17 The Daily Collegian Knee injury ends Thomas' season By MICHAEL WEINREB Collegian Sports Writer The cumbersome brace that engulfs Tisen Thomas' right knee has already cut short his speed and quickness. His left knee has cut short his career. The luckless senior split end, who was expected to be the mainstay of the Lions' receiving corps this year, went down with a left knee injury Tuesday and will probably miss the entire season. Thomas, who had major recons tructive surgery on his right knee while redshirting in 1991, destroyed Harriers' coach goes the distance By LINDA NAWROCKI Collegian Sports Writer It's a long way from Stuttgart, Germany to State College, but Harry Groves travels the distance with ease. As a coach for the United States track team and the Penn State men's cross country team, Groves fol lows the same philosophy: "Hap piness has nothing to do with success, adjustment has to do with suc cess." Groves said maturity is the big gest difference between being a world-class athlete and a good collegiate athlete. The transition is made by not making excuses and just dedicating yourself, he said. "I said to one of the athletes at the Worlds, 'lt's time to put away your childish things.' " An example of that kind of ded ication is the winner of the mar athon at the world track chanionships, Mark Plaatjes of the U.S. He is also a good example of Groves' philosophy. Plaatjes, 30, is from Johannes burg, South Africa and now lives in Boulder, Colorado. He didn't receive support for his training, made very little money at running and was almost killed while living in South Africa because his light skin color excluded him from acceptance in either faction. `Plaatjes was three minutes behind after the first half of the mar athon," Groves said. "No one makes up that kind of time, but he did because his whole life was on the line. It was the most inspiring moment of the competition." The type of athlete who com petes in international track is very different from a collegiate runner, Groves said. Different stakes are "on the line" in collegiate sports and international competiton, but each takes an enormous amount of ded ication. For runners in college, this is often the most difficult part of the sport due to their maturity level. "Sometimes you have to hold a gun to their head to motivate them properly," Groves said. Although cross country running is a very individual sport, runners are motivated by the competition, not only from other schools, but by their teammates. Groves said he believes success can breed suc cess. Co-captain Ken Cooper said, "Individual goals are not impor tant. If the team doesn't do any thing, then the season's a waste." This year Coach Groves will lead the men's cross country team into Big Ten competition again. The team faces two strong running powers in Wisconsin and Michigan. Coach Groves and the runners realize it is going to take a lot of effort to move up in the Big Ten standings. "To make any inroads on those guys we have to make a jump," Groves said, "They have got to make up their minds about which way they're going to go." Right now, Groves said he is concerned with the long-term development of the team because the first part of the season is a mea suring stick for the amount of work the team needs to do before regionals. "We could lose every meet and if we win regionals, we'll go to NCAAs," he said. Whether it's Plaatjes or one of the Penn State runners standing at the starting line, Groves said he knows the runner with the ability to stay focused and "put in the miles" will probably cross the finish line first. Football Notebook his other one in practice while making a cutback on a punt return, Coach Joe Paterno said yesterday. There was no contact involved. "They won't know for another day or two," Paterno said. "But he's certainly got a serious knee injury. "I feel sorry for him. Obviously it's a big loss for our football team," Paterno added. With the loss of Thomas, the depth Braves Atlanta became the first team to sweep San Francisco this season after a 9-1 drubbing yesterday. By WENDY E. LANE AP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO Fred McGriff and David Justice twice hit consecutive homers as Atlanta hammered Bill Swift and San Francisco 9-1 yesterday, sweep ing a three-game series and pull ing within 4 1 / 2 games of the NL West-leading Giants. The punchless Giants were swept for the first time this season and had their lead shrink to the smallest margin since June 10. For the second day in a row, Atlanta beat the Giants with strong pitching and the long ball. Greg Maddux (15-9) shut out San Francisco for five innings and retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced, while the Braves produced six homers. Atlanta hit 10 homers in the series and became the first team in the majors to have three players reach 30. McGriff hit his 29th and 30th and Justice his 31st and 32nd to join Ron Gant. who hit his .3.st Tuesday. Swift (17-6), who failed in his third bid for his 18th victory, had his worst outing of the season, last ing only 4 1-3 innings. He was burned for 11 hits, walked one and struck out three and left trailing 6-0. Maddux, who hadn't beaten the Giants in almost