Gabby Maulucci
Sports Editor
Alex Niemiec
Sophomore, Physical Education student, Alex Niemiec has been recognized for his outstanding performance at the men’s track and field Dartmouth Invitational. Niemiec recorded a pair of second-place finished in the 60-meter dash and the high jump. With a 60-meter dash time of 7.04 seconds, he won the event. At 5-foot-7, Niemiec earned second-place in the high jump after clearing 6feet, 6 inches.
Q. Do you think that your athletic successes on the Track and Field team will assist you in your future career as a Physical Education teacher? How so?
A. I believe that my athletic successes will help me later in life when I am a physical education teacher, however, I believe the leadership role I play on the team will help me more. The skills I’m learning in physical education help me greatly in being a better leader.
Q. As a sophomore with an already impressive track record (pun intended) do you feel any sort of pressure to continually rise to the expectations that you have set for yourself so early on?
A. I don’t feel any pressure to rise to any expectations. At the end of the day, if I feel like I put in my best effort, I’m satisfied.
Q. What is the biggest goal that you are working towards achieving this season?
A. My number one goal I’m working towards this season is staying healthy. I have a bad history with injuries so I am hoping to finish this season out as healthy as possible.
Abby Clark
Senior, Rehabilitation Studies student, Abigail Clark posted her career best score during the Springfield College women’s gymnastics meet against Yale University this past week. Clark placed first overall in the All-Around competition with a score of 37.850. She also scored a 9.600 on both beam and floor earning third place on each event.
Q. You not only captured first place, you also recorded a career-best score. What emotions were you experiencing upon receiving first-place?
A. I knew I was having a good meet, but i didn’t realize that it was my best until they announced the score during awards. I have been more consistent this season and to have everything start to come together, and be able to do it against an Ivy League school (Yale), is a great feeling!
Q. Do you feel any pressure to perform as a senior leader?
A. I have always felt pressure to perform because I always want to do well for the team, but as a senior, I feel the pressure in some different ways than I have before. I feel more pressure with setting good examples, always having a good attitude, and always working hard so the girls on the team can have a positive role model to look up to.
Q. Has it hit you yet that this will be your final year on a college team? What are your feelings?
A. People always ask me what it’s like to be almost done, but I try not to think of it that way. After 20 years of gymnastics, I don’t think it has really hit me that this is my last season, but I want to enjoy my senior year while I can and not worry about what it will be like to be done!