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0} No 12 <iainecock baseball team ai A Unburn; Friday through Sunday; R; \M Vx) 1 ad\ < iamecock Softball team at Kentiu kv; Friday and Saturday FHday, March 27,1998 # Wrestling at hard-core extreme L mis campus " ^ shawn SINGLETON brain cells Singleton 3:16 j? please 0 ? the fans. Jaw-jacking, bones creaking, blood flowing and the unnerving thud of a head as it becomes aquainted with a table are the only things that will satiate a crowd with a Roman appetite for violonmi When the smoke clears, only one man can be crowned champion, to the adoration and approval of his blood-thirsty fans. ^ If you thought those were the * opening lines to my first novel, please. If you want literature, read what the new proprietor of the liquor store, Keith, has to offer. Instead, this is the beginning of this week's latest installment of "3:16." This week, the Singleton World Tour decided to stay right here in Columbia for a spectacle that was bigger (and probably more interesting) than that scam called the Academy Awards. And who the hell is Oscar, anyway? If I: j him walking down the street, he gets a Diamond Cutter on the concrete from me on general principle for letting "Titanic" win so many of him. As you can see, I'm in a wrestling mood, and Monday night, I had the pleasure of attending the USCW a (GWA to those on the inside) Nitro ~ Party. The brainchild of Jamie Sanderson treated a packed house to a brawl that would probably get ECF'nW sent to Comedy Central. Anything more violent would get Marines sent here, and they probably would have enjoyed the show, too. Oh, by the way, the best show on cable was on, and it's not Melrose PlaceThere wasn't much left standing after this event was over. The Average White Band put it best when they sang, "Everything is fair when you're living in the city." However, we sang the song to the tune of trash cans, boxes, crutches and anvthine else that came into the hands of the participants. The announcer's table was destroyed by a DDT by Simply Amazing on Bo Wrangler. Simply Amazing still lost his Intercontinental belt when, after putting on his Amazing Finisher, he spent too much time celebrating and was DDT'ed by one of the announcers. Despite the loss, he is truly amazing. Anyone who jumps off the roof on somebody gets mad props from this writer. When I asked him about it, he _ replied, never at a loss for words, ' "Jumping off the roof proved a point. I'll do anything for the USCW. WWF will hear me knocking on their door real soon." The strongest performance came from the smallest man in the field. USCW Champion Rage is a small, but powerful, fireplug who won the belt by beating a much larger opponent, Big Daddy Smooth, with the Fisherman's Suplex. He even kicked my ass, but not ^ before he got the DDP treatment on MTV Live with my DDT. "Ill challenge and DDT anybody. I'll pick up anybody," he said as I was popping Advil. Big Daddy Smooth was not as receptive after the loss. "After that punk Dark Side ruined my chance at a belt, the belt will be on the big man's waist soon." I hope I have given a fair but funny spin on this event. I will never be ^ a wrestler, but if you or someone you know is interested in what goes on here, call Jamie Sanderson at 5444276. Better yet, tune in to WUSC on Thursday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight where DDM, The Icon and Bruiser B will answer all your questions concerning wrestling. Last week, the trio received 45 calls on their show, so tune in to get fa a good laugh, if nothing else. t No. idio: CA She can picture the momi in tact, she can visualize n most perfectly, down to the simp most precise details. The year is 2 and Michelle Davison is standin a podium in Sydney, Australia, \ the "Star-Spangled Banner" boi ing splendidly off of the concrete Ions and steel beams of the maj icent venue. Slowly, the red, white and 1 flag that inspired those triumpl strains is lifted up toward the raf as Davison, in one gracious mi bows her head and closes her e At that exact moment, at that ] cise tick of her unconscious cl where she actually feels the silk bon brushing against the back of neck. Suddenly she wakes up. It's 1998 and Davison's b dreaming again. She's back in dorm room now, back to the evi day grind of life as a college fr< man in Columbia, S.C. Instead o Olympic medal ceremony, on 1 particular Tuesday morning it's t for her 8 a.m. English class, and c again the hustle of make-up, clot] notebooks and a million other thi have temporarily removed the dn oi uiympic gold irom tnis la-yeai diver's mind. But not too far. After nine titles on two Olyn teams, a fifth-place finish at