• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1989-09-07_Vol55_No03_09

7 Sports The Western Camllnfan Page Q Thursday. September 7, 1989 Coach Optimistic About Cross-Country Team By Shawn Busby Described by head coach Danny Williamson as his "most complete team ever from top to bottom," the 1989 Catamount distance runners are preparing for a season of victory. In the past, Western's long distance runners have suffered badly from a lack of depth. "We've always had one top runner, and then a tremendous space between him and the number two man," says Williamson. Several returning athletes and some highly acclaimed newcomers will add the necessary depth to the men's squad and six impressive freshmen women will add to the quality of the lady Cats team. "We've worked hard as far as recruiting goes. We want to get our runners together," says Williamson. The responsibility of leading the tightly grouped men's team will lie primarily on the shoulders of senior Shawn Leatherwood. He was an all-conference performer two years ago and is expected to be in contention this season as well. Leatherwood will be closely followed by junior Chuck Bostien and sophomore John White. Two Catamount freshmen are expected to be in the spotlight early in the season. Jason Whit- worth, a Rockdale County, Ga., native, was one of the top distance runners in his home state last year. Williamson describes Whitworth's talent as "unbelievable." Second semester freshman Robert Marcie, from Murphy, displayed talent on last year's track team and is prepar ing for a successful fall season. The men's cross-country team participated in its first meet on August 24 against Florida State. The Cats were defeated at home by a very slim margin but several runners broke new ground with impressive performances. Shawn Leatherwood won the contest with a time of twenty minutes and fifty seconds over the four-mile course. Leatherwood felt that all of the men were running well. "We have got a good group of guys, and they're here because they want to run and do their best." The men also competed in the annual Maggie Valley Moonlight Road Race. Leatherwood finished in nineteenth place against world- class competition. Entering the team event, the Cats were a close second to the Charlotte Track Club. Whitworth, who ran a 4:20 mile in high school, also turned in an impressive finish at Maggie Valley. Of the nine men who are currently on the cross-country team, four of them are freshmen, three are sophomores, and there is only one junior and one senior on the squad. With such a young team, Williamson is looking for impressive finishes for the next several years. Western Carolina's women's cross-country team, although last in the conference in its first three years of existence, rallied for an impressive fourth place finish in 1988. Leading the Lady Cats this season will be junior Kim Johnson. "We're looking for big things from Kim," says Williamson. "She's one of the top eight-hundred meter runners in the conference." Johnson finished second to WCU standout Cheryl Roberts in last year's Southern Conference championship cross-country meet. Williamson feels that freshman Susie Gardner, from Marietta, Ga., and Murphy native Kim Young will have a profound impact on this year's team. Rounding out the squad will be Kerry Cooley, a junior from Coral Shores, Fla., Amy Todd, a sophomore from Forbush high school, and incoming freshmen Heather McClellan and Jill Fulkerson. The Cat's next meet is on September 9th at the University of Georgia. The Western Carolina University Invitational will be held on September 30th at nine o'clock in the morning. The men will run a five mile course and the ladies will compete in a five kilometer (3.1 mile) race. The Southern Conference Championships will be held in Huntington, West Virginia on October 28th, and the NCAA District Three meet will be on November II in Greenville, South Carolina. In addition to their crosscountry schedule, this year's Catamount runners will compete in several indoor track meets. These will be held at various campuses throughout the southeast, including Clemson and UNC-Chapel Hill. "We're looking forward to a great season," says Williamson, who has coached cross-country at WCU for three years and track for four years. Cats Lose Opener to East Kentucky By Fred Mason On Saturday, September 2nd at 7:30 p.m. the Western Carolina Catamounts began their football season against the number four ranked Eastern Kentucky Colonels. Over 14,000 people watched as the Colonels defeated the Catamounts by the score of 31-13. The battle at Hangar Field in Richmond, Kentucky started off as the Eastern Kentucky Colonels scored from a 27-yard pass. Quarterback Lorenzo Fields connected with Scott Mahoney early in the game to give the Colonels a 6- 0 lead, soon to be changed to 7-0 by a James Campbell field goal. It would take over eight minutes, but the Catamounts would score for the first time. With just under three minutes left in the first quarter, Todd Cottrell threw a 55- yard pass to Andy Schultz. With the field goal from Clay Cox, the game was tied 7-7. However, with only 31 seconds left in the first quarter, the Colonels were going to show the Cats that this game was far from over. Lorenzo Fields threw his second touchdown with the help New Attitudes, Hopes for WCU Athletics By Tony Bolick During this academic year, WCU celebrates its 100th anniversary as an institution for higher learning. This year may represent a celebration of more things at it progresses. With the problems and controversies of the last eight months, Western Carolina University has probably seen the biggest rollover in its athletic department in NCAA history. New coaches have appeared in several sports. A new Athletic Director and many new assistants have also come to WCU. E.J.. Whitmire Stadium got a "facelift" including new scoreboard equipment. And the Big Cat Club is now the Catamount Club. These changes reflect the "new attitude" in rebuilding Catamounts athletics to the force they were in the mid 1980s. The air of excitement generated by the changes may be summed up by Catamount Club Executive Director Tom Bom- mer: "The new beginning that is taking place in Western Carolina Athletics requires a new commitment on the part of the Catamount Club to assist with the successful rebuilding of the athletic program. We've set a challenging goal of $300,000 to provide scholarship aid for WCU student-athletes to compete on an even basis in the Southern Conference." All of this creates an air of anticipation as the new football season gets under way. The feelings around