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Show Friday, Februwy 13, 1M7 Pg Obstacles? No big deal Ahone vaults over 'em By Jeff Straley Chronicle staff writer Every coach should get an athlete like Sonji Ahone, at least once. Ahone, a vaulting specialist on the Lady Ute gymnastics team, was not recruited by Utah in 1985, but that didn't stop the petite sophomore from Salt Lake's Cottonwood High from trying to make the team on her own. Lacking a scholarship, she saved enough money for college by working as a full-tim- waitress the summer after e graduation. "I really think that she's what athletics is all about," said coach Greg Alarsden. Now, in her second year as a Lady Ute, Ahone still works as a waitress, although only part time now, and lives on her own income and savings. "I really give Sonja a lot of credit," continued Alarsden. "She knows what she wants and she's willing to work really hard to get it. She's really grown a lot the last year or so." The "last year or so" would have been to enough to convince most student-athletBut students. stick with just being during that time, she worked out with the team four hours each day, waited tables and carried a full load of classes. es After winning the state high school championship, and going to both national finals, Ahone probably and regional a scholarship at another won could have school. Instead she went out for a spot on the only college team to ever win six national championships. That meant being a walk on her freshman year. Life as a walk onfor any team is neither glamorous nor easy. But combine that with the expectations of trying to make all-arou- a nd world-clas- s team and you'll begin to understand what Ahone went through last year. Alarsden was careful in his coaching to test Ahone's mettle last year; even to the point that she wondered if she would ever make it at Utah. "I asked Cheryl Weather-ston- e 'why am I getting my butt kicked so much?,'" said Ahone. "And she just said, 'he does that because he sees the talent there - -- -- . - ... .s and wants you to reach your potential. That made me feel a lot better. "I really feel like these (teammates) are my sisters now," said Ahone, who happens to be an only child. If Ahone's heritage says anything about her potential, the sky could be the limit. Her father Keith was an outstanding gymnast at Utah before the school dropped the men's program. And her mother. Para Willis, was a standout skiicr with the Ute team. Both arc still involved in their sports at the professional level. Her mother teaches skiing which Sonja also excells at and her father coaches gymastics. In fact, Keith coached her, along with other members of his Salt Lake Gymnastics Qub team. "I've always had an inspiration to follow in the footsteps of my parents," said Ahone. "But I never really knew it until last year. "Aly freshman year was really hard for me but I learned a lot, especially winter quarter, because I took a history class and some others that took a lot of time, and it was almost too much," she said. The competitor says her recent experiences have made her stronger, but that she's learned to take a ot, Thirteen fa IXs 7- - . . ft 100-pou- nd lighter schedule during winter quarter because of a rigid orkout periods and travel schedules. "She was a pleasant surprise," said Alarsden. "She helped us out initially last year, and is doing even better this year." Certainly, Ahone has improved athletically. At last week's meet against Nebraska, she scored a school record-tyin- g 9.8 on her first vault of the evening. w She joins Alegan AlcCunnif-Alarsde- n and Elaine Alfano in the record book for her performance. Still, her best performances may be ahead. "She's really learned to set goals and go after them," said Alarsden, who feels that Ahone is already a team leader. Ahone's advise to others who aspire to athletics is telling of her character. "Set your goals and find out what your capabilities are. Then go beyond them," she said. "If I do that I've found that I'm not only a better athlete, but a better person." K, I , gymnastics from page twelve highest score on the with a 37.45. Stanford stands at 2 with wins over California-Davi- s, California-Sant- a Barbara and Alberta twice. Leading the Cardinal attack is Alison McGann. all-arou- nd 4-- Utes from page twelve "I'll probably never guard him," said Alitch, who leads the Utes by scoring 17.2 points and nabbing 8.9 rebounds a game. "He's much too fast and he goes outside a lot. I don't have the kind of quickness to keep up with him out there." To keep an eye on Smith, Michael that is, Utah coach Lynn Archibald calls on defensive specialist Albert Springs, who has drawn the tough offensive assignments all season. Despite losing 80-7- 0 in War No. I in senior forward Salt Lake City, the held his counterpart in check, holding Smith to 1 1 points and seven rebounds. For the season, Smith is averaging 19.2 points and 8.0 rebounds an outing. Smith is strong inside, but what makes him so tough is that he's even stronger from 15 feet and beyond. He's the top free throw shooter (90.1 percent) in the conference as field goal shooter well as its best three-poi- nt (56.9 percent). "He the best in the WAC. . .the toughest to guard," said Springs, who admitted he did a "decent job" on Smith the first time. "All you have to do is deny him the ball." Mitch Smith, in turn, will guard center Tom Gneiting (8.6 points). Other starting assignments will have Gale Gondrezick (15.5) on Bob Capener (12.6), Jimmy Madison (8.2) on Jeff Chatman (16.1) and Chris Fulton (3.8) on Brian Taylor (8.9). Taylor is the one who deflated Utah in the first game, scoring 18 points, including 12 in the first 20 minutes. really small team in that they only have something like six or seven gymnasts," Alarsden said. "But anytime you go on the road, you have got to be very consistent. "Fullerton is a Michael Smith aside, Taylor is the one Cougar that concerns Archibald. "Sometimes a guy gets up for certain games and maybe for Taylor, it's the Utah game," said the coach. "Because of the match-u- p problem, he concerns me the most." If needed, Archibald will use Tommy Connor (6.3) off the bench, along with Sie Moore (3.5), to blanket Taylor. No matter which personnel is on the court, Archibald said for Utah to win, two things are mandatory. "They can't run on us. We need to get back on defense," he stressed. "They have the big guys that can get up and down the court. Ours must do the same." Also, "we need someone to have a great performance," the night. . .a career-hig- h coach continued. "Taylor did that last time for them. I know my kids have it in their heart, they just need to come through." A victory over the Cougars will put Utah one step closer to insuring it of a berth in the NIT. Archibald said 16 wins would "almost guarantee that." Of course, the winner of the WAC tournament, set for March 9 in 7-- Albuquerque, N.M., will receive an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament. Following the BYU game, Utah will travel to Air Force on Thursday before hosting Notre Dame on national television on Feb. 21. The Utes close out the season the following weekend with road trips to Hawaii (Feb. 26) and San Diego State (Feb. 28). Since coming to the U. as a walk on, Lady Ute gymnast Sonja Ahone has added substantial depth to the team. Although her specialty is vaulting, Ahone knows how to dance up a storm on the floor exercise, too. I I Look for the upcoming Chronicle Restaurant Guide. S Due out by the end of I February... |