-for-4 performance on Friday against Smith, where she also

drove two runs in and scored four.

Ramida Manataweetat was behind Doyle with 12.5% of the vote.

This was after the first-year women’s tennis player won both of her doubles matches and both of her singles matches against Clark and Smith.

Sophie Warren rounded out the vote after a great performance at the Silfen Invitational at Connecticut College. The first-year thrower finished in first place in the shot put with a distance of 11.99 meters.

Along with her first place finish, the throw was also a personal collegiate record.

Noah Diamond Noah Diamond overwhelmingly won The Springfield Student Men’s Athlete of the Week with 65.3% of the vote. The junior outfielder was impressed throughout the week by going 6-for-15 with three walks, three doubles, and five runs batted in.

This included a three-RBI day in the Pride’s tight 9-7 victory over MIT. Following Diamond was Dominic Ramalho with 20% of the vote. The junior gymnast became the fifth Division III student-athlete in the last eight years to advance to the championships. He scored a 76.298 in the all around to finish fourth in his session.

Jarrett Anderson was third in the

poll with 13.3% of the vote. The junior men’s volleyball team executed 23 kills on a .677 hitting percentage in Springfield’s two NCAA Tournament games. Along with that, he provided five service aces en route to the Final Four.

The fourth nominee was Cole Zalegowski, who was able to create a lot of production in a low amount of at-bats. The first-year infielder went 6-for-8 with four runs batted in, with the highlight of his week being a solo home run against WPI. Be sure to follow The Student on Twitter @TheSpfldStudent to vote in the next poll!

Noah Diamond. (Photo Courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

April 21, 2022

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Historic start

The Springfield softball team is off to its best 30-game start in program history, and credits its success to a precise focus it has had since the fall season.

Ava Fernandez makes contact. (Chelsey Castle/The Student) ___ By Chris Gionta___ @Chris_Gionta

To end its 2021 season, the Springfield College softball team lost the NEWMAC Championship series to Babson after a 3-0 and a 4-1 loss respectively. Despite being a bitter defeat, it is something the team has used to dial in unparalleled focus for the 2022 season.

“I think that we realized in that championship game, we left so many runners on,” Springfield head coach

Kate Bowen said. “We definitely had so many more opportunities than Babson had, but they capitalized in those moments. I think when you look back thinking, ‘we were a couple timely hits away.’ I think just knowing that, we came back really hungry in the fall to make sure we were really working hard from day one.”

The particularly precise focus has led them to a 25-5 record on the

year, which includes them winning 17 of their last 19. This is the best start in program history in the team’s first 30 games. They are also undefeated in their 10 conference games.

Their two most recent victories came against MIT, who was ranked No. 24 in the country at the time of the doubleheader sweep.

One of the many factors in the team’s success was the chemis-

try that was built early in the year.

“What I think was really special this year in Florida was that the entire team lived in one house,” Bowen said.

“They were all in one house and I think it was a great team bonding experience for them while we play 10 games down there.”

Leading the way on the rubber is Gillian Kane, who carries a 13-2 record along with a 1.65 ERA in 89.0 innings pitched. Sophomore Emily Gell has also been exceptional with preventing runs, as she sports a 1.59 ERA in 39.2 IP. The team’s offense has also made significant strides. After hitting .268 with a .324 on-base percentage as a team in 2021, it is hitting .345 with a .394 OBP this season. Mackenzie Doyle has been dominating the year with a .500 batting average along with 18 stolen bases.

Sam Witmer, Ava Fernandez, Callie Gendron, Kristen Acocella, and Kayla Stvan are all hitting .370 or better in 45 or more at-bats. Witmer

is a graduate student who is playing in her first year with the Pride after playing for four years at Trinity College.

Leading the team with 26 runs batted in, her impact is felt greatly in the lineup.

“She has been someone who has also shown as a graduate student maturity in the box,” Bowen said. “She has a calm presence and I think we all feel really confident when Sam [Witmer] is up there with runners on that she can get the job done for us.”

Despite the Pride being first in the NEWMAC, they are not overanalyzing the future.

“I think we got to take it one game at a time before we get [to the playoffs],” Bowen said.

“Focusing definitely on this weekend — not even thinking about playoffs yet.”

Springfield will be playing two doubleheaders over the weekend starting with Coast Guard. However, the matinee that will be of extra motivation is against the defending NEWMAC champions, Babson, on Saturday.

