The Rattler November 9, 2011 v. 99 #5 - St. Mary's University

November 9, 2011 Sports The Rattler 16THEHOTSEATNot much of a surprise,a recent student poll showsthat an overwhelmingamount of our universityathletes say that listening tomusic keeps them focusedand helps them “get in thegame.”Studies have shownthat an athlete’s musicpreferences help the athletebecome more focused, lessstressed and more preparedfor their upcoming event orgame.“Music gets me pumpedup,” says freshmanmarketing major and golfplayer Bailey Ferguson.“Since a round of golf takesso long, it gets me focusedbefore I even get on thecourse, so I stay focusedthroughout the round.”“I listen to rap music,because the lyrics can bevery aggressive. It getsyou in a mood that has alot of intensity,” said thirdbaseman for the softballteam and junior English/communication arts majorDo you listen to music to prepare for games?Yes: 87%No: 13%www.stmurattlernews.comPregame music helps athletes focusBy Lane SwensonContributing WriterCompiled by Lane SwensonJared Gonzalez. Therhythm of the music helpsthe athletes fall into anaggressive mode so they candominate their competition.For basketball player andexercise and sports sciencemajor Amber Polvado, musichelps her focus. “I like rapsongs, like Lil Wayne andChris Brown, because themusic gets me in the rightmind for a big game.”A study conductedat Ohio State Universityhad nine men that rangedfrom ages 18 to 30 run ontreadmills for half an hourat a maximum capacityof 70 percent. They eachlistened to some upbeatrock music while they ranand then they ran days laterwithout the music. The menall agreed that after the runwhile listening to the music,they had exerted themselvesless, felt less stress and painand felt they were in a goodmindset.A significant amountof athletes listen to musicto get the right mood set.Whether it’s for a big game,a scrimmage or even justa practice, music can doextraordinary things andit’s obvious that music isjust another reason whyour athletes are alwaysprepared for their games.Top music genres tojumpstart any game1. Rap2. Hip Hop3.Dubstep4.Alternate5.TechnoGraphic / Illustration by Chrystalla GeorghiouMallory MoellerSenior, Outside HitterQUICK FACTS: Was the MVP of last year’sHeartland Confrence tournament that the Rattlerswon. Was injured twice this year, but stillmanaged to contribute, noteably with a big gameagainst Texas A&M International where she had14 kills.HOW HAS IT BEEN PLAYING BOTHVOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL?“I’ve played volleyball and basketball togethersince I was in middle school. I’d go straight fromvolleyball to basketball. Going into college wasa little different because college expects so muchmore out of you. The hours that you put in areway more.”HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURVOLLEYBALL SEASON?“It was not what I saw happening at all. I wasinjured for a lot of it, which was extremelydisappointing. I came back from an injury and Icould never really find my rhythm. When I finallystarted to find my rhythm, I got hurt again. So Iwas trying to find my rhythm again, and now theseason is over.”WHAT MEMORIES WILL YOU TAKE WITH YOU?“Just being with everybody. Making great friends,and on the court memories are just as importantas off the court memories.”DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR SENIOR CLASS LEFTA MARK HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY?“I think we did. I think we did a great job, andI hope that the entire incoming freshman andthe rest of the team know that they can carry iton. We did turn around the program last year,and I think we have the bar set real high.”Compiled by Joe RodriguezSPORTS COMMENTARYRangers gave Cardinals World SeriesBy Raymond TorresContributing WriterThe 2011 Major LeagueBaseball season ended witha number of historic games,including an 11 inning Game6 of the World Series. It wasin this game that the WorldSeries Championship wasnot won by the St. LouisCardinals, but rather givenaway by the Texas Rangers.While the Rangers hada more relaxing entranceinto post-season play,winning the AL West byten games over divisionrival Los Angeles Angels,the Cardinals finished theirseason with a 23-9 recordafter being 10.5 gamesbehind the San FranciscoGiants in the Wild Card race.Four of the wins came at theirlast bat, defining Tony LaRussa’s club’s character—they do not quit!After the first five gamesof the World Series, theRangers had the momentumentering Game 6 in St.Louis, having won the pasttwo games and leading theseries 3-2. After five innings,the Rangers maintained a4-3 lead. During the fifthinning, Washington replacedpitcher Colby Lewis withAlexi Ogando after a rareMichael Young fieldingerror that ruined a doubleplay opportunity. Lewis’relief was the first signon Washington’s suddenchange to a conservativestyle. The Cardinals werethen awarded a game-tyingrun in the sixth inning afterOgando walked the only twobatters he faced with thebases loaded. The Rangers’best players reboundedthough, as Adrian Beltreand Nelson Cruz hit backto-backsolo homeruns,giving the Rangers a 6-4lead. Ian Kinsler added anRBI to give the Rangers a7-4 lead entering the eighthinning. The Rangers weresix outs away from clinchingtheir first championship infranchise history with a threerun lead, but Washington’sconservative coaching styleprevented this.Washington replacedYoung at first base byMitchell Moreland, after theformer gold glove winnercommitted two errors forthe first time in his career. Atthe beginning of the game,Fox Sports mentioneda comparison betweenYoung and Yankees playerDerek Jeter. Sorry to spoilthe ending, but could youimagine the Rangers winningtheir first championship infranchise history withouttheir franchise player? TheRangers blew their tworun lead in the bottom ofthe ninth inning, and theircollapse continued into extrainnings.Josh Hamilton’s tworunhomerun in the top ofthe tenth inning gave theRangers a 9-7 lead, andcommentator Joe Buckreflected, “90 percent ofbaseball thought the gamewas over.” However, theCardinals’ perseveringattitude was shown, asLance Berkman hit a gametyingsingle after the Rangersintentionally walked AlbertPujols. In the bottom of the11th inning, David Freesewas the only St. Louisplayer to bat as his walk-offhomerun won the game forSt. Louis.St. Louis headed intogame 7 with all momentumbehind them. The Rangersscored two runs in the firstinning, only to allow theCardinals to score two runsof their own. The seriesconcluded with a 6-2 St.Louis victory in a game wherethe Rangers’ determinationwas not even comparable tothat of the Cardinals.Throughout the last twogames, when the Rangerswould give St. Louis a breathof air, the Cardinals wouldturn it into an oxygen tank.After two consecutive FallClassic losses, what is nextfor Nolan Ryan’s club? C.J.Wilson is the most covetedplayer on the free agentmarket, but is it a bad ideato let him go? The Cardinalsenter the offseason with their11th World Championship,but with Tony La Russa’sretirement, and thereestablished concern ofPujol’s future, the Cardinalscannot be at complete ease.But for now, they can takepride in the championshipthat was awarded to them.