February 28, 1992 OPINIONS page 15 Demonstration sports need a little spicing up 'Short-life speed jumping' could find its way to 1994 Olympic games in Lillehammer

by Dan Deuel Judging by the Norwegian team's Short-track speed-skating? Yes, it a number of other events, simply a watch, it can get a little from another , Sports Editor poor showing in hockey, a tolerance has obvious similarities to "long- demonstration sport at Albertville. monotonous. The only thing that free-style moguls , to the of lutefisk must have been required track" , but don't These sports were aptly dubbed as distinguishes one skier from another event. Instead of an entirely flat to join their squad. overlook the true inspiration for this many of them were designed to is the design of his or her helmet. It ow that the Olympics are surface on the speed skiing slope, event—roller derby would seem therefore that speed over, it's time to sit back nd Viking fans will demonstrate how incredibly far we could throw in some randomly Like roller derby, the main goal of skiing may need some spicing up and reflect on the two always remember the some people will go to be a part of placed moguls. N plight of their favorite the competition is not necessarily to the Olympics. for it to reach official Olympic weeks that were. What stands out A That would give the skiers status. in my mind is how CBS' coverage of son, Herschel Walker. win, but rather to survive. The ake speed skiing, for something to think about as they the events in Albertville received The purple faithful have to fastest skater does not always win. instance. Wow! If you Now I don't mean spicing up in descend the hill. I have a feeling more attention than the actual chuckle at the irony of the whole The skater who has perfected the Tdidn't catch any of the the traditional Olympic sense. You that encountering a mogul at 140 events themselves, situation. After being criticized for elbow-jab to the opponent's ribs competition I'll describe it for you. know, two-man bobsled expanded miles an hour would be enough to f, True, like most Twins fans, I was not being able to run anywhere but usually stands a good chance, Competitors in this sport place to four-man teams or and keep some competitors from ever hoping Tim "love those Braves" straight ahead, Walker proved he doubles luge. My oh my! What will reaching the ramps below. It may McCarver would find himself on the couldn't even do that. we think of next? even be enough to keep them from last bobsled to Siberia at some point After declaring himself (in true hat I am proposing entering the competition all during his stay in France. And Rickey Henderson form) the "One Italian hockey would really make together. true, CBS' coverage was not prize- greatest bobsled pusher in the Wthings interesting on Not good enough for you, IOC? winning. We cannot, however, world, he was pushed from the player's ex-wife's cousin's the Olympic slopes in Lillehammer. Hmmmm, in that case perhaps forget the many things surrounding American team in favor of a mere Why not combine the best of the we should enlist the aid of a sport the competition and competitors mortal, Chris Coleman. adopted son's neighbor two demonstration sports—free- that the IOC already sanctions (can which were memorable. Poor Herschel. It had to hurt. style aerial skiing and speed anyone tell me why?), the . It's not like he was the last player For those of you who don't know, I for one will always remember was one-quarter Italian, skiing—to make one sport that the cut from the Unified hockey team or the biathlon is essentially armed and marvel at the strict Olympic International Olympic Committee the final cut from the Norwegian cross-country skiing. The rules regarding which nations (IOC) cannot refuse? nordic team. Herschel was cut which was enough for competitors ski a while and then v athletes are allowed to play for. The In this sport, uhh...we'll call it by the U.S. bobsled team—the stop to shoot at stationary targets. Italian hockey team comes to mind. "short-life speed jumping," equivalent of being dropped from him to join the Italian The Italian team uncharac- competitors speed down a normal Why don't we add some flavor to the Cleveland Indians pitching staff teristically gave the U.S. team a speed skiing slope. At the bottom of the relatively tame biathlon by (or maybe the Minnesota Vikings' scare in its first Olympic action. team." the