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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 7, 2000)
Meet displays new track TRACK from page 16 Exceptional times and marks are expected at the stadium this season because the surface is a» state-of-the art rubber by Mondo Inc., based in Italy. Mondo Inc. also produces a majority of the surfaces for Olympic tracks. The track may be a sprinter’s heaven. Aside from the fast surface, the track’s radius and lanes are wider, designed to help sprinters run the turns faster. The Husker who may benefit the most from the surface is sprinter Chris Chandler, the returning Big 12 Conference Indoor champion in the 60 and 200 meters. He also holds the fastest 100-meter time of the outdoor season at 10.16 seconds. Coach Gary Pepin said two differ ent types of track surfaces were imported for the athletes. First, the runners will have a soft er, spongier track to run on, which is easier on the runners’ legs, he said. The long- and triple-jumpers have a much harder surface to jump from. Pepin said the rubber gave the athletes more rebound on jumps. Despite the $2 million spent on renovations in 1999, Pepin said the track was far from a finished product. The track still lacks a scoreboard, restrooms and a press box - all things needed for a major meet “It’s one of die best (tracks) in the United States, if not the world,” Pepin said. “But it’s like having a great car, like a ’32 Ford, and not having any upholstery or a paint job.” After NU rededicates the stadium track, Nebraska will commemorate 25 years of Husker women’s athletics. / V Huskers face tough weekend SOCCER from page 16 0 Husker rout. Walker said he was pleased more with his team’s play in a 2-2 tie on the road against a top-ten Florida team. “We played very well in the other games, especially that Florida game,” he said. “I think the players really enjoy playing against such strong competition, and it brings the best out of them.” The Huskers may try to keep UNC on their heels with more offen sive pressure, Saunders said. “We’re running a new offense,” Saunders said. “We want to be able to use everyone out there and try to break people through up top.” North Carolina Coach Anson Dorrance said he know^ what Walker and the Huskers are capable of. ' “We think (Nebraska’s) one of the premier teams in the country,” Dorrance said. “Their program has been a lift to collegiate soccer.” Dorrance said his team will be at a slight disadvantage because of the loss of several players to the United States select teams during this spring season. But, he said, it will help his team depth-wise. “We benefit from this game because it gives us the opportunity to play more reserve players a$d gain more experience,” Dorranc^&d. However, Walker said he dbesn’t believe that UNC is exactly playing the game short-handed. “They lost their graduating play ers, but so did we,” Walker said. “They’re bringing in pretty much their whole team.” On the field, Walker said he expects the game to be won on loose balls. “People focus on how talented they are, and then they overlook how competitive they are,” Walker said. “We have to win balls in the air and those other details to win.”J Saunders said she is confident that her team will be ready to step up. “We’re filling in fcfr the spots of the people we lost, and now we’re feeling real comfortable with each other,” she said. “We expect to play at our best no matter who we are ^ People focus on how talented they are, and then they overlook how competitive they are.” John Walker , NU women’s soccer coach playing.” Nebraska’s biggest challenge this weekend may not even be the defending champions. On Sunday afternoon, the Huskers will also play the United States Under-21 National team. The Heels will take their shot at the U. S. team Saturday. “We’re probably playing the best two teams we can this weekend,” Walker said. “It’s going to be an excellent test for us.” BlueJays end streak forHusker softball SOFlBALL from page 16__ scored while the Huskers were in a pickle with Francesca Nix. Gieron took the win on the mound for CU and also led them offensively with a 2-for-3 perform ance. The Blue Jays scored their other run off an RBI single from Emily Townsend in the sixth inning. Senior pitcher Jenny Voss gave up the run in the relief appearance. Creighton Coach Brent Vigness said it was finally nice to take one from Nebraska after losing so many close games to NU throughout the years. “I was just proud that we played focused and played with some emo tion, and then we executed,” Vigness said. “It’s a good win. The biggest thing I told them was it will give us some good momentum going into this weekend.” One important notp in the ganje against Creighton was senior Jennifer Lizama’s return to the line up as a designated hitter. It was the first time she has played since the series with CU oh March 22. ' In two at