So you’re a first-year, or maybe a little older, and you’re looking for something to do this weekend, eh?
Well, chances are there’s a party, somewhere on this campus, thrown by an athletic team. But aww shucks, those ones are exclusive. But aha! There’s a way in: Just read this article, and you’ll know all there is to know about the names and faces that will redefine the time between now and Christmas break.
Without further ado, Voice Sports proudly presents, for your education and enlightenment, The Elite Eight of Athletes to Watch until the ball drops on 2001:
Elena Elster: Elster, the princess of Kehoe, was the leading scorer on last season’s edition of the Field Hockey team. Her 48 points, off 21 goals and six assists, earned her a spot on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I Mid-Atlantic Regional All-American Second Team. Elster scored in 11 of 19 games, powering the Hoyas to a 8-0 start, and netted four game-winning goals. And by the way, last year … she was a first-year. After one year on the squad, she’s sixth all-time in goals scored.
Jess Herring: Herring doesn’t represent this list because she was a summer ‘01 roomie of Lenahan, a big favorite over at Voice Sports. Nay. She led the Field Hockey team to 13 wins, a single-season record, and posted a 1.132 goals against average, letting in only 20 goals all season. Only halfway done with her collegiate career, she’s already second all-time in career wins.
Matthew Craffey: Ah, the long Bergen Catholic tradition. Following in the footsteps of such Hoya gridiron luminaries as Jim Gallagher is Craffey, the team’s leading returning tackler, with 85 a season ago. A tri-captain, he has perhaps the most developed football instincts of anyone on the team. He nailed 12 tackles against Butler back in the deuce-triple-oh, and nailed six sacks on the year, tied for the team lead.
Sean Petersen: Two words are constantly used to describe the 2001 football Hoyas: “young talent.” Trust us; ask anyone. It’s ironic, then, that the man who may lead this rag-tag, young and talented bunch under center is the most veteran of them all. The 6-3, Eminem-rocking senior, who played in six games but only passed for 263 yards in backup duty to Dave Paulus, may once again win the starting QB job this spring. Keep an eye on this one; it’s “Simms vs. Applewhite” North.
Anna Kleinsorge: Harbin Seven represent. Da Bin alum Kleinsorge had her best season ever last year, nabbing a slot on All Big East Second Team. She came off the bench into the middle blocker role early in the season and never turned back, lighting up a team-high 90 blocks and killing 21 Boston College balls in October in a key game. She posted 124 kills with only 26 errors for a .422 average; with more time on the floor, she is truly one to watch.
Tim Hogan: Richmond represent. From the city that brought you the 2001 edition of Voice Sports comes another gem: Hogan, who as a sophomore rocked a 1.32 goals-against-average and two shutouts in only seven starts. With a little seasoning and a few more starts, can you say All Big East? Because, oh, I can … and I will. Look for it.
Kevin Braswell: Bras, as he is referred to around campus, scored 11.5 points for the Hoyas last season. However, in 2001-2, his role becomes vastly more interesting. With the transfer of Demetrius Hunter, Braswell will become the primary scoring threat out of the backcourt. Braswell has never averaged more than 13 points a game in a season, but he could become a near 20 ppg scorer this year, putting himself on the All-American, and more importantly, NBA Draft radars.
Mike Sweetney: “Sweetness,” as the editor of this section likes to refer to him, led the Hoyas at a 12.8 ppg clip last year. But let’s be honest. Even though Boumtje-Boumtje did go No. 50 overall to the Blazers in June, he’s no “Georgetown center.” The jury’s still out on Courtland Freeman and Wesley Wilson, but if they live up to their promise, they will provide a dominant center. And a dominant center means double teams in the post. Which means … more and more and more Sweetness, until the opposition has a cavity from all those sweets. Egad. That was horrible. But Sweetney, who refined his game over the summer with the USA team at the World Championships for Young Men, should be the primary low-post force, and in fact the driving force behind another Sweet 16 run for the Hoyas.