hill lay a series of ramps combining it with short-life speed backfield). During the game, as Italian players identical to those used in free-style jumping? Instead of hitting those with last names like Stewart and Hey Herschel, have you checked aerial skiing. Each competitor hits easy stationary targets why don't we Johnson skated across America's TV with the Jamaican or Virgin Islands one of the ramps (at approximately test the biathletes ability to hit screens, it became apparent that the teams yet? 140 miles an hour) and does a series, moving targets? All that would Apparently not, because no and I do mean a series, of aerial require is a simple rerouting of the Italians were not all that Italian. though. sooner was Herschel cut than he triangles on their heads, on maneuvers while airborne. The biathlon course to a point near the In fact, there were more North was filling the media with his Free-style aerial skiing? "Hot their feet, and their faith in God jumpers would be judged on both speed jumping area. American players on the team than Dog—The Movie" meets the before crouching into a tuck intentions to go to Barcelona on the speed at takeoff and their aerial Then, as the speed jumping there were Italians. Some were not Olympics. position and speeding down an U.S. martial arts team. "expression." competitors hit the skies, the even remotely Italian. Regardless of what you may average slope of over 70 degrees. Herschel must be jealous of all Granted, it may take a while for biathletes could take their best shot CBS commentator John Davidson think of its value as an Olympic These skiers try to maintain their attention Viking teammate and the speed jumpers to come back at their fellow Olympians. attempted to describe the "rules" sport, you must admit it was fun to balance and sanity at speeds of over black-belt Joey Browner gets on down from each jump but that Why not? Arnold Schwarze- which allowed these athletes to play watch. I especially enjoyed the 140 miles per hour. The fastest skier Sunday afternoons during the would give the participating negger is the strength coach for an for Italy. One player's ex-wife's competitors' landings, or, at least in down the slope with all body parts football season. network time to do one of those Austrian speed skier. He could lend cousin's adopted son's neighbor some cases, their attempted landings. intact wins. If Herschel hits opposing martial heartwarming human interest his expertise to the the biathletes as was one-quarter Italian, which was I also liked hearing CBS' expert Like free-style skiing, speed artists in Barcelona with the same stories on that particular jumper. It well. A whole new generation of y enough for him to join the Italian commentary on the action from skiing was a demonstration sport zeal he hit holes at the line of would also provide time for a biathletes would be bom—each with team. such a free-style skiing legend as and therefore faces the challenge of scrimmage last season, he will wear possible reading of the jumper's the same dream. Similar scenarios of other team Greg Louganis who, after seeing a becoming an official Olympic sport his own version of the U.S. team's will. Not a dream of winning the gold members made American viewers competitor land squarely on his before the games return in 1994 to colors—the red, white, black, and in the biathlon/short-life speed wonder if a simple love of spaghetti head, concluded "he's gonna lose Lillehammer, Norway. If Failure to land on your feet blue. jumping competition but a much wouldn't have been enough to play some points for that landing." demonstration sports such as speed following one of these jumps would ait a minute. Did you result in the forfeiture of more than simpler dream. The dream of for the white, red, and green. Greg just hasn't been the same skiing don't become official events say martial arts? Is that just style points. whispering those four little words to Wanna play for Sweden? since he hit his head on that for the '94 games, they will be a sport? a competitor on the field of Hmmm...drive a Volvo? Yes? W board. dropped from competition. How 'bout that, IOC? Sound I guess it's as much a sport as some good? international competition. Welcome to the team, Goldstein. Free-style skiing was, along with While speed skiing is fun to of the recent events in Albertville. We could also add an element "Hasta la vista, Baby."

