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Show /port/ PAGE A8 MONDAY'JULY 18*2005 van-Tastic! UVSC golfer Nic van Vuurenfinishesin the top 5 at Utah State Amateur tourney Morgan Vance Reality check Sports Editor I, like everybody else around these parts, figured professional soccer in Utah was gonna be nothing short of pure bliss in a bag. On that note, let it be said, if Real Salt Lake ever gets slapped with a 5-1 bearing to the worst team in Major League Soccer ever again, I officially rescind the aforementioned statement. They've started the year in diapers, while giving us no reason lately to believe they've yet been MLS pottytrained. Nobody expected this team to take the cup in 05, let alone make the playoffs. However, also unexpected was going scoreless over the . course of five games and not earning a win since the Carter Administration (a.k.a May 18,2005). I've heard various excuses for the slump, but none that warrant much justification. Atop the roster is MLS's alltime leading scorer (Jason Kreis) to go along with Clint Mathis and Eddie Pope, both U.S. national team members with Pope just voted to be apart of his 9th All-Star game. That's not mentioning the #1 overall pick this year, RSL was quick to select young phenom Nik Besagno. Of course you can't really expect Besagno to give you much in terms of production until he's at least okayed to vote for a Commander in Chief. Needless to say, the roster, at least on paper, isn't half bad; and right now on thefield,it's not a quarter good either. If you want positive, I have some of that too. A+ goes to the franchise's marketing department, owner Dave Checkert's and the bunch. I'm sure it wasn't the easiest sell in the world bringing a team here. They picked a name online with rich European soccer tradition, created a logo that even fashion designers envy and signed on to play in a gorgeous new venue (Rice Eccles) until one of their own gets underway. If only fans could cut a deal, and say put up with three losses for every one win, then £ £ ~W"had no idea how I prestigious it was Auntil I got there," said an overwhelmed Nic van Vuuren upon arriving at Eden's Wolf Creek Resort to compete in the Utah State Amateur golf tournament. The UVSC sophomore and South African native who followed his girlfriend to Utah a couple of years ago to get an education and further his golf ambitions, admitted that he was somewhat naive about the tournament's 107year old tradition and significance. "Honestly, all I knew was that it was the longest running tournament in the country, but nothing beyond that." However, for van Vuuren, the prestige and thrill of competing against some of the best in the state catapulted the ...If there is anything Statistics 101 taught me, its that the more you lose the less support you receive. maybe the current situation might be somewhat satisfactory. Luckily for them, folk are still supporting the team; but if there*s anything Statistics 101 taught me, it's that the more you lose the less support you receive; a formula that's almost guaranteed to work every time. 10-year vet Kreis is on his way to becoming the first ever to score 100 goals in MLS's history. I don't care if you're playing in an over-40 women's rec. league, 100 is impressive. He's currently at 97 and look for the triple digit mark to shatter sometime late in the month of August (he's scored nearly half of the team's goals this year). Nobody wants this team to survive more than the ill-flavored guy writing this article, so on that note, expect to see me at the next game pressing my face against the glass of the air conditioned press box. Sports Desk (801) 863-8603 Courtesy Photo/UVSC Athletics UVSC golfer and native South African Nic van Vuuren shot a course record 63 on July 7. "Nic is the complete package/' said UVSC golf coach Tommy Johnson. Van Vuuren finished in the top eight at last week's tournament. former 1st team All-Indepen- the University of Utah's dent to shoot a course record Nick Micek before finally of 63 on Thursday, July 7. getting knocked out Saturday "If you had told me before by Zachary Johnson after a the tourney I'd have gotten as 3-hale playoff. Johnson manfar as I had, I wouldn't have aged to par the 21st hole to believed you," said a frank finally put an end to the run. van Vuuren. "But I _ _ started right by birdying my first four holes, "Nicis the complete package.' and from there it just felt really easy; one of those days where everything just clicked." Tommy Johnson The score was enough UVSC Golf Coach to draw the attention from many of the other golfers who watched the cur"No complaints from me, rent Wolverine break the pre- it