And That's a Wrap!
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 03/17/2010
By Jeff White
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Mike London climbed the last step, turned and did a
double-take when he saw the film equipment spread out on the Lawn, directly in
front of the Rotunda.
"It's like Gone With the Wind or something," London said. "This is kind of over
the top. I was thinking more like a camcorder or an iPhone."
On the football field, UVa's head coach is in charge. On the set, director Don
Hamilton and his crew gave the orders Tuesday afternoon.
They were there to shoot Virginia's 2010 football commercial, whose cast of
hundreds includes students, fans, coaches, current players and former players.
"This was kind of like a Spike Lee, Cecil B. DeMille production," London said
with a smile afterward. "I'm excited to see the finished product and how it's
going to look."
The commercial is scheduled to debut April 2.
The leading role, naturally, went to the Wahoos' new coach, who turned in a
performance Denzel Washington might envy.
Only once did London flub his lines. During the grand finale, after flawlessly
delivering the first three words -- "Please join us" -- he froze, eliciting
hoots of laughter from those surrounding him on the Rotunda steps.
London took the ribbing in good humor, just as he tolerated the barbs that flew
his way when the makeup artist halted the proceedings to climb the Rotunda steps
and apply more powder to the coach's face. He was too thrilled by the turnout to
mind.
"I don't have words to express my gratitude for the people who are responsible
for putting this together, and for the people who said they want to be involved
with it," London said.
"It was great to see all the former players. There were a lot of great players
here today, I'm telling you.
"Current players, fans, young fans, old fans. It was a great venue to have
something like this done, here on Grounds, right at the Rotunda. So we're
excited. It's something that kind of kick-starts things going into spring
practice and into the season."
About 100 students answered the call for extras, along with some 250 fans of all
ages. They got handshakes and words of appreciation from London as they walked
to the Rotunda steps.
The boys proudly wearing the UVa football helmets in the commercial? That would
be 6-year-old Aiden DeWitt and his 5-year-old brother, Cooper. Another DeWitt
boy, 1-year-old Graham, clad in a UVa football jersey, played happily on the
Lawn during the shoot.
Watching the brothers was their mother, Sarah DeWitt. She's a 1998 alumna of UVa,
and her husband, Jordan, graduated from the University a year later. And whose
idea was it for the DeWitts to drive from their home in Mechanicsville for the
shoot?
"It was unanimous," Sarah said.
The 50-some football alumni who'll appear in the commercial gathered at the
University Chapel before being summoned to the Lawn. They represented a wide
range of eras.
Among those present Monday afternoon: Jim Bakhtiar, Tom Scott, Gene Arnette,
Bart Farinholt, Mike Frederick, Ryan Kuehl, Charles McDaniel, Joe Hall, Vic
Hall, Howard Petty, Aaron Brooks, Darryl Blackstock, Antonio Rice, Kase Luzar,
Brad Butler, Marquis Weeks, Ray Savage, Ron Carey, Marques Hagans, James Farrior,
Marcus Hamilton, Jon Copper, Jason Snelling, Monsanto Pope, Wali Rainer and the
coach's brother, Paul London.
Farrior, who's heading into his 14th season as an NFL linebacker, flew in from
Miami for the shoot.
"I just wanted to show my support for our new coach and the program," said
Farrior, who starred for George Welsh at UVa. "I've been a part of this program
and this university for a long time. I definitely feel a strong bond, and
anything I can do to help, I will."
Kuehl, who spent 12 seasons in the NFL after leaving UVa in 1995, drove down
from Bethesda, Md., to take part.
"I think the idea is to show the players who are here now how much the older
players care about the program," Kuehl said. "We spent a lot of time building
this thing with George, and it's important that they know how much we care."
London took over in early December for Al Groh, whom UVa dismissed after nine
seasons. Kuehl said he's noticed "a different vibe" at the McCue Center.
"It seems to me like it's a little freer, a little looser," Kuehl said. "It's
not as serious. It doesn't feel like a library anymore, and maybe that's a good
thing for college players."
The atmosphere was certainly loose Monday afternoon. After every take, a joker
in the crowd would shout, "That's a wrap!"
