Francois Rioux: January 2009 Archives

FAU: Women Win IRCC Meet

By Francois Rioux on January 24, 2009 3:28 PM | 12 Comments | No TrackBacks
Press Release from FAU Media Relation:



FAU Swim and Dive Close Out Regular Season

Women Win IRCC Meet; Sun Belt Conference Championships in Three Weeks

 

            BOCA RATON, FL (January 24, 2009) - Competing for the last time before the Sun Belt Conference Meet, the Florida Atlantic University women's swim and dive team pulled off the victory over Indian River State College (IRCC) in Ft. Pierce. 

The women swept two events to ease a 203-92 win. Ewa Jamborska won the 100 yard breaststroke in 1:07.91 with Kalina Neal (1:09.02) and Whitney Roper (1:09.67) taking second and third place to complete the sweep. Jamborska later won the 200 yard breaststroke (2:26.09) with Roper and Neal in tow again.  Lindsey Alexander tallied two more wins for her senior season, the first in the 200 yard freestyle (1:54.06) followed by a victory in the 100 yard freestyle (52.69). Teammate Jennifer Forcht finished third in the 100 yard freestyle (53.56) and later won the 100 yard butterfly (58.24). Julie Carmigniani broke the one minute mark for the first time this season in the 100 yard backstroke, stopping the clock in second place with a time of 59.66. In the 400 yard IM both Nicole Samilo (1st, 4:36.07) and Jamborska (2nd, 4:36.77) took huge chunks of time off their seasonal best.

            The men scored 121.5 points to finish second to IRCC. Freshmen Mikolaj Czarnecki and Csaba Pek combined for four event wins. Czarnecki won the 200 yard freestyle (1:44.01) and the 100 yard butterfly (50.69). Pek tied for first in the 200 yard breaststroke (2:07.85) but comfortably won the 400 yard IM (4:04.30). Pek has won 19 races during freshman season.

            Both the men and women will have three weeks to tune-up before the Sun Belt Conference Meet in Nashville , Tennessee on February 19 through February the 21st. At the 2008 Sun Belt Championships last spring the women finished a close second to Western Kentucky while the men finished eighth.

 

-FAU-


Source:
FAU Media Relations
Matt Stull





It's a Wrap

By Francois Rioux on January 24, 2009 8:44 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
Wrapping up a few lose ends from Thursday's night game at "The Burrow".

With Mike Jarvis sitting at home serving a one game suspension, unless the Sun-Belt conference decides to add to the disciplinary measures taken by AD Craig Angelo's yesterday, his son Mike Jarvis Jr. will be at the helms for an afternoon's game in Jonesborro  today (Televised on CSS), against the Red Wolves.  The Owls should be in capable hands with Jarvis Jr., who did a great job keeping the troops battling in the second half of Thrusday's  night, with a huge surge that felt short of a comeback effort.


Video of Mike Jarvis Jr. in action





On another note, the Owls did have another guest visitor in the Burrow other then a former FAU dance team member, Mary Carey.  Sean Alarcon was in the house and I had a chance to talk with him and ask what he has been up to since graduation.  Here is what he had to say.






And that is a wrap for now.


Recruiting: A Diamond in the Rough

By Francois Rioux on January 23, 2009 1:01 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Tyrie Allen

Running Back, 5' 9" and 185lb - Western High School - Plantation, Florida


Tyrie Allen seems to be a very determined young man - one that will not shy away from working hard to achieve a goal of going to college.  After talking to Allen, it's clear that family and education played a big part in him making a commitment to play football at Florida Atlantic.

 

 "I really don't care where I go as long as I get a good education," he said.

 

Upon his recent visit on campus, Allen made a connection with the FAU coaches and players.  "It's a family oriented team. That's really a plus for me and is really what I want; a home away from home - a family away from my family."

 

Allen's high school team was loaded with youth and he was one of the few seniors on a team with a new head coach. Coach Rashad West was looking for leaders to step up and help with the transition, and Allen answered his call.

 

 "I was looking for someone to step into that [leadership] role. He naturally fit in and became an offensive leader and team leader," West said.

