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Show THE SUMMER mjasamm tmmt km i 'mm'i im Minn aw" I'm Still Trying To Discern Why I Bother Golfing u BRUNNER s i J Ul13Jl ,25f r i ot high-scho- ol ch line-dri- ve er three-putte- see BRUNNER, page 10 Three Former Ute Baseball Players Headed to Majors Stingers (41-3- Las Vegas 620-2- 0) (32-4- mb back-to-ba- iff- - k long-distan- The Utah baseball team's MWC-titl- e aspirations fell apart this past season when the Utes ran into some of the conference's juggernauts. If the Utes' shot at the Mountain West championship falls apart again next year, it may be a trio of Major League Baseball teams that are more likely to blame, though. After all, it was the MLB teams that drafted and convinced three of the U's best players all juniors with another year of college eligibility, incidentallythat trying to win a collegiate conference title couldn't measure up to a shot at playing in the pros. Hence, former Ute standouts Chris Shelton, Ryan Bailey and Travis Palmer all opted to go pro rather than the MLB return to the U and Draft again next year. Ute coach Tim Esmay will miss the production they gave to his team, but faces the unenviable task of finding a successor for its successful leader. After spending 22 years at the helm of the U's cross country and track and field teams, Mike Jones finally decided to retire this year. How does one go about replac- and Fresno State. At the former, she achieved status in the heptathlon in '92, and at Fresno, she qualified for the NCAA Championships another three times, rege finish in the istering a '94 heptathlon. Her experience in that event State-Haywo- an ty of Utah's running program I2th-p!ac- manifest itself this past season, as she helped three of the U's heptathletes (Shanae Nixon, Allen and Kristy Slade) top the 5,000-poimarka score achieved just once before in team history. Those three subsequently finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively, at this year's MWC Championships. As for Appell, he competed for Weber State as a collegian, lettering for the Wildcats between and twice qualifying for 1979-8the NCAA meet in the steeplechase. He was named to the All- Eri-an- ing an individual who has been the embodiment of a team? Perhaps it can't fully be done, but that doesn't stop you from tryhitting any more homers for the Utes. added that he can't fault them for taking a shot at their dreams. "I'm really happy those guys have a chance to play in the majors," Esmay said. "It's a great thing for our program In the U's case the athletics department didn't have to look too far for Jones' replacement. Lisa Collet, a Ute assistant for two years, has been tabbed to lead the 'women's track and field 3; team, while Brian AppeJL formerly an assistant at Weber State, see COACHES, page 10 will direct both the men's and see BASEBALL, page ne nt ing. Chris Shelton won't be ce events. Over the past several years, both individuals have been able to translate their own personal success as athletes into successfully assisting current collegians. Collet joined the U's staff two years ago after enjoying a promising career at California ck respectability. Like the Pistons, the Universi- er women's cross country programs. The U does not have a men's track and ficl3 team, save for a few running Replacing a legendary coach is never an easy prospect. Take, for instance, the situation of the NBA's Detroit Pistons. Since Chuck Daly left in 1992, after leading the Bad Boys to titles in '89 and '90, the Pistons have consistently failed to make the Playoffs, and have hired six new coaches in 10 years in a vain attempt to lead them to and back legitimacy ERIC WALDEN Chronicle Sports Editor 10 U's Smith Agrees to Contract With Panthers Whether he was running by helpless, hapless defenders, or just running his mouth about it, former Utah football standout Steve Smith always managed to make his presence known on the college football field. However, once the NFL's Carolina Panthers drafted him in the third e round and cut Mario Bates to justify it, Smith gained some notoriety on the professional level without having to take a step or say a word. Any lingering doubt that he would be the Panthers' new special teams star was erased Tuesday when Smith inked a three-yea$1,396 million contract. Despite lingering doubts over his questionable size and questionable attitude, Carolina gambled that the with lightninfeet and misdirection g-quick moves would be good enough to make Bates, possibly the premier special teamer in the NFL, disposable. five-tim- Pro-Bowl- er r, 179-poun- 0) Sacramento Starzz 621 1 (4-4- ) (3-- 3) 7 P.M. The Delta Center Las Vegas, Nev. CHRONICLE SPORTS EDITOR ' " ' ' V" "'" "TS Smith will make the base salary mini-muof $209,000 in 2001, $298,000 in '02, and $389,000 in '03, but will also receive a $500,000 signing bonus. After transferring to the U in 1999 after two years at Santa Monica Junior College, Smith played in 21 games for the Utes, starting 20 of them and quickly becoming the team's most dangerous offensive weapon. In his two seasons for the Utes, he notched 78 catches for 1,603 yards and 12 touchdowns, and also made a name for himself with his exciting, daredevil antics on the special-team- s plays. While he turned in a modest performance as a kickoff returner (23 returns, 505 yards, zero touchdowns), he became a prolific and breathtaking punt returner, returning 72 punts for 860 yards and four touchdowns. After excelling in the Panthers' Smith will also have the opportunity to earn playing time as a slot receiver. mini-cam- p, ewaldenchronicle.utah.edu PCL BASEBALL vs ". Under the terms of his contract, ERIC WALDEN Chronicle Sports Editor PCL BASEBALL vs in mhihimh ummmmm-mu.m.- ERIC WALDEN Chronicle Sports Editor Editor did something Monday I hadn't done in years, maybe even my whole life. I played golf. Now don't get me wrong, I do hit the links on occasion, but this time I tried something different I didn't cheat. I counted all my Mulligans (there was a good baker's dozen) anorl even took strokes and drops for and water hazards. I played strictly by the rules; the PGA would be proud. It sucked. I got the ingenious idea while I watched bits and pieces of the U.S. Open. I thought to myself, how can Rctief Goosen miss a five-fobunny to blow the championship it can't be that hard. 1 set out to prove to myself that I could compete in this pointless game. I envisioned getting stacked up against the stiffest competitors in the business, but they must have canceled because I ended up being matched up with two freshmen and a special friend who had never played the game. The competitors weren't exactly on par with the competition. Goosen had been. How hard could this be? The Brunner Open had begun. I stepped up to the tee for the first time in months. To say I was a little rusty would be accurate,' but, nonetheless, I didn't chunk my drive. I didn't exactly draw much air either. I smacked a worm-burnthat ended up in the rough. The next shot was my finest of the day. I should have quit right there and walked back to the car. I pulled a out of the bag. Yes, it was risky I was hitting from the rough-- but my confidence was high this early in the contest. I drew back, and let her fly. I made good connection. The ball cut freely through the dry desert air, sailing effortlessly and gracefully for what seemed like forever. Time stopped, and I stared with enjoyment at the creature I had born. Two hundred yards later, my bliss ended, with the ball resting on the fringe, because, of d for bogey; not course, I everything could be as perfect as "the shot." From there, I weaved on and off the rough, inspecting the trees, dirt and sagebrush that dotted the hillsides, just making sure all was in order. I like a challenge. Hitting from the short green stuff the fairway, I tm Coaches nrnnir p Asst. Sports I top-not- ..J"' U Hires Two New i RORY 1 CHRONICLE UTAH vs Tucson Stingers ) (33-39(41-3- 0) 622-2- 5 Franklin Covey Field ERIC "WALLY" WALDEN Steve Smith will be Carolina's newest special teams star. WNBA vs Minnesota Starzz USL SOCCER vs Denver (2-- 4) (3-- Blitzz 3) 623 at 7 p.m. The Delta Center EWALDENCHRONICLE.UTAH.EDU 623 at BYU 581-704- 1 (8-1-- 1) (6-0-- 1) 8 p.m. South Field |