Ever the perfectionist, the veteran director ignored those helpful suggestions.
"Happiness, please!" Hamilton yelled at one point, asking for smiles from his
cast. "I want one more."
One more became two more and three more and then four more. Finally, though, the
cloud cover satisfied Hamilton, as did the subsequent take of the commercial's
final scene. And so he bellowed the word everybody wanted to hear after a long
afternoon on the set:
"Cut!"
London’s first task: Find some playmakers
By JERRY RATCLIFFE
Published: March 17, 2010
Updated: March 17, 2010
One of Mike London’s objectives this spring is to find playmakers, of which he
will need plenty this fall when Virginia opens the season at Scott Stadium.
The Cavaliers’ new head football coach didn’t exactly inherit an abundance of
talent in a program that has suffered losing seasons in three of the past four
years. At almost every opportunity, London has mentioned finding playmakers.
With all that in mind, we asked him what are the least number of playmakers a
coach can get by with and still become successful.
Offensively, London specifically mentioned four positions: left tackle,
quarterback, running back and tight end. He may have meant to include wide
receiver and just lost track.
If those original four positions are accurate, then the coach must feel like the
Cavaliers have a chance.
Landon Bradley returns at left tackle, where he started every game last season.
There’s a plethora of running backs that London is excited about, and tight end
Joe Torchia is the type of player that the coach believes can create mismatches
against linebackers and safeties.
Quarterback is a question mark. Or should we say, question Marc?
Marc Verica started most of the season two years ago but didn’t get a lot of
time last season behind Jameel Sewell. However, Verica views the new regime as a
new lease on life, but his confidence may need propping up.
None of the other QBs have played in a college game, so spring is a vital
training period for them as well as Verica in terms of learning their third
different offense in less than a year.
The Cavs will have a somewhat experienced line, but last season that line
surrendered an ACC-high 41 sacks for 320 yards in losses.
Running backs abound, but somewhat unproven. There’s Raynard Horne, Torrey Mack,
Perry Jones, Dominique Wallace (rehabbing from last season’s leg injury) and
retread Keith Payne, along with incoming Parade All-American Kevin Parks.
“That could be a very positive position for us,” London said. “I see speed,
athleticism.”
Defensively, the coach believes it comes down to rushing the passer and having
excellent coverage guys.
“You gotta have guys that can rush and hit the quarterback,” London said. “You
gotta have down guys. If you have that, then the cover guys have to be good.”
He has a good one in senior Ras-I Dowling, whom London described as “the biggest
recruit we have ... a
5-star signee.”
Dowling could have looked at turning pro, but decided to return and the coach
believes he’s good enough to become an All-America candidate at corner.
“I think Ras-I is chomping at the bit to play bump coverage,” London said. “To
get up in somebody’s face and dare them to throw the ball over him instead of
playing off of them.”
Converting from the 3-4 to a 4-3 means that some outside linebackers can become
defensive ends and some DE’s can become tackles.
The Cavaliers have Matt Conrath, Zane Parr and converted linebacker Cam Johnson
working at DE, although London suggested that Johnson is a turkey leg away from
becoming a tackle. UVa recorded only 22 sacks last season, six of those by the
departed Nate Collins. Parr (3.5), Conrath (2), and Johnson (2) will have to
step it up to really pressure opposing QBs.
“If you can find those playmakers in some of those key areas, then I think you
have a chance,” London said. “I think we have some of those players in those
skill areas. We’ll see what happens post-spring practice.”
Jared Green wears new number, receives new beginning
When Virginia turned to a spread offense at the beginning of the
2009 football season and needed to replace almost all of its pass catchers, the
player who appeared to be the biggest benefactor was Jared Green.
The Oakton alum and son of Redskins Hall of Famer Darrell Green had been praised
by Coach Al Groh as a redshirt freshman in 2008, but he failed to live up to the
expectations in 2009. With an offense designed for passing, Green's statistics
decreased -- from 12 catches for 144 yards and one touchdown as a freshman to 15
catches for 124 yards and no touchdowns as a sophomore.
