Adam Witek, senior infielder, has played baseball for 16 years, but the 2009 season will be his last with the Texas State baseball team.

Coach Ty Harrington said the team will lose a disciplined worker who does well in life and baseball.

“He’s not like people in the Nike commercials. They only work hard when lots of people are watching,” Harrington said.

Performance on the field is important for Harrington. However, he prefers players to give an extra effort in academics. Witek is not the exception.

The nationwide economic situation may have affected the turnout of the Yorick Open.

However, it did not affect the quality of the fencing tournament.

More than 60 fencers from Texas gathered at Strahan Coliseum to duel.

It is the 34th annual tournament, the second oldest tournament in the state only to the Longhorn Open.

Kevin Beahan, Texas State fencing club president, said the turnout was less than last year.

The Texas State triathlon club survived and placed 42nd in the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship.

The women’s team did not receive a final ranking because three members completed the course and only the four fastest times were recorded.

John Soltau, communication studies graduate student, said competitors showed character and pride in representing Texas State.

The Texas State women’s water polo club could not stay afloat Saturday and Sunday in the Collegiate Water Polo Association state tournament at the Aqua Sports Center.

The competition served as placement for the clubs competing in the Women’s Texas Division, which include Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Rice, Trinity and Baylor.

The Bobcats lost to Texas Tech 12-1, Texas 15-2 and A&M 12-4. Texas State won from Baylor’s forfeit and moved from fourth to third place.

Some people are intimidated by 1,800-pound bulls, but for the rodeo club, it is pure excitement.

“Watching somebody ride an 1,800-pound animal is fun,” said Caylen Boyles, agriculture freshman. “It’s exciting.”

The Texas State rodeo club is composed of students who compete and enjoy the sport.
Boyles said rodeo is one of the most-watched sports in the United States with a popularity almost equivalent to basketball and football.

A back injury kept Billy Crawford, mass communication senior, away from the football field, but not from being close to the game.

Crawford is a licensed sports agent with Sports Management Worldwide.

He played football in Rogers, a small town near Temple, and considered himself “a decent defensive end.” Crawford played throughout his senior season despite being injured at the beginning of the year. He later attempted to play football with Division II and Division III schools.

The Texas State women’s water polo club swims ahead into the season with new members and an improved record from the previous year.

Kathryn Garner, interdisciplinary studies junior, said playing water polo has its advantages.

“It’s exciting,” Garner said. “I’ve always been a swimmer. Swimming back and forth can be very boring. (Water polo) is a competitive sport — a good way to get out your aggression.”

Zackary Bartel, exercise and sports science junior, could be considered the No. 1 Bobcat fan.

Bartel has attended enough sporting events to earn a variety of prizes, thanks to the Texas State Athletics-sponsored Promise of Pride promotion.

“I have won a Texas State T-shirt and hat. I’m really just aiming for the sweatshirt so I can wear it during the cooler months,” Bartel said. “The best thing is receiving free Texas State items just for watching sporting events.”

Zero injuries are the top priority for the Texas State track and field teams when they travel to College Station this weekend for the Texas A&M Invitational.

Coach Galina Bukharina said she hopes to go through this competition without injuries because of the Southland Conference Indoor Championships next week.

“Every day we’re losing somebody because of injuries — every day, one or two people. It’s frustrating,” Bukharina said. “Actually, it is understandable. Sports and injuries are always together.”

Seven experienced seniors lead the Texas State softball team for the 2009 season.
These women are Katie Garnett, pitcher, Taylor Hall, outfielder, Tamara Keller, utility player, Ryan Kos, second baseman, Ali McCormack, third and first baseman, Alex Newton, shortstop and third baseman, and Jetta Weinheimer, outfielder.