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Sports

SPORTS

Northwestern tailback rushes into spotlight

Eric Mckinney
September 27, 2002

When Big Ten football fans hear the name Jason Wright, fear is the last thing that comes to mind. In fact, most simply ask, “Who?” Considering the 5-foot-10, 210-pound junior tailback carried the ball just three times his first two seasons at Northwestern, that’s a reasonable question. But Wright, who is attempting to fill the shoes of the Wildcats’ all-time leading rusher Damien Anderson, leads Northwestern (2-2) with 346 yards on 66 carries (5.2 yards per carry). “I’m not going to lie, it definitely feels good to be back at my natural position,” said the former first-team all-state tailback at Diamond Bar High, in Diamond Bar, Calif. That’s right, the reason many Big Ten fans haven’t heard of Wright is because he spent his first season and a half playing wide receiver for the Wildcats.

SPORTS

Mens tennis to open up its season at Ball State

The MSU men’s tennis team will open its 2002-03 season this weekend in Muncie, Ind., at the Ball State Invitational. This is the second-straight season the Spartans have opened at Ball State. The team will be led by eight returning letter winners from last season, including seniors Adam Hourani, Jimmy McGuire and Goran Topalo, juniors Mike Jonckheere, Chris Mitchell and Eric Simonton, and sophomores Andrew Formanczyk and Cameron Marshall. The Spartans will travel to Nashville, Oct.

SPORTS

Heisman watch

Eric Mckinney
September 27, 2002

After five weeks of action, the Heisman Trophy race has been shaken, not stirred. Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey, the former front-runner, is being overshadowed by his own teammate.

SPORTS

Conference title up for grabs as multiple teams eye Rose Bowl

Andrew Fifer
September 27, 2002

As usual, the Big Ten season is loaded with unpredictability. The 107th year of conference play could go down as one of the most competitive in history. Michigan, Ohio State and MSU - voted by the Big Ten’s media to finish first, second and third, respectively - haven’t pulled away from the competition.

SPORTS

HARDY: Spartan struggles call for shake up in starting lineup

Pull up one of those Gunson Street all-purpose, ratty couches - you know, the type that has springs that find you in all the wrong places and kicks up a little funk when you plop down - and join your favorite ol’ armchair quarterback for a little pregame play calling. Comfy?

BASKETBALL

MIDDAY UPDATE: Magic to enter NBA Hall of Fame on Friday

Krista Latham
September 26, 2002

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the star who led MSU to a NCAA Championship in 1979, is about to live through another Magic moment.On Friday, his old coaches, teammates, friends and family will gather in Springfield, Mass., to hear Larry Bird, his greatest rival and friend, induct Johnson into the NBA Hall of Fame.The 6-foot-9 point guard revolutionized basketball and was the tallest point guard to ever play in the NBA.

VOLLEYBALL

Smiths confidence returns

Chris Mackinder
September 26, 2002

Kyla Smith could have easily stayed at home in British Columbia. Or she could have followed her high school friends to places like Colorado, Washington or Oregon. Instead the senior outside hitter chose to play volleyball at MSU, and four years later, the Spartans must be mighty happy at her need for individuality. The player head coach Chuck Erbe calls “the cornerstone” of his team is raking up the best numbers of her life.

SPORTS

U runner named athlete of the week

For the third time in her cross-country career at MSU, junior Michelle Carson was dubbed the Big Ten Cross Country Female Athlete of the Week. “It was very surprising to be named again,” said Carson, a three-time honoree.

ICE HOCKEY

New skaters get chance to impress

James Jahnke
September 25, 2002

Three-quarters of the Spartans’ eight-player freshman class finally got to practice with their new team Tuesday, but there also were two noticeable absences.Rookie forwards Colton Fretter and David Booth missed the season-opening practice because of ailments.

FOOTBALL

Rogers expects to play Saturday

Eric Mckinney
September 25, 2002

Despite suffering bruised ribs in MSU’s loss to No. 10 Notre Dame, Charles Rogers plans to play against Northwestern on Saturday. “Even if I’m not 100 percent, I’m still able to go out there and be a decoy,” Rogers said.

SPORTS

Spartan goalkeepers receive Defensive Player of the Week honors

Two MSU goalkeepers received Defensive Player of the Week nods from the NCAA on Monday. After the women’s soccer team shut out Illinois and Iowa this weekend, the Big Ten named junior goalkeeper Stacy Heller Co-Defensive Player of the Week. And Christina Kirkaldy, a sophomore goalkeeper for the field hockey team, also earned Defensive Player of the Week for extending the Spartans’ winning streak to eight with a shutout against No.