Author Archives: Jacob Pratt
Cardinals: My 2nd Family (My Story Of Battling Depression & Anxiety & Coping Through Sports)
Hello Cardinals Fans out there! It’s been a while hasn’t it? My weekly posts will be coming back soon, but for now, I have decided to finally write something that’s been in my head for a while, and to be frank, I’m still not 100% about posting this, but here we go.
Depression and anxiety. Such scary words aren’t they? But two that we are seeing much more commonly in everyday life, especially the sports world, due to stars such as the NBA’s Kevin Love coming clean about their ongoing struggles. Now in no way, shape, or form am I trying to piggyback off that, but I thought it was finally time for me to come clean with you the readers, and tell you why I’ll always be grateful to you.
Depression and anxiety are two things I have been dealing with for a majority of my life, and honestly I cannot believe I am letting this out when I think maybe 3 people know about it in total. I also want to stress that everyone who face these awful things, it affects everyone differently. For me, my depression (and most of the time anxiety too), just destroys me inside. It makes me unable to do the simplest of tasks, such as writing for you guys and even just getting out of bed. Whenever a major episode occurs for me personally, I literally cannot do a thing. It has caused me to miss so many things in life, including forcing me out of college. But I’m slowly working on it, and I’m grateful to have some great friends and family who will hopefully understand all this.
But now that I have released that finally (and man does it feel good), I can finally tell you, the readers (and the former and current athletes at UofL), why I am grateful for each and every one of you. Every single person (minus the occasional bad seed) that represents the University of Louisville has such a kind soul and that alone cuts through the black cloud looming over me and feels me with such a sense of belonging and pride. Not to mention the joy (and many times laughter) that comes with reading through #LouisvilleTwitter. Never change Louisville Twitter, never change. With not only most of the fans I’ve met having such a positive attitude, but also so many outstanding role models coming out of our athletic program, the happiness I gain from being part of such an amazing family balances out my life, and that’s what I consider each and every one of you wonderful people, my 2nd family.
Now I’m going to stop with the personal stuff for now, the mainly sports-focused pieces will be back from me soon, but for now, as always, Go Cards, and thank you guys for being my 2nd family! Much Love!
TWICA: March 26th
Welcome back to This Week In Cardinal Athletics ladies and gentlemen, now without wasting any time, let’s jump right into it!
Women’s Golf
Our women’s golf team placed 8th out of 12 at the Evans Derby Experience last week, with Lauren Hartlage leading the Cards with 2-under par for the event, tying for 17th place individually.
This week: 03/26-28 Anuenue Spring Break Classic in Maui, Hawaii
Men’s Golf
Our men’s golf team tied for 8th place out of 15 teams at The Hayt Invitational, led by Keegan de Lange’s 1-over par for the event, good enough to tie for 20th individually.
This Week: 3/25-27 Hootie at Bulls Bay in Awendaw, S.C.
Softball (22-9)
At Indiana: POSTPONED
At Duke: W 5-3
At Duke: W 5-0
At Duke: L 0-1
This Week: 03/28 At Lipscomb (5 PM), 03/30 Double Header Vs North Carolina State (2 PM, 4:30 PM), 03/31 Vs North Carolina State (Noon)
#17 Baseball (18-6)
At Western Kentucky: W 8-5
Vs #12 Clemson: L 1-3
Vs #12 Clemson: L 3-4
Vs #12 Clemson: W 5-1
This Week: 03/27 Vs Cincinnati (Cancer Awareness Night, 6 PM, ACC Network Extra), 03/29-31 At #5 Florida State (6 PM, 6 PM, 1 PM, All on ACC Network Extra)
Swimming and Diving
Our Men’s swimming team participated in the NCAA Championships last week, placing ninth as a team. Notable results include Nick Albiero winning the B-Final of the 200 Butterfly with a time of 1:4o.85, setting a school record in the process, and Marcelo Acosta earning All-American honors with a 5th-place finish in the 1650 Freestyle. Congrats to the Cardinals on their outstanding effort!
