Bowling Green State University Athletics
Photo by: BGSU Strategic Communications
#BGSUinCR: The Falcons in Costa Rica
August 05, 2022 | Women's Basketball
The Bowling Green State University women's basketball team embarked on the trip of a lifetime, as the Falcons journeyed to Costa Rica for an action-packed week (Aug. 5-12). Scroll down this page to see how the trip went (oldest posts at the bottom of the page), and click the links at the right to access a pair of photo galleries. Pura Vida!
8: ONE FINAL SURPRISE
Friday was a travel day, as the Falcons left the resort in the morning and arrived at the Stroh Center roughly 17 hours later. However, there was one final surprise as the bus headed back toward the San Jose area and the airport. The team stopped at the Crocodile Bridge along the Tarcoles River. This is a popular tourist stop because, as the name 'Crocodile Bridge' suggests, it is a common site for crocodiles to be swimming in the river or sunning themselves on the beach below the bridge. Sure enough, as the travel party got off of the bus and ventured across the bridge, two crocodiles were at the edge of the water enjoying a morning nap (photo available in the photo gallery). It was a fitting end to a week of fascinating journeys and experiences that undoubtedly created a lifetime of memories.
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7: SEVENTH HEAVEN
After enjoying a veritable plethora of experiences during the trip to Costa Rica, the Falcons had a chance to rest on Thursday. The travel party had a 'free day' at the hotel. After breakfast, many people headed to the pool or the ocean (which was directly behind the hotel). In the middle of the afternoon, a highly-competitive volleyball game broke out, with the players taking on the staff. When all was said and done, the teams had shifted somewhat, roughly six games had been played and the series was about as even as they come.
Everyone gathered in the evening to make the 10-minute walk to Lanterna, a fantastic Italian restaurant. It was the prefect ending to an enjoyable day, and a great way to wrap up a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Friday will see your beloved Falcons return to the United States and, eventually, to Northwest Ohio.
6: ATV AND BEACH TIME
Wednesday saw the Falcons head to the Pacific coast of this beautiful nation. The travel party took an ATV excursion, which included a hike to a breathtaking waterfall. Then, it was on to the Jaco Beach area for a few hours of free time. Options during that late-afternoon stretch included heading to the beach, grabbing some food, doing some shopping or all of the above. The Falcons then checked into the Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, where the team will spend the remainder of the trip.
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5: TUESDAY TOURS
Tours and tourism were the themes of the day on Tuesday, as the Falcons headed to downtown San Jose to begin the fun. The travel party visited the National Theater of Costa Rica, then headed next door to the Museo de Oro Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum). The players, coaches and staff then had a chance to take in the sights and sounds of Municipal Crafts Market. After many souvenirs were purchased and everyone grabbed a quick lunch on their own, it was back on the bus to venture to Hacienda Alsacia, Starbucks's first and only coffee farm. The travel party learned the origins of the coffee that winds up in the Starbucks across from the Stroh Center (as well as other Starbucks locations, of course). After the tour, of course, there was an opportunity to sample some coffee before heading back to the hotel.
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4: WHITEWATER RAFTING
The bus left the hotel at 6:00 a.m. and returned roughly 11 hours later, but the lengthy trip was well worth it as the team enjoyed a day of whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River. The Falcon players, coaches and staff braved the rapids and emerged relatively unscathed before enjoying lunch and returning to the hotel. Just over an hour later, the bus departed once again as the travel party headed to a local restaurant for yet another spectacular dinner. Pura Vida!
3: KIDS CLINIC AND GAME DAY
The Falcons put on a clinic for local kids of all ages on Sunday, and a good time was definitely had by all. Any language barriers proved to be no problem whatsoever, as everyone spoke the universal language of basketball.
Gallery: (8-7-2022) W.Basketball - Costa Rica Kids Clinic
In addition to the kids clinic, Sunday was also Game Day, as the Falcons took the court (a different court) and picked up a 114-34 win over a team from Heredia Sunday evening. BGSU led by 18 points after the first quarter, then saw the defense pitch a shutout for the entire second quarter and the first three-plus minutes of the third. By the time the Falcons allowed another bucket, BG's lead was 67-18.
Five different players scored in double digits, with 11 total Falcons finding the scoresheet, as BGSU hit 20 three-pointers in the win.