campus have been positive. Although winning is what many may want, and the fans, both new and old, see a chance for the Cats to return to a winning level, it will take time. The fans feel that the Cats can surprise many people in the Conference. The changes around the school have also brought hope of renewed pride in Western Carolina, both with the students and supporters. In separate interviews, Steve White, Sports Information Director, and Coach Strahm said that the changes will definitely benefit Western in the community and outside. Western Carolina is on its way to becoming as prominent as some of its counterparts in the UNC-system. Western may become as successful as N.C. State or Appala chian, but this remains to be seen and is still far away. Catamount fans be lieve that WCU has a "new attitude" towards the athletic program. Let's show the Cats that we're behind them at the first home game against Lenoir- Rhyne and throughout this season. Success could be just around the corner. I hope everyone will back the Cats and take pride in Western, because the Cats are back and soon will be a force in all Southern Conference sports. Cheerleaders Prepare for 1989-90 Season By Shawn Busby The 1989 Western Carolina University Junior Varsity and Varsity cheerleading squads are preparing for another exciting season. "We have had good squads over the years and this year should be no exception," says senior Tammie Cavan. Tryouts were held during the first two weeks of school, and decisions will be made September 8. The girls were judged on the quality of their cheers, performance of the fight song, jumps, tumbling, and two partner stunts. 25 young ladies vied for the seven Junior Varsity positions. The JV cheerleaders serve as a backup group for the Varsity squad. Another of their responsibilities is to cheer for the women's basketball team. The members of this squad do not travel to away games due to financial reasons and Southern Conference regulations. The Varsity cheerleading squad has been nationally competitive in recent years. The spirited Cats were sixth in the nation in 1987, and second in the nation in Varsity squad practices every day for two hours. The practices include a one-mile time trial. A normal practice consists of tumbling, partner stunts, cheers, and jumps. The cheerleaders work on making their crowd appeal the best that it can be. Helping to raise money for the athletic department, the Varsity squad raffles tickets for the Big Cat Club and holds several car washes throughout the year. Although there is no designated height requirement, a cheerleader must not weigh over 120 pounds and must maintain over a2.0QPR. of Randy Bohler. The 28-yard touchdown pass and another field goal by Campbell put the Colonels up 14-7. The second quarter did not prove beneficial for the Catamounts as the Colonels put another seven points on the board by a 1 -yard pass from Fields to Scott Mahoney. At the end of the fjrst half, the score was 21 -7. The second half was not as productive for either team as the first half, but the Catamounts suffered more damage at the hands of the Colonels. The third quarter was almost scoreless except for a 39- yard field goal by EK's James Campbell. In the fourth quarter, Eastern Kentucky scored another touchdown by Tim Lester's 1 -yard run and capped it off with Campbell's 5th field goal of the game. The Catamounts would end the game at least on a positive note, scoring last by Mark Smith's 25-yard touchdown pass to Jon Reed to end the game 31-13. Western's Head Coach Dale Strahm summed i t up best when he said "We were our own worst enemy at Eastern Kentucky. Mistakes cost us dearly. Poor execution on offense... blown assignments on defense... poor 2 Days Only kicking." The Catamounts missed a number of opportunities to score against a I-AA team. On the defense side, the outstanding players were Larry Inman, Reggie Graves, and Terrell Wagner, each making over 10 tackles each. Three fumbles were caused by Catamount players; one each by Inman, Graves, and Derrick Harrison. The outstanding offense players for the Cats were Andy Schultz, receiving for 77 yards and one touchdown, and Reggie Graves, credited with a 63-yard return. The next game is this Saturday, September 9th here at the E.J. Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field. The Cats must prepare for Lenior-Rhyne as the Bears begin their season. Western has defeated the Bears the last three times they have met, but Coach Strahm know that is no reason to slack off. "They (Lenior-Rhyne) have had a tat of success the last few seasons and will arrive here with a lot of confidence. They will be emotionally primed to beat a Southern Conference team," says Strahm, as he prepares his team for their first home game this year. The game will begin at 7 p.m. All Students are encouraged to come out and support the Catamounts. " Relatively speaking, ArtCarved has the best deal on gold" Save Up to $80 on Gold Rings Go ahead, ask anybody. It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out now's the time to buy your college ring. I Choose a ring from a company with a real genius for designing and crafting the hottest-looking styles for both men and women. What's more, your ArtCarved gold ring is so superbly crafted, it's protected by a Full Lifetime Warranty. Style, selection, and savings of up to $80 are all the right elements to make now the time to buy your college ring. Ask how you can save on gold accessories, too. ^O^/ CULLOWHEE MINI-STORAGE RENTING LARGE or SMALL UNITS OLD 107 - ABOVE HARDEE' 293-5599 1986. Qualifying for such events is done by videotape. Following a review of the tape, the top five squads in division one and the top two in the Southern Conference are asked to come and complete in person. Varsity squad member Tammie Cavan feels that "cheerleading in general has become more demanding in recent years." In order to meet the demands, the ^P3» /IRTG1RVED \ COLLEGE JEWELRY WCU BOOKSTORE, THURS., SEPT 7 & FRI., SEPT. 8, 10am - 4pm $15 deposit required' Payment Plans Available I GREEN'S SHELL TOWING AND ROAD SERVICE %/ Full Car Service • Offering Complete Auto Maintenance • Check Our Tire Prices (with each set purchased, free mounting, balancing and tire rotation) Asheville Highway In Sylva, Below McDonalds 586-9220 or 586-6629

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: 1989-09-07
  • Date digitized: 2019-09-18
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 14.25"
  • 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_1989-09-07_Vol55_No03
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library