Volume 20, Issue 4 - Sept. 12, 1997

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etropo ttan September 12, 1997

Issue 4

Volume20

oadrunner respect News AWOL

chief justice resigns from SGA Page 3

Mark Zanghetti

Commentary Voluntary application of new grading system wiJJ only add confusion Pages

Features

Metro sports make nationa By Michael BeDan The Metropolitan

In a historic week for Metro sports, all three fall teams (volleyball, men's and women's soccer) achieved a Top-25 national ranking in Division II polls. It is the first time in Metro history all three teams have been ranked in the Top-25 simultaneously; and the first time the men's soccer team has achieved an NCAA Top 25ranking. Metro Athletics Director William Helman said the success is no accident. "In the early years, we had the poorest teams and facilities around," Helman said. "People used to complain about playing us. Now, we are feared . "We've been pushing to improve for years with increased scholarships and bringing in the right coaches, and it's paying off." While the combined success of the three ' 't . programs is a first, national attention is nothing new to volleyball and women's soccer. The women's soccer team, ranked No. 5, is two spots removed from its highest ever ranking (No. 3), which it reached after starting the 1994 season 9-0. If.With its surplus of talent, the women's soccer team views this season as its chance to

move into uncharted water and compete for an NCAA title. Women's soccer coach Ed Montojo said Metro's biggest test will be upcoming games against Regis University and the University of Southern Colorado. "It's still early, and I'm not sure if we should be ranked No. 5, but we' ll take it," Montojo said. The Roadrunners improved to 4-0 with a 2-1 victory over the University of Denver on Sept. JO. The volleyball team is enjoying the kind of success it was accustomed to in the late '80s and early '90s. Metro (6-2) moved from No. 21 to No. 16 after an impressive showing at the Colorado Premier Challenge, where the Roadrunners defeated then No. 4 Augustana and finished as champions of the Bronze division. Metro volleyball coach Joan McDermott said a key to the season would be how quickly her team gelled and admitted she dido 't expect it to happen so quickly. "I am a little surprised," McDermott said. "Hopefully we can keep building on this. Some of the teams in our conference are still a notch above us, but we can catch them."

The men's soccer team (2-1 at press time) had a national ranking in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics prior to its move to the NCAA in 1985. !reamed a No. 23 ranking in the latest poll after beating preseason No. I 0 West Texas A&M 4-2 on Aug. 30. Third-year men's soccer coach Brian Crookham said it took a major rebuilding process to get to this point. "Our first priority was to clean this thing up," Crookham said. "Along the way in · doing that, we've started to win." Crookham said his first two years, when the Roadrunners had a combined record of 12-27-2, were a necessary part of the process, and he never got discouraged or blamed the players. "I'd die for every one of the players we've had since I've been here," Crookham said. Though it's too early to tell if the men's team can maintain the standard set by an early top-25 ranking, Crookham said achieving it is a step in the right direction . "It is important that we are respected," Crookham said. "We've got to keep it in perspective, though. We've got a tough conference schedule to play. (The ranking) is nice, but it's not time to celebrate."

AIDS walk a record success Page 10

Sports Women~

soccer stiJJ perfect after win over DU Page 17

Dawn Mitchel

Quotable "A newspap9r column Is Just Ilk• • nymphomani.c. Every nu111 wants one until he

gets one. Desir• becomes denuind, -.Mt then It's Just one d4MMlllne after ano~r."

Got something to say? E-mail the editor at bedan§'mscd.edu or call 556·8353. Visit our Web site at www.mscd.edu/-themet

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Kathy Porter

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GeneAmole


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