April 21, 2022

Sports

Noah Weislo, Nate Reynolds, and Jarrett Anderson attempting to block a spike. (Joe Arruda/The Student)

Two steps from confetti

The Springfield men’s volleyball team has advanced to the NCAA Final Four, where they will face Stevens in Kenosha, Wisconsin. ___ By Joe Arruda ___ @joearruda9

The Springfield men’s volleyball team gathered on Tuesday, April 19 for practice inside Blake Arena. Not only would it be one of the team’s final practices before heading off to Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin for the NCAA Final Four, but they prepared to give a 15-year old boy an experience of a lifetime.

Gifting their Team Impact teammate, Conlan, with a ball signed by the entire team and a backpack, head coach Charlie Sullivan had one last special wish to grant.

“It’s gonna be really crappy that you’re not going to be there for Friday’s semifinals because we’ve had such a good season with you on the bench. You have

inspired us all, we have learned so much from you. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s smiling more, the players or you when you guys are amongst each other,” Sullivan said, addressing Conlan and the team.

“So we decided that there’s no way you can stay home, that you’re gonna come to the semifinal with us in Wiscon-

sin and be on the bench Friday night.”

Twirling his new ball in his hands, Conlan gave Sullivan a heartfelt high-five. The team, gathered in a circle, erupted into cheers and wide smiles before migrating to center court where they jumped around with Conlan in jubilation for the last time this season as they had done after several home matches this season.

Conlan and the Pride prepare to play against Stevens University in the semifinals, a team they swept with an undermanned roster on Feb. 12. AVCA First Team All-Americans (announced Tuesday) Jarrett Anderson (14) and Brennen Brandow (18) combined for 32 kills as Anderson hit at an astronomical .737 clip.

Second Team All-American Matt Lilley, a setter, led the team to an impressive .485 hitting clip in that match with his 38 assists. Johjan Mussa Robles, a vocal leader for the Pride, earned Second Team All-American honors and compiled 10 digs in the Feb. 12 match against Stevens.

Sullivan earned his fifth Division III National Coach of the Year award after leading Springfield to a 26-1 regular season record.

The Pride were top two in the weekly national rankings all season – most of which they were in the top spot.

Anderson received National Player of the Year honors as he sits

PAGE 10 at No. 6 in the nation in hitting percentage (.450) and leads Division III with .975 aces per set. The junior is in the midst of his first career NCAA Tournament run, and has been electrifying Blake Arena for the past three seasons with his powerful left arm.

On the other side of the championship bracket, Wentworth and reigning champion Carthage will match up following Springfield’s match. Carthage, a strong contender for a repeat on its home floor, enters the weekend with a 22-3 record. The Firebirds lost their first three matches (to NYU, Stevens and Dominican) but won the following 22.

Wentworth enters the weekend with a 30-4 record – its four losses coming to Springfield, Lasell, MIT and UC Santa Cruz. The Pride defeated the Leopards in a tightly contested four set match that featured a 31-29 Springfield win in set three. Anderson finished with a matchhigh 20 kills at a .486 clip while Brandow added 16 of his own hitting .386. On the defensive side of the net, Anderson tallied five block assists to complement six from Chris Parker.

Should the Pride defeat Stevens again, they would take on the winner of the Carthage-Wentworth match on Saturday at 6 p.m. Springfield’s semifinal match will begin at 6 p.m. Friday.

April 21, 2022

Sports

(Photos by Joe Arruda/The Student)

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April 21, 2022

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PAGE 12

‘Bomb squad’

The throwing squad on the Springfield women’s track and field team has developed into a tight-knit group of explosive athletes. __ By Jacques St. Jean __ @jacsaintj

On most days, deep in the field house, a small group works diligently at perfecting its craft. Every muscle, every movement and every breath matters.

When the athletes go out to compete individually, they are alone. The only support they possess is their own self-esteem and words of encouragement shouted by their teammates. The only competition they truly have is within.

These people are throwers on the track and field team, collectively known as the Bomb Squad. Not only does the name refer to the physical explosiveness of throwing in track and field, but it is also a title that every

athlete in the group interprets differently.

Senior and athletic training major Caitlin Bacon sees the nickname of her team as one that brings them together.

“I think ‘Bomb Squad’ has a different meaning to each person, but we throw bombs,” senior and Athletic Training major Caitlin Bacon said.

“Our movements are explosive, it’s not a slow sport. You need that explosive energy to get through the circle, to get down the runway, that’s where the ‘bomb’ comes in. But we’re a squad, we’re a family.

