1. 040414 0008
00
UT $FREE ET $FREE
PLaYMaKeR
CONFERENCE CAROLINAS PRESENTS:
April 4, 2014
THE
EXTRA
MILE
Limestone’s
Maia Czarnecki
Understands that
Hard Work
Drives Success
2014 Conference Carolinas
Golf Championship held
at Bryan Park
April 12th
- April 15th
2014 Conference Carolinas
Spring Regular Season
Comes to a Dramatic Close
Volume 1: Issue 8
Digital Magazine
2. The 2014 Golf Championship will be held at the Champions Course at Bryan Park, located in Greensboro, NC.
UP NEXT: Golf Championships
The 2014 Conference Carolinas
Men’s & Women’s Golf
Championship is only a week
away. The tournament will take
place from April 12th to 15th at
Bryan Park’s Champion Course
located in Greensboro, North
Carolina, hosted by Belmont
Abbey College. The Champions
Course, at Bryan Park, is no walk
in the park for golfers. The course
was the host site for the 2010 US
Amateur Publinks Championship
which features ninety-seven sand
traps, numerous grass bunkers
and hollows, and seven holes
bordering Lake Townsend.
On the Men’s side
Mount Olive is receiving national
attention, gaining 30 votes in the
Golf World/Nike Golf Division
II College Coaches’ Poll and is
ranked 36th in the most recent
Golfstat Relative ranking. Mount
Olive has an average score of
75.66 and a comparative record of
175/214 according to Golfstat. The
Trojans have 5 top five finishes
and 7 top ten finishes this season.
The Trojans have played in eight
tournaments this season.
Limestone is receiving national
attention with 1 vote in the Golf
World/Nike Golf Division II College
Coaches’ Poll and is ranked
34th in the most recent Golfstat
Relative ranking. Limestone has
an average score of 74.91 and
a comparative record of 176/214
according to Golfstat. The Saints
have 6 top five finishes and 7
top ten finishes this season.
The Saints have played in eight
tournaments this season.
The remaining Conference
Carolinas schools are ranked
as follows according to Golfstat:
Erskine 45, North Greenville 69,
Barton 70, King 88, Belmont
Abbey 97, Pfeiffer 105.
On the Women’s side
Limestone is gaining national
attention with 2 votes in the NCAA
Women’s Golf Top 25 Ranking
and is ranked 28th in the most
recent Golfstat Relative Ranking.
Limestone has an average score
of 80.98 and a comparative record
of 131/161 according to Golfstat.
The Saints have five top 5 finishes
and seven top 10 finishes this
season. The Saints have played in
eight tournaments this season.
Mount Olive gaining national
attention with 3 votes in the NCAA
Women’s Golf Top 25 Ranking
and is ranked 55th in the most
recent Golfstat Relative Ranking.
Mount Olive has an adjusted
scoring average of 82.18 and a
comparative record of 103/161
according to Golfstat. The Trojans
have five top 5 finishes and seven
top 10 finishes this season. The
Trojans have played in eight
tournaments this season.
The remaining Conference
Carolinas schools are ranked
as follows according to Golfstat:
Erskine 59, Converse 67, North
Greenville 69, King 78, Barton 89,
Pfeiffer 107, Belmont Abbey 123.
By Darryle Bajomo
3. Samantha Burns, MF
Erskine College
Total Goals 45
Shots 79
Matt Shields, A
University of Mount Olive
Total Goals 38
Shots 77
Dan Shields, A
Pfeiffer University
Total Assists 23
Total Goals 31
Alex Gurecki, GK
Converse College
Saves 106
Save % 46.7
Rachel Glazebrook, P
North Greenville
ERA 1.27
Strikeouts 178
Katy Connery, MF
Belmont Abbey
Groundballs 59
Goals 36
Kevin Reisman, MF
Limestone College
Groundballs 95
Faceoff % 68.9
Carleigh Davis, A
Limestone College
Total Assists 27
Total Goals 15
Ross Bowman, GK
University of Mount Olive
Saves 131
Save % 63.6
STAT ATTACKConference stat leaders (as of 4/03/14)
Top leaders are pictured!
