Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Women’s track to defend national title 6 - PHOTO BY JOHNNY HAYNES/THE GAMECOCK Carolina’s women's track team is leaping at the chance to win its second NCAA championship. can return to her past form after a re cent injury. Wilks finished second in the long jump and third in the hep tathlon at the 2002 SEC outdoor cham pionships, in which Carolina was the top finisher. She was awarded the SEC Commissioner’s Trophy for her efforts. Aleen Bailey has been strong for the Gamecocks during the indoor season. She has been named SEC track athlete of the week, and her success will be a vital part of USC’s chances of winning a national championship. Demetria Washington, 2002’s national women’s indoor track and field athlete of the year, is also back at full speed and will be a national contender in the 200-me ter and 400-meter races. Miki Barber is also coming off an injury and has had top-five finishes in the 400 and the 200. But one of Carolina’s other strengths will be in its distance run ning. Leading the charge for USC is Jenny Lake, who had a successful fall season with the cross-country team. Last week, Lake broke the school record for the 3,000-meter run and should contend for the school record in the mile run. Frye thinks she is meeting her potential. “We have high expectations for Jenny,” he said. “Our DMR (distance medley relay) broke the school record because Jenny Lake ran a Five-minute flat mile on the end of it. Jenny Lake’s already fitting in as becoming the all time best distance runner in the his tory of Carolina.” Carolina has the ability to land among the nation’s top men’s and women’s track teams again. “Our women, last year, were fourth in the country indoors,” Frye said. “We’re not a strong indoor team, but I figure we’re in there at sixth right now, and we have a shot at the top five. If we can come out of the NCAAs with two top-five finishes, I’ll be happy, and if we can come out of the SECs with two top-five finishes, I’ll be happy.” Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com BY MATT ROTHENBERG THE GAMECOCK How does the national champion in women’s outdoor track try to capital ize on its school’s first-ever NCAA team title? By trying to make it two in a row. With a group of returning athletes rivaling that of any school in the coun try, women’s track head coach Curtis Frye is looking forward to his team’s performance as the indoor season winds down. “I’m pleased. I’m not satisfied. We have a long ways to go,” he said. “The indoor season ends in three weeks, and the NCAAs are on March 14. We’re into that championship phase of the season, and, at this point, we’ve done a good job.” While there are plenty of talented runners on the Gamecocks’ roster, the throwers have gained much attention from Frye. Nicole Kendrick, who transferred to USC from Syracuse, is the leader, Frye said, as well as an NCAA qualifier in the shot put. Frye is hoping that Antoinette Wilks Balloons ■ Party Supplies Mardi Gras Supplies St. Patrick's Day Supplies ^ Popcorn ■ P-nuts ■ Cotton Candy Imprinted Products: T-shirts, mugs, caps... ■B[Q!3n3E3E3QBSE3liHGRSBBDQBQE!]Ci£U 1055 Berea Road next to William Brice Stadium Monday-Saturday NEW LOCATION! 779-2290 www.cromers.com Men’s basketball heads to fqpm Orleans BY MATT ROTHENBERG THKCAMKCOUK Students who are planning to travel to New Orleans for spring break can also catch the Gamecock men's basketball team in action at the 2003 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament. m iwnr - The tournament will be hgjpl at the Louisiana Superdome in downtow The cost of tickets for slui player-guest gate and pre; chase tickets. The first 30 studen everyone who pure! admission seating in the 600 level of tb _ __ Students will be in%Mch their team is participating, and the entire ticketing process will be repeated as the teams advance in the tour nament. For answers to any questions or for additional information, please contact the USC ticket office at 777-4274. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com