Colleges

Another track duel with Clemson seen

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published April 21, 2005

Some things don't ever seem to change when it comes to the ACC men's outdoor track and field championship.

"It's going to be a showdown between Florida State and Clemson," FSU coach Bob Braman said.

For the sixth straight year, those two programs figure to finish first and second. Or second and first depending on your allegiances. FSU beat Clemson to win the league crown in 2002 and 2003, and the Tigers one-upped FSU in 2000, 2001 and 2004.

"It's going to be a tight, tight, tight race," Braman said.

The Tigers might have more quality depth, an advantage in this setting, but perhaps not as much star power - NCAA championship contenders - as the Seminoles, who are led by Walter Dix (100 and 200 meters), Ricardo Chambers (400), Rafeeq Curry (triple jump), Andrew Lemoncello (10K), Tom Lancashire (1,500) and former Tampa Baptist Academy star Garrett Johnson (shot and discus).

FSU might gain a bit from the home track. For the first time since 1992, the league championship, which begins today and culminates Saturday afternoon, is in Tallahassee. Besides no travel, the entire team - not just the 28 student-athletes who can compete - can be in the stands.

"There's an emotional plus there," Braman said, adding that might be a bigger plus for the women.

The junior-dominated women's team is retooling and Braman is hoping it can finish fourth. Performers to watch include LaToya Legree (triple jump), Deanna Lane (heptathlon), Barbara Parker (1,500 and steeplechase), former Lakewood High standout Sharneka Brown (triple jump) and former Seminole High star Devon Rich (100 and 200 meters).

PITCHING RELIEF: Junior Bryan Henry figured to be the starting third baseman and has done a solid job in his first season after transferring from North Florida Community College. But his starting responsibilities have expanded of late, to the mound.

In just his third start Tuesday, the right-hander limited No. 5-ranked Florida to two runs on eight hits, struck out five and walked three in 71/3 innings, the longest stint by a starter since Barrett Browning went 72/3 against Clemson on April 2.

"Bryan gave us an outing that we desperately needed," coach Mike Martin said. "He pitched very, very well."

FSU won 4-2 to snap a three-game losing streak and give it some momentum entering this weekend's series at powerhouse Miami. Henry (3-2, 1.95 ERA) is scheduled to pitch Sunday.

"If he pitches well, I can tell you right now, he's not going to pitch the next Sunday," Martin said. "We're liable to make him (No.) 1 or 2."

TENNIS, ANYONE?: The men's and women's teams are in Cary, N.C., for the ACC tournament and both have high hopes.

The men (16-6, 7-2 in the ACC) have won seven of their last eight matches to earn the No. 3 seed and opening-round bye. They play the winner of today's Georgia Tech-Maryland match on Friday night.

"I think we're playing our best tennis right now," coach Dwayne Hultquist said. "We didn't get an opportunity to play (top-seeded) Virginia because we got rained out, so we're eager to see what we can do here."

Meanwhile, the women don't have a glistening record (10-10, 4-6 in the ACC) but have shown promise in narrow losses to Wake Forest and Duke in the past few weeks. Seeded eighth, they face ninth seed Virginia today.

"The times we've played to our ability, we're as good as anybody we've come across this year," said first-year coach Jennifer Hyde, a former Seminole standout. "We've had some matches we were right in there, we just came up a little short. If these guys as a group stay focused and play with a lot of discipline and compete hard, there's not a team in the tournament we can't take out."

ODDS AND ENDS: Men's tennis players Mat Cloer, a two-time ACC player of the year, and Chip Webb were named All-ACC. Women's team star Mihaela Moldovan earned similar honors. ... Star guard Roneeka Hodges became the highest Seminole drafted by the WNBA when Houston selected her 15th (second in the second round) last weekend. The previous high was No. 26 ( Brooke Wyckoff in 2001). ... Former Durant High standout Carrie Ellis and Emily Breen shared the women's most valuable swimmer of the year award.

[Last modified July 4, 2005, 08:35:22]