bats, Lizama walked her first time up and struck out swinging in the bottom of the sixth inning in her second at bat. The Huskers will next be in action at home this weekend with a two-game series against Baylor. Masters rooki< gets tough firs ■ Seasoned pros have tough day on the green at Augusta National. AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - On a day when even Tiger Woods found that disaster lurked everywhere on a toughened Augusta National, a Masters rookie who has struggled to make a living playing golf shot a 4-under 68 for the first-round lead. Dennis Paulson watched from the press room as Tom Lehman made double bogey on the 18th hole to give him sole possession of the lead. “It was awesome,” Paulson said. Lehman didn’t make a bogey until the 18th hole and appeared on his way to the first-round lead despite treacherous conditions that had Woods feeling good even after an opening 75. But Lehman hit it into the woods on the final hole and then 3 putted to hand the first round lead to Paulson. “A lot of guys are going to shoot some big numbers today,” Woods said. A lot did, but not Paulson, who overcame rookie jitters to eagle the second hole and withstood a dou ble bogey on No. 11 to take the lead. “Maybe a lack of knowledge is better, not realizing how hard this course can be when the wind is blowing,” the 37-year-old Paulson said. Gusty winds, more rough and slick greens combined to make Augusta National a treacherous test that saw such former champi ons as Ray Floyd, Seve Ballesteros and Fuzzy Zoeller fail to break SO. One former winner was faring :4\ 4 .'■■••v V v 4 s Lehman ;t-round lead better, though. Six-time champion Jack Nicklaus was even par through 12 holes, playing in a Big Three pairing that included Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. Lehman, who finished second to Jose Maria Olazabal in 1994, shot a 32 on the front side and added a birdie on the par-3 16th to get in front. But his tee shot on 18 put him in trouble, and he 3-putted after getting on in three. Sergio Garcia and Steve Strieker both had 2-under 70s, while Rocco Mediate, Phil Mickelson and Steve Jones shot 71 s in swirling winds that had play ers guessing about club selection. “Every shot is scary,” Nick Faldo said after an even-par 72. Woods found that out with a 3 putt on 10 for a double bogey and another 3-putt on 12 for triple bogey after knocking his tee shot into the water on the tricky par-3. Woods came right back with a birdie on 13, though, and added another on the 16th hole to salvage a i-over 75. “I’m surprised. His worst round he usually keeps around par,” Mickelson said. “I still feel like he’s the guy we’re always watch ing.” Woods didn’t seem troubled, either. “I’m pleased. It’s just that I had some bad holes,” Woods said. Player after player ran into trou ble on Augusta National’s famed back nine. Craig Stadler, the 1982 champion, was in contention at 3 under before he hit two shots in the water for a nine on the par-5 15th and finished with a 73. Ernie Eis was 3 under before dumping a sand wedge into the j pond, fronting the 15th green and making double bogey. Huskers prepare for Kansas series BASEBALL from page 16 want to be, so we think it’s time to get a winning streak started.” In order for that to happen, Van Horn said second baseman John Cole needs to break out of a slump. Van Horn rested Cole against Northwest Missouri State for a mental break from the game. “John’s a great hitter, and right now he’s just kind of struggling,” Van Horn said. “He’ll get it going again soon.” The pitching staff has yet to go into a slump, posting a 2.88 ERA this season. Shane Komine, Jaime Rodrigue and Scott Fries will start this week end, but Van Horn said he was i-:---1 M This a big series for us, and if our offense gets consistently solid, we could sweep.” Dave Van Horn NU baseball coach unsure in which order they would pitch. “Lately, it hasn’t mattered who we put out there,” he said. Save the trees. Recycle your DN. Sunday, April 9, 2000 Mary Riepma Ross Theatre * Times: 2:30,4:45, 7:00, 9:00 PM Tickets: $2.00 students w/ UNL ID $6.50 non-students I MASTERS 2000 Miniature Golf Tournament Benefitting the Special Olympics Saturday, April 8 11-3 p.m. $4 at the gate Prize drawing & lunch provided. Sponsored by Arx & AXft North 40 Country Club 81st & Adams Thank You To All of our Sponsors! ■ Parking Problems? Need a Place to Park? Guaranteed Parking Park by Day ^ $2.00 Park by ^ Month $25 Don’t Fight for Parking Enter at 8th & S Streets, 1 block west of Memorial Stadium National Garages, Gold’s Galleria, Suite 120 • 474-2274 ; THE ARMY OFFERS $12,000 CASH BONUSES Volunteer to serve in one of the Army’s top priority occupational skills, and you could receive a cash bonus of up to $12,000, if you qualify. Find out more about thfe and other Army benefits. Talk to your local Army recruiter today. 402.467.2221 • . ■ • • .