two years, didn't allow a hit until the sixth, when Steve Scarsone hit a pinch single. Robby Thompson singled, and Matt Williams' RBI single ended the shutout. Maddux went eight innings and gave up one run on six hits, walking one and striking out five. Greg McMichael pitched the ninth. Former Linkster scores three amateur titles this summer By STEPHEN FITZGERALD Collegian Sports Writer It was an uphill par three that he faced. The green surface was hidden and the only thing Jason Tyska could see was the flag gently blowing in the wind. Tyska and his companion both knew they hit the ball well and joked that they each got a hole-in-one. As they approached the green, they realized one ball was in the cup —it was Tyska's. And that's just the kind of summer he's had. Tyska, a former member of the men's golf team and Mt. Pleasant native won three major amateur titles this summer. "The first two tournaments I won I never even saw the course before I teed off," Tyska, 22, said. "I just went out and played relaxed. The thing that helped me the most was that I putted just fantastic." Defensive line may make the Lions' Rose Bowl dream come true Editor's Note: This is the second in an eight-part series previewing the Penn State football team. This story focuses on the defensive line. By B.J. REYES Collegian Sports Writer The Big Ten Conference's foot ball media guide is entitled, Big Dreams for the Future. It shows a picture of a boy, maybe 6 or 7 years old, with a football, standing in the end zone of a football field dwarfed by the vastness of the stadium. Years from now, this kid may be in a football uniform, answering questions about some of his big childhood dreams. Like senior defensive tackle Lou Benfatti was at the Lions' media day. "I think being a great defensive lineman here at this place is something I've always dreamed of," Benfatti said. "And I'm sure everybody dreams about being as Sports at wide receiver grows notably thinner redshirt freshman Chris Campbell has already been both ered by a stomach problem. Doc tors have been unable to pinpoint the exact cause, Paterno said. In other words, junior Bobby Engram, senior Chip Laßarca and a number of younger players like Justin Williams and Freddie Scott will have to step up their con tributions. Between them, they've accumulated just four starts. "We've got problems," Paterno said. "We're a little bit short with the wideout situation." They're a little bit short in a lot of places, for that matter. Here's a chop the Giants' lead to 41/2 T 7 W' F I ft - ? San Francisco Giants pitcher Billy Swift stares at the mound as Atlanta's The Braves swept the Giants yesterday narrowing San Francisco's Fred McGriff rounds third after a two-run homer in the first inning. lead to 4 1 / 2 . For more on Major League Baseball, please see page 18. The Braves jumped on Swift for three runs in the first. Back-to-back homers by McGriff and Justice came after Gant hit into a double play to score Otis Nixon. The Braves made it 4-0 in the second on Gant's two-out single. He began his summer with a 2-over-par 142 on 36 holes at Westmoreland Country Club in Export to win the Tri-State Amateur tour nament. On July 30, Tyska shot rounds of 65-72-75- 71 giving him a 3-over-par 283 victory to become the Pennsylvania Amateur Cham pion at Lancaster Country Club. He finished up his summer with another major tournament win at the West Penn Am championship at Rolling Hills Country Club in Mac Murray on Aug. 3. Can anybody say golf triple crown? "It's an amazing feat to accomplish," Penn State Men's Golf Coach Greg Nye said. In fact, it was such an amazing accom plishment that statisticians are still trying to figure out if anybody else has ever done it before. But Tyska, who expects to graduate in quantatative business analysis this fall, did good as they can be." If the entire defensive line plays as good as it can, the Lions may find themselves in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. Being able to out-per form their opposition will be something Benfatti and his team mates will have to do this season if the Lions hope to make an impact on the rest of the Big Ten. Benfatti and senior Tyoka Jack son will probably be counted on the most by Coach Joe Paterno this season. Benfatti topped all Lions.' defensive linemen last year with a career season-best of 45, while Jackson ranks seventh on the Lions' all-time career sack list with 16.5. Although some believe Benfatti to be one of the top returning defensive talents in the country, Paterno hesitates to rank him among such Lion greats as Mike Reid and Matt Millen. "I think Lou has got all of the physical abilities of being in that quick visit with Dr. Paterno on his daily rounds: ■ With backup tight end Ryan Grube out for the year, the depth behind Kyle Brady is thin. Junior Chad Weaver, who had 62 yards receiving in the Blue-White game, and redshirt freshman Keith Olsommer are the only depth behind Brady. Patemo said he probably won't shift anyone else to tight end. ■ Freshman kicker Brett Con way, expected to back up Craig Fayak, stepped on the holder's toe in practice and twisted his knee. "Conway had looked really good we hoped he could do the kick ing off," Paterno