We love each other like we are brothers and sisters, or best friends,

Sierra Bond getting her start on her throw. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

cousins, whatever.”

As the sole senior of the Bomb Squad, Bacon noted that one of her favorite parts of her athletic career was the experience of seeing those below her develop into better versions of themselves.

“It’s been a crazy journey,” Bacon explained. “I love seeing as I get older the underclassmen grow and strive, especially this year… we have a handful of juniors and then a lot of sophomores and first-years, so I love seeing them improve and get better. I mean myself, over the past four years I’ve hit a few goals that I’ve had for myself and I’m proud of all the things that I’ve done, especially with the COVID year. We had

a few setbacks in our season, but to come out on the other side of that and now be competing is really cool.”

Within the past two years, Bacon has taken sophomore Sierra Bond under her wing, and finally in this year, Bond has been given the Springfield College Athletics experience that she’s due.

“I’m not gonna lie, the first year was kind of rough,” Bond expressed. “Having to stop [training] because there were too many cases, and then come back into training, and then stop again. I think that was difficult for my first year, especially coming into college, but I think this year was definitely a redemption year for me. Coming in

full force, having high expectations for myself, and [now] trying to hit my goals I’ve set for myself coming into college.”

Just now getting into the swing of things, Bond is fully immersed in the tight-knit group of throwers, and believes that their connection as a team is what makes them so successful.

“My experience with my teammates, I feel like we’re a very close team,” Bond emphasized.

Every person on the team throws in a combination of the four different throwing events (hammer throw, javelin, shot put, and discus). Despite their preferences in what they throw, they all agree on

April 21, 2022

Sports

Caitlin Bacon throwing the javelin. Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

the mutual support of each other.

“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them,” Bond continued, “and we’re all really supportive of each other.

Even though we all may throw different implements, and not understand what it takes to throw certain things, like I don’t throw hammer so I don’t quite understand it as well as Bacon, but I still support her.”

“She’s my hype girl,” Bacon responded.

Every week before

competition, members of the Bomb Squad create cue phrases during practice, which are little critiques and reminders that each athlete is trying to remember to better improve their performance. On top of sharing these cues with each other, they also set multiple short term goals throughout their year-long training season to get to their eventual long-term goals.

“We share those with each other too,” Bacon explained, “So if I know what Sierra wants to

work on at a practice, or even at a meet, I can remind her of those things, or just yell them to her while she’s throwing… We really know what each other are working on so we can support them in any way possible.”

Throwers on the track team are immensely physical athletes. While all of the throws are released from the upper limbs, throwers get their power from their legs, their core, as well as their technique.

“It’s a big lower body-dominant sport,” Bacon added.

“Everyone thinks like, ‘Oh you’re throwers you must be upper body, super strong,’ but a lot of it comes from the legs. So we tell each other, ‘Hips!’”

“A lot of people think javelin is throwing it like a baseball, when it’s really not,” Bond included.

Frequent visits to the varsity weight room and full body workouts are imperative for a thrower’s success. Bond and Bacon praise their strength and conditioning coaches, especially graduate assistant coach Tori Hunt, for their commitment to their strenuous training.

Hunt began as a graduate student this past fall in the strength and conditioning program. As a former softball player, Hunt is now gaining a new perspective on a sport unfamiliar to her.

“Obviously they’re a sport where they’re really dependent on power production,” Hunt uttered.

“We lift a lot of heavy weight. That’s basically the core of their program; a lot of big lifts so they have a lot of volume, a lot of heavy weight.”

The Bomb Squad begins their pre-season training lifting four days a week, and only reduces to three times a week when their season begins. The outdoor

PAGE 13 season only began at the beginning of April.

For over half of the calendar year, the Bomb Squad has worked tirelessly to get outside and throw some “bombs”.

“It’s definitely a grind,” Hunt stressed.

“Being a student athlete on any team here… it’s a grind. It’s a lot on them, and at that point you’re working hard to be able to do well in the spring… so they have to understand why what they’re doing now is going to help them in the future.”

Hunt continued, “[The Bomb Squad] never complain[s].

They just come in and lift… sometimes I see them picking up stuff that’s not even theirs.

They’re a great group of kids, I don’t know how else to say it.”

In their most recent competition, Bond and Bacon helped the women’s track team to a fourth place finish.

While they know it may not have been their best meet, they are optimistic and determined to improve upon their most recent performance together.