After Groh's dismissal, Green emphasized his appreciation for Groh but sought a
coach who could provide a different environment and established stronger
relationships with his players. In Mike London and a new coaching staff,
Virginia believed they found a coach who fits that mold -- and that was no more
apparent than with the wide smile on Green's face.
"This is the best I felt in my whole career," Green said. "The environment out
here is beautiful. My coach [receivers coach Shawn Moore] is an awesome coach.
He's the man. ... Just everything about the culture is different. It's something
that's so appealing to me, I'm in love. I want to be here so much."
Green's new offensive coordinator is Bill Lazor, a former Redskins quarterback
coach who is expected to install an offense similar to one used when he coached
under Joe Gibbs with the Redskins. Green called Lazor's system "amazing," and
spoke to Redskins such as quarterback Jason Campbell and former quarterback Mark
Brunell about Lazor.
"They had nothing but good things to say, and just to play really hard for him,"
Green said. "His offense is professional. It's a thinking-man's offense. It's
just something that's unique. I feel like we've matured into the offense."
Green said the players will need to "grow up" to learn the offense. He said it's
nothing that occurs on the field, but instead on his own when studying the
playbook.
When he's on the field, though, fans will witness a different Green. Upon
Green's arrival at Virginia, No. 84 was one of two numbers available. He has
wanted a new number for two years, and finally received it this offseason with
No. 2. Green is deeply religious, and he said the number signifies putting God
first and himself second.
By Zach Berman
Bennett, Spurlock to have meeting
By WHITEY REID
Published: March 17, 2010
One meeting with the boss will likely decide Tristan Spurlock’s future at
Virginia.
Sources have told the Daily Progress that the 6-foot-8 forward, who barely got
off the bench this season as a freshman, is set to meet with UVa coach Tony
Bennett in the next couple of days. What transpires at the powwow will dictate
whether Spurlock transfers to another school or remains at Virginia.
One source said that Spurlock “has no clue” what will come out of the meeting.
Spurlock, a top-100 recruit who was brought in by former UVa coach Dave Leitao,
appeared in less than half of the team’s games this season. Spurlock, an
outgoing kid, is one of the team’s most athletic players — defense was his main
knock.
Bennett, who is currently conducting meetings with all of his players, could
tell Spurlock that with six new recruits coming in, playing time could be just
as hard to come by as it was this season. He could, quite frankly, tell Spurlock
that he doesn’t really fit with his system.
However, with the expected loss of sophomore Sylven Landesberg, there likely
will no longer be a need to free up a scholarship.
Bennett could elect to keep Spurlock around and try and turn him into his type
of player.
One thing is clear: Spurlock wants to come back.
“I love being a Cavalier and being here at UVa,” said Spurlock, during the ACC
tournament last week. “The fans are beyond excellent. I mean I’m getting e-mails
every day — tweets, Facebook messages, everything, [saying], ‘Stay, stay, don’t
leave.’
“But it’s a business and I realize that. At this age, 19, you realize that it’s
a business, everything’s a business. You want to do something. But if it’s not
in coach Bennett’s idea to have me back, then, you know, that’s that. But I want
to be here, and as long as they know that, I think I’ll be OK.”
Spurlock may not be the only Virginia player thinking about transferring. It
wouldn’t come as a shock to see another of Virginia’s six remaining scholarship
players pack his bags.
It certainly wouldn’t surprise Bennett. In fact, during his weekly radio show on
Monday night, Bennett almost sounded as if he expected some attrition.
“Every year that I’ve coached, I’ve had kids who have transferred for a number
of different reasons — whether it’s opportunities to play or they think this
isn’t the right system or want to be closer to home,” Bennett said. “I think the
player needs to decide, ‘Do I see myself fitting in?’”
Bennett said he tries to be as upfront as possible when he sits down with his
players. He said he doesn’t “sugarcoat” anything.
“I share with the players my honest appraisal of where I see them and what they
need to improve on, the things that I like about them — and I don’t paint any
rosy pictures,” Bennett said. “I just say, ‘This is where I see it ... this is
what I want.’
“I say, ‘If this is something you’re excited about, I want you to be a part of
it. If this is something you haven’t bought into, then we’ll help you [go
somewhere else].’ It’s so important to have kids who have bought in and want to
do it.”
