51 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(04/12/02 5:41am)
It's not common for entire seasons to revolve around only the third series on the conference schedule. But IU's campaign for Big Ten greatness relies on a successful trip to East Lansing this weekend.\n"If we can take three out of four games, it would do wonders for our team, our program and our kids," Coach Bob Morgan said. "It's easier said than done, and it will be a tough challenge for us. We're looking forward to going on the road and seeing where we stand."\nThe four-game series is pivotal for both IU and Michigan State. IU is tied with Ohio State for first in the conference, and Michigan State is sitting in fifth.\nBoth teams are off to good starts. The Hoosiers head into the weekend with a 24-6 record, while the Spartans are 20-6. The teams are tied for the ninth-fewest number of losses in the nation.\n"This is huge," sophomore Mark Calkins said. "It's our first road series, and we need to win the series. The bottom line is that we need to win three of the four games."\nNot only will this four-game set be a challenge for the Hoosiers, but it is their first Big Ten series away from the friendly confines of Sembower Field. They also must figure a way to silence the Spartans' prolific bats.\nSo far this season, the Hoosiers have entered each game as the offensive powerhouse, but the Spartans can match up equally as well at the plate. \nIU and Michigan State hold the top two spots in the conference in almost every offensive category, so whoever wins the series could be the team that makes the fewest mistakes.\n"It's always pretty hard to play on the road in the Big Ten because the fans are usually pretty tough on you," junior Vasili Spanos said. "We just need to pitch and play defense well because the games we pitch and play defense well, we always win. Our offense can hang with anyone."\nFans may even witness a great showdown between arguably the two best power hitters in the Big Ten. Michigan State's senior Chris McCuiston leads the Big Ten with 12 home runs, and Spanos follows with 11 homers.\nNo matter the outcome, fans will enjoy four exciting games.\n"We're going to play a very talented Michigan State team," Morgan said. "This is the best team they've had in a very long time. They're very big and physical, and they have a lot of power hitters. Hopefully our pitchers are up to the challenge"
(04/11/02 4:20am)
When you look at the burly 6-foot-1, 200 pound third baseman, you just know that he's launched some fence-clearing bombs in his career.\nAnd that's exactly what junior Vasili Spanos has done in three seasons on the IU baseball team. \nSpanos may not be the biggest guy on the field, but he plays like a giant and has made his presence felt since his freshmen year. \n"He's a strong, powerful kid," coach Bob Morgan said. "He had a real good freshman year, but he's had to battle some injuries and last year I think he just tried to do too much. He just has to let the game come to him."\nSpanos has been letting the game come to him this year, and has put up Barry Bonds-like numbers along the way. \nSpanos leads the team with a .449 batting average, a .929 slugging percentage, a .547 on-base percentage, 12 doubles, 11 home runs, 44 RBI, and 24 walks. About the only thing he does not do is steal bases, but he has stolen one base in his only attempt.\nEven the Big Ten cannot ignore his hitting prowess. Spanos earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks this season, and his numbers rank highly in most offensive categories as of April 8.\nHe holds the conference's top spot in home runs, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and RBI. Spanos is second in hits behind teammate junior Kennard Jones, and is also second in doubles and walks.\nArguably his most impressive stat is his 24 walks compared to only 11 strikeouts.\n"I've gotten a lot more disciplined than I have been in the past," Spanos said. "Pitchers don't usually get me out. I swing at bad pitches and get myself out, but I've been more patient.\n"I just keep my hands back, and try to hit the ball as hard as I can."\nSpanos said he can see himself professionally, but it will be tough.\n"He has the ability to move up to the next level if he continues to work hard," Morgan said. "He runs good for a big guy, but like outfielders, guys at the corner positions are a dime-a-dozen."\nThis is especially true this year. Four of the top prospects in the Major Leagues play third base: Hank Blalock (Texas Rangers), Sean Burroughs (San Diego Padres), Morgan Ensberg (Houston Astros), and Eric Hinske (Toronto Blue Jays). \nBut for now, Spanos hopes to help the team remain on top of the Big Ten standings. His contributions at the plate cannot be ignored, but he also helps while in the on-deck circle as well.\nSophomore Mark Calkins is another prolific slugger on IU's squad, and he feels he owes his success to the fact that Spanos follows him in the batting order.\n"It's helped me out tremendously," Calkins said. "They don't want to pitch around me and I've seen a lot more fastballs this year. Every time I go up to the plate, I know I'll get at least one good fastball to hit and that's probably why I am hitting so well this year"
(04/09/02 5:52am)
After taking three of the four games in a Big Ten battle with Iowa last weekend, IU returns to the field today for a non-conference clash with Miami (OH) University at 3 p.m. at Sembower Field.\nThe Hoosiers will use this game as a tune-up for the upcoming series against Michigan State this weekend, and will also seek vengeance for last year's 5-1 loss at the hands of the RedHawks.\nIU looks to add another mark in the win column and improve on its 23-6 record, its best start since 1999 when it opened the season 26-6 after two Big Ten series.\nBut it will not be easy today after this weekend's pitching-draining series. The Hoosiers used eight pitchers in Sunday's 17-13 slugfest against Iowa, and now the pitching staff is stretched thin.\n"With all the pitchers we used this weekend, our pitching staff is pretty depleted," head coach Bob Morgan said. "We're going to have to mix and match and just get a couple of innings from people here and there."\nBut do not expect to see any of the Hoosier's top four starters tomorrow because Morgan is saving them for this weekend so IU can stay atop the Big Ten standings.\nMorgan said the pitching problem will act as an equalizer, and if Miami has a good game, the Hoosiers will be in for a challenge.