Friday - IIAC Play

Results here.

Michelle and Tai each advanced to the semi-finals of the A Flight singles draw.  To be played out tomorrow.  On separate halves of the draw (as the 1 and 2 seeds respectively).

Coe has 3 of the 4 finalists in the Flight A Doubles Draw!
Schupbach/Lucero
Hoffmann/Ohlman
Ferree/Birky
The latter two pairs will play eachother; after Sara aces her LSAT.

Elizabeth Hoffmann will represent Coe in the Flight B Singles semi-finals tomorrow.

Diannah Watson and Amy Sebastain are alive in Flight B Doubles, and will try to play their way into the semis Saturday morning!

A few more noteworthy pictures today:

Julia baked a red velvet / chocolate fudge layer cake.  Designed and decorated appropriately.  Not a SuperFood, but I ate some anyway.....and enjoyed!  Julia was surprised I called dibs on some of it; in my defense, don't recall eating lunch or dinner today.  From left to right:  Michelle (Iowa), Mark (Colorado), Julia (Colorado), Riley (Iowa),  Noah (Minnesota), Ryan (Kansas) and Zack (Minnesota).

A line quickly formed for the cake....once business was taken care of on court.

Tom Galbraith (middle) serves as Coe's tennis teaching professional throughout the Fall, Winter and Spring months.  Pictured here with his two sons, both Kohawks:  Reid (right), a senior soccer player and Riley (left), a first year tennis, and soccer player.  Not pictured, but certainly a recognized face, mother, Shelly.

Women - IIAC Individual Tournament

Coe is home to the IIAC Individual Tournament this weekend.  Play started this morning.

A link to the tournament website, draws, etc.
http://www.iowaconference.com/sports/2012/7/1/WTEN_1213IIACChampionship.aspx?id=735&

Coe players that are seeded:
A Flight Singles - Michelle Schupbach (1), Tai Lucero (2), Amy Sebastian (4)
A Flight Doubles - Schupbach/Lucero (1)
B Flight Singles - Elizabeth Hoffmann (2), Laura Birky (3)
B Flight Doubles - Tamara Washington/Shade Hannum (4), Diannah Watson/Amy Sebastian (6)

Jordan has a match under her belt; winning 6-2, 6-4.  Shade was defeated 8-2, as was Tamara 8-4.  Laura won her first match 8-1.  Diannah won her first match 8-3.  Live results at the link above throughout the day.

Pictures of the Week (more coming):

Upon Amy's approach to the courts this morning, "It's cold.  My phone said it's 34 degrees."

Shade at Vets Memorial Courts this morning.  Not to detract from Shade, but I am one to appreciate the trees, leaves, etc, or Fall in general.  Admit that it is a tad chilly.....Brad still in shorts despite!

Jordan serving.  Again, took the picture because liked the trees, Clark Field in the background, etc.  Sorry Jordan; nice form though.

From earlier in the week.....the Clay court at Elmcrest!  Thank you to Spencer and Phil for letting us use it!

Gifts to Emmie sent all the way from CO and Mrs. Beckley.  "Thank You."

2012 ITA Tournament

Last weekend the men’s team competed in one of the nine regional ITA tournaments held across the country for Division III. The tournament was held in St. Peter, Minnesota, home of Gustavus Adolphus College. On Thursday afternoon we loaded up the van, I had a cup of hot chocolate, and we set out on the four hour drive to St. Peter. Now, since I’m from Texas and had never been to Iowa a day in my life before I moved here, it may surprise you to learn this was actually my third trip to St. Peter. Most people are probably wondering why in the world I would go to St. Peter twice in my lifetime willingly. I didn't.  Back in 2008 my college team was sent to Minnesota for the regional round of the NCAA tournament. The same thing happened again in 2009.

If you have ever looked at a map it’s pretty clear Texas is not near Minnesota, which makes that a long way to go for the first rounds of the postseason. Let me explain.  Most teams that make the postseason, like Coe, drive to their sites. However, my school was one of three teams that always fly since they are so far away from any of the regional sites (the other two are Trinity University and Whitman College).

If you’re wondering how my team did, in 2008 we lost to Gustavus in the Sweet 16. Afterwards we went to Godfathers Pizza and ate our sorrows away.

Behind those fake smiles we really hate everyone

In 2009 we were ranked 16^th nationally and were supposed to give Gustavus a tough run for the regional winner. Unfortunately, we forgot we had to play other teams to get to the regional final and were upset in the round of 32...by Luther. To this day, when I get together with my old teammates that loss always comes up – you could say we’re still a little upset about it. Afterwards we went to Buffalo Wild Wings and ate our sorrows away. We had a few days in Minnesota before our flight back to Texas since we kind of expected to still be playing. Luckily, we spent those days in Minneapolis right next to the Mall of America. In hindsight, perhaps getting a hotel right next to the biggest shopping buffet in America was a bad choice. Turns out, the best thing for a dispirited group of males to do is probably not go to a gigantic mall. That one turned out well.