2: A BUSY SATURDAY
The Falcons had a jam-packed Saturday (Aug. 6) itinerary, to say the least. After eating breakfast at the hotel, the travel party boarded a bus at 7:30 a.m. for a two-hour ride to the San Luis area for a hanging bridges tour followed by a canopy tour/zip-lining excursion. It rained for much of the day in the rainforest, but the weather only added to the atmosphere as the players, coaches and staff hiked several miles, crossed numerous hanging bridges and later sailed through the air (and seemingly through the clouds as well).
After a quick lunch was consumed and a few souvenirs were purchased, the Falcons headed back to the hotel for a few hours. Saturday evening saw the team venture to the Tiquicia ("City Lights") restaurant, located high above the city of San Jose and featuring striking views of the city. Dinner was followed by dancing, and the team members not only watched, but participated in the fun.
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Sunday is game day, as the Falcons will take to the court for a kids clinic in the afternoon and a game in the evening.
1: THE FALCONS HAVE LANDED
The first road trip of the season came earlier than usual, in more ways than one. Most seasons see the Falcons head out on the road starting in November, not August. And, those trips almost never begin at 2:30 in the morning! But, the 2022-23 season is getting off to a spectacular start as the BGSU travel party left the Stroh Center in the wee hours of Friday morning (Aug. 5).
The Falcons headed to Cleveland, then flew to Miami and on to Costa Rica. BGSU arrived in San Jose just before noon local time, and after grabbing lunch, the travel party headed to the hotel. The Falcon players, coaches and staff had a few hours to explore the hotel before reconvening for a scrumptious dinner.
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Then, it was time to get some rest before the adventures continue on Saturday!
ÂGallery: (8-5-2022) W.Basketball - Falcons in Costa Rica
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8: ONE FINAL SURPRISE
Friday was a travel day, as the Falcons left the resort in the morning and arrived at the Stroh Center roughly 17 hours later. However, there was one final surprise as the bus headed back toward the San Jose area and the airport. The team stopped at the Crocodile Bridge along the Tarcoles River. This is a popular tourist stop because, as the name 'Crocodile Bridge' suggests, it is a common site for crocodiles to be swimming in the river or sunning themselves on the beach below the bridge. Sure enough, as the travel party got off of the bus and ventured across the bridge, two crocodiles were at the edge of the water enjoying a morning nap (photo available in the photo gallery). It was a fitting end to a week of fascinating journeys and experiences that undoubtedly created a lifetime of memories.
Â
Thanks to our guide, German, for teaching us so much about his amazing country! He has an incredible knowledge of many things, including birds. We hope one of his favorite birds is the Falcon! #GraciasAmigo #BestGuideEver#AyZiggy | #BGSUinCR | #PuraVida pic.twitter.com/uPmESvyJcc
— BGSU WBB (@BGSUwbb) August 13, 2022
7: SEVENTH HEAVEN
After enjoying a veritable plethora of experiences during the trip to Costa Rica, the Falcons had a chance to rest on Thursday. The travel party had a 'free day' at the hotel. After breakfast, many people headed to the pool or the ocean (which was directly behind the hotel). In the middle of the afternoon, a highly-competitive volleyball game broke out, with the players taking on the staff. When all was said and done, the teams had shifted somewhat, roughly six games had been played and the series was about as even as they come.
Everyone gathered in the evening to make the 10-minute walk to Lanterna, a fantastic Italian restaurant. It was the prefect ending to an enjoyable day, and a great way to wrap up a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Friday will see your beloved Falcons return to the United States and, eventually, to Northwest Ohio.
6: ATV AND BEACH TIME
Wednesday saw the Falcons head to the Pacific coast of this beautiful nation. The travel party took an ATV excursion, which included a hike to a breathtaking waterfall. Then, it was on to the Jaco Beach area for a few hours of free time. Options during that late-afternoon stretch included heading to the beach, grabbing some food, doing some shopping or all of the above. The Falcons then checked into the Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, where the team will spend the remainder of the trip.
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Another fantastic experience today as the team enjoyed an ATV excursion! More pics available in the web-site gallery...#AyZiggy | #BGSUinCR | #PuraVida pic.twitter.com/g54Xvr8BvO
— BGSU WBB (@BGSUwbb) August 11, 2022
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There's been a lot going on here in Costa Rica! A few 📸 from our whitewater rafting fun the other day...#AyZiggy | #BGSUinCR | #PuraVida pic.twitter.com/PzGBRKejjK
— BGSU WBB (@BGSUwbb) August 11, 2022
5: TUESDAY TOURS
Tours and tourism were the themes of the day on Tuesday, as the Falcons headed to downtown San Jose to begin the fun. The travel party visited the National Theater of Costa Rica, then headed next door to the Museo de Oro Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum). The players, coaches and staff then had a chance to take in the sights and sounds of Municipal Crafts Market. After many souvenirs were purchased and everyone grabbed a quick lunch on their own, it was back on the bus to venture to Hacienda Alsacia, Starbucks's first and only coffee farm. The travel party learned the origins of the coffee that winds up in the Starbucks across from the Stroh Center (as well as other Starbucks locations, of course). After the tour, of course, there was an opportunity to sample some coffee before heading back to the hotel.
