by MACKENZI RICKMAN
Staff writer
​
​The final four for the NCAA women’s basketball which was held in Columbus over the weekend, and a number of Tiffin University students represented the college, giving up their free time on Easter weekend in order to help out at the event.

The Final Four of women’s basketball is always a huge event. Wherever the event is held it always produces a good outcome and this year it lived up again to its expectations, with two semifinal games on Friday night and the final game on Sunday going down to the wire.

The two finalists Notre Dame and Mississippi State ended with one player rising above the rest by shooting two clutch shots to win the championship. It really could not have got much better than this.

Dr Bonnie Tiell, professor of sports management and business decided to involve the college and contribute her free time along with a few students to offer some helping hands at the event.

Six students were chosen and took part in the event where they would help out with mini games, mingle with the public at the event and even have a chance to meet some of the future stars gracing the WNBA.

“Being able to hear about the athlete’s side of the story and how they dealt with fame was beneficial,” said Tiffin University student Chris Herlily.

The city of Columbus was packed full of people and even had WBA legends, including non-other than Kobe Bryant at the event, not only watching the games but taking part in everyday the activities as well as games, interviews and a chance to meeting the fans.

Senior TU student Jenna Huffman attended the game separately from Dr. Tiell’s group.

“It was a good game," Huffman said. "And we received front row seats."

A great day for students who had traveled many hours to Columbus to support their team. 

by DIANA ODUHO
​Staff writer

photo courtesy of TIFFIN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

by: AMANDA TRAXLER

After two days of hard competition, our Tiffin University Men’s Indoor Track team placed second overall to be named the National Runner-up’s at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track meet in Pittsburg, Kansas.
 
"I am really proud of the way these guys handled themselves throughout the weekend," said Head Coach Jeremy Croy.

Tiffin University was in second behind Pittsburg State with two events left in the competition. The Dragon’s were behind by only one point going into the 4x400 relay and the triple jump.

Pittsburg did not have a 4x400 team so the Dragons had a chance to win their third national title if they placed. The Dragons were not able to get any points as their relay finished ninth and Jalon Monigan finished 11th in the triple jump.

“It was a great opportunity to be able to compete with schools from all across the country,” said senior Mackenzie Rickman.

In order for athletes to compete they have to be top 16 in their event out of all the schools in their division.

“TU has the most qualifiers representing for most of the men’s track events,” Rickman said. “We have been so successful at the national level because we have had the most qualifiers in our division.”
 
Tiffin University (March, 2018). Dragons finish 2nd at Nationals. The Official Athletics Site of
Tiffin University. Retrieved March, 2018 from http://www.gotiffindragons.com/sports/mtrack/2017-18/releases/20180310z3lgdn

photos by AMANDA TRAXLER

by AMANDA TRAXLER

Tiffin University's men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the cheerleading squad, celebrated the careers of their graduating senior's on Saturday.

The men's basketball team celebrated seniors Alex Brown and Trent Lucas, while the women's team celebrated lone senior Kiley May.

Tiffin University cheerleading also celebrated the career of senior captain Jessyca Toland.

Both the men's and women's team fell short in the final game of their season. The men's team lost in overtime 88-86 to Saginaw Valley. The women's team fell to Saginaw Valley 67-66.

video excerpt from ESPN archives
​by Mackenzi Rickman
Tiffin University athletes, senior Mackenzi Rickman and sophomore Erick Snell race the 60m hurdles at Grand Valley University in Grand Rapids, Mich. Feb 25. At the finish of the race, Snell made an impressive effort as he dives at the line to achieve a second place finish behind teammate Rickman. Thanks to his effort the team racked up the most points. 

by CHARLES HOLLAND
Staff writer

​​Tiffin University Football has new plans entering this offseason as they transition into a new conference.

The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is a competitive field of play in all athletics in Division II. Tiffin University has been a member of this conference since 2008. The Dragons say farewell to the GLIAC as they move to local competition.

​Tiffin University Football finished the 2017 season with a record of 6-5 at. That record serves as their second above average finish in the last three seasons. The winning could either become a trend or instantly fold due to the sudden change.

All athletic departments at Tiffin University will be transitioning from the GLIAC to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Fortunately for the football program they will see some familiar faces within this new conference.

The GMAC was established in 2012. fairly new but host from the East South Central States and Great Lakes. The conference has nine different football programs that compete in it, and a few are former members of the GLIAC conference.

Some of the former GLIAC teams that compete in this league are Walsh, Ohio Dominican, Findlay, Hillsdale, Lake Erie, and Malone Univ.

“I’m excited for the season, even though we still have spring ball coming up soon, it’s nothing like game day,” says junior defensive back, Ross Moore.
Coach Gary Goff looks to lead the men into another winning season as goals for their program rise.
“We have a new trend this off season, Bring The Fire. Nothing but conference championship and playoff goals” Goff said.

​The Tiffin University football program has never competed in postseason play since their debut to the NCAA back in the 2008-9 season. However, with the last few seasons ending positive, there is hope.

photos by AMANDA TRAXLER

by AMANDA TRAXLER

Tiffin University’s men’s basketball game fell to the Lake Superior State Lakers on Saturday 80-76.
 
The Dragons led the Lakers going into the second half of play, but that lead was slowly taken away as the Lakers made their move.
 
The game was both physical and aggressive from both sides with 41 total fouls, three technical fouls, and Tiffin’s Austin Adams leaving the game in the first half with an injury.
 
The Dragons are away for their final road game of the season where they will play the Purdue Northwest Pride and the Grand Valley State Lakers.

photos by AMANDA TRAXLER

photos by AMANDA TRAXLER

by AMANDA TRAXLER

The Tiffin University women’s basketball team won in a shocking 53-52 thriller against the Lake Superior Lakers, off of a layup from Aida Santana Martin.
 
In a game that was thought to have been won be the Lakers, Aida Santana Martin shocked both and fans when she made a buzzer beater layup at the end of the game.
 
The Dragons are away for their final road game of the season where they will play the Purdue Northwest Pride and the Grand Valley State Lakers.

​by DIANA ODUHO
Staff writer

I was in the middle of a scrimmage, two weeks away from the first lacrosse game of the 2016 season. While playing defense, I took a normal step and felt that infamous “pop” often described by athletes. I went down, screaming in agony, knowing what I had done. In a matter of seconds, I was out for the entire season. 

An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear in the knee is universally dreaded by all athletes alike. It does not discriminate against gender, nor sport, and is one of the worst injuries to go through.

​The ACL is one of four ligaments in the knee that help provide stability. It crosses in front of the knee with the PCL to form an X, helping control motion back and forth. Because the majority of ACL tears occur through non-contact play, a tear can often be attributed to an awkward landing after a jump or the planting of the leg with a forceful shift in the opposite direction. The ACL doesn’t repair itself, so a graft is necessary for reconstruction. ​