I'll take one of everything

These thoughts were rolling through my head as I returned to St. Peter. When we got to the courts Friday morning I noticed everything looked…the same. No big differences since I had been there a few years ago, and I could still remember many of the matches that we had played out there previously. I saw court one, where in 2008 our top player was beating the then number 2 ranked player in the country like a redheaded step child.

Incidentally, that was also the same court where I saw him play the worst match of his career and lose the next year (I still love you Dustin!).

Day one of the 2012 ITA regional tournament started out well and we had 8 of our 10 guys win their first round matches. But it’s an unfortunate fact of tournaments that the number of players must be cut in half with every round (statistically this really reduces the chances of getting 8 people into the finals). By the end of the day Noah was through to the Round of 16. The other guys played well but weren't able to get through. Ryan Hickman played a great match but got worn down and ran out of gas. Curtis Newman played well in singles but got worn down and ran out of gas. Riley Galbraith also played well and had chances to make the Round of 16 but got worn down and ran out of gas. Mike Janssen made the 3^rd round and lost to the number 1 seed; on Saturday he could barely move.

The men's team after Day 1

The next day Noah made it to the quarterfinals before falling. He played well but – you  guessed it – got a little worn down and ran out of gas. This tournament is basically a three day fitness test and anyone who wants to win it needs to be in great shape, get a fantastic draw, and probably have a medical team on standby that would make Lance Armstrong proud.

Now, there is one observation I would like to make about this weekend. Tennis matches are obviously emotional affairs. Also, it’s very tiring being out there all day whether you strike a ball or not. Couple these things with the fact that I like food like the Texas Rangers like choking away a division lead (zing) and you can have a problem on your hands. I ate no less than 7 pumpkin muffins in a 30 hour span and more sandwiches than I care to count. My prodigious output (or input depending on your view) over the weekend caused Curtis Newman’s dad to comment, and I quote, “Brad, you’re just an eating machine aren't you?”

Yes I am

I also must give some credit here to Yasushi Inoue who entered the consolation bracket on Saturday, ran the gauntlet of 6 matches, and came away the consolation winner. Playing so much tennis in such a short amount of time does have its drawbacks as I have already noted. For Yasushi, that means he cramped up like a tightly wound spring.  The trainers worked his cramps out for over 20 minutes so we could finally leave for the trip back home. Since Yasushi could barely walk and was obviously in pain I did my part to help him and took pictures of the occasion.

Noah did his part as well

I left St. Peter for the 3^rd time. Although it will be another semester before we play again, I’m excited about the work we have to do and how the team is coming together. If we continue to improve like we did in these past few weeks, then the spring should be very exciting.

2012 Iowa Conference Women's Tennis Title - Video

Video feed / interviews from this past Saturday when the women clinched their 2nd consecutive Team Conference Title:

Video

The questioning within largely relates to the change in format.  In prior years, there was a season ending Conference tournament (seeded based on regular season play).  As Tai alluded to, that essentially meant we "played Luther, then played Luther again, then again (in the Spring for the NCAA bid)."  This year, the Title was awarded based on regular season play.  Although not as dramatic on the day of clinching, certainly earned!

Pare Down

Last week was Power Down.  This week, Pare Down.

Our lives/minds are cluttered (at least mine is) because we are a society of excess.  Don't get me wrong; I love Sam's Club more than Brad likes the Noble, and Coach REI....likely not with regard to either, but exaggerating for effect.  Just as Brad has qualms with those that frequent the Noble, I am often depressed by the Sam's Club clientele.  Nonetheless, big fan of excess/economical buying for those products actually consumed in excess.....i.e. fruits and vegetables in my case.

And since on the topic, many of you learned of my vexation/disgust when Sam's Club changed their soft pretzel (one of my 12 weaknesses) supplier.  The Gods above (i.e. Sam Walton) listened; they have since changed again....not quite as good as the original (what is these days?), but a respectable 2nd.

Veering back on point here, I will start with a simple example:  t-shirts.  On a mission to de-clutter my house, I started with the closet.  Quickly rounded up over 70 t-shirts....know of more in the storage room and had a few in the laundry since was a week + behind on that front.  Thus, let's say an even 100 in stock.  3+ months or 1/4 year worth of t-shirts.  I could outfit a football team.....that being a junior high football team of course!

