• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1983-02-17_Vol47_No20_06

6 Western Carolinian/February 17,1983 Sports Catamount Baseball Begins Alter back-to-back near misses at the Southern Conference baseball championship the past two seasons. Western Carolina University appears to be prepared lor another run at the league title. I he Catamounts have several outstanding returning players from last season's 28-12 team that won 12 ol 16 Southern Conference games and finished second in the league. In the past two seasons. Western has compiled a 24-8 league record, finished second last season, tied tor first in I98l and totalled 53 victories. Despite this success, the Catamounts will be playing under their third head coach in as many seasons. Former Vermont University baseball coach Jack leggett will beheading the program after David Wright served on an interim basis in "82. Bill Haywood, now in the Seattle Mariner organi/ation, managed the baseball program for 13 years and produced 2I5 wins and 14 professional signees. leggett, a 28 year-old disciple of hard work, reinstated the Vermont intercollegiate baseball program and made it into a tremendous New England baseball success story in his five years there, leggett is a former College World Series participant (1976) from the University of Maine. The 1983 Catamounts have the bulk of last season's pitching staff returning, two-thirds of the catching corps Cats Headed To Championship Coach Steve Cottrell's scrappy Catamounts appear to be in excellent shape for the drive to a first division finish in the Southern Conference's regular season standings despite a grueling schedule for the last 17 days of league play. The Cats suffered a frustrating 63-61 loss at Davidson Monday evening in a game that, if they could have hung on to win, would have virtually assured them of a top four finish. The final regular season standings determine the seeding for the Southern Conference Championship Tournament which will be played in Charleston, West Virginia, March 10-12. In the tourney's first round, the #1 team in regular season play meets the #8 team in the opening game at 12:00 noon on Thursday, March 10. #4 plays #5 in the second game at 2:30 p.m. In the evening session, beginning at 6:30 p.m., #2 plays #7 followed by #3 playing #7 in the nightcap. The Catamounts carry a 7-3 record, currently third best in the conference, into a seven game stretch drive which begins this Thursday (Feb. 17) at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. After the Citadel trip, the Cats will have to leave Reid Gymnasium for only one more conference game (March 5 at UT-Chattanooga) as they will host four teams (Appalachian State, East Tennessee State, Davidson and UTC) in a nine day stretch in Reid. The first of those four remaining home games will be played this Saturday when arch rival Appalachian State visits Reid Gymnasium. UT-Chattanooga continues to lead the conference with a 11-1 record (18-3) overall and was ranked 19th nationally in the latest UPI coaches poll. Marshall, idle since defeating the Catamounts back on February 7, is 8- 2 in league play. The Catamounts are holding onto third (7-3 and 13-7 overall), but East Tennessee State is pushing hard in fourth place with 8-4 mark. Davidson holds down fifth with a 7-5 record, followed by the Citadel (5-7), Appalachian State (3-9) and VMI (0-10). Cottrell says he is not sure what to expect in the closing days of the regular season race. "It is going to be real tough on us the next two weeks. The schedule is not in our favor. We are tired. We don't have enough practice time between games." he explained. "However,"-he said, "I feel, somehow, we are going to make it." "WeVe played everyone except Chattanooga and I think we can play with those teams," he emphasized. "If we can become more consistent, start making our free throws at critical times and quit turning the ball over at critical times we can finish strong," he added. Cottrell says he continues to be surprised with his team's play. "This team is better that I thought it would be and I am extremely proud of what they have done." he noted. Football Sign-Ups Fisted below are the six high school football players who signed with Western Carolina University on the initial day that this year's high school seniors could sign the National Fetter of Intent: -Kenny Edwards, 6-2, 180, Quarterback Brevard High Brevard. NC (quarterbacked Brevard High to State 3-A championship last season and State 3-A Division II title in 1981...since he became Brevard's QB late in sophomore season, the Blue Devils posted 30 wins in 31 games) -Kendall Rycroft, 6-1, 215, Finebacker Dorman High Spartanburg, SC (Earned all-state honors and started at linebacker for SC team in Shrine Bowl) -Wes Treadway, 6-1, 180, Quarterback Griffin High/Griffin, Georgia (led Griffin High to Semi-final round of State 4-A playoffs) -Milton Beck, 5-10, 180, Running Back Osborne High/ Marietta, Georgia -Demetrius Roach, 6-3, 215, Tight End Cedar Shoals High/Athens, Georgia -Everett Spcllman, 6-3, 210, Finebacker Denmark-Olar High/Olar, South Carolina (All-state selection played in North-South Coaches All-Star game) Fast month, WCU announced the signing of junior college wide receiver Jon DeMarco; Tennessee Military Institute's tight end Floyd Barron; Chowan Junior College