said. rj-i! In the fifth, McGriff and Jus tice again took Swift deep, and the right-hander left after walking Terry Pendleton. Pendleton hit his 10th homer in the seventh, off reliever Dave Righetti, and Damon Berryhill hit class," Paterno said, adding that Benfatti sometimes misses some plays he should make. "Seeing the guy in front of you and getting to the ball carrier some times should be easy for him, and Lou has not made a couple of those plays," Paterno said. "I think when he makes those, I'd have to say he's as good as anybody." But making those big plays is probably easier said than done. Especially as Penn State enters a new conference a conference with a storied tradition of mammoth-sized offensive linemen. Jackson said joining the Big Ten is an honor to him, because of the conference's rich tradition. He added that although there may be some additional pressure on the team, one thing remains constant. "lt's still football," Jackson said. "You line up and play and once The coach said Fayak has been solid, but his back is not strong enough to kick off. Punter V.J. Muscillo will probably handle the duties if Conway can't return in time for the season opener against Minnesota Sept. 4. ■ The fullback picture isn't so full. Projected starter Brian O'Neal (broken foot) "hasn't even walked yet," Paterno said. He is doubtful for the first game. Jon Witman (pulled groin) is improving, but Brian Milne hasn't practiced since suffering a con cussion. Please see FOOTBALL, Page 28 his sixth homer, a two-run shot with two out in the ninth, to make it 9- Barry Bonds went 1-for-4 and struck out twice. Prior to the game, Swift had given up 14 homers this season. McGriff reached the 30- it this summer, attributing these victories to a lot of hard work and time. And, for those who try to accomplish the same feat after him "I challenge anybody to do it," Tyska said "I don't think I could do it again." Tyska enjoys all of these victories, but he appreciates the state championship the most. "Forty years from now that trophy will be around and my name will be on it," Tyska said. "That means something." The West Penn Am title meant something to Tyska on another level. In his first two tournament victories, Tyska led from the beginning. In his West Penn Am victory, he found himself behind early on. "It means a lot to you whenever you're down and you don't panic and just play you're game," Tyska said. "It makes you feel a lot better that you know you can come from behind." Another accomplishment Tyska per- they blow the whistle, it'll be foot ball to us." Senior defensive tackle Eric Clair is not too concerned about the probable size differences either. Although most of the Big Ten's offensive lines may be bigger in size than many eastern schools, he does not believe those lines are as inte gral as some the Lions have faced. "We went against BYU and Stanford last year, and they had the two biggest lines in the country," Clair said. "If you stay lower and come off the ball harder they'll move. That's the way I look at it." Clair will have to practice what he preaches. As the first game against Minnesota quickly approaches, Paterno says Clair will probably see a lot of playing time, along with senior defensive tackle Vin Stewart. "Both (Clair) and Stewart are very close," Paterno said. "Clair is run- Thursday, Aug. 26, 1993 3 f Tisen Thomas =MEI homer plateau for the sixth con secutive season, a feat accom plished by only 11 other players. Maddux's last victory against San Francisco was Aug. 29, 1991. Will Clark left the game after the fifth inning with a knee injury. formed over the summer occured when he broke the club record at his home course, the Pleasant Valley Country Club, posting a 64. The record was short-lived when Tyska's pro recently beat that mark. However, Tyska was quick to point out that his pro shot from the white tees. "He can have it though," Tyska said." He's a very nice guy." That's the type of person Tyska is very competitive and not intimidated by any golfer. "One of the things that happens to any athlete when they're playing against an athlete of reputation, they can become intimidated and they don't play their best," Nye said. "Not true with Jason he'll take on anybody." But other golfers may find him very intimidating sometimes even his own teammates. Please see TYSKA, Page 28 ning ahead of Vinny he's a little bit more active. Vinny probably hai got a little bit more power right now. But they're both going to play a lot." But the big key for the defensive line, as with all positions, will be whether or not the personnel can stay healthy. Jackson echoed the sentiments of many of his teammates. He mainly wants to learn from the setbacks that he and the rest of the team expe6 rienced last year. Jackson would rather not be on the sidelines as he was for two weeks last year with a sprained ankle watching his teal compile a 7-5 record. "Hopefully I'll do the things th.lit it takes and (those setbacks) wig never happen again," Jackson said. "Being in great condition and practicing full speed every prac tice and playing hard every play I can't do anything more than that!' Courtesy of Penn State
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