Sports for October 20, 1999

Area players just miss

Charleston Catholic, Huntington win state crowns

by Mike Nutter
Sports Writer
MORGANTOWN ó As easy of a time that Charleston Catholic coach B.J. Calabrese had convincing his players they could make up eight strokes, first-year Huntington coach Del Brown was having hard a time convincing himself of what his team had just done.
Charleston Catholic shot a team total of 325 Tuesday to overcome Wyoming East and Gilmer County, while Huntington fired a final-day 317 as the two captured the Class AAA and Class AA-A golf titles, respectively, at the state golf tournament at The Pines Country Club in Morgantown.
Huntington entered the day four strokes ahead of Fairmont Senior, and claimed its third consecutive title behind senior Scott Archer's 74. Teammate Brad Tweel shot a 78.
"This was supposed to be a rebuilding year," Brown said. "We lost three very good seniors who are now playing in college.
"This kids refuse to quit, though. They've been here and know what it takes to win. All year we got a little better each match and it's been an atmosphere that's fun to play in."
Charleston Catholic found themselves in nearly the same position as last year. The Irish put themselves in contention on the first day at last year's tournament only to "fall apart" on the final day.
This year, however, would be different.
Led by Kirk Martin's 74 and a 78 by John Clubb, Charleston Catholic's 325 brought it back to give the school its first golf title.
"It really feels good, but honestly, I'm much more excited for this group of kids," Calabrese said. "They've put so much time into this and worked so hard for it. They definitely deserved it.
"Last night I told them eight shots was nothing for this group to get back. I've got five guys who I have total confidence in. I knew they would find a way to make up the strokes between them."
Last year's Class AAA champion, Fairmont Senior, finished runner-up in dramatic style. The Polar Bears were tied with Greenbrier East at 648 after 36 holes.
The teams went to sudden death, and Fairmont Senior won on the second hole.
George Washington shot 330 to finish fourth at 659, followed by Wheeling Park in fifth at 673, Lewis County at 689, Musselman at 721 and Ripley at 725.
In Class AA-A, Wyoming East finished second at 656, followed by last year's champion, Gilmer County (662), Wheeling Central (672), Bluefield (675), Williamstown (678), Chapmanville (714) and South Harrison at (746).
Fayetteville's Scott George, defended his Class AA-A individual title, firing a pair of 73s.
Cabell Midland's Zach Baldwin finished with a two-day total of 156 to win the Class AAA title.
Robert C. Byrd's Adam Dyer and Bridgeport's Jason Glisson were each one stroke from earning all-state honors, presented to the top eight scorers in each class.
Dyer finished with a pair of 80s; Glisson carded two 83s.
"Today was just the opposite of yesterday," Dyer said. "I couldn't hit the ball off the tee very well and putted pretty good. I started off pretty good on the front nine and then just played bad on the back.
"I'm not disappointed with the season as a whole. I know what to do to win on this course. Hopefully I can get back next year and have two better rounds."
Wheeling Park's Mike Ricci shot a 153 to lead the Class AAA field. Tweel was next at 155, followed by Archer (156), Baldwin, Brooke's Paul DiLorenzo (157), Lewis County's Brian Bailey (158), Princeton's Michael Yearout (159) and Greenbrier East's Adam Loving (159).
Following George, Wyoming East's Don Jones (150), Martin (151), Gilmer County's Chad Westfall (153), Williamstown's Matt Smith (157), Bluefield's Stephen Crigger (162) and Winfield's Brian Stuck (165) made up the Class AA-A all-state team.
"I honestly expected to do a little better," Glisson said. "I know now what I have to do. I got to play with (Scott) George, and that helped out a lot. It gives my something to work for and to shoot for next season."

