SPORTS BRIEFS

Author: ZAMIR AHMED AND GEOFF HOMER

Secor, Weymouth snag POTW

Middlebury's Scott Secor '07 earned the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week award handed out on Sunday for his performance in the Panthers' first win of the year on Oct. 22. Not to be overlooked, Channing Weymouth '06 was also recognized by the NESCAC two weeks ago as the Player of the Week for field hockey as the Panthers knocked off two nationally-ranked opponents.

Secor recorded two interceptions on back-to-back drives to start the second half during the Panthers' 41-7 rout of Bates, returning the first 49 yards for a touchdown. The defensive back also racked up five tackles and a sack on the day for the Panthers, who will host undefeated Trinity on Oct. 29 at 12:30 p.m.

Weymouth tallied the Panthers' first goal during Middlebury's 3-2 win over 15th-ranked Williams on Oct. 15 and assisted on the game-winner in overtime, feeding Reid Berrien '08 for a one-timer into the bottom of the net. The Panthers, ranked 11th in the nation at the time, then upset top-ranked Ursinus on Oct. 16 with Weymouth leading the way by knocking home the game-winner in the second half. The Panthers' season finale will be on Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. against Trinity followed by the team's first-round NESCAC tournament game on Oct. 30.



Water Polo soaks competition

After a stellar start to the season, the Panther water polo team suffered its first defeat against nemesis Dartmouth College in an intense battle, losing 8-7. It was the only blemish on their record as the Panthers hosted their own invitational the weekend of Oct. 15-16.

Despite the tough loss to Dartmouth, the Panthers dominated their competition, crushing in-state rival University of Vermont 19-4, and cruising past Boston College and Bowdoin with relative ease, winning by a score of 15-6 and 14-3 respectively.

In preparation for next weekend's North Atlantic division championship, the Panthers scrimmaged against Williams College this weekend, helping them keep their focus for what will be a very important weekend. Because of their season-long domination of the pool, compiling a record of 7-1, the Panthers have received the number one seed in the Division Championship this weekend at Bowdoin College. With the top seed, the Panthers were fortunate to be placed in a different bracket as Dartmouth, and will face Bowdoin and Boston College on Saturday, with the championship to be played on Sunday.



Merrill rises to new position

Middlebury College has announced that Bryan Merrill will take over the position of Athletics Department Equipment Manager. Merrill takes over for Jerry Sodano who stepped down from the position earlier this year. He will be responsible for maintaining and distributing the equipment and uniforms for the varsity and junior varsity teams.