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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 1989)
Sports NU swimmers to compete this weekend T).. I/tfT A v%aI K *** ^ • j ka ^ Senior Editor Nebraska women’s swimming coach Ray Huppert admits he has heard the grumbling. Huppert said he has heard all about his team’s schedule, which will force the Comhuskers to miss Satur day’s Nebraska-Oklahoma game. Instead of being in the “friendly confines” of Memorial Stadium, Nebraska will travel to Greenville, S.C., to face Furman on Friday and face lOth-ranked Clemson Saturday in Clemson, S.C. The men’s team also will be in action this weekend, facing Southern Methodist Saturday at the Bob Dcva ncy Sports Center. The meet, which is free to all University of Nebraska Lincoln students who present their student ID cards, begins at 5 p.m. Huppert said the Husker women have told him all about his schedul ing. “They all said, ‘Nice schedule, u—i miu. seriously though, I can’t remember a time since I’ve been here that we’ve seen the Nebraska-Oklahoma game.” Huppert said his team’s challenge will be similar to the task that awaits the Nebraska football team, as the Huskers will have less than 14 hours to recover from the Furman meet and a 30-mile trip before facing Clem son. The Furman meet begins at 6 p.m. Friday, and the Clemson competition starts at 9 a.m. Saturday. Huppert said he isn’t worried about the challenge that awaits Ne braska. “That’s what swimming is all about,” he said. “Our training is geared to ask the athletes to swim quickly, no matter what the circum stances.” Huppert said Nebraska cannot afford to look past Furman, even though the Paladins arc suffering through hard times. The Furman women’s swimming program suf fered a jolt last August, when Angel Myers was disqualified from the U.S. Olympic Trials after testing positive for alleged steroid use. Myers used up her collegiate eligi bility last season, and the Paladins have had a hard time replacing her, Huppert said. “Furman isn’t as strong as they have been in the past,” Huppert said. “But we can’t afford to look past them. If we do, Furman could very well beat us.” Huppert said his team knows all about Clemson, which finished eighth at last year’s NCAA champi onships. He said the Tigers possess a small squad that builds its strength around quality. “They’re not a real deep team as far as numbers go,” Huppert said. “They’ve only got 12 swimmers, but 10 of those will probably go to the NCAAs.” Huppert said his unranked squad is not intimidated by Clemson. “I don’t think there’s a team in the country these kids feel they can’t compete with,” he said. “We feel good about the way we’re training. There’s a lot of confidence on this team.” Nebraska men’s coach Cal Bentz said there is also a lot of confidence on his lOth-ranked team. He said he wants that confidence to spill over against 14th-rankcd SMU. “SMU is a real good school with a long tradition of swimming,” Bentz said. ‘‘They have been a national power for many years.” Bentz said Nebraska is looking forward to competing against a team of SMU’s caliber. The Mustangs arc led by sprinter Todd Pace, who is a member of the U.S. National Team, and diver Scott Donie. Bentz said SMU matches up with Nebraska. “They’ve got some excellent swimmers and one of the top colle giate divers in Scott Donie, and they’re very well balanced,’ ’ he said. Bentz said his team also is bal anced. Among the Husker returnees arc All-America selections Ryan Bell, Sean Frampton and Bob Fitzpa trick. Peter Williams, an All-Amer ica selection in the 50- and 100-yard freestyles, also returns, but has been slowed by a shoulder injury. “We have several swimmers who arc excellent in their own right,” Bentz said. “With the returning All Americans and conference champi ons, we feel that this is an excellent group of swimmers that should help our team go far.” Bentz said Nebraska is looking forward to facing SMU even though the meet is the Huskers’ first official competition of the season. Ne braska’s only other competition was the United States Swimming meet, which pitted the Huskers against a variety of club teams. “We’re ready and anxious,” Bentz said. “This meet should come down to whoever wants to win the race the most, and we’re definitely ready. “This meet is going to be a real challenge and a hard-fought battle all the way.” No, dad, you re not having a nightmare’ “Ooooh...” Dad, can you hear me? “Where am I?” You’re in a hospital in Lincoln. “What happened to me?” When Nebraska beat Oklahoma last year, you passed out, hit your head on a scat and have been in a coma for almost a year now. “It’s coming back to me. What a game. Remember how hard it was for me to pose as a student to get a ticket?” Especially since you used a girl’s ID. “But it was worth all the trouble. The Comhuskers won — for the first time in ages.” Dad, it was only four years. “Well, it seems longer. Tell what has happened since I’ve been out.” The Huskefs got beat by Miami in the Orange Bowl. “Of course. Couldn’t slop that Hurricane passing attack, huh?” Actually, the defense played well. The offense just couldn’t do any thing. “Osborne run up the middle too much?” No, not enough. The ‘Canes sagged their tiny linemen off the line to get a good pass rush. Oh, after the season, Jimmy Johnson quit to be come coach of the Dallas Cowboys. “Wow! How about Charles Th ompson. Is he all right? I remember him breaking his leg in the OU game.” I don’t know, Dad. He got arrested for selling