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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 1999)
_Sports _ Wednesday, February 24,1999 Page 9 John Gaskins Gymnasts top notch this season While most of us are worrying about peace in the Middle East, tax season coming upon us and when the hell Elizabeth Dole will wipe that fake perma-gnn off her face, there's some pretty' scintillating action going down here with Nebraska athletics. While most of us are wondering if the basketball teams will be douig the dance in March, there's one sport here where few questions exist - gymnas tics. Yes, gymnastics. You know, the sport where athletes do motions and routines that most hyperactive mon keys couldn't do. The sport where if you're not in peak physical shape, you might as well do a cannonball on the high bar. Gymnastics is one of the unap preciated jewels of Nebraska sports. Of course, it will never get the hype or pub that football, basketball and vol leyball get, but it beats all of those sports in national championships combined (eight for the men's team). Having solid gymnastics teams at NU is about as much of a sure thing as NASCAR driver Dick Trickle getting a Keith Olbermann mention. And both teams are on their way to having banner years. In case you missed it, they're both ranked in the Top 10. and they’ve both caught on fire lately. The men beat No. 4 Iowa Sunday and provided nothing short of an eye popping heart-stopper, with their fire cracker. Jason Hardabura, sticking a season high on the high bar in the dual’s final event to knock off their border rivals. The women, despite not having their top performer, junior All American Heather Brink, have pounded their opponents the last two meets and have also won 23 straight at home. Both teams are deep in talent. And both teams know how to fire themselves and the crowd up. The glue that holds the NU gym tradition together is the coaches. Women's Coach Dan Kendig picked up win No. 200 Monday. Men's Coach Francis Allen has been here for three decades, but he took some time off in 1980 and 1992 to coach the USA Olympic team. The best tiling about NU gymnas tics is the genuineness of its people - the coaches, gymnasts, boosters and parents. Because it's not football, because the cameras aren't always rolling, the people in it are for real. No egos. The two teams go to each other's meets and don't brush away the press. But both teams are serious about one thing: April. The NCAA Championships. The women will play host to their regional in Lincoln: the men will play host to the NCAAs. And once again, any worrying about the gymnastics teams w ill not be necessary. Gaskins is a sophomore broad casting major a Daily Nebraskan stall writer. Pettit denies retirement rumors By David Wilson Staff writer Nebraska Volleyball Coach Terry Pettit was blitzed with questions regard ing the possibility of his ev entual retire ment Tuesday - just one day after he announced that Wisconsin Head Coach Joint Cook would join the Comhusker staff as an associate head coach. A former NU assistant under Pettit, the 42-year-old Cook will return to Lincoln next week with seven years of head coaching expenence at Wisconsin under his belt. Cook, who posted a career record of 161-73, helped the Badgers come within one match of the NCAA Final Four in each of the past two seasons. “I can understand why people could possibly read something into this hire, because John is an exceptional coach," Pettit said. “But there are a lot of things involved in this." Though there are no clauses in Cook's contract that ensure he will be the next head coach at Nebraska when Pettit retires. Pettit did not deny the like lihood that Cook could take over. Cook said Tuesday that his friend ship with Pettit and previous ties to the Nebraska program were factors in his decision to leave Wisconsin. “1 have Husker in my blood,” said Cook, who served as an NU assistant coach from 1988-91. “I have a very strong connection with Coach Pettit at Nebraska. He’s getting ready to wind down his coaching career, and he’s been very passionate about asking me to come and do this. That means a lot to a You not only have to recruit the best players to play, but you have to recruit the best talent for your staff.” Terry Pettit NU volleyball coach me.” best players to play, but you have to recruit the best talent for your staff,” Pettit said. “One person that deserves a lot of credit is (Athletic Director) Bill Byrne. He's done every thing he can to keep me doing this. Certainly, hiring John is going to keep me coaching.” Pettit said other coaches were con sidered for the position when Assistant Coach Cathy Noth resigned last month, but Pettit said be felt Cook was the best person for the job. “You not only have to recruit the But for how long, Pettit wouldn t say. At a press conference in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Cook also was faced Please see PETTIT on 10 MAI 1 MlLLkKyUiN AMANDA WENT battles for the ball in a home loss to Baylor. The Huskers try to snap a two-game home losing streak tonight with a game against Kansas State. The game at the Devaney Sports Center is the final one for four NU seniors. Seniors play at home for last time By Jay Saunders Staff writer It's a must-win situation. Again. After the Nebraska women’s bas ketball team lost to Kansas on Feb. 13, Coach Paul Sanderford said the team needed to w in three of their next four games to make the NCAA Tournament. The Cornhuskers (17-10 overall and 6-8 in the Big 12 Conference) lost their second consecutive home game Sunday to Texas Tech 75-62. Now, there is no more room for error start ing with the final home game of the season against Kansas State tonight. “We need to win them both,” Sanderford said. “Every game is going to be a knee-knocker.” The Wildcats (13-11 and 6-8) come into the Bob Devaney Sports Center for a 7:05 p.m. game. It will be the second time the teams have played this season. On Jan. 13 in Manhattan, Kan., the Wildcats beat Nebraska 79-67. KSU was led by freshman Kristin Rethman, who hit five of 7 3-point attempts. Please see HOME on 10 Johnson gets nod at point; Nee looks for spark ■ The Huskers go to the 6-foot-6 sophomore in a key game against KSU. By Adam Klinker Senior staff writer Thi ngs were different for the Nebraska men's basketball team 12 games ago. But for a team that seems to be rein venting itself about every four weeks, things also seem oddly familiar. For instance, tonight's 7:05 game between the Cornhuskers (17-10 over all. 9-5) and Kansas State in Manhattan. Kan., mirrors the first NU-K.SU match up on Jan. 13. Like last time, the Huskers are rid ing a two-game losing streak while the Wildcats (17-10. 6-8) are still maintain ing a roller-coaster nde through the Big 12 Conference. However, while the song remains the same, there's a new bandleader at the head of the Comhusker offense. Sophomore Chad Johnson, follow ing his stint at the point guard spot in the NU loss to Texas Tech on Saturday, will again get the nod tonight at KSU. "We're searching," Danny Nee said in regards to the point guard spot, where junior Joe Holmes has started and played for the majority of the year. “Sometimes they don't guard Joe, and it's really easy to double-team (Husker center) Venson (Hamilton),'' Nee said. “With Chad, a scorer in the point guard position, they have to play us a little straighten a little more hon est.” Against Tech. Johnson had 9 points and three rebounds and was instrumen tal at the free-throw line down the stretch. Johnson has also proven himself to be a steady defender. Whereas Holmes is 5 foot 11 inches tall, Johnson is 6 foot 6 inches tall and. Nee said, it pays to have some height on both ends. “We did it for defensive reasons, too,” Nee said. “We want our biggest guys out there." Nee said Holmes will continue to contribute at the point guard spot, but he felt that it was time for a change. "When the games get this big and get this tight, you try to put your best chance to win on the floor," he said. "Whatever that combo is, that’s what I'm going to do.” Johnson's teammates also seem comfortable with the change. "It’s a little confusing at first," senior forward Larry Florence said. “But Chad’s a good player. He can handle (the pressure). Right now. Coach has made his mind up to put Chad at the No. 1 spot, and I think it'll work out for the best.”