Women’s Hockey: Natalie Spooner Picks Up Second WCHA Rookie of the Week Award

Freshman forward scored three of Ohio State’s five goals last weekend at No. 5/6 St. Lawrence

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Natalie Spooner, a freshman forward on the Ohio State women’s hockey team, was selected WCHA Rookie of the Week, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association announced Wednesday. It is her second weekly award of the season and the fourth player of the week honor for a Buckeye this season.

Spooner scored three of Ohio State’s five goals against No. 5/6 St. Lawrence in a nonconference series last weekend in Canton, N.Y. The Scarborough, Ontario, native had a goal in the first game and added two in the second to extend her goal streak to three games and increase her team-leading goal total to 12.

Spooner has recorded a point in six of her last seven games and ranks second on the Buckeyes in scoring with 15 points. She has four multiple-goal games this season. In the NCAA, Spooner is tied for third with 1.00 goals per game and sixth in freshman scoring with 1.31 points per game.

The Buckeyes will be off this weekend while preparing for finals. Ohio State concludes 2008 with a WCHA series at Minnesota State, Dec. 12-13 in Mankato. While in Minnesota, the Buckeyes also will play the U.S. Women’s Select Team in an exhibition game, Dec. 14 in Blaine.

Courtesy Courtney Walerius
Assistant Director, Ohio State Athletics Communications

The Best Damn Band In the Land Gets Better

On any given Fall Saturday in Columbus 105,000 Buckeye faithful can be heard from miles around; their cheers echoing off the friendly confines of the Horseshoe. Even before the kick off fans are on their feet, filling the stadium with a rousing ovation for one of the greatest Ohio State traditions, The Ohio State Marching Band.

At a university so steeped in tradition and excellence the band has become the “Pride of the Buckeyes”. It has gained national and international acclaim through traditions like the Skull Session, Script Ohio, Dotting the ‘I’ and its continued innovation. These traditions have become synonymous with Ohio State but traditions do not become traditions with out being innovations first. “We walk a very fine line with innovation. We can’t go too far away from our traditional roots.” said Assistant Director Jonathan Waters, who is entering his seventh year with the band.

The band has focused on developing new ideas while not losing so much of what has made it such an important tradition. Can The Best Damn Band in the Land get any better? The Ohio State Marching Band has refocused much of its time and effort into the recruitment of new members, improving the tradition of performances through innovation, and using technology to enhance the quality of its members.

Coach Woody Hayes, who represents the essence of Ohio State Football, once said “you win with people.” This guiding principle has become the central philosophy of the marching band. “We have taken that Woody Hayes strategy and used it to get the best people that we can” said Waters. The band’s main recruiting tool has been the Buckeye Invitational, where 30 High School bands come together in a competition and at the end The Ohio State Marching Band performs for them live. Waters believes that the competition is what has really sparked more interest from prospective students. “Seeing the band in person at the Buckeye Invitational is our best way to bring in new students.” The band has tried a few other strategies as well to raise interest of incoming freshman. They have mailed out pamphlets and called prospective students recruiting them to participate in the band. Over the last 5 years the number of students trying out for the band has increased dramatically. “With the success of the recruitment strategies, (the tryout) is more competitive with better prepared and high quality students coming in,” said Waters.
The rise of the competition level has improved the quality of their performances on and off the field. The recent philosophy with the staff has improved their shows with tradition through innovation. Traditions like Hang on Sloopy and the Ramp Entrance, which has been used for 80 years, have gained the band much commendation. The band has brought back older traditions as well like “floating Ohio” from the 1940’s; A marching formation where “Ohio” seems to float right out of the end zone. Each performance is attended by a diverse audience and the band faces the significant challenge of appealing to a wide demographic. They have emphasized having balance between their compositions and marches, showcasing tradition with a touch of innovation.

