TAMPA - Running as an individual at the NCAA Division II cross country championships Nov. 22, University of Tampa runner Elias Gonzales finished 28th and earned All-American honors.
Four days later he ran an even better race in an entirely different environment. Competing in the Times Turkey Trot for the first time, a tired Gonzales ran well enough to win, completing the 10K in 31:35.
UT's women fared well at the NCAA championships at St. Augustine College in Cary, N.C. The Spartans were eighth among 24 squads, led by Allison Macsas' eighth-place finish among individuals. Dee Dee Haefling placed 40th, Liz Bragg was 57th and Erin Wilson finished 91st.
MEN'S BASKETBALL: After opening with a 74-62 win at Elizabeth City (N.C>) State Nov. 21, UT has dropped three straight road games. However, senior forward James Mereus turned in a strong week against two top-15 teams. Mereus had 17 points and six rebounds in a 95-86 loss to No. 5 South Dakota and added 12 points and six boards in a 97-77 loss to No. 15 South Dakota State. In addition to averaging 14.5 points and six rebounds a game, Mereus shot 11-of-24 from the field, 3-of-4 on 3-pointers and 4-of-7 from the line. Mereus rallied the Spartans to within six points of South Dakota and nine of South Dakota State before fouling out of each contest.
Senior center Denis Orlov scored a career-high 13 against South Dakota State, including nine in the first half. Senior guard Earnest Williams averaged 12.5 points last week, joining Mereus and senior forward Achille Ngounou in double digits. Ngounou posted the Spartans' first double double of the year with 14 points and 12 rebounds against South Dakota.
UT hosts St. Mary's (Tex.) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: In a 59-55 loss to Francis Marion, the Spartans showed marked improvement from their previous loss against Puerto Rico-Bayamon. Yushanda Morse rebounded from a four-point performance to score 22 on 10-of-14 shooting. Juanita McClinton shrugged off an 0-for-5 night against Bayamon to score 15 (6-of-9 field goals) in the FMU game. The Spartans shaved their turnovers from 30 against Bayamon to nine against Francis Marion. The game, at Eckerd's Thanksgiving Classic, started with both teams dressed in home white uniforms. Though designated as the home team, the Spartans hustled back to Tampa to grab their black road uniforms and started just 10 minutes later than the scheduled tip-off.
UT (2-3) is off until Dec. 13 against Malone College (Ohio).
HONORS: Volleyball coach Chris Catanach was named 2003 Tachikara/AVCA Division II South Region coach of the year. He has won consecutive awards and seven overall. This season, Catanach led the Spartans to their eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and second straight national quarterfinal berth after winning the South Region championship. Tampa shared the Sunshine State Conference title with a 13-1 conference record.