drugs. “So Barry is without a quarter back?” Barry is without a team. In addi tion to Thompson’s bust, two good friends on the team got into a small argument in the athletic dorm over a cassette tape, so one shot the other in the chest. “I’m glad it was a small argu ment.” And the NCAA put the team on probation, so Switzer quit this sum mer. “You’re lying.” No, I’m serious. The new coach, Garry Gibbs, promised to bring in a new attitude and clean up the pro gram. “Who’s Gary Gibbs?” He played for the Sooners when the team was on probation and Switzer started as coach. He’s been a key assistant at Oklahoma for years. “Now I know you’re lying. Sounds Hke firing Yosemitc Sam to hire ElmcrFudd, though Idon’tknow why I would associate Oklahoma with a cartoon.” Well, he said he would clean things up. “Is Oklahoma doing as well as normal?” The Sooners are 7-3. “I suppose Barry Sanders and the Oklahoma State Cowboys are chal lenging the Huskcrs in the Big Eight then.” No, Okie State is on probation, too, and Sanders’ father talked him into skipping his senior year and going pro. “So the Huskcrs are winning eas ily?” No, they arc in second. Colorado beat Nebraska two weeks ago, and the Buffaloes are undefeated and are second in the country. “The Buffs? Sal Aunesc must be doing it for them.” Well, that’s what the players keep saying. I have my doubts. “Why?” He’s dead. “What?” He’s dead. “I’m still asleep, aren’t I? I’m going to wake up, and the Sooncrs arc going to have won 10-7. Either that or you’re lying to me about all this.” No, Dad, you’re fine, and I’m not lying. Auncsc was found to have inoperable stomach cancer in the spring, and he died in September. The team has dedicated itself to his memory. They keep pointing to the sky, they save scats for him, they wear lava-lava’s for him... “They wear soap?” No, lava-lava’s are these Samoan kilt things. They’re kind of neat look ing. Anyway, the backup quarterback is playing like a god, and the Buffs are heading for a national championship showdown in the Orange Bowl against Notre Dame. “Tell me what’s happening here. Have the Huskers played the Sooners yet?” No, you woke up just in time. The teams play this Saturday. “Great. I’m certainly well-rested. Get me that paper you were reading. Wait a minute. Where’s all the hype? Where are the 10 stories a day on Nebraska’s back-up long snapper? What happened to Oklahoma y week?” Dad, don’t cry. No one but the players and coaches care this year. The Big Eight tide isn’t at stake, the Huskers are a big favorite - the game can’t even be on TV! ‘‘Is that any reason to ignore the game? Is nothing sacred? Has every thing in the world changed in the last year? Next you’ll tell me the Berlin Wall was tom down.” Let’s talk about that some other time, Dad. ‘‘Please, son, tell me some things have stayed the same. Give me one example. I’m old; I can’t change that much.” OK, Dad, one example. The Husk ers most likely will play Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl. The Seminoles lost twice early in the year, but might be the best team in the country now - just like the 1988 Fiesta Bowl. ‘‘Do the Seminoles hold on every offensive play?” I don’t know. Probably. ‘‘Thank God! What a year it’s been. I never could have imagined it.” It’s great to have you back, Dad. Next year should be just as interest ing. Now about the Berlin Wall... Dotncicr is a junior news-editorial major and isa Daily Nebraskan reporter and columnist. Coach: 89 - 9(J gymnasts could be the ‘best ever’ By Cory Golden Staff Reporter In the 1980s, the Nebraska men’s gymnastics team has tallied five NCAA championships and four run ners-up trophies. But they’ve saved the best for the 1989-90 season, according to Ne braska men’s gymnastics coach Francis Allen. Allen’s Comhuskcrs will have a chance to show just how good they arc when they open their season Fri day and Saturday by competing in the Big Eight Invitational. The competi tion begins at 7 p.m. Friday in the Bob Dcvaney Sports Center. Nebraska will compete against Iowa State, Oklahoma and Air Force in Friday’s compulsory competition and Saturday’s optional portion. All University of Ncbraska-Lincoln stu dents who present their student ID cards will be admitted free, and non students showing a Nebraska-Okla homa football ticket stub will be admitted for SI Saturday. Allen said that ol all the fine teams Nebraska has produced, this may be the best. “I expect our team to be tremen dous,” he said. “We’ve never been more prepared than we are now. Our guys arc in excellent shape and arc ready to compete. “Hopefully, this meet will set the tone to go through the season unde feated.” Allen said Nebraska looks close to unbeatable on paper, as the Huskers return three senior All-America se lections in Bob Stcltcr, Mark War burton and Patrick Kirkscy. Kirkscy is the defending NCAA all-around champion. “Our senior leadership is out standing,” Allen said. “All three arc tremendous performers, but seniors are supposed to take the pressure and perform. These guys can, and 1 look for them to have a great season.” Kirkscy competed for the United States national team in October for the 1989 World Gymnastics Champi onships in Stuttgart, West Germany. He placed 66th in the all-around with a 111.85 score. Kirkscy turned down the opportu nity to take a rest after returning to Nebraska, Allen said, and has chosen to compete this weekend. “Patrick just came back from Europe and he’s tired, but he will See BEST on 14 Nebraska’s Bob Stelter competes on the rings.