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Show 6 Thursday, August 27, 2009 SPORTS www.dailyutahchronicle.com 9 Beadles mantra carries him on and of e field Elizabeth Frome STAFF WRITER "Proud. Courageous. Strong." The Gaelic tattoo that garnishes Zane Beadles' left arm defines everything about him—his personality, work ethic and family life. Raised in Sandy, the Utes' all-conference left tackle has been involved in local sports since he played football, basketball and baseball during his time at Hillcrest High School. Beadles has had a stellar career with the Utes, and says his debut in football came about because of an elementary school trend. "I was io years old, and all my friends wore their jerseys to school every Friday, and I thought it was pretty cool" Beadles said. "I wanted to be able to wear a jersey on Fridays so I asked my dad if I could play some footbalL" '. But getting involved in sports was no accident. The son of two former collegiate athletes, Beadles was destined to claim a spot in the sports world sooner or later. ' Beadles' mother, Jamie Legerski, played basketball at Wichita State University, as well as Hutchinson Community College in Kansas where she met Zane's father, Brad Beadles, who played for the school's baseball team. In addition to his family history, £ane Beadles also had size working in his favor for an athletic future. ; Legerski said she remembers being called to the office at Beadles' elementary school with complaints that Beadles was knocking kids down on the playground. After watching him play basketball for a few minutes, Legerski said she realized what the problem was. • "Another kid would hit him, but Zane's pure body size was knocking kifls to the ground," Legerski said. Despite his size advantage, Beadles always envisioned himself on the baseball field. He was a team captain in high school, lettering all three years and receiving first-team all-region honors in 2005. Despite his accomplishments on the diamond, no offers for college baseball positions were made. However, football coaches were eager to talk to Beadles. "Baseball was my first love, and that's what I wanted to play in college, but I kept growing," Beadles said. "There are not a lot of 6*4", 300-pound baseball players, and I finally realized that football was probably my calling." STAFF WRITER Beadles' character. "He takes care of business and is a no-nonsense guy, Whittingham said. "He's the type of guy you love to coach." Beadles has played on the offensive line since he started at the U but has managed to make an impression on the defensive side of the team as well. "For me, as a de- See BEADLES Page 7 TYLER COBB/ftf Daily Uteh Chnnkte SOCCER Wtes' first home game a welcome challenge Matt Sanchez STAFF W R I T E R '. The women's soccer team has started its season off nicely, going 2-0 by winning its home and road openers. After their impressive start, the Utes received votes in the Top 25 Coaches Poll. • ;Now the team will host five consecutive games at home, beginning Friday against the No. 19 Santa Clara Broncos (2-0). The Utes will then play the Cal Poly Mustangs on Sunday at 1 p.m. ; This will be only the second meeting between the Utes and Broncos. The first game saw SCU win 1-0 on its home field in 2006. "SCU's trademark has always been keeping the ball for a long time until they can break you down, and I expect the same quality this year," said head coach Rich Manning. "There is some sense that we are both in the same place mentally, coming off of disappointing years with some adversity. Both teams are determined to break through, not take prior successes for granted and regain that hunger." Manning is no stranger to Santa Clara and has a lot of history with the program. He was a student at SCU and captain of the soccer team his senior year. He later coached on the Broncos' staff for four years— three as an assistant coach and one as associate head coach. He was also part of the 2001 NCAA Championship team. Manning coached alongside Jerry Smith, who is in his 23rd season at the helm for the Broncos and has a career record of 344-102-34. Santa Clara is off to a hot start and Classic to put team to the test Bubba Brown Humble beginnings Beadles had already made a name for himself as a football player during high school when he was named team captain of Hillcrest's football team and was recognized as a first-team all-state, all-region lineman. He was a three-year starter and never missed a game during his high school career. Beadles continues to show his dedication for the game, making football an area of his life that has been heavily recognized and applauded by many teammates and coaches at the U. Friends, fellow students and family members have also praised Beadles for his character off the field. Roommate, former teammate and friend Louie Sakoda said he looks up to Beadles for his work ethic, drive and responsible attitude. Sakoda said Beadles has been an asset to the Utes' offensive