Their Hollywood show that debuted at halftime during “The Game”, the 2006 edition of Ohio State vs. Michigan, was a break through performance incorporating special effects. The Hollywood show depicted the Titanic smoking and sinking into the ocean. On October 25th of this year during the Penn State Game they added fireworks to the performance. Mike Vasil, a third year trumpet player, has experienced many of these new techniques and the Penn State performance was an interesting show for him. “With the fireworks it was a surprise for all of us, we had not practice with them and we were not sure how bright or how loud or how many of them there were going to be so we just had to stick to the plan. It shocked us all.” The pyrotechnics, the incorporation of props and the use of new technology have all been major priorities in the bands attempt to improve its quality.

With a substantial donation from Joan Zieg Steinbrenner, wife of the infamous Owner of the Yankees George Steinbrenner, the OSU Marching Band has been able to make some significant improvements in its facilities and operations. They have added high definition cameras for the practice and game fields. As well as flat screen televisions inside the band room to help band members. “There has been a new focus on video recordings and it has given band members the opportunity to watch themselves and be able to make improvements” said Steve Cory, who in past years did Audio and Visual recordings for the band. Waters compares this new audio visual system to a “John Madden X’s and O’s system.” It gives the ability to freeze the shots and draw on the screen allowing the directors to focus in on formation mistakes and missed marching steps. “It helps tremendously when you are on the field you can only see so much from eye level but it gives you a better perspective on the larger scheme of things” said Vasil.

Another way the band has added new technology to improve the quality of the band is giving the members the ability to learn and practice music outside of the band room. “As soon as we get new music we make a recording of it, upload it online as an mp3 file, and band members can log on download it to their iPod” said Corey. Waters has really been impressed with this new technology. “Kids can walk to class and memorize music; it allows them to get more done with out spending late hours in the band room.” This new technology has allowed The Best Damn Band in the Land to get even better. Memorization and exposure to upcoming performances has become more accessible because of these new techniques. The band has been able to use these tools to eliminate inconsistencies, problem areas and put their best band out on the field.

The Best Damn Band in the Land, one of the most prestigious and traditions rich bands in the country has not allowed success to slow down their innovation and improvements. In the marching bands 130 year existence it has established a foothold in the modern marching band arena as the leader in innovation and tradition. Each year the band develops and utilizes new technology to recruit high quality members and improve the excellence of their performances. When asked what has been the most important change in the band, Waters said “It was taking that Woody Hayes motto of you win with people and we have used that keep making improvements in the band.”

Wrestling: No. 3 Buckeyes Compete in Las Vegas Invitational

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 3 Ohio State wrestling team will travel to Las Vegas for the 27th Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational Friday and Saturday. The event, featuring participants from 48 teams, will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

BUCKEYE SNAPSHOT
Ohio State is 2-0 during this early part of the 2008-09 season. The Buckeyes hosted the Buckeye Duals Nov. 16 in St. John Arena and defeated Notre Dame College, 34-6, and Cleveland State, 35-13.

The Buckeyes dropped only two matches for seven points the entire afternoon. Ohio State surrendered a total of 19 points on the day, with 12 given up because of OSU forfeits.

PERFECTION
Four Buckeyes in Reece Humphrey (133), Jason Johnstone (157), Colt Sponseller (165) and Cody Gardner (197) remain undefeated on the season. Humphrey, Big Ten Conference Wrestler of the Week Nov. 4, owns an 11-0 record. The junior from Indianapolis won titles at the Buffalo and Wolfpack Opens before going 2-0 at the Buckeye Duals.

Johnstone, a senior from Massillon, Ohio, is 12-0. Like Humphrey, Johnstone collected tournament wins in Buffalo and Raleigh, N.C., in addition to gathering two wins in the Buckeye Duals.

Glenmont, Ohio, native, Sponseller is 11-0 following crowns at the two early-season open tournaments. The sophomore then went 2-0 at the Buckeye Duals.

The freshman Gardner is off to a fast start with an 11-0 mark. He too won titles at the Buffalo and Wolfpack Opens before securing two wins in St. John Arena Nov. 16.
Note – Results from the 43rd Annual NWCA All-Star Classic Nov. 24 do not count toward overall records.

