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Show 6A Siam; Thursday May 9, 2002 Eagles soar above the Spartans in final four season games: By KAREN BASSO Sports reporter The College f Eastern Utah baseball team wrapped up the . . . regular season at home last weekend as the team hosted the Colorado Northwestern Spartans. The Eagles who have had a year filled with disappointed losses, had a sweet ending to a difficult season. game day came with graduation. After participating in the cap and gown event, the Eagles hit the field for the last day of baseball excitement to be played on the home field this season. The Eagles hit the field last Friday in the first of two double header games to be played over carried over quickly as the Eagles opened up strong tlji&weckend. The Eagles stepped up confident and ready for action. The Spartans struggled 'against the powerful Eagles team as the hats began to crack. The Eagles blew the doors open early on in the first game which included a home run by Jacob the fourth in- completed the ning. The victorious by the score of game in . ft-- 2. The second game on Friday played out much like the flrst with the Eagles handing the Spartans a second loss also by the of 6-- 2. With the thoughts of gradu- - . the challenge as the team ation filling the heads of many of the Eagles baseball team, the CEU players left the field with feelings of excitement for the day ahead of them on Saturday. An unusual beginning to stepped up and handed the Spartans the fourth loss of the weekend, 1 1 0. The shut out not only -- boosted the Eagles season record, but also the confidence of the team that beat the odds to make it to the championships. The excitement of the day The next test for the Eagles was scheduled for Wednesday evening against the number one ranked team in the SWAC, the against the Spartans. For the Eagles, the days double header games was the most important the team had played all season. By winning the two games, the Eagles would advance past Treasure Valley Community College to be in- eluded in the Scenic West letic Conference champion- ships. The season was at its end, but the Eagles were not ready to hang up the bats for the year. The Eagles easily flew past the Spartans 3 in the first of the two games, putting pressure on the team to win the final game of the scries. The Eagles were ready for Eagles were the eighth team in the SWAC rankings, the team was forced to face off against the top seeded team in the fcrence. The championship tournament is not expected to tome easy for the Eagles who played on the Rebels home field. Although the Eagles are playing the best ball of the season, the team will have to overcome the challenge, which this Eagles team is completely capable of doing. The regular season may be through for the Eagles, but the memories of playing for a highly competative team will remain in both the minds of the players and of the CEU fans. Dixie Rebels. Because the con-scri- 6-- cs Teammates Kny Drew and Jacob Wofljpamm celebrate after Woifgramm hammers a home run over the fence. After strut- gling throughout most of the season, the Eagles played strong Baseman Beau Stoker looks to tag a Spartan player who was attempting to steal second base. Quick thinking and fast action from the Eagles lead to several big plays against the Colorado ton, although this play found the Spartans safe at first Eagles outfielder Kafib Curtis slides to first base as the Spartans first taseman attempts to tag Curtis out The play was The objective ofdie game is to get the ball past the opposing team and make a goal The defending team then must try to block the shot and make their own goal in a 10 second time limit The game is played in two seven minute halves and is a very fast paced, competitive sport. Once the team became skilled in the event, die team then traveled to Salt Lake to compete in fhe state tournament. The local team was made up of the Morgans By KAREN BASSO Sports writer When participating or even watching sports, one most often forgets how fortunate it is that eye sight allows sports tobe viewed by all who enjoy them. By participating in sports, one may see the ac- tkxi, view the crowd, and glance at the some board. These actions are just part of being at a sporting event. For some however, this gift of sight has overlooked them. Many people suffer from vision impairment, including children in the Carbon County area. Five students from the Carbon School District recently participated in a tournament for thesport of goalball agrowing sport among the visually impaired. The Event which was held in early April, was sponsored by the Utah Foundation for die Blind and brought students from all overithe state to compete. Carbon High student Mallory Monfredi, along with Wcstridge students Christopher .. ' . Cathleeq Morgan competes against her teammates during a goalbaD practice prior to the state championships. Thd game of goalball is a chalenging spot which pits two teams against one another completely blindfolded. Because the participants have varying degrees of visual impairment, a blindfold is used to ensure that each participant has an equal chance at winning. The lines on the floorers raised and a belt is placed inside the hall to allow participants to react through touch and sound. The game is chaiienging and highly competative. t . ' . and Monfredi who joined an Orem participant to compete in the competitive division at the event The team finished in third place. against Colorado Morthwesteni, aBowing the Eagles Id pfaqf in the SWAC championships being held this week in St George, TtwEa have causetocetoate after tt four game sweep. called safe and was one of many quick plays made by the . X ! i P I teams lour jame wHiiwwBOKono J inyfts uhi 1680 H) to Shrewsbury, played in the noncompetitive division for younger students. Miller, was not able to attend the tournament,but partid-pwtes in the local gtytfMtltfrmrw-stration- s for the teams classmates. The participants who placed in the state event, received trophies and medals for their accomplishment. These awards were handed out by three BYU athletes, Dane Runia, ONeil Howell, and Mark Bigelow. The BYU athletes tried their hand at goalball, and after los--. ing to experienced goalball'play-er- s, decided that basketball and football were simpler games to ' play. Monfredi, who is a junior at Carbon High, has been invitedto compete in the national goalball competition in Florida in October as part ofthe Utah girls teaq. Maifitedi has been participating in the sport for three years anid is anxious m competing m the national event. It will be unlike anything Ive ever experienced before. I am excited to participate, burl really look forward in going to - Florida, stated an excited Monfredi The Utah state boys and gob goalball teams placed first and. third in the national tournament last year, and Monfredi hopeSo be prtofasecond national cham' pionship team this year. , and Cathleen Morgan, and Petersen. Elementary students Nina Shrewsbury and Thra Miller practiced their goalball skills through February and March to prepare for the state event Goalball is a sport played with three players on each team. Because the children have varying degrees ofvisual impairment, all participants are required towear a blindfold. . The goalball teams are made up of three players, the center and two wings, who find their positions by feeling for raised lines on the floor. The teams roll the ball to each other, which looks similar to a basketball, but is heavy and contains bells so it can be heard. . Cathleen Morgan, Christopher Morgan, Mallory Monfredi, Nina Shrewsbury and Tara Miller proudly display the trophies, medals, and championship earned at the state goalball championships.. that thfl -- |