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Sports

SPORTS

Sparty is the first Big Ten mascot ever to win mascot competition

Before, he was named the "Buffest." Now, he is the best mascot in the country - officially. This past weekend, the beloved MSU mascot, Sparty, took first place at the 2004 Universal Cheer Association/Universal Dance Association College Nationals in Orlando, Fla. "For us, it is like winning the Final Four or the Rose Bowl.

SPORTS

Colson awarded team's most valuable

Senior setter Nikki Colson was honored Saturday as the MSU volleyball team's Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row. With 1,585 assists on the season, Colson broke her own record en route to setting the career assist record for MSU with 4,563. Colson, along with teammate senior libero Emmy Miller, took home the 2003 Captains' Awards.

SPORTS

Spartans dismantle U-M in lopsided rivalry victory

This season, the No. 25 MSU women's basketball team has made a name for itself with its defense. After putting on arguably their best defensive effort in a game against Ohio State last week, the Spartans (13-3 overall, 3-2 Big Ten) bettered the effort against Michigan in a 67-33 win Sunday.

FOOTBALL

Prep end added to 2004 roster

The newest addition to the Spartan football 2004 lineup said the main thing he hopes to accomplish in his freshman year is to keep the team on track for another winning season. Justin Kershaw, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound, strongside defensive end from Reynoldsburg High School in Columbus, Ohio, committed on Saturday to play for the Spartans.

BASKETBALL

Spartans' 'solid defense' key to string of victories

Refusing to be discounted as a Big Ten contender, the Spartans delivered another dominating win, tossing their hat into the tight conference race. MSU (7-7 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) followed up an 18-point win over Penn State on Wednesday with a 71-54 mauling of Michigan on Saturday afternoon. It was the first time since the end of November that MSU put together back-to-back wins and the first time the Spartans began living up to the No.

SPORTS

Sports briefs

Softball ranked in preseason polls MSU softball team was ranked No. 24 in the ESPN.com/USA Today Softball Top 25 preseason poll released Wednesday. The Spartans are one of just three Big Ten teams in the top 25, including No.

FOOTBALL

Lineman's 2004 NFL Draft decision leaves spectators anxious, optimistic

Matthias Askew's decision to enter the 2004 NFL Draft has left both fans and analysts divided. The junior defensive lineman announced Monday he would forgo his senior season in order to pursue a professional career. Stewart Mandel, an online reporter for Sports Illustrated, said Askew will probably be a third or fourth-round pick, not faring as well as former Spartans who also left early.

BASKETBALL

Spartans shut down Nittany Lions

The Spartans wanted to defend their case as a contender for the Big Ten title. Wednesday night against Penn State, they did it with defense. MSU smothered the Nittany Lions all night en route to a 76-58 victory in front of a jubilant Breslin Center crowd. "I think we got back to our old selves," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said.

VOLLEYBALL

Former assistant to help lead USA National, Olympic teams

Todd Dagenais has some adjusting to do. MSU's former associate head volleyball coach will be spending the next few weeks getting acclimated to his new home, Colorado Springs, Colorado. "The funny thing is, the biggest adjustment has been getting used to the altitude," Dagenais said, adding that the city is more than a mile above sea level.

FOOTBALL

Spartans gain transfer, prep standout for 2004

Spartan football's fall lineup is going to add some much-needed bulk, now that defensive tackle Daniel Zynn has committed to play. The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Zynn was one of the best defensive tackles coming out of high school, and was ranked second at the California Nike Camp.