\nThe 15-10 RedHawks enter the game with a team batting average over .300, while the Hoosiers hit just under .350 as a team.\nWeekday games always have the potential to showcase a barrage of offense. But the combination of both teams saving their pitching for the weekend and two potent offenses could create some serious fireworks at Sembower Field.\n"Our team will definitely come out swinging," junior outfielder Kenny Marrs said. "We have good hitters, even on our bench. The thing that's different about this team than teams in the past is our depth, and we have faith that our pitchers can go out and throw well."\nThe Hoosiers will look for two-time Big Ten Player of the Week junior Vasili Spanos to lead them offensively as he has done all season. \nSpanos is leading the team in batting average, doubles, home runs, RBI, slugging percentage, walks and on-base percentage.\nBut the Hoosiers will have to get it done on the defensive side as well, which they did not do in their loss to Iowa Sunday. IU committed five errors leading to five unearned runs.\n"Sunday was a tough loss," freshman Jay Brant said. "But we looked at the weekend on a positive note, so the loss really won't affect us. We shouldn't have any problems."\nMarrs agreed with Brant.\n"Our coaches know we're a solid defensive team," Marrs said. "Errors are part of the game"
(03/05/02 6:26am)
After dropping two of the three games against East Tennessee State last weekend, IU invades hostile Xavier territory today at 3 p.m. in hopes of staying above the .500 mark on the season.\nIf history is any indication, then IU should improve its 3-2 record.\nThe Hoosiers have defeated the Musketeers 14 out of the 15 previous games the two teams have played. IU is riding a five-game winning streak versus Xavier, with the single loss coming in 1988.\nDespite the past success, IU coach Bob Morgan feels that Xavier will provide a tough match-up.\n"We're going on the road, and we need to play well in enemy territory," Morgan said. "Xavier is a very solid team with many returning players."\nXavier has been struggling lately, losing six of its last eight games. They are 4-6 on the year. The Musketeers do not have a volatile offense either, and have been held to three runs or fewer in five games.\nIn contrast, IU has not experienced problems with its bats. The Hoosiers average over 10 runs per game this season, and as a team; they have hit a scorching .360.\nBut the Hoosiers need to contain the opponent's offense, and they hope do that with junior Jacob Cary starting on the mound.\nCary will make his third start of the season, and looks to improve his 1-1 record.\nFellow pitcher and junior Ryan Smith does not expect to pitch today, but he knows that the pitching will come through.\n"We're not really rusty, and we're definitely ready to pitch," Smith said. "We have just been stuck inside a lot."\nSmith is grateful for how well the offense has come out of the gates this season.\n"As a pitcher, it's great to have an offense behind you that provides run support," he said. "It gives you more confidence because you can't be going out there worrying if the team is going to score runs."\nThe main problem IU has suffered this season has not been anything it could control. Five games have been cancelled because of poor weather, and senior shortstop Eric Blakeley said this has hampered the team's preparation. But the fact that IU plays 20 games in the next 26 days will help fine tune the team.\n"It's still early," Blakeley said. "Our pitchers are trying to find their spots, and they'll get better with experience"
(02/26/02 6:09am)
IU baseball has already dominated one NAIA opponent this year, but now it's Indiana Wesleyan's turn to take on the Hoosiers.\nThe Hoosiers will face off against the Wildcats at 3 p.m. today at Sembower Field.\nIU is coming off a doubleheader sweep of Taylor University last week, and hopes to improve to 3-0 on the season.\nIn the previous 10 meetings between the two teams, IU has won all 10 games including last year's 11-10 victory over IWU. \nBut last season's score does not represent the series as a whole. IU has outscored Indiana Wesleyan 75-20 overall, and the Hoosiers plan to use this game as a tune-up for the rest of the season.\nKentucky Wesleyan swept Indiana Wesleyan in their three-game series over the weekend, outscoring the Wildcats 34-7, leaving a good possibility for the Hoosiers to repeat their performance from last week.\nIU used an offensive explosion to crush Taylor 15-0 and 14-1 last week. One of the offensive catalysts was senior Eric Blakeley who set career highs with seven RBI and nine total bases.\n"Our philosophy is that if we see a good first pitch, then just go after it," Blakeley said. "It's early, so we just want to get out and get some at-bats."\nBut after having its three-game series rained out against Bethune-Cookman in Florida this past weekend, IU just wishes that the weather cooperates enough today to help prepare for this weekend's series versus East Tennessee State. \n"We're just hoping that we get to play," coach Bob Morgan said. "Our kids are biting at the bit to get out and play again. We just want to go out and get back to where we were."\nMorgan said the key to the game is to have all facets of come together.\n"We just need to field groundballs, our pitchers need to throw strikes and our hitters need to stay aggressive at the plate."\nLast week's doubleheader showcased some solid pitching. Seven IU pitchers combined to allow one run on nine hits in the two games. \nSenior southpaw Zach Otte mowed down four Taylor batters in just two innings of work, and will start on the mound for IU today. Otte said he is the type of pitcher to go right after hitters, and he expects to do that against the Wildcats.\n"We just have to go out and pitch our game," Otte said. "Right now we're still in the situation where we have a few guys that have pitched, but the first couple of times out we're just trying to get our cleats dirty a little bit"
(02/19/02 6:36am)