S Oor
Limestone
27
A Cole
Erskine
20
S Darley
Belmont Abbey
17
J Hofmeister
Belmont Abbey
12
B Lawless
Belmont Abbey
106
H Kirk
Pfeiffer
105
P Sheridan
Limestone
102
D Gabrek
Mount Olive
18
A Cole
Erskine
38
K Farrell
Limestone
37
K Connery
Belmont Abbey
36
J Taylor
Converse
32
D Shields
Mount Olive
31
C Sellars
Belmont Abbey
30
T Hammock
Pfeiffer
29
R Quinlan
Belmont Abbey
27
M Shields
Mount Olive
20
T Nakasuji
Limestone
17
R Hope
Pfeiffer
16
K Rhatigan
Limestone
16
M Emmerson
Lees-McRae
75
K Brown
Erskine
74
H Knight
Mount Olive
66
N Whitman
Belmont Abbey
51
K Shearer
Limestone
1.83
H Light
King
2.05
S Jarmusch
Pfeiffer
2.26
A Reagan
Barton
2.39
A Helm
Converse
45
A Cole
Erskine
44
S Burns
Erskine
40
K Easter
Belmont Abbey
40
K Stukes
Pfeiffer
65
D Cruz
Belmont Abbey
47
J Wolf
Belmont Abbey
45
S Steele
Belmont Abbey
44
Wlax AssistsWlax Goals Mlax Saves
Wlax Saves
Softball ERA
Mlax Assists
Wlax Groundballs
Mlax Goals
Mlax Groundballs
4. Bradon Reitano, OF
University of Mount Olive
Home Runs 9
Runs 44
Lydia Trexler, OF
Erskine College
Home Runs 8
Runs 15
Cassie Ringstaff, IF
King (TN)
Steals 18
Runs 23
Dylan Norris, RHP
Pfeiffer University
Saves 10
ERA 3.98
Jay Gonzalez, OF
University of Mount Olive
Steals 37
Runs 57
Hannah Light, P
King (TN)
Strikeouts 209
WHIP 1.14
Bradon Reitano, OF
University of Mount Olive
OBP % .503
SLG % .720
Cory Rhodes, RHP
King (TN)
Strikeouts 64
WHIP 1.38
R Glazebrook, P/IF
North Greenville
OBP % .589
SLG % .627
STAT ATTACKConference stat leaders (as of 4/03/14)
Top leaders are pictured!
C Stull
Belmont Abbey
57
K Earls
Limestone
54
E Greene
Pfeiffer
50
P Smithey
Belmont Abbey
49
K Akers
Mount Olive
.482
K Smith
Mount Olive
.465
B Overman
Mount Olive
.449
M Roach
North Greenville
.438
G Cook
King (TN)
9
C Balderman
Limestone
8
Z Smith
Erskine
8
A Dimino
Belmont Abbey
5
L Galliher
Erskine
5
K Windham
Erskine
6
B Overman
Mount Olive
5
L Polin
Limestone
5
M Roach
North Greenville
4
R Glazebrook
North Greenville
178
S Jacobs
Belmont Abbey
104
C Dutton
Lees-McRae
69
D Newton
Erskine
63
K Akers
Mount Olive
13
S Stallings
Lees-McRae
13
K Kassonie
Barton
11
M Kelly
Barton
10
E McCarson
Erskine
10
S Merryman
Barton
4
J Frederick
Mount Olive
3
C Shelley
Limestone
3
Z Bernard
Mount Olive
3
G Cook
King (TN)
16
Z Orrison
Mount Olive
16
C Corn
Erskine
14
T Raymond
King (TN)
14
J Gonzalez
Mount Olive
.497
J Manning
Mount Olive
.454
K Booth
Limestone
.452
C Gunter
Limestone
.451
Baseball Strikeouts
Baseball HRs Softball OBP%
SB. Stolen Bases
Baseball Saves
Softball Strikeouts
BB. Stolen Bases
Softball HRs
Baseball OBP%
5. Austin Gambrell, P
Erskine College
ERA 2.45
Strikeouts 43
Eric Zaun, OH
Limestone College
Services Aces 39
SA Per Set .42
Corey Marks, S
Erskine College
Assists 979
Assists Per Set 11.38
Michael McMahon, LB
Barton College
Digs 322
Digs Per Set 3.16
Hunter Jobe, P
Pfeiffer University
Wins 6
Strikeouts 28
Zach McCalla, OH
Barton
Total Points 438.0
Points Per Set 4.3
Curtis Van Grinsven, MH
Limestone College
Total Blocks 99
Solo Blocks 22
Hannah Light, P
King (TN)
Wins 21
Strikeouts 209
Zach McCalla, OH
Barton
Kills 376
Kills per set 3.69
STAT ATTACKConference stat leaders (as of 4/03/14)
Top leaders are pictured!
