Track or Treat Returns for First TIme Since 2019

IN THE LOCKER ROOM Belle Smith: College Fourth-Year, Women’s Soccer Goal-Keeper

College fourth-year Belle Smith has been playing soccer for the past decade and just finished up her final season as a collegiate athlete, playing as goal-keeper for the women’s soccer team. As she moves on to the next chapter of her life, she reflects on her experience as a member of the Oberlin women’s soccer team and looks forward to having some much-needed time off from the sport. After graduation, she plans on pursuing graduate school and traveling around the world.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Zoe Kuzbari Sports Editor

I know playing soccer has been a big part of your life. How has the game impacted you and helped you learn about yourself?

Being a goalie in soccer is honestly one of the most stressful and anxiety-inducing positions on the field, and you don’t have a lot of success. We don’t really win games; we just keep the team in the game. I’ve been playing this position exclusively since I was the slowest 10-year-old on my team, so I’ve had a lot of time to learn how to manage that anxiety and create my own definition of success. That has definitely carried into my day-to-day life; I am not too critical of myself and can brush off daily anxieties pretty easily.

Your game this past Tuesday was a tough loss against Kenyon College, and I know you needed that game to clinch a spot in the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament. How are you feeling about it all?

I unfortunately had to sit out of the Kenyon game due to an ankle sprain that happened the night before. Obviously it was devastating to not be able to play in that last game, but I found so much joy and pride in watching second-year Zoe Maddox step up and crush that game with 11 saves. I found peace knowing that my senior game last weekend, in front of my family and friends, was my last time wearing the Oberlin jersey. I’m taking the ankle sprain as sort of a sign to “pass the torch.” I’m excited to let my body rest for a while and recover.

What do you think the future looks like for the Oberlin women’s soccer program? The five fourth-years graduating, are all core players on the team. Who do you think will step up to the plate next year and take on these leadership roles?

Over the last four years, the [third and fourth-years] on our team, including my class, have done an amazing job fostering a community of educated players through a number of workshops on diversity and inclusion within the Athletics department and the broader campus. I’m hoping, along with the rest of the class of 2022, that this culture only grows deeper and continues indefinitely. Play-wise, it seems like the team has a lot of momentum going forward into the next season, so I can’t wait to watch them win more and more. I see Camille Franklin and Maia Minson leading that charge in 2022 as fourthyears along with the starting center backs, second-year Brynn Adams and first-year Sofia Mitchell and keeper Zoe Maddox.

What are your plans for soccer and for the future, after you graduate?

I’m definitely taking a much-needed break from soccer. I’ve been playing this sport with little to no breaks for 16-plus years now, so I’m looking forward to seeing what life is like without an upcoming season looming over my head. I’m sure I’ll find my way back to it somehow. After graduation I’m hoping to go to grad school and travel. Soccer is a huge sport internationally, and I have a year of eligibility left, so that kind of works out.

What have been some of your favorite memories with the team? Does your team have any traditions that you will especially remember?

Funny enough, most of my favorite memories of the team aren’t from games or practice but from spending time with everyone on the team. They’re all my best friends so hanging out together constantly is something I’ll for sure miss. When we’re in season, it’s definitely like you have a big family that you’re stuck with 24/7. You see each other every day, eat together, work out together, travel together, and sometimes live together. We have lots of little traditions that are really cute, like holding hands when we walk out to the field, that I’m sure will continue on. I’ll miss having all my best friends around me for soccer and hanging out after practice. But hopefully I’ll convince them to hang out with me even if we’re out of season, and I’m “retired” now.

Belle Smith, stands in a goal. Photo courtesy of Belle Smith

Previewing Women’s Basketball Season

Continued from page 16

ups against Wittenberg and DePauw University circled on their calendar. “DePauw is typically the best team in the conference so it’s always exciting to match up against them, because it’s just a different level of competitive energy. We always play them close but haven’t been able to come away with the win so we are hoping to get that done this year,” Spanier said. “Wittenberg is also a pretty good team and a fun, competitive matchup.”

In addition to the Nov. 9 home opener, significant dates for the Yeowomen include the NCAC home opener against Ohio Wesleyan University on Dec. 8 and two matchups against defending NCAC champion DePauw University on the road Dec. 11 and at home Feb. 12.

Oberlin football’s offensive line waits in presnap formation. Photo courtesy of Amanda Phillips

Zoë Martin del Campo Contributing Sports Editor

Oberlin football has been itching to make its first win of the season under the new leadership of Head Coach Steve Opgenorth with one of the largest rosters that the team has had in recent years. Last Saturday, the Yeomen achieved this goal with a score of 31–28 against Hiram College.

Before the game against Hiram, Opgenorth asserted that a good mindset was key for the team to put forth its best effort.

“The guys had a really good week of practice, showed up with the right mindset, and played well,” he said. “It’s that feeling after a win that keeps you coming back for more. It was a win that was well-deserved for a crew that is continuing to get better week by week, and they were able to come together on Saturday afternoon against Hiram.”

