Emory Report

April 3, 2000

Volume 52, No. 27

Emory Sports: Eagle Report Swimming & Diving (Men) Emory recorded its highest finish ever, third place, at the NCAA Division III championships hosted on campus, March 16­18. The Eagles improved on their sixth-place finish from last season, the first time they have placed in the top 10 in consecutive years. A record 12 Eagles earned All-America honors, wiping out the previous mark of seven set last season. Freshman Jeff Klug was Emory's top performer, finishing as the 13th-highest point scorer among some 220 competitors at the meet. He earned All-America honors in four events, becoming the first Eagle to do so in three individual events (200-yard freestyle, 500 freestyle, 200 backstroke) in the same year. Coach Jon Howell was one of three finalists for national Coach of the Year honors. Swimming & Diving (Women) For the second time in school history, both Emory swimming teams finished in the Top 10 at their respective NCAA championships. At the March 9­11 women's championships, Emory placed seventh, improving on its 12th place showing in 1999. Eight Eagles earned All-America citations, tying the school record established in 1991 and 1992. Sophomore Becky Mutz became the third Eagle ever to attain All-America status in three individual events (500-yard freestyle, 1,m650 freestyle, 400 individual medley) in one year. Mutz was the seventh-highest point scorer in a field of approximately 230. Baseball Emory finished second at the annual University Athletic Association (UAA) tournament in Cocoa, Fla. The Eagles compiled a 6-1 record in the tournament, including a doubleheader sweep of seventh-ranked Brandeis (Mass.). This year's Eagles reached the 20-win plateau faster than any team in Emory history, as All-America third baseman Ted Karniewicz again leads the team in hitting with a .441 batting average in late March. Golf Entering its spring schedule, Emory was ranked seventh in the nation. The Eagles are benefiting from career years from sophomore Brandon Davis and junior Jason Steinberg. The former was ninth on the team last season in scoring average but has moved up to fourth this season; the latter is on pace for the lowest season stroke average in his collegiate career. Softball In its second season as a varsity sport, Emory has already surpassed its victory total from a year ago. The Eagles finished second at the UAA tournament in Orlando, Fla., with a 7-3 record. Freshman pitcher Sarah Smith accounted for seven of the team's first 10 wins. Tennis (Women) Emory enjoyed a successful recent road trip to California, finishing with a 3-1 record against Top 20 teams. The Eagles knocked off the Nos. 10, 15 and 20 teams in the nation and dropped a 5-4 decision to defending national champion and top-ranked Amherst (Mass.). Tennis (Men) Emory, ranked fifth in the nation, faced two early-season challenges against Top 10 teams. The Eagles dropped a 4-3 decision to No. 4 Trinity (Texas) and beat No. 9 Swarthmore (Pa.), 4-0. At No. 1 singles for the second consecutive year is junior Brett Kaplan, ranked No. 11 nationally. Track & Field The Emory men won the conference indoor track & field championship for the first time since 1996. Freshman George McCleary was chosen as co-winner of the meet's Most Outstanding Performer award after winning both the 800- and 1,500-meter runs. In the first outdoor meet, McCleary surpassed the provisional qualifying standard for the NCAA championships in the 1,500 with the third fastest time in school history. The Emory women placed third at the UAA indoor meet.   John Arenberg is Emory's sports information director. Return to April 3, 2000 contents page