WVU's confidence gets boost after Rutgers rout

by Chris Errington
Sports Writer
MORGANTOWN ó Already the butt of ESPN jokes and for the first time taking a back seat to in-state neighbor Marshall, West Virginia had every reason to seek shelter and hide last Saturday. Yet there the Mountaineers were throughout their 62-16 sacking of Rutgers ó jumping, high-fiving, talking trash and in general, acting anything like their record indicated ó cocky.
If you think the reality of the Mountaineers' 2-4 mark and the knowledge that their most difficult assignments lie just two weeks ahead will put an abrupt end to this outburst of emotion, think again. That is, think again for at least some players.
"As a defense, we need to be cocky. We need to be as arrogant as we can be," nose guard Greg Robinette said. "If you're going to talk trash, you must back it up. If we're going to talk, maybe it can fire this defense up."
At this point, many West Virginia defenders are willing to give anything a try.
Maybe the most overlooked statistic following the Rutgers' victory was the 392 total yards allowed by West Virginia's defense. Maybe even more overlooked was that the statistic was the unit's second-best effort of the season.
And maybe that's why more than a few of Robinette's defensive mates aren't buying into his philosophy.
"Nobody can afford to be cocky, because who's Rutgers? Rutgers is nobody," cornerback Nate Terry said. "We need to get some big wins over teams like Miami and Virginia Tech before we can act cocky. We were supposed to beat Rutgers."
Saturday, Terry contends West Virginia plays another nobody when Temple comes to Mountaineer Field for a 1 p.m. game. Likewise he said, no matter what the score, teammates should heed his warning and keep a cool demeanor.
That might be a bit easier considering one of the unit's most vocal players has switched sides ó of the ball that is. With Jerry Porter's move from free safety to wide receiver went a defender that, no matter what the score, situation or opponent, would continue to talk the talk. The Mountaineers come in as 17-point favorites to defeat the 1-5 Owls, but coach Don Nehlen said it shouldn't be difficult for Porter and the rest of the team to temper their banter.
Although his reasoning is a bit mystifying.
"If a team that's 2-4 looks ahead, they ought to be put in some zoo," he said.
Still, West Virginia remains a huge favorite to win its second consecutive game prior to its critical two-game stretch at Miami and home to Virginia Tech. Those two games, everyone agreed, will take all the emotion the Mountaineers can muster, and then some, to have any chance to win.
And if by some chance West Virginia stands 5-4 following the Virginia Tech game, what then?
"Then we can be cocky," rush linebacker Mark Thurston said. "Then we'll deserve it. But right now, we haven't earned anything."

Indians earn 2 sectional soccer routs

by Andrew Richards
Correspondent
Bridgeport's soccer teams swept Tuesday night's sectional soccer action. Both teams shut out their opponents; the girls team defeated Philip Barbour 5-0, while the boys routed Pocahontas County 10-0.
Erica Rome got things started for Bridgeport early, drilling a shot into the back of the net just four minutes into the contest. Lauren Sheldon scored Bridgeport's second goal in the second, when she took a pass from Lauren Blaney for the score. Jamie Manning added a goal three minutes into the second half.
Blaney, who assisted on Sheldon's score, punched in two goals. Both of Blaney's goals came in the second half.
Defense was a big key in the win. The backfield allowed just one shot on goal.
"We possessed the ball extremely well on offense and our defense was wonderful," coach Nikki Garzon said. "We stepped it up tonight and really played with a lot of intensity and heart. If we keep playing like we know how and stay physical, I think we can make something happen."
In the nightcap, the boys exploded offensively and gave up just one shot on goal.
"Coming in we want to play our game and stay aggressive all game and come away with a big win." coach Ian McAra said.
That's just what McAra's team did.
David Potter led Bridgeport offensively scoring three goals, all in the first half.
"The ball came to me in the right positions, and I finished it. A hat trick is something I always wanted to accomplish, and doing it tonight, in a sectional game, really felt good." Potter said.
Frank Annese and Chris Williams each scored in the first half to give Bridgeport a commanding 5-0 half-time led.
In the second half Jamey Dean and Chad Amodio each punched in two goals. Bridgeport scored its other goal on a Pocahontas County defensive miscue to cap Bridgeport's dominating night.
Both stayed alive in the single elimination tournament. The girls will face the winner of the Lewis County-Robert C. Byrd match. The boys will host the winner of Elkins-Lewis Co. match. Both games are scheduled for Saturday.

