Sports
Shorts
Athlete Of the Week
Jon
MacDonald, a junior from Worthington, Ohio, scored a career-high
15 points in the men’s basketball 79-65 victory over Allegheny.
MacDonald contributed all over the court with four rebounds, two
assists, three steals and three blocks, which was a game-high.
For the season, MacDonald has 87 points, 60 rebounds, 10 assists,
seven steals and 23 blocks, which leads the team.
MacDonald has played in every game since his first year. Last season
he was second on the team in blocks. He has made more than 70 percent
of his free throws in two of his three seasons.
The
Yeomen are 7-8 in North Coast action this year, and play their final
game, a conference match at Wabash, on Saturday. They are poised
to be seeded fifth for the conference, which would pit them against
Ohio Wesleyan in the conference tournament.
Marquee
Event
Oberlin vs. Albion
Women’s Tennis
Sunday, 1 p.m.
John Heisman Field House.
The
Women’s Tennis team opens their season with a home match against
Albion. The team is looking to improve on last year’s 13-11
mark.
In
the Locker Room with. . .
Contemplative
sophomore basketball player Chris Ikpoh gives mostly serious,
sometimes profound answers to even my silliest “In the Locker
Room…” questions, ultimately revealing his deep sense
of spirituality and what seems to be an extraordinary commitment
to athletic endeavor.
Why
basketball?
CI:
When I was little, baseball was my sport. But after a while, I started
to develop knee problems from it. The doctors also told me that
I should try and find some other activity, so after my growth spurt,
basketball became my thing.
What
is the daily force driving you to keep playing the game?
CI:
Knowing the history of the Oberlin team and seeing how well we’re
playing right now. But also just loving basketball.
Is
there any person who has been an inspiration to you?
CI:
That would have to be my mother. Through everything that’s
happened, she’s been my cornerstone, my rock. She’s the
reason why I am here today.
There
is something really personal and sincere about his answer, and at
first I am taken aback by its honesty, because I have notions that
it’s going to be somewhat difficult to make the interview “that
funny little column in the Sports Shorts” from here on in.
I change the subject.
What
is your favorite food?
CI: Cereal, in general. I can eat it at any time of the day. It’s
been that way since I was a kid.
What
kind do you like?
CI:
All kinds.
I’ve
always been partial to Frosted Flakes.
CI:
Yeah, those are good.
After
this point, I give up on my strategy of making the interview as
silly as possible, as I think it would do more justice to Chris
if I let him speak the kinds of heavy answers he seems to want questions
for. So I move the topic to a potentially serious issue by asking—
What
is your personal philosophy of life?
CI:
Do what you can, and do the best you can. God will take care of
the rest.
So
I take it God is also an important inspiration in your life?
CI:
Definitely, a big inspiration.
You
speak as if you have some really deep spiritual commitments. Do
you incorporate prayer or meditation into your practice routine?
CI:
Before games, one of my teammates will always pull us together for
a prayer, so that we can all ask Jesus to be with us.
Why
do you think Jesus is with you sometimes, but then sometimes seems
to choose the other team?
CI:
He’s always with us. When we lose, it is only because of our
own shortcomings.
If
you could become any animal, what would you choose to be?
CI:
An eagle, because it is the bird of all birds. The eagle’s
flight is the symbol of ultimate freedom. We all have freedom, but
we don’t have ultimate freedom.
And
though my last question is potentially silly, Chris manages to foil
me again by giving an answer that is not only completely serious,
it is somewhat inspiring for its lofty ideals and the sense of honesty
and commitment it shows. I am left at the end of our short interview
with a deep respect for a thoughtful and soft-spoken athlete.
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