McNeese State University - Log Yearbook (Lake Charles, LA)

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CHAMPIONS OF THE tennis team: top: Axel Reich, | : Pontus Lautgalk, Ulf Persson; bottom: Lee Nolland | : (head coach) and Johan Kjellsten. 206 Tennis @)

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ne of the fall sporting events at McNeese is Cross Country running. The seven-member men’s team and the nine-member women’s team officialy be- gin practice in August when school opens, and one often sees the team members running the streets of the city. Head coached by Robert Hayes, with the help of Lehwald, both the men’s and women’s teams opened their seasons with the McNeese Invitational where teams from Louisiana and Texas participated. In the meet both teams fell short behind Stephen F. Austin Cniversity, taking home second place honors. The men’s team was paced by Paul Ritchie with a 26:29 fifth place time in the five mile run. Liz Unkel led the McNeese women runners with her 19:20 third place rank in the three mile run. Finishing in the top ten for the men were David Moise (eighth) and Tom McGrath (ninth). For the women, Lillian Hines placed fourth, and Christine Blanchard placed sev- enth. The team moved on to the Rice Invitational where they faced many members of the Southland Conference. The top men’s finisher for McNeese was David Moise (24th) with a time of 20:57 in the four mile run. Liz Unkel led the McNeese women with her 21st place of 12:11 in the two mile run. The Southland Conference meet found both teams with a sixth place ranking after the end of the races. Tom McGrath headed the men’s team with a ninth place finish overall, and Liz Unkel lead the women runners with an overall ranking of 15th in the conference run. Members of the men’s track team are: Joe Conway, Tom McGrath, David M oise, Paul Ritchie, Greg Ritzenthaler, Neill Rowland, and Ricky Nelson. The women’s track team mem- bers are: Erin Nelson, Christine Blanchard, Becky Doucet, Angela Evans, Franki Granger, Lillian Hines, Andrea Kineard, Donna Rich- ardson, and Liz Unkel. Joe Conway Christine Blanchard Liz Unkel ) Cross Country 205

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World of... ee Holland, 1987 Southland Conferen ce Coach of the year, and the 1987 SLC Defending Co-Champions (along with Northeast Louisiana) took to the courts vying for another championship and a chance for some of the players to reach the NCAA tournament. With four returning All-SLC performers, the squad prepared to face the competition on a sizzling court. The Cowboys opened their Spring season on February 4 against Tulane and then began trav- eling across the country everywhere from Las Vegas, Nevada to Tallahassee, Florida. The Pokes opened conference play in Lake Charles March 26, sweeping the North Texas State team 9-0 without a single losing set. Throughout the season, the team maintained either a first place standing or a tie for first place. The Cowboys completed their winning season with a 20-4 re- cord and a national ranking in the Top 25 for the first time ever. The seven member team includes: Pontus Lavefalf, SLC No. 1 Singles Champion 1986 and 1987, Louisiana Tennis Player of the Year 1986, All-Louisiana Team 1987; Johan Kjellsten, 25th in the nation 1987, No. 3 Singles SLC Champion, SLC No. 2 Doubles Title 1987; Ulf Persson, All- SLC 1987, SLC No. 2 Doubles Title 1987; Axel Reich, All-SLC 1987, No. 5 and No. 6 Singles SLC Champion 1987; Ulf Nicklasson, 20-3 record No. 2 Singles 1987; Erich Reich, freshman; and Tim Goodwin, also a new team member. Pat Breen served as graduate assistant for the team. Head coach Lee Holland is in his eighth season as tennis coach and he is one of the most suc- cessful tennis;coaches in McNeese history. In the last five years, his teams have won two con- ference titles and two runner-up positions. He has also received several Coach of the Year awards. He says of his team, “'l really feel that the top of our lineup can match up with any team in the country.” Holland felt that their only weakness was their small number of players, a fact which kept them from the conference championship. However, the size of the team did not hinder the quality of play and the effort put forth by the members to complete another successful season. @) Tennis 207