In 2019, Oberlin football beat Hiram 7–0. Third-year wide receiver Brian Colarusso said that the players were conscious that, even though they beat Hiram in 2019, Oberlin would still have to work for this win. Team members are looking forward to the rest of the season.

“Our mentality was that we were fully prepared and expected to win the game, but we all knew it was going to be a battle,” he said. “Words can’t describe that feeling when you’ve been working so hard as a football family and finally get to reap the fruits of your labor. I was really proud of all my teammates for the effort and heart they displayed. We won as a full team on Saturday, and we are happy but not satisfied.”

Going into the game, the team received a lot of support from fans and family who were anticipating the win. College fourth-year Yanni Sarrimanolis, who walked onto the football team, believes that this support made a difference in terms of boosting confidence and morale.

“I think the biggest thing is we had a lot of support going into the game from other people at Oberlin,” Sarrimanolis said. “A lot of weeks people don’t really reach out. But this week, there was an especially high level of support from friends and family and other classmates. Winning at the end just feels awesome. It feels great to be a part of a changing organization and it’s awesome to represent Oberlin in that way.”

The football team was able to get ahead early on in the game against Hiram because of its strong defensive line. Third-year quarterback Chris Allen Jr. had an exceptional game, completing 24 of 36 passes for 247 passing yards and scoring four touchdowns. The offense also made significant movement and was able to support the team when there was a lull toward the middle of the game.

While this is the first game that the Yeomen have won this season, there have been some other close games, including the one against The College of Wooster in which Oberlin lost 28–24. Nevertheless, the team has continued to leave it all out on the field, and the losses have taught them how to overcome challenges and keep moving forward.

“I think as a team we learned how to finish the job and seal a victory in the fourth quarter,” Colarusso said. “The goal is always to win, and while we have competed in many close games this season, we haven’t been able to piece it all together and secure a win. Personally, I learned the importance of persistence and never quitting. In times of adversity, if you keep working hard day after day, eventually something good is going to happen. I think this win also gave the young guys some confidence as they won their first college football game.”

Opgenorth believes that the challenges the team has faced has brought its members closer together.

“The greatest teacher is adversity,” he said. “We certainly have found our fair share in the fourth quarter, lost some close games, but I’ll be honest — I think it’s probably brought us closer together. We have a coachable group that’s always willing to learn something new.”

Opgenorth added that this growth mindset is applicable to all aspects of life both on and off the field.

“They’re learning something new,” he said. “They’re learning something about each other and the game every day. One of my favorite quotes is, ‘You’re either growing or you’re dying.’ And our guys have proven that they’re growing, and it’ll show up in life, in football, and in everything else that they want to accomplish. We wanted to win and we continued to get better as the season progressed.”

Looking to the rest of the season, the Yeomen have two remaining games to close out 2021. Besides technical skills, Sarrimanolis thinks that continuing to have a positive attitude and atmosphere going into games will enhance performance.

“Trying to replicate the atmosphere we had going into the Hiram game is key, and making sure that we’re all positive,” he said. “You don’t want to get down on yourselves before the game even starts. The biggest thing was just the support we had from other community members as well and just reaching out to people for support. It really boosted morale, and having great leadership made a difference. It starts at the top and trickles down. Our coaches were positive, our leadership was positive, and we ended up pulling out a win.”

With the remainder of the season, the Yeomen are starting to prepare for their offseason practices but are still focused on aiming high for the last two games.

“We’re not quite focused on the postseason yet,” Sarrimanolis said. “We’re still turning things around here, Coach Opgenorth is trying to rebuild a program, and that’s what we’re going to do. It’s been an upward trajectory throughout the season. Obviously not as many wins as we’d like but we’ve been playing well, so we’re focused on those last two games.”

Colarusso believes that this is just the beginning for Oberlin football and what it can and will accomplish in the future.

“My goal for next season is to reach our potential as a football program and win as many games as possible,” he wrote. “As a team our goal should be to limit our missed opportunities and make more game-changing plays. Personally, my goal is to be the best wide receiver in the conference and the best teammate I can be.”

The team is excited to continue to hone their skills and grow as players after the season is over.

“Based on what I’ve been hearing from coaches and players alike, everybody is really excited to do the little [things] that we need to do to change the program and develop as a team and individual players,” Sarrimanolis said. “No one is bummed out that we’re going to continue to work hard, which is awesome.”

Opgenorth said this is just the start of the program he is trying to rebuild.

“It’s been a storybook fall season,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud of our guys out there. The win on Saturday — but certainly the resolve and fighting nature of the team — shows that no matter how old they are or where they are in their college football career, Yeomen football is on the rise.”

Illustration by Clair Wang

SPORTS

October 29, 2021 Established 1874

Track or Treat Returns for First Time Since 2019

A young Spiderman participates in a Track or Treat event. Photo courtesy of Mads Olsen

River Schiff

Senior Staff Writer

Since 2013, the Oberlin College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has hosted Track or Treat, an annual event that brings together the local community for Halloween-themed fun and connects the College’s athletic teams with Oberlin families. For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, young children from the Oberlin community were invited back to campus, joining varsity athletes on Kahn Track for games at stations set up by each of our teams. The event, which took place last night, was an opportunity for College students and faculty to stay involved with the town’s residents through family-friendly fun.