R Glazebrook
North Greenville
14
K Shearer
Limestone
13
M Johnston
Mount Olive
7
A Reagan
Barton
6
A Dache
Mount Olive
366
M Harpenau
Lees-McRae
332
B Markle
Lees-McRae
332
M Michelau
Erskine
320
T Lequire
Pfeiffer
2.82
Z Mcallister
Erskine
2.86
H Jobe
Pfeiffer
2.89
R Jernigan
Barton
2.95
E Greene
Pfeiffer
3.25
M Kawa
Erskine
34
R Ramirez
Lees-McRae
32
B Markle
Lees-McRae
29
M Michelau
Erskine
27
A Dache
Mount Olive
407.5
E Zaun
Limestone
386.5
M Harpenau
Lees-McRae
381.0
B Markle
Lees-McRae
381.0
F Pagliara
Barton
926
R Ramirez
Lees-McRae
828
D Specian
Pfeiffer
720
Q Marin
Mount Olive
688
N Wildes
Limestone
634
J Gomez
Belmont Abbey
224
E Negron
Lees-McRae
214
J Funk
King (TN)
203
A Miller
Limestone
195
Z Breen
Barton
5
J Rondon
Limestone
5
A Gambrell
Erskine
5
G Kines
Mount Olive
5
J Muhlbach
Limestone
87
L Lelkes
Barton
86
F Diniz
Pfeiffer
82
M Kawa
Erskine
79
Softball Wins
Baseball ERA Volleyball Kills
Volleyball Assists
Volleyball Digs
Volleyball Points
Baseball Wins
Volleyball S. Aces
Volleyball Blocks
6. The Extra Mile
While it is said most athletes
are driven in their sports, it is
the passion and determination
that extends beyond the field
that formulates to success in
life. While cliché, the ability
to go the “extra mile” is not a
common trait but is something
that is found in a select few
regardless of whether this is in
practice, the classroom, or in
life. It is something that senior
Maia Czarnecki understands.
A northern girl from Oswego,
New York, Czarnecki started
competing in sports at a young
age. Taking to the sport of
lacrosse in sixth grade, she
immediately
developed a drive
and passion to
play.
“Everyone told
me I was not
going to have
enough hand eye
coordination,”
said Czarnecki.
She continued
to say, “…I just
gave it (lacrosse)
a try because I
did gymnastics
for a long time but
kind of got sick with it. I tried
lacrosse and from the first week
of practice, I loved it.”
Falling in love with the sport,
she began a journey to play
collegiately and compete at
the highest level possible.
Czarnecki’s hard work paid off
when she gained a spot with
the University of Connecticut.
Yet something was missing.
After competing with the
Huskies for a full season,
Czarnecki decided to try her
luck at a new location. She
chose Limestone College.
“It (University of Connecticut)
was a really big school. The
classes were huge. I would
have about 500-600 people
in my lecture halls and it was
not really personably. I played
lacrosse there too but it was
kind of a new program, new
coaches and I thought if I came
to a smaller school... Now I
know all of my professors,
and the team is awesome.
Just coming to a smaller place
where I was more of a person
and not a number”
While several factors influenced
the decision to travel south for
the young athlete, including
knowing the head coach of
the team (Scott Tucker) from
her hometown, it was the
competitiveness of the Saints
that attracted her to the college.
“Getting to come here and
competing for a national
championship last year and
every year. We come here
knowing we are going to have
good freshman because that
is just the mentality. That if you
come to Limestone you are
going to have to want to work
hard.”