'Hoos Eager to Return to Court
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 03/17/2010
By Jeff White
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- By the time UVa takes the court for its NCAA tournament
opener, more than two weeks will have passed since Debbie Ryan's basketball team
played a game.
"It's a long time to wait," Ryan said. "It's a very long time to wait. You just
make the most of it."
The Cavaliers (21-9) would not have had such an extended break, they know, if
they had lasted longer at the ACC tournament.
In a March 5 quarterfinal at the Greensboro Coliseum, the third-seeded Wahoos
fell 66-59 to sixth-seeded N.C. State. Against the Wolfpack, only All-America
candidate Monica Wright (32 points) scored in double figures for UVa.
The next morning found the 'Hoos back at John Paul Jones Arena, where they
practiced hard.
"Coach Ryan is not letting us let up and settle for anything," said Wright, the
ACC player of the year.
"Obviously, she was unhappy about the way we finished [in Greensboro], and we
all were. We understood completely that we needed to continue working, continue
getting better and realize what was at stake. Just not physically get better,
but mentally get better as a team."
In most cases, Ryan said, "my philosophy is, when the game's over, it all goes
back in the box. It probably stayed out of the box [after the N.C. State loss] a
little longer than the players would have liked, but we're past that now, and
we're still going hard and doing the things we have to do to get ready, and I
think our team has made some great strides."
The 'Hoos learned Monday night that they had earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAAs.
That's about what Ryan expected. She did not expect to have her team sent to
Ames, Iowa, a city she's never visited in her long and distinguished coaching
career.
"That would have been the last place I thought we would go," Ryan said. "When I
saw everything come up the way that it did [during ESPN's selection show], I
thought Connecticut would be in Pittsburgh and we would be in Norfolk. But no
such luck."
For her part, Wright figured the Cavaliers might be sent to the West Coast for
the second straight season. UVa lost to Cal in the NCAA tourney's second round
at Los Angeles last March.
"But wherever we are, I'm just glad that we're there and just thankful for the
seed and excited to get out there and make some noise," said Wright, a senior
guard from Woodbridge.
Virginia plays No. 12 seed Wisconsin-Green Bay (27-4) in the first round Sunday
night in Ames. The winner will meet No. 4 seed Iowa State (23-7) or No. 14 seed
Lehigh (29-3) in Tuesday's second round.
"I've always had a lot of respect for Wisconsin-Green Bay," Ryan said. "They're
a great program. They play well in the tournament every year. That'll be a tough
matchup for us, absolutely."
Green Bay, of course, is the alma mater of UVa men's coach Tony Bennett. The
Phoenix received the Horizon League's first-ever at-large invitation to the NCAA
women's tournament.
"That's a tough draw, and they know how to play," Bennett said. "But let's go 'Hoos
on that one."
The team that emerges victorious from Ames will head to Dayton, Ohio, for a
third-round matchup, barring the upset of all upsets, with top-seeded
Connecticut (33-0). The defending NCAA champion Huskies have won 72 games in a
row.
Asked if this would be a bad season to face UConn, Ryan said, "This year, last
year, what year does it matter? That's not something you need to fear. That's
something that you need to really take a hold of, relish it, and hopefully if
you get a chance to play UConn, you're the team that upsets them. It's been two
years since they've lost, so they're due."
In her 33 years in Charlottesville, Ryan has guided the 'Hoos to the NCAA
tournament 24 times. For UVa's all-time leading scorer, this will be her third
-- and final -- appearance in the NCAAs.
"It's do or die, it's all or nothing, this being my last tournament," said
Wright, a senior guard from Woodbridge.
"I just hope that we come together as a team at the right time and we peak at
the right time and we all realize what's at stake and we all just continue to
keep working hard throughout this week and get down to Iowa and make some noise
and get to the Sweet Sixteen and give UConn a run for its money and be the first
to knock them out."
For Immediate Release
March 17, 2010
Women's Lacrosse Contact: Amanda McClure
No. 6 Virginia Earns 14-7 Win at No. 18 William & Mary Season-high 10 Cavaliers
contribute to Virginia’s attack
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The No. 6 Virginia women’s lacrosse team used a four-goal
surge late in the opening half to take control of its contest against No. 18
William & Mary Wednesday evening at Albert-Daly Field, en route to a 14-7
victory over its in-state rival.