To make matters even worse, I rarely wear t-shirts these days.  Most of my wardrobe is dri-fit in nature....yes, there is a section of my closet dedicated to Under Armour clothing....and yes, setting foot in an Under Armour Outlet store is like the smell of fresh baked pumpkin muffins.....UNTIL one realizes that the pricing isn't "Outlet" to any degree.  Like the speed limit on Interstates, convinced that the company internal slogan/motto is "Minimum 40; the Idiots Will Buy Despite".  Myself being one of those idiots.

OK, quickly realized that I needed to come to terms and rid myself of part of the chaos; pare down.  Quick and dirty to start....out the door:

1.  10+ t-shirts not even my current size.

2.  Have played the Midlands (Iowa City) Tournament 10 (?) of the last 20 years.  Still trying to figure out when they acquired Budweiser as a sponsor:

3.  Had this t-shirt been dated 1977 or prior, the noted statement would mean that I'd played in the US Open.  Not the case; 30's National tournament instead.  The experience of playing on grass at WSTC was meaningful, but don't need a t-shirt to recall the experience itself, or parts of.....like being sent to the back courts (where the kids' camp was being held) when tried to check in at the tournament desk.

Due to an attachment of some sort, the following made the cut:

1.  The 12+ t-shirts with the #12 proudly displayed on the back.  Did let go of a few of these; was difficult though!

2.  Two t-shirts* I consider my own version of the "Frankie Says Relax" shirt as referenced in an episode of Friends.....dating myself here since I have come to realize many/most of the current college generation are AF....After Friends.    
*Both exceptions to Rule #1 above.

Yes, I was Jim McMahon for Halloween 5 years in a row....my best friend was a cheerleader.    Would often parade around the house/neighborhood with orange and navy wrist and headbands made of construction paper.

Given to me by my cousins/Aunt/Uncle, who actually attended the game.  Eric Davis was my favorite baseball player for years....five tool player with sheer speed (one of my own greatest assets and thus, respect for).  Not sure why else would have grown an affinity to this shirt, nor when/why it became my painting shirt, but it has been through 3 epoxied garage floors and MANY painted rooms.

3.  A Braves t-shirt that my Aunt (from Peachtree City, GA) painted.....designed after a t-shirt that sells at their stadium for $60.  Quickly realized that this t-shirt is not as accepted in Iowa, and find that strangely comical when wear it.....on the face (pun intended), is merely a large Native American head.  Emmie has a pink t-shirt with the same design and being a Braves fan herself, wears it often; I was asked for an explanation from her teacher.

Next project on tap.....towels!  Didn't realize I was secretly and slowly preparing for a flood.  Believe I'm on a 500 year floodplain so I'm going to pare down and take my chances.  Despite those chances being at great, certainly less than 500 year, risk of course:

June 13th, 2008:  First Avenue and Second Street in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Stephen Mally for The New York Times)

Kroll Report 4

Perhaps the most difficult challenge to conquer in college is time-management. I left high school confident in my ability to work diligently and to get my work done. But after 5 weeks of college, I understand that I have never been so wrong in my life. You should literally dedicate every waking moment that you aren't eating or in class or playing tennis of course, to studying and homework. It all sounds so easy in high school. I said things like, "I don't understand why college is so hard. You literally have all day to do your stuff." If I could go back in time I would slap myself for saying that.

The reason why dedicating so much time to studying is because high school never once demanded that much time. You went to class for 8 hours a day and maybe spent 2 hours doing homework. In college though, the time is literally flipped. I spend about three hours in class everyday, then try to do as much homework for the rest of the day. I don't go to bed until 1:30 am on a regular basis, which is nobodies fault but my own. I desperately need time management lessons from Amy, who I am told goes to bed before 10 pm every night. 

I have already recognized my time management problems. Next, I have to actually do something about solving these problems.

Every time I walk in to Armstrong I stop by at least 3 rooms on the second floor to check in with some of my friends. This often to leads to a combined thirty minutes of chatting. Thirty minutes wasted. Our talks often turn into complaining about how much work we have to do and how late we will be up doing. I can't help but laugh at the irony of our complaining.

The laundry room is on the opposite side of the hall as my dorm. I consistently walk back and fourth to check for open washers/dryers. The laundry system of Armstrong is cut-throat. There are 5 washers and 5 dyers for 5 floors of students. You better check up on your laundry often because people will take your stuff out of the washer when it is done and leave it on the table, wet. The time I spend patrolling the laundry room probably amounts to a good ten minutes, every time I go to my room.

Eating at the Caf is like a get-away from the hustle and bustle of college life. But not the kind of get-away like a vacation where you go and eat really good food. Sometimes I'll sit at the table for over half an hour after finishing my meal. I just sit there. Then I get ice cream. And then I sit there some more. If I went to Caf just to eat and then left promptly I would save a lot of time for studying.

