Winter Season Kicks Off with Skyhawk Madness
By Sadie O'Toole
It's the time of year when student attire is changing: t-shirts are turning into sweaters, sneakers are turning into Ugg boots, and athletes have already started wearing their parka jackets. The leaves are transitioning into vibrant colors, illuminating the campus into a picturesque scene.
The attire and leaves are not the only aspect of Stonehill that is changing, though. Fall sports are concluding, and winter sports have just begun!
The beginning of the winter sports season was marked by Stonehill's annual tradition, Skyhawk Madness, on Oct. 20. The event took place in the Merkert Gymnasium, Stonehill’s home basketball court.
As soon as the doors to the gymnasium opened, students with smiling faces poured in and raced down the stairs, wearing purple and white to show their support. The music was blasting, lights flashing, and the two event hosts, Senior Frankie Melendez and Junior Gabi Polishuk, yelled out cheers to bring the energy up.
Melendez said Skyhawk Madness “shows the true culture and environment that Stonehill has."
The excitement was palpable as the basketball teams started their introductions.
From the worm, to backflips, to singing “Love” by Keyshia Cole, the introductions for this year’s basketball teams were nothing short of excellent. The collective support shown for both teams really sets the season off on such a positive note.
Brooke Paquette, a senior on the women’s basketball team, emphasized how much her team loves the event.
“Seeing everyone packed in the gym, having fun, and showing their support is an amazing experience," she said.
Both teams recently played their first games of the season. The men faced off against Curry College, and the women against Providence College.
Paquette detailed her feelings on the upcoming season ahead.
“We are super excited to start the season. We have some fun travel trips planned and some great competition that we'll be playing," she said.
At Skyhawk Madness, the two teams also competed against each other in a free-throw contest, with the women coming out on top.
There was also a dance off for Stonehill students which was purely improv. The winner was chosen by the crowd.
Senior Alex Paglia came out victorious this year.
Paglia said she credits her win to the fact that she is always having dance parties in her common room with her suitemates.
“I had zero expectations winning, I just wanted to make my friends proud and laugh," she said.
It was an effective way to involve the audience and revive the students for the latter half of the event.
The night concluded with performances from the cheerleading team, the dance team, Ultraviolet, and Ruckus. The rhythm, the ability to be in sync, and the overall composure shown by all of these groups was impressive, and their talents were undoubtedly displayed.
The energetic happiness and electric nature of night left both the teams and students ready for the upcoming months of winter sports.
“I think it’s one of those events that a Stonehill student can look forward to every year and be excited for," said Melendez.
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