The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, October 15, 2003, Image 5

Texas A&M Newspaper Collection

The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, October 15, 2003, Image 5

Newspaper Page TextAGGIELIFi THE BATTALIO! d a dance workshop anced levels of jazz. 5:30 p.m. Call 68(F host “Island Mahal in Rudder Theater Box Office. For more will be held from! sidential Library am ence will be Russel sponsored by thi exas A&M System's tion. For more infer ost its weekly Bible or more information i Style Competition' For more y. If you ordered a the Reed McDonald case of inclement mrsity yearbook le for $40 plus tax in check, VISA, jie Bucks accepted, 3 Aggieland Sports The Battalion Page 5 • Wednesday, October 15, 2003 Walk-on overcomes injury to play V-ball Wynalda excels on and off the court as an Aggie By Jeff Allen THE BATTALION If everything had gone as planned ,during Rebecca Wynalda\s senior year in Jiigh school, she’d be in the process of finishing off her volleyball career at Rice University in Houston. Wynalda was a standout at Kennedale High School, a three- sport star and valedicto rian of her graduating class, toting with her a list of honors longer than most people care to read, but Wynalda ’t seem to struggle Texas A&M Aggies Kansas with patience according to her mother Wanda Wynalda. ; “She is a real hard worker and does n’t like to quit,” Wanda said. “Once she starts, she finishes. She hasn’t required any coaching on our part. She’s a real hard worker.” y Wynalda was indeed a standout as a /{Wildcat, making her biggest splash in ({softball, a sport she had played since •'second grade. She was a first baseman and named to the All-State Tournament team after helping lead the Wildcats to a state championship in 1998. On the hardwood she received first team All-District honors in basketball and volleyball. It was in volleyball that the 6-foot-2-inch outside hitter garnered the most attention. She was courted by the likes of Baylor University, Rice and Texas A&M, but it was with the Owls that she had the best shot at a scholarship; it was on the table virtually waiting for her until about the second week of basket ball season Wynalda’s senior year in high school when she tore TONIGHT her ACL. “It was a shock,” ^ ; Wynalda said. “I could- £ ^ l1 ' 1 lint * ers,aiu l Lntil then I had never heard of anyone hurting their ACL and missing six months. I was blown away (that 1) had to miss the bas ketball and softball seasons.” Wynalda tore her anterior cruciate ligament, an ailment that is not all that uncommon in sports, and with it comes a painful, long and difficult rehabilitation. “It was hard at first,” she said, “but I was able to do things my senior year I had never done before. (But) I never doubted that I’d play again, it wasn’t an option. With the loss of the second half of her senior year, the scholarship was off the table and Wynalda faced some diffi cult decisions. She could walk-on at Rice, or she could try her hand, and her knee, in one of the most difficult athletic conferences in the nation, the Big 12. “I always liked A&M but thought the program was too good, I thought I’d play at a smaller school, but (after the knee injury) I didn’t want to sit back and wonder” she said. Wynalda decided on A&M, a place that seemed right to her and her family. “Both her and her father thought it’d be a better environment,” Wanda said. “We didn't know what the future held, but we had a peace about it.” Wynalda described the peace that accompanied her decision as a result of the faith she had placed in God, and knowing that whatever He had planned would be done and that she would not have to take matters into her own hands or deal with things alone. “One of the deals for me was the question ‘What is the Lord doing with me?’” Wynalda said. “ It was a growing experiences (from the injury and rehab) and taught me about trusting God. I wouldn’t be at A&M if it wouldn't have happened.” She made her first appearance on the diiuiidiiicu me/\ii-ouuc- luunidiiiciu iiounteci that t ci piay again, it wasn i an * • , , • k ■ team after helping lead the Wildcats to a option.” " She made her t,rst a PP earance on the Randal ford • the battalion State championship in 1998. With the loss of the second half of Senior libero Rebecca Wynalda had her fair share of struggles before shining at Texas On the hardwood she received first her senior year, the scholarship was off See Wynalda on page 7 A&M. Despite her busy schedule, the walk-on from Kennedale, Texas, maintains a 4.0 GPR. Taylor takes aim at school receiving record against Nebraska R T M il because of NCAA eligibility rules,” said Taylor, in that season. receiver position are likely to fall often in the com- y iroy Miller w ho transferred from Notre Dame after his fresh- Taylor is following in their footsteps, but doesn’t ing years. Junior Terrence Murphy is right behind THE BATTALION man season. “But 10 months from now it might be figure to end up with just one record when his career Taylor waiting in the wings to pick up the slack broken again because Terrence (Murphy) has been is said and done at the end of this season. Taylor when Taylor graduates. Senior wide receiver Jamaar Taylor has only played in 25 career games in his three seasons at Texas A&M, but he is poised to take claim of the most prestigious record for wide receivers. With 36 more receiving yards, Taylor will pass former Aggie receiver and current New England Patriot Bethel Johnson to be the all-time receiving leader in A&M history. . „ “You look at everybody else on there and they’ve gone through four years, and 1 only had three years because of NCAA eligibility rules,” said Taylor, who transferred from Notre Dame after his fresh man season. “But 10 months from now it might be broken again because Terrence (Murphy) has been playing well and this program has been passing the ball more than in the past.” A&M has been passing the ball with much more fervor the past few years since offenses in the Big 12 have opened up and wide receivers have decided to make A&M their home. In 2000, Robert Ferguson broke the single-sea son receiving mark with 885 yards. Johnson broke wot only the total receiving yards mark in 2002, but also the receptions mark by catching his 117th pass in that season. Taylor is following in their footsteps, but doesn't figure to end up with just one record when his career is said and done at the end of this season. Taylor needs just 10 receptions in his last six games to overtake Johnson in that category and 430 yards to knock Ferguson out of the top spot in receiving yards in a season. “We got talented receivers here,” Taylor said. “Guys who are liable to break the record next year. Records are made to fall, and especially right now at this position. I’m just proud to be mentioned in the same breath as those guys at the top.” Taylor is right about one thing: Records at the receiver position are likely to fall often in the com ing years. Junior Terrence Murphy is right behind Taylor waiting in the wings to pick up the slack when Taylor graduates. Junior Terrence Thomas is also awaiting his chance at more catches, and sophomores L’Tydrick Riley and Anthony Wright are two more up-and- coming playmakers on the Aggie roster. And don’t forget Taylor’s younger brother Earvin and redshirt freshman Chad Schfoeder, who could be the fastest player on the A&M roster. All in See Taylor on pag^ 7 BOBO'S J ★ 0 HERE'S THE DEAL: GUESS WHICH <3° SHIRT BOBO wheeled AWAY with ! ★so to inspirations a submit This form with your BEST 6UESS (T-SHIHT NAMES Are on THE TAPS) gTENS-W* B6N ' guess ’ TrtE WESa SCO# DlUTS 7 \ r* ■UK\ •*“ < S»ws "•s UDOPWr WfTH CORRECT GUESS YOU- BE DRAWN AT HPM ON FRIDAY usteh TO CANS* 9SJ W S TO HEAR Which lucky WINNER gets TO R1U- OF THEIR FAVORITE 4 PRODUCTS ■ Mi™ POSTERS Ah • BEANIES Nall'S : name: daytime number: email address: my shirt guess: _ a WOT TO YOU BY: post oak mall ★ 764-4444

Texas A&M Newspaper Collection

Texas A&M Newspaper Collection

The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, October 15, 2003, Image 5

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