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Norton plocos in NCAA Championships
By Colleen Gonzalez
Staff Writer
Another cross-country season has come
and gone. However, for sophomore Chad
Norton, it was a season unlike any that he
experienced so far. Norton came into the
season extremely prepared to make his
goat of qualifying for nationals a reality —
and exceeded his expectations.
"I had no doubts when Chad graduated
from high school that he would continue
to find success at whatever level he chose
to compete," said high school coach
Justin Schumacher in an email interview.
"His accomplishments this year are not a
surprise to me or anyone else who knows
him, and I know that the best is yet to come
for Chad."
Norton came close to qualifying for
nationals last season, but not as close as he
had hoped.
"I tied for the first place to not go to
nationals, so that was a big motivator in my
training," said Norton.
However, when it was time to qualify
at regionals in Texas, Norton brought his
A-game, earning himself a sixth-place
finish, All-South recognition and a chance
to show his potential at nationals in
Wisconsin.
"Last year he was a follower," said Head
Cross Country and Track and Field coach
Bill Cason. "This year he has been a leader
in both practice and meets. Now that he
made it to nationals and found out what
it's like, he needs to go back and try to be
an All-American."
In an email interview, Norton's mother
expressed how proud she was of her son's
accomplishments.
"I have watched him for many years
setting goals, working incredibly hard,
making sacrifices to achieve them," said
Norton's mother Barbara Norton. "He
has never given up on anything that he
truly desired, and being All-American is
absolutely a desire."
Despite not receiving an All-American
title, Norton has managed to earn
countless accolades throughout the season.
He earned First Team All-Old Dominion
Athletic Conference honors, set a new
five-kilometer record of 15:24.9, as well as
the second fastest eight-kilometer time of
SopHomore Chad Norton flies through
the air.
25:11.4 and was named Guilford Student-
Athlete of the Week Nov. 6.
Norton is a prime example of how
hard work pays off when there is enough
determination and passion to follow it
through.
"Chad is more focused (this year)," said
sophomore teammate Dylan Skinner. "He
knows what he wants to do, knows what
he can do now and he knows where he
wants to go. His intrinsic motivation to be
successful carried him through the hard
work that very few teenagers are willing to
commit themselves to.
Norton's ability to focus and commit to
grueling workouts and long runs is all that
matters once race day comes.
"Race time is time to show the whole
reason that we train and why we put in
everything we do," said Norton. "It's a
chance to perform and show yourself what
you are doing is working and what you're
able to do is worth it."
Although running is considered
an individual sport, Norton had his
teammates to push him and in turn inspire
them to do the best they can.
"Chad was the main front runner this
year ... pushing the pace," said Skinner.
"I know in my case he was making sure
that I was running as fast as 1 could ... and
making sure I wasn't holding anything
back."
Of course, having top-contender senior
Derick Kosgei as a friendly competitor
helped as well.
"One of the best things you can have is
someone in front of you to push you and
someone to chase," said Norton. "The
competition between us helps us be the
best that we can."
Now that cross country is over, Norton
will be getting ready for his track season
where he will take on the 10-kilometer run,
the longest race in the sport of track and
field. However, that doesn't mean he isn't
thinking about ways to improve next year.
"I want to come back next season and be
better than I was this season," said Norton.
Even his mother knows he will go
further than he has already. When asked
about Norton's future seasons, she knew
exactly what would happen.
"He will have an All-American medal
around his neck."
For the complete story, check
out www.guilfordian.com!
NBA lockout ends; season tips off on Christmas Day
'By Charlotte Hudson
Staff Writer
Early on Saturday morning, NBA players and fans awoke
to a special surprise to cap off their Thanksgiving weekend.
The NBA lockout was finally over, as the owners and players
came to a tentative agreement with the season set to start on
Dec. 25.
"We want to play basketball," NBA commissioner David
Stern stated.
Oklahoma City Forward Kevin Durant reacted on Twitter:
"Mannn, i'm bouta to get a ratchet tattoo on my ribs that say
'survived the NBA lockout in 2011.'"
Carmelo Anthony, star Forward for the New York Knicks
added "SHOWTIME!!!!!"
Matt Barnes, Lakers Guard/Forward also wrote "I think its
time to #GOBACK2WORK!!! Thank god."
The overall reaction by the players could be described as a
sensation of relief and joy at the thought of getting back out
there on the court, playing the game they love.
"The settlement means players will get to do what they
love and have a chance to compete for a championship," said
Dave Walters, sports information director.
"It also means the owners will have a chance to
generate revenue through television rights, ticket sales and
merchandising. If the settlement had not been reached,
neither the players nor the owners would be able to realize
any of their goals," added Walters.
According to ESPN.com, the new agreement is set to last
ten years with a mutual opt-out in 2017. While the agreement
is encouraging in terms of length, in reality the deal favors the
owners, especially in the revenue split.
According to CBSSports.com, NBA Players Association
Executive Director Billy Hunter said a recent deal like the
finalized one was, "Not the greatest proposal in the world."
The final agreement was clearly made tentatively in the truest
sense of the word.
The players receive 51 percent of the revenue as compared
to 57 in the 2005 CBA. After losing up to 400 million in the last
three seasons, the league finished the negotiations with a new
economic plan to remedy that. Unfortunately, the players will
lose about 20 percent of their salaries, due to the lockout.
Small market teams will benefit most from the new deal
with the undistributed funds from the luxury tax, going to
those who are disadvantaged in the market.
New changes in trades, disabled player exception, midlevel
exception, contracts, free agents and restricted free agency
will also be implemented.
"There is still a lot of work to be done," according to an
article on Valley of the Suns. Smaller issues such as the age
limit and drug testing are still yet to be discussed.
Hopefully, as the season starts on Dec. 25, the NBA will be
able to get itself back on its feet and be a perfect Christmas
present for the players and fans.
SPORTS
Brittany Atwater
13 points - 2 rebounds - 6
assists - 2 steals
Will Freeman
10 points - 10 rebounds - I
block
Jazlyn Gibbs
31 points - 7 rebounds - 3
assists - 3 steals - I block
Morgan King
32 points - 16 rebounds - 4
assists - 4 steals - I block
Gabriel Lowder
f3 11 points - 2 rebounds - I
assist - 1 steal
Brad Monroe
21 points - 20 rebounds - 5
assists - 2 steals
Jaclyn Kiicci
10 points - 6 rebounds - 6
assists - 3 steals - 2 blocks
Gabby Oglesby
20 points ~ 14 rebounds - 1
assist - 1 steal - 2 blocits
Josh Pittman
14 points - 5 rebounds - 4
assists - 2 steals
Carson Sullivan
25 points - 11 rebounds - 6
assists - I steal
Players are listed in alphabetical order. Individuals'
statistics are from the past week's games (11/30
-12/6).
Photos courtesy of GUtLFOROQUAKERS.COM