When teams score 29 runs in two games, they do not usually lose. But throw in solid pitching and defense that allows only one run in those two games, and you have the perfect combination.\nThis is exactly what IU's baseball team accomplished in its home and season opener yesterday at Sembower Field.\nThe Hoosiers pounded NAIA opponent, Taylor University, 15-0 and 14-1 in the doubleheader, extending its unbeaten streak against the Trojans to 24 games, and improving to 12-3 in its last 15 season openers.\nIU struck early in both games, and never looked back.\nJunior outfielder Kennard Jones' leadoff triple set the tone in the nightcap. He later scored on senior shortstop Eric Blakely's RBI single, who also contributed two home runs and seven RBIs to lead the Hoosier offense.\nThe Trojans tied the score at one run apiece in the bottom of the second on Matt Tigert's RBI single, but after that, the Hoosier offense buried them by scoring in every inning except for the 6th.\nIU did not look rusty at the plate, ending with a combined 32 hits, with ten players adding hits in the nightcap and eight players in the opening game.\n"We've put in a lot of work in the off-season, and our coaching staff has put emphasis on us having good at-bats," junior first baseman Gibran Hamdan said. "A couple of our big innings came with two outs, so that's always a positive sign that we're staying in those innings. \n"We do have explosive people all throughout the lineup, and I can't even imagine how many people got hits for us today."\nOne of the players who had multiple hits in both games was junior third baseman Vasili Spanos.\nSpanos sparked IU in the first game with a blast to left field that the Trojans' left fielder did not even bother to turn around and watch leave the park in the second inning.\nThe Hoosiers blew the game wide open with a six-run fourth inning following two outs led by sophomore outfielder Mark Calkins' three-run homer.\nSpanos finished the game with two home runs, a triple and three RBIs, while Calkins added a home run, two triples and five RBIs.\nSophomore outfielder Joe Kemp said the offense showed good poise.\n"You're going to get one good pitch every at-bat, and you have to take advantage and capitalize on that," Kemp said. "We did a great job today and were real disciplined." \nEven though IU's offense looked unstoppable in its opener, coach Bob Morgan realizes that the season is still young and offense cannot carry the team the whole season.\n"I think we'll be a good hitting team," Morgan said. "The biggest concern will be our pitching and consistency there. I still have my concerns with pitching, even though we only gave up one run."\n"But the greatest thing about today is that it's Feb. 18 and we played a doubleheader in Bloomington, Indiana"
(04/26/01 5:19am)
Few sporting events rival the prominence of the Penn Relays, the first and largest collegiate track and field relay meet in the world.\nNinth-ranked IU will send its top 20 athletes to join about 22,000 more who will attend the 107-year-old meet.\nBecause of its size, the meet is nicknamed the "Penn Relay Carnival," but the Hoosiers are focused on taking care of business. \nSophomore Rachelle Boone competed at the Penn Relays in high school, but now her focus is on something different. \n"In high school, we were just running to have fun," Boone said. "But now, we look to be in the championship finals. The competition there is the same competition that will be at nationals."\nBoone isn't the only Hoosier who attended this event in high school. Junior thrower Heather Colyer said she also hopes to leave her mark at the meet after a notable improvement from her high school days.\n"I got a (personal record) there last year in the discus," Colyer said. "I'm really looking forward to it since I threw so well last year, and hopefully I'll do it again this year. Shot put wasn't the greatest last year, but we're still working on that."\nNot every Hoosier can attend the Penn Relays, but those who don't can face good competition at Purdue's Boilermaker Open.\nCoach Randy Heisler said he's pleased with his athletes' performances and hopes they can provide fireworks this weekend.\n"The team is in much better shape now than we were at this point during the indoor season," Heisler said. "We're leading in numerous events in the conference, and we're healthy. Now, we're starting to look for people to perform as we get closer to peaking time and Big Tens. I hope that our strong performances are contagious and that it shows this weekend."\nAlthough the Penn Relays exist in a league of its own with an annual average of 45,000 spectators and athletes from 60 countries, not every coach or athlete looks forward to the event. \nBut Heisler said he knows that despite the hassle of enormous crowds and hectic scheduling of 425 races in 35 hours, the Penn Relays are worth the trip. The strong competition allows his athletes to see where they are ranked nationally and acts as a talent showcase that helps IU recruit.\n"From the competitive standpoint, we'll see a lot of really good people from all over the country in all the event areas," Heisler said. "We have nine people qualified for the NCAAs, and some are on the bubble. So a meet like this will be a great opportunity, because you're going against good competition in a good setting. If you're going to compete well, this is the place where you're going to do it"
(04/20/01 5:10am)
Saturday, Little 500 racers will be speeding around the Bill Armstrong Stadium track, but before that, the women's track team plans to scorch its own track against Illinois and Eastern Michigan.\nThe Hoosiers return to Robert C. Haugh Track and Field 11 a.m. Saturday for the second scored meet of the season.\nLast year, IU defeated Illinois 118-78, but this weekend it is shaping up to be a seesaw battle between the conference foes. Illinois ranks higher than IU in seven events, while the Hoosiers are better in five.\nWith Eastern Michigan thrown in the mix, the chances for the Hoosiers winning the meet decrease. Eastern Michigan is bringing a full squad and ranks at the top of seven events.\nCoach Randy Heisler said this meet might be difficult because Eastern Michigan and Illinois are joining forces and will not take points away from each other because they differ in strengths. \nThe Hoosiers need to show their depth across the board to overcome Illinois' nationally renowned hurdler corps and Eastern Michigan's strong distance and field events squads, Heisler said.\nThis weekend could be a preview of the Big Ten and NCAA championships in the 100-meter hurdles.\nSophomore Danielle Carruthers automatically qualified in the event last weekend at the Sea Ray Relays, and the Illini possess the top two hurdlers in the nation. Illinois' sophomore Perdita Felicien and freshman Susanna Kallur both automatically qualified last weekend at the Texas Relays.\nAlthough the two Illini qualified with better times than Carruthers, the Hoosier said she is not concerned.