Weekly Roundup: May 9, 2017

This year, I had the fortunate opportunity to profile both McKenzie Meehan and Zeiko Lewis, the soccer phenoms tabbed as this year's Eagles of the Year. I talked about their respective impacts on their programs and how they were comet-style athletes, the kind you get to see once in a lifetime.

Analyzing both of them gave unique insight into their respective games. Lewis was a natural on the pitch, with "high-quality" pace, according to his coach, Ed Kelly. His possession is fluid, with slick dribbling and creativity. He brought the creativity that made him an asset to both BC and his native Bermuda, and he was able to blend his natural ability to the next level when he played for the national program before graduating to Major League Soccer.

Meehan, meanwhile, overcame adversity, missing an entire season due to an achilles injury. She missed a chance to play at the international level but redeemed herself by leading the ACC in goals. She readjusted her trajectory by becoming one of BC's most prolific scorers, eventually culminating in her soccer graduation to Sky Blue FC.

Both of these student-athletes ended their careers at the heights of their powers. How they got there might have been different, but I can't think of anyone more deserving. It's unique that this year's honorees come from essentially the same sport, both having elevated everyone fortunate enough to having watched them.

*****

Simply Golden

Speaking of the Golden Eagles, it's great to see honorees from almost every sport. The nominees allowed us to relive the moments that stopped heartbeats and exulted excitement. I got chills reliving Lukas Denis' interception against Wake Forest, and I still don't know how Joe Woll didn't allow a goal against UMass Lowell.

I remember running through my living room after Nik Popovic scored that tip-in against Auburn, and I'm still not sure where my water glass went when Andie Anastos won Hockey East in overtime.

The Golden Eagle Awards give great pause to reflect upon the sacrifices of student-athletes for the Maroon and Gold. Lois Kaye Go was one of the first student-athletes I spoke with this year and I remember thinking she probably would win Rookie of the Year.

During the fall, I wandered into baseball practice, only to see Johnny Adams wearing No. 25 on his back since it was a new season. It's amazing to think he spent half of his career wearing the Sonny Nicktakis' No. 8 instead. He's the heart and soul of what BC baseball represents, an underrated player on an underrated program.

I was able to sit back and reflect on what Tatiana Cortez endured this season. I've spoken with Ashley Obrest a good amount this spring (and will discuss softball more in-depth later this week), and I still sit in awe of the story written around the Eagles' record-breaking slugger. That she showed up every day with determination is an inspirational tribute to the fighting spirit of both her and her family.

Through all the ups and downs, Boston College's student-athletes represented the institution with a class and grace unto their own, and it's worth a big thank you for what they've given to this school, their families, their friends and everyone who stuck by them.

*****

Coming Attractions

It's only been two weeks, but it feels much longer since Martin Jarmond stood at the Yawkey Center podium as the next Boston College athletics director. Still a month away from his official start in Chestnut Hill, there's still plenty left before his first initiatives fully take shape.

But this week, we might've learned a little bit more about his job duties at Ohio State. The Cleveland Plain Dealer this week profiled Jarmond's office, giving unique insight into his world in Columbus. As one of the chief schedulers for the football program, Jarmond kept a white board with the future schedules for nearly the next decade.

Scheduling requires a near flawless, complex artform. During his introductory press conference, Jarmond acknowledged finding the balance between "where you are and where your program is." The balance looked at finding winnable games, but it also centered on finding tough teams capable of challenging a program. It's more about finding the right opponents than it is about finding the biggest, baddest teams.

There's been a natural excitement around the hire, with accolades flying from all sides. But with this first glimpse into his Ohio State tenure, there's only more excitement that might come for Boston College's future.

*****

Chance For A Championship

The lacrosse team heads to Syracuse, N.Y., this week to begin the NCAA Tournament against Canisius. It's the fifth straight national berth for the program, who advanced to the ACC semifinals by beating Notre Dame, 17-14, before losing by an identical score to North Carolina.

The Eagles qualified into one of the most competitive brackets in the tournament. Canisius, their first round opponent, went 15-4, capturing the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship by beating Niagara and Fairfield. The Golden Griffins hung tough with Northwestern to begin the season, then beat Oregon. Though they lost to both Syracuse and North Carolina, a win over Michigan boosts their resume among mid-major conference teams.

Should BC advance, they'll play the host Orange for the second time this season. Syracuse won the first meeting this year, but it's a rivalry that's rooted itself since the Orange joined the ACC as part of college sports realignment. Should they play each other, it would mark the fourth straight season the two programs met in some capacity in either the ACC or NCAA postseason.

Western New York has roots in the game's Iroquois Nation origins and its tradition is unsurpassed. The bracket itself will be an intense three-team competition to determine who advances to the national quarterfinals. But BC is one of the hottest teams in the nation to end the season, and although the Orange have the national seed, the Eagles stand to make some noise.

*****

Down But Not Out

This season likely will go down as one of the most competitive ACC baseball slates in history. Traditional powerhouses like Miami and Florida State are looking at potential records under .500 and the last weeks of the season brings six teams within two games of each other in the wins column.

Though Boston College is on the outside looking in, there's a very direct route to getting the Eagles into the ACC Tournament. Though they're tied in the wins column with Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech, the trio are all in front of BC with less losses. Duke is directly ahead of those teams with nine wins, and Notre Dame, the Eagles' opponent this weekend, sits at 10-16.

Though BC is technically the last-place team, it remains ready to make serious noise.. The Eagles haven't been swept in over a month, last absorbing three losses to North Carolina to start April. They're 7-5 in their last 12 league games, including a three-game sweep over NC State. The Atlantic Division's top three teams are a combined 30 games over .500 in league play - and one of those teams isn't Florida State. Last weekend's losses to Wake Forest hurt, but the Demon Deacons are among the Atlantic Division leaders, and Saturday's 8-0 victory went a long way to keeping BC afloat.

Compare that to the Coastal Division, where only two teams may be over .500 at season's end. It's a tough draw for the Eagles, and that they're still in the hunt is worthy of recognition. There are seven games left in the season, all at home, including this weekend's three-game series against Quinnipiac. With a little bit of home cooking, don't count BC out yet. There's a long way to go.

*****

The On Deck Circle

Before the lacrosse team starts their national tournament bid, the softball team heads to Chapel Hill, N.C., to take on the ACC as the fourth-seeded team in the conference tournament. The Eagles replay Notre Dame after the Fighting Irish upset BC and knocked it from the No. 2 seed. That game is at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.

If the Eagles win, they'll advance to a semifinal game against either Florida State or Virginia. The Seminoles, top-seeded in the league following a perfect ACC season, are the best team in the country and the biggest dog in the yard. Whoever wins the BC-ND game will likely see must-see theater against either the best team or the biggest upset of the year.

That'll lead to Friday night at 4 p.m. in Syracuse, when BC plays Canisius in the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament. The winner advances to play the Orange on Sunday.

Baseball will host Quinnipiac for a series this weekend, with Saturday's 4 p.m. first pitch serving as Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day. Sunday kicks off a doubleheader at noon.

The track teams head to the ACC Championships this weekend down in Atlanta. The Eagles have been scoreless over the past few years, but that streak could end thanks to runners like Obi Nwankwo, who talked about the challenge earlier this year.

And on Sunday, the rowing team will compete in the ACC Championship in Clemson, which coming off two medals in the Eastern Sprints last week, including a gold in the Fourth Varsity Eight.

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