 

Allen took it upon himself to become the leader the team needed and helped the younger players grow, always making sure they worked hard.  

 

"This was my last season and I had to make sure everything was OK," Allen said, as if he was a big brother to his younger teammates.

 

At the beginning of the season, Allen knew he still had plenty of hard work ahead for himself if he wanted to be recruited to play college ball. "I knew I had to work for something and I had to prove something. That's what fueled me the most - the determination to prove to anybody what I could do."

 

Allen grew into the role of team captain and the "biggest offensive treat down the stretch," said West.

 

Allen's team was re-building and didn't always match-up with tough competition, but that didn't deter Allen from giving it his all. "He competed hard week in week out," said West.

 

With his verbal commitment to play at FAU, Allen is looking forward to his next set of challenges.  "[I'm] starting a new chapter now. I'm now at the bottom and have to work my way up to the top," Allen said. "I really like the program and I want to be part of building the program."

 

West is happy that Allen's determination paid off. "He worked very hard on a goal of playing college ball. He deserves it and he did all he could to put himself in this position and I'm glad he has the opportunity," said West.

 

And he concluded by saying this - something that FAU fans should be familiar with. "FAU found a diamond in the rough and found someone that will surprise some people once he gets there."

FAU Men: Two are undefeated in Singles

By Francois Rioux on January 23, 2009 11:20 AM | 2 Comments | No TrackBacks
Press release from FAU Media Relations:


FAU Men's Tennis Drops a Close One to UM

Two are undefeated in Singles

 

                BOCA RATON, FL (January 22, 2009) - Marc Abdelnour and Santiago Nieto remain perfect at 4-0 on the season despite Florida Atlantic University's men's tennis team dropping their second close match to a top 25 team. The Owls fell to the University of Miami, no. 17 nationally, 4-3 in Coral Gables.

                FAU clinched their first double points of the dual match season with victories at no. 1 and no. 3.

                The Owls then moved into singles play where three of the six matches were taken to three sets. The team's first singles point came at no. 6 with Neito's 6-4, 0-6, 6-2 victory over UM's JC Whitner. Neito's match pulled the Owls within one at 3-2. FAU then dropped no. 3 singles for the deciding point but Abdelnour finished his match at no. 1 singles 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 to tighten the final score.

                FAU will return to the courts for a 1 p.m. Saturday contest versus Rice University. The match will be played at Boca Raton's Patch Reef Park Tennis Center.

 

 

Florida Atlantic vs No. 17 Miami

1/22/2009 at Coral Gables, Fla.

 

#17 Miami 4, Florida Atlantic 3

 

Singles

1. Marc Abdelnour (FAU) def. Christian Blocker (UM) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1

2. David Simon (UM) def. Daniel Vardag (FAU) 6-2, 7-6

3. Ignacio Taboada (UM) def. Lawrence Harradine (FAU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

4. #96 Carl Sundberg (UM) def. Joshua Scholl (FAU) 6-1, 7-5

5. Keith Crowley (UM) def. Eddie Majcher (FAU) 6-3, 6-1

6. Santiago Nieto (FAU) def. JC Whitner (UM) 6-4, 0-6, 6-2

 

Doubles

1. Eddie Majcher / Marc Abdelnour (FAU) def. Keith Crowley / David Rosenfeld (UM) 9-7

2. Christian Blocker / David Simon (UM) def. Daniel Vardag / Joshua Scholl (FAU) 8-5

3. Lawrence Harradine / Santiago Nieto (FAU) def. Ignacio Taboada / Carl Sundberg (UM) 9-7

 

Match Notes:

Florida Atlantic 2-2

Miami 1-0; National ranking #17

Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (5,4,2,6,3,1)

 

-FAU-

 

 

 

Katrina McCormack

Assist. AD Media Relations

777 Glades Rd

Boca Raton, FL 33431

561-297-3163

Make it Three in a row

By Francois Rioux on January 22, 2009 5:41 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
The Lady Owls have found hard work and play to be paying off and have a nice little streak going.  Great job Ladies.


