6/14/00 Men's Golf - Thanks to one of you for this info. Graham Davidson, who played golf at MSU, will be playing in the US OPEN starting Thursday. He was on the 1996 SEC Championship team and was the SEC PLAYER of the YEAR in 1996. If you would like to follow his progress this week, you can check out his tee time and his scores starting Thursday at www.pgatour.com.
Men's Tennis - Mississippi State tennis standout Marco Baron is one of 45 student-athletes in the nation that have been named to the 2000 GTE Academic All-America Men's Spring At-large Team, released Tuesday.
A second-team selection to the squad, Baron holds a 3.84 grade point average in international business. A Nantes, France, native, he has also been a two-time Academic all-SEC selection during his MSU career.
On the court, Baron is a two-time, all-American and all-SEC selection. He has been State's #1 player in both singles and doubles in each of the last two seasons and is one of only four Bulldogs ever to have earned all-America status in both categories. He ended this past season ranked seventh in the country in singles, tied for 10th in doubles.
A senior-to-be for the Bulldogs, Baron becomes the third Bulldog named to the GTE national team, behind two-time selections Kristian Broems (1995-96) and Thomas Dupre' (1997-98).
"We are very proud for Marco to receive this honor," MSU head coach Andy Jackson said. "Everyone knows his ability on the court, but his academic accomplishments are not as widely known. This award is special because it rewards those who excel in both areas and Marco has certainly done that."
In order to be nominated for the GTE team, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore, be a contributing member of their team, and hold at least a 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Student-athletes are first honored on GTE district teams. To be nominated for the national team, they must earn first-team
status in the district. Baron was a first-team selection to GTE's District VI squad last month.
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU athletic department
6/04/00 Men's Golf - Mississippi State senior Ben Smith finished his run in the 2000 NCAA Championship tied 41st. The London, England, native shot a 69 in the opening round Wednesday, a 74 on both Thursday and Friday and a 71 on Saturday for a 72-hole total of 288.
Oklahoma State won a one-hole playoff over Georgia Tech to win the team title at the par-72, 7003-yard Robert Trent Jones Trail at Grand National Lake Course. The Cowboys' Charles Howell ran away with the individual title shooting a 69 in the final round for a 265 total, winning by eight shots over Houston's Chris Morris.
OSU and Georgia Tech both set the NCAA Championship record shooting 36-under par for the four-day event, eclipsing the previous mark of 34-under by UNLV in 1998 in Albuquerque, N.M. Howell also shattered the individual record with his 23-under total.
The Bulldogs have had four other individuals compete in the NCAA Championship. Prior to this year, the last time an MSU player competed in the national event was in 1998 when Michael Connell finished tied for 23rd place after shooting a 285 (72-69-72-72) in Albuquerque, N.M. The highest individual place an MSU linskter has ever earned is 13th when Bubba Wilson shot a 300 (72-73-75-80) in Winston-Salem, N.C., in 1979.
Rounding out the Bulldog NCAA competitors list are Stacey Richburg and Pete Mathews who competed in the 1984 NCAA Championship held in Houston, Texas.
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU athletic department
6/03/00 Men's Golf - Mississippi State's 29th-ranked men's golf team missed the 15-team cut Thursday by two strokes but still have one linkster playing. Senior Ben Smith is tied 50th after shooting two-over 74 on both Thursday and Friday. The London, England, native shot a 69 in the opening round Wednesday.
Over the years, the Bulldogs have had four other individuals compete in the NCAA Championship. In 1998, Michael Connell finished tied for 23rd place after shooting a 285 (72-69-72-72) in Albuquerque, N.M. The highest individual place an MSU linskter has ever earned is a 13th place tie when Bubba Wilson shot a 300 (72-73-75-80) in Winston-Salem, N.C., in 1979.
Stacey Richburg and Pete Mathews finished tied 66th (76-72-74=222) and tied 145th (78-76-74=228), respectively in the 1984 NCAA Championship held in Houston, Texas.
Of the three participating Southeastern Conference schools, Auburn was the only one to move on to the third round. Georgia was in a tie with Wake Forest for the 15th and final cut Thursday, but lost the playoff Friday morning.
Final round play begins Saturday at 7:30 a.m.
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU athletic department
6/02/00 Tennis - Mississippi State's men's and women's tennis teams each finished among the nation's top 40 in the latest WingspanBank.com National Rankings, released Thursday by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
The Bulldogs, 12-8 overall this season, ended the year at No. 22 in the country, extending their streak of being in the top 25 since May 6, 1991. Now one of only nine teams nationally to have qualified for the NCAA Championship in each of the last 10 years, State made the second round of the national championship this season, breaking an impressive string of nine years in a row of making the round of 16 or better.
