Sports

Volleyball celebration set for Feb. 6

by Nick Povalitis

The 2003 NCAA Division III national champion Washington University volleyball team will be recognized Feb. 6 at halftime of the men’s basketball game, which will start at 8 p.m. against Carnegie Mellon University.

Festivities will include the unveiling of the championship banner, a presentation of the national championship trophy, comments from the team and appearances by Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and John Schael, director of athletics.

The Bears finished 2003 with a 38-3 record and a Division III-record eighth national title.

The women’s basketball team will face Carnegie Mellon at 6 that evening. Among the other activities throughout the night, there will be an autograph session with members of the volleyball team between the basketball games.

Men’s hoops goes east, wins two

The men’s basketball team made the most of its first trip to the East Coast by picking up two key University Athletic Association wins, against Brandeis University and New York University. With the wins, WUSTL improved to 12-4 overall and 4-1 in conference. The Bears opened their four-game road stretch by knocking off NYU 94-83 Jan. 23 at the Coles Sports and Recreation Center. Senior Barry Bryant scored 12 second-half points to help the Bears erase a three-point halftime deficit, giving Washington U. its third conference win in four games. Two days later, the Bears beat Brandeis 80-71 win in Waltham, Mass. Bryant finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Other updates

The No. 7 women’s basketball team split a pair of games this past weekend on the East Coast, but remained in a tie with the University of Rochester in the UAA. On Jan. 23, the Bears nine-game winning streak was snapped as WUSTL fell to New York University, 68-58. Leslie Hawley finished with 19 points and a career-high seven steals, while sophomore Danielle Beehler added a team-high 14 rebounds. The Bears re-grouped two days later to defeat Brandeis, 70-64, at Auerbach Arena. Washington U. used a 13-0 run late in the second half to take control of the game. Sophomore Kelly Manning led the Bears with 21 points, including six in the final two minutes of play.

The swimming and diving teams completed the regular season by hosting the WU Invitational at Millstone Pool. The women took first place, finishing 402 points ahead of second-place DePauw University. The men placed second of seven teams. On the women’s side, Allie Boettger and Jennifer Scott led the way. Scott won three events (500 free, 200 free, 100 fly) and provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 100 fly and 500 free. Boettger picked up two wins (100 and 200 breaststroke) and earned provisional qualifications in both events. Michael Slavik (200 free), Eric Triebe (100 free) and James Prescott (1,650 free) each picked up individual titles on the men’s side.

The men’s and women’s track and field teams opened the 2004 indoor season Jan. 24 at the Rose-Hulman Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind. Both squads had strong showings, posting second-place finishes in the five-team fields. The squads swept four events on the day, including the weight throw, pole vault, 400 and 3,000.

Cheerleading & dance clinic Feb. 28

A cheerleading and dance clinic for first- through fifth-graders will be held from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Athletic Complex.

Eligible children of faculty and staff are being encouraged to participate. The University’s cheerleaders and Wash U Jive dance team members will serve as coaches.

A $25 fee, payable via cash or check, must be paid by Feb. 24. The fee includes lunch and a T-shirt.

For more information and a registration form, contact Erin McClure (935-5128; emcclure@athletics.wustl.edu), assistant director of intramural sports.

Women’s tennis team fund-raiser Feb. 7

The women’s tennis team, in conjunction with the W Club, is sponsoring its 13th annual fund-raising tennis party at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Frontenac Racquet Club.

The party will raise funds for the team’s annual spring-break training trip. This year, the 12th-ranked Bears will be going to California to compete against other nationally ranked teams.

Attendees will enjoy playing with both local area pros and members of the women’s tennis team. A buffet dinner and silent auction also will be included. Nonplayers are invited to come to meet the players.

For more information, contact coach Lynn Imergoot (935-5204; imergoot@wustl.edu). The deadline for reservations is today.

The Bears begin their spring season Feb. 13 at the Principia Invitational in Elsah, Ill. In 29 seasons of play, the team has achieved a 409-152 record, all under the direction of Imergoot.