12B - THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
MONDAY, AUGUST 19,2002
California-Berkeley swimmer sets record
By Ian M. Fein
Byron M. Pfeil
The Daily Californiaian via U-Wire
The University of California-Berkley
BERKLEY, Calif. - Sometimes the best just keep getting better.
California junior Natalie Coughlin surprised no one Tuesday when she set the world record in the 100-meter backstroke at the U.S. National Championships.
Becoming the first woman to
break the one-minute mark in the event. Coughlin's time of 59.58 seconds shattered the previous record of 1:00.16, set by China's Chong He of in 1994.
The 19-year-old Coughlin came close to passing the mark before, setting the American record of 1.00.18 last summer and posting the third-fastest time of 1:00.19 this June at the Santa Clara Invitational.
Considering Coughlin faltered in both of these races, hitting the lane line in the first and missing her flip turn in the second, it was just a matter of time before the backstroke record was hers.
The other swimmers in Tuesday's championship race didn't pose a challenge to Coughlin. After only 50 meters, Coughlin led by nearly a full body length.
Along with her second 100-meter
backstroke national title. Coughlin earned two more titles in her first three days of racing. Races continue through Saturday so she may still add a few more titles.
Monday, Coughlin edged out 10-time Olympic medalist and Stanford alumna Jenny Thompson in the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 58.49.
Wednesday, Coughlin set the U.S. Nationals meet record of 1:58.20 in the 200-meter freestyle.
In both of her seasons swimming at Cal, Coughlin was named NCAA and Pac-10 Swimmer of the Year. She now holds three world and 24 American records.
This summer USA Swimming named Coughlin June's Swimmer of the Month. It was the second time she won that award this year.
For her accomplishments at the national championships this week, she will likely take her third such
award for the month of August
The results of the U.S. National Championships help determine team selections for future events, such as the 2003 World Championships and the 2003 World University and Pan American Games.
By claiming the 100-meter butterfly title Monday, Coughlin qualified for the Pan-Pacific Championships in Yokohama, Japan, later this month.
West Virginia getting geared up for 2002 season
By Chuck McGill The Daily Athenaeum via U-Wire West Virginia University
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia football enters its second year under the direction of offensive mastermind Rich Rodriguez and his fast-paced spread offense.
At this point last year, the loyal contingent of Mountaineer fans were as optimistic as ever coming off a stunning Music City Bowl victory over Ole Miss. The new era of football Rodriguez was bringing all the more reason to be excited.
The season never materialized as many, if not all, had hoped. WVU mustered just three victories: two over Mid-American Conference opponents and an 80-7 thumping over Big East doormat Rutgers. Rodriguez's debut was worse than any season the legendary Don Nehlen ever had.
Now WVU is just eight days away from the home opener against Tennessee-Chattanooga, and regardless of what happened last season, everyone involved is once again optimistic that the Mountaineers will challenge for a bowl berth.
The team returns 14 starters, six on offense, eight on defense, and lost just one coach from last year's staff.
just one beat from nowhere.
The offense has upgraded at quarterback and wide receiver with players more suitable for Rodriguez's spread attack, and the defense has changed schemes to better fit the current personnel. Last season, West Virginia allowed an atrocious 213 yards rushing per game, which was a major reason why the Mountaineers
dropped eight games. This season, under co-defensive coordinators Todd Graham and Jeff Casteel, WVU will run a 3-3 stack as opposed to the eight man front that was run last year by since departed Phil Elassian.
OFFENSE
Last year's starting quarterback, Brad Lewis, was never recruited to run the type of offense Rich Rodriguez employs. Lewis was spelled occasionally by redshirt freshman Rasheed Marshall, who missed eight games with a broken wrist. Marshall is back this year as a sophomore and has a firm grip on the starting spot.
Marshall brings a nice blend of the skills needed to engineer this offense. He has a strong arm to go along with his outstanding speed. Marshall was 21 of 27 in the spring game with 231 yards, solidifying himself as the future of West Virginia football.
Marshall was pushed in the spring by redshirt freshman Danny Embick, who is the No. 2 quarterback for now. Junior college transfer Charles Hales comes in as the third string quarterback.
WVU is blessed with one of the best running back tandems in the East. Avon Cobourne returns as WVU's second all-time leading rusher, and should break the rushing record before the halfway point in the season. He needs just 632 yards to pass Amos Zereoue on the all-time list.
Should Cobourne rush for 1,000 yards for the fourth straight season, he will be among an elite group of five individuals to have previously
accomplished this feat.