Czarnecki joined
the squad in 2012
and since has
proven to be a
vital asset. She
has contributed
to a successful
Saint’s team that
has become a
powerhouse for
lacrosse. Aiding
in a run for the
national title in
2013, Czarnecki
has made an
impact on the team since day
one where she scored two
goals in her opening match
against Lees-McRae College,
on February 17th, 2012.
By Stephanie Withey
Limestone’s Maia Czarnecki understands that hard work drives success
“We come here knowing we are
going to have good freshman
because that is just the
mentality.
That if you come to Limestone
you are going to have to
want to work hard.”
- Maia Czarnecki, Limestone College Lacrosse Player
7. Czarnecki is 5th
in the conference in caused turnovers and 10th
in groundballs. Photo Credit: Limestone Sports Information
Carrying over into this year,
Czarnecki’s impact has grown
but from a new position on the
field. Making the switch from
midfield to defense, she aids
an already tough Limestone
defense, that has only allowed
59 goals throughout the
season. This feat has landed
them 4th in the nation for goals
allowed. Czarnecki added
15 caused turnovers and 30
groundballs, to the scorecard
of an undefeated Limestone
season.
However the season is far
from over. With five games
separating them from the
conference tournament, the
Saints look to finish the season
strong as they make another
run for the crown.
“I think it’s just knowing that we
are a program that wants to be
competing in May for a National
Championship. And so its
everyday day we come in and
we know we have to work hard.
When you come to practice,
what’s ever bothering you, you
put on the aside and just come
in and it’s our two hours of on
the field, that, we know we
could be playing in May. So it
is just coming in every single
day and working as hard as we
can. And I think we have been.”
A return to the championship is
not out of reach for the Saints.
They sit at 3rd in the nation but
the task at hand is to remain
focused and not look too far
ahead.
“We want to get through
conference first. We definitely
want to win conference. We
have done that for multiple
years now. So we can’t
overlook that. We can’t
overlook the games in season.
So I think getting through
season undefeated is our
biggest goal. And knowing
that we got through season
undefeated, beating good
teams, that that is … preparing
us for a national championship
that, yes we want to be playing
and we want to win.”
With the excitement of on the
field play and with all the hope
and potential for the season,
Czarnecki has managed to
maintain focus on her off
the field responsibilities as
well. Driven towards a career
in science, Czarnecki has
her sight set on becoming a
physician’s assistant. Balancing
both classwork and volunteer
hours her passion for the field
of science and medicine has led
to amazing accomplishments by
the student-athlete.
“I think it is a lot a scheduling. I
sit down and it’s an hour for this
class, an hour for that class, up
to 2 am some nights if I have
8. Maia Czarnecki and Dr. Walt Griffin, President of Limestone, are presented with the
NCAA Elite 89 Award. Photo Credit: Limestone Sports Information
a big test the next day. But I
think it is just balancing. I work
in study hall too. So when I am
not helping people in study hall,
I use that time [to study]. So
I think it is just balancing the
sports life, academic life, and
personal life too. Just knowing
when and how much has to go
into each aspect of my life. So
it’s just a lot of balancing.”
With a 4.0 GPA in biology,
Czarnecki has received national
attention for her ability to
successfully manage both on
the field play and academic
work. She was the second
student-athlete in Limestone’s
history as well as Limestone’s
first female student-athlete
to receive the NCAA Elite
89 Award. The award was
named for the NCAA’s 89
championships and recognizes
the student-athlete with the
highest GPA playing at the
championship location. This
award puts Czarnecki with a
small list of honored award
winners.
With a list of achievements both
athletically and academically,
her ability to balance the
student-athlete life rises far
beyond the average student.
In fact, she even devotes part
of her free time to serving
within the community and
volunteering; attributing her
extra-curricular work for her list
of honors.
“I do a lot of extracurricular
activities and work in the
community. I think that is just
as important as any personal
accolades. Reaching out
and helping, I work in a lot of
clinics for soccer and lacrosse.
So just helping the youth
know how important it is, that
sports can have an impact
in your life. I work in nursing
homes, because I get all of my
volunteer hours for grad school
there. So working there and
knowing that made a difference
for someone to come in and
smile and not being the one
poking them, or prodding them,
or telling them to turn over. So
that was nice too. I think just
giving back is huge. So I think
that is where a lot of the on that
list (her honors and awards)
came from, just giving back to
the community.”