Beerbower, Critchfield named athletes of week

by Mike Nutter
Sports Writer
Robert C. Byrd's Kenny Beerbower is new to the Harrison County running scene, but has already made a significant impact. Robert C. Byrd's Katie Critchfield has already proven she's one of the area's premier volleyball players.
Both had equally impressive performances last week. Beerbower, a sophomore, captured the Big 10 cross country championship with a time of 17:49. Critchfield had eight points and seven digs in a win over Philip Barbour, and added 16 points, including seven aces, and three kills in a win over Liberty.
For their efforts, both have been selected as the One Valley Bank/Clarksburg Exponent and Telegram Athletes of the Week.
"Kenny didn't finish a race earlier in the week because of an injury and for him to go out and run the race he did shows what type of desire this kid has," Robert C. Byrd coach Bob Steele said. "He's a warrior and can play with pain. That's what separates him from a lot of other kids. He's got unlimited talent, but he never backs down from anything and has a work ethic second to none."
Critchfield, meanwhile, helped her team improve to 12-1 overall and 9-1 in the Big 10.
"Katie is what a team player is all about," Robert C. Byrd coach Debbie Bastin said. "She is such a solid player in all facets of her game.
"She definitely has the potential to play college volleyball.
Both will be honored at the end of the school year at the One Valley Bank Banquet.
Others nominated
n Robert C. Byrd's Scott Ross and Andy Wilhelm. Ross had 111 yards and an eight-yard touchdown on 25 carries in a 7-0 win over South Harrison, while Wilhelm added 73 yards rushing and 35 passing.
n Lincoln's Cody Wilt returned the opening kickoff 90 for a touchdown in a loss to Philip Barbour.
n Notre Dame's Jeremy Wright had 181 yards and touchdown runs of 14, two and 35, and also tossed a 50-yard TD in a 35-6 win over South Gallia, Ohio.
n Bridgeport's Frank Annese and Jamey Dean. Annese had two goals in a 4-1 win over Elkins on Wednesday, and added another in a 5-1 upset win over Class AAA No. 4 Wheeling Park on Saturday. Dean, meanwhile, had a pair of goals in the Wheeling Park win.
Other Girls Nominated
n Bridgeport's Heather Bennett, Kelley Gray and Janet Sabatelli. Bennett had 29 sets and seven assists in a loss to Philip Barbour. Sabatelli had seven points, 21 sets and eight assists in the Philip Barbour contest, and five points, 22 sets and seven assists in a win over Liberty. Gray had 13 points, 15 sets and four aces against Liberty.
n Robert C. Byrd's Lori Mitchell and Sheena Parsons. Mitchell had 28 sets, six points and four aces, while Parsons had two kills, a block, 10 digs and nine points in a win over Philip Barbour. Mitchell added 12 sets and eight digs on Wednesday in a win over Liberty, while Parsons had four kills.
n South Harrison's Sarah Byrd had two aces and a kill in a win over Grafton.
n Liberty's Audra Hamrick and Kelli Yednak. Hamrick had seven kills in a loss to Robert C. Byrd and finished with nine points, six aces, 16 kills and five blocks in a tournament at Doddridge County. Yednak, meanwhile, had seven points, three aces and 18 sets in a loss to Robert C. Byrd and 13 points, two aces, a kill, two blocks and 13 assists in the Doddridge County tournament.
n Robert C. Byrd's Stephanie Hatfield finished fourth in the Big 10 Cross Country Championship.
n South Harrison's Hope West and Bobbi Jo Devericks. West had 26 assists and 56 sets, 12 points and 11 kills, while Byrd finished with 25 points, 10 aces, 12 kills and nine assists in the Doddridge County Invitational tournament over the weekend in which the Hawks finished second.