Athletes Compete in the Classroom
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September 19, 2013 SPORTS Graphic B8 Veronica Johnson/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER CONTINUED SUCCESS — Pepperdine Waves sports teams work hard in study hall, on the courts and in the classroom. Waves athletes congregate at study hall in the evenings at Firestone Fieldhouse in addition to daily practices for most of the teams; men’s tennis practices 20 hours a week in addition to 5 hours of study hall while balacing that with busy travel commitments. Athletes compete in the classroom By WEN CHEN From coaches to staff mem- Athletes face the struggle not in their situation. For ex- guys how to stand on their attitude, maintaining balance Assistant Sports Editor bers to academic services, ev- of maintaining the precarious ample, coaches enforce every- own two feet. “There’s some and helping his athletes accom- ery section does its part. Aca- balance between school, sports thing from strict dietary rules things more important than plish as much as they can with- The term “all in a day’s work” demic services is the division and a social life. Freshmen on to academic and athletic stan- volleyball, but at the same time in their four years at Seaver has a weightier connotation of athletics that is specifically the men’s tennis team, Stefan dards. it’s being ready to go when it’s College. for the Waves student-athletes responsible for overseeing the Menichella and Alex Giannini, The NCAA enforces aca- the time to go,” Dunphy said. In the past seven seasons, than many of us may realize. academic progress of student offered a perspective on adapt- demic eligibility standards of a “If you’re at the arena and the the cross country team has had The pressures of the job is two- athletes to ensure they have the ing to life at Pepperdine as stu- 2.3 core-course GPA for fresh- whistle blows, it’s time to go, 36 WCC All-Academic hon- fold — to balance scholastic as If you’re at the arena and the men, but Pepperdine coaches whether it’s in academics, faith orees and 133 WCC Commis- well as athletic achievement. step it up a notch. or volleyball … the better ath- sioner’s Honor Roll recipients Pepperdine’s own athletes have whistle blows, it’s time to go, “[Coach Steinberg] says it’s letes do well in all parts of their (an average of 19 per season). seen considerable success; the whether it’s in academics, faith a disgrace if we don’t get above d ay.” “Our cross country and latest statistics released by the or volleyball. The better athletes a 2.5,” Giannini said. Other teams that have seen track teams focus on devel- NCAA Graduation Success do well in all parts of their day. Steinberg is not only the academic and athletic success oping students consistent Rate report in October 2012 one with high standards for his are women’s swim and track. with Pepperdine’s mission — ranked Pepperdine University - MEN’S VOLLEYBALL team. Men’s volleyball Head Women’s swimming and div- strengthening them for lives as No. 1 in Southern California. Coach Marv Dunphy sai aca- ing landed All-Academic Team of purpose, service and lead- According to Director of HEAD COACH MARV DUNPHY demics are something he heav- honors by the College Swim- ership,” coach Robert Radnoti Athletics Steve Potts, the im- ily emphasizes. The NCAA ming Coaches Association of said. “Our student-athletes are petus of such success starts as best support possible. dent-athletes. awarded men’s volleyball with America and had the highest exactly that: students first. I am early as recruiting. Potts emphasized the key Their lives include long the public recognition award GPA of their conference last very proud of our accomplish- In the recruitment process, role that the faculty play in practice hours in addition to five times in recent years. The year. The team has had the top ments. One of our goals this Pepperdine holds itself to high their commitment to good re- class time and study hall hours. award is given to school sports scholar-athlete at Pepperdine season is for every member of academic and athletic stan- lationships with students. He They also face the challenge of teams that fall in the top 10 and in the nation for the past our WCC team to make the dards and examines personal said it’s one of the “greatest adjusting to an intense level of percent in terms of Academic three years. Head Coach Nick All-Academic Team. I think we performance and motivation assets” at Pepperdine, and it academics and athletics. They Progress Rates, nationally. Rodionoff emphasized