Each volunteer activity requires
a different task and an ability to
impact someone’s life. During
the summers, She works a
soccer camp aiding with the
development of youth.
“We have a soccer clinic
which is K-3rd grade. The kids
come in, it’s a weeklong every
summer and we just do, we
try to get them to do some
soccer stuff. But more or less
9. Czarnecki aides a strong Limestone defense that ranks fourth in the nation in goals
against. Photo Credit: Conference Carolinas
Since arriving at Limestone, Czarnecki has several awards for her hard work
on and off the field. So far this season Czarnecki has helped Limestone
stay undefeated (10-0) with five games left before the Conference Carolinas
Women’s Lacrosse Tournament.
Award Year Received
NCAA Elite 89 Award Winner (4.0
GPA)
2013
IWLCA Second-Team All-American 2013
Synapse Sports Second-Team All-
American
2013
IWLCA All-South Region First-Team 2013
NCAA Division II All-Tournament 2013
Conference Carolinas All-Tournament 2013
All-Conference Carolinas First-Team 2013
Conference Carolinas Academic All-
Conference
2013
Czarnecki’s Accomplishments thus far....
Photo Credit:
Limestone Sports Info.
it’s just getting them to come
out and run around a field, and
they come up and give you a
hug, and they chase butterflies
and pick flowers, but it’s just
awesome. They are so little and
so excited.”
She also works a lacrosse
camp for Limestone College
which not only does she enjoy
but finds very important in the
development of the sport in the
south.
“With lacrosse growing down
south, it is huge to have kids
come out and work with us,
someone they (campers)
are going to look up to as a
college athlete, who answers
any questions they may have,
because they (college athletes)
are older. They (campers) are
the middle school and high
school age. Some of them
want to go on and play college
lacrosse. So it is good to help
them and pass along any
knowledge we have both about
sports and about college that
some of them don’t know, and
any of the rules about lacrosse.
Being able to grow the lacrosse
world down south is huge
because there are going to
awesome programs rising up
in the south. I think that is huge
for the game itself because it’s
normally known as a northern
sport. So I think with all of these
big guns coming down south,
it is going to make the lacrosse
sport awesome.”
When she is not on the
field volunteering in sports
development for younger
athletes, her time is spent
working at a nursing home.
Helping to prepare her for
a career as a physician’s
assistant, she was able to
witness how doctors, nurses,
aids, and physician’s assistants
all worked together to bring
quality help to those in need.
“With the nursing home, it was
three floors and there was a
rehabilitation floor, and two
long term floors. So it was
depressing a lot of the time, but
just knowing that I changed/
10. Limestone’s goal is to win the Conference Carolinas Tournament, followed by the NCAA Division II National Championship.
Photo Credit: Limestone Sports Info.
made someone smile that day,
or helped them to not be so
uncomfortable, or got to bring
them outside. It’s just the little
things going into the medical
field that you have experience.
Experience that and understand
the quality of life. I think that is
huge.”
For someone who was looking
for a place to feel like a person
and not a number, Czarnecki
has taken full advantage of her
time with Limestone. From an
exceptional effort in obtaining
her academic degree to
volunteering, her efforts off the
field mimic her success on it. As
the senior competes in the final
stretch, she is confident in not
only in her team’s performance
but in what she will be taken
with her when her time is done.
“We’ve grown ever year I’ve
been here. We still talk to all
of the girls that graduated,
especially the girls that
graduated last year. They’re
like ‘you better be working
hard! You better already start!
You better want to do it!’ Just
knowing that everyone who
comes in here, that this is a
tight niche family. Everyone is
always going to be proud to be
a Saint. So that is awesome!
Because I don’t think, in big
schools you get that, but in little
schools it’s awesome because
literally all of our seniors came
back for the alumni game. They
are all texting us like ‘you guys
better be working hard. Pass
your Gasser test [a fitness
test],’ all that. And we know that
we have a big group of alumni
behind us, supporting us. So
that is awesome.”
11. With Conference Championships
less than two weeks away, several
conference teams are looking for a
last chance to shake up standings.