-----------------------------------------------------------                       

 

           

FAU Women Win Third Straight, 76-63

Bowe, Knurick Lead Owls over ULM

 

BOCA RATON, FL (January 17, 2009) - Brittany Bowe tied her career-high of 23 points and Jessica Knurick got her third double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds as Florida Atlantic University notched their third straight win, defeating ULM 76-63 at FAU Arena on Wednesday.

Both teams shot well in the first half. FAU made 15 of 32 shots from the field and got a career-high effort from Teri Stamps. She scored 11 first half points, however, the Owls had a tough time with Warhawk forward Sannisha Williams, who scored 12 points. Despite shooting 50 percent in the first half (13-26), ULM was down 38-36 at intermission.

ULM would fight their way into the lead in the second half. Sumar Leslie knocked down a three-pointer to give the Warhawks their biggest lead at 48-44 with 12:37 left. FAU responded with a 7-0 run to retake the lead. Three straight baskets by Knurick put FAU back on top at 50-48. The game would stay tight until the final minutes until, with 1:24 left and FAU leading 67-63, Bowe drove inside and hit a runner off glass to give the Owls a 69-63 lead. Bowe would score the final seven free points of the game on free-throws to seal the win.

"Jessica Knurick came of age tonight," said Head Coach Chancellor Dugan. "She and all our post players played well, and our guards played extremely well."

Williams led the Warhawks (11-8, 4-4 Sun Belt) with 21 points. Jesse Carrier scored 15 points. However, ULM got cold in the second half, only shooting 10-35 (28 percent) from the field. The Warhawks turned the ball over 19 times.

Four players scored double-digits for FAU (7-11, 4-4 SBC) led by Bowe's 23 points. Carla Stubbs scored 15 points and Stamps ended up with 13. FAU out rebounded ULM 42-39 and picked up 17 offensive boards.

The Owls go on the road to face Arkansas State on Sunday, January 25 at 1 p.m. The game will be televised on CSS (Channel 32 in the Palm Beach County Market, Channel 65 in the Miami/Dade County Market, and Channel 41 in Broward County). Live audio will also be provided beginning at 12:45 p.m. on www.fausports.com.

- FAU -


Source:
FAU Media Relations:
Steve Bishop
sbisho12@fau.edu












Power Cerge

By Francois Rioux on January 21, 2009 6:35 AM | 3 Comments | No TrackBacks
Cerge.jpg

Cerge Sincere is a player I always enjoy having a conversation with. I had a chance to talk with him after the basketball game against Florida International, the annual "Bury the Burrow in Red" game, and it seems like he has been busy keeping his dream alive of playing football after college.  


One of the most memorable talks I had with Cerge was on Bourbon Street in Dec., 2007 after the New Orleans Bowl victory. Cerge exemplifies the character of what a true ambassador of a growing program should be and the experience of watching the players and how they conducted themselves on Bourbon Street that night brought a great sense of pride in the program. These young men where representing their school and how they (the players) are true ambassadors for a growing program in a positive manner.


His hard work has paid off as he finds himself on a roster of a new development league, the United National Gridiron League, playing for the Ohio Bulldogs ( Team Ohio Roster).


He is joined by a few Sun-Belt conference members: LB Marcus Richardson (Troy)  and DT Marcus Pittman (Troy).


UNGL-logo.jpg

 


Here is an article on the new league: Story


The league kickoff date is set for a February 8, with training camp opening on January 23.

 




Sincere isn't the only ex-Owl on a UNGL roster. Former kicker/punter Mike Brown, who will be playing for Team Texas (Team Texas Roster), will also be teammates with former Sun-Belt members LB Keyonvis Bouie (FIU) and LB Romanique Lewis (Troy).


And former Linebacker Quentin Swain will be lining-up for Team Georgia (Team Georgia Roster), along with FB Keronna Henderson from North Texas.

 

With NFL Europe now defunct, it's not a surprise that another league found a way into existence. Hopefully, the league stays intact long enough to give guys like Sincere, Swain and Brown an opportunity to show off what they are capable of doing as they continue to pursue their dream of  playing in the NFL.


