Newspapers / Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper / Oct. 7, 1999, edition 1 / Page 4
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Page 4 Thursday, October 1,1999 The Pilot Football team sets record Brian Carlton Pilot staff It’s been a Cinderella story so far this season for the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs. Ranked #21 in the nation by USA Football despite losing 34-31 to Newberry Sept. 25, the team is in unfamiliar terri tory. The last time GWU was ranked in the Top 25 was in 1993, and that was in the Street and Smith preseason poll. However, the team has risen to the challenge this year, crushing their opponents in route to an early 3-0 record. They were ranked #1 in the nation on defense, allowing opponents a paltry 138 yards per game. A 48-0 drubbing of North Greenville, made it the first time in history a GWU squad recorded three straight shutouts during regular season play. Everything seemed to be going their way. Their road to the champi onship took a detour Sept. 25 when Newberry derailed the Bulldog train 34-31 in Spangler Stadium. After Newberry quarter back Dustin Coates hit Daniel Norris for a 6 yard score early in the first quarter, the Bulldogs never made it back on top. The Newberry offense exploded for 28 points in the second half and survived a GWU-comeback attempt to win the game. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs still remain at #21 in the USA Football poll and are riding a wave of success not seen in a while. Star running back Justin Richardson has rushed 41 times for 288 yards and two touchdowns. The receiving duo of Charles Briggs and Jon-Eric Sullivan have combined for 407 yards and four touch downs, while the two-headed quarterback system of Jeremy Martin and Clint Connor also play key roles in the resurgent Bulldog offense. Connor has thrown for 259 yards and two touchdowns, while the red- shirt freshman Martin has tossed 7 touchdowns and thrown for 472 yards. On defense, Chris Mintz, Wes Peters and Brian Brooks lead the team with a combined total of 10 sacks. The team has recovered 10 fumbles and only turned over the ball five times. Aside from the Newberry game, when you compare the Bulldog’s stats this season to their opponents, it almost seems unfair for the other photo by Bob Carey Telly Sly, 50, and Chris Mintz celebrate after stoppping North Greenville. team. Consider this; in the first three games of the season, Gardner-Webb has generated 1150 yards on offense and has held opponents to only 415. The offense has also put up 61 first downs, compared to the 18 scored by Bulldog opponents. Hopefully as the year con tinues, the Bulldogs will con tinue to gel and only get better. Men s soccer takes aim Brian Carlton Pilot staff This season, the Gardner- Webb men’s soccer team is tak ing aim at the elusive confer ence championship. Last year, the Bulldogs posted a 13-7-0 record, includ ing 5-2 in conference play and a third place finish for the sea son. Yet despite being a con stant member of the NCAA Div. II Top 25 last year, GWU seemingly isn’t given the respect it deserves. A recent coaches poll had the team ranked 4th in the conference, a low point for a school which was ranked as high as #21 in the nationwide poll last year. Joining the team’s ranks this year is local phenom Justin Huitt, who as a senior guided Crest High School to 8 wins and gained 1st team All Northwest Conference honors. As a Charger, he scored 30 goals, had 11 assists and totaled 71 points, placing him near the top in the state. As for returning players, senior Vince Bueno leads the team with five goals and 23 points. Another player which has made an impact this year is junior Mark Austin, who leads the team with 4 assists and has 11 goals. After surviving a rough 0- 2-1 start, the Bulldogs have recently begun to show some life. Over the past few weeks, the team ran off a 7-game win ning streak. So now as the season kicks into high gear, the Bulldogs set tle in and take aim again at the Top 25, hoping for a shot at the title. Volleyball team set to win game Brinn t'arlton Pilot staff 'I'he Lady Bulldogs \ol- ioybail team is on fire. Wilii a 26-4 recorcl and a curronl IX- gamc winning streak, the team is quickly slaking a claim to ihc di\ision tillc. Al home, the icani is period, with a 10-0 record. rho> also arc pcrlect in contcrcnce pla\. with a f) 0 record. Junior Linette Raniscur leads the olloiisive attack, averaging o\er lout kills a game. But she isn’t alone. Every member of ihis team contributes to the success in some way. Jessi Ftck leads the team in .sets (assists) with almost 12 a game. Defonsivoly, Moathor Hauser is the Icailcr. averag ing over five digs a game. She also is an offensive ft>rcc with almost four kills per game. The team is so irilenlcd, they have served 121 aces (untouched shots) in their 30 games this season. With talent like this and the record ihe team has. ihe l.N'CC should he packed with Ians. Bill entering ihis week, the team oiiK averaged 154 fans per game. Take notice Gardner- Webb; your volleyball team can play. Swimming Bulldogs ake their mark Erin Hoyle Pilot staff Swimmers take your mark, get set, GO! These words ring in the ears of the 10 new "Swimming Bulldogs." This fall is the premiere season for Gardner-Webb’s women’s swim team. The team includes several newcomers to GWU, along with coach Mike Simpson. Simpson has personal experience as a swimmer. He swam for the University of Houston, Texas, and Florida State University, Tallahassee. He is also experienced in the field of coaching. Simpson coached while swimming at Florida State University, and also coached in Cincinnati. Simpson also participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He said he came to GWU after "God called me back to coaching." The swim team began practicing September 2. The team will practice at the Shelby City Pool, weather permitting, until the pool on campus is rebuilt. Gardner-Webb’s first competition will be October 22 against North Carolina A&T. There will be no home swim meets during the first semester. The season will conclude in March with National’s in Buffalo, NY. Simpson feels confident there are potential qualifiers for National’s, and is positive that two of the team member’s already have qualifying times. Simpson’s goal is to finish in the top 20 at National’s. Other competitors include Catawba, Wingate, The College of Charleston, Georgia Southern, the University of Tampa, Davidson, Limestone, Warren- Wilson, and a few other teams. Finally there is a wider diversity of athletics at GWU. Interested in sports writing? Call the Pilot at 3803 for Info.
Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper
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Oct. 7, 1999, edition 1
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