Men’s Volleyball:
Men’s volleyball is the first conference
sport to hold their championship on
April 16th. While Erskine has clinched
the top of the league they still have
two games left to play against Lees-
McRae and King. While these games
may not affect the seeding for the
Fleet, Erskine needs to maintain
momentum if they hope to make it
through the conference tournament.
Erskine has already faced season
losses to second seed Mount Olive
and third seed Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer looks to tie Mount Olive for
the second seed, with a win over
Barton. The Falcons are on a four
game streak however, Barton has
impressive conference wins as of
late going on a 5-0 run included a 3-2
victory over Mount Olive in their last
game.
Men’s Lacrosse
Although the season is coming to
a close, seeding is far from set.
Currently in first, Limestone will have
to face both Belmont Abbey and
Pfeiffer before closing out a perfect in-
conference season. A loss to Pfeiffer
would create a three-way tie situation
between the two schools and Mount
Olive.
Belmont Abbey could also jump into
the mix by picking up two wins in
their last three games which include
Limestone, Mount Olive, and Lees-
McRae. If they manage to win all
three matches, the Crusaders could
earn the honor of hosting the men’s
side of tournament.
Women’s Lacrosse
Like the men, the battle for the
number one seed is still up for grabs
as teams head into the final stretch.
With Limestone, Pfeiffer, Belmont
Abbey, and Mount Olive able to
make a play for the top seed, the
season conclusion is sure to be
exciting. Having yet played each
other, Limestone and Pfeiffer are
currently undefeated with Limestone
one game ahead. However, Belmont
Abbey could ruin their chances to
go undefeated for both the Saints
and Falcons. Belmont Abbey faces
Limestone on the road, April 5, before
turning around to host Pfeiffer four
days later. Pfeiffer also faces Mount
Olive who gave Belmont Abbey their
only loss thus far.
Baseball
Team strategy will have a huge affect
on conference standing as teams
close out the season. While there are
two or three in-conference series left
for most teams, with the standings so
close, every win and loss could have
huge ramifications on seeding as only
four wins separate first place Mount
Olive from fifth place Barton.
Mount Olive and Barton will both
faceoff this weekend in which the
Barton Bulldogs will look to climb up
the chart with a couple of home wins.
However, at the same time Pfeiffer
and Limestone will be battling for the
position. Both stand a possibility of
reaching the number one position on
the chart.
Softball
The race to win the regular season
championship is separated by just six
wins across the league. Over half the
conference is within three wins from
the top with games left to play. King
currently holds the first seed with a
7-3 record and holds the advantage
over second seed Limestone who will
have to travel to the Tornado to play.
North Greenville also has a shot at
the top but will have to push through
two 4-4 teams, Barton and Erskine.
Barton, Erskine, and Pfeiffer all hold
a 4-4 record making it anyone’s
game for seeding. Pfeiffer will be the
only one of the three who will play
the other two 4-4 teams. With 21
days remaining until the Conference
Tournament, wins this weekend are
vital to create distance in league
standings.
Women’s Tennis
Three conference teams have
managed to claim six conference
wins thus far. Pfeiffer and Limestone
share a 6-1 record while Erskine
holds an undefeated 6-0 season.
The Fleet already have a win over
Pfeiffer but must achieve a road win
verse Limestone. A loss could create
a three-way tie for first assuming each
team is able to win out.
Mount Olive could cause serious
problems for Pfeiffer. The 4-3 Trojans
will have the advantage to host the
match and will look to pull the upset.
Mount Olive is just two games shy of
the top and sits tied with Barton for
fourth.
Men’s Tennis
With just one or two conference
games remaining, three teams have
the chance to reach the top of the
table. Mount Olive is driver seat as
they are currently undefeated and
have a game to give. With a 6-0
record they sit atop Pfeiffer and King
who hold a 5-2 season.
Pfeiffer does have a chance to ruin
the Trojans perfect season with a
game on April 5th. If Pfeiffer wins
the matchup all eyes will be on the
Belmont Abbey-Mount Olive game
to see who will take the top seed in
league. King currently holds the win
over Pfeiffer and could jump them
if they manage a win over Barton.
Even better, if Mount Olive losses
both matches (to Pfeiffer and Belmont
Abbey), King could join Mount Olive
and Pfeiffer in a tie for first.
The fight for the postseason starts NOW!
