Tuskegee's Stringer signs with Giants SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Tuskegee University Golden Tigers Football defensive back Terrance Stringer signed a two year deal with the New York Giants on May 10. The 6-foot-3 Stringer was a second team All SIAC selection in 2008. "If anyone deserves this opportunity, it's Stringer. He worked hard for this," Tuskegee coach Willie Slater said. "Stinger's intelligence makes him stand out on the field ... it puts him in the right place when it counts. In addition to the IS football athletes that earned degrees this year, Uli^-ujttQUdcrfuLpews. I ttau,tril speaks volunflb Awn." JBft* a free safety with the New ^^^^HjHHS^uskegee at a quarter ^k-SH^BW*0 G?^en T'^ers secondary in 2005. Hetrecorded 64 unassisted tackles, 44 assisted tackles. 4.5 tackles for 20 yards in losses, had two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery for 51 yards, 2 interceptions for 17 ydrds and brokeup 9 passes during his football stay at Tusjagae During Stringe^Bcareer at Tuskegee, the t olden Tigers 48 games, including t'Yo Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, four Pioneer Bowls and a perfect 12-0 season in 2007, resulting in a Black college national championship. Stringer, a multi-talented athlete, played and started three years in the outfield on the Tuskegee University baseball team. "I'd like to thank God for the opportunity. I'm also glad to have the opportunity to empha size the fact that an athlete from a Division II school can compete at such an elite level," Stringer said. The Smiths, Ala., native, is an electrical engineering major in the College, of Engineering, Architecture and Physical Tuskegee photo Tuskegee defensive back Terrance Stringer played his way to the NFL champs. Sciences. ' : ? . ? ?. "I'd like to also tfrank every one for their prayers and support. I'm truly blessed to have the opportunity to play with the New York Giants' organization," Stringer said. The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots, 17-14, in the 2008 Super Bowl. Jones from page B1 over a two-year period with 61 victories. For the first time in the program's history, it put together back-to-back 30- win seasons. This season the Aggies are 31-15-1. Another victory will break the school record for wins. No matter what happens in the MEAC Tournament, the Aggies will break the school record for best winning per centage in a season. Jones' team leads the nation ii\ triples. The Aggies are fifth in the nation in scoring and 22nd in the nation in batting aver age. "This award is a team effort," said Jones. "It's a reflection on how much hard work the team and I have put in this season. I've been doing this a long time, so it means a lot to me that my coaching colleagues recognized how far this program has come." A year ago, Jones took a team mostly comprised of freshmen and played for a MEAC Championship. Her team ranked in the top 50 in six different statistical cate gories. Shortstop Yahamma White led the nation in runs. This season Jones' team won a share of the MEAC Southern Division regular-season title at 9-3, and her team ranks in the top 50 in five different sta tistical categories as they go after the school's first softball tournament title. Jones' program has posted many of those impressive numbers inside her new facil ity. "I finally had something to showcase to recruits," said Jones. "When you combine a great academic school like A&T with the great facility we have, it makes it that much easier to recruit. I am very proud of our field and what it has done for the program." Wartenberger from page # 7 said. "We went to the NCAA Division II tournament and that wax a big deal. All of the guys on the team were great and I learned a lot that season." It was after his sophomore year that Wartenberger heard about a new avenue that gained his interest with the formation of1 a track and field team at USC Upstate. "(Marc and " I) talked last year because I knew that he had been on a track and field team in high school and he approached me about being on the team," USC Upstate track and field head coach Jimmy Stephens said. "When you're building a program, you want to get as many athletes as you can. I knew he was a good ath lete after watching him play basketball." "There was talk on campus that a track and field team was being started and I contacted coach (Stephens) about being on the tearfl," Wartenberger said. "I eventually switched from basketball to track, but I also liked staying it touch with basketball because it's been . apart of my life for a long time." Wartenberger decided to pursue track and field, but kept ties with *the USC Upstate men's basketball team by becoming the team ? manager and traveling with the team to around the country including Alaska for the BP Top of the World Classic and Texas for the Syn Bowl Tournament. ; Balancing his role as a bas ketball team manager, student and track and field athlete was not easy at first, particularly sinW he was learning alt of the different events that a decath lete in track and field has to compete in. The decathlon is comprised of 10 events (shot put, javelin, discus, 100 meter dash, 110 meter hurdles, 400 meter dash, long jump, high jump, pole vault and 1500 meter run) that test both an ath lete's endurance and mental strength. Wartenberger to compete at A-Sun Championships this weekend "It takes a lot of mental strength to pull through and stay positive in the decathlon. If there is one event you don't do well in, you have to imme Wartenberger diately jump to next event and you have to forget about it," Wartenberger said. "Overall, it takes a toll on your body and you have to take a couple of days to recover from it, but it's just such a great experience that I wouldn't change any thing at all." In his first major event at the Atlantic Sun Indoor Championships last February, Wartenberger finished eighth in the heptathlon including a sec ond-place finish in the shot put portion of * the event. Wartenberger continued to improve and made some noise in his first decathlon at the 49er Classic in mid-March with fin ishing in 11th place