Adam Bragenzer

Larry Jacobson, JTV Sports     The first time I saw Carl Thomas I was announcing Western Michigan University basketball games for a radio station in Kalamazoo. It was the winter of 1989 and I was courtside at Bowen Fieldhouse in Ypsilanti for a Mid-American Conference matchup between Western’s Broncos and Carl Thomas’ Eastern Michigan Hurons. (They hadn’t changed their name to the Eagles yet.) During the game a loose ball flew in my direction – and shortly after that Carl Thomas flew in my direction as well. Although no damage was done to myself, my partner or our equipment and the ball went out of bounds anyway, I remember watching Carl clap his hands and trot back onto the court, only seconds after careening out of bounds to try and save the ball. I remember thinking to myself, ‘man, that guy hustles’ and I made note of it on the radio. I recalled this incident the other day when speaking to the new men’s basketball coach at Jackson College. When he offered a little of his background in basketball, he mentioned his time at Eastern Michigan, and I laughed and said ‘oh, you’re THAT Carl Thomas!” Indeed he is…

The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team showed some moxy Tuesday afternoon on the road in Winona Lake, Indiana.  The Cougars battled back from one goal defecits twice and had the last laugh by scoring the final goal in the 105th minute to distance themselves from Grace College in the Crossroads League tables. Both Grace and Spring Arbor entered the match at 5-0 in the Crossroads League with Spring Arbor being ranked at #8 in the NAIA at 11-2-1 and Grace receiving votes in the latest polls at 8-4 overall. Spring Arbor controlled the opening half of play statistically, out shooting the Lancers 11-4 in the frame but it was Grace who drew first blood when Holly Bennett hit a bullet from the top of the box to put the home team up 1-0 in the 14th minute. The Cougars were quick to answer when Nikki Bonnema crossed a ball to senior Karly Linton just three minutes later.  With three defenders trainling her, Linton beat Lancer goalkeeper Carmen Barnhill from 12 yards out for her 15th goal of the season. Grace responded later in the half when a defensive miscue between the Cougar centerbacks left Grace's Jordan Hairgrove unmarked in the SAU penalty area. …