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Trips to the National Theatre, a bustling market in downtown San Jose & the Starbucks coffee farm -- all in all, a nice little Tuesday!#AyZiggy | #BGSUinCR | #PuraVida pic.twitter.com/XUAayIZizm
— BGSU WBB (@BGSUwbb) August 9, 2022
4: WHITEWATER RAFTING
The bus left the hotel at 6:00 a.m. and returned roughly 11 hours later, but the lengthy trip was well worth it as the team enjoyed a day of whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River. The Falcon players, coaches and staff braved the rapids and emerged relatively unscathed before enjoying lunch and returning to the hotel. Just over an hour later, the bus departed once again as the travel party headed to a local restaurant for yet another spectacular dinner. Pura Vida!
3: KIDS CLINIC AND GAME DAY
The Falcons put on a clinic for local kids of all ages on Sunday, and a good time was definitely had by all. Any language barriers proved to be no problem whatsoever, as everyone spoke the universal language of basketball.
A lot of smiles at today's kids clinic -- everyone speaks the language of basketball!#AyZiggy | #BGSUinCR | #PuraVida pic.twitter.com/SVU8sKbrcC
— BGSU WBB (@BGSUwbb) August 7, 2022
In addition to the kids clinic, Sunday was also Game Day, as the Falcons took the court (a different court) and picked up a 114-34 win over a team from Heredia Sunday evening. BGSU led by 18 points after the first quarter, then saw the defense pitch a shutout for the entire second quarter and the first three-plus minutes of the third. By the time the Falcons allowed another bucket, BG's lead was 67-18.
Five different players scored in double digits, with 11 total Falcons finding the scoresheet, as BGSU hit 20 three-pointers in the win.
2: A BUSY SATURDAY
The Falcons had a jam-packed Saturday (Aug. 6) itinerary, to say the least. After eating breakfast at the hotel, the travel party boarded a bus at 7:30 a.m. for a two-hour ride to the San Luis area for a hanging bridges tour followed by a canopy tour/zip-lining excursion. It rained for much of the day in the rainforest, but the weather only added to the atmosphere as the players, coaches and staff hiked several miles, crossed numerous hanging bridges and later sailed through the air (and seemingly through the clouds as well).
After a quick lunch was consumed and a few souvenirs were purchased, the Falcons headed back to the hotel for a few hours. Saturday evening saw the team venture to the Tiquicia ("City Lights") restaurant, located high above the city of San Jose and featuring striking views of the city. Dinner was followed by dancing, and the team members not only watched, but participated in the fun.
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#PuraVida pic.twitter.com/Z0S4HXvg7P
— Robyn Fralick (@CoachFralick) August 7, 2022
Sunday is game day, as the Falcons will take to the court for a kids clinic in the afternoon and a game in the evening.
1: THE FALCONS HAVE LANDED
The first road trip of the season came earlier than usual, in more ways than one. Most seasons see the Falcons head out on the road starting in November, not August. And, those trips almost never begin at 2:30 in the morning! But, the 2022-23 season is getting off to a spectacular start as the BGSU travel party left the Stroh Center in the wee hours of Friday morning (Aug. 5).
The Falcons headed to Cleveland, then flew to Miami and on to Costa Rica. BGSU arrived in San Jose just before noon local time, and after grabbing lunch, the travel party headed to the hotel. The Falcon players, coaches and staff had a few hours to explore the hotel before reconvening for a scrumptious dinner.
Â
From the Stroh Center at 2:30 this morning to a team dinner nearly 18 hours later, it's been an eventful first day of our Costa Rica trip!#AyZiggy | #BGSUinCR | #PuraVida pic.twitter.com/eqrzhSxNto
— BGSU WBB (@BGSUwbb) August 6, 2022
Then, it was time to get some rest before the adventures continue on Saturday!
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Friday, March 13
Saturday, March 07
Monday, February 23
Saturday, February 21