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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 1993)
v.vX-:- Page 10 The Battalion Thursday, December 2,19) New A&M natatorium holds water with swim recruit By Drew Wasson Special to The Battalion MOVIES L U C A. .S F I TTTx soui\ir> sVsteivi Hie Lucasfilm THX Sound System represents the ultimate in movie picture and sound quality. All elements of audio performance, design, engineering, acoustics, and components meet strict standards. FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT WITH THE MAGIC 4 AND SPARKLE OF £ * HOLLYWOOD! Texas A&M's $12.5 million natatorium, opening in fall 1994, is making the Aggie swim team more competitive and attracting more or the nation's high ly recruited athletes, head swimming coach Mel Nash said. "We've signed a few good kids that I don't think we would have gotten without the new pool com ing," Nash said. "It's helped us go to a new level of recruiting." Nash thinks A&M's recruiting impediments will be removed once the team begins swimming in the complex, located next to Olsen Field as a part of A&M's Student Recreational Sports Building. "I don't think there is a program in the country operating under a bigger handicap as far as (the pre sent) facilities," Nash said. Nash said that the present options. Downs Nata torium and the Cain outdoor pool, are fine for work outs, but the antiquated 60-year-old natatorium and 32 year-old pool have hindered recruiting. "Recruiting is the lifeblood of the program," Nash said. "When you bring in an impressionable 17-year- old high school kid and say, 'This is our pool,' he's going to say, 'You guys aren't giving squat.' "That's where we feel that (the current facility) has been the biggest letdown." The pools have also prevented the team from op erating a viable diving program, Nash said. The div ing program was established in 1991, and, as says, he had to "fake" it during the program'sfc year relying on him as diving coach until lastyei when Kevin Wright was hired to coach diving. Nash said the three-year-old diving programki help the team score more points and win me: meets. Without diving, A&M was forced to forfeit: points in past swim meets, but Nash said thatetep; that disadvantage A&M would sometimes lose® petitions by only eight or 10 points. Redshirt junior Robert Fleming said that noticed the recent elevation in the Aggieswit team's status with prospects and overall popularity "We have had eight or nine fall visits by reens so far," Fleming said. "In my first three yearsb we never had that many this early." Fleming said the future natatorium has donem® than attract superior athletes to Texas A&M, itk made the swimmers better by improvingth morale. "The whole team is excited about the new pot especially the freshmen," Fleming said. The swimming complex will include a divir; well, a 50-meter long competition pool and apracti; pool that will be housed underneath seating for 1J people. Nash said that the long-term planning of the fac ity has the future success of A&M swimming set "We thought so far in advance for this facility this should be a huge advantage." Digital Theatre Systems High-back Rocking Chairs Cup-Holder Armrests Full Service Concession Wall-to-Wall Screens Video Arcade OUR PO^CORM T P P smart/ Cholesterol Vow i„ saturated fat) and... Chelkowski Continued from Page 9 yr bELIGOU 51 DAILY MATINEES BEFORE 6PM Visit FRONT ROW JOE all weekend long. MOVIES 16 HOLLYWOOD USA B RYAN-C D L-LEZ Q E* STATION |Hwy 6 Bypass @ Hwy 30 764-7592j unfairness. The stands that sit in the trees, high above the sight and scent of a deer, pose no legitimate challenge. Remember the last person left on one side of the court in a game of dodge ball, fac ing ten merciless children with rubber balls? There was no chance to win. Then there are the people who call themselves hunters, but actu ally have no sense or appreciation for the lives they are pursuing. Those who are not disciplined in the "sport" may overkill or kill without just cause, a patent abuse of nature. This is clearly apparent with exotic wildlife when hunting becomes a greed-driven rampage, as poachers kill for no more than a tusk, tail, or skin. These "sportsmen" should live by the rules of the American Indi ans - kill only what you need. But - despite moral misgivings - there are as many valid points in the defense of hunting. As difficult as it is to admit, hunting does serve a valuable purpose for many people and our environment. The one time I went hunting attuned me to the many positive aspects of hunting. Sitting back-to-back with one of my best friends one Thanksgiv ing in the woods of Southern Vir ginia endlessly waiting for an un suspecting deer, made me appre ciate the diligence and patience that hunting demands. Without saying a word for hours, I walked out of the woods feeling closer to my friend and more acquainted with nature. It probably is the best wav to experience the purest form of na ture as you blend into the back ground and wildlife begins to emerge around you - although, this probably could be recreated without holding a gun and hav ing the intent to kill. For the experienced hunter, there is much more to hunting than just pulling a trigger. Many hunters even try to level the play ing field, pursuing a more threat ening animal or balancing the fight with different weapons. And the main argument for tl* hunters' defense is the game pop ulation issue. In areas where dee or other game do not have manv predators, the species can quickly overpopulate, causing starvation or extensive damage to the land. The revenue generated from purchasing licenses and contribu tions from hunting organizations helps preserve vast tracks of land and the wildlife that live there. But, the most passionate argu ments come from those with a real love and appreciation of na ture - those who see hunting as a test between the human intelli gence and the animal's sense ol survival. Perhaps Henry David Thoreai said it best, summing up proper form of the hunter in "Na ture:" "(Hunters) ... spending lives in the fields and woods,ina peculiar sense a part of Nature themselves, are often in a morefa- vorable mood for observing her, in the intervals of their pursuit! than philosophers or poets even, who approach her with expecta tion." Thursd, Ur By The : quiry ii misconi and his into goh Dr. R dent fo studies, names < who wi tion int Bockris. "The ensure t dures as search s Kenned Kenn tee will ris' acac tect the process. "The determi the alleg The c depend: Pal EL B latest as ian gur teacher Foe Continu In a The Ba James 1\ tant din had on would t spite M demote tion to plans to pany m ground At tl Moore 1 nite sick He al signed grievant the depc " Mud day nig cerned t TONIGHT DeWare Fieldhouse 8:00 tickets: $10/$12 non-student For further ticket information phone the MSC Box Office at 845-1234. IF YOU m IT, OlT It Persons with disabilities please call 845-1515 to inform us of your special needs. We request notification three (3) working days prior to the event to assist you to the best of our ability. NETWORK © I99J MlNVlOM TIWT (OMfAVL FH<