SPORTS BRIEFS can'S sports [Fan Trivia • HOCKEY SWEEPS HAMLINE, Brighton), Beck, and Swift. Getting facing in the skating event were afternoon. The men squeaked by GOES TO PLAYOFFS assists were Krone, Eilefson, Beck, Monica Peters (sr., Minneapolis), Carleton and St. John's while the brown, Sundberg, Klaers, and Jess Clarke (fr., Bemidji), and Teri women scored well ahead of The St. Olaf hockey team gained Boberg. Klaers scored three goals Schweizer (sr., Roseville). Carleton and St. Benedict. NICKNAMES a berth in the MIAC playoffs this in the game and Eilefson was In the women's 15-kilometer The women's team once again credited with three assists. Brent weekend with a two-game sweep classical race, Shiffler paced the was led by Julie Rademacher (sr.. 1. What New York Yankees pitcher earned the of the Hamline Pipers. The wins Bielenberg (so., Stillwater) notched Oles in the 12th place overall, Excelsior) who won the triple jump gave the Oles an 8-6-2 record in the win. followed by Peters (14th) and (33'10 1/4"), the long jump (17'5"), nickname "Louisiana Lightning?" MlAC play, good enough to take on Eilefson led St. Olaf in scoring Schweizer (19th). the high jump (5'2"), and the 50- for the third year in a row, earning yard high hurdles (7.4). St. Thomas at the State Fairgrounds Cichanowski, Shiffler, and 2. What two Division I college football teams have Coliseum on Tuesday night at 7:30 46 points on 20 goals and 26 assists. Heather Maclver (fr., Brainerd) Also placing first in the p.m. Klaers follows with 39 points on 15 teamed to take third in the 3x5- triangular were Andrea Eckerholm the nicknames "Owls?" "We're looking forward to goals and 24 assists. kilometer relay. (fr., Minnetonka), 1500 In the men's division, Andy meters /4:59.5, Tarah Mattson (so., playing St. Thomas," commented 3. What race car driver is known as 'The King of the Coach Whitey Aus. "We're playing • WAITING Nestingen (so.. Falcon Heights), Two Harbors), 600 yards/1:33.6, our best hockey of the season and FOR REGIONAL RESULTS Steve Kramer (so., Burnsville), and Renae Brown (fr., Brooklyn Park), Stockers?" peaking just in time for playoffs." Ben Nemeth (fr., St. Cloud) placed 880 yards/2:25.5, and Barbara Cox sixth in the 3xl0-kilometer relay (sr., Arden Hills) 1000 Friday night, the Oles scored The St. Olaf alpine "ski team 4. What Canadian city's first Stanley Cup-winning four short-handed goals en route to awaits word from the National while Peder Morse (fr., Stillwater), meters/3:11.2. a 15-3 shellacking of the Pipers. Collegiate Ski Association (NCSA) Chris Nagel (so., Winona), and Eric At the Minnesota Open, Moira hockey team was named the Blueshirts? Getting goals for the Oles were Dan regarding the final results of the Peterson (jr., Willmar) finished Petit (sr., Bloomington) placed eighth overall. second at 1500 meters (4:41.01) and Beck (jr., Minnetonka), Brent NCSA Regional Championships. 5. Can you name the six nicknames shared by two Eilefson (sr., New Brighton), John Trouble with the timing system Nestingen was the first Ole to third at 1000 meters (3:06.28). Krone (so.. So. St. Paul), Sean delayed the final posting until well cross the line in the freestyle race In the men's field events, Brian teams (in the NBA, NHL, NFL, Major League Goldsworthy (so., Minnetonka), after the completion of the and was followed by Nemeth, Oppeneer (jr., Appleton, WI) won Baseball)? Jason Sundberg (sr., Eagan), Pete competition. Morse, Kramer, Peterson, and the pole vault by clearing the bar at Seim (sr., Wilmette, IL), John Klaers Coach Paul Wojick indicated that Nagel. 14'5 3/4" while James Frye (jr., (sr., Maple Plaine), Mike Boberg (fr., timing problems had the skiers Bloomington) went 44'2 3/4" for 6. Who was the "Manassa Mauler?" Burnsville), Keith Radtke (sr., finishing the first day of racing at • WOMEN'S TENNIS ROLLS first in the triple jump and Brian Tri Bloomington), and Steve Brown (jr., 8.