Track or Treat brings a greater connection between the town’s youngest residents and Oberlin’s athletes. For Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Manuel Carballo, Track or Treat has been an opportunity for his family to interact with students in an event catered specifically for them.

“This is always a fun event around Halloween time and we look forward to it every year,” he said.

Women’s basketball Head Coach Stephany Dunmyer, says that this event is something her family also looks forward to. She enjoys seeing all the teams gather together and work the event as an entire community.

“My family loves how involved all the teams are and how interactive [the event] is,” she said. “Seeing all the athletes in costume and playing with the little kids is always awesome and so sweet.”

Carballo knows that his son, who refers to the College students as his friends, cannot wait for more College events to start happening again, from Track or Treat to dinners at the Afrikan Heritage House to shooting baskets during halftime of basketball games.

“My son loves to see his favorite Oberlin athletes off the field/court and get to interact with them in a fun environment,” he said. “It is also great to see other faculty and staff with their families and to interact with friends from town.”

Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid Val Kepner shared many of the same sentiments.

“My kids absolutely loved attending Track or Treat, especially when they were younger,” she said, looking back to before the event was interrupted by the global pandemic.

“They liked the games and interacting with the athletes along with getting treats. It was nice that it wasn’t too spooky for them as well,” Kepner said. “I think the community will embrace it and will be excited that Track or Treat is back!”

Oberlin town resident and parent Laura Slocum says that events like Track or Treat definitely help to foster a more inclusive environment between the town and the College.

“It’s incredible to be able to come to events like this,” she said. “We’re not a community when we’re only half of a community. The College is a part of this town and the town is a part of the College.”

With the onset of COVID-19, many normal events put on by the Athletics department and the SAAC had been cancelled — including last year’s Track or Treat. Since lockdown, Carballo’s 2-year-old has not gotten the chance to go trick-or-treating, a tradition which many people hold as their favorite childhood memory.

“These events provide fun and safe activities while also helping restore a sense of normalcy in these crazy times,” Carballo reflected.

Carballo hopes that the return of Track or Treat marks a turn in the current state of events and provides an opportunity for kids to get back what they have missed.

As Dunmyer reflected on this year’s Track or Treat, she said it was one to remember and a perfect night for the kids.

“This was perfect and just what my family needed. It was the best one yet.”

Volume 151, Number 4

2021–22 Yeowomen Basketball Preview

John Elrod

Contributing Sports Editor

With November around the corner, sports fans across the United States anticipate the beginning of the college basketball season. For their first game in nearly two years, the Oberlin women’s basketball team will face Alma College on Nov. 9 at Philips gym to mark the return of college basketball to Oberlin.

With the combination of the 2020–21 season being cancelled due to COVID-19 and the team mostly consisting of first- and second-years, the squad will come into the season with little college game experience. Head Coach Stephany Dunmyer credits the strong group of young players but knows leadership from the more experienced players will be crucial to the team’s success.

“We have three [fourth-years] and two [thirdyears] who have experienced a season with outside competition and with a full practice and travel schedule,” Dunmyer said. “Those five will need to show the way and help our first-years and [second-years] with the transition to a full college season.”

Fourth-year Rowan Smith recognizes this responsibility but also believes the younger members of the team are a special group.

“Luckily, I think we’ve already been given some pretty mature [first- and second-years],” Smith said. “So far I think they’ve all adjusted pretty well to practices and learning plays. I think my class really wants to focus on our team culture and connection. We’ve been building a great team culture and hope that once we leave Oberlin that standard will always be held on our team for years to come.”

Smith says specific goals for the season include securing a home playoff game but also for every member of the team to join the voluntary ‘10,000 Shot Club.’ This means each player would put up at least 8,000 game-like shots and make 2,000 free throws on their own time outside of practice and games over the course of the season.

“We all have white boards on our lockers, and at the beginning of each week we write down what our commitment to the team will be for the week,” Smith said. “The commitments are what we plan on doing for that week in order to help our entire team be the best we can and reach our overarching team goals. An example would be something like, ‘Getting up 200 shots every day after practice this week.’”

Fourth-year Sammy Spanier recognizes how special it is to get to compete after last season’s cancellation.

“The pandemic has definitely put a lot of things into perspective and reminded us not to take anything for granted, so to be able to play the sport we love in front of our friends and family will be extra special this year,” Spanier said.

With the first game coming up in less than two weeks, preseason training is in full swing. Dunmyer, who is entering her third year coaching the Yeowomen, is using this time to implement different strategies to prepare the team for competition.

“Our biggest focus so far has been on the offensive end of the floor — teaching various actions and establishing our two main offenses,” Dunmyer said. “In the next week, we will shift our focus to the defensive end of the court. We have players with great basketball instincts so we want to put them in positions to be able to read the situation and play basketball. Getting that chemistry on and off the court has been a big focus as well.”

The Yeowomen start the season with five non-conference matchups but begin North Coast Athletic Conference play on Nov. 27 at Wittenberg University. Smith and Spanier have the matchSee Previewing, page 14