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Sports

FOOTBALL

5 Spartans see dreams realized with 2002 draft

James Jahnke
April 22, 2002

First-round draft pick T.J. Duckett was the guy in the spotlight this weekend, but four other Spartan players quietly fulfilled childhood dreams of their own. Tight end Chris Baker, wide receiver Herb Haygood, defensive tackle Josh Shaw and punter Craig Jarrett all had their names called in the 2002 NFL Draft, which took place Saturday and Sunday in New York. All four were Spartan seniors last fall - but being drafted is the official start of their professional football careers.

FOOTBALL

SPORTS UPDATE: Duckett picked No. 18 by Atlanta

Former Spartan tailback T.J. Duckett was picked by the Atlanta Falcons as the 18th pick in the NFL Draft on Saturday.Duckett, an MSU standout and fan favorite, was largely expected by analysts to be chosen by the Cleveland Browns, which would have put him at 16th in the draft.

SOFTBALL

Big Ten Tournament hopes slipping away

Andrew Fifer
April 19, 2002

After three straight nonconference games, the MSU softball team returns to Big Ten action this weekend. The Spartans (21-26 overall, 3-7 Big Ten) travel to Iowa City, for a two game series with the Big Ten-leading Hawkeyes (28-14, 8-2). The two teams begin the series at 6 p.m.

FOOTBALL

Going pro may be a snap

Justin A. Rice
April 19, 2002

No one at Beaner’s Gourmet Coffee recognized him as he sipped an Orange Brain Freeze smoothie that matched his orange American Eagle T-shirt. His gold chain, with a tiny gold football dangling at the end, didn’t give him away either.

BASEBALL

Sluggers ready for Michigan

Chris Mackinder
April 19, 2002

For the first time in years, the four-game baseball series between MSU and Michigan has some meaning.MSU (23-8 overall, 6-5 Big Ten) and U-M (11-19, 6-6) are currently in fifth and sixth place, respectively in the conference.

SPORTS

Cancer claims former Spartan, Big Ten championship swimmer

Chris Mackinder
April 19, 2002

Kenneth Walter Gest, a member of the only MSU swimming team to win a Big Ten Championship, died April 4 of pancreatic cancer at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. He was 65 and had been living in Traverse City since 1976. Gest was an All-America swimmer and a member of the Spartan’s 1957 squad.

SPORTS

Golfer helps womens team swing into spotlight

James Jahnke
April 19, 2002

Of course, Spartan fans know the names of basketball guard Marcus Taylor and hockey goalie Ryan Miller.But when those star athletes’ respective seasons ended with disappointing first-round NCAA Tournament losses last month, the result was a temporary void of recognizable Spartan athletes.Spring sports have traditionally been overlooked around campus because MSU has had trouble competing with warm-weather schools from the South and West.

BASEBALL

Sluggers break home-run record

Chris Mackinder
April 17, 2002

The MSU baseball team broke an 18-year-old record Tuesday with five home runs in its 22-6 beating of Wayne State.The Spartans (23-8 overall, 6-5 Big Ten) entered the nonconference game with 57 home runs, two shy of the 1984 record of 59.

SPORTS

Fans reflect on baseball history with Harwell

Ryan Wallace
April 16, 2002

More than 150 fans, many donning caps with the Old English “D,” had the opportunity to ask a legend for one last “Long Gone.”Ernie Harwell, the voice of the Detroit Tigers was on campus Monday signing copies of his new book, “Ernie Harwell: My 60 Years in Baseball.”Harwell, who has broadcast Tiger baseball for more than 42 years, met and took photos with his fans from the Lansing area in the Castle Board Room at MSU-Detroit College of Law Building.Communication junior Nick Kovacic said he called his father, Mike, to tell him that Harwell was coming to campus.

BASEBALL

Sluggers look to Division II for tuneup

Chris Mackinder
April 16, 2002

After splitting a series with Indiana during the weekend, the MSU baseball team is turning its attention to Wayne State today. The Spartans (22-8 overall, 6-5 Big Ten) host the Warriors (11-13, 7-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference) at 3 p.m.

SPORTS

Socks improve performance

Aaron Johnson
April 15, 2002

Okemos - Campus athletes, MSU alumnus Dr. Graham Kelly wants you to wear tighter socks. Not a smaller-sized sock, but a pair of the Lansing physician’s new G Fit Oxysox.

FOOTBALL

Spartans close spring practice

Justin A. Rice
April 15, 2002

The MSU football team concluded spring practice Saturday with its Green and White spring game at the Duffy Daugherty Football Building. “This has been a very positive spring practice for us,” MSU head coach Bobby Williams said.