Virginia, facing its sixth nationally ranked team this season, had a season-high
10 Cavaliers record a point in the contest. Redshirt sophomore Ainsley Baker and
sophomore Charlie Finnigan each notched three goals to lead the way, while
senior All-American Kaitlin Duff, senior Caity Whiteley and sophomore Josie Owen
all tallied three points.
Owen had two goals with an assist, while Duff and Whiteley had one goal and two
assists.
Sophomore Julie Gardner added two scores, while senior All-American Brittany
Kalkstein and freshman Caroline McTiernan each chipped in one goal. Redshirt
senior Whitaker Hagerman and freshman Erin Laschinger rounded out the scoring
with an assist each.
William & Mary (3-3) got three goals from Grace Golden and 12 saves from Emily
Geary.
The Tribe was the first to amend the scoreboard, converting a free position shot
at the 28:50 mark, before Baker stuck an 8-meter shot into the top corner to get
Virginia on the board at 23:44. Kalkstein then mirrored the shot with a free
position goal of her own 36 seconds later, giving Virginia its first lead of the
game.
Baker tacked on her second score of the game at the 20:08 mark, converting
another free position shot.
Following almost 11 scoreless minutes and scrappy play in front of the
Cavaliers’ goal, the Tribe was able to find the back of the net for their second
score, with 9:14 remaining in the half.
Owen gave Virginia a three-goal advantage, 5-2, with back-to-back scores – the
first assisted by Whiteley at 6:23, the second from Duff at 3:03.
The Cavaliers then closed out the half scoring two goals - from Duff and
Finnigan - within 10 seconds of each other to give Virginia a 7-2 advantage at
the intermission.
Baker started the scoring for Virginia in the second half again, completing the
second hat trick of her career at 4:49. William & Mary tallied its first score
of the stanza at 19:52, before Finnigan converted a pass from Owen into a goal
at 18:45.
Junior Molly McClintic won the ensuing draw control. The defender then found
Duff who assisted Whiteley on the Cavaliers’ 10th goal of the game at 18:22.
William & Mary scored the next goal at 17:35, before Gardner sandwiched scores
around another from the Tribe. Gardner’s first goal was at 12:58, assisted by
Whiteley, with her second from Hagerman at 12:53, bringing the score to 12-5.
Finnigan then completed the third hat trick of her career at 6:51, before
McTiernan and Laschinger connected for their first collegiate points at 5:11.
Laschinger dished out her first assist to McTiernan – who recorded her first
goal of the season.
The Tribe closed out the contest, scoring two-unanswered goals, bringing the
final score to 14-7.
The Cavaliers played every player on their roster and were led defensively by
redshirt junior Lauren Benner in goal – who stopped a season-high 10 shots,
while only allowing five goals.
Kalkstein helped defensively, collecting a season-best five ground balls and six
caused turnovers. Sophomore Bailey Fogarty, Benner and Finnigan each had three
ground balls, while Gardner won a season-high three draw controls.
Virginia (5-2, 1-1 ACC) will face a quick turnaround, heading to No. 13
Princeton on Saturday for a noon contest.
No. 1 Virginia Baseball Earns 6-3 Win at James Madison
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 03/17/2010
HARRISONBURG, Va. - The top-ranked Virginia baseball team captured a 6-3 victory
over James Madison Wednesday night in front of a Dukes' home record crowd of
1,815 at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, Va.
Virginia's five pitchers limited James Madison to four hits. Virginia starting
pitcher Branden Kline (Fr., Frederick, Md.) worked into the sixth inning and
allowed just two hits and two runs (one earned). In all, Kline (1-0) pitched
five innings, walked three and struck out three as he notched his first college
win.
Neal Davis (Sr., Baltimore, Md.), Whit Mayberry (Fr., Alexandria, Va.) and Tyler
Wilson (Jr., Midlothian, Va.) provided the relief until Kevin Arico (Jr.,
Flemington, N.J.) shut the door in the ninth inning to earn his sixth save.
