Harding College - Petit Jean Yearbook (Searcy, AR)

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' gammy 40 xbfsaccess 'Doubles taught me one thing- when one scores, all scoref said Mackey TNie had another successful season as we played our toughest schedule ever. The team did well compiling a record of 12- 11-1 overall and 5-1 in the confer- ence? said Coach David Elliot. Elliot worked on keeping the team well-rounded, stressing academics and team work. A schedule of 22 competitions and three tournaments comprised the plans for the year. In one in- stance the team played six match- es in nine days, and twice had two matches in the same day in differ- ent places. However, it was not the mere numbers that made the schedule tough, but the competi- tion. ttPlaying several N.C.A.A. squads helped us get ready for our hardest conference matches- Southern Arkansas University and Arkansas Tech? said fresh- man Lee Mackie. ttThey got us ready by making us play on a much more competitive level? The 13-man squad was divided into nine events, six singles and three doubles. Because the team points are derived from 66 percent singles and 33 percent doubles, El- t SWINGING HARD. Ruy Martinez, senior, returns at waist line scream- er. Several team members received All-NAIA recognition. Martinez re- ceived an honorable mention. - Photo by Hernon Riverol. liot emphasized the importance of the doubles portion of the teamts play. Doubles, though important, were only part of the team. The team,s second and third ranked team won first place in district. Finishing in the second slot in the A.I.C., the team marked its 13th consecutive year in one of the top two places of the conference. Composing this victory was a dis- trict record of 5-1 and a second place finish in the N.A.I.A. status. Teammates Carlos Ferreiro and Jorge Woog were also chosen as members of the All-A.I.C. team. French received an honorable mention. As scholars, the team received an overall GPA. of approximate- ly 3.0. Three of its members re- ceived ttAcademic All-American status. They were Judd Sander- son, French and Gregg Barden. ttOver all it was a great year. Elliot always encouraged us to do our best, both on and off the court? said French. -Ruy Martinez : t ; NEVER TOO SHORT. Greg Barden, senior, struggles to return a shot dropping over the net. Burden was also named Academic-All-American. -Photo by Hernon Riverol. Tennis 1 1

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TEAMWORK. Judd Sanderson, ju- nior, and Robbie Richie watch for their opponents reaction to a well placed shot. Sanderson and Richie won the first four matches in the set which was held at the Harding tennis courts against Henderson. - Photo by Don Strader. NO SLACK. Lee Mackey, freshman, tightens the strings on his racket during an intermission period. Mackey competed in both the singles and doubles matches against Hen- derson at Hardingts court. - Photo by Hernan Riverol. h' , II gtt v gvggt'v'u ?Iggua'im ,w yw'H TENNIS- Front row: Judd Sander- son, Jorge Woog, Lee Mackey, .h Todd Gilliam, Ruy Martinez, Boontham Jittimaporn; Back row: David Elliot - coach, Carolos Fer- , reiro, Mark French, David Griner, Richie Roberts, Keith Olree. - SCORECARD Photo by Ken Bissell. Southern Arkansas University 6-0 Harding University 5 1 Arkansas Tech University 4-2 Hendrix College 3-3 University of Central Arkansas 2-4 10 Playing for keeps

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lMimfhg 40 Me 5667503 '3 'It was a hard year. and having to say good-bye to coach made it even harder,'said Martin hN; ith the players we have re- turning and the newcomers we have helping out we should be competitive, said Coach Dick Johnson at the opening of the sea- son. However, the year seemed frustrating said many of the play- ers as Johnson planned to retire and a number of close losses filled the season. At the start the team managed to win only three of 11 games. Throughout the season Marty Spears, the only senior and co- captain, compiled a 5-3 record with an earned run average of 4.09. Also in the co-captainls posi- tion were Dennis Mitchell and Perry Parr, both juniors. Mitchell, the fastest runner of the team, uis a solid all-round playerll said Johnson. Johnson also comment- ed on catcher Tom Hull, he is a sound, knowledgeable handler of pitchers. Dropping five conference places due to one run losses, the team posted a third place finish that sent them to the district 17 play- offs. In this the fourth consecutive year at the playoffs the team drew second-ranked Southern Arkansas f-Po. 12 Playing for keeps University. The game was 8-7 SAU down, yet in the bottom of the ninth inning SAU scored two runs defeating the team. The next game brought their season to an end as Arkansas Tech managed a 5-3 win. In February of his 20th season coach Johnson decided this would be his last season with the team. Johnson retired at the end of the season and was honored with the retirement of his uniform and number, 20. His decision was a major factor on the teams morale as uhis wis- dom and familiarity would be greatly missed said freshman Mike Martin. uHeis an told proi Martin said of his coach. Johnson was also honored with the privilege of coaching the north team in the AIC all-star game held at Little Rock. Steve Smith was selected to replace Johnson as the schools head Baseball coach. tII am delighted that Steve agreed to take over the program. I wanted to leave the team in good hands, and I know it will be under him? said Johnson. wPat McGaha YOUiRE OUT! Catcher Tom Hull, ju- nior. prevents another run. Hull also received an honorable mention on the All-AIC baseball team. -Photo by Leslie Downs. .' t Q 9 i ,i 9?- ft .ii uh-