The MAC indoor track & field championships are at Lehigh University's Rauch Fieldhouse on Saturday, February 27. The doors open for the public at 9 AM with Pentathlon and field events starting at 10 AM. The DMR, kicking off running events, begins at 12:30 PM.

Messiah will be defending their men's and women's championships from 2009. 2009 individuals who are also trying to retain their championships:

Robert Innocent, Widener, 55m dash
Wyatt Eaton, Elizabethtown, 200m dash
Eric Reichert, Elizabethtown, mile run
Rich Greco, Elizabethtown, 5,000m run
James Green Widener, shot put
Zach Bleiler, Lebanon Valley, weight throw
Kristen Bates, Messiah, 55m hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump
Susan Bochnovich, Misericordia, 200m dash
Nikita Halteman, Widener, shot put
Briana Eshleman, Messiah, pentathlon

Competitors with NCAA qualifying marks:

Jose Santiago, DeSales, weight throw, "B" cut
Zach Bleiler, Lebanon Valley, weight throw, "B' cut
Eddy Palmer, Messiah, 800 m run, "B' cut
James Green, Widener, shot put, "B" cut
Kristen Bates, Messiah, "B" cuts - long jump, 55m hurdles, triple jump
Brooke McDonald, Widener, pole vault, "B" cut
Abby Schaffer, Widener, pole vault, "A" cut
Meghan Donovan, Delaware Valley, high jump, "B" cut

Relays with NCAA qualifying mark:

Messiah men's DMR, "B" cut
Messiah women's DMR, "B" cut


The Freedom Conference women's basketball championship pits DeSales (17-9, 11-3) at Manhattanville (19-7, 12-2) at 1 PM on 2/27. The two teams split during the regular season, DeSales winning at Manhattanville 53-52 and the Valiants winning in Center Valley 60-48. The Bulldogs, winners of 11 straight advance to the tournament final with a 75-51 win over Delaware Valley on Wednesday. DeSales is led by Lori Lidlow (17.9 ppg), Kelly Mcgrann (10.7 ppg), and Cherelle Simmons (8.4 rpg). Head Coach Fred Richter is in a familiar place as his team looks for a third straight Freedom championship. Manhattanville, under first year coach Lauren Thomer, returns to the Freedom championship game, but has the home court this year. They advance after a 62-49 win over Misericordia on Wednesday night. The Valiants have three players who lead the team statistiaclly - Simona Gordon (13.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Courtney Turner (11.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg), and Carol Ortiz (7 ppg, 4.9 rpg).

The Commonwealth Conference women's basketball tournament features two regular finalists, Lebanon Valley (23-3, 12-2) is in the championship game for the third straight year against perennial conference champion and national power Messiah (22-4, 11-3) in Annville at 1 PM. LVC advanced to the final by defeating Alvernia 70-59. The Dutchmen won both regular season games against Messiah by scores of 58-42 and 52-39. Three juniors control the tempo for LVC - Erin Schultz (13.8 ppg), Suzie Noyes (12.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and a team leading 31 blocks), and Andrea Hoover (11.5 ppg and 142 assists). LVC has been in the title game three times but have never won the championship. Mike Miller, in his 24th year as Messiah coach, has a young squad - 8 first year players, 3 sophomores, a junior, and one senior, Julie Henninger (13 ppg, 4.5 rpg). Dori Gyori, one of the many FY contribuotrs, is the other statisitcal leader (10.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg). They advance to the title game after handling Widener 85-70.

The Freedom Conference men's basketball tournament sends the #3 Misericordia Cougars (16-10, 9-5) to #1 DeSales (21-5, 13-1) for a 3 PM tip. The Bulldogs have been in fiveof the last seven title games, and last year enjoyed their greatest success by advancing to "elite 8" at F & M. Scott Coval, in his 17th season at DeSales, directed his team to the championship by defeating King's 82-69 on Wednesday. The Bulldogs success can be attributed to their All-American, Darnell Braswell (20.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg) and Brian Hunter (10.8 ppg, and a team leading 100 assists. DeSales swept the Cougars in the regular season 74-60 and 63-59. Trevor Woodruff's (six years at the Misericordia helm) squad advanced by winning at Eastern 80-65. Dom Del Prete (16.9 ppg) and Jeff Slanovec, a three-point threat with a 12.1 ppg.


The Commonwealth Conference men's basketball tournament features Albright (20-5, 10-4) at Lycoming (21-5, 10-4) at 3 PM on Saturday. The two teams split during the regular season as each won on the other teams court - Albright winning at Williamsport 84-80 and the Warriors prevailing 74-69 in Reading. Lyco advanced on Wednesday night by defeating Elizabethtown 90-81. As usual, three statistial leaders led the way - Eric Anthony (15.4 ppg), Will Kelly (15.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg), and Mike Bradley (11.2 ppg, 7 rpg). Lycoming coach Guy Rancourt is in his second year while Albright's Rick Ferry completes number nine with the Lions. Albright earned a ticket to championship by defeating Messiah at home 73-67. The Lions are led by Zac Schaeffer (18 ppg), Matt Ashcroft (14.9 ppg), and Derek Hall (7.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg).