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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 1997)
NU sprinters ready to show off* at Invite By Andrew Strnad Staff Reporter Last Saturday’s Nebraska Qua drangular proved to be a breaking out party for two Nebraska sprinters. Junior La’Tisha Croom, a member of the Cornhuskers women’s track and field team, set a personal best in the 400-meter dash with a NCAA provi sional qualifying mark of55.08 sec onds. Croom, a three-time All-American from Bellevue, has been known more for running legs on several champi onship 4 x 400-meter relay teams and not as an individual competitor. Now die hopes her performance at the Nebraska Triangular is an indica tion of what is to come Friday and Saturday at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational — one of the premier regular season indoor meets in the country. “I’m looking to get a personal record next week,” Croom said. “If I run the quarter and I can run faster than 55.08, I’m sure I’ll stay with the other girls.” NU Coach Gary Pepin said he was pleased with Croom’s performance, but there is still room for her to im prove. “She’s certainly running well,” Pepin said, “but she’ll have to run a lot faster to be competitive in the Big 12.” To compete with the elite sprint ers in the Big 12 Conference, Croom said, she needs to pick up the pace a little more. “This is the best I’ve run, at least indoors so far, but I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me,” Croom said. For the men’s team, Tom Fish has made a name for himself after four meets this season. Fish, a senior from Hastings, won twice in the Quadrangular, setting an indoor personal record in the 200 meters with a first-place time of 21.55 seconds. He also won the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.80 seconds. “I just really wanted to come out and help the team,” Fish said. “We weren’t really worried about our time.” Fish made his biggest splash at the NCAA Outdoor Championships last year. He finished seventh in the 200 meters and earned All-American hon ors. This year Fish has emerged as the top sprinter as well as a leader cm a I young team riddled with injuries. “I’ve been around and I know re ally what it takes to try to stay injury free,” he said. “I try and help the younger guys and make sure they prac tice hard.” Fish will be one of many Huskers competing this weekend in the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational at the Bob Devaney Sports Center track. Fish said competing in a meet with high-caliber sprinters will lei him know where he stands with the rest of the nation. “Next week will be a preview of the national meet,” Fish said. “A lot of good schools will be here with a lot of quality athletes. “If I’m up toward the front next week, I’ll feel real confident.” Visit to NU worries CU’s Patton PATTON from page 10 Attendance at the Coots Event Center has improved from an av erage of 4,354 to 5,041 fans per game. When the Buffaloes meet Ne braska tonight at 7 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, it will marie the first time since 1969 that a ranked Colorado team has played in Lincoln. “I’d be worried about Nebraska, whether or not they’d lost every game,” said Patton, who took over CU’s coaching duties after Joe Harrington resigned 14 games into last season. “Nebraska is a very tough place to play.” The Buffaloes beat NU Jan. 4 in Boulder 79-73, but Patton said he expects to see a different Husker team tonight. “With them coming off a game NU looks to cut tumova® BUFFS from page 9 ates a confidence.” d. The Huskers will rely heavily on point guard Tyronn Lue to try to stop die Buffs’ playmaker. Lue, who held KU guard Jacque Vaughn to 10 points in Lawrence, said guarding Billups is his biggest challenge of the season. “Jacque Vaughn isn’t really an of fensive threat,” Lue said. “He just looks to get his team involved. Chauncey Billups is all of that plus he’s a scorer, a passer — he can do everything.” Along with taming Billups, Nee said, the Huskers must cut down on turnovers. Nebraska committed 28 against Kansas, upping the Huskers’ total to a conference-high 389. “Tlimovers have been ridiculous,” Nee said. “We’re shooting the ball well enough to win.” In turnovers and sewing, NU is led by Lue. He has committed 79 turn overs — including 10 against the Jayhawks — ranking him second in the conference behind 81 by Texas’ Reggie Freeman. Lue has stepped up his offensive output averaging 21.8 points per game against conference opponents. Nee had the entire team wwk on the problem in practice, having them run extra for every turnover they Men's Basketball . Starters Today, 7 p.m. Devaney Center Nebraska 11-9(3^) Poe Name HL WL Yr. F 5 Larry Florence 6-5 225 So. G 30 Cookie Belcher 6-3 200 Fr. Celeraie 16-4 (7-D Poe Name HL WL Yr. F 31 Fred Edmonds 6-5 204 Sr. G 4 Chauncey Billups 6-3 202 So. made. “A turnover to me is a wasted op portunity,” Nee said. Lue said he hopes to control the ball and help Nebraska snap its four-game losing streak. “I feel a sense of urgency,” Lue said. “Everybody is ready to play.” 99C Breakfast & Pizza Bagels -Half Off 50% off on all food & drink —with student ID— -QForO Buy one, get one FREE — all tens— With student ID Not valid with above offers RR^DELn^Ry'l u February 7,1997 | Return it to the Records Office, 107 Canfield Administration Building, Service Counter B_I BACKWOODS TERRITORY OUTDOOR OUTFITTERS 10% Off for U.N.L. Students 1 liking ti Hunting Boots * Tents Book Bags, Backpacks - Day Backs 5601 S. 56lii Suite 101E Alamo Center 420-2244 Sam Adams Mew Castle Hoosehead MICRO-IMPORT g , PINT DRAWS” Tt . *0 » every Wednesday § | 7 TO CLOSE t 0-n. - .... - ’ • ;*■■■!-> m Blue Moots Belgian White Ale ?> -3 _Psffij