\n"I went to Nationals, so I can run with anyone," Carruthers said. "If I'm going to run my best race, I want it to be at Nationals. Our sprint squad has the reputation that every time we step on the track, we're expected to get first or second. If we don't do our part, then we aren't going to win."\nUnlike other events in which the points are up for grabs, the Hoosiers own the throwing events.\nSenior Jennifer Brown, junior Heather Colyer and sophomore Irina Kharun are expected to rack up points in their specialty events. \nBrown said she knows the importance for her and her fellow throwers to earn as many points as possible for the team.\n"We go out to dominate, and with us being strong in pretty much every throwing event, it helps out a lot," Brown said. "We don't hope that anyone else has a bad day, but if they do, hopefully we'll be able to pick up some slack."\nSince the beginning of the outdoor season, the Hoosiers have been training intensely, but now they said they are looking forward to the Big Ten Championship.\n"We're right in the crunch time of the season with everyone training hard," Heisler said. "This will be the beginning of when we want to start seeing the performances go up, but both of those teams will supply us with some good competition, and we'll see what we can do"
(04/17/01 6:10am)
The middle of the pack for the women's Little 500 could contain this year's champion if track conditions improve and luck is on someone's side. Even though Alpha Omicron Pi, Con Fuoco and Alpha Phi have not been powerhouses recently, these teams say not to be surprised if determination drives them past the favorites.\nAlpha Omicron Pi (3:04.25)\nWith only one veteran, Alpha Omicron Pi faces an uphill battle, but the team has impressed by moving up eight positions from last year's qualifications. \nSo far this year's performances show an obvious change from last year's team.\n"We are a lot more confident this year because we actually had a real training program," sophomore Kat Worsham said.\nAlthough the team consists predominately of rookies, two of the rookies have trained since September, and it shows in their solid exchanges and communication, Worsham said.\nWorsham said she expects a top 15 finish and hopes the team can finish 97 of the 100 laps.\nCon Fuoco (3:05.25)\nWith only three riders, independent Con Fuoco must rely on its three-time Little 500 riders to compete with the 2001 field.\nLast year, Con Fuoco qualified ninth, but because of a wreck during the race, it finished in a disappointing 21st place. This mishap motivates the riders to improve.\n"We want to do better, but we have to be careful at the same time to make sure that something like that doesn't happen again," junior Madeleine Mogle said. "We want to do well and show everyone that we've been training hard."\nAlthough Con Fuoco members admit they are not as "hardcore" as the pole-sitting Roadrunners, they have something working for them that other teams might not possess.\n"We feel really comfortable with our exchanges, and we can really read each other," Mogle said. "What's really great about our team is that we are all very good friends."\nAlpha Phi (3:06.00)\nDespite some complaints about the track conditions during qualifications, which forced cautious riding to guarantee qualification, Alpha Phi views the Little 500 positively. \nAlpha Phi will start in the middle of the pack, but junior Jennifer Shaffer said she believes that the middle position could prove an advantage.\n"We have a good position on the outside that gives us potential to move up and watch the teams in front of us," Shaffer said. "Yet, we're not so far back that we'll get caught up in a wreck."\nEven if Alpha Phi does not finish toward the top, it will look at it as a learning experience for the three rookies.\n"Of course we have high expectations as rookies, but we also have to think practically," junior Allison Ferro said. "Veterans have so much more experience already being in a race, and that's a definite advantage. I definitely hope we place really well, but I think next year we'll do much better"
(03/30/01 5:19am)
For the second consecutive weekend, the IU women's indoor track team will travel to a non-scored meet. The only difference is that seven athletes trek to compete in the Florida Relays at the University of Florida, while everyone else journeys north to the Purdue Open.\nAfter scorching the track at Arizona State last weekend, the seven athletes headed to Gainsville, Fla., plan to improve on their NCAA provisional qualifying marks in seven events against some of the toughest competition in the nation.\nThe Florida Relays is a high-quality meet, and the seven Hoosiers will be competing in the invitational events against 40 to 50 competitors, coach Randy Heisler said.\nAll-American sophomore Rachelle Boone hopes lead the Hoosiers' 4x100 relay squad back to the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships. Joining Boone are senior Lorraine Dunlop, junior Danielle Carruthers and sophomore Rose Richmond.\nThe relay team expects to finish in the top three nationally after finishing seventh last year.\n"I think all of us expected to do better than seventh," Richmond said of last season. "We knew what went wrong, so we're not upset."\nThis trip is special for Richmond, a St. Petersburg, Fla., native. \n"It's really exciting, because I get to go down there and perform in front of everyone," Richmond said. "I'm used to my family going to all my meets, but when I got here, they couldn't come to very many."\nBoone is also running in the 100- and 200-meter sprints, in which she has also provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships.\nCarruthers met the provisional qualification mark in the 100-meter hurdles last weekend and junior Tia Trent also qualified in the 400-meters.\nIn the throws, senior Jennifer Brown continues her success in the shot put and sophomore Irina Kharun launched her javelin past the qualification distance in just her first competition after her tennis season.\nAlthough not everyone could attend the Florida Relays, which helped the team cut down on complicated travel arrangements, about 15 athletes will compete in West Lafayette.\nHeisler said he views both meets as important, but two events at the Florida Relays especially interest him.\n"The 4x100 and 4x200 will be a great opportunity, because there will be great teams and we're looking forward to that," Heisler said.\nBoone said she is confident she and her teammates will improve on last year's seventh-place finish.\n"We should win the relays," Boone said.
