With former Framingham High star Kathleen King and formerArlington Catholic High standout Becky Bowman of Melrose producingstellar play, the Babson College women's basketball team is off to a7-2 start.
A sophomore 6-foot forward, King is averaging 12.7 points, 8.2rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game for the defending New EnglandWomen's and Men's Athletic Conference champions. She was shooting 46percent from the field (45-98) and a team-best .774 from the freethrow line (24-31). King was named NEWMAC Player of the Week Dec. 7after recording her fourth double-double of the season against SmithCollege.
Bowman, a junior shooting guard, was scoring at an 11.8 per gameclip and had 25 assists, a block, and 14 steals.
Senior forward Sarah Hughes (Wellesley High) and junior guardKristy Benoit and sophomore forward Kelly McKenna, both ShrewsburyHigh graduates, have played key roles off the bench.
'All five have been keys to our success,' said Babson head coachJudy Blinstrub, whose team plays Rhode Island College Jan. 3 at theWilliams College Invitational. 'Kathleen has the ability to dominatethe game with her rebounding and shooting and is a hard matchupbecause of her athleticism. She's relentless. Becky is outstandingon both ends, we play her against our best opponent, and she'sprobably our toughest player.
'Kristy gives us a big lift off the bench with her defense on thepress; Sarah is a great leader who has a fantastic work ethic and iswilling to do anything for the team, and Kelly gives us a strongdefender at the forward spot who is also a great teammate and alwaysready to play.'
McLaughlin cited for a good run of it
Longtime Cambridge Sports Union member Diane McLaughlin ofArlington was inducted into the organization's hall of fame earlierthis month. The CSU's running section includes 300 women and men.
McLaughlin served as the women's Masters team representative toUSA Track & Field/New England 1989 through most of the 1990s and hasbeen a familiar face at the Fresh Pond road races, which she hashelped organize on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Thatcommitment was recognized in 2005, when she received the NorthMedford Club's Fred Brown Cup.
A veteran Boston Marathoner, she ran 3:22:50 in 1991, and hermany accomplishments in long-distance running included competingwith CSU's women's 60s team that competed in the New England CrossCountry Championships.
'No matter what the conditions or challenges of that day, Dianeis always smiling and upbeat,'said CSU running section chairpersonGail Breslow. 'The caring and positive outlook she imparts toeveryone is an inspiration to us all.'
BC's Schaus bound for Olympic games
Boston College women's ice hockey goaltender Molly Schaus ofNatick has been selected to the United States women's team that willcompete in the Winter Olympic Games in February in Vancouver, B.C.
Schaus is second all-time in career saves for the Eagles with2,647 in her first three seasons. She also ranks first and second insingle-season goals against averages: 1.69 in 2008-'09 and 1.90 in2006-'07.
Last season, Schaus was a second team All-America and was alsonamed to the New England Hockey Writers Division 1 Women's All-Starteam.
The team of 21 was selected from the 23 skaters who were membersof the 2009-'10 women's national team. The US will face China in itsfirst game Feb. 14.
Connecticut draws flow of local rowers
Varsity rowers at Connecticut College this fall included juniorsHannah Brassord of Boxborough (Acton-Boxborough) and Robyn Ly(Lexington High) and sophomores Lesley Gaughan (Weston High), AlexHellman (Wayland High), and Katrina Sereiko (Wellesley High).Heilman, Gaughan, and Ly helped the Camels finish 10th out of 29teams in the Varsity Four at the Head of the Charles Regatta.
The novice rowing team, which won a bronze medal at theQuinsigamond Challenge, included freshman No. 2 seat Lillian Beck ofBolton (Lawrence Academy) and classmate Lila Douglis at stroke row.Freshman Kathy Bentley of Concord (Concord-Carlisle) was also on thenovice roster.
'Hannah has found a sport that suits her personality bothphysically and mentally, Robin is a coxswain who has become astudent of the sport, and Lesley has become a savvy competitor,'said 10-year head coach Eva Kovach. 'Alex also rowed for Wayland-Weston and is one of the most fluid rowers I have had theopportunity to coach, and Katrina is an incredibly hard worker whohas improved tremendously this fall.'
Marvin Pave can be reached at 508-820-4223 ormarvin.pave@rcn.com.
