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UF women’s basketball finishes strong

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By Sarah Baer
Twitter:
Email: baers@findlay.edu

Success seemed to be the trend of both the University of Findlay men’s and women’s basketball teams this season.
During their 2017-2018 season, the women’s team made it to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time since the 2013 Season. Despite falling to the University of Drury, a top ranked team, in the first round of the tournament, the Oiler women accomplished something that hadn’t been done in five years. The team finished their season with a record of 22-7, lead by Junior Forward Anna Hintz.
Many of the Oiler players were stand outs by the end of the season. Hintz was voted first team Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) and Senior Guard Linsey Englebrecht ranked second in Division II across the nation with 103 three pointers. Another outstanding Oiler was Senior Guard Haley Horstman who earned second team all-conference honors with a strong scoring record and 36 steals for the season. Horstman was one of only 21 Oilers to be inducted into the 1000-point club with 1,167 points. Horstman earned a collegiate title from her scoring success, being the 13 ranked all-time scorer in Oiler Basketball.
The UF women’s basketball team entered the 2017-2018 season with many returning, seasoned and experienced players. The Oilers joined the GMAC this year and were facing an entire list of new opponents. However, they entered this new conference with a group of strong upperclassmen.
“We’ve always had close relationships as a team, we’ve always been the same talented, hard-working girls. But this year we just dug deeper I think,” said Englebrecht. “It was fun on and off the court.”
In previous seasons, when the team went up against an opponent, Englebrecht says they often knew what to expect in most offensive and defensive plays. However, this year was the team’s first year in a new conference and each game was a new and challenging experience.
“I think what we did differently was capitalize on the little things during practices and in the games,” said Engelbrecht. “I think the biggest thing we did differently was battling all 40 minutes. We struggled with that in the past but not this past year. We built such a strong-willed environment that we were picking each other up.”
For the seniors, the end of the season is a bittersweet moment. Although the Oilers advanced into the NCAA Tournament, which none of the team members have done before, Englebrecht says she had a great experience this season, despite not quite reaching the team’s end goal.
“I had a blast this past season. With it being my last year, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Playing the sport I love with my closest friends was a blessing,” said Englebrecht. “I’m just super grateful for how hard we fought all the way to the final game. We had a special year and it was fun to be a part of it.”
The UF women’s basketball team will begin training and preparing for the upcoming season in the summer, and will look to place farther in the NCAA Tournament and bring home the title next year.

Hearts and hoops

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By: Dylan DeWitt
Email: dewittd@findlay.edu
Twitter: @dd_witt

At the University of Findlay men’s basketball games this year, fans might have noticed the players adjusting something under their jerseys. These players seem to be readjusting their shirt as if they were riding up on them. However, fixing their jerseys is the least of their worries, fixing their heart monitors, is.

Last spring the University’s strength staff was approached by a company called Firstbeat to try out the heart monitors for one of the athletic teams, according to UF Head Basketball Coach Charlie Ernst. The company typically services DI schools but asked UF, a DII university to participate in a six month trial.

Since basketball is a sport known for plenty of running and other types of conditioning, and the cost of each monitor may be an issue, the UF strength and conditioning staff chose the basketball team for the trial.

Each team member wore their own personalized heart monitor for every practice and scrimmage for six months as a trial.

The monitors are able to read the student-athletes entire bodies and are not just limited to the heart alone. The monitors are able to track the condition the players are in throughout all activities. Even after the practices and games, the team is tested on their recovery rate. All ratings from the heart monitor chest straps are read through a sensor and kept on the screen of a tablet used by trainers, and even the computers of the coaching staff. These ratings are then given a total score of heart rate activity that completes the monitoring process.

Ernst says when the trial period ended in the fall, they had to make a decision.

“I felt it benefited us in our basketball program,” said Ernst.

“They could potentially protect someone from pushing themselves too hard, or even if they had strange heart activity,” said UF junior basketball player Alex White. “It definitely makes me feel that our coaches go above and beyond to get us one step ahead.”

The technology impressed the staff and a donor was found to pay for each of the $250 monitors.

“All the numbers come in to a laptop with software that tells us how quickly a player’s heart gets back to normal rate. The quicker it goes back to normal rate, the better shape they’re in,” said Ernst.
Ernst says the players also have a sleep monitor that is shared amongst the players. He says that information has been instrumental as well. It shows the players how much sleep, diet, and water intake effect their performance.