including second-place finishes in the high jump and the shot put por tions and third place in the dis cus. Overall, Wartenberger feels like he surprised not only those who have watched him com pete, but himself as well. Stephens says that as well as talent, Wartenberger brings something tjiat he was sorely looking for when he started building his team and that was someone who could step into a role of leadership. "Marc has pulled everyone together and made sure every one does well not only on our "men's team, but our women's team as well. He has that type of personality that makes him a natural leader," Stephens said. It was that type of personal ity that track and field assistant coach Ed Schlichter took notice of and presented an idea that also caught Wartenberger's interest. "Coach Schlichter called me one day during the winter and said 'Marc, you should run for SGA president,' and I told hip he was crazy because there was no way I would win the election. But I thought about it and. eventually, decided to run," Wartenberger said. Stephens says that he is proud that Wartenberger is not only representing his team, but all of the* athletes at USC. Upstate in student government and hopes that more will follow the example that he is setting. "Being a multi-event ath lete in track and field, you have to use your time well to focus on each event you have to com pete in," Wartenberger said. "It's the same as being a stu dent-athlete with class, practice and now student government. You really have to stay on top of things and I feel like I can do that." FREE DIRECTV 4 ROOM SYSTEM! DIRECTV NOW 95 HD CHANNELS! 265+ CHANNELS! Pkgs. start at $29 99 FREE HBO 4 Showtime + Star/ FREE DVR HD1 No Start up costs' We re Local Installers! Toll Free 866-695-7938 KIDNEY FAILURE LINKED TO DRUG USED DURING SURGERY Trasyiol*, a drug used to control bleeding during surgery, has been linked to kidney failure, dialysis and death. If you or a loved one had surgery and then developed kidney failure, call us now at 1 -800-THE-EAGLE for a free consultation. We practice law only in Arizona, but associate with lawyers throughout the country. . . . GOLDBBRO ft OSBORNE 1 L& .??. l-SOO-THB-EAGLE M (T ???"?" (1-000-843-3246) ^ www, laoothefgte.coni I \ ? Photo by Anthony Hill W-S Prep girls, led by Ariel Darden and Trisha Bennett (center), captured a regional title. ... y ? ? .. .? W-S Prep takes regional track title BY ANTHONY HILL THE CHRONICLE Winston-Salem Prep head track coach Derrick Speas has been preaching championship ever since he was hired as the Pheonix track coach this past summer. He's use to winning after coaching sever al state champions at Reynolds High. But his job was arguably tougher at Winston Salem Prep, a 1-A school that has only been in operation for four years. Don't tell Speas or the Phoenix track athletes that, though. They ran as if they were traditional champions during the region al meet in Albemarle over the weekend. The Winston-Salem Prep girls captured first place with a total of 94 points, while the boys (64) finished behind South Stokes for second place. "When I tell you the girls put on a show, I real ly mean they put on a show," said Speas. "It was unbelievable. They beat teams by four seconds in some races. It was something else." Winston-Salem Prep's sensational senior Ariel Darden won the girls 100 and 200 for the Phoenix, while Trish Bennett blew away the competition to win the 400 meter race (59.16). She also collected some good points for Prep with a second place fin ish in the 200. Camille Wilkerson won the 300 hur dles. Melody Butler, who's only a freshman, fin ished second in the 100 with a time of 12.52. The 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams also added victories for the Phoenix. The 4x100 meter relay team fin ished with a time of 50.32. The Phoenix 4x200 team finished in a time of 1:43.04. Prep's 4x400 team finished second with a time of 4:18.39. "The girls had a great meet," Speas said. "But I told them the pressure is still on Topsail, the defending state champs. We just need to go out there and take care of business, I'm confident that we will be all right if we just take ?are of busi ness." The Prep boys were only 13 points away from capturing the boys regional title, finishing behind South Stokes. Still, Speas saw the positive in fin ishing second heading into this weekend's state meet at North Carolina A&T. "For the guys to not score a point last year, and come back to finish 1 3 points shy of winning this year is a statement to the hard work they have put in at Prep," Speas said. "Upon taking this job I talked with David Lindsay and Ariel Darden about taking this program in the right direction. They stepped up to the plate to lead us this weekend. David won the 1 10 hurdles in his first year compet ing in the hurdles. He placed second in the 100 and 200. Ariel did well. She even anchored both relays. I put all of the pressure on the athletes. Only thing I have to do is get their marks ready. They do the rest." Lindsay finished third in the 100 meter race with a time of 1 1.20. He finished second in the 200 with a time of 23.31. Tri City's Corey Wilkerson, who runs for Jordan-Matthews, won both races. Prep received good points from Thomas "Peanut" McEachin after he finished third in the 1 10 hurdles with a time of 15.73. McEachin also picked up a third place finish in the 300 hurdles (42.37) The Prep boys finished third in the 4x100 (44.53). The Phoenix 4x200 finished third (1:33.77). Basketball star Josh Hogg collected some valuable points for Prep when he finished second in the high jump (5-10.00). Appalachian State signee Marcus Wright finished third. "I'm proud of the entire team," concluded Speas. "But I've never been onfi to get too happy after regionals. So, I'm still pushing for the next win. I'm trying to accomplish more goals. Our short term goal was to get better. Our long term goal was to win regional and state. Now, we're one step closer." Y SPECIALS MY All DRY | Monday-Friday (Excluding Holidays) (provided space available) $37 Championship (includes cart & gre^/ee) I M $25 Reynolds (includes cart & green fee)