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Keefer leads Carlow into RSC playoffs

By Bill Hughes for The 4 min read
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When Tim Keefer was hired as the first menĢƵ head basketball coach in Carlow history, he knew the program would see a lot of firsts.

Thanks to its 76-70 win over Rio Grande on Saturday, the Celtics newest “first” is they are heading to the River States Conference playoffs for the first time in the programĢƵ four-year history.

“Carlow has always been a womenĢƵ college, and when I got here in 2014, we started the program with only 15 or 20 men living on campus,” Keefer said. “We had to recruit 20 players to start a team.”

The Celtics are the No. 4 seed in the East Division and take on No. 1 Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Ind., tonight.

In the win over Rio Grande, junior Rece Henneman, a Jefferson-Morgan graduate, scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds.

Other players with local ties include juniors Austin Matta (Elizabeth Forward) and Cole Novotney (Brownsville), as well as sophomore Tyler Eadie (Laurel Highlands).

The Zimcoskys are at it again

Geibel Catholic graduate J.P. Zimcosky ended his Fairmont State University swimming career at the Mountain East Championships, earning first-team All-MEC in the menĢƵ 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay.

“Closing my swimming career with a first place at my conference was truly a Cinderella moment as everything came down to the wire,” he said. “It made my last swimming experience that much better and it fulfills my career.”

Zimcosky finished second-team All-MEC in the 100 butterfly and earned MEC honorable mention in the 50 freestyle.

Meanwhile, his younger sister Emily and her Ohio University swimming teammates host the Mid-American Conference champions today through Saturday.

However, she was able to catch some of her brotherĢƵ action over the weekend via Skype.

“As if this time of meet preparation isn’t exciting enough, watching John Paul end his swimming career with all personal best times and a conference title in relay has given me that extra little ounce of drive and passion for this upcoming meet,” she said.

The siblings share a special bond, and the younger Zimcosky said watching J.P. do well and preparing brought back memories.

“It takes me back to when we both won the 50 (freestyle) championships at the WPIALs during my sophomore year and his senior year,” Emily said with joy in her voice. “It is my favorite moment in my swimming career!”

“My bond with my sister is truly unparalleled,” he said. “She knows how to pick you up when you are down with either a motivational quote or a funny message, but she also knows when to bring you back to reality.

“Her watching me at my last meet truly means a lot to me, knowing that with all of her training and everything going on in her life, she was able to see me swim.”

The sophomore is excited to get going this weekend.

“I can’t believe the MAC championships are already here and I am genuinely shocked at how fast the season has gone by,” she said. “Being at home helps because we are comfortable with the blocks and walls and it helps with mental preparation like visualization because we know every detail of the facility.

“It will bring us a nice sense of calm so that we can focus all of our energy on our races and I am excited to see what the weekend holds for the Bobcats.”

J.P. expects his sister to do well.

“I have no doubt that she will succeed tremendously and while she may seem nervous or anxious before the meet, when it comes down to it, she knows how to shut the world out and just swim,” he said.

Slagus nabs Patriot honor

Thanks to a pair of double-doubles, Belle Vernon graduate Kaitlyn Slagus was named The Rock Patriot League Player of the Week. It is her second time winning the award this season and sixth overall.

Slagus matched a career-high with 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in helping the Bison overcome a 14-point deficit at halftime in a 74-69 win at Loyola on Monday.

On Saturday, she had 18 points and 10 rebounds in a 72-63 win over Holy Cross.

Slagus, who now has 21 career double-doubles, needs 48 points to become the 23rd player in program history to reach 1,000 career points.

Bucknell is at Navy tonight and are tied for second with a 12-3 record with three conference games to play.

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