the 1 Olympic Trials, an llth-place fii at the World Championships in Pe Australia in January, an SEC reo setting performance on the 3-m< board in March, plus another Toj showing this past weekend at NCAAs; Davison has probably ear the right to indulge her fanti just a little bit. "It's like I get goose bumps j thinking about the Olympics," Di son said. "Especially if I get int deep dream like that where I can it. When I went to Australia January and was actually at Olympic pool, it was an absolul unbelievable feeling. Now I can ] ture it more vividly, I can pictur with the colors and the crowd..." She leans back, takes a deep, g ifying breath and smiles. "Yeah, I love thinking about th she said. Davison's coach and mentoi the past 12 years, USC diving co Todd Sherritt, said he took soi thin? slicrVltlv rnnrn nrnnfinnl ki | mvift yiavnivai u< Spring pi sports editor BRYMi JOHNSTON USC volleyball coach Kim Hudso is truly excited about the prospect of the 1998 season. She has good re? son to, with three All-SEC performer returning, including two-time firsl teamer Ashley Edlund, second-tear performers Crystal Moore and Cind Robarge and a recruiting class tha would rival the best around. But the regular season isn't unt; the fall and those recruits have yet t hit the campus, so that leaves Hudso: witn a group ot seven returners fo spring practice. Even with the small er-than-normal numbers, Hudson i pleased with her team's first two week of practice. "We only have seven in the gym and that's been different than wha we've had in the past," Hudson said "It seems like we're getting a lot done. With only two starters returninj from last year's NCAA Tournamen team, the heavy load will fall on Ed lund and Moore. And according to Hud son, they're not disappointing. "Ashley just looks great going in to her senior year," Hudson said. "She physically, is in the best shape I've eve seen Ashley be in. She's always beei in good shape, but she's taken anoth er step as far as physical conditioning "Crystal Moore is a different play er, too. She has become comfortabli Spc The Gai > uiAina,, #j l?> 4r The^NI, VI DI \ lipfe N By Will Slpnin ent^ unc ]jjj| }lue Vfl lant yes. pre- |H rib- H | \ een I her ?sh- Ml ;his ime race ? ties, IlgS jam g? old ipic 996 USC freshman diver Michelle I lish 2000 Olympic Games in Sydne rth, the 3-meter competition at the S irditer home with him after their trip down ) 10 under. the "I learned how to drive on the left ned side of the road really well," Sherritt asy said. "I'm hoping it's something I'll ha\e to be familiar with." ust Whatever side of the story you avi- choose, it's been a long, long road for ;o a this duo since Sherritt first noticed see a seven-year old girl diving at a neighi in borhood pool in Harbison. He imthe mediately made the acquaintance of ;ely the girl's mother, Denise Davison, pic- and asked if he could start working e it with her. That was 1987. After 12 years Qrt/^ rvuintloaa Vimvra onnnf in fVici nnnl I d\J" UilU WVUIUiWO 11UUX U OJJV11V U1 Ui^ ywij Michelle Davison is now not only one at," of the top young divers in the nation, she's well on her way to becoming r of one of the top divers in the world and ach a legitimate Olympic prospect, ne- "It's a real inspiration for me to lck watch Michelle succeed," Sherritt ractice, rec and gained quite a bit of self-confidence. I've been real happy with the n way Mandy Quarterman has grown. s It's amazing what six months will do l" as far as their maturity level. All of s the girls seem to be doing real well." Without a full roster, the Lady n Gamecocks are lifting, running and y training five days a week. They lift 1 at 6:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and work on strength and con1 ditioning at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday and 0 Thursday. They then hit the gym for practice every afternoon Monday to I*" Friday. "In Spring Training, the key is for us to become better volleyball players," Hudson said. "Right now, our con{ ditioning is the best I've seen. They t seem to be working hard and there [ seems to be a lot of team unity, so ? I'm happy about that." g USC's first tournament of the t spring session will be April 3, when Carolina taxes on Ueorgia Tech in an all-day tournament. For the entire spring, USC has two tournaments at . home and one at Georgia Tech. i, With only seven players returning, r five of which will be sophomores, bringi ing in experience is a key for Hudson. Enter Danika Taylor and Jennifer "J.B." Brose. Both are junior college - transfers who will be looked upon to 3 fill the spots left by Heather Larkin )RTS necock *0 JwBW Jllif isf _ _ i # /mpi< "earn liam