THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 5, 1995 TAG: 9503050212
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By KEVIN DOEPP, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
Virginia Wesleyan second-year coach Kyle Hannan calls his lacrosse team ``young and enthusiastic.''
After all, the Marlins welcome 24 newcomers to a team of 32, including 19 freshman. Last season the Marlins only fielded a team of 17.
``The freshman and newcomers were told that coming into our system they would be in a position to help us right away,'' Hannan said. ``It is a bit scary, but these young players have the talent.''
Leading the list of newcomers is Tom Lewis. Lewis, who will play attacker, is a converted midfielder and has made a smooth transition from his old position.
Bryan Smith in the midfield will handle a lot of the faceoffs.
On defense, the Marlins are led by Tyler Andresen. Andresen has good speed and good stick skills. Cape Henry graduate Jeff McGlashen and Jeff Dunham are also top defenders for the Marlins.
Leading the returning Marlin players is 1994 first-team All-ODAC selection Tom McGurty. The senior attacker led the Marlins in scoring with 37 goals. ``He is a constant threat to score,'' Hannah said.
Also returning from last year's squad is goalkeeper and 1994 team MVP Mike Doherty. Doherty, the Marlins 1995 team captain, finished last season with a 1994 first-team All-ODAC performer. Frank will anchor the defense for the Marlins.
The Marlins will face a tough 15-game schedule, starting with nationally ranked teams Roanoke (5th), The Maroons dealt the Marlins an 18-6 defeat Saturday. Also on the schedule is Washington and Lee (8th), Hampden-Sydney (16th) and Lynchburg.
``Our goal this year is to win 10 games,'' Hannan said. ``A lot of opposing coaches would probably laugh at that, but it is realistic.''
WESLEYAN SOFTBALL: First-year softball coach Valerie Kepner wants her Virginia Wesleyan team to regain the title it so richly coveted for the past three years.
The ODAC title that is. Last season the Lady Marlins were dethroned and it will be up to a strong pitching staff and a balanced offensive attack to get it back.
Leading the way on the hill for the Lady Marlins will be sophomore two-sport performer Monica Saltarelli. Saltarelli, who stars in field hockey for the Lady Marlins in the fall, finished last season at 11-5 with a 1.64 earned run average.
Other top returners are first baseman Jackie Cordery. Cordery, a senior, finished last season with a .347 batting average and 16 runs batted in. First-team All-ODAC selection Meredith Byrum, a sophomore third baseman returns. Second-team All-ODAC outfielder La Donna Flanagan also returns.
``It is hard to predict how we will do,'' Kepner said. ``We have a real good mix of players and our success will depend on our mental discipline.''
MONARCHS REPORT: The Old Dominion sailing team hopes that success will carry over from the 1993-94 season to 1995. Last season the Monarchs won the collegiate America's Cup, they placed sixth in the ICYRA Dinghy National Championships and second in the ICYRA Sloop National Championships. They also finished seventh in the ICYRA Women's National Championship.
Returning for the Monarchs is senior Patrick Downey. He was the helmsman of Old Dominion's Intercollegiate Yacht Racing Association Sloop National Championship team in 1992. Juniors Christian Obenshain, Mitchell Rogers and Aaron Szambecki are other key returners. For the women Evangeline Callahan is the top returner. Callahan, a junior, qualified for the first ICYRA Women's Singlehanded Championship last fall. Callahan will be joined by senior Melanie Clore and juniors Samantha Fickman and Stephanie Sharlow.
SPARTANS REPORT: Spartanette softball coach Turan Smith compares his team to that of the University of Arkansas men's basketball team.
``We have all of the top guns just like Arkansas,'' Smith said. ``We are loaded this year, and if we stay focused we shouldn't have any problems.''
Mostly juniors and seniors, the Spartanettes are led by senior pitcher and last year's team MVP Shane Sims. Joining Sims on the hill is junior Trina Williams and sophomore Angela Smith (Kellam).
The Spartanettes also welcome back Northern Division Player of the Year, junior catcher Nakia Johnson.
The big guns for the Spartanettes at the plate are Angela Crecilus (Kellam), first baseman/designated hitter. Joining Crecilus are centerfielder/shortstop Onisha Cook. Cook will be the leadoff hitter. Rightfielder Beverly Withers will also bolster the offense.
The top gun Spartanettes will trek down to Florida A&M Thursday to play in the Division I three-day tournament. The Spartanettes will be the only Division II team at the tournament. ... Two Spartan wrestlers will participate in the Division II championships at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Junior Corey Williams (Princess Anne), will wrestle at 134 while Charles Daniels (First Colonial) will wrestle at 167. Williams, ranked fourth nationally, is 27-2 overall. Daniels, ranked fifth nationally, is 26-3.
ALUMNI REPORT: James Madison's fencing team boasts two area performers, freshman Ro Federico (Tallwood) and sophomore Meredith McNeill (Great Bridge). Last year McNeill was runner-up in the 1995 state tournament. . . . The Virginia Tech golf team begins its quest for a third consecutive Metro Conference Championship and a second straight trip to NCAA championships. Leading the Hokies are All-American sophomore Curtis Deal (Great Bridge), and freshman Robby Rasmussen (Great Bridge). Rasmussen was the 1993 Virginia State Golf Association Junior Player of the Year. . . . Naval Academy women's swimmer Elizabeth Allee (Maury) finished seventh in the 200 butterfly at the Patriot League Swimming and Diving championships. . . . Kirstie Neidlinger (Salem) will continue her soccer career at Alabama in the fall. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
1994 first-team All-ODAC pick Tom McGurty, who scored 37 goals last
season, is back for the Virginia Wesleyan lacrosse team.
by CNB