Women’s Tennis (13-5)
At Boston College: L 3-4
At Syracuse: L 2-5
This Week: 03/31 At #4 Duke (Noon)
Men’s Tennis (14-4)
Vs Clemson: W 4-0
Vs Georgia Tech: W 4-3
This Week: 03/30 Vs #20 Florida State (5:30 PM), 04/01 Vs Miami (FL) (Noon)
Track and Field
At the Black and Gold Invitational hosted by Vanderbilt University, the Cards managed to take home 3 individual wins (all by freshmen as well), Gabriela Leon in the Women’s Long Jump, Emmanuel Cheboson in the Men’s 3,000 Meter Run, and Donald McClinton Jr. in the Men’s 100 Meter Dash.
This Week: 03/29-31 At Texas Relays, 03/30-31 At Raleigh Relays, 03/31 At San Diego Collegiate Open
Women’s Volleyball (Spring Exhibitions)
This Week: 03/30 At Tennessee (6 PM)
Women’s Rowing
IDLE
This Week: 03/31-04/01 Pac-12 Challenge
Women’s Lacrosse (6-5)
At Robert Morris: L 12-13
This Week: 03/28 At Brown (1 PM), Vs #16 Virginia Tech (1 PM, ACC Network Extra)
Men’s Basketball (22-14)
Vs Mississippi State (Quaterfinals of the NIT): L 56-79
END OF SEASON
I also want to take a second to thank Coach Padgett for all that he has done for the team this season, so thank you Padgett, wherever you end up, I’ll be cheering for you!
#3 Women’s Basketball (36-2)
Vs #15 Stanford (Sweet 16): W 86-59
Vs #13 Oregon State (Elite 8): W 76-43
This Week: 03/30 Final Four Vs #4 Mississippi State (Time TBD)
Well that does it for this week folks, I’ll see you guys next week! As Always, GO CARDS!!
TWICA: March 12th
Welcome back ladies and gentlemen, to This Week In Cardinal Athletics (sorry for the long lay-off by the way)! Our Spring sports are in full swing (As well as both basketball teams heading into the post-season), so let’s get started!
Softball (19-5)
Vs Bradley: W 10-8
Vs UMASS: W 5-4
Vs UMASS: L 2-5
Vs Eastern Michigan: W 10-6
Vs Bradley: W 6-3
This Week: 3/14 Vs Northern Illinois (5 PM, ACC Network Extra), 3/16-18 Vs Notre Dame (4 PM, 1 PM, 12 PM, All on ACC Network Extra)
Cards in the NBA: December 22nd
Welcome back everyone, to your weekly look at how our former Cards are faring in the NBA! (Spoiler alert, it’s pretty dang good!) Let’s get into it!
*All stats are accurate for games played through December 21st.
Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves)
MPG (Minutes Per Game): 17.7
PPG (Points Per Game): 6.1
APG (Assists Per Game): 1.2
RPG (Rebounds Per Game): 4.8
SPG (Steals Per Game): 0.8
BPG (Blocks Per Game): 0.2
TPG (Turnovers Per Game): 1.0
FG%: 48.6
3P%: 20.0
FT%: 74.4
Cardinals In The NBA: December 16th
Welcome back to your weekly look on how our former Cards are doing in the NBA! Let’s get into it!
*All stats accurate for games played through December 14th
Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves)
MPG (Minutes Per Game): 17.7
PPG (Points Per Game): 6.5
APG (Assists Per Game): 1.3
RPG (Rebounds Per Game): 4.8
SPG (Steals Per Game): 0.8
BPG (Blocks Per Game): 0.2
TPG (Turnovers Per Game): 1.0
FG%: 50.4
3P%: 21.7
FT%: 75.6
Cards in the NBA: December 8th
Welcome back to another (late) edition of Cards in the NBA! No wasting time here, lets get into it!
*All stats accurate through games played through December 7th
Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves)
MPG (Minutes Per Game): 17.1
PPG (Points Per Game): 6.9
APG (Assists Per Game): 1.3
RPG (Rebounds Per Game): 4.6
SPG (Steals Per Game): 0.6
BPG (Blocks Per Game): 0.1
TPG (Turnovers Per Game): 1.0
FG%: 52.1
3P%: 22.7
FT%: 75.6
TWICA: December 4th
Welcome back to our weekly look into the state of Cardinal Athletics! Let’s not waste any time and jump right into it!
