University Press (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 72, No. 30, Ed. 1 Friday, February 2, 1996 Page: 5 of 6
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University Press • Friday, February 2,1996 • Page 5
Photo by Allen Pearson
Lamar University track head coach Barry Collins
records the times of his runners on a regular practice
day. Despite the inclement weather, practice proceeds
as scheduled.
Cardinal Track =
Veteran runners look to provide compass for success
Derrick Sonnier
UP sports writer
At first glance, one might say
that the Lamar University track
team has too much youth and inex-
perience to have a successful sea-
son. But head coach Barry Collins
feels that won’t be much of a prob-
lem.
“We don’t have much depth, but
we have quality,” Collins said.
The men’s team has 11 fresh-
men, but they have competed
well early in the season, accord-
ing to Collins.
Among the freshmen standouts
are Cason Horn, Malik Melgrave,
Michael Bryant and Chris Johnson.
Collins says that Johnson has been
“impressive” in anchoring the mile
relay.
Collins is counting on the experi-
ence of the returning members to
guide them and there is plenty of it.
Key returnees are Matt Brogger,
Scott Tweed, Sonny Taylor, who
provide four seasons and the most
experience, and Sam Barnett, who
won conference in the 110 hurdles
as a freshman.
“The main rea-
have been very
helpful. There has even been some
emerging leadership from the
freshmen, which is good,” said
Collins.
The women’s team is experienc-
ing similar circumstances but has
been hit hard by injuries, also.
Some key injury losses are
Cassie Raftis, Kersti Poupard, and
Melissa Tankersley, last year’s
indoor high jump champion who is
suffering from a stress fracture in
her back.
“The main problem right now is
that the women’s team is injury-rid-
den but is slowly getting ready.”
said Collins.
The women also have some
young athletes who are ready to
make an impact.
Collins feels that they have a
strong freshman class including
Christina McCarthy and Yamelis
Ortiz.
The key returning women who
will continue to provide the com-
petitive edge include Brandy
Johnston, Stephanie Duffy,
Vanessa Ringgold, Caroline
Harper, a transfer from Southwest
Texas State, Jennifer Washington
and Carla Chase of whom Collins
says he “is expecting great things.”
All in all, Collins seems pleased
with the teams performances and
feels they have overcome many of
their difficulties at this early point
of the season.
“Everyone’s working hard and
has a good, positive attitude and
has competed well thus far,”
Collins said.
The track team will travel to
McNeese Saturday for a meet.
Collins looks forward to the oppor-
tunity because he says it will be a
great chance to compete and tune-
up for indoor conference.
Another day, another ‘A’
Cardinal athletes score good grades
Fifty-one student athletes and trainers,
representing 33 percent of all Lamar
University participants in intercollegiate
sports, posted grade point averages of 3.0
or better in the 1995 fall semester.
Coach Jim Gilligan’s baseball team had
the most representatives (10) from one
sport although the men’s and women’s-
track teams combined for 14 honorees.
The baseball honorees and their majors
are Jonathon Davis (kinesiology), Kevin
Lane (kinesiology), Stephen Maas (arts and
sciences), James McNeel (physical thera-
py), Chip Mercer (pre-dental), Owen
Myhre (biology), Kevin Parker (kinesiolo-
gy), Bryan Spell (chemical engineering),
Morgan Walker (marketing) and Scott
Wood (general business).
Men’s track honorees are Matt Brogger
(industrial technology), Bryce Darby (civil
engineering), Brian Davidson (physical
therapy), Edward Heim (interdisciplinary
studies), Tobias Pollard (accounting), Chad
Sodolak (mechanical engineering), Michael
St. Clair (marketing) and Sonny Taylor
(criminal justice). Women’s track represen-
tatives include Vanessa Becton (interdisci-
plinary studies), Janet Davidson (interdis-
ciplinary studies), Stephanie Duffy (politi-
cal science), Christina McCarty (physical
therapy), Yamelis Ortiz (psychology) and
Cassie Raftis (kinesiology).
Basketball’s representatives are Matt
Sundblad (undecided), Lucas Wagler (mar-
keting), Debbie Cooper (kinesiology),
Petra Habermaier (kinesiology), Vlasta
Jamnickey (liberal arts) and Joanna
Sutherland (liberal arts).
Golfers making the honor roll include
Janean Barrett (kinesiology), Cindy
Bissett (kinesiology), Kelly Kirkpatrick
(psychology), Lotte Moeller (general busi-
ness) and Karen Saeversdottir (market-
ing), and Terry Rogers (personnel adminis-
tration).
The tennis representatives are Grant
Hough (business), Keith Tennison (pre-
med), Simon Vezina (mechanical engineer-
ing) and Anthony Weber (finance), men;
and Stephanie Greenwood (industrial engi-
neering), Kimberly Grimes (pre-pharma-
cy) and Jennifer Hilton (general business),
women.
The volleyball honorees are Tiffany
Barker (undecided), Cari Renfrow (busi-
ness) and Meredith Terrell (business).
Trainers making the scholastic roll
include Jeff Collum and Chad Jones, kine-
siology, and Michelle Nelson, Jeff Pulkinen
and Ward Willis, all in health education.
Five students posted perfect grades of
4.0. They are Duffy, Greenwood, Grimes,
Jamnickey and Sundblad.
• The UFA minor league football association is looking for a
few good men to fill positions for the Katy Cowboys football
team. If you feel you have what it takes and you live in Katy or
surrounding areas, tryouts for all positions are open. You must be
18-25 years of age with football experience. Please contact Coach
Bobby Jones at 564-0466 or Coach Steven Vutci at 556-8979.
• Dallas Cowboy’s linebacker Godfrey Myles will have surgery
on his left knee and left shoulder in late February.
Myles injured his knee during the first half of the Cowboys’ 27-
17 Super Bowl win against Pittsburgh. An MRI Wednesday
showed he tore the anterior cruciate ligament.
• Ken Griffey Jr. became baseball’s highest paid player
Wednesday, signing a four-year contract extension worth $34 mil-
lion.
The contract for the Seattle Mariners center fielder has an
average annual value of $8.5 million, topping the $7.29 million
annual average of the six-year deal Barry Bonds signed with San
Francisco in 1992.
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Of all the skills involved in baseball, the one
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jj hands, with the free hand on top of the ball.
THROWING THE BALL: Babe Ruth is
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j step forward with his right foot, turning the foot to
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! the intended target. Hopefully the target is the
first baseman, and not the first base dugout. The
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j arc is slightly smaller for an infielder than for a
jjpitcher, as a quick release is preferred.
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP: Always be alert
for any other base runners, or any bases that need
to be covered. Remember the play is never over
until the umpire says so.
Although its not all that fun to practice field-
ing the baseball, it is a crucial skill to master.
There’s nothing worse than being replaced in the
late innings of a game because you are not a good
fielder. Trust me. I know!
Owen Myrhe is UP staff writer and pitches for the
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Harbin, Tracy. University Press (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 72, No. 30, Ed. 1 Friday, February 2, 1996, newspaper, February 2, 1996; Beaumont, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth500847/m1/5/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Lamar University.