(03/09/01 4:58am)
All eyes will be on the defending champion and host University of Arkansas who have dominated opponents racking up four straight National titles and 15 of the last 16 championships. Nine Razorbacks and the distance medley team qualified for the Friday and Saturday competition.\nBut IU is concerned with junior Dino Efthimiou, the lone Hoosier at the NCAA men's indoor track championship in Fayetteville, Ariz., today and Saturday. \nEfthimiou is IU's only hope of scoring points on the men's side, but the vaulter has thrived on this sort of pressure from the beginning.\nThroughout the season, Efthimiou has come through in tight situations, including the Big Ten indoor track championship where he achieved a personal record that placed him 11th in the nation. His mark of 5.37 meters earned him a spot at the Nationals.\nTraining partner and close friend junior Ian Curry said he has thought Efthimiou could make it to the Nationals since the beginning of the season.\n"The way he has been jumping, I definitely thought he would make it to Nationals," Curry said. "When he goes up, the pole just throws him straight up. He's just such a quicker jumper that I thought he could do it. He's looking to go All-American and I definitely think he can do that and place because he's been jumping really well in practice."\nEfthimiou does not have to worry about any Razorbacks in the pole-vault, but he does get the chance to seek revenge on two Big Ten opponents who snatched away a first place finish at the conference championships two weeks ago.\nMichigan State junior Paul Terek won the Big Ten pole-vault championship and is one of the three vaulters who automatically qualified for the NCAAs by jumping at least 5.5 meters. Michigan senior Charles DeWildt took second in the conference and is ranked sixth in the nation. \nCoach Marshall Goss said he likes Efthimiou's chances even though he wishes more of his athletes could make the trip.\n"Dino is as ready as he can be," Goss said. "He's been vaulting very well during practice this week. He should go into the meet very confident despite the fact that this will be his first NCAA Championships experience."\nAlthough this is his first experience on the national level, Efthimiou said he is full of confidence and expects to build onto his goals.\n"It hasn't hit me yet," Efthimiou said. "I'm just trying to approach it as any other meet nerves haven't set in yet. All the meets before the Big Ten's are stepping-stones so you can learn how to handle the pressure. Every experience in the past has led to up this"
(02/23/01 6:13am)
Throughout the season, the men's indoor track team has shown signs of promise and has left talented opponents in its dust. This weekend, the men's Indoor Big Ten Championships present something different for the Hoosiers. \nFortunately, the other Big Ten teams must also wipe their slates clean Saturday and Sunday at Penn State.\nCoach Marshall Goss views the championship as an unusual meet without a clear-cut favorite. Wisconsin will score a lot of points and Penn State, Illinois and Purdue all have the potential to score high as well, he said.\nThe Hoosiers are at a slight disadvantage because of inexperience and injuries sustained throughout the season.\n"It will be a battle for us," Goss said. "The attitude of our kids is that they can (set personal bests) when they have to. We lost a lot of points from last (year's Big Ten meet) that aren't back this year, so we'll have to step up and earn points from different places."\nBut all is not lost for the Hoosiers, who have veterans who have been in this position before.\n"It's just important to me personally to score some points in the Big Ten Championship," junior Ian Curry said. "When you get to the Big Ten Championships, anything can happen. You might see someone who has jumped really high do absolutely nothing. It's anyone's meet, so it might as well be ours' to score high."\nJunior Dino Efthimiou said he agrees.\n"We're juniors, and coach expects us with the experience to come through for him," Efthimiou said. "This is our third year, so we shouldn't be as nervous as the freshmen. It's a stressful meet; you just have to fight through the nerves. The freshmen are going to be scared and it's up to us to do well."\nUnlike other teams, like reigning conference champion Wisconsin, IU cannot rely on veterans to lead the team because the majority of the team is freshmen and sophomores. Freshman Contrell Ash and sophomore Matt Harris have risen to the challenge this year and shown positive attitudes.\nDuring seasonal competition, the Hoosiers were without some key components like senior distance runners Aaron Gillen and Tom Brooks and sophomore long and triple jumper Hasaan Reddick. The good news is that all are expected to be competing this weekend. \nGillen strained his Achilles tendon in December, and Brooks suffered a stress fracture at the end of the cross country season. Gillen and Brooks have been training for three weeks, and will make their first appearances in competition this weekend. Distance coach Robert Chapman said he strategically placed both runners in the mile, hoping for a nice surprise.\n"Because they are seniors, they're both pretty fit from the fitness training of past years, but they're not super sharp right now," Chapman said. "They're both more longer distance guys, but I put them in the mile because it is the most wide-open distance event."\nReddick boasts the ninth-best triple jump and the 10th- best long jump marks in the conference. Even though he competed last week for the first time since the season-opening meet against Michigan, he said he will bounce back from his illness like he has in the past.\n"I've gotten a lot stronger, but I'm nowhere near where I would have been if I hadn't been out the past three weeks," Reddick said. "By the time Saturday and Sunday rolls around, I will be ready for action. It seems like every time something happens and I'm down for awhile, I always come back that much stronger."\nSince the Hoosiers have depth in the distance events, senior Nate Jones and freshman Chad Andrews will be saved until the 5,000-meter run on the second day in hopes that their fresh legs can help them speed past their opponents, who will run in the 3,000-meters the day before.\nTradition also bodes well for the Hoosiers in the distance events. IU won the distance medley relay in 1999, and Chapman said it's within reach again this year.\n"I'd like to focus on the relay, because it's an easy way to score solid points," Chapman said. "There are certainly a lot of things that suggest we can win"
(02/19/01 6:56pm)
