• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_2016-09-29_Vol84_No01_05

FT EE EE eee. 8 = The Western Carolinian SPORTS September 29, 2016 AS5 Catamounts start 2016 season with a victory Photo by Breanna Taylor/STAFF Kickoff in Cullowhee. The Catamounts take on the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs. Alicja Lipsky Staff Writer On the afternoon of Sat- urday, Sept. 10, the Western Carolina University campus was packed with excited fans preparing for kickoff of the first home game of the foot- ball season. Representatives of many Greek organizations joined university departments in tailgate barbeques and games. While much of the excitement was based in the immediate area around E.J. Whitmire Stadium, campus dining facilities were packed with students and families preparing for the big event. The general attitude was one of enthusiasm, bolstered by the home teams improv- ing record. Western Carolina has made great gains within the Southern Conference in the last two seasons and many in the community expected a victory against the visiting Gardner-Webb Bulldogs. While the majority of celebration occurred around the stadium itself, visitors lingering in the center of campus were treated to the sounds of music as the 500-strong Pride of the Mountains marching band performed its customary warm-up between Balsam and Blue Ridge halls. The band serves as goodwill am- bassadors for the university, thrilling audiences across the nation. Passersby were not disappointed as the bad- dest band in the land flexed its pre-performance chops. Back at the stadium, lines extended well beyond the gates as fans of both teams looked to find decent seats. To encourage school spirit, the first 5,000 spectators in attendance received a free t- shirt as part of a white-out initiative. An estimated total of 11,598 people gathered to watch the game. While Western Carolina fans took some time to trickle in from the parking lot, the visitors stands filled surprisingly quickly. Pregame performances featuring Western Carolinas dance team and marching band ran smoothly, followed by a tribute to former as- sistant coach Johnny Wike. Coach Wike, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009, passed away the previous week. In honor of his con- tributions to the university and athletics in this region, a moment of silence was observed. The highlight of kick- off festivities came in the form of the Freshman Run. Initiated six years ago, this beloved tradition encour- ages members of the fresh- man class to run across the football field ahead of the team at its first home game. This fall, cheering crowds watched as Chancellor David Belcher led the class of 2020 through its introduction to Western Carolina athletic tradition. A large crowd of students was guided through the stadium and into the tunnel. Due to the mass of people, running turned into a light jog as many students jostled into each other. Despite the mass confusion, many fans seemed to find the experi- ence highly enjoyable. The first half of the game itself consisted of a hard battle between schools. West- ern Carolina scored the first touchdown just minutes into the first quarter, but Gard- ner-Webb quickly countered with a touchdown of its own. The highly focused visitors maintained an intense back- and-forth struggle with the energetic home team, with Gardner-Webbs Tyrell Max- well and Khalil Lewis giving admirable performances. Each managed to score once for their team, using effec- tive rushing technique. However, they could not match the dynamic duo of Western Carolinas Detrez Newsome and Tyrie Adams. The pair led the game in both rushing and passing yardage. When combining their efforts with Terryon Robinson and Logan How- ard, they led the Catamounts to a tight lead of 17-14 by the half. During the halftime break, spectators were treated to a spectacular per- formance of the Pride of the Mountains new production, Whee See You. The high- tech performance included multiple giant TV screens showcasing footage of the band and audience while performers demonstrated complex field maneuvers. Audiences cheered as the performance continued, showcasing popular music from a wide variety of art- ists. The band will perform at every home game, adding more components to the production as the season continues. With the beginning of the second half, spectators saw the beginning of the end for Garner-Webb. The team con- tinued to push forward but was unable to break through Western Carolinas defensive line. The home teams energy seemed to flag during the lat- ter part of the third quarter but was quickly revived with Michael Helms Jr.s impressive two-yard pass from Tyrie Adams as the clock reached zero. With the score set 30-14 for the home team, the visitors appeared completely demoralized. The fourth quarter show- cased the increasingly frus- trated Gardner-Webb team struggling to communicate and execute plays. The home team, feeding on a support- ive crowd, continued to make progress despite a number of flags on key plays. With just under seven minutes on the clock, Western Carolina settled the score at 37-14. While Gardner-Webb defend- ed its line well through the final portion of the game, it was clear the game had been decided. In the last seconds, both teams allowed the clock to run out before the custom- ary closing. Western Carolina students were exceedingly proud of their team in response to the first victory. Whether casual fans or devoted attendees, students will likely continue to pack the stands as West- ern Carolina enters another: strong football season. After a brief period away, the Catamount football team will return for a home game on Saturday, Oct. 1, against the Citadel Bull- dogs. Admission for current Western Carolina students to home footballgamesis * free. Students may reserve their tickets prior to games through the online portal on the athletics website. The university also encourages students to support Cata- mount athletics by attending other sporting events. More information about tickets and schedules can be found by contacting the WCU Athletics Department at 828-227-7338 or visiting their webpage at www.cata- mountsports.com. Kayley Davis cheering on the Catamounts during the game. Photo by Breanna Taylor/STAFF Player of the month: volleyball player Kaycey Cermin Madeline Smith Staff Writer Coming from an athletic family, Kaycey Cermin has always had a knack for sports. Beginning at the young age of 11, Cermin began her journey as an athlete when her mother suggested that she try sports. Since her mother is a coach, it seemed reason- able enough. Her first sport was softball, but she felt that it was not for her, so she pursued something else. Cermin joined her local club volleyball team and has been playing ever since. When it was time to pick a university, Cermin was encouraged by her brother to leave her home state of Texas and to be sie her Jake Browning Staff Writer Western Carolina University is home to the Lady Catamounts wom- ens rugby team, which is not only a club sport but also a community service organization. Rugby is a high inten- sity, full contact sport that emphasizes speed, strength, strategy