What may have reassured the staff they made the right choice was the scrimmage against Ashland University on Oct. 25 when Ashland junior Nick Bapst collapsed on the side line suffering a cardiac arrest.

Ernst says the data coming in during activity is not under a strict monitor but if Bapst had been using the monitor previously, the staff might have become aware something was off sooner.

“If Ashland had them, they might have noticed some numbers over the week, two weeks, or month leading up to the event that let them know, something is not right,” said Ernst.

The staff believes UF is one of only four or five DII teams with a program like this. But the information has been invaluable.

If the team is on the road, the strength staff can monitor the players from campus. If they notice something does not look right they may call the coaching staff and ask if the player has not been feeling well.

Ernst says traditionally coaches have to determine if they are pushing the team too hard in practice or need to push them harder to get them in shape.

“Coaches used a gut feeling as opposed to scientific data. Now we’re basing it more on science,” said Ernst.

Although only a small percentage of athletes are affected by cardiovascular issues, White believes it would be beneficial for all of Findlay athletics to be on the same regimen.

“I definitely think it’s a good idea for other athletic teams to start wearing these,” said White. “Although, the monitors are not the most comfortable, they are a good way to show how healthy and in shape a person is.”

The basketball team has proven that in taking this precaution, they have been able to stay one step ahead of other institutions. This year, the Oiler men are in the top 20 national rankings, have a 20 plus win season, and they look forward to success in the postseason while working towards a conference championship and an opportunity to compete for the Division II National Title.

Ernst says the program works for them and they will keep using it.
“We’re just scratching the surface on how to really benefit from this program,” Ernst said.

From Kholer to Croy: UF teams ranked nationally

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By: Dylan DeWitt
Twitter: @dd_witt
Email: dewittd@findlay.edu

Without a surprise, two athletic teams continue to show their dominance, and make their mark on the nation’s best competition.

These two teams are the University of Findlay men’s track and field team along with the men’s basketball team. Both teams are inside the top 11 teams in the entire nation. Men’s basketball is ranked 11th, and men’s track and field is ranked sixth in the polls. The two Oiler athletic teams sustain a resume of excellence this winter season. This says the least about what these two teams have been able to accomplish thus far.

Men’s track and field is a top-ten team in the nation for multiple reasons. Not only is the team a dominant presence at invites and meets, but through individual efforts as well. Austin Combs has been a highlight through his weight throwing abilities. The Junior and Findlay, Oh. Native has become one of the best throwers in the nation. He currently ranks second in all of the Division II rankings for throwing.

One of his teammates is not that far from him either and he too is helping the Oiler throwers be nationally recognized. Dequan Lovell, a junior from Bridgetown, Barbados, is ranked seventh best in the nation for his throwing efforts.

Aside from the throwers, a few other track and field athletes have represented the Oilers well. Trey Everett, a former GLIAC champion of the heptathlon and national championship qualifier, has been able to stand out once again this season. He is currently ranked fourth for his point total in the event for Division II. Along with these three athletes, George Effah and Martin Etsey have had continued success. Both natives of Ghana, Effah is ranked fourth in the nation for the 400m and Etsey is ranked seventh for the triple jump event.

Going from Koehler’s indoor facility to Croy Gymnasium, the 11th ranked men`s basketball team has been a part of a historical tradition once again. Although recently having their 16 game win streak snapped in a loss against the Malone Pioneers, Oiler basketball has been electrifying all season. The team has even been able to bounce back after suffering an injury to Starter Taren Sullivan. In a game against Kentucky Wesleyan, Sullivan suffered an ankle injury that has been reported to be minor and have a two to three week recovery period.

The Oilers have been strong from all fascists of the game and have clinched at least a share of the GMAC championship title for the regular season. They have also been able to compile a 21-3 record, and a 15-1 record in conference play. With another 20 wins on the season, it marks the 16th time in 17 seasons that the men`s basketball program has been able to have a 20 plus win season.
Both teams still have the opportunity to compete more this regular season before the postseason begins.

The men’s basketball team has their four remaining games that go until Feb. 24th. After that, starting March 1st, the GMAC championships will begin. For men’s track and field, their next event will take them to Grand Valley State University for a two-day event. The seasons continue on, and so does the success of Oiler Athletics.