Swimming
Our very own men’s and women’s swimming teams combined to top the standings at the USA Winter Nationals, scoring a combined 755.5 points. Additionally, women’s swimmer Mallory Comerford won the Women’s High Point award. Congrats go out to them on a successful competition. Additionally at the Miami Diving Invitational, the teams managed to have 6 NCAA zone cut scores. Congrats go out to our swimming and diving team on a successful week!
This Week: IDLE
Cards in the NBA: November 30th
Welcome back everyone, its that time of the week again! Time for us to find out what our beloved former Cards are doing in the NBA!
*Stats reflect games played through November 28th
Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves)
MPG (Minutes Per Game): 15.3
PPG (Points Per Game): 5.8
APG (Assists Per Game): 0.9
RPG (Rebounds Per Game): 4.5
SPG (Steals Per Game): 0.4
BPG (Blocks Per Game): 0.1
TPG (Turnovers Per Game): 0.8
FG%: 45.7
3P%: 25.0
FT%: 73.0
TWICA: November 27th
Welcome back to the weekly review of Cardinal Athletics that you all know and love, TWICA! Let’s get into it!
Swimming
IDLE
This Week: 11/30-12/02 USA Winter Nationals
Track and Field
IDLE
This Week: Vanderbilt Opener
Women’s Volleyball (24-6)
At Boston College: W 3-1
At Syracuse: W 3-2
This Week: 12/01 Vs Northern Iowa (NCAA First Round, 5:30 PM)
#9 (#4 National Seed) Men’s Soccer (13-2-4)
Vs Colgate (NCAA Sweet 16): W 2-0
This Week: Vs #5 (National Seed) Akron (NCAA Elite 8, 7 PM, ESPN3)
Cardinals in the NBA: November 22nd
Ladies and gents, its time to see how our former Cardinals are faring in the NBA!
*Stats are accurate through games played November 21st
Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves)
MPG (Minutes Per Game): 15.1
PPG (Points Per Game): 6.3
APG (Assists Per Game): 0.9
RPG (Rebounds Per Game): 4.6
SPG (Steals Per Game): 0.4
BPG (Blocks Per Game): 0.1
TPG (Turnovers Per Game): 0.9
FG%: 46.9
3P%: 27.3
FT%: 78.1
TWICA: November 20th
Welcome back ladies and gents, to (a slighty delayed) TWICA, where we’ll relive the past week of Cardinal Athletics and look forward to the coming week! Let’s get into it!
Cross Country
Sophomore Dorcas Wasike managed to place 29th overall in the Women’s 6K at the NCAA Championship, with a time of 20:05.29. In addition, she was honored by being named a USTFCCCA All-American, becoming the first woman runner in UofL history to earn that honor! Congrats go out to her!
Cardinals In The NBA: November 15th
Well its that time of week again, time to see how our former Cards are faring in the NBA!
*All stats are accurate through games played to November 15th
Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves)
MPG (Minutes Per Game): 15.8
PPG (Points Per Game): 6.9
APG (Assists Per Game): 1.0
RPG (Rebounds Per Game): 5.2
SPG (Steals Per Game): 0.5
BPG (Blocks Per Game): 0.2
TPG (Turnovers Per Game): 0.9
FG%: 50.0
3P%: 25.0
FT%: 76.9
TWICA: November 13th
Cross Country
In the NCAA Southeast Regional, our women’s team finished 5th overall, with sophomore Dorcas Wasike placing 4th individually, with a time of 20:22.3, qualifying individually for the NCAA Championships! Meanwhile, our men’s team finished with an 18th place finish with junior Daniel Fleace leading the way with a time 30:57.2 to finish 68th individually. Congrats go out to both teams!
Next Week: 11/18 NCAA Championships
Swimming
In the Double Dual meet against Princeton and Virginia, Louisville’s Men’s team beat Virginia and Princeton, while our women’s team defeated Princeton. Louisville combined defeated Princeton, but lost to Virginia.
