SPORTS BRIEFS Gardner named nordic coach

Author: BY TOM McCANN & RYAN W. REESE, SPORTS EDITOR

Andrew Gardner has been named as the new head coach of Middlebury's men's and women's nordic ski teams, succeeding Terry Aldrich, who stepped down this past season after 31 years of service. Gardner arrives at Middlebury after being the head coach of the nordic ski program at Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) since 2000, and nordic program director since 2003. The beginning of the 2006-2007 nordic ski season next winter will mark the start of Gardner's reign, although he will officially join the staff this summer.

Along with his lead role in athletics at CRMS, Gardner was also very active in the English department. He taught a class in Western philosophy, and has also been very influential in arranging a number of international ventures for his skiers over the past six years. There can be little doubt that Gardner will be a fine addition to the Middlebury sports fraternity, and while the Panthers have lost the iconic figure of Aldrich, the nordic ski program will be in good hands.



Wood honored with POTW

When it came time to select this week's NESCAC Player of the Week in men's lacrosse, one can be sure that it did not take very long. Middlebury defender Gabe Wood '06 served up a NESCAC championship after collecting a loose ball, running through seven Wesleyan defenders and slotting home a goal. The remarkable thing is that he did all of this alone and in only 13 seconds. With the game tied at nine, Wood provided the heroics, the title and the opportunity to advance further in NCAA tournament play.

Through two games in the NESCAC tourney, against Tufts and Wesleyan respectively, Wood collected 12 ground balls and provided several key clearances as the Panthers progressed toward the conference crown. The senior from Tacoma, Wash. has been a rock in the defense throughout his outstanding Middlebury career and will look to lead the Panthers deeper towards the national title.

This week, Wood and the rest of the Middlebury squad will face Springfield College in NCAA tournament play. The game will be played on Middlebury's Youngman Field this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. One can be sure that Wood and the Panthers will be ready to face their perennial foes from down south.



Walker earns NESCAC award

Six goals and two assists in this weekend's NESCAC semi-final and final were enough to catapult Kim Walker '07 to NESCAC Player of the Week. The NESCAC title was the sixth straight conference triumph for the Panthers, who will look to ride the momentum of their 12-game win streak into their NCAA Regional game, to be held at Middlebury this weekend.

Walker illustrated her dominance with a commanding performance in the NESCAC semifinal, notching three goals and tallying two assists on the game. She then added three more goals the following day, leading the Panthers over Bowdoin 14-8 in the title game. Walker also claimed five draw controls, completing a wonderful weekend for the New Jersey Native.