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COLBY COLLEGE ATHLETICS

September 9, 2010

Smith a 2-sport threat at Colby

By Travis Lazarczyk tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

WATERVILLE -- Harry Smith is a scratch golfer, but when it comes to tournament play, he still thinks of himself as a novice.

Men’s soccer
Coach: Mark Serdjenian
Last season: 5-8-2
Players to watch: F Nate Seiberling (Sr.), D Ben Desmond (Sr.), FB/M Nick Aubin (So.), M/F Andrew Meisel (So.).
Outlook: Seiberling and Aubin each scored three goals last season, and are the top returning scorers. Desmond anchors the back line. Neither John Gardner nor Ben Joslin, both junior goal keepers, saw any time in net last season.
Women’s soccer
Coach: Jennifer Holsten
Last season: 6-8-1
Players to watch: D Su-Lin Del Guerico (Sr.), M Mari Crommett (Sr.), GK Loni Pisani (Sr.), F Nikki Pickering (Jr.)
Outlook: The Mules return the top five scorers from last season: Pickering, Katie Palano, Kate Pistel, Leah Turino and Samantha Merriweather. Pisani had seven shutouts last season and an .850 save percentage.
Field hockey
Coach: Amy Bernatchez
Last season: 6-8
Players to watch: M Meryl Poulin (Sr.), GK Liz Fontaine (Sr.), F Heather Quadir (Sr.), B/S Hali Castleman (Sr.) F Courtney Erskine (So.)
Outlook: Despite missing four games with an injury Quadir led the Mules with nine goals last season, while Erskine added four.  Fontaine is back in goal after sporting a 2.83 goals against average last season.
Women’s cross country
Coach: Deb Aitken
Last season: 7th out of 47 teams at NCAA New England regional qualifier.
Runners to watch: Emma Linhard (Sr.), Debbie Merzbach (Sr.), Greta Wells (Sr.), Nora McCall (Sr.), Layne Schwab (So.), Berol Dewdney (So.)
Outlook: Linhard placed second at the Maine state meet last season, while Wells placed third. Schwab and Dewdney hope to build off last year’s strong debuts.
Men’s cross country
Coach: Jared Beers
Last season: 25th of 48 teams at NCAA New England regional qualifier.
Players to watch: Andy Maguire (Sr.)
Outlook: Maguire is the top returning runner from last season. The Mules hope for more improvement at the state meet.
Golf
Coach: Jim Tortorella
Last season: 6th place at conference qualifier.
Players to watch: Harry Smith (Jr.), Tripp Huber (So.), Tom Lampert (Jr.), Taggie Martin (So.)
Outlook: Smith, an all-conference selection last season, leads what could be the most talented Colby golf team in a decade. The Mules open the season at Waterville Country Club this weekend.
Women’s volleybal
Coach: Candace Parent
Last season: 10-18
Players to watch: Clare Reich (Sr.), Heather Arvidson (Sr.), Caitlin Burchill (Jr.)
Outlook: The Mules return a few key starters, including Reich, who led the team with 373 defensive digs last season. Arvidson had 197 kills last season, while Burchill had 182.

"I don't feel like I play competitively. I never played in junior tournaments," Smith said. "I just liked playing with my friends."

A Colby College junior, Smith returns as the top player on the Mules' golf team. Smith placed 10th at the New England Small College Athletic Conference championships last year to earn all-conference honors. Also the No. 1 player on Colby's squash team, Smith was named all-NESCAC in that sport, too.

Smith and the Mules host a pair of tournaments at the Waterville Country Club this weekend. On Saturday, the Mules host the Colby Invitational. On Sunday, it's the Colby Classic. With other strong golfers back, including Tripp Huber, Tom Lampert and Taggie Martin, Smith thinks the Mules can improve on last season's sixth place finish (out of 11 teams) at the NESCAC qualifier.

Colby had its first practice Tuesday and played the front nine at the Waterville Country Club.

"I don't think any of us shot over 40," Smith said. "We have a strong team this year. So if a bunch of people show up to play, any weekend we can win a tournament."

Smith chose not to play golf his freshman year.

"I kind of took my freshman year to get my bearings," he said.

When he joined the team last season, Smith immediately became a contributor. Smith shot a two-round 164 to help the Mules finish fourth in the state championships at Natanis in Vassalboro. At the NESCAC championship, Smith shot a 74 on the first day. He followed that with a 76 on the second day to lead the Mules to their sixth-place finish and earn all-conference status.

"It's nice to be recognized for playing well," Smith, an Economics major and Art History minor, said.

Smith said he feels like his whole game has improved. He's hitting his drives straight, and that's helped his approach shots. His short game, Smith said, has really come around this summer.

"My putting got so much better, and I don't even know why," Smith said. "I guess I found some rhythm."

Smith picked up his first golf club at around age 6, and began playing squash not much later. His sister, Samantha, also played squash at Colby. Both Smith siblings went 2-2 at the National Individual Squash Championships last year.

His sports are similar in one important way, Smith said.

"You have to be even-keeled," Smith said. "It's a more mental battle than anything."

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

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