Last week I took a completely unnecessary trip to Hyvee after lunch. Did I really need anything? Of course not. I bought a magazine. But, I guess since I accompanied Shade the trip could count for team bonding. We rented Coe bikes (which are one speed "beach-cruisers" according to Shade). Shade had quite the experience on those bikes. We rode through the grass of the New Apartment quad and she asked, "Is this what being in a gang is like?" I almost hit a fellow Coe student I was laughing so hard. Then on the way back, her seat broke. Had I not taken this trip I could have studied for about an hour and a half.

The point is I have realized that while a Coe education is about gaining knowledge from a number of different subjects, it is also about learning important things about yourself. I have learned that I am terrible at time-management and it's something I have to work on...

A quick word on Homecoming:

The football team absolutely dominated. The dance was hot and sweaty. A window was busted, and the floor of my hall is really sticky.

A quick look to the off-season:

Running with Ryan so Brad and the rest of the team doesn't call him fat anymore. C'mon guys, he's sensitive.

On Clay...

Beautiful days in Cedar Rapids Monday and Tuesday. Hopefully Wednesday as well! Anyway Coach Kris and I were able to "borrow" a clay-court from one of the local Country Clubs for a couple hours each day. I readily admit to a bias in favor of clay-court tennis. I taught on an all clay(Har-Tru for those surface sticklers) court club for 5 years. Indoor and outdoor clay. But I am a believer in the benefits of learning tennis on clay. And here's some of the reasons why.

1) Clay is a slow surface. Power is useful, but ranks far behind consistency, depth, and spin in importance. Hence consistency, depth, and spin are emphasized and developed.

2) Points must be constructed. Meaning a player must learn to "build" a point, to maneuver an opponent around the court. Especially when faced with an opponent who possesses a very high shot-tolerance(They won't miss!).

3) Clay is slippery. Which means you can have fun sliding(Noah!). As I noticed today, the loose grained surface makes balance an emphasis. For the better part of 30 minutes my balance was off, my shot quality was awful, and my self-tolerance was.....pretty darn poor. Recognition and focus on improving my balance yielded improvements in all facets of my game.

4) Because Clay is slow and power is negated somewhat, points tend to last longer. Long points require better concentration and conditioning. Better conditioning means improved confidence which yields better play which then produces better results. All of which is good.

5) Clay is nice to my knees, hips and ankles. Self-explanatory!

 6) Clay is also a fine surface for my favorite and best shot........the Drop Shot!

Here's hoping Wednesday is another beautiful day so I can spend my lunch break back on Clay!

Kohawk Tennis Nike Apparel For Sale

1.  Go to lidsteamsports.com

2.  Click on "Team Shop"

3.  Team code for form:  COECOLTENN

4.  Form open through October 15th.

Examples:

Weekend Re-Cap

Pictures tell a far better story than my words! Above, the 2012 Iowa Conference Women's Tennis Champions. Two wins, over Dubuque and Loras, and the Kohawks completed an undefeated 7-0 regular season slate in the Iowa Conference. Story below:

 http://www.iowaconference.com/news/2012/9/30/WTEN_0930125500.aspx






The Coe Men's Team competed in the annual ITA Regional in St Peter, Minnesota. Above you can see the Team pictured prior to play. The 10 Men who played represent the largest group ever entered by Coe. And more deserving players stayed in Cedar Rapids. Results were a mixed bag. The good was highlighted by Noah Sprinkel's quarterfinal singles appearance and quarterfinals in doubles, with Curtis Newman. The Team's overall performance gave indication that the Kohawks have the potential and talent to be a top tier squad in the Central Region. Now it is up to the Players and Coaches to make good on that potential.

 http://www.coeathletics.com/article/1228.php

New Faces of Kohawk Tennis - Ryan Hickman

Name: Ryan Hickman

Birth Date: 6/3/1993

Hometown: Hutchinson, Kansas

Favorite Tennis Player:  My favorite tennis player is Rafael Nadal.  We have the same birthday and we both play left-handed.  The main reason I like him so much is because of his work ethic.

Favorite non-tennis sport/hobby: Some other sports that I enjoy are basketball and baseball.  I have been playing them since I was very young and still enjoy them.  I will admit though that I am not that great at either one, but just enjoy playing them.

General Background: My parents are Bob and Geri Hickman.  My dad is a safety director who travels around and inspects grain elevators. My mom is nurse who works at our county Health Department. I have one older sister, Emily; she is a senior at Sterling College in Kansas and is a biology major.

Separates me from everyone else: What separates from everyone else is that I will work as hard as I need to no matter what.  If this means I need to miss a football game or basketball game then I will.  I am willing to do anything to get better and am willing to listen and get advice from anyone.