all-America defensive tackle Kirk Woods; and mid-year high school graduates Trent Wirt/, a quarterback out of Walton High in Marietta, Georgia, and Billy Ray Jones, a fullback-linebacker from Buford, Georgia. and the outfield and one starting infielder. Western, long known tor its offensive abilities, cracked 58 home runs lor a .323 average and averaged over eight runs a game. "It's good to come to a program that has had success as this one has," leggett said. "But there is always room tor improvement in a lot ol areas, anil that has been the main concern lor now. A successful team by my definition is one that has a winning attitude, is unselfish, tough, mentally read) and well-drilled in the little things that win the tough, close ball games. Fegget has a solid nucleus to build on. I here is senior left tickler Mel Kinsey, the 1981 SC Player of the Year who returns with 24 career home runs. 111 RBI and a .374 batting average. Needless to say. Kinsey holds numerous school hitting records, and the ones he doesn't hold he'll have a chance to break this season. In centerfield is the fleet-tooted David Hill, a .309 hitter last season with a team-high eight home runs. Hill is all-conference material both at the plate and in the field and is the primary base-stealing threat on a team not really loaded with speed. Hill stole 21 bases m as many attempts last season. Steady senior Matt Thrasher is the only returning infield starter and is a fixture at third base. He's overlooked as a hitter too. as he hit .304 last season. Although senior Greg Johnson rotated with two others last season behind the plate. Leggett feels he has the inside shot at" catching. Johnson's intelligence and overall game drew raves from Leggett in fall drills. He also owns a .323 career batting average. Ihe every da) vacancies are centered around right field and three infield spots. Leggett figures veteran Alex' Barnwell, freshman Brian Tebo and versatile J.J, Robinson will get first shots at right field. Replacing Kyle Carson, a two-year starter at shortstop who graduated, could be sophomore John Fust, a .429 hitter in 18 games in '82. Steady second baseman Chet Greeson also graduated and could be replaced by freshman recruit Ron Huntington who played very well in the fall. Junior Charlie Fonville, a good hitter (.327, seven home runs) last year as the designated hitter, could be given a chance to plaj every da) at first base replacing former All-Conference performer Don Ingle. Returning lettermen Reggie McCiavv and I toy Suddcrth and several quality recruits could also be challenging tor starting honors. However, some of the best intra-sqtiad competition could come from the pitching stall. "From what I've seen so tar I have to feel good about the pitchers. lor one thing, they will be in great physical shape as we are working them very, very hard. And. we have some good returning arms that 1 feel will improve and come into their own. We have the bodies to have a Quinton Lytle, this week's Carolinian - FM 90.5 Player Of The Week, brought the crowd to its feet with this slam dunk on an out-of-bounds pass against The Citadel in Saturday night's action. (Photo by Mark Haskett) Lady Cats Over Lady Bears by Karen Ashe Saturday night. February 12. WCU's Fady Cats added a seventh win to their list of victories. The February 12 win was the 33rd in a row for WCU against the Fady lions. The Fady Cats have never lost to Mars Hill. According to WCU's Coach Judy Stroud "it was a hectic day all- around. The administration moved the tip-off time to 7:30 and we were playing about two hours slow the whole night! We ended up playing sloppy. However, everyone saw action and that was nice, turning the evening into something positive." At half-time the score-was 36-25, with WCU in the lead. During the second half, the Fady Cats shot 56 points for a combined total of 92-69. Double-figure scores for the Fady Cats were lead by Teresa Braswell with 23 points and who was also nine of ten from the floor. Other double scorers were Emily Holiday and Ginger Eichhorn both hitting 14 points, and Sandy Kruse who shot 12 points. Braswell's score of 23 points is a new all-time personal record. Her previous high score game was against Campbell in the 1982 season, with a total of 19 points. The' Lady Cats remained in Cullowhee on Valentine's Day, February 14, to face the Fady Bears of Fenoir-Rhyne. Fortunately Fady Fuck was with the WCU Fady Cats as they barely passed Fenoir-Rhyne, 76-74. Western had not beaten the Fady Bears since the 1978-79 season. and the Monday night game broke their losing record to Fenoir-Rhyne of seven games. Also, the win moved WCU's winning streak to eight games. However, the Fady Bears were leading for most the game. In the last three minutes, WCU overcame a six- point deficit to take the win. But the game was not assured for the Fady Cats until Judy Green hit a free throw with four seconds remaining on the clock. With 2:53 left to play, WCU moved within two points of the Fady Bears with baskets from Serena Surratt and Braswell. Eichhorn tied the game at 72 with 1:50 left. And Surratt's free throw, put WCU in the lead at 73-72 with 1:34 left to play. Twice in the last minute of the game the Fady Cats turned the ball over, however Fady Fuck was on WCU's side. Surratt hit two free throws to give WCU a 75-72 