Relay Win Highlights Event

By Francois Rioux on January 19, 2009 5:25 PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks



Press Release FAU Media Relations:

 



Track Opens Indoor Season at Dempsey Indoor

Relay Win Highlights Event

                                                                                        

SEATTLE, WA (January 19, 2009) -  The Florida Atlantic University track and field team opened its 2009 campaign at the Dempsey Indoor Meet, hosted by the University of Washington.  

The 4x400 meter relay team of Kerry-Ann Stewart, Susan Chisholm, Toyria Mattear and Sylvia Semkowicz ran a time of 3:52.70, almost two seconds ahead of the second place team and nearly seven seconds in front of host Washington. In the 200 meters, Chisholm, Matter, Semkowicz and Jessica Smith all finished in under 26 seconds. Mattear, Stewart and Semkowicz also ran well in the 400 meters, running times under 57 seconds.

"It was a very promising start to the indoor season, and we hope to continue to improve as we get closer to conference championships," said associate head coach Owen McGregor, who handles the sprinters.

Patricia Gumbs set a personal records in the indoor 800, finishing in 2:16.99, good for 7th place, Toni Jackson finished in 2:24.68. Barbara Fronrath (10:48.27) and Katie Quick (11:14.80) ran quality races in their first 3,000 meter race of the season.

The FAU track team returns to action on January 29th when the take part in the Mountain T Invitational in Flagstaff, Arizona.

 

- FAU -



News Source:
FAU Media Relations
Justin Johnson

Six Individual Named with Highest Honors

By Francois Rioux on January 18, 2009 4:24 PM | 83 Comments | No TrackBacks
Press release from FAU media Relations:


 

FAU Football Hosts Annual Awards Banquet

Six Individuals Named with Highest Honors

 

BOCA RATON, FL (January 18, 2008) - Florida Atlantic University's football team hosted its eighth annual football awards banquet today at the Embassy Suites in Boca Raton, honoring the team's 2008 football season and Motor City Bowl victory. Football Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger also named six individuals with the team's highest honors.

FAU quarterback Rusty Smith led the list of honorees as the team's 2008 Most Valuable Player. Smith guided the Owls to a 7-6 record and capped a season ending 6-1 record with victories at the seventh annual Shula Bowl where he was named MVP, and the Motor City Bowl where the junior also earned MVP honors. On the season, the Jacksonville native was 254-435-14 for 3,224 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Senior running back Charles Pierre became the first Owl to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season using more than 70 yards in the Motor City Bowl to eclipse the mark. Pierre concludes his collegiate campaign as the all-time rusher with 3,069 yards and 23 touchdowns.  Pierre earned the team's 2008 Offensive MVP honor.

The team's 2008 Defensive Award was awarded to linebacker Frantz Joseph. Joseph used each of his three seasons at FAU to set goals and surpass his last accomplishment. He broke his 2007 mark with 154 tackles to set a new program single-season high total tackles mark. He also concluded his college career with the country's most tackles in 2008, and with 11.85 tackles per game which was second nationally.

Kick returner DiIvory Edgecomb continued to make his mark on Special Teams while also splitting time at running back with Pierre. Edgecomb led the squad for the second consecutive year with 626 kick-return yards, becoming the program's all-time leader. His longest return in 2008 was 41 yards while he averaged 20.9 yards per return. Edgecomb was awarded the team's 2008 Special Teams MVP honor.

Punter Keegan Peterson handled all 62 punts in 2008, and held an average of 38.3 yards per punt. The junior's longest punt was 55 yards. Opponents elected to return 22 of his punts, six were touchbacks and 20 were inside the 20-yard line. Peterson also managed to maintain his responsibility in the classroom, holding a 3.56 GPA in his major of management/small business with the hopes of going to dental school following his graduation. He received the 2008 Student-Athlete award.

Senior defensive lineman Michael Hancock became a consistent starter in 2008 after proving himself in 2007. Not resting on just that accomplishment, the former walk-on tight end finished second among linemen with 35 tackles, which included seven tackles for a loss of a team leading 33 yards. Hancock repeated as an award-winner after earning the Non-Scholarship MVP honoree in 2007, with the 2008 Most Improved MVP honor.

