Belles' athletics get a new look for 2001
By KATIE McVOY
Assistant Sports Editor
The Saint Mary's athletic department is looking forward to a successful year for Saint Mary's athletes, first-year students, and returning students.
New staff members, increased intramural sports, and a new club team are a few of the changes in the athletic department.
The Triathlon Club is the first club sport comprised entirely of Saint Mary's women.
The club began training together last spring and makes its debut this year.
In addition to traveling to compete in triathlons around the country, the club, in association with the rest of the athletic department, will be sponsoring a triathlon at Saint Mary's.
The department hired a new basketball coach and Sports Information Director, Suzanne Smith.
With Smith relieving her information duties, assistant athletic director Gretchen Hildebrandt will have more time to focus on the intramural sports program.
The intramural program kicked off last year with Midnight Madness and looks for continued improvement this year.
"We want to double student participation this year," athletic director Lynn Kachmarik said. "We aren't looking at small numbers here."
Within the next month an intramural, club, and recreation guide will be available for all students that will provide information on intramural sign-ups, club sports, and other recreation information.
"This year we are offering fall, winter and spring intramural sports," Kachmarik said.
In addition to club and intramural sports, a dance and cheerleading squad has been created.
Kachmarik hopes that the squad will be in performance shape by the advent of basketball season.
Finally, the athletic department is continuing to look out for the welfare of the average student at Saint Mary's.
Sept. 5, 6 and 7 members of the staff will be present at Angela Athletic facility to help any member of the Saint Mary's community interested in creating a personal fitness program.
All Sports Stories for Saturday, August 19, 2000
