By Todd J. Shriber staff reporter The TCU Horned Frogs and the Fresno State Bulldogs face-off Saturday in California, a match-up that is supposed to feature the Western Athletic Conference's two best teams. TCU and Fresno State were predicted to finish first and second in the conference by most preseason college football publications. Fresno State head coach Pat Hill said this game could set the tone for the losing team's season. "It's too early in the season to tell if this game is for the conference championship," Hill said. "I will say that it will definitely put the team that loses in a position where they'll be looking at the scores in the paper every Sunday morning."
Fresno State features a backfield that could cause problems for TCU all night. Senior quarterback Billy Volek has thrown for 1,973 yards through four games. He teams with Freshman fullback Derrick Ward and junior tailback Paris Gaines to give the Frogs a lethal trio to with which to contend. Senior safety Reggie Hunt said the Frog defense will be ready for the challenges thrown at them by Fresno State. "It's a big challenge, but they played well last year," Hunt said. "They probably feel like they were robbed on a few plays so they'll be even more hungry. It's going to be a good match-up." Hunt dismisses any talk of this game being the deciding factor in the race for the WAC title. "It's just the next game," he said. "We have to go in with that mentality and the mentality to win. This isn't the conference championship." TCU might be able to throw the Fresno State defense for a loop by alternating senior Patrick Batteaux and true freshman Casey Printers at quarterback.
Todd J. Shriber
By Steven Baker staff reporter The men's cross country team must find one thing if they hope to win the Western Athletic Conference this year. Head coach Dan Waters said they need more heart. "The real deal is digging down in the middle part of the race where it is most important," he said. "Believing in the fact that you can get it done and getting past that difficult part in the race is really what this team lacks. Pounding and pounding at that point of the race will determine whether we meet our potential or fall short." The team has accumulated second- and third-place finishes in the first two races this year. This is consistent with the preseason WAC poll that predicts a second-place finish for the TCU men's team. Nevertheless, the team is determined to improve upon its mistakes. Senior Adrian Martinez, team captain, said only the team is to blame for the lack of effort thus far. "Coach can only do so much to make us run," he said. "It takes our individuality, dedication and commitment to run harder to where we can compete well." The team trains six days a week because of NCAA rules. Many TCU students don't travel to the cross country meets, so the runners only have their team, coaches, family and friends for support. Junior Ryan Womack said getting to know others on the team is very important to the success of the season. We have a lot of new people this year, he said. "It takes a little while to get used to people," he said. "Cross country is a team thing. You have to really like the people you are running with, because a lot of the time it is not very fun." In practice, Waters is demanding of both teams. If he sees a runner lagging behind or not giving a full effort, he is quick to let the whole team know about it. Senior Jared Pope said Waters always does what is required to have the team ready for a meet. "Coach Waters always said we had good work ethic during practice," he said. "But we don't run hard and with enough heart when we get to the races. "Now, after the last race, we are working a lot harder, and hopefully this Friday we will see the effects of it." The team will get its chance to compete with more determination today at the University of North Texas Invitational in Denton. Martinez said the team needs a "confidence builder." Womack said cross country running is all about accountability and mental toughness. "You can have the best four runners in the nation, but if you have some guy who is going to finish 150th every meet, then you are not going to win," he said. "Everybody has to be competitive in every race. If you finish the race and are not falling over dead, then you didn't give it all for the team. The season starts all over for the men's team this weekend. Members said this time they will be running with heart through the entire race.
Steven Baker
By Gibbs Colgin staff reporter Yoga's benefits are making many people turn to it for exercise instead of more traditional workout programs such as running or weightlifting. Yoga originated in India and can be traced back about 3,000 years to the Vedas, the official scriptures of Hinduism. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world, incorporating the body, mind and spirit. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj," meaning "to unite" or "to join." Hatha, Bhakti, Karma, Raja, Vendanta, Mantra, Laya and Jnana are the eight main types of yoga, and they all can unify a person with the divine. The kind of yoga that a person selects should fit his or her individual needs based on physical and mental condition, as well as age. TCU yoga instructor Peggy Loughry said yoga is a gentle form of exercise that unites the mind and body, reduces stress and increases flexibility. She also said yoga improves posture and circulation. "Yoga is overall very beneficial," Loughry said. "A lot of people don't know what it is about, but most go into it for stress reduction, and it adds more spirituality to your life." Loughry also works at the Wellness Center, which is run by the Osteopathic Hospital. She said many doctors prescribe yoga to their patients. "Yoga can be very healing, whereas other exercises can hurt the body," she said. "Yoga heals rather than harms. So many people exercise to get things off of their minds, but with yoga, you want to connect the body with the mind." Yoga classes take place from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday, from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays in Rickel Building, Room 317 and 318. The cost of the classes range between $40 and $60. For more information or to register for a class, call 257-7130.
Gibbs Colgin |
Hill's squad will have to contend with one of the WAC's
best running backs - junior LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson has launched
an all-out assault on the TCU record books this year. He is averaging 177.7
yards per game, good for first in the WAC and second in the country and
his coming off a career-best 269 yards against Arkansas State.| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |