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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 21, 1990)
Sports Gymnasts defeat Iowa State By Chuck Green Senior Reporter Taking a week off from competi tion sometimes affects gymnastics teams negatively. It was just the opposite for the Comhusker women’s team Sunday. Nebraska, ranked No. 5 in the nation, beat Iowa State 192.30-186.55 on Sunday in Ames, Iowa. Nebraska’s Michele Bryant won the all-around competition, setting a school-record score of 39.00. Nebraska coach Rick Walton said the meet was good preparation for the Big Eight championships, which will be held Saturday at the Bob Dcvancy Sports Center. ‘‘We upgraded our routines quite a bit Sunday,” Walton said. “With the off-week, we decided to pul in some things we Ihink we’ll need at nationals.” The NCAA women’s champion ships will be April 20-21 in Corvallis, Ore. Walton said he was pleased with the more-difficult routines the Husk ers were able to perform. “It’s always a gamble when you increase difficulty in your routines,” he said. “But we felt that, against Iowa Stale, we would have success, and see if the routines were doable in competition.” The Huskcrs swept the top-five spots in the all-around. Angie Bur dette finished second to Bryant with a score of 38.85. Lisa McCrady was third with a 38.55, Tami Bair was fourth (38.35) and Jane Clemons fifth (37.95). Bair returned to competition on the vault, scoring a 9.75. She had been slowed by an ankle injury. Bair scored a 9.90 on the uneven bars and a 9.85 on the balance beam, and won both events. Those scores, coupled with her mark on the vault, gave her a 9.80 average. “That’s outstanding for perform ing with an injury like hers,” Walton said. With the Big Eight championships, NCAA rcgionals and NCAA champi onships occurring within the next month, Walton said the Huskers are peaking at the right time. “Up until Sunday, we didn’t re ally have what you could call a com plete meet,’’ he said. “But right now, we’re on track for where we want to be at this time of the season. “If nothing happens to anybody, like injuries, we could stay on this roll.” Nebraska’s depth is a key, Walton said. “Our freshmen, as a whole, are talented,and we’ve been gettinggood production out of them,” he said. “The depth they give allows us to keep people off the floor until they’re healthy.” Walton said this year’s team is one of the most experienced he has coached in his seven years at Nebraska. “We have seniors and juniors whose experience has made it easy on the freshmen and sophomores this sea son,” he said. “This is probably the deepest team, in terms of experience, that we’ve ever had here.” Nebraska recruit leaves Nee smiling By Jeff Apel Senior Editor When Nebraska coach Danny Nee left the gym smiling, Concord High School basketball coach Jim Hahn had his question answered. Hahn said guard Jamar Johnson, a Nebraska recruit from Concord High School in Elkhart, Ind., proved that he will be an impact player for the Comhuskers next season by impress ing Nee during Concord’s victory against South Witlcy-Whitko on Sat urday. Johnson scored 30 points to lead Concord to a berth in the semifi nals of the Indiana state tournament, and also left Nee “grinning from ear to ear.’’ “I think if you would have seen Danny on Saturday, your question about whether Jamar can make a contribution next season would have been answered,” Hahn said.‘‘He had quite a big grin on his face.” Hahn said Johnson’s performance this season hasn’t left everyone grin ning - especially his opponents, who were left frowning in frustration. The 5-foot-11 guard, who signed a letter of intent with Nebraska last Novem ber, has averaged 19.3 points on the way to leading his team to a 27-0 record and the No. 15 ranking nation ally in the USA Today top-25 poll. Hahn said Johnson has played a key role in Concord’s success. That success includes a berth in the Indi ana state tournament, where Johnson and his teammates will face Ander son High School on Saturday in the Hoosicr Dome. ‘Tic’s our team leader,” Hahn said. ‘‘He’s been very important to us, and he has played extremely well. ‘‘I can’t say enough about him.” Hahn said Johnson has handled the pressure of being Concord’s big gun this season. He said Johnson also has handled the pressure of leading his team through seven tournament con tests. Concord earned its berth against Anderson High School by winning the Fort Wayne semi-state title with a 54-52 victory against Wabash-North ficld. Concord was awarded the vic tory before 9,650 fans when Wabash North field was called for goal tend ing in the game’s final seconds. “He’s just a cool player,’’ Hahn said. ‘4 He knows exactly what to do. ’ ’ Hahn said Johnson isn’t bothered by the fact that his scoring average is down this season. Johnson drew re cruiting interest from Nebraska, Kansas, Purdue and Arkansas-Little Rock after averaging 22 points per game last season. “His scoring average is down, but we told him before the season that he didn’t have to carry us because we have a lot more balance,’’ Hahn said. “He’s accepted that, and that says a lot about him. “He’s responsible enough and mature enough to handle his role.’’ Hahn declined to let Johnson be interviewed, saying he didn’t want his players to be subject to any more media distractions before Saturday’s game. Cinderella teams dominate Sweet 16 So, Dad, what’s this I hear about complications? “I’m going, son. This is the big one. My mind isn’t working properly. Rehabilitation from my coma has been going fine, and I just got over the Berlin Wall news. Now, I watch four days of the NCAA basketball touma mcni, and my mind is fried. Ball State in the Sweet 16? I’m hallucinating for sure.” No, Ball State is in the Sweet 16, and that is not so surprising. The team has a lot of talent, but just couldn’t pul together a good season until now. “Nice rationalization. If they arc so good, basketball fanatic son of mine, name Ball State’s starting lineup.” Can’t name one of them. “What’s Ball State’s nickname?” No clue. “Coach?” I know he’s new. “Well, where the heck is Ball State?” Got me. Indiana, I think. “Don’t do this to me, son. Am I supposed to believe that Dayton beat Illinois, Clemson beat La Salle, Cali fornia beat Indiana ... ?” Yeah, the unknowns have won a ton of games. I didn’t realize that upsets could be so upselling. “One Cinderella team would be all right. But only a sour seven of the lop seeds arc left in the Sweet 16. What happened to Louisville, Ari zona, M ichigan, Georgetown? These teams did so great last season, and this year they didn’t make it past the second round. A couple of those games were blurs.” Blurs? “1 couldn’t see a thing.” Your reflexes have not recovered enough to watch Loyola Marymount, Arkansas or Texas. Those teams have proven that playing basketball at the speed of light can be relatively fun. “Oh, that’s cute. LMU did wear down defending-champion Michigan, though.” Yeah, and 1 think that UNLV is the only hope for beating the Lions. I picked the Runnin’ Rebels to win the tournament. Any team who has a player like Stacey Augmon - who has the gall to bounce the ball off the back board and dunk it during a game — has the confidence to win. “How are the rest of your picks going?” Shot to Norman. The Big Eight flops arc a big part of that. Missouri was doomed when Anthony Peeler stopped performing in January. Okla homa couldn’t clamp on the press in tight situations like the Sooners could two years ago. And Kansas and Kan sas Stale were edged in great games. “So, what can I look forward to this weekend?” Ball State-UNLV. “Shccsh. I’ve been waiting for that one.” Texas-Xavier? “Oh, stop, I can’t lake it. Eggs avier.” Please, it’s “Zavicr.” All the games will be great, anyway. No bad teams arc left. Root for the favorites in the third round, though, or you may not be able to pick out the underdogs for the rest of the tournament. One pos sible final eight includes Michigan State, Syracuse, UNLV, Alabama, Connecticut, Duke, North Carolina and Texas. At least you know where those teams arc. “All 1 want is a Final Four worth watching. I want great players on great teams playing at least a little defense. I want some ugly, familiar coaches in frumpy suits. I want one and only one lower-seeded team to gel to Denver, and I don’t want Loyola Marymount basketball to take over the sport. Don’t you want these things, too?r’ Sure, but mostly 1 want Syracuse to lose. “Why?” So Brent Musburgcr will quit kiss ing up to Jimmy Bochcim. I want more close games, loo. Twelve of 16 second-round games were decided by less than five points, which is great, though the wrong learns won. 1 admit the results have been disconcerting so far, but I can tolerate the Sweet 16. Even though Clcmson and UCLA still arc alive and Missouri and Kansas are at home, I’ll be glued to the television until the finals, soaking up every bit of information. “Do me a favor, then.” What’s that? “Find out where Ball State is.” Domcicr is it