OCR Text |
Show 12 Signpost Tuesday, February 25, 1986 Wildcats rely on defense for win SIDEJINES. Dave Allison Ass't Sports Editor The recent death of Flo Hyman left an empty feeling in the hearts of many Olympic fans. Hyman was touted as America's greatest woman volleyball player ever, and she helped lead her 1984 U.S. Olympic volleyball team to a silver medal in the Los Angeles games. She died Jan. 24 during a Japanese league match in Matsue, Japan of what appeared to be a freak heart attack but was later diagnosed as Marfan syndrome.Marfan syndrome should be of great concern to physicians in sports medicine since the condition is becoming more prevalent in today's tall athletes. Three weeks after Hyman 's death, Sports Illustrated Feb. 17 expose' on the volleyball star's death revealed that three current major college basketball players were benched from Marfan syndrome and another collegiate basketball player died from the same disease in 1976. Marfan syndrome is a congenital heart disorder which is found in tall persons and affects one in every 10,000. Probably the most alarming fact is that diagnosis is almost non-existent. There isn't a lab test or biopsy capable of providing proof of Marfan syndrome. Detection often comes during an autopsy. Death usually results when the aorta artery of the heart becomes enlarged and bursts. The aorta becomes bigger because the connective tissue of the artery is abnormally weak. Symptoms of Marfan sufferers include height, the average Marfan sufferer is 6'2"; long arms with a span that exceeds height; long fingers and toes; malformation of the breastbone, indented or protruded; and nearsightedness. Even if you have some of the signs associated with Marfan syndrome, it doesn't mean you have the disease. Nancy Weir, assistant athletic trainer at Weber State, said she hadn't considered looking for the disorder, although she was aware of Marfan's ex-sistence. Weir's duties include working with tall athletes in volleyball and basketball, yet she has never come in contact with a Marfan athlete. She stressed the difficulty of finding evidence of the disease and the complicated circumstances surrounding the usual symptoms. Weir hopes the publicity surrounding Hyman's death will make physicians who treat tall athletes more aware of the syndrome. This brings up some interesting complications. How many other collegiate athletes are walking time bombs? What is the likelihood of anyone in an NBA uniform, where the average pro is 6'7, being in danger from the condition? And how many athletes will ignore the life-threatening condition for an opportunity to earn a basketball or volleyball scholarship or a chance at a professional career. Marfan syndrome is a tragic disorder with contemporary issues, and it is a shame a great athlete such as Hyman needed to die in order for the public to become aware of the problem. Maybe more preventative measures will be sought and more accurate diagnosis achieved in the future of Marfans and in sports medicine. At the Buzzer: This year's pre-season Big Sky media report asked basketball players from around the conference, " How would you describe your role on the team ?" Weber State's Rob "The In-timitator" Thomas said, "To play controlled and heads-up basketball." It looks like Thomas took his attitude, not only into Big Sky play, but into the barber shop as well. by Mike Coe Sports Editor Defense wins games, and Weber's basketball team played plenty of defense Saturday in Reno, Nevada. The Wildcats held Reno to 29 percent shooting in the first half of the game and 32 percent overall on their way to a 81-69 victory. The game was in direct contrast with the Northern Arizona game played two days earlier. In the NAU game, Weber allowed the Lumberjacks to shoot 60 percent while only hitting 38 percent themselves. But in the Reno game, the Wildcats had something they lacked against NAU emotion. Weber's coach Larry Farmer commented, "We came out with emotion tonight. That was something we lacked at Arizona. I told the players any time two teams are fielded and are basically the same talent-wise, emotion will always get the loose ball, get the extra rebound, make the tough shot. And I told the kids I wanted them to play with more emotion then Reno, and I think we did that." In the early going of the game, it appeared as if Weber's emotion would get the best of them. The 'Cats were having problems holding on to the ball, and this helped Reno take the early lead. Then, with just over 12 minutes left in the first half, a basket off an offensive rebound by Dale Baum tied the score at 15-15. From that point on, Weber outscored the Wolfpack 26-10 in the half. Leading Weber's charge was junior forward Walt Tyler. Tyler scored 13 of Weber's final 26 points of the half to give him 16 points in that time period. The pattern in the second half was much the same as Tyler came out and scored Weber's first six points to lead his team to a 20-point advantage. Weber maintained this lead much of the half and led 64-40 with ten minutes left in the game. But then Reno made their charge. Led by the Big Sky conference's leading scorer Dwayne Randall, Reno outscored Weber 18-4 over a five-and-a-half minute span, and suddenly the Wolfpack were down by just 68-58 with plenty of time left. Weber regrouped, however, and after hitting some key free throws down the stretch, they left with their victory intact. About the spurt Nevada-Reno put on, Coach Fanner said, "Fortunately, we did enough good things up to that point to give us a cushion to hold off that run. Because sooner or later, when a team's hot like that, they are going to start missing." (see DEFEATS on page 13) WATER PARK RECREATION CENTER U.S. HIGHWAY 69 HONEYVILLE. UTAH 843 14 PHONE; 801 279-8104 Only $5 For unlimited slide and pool fun! With this coupon Good for WSC students only. Open nightly 'til 10 p.m. Offer expires Feb. 28, 1986 r i cmTAi r jp""" : i ' '" Vi It tic iri- TC J -r" y- ! , I 'C! Signpost photoDave Bnmley Weber State forward Walt Tyler goes up for a shot against Nevada-Reno in a game played in Ogden. Weber won that game and then beat the Wolfpack again over the weekend. MM Friday Flight Activity Two Movies Tuesday lunch Club Sandwiches Winter rest February 24th thru March 1 Pajama Might at Saturday's Game |