margin, and after a Fenoir-Rhyne basket. Cirecn hit her shot, the score was 76- 72. Six Fady Cats scored in double figures and the team hit 69.6 percent of their tree throws. Holiday led Monday night's scoring with a total of 14. Surratt followed with 12, Braswell and Kruse added 11 each, and Green and Eichhorn both contributed I 1 points. Fenoir-Rhyne was led by Marisa Carmoody, who contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Mclinda Buchanan, who added 14 points for the Fady Bears. Stroud called the Fady Cats win over Fenoir-Rhyne "very fortunate, we were behind the whole game. Fenoir-Rhyne is a good team who always rises to the occasion. Our girls, however, have been exhibiting their will to win and are succeeding in winning. This will is indicated on and off the floor." This week's player of the week is Judy Green. Green is from Waynesville. N.C. and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Green. The 5'4" junior hit the winning basket against Fenoir-Rhyne, plus she has had two consecutive good games. In the Mars HiH game she was 2 for 2 free throws and 3 of 10 field goals. Against Fenoir-Rhyne she had 4 of 6 free throws and 3 of 8 field goals. Ihe lady Cats traveled to Gardner-Webb on Wednesday night and will return to Cullowhee for a match-up with the Fady Mountaineers of Appalachian on Sunday, February 20. at 3:00 p.m good stall." leggett said. Heading the returnees are crafty senior Cireg Moore (5-0,2.67) who could be the number one starter. I in Stadler. another veteran (5-4,4.52) and Ken Hare, a junior who impressed leggett in preseason, figure to be starting holdovers. Hare won five games in 1982. Senior reliever David Ray Robinson (1-0,1.77 and seven saves) has 17 saves in his career and could be one of the conference's best limited inning specialists. The principle loss from the 1982 staff is dependable Randy Suns (5-0,2.56) who graduated. Newcomers teature, by Feggett's admission, junior Jim Cieiger; Campbell University transfer Andy Griffin; and freshman infield-pitching prospects Scott Gay and loin Valley. The most glaring weakness is a lack of lefthanders! a traditional problem for the Cats, as none are listed on the pre-season roster. The 1983 schedule may well be the most challenging ever at WCU. and the Cats are known for taking on topflight foes. The 53-game schedule begins Feb. 25 at Georgia Tech, a rapidly developing ACC power. Also on the slate are three NCAA tournament teams from last season- South Carolina, The Citadel and Ohio State. Perennial ACC power Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee and 14 Southern Conference games are also featured on the schedule. RIFLE CATS IMPRESSIVE The WCU rifle team lost a 2301 to 2018 dual match decision last Saturday at East Tennessee State but, in the process, scored one of the team's best point totals ever. The 2018 team score was totalled by five shooters - Chris Harris (516), Walt Steihm (518), Jon Maz/a (504), Eric Bennett (480) and Dana Hampton (432) and was one of the best ever five-man totals in the history of the WCU team. The Cats, who will participate in the Southern Conference championships Saturday, Feb. 19 at Lexington, VA, have improved team totals in each of the last three matches. TRACK AND FIELD TEAM AT UNC-CHAPEL HILL- Western Carolina University's indoor track and field team will visit UNC—Chapel Hill this Sunday (Feb. 20) in a dual meet with the Tar Heels. The meet will be the last test for the team until the Southern Conference Championships to be held Feb. 25- 27 at Lexington, Virginia. GYMNASTICS TEAM HOSTING LAST HOME MEET The WCU women's gymnastics team will host their last home meet of the season this coming Saturday in Reid Gym. The Lady Cats will entertain Clemson and Furman in action that will begin at 11 a.m. in Reid Gym. The Fady Cats are 2-7 in dual meets this season, but in recent action at Reid Gym have shown improving scores. After this last home meet, the gymnastics team will travel to Raleigh, NC for a four-way meet with N.C. State, North Carolina and Duke (March 5). LADY CATS/LADY APPS MATCHUP SET- This Sunday (Feb. 20) Reid Gym will be the site of an athletic event that will not have less intensity of some of those super TV college basketball matchups. Western Carolina's women's basketball team and the old nemesis Appalachian State will square off in Reid Gym (3 p.m.) for a Southern Conference women's roundball battle. Going into Wednesday night's game with Gardner- Webb, WCU had won eight straight games and had a 14- 7 overall record. The winning streak has been the longest since an I I-game streak back in 1977-78. Earlier this season Western whipped Appalachian 99-75 in Boone. The Fady Cats have won three Southern Conference games in a row. The women's game will follow Saturday's clash with the WCU/ASU men's teams in Reid Gym. The game will be the next to the last home women's basketball game of the 1982-83 season. Judy Green, Player Of The Week, has been a strong contributor in the success the Lady Cats have had lately. (Photo by Mark Haskett)

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1983-02-17
  • Date digitized: 2019-01-31
• Extent
  • Dimension: 15" x 11.5"
  • Pages: 14 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1983-02-17_Vol47_No20
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library