Friday, February, 28, 2005 Canseco tattles on MLB in new boo By Chris LaFuria sports commentary As a former A's slugger and owner of 462 career home runs, Jose Canseco received much attention for being one of the games most brute forces with raging biceps and a massive swing. With one flick of the wrists, Canseco could deliver a shot that ascended beyond the sight of any fan. With all of this shear power, Canseco arrived under the scrutiny of many experts of baseball and the human anatomy. While numerous players spent early spring training in the weight room, bulking up for the upcoming campaign, Canseco mois tened a needle that became more important than any bench press. Steroids, a subject that has recently pos sessed much of the league's inquiry, was the key factor in making Canseco the force that he was. "I truly believe, because I've experimented with [steroids] for so many years, it can make an average athlete a super athlete," said Canseco in an inter view with Sports Illustrated. Due to the discovery of his frequent use of the illegal substance, Canseco came clean about the amount of ballplayers that currently use steroids, which, according to Canseco, is about 80 percent. Professional superstars such as Rafael Palmeiro, Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez and Mark McGwire all supposedly received the drug directly from Canseco. In his new book, "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big," Canseco spills the beans about steroids and baseball. While playing together in Oakland in the late 80s, Canseco claims to have physically injected the drug into butt of the skinny McGwire. Canseco then claimed that steroids are the factor that led to the power of McGwire's swing and his and many other players' colossal home run total. A rebuttal from McGwire found that there was no evidence of such foul play. Standing behind his natural physique and pure hitting power, McGwire stated in a tel- Swimmers The men and women's swimming and diving teams established a name for themselves beating out AMCC teams at the Grove City Invitational Feb. 10-12 marked the final team competition for both the men's and women's swim teams. It also marked a three-day period of team excitement, best times, and new records. The Lion's traveled to Grove City for an invitational where they competed against 11 teams. The men finished fourth overall and first in AMCC competition. The women finished fifth overall and also placed first in AMCC competition. "We had nine men swimmers and divers and placed fourth overall," said Head coach Jen Slack. "Everyone stepped up to competition, swam fast, and got back into finals and consola tions." At the meet, the men went on a record breaking rampage set ting three new individual team records, two relay records and one AMCC record. Top finishers for the men were sophomore Brandon Thiel, freshmen Dustin Fairchild, Matt Seiferth, Anthony Spoto and diver Dan Wiltrout. Fairchild set one new AMCC record in the 500 freestyle with the time of 4:53.14; that time also set a new team record. Fairchild's 200 freestyle performance was good enough to set yet another team record with the time of 1:48.34. Spoto's 100 freestyle time 49.71 added to the record breaking performanc es. In relay action the combination of Fairchild, Seiferth, junior Steve Schleicher and Mel broke the 800 freestyle relay record (7:24.13). On Saturday, the four-man team of Spoto, Fairchild, Seiferth and Mel ended the meet setting the 400 freestyle team record (3:18.58). Both relay records wiped out records that were originally set in the 2001 season, which was the men's second varsity swim season. "They were tough records to break," said Slack. "It was exciting to see them work together to break those records." "All of the guys swain great at championships," said Schleicher. "We had a great meet, swimming fast times and breaking many individual and relay records. Ending a season like we did just makes you more excited for an even better sea son next year." The women had just as an exciting meet as the men. The blue and white teamed up„ setting a record-breaking nine new indi vidual team records and four new relay records. To put the icing on the cake, the Lady Lion's set seven new AMCC indi vidual records and four new AMCC relay records. The record breaking performances were surrounded with team best and Behrend's fast-ever individual event Champion at the Grove City Invitational. "They really came together and helped each other push through the competition," said Slack. By Samantha Cibula sports co-editor Barry Bonds of the San Fransisco Giants has been suspected of using steroids during the BALCO investigations. evision appearance, "Once and for all I did not use steroids nor any illegal substance. The relationship that these allegations por tray couldn't be further from the truth." Since many players have rejected the accusations of Canseco, many people have begun to question the credibility of him as a source. According to Tony Laßussa, who managed McGwire in his record-setting home run campaign, "I think he's in dire straits and needs money. I think secondly there's a healthy case of envy and jealousy." In his book, Canseco declares that every thing he says and everyone he accuses is absolutely true. Even the lawyer represent ing Canseco in the matter claims that he is 100 percent straightforward and truthful. However, in his interview with Mike rewrite record books Three days, 18 new team records, 12 AMCC records, a fourth place mens finish and fifth place women's finish marked the end of the 2004-2005 swim season Placing in the top six in individual events were freshi Cyndi Morales, Missy Pilewski, diver Jenny Conrad, sop] more Whitney Marshall and senior diver Catherine Fanklin. Morales placed first in both the 500 and 1650 freestyle. mixed in a second place finish in the 10(X) freestyle. Morales, who made history earlier this year making EC, cuts, once again gave Behrend swimming something to rec in the history books. She was the first Lady Lion to take hi a first place finish not in one event but two. Adding to her formance were record breaking swims in the 500 free (5:12.15), 1000 free (10:43.53) and the 1650 free (17:54.67). Each record