The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, April 22, 1998, Page 10, Image 10
. -I—■ ByLisaVonnahme Staff Reporter Jamie Rogers described fellow teammate Steve Friesen as the “father figure” of the Nebraska men’s golf team. Friesen is considered a father fig ure because of the responsible and professional manner in which he approaches golf, Rogers said. A junior from Lincoln, Friesen is the Comhuskers’ No. 2 player this season and has helped the men’s golf v team to one of its best starts in school history. Along with the team, Friesen’s play has improved from last season because die Comhuskers’ focus has shifted from individual performance to team performance, Friesen said. “For me, I feel a lot more team emphasis this year,” Friesen said. “One major reason for this is that our team is better than it has been in the past” Friesen struggled at the begin ning of the 1997 fall season, posting a 230 series that tied him for 79* at the Falcon/Cross Creek Invitational. The previous two years he placed eighth and 22nd at the same tourna ment. But by the end of the fall season, Friesen had redeemed himself. He it “If one person on the team is struggling, somebody else tries to help out” Steve Friesen NU golfer finished in the top 10 at three tourna ments and was ranked 93rd in the nation at the end of the fall season. “If one person on the team is struggling, somebody else tries to help out,” Friesen said. “We all work pretty well together.” Friesen continued to play between the fall and spring seasons by taking a trip to Florida over Christmas break. ‘T think that trip really helped me just because I was able to go out and play when I couldn’t here,” Friesen said. That continued play during the offseason has helped Friesen concen trate more on golf, which has helped him in the spring season. Friesen is second on the team with a 74.41 stroke average. Junior Jamie Rogers, the No. 1 player for the 34th-ranked Huskers, has noticed the improvement, too. “His game keeps getting better,” Rogers said. “Steve has a quiet, sort of business approach to the game. He’s very serious about playing.” While concentration is very important in the sport of golf, Friesen said, he thinks his level of concentra tion may be what has hurt him. This season, Friesen has been able to play consistently, especially in his opening round, but has fallen short in his final rounds, he said. Earlier this month, Friesen finished the Arkansas State Indian Classic with a 69-79-80 series. “It’s mentally tiring to concen trate for 10 or 11 hours on a golf course,” Friesen said. “I think I need to focus on my shot when I’m within 20 feet of the ball, but other than that, I have to just talk about whatever with my playing partners.” NU Coach Larry RomjUe said Friesen does two tilings that benefit the team - he can shoot low rounds and he produces scores that the team usually needs. “Friesen is the type of depend able and consistent player any coach wants on a team.” Three compete for quarterback position RACE from page 9 that’s what we’d like to do.” Which two players that might be is still a question to Gill and the quarter backs. In fact, London said the entire quarterback race has been, at times, frustrating. “It’s like walking around in a city you don’t know,” London said “You’re doing your job, and you’re still not sure what the coaches are thinking ” Newcombe said Gill is thinking plenty about the decision, but it’s hard to tell who might be ahead If not named the starting quarter ■. back, Newcombe said this will be the last time he tries out for die job. “I figure it will have been my second go at it, so I’d like to playwingbackif I don’t get it,” Newcombe said. Gill said that regardless of who is named the starter, he’s confident that any of the three could fill the role. “Somebody^ going to be sad after Until rninn flwgneffettits Players listed according to eprlng depth chart (statistics from 1997) Quarterback Ht WL Yr. Passing Yards Carries Yards ' . 6-0 180 Jr. 1022 8M ? i 42- 'm m Bo^Newcombe 6-0 195 So. 1/1 U| 16^ 156 Jay Runty 6^ ' 195 Sa 0^- 2 8 I *-■»- ftnnH pgnnt Lsnsrwmners wen ocou r-rost. uua uiuig la vvci, vjui a<uu. dui un me, I know that we can choose any one of these guys and be fine offensively. We’re dealing with three guys who can get die job done.” Big Bucks for Used Books Get back 60% of the Hst price on books being used again on campus!