was fun while it lasted," he vious record of 66 set by Joel said. Kranz many years ago. Nic actually had to shoot a Nic van Vuuren's 11 under- 63 in order to catch Bingham par two-day total of 133 was who began Thursday five enough to give him medal- strokes behind his competitor ing honors by, one stroke at 5-under. The impressive over Weber State golfer Clay display included an eagle on Bingham, and eventually the par-5 fifth. lead him into the final eight. SeeGOLF-A7 Nic then went on to defeat Former Wolverine a homerun machine Local wins AAA Homerun Derby Morgan Vance Sports Editor Former UVSC slugger Mitch Jones took control of the Triple-A Homerun Derby in Sacramento by belting 29 over the fence through three rounds. The former Wolverine who later transferred to Arizona St., currently plays for the New York Yankees' top affiliate, the Columbus Clippers, and is having perhaps his finest professional season. At the break, he leads the International League with 21 homeruns and is among the league leaders with 61 RBI's, 27 doubles, 61 runs, and a (.311 ) batting average. For Jones, winning a homerun derby isn't anything new, as last year he took the Eastern League's Double-A crown in Bowie, Md. In Sacramento during the All-Star game itself, the first baseman went 1-3 with a single. The International League was defeated by the host Pacific Coast League 11-5. Jones beat out Oklahoma's Ian Kensler to take the Derby and received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of nearly 15,000. He was awarded cash, an aluminum engraved bat and a trip to Ha- Courtesy Photo/Jones Family Former Wolverine Mitch Jones won last week's Triple A Homerun Derby hitting 29 homwaii for the win. ers. Jones plays for The Columbus Clippers, The New York Yankees Triple A affilliate. Owlz pitcher takes a big step Phillip Mbrgan price watch Sports Writer It's every kid's dream to make it to 'The Show." On July 2, Orem Owlz relief pitcher Kevin Lynch took a giant-sized leap toward making that dream a reality. It was on that day that Lynch was called up from Orem to play for the Salt Lake Stingers. Lynch, a 6'2" 200 lbs. submariner out of Florida St., was selected in the 26th round of the recent 2005 Major League Draft, where he posted a record of 12-0 with an ERA of 2.03; not to mention breaking the all-time Seminole record for appearances by a pitcher with 128. Before receiving the call, Lynch had one save in five games for the Owlz, only surrendering one earned run. The Stingers, the Triple-A (AAA) affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, brought Lynch up to take the place of reliever Kevin Gregg, who moved up with the Angels while current reliever Brendan Donnelly served an 8-game suspension. "When I came off the mound in Casper (Wyoming), playing against the Rockies, coach (Tom) Kotchman told me that I was going to go up and play for Salt Lake for a couple weeks," Lynch said. "I was grateful for the chance I had to play at that level." Former UVSC stand-out Ronnie Price is currently playing for the Sacramento King's summer league team in Las Vegas. In his last game against the New Jersey Nets, Price scored 13 points in 36 minutes; he also dished out three assists and pulled down four boards in the Kings 71-60 win. Righthander Kevin Lynch has a wicked looking side arm delivery. He spent a few weeks with The Orem Owlz before making the jump to The Salt Lake Stingers. King's General Manager Geoff Petrie said: "We're going to carry three point guards, so there's a spot there. He's quick, and he can get his own shot. Our whole coaching staff likes him, and I don't know if he 'II be with us at the end, but I can tell you he's going to get a look from us." Courtesy Photo/Orem Owlz Life in Rookie ball is not easy. From getting paid a fraction of the salary of Triple-A players, to having to lay in the aisle or in overhead compartments just to stretch your legs out, or having to take "wonderfully enjoyable eight hour bus rides," as Coach Kotchman jokingly likes to put it. "There definiteSee LYNCH -A7 Price's Agent, Mike Higgins said: "(King's coach Rick) Adelman really loves him. They need a third guard, someone who can shoot and defend. Ronnie can help them in both areas. He's not just a scoring guard." SUMMERWOOD CONDOS OREM'H PREMIER SINGLE 8TUDKNT HOUSING • 4 Private Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths Per Unit • Washer and Dryer in EVERY Unit • Hot Tub • Fitness Center and Sport Court • Free Cable • Internet Access • Great Social Environment • Just Across the StreetfromUVSC 720 South 1200 West Orem Call Now to Reserve Your Spot! 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