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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 22, 1985)
Coaches say A&M on right ‘track’ for ’85 season ■ aui * By CINDY GAY Sports Writer By BB Photo by DEANSAITO Members of the Texas A&M women’s track team get in their LSU, will be the team’s third of the young outdoor season, laps around Kyle Field in preparation for the Paper Tiger A&M’s men’s track and field team also sees action this week- Relays this weekend in Baton Rouge, La. The meet, hosted by end, competing in the Texas Southern Relays in Houston. As the Texas A&M men’s and women’s track teams take their marks for the start of the outdoor season, both coaches are convinced their teams are on the right track in ’85. The A&M women will compete in the Paper Tiger Relays at Louisiana State University this weekend, while the men opted for the Texas South ern Relays in Houston, instead of their originally scheduled trip to Ba ton Rouge. “(The TSU Relays) are more suited to us,” said A&M Men’s Coach Charlie Thomas because his team excels in the carnival relay events. A&M will pass the baton in the sprint medley, distance medley, mile and shuttle hurdle relays in their first appearance at the TSU Relays- Roci Richardson, Tony Grier, Maurice Holt and Kendric Wesley will all double in both the sprint medley and mile relays, while the shuttle hurdle relay team includes Todd Howard, Lorenzo Welborn, Harry Johnson and Rickey Alexan der. Anchoring the distance medley relay is Arturo Barrios, who has a promising chance to win first place m the 1,500-meters. The Aggie men will take to the field with Ethan Glass and Ernie Mendez both hoping to “place high” in the high jump. Francisco Olvi- dares is a triple-jump favorite to win, and Desmand Kidd, Mark Bruce and Mark Rutledge should place in the pole vault. A&M Women’s Coach Bill Nix said he is inserting his 15 runners in the Paper Tiger Relays’ 30-team field with no idea of what to expect. “We’re just going into it with the attitude that we want to improve," Nix said. Nix said he keeps a small quality team of half distance runners and half sprinters and hurdlers. A cou ple of women have already found a place in Aggie track history at two earlier meets this season. Judy Williams owns A&M’s sec ond fastest 400-meter time at 55.48 seconds, while teammate Esther De- drick holds the No. 5 spot in the 1500-meter at four minutes, 42 sec onds. Four Aggies have also set per sonal bests so far this season — Debby Noel, Terry Barber, arjl ... freshman twins Beth and Betli . e> Dreves won lts ‘ l^s, Because of his four freshmen’si a S auc experience, Nix said he’s readyfni he Agg surprises whenever they roundiT rnore runs . t track. are averagii Another unique aspect o! • a g ;,nie - * h' year’s women s team is its liisi |, : U P ^ ss l ' an of walk-ons. the Dies e sisters. [ Iheyhas In contrast, the 70-member in „ * men’s team confronts a different JP'^ 1 , el uncertainties this season, the i “Every week it changes,” ! In Minis about Ins roster oTavaHj . . , and healthy runners for each me ?. r P, an “It’s not a set team.” highly-ouu Six A&M football players arest® n an J 1IT ting aside then helmets betwt4 ^season, spring training sessions to vvorh ,■ irna track and field run.is. Thomau “Jis ottensr the plavers will perform vitalrolesj a aveia the Sout hurst t-onlerericif f • i fensivelyon “friendliest In other' Do you 1 Championship Meet in May. “T he Southwest Conferenceistls strongest track conference in tl* United States,” Thomas said. Arkansas, Baylor and SMUdo® nated the indoor nationals in Marti by finishing first, third and fifthn] spectively, while the Aggies claimc 22nd place overall. “We have five or six (runnei™ pable of scoring at the (outdoor) arl tionals,” T homas said. “I think w can compete with everybody but.V kansas.” So what makes the Razorbaclu formidable? T homas said the Hot! have tipped the SWC track scaled recruiting athletes from EngM and Ireland. SMU draws runim from Scandinavian countries, vihi T exas keeps it eyes on track hofc fuls from Jamaica, Kenya and 1« land. “They (other SWC schools)sons have a pipeline,” T homas said.T|. j( 0vver never have actively recruited for| | Houston eigners. anc | j : A&M’s only foreign runnersb ruris a eamc from Mexico, and both Barriosas rims ahead' Olvidares are predicted to finishtnfl “Houston this weekend. are a n goir Nix said he last season,’ Johnson. "B Well, the just one op credentials, turned stati: pitching av< in the Sout this season. SWC scf 157-33 adv; ence qppon show Texas 11 of the the confere: dead-heat. And the the Ags’ S\ Houston, a; Houston at 1 The Couj tionally by < azine ana 1 20-2. And going into new! .u' ; : what they 1 sought foreign athletes tor the AiSf ■ women s program. .... , college base There are many Americantr | ior 8 co | leee that need to have that (scholar^ Conieinai ? d money, Nix said, and theycantfll am just as good.” Wr you can i % RESTAURANT&BAR Frozen Drink Special 813 WELLBORN 693-4045 C.S.TEXAS •Muggaritas •Pina Coladas •Strawberry Daquiris ^ 12 oz frozen mug $1.75 f. BAR DRINKS ALL THE TIME Every Thurs., Fri., & Sat. Night til Close ion Classified 845-2611 Cover Charge: $2 Girls $3 Guys Free Beer from 8-9 p.m. i approxim;