* lity Union Buyback Hours: April 27-30 8:30am-5»0pm May 18:30am-5pm, May 4-7 8:30am-5:30pm, May 8 8:30am-5pm East Campus Union Buyback Hours: April 30-May 1 & May 4-8 9am-4:30pm Come on down! KTY* * Based on University Bookstore's University of Nebraska-Lincoln ^ need and availability. Nebraska Union & East Union £ Phone: 472-7300 Hours: M-F 8:30am-5:30pm BOOKSTORE Sanderford signs Arizona forward By Shannon Heffelfinger Senior Reporter Monique Wittfield, a 6-foot for ward from Central Arizona College in Coolidge, Ariz., has signed a letter of intent to play for the Comhuskers next season. “We’re really excited,” Sanderford said. “The thing she gives us is the athleticism to play the front of our press. She came from a tremen dous program at Central Arizona, and we feel like she is going to fit right in with our kids because she is not only a great player but a great person.” Whitfield, who earned one of 10 spots on the NJCAA Division I All America team this season, averaged 16.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game helping Central Arizona to a 33-1 record and a junior college national title in The native of Long Beach, Calif., chose Nebraska over Old Dominion and Southern California. Sanderford said he expected Whitfield to turn into a “big-time contributor next year.” Whitfield, he said, is an excellent rebounder and has outstanding jumping ability. Whitfield also could give Nebraska immediate help on the offensive end of the floor, where the Huskers lost leading scorer Anna DeForge. Whitfield scored 997 points in two years at Central Arizona. Whitfield joins high school stand outs Karsen Huller of Littleton, Colo., and Candace Blackbird of South Sioux City, who both commit ted to Nebraska earlier this season Sanderford has two more scholar ships to fill in the spring signing peri od. Gymnast signs with NU By Darren Ivy Assignment Reporter After watching the Nebraska women’s gymnastics team win the Big 12 meet March 21 in Lincoln, Laura Goss knew she wanted to become a Comhusker. Goss, from Austell, Ga., chose Nebraska over Boise State and Oklahoma. “I loved the girls and coaches,” Goss said. “I also liked all die support staff.” Goss joins Bree Dority as Nebraska’s two recruits this year. NU Coach Dan Kendig said he is excited to have Goss as a Husker. the spot,” Kendig said. “Sheisca|X^ of helping us in all four events.” Goss competes for the Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta under the coaching of Adam Adams. She competed in a regional meet this past weekend, but came down with strep throat and wasn’t able to place like ■ she had hoped. « We offered her a scholarship on the spot. She is capable of helping us in all four events.” DanKendig NU women’s gymnastics coach Nebraska returns everyone from this year’s team, but Goss said that excites her rather than intimidating her. “I think it is going to be a really strong team.” Soccer team nets recruit By Darren Ivy Assignment Reporter The Creighton women’s soccer team’s loss was Nebraska^ gain. Najah Williams, who attends Xavier High School in Phoenix, Ariz., committed to Creighton early on, but she started to have second thoughts and asked for a time extension. But Creighton officials didn’t think they could get her an extension, so she took one anyway and looked elsewhere. On April 17, Williams chose Nebraska over UCLA, San Diego State, Southern California and Creighton. “The program and facilities were better than anywhere else,” Williams said. “I got along really well with the girls.” William’s signing runs NU’s recruiting class to six. The others are Meghan Anderson, Karla Ledford, Becky Preston, Kelly Rheem and Shannon Tanaka. Williams led Xavier College Prep to three Arizona state titles in 1995, 1996 and 1997 including a No. 7 rank ing from USA Today in 1995. Coach John Walker-said hediked Williams’ speed and versatility, “Najah Williams is a great late addition to our recruiting class,” Walker said. “She is probably one of the most athletic players in the nation coming out of high school. She has blazing speed. “She may be the fastest player on our roster next fell, but she also plays a physical and aggressive style of soc cer. She is someone who should come in and contribute immediately because she fits in with our style of play.” To be an organ and tissue donor, even it you ve signed something, you must tell your family now so they can cany out your decision later. For a free brochure on how to talk to your family, call 1-800-355-SHARE. ( Chgfm&Tissue \ ] Share your life. Shan your decision. ' 1 Coalition on Donation