JMU starter Alex Valadja (0-2) tossed five innings, giving up two earned runs,
four hits and six walks while striking out four as he took the loss.
Kenny Swab (Jr., Kernersville, N.C.) homered and singled for the Cavaliers,
while Tyler Cannon (Sr., Pigeon Forge, Tenn.) and John Hicks (So., Sandy Hook,
Va.) also posted two hits for UVa.
Virginia (14-3) drew a season-high 12 walks. Leadoff hitter Phil Gosselin (Jr.,
West Chester, Pa.) had a bizarre stats line, going 0-for-0 in six at bats. He
earned five bases on balls and was hit by a pitch.
After a scoreless first inning in the first night game ever at JMU, Virginia
quickly scored a run in the second. Hicks hit the second pitch of the inning
into left-center field for a double and scored when John Barr (Jr., Ivyland,
Pa.) ripped the next pitch to right field for a single.
UVa took advantage of Valadja's wildness to score a run in the fourth inning.
Valadja walked the bases loaded, and Barr scored on a passed ball from catcher
Jake Lowery. Valadja again loaded the bases but struck out Dan Grovatt (Jr.,
Tabernacle, N.J.) on a 3-2 pitch to escape further damage.
James Madison (5-9) scored a run in the fifth. Matt Townsend walked with one out
and Brett Garner reached on an error. Trevor Knight then singled to right to
plate Townsend and move Garner to third. Kline got out of the jam by forcing
McKinnon Langston to foul out and Lowery to fly out to center.
The Cavaliers responded in the sixth when Swab led off and crushed a 2-0
fastball from reliever David Edwards over the fans seated on the hillside beyond
the left-center field fence. It marked Swab's first home run as a Cavalier.
In the bottom of the sixth, Johnny Bladel and Mike Fabiaschi drew consecutive
walks to start the inning, and Bladel moved to third on an errant throw to
second by Hicks as Fabiaschi walked. Mayberry came on and got Matt Browning to
hit a sacrifice fly and avoided further trouble by striking out David Herbek and
inducing a fly ball from Townsend.
UVa stretched its lead again with a run in the seventh, as Hicks walked to lead
off, moved to second on a wild pitch by James Weiner, advanced to third on a
Swab single and scored on a wild pitch by closer Kevin Munson. The Dukes again
cut a run from the lead in the seventh against Mayberry, as Garner led off with
a double and one out later scored on a double by Langston.
In the ninth, Barr drew a leadoff walk and moved to second when Swab was hit by
a pitch. Pinch hitter Keith Werman (So., Vienna, Va.) put down a good bunt, and
Lowery fielded the ball and fired it wildly to first and down the right-field
line, scoring Barr and moving the runners to second and third. After Gosselin
was intentionally walked, Cannon grounded into a fielder's choice, with Swab
thrown out at the plate. Grovatt then lifted a fly ball to left field for a
sacrifice fly to plate Werman and push the UVa lead to 6-3.
JMU put two runners on with two out in the ninth, but Arico got Lowery to fly
out to right to end the game.
Virginia returns to Davenport Field this weekend, as it plays host to Boston
College in a three-game ACC series. The teams will play at 6 p.m. Friday and 1
p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
No. 1 Cavaliers top Dukes
By JAY JENKINS
Published: March 17, 2010
Updated: March 18, 2010
» 0 Comments | Post a Comment
HARRISONBURG — It had all the makings of a memorable evening for all those
associated with the James Madison athletic department.
The first-ever usage of a sold-out sign in the ticket sales window at brand-new
Veterans Memorial Park relayed that message clearly.
There was one critical thing missing — an upset victory of the nation’s
top-ranked team.
Virginia collected eight hits and used 10 walks offensively and got enough out
of its bullpen to secure a 6-3 victory over the Dukes in the first of two
meetings between the teams this season.
With the win, UVa improved to 14-3 overall and remained perfect in mid-week
games.
“There was a great atmosphere here tonight and JMU played a great baseball
game,” Virginia coach Brian O’Connor said.
“Our players responded and we were good enough to get a great road win.”
The victory was certainly meaningful for rookie pitcher Branden Kline. Pushing
for a spot in the weekend rotation, the right-hander earned his first career win
on the mound, allowing just three hits and two runs (one earned) in five
innings.
