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Gymnasts aim to
end title drought
A long drought could end for the Nebraska
gymnastics team this weekend at the Big Eight
gymnastics championships.
The last time the Huskers won an individual
title was in the conference's first championship
meet in 1964. However, the Huskers' Hoppy
Batten is favored to win a gold medal in the
high bar in this year's meet, Friday and
Saturday at the University of Kansas.
Batten, a junior from Lincoln, leads the Big
Eight with a 9.15 average (10 is perfect) in the
high bar competition.
Besides the high bar, Husker Gymnastics
Coach Francis Allen predicts Batten has a good
chance to win a $old medal in the vaulting
event.
"Hoppy has a new vault which is really
tricky," he said. "If he can execute it well, he
could finish first"
While Batten will be competing for top
honors, Allen said the Huskers as a team will be
battling for second place behind defending Big
Eight and NCAA champion Iowa State.
"Nobody is going to be able to touch Iowa
State," Allen said. "But our practical goal is to
finish behind Iowa State in the Big Eight. It will
probably be between Oklahoma, Kansas State
and Nebraska for that second place. If we do
finish second, the team and I will be more than
satisfied."
Iowa State leads the Big Eight with a 162 50
average in meets this season, while the Huskers
are ranked fourth with a 147.25 average behind
Oklahoma and Kansas State.
A possible second place finish for the
Huskers could be hampered by a recent injury
to Gene Mackie's left knee.
"Our finish will probably depend on
Mackie's condition," Allen said. "Mackie is our
best all-around performer. I'd like to think he
will be ready for this weekend."
Mackie admits the injury has hindered his
practices and mental attitude. "I've been
working for a year towards this meet," Mackie
said. "It is too bad my injury occurred when it
did. But I'll just have to do the best I can."
The Huskers' other entries include: Larry
Evermann, Harold Traver and John Thurber on
the side horse; Barry Cross, John Kocourek,
Mackie and Batten on the parallel bars; James
Gump and Batten in the floor exercise; and
Peter Studenski, Mark Albanese and Mackie on
the still rings.
Nebraska's best showing in the Big Eight
meet during Allen's three-year reign was a
fourth place finish last year.
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Tennis team
faces uncertainty
The recent balmy weather has helped the Nebraska tennis
team prepare for its upcoming season, but Ed Higginbotham
faces uncertainties as he enters his 22nd year as the Husker
tennis coach.
"I wish I knew how we'll do this year," Higginbotham said.
The Huskers last season finished 7-7 in dual competition and
were fifth in the Big Eight meet.
"We'll be competitive," Higgenbotham added "We don't
have the No. 1 player like we did the past two years. But down
the line we'll be in good shape."
The Husker coach is also uncertain about his line-up as the
Huskers prepare to open their 20-match season against Luther
College Monday on the UNL courts.
"I thought we had our ladder well established, but the
players keep tearing it up," Higginbotham said. "But this
competition is a good thing."
The veteran tennis coach has two seniors on his squdJim
Rathe of Beatrice and Ed Bullock of Lincoln. Rathe enters his
fourth year on the varsity, but has been recently troubled by a
wrist injury.
Junior John Stromberg of Omaha and three
sophomores -Jim Crew of Omaha, Dave Lux of Lincoln and
Sig Garnett of Lincoln -are also bidding for high positions in
the team's line-up.
While Higginbotham is uncertain about his team, he is
certain Oklahoma will win the Big Eight meet. May 19-20 at
the Homestead Country Club in Kansas City, Kan.
"Oklahoma with all their power and good weather will win
the meet before it's held," he said.
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PAGE 12
THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1972