The Lady Bulldogs, who ended 2000 11-11 overall, came in at 36th in the final rankings. MSU's women made their second-straight NCAA appearance this year, reaching the second round once again. State held rankings as high as 22nd this season.
In the final individual national rankings, MSU junior Marco Baron finished among the nation's top 10 singles players, coming in at No. 7 in the country. He garnered all-America status in singles for the second year in a row as a top 16 seed at the NCAA Championship.
MSU senior Jeremy Bayon, who qualified for the NCAA singles field to end his remarkable MSU career, came in at 61st. The Saint Etienne, France, product finished his four seasons with a solid 88-51 overall record.
In doubles, Baron and freshman Charles Sevigny were tied for 10th in the nation in Thursday's final rankings after becoming the fifth State duo ever to reach the NCAA quarterfinals. By doing so, the State pair earned all-America doubles honors. Baron was one of only nine players in the nation to earn all-America honors in both singles and doubles this season.
On the women's side, junior Amelie Detriviere ended the season 96th nationally in singles. She was 19-18 overall on the year.
Men's Golf - Mississippi State's 29th-ranked men's golf team shot a second-round 296 Thursday for a two-day total of 578, placing the Bulldogs 19th at the NCAA Championship, hosted by the Auburn University at Grand National Lake Course. Having shot a 288 in day one of the championship, MSU's 578 stroke total was not enough to qualify as the NCAA cuts the field from 30 to 15 teams after the second day of competition.
State was led by senior Ben Smith, who tied 21st after shooting a three-under 69 Wednesday and a two-over 74 Thursday. Smith is the only Bulldog to become one of nine individual qualifiers.
Senior Alex Rocha was next in line for the Bulldogs and tied 47th overall with a 145 total, having shot three-over in the first day (75) and two-under in the second day (70).
Sophomore John Mueller was tied 72nd with a two-day total of 147 (70-77). Redshirt freshman Codie Mudd and senior Michael Trailov tied at 120th, having shot a 36-hole total of 151.
This marks the second time Mississippi State has competed in the NCAA Men's Golf Championship. The 1991 squad finished 29th of 30 teams in Pebble Beach, Calif.
Leading after two days is Oklahoma State with a 19-under total of 557 (281-276). Yesterday's leader Texas, is one stroke off the Cowboys with a two day total of 558 (272-286). Georgia Tech, who was eight strokes back of the leading Longhorns after day one with a 280, is now only five strokes from leader OSU with a 562. Next in line, North Carolina managed a 288 in the first round and a 282 in the second for a two-day total of 570, placing the Tarheels in fourth.
Of the three participating Southeastern Conference schools, Auburn is the only definite team moving on to the third round with a ninth-place total of 578 (290-288). Georgia is in a tie with Wake Forest for the 15th and final cut which will be determined in a playoff at 7:15 a.m. CDT Friday. UGA finished the day shooting a 290 for a 36-hole total of 582.
DAY TWO RESULTS FROM THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
May 31-June 3, 2000 -- Opelika, Ala., Grand National Lake Course, Par 72 -- 7,003 yards
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Oklahoma State 281-276=557 -19
2. Texas 272-286=558 -18
3. Georgia Tech 280-282=562 -14
4. North Carolina 288-282=570 -6
5. Kent State 288-283=571 -5
t6. Houston 284-289=573 -2
t6. UNLV 286-287=573 -3
8. Arizona 286-289=575 -1
t9. Auburn 290-288=578 +2
t9. Texas Christian 289-289=578 +2
t9. Clemson 291-288=578 +2
t9. Fresno State 293-285=578 +2
t13. Northwestern 287-293=580 +4
t13. Minnesota 290-290=580 +4
t15. Georgia 292-290=582 +6
t15. Wake Forest 292-290=582 +6
t17. California-Berkeley 300-283=583 +7
t17. East Tennessee State 286-297=583 +7
t19. Mississippi State 288-296=584 +8
t19. New Mexico 286-298=584 +8
21. Kansas 291-294=585 +9
22. Georgia State 295-292=587 +11
t23. Oklahoma 294-294=588 +12
t23. Pepperdine 295-293=588 +12
t25. Arizona State 299-290=589 +13
t25. Virginia 299-290=589 +13
27. North Florida 294-296=590 +14
28. Brigham Young 299-295=593 +17
29. Southern California 299-300=599 +23
30. Washington 301-312=613 +37
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS (MSU ONLY)
t21. Ben Smith 69-74=143 (-1)
t47. Alex Rocha 75-70=145 (+1)
t72. John Mueller 70-77=147 (+3)
t120. Codie Mudd 74-77=151 (+7)
t120. Michael Trailov 76-75=151 (+7)
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU athletic department
06/01/00 - Here are excerpts from an article written by premium site writer Bill Findley.