-00 p.m., hours later than the usual BY MAC IN SEASON DEBUT (so., Hastings) leaped 21'8 1/2" to 7. What tennis great was dubbed "The Iceman" for Austin). 2:00 p.m. completion time. win the long jump. Assisting were Joel Allen (jr., The top three men's and The St. Olaf women's tennis Winning on the track were Mike his court demeanor? New Ulm), Klaers, Beck, Sundberg, women's teams will advance to the team opened its season by shutting Mercer (sr., Rochester/Lourdes), 50 Brown, Goldsworthy, Jeff Ericksen NCSA Championships at Lake out Macalester 9-0 in St. Paul on yards/6.3 and 600 yards/1:15, Paul 8. Name the three horses with the initials "S.S." (sr., Roseville), Dan Deuel {sr., Placid, New York. Both Ole squads Saturday morning. Thornton (jr., Northfield), 1000 Roseville), Tom Swift (fr.. New have captured first in all of the "It's fun to finally be playing meters/2:35, and the one and two- which have one Preakness. Brighton), and Seim. team scoring this season. games," reported Coach Scott mile relay teams. Beck scored four goals and one Nesbit. "I was pleased with the 9. What was the nickname of the somewhat-off-the- assist, getting a hat trick in the first • CROSS COUNTRY SKIING good concentration in this early • WRESTLING ENDS TOUGH wall pitcher A1 Hrabosky? ten minutes of the game and SECOND AT NCAA outing." SEASON scoring three short-handed goals. REGIONALS Winners in the singles Klaers had two goals and three competition: The wrestling team struggled its assists, and Eilefson had three 10. What do the initials "O.J." stand for in O.J. The St. Olaf cross country ski 1. Kaelie Rivers (so., Edina) way through the MIAC goals. Both Klaers and Eilefson Simpson? team finished second in the 2. Lynne Craven (jr., Minne- championships, scoring only 10 rank among the MIAC scoring combined scoring at the NCAA tonka) points to finish in sixth place. leaders. Regional Championships held at 3. Betsy Kiemat (jr., St. Paul/St. Felipe Sosa (so., Evanston, IL) Owen Zeumer (jr., Bensenville, Giant's Ridge in Biwabik on Paul Academy) maintained his All-Conference IL) faced 18 shots in the net. February 14-15. The women's team 4. Sue Rick (sr.. Elk River) status by taking third in the 118- The Oles earned their second placed second overall while the 5. Andrea Ummel (so., Lake pound weight classs. sauief lemuaio 01 „ueue8unH pew am,, '6 win on Saturday night by a closer men were fourth in the team Forest, IL) Fourth place and All-Conference (066L) IFnbs Jamuins pue '(6861) s^US Xepung '(/Z61) a^IS aiwog 7-5 margin. "In this league, any standings. 6. Kathleen Kyle (sr., White Bear finishes were earned by Tomas '8 Siog luofg XasduiaQ >pef 9 '(9TN) oaspuBjy ues pue (tjm) M3 time you beat someone as badly as Heather Cichanowski (fr., Lake/St. Paul Academy) Silva (fr., St. Paul), 126 pounds, and ^QA N :siuei3 '(V9N) oiuauieoes pue (ihn) sapSuy scq :s8ui^ s no UB we did on Friday night, you can Winona) advances to the NCAA The Oles paired up straight Chris McGlashan (so., Pittsburg, '(e"UN) ! l "IS P (TdN) xtuaoiy :s[BuipjB3 '(1HN) 8adauuijv\ J0 Ma expect them to come back hard," Championships on March 4-7, in down the line to sweep the doubles Pa), 142 pounds. pue (UN) M A N '(TdN) uo;snon pue (1HN) uoiuouipg M3 uc sex8 said Coach Aus. "I'm just glad it's Waterville Valley, NH, after placing competition. St. Olaf finished the dual season :sjai!o '(THN) N P (9TW) l ^laSuey 5 S,O}UOJOI over and we can turn our sights on ninth in the five-kilometer at 5-18, competing against many of •fr Xwaj p-impiy •£ a[duiai pue 8Diy 7 Ajpin^ uoy [ :SHHMSNV Tuesday night." freeskating event. • TRACK AND FIELD WIN BIG the top team in the region and Scoring for the Oles in the Finishing just behind NCAA Division III. second game were Klaers, Cichanowski was Stacia Shiffler (jr., The St. Olaf track and field team Goldsworthy, Joel Lisy (so., New Fairbanks, AK), in 10th place. Also finished with wins on Saturday