Fellow lineman Daniel Joseph earned the team's 2008 Non-Scholarship MVP award after using his sophomore campaign to become more instrumental to the team's defense. Daniels concluded the 2008 season with 34 tackles, 3.0 were for a loss and 2.5 were sacks for a loss of 11 yards.

The awards were concluded with the most coveted award, the "Ramon Rickards Bone Award." Linebacker Ted Czepiga took the honor that is bestowed upon the person who records the biggest hit. Czepiga earned most of his time on special teams, but will be remembered for his fumble causing hit in the 2008 Shula Bowl that allowed sophomore Austin Jensen to recover the fumble and set up a score to secure the 57-50 overtime victory over FIU. The win also evened FAU's record at 6-6 and helped make the Motor City Bowl opportunity become a reality. Czepiga, who recorded 19 tackles on the year, earned the award named after former defensive lineman Ramon Rickards who lost his life in a motorcycle accident in 2006. Rickards was a member of the inaugural FAU squad and played for the Owls first four seasons. Czepiga was also awarded the "Team Above Self Award," which is not an annual award but one given when a player has continuous place the betterment of the team above his personal self. During Czepiga's five year career the Connecticut native has had five knee surgeries during his collegiate career. This is just the second time in eight years the award has been given.

FAU will return to the practice field for spring drills in April and will kick-off the 2009 campaign against the University of Nebraska .

 

Annual Team Awards

Team MVP

Year       Player                                                   Pos.

2001       Jared Allen                                 Quarterback

2002       Chris Laskowski                           Linebacker

2003       Jared Allen                                 Quarterback

               Chris Laskowski                           Linebacker

2004       Jared Allen                                 Quarterback

2005       Shomari Earls                               Linebacker

2006       Aaron Sanchez                                 Fullback

2007       Rusty Smith                                Quarterback

2008       Rusty Smith                                Quarterback

 

Offensive MVP

Year       Player                                                   Pos.

2001       Doug Parker                             Running Back

2002       Jared Allen                                 Quarterback

2003       Anthony Crissinger-Hill                   Tight End

2004       Kevin Fischer                          Offensive Line

2005       Danny Embick                            Quarterback

2006       Charles Pierre                           Running Back

2007       Jarrid Smith                             Offensive Line

2008       Charles Pierre                           Running Back

 

Defensive MVP

Year       Player                                                    Pos

2001       Mauratae Johnson                                Safety

2002       Yrvens Guerrier                Defensive Lineman

2003       Yrvens Guerrier                Defensive Lineman

2004       Chris Laskowski                           Linebacker

2005       Shomari Earls                               Linebacker

2006       Kris Bartels                           Defensive Back

2007       Cergile Sincere                             Linebacker

2008       Frantz Joseph                               Linebacker

 

Student-Athlete of the Year

(Based on stewardship)

Year       Player                                                   Pos.

2001       Chris Laskowski                           Linebacker

2002       Chris McKinley                            Linebacker

2003       Chris McKinley                            Linebacker

2004       Chris Laskowski                           Linebacker

2005       Danny Embick                            Quarterback

2006       Robert St. Clair                       Defensive Line

2007       Zach Wichner                          Offensive Line

2008       Keegan Peterson                                 Punter

 

Most-Improved Award

Year       Player                                                   Pos.

2001       Dave Richards                   Offensive Lineman

2002       Teddy Strachan                 Defensive Lineman

2003       Johnnie Sloan                    Defensive Lineman

2004       Dewain Akerblom                    Long Snapper

2005       Robert St. Clair                 Defensive Lineman

2006       Rickey Bethel                        Defensive Back

2007       Cortez Gent                            Wide Receiver

2008       Michael Hancock              Defensive Lineman

 

Special Teams Award

Year       Player                                                   Pos.