Pierre Browne: The Rookie
by Bill Findley
As a first-year college athlete, one can expect to endure some harmless initiations and acquire a nickname or two, especially from upper classmen. However, as a freshman, it is usually not common to gain a moniker of any kind from your opponents. You just kind of go about your business in the shadows and go unnoticed and unrecognized. That is, unless you possess a special talent. In the case of MSU freshman sprinter, Pierre Browne of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, his talent was so obviously special, it did not take long for him to stand out among the SEC elite.
Early in the 2000 indoor track season, Pierre left an indelible impression upon a certain sprinter with very strong credentials. Coby Miller from Auburn University just happens to be the number one ranked sprinter in the NCAA. Miller immediately recognized the significance of this young talent and bestowed upon Browne the name, 'Rookie.' Now, each time the two cross paths in competition Miller greets him with this nickname. Throughout the SEC sprinting ranks, anyone who is somebody knows 'The Rookie' when they see him. Just ask any sprint coach for that matter. They all know the deal! The Rookie from MSU is a known entity these days. When the competition recognizes you, it is a show of major respect.
What could possibly afford this level of respect from your opponents and contemporaries, especially as a freshman? Perhaps a thumbnail review of some of Pierre's achievements are in order to more fully understand this special talent. During the SEC Indoor Championships, Pierre finished 7th in the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.74 and 5th in the 200 meter with a time of 21.17. At the 106th Penn Relays in Philadelphia (the most prestigious track and field competition in the USA) Pierre finished 4th in the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.30. As if this wasn't enough in his first year, at the recent SEC Outdoor Championships, Browne's 200-meter time of 20.49 tied for 3rd place. He is ranked 9th nationally overall in the 200 meter and first among all freshmen. In the 100 meter dash, of which he is ranked 17th nationally, Browne finished 4th at the SEC's with a personal-best time of 10.24. His times and rankings have qualified him to compete in both the 100 and 200 meter events during this weeks NCAA Track and Field Championships. Browne becomes the first MSU track and field athlete to qualify for the NCAA Championships in two events during the same year since former two-time All-American Aki Bradley accomplished the feat in the 100 and 200 meters in 1994.
To top it all, Pierre is the number one ranked 200-meter sprinter in all of Canada. Equally impressive, in the 100-meters he is ranked 3rd in his homeland. So to suggest that Pierre may be representing Canada during the Olympic Games this summer in Australia would be stating the obvious.
World-class speed.....
According to Assistant Coach Reynaud Alexander, Pierre is the real deal. "His speed is definitely world-class. As I like to say, it is 'rare atmosphere' or 'rare breathing.' Pierre is improving each day."
So just how fast is this kid from Toronto? To put it in a language we can all understand, Coach Alex compared it to a standard we use all the time. That is, the 40-yard sprint used to measure football players. If you have a football player who runs a 4.3 or 4.4 forty, everyone gets all excited. Well, Pierre runs a 4.1 forty. "The amazing thing about Pierre is that he gets faster with each passing meter. Your eyes start to open and see what a true world-class performer we have here at STATE."
Had it not been for the loss of another recruit, we might not have ever known Pierre as a Bulldog. In 1999, MSU had been recruiting one of the top high school sprinters in the USA, a kid from Mississippi named James Shelton. Numerous universities throughout the country were recruiting him for his football talents. This was true for MSU as well. As fate would have it, Shelton made his decision to attend the University of Mississippi.
Coach Alex fondly recalls the irony in Pierre's first collegiate indoor meet. "We go to our first indoor meet in January and who is in the same heat with Pierre? None other than James Shelton from Mississippi." Coach Alex is smiling at this point.
"It was a good race for 40-meters. Then Pierre just walked away from him," says Alex proudly. "Everybody's mouth dropped open."
As mentally tough as they come....
Coach Alex asserts that The Rookie is as mentally tough as they come. "His performance speaks for itself. Preparation is the key. For example, on the Saturday of the baseball regional, there we were, out on the track in the blazing 95-degree heat. The only two souls out there in that sun looking like a couple of fools instead of enjoying the game. But that is the type of sacrifice you have to endure in order to succeed at this level."