After 16 career bests in the Penn State Collegiate last weekend, the men's indoor track team returned home for the last time before the conference championship with hopes of continuing the momentum from the past couple of meets.\nIU will play host to the Hoosiers Hills Open 11 a.m. Saturday beginning with the men's long jump.\nJoining the Hoosiers for this unscored meet will be Rose Hulman, N. Kentucky, LIFE, Indiana State, Bellarmine, Anderson, Goshen, Mid-Way, Marian, Findlay, Kentucky State, Dayton, Purdue, Huntsville Int.-TC and Ball State. \nThe Hoosiers will sport new looks in several events to rest some athletes for the Big Ten Championships next weekend.\n"Coming off of our promising performances last weekend, the most important aspect of this meet is getting ready to perform to our highest peak of potential that we can prior to Big Tens," coach Marshall Goss said. "Everyone is focusing on what they need to do for next week. There will be many athletes running out of their events, perhaps doing a bit more speed work or longer distances to help us prepare."\nFreshman Ryan Sarbinoff will move down to the 200-meters from his normal event, the 400-meters. Sarbinoff earned a fourth-place finish at the Penn State Collegiate in the 400-meters, but this weekend he will work on increasing his speed.\n"They didn't want to burn me out in the 400-meters," Sarbinoff said. "Last weekend was the first time I competed with fresh legs, so even though the 400-meters is my race, I'd like to see how well my speed has come along by running in the 200-meters."\nEven though the majority of the teams invited to the open meet are smaller schools, Goss said he believes this will still be a good tune-up for the Big Ten championships, held at Penn State.\n"It's basically a preparation for the Big Ten Championship," Goss said. "Teams like Ball State, Indiana State and Purdue are all getting ready for their conference championships. We will be competing against these stronger schools, and the smaller schools will be running against each other."\nTwo athletes have made good use of sprints coach Ed Beathea's new training program designed for optimal performances at the end of the season. Both freshman Contrell Ash and sophomore Matt Harris have sped past their personal bests throughout the year. They are expected to be ready for the Big Ten Championship with a little more tweaking Saturday.\nBut this weekend it is the distance runners who will rest their weary legs, so they can peak when they return to Penn State next weekend.\nJunior Kevin Chandler has topped his personal best in the mile the past two meets, but he will be one of the non-participants this weekend.\n"I really want to be rested up for the Big Ten Championship because that's what is really important," Chandler said. "But we haven't had the week off either. Our miles were bumped up this week and have had three hard workouts. We'll take it easy next week"
(02/14/01 5:47am)
During this men's indoor track season, school records have been shattered and vast improvements have been made by some unexpected surprises.\nNormally, veterans are looked to for support and leadership, but coach Marshall Goss has seen major production emerge from two young speedsters.\nEven with a negligible amount of experience, redshirt freshman Contrell Ash and sophomore Matt Harris rocketed out of the blocks at the beginning of the season and have burned up the track.\nLast weekend at the Penn State Collegiate, Ash earned a victory in the 60-meters and a second place finish in the 200-meters against some of the conference's fastest sprinters by bearing the pain from a nagging injury.\nHarris has been equally impressive in his first full indoor season. He competed in the 60-meter hurdles in just four meets during the last indoor season.\nIn each of the five meets, Harris has improved his personal best, and it only took a day to make good on his promise to top IU's record list in his specialty event, the 60-meter hurdles. But he's not finished yet.\n"Breaking the record was great, but it is not the whole picture," Harris said. "The record is nothing without having success in the Big Ten Championship or going to nationals. It's a great feeling to see where I was at the beginning of the year and how much I have improved. I feel like our new training program has helped me the most in improving my personal best."\nSprint coach Ed Beathea chuckled at the idea that his training program was the key to Harris' success because they work together only two days a week.\n"I must be doing a great job," Beathea said. "We have improved the quality of training in practice to get more out of the time we spend. We have a group of guys that work well together, and they push each other very well."\nAsh holds the third best Big Ten time in the 60-meters, but said he believes his determination enables him to defeat any obstacle.\n"It's important to have a good attitude, so you don't bring everyone else down," Ash said. "I've been working hard on my block starts because ever since high school, I have had slow starts."\nGoss said he sees similarities in both athletes and is grateful for the needed leadership that he expects to remain throughout their college careers.\n"Contrell has done great learning how to compete rather than just win," Goss said. "Anyone can win, but it takes a certain attitude to be able to overcome yourself psychologically and compete.\n"Harris is nearly a clone of Contrell. He does the things to get in the mode of competition and the things he needs to do to be better"
(02/05/01 5:28am)
With three weeks until the Big Ten Indoor Track Championships, coach Marshall Goss was looking for some sign of life from a number of his athletes. \nHis wish came true this weekend at the Indiana Invitational. \nGoss said he believed the competition proved his athletes would be able to compete in the conference.\n"I felt that we competed very well," Goss said. "We still have a ways to go, but in looking at the areas across the board, you can pick out highlights. That kind of confidence that your athletes can really come through gives me the feeling that we're on the right track."\nHaving promised he would break IU's 60-meter hurdles record, it did not take long for sophomore Matt Harris to bring the record crashing to the ground. In his first race, Harris stumbled early, but was still fast enough to qualify for the next heat, in which he would shatter the record.\n"This meet I came in ranked 25th, so I just tried to do everything I could to make it to the finals," Harris said. "I'm awfully proud of the record, but I'm obviously not satisfied. I want the record to be something that will stand for a long time, and the only way I can do that is to continue to improve."\nHarris continued his four-meet streak of lowering his personal best en route to a third-place finish in the finals. But Harris' performance was not the only positive performance coming on the first day of competition.\nEight Hoosiers set personal bests Friday, including sophomore thrower Mike Minton, who won the shot put and provisionally qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track Championships.\n"It's always good to PR because it shows that you're improving," Minton said. "But I just want to be more consistent, so I can compete in the conference."\nThe Hoosier pole vaulters put on a clinic for the competition. Senior Kris Mack and juniors Dino Efthimiou and Ian Curry swept the event's top three spots.\nJunior Ryan Huber showed heart while making his come-from-behind victory in the 600-meters. As Huber blazed past the opposition from the back of the pack, an opponent shoved Huber to the outside, but he remained calm and was still able to edge out a victory by 0.02 seconds.