Junior news-editorial major and a Daily Nebraskan senior reporter and columnist. Daily Nebraskan file photo Nebraska corneitoack Bruce Pickens breaks up a pass intended for Missouri’s James Newberry. Spring drills mark beginning of evaluation to fill openings By Chuck Gf'een Senior Reporter Finding players to fill vacant positions in the offensive back field and at quarterback is the main concern of Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne this spring. When the Comhuskcrs begin spring drills April 2, Osborne said there will be “lots of wide open races.” “As always, wc try to get a good look at all our players,” Osborne said. ‘‘And, as usual, we’ll look at making some adjustments in our offensive and defensive schemes.” But first, he said, players are needed to make those adjustments. One of the most important races will be for the starling quarterback spot, Osborne said. The top prosper Ls to replace senior Gerry Gdowski arc juniors Mickey Joseph and Mike Grant. Grant was injured late last season after being rc-aetivatcd from red shin status. drills, Osborne said, while splitend Brad Dcvall will be given a chance at wingback. Marvin Callies, who played quarterback and I-back for last season’s freshman team, also may be moved to wingback, Osborne said. Defensively, Osborne said, the main job will be to replace a line that lost all three starters from last season. “But the rest of the defense has a lot of experience,’’ he said. The top three prospects for fill ing the defensive tackle spots arc Paul BrunganJt, Joe Sims and Kenny Walker, all of whom saw extensive playing time last season. At outside linebacker, Mike Crocl will return and will be backed up by Dan Svchla. On the other side, Travis Hill and David White arc the lop contenders. The inside linebacker spots also have reluming experience, Osborne said. Mike Pctko will return to the strongsidc spot, while Pal Tyrance will be back in the wcaksidc posi tion. Jerry Dunlap and Keiihcn McCani arc oilier players that could have an impact on who the starter is at quarterback at the start of the fall, Osborne said. The running back positions arc just as thin. Gone is All-Big Eight I back Ken Clark, and the top two fullbacks from last season - Bryan Carpenter and Sam Schmidt - have also completed their eligibility. Osborne said Lcodisr lowers is the heir apparent at the I-back spot, wilh comjwtilion from Terry Rodg ers, who has suffered injuries throughout his four years at Ne braska. Omar Soto and Tim Johnk arc the top contenders for the starting fullback job. Two starters will rciurn to block for the backfield. Tackle Tom Punt and guard Jim Wanck will be back on the left side of the offensive line, while David Edcal is the lop prospect for replacing graduated All-America center Jake Young. Erik Wiegert and Steve Engstrom are the top candidates for right guard and nghi tackle, respectively. William Washington and Chris Garrett will enter spring drills as the tandem to beat at tight end. Whoever earns the highest rat ings at quarterback this spring, Osborne said, will have to throw consistently. The lop targets will be split end Jon Bostick and wing backs Nate Turner and Tyrone Hughes. Mark Dowse may move from wingback to split end during spring Osborne said rreeman while, a defensive back last season, proba bly will be moved lo wcaksidc linebacker ihis spring. The secondary is one spot Osborne won’t lose sleep over, as all four starters return from last season. Bruce Pickens and Tahaun Lewis will be back at the corners, while safeties Reggie Cooper and Tyrone Byrd also return. Placckickcr Gregg Barrios and punter Mike Sligge arc back as well. Osborne said he and the other Husker coaches arc relying on last year’s freshmen and redshirts lo fill some of the gaps left by gradu ation. I-backs Scott Baldwin and Lance Lewis arc two such players, he said, as is offensive lineman Dave Jensen, who was redshirted last season to recover from a knee injury. Beginning next year, new NCAA rules will go into effect to regulate spring football practice. The main rule affecting spring practice will cut from 20 to 15 the number of total practice days, and only 10 of those days will be in full pads. Currently, teams are allowed 15 days of full-contact practice. Osborne said he isn’t sure he agrees with new legislation. “Spring football is for evaluat ing players, and the fall is for get ting ready for games,” he said. “Obviously, we won’t be able to get as much done. “But we’ll make do.” Paul Domeier