was a team and AMCC record. Marshall also had a standout meet. The sophomore captain broke records in the 200 free (1:59.11), 200 fly (2:18.80), and 100 free (55.59). Marshall's times in the 200 free and 200 fly set AMCC records. Her 100 freestyle time just missed the AMCC record set by Kim Love (55.15), Penn State Altoona in 2002. Marshall's largest time drop came in the 200 fly. "Whitney dropped six seconds in the 200 fly," said Slack. "I knew she had it in her. It is so exciting to see someone do so well in a race that can be so tough." Pilewski's bread and butter events guided her to two record breaking performances as well. Her 200 breaststroke time of 2:38.63 and 100 breaststroke (1:11.34) set both team and AMCC records. Sophomore sprinter Brittany Yost also knocked down a record in the 50 backstroke (30.21). The Lady Lion's also rewrote four of five AMCC and team relay records. The quartet of Marshall, Pilewski, Morales and Yost broke the 400 free relay, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay AMCC and team records. Marshall, Yost and Morales teamed up again, this time with sophomore distance swimmer Alexis Puhala to set the 800 free relay team and AMCC record with the time of 8:17.72. "For some of the relays we weren't expecting to swim as fast as we did," said Yost. "But when you put four girls together behind a starting block, combined with intensity and determination, you realize anything can happen." After a physically and emotionally wearing three-thy meet, both teams fmd their seasons over. Morales, howev er, made ECAC cuts and will be traveling to the University of Pittsburgh where she will compete in the 1650 and 500 freestyle. "On both sides I'm excited for next season," said Slack. "They will need to stay in shape during off season and we'll work on tweaking training for next season." Ending on a high note, swimmers wanting more and sending the first PSB Lady Lion to the ECAC meet might just be the ending to a somewhat storybook season that will carry the varsity swim teams to the next level. popT Wallace on 60 Minutes, Canseco confessed to possess ing shaky details. A memory that has been interrupted and altered may have been a driv ing force during the completion of the book. There are many reasons to believe that Canseco strives for attention and has placed his lies in his book. First, he alleges that Miguel Tejada used steroids to achieve a higher salary even though Canseco had no source for this information. Secondly, he claims to have spoken to Bret Boone about Boone's steroid use in a spring training game after Canseco doubled and landed near Boone's posi tion. Sources say that during the series between the two teams, Canseco never even reached base. Whether you stand behind Canseco in his tes timony or if you side with the players on their authentica tion, no one can deny the fact 5 CY CL .-.) :hat steroids do exist in base ball. From the confession of Jason Giambi before a grand jury to Ken Caminiti admit ting right before his death to using illegal drugs, the evidence is clear. However, people may find themselves in trouble if they believe any particular player when they point their oversized finger. The timing was right for Canseco. His book came in the midst of the BALCO scandal and the inspection of Barry Bonds and other big leaguers in the area of steroids. Canseco's book may hold some truth as he describes his lifestyle of sleeping with over 100 women, dating Madonna and making out with Tara Reid. The validity of his fin ger-pointing at ballplayers, however, is something that cannot initially be taken as truth. ( - I Senior Spotlight ROB FRANK/13EFIRI-:ND BEACON Torn Lulich (far left) and Jared Clough (second from right) with the rest of the men's basketball seniors. Jared Clough and Tom Lulich Behrend Beacon: What are your plans for after graduation? Jared Clough: After graduation, I plan on attending seminary to become a pastor. Tom Lulich: I am contemplating graduate school and also interviewing for some jobs in Plastics Engineering. BB: What will you miss most about Behrend? JC: The thing I will miss most is having to wake up on Saturdays 1 . ()r walk through and the hoop squad. TL: I will miss my friends, coaches and teachers and also the crazy times with the Frosh, hoop squad, Roadhouse with the folks, Dobbins, dancing in Cam's room to Cotton-eyed Joe and the parking tickets. BB: What is your favorite basketball memory? JC: My favorite memory is the NCAA tournament game against Potsdam TL: Playing in the NCAA Tournament. The crowd and the intensity in the gym that night were incredible and, hopefully, we will make another appearance there before my career ends. BB: What is your most embarrassing or funny moment? JC: Spain, that's all that I can say. TL: Getting thunderdunked on against Pitt-Greensburg. It was pretty sweet, espe cially when they called the blocking foul on me too. 'Spirit Against Cancer' generates $7OOO for American Cancer Society Penn State Behrend's fourth annual Becky Hubler Decker Dance and Cheerleading Competition, held Feb. 12, generated $7,000 for the American Cancer Society with more than 2,000 people attending this unique event in the Junker Center. 48 teams participated in the competition that ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dance and cheerleading teams from middle school, junior high, junior varsity, high school varsity, collegE and all-star (open) squads participated winning awards in several categories. "Spirit Against Cancer" was created in memory of Becky Hubler Decker. Her commitment to the community included serving as dance coach at Penn State Behrend, cheerleading coach at Edinboro University, she was captain of the Invaderettes dance team and a member of the Buffalo Bills (Jills) dance team. All proceeds from this special event will benefit the American Cancer Society. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Freshman Cyndi Morales set three individual team records and AMCC records at the Grove City Invitational. Morales looks to better her times in the 1650 and 500 freestyle at the ECAC swim meet Feb. 24-27 at the University of Pittsburgh Trees pool. The Behrend Beacon I
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