(02/02/01 5:35am)
Friday and Saturday will be a gut check for the men's indoor track team. Fifteen teams will challenge the Hoosiers in their own Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse beginning at 4 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday.\nDuring this indoor season, coach Marshall Goss said he has waited for his star athletes to perform to their capability, but the younger athletes have been more impressive. Goss said he hopes the 27th annual Indiana Invitational will bring in the talent to challenge all of his athletes, because the Big Ten Indoor Championships are approaching quickly.\n"This meet is a good indication to where we are compared to the competition," Goss said. "The Indiana Invite brings in great competition, and it will show us if we are ready to compete in the conference. We are anticipating our athletes setting career bests and breaking school records."\nTwo young Hoosiers have been surprises this season. Sophomores Matt Harris and Chris Powers have been bright spots in all three meets.\nHarris has topped his career best in each meet. \n"Hopefully, I can do even better than I've been doing," Harris said. "I just try to take it one day at a time. My focus so far has been to stay healthy, so I can hurdle more and put up the times that I need to win."\nHarris registered the second-fastest time by an IU hurdler last weekend, but don't be surprised if he creates some more fireworks at the Indiana Invitational.\n"Maybe this weekend, but I definitely believe that before the end of the season or at the indoor Big Ten Championship, I will break that record," Harris said.\nDistance coach Robert Chapman has roused the men's cross-country team out of its slumber and formed a formidable force on the track.\nAlthough this is Powers' first indoor season, he has won both his 3,000-meter races. IU will show its diversity in the distance races when Powers moves up to the 5,000-meter race this weekend. \n"It will be a good opportunity to run in the 5K this weekend because there will be a couple of rabbits in the race to keep up the pace," Powers said. "This race will be good, because instead of running after a guy as fast as I can, I'll have guys to run with so I can just cruise for two miles and then I can just push it from there and see how fast I can run the last mile. Hopefully the 3K guys will run as fast or faster than I have this year."\nOne event Goss said he expects his athletes to perform well in is the pole vault. Juniors Dino Efthimiou and Ian Curry own the first- and third-best vaults in the meet, respectively, while sixth-year senior Kris Mack recorded the second-highest jump and will participate unattached.\nAlthough the times do not show IU's distance team as the fastest runners in the meet, Powers said he believes his teammates will rise to the occasion and show their depth.\n"I'm really happy with the way the distance team is training right now," Powers said. "We all train together in a group, and I feel that we have one of the top 10 training groups in the country -- in college and out of college. We have 10 guys who you can run with day in and day out, and everybody is pushing the pace and is excited about what they are doing. Good things are just going to happen"
(02/02/01 5:32am)
The women's indoor track team defeated nationally ranked Ohio State in its last meet, but no ranked teams will make the trip to the 27th annual Indiana Invitational.\nAthletes from seven different states will fill the Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse, with the women's shot put kicking off the festivities 4 p.m. Friday. Saturday, the competition will resume at noon with the men's weight throw, unless the meet is ahead of schedule.\nJoining IU in the 15-team women's meet are Middle Tennessee State, Illinois, Tennessee-Chatanooga, University of Louisville, Cincinnati, E. Illinois, Troy State, Vanderbilt, E. Kentucky, W. Kentucky, Indiana State, Alabama-Birmingham, Murray State and S.E. Missouri State.\nAlthough the invitational will be unscored, the Hoosiers plan to burn up the track and use this as a tune-up for the Big Ten Championships, which are looming in the future.\n"From this Friday, we will be only three weeks away from the Indoor Big Ten Championship," coach Randy Heisler said. "We're really switching gears and will be looking for our athletes to step up to the challenges ahead of them."\nIU's sprint corps has dominated this season, claiming first in the 60-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter races in both Big Ten dual meets. \nBoth senior Lorraine Dunlop and sophomore Rachelle Boone provisionally qualified for the NCAAs in the 60-meter race against Ohio State. Sophomore Danielle Carruthers also qualified in the 60-meter hurdles.\nJunior Tia Trent barely missed qualifying by 0.35 seconds in the 400-meter race in her win against Ohio State, so she'll be a top runner for meeting the qualification times this weekend. But the jumpers are still yearning for their own qualifications.\nJumps coach Wayne Pate said this could be the meet at which his jump squad bounds into the spotlight, especially because the Hoosiers have the second-, third- and fourth-seeded long jumpers.\n"I hope we qualify provisionally nationally," Pate said. "They're ready to do that, physically and technically. We were still working to get some kinks out, but we've shortened our approach from two weeks ago. Now we're trying to iron that out, so we feel more comfortable with it."\nSophomore Rose Richmond said she wants a qualification for the NCAAs as much as anyone, and she feels this will be the perfect meet because of her performance in last year's Indiana Invitational.\n"I want to qualify for nationals this weekend," Richmond said. "My parents will be here from Florida. Last year at this time they came, and I didn't do too hot. I know I can do it as long as I get on the board, but I can't scratch and I can't foul"
(01/25/01 5:13am)
One thing was missing from IU's indoor track meet Saturday against visiting Ohio State. That missing factor was one of the biggest sparks the Hoosiers rely on to build momentum.\nLooming over opponents at 6-foot-6, North Carolina native and sophomore Hasaan Reddick arrived at IU, in search of his niche, with little experience and great potential. He found his calling in the long jump and triple jump and as the emotional leader of the men's indoor track team.\nDuring his freshman year, Reddick left his footprints in landing pits throughout the Big Ten. He placed ninth in the triple jump in his first Big Ten Indoor Championship, and then improved to sixth in the outdoor conference championship meet.\nThis year, he jumped off on the right foot, winning the long jump with a personal best against Michigan. \nReddick was sidelined for the Ohio State meet because of illness. \nHis energizing spirit -- the pep missing in the loss to the Buckeyes -- creates an aura of confidence that surrounds his fellow jumpers. But without it, the Hoosier jumpers lacked the explosive bounce to claim victory in any of the three jumping events against the Buckeyes. \nBut his coaches said they see the opportunity for greatness in Reddick if he can stay healthy and focused.\n"He's nowhere near tapping what he can do," assistant coach Wayne Pate said. "It's just going to take a couple of years to build confidence. He has confidence, but he just needs to emotionally put it in the right place. He gets so emotionally wrapped up in the physical performance that he gets out of the mental aspect."