“I thought Branden pitched an excellent game and it was great to see him work
deeper into a game than he has all year,” O’Connor said. “I would have liked to
have seen him complete the sixth inning, but he continues to get better every
time he goes out there.”
During portions of the game, Virginia clung to a one-run lead, but two runs in
the top-half of the ninth that were aided by a throwing error by JMU catcher
Jake Lowery on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Keith Werman.
“Those were big runs for us,” O’Connor said.
They also helped Virginia closer Kevin Arico record his sixth save despite
limited issues with his control early in the final inning.
James Madison, the preseason pick to win the CAA, dropped to 5-9 on the season
with the loss, something assisted by a plethora of injuries.
Virginia opened the game’s scoring in the second inning as John Hicks led off
with a double and scored on a single by left fielder John Barr.
The Cavaliers added another run in the fourth, something that the Dukes had to
be displeased with.
UVa registered four walks in the frame and scored only after Barr crossed the
plate with two outs on a passed ball allowed by Lowery.
The Dukes finally got to Kline in the fifth as former St. Anne’s-Belfield star
Trevor Knight pushed an opposite-field single into shallow right. JMU’s first
run, however, was aided by a one-out fielding error by third baseman Steven
Proscia.
With UVa leading 2-1 in the sixth, junior first baseman Kenny Swab crushed a 2-0
fastball offered by JMU reliever David Edwards over the fence in left field.
Swab’s first homer in a Virginia uniform was hit so far it cleared a second
fence beyond a standing-room only crowd.
“Kenny put a great swing on that ball,” said O’Connor, who donned a green hat,
as did his players. “I have talked a lot about how Kenny has great power and it
was showcased there.”
In the seventh, Virginia’s recent woes in the bullpen continued.
Rookie right-hander Whit Mayberry gave up a run after allowing two doubles, the
last of which was hit by McKinnon Langston on a 1-2, one-out offering. Mayberry
also allowed an inherited runner to score in the sixth inning after he relieved
Kline.
Virginia, 2-1 in league play, returns to action Friday as it opens a three-game
set against ACC foe Boston College (7-9) on Friday at 6 p.m.
James Madison opens a weekend series against Towson on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Jackson ready to shine
By JAY JENKINS
Published: March 17, 2010
In making his college decision, Rashawn Jackson leaned on Jason
Snelling.
In hoping that his football career extends past his time at Virginia, Jackson
did the same.
“J-Snell is a good friend of mine,” said Jackson, regarded as one of the top
fullbacks in the upcoming NFL draft. “He and I communicate regularly and he
helped with my decision to commit to UVa because we were so similar in style.”
Having watched Snelling excel at fullback and on special teams with the Atlanta
Falcons, Jackson remains hopeful that it could translate into a role with an
organization in the NFL.
He does so, however, with objectivity.
“It does gives me hope, but when you think about it, you can never use things
like that to go off of,” Jackson said. “He was told he would never make it and
he is obviously making it.
“I just take every day one day at a time. Every day is a day for me to get
better.”
Today, is a day for Jackson to make an impression on professional scouts — a
host of former Cavaliers will work out at the McCue Center at pro day.
In addition to Jackson, players that completed eligibility following last season
include tackle Will Barker, linebacker Denzel Burrell, linebacker Darren Childs,
nose tackle Nate Collins, cornerback Chris Cook, athlete Vic Hall, quarterback
Jameel Sewell, tailback Mikell Simpson and safety Brandon Woods. Maurice
Covington, Alex Field, Marques Hagans and Fontel Mines, former Cavs that have
since bounced around training camps and practice squads, will also work out.
The event is not nearly as important for Cook and Jackson — the duo were invited
to the NFL Combine last month.
Cook shined in the 40-yard dash,
turning in a 4.46, the second-best time among cornerbacks.
Jackson’s numbers were not as impressive among running backs, but most are
looked at solely as tailbacks. He had already shined at the Senior Bowl,
showcasing excellent pass-catching skills and blocking skills.