and teamwork. The sport utilizes the end zone scor- ing system of American football and the free flow- ing alternation between offense and defense of soccer, then eliminates additional boundaries for an exciting and fast paced battle for points. Players cannot physically inter- act with opponents who do not control the ball, but without the heavy padding of American foot- ball, there is significant potential for action on every tackle. Madeline Forwerck, a junior at Western Caro- lina, has been playing for the team since her first semester. She encoun- tered the team for the first time at Valley Bal- lyhoo, Western Carolinas premier event for club and student organization recruitment held every fall semester as part of the week of welcome. options and experiences. Western Carolina Univer- sity found itself on Cermins radar when her coach from club volleyball and the former assistant coach of the Western Carolina volleyball team introduced her to the thought of attending the school. Fortunately for Cer- min, the long distance from home is helped by the fact that she comes from a sup- portive family. Her parents try to attend at least two or three of Cermins games each year. Not only does Cermin play volleyball, but she is also on Western Carolinas track team. Her first introduc- tion to the track team was due to her weight coachs suggestion that she try it out. The following January, Forwerck figured col- lege is a time to try new things, and so she went to tryouts in spite of hav- ing no prior understand- ing of the game. The first few days were more than a little bit intimidating for her - the sport is fast paced and aggressive, more expe- rienced players did not go easy and there was a tremendous amount of information to take in. T still dont completely understand everything. Maybe someday I will, she said with a laugh. The rugby team plays all year round, but the schedule is uniquely for- matted in the spring and fall semesters. Fall is all about friendly games with other regional organiza- tions, both independent and affiliated with other schools. In the spring, tournament play begins. The team is a part of USA Rugby, the national governing body for the sport, and as such is invited to some very high profile tournaments. This includes the Throw Me Something, Rugger tour- nament held every year in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Held every year since 1981, the tournament at- tracts clubs and schools from as far away as San she found herself on the track team competing in the discus and shot put events. Both events require Cermin to launch an object as far as she can. Track and field is where she gained her great- est accomplishment so far, a championship ring. She placed fourth in shot put and fifth in discus, On the Western Carolina volleyball team, Cermins role is middle blocker. This position is involved in every play and goes for the kill, as she put it. According to Cermin, the team is currently finding a rhythm and works really hard together. Her favorite thing about being on the team is being able to play a sport with individuals who share the Antonio and Seattle. With steep entry fees and many hotels requir- ing a four night minimum for the entire festival, competing in the tourna- ment is no small occa- sion. Forwerck is particu- larly fond of the Mardi Gras tournament, which she recounts as a great time for the team to bond and take in the city. As an upper tier club sport, the team receives funding from Western Carolina so long as they report high enough same love. The womens vonebath team started the season strongly with wins against Appalachian State Uni- versity, the University of Alabama and Charleston Southern. Cermin said that winning these games resulted in a sense of euphoria. Handling classwork and athletics can be difficult, but Cermin is all about time management. To her, developing leadership skills and understanding how to prioritize is the key to suc- cess. Be ready to work-- its hard work being a student athlete, just be ready to work... just be ready for practices, workouts, and school. Its a crazy load. Youre going to be busier than you ever have in your entire life, Cermin advised. Cermin does not have a motto that she lives by, but there is a quote that reso- nates strongly with her: I dont crave for a lighter load but for a stronger back. by Phillip Brook. This quote signifies that it is not about how hard you have to work, but whether or not you are able to handle it. Being an athlete is tough due to the long hours. Even buying a healthy meal can be difficult. According to Cermin, her diet on campus is restricted to food from Moes Southwest Grill or Panda Express. It is not the best diet for an athlete, but it does carry the necessary protein that she needs. Sometimes healthy choices on campus are extremely hard to find without just getting a salad in the dining hall. Even though Cermin isa college athlete, she is just like the rest of us. She has a long-term goal to remodel homes and put them back on the market. She is currently a dual major with construc- tion management and mar- keting. She would also like to graduate with the highest GPA in athletics and attend graduate school. You can find Kaycey Cermin and the rest of the womens volleyball team at their next home game versus Samford during family weekend on Oct. 1. For more information, visit-www. catamountsports.com. attendance and set an ad- equate number of compe- tition dates. They are also asked to perform commu- nity service, which takes the form of assistance at local animal shelters, maintaining campus facilities and more, This month, the team par- ticipated i in a cleanup of the campus trail system that also accepted a large quantity of student volun- teers. Forwerck is particular- ly impressed by the sup- portive atmosphere that the team and the sport at large encourages. Even in the midst of intense competition, teammates and opponents alike are there to have fun and make friends, yet another contributing factor to the good times at Mardi Gras tournaments. She stated that by this point, her teammates have come to be like a family and that any girls who are new to Western Carolina can benefit from the network of friendly faces that the game can provide. Photo submitted by Womens Rugby Team The teams next com- petition will be an away game on Oct. 8 against the University of Tennes- see at Knoxville. Tick- ets will be available on site. Anyone interested in joining the team is welcome to drop in to practices, which are held every Monday, Wednes- day and Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. For more information, students can visit the teams page on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/groups/ wcuwomensrugbyll

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
  • Text
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 2016-09-29
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.5" x 11.25"
  • Pages: 12
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
  • Western Carolina University -- Periodicals
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_2016-09-29_Vol84_No01
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library