Folks r Writer mo ] max has l attil k peti Jjj^. h?rf SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK ^ ^S )avison hopes to compete in the y, Australia. The Irmo native won ;.ear" iEC Championships. *or S( heri said. "I've always admired her determination. There are some things as a coach that you try to impart to a kid, but there are so many other things that only they them- ' selves can bring to the table. s "I think Michelle has always brought the heart of a champion. She mo^ has always dove with a lot of heart Olyn and competitiveness ever since she s"es was a little girl, and that kind of in- ing h trinsic drive is the mark of a great "j athlete." said. "It's been a long, long process," come said Michelle's lather, Charles Davi- A son. "But it's something she's always place wanted to do from a very young age. ontt At first, I think she liked just respe jumping off the board and getting the I high up into the air, and then after V that, she started learning all the all be tricks." ' to ke These days, Davison's goals could- urati n't be much more lofty. While the Ir- divip ruits excite (graduation) and Dee Dee Fortman be j (transfer). gra Brose is a middle blocker from futi Cabrillo Junior College in Cabrillo, Calif. She is from Soquel, Calif. cial "J.B.'s a really nice player who'll bet! add stability where we'll miss our se- broi niors, Hudson nioi " sa^' 001116 upo Pin and add stajyj bility right away, bee T|. She's a complete a gi \ jBb'- middle blocker agi * df ^?m ^ew Mexico I State, who played clas IkMHi with Moore at Hu< HUDSON NMSU is a Along with US! the two transfers, iUo. Hudson is excited about four others, particularly Cally Plummer. sch< Plummer, a 6'0 left-hander from trai Cheboygan, Mich., comes from the "gh same club team as Edlund. She is a ght member of the "Fab 50" team as re- stn leased by "Volleyball Magazine" and ghe has Hudson extremely pleased at the the thought of her immediate impact. p0S] "She's a great athlete and a great competitor with a good attitude," Hud- v an son said. "She's the real deal. She's go- NC. ing to add a lot to our program. She and Cindy [Robarge] will be duking it \ w out on that right side. She's going to ern Nate si Wrestli to the Tickets sale to office i I 2 c sfx Edi inl n& str sist olii het der the Jef native has already surpassed mo Ly of her original aspirations, she still managed to keep the same tude toward training and com- asg tion that makes her the profi- aft( t diver she is today. w mil fhrough the tortuous regimen of coc litioning, the intense concentrarequired in her technical train- Fo{ and in overcoming a serious I Wi( ab injury that threatened to end Wh reshman season earlier this year, bee ison just keeps on winning. -pro has a perspective that few oth- Sou hletes her age enjoy?a strong confidence and spirit that seem wh< rive on the pressure. peo] Diving is different from swim- has I in that it isn't a fast time that ph? i it for you," Davison said. "Ba- has ily, you're in the hands of the l?y? es, and if you don't have the meics in your dive that they're lookor, they'll dock you. * jr0' I just go out and have fun, try to 1 c and just do the best that I can use I know if I hit a great dive, won't be able to take anything c_ ? coa< y from me. I don't know too many kids I've ed with who can handle the pres- p like Michelle," Sherritt said. i can put a camera on her, make gn? big-time a meet as you want, she's still able to dive without ^ 0 I think having trained with her org 0 long it's easier for me to keep un j n that mode because I know her was er. I don't have to figure her is e )r learn what motivates her." the We have a great relationship," son said. '1 know him like a book, 0nd le knows me like a book because sist watched me grow up." ing )avison's training has quite a on t ivation now. With the 2000 lpic Games just two years away, exp already started mentally prepar- wit) terself for the challenge. saic It's going to be tough," Davison thii "The sport has definitely be- wit] : competitive." We iter posting sixth and seventh 1 overall finishes at the NCAAs wor te 1-meter and 3-meter boards, actively, next up for Davison are ? J.S. Spring Nationals April 14. /ith her coach, family and friends hind her, look for this freshman ep making a splash (that's figvely, of course) on the national \J g scene. sjafr Hudson z ^ l out i really nice addition to our prom and somebody to watch in the ^en *? " leac To fill the spot of defensive spe- 0f j ist left by Stacy Donham, Elizati Price, out of Hammond, is being gtro aght in. She is in the Gamecock Ju s Club Program and will be looked n to contribute immediately. erg "I'm really proud about