Those were two features that Jackson enhanced with mental exercise earlier this
year at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
“It gets you prepared for anything that comes your way, which enhances the
muscles in your eyes,” Jackson said. “It helps with peripheral vision.
“It is so important where you place your hands and you have to focus on the ball
and where it is coming to you super fast.”
Jackson, who raved about the experience, said when he arrived it hit him that he
had completed his collegiate career, one that involved several troubling moments
that he blamed on immaturity.
“I got into the weight room and said, ‘Man, this isn’t Charlottesville anymore.
This is Bradenton. What the hell am I doing here?’” he recounted. “Things were
really coming true.”
Jackson is rated by some scouts as the top fullback in the draft and could be
selected as high as the fourth round, something he never envisioned.
“Obviously early on in my career I made some mistakes that probably would
dictate that I didn’t,” he said. “I really didn’t imagine that I would be here
and be able to play in the NFL. It is every player’s dream, but realistically
the chances of making it to the league are zero to none.
“So I really never really focused on it, but I noticed after my junior year that
things were a bit more serious and my future was a bit more clear. I decided to
change my personality, change my perspective on how I carry myself and how I
prepare and just basically how I live my life.”
Learning what not to do played a major role in Jackson becoming a man, he said.
“Fortunately, those decisions I made after a few bumps in the road got me to
this point.”
Cavalier Women Head to NCAA Championships
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 03/17/2010
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Virginia women's swimming team, fresh off its third
consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference championship, heads to West Lafayette,
Ind., to compete this week at the 2010 NCAA Championships. The event, which
begins Thursday, is being held at the Boilermaker Aquatics Center on the campus
of Purdue University.
Fans can watch video streaming of the three-day event online for free at
NCAA.com.
Virginia, ranked No. 11 in the latest CSCAA top-25 poll, qualified a
school-record 16 swimmers, the most in school history and the third-most in the
country this season. Representing the Cavaliers will be seniors Mei Christensen,
Jenna Harris, Katherine McDonnell and Jen Narum; juniors Katya Bachrouche,
Claire Crippen, Hannah Davis, Amanda Faulkner, Kristen Moores, Anne Summer Myers
and Liz Shaw; sophomores Kelly Flynn and Lauren Smart; and freshman Meredith
Cavalier, Christine Olson and Lauren Perdue.
"The goal we set at the beginning of the year was to win the ACC, defend our
title, and go to NCAAs and improve and try to get a top-10 finish," Virginia
head coach Mark Bernardino said. "It is wonderful that we are sending so many
representatives to the meet and we have prepared well from ACCs until now. The
challenge in front of us is really as much of a mental challenge as it is
physical. They are going to see some of the greatest athletes in the world. How
well they handle the pressure and react to the environment of great swimmers
will ultimately determine how well they perform."
Seven members of the squad are making their first appearance at the national
meet: Bachrouche, Faulkner, Myers, Flynn, Cavalier, Olson and Perdue.
The 2010 event marks the 29th year Virginia has been represented at the NCAA
Championships, all under head coach Mark Bernardino. Members of past Cavalier
squads have scored points every year with the exception of the 1996
championships. UVa's highest finish at the NCAA meet was a seventh-place showing
in 1998.
Cara Lane is the only Virginia swimmer to win an individual national
championship, doing so in the 1500-yard freestyle in 2000 and again in the 1650
freestyle in 2001.
A year ago, Virginia placed 12th overall and all five relay teams picked up
All-America or honorable mention All-America honors. Christensen was an
All-American in the 100 back (fifth-place finish) and 200 back (sixth). Crippen
(400 IM) and Narum (1650 free) each picked up honorable mention honors a year
ago.
2010 Women's NCAA Championships
Schedule of Events
Thursday, March 18
200 Freestyle Relay
500 Freestyle
200 Individual Medley
50 Freestyle
400 Medley Relay
One-meter Diving
Friday, March 19
200 Medley Relay
400 Individual Medley
100 Butterfly
200 Freestyle
100 Breaststroke
100 Backstroke
800 Freestyle Relay
Three-meter Diving
Saturday, March 20
200 Backstroke
100 Freestyle
200 Breaststroke
200 Butterfly
400 Freestyle Relay
Platform Diving
1650 Freestyle