Army West Point Athletics
Monday, March 22 - A Cloudy Beginning
March 22, 2010 | General
Well, spring break is over, no more mid-week Code Blue's and it's cloudy outside Building 639 here at the U.S. Military Academy. Ryan Yanoshak with you this morning and guessing another 72-degree and sunny day is not in the cards.
Poor BB and Coach. They go to Florida and it's gorgeous here. They come back to West Point and it's overcast. Even BB tried to avoid a fine with a special Saturday entry. Judge says the rules are clear, blog on your day before 3 p.m. You can however earn credits for extra entries so he gets a 50% discount on his fine.
Springs sports are now in full swing and except for the gymnastics national championships being hosted here at Christl Arena, the winter sports are finished.
It's a bittersweet time. While I still have golf to work with - shameless plug, the golf team is competing today and tomorrow in Williamsburg, Va. - it's always a downer when the season ends. Sure, almost every team ends its season with a loss but I wasn't quite ready for hockey and wrestling seasons to be over. While I loved that I was able to watch all of the wrestling sessions from my couch and work in a few naps, it would have been nice to have been in Rochester, N.Y., for the Atlantic Hockey Association finals or in Omaha, Neb., watching our wrestlers chase All-America honors.
The hockey team saw its season end in the quarterfinal round to Air Force, after a great two-game series. While Army lost 3-0 and 4-2, it never seemed like the Black Knights were out of the game. Saturday's contest was tied at 2 until 90 seconds to play when the Falcons scored a power play goal and an empty net tally. While the final score wasn't what we all hoped for, it was one of the best games the team played all season.
In case you missed it, Air Force lost to Sacred Heart in the semifinals and then RIT beat Sacred Heart to win the tournament and the automatic bid. The Tigers got out of the semifinal round for the first time and drew Denver, the No. 2 national seed, in the NCAA Tournament. RIT and Denver will play Friday at 3 p.m. at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y.
The wrestling season ended this weekend as well. While Matt Kyler and Richard Starks represented Army quite well, both young men didn't earn a place, a disappointment for both I am guessing. Kyler won his first two matches at 149 pounds and then had to wrestle the third- and fourth-ranked wrestlers in the country. He took Kyle Ruschell of Wisconsin, ranked No. 4, to a second sudden victory but an escape and penalty point prevented Kyler from earning a medal. For what it's worth, No. 3 Kyle Terry beat Ruschell in the consolation finals.
I guess I am done with my post-winter whining now and it's time to look forward.
The golf team competes three times in March, including today's tournament so check back later this evening for results from the first 36 holes ... Don't forget Thursday's radio show that will focus on the spring football game. The food at the Hotel Thayer is always great and head coach Rich Ellerson will look at spring practice and Saturday's game. The radio show begins at 7 p.m. at the Thayer Hotel ... The annual Black-Gold game is Saturday at 1 p.m. at Michie Stadium. A mini Black Knights Alley, free admission to the game, a merchandise sale from the football equipment room and much more are all on tap ... Don't forget the auction site. Those awesome men's basketball retro-themed uniforms are on as well as some other great items.
For some of us, the real March Madness begins Friday when RIT and Denver open the 16-team NCAA Hockey Tournament.
Go Army!
