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dally nebraskan
frlday, march 2, 1979
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Nebraska gymnasts fight letdown
feiiild momentum for season's end
Photo by Mark Billhtgslty
UNL gymnast Larry Gerard performs on the high
bar.
By Mark Getzfred
While the Nebraska men's gymnastics team hopes to
use Friday night's dual against Louisiana State as a tune
up for the Big Eight meet, the women's team faces a dif
ficult task because of injuries to two all-arounders.
Both Francis Allen's No. 1 ranked men and Judy
Schalk's women face LSU Friday night at 7:30 pjn. in
the track at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
Despite a 217.70 to 213.40 win over Southern Illinois
last weekend, assistant coach Jim Howard said the men
had a let down after defeating Oklahoma the previous
weekend.
"We're working to get back on the upswing and are
looking for a better team output," Howard said. A score
of 220 team points would get Nebraska rolling again, he
added.
But, Judy Schalk said the outcome of the women's
meet is in doubt because of injuries to Patty Carmichael
and Renee Reisdorff. Residorff hasn't worked out this
week because of a back injury and Carmichael is suffering
from tendonitis and may be able to compete in only a
couple of individual events, Schalk said.
Important time
If neither of the all-arounders can compete, Karen
Matson and Tami Pawlichka will replace them, she added.
LSU has Injury problems of their own as their top all
arounder, Jeanne Beedle, is out with a knee injury.
"The girls are feeling down right now. It's an important
time of the year and they are frustrated, because they are
not working out because of injuries," Schalk said.
Although LSU is currently ranked 16th, Schalk said
her team would beat them if it was healthy.
But the meet is . important to the women's team
because of the AIAW National championships March
30-31 . Seven teams who don't win regional championships
will receive "at-large" berths to the nationals based upon
their dual meet scores, Schalk said. If Nebraska doesn't
win its regional, a berth is a possibility .
Missing men
While the women may compete without two all
arounders, the men also may be without the services of
two gymnasts. Vaulter Steve Elliott will be
competing in the Big Eight swimming and diving
championships this weekend. Junior Richard Brlndisi may
be sidelined because of a foot injury, Howard said.
"He has b'een working on it some but he is question
able," Howard said. LSU, he said, will provide the type of
competition the team needs to get ready for the Big Eight
meet March 8-9 in Norman , Okla.
"I think we are going to need 222 or 223 points to
beat Oklahoma on their home floor. We're looking at this
meet as an Upswing into the Big Eight meet," Howard
said.
Seniors Kirlc Fridrich and Larry Gerard agreed.
"We heed this meet to start off the Big Eight. We were
down a little last week," said Fridrich, NU's high bar and
parallel bars specialist. "We hope to get a big crowd. It's
our last meet before we go to Norman."
Peak at end
Although Gerard said the team should perform better
than- it did against Southern Illinois, it probably won't
top the score of the Oklahoma meet;
"I don't think everyone is going to be psyched to the
max," Gerard said. "We want to do well in the meet to get
ready for the Big Eight."
Gerard said the team has been working to peak out at
the end of the year. The number one ranking has added
dignity to the team, he added.
For Fridrich, Gerard and three other seniors, the LSU
meet will be the last one before a home crowd. Terry
Nowels, Steve Parks and Steve Todd will be making their
final home appearance
"I want to do well. I won't ever compete here again,"
Gerard said. An added incentive, Gerard said, is that he
didn't perform well against Southern Illinois.
Fridrich said his final home appearance will be sad, but
the four years under Coach Allen have been fun. In four
years Allen has expanded the team from Omaha and Linc
oln people to out-of-state gymnasts, he added';. , .
"It's progressing at a rate which is just fantastic,"
rnancn saia.
Jamaican speedster runs into homestretch for Huskers
By Ed McClymont
Ray Mahoney. The name isn't as familiar as Richard
Berns, Carl McPipe or Scott Poehling, but it would be a
tie if one said his level of success wasnt on an even keel
with any one of the three.
Mahoney, a senior member of the UNL track team, is
the reigning champion in the Big Eight outdoor 400
meters and the indoor 440 yards, which he won last week
at the Big Eight Indoor Championships at Oklahoma City.
What makes Mahoney 's story a little more unique than
most is he hails from Jamaica, one of four team members
(Everton DaCosta, Pat McKenzie and Everad Samuels are
the others) from the country.
"Coach Sevigne has a lot of contacts down there,"
Mahoney said. "A couple of ex-Nebraskans from Jamaica
watch out for new prospects."
The native Jamaican is a co-captain with Mark Fluitt
for this year's squad.
"Being a co-captain along with Mark, we try to set an
example and lead the team," Mahoney said.
Af.work
If he is letting his actions set an example, Mahoney
would earn an "A" for his work. He has qualified for the
NCAA national championships in the 440. yard dash and
mile relay. This marks the fourth consecutive year he has
made the trip to the meet, which is in Detroit this year,
g "I'd rather not run the quarter, I want to concentrate
on the mile relay," Mahoney said.
Hie best finish for a Husker mile relay team at the
nationals with Mahoney was fifth place, a spot which
he feels can be Improved upon. ,
"I'm sure we do stand a good chance of winning the
mile relay " Mahoney said. 'Wre not awed by anyone."
Sihsfa Mahoney first arrived in Lincoln in 1975 the
track conditions were a little different than now. At the
time the squad still ran Under Memorial Stadium which
was end still is called the "mushroom gardens." - '
"I hid t lot of weird experiences in it, Mahoney said.
"I sure was gad to get out of there."
, . Mere spectators
1 The next season the team moved into what b now the
Ccb Devsney Sports Center. Along with the move came
sa upraing ia spectator tad team spirit.
Tm sure the spirit is picking Up,! Mahoney said. 'The
crowds have beta great. We get more people for t dual
rn::t thin there was for the tig Eit Lndoor meet."
Z's.z3 fv3 fccca htts the program hn been going up
cv?-y y::r. This yzz we have a rc;I msA Usm, a lot of
i :zi:y tZzri fh'trc&a front Jasiika to Ne
braska was difficult four years ago, because It allowed
him few visits to his home country .Generally he made it
back during the summer, and sometimes, during Christmas.
His Christmas break was cancelled this year because of a
track meet.
Since Mahoney made the transition, he has enjoyed his
years at Nebraska, except for one thing.
Respects his coach
"Every winter I look out there and see the cold," Ma
honey said. "But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy here.'
I've really liked Nebraska since Pve been here. Most of all
, I have alot of respect for Coach Sevigne ' : v V
Mahoney Said he isn't sure what the future holds for
him after he graduates this summer from Teachers
College. He has been taking a look at the Olympics, as
a possible entry on the Jamaican national team.
"I'm not sure about it (the Olympics)," Mahoney said.
"IH just have to wait and see what happens?'
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