Elizabeth q q ause she is extremely athletic, has q reat personality, good court deanor and she fits well with the , in," Hudson said. "She's going to be an eat addition to our squad." The final recruit in Hudson's 1998 ^ ^ s is Laura Lstes. Lstes, who is trom ison's hometown of Amarillo, Tex., c 5'10 outside hitter. She played for *>an C assistant Scott Sandel in Amar- ^ ry 9 "Laura is a middle blocker in high doI and club that we're planning on the ( ning on the outside," Hudson said, e's very athletic and a good jumper. to 2 i'll benefit quite a bit from our jngth and conditioning program. i's a great athlete who has been in the middle, but we think her natural wee ition is on the outside." the The Lady Gamecocks, who adiced to the second round of the this AA Tournament, will tentatively aga i up the 1998 season at 7 p.m. Sept. bet\ hen they host Charleston SouthWe< ays World Championship ing's Thunder will be coming Carolina Coliseum April 22. ? for the event will go on day at the Coliseum box and Capital Ticket outlets. Page 5 ^nalpr v6lk" innounces :hanges; >rts editor BRYMi JOHNSTON When USC head basketball coach die Fogler looked to fill a vacant spot lis coaching staff, he needed to look further than his own bench. Fogler announced Tuesday the reucturing of his coaching staff. Rick Callahan, a 12-year Fogler asant entering his sixth season at C aria, has been promoted to associate id coach. John Cooper, a former player unFogler entering his fourth year with Gamecocks, fills the vacancy left by T Lebo, who resigned earlier this nth to take over head coaching duj at Tennessee Tech. Barclay Radebaugh moves into an istant coaching position on the staff er serving for two years as an adniafvofivo oaaiafanf f/vr fV?o .HQ VI U Vi ? V/ UQQ1QVUX1V 1U1 U11V/ U CU11V k basketball program. Callahan has been a member of pier's staff since the duo's days at :hita State, which began in 1986. ile at Fogler's side, Callahan has n instrumental in turning around grams at WSU, Vanderbilt and ith Carolina. "Rick Callahan is a tireless worker ) has done a terrific job with our big pie over the years," Fogler said. "Rick been involved with all aspects and ises of running a major college ketball program, and his longevity, dty and work ethic have earned him promotion to associate head coach." Cooper, a native of Kansas City, , has been on Fogler's coaching staff the past three seasons, all post-seaappearances for the Gamecocks. He came to South Carolina after nding two seasons as an assistant ih under former USC assistant Rick :kett at Fayetteville State. Cooper played at Wichita State in ler's final two years there (1987-88, 8-89) and was the team captain his d two years with the Shockers. "John has been a tremendous asset ur staff," Fogler said. "He is a very J J* .! J 1 _ 11 anizea individual and onngs a que experience to the court as he i an outstanding player. I know John xcited about his expanded role on court and on the road recruiting." Radebaugh just completed his secseason as the administrative asant for the Gamecocks after servsix seasons as an assistant coach ;he college level. "Barclay Radebaugh has coaching erience when he was on the staff h Butch Estes at Furman," Fogler 1. "He is very familiar with everylg we do and has done a great job h our program the last two years, certainly look forward to Barclay ring up to fill John Cooper's slot and king closely with us on the court." ISC sweeps la. State r writer MARK PIRAS uou took two games trom the fan's Tuesday and Wednesday, winl by a combined score of 27-6. Tuesday, the Gamecocks pounded 14 hits, including the seventh homeof the season for catcher Ryan Boriick and jumped out to an 11-2 I before winning by the final score 2-6. Freshman Peter Bauer pitched five ng innings to notch his fourth win le season against no losses. Wednesday, four Gamecock pitchcombined for a two-hit shutout of rgia State, winning decisively, 15Bordenick hit his eighth homerun freshman Tripp Kelly hit a twohomerun to pace USC. Junior center fielder Mike Curry five stolen bases in the series, in ling four stolen bases in Tuesday's le and a steal of home Wednes, Wednesday's stolen base gave Cur0 for his career, vaulting him past n Gambrell (1971-74) for second on all-time Gamecock list. Ihe Gamecocks ran its overall record 3-6. The team has won seven of its eight games. Pollsters took notice of USC after dramatic wins over Alabama last kend. USC is now ranked No. 10 in country by Collegiate Baseball. The Gamecocks travel to Auburn ) weekend for a key road series inst the Tigers. Auburn is ranked veen 4 and 6 in all four major polls. The next home game is at 7 p.m. inesday against Clemson.