The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, March 27, 1998, Page 5, Image 5
0} No 12 <iainecock baseball team ai
A Unburn; Friday through Sunday; R;
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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
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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
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pre- |H
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ties,
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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
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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.