Courtesy Danielle Warner Ohio State Athletics Communications

Ohio State Knocks Off No. 21/22 Miami, 73-68, in Big Ten/ACC Challenge

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -Ohio State erased a 14-point second-half deficit Tuesday night, mounting the comeback after the ejection of Miami scoring leader Jack McClinton to beat the 21st-ranked Hurricanes 73-68.

Jon Diebler scored 20 points and Evan Turner had 19 for the Buckeyes (4-0), who won for only the second time in seven games in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Miami (4-2) fell to 0-3 in the series.

Miami led 36-21 late in the first half and 38-24 early in the second but sorely missed McClinton. The senior guard was ejected for a flagrant foul midway through the first half after he took a swipe with the palm of his hand at Ohio State's Anthony Crater, brushing his face.

The contact came almost immediately after Crater hit McClinton in the face while guarding him.

Crater fell briefly to his knees in pain but remained in the game. The officials consulted a TV replay, then ejected McClinton.

The Hurricanes were already without reserve guard Eddie Rios, suspended indefinitely Tuesday for a violation of team rules. With their backcourt depleted, Ohio State's full-court pressure began to take a toll in the second half.

Miami committed turnovers on five consecutive possessions, allowing the Buckeyes to run off 13 straight points - six by Evan Turner - to cut the deficit to 38-37.

The Hurricanes rebuilt the margin to eight points before Ohio State made another charge. Turner's layup with 7:28 left tied the game at 54, and the Buckeyes took their first lead on their next possession when Jeremie Simmons hit a 3-pointer, his first points of the night.

The Buckeyes stayed ahead the rest of the way. Diebler's sixth and final 3-pointer made it 66-61, and the Hurricanes committed their 18th and final turnover in their backcourt trailing 70-67 with 25 seconds left.

Simmons made both ends of a 1-and-1 with six seconds left to seal the victory.

Lance Hurdle scored 14 points to lead Miami, which shot only 39 percent. McClinton had 12, and Cyrus McGowan added 10 points and 12 rebounds.

McClinton made three early 3-pointers, while the Buckeyes missed seven of their first eight shots and committed five turnovers to fall behind 16-4 after 8 1/2 minutes. Ohio State shot 28 percent in the first half and trailed 36-22 at halftime.

Courtesy www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com

Carlson Nets CCHA Player of the Month Accolades

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dustin Carlson, a sophomore goalie for the Ohio State men’s hockey team, has been named the RBC Financial CCHA Player of the Month for November, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced Tuesday. During November, Carlson, from Forest Lake, Minn., posted a 6-1 record, with a 1.47 goals-against average, .954 save percentage and three shutouts.

In games Carlson started during November, Carlson was 6-1-0 with a 1.29 goals-against average and .961 save percentage. Overall on the month, he had a 1.47 gaa and .954 save percentage. After playing in relief in the team’s first game of the month, he started the remaining seven games. Carlson allowed 11 goals in the month, making 229 saves, with six goals coming on the power play.

Carlson’s three shutouts come over the span of five games. He made 21 saves to blank Michigan State Nov. 7, stopped all 32 shots he faced to top Robert Morris Nov. 14 and made 29 saves in a 2-0 win at Northern Michigan Nov. 22.

Carlson had four games with more than 30 saves, including a career-best 44 saves in a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Nebraska-Omaha Nov. 29, when he stopped the last 34 he faced (20 in the third period). He had 36 at Northern Michigan Nov. 21 in a 3-1 loss and 36 in a 4-3 victory over Nebraska-Omaha Nov. 28.

He was named the league goalie of the week after holding Michigan State to just one goal in a two-game series sweep Nov. 7-8 and he had his first-career assist vs. Michigan State Nov. 8.

Carlson’s goals-against average and save percentage were third in the league in the month although he played nearly twice the number of minutes of the Top 2 goalies. Nationally, his save percentage was third in November (behind the same CCHA goalies) and his goals-against average was seventh. Carlson’s season goals-against average dropped from 3.80 in his first game of the month to 2.23 to end the month. His save percentage improved from .863 to .928.

Courtesy Leann Parker
Associate Director
Ohio State Athletics Communications