Winter 2010 Newsletter
For: Alumni ‘C’ Club Members
From: Bill Huyck ‘53
Subject: ‘C’ Club Winter Newsletter
The best team result for Carleton this fall was that of women’s cross country. Unfortunately, it is also a team that is most easily neglected by the media! First of 12 in the MIAC! First of 26 in the NCAA Central region! Eleventh of 32 teams in the NCAA Division III Nationals (a division with approximately 420 women’s cross country programs)! Sophomore Simone Childs Walker (Seattle) and Senior Laura Roach (Lakeville, MN) were both NCAA Division III All Americans. All this was done in spite of some injuries and frequent illness for key athletes, and represents a significant coaching achievement by Coach Donna Ricks and Assistant Cassie Funke ’05.
Soccer teams also had a banner fall. The women, though 4th of 12 in the MIAC, came on to win the Conference play-off and advance to the NCAA tournament, where they drew perennial power Wheaton (Illinois) and lost in the first round.
The men won a third consecutive MIAC regular season championship, but then lost in the Conference play-off, denying them a post-season opportunity. Senior Robert Carlton (Madison, WI) was named MIAC Player of the Year.
Women’s golf was 5th of 10 in the MIAC (which plays its championships in the fall) and ranked 19th nationally in the GOLF WORLD unofficial poll of the NCAA Division III golf. This is an improving program, and can be expected to be competitive in the future, but the contrast in being 5th in one’s league and thought to be 19th nationally clearly points out the vulnerability of ranking systems to good press agentry! Carleton’s coach, Erica Sieger, also works in The New Bureau!
Also rans: Men’s cross country was 6th of 11 in the MIAC. Volleyball, Men’s Golf, and Football were all 9th in the league. Carleton volleyball Senior Laura Barsness (Lakeville, MN) was named MIAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Football, which was in hot contention for the 2008 conference championship, suffered this year in not having senior experience and leadership. The present coach, Kurt Ramler, was hired too late in 2006 to recruit a freshman class, leaving Carleton with only 5 seniors on the roster, 2 of whom were regulars. The inevitable came about: 1 win (over St. Olaf) and 8 losses in Conference play.
How did Carleton do in MIAC All-Sports competition? Women are 4th of 12 and men are 6th of 11. Combining men’s and women’s points, Carleton is in 3rd behind only St. Thomas and St. Olaf (and is the beneficiary of St. John’s and St. Ben’s NOT having their points combined). Once again, Carleton’s balanced program stacks up respectably in tough competition.
As winter sports have begun, the swimming teams look good (what’s new?), and women’s track should be competitive. The jury is soon to make a judgment on 2010 basketball.
Thanks for your interest!
For more information on Carleton Athletics, visit the Carleton Varsity Athletics Homepage.