“Definitely don’t underestimate us,” Bond warned, “We are hard workers, and when it’s crunch time, we do show up.”

The Bomb Squad returns to action next Saturday, April 23, at the Trinity College Invitational in Hartford, Conn.

April 21, 2022

Sports

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Next level

The Springfield men’s gymnastics team competed as the only Division III program at the NCAA National Championship in Oklahoma. __ By Hayden Choate__ @ChoateHayden

The men’s gymnastics NCAA national collegiate championships took place at the University of Oklahoma last weekend.

An arena that houses 10,000 people, the Lloyd Noble Center was where the competition took place.

Announcing the teams, the public address announcer introduced each school. Stanford, Penn State, Cal-Berkeley, Illinois, Nebraska….

And Springfield College.

The Pride made history when they became the first Division III program to qualify for the national championships.

For head coach Matt Davis, reaching the national stage and seeing his team march out to the floor of the arena was a big accomplishment.

Dominic Ramalho getting ready to perform on the parallel bars. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

“That moment of them marching out and hearing Springfield College alongside Stanford, Illinois, Oklahoma. That was just one of those mo-

ments that was like this is what we worked so hard for,” Davis said.

“It made those long days and long nights really worth it — to see the smiles on all

the gymnasts’ faces and the coaching staff.”

In the past, Springfield has had individuals on the team qualify for the event. Reaching the national champion-

ship as a team has been a goal for the Pride ever since they made the move to Division III in 1995. This season, with a young team, that goal was accomplished resulting in history made.

“When I was on the team, that was always kind of the goal to make it,” Davis said.

“We’ve put the work in this year and were able to do it and it’s one of those experiences as a coach I’ll never forget and all the athletes on the team putting in the work to get there.

It’s something they’ll never forget too.”

During the first weekend of April, the team traveled to Williamsburg, VA for the ECAC championships. With a historic performance, the team qualified for the big stage — traveling to Oklahoma to compete with Division I programs.

“We always know we have the talent, it’s

April 21, 2022

Sports

Jakarie Williams at a meet against Army. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

kind of us believing, and towards the end, we put it all together and that’s when it mattered,” Davis said.

The Pride competed as a team on the first day in Oklahoma, but on the second day, junior Dominic Ramalho competed in the

finals. He became just the second gymnast in program history to advance to the second day of competition in the all-around after a score of 76.298 on day one. He is just the fifth Division III athlete in the last eight years to advance.

Davis told his athletes before the competition that just because they are not in Division I, it does not mean they don’t belong here.

“We are Division III. We always tell the athletes you’re putting in as much work as everyone else in Divi-

PAGE 15

sion I and Division III. You belong regardless,” Davis said. “I told them before the competition, you qualified, you’re here, you belong. Now it’s time to let the work you’ve done all year shine and we did. We hit 29 out of 30 routines so we’re trying to push consistency and we did our last two competitions.”

The accomplishment is all the more impressive given their youth.

The Pride’s roster is highlighted by 16 underclassmen out of the 24 total gymnasts.

Making history after an extremely modified year last season makes Davis even more proud.

“Last year we tried to get as much as we could. We did some virtual competitions and we’re grateful to travel to our conference last year,” Davis said. “It’s a young team that I think figured it out towards the end so I think myself and my coaching staff here we’re excited for the future, we’re graduating three seniors and again they were there helping us lead this young team this year.”

The team had a few individuals qualify for the national championships last year but because of the COVID-19 restrictions they were unable to

attend. Davis reminded them that there is always next year and to keep up the hard work.

A year later, having everyone on the team qualify made the wait worth it.

“It was an awesome experience for them to get there this year,” Davis said. “To bring the whole team is something we’ll never forget.

As the season has come to an end Davis and his team are grateful for the experience.

Traveling to one of the best teams in the country and being on the national stage with some of the best gymnasts in the country is something that will never be forgotten by the program.

“It was awesome to go out there to Oklahoma,” Davis said. “One of the top two teams in the country and to go there, compete in their arena, see the talent at this competition too.

There were multiple Olympians there. Just to be on the same floor as them gave the guys something to really be like ‘okay I really want this in the future’ and to work hard and to keep pushing the program higher and that’s what we’re looking to do.”

Sports The Springfield Student

APRIL 21, 2022

On The National Stage The Springfield men’s gymnastics team made history when it became the first Division III program to qualify for the national championships.

[See Page 14]

(Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

VOL. 136 NO. 23