2001       Nick Seta                                          Captain

2002       Matt Prudenti                           Holder/Return

2003       Tyrone Higgins             Punt Block/Right Side

2004       Mark Myers                                       Kicker

2005       Mike Brown                                        Punter

2006       Dewain Akerblom                    Long Snapper

2007       DiIvory Edgecomb                      Kick Return

2008       DiIvory Edgecomb                      Kick Return

 

Non-Scholarship MVP

Year       Player                                                   Pos.

2001       Coisge McCullough                              Safety

2002       Daveon Barron                         Running Back

2002       George Guffey                   Offensive Lineman

2003       Jerrell Terry                           Defensive Back

2004       Mike Brown                                        Punter

2005       John Rizzo                         Offensive Lineman

2006       Chad Wilkes                           Wide Receiver

2007       Michael Hancock              Defensive Lineman

2008       Daniel Joseph                    Defensive Lineman

 

Gridiron Club Award

Year       Player                                                   Pos.

2001       Ed Mathews                      Offensive Lineman

2002       Jordan Roberts                 Defensive Lineman

2003       Quentin Swain                              Linebacker

 

Bone  Award in Memory of Ramon Rickards

Year       Player                                                   Pos.

2004       Shomari Earls                               Linebacker

2005       Lawrence Gordon                       Cornerback

2006       Frantz Joseph                               Linebacker

2007       Frantz Joseph                               Linebacker

2008       Ted Czepiga                                 Linebacker

 

Team Above Self

Year       Player                                                    Pos

2003       Matt Prudenti                          Wide Receiver

 

 

-FAU-

 

 


Source:

FAU Media Relations

Katrina McCormick




 

 


Something new for "The Owls Nest" members

By Francois Rioux on January 17, 2009 6:22 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
Some of you have been faithful members from the very beginning when this web site started out as a message forum (only) set up by OG Owl and has now grown to be much more.

The  vision I have for this site started as far back as  '04-'05, early stages of this forum and when OG Owl was still around.  I remember the day I brought a few of my ideas to the table and the reaction I got from OG, "you have your work cut out for you".  So much truth in that statement. 

Part of that vision included, recruiting information.  This is something that has been in the works for a couple of years now & finally coming to fruition. 

Yesterday, marked the first step for the Owls Nest stepping in the play ground dominated by the big boys.  This will be a work in progress, but regardless it comes down to providing The Owl Nest members with reliable and accurate information.

Acting like a little kid yesterday, I found it hard to contain and withhold the information on our two latest verbals - RB Tyrie Allen and OL Chris Chappell, without much supporting information (with Owls Nest members doing some leg work of their own).

Further information on both players will soon follow and probably include something on the other recruits as the members of  The Owls Nest team continue to expand the coverage of FAU athletics.  Hopefully, by weekend ends, all information will be up on the main site with links to supporting information on each individual players. 

The Site itself is a work in progress, as we continue to grow the Owls Nest Team and continue to develop the site to provide the wealth of information fans seek.


Francois Rioux
President of Anthem Sports
"The Owls Nest" Team member








 

Reflecting moments

By Francois Rioux on January 11, 2009 12:32 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
I haven't blogged much as of late, but after yesterday's poor performance in the second half, I felt it was time for me to get back behind the keyboard and share a few thoughts on the team and season.

Here are a few words from Mike Jarvis describing why the Owls lost to Western Kentucky.




For reasons beyond Jarvis' control, the team has to deal with a lack of depth which seems to be impacting how the team is able to compete in the second half of most games.  "You do the best you can do" was Jarvis' response on having to work with a short bench.  And having to play with a small lineup has been more out of necessity until the Owls can get healthy again.

The season has not gone the way many fans would like, but it's not like Jarvis inherited a stacked team and it is becoming more apparent that this is a team in it's early stages of development.  Here are a few words from Jarvis on where the program is.



The season is long from being over and looks like it will be a long and painful road for the Owls, but once the team gets healthy again, good things will come.  Jarvis is always the optimist - looking for any positives signs.

Here are some finals thoughts on the season and where the focus seems to have shifted.



Hopefully, the Owls can find the light at the end of the tunnel soon as that important first conference victory still looms out there for the taken.


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