Next Week: IDLE
Cards in the NBA: November 8th
Welcome back everyone, its time to check in on how our beloved former Cards are doing in the NBA! (stats will be accurate through November 7th)
Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves)
MPG (Minutes per game): 15.4
PPG (Points per game): 6.8
APG (Assists per game): 1.1
RPG (Rebounds per game): 5.0
SPG (Steals per game): 0.3
BPG (Blocks per game): 0.2
TPG (Turnovers per game): 0.8
FG%: 50.0
3P%: 25.0
FT%: 76.9
TWICA: November 6th
Welcome back Card Fans, to your one-stop place to find game times for all of our Cardinal athletic programs! Lets get into it!
Men’s Golf
Our men’s golf team won the Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational this week, with the best overall performance in school history with a 56-under-par. The team was led by junior Simon Zach, who placed first overall individually by shooting a school record 21-under-par. Congratulations to the team for winning their second fall event (and for all their efforts during the fall season)!
Next Week: IDLE
Men’s Tennis
In the Dick Vitale Lakewood Ranch Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic, junior Federico Gomez won the consolation finals, defeating Central Florida’s Danny Kerznerman. Also, in the Oracle ITA National Fall Championships, the duo of Morin-Kougoucheff and Wynn managed to make it to the semi-finals, but it was there that they were defeated. This loss snapped an 8-match win streak. Congratulations go out to all the tennis players on a successful fall season!
Next Week: IDLE
Cardinals In The NBA: November 1st
Welcome back everybody, let us take a look at how our former Cardinals are faring in the NBA so far! (Stats are accurate through October 31st).
TWICA: October 30th
Hello all, welcome to the weekly review of your Louisville Cardinals! Let’s get into it!
Men’s Tennis
Congratulations go out to Parker Wynn and Christopher Morin-Kougoucheff, who won the Ohio Valley Regional Doubles title last Monday! They are the 2nd duo from UofL to win this title, so hats off to them!
Next Week: 11/01-11/05 Oracle ITA National Fall Championships
Men’s Golf
The Men’s Golf team finished 3rd at the Quail Valley Invitational, posting the third-best performance in school history, led by Simon Zach and Matthias Schmid.
This Week: 10/29-31 Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational
Cardinals In The NBA: October 24th
One of my personal favorite sports began last week, as the NBA began its 72nd season. Make sure to stay tuned to the site as every Tuesday I will be bringing you guys updates on how our former Cardinals are doing in the NBA! *Stats are through games played by 10/23/17
Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves)
MPG (Minutes per game): 13.7
PPG (Points per game): 4.0
APG (Assists per game): 1.3
RPG (Rebounds per game): 3.7
SPG (Steals per game): 0.3
BPG (Blocks per game): 0.0
TPG (Turnovers per game): 1.3
FG%: 30.8
3P%: 33.3
FT%: 60
TWICA: October 23rd
Welcome back everyone, to our weekly look at Cardinal Athletics, now I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to get started, so let’s go!!
Men’s Tennis
This week, our men’s tennis team began to compete in the Ohio Valley Regional, which continues on until the 24th. In singles action, 4 of our players made the round of 16 (Nicolas Rouanet, Christopher Morin-Kougoucheff, Brandon Lancaster, and Parker Wynn), unfortunately, all 4 fell in the round of 16. Additionally, one of our doubles teams (Morin-Kougoucheff and Wynn) have reached the title match of the tournament, as they will face off with the #1 seeded duo of Billy Rowe and Lachlan McPhee of Vanderbilt this morning. I join all Cardinal fans in wishing them luck! (The game will be played at 10 AM this morning for those interested)
Next Week: 10/28-10/30 Birmingham Futures
TWICA: October 16th
Hello all of you wonderful Card fans out there, although the past couple days and weeks have been rough, it’s time to look at our weekly review of Cardinal Athletics!
Men’s Tennis
The men’s tennis team captured 3 titles this weekend at the Louisville invitational, as Ciro Lampasas teamed with Parker Wynn to win the A division doubles title, and then Ciro went on to win the A division singles title, and then Federico Gomez won the B division singles title. What a great weekend!
Next Week: 10/19-24th Ohio Valley Regional
Women’s Tennis
Mia Schmidt-Jorgensen was defeated in the championship match of the B-flight singles during the ITA Ohio Valley Regionals, she was the last Card standing after the 4 day event.\
Next Week: IDLE