the im- can do it.” to identify student athletes who affords students the “best aca- said it requires sacrifices that According to Dunphy, the portance of time management, can be successful. demic support possible.” may not be obvious to those importance is in teaching his staying healthy, having a great g [email protected] Rolling Waves hope rebound continues with Tide ry over Pepperdine. offense. For Pepperdine, the er brings to be a more effective By Melissa Hurtado Against Southern Califor- Manziel-esque problems came t e am .” Sports Assistant nia, in the 94th minute, junior in the form of the Aztecs wom- That was clear when fresh- Although they compete in Lynn Williams took care of that en’s soccer team, who handed man Meagan Harribson assist- different sports and in different losing streak. the Waves an unsatisfying 1-0 ed Williams, a 2013 All-Amer- parts of the United States, the After receiving the ball in loss last year. ican candidate, with the first University of Alabama football Pepperdine’s defensive third, On Sept. 14 and 15 re- goal against San Diego. Further program and the Pepperdine Williams took off, ran down spectively, Texas and San Di- proof of effective teamwork women’s soccer team share the sideline and succeeded in ego came up short. Alabama was how the defense backed something in common: they scoring. That sealed freshman was able to hold on for the Seabert’s third shutout of the both head into this weekend goalkeeper Hannah Seabert’s 49-42 victory, and Pepper- season. All through the eve- with a shot at their third con- shutout to cap the historic dine blanked SDSU in a 2-0 ning, she ate grass in defending secutive win of the season. victory. It was the first regular non-conference win. her post, just as she had done While U of A (2-0) is also season contest between the two All-American senior Mi- against the Trojans, when her attempting to win a third na- teams since 1998. chelle Pao fed junior Lynn shutout carried into overtime. tional title by season’s end, “[USC] is a very good soc- Williams a breakaway en-route Be it Football or Futbol, the women’s soccer team (4- cer team...the response [against toward the team’s second goal exciting games are guaranteed 2-1) heads into Friday’s game the Trojans] was a beautiful of the night. That assist, 16th in to unfold this weekend. The against UCLA with a slightly thing,” said Head Coach Tim Pao’s collegiate career, lands her Crimson Tide will continue different opportunity. Ward in a statement to Pepper- a share of ninth place on the its quest for a third National What’s at stake is not a na- dine Athletics. soccer program’s all-time list. title while the Waves wom- tional championship but a Manziel-esque problems, However, for Pao the indi- en’s soccer team faces UCLA chance to re-join Notre Dame however, were on the horizon. vidual feats do not overshadow with hopes of notching a third and Duke as a SoccerTimes. The three-peat attempting the greater team aspect of the straight victory. com Top-25 ranked women’s programs — U of A football game. Pepperdine hosts the Bruins collegiate soccer team. and Pepperdine women’s soc- She wrote to the Graphic: tomorrow at 3 p.m. The Waves fell in the rank- cer — had difficult tasks ahead “[K]nowing Williams’ strength Roll Waves. ings during their Midwest road of them. on the field....allows for effec- Marisa Padilla/ PHOTO EDITOR trip, suffering a 2-0 defeat at the The Crimson Tide had to tive teamwork. We take pride BATTLE WOUNDS — Junior Lynn Williams is pictured above in a hands of Michigan on Sept. 6. deal with Texas A&M’s Johnny in building connections with collision with an SDSU goalie and defender. Williams offensively Three days later, Toledo added Manziel and fend off the 2012 our teammates and the differ- led the way toward the team’s victories against USC and SDSU. to the setback with a 3-2 victo- Heisman Trophy Winner’s ent styles of play that each play- g [email protected] West Coast Conference Standings and Outstanding Waves Women’s Volleyball Standings: Women’s Soccer Standings: 1. San Diego WCC chart-topping Waves- 1. Portland WCC chart-topping Waves- 2. Pepperdine 2. BYU 3. Brigham Young Samantha Cash: 2nd in blocks and 3. San Francisco Lynn Williams: 1st in points overall, 3rd in hitting percentage 4. Santa Clara points per game, goals overall, goals 4. Pacific Becca Strehlow: 2nd in assists pre game, game winning goals 5. Saint Mary’s Katie Messing: 4th in kills 5. Pepperdine Hannah Seabert: 1st in save percent- age, saves, saves per game.; 2nd in shutouts; 4th in shutouts per game.