\nBecause of Pate's efforts and eye for raw talent, Reddick made the journey to Bloomington. IU was the only school that recruited Reddick from beginning to end, he said. \n"His potential is phenomenal," Pate said. "We go to some meets and coaches come up to me and ask me where I got this guy. By the time he's a senior, I hope to see him at the NCAAs in the top five. \nWhen he gets in competition, he's very emotionally athletic, so the bigger the competition, the better he does."\nReddick said he has high hopes for his track career, but he has his head on straight. He said he realizes track will not always be a part of his life, so he's focusing on a college degree. \n"I plan to get my degree in kinesiology-sports communication," Reddick said. "And I know it's an awful big dream, but I hope to see some sort of NCAA competition, and do real well in the finals. After that, I'll train for the 2004 Olympic team."\nReddick might not be one of the most experienced athletes on the team, but he's made life much easier for the newcomers, and junior Jon Lange, who participates in the long jump to take his mind off the high jump, his strong event.\n"He's really upbeat and brings a lot of life to our little jump squad," Lange said. "He helps me out with advice. When I'm practicing, he'll let me know if I'm doing anything wrong, and he helps add confidence for the younger guys"
(01/25/01 4:48am)
One thing was missing from IU's indoor track meet Saturday against visiting Ohio State. That missing factor was one of the biggest sparks the Hoosiers rely on to build momentum.\nLooming over opponents at 6-foot-6, North Carolina native and sophomore Hasaan Reddick arrived at IU, in search of his niche, with little experience and great potential. He found his calling in the long jump and triple jump and as the emotional leader of the men's indoor track team.\nDuring his freshman year, Reddick left his footprints in landing pits throughout the Big Ten. He placed ninth in the triple jump in his first Big Ten Indoor Championship, and then improved to sixth in the outdoor conference championship meet.\nThis year, he jumped off on the right foot, winning the long jump with a personal best against Michigan. \nReddick was sidelined for the Ohio State meet because of illness. \nHis energizing spirit -- the pep missing in the loss to the Buckeyes -- creates an aura of confidence that surrounds his fellow jumpers. But without it, the Hoosier jumpers lacked the explosive bounce to claim victory in any of the three jumping events against the Buckeyes. \nBut his coaches said they see the opportunity for greatness in Reddick if he can stay healthy and focused.\n"He's nowhere near tapping what he can do," assistant coach Wayne Pate said. "It's just going to take a couple of years to build confidence. He has confidence, but he just needs to emotionally put it in the right place. He gets so emotionally wrapped up in the physical performance that he gets out of the mental aspect."\nBecause of Pate's efforts and eye for raw talent, Reddick made the journey to Bloomington. IU was the only school that recruited Reddick from beginning to end, he said. \n"His potential is phenomenal," Pate said. "We go to some meets and coaches come up to me and ask me where I got this guy. By the time he's a senior, I hope to see him at the NCAAs in the top five. \nWhen he gets in competition, he's very emotionally athletic, so the bigger the competition, the better he does."\nReddick said he has high hopes for his track career, but he has his head on straight. He said he realizes track will not always be a part of his life, so he's focusing on a college degree. \n"I plan to get my degree in kinesiology-sports communication," Reddick said. "And I know it's an awful big dream, but I hope to see some sort of NCAA competition, and do real well in the finals. After that, I'll train for the 2004 Olympic team."\nReddick might not be one of the most experienced athletes on the team, but he's made life much easier for the newcomers, and junior Jon Lange, who participates in the long jump to take his mind off the high jump, his strong event.\n"He's really upbeat and brings a lot of life to our little jump squad," Lange said. "He helps me out with advice. When I'm practicing, he'll let me know if I'm doing anything wrong, and he helps add confidence for the younger guys"
(01/19/01 5:46am)
Coming off an 85-77 victory against conference rival Michigan, the men's indoor track team hopes to continue the momentum when facing Ohio State at noon Saturday in its home opener at the Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse.\nSince 1990, IU (1-0) has a slight edge in Big Ten Championship competition against Ohio State, toppling the Buckeyes six of 11 times. The Hoosiers defeated Ohio State last year in a four-team meet with Western Carolina and the University of Washington. \n"The dual meet should favor Ohio State because of their added depth over the past couple of years," coach Marshall Goss said, "but should be competitive if the Hoosiers step up."\nThe Hoosiers are looking to begin the season well, starting with the efforts of sophomore Hasaan Reddick in the high jump. Reddick was one of seven veteran athletes who set career bests against the Wolverines last weekend. Assistant coach Wayne Pate works with the jumpers and said the outcome of the three jumping events could shape the meet\n"It will be a pretty tough competition," Pate said. "They've got one kid who has jumped about the same as Hasaan has, and our second kid, freshman Chris Rosenthal is about what their second kid is, too. I'm hoping we'll jump well, but you never can tell because it's still early."\nReddick said he is excited about the meet and wants to come away with a victory in the long jump and the triple jump, a victory that eluded him last weekend.\n"I believe that I have what it takes to win this one," Reddick said. "I'd like to total 50 feet in the triple and around 23 feet in the long jump because that should get the job done, and that's what I plan to do."\nBut the meet has 12 events besides the high jump, triple jump and long jump. So the Hoosiers can't rely on just the strong showings from their jumpers. IU must compete against some of the best athletes in the nation. \nOhio State senior Andrew Pierce, an All-American last year, received Big Ten Athlete of the Week honors for his two individual victories in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes at the Ohio State Invitational Jan. 9. He also anchored the first place 4x400m relay team for the Buckeyes. \nSenior Ian Connor represented Ohio State in the 2000 NCAA Indoor Championships along with Pierce and is expected to win the steeplechase during the outdoor season at the NCAA meet. The Hoosiers will face him in that event. They will be led by sophomore Chris Powers, who won the 3,000-meter in his first indoor competition. \nBut it's not a good sign that Powers' time was more than 10 seconds slower than Connor's best this year and four seconds slower than the Buckeyes' second fastest 3,000-meter runner, junior J.J. O'Rielly.\nThe coaches and players said they realize the difficulty in coming away with a victory this week, but Goss said he hopes his team steps it up a notch for the Buckeyes. \n"We had a respectable meet last week, but not great by any stretch of imagination," Goss said. "Ohio State is much better than Michigan and lines up across the board with good athletes. There are no sure wins"