the lance Cross Country Takes DIAC Title 5/12/1977 ^msm . ‘ y v':? -r- m Jacob Houge Wheelchair Olympics Success Again There were many winners Saturday at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in spite of the fact that Tom Ashley of Durham and Donna Conner of Charlotte were named the most outstanding athletes in the concluding moments of the 1977 Wheelchair Olympics. ^cording to coordinator Dean Betts of the physical education staff at the college, winners from each category were almost too numerous to name. ^Categories, established by the level of disability, depend on muscle strength and the level of spinal lesion which determines what muscles the handicapped person can use. “Our ultimate goal is to have a two-day affair at St. Andrews,” Betts said. “If St. Andrews can have sanctioned meets, our students will have a i; chance to compete on a national level as members of the National Wheelchair Athletics Association.” Betts explains that there are only about 10 events like the Wheelchair Olympics in the country. In order to particip ate on the national level, an athlete must qualify in three sanctioned meets. “Even if we have a super athlete at St. Andrews, he may have to travel as far away as Fisherville, VA, just to be par ticipating in a sanctioned meet,” Betts continued. For athletes at St. Andrews to have sanctioned meets on home territory, there will have to be a commitment from 50 handicapped athletes to join the national association. “We’ll also have to meet certain specifications and have paid officials, as well as a larger budget,” Betts said. The year’s trophies, donated by the Keane Monroe Corp. of Monroe, were presented to the most outstanding male and female athletes during the Wheelchair Olympics. Such support has led Betts to believe that the Wheelchair Olympics in North Carolina are headed toward bigger and better things. The outstanding athletes were chosen by a committee of Scottie Goldsmith, recreation therapist at the Southeastern Regional Rehabilitation Center in Fayetteville; Ellen Lilyquist, special population coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Department in Wilmington; and Jeannie Senter, assistant professor of physical therapy at UNC-CH, and her husband John Senter, a physical therapy student. The cross country team this year enjoyed what was to be the most successful year in Cross Country ever. Coupled with new talent and the ent husiasm of Coach “Blackey” Blackwell the Harriers went to the summit by capturing the conference diampionship title. After jumping to an 8-0 record the Harriers dropped two to Methodist and Francis Marion, but came out ready for the Conference ineet on November 6. It was by far the best team and individual eff orts put forth by an S.A. cross country team ever. Leading the Knights throughout the season was Senior Jacob Houge who has been a main stay for the Cross Country teams since he entered St. An drews as a freshman four years ago. He presently holds the school Cross Country record and is one of three S.A. runners to be selected as all- Conference. On asking about his feelings about being the S.A. number one runner in the Championship meet “This is something I have worked for four years ... It is definitely a long time coming. I guess I was lucky. Either of the other fellows (Wall, Pelon, and Lowery) could just have as easily done it. I am happy for the team, Blackey, as well as for mvself.” Cross Country All Conference Runners Another Knight standout was Bob “The Lon” Pelon. At times throughout the season he held the distinction of being the number one runner. The Lon was an All- Conference selectee. I took time out to ask him what motivates him to withstand the pain and agony that a five-mile run demands and he responded this way, “It is a source for the release of ten sion. I know several who would like to run but cannot. I wanted it most for my father.” The Lon also throughout the season had the dubious distinction of spiritual leader. Bob Pelon BOB’S JEWEL SHOP The Place to SO for all your Jewelery nei^ds Main St. College Plaza The third All Conference selectee from S.A. was r’urtis ■‘Iceman” Wall. A transfer from Wingate, the addition of his extraordinary talent and dedication to the team was what the returning lettermen needed to get over the hump (the conference championsh ip). When asking him what did it take to become an all- conference selectee, he replied “Concentration was the key. This is what led me in helping attain the conferen ce championship as well as the all Conference selection. Steve Lowery was the four th of Cross Country team “equals.” He also at times had the distinction of being number oone. He finished six th in the conference just missing an all-conference selection. Dean Ruff was the fifth man and performed valiantly at that position defeating the fifth and sometimes fourth man of opp osing teams. Dr. Cyril Spann was the Team’s Pusherman while Jake Jacobs served as the “rabbit”. Prospects for next year are again excellent. Although Houge is a difficult man to replace the remaining three SPECIAL THANKS To Marsha Lamb (Photographs and Developing) And Lisa Wollman for Photographs and Developing ■i *«5l "equals” (Pelon, Wall, Lowry) wUl be back. An impr oved and experienced Dean; Ruff will also be an asset. Also Mark Anderson, Jay Mit chell, and Bob Poston will provide the added depth needed for a successful cross country team. Jacob Houge and Bob Pelon - school record holders in five-mUerun (28:09). MEN’S TENNIS Ladies and gentlemen let me introduce our cavalier of players from the 1977 S.A. Tennis Team. Our No. 1 player is from New Jersey, a freshman known on the courts as Charles “Smeggy” Wiss. “Smeggy” improved his game this year and is looking forward to playing in the sum mer tournaments up Norih, at the same time showing off his tan. Rory Daniel, other wise known as the perfector of the chop forehand drive, held down the No. 2 position this year. Rory pulled out some tremendous wins this yea^ which was instrumental in' building up his self-confidence in competitive tennis. He is also the holder of the coveted M.V.P. award for the 1977 season. At No. 3, Scott “The Pusher” Poole, from Georgia, again played super tennis for fcointinued on page 8) FOR SALE Classicial guitar for sale, new Yamaha including gui tar case, best offer. Check with Student Life Services Office.

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