Cobourne's sidekick as WUV's "superback" will be Quincy Wilson. One of the greatest prep runners to ever come out of West Virginia. Wilson will see an increased workload this year as Rodriguez and running backs coach Calvin Magee look to keep Cobourne rested during the game.
Also helping out in the backfield is superback/fullback Hikee Johnson and fullback Mo Fofana. Johnson will provide depth at both positions while Fofina will be the lead blocker for Cobourne and Wilson. Fofana came to WVU as a walk-on, but earned a scholarship this past year.
West Virginia's passing offense ranked 96th in the country in 2001 despite Rodriguez's penchant for the pass. The main reason why the Mountaineers struggled to develop an effective passing game was the lack of playmakers available. And while this phase of the offense had no where to go but up, WVU looks significantly improved in this facet of the game.
WVU returns seniors Phil Braxton and A.J. Nastasi at receivers, along with senior Mike Page and sophomore Miquelle Henderson.
Braxton was last year's leading receiver before breaking his foot against Rutgers. He missed the spring but is back this fall and looking to live up to his previously unfulfilled potential.
Nastasi was the team's leading receiver a year ago. He is steady, not flashy, and has great hands.
in the spring. He has become a favorite target of Rasheed Marshall and should post big numbers. Page is a former walk-on who started four games as a junior, but missed the spring with a back injury.
Henderson was the best receiver
Although the returning receivers are solid, the newcomers are the one's raising eyebrows through the early part of fall practice. The most
Last year's starting quarterback, Brad Lewis, was never recruited to run the type of offense Rich Rodriguez employs.
impressive of the group is junior college transfer Aaron Neal, a 6-4 wide out from California. Neal is a large target with great speed and the ability to block downfield.
Another transfer expected to contribute immediately is Travis Garvin, a junior college basketball player from Florida. Garvin played one season at Missouri, but left the team after an altercation with the head coach. Garvin arrived at WVU slightly out of shape, but has been running in the mornings with Coach Rodriguez in order to gain playing shape. Garvin also plans to walk on for the basketball team.
Contributions can also be expected from Neal's junior college teammate Derrick Smith, redshirt freshman Dee Alston, converted
running back Cassel Smith, and, if declared eligible, stud recruit J.T. Perry.
Perry is awaiting word on his eligibility after failed to qualify academically.
Several tight ends will try to crack the starting lineup, led by Josh Bailey. Other tight ends are Tory Johnson, Darnell Glover and Jason Hardee. The latter has yet to qualify as well.
All of these positions are crucial, but as with any good team, a majority of the success lies within the offensive line.
WVU is fortunate to return four starters off of a solid offensive line They are led by seniors Lance Nimmo, Ken Sandor and Zack Dillow, Junior Tim Brown also returns.
Jerk Berk is penciled in as the new starting guard in place of the graduated Brad Knell. Rod Olds, Justin Williams, Garin Justice; Geoff Lewis, Ben Timmons and Travis Garrett provide depth. True freshman Dan Mozes is outstanding and may fight for playing time immediately.
DEFENSE
The defense returns a plethora of experienced players that will look to shake the nasty image from 2001.
The defensive line returns four seniors and will look to several newcomers for immediate playing time.
David Upchurch is the heart and soul of the defense. He recorded 66 tackles last season, including 14 for losses. He will rotate between the defensive tackle and end.
The coaches can experiment with Upchurch at end because of the
emergence of freshman Ernest Hunter and sophomore Kelvin Dubouse at the defensive tackle position. The two will rotate at the position.
Jason Davis will start at the other end, and will be spelled by seniors Tim Love and Kevin Freeman.
The linebacking corps is getting stronger by the day. The group is led by junior Grant Wiley, the former Big East rookie of the year. Wiley played through injuries last year, missing two games, but still put together solid numbers. Wiley will play on the left side to maximize his big-play ability.
James Davis will play opposite Wiley, after playing practically every position on defense during his stay at WVU. Davis led the team with eight sacks a year ago.
Other linebackers expected to make contributions include senior Ben Collins and Shane Graham, who will vie for playing time at middle linebacker.
Sophomore Adam Lehnortt will backup Wiley, and junior college transfer Leandre Washington will see plenty of playing time after a strong spring performance.
The Mountainees may also decide to burn the redshirt of top newcomer Jay Henry. The true freshman comes from Jenks High School, a powerhouse program in Oklahoma. Henry has great size and speed and will likely be called on to perform this season.
West Virginia will use five players in the secondary on a regular basis