team not only because of talent, but also because of the qualities he has demonstrated off the turf. Head coach Kyle Whirtingham said he just can't say enough about VOLLEYBALL has yet to allow a single goal in its Poly beat the Utes 8-0. first two games. It opened the season "Cal Poly has been in the NCAA at home with a 2-0 victory over UC Tournament consistently over the Santa Barbara and then blanked San last 10 years," Manning said. Jose State on the road, 4-0. Cal Poly will open its season FriThe Broncos are stellar on de- day at home against Stanford before fense, but still stingy. In their first making the trip to Salt Lake City. two games, the Bronco defense has The Mustangs have an experionly allowed one total shot on goal, enced team that went 10-9-1 a season helping sophomore goalkeeper Bi- ago, including their top defender anca Henninger earn her first two Carrie Andrews and midfielder Morcollegiate shutouts. gan Miller. "I'm excited to play Santa Clara "Traditionally, they are athletic, because they are such a good and well-organized and have one or two athletic team," said senior midfielder players who can turn around a game, Kelly Isleib. "It should be a fun game and I expect the same," Manning and will definitely be a challenge." said. "They will also bring a physical In the second of this weekend's aspect similar to Cal State Fullerton matches, the Utes will play Cal Poly that we will have to deal with." for the third straight year. The Utes Friday's game will begin at 7:30 are 2-1 all-time against the Mustangs, p.m. on the Ute field. beating them 1-0 on the road in 2008 m.sanchez@ and 2-0 at home in 2007. In 1997, Cal chronicle.utah.edu Allie Woodfield and Morgan Skeen celebrate after the team's 6-0 win over UVU. Utah will play its next five games at home, starting with Santa Clara and Cal Poly this weekend. For several weeks, the No. 17 Utah women's volleyball team has been participating in twoa-day practices and intrasquad matches. The Utes, who have been clamoring for game action, will begin the 2009 season by hosting the Utah Classic, starting Friday. "We've started to increase the intensity," said head coach Beth Launiere. "You can only get so excited during two-a-days." The reigning Mountain West Conference champions will open their season against Arizona State on Friday at 7 p.m. Arizona State, which compiled a 13-18 record last year, returns three starters, including senior setter Marina Mercer, junior libero Sarah Johnson and junior outside hitter Sarah Reaves. In the preseason Pac-10 Coaches Poll, the Sun Devils were tabbed to finish No. 8, ahead of Oregon State and Washington State. The Sun Devils finished 3-9 on the road last year, but they lead the all-time series with the Utes, 9-2. The following day at 10 a.m., the Utes will square off against UC-Riverside. The Highlanders went 8-23 a year ago, including a 3-13 record in the Big West Conference. Entering their first season under head coach Ron Larsen, the Highlanders were ticketed to finish No. 9 in the Big West preseason Coaches Poll. Last season, they finished 2-11 in road games. This will be the first match between the Utes and the Highlanders. The Utes will wrap up the Utah Classic against defending Big East champion Cincinnati on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Bearcats are returning four starters: junior outside hitter Stephanie Niemer, junior setter Annie Fesl, sophomore outside hitter Missy Harpenau and junior middle blocker Lindsay Upton. They're also returning senior libero Jaime Frey. Utah has never faced Cincinnati, but right now it is 5-6 all-time against Big East schools. The Utes will focus on sharpening their skills and working out kinks during the two-day event. "We've got to figure out the passing situation," Launiere said. "Karolina Bartkowiak will play all around. It will get people used to their new roles, as well as getting three matches in against three tough opponents." The tournament also offers Launiere three chances to inch closer to a milestone. The head coach enters her 20th season with a record of 391-212, just nine wins shy of 400 for her Utah career. Fans will notice a new look to Utah's home when they file into Crimson Court during the Utah Classic. "Crimson Court" and "Home of Utah Volleyball" now adorn the east wall, while the team's 10 NCAA Tournament banners cover the west wall, replacing the banners of Utah's Mountain West Conference foes. "When people walk in now, , it lets them know that this is our home," Launiere said. "This is Crimson Court. It's a strong statement." Last season, Utah went 2-1 in the Utah Classic, only losing to the then-No. 15 Purdue Boilermakers. The loss marked the only time the Utes were defeated at Crimson Court in 2008. This year, the Utes want to hoist the Utah Classic title. "It's our tournament," Bartkowiak said. "It doesn't matter who the opponent is. We have home-court advantage, and we want to win it." b.brown@ chronicle.utah.edu |