Pierre nods indicating his approval. "Sure, out there in the burning hot sun, it is not easy. But you know what you have to do in order to reach your goals. You know what it takes to compete at the highest levels."
"I want Pierre to be extremely knowledgeable so that he can set the parameters of the goals he wants to achieve," Coach Alex says. "There is no ceiling on this talent. I would suggest that Pierre could re-write the books before his time is up here at MSU. It is all up to him. By that, I mean that he must be willing to make the necessary sacrifices and be willing to go along with the people who can help get him to where he wants to go."
Transition tough at first.
The transition to MSU from his home was tough at first, especially because of the distance. But once he got involved with his teammates and coaches, life settled down a bit. You see, family is very important to Pierre since he comes from a very tight-knit family. "My family has been a big part of my success. They have always encouraged and supported me in my dreams. My parents told me that I can do whatever I wanted to in my life as long as I was willing to work hard for it."
Pierre's time here at MSU so far has been very positive. "This was the best decision for my life right now. I couldn't be happier with how things have worked out for me."
Coach Alex expresses his pleasure by stating, "More than anything else, I want Pierre to be a successful man in life. Track and Field emulates life better than any sport there is, period. It is helping prepare him to face anything later on in life. Pierre's MSU degree will allow him to support his future family for the rest of his life. That is critical for any young man. He won't be running forever."
NCAA Championships upcoming….
As he faces the NCAA Championships, Pierre knows that the competition will be stiff. "I am always nervous before a competition. My opponents do not bother me or make me nervous. I am never intimidated. It just takes time getting used to the new environment. I always make the adjustments which help relax me before I step into the blocks."
How he wants to be remembered.....
Pierre wants to be simply remembered as an all-around gracious person. Not just as someone who ran track. "I want to do my part to support all the other athletes to show my appreciation for them supporting me. Hopefully, I will be able to impact other people's lives for the better while I am here. I hope I can do that. That is important to me."
If you would like to keep up with how Pierre does during this week's NCAA Outdoor Championship, check with Trackwire.com for the latest updates.
6/01/00 Men's Golf - Mississippi State's 29th-ranked men's golf team shot a first-round 288 Wednesday and are tied in 10th place at the NCAA Championship, hosted by the Auburn University at Grand National Lake Course. MSU finished the day, 16 strokes behind leader Texas (272).
Next in line, Georgia Tech was eight strokes back of the leading Longhorns with a 280. Oklahoma State shot a 281 for third place while Houston managed a 284. Four teams were tied for fifth place at 286 and Northwestern was in ninth place after compiling a 287.
State leads the three participating Southeastern Conference schools as Auburn is tied in 14th place with a one-day total of 290 and Georgia is tied 18th after shooting a 292.
MSU has two golfers in the top 15 as senior Ben Smith is tied eighth and sophomore John Mueller is tied 13th. A London, England, native, Smith fired a three-under 69, while Mueller, from Arlington, Va., shot a two-under 70.
Texas tabbed the top two spots after day one with David Gossett firing a nine-under 63 and J.J. Wall shooting a seven-under 65. Gossett tied Grand National Lake's course record and the lowest score in an NCAA Championship. Phil Mickelson of Arizona State shot a 63 in 1992 and Oklahoma's Jim Begwin was the first to obtain the 63-marker in an NCAA Championship in 1984.
Redshirt freshman Codie Mudd is in 75th place after shooting a 74, while seniors Alex Rocha and Michael Trailov shot a 75 and 76, respectively.
The Bulldogs are set to tee off Thursday afternoon at 12:45 p.m.
DAY ONE RESULTS FROM THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
May 31-June 3, 2000 -- Opelika, Ala., Grand National Lake Course, Par 72 -- 7,003 yards
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Texas 272
2. Georgia Tech 280
3. Oklahoma State 281
4. Houston 284
t5. New Mexico 286
t5. Arizona 286
t5. East Tennessee State 286
t5. UNLV 286
8. Northwestern 287
t10. Mississippi State 288
t10. Kent State 288
t10. North Carolina 288
13. Texas Christian 289
t14. Auburn 290
t14. Minnesota 290
t16. Clemson 291
t16. Kansas 291
t18. Georgia 292
t18. Wake Forest 292
20. Fresno State 293
t21. Oklahoma 294
t21. North Florida 294
t23. Pepperdine 295
t23. Georgia State 295
t25. Brigham Young 299
t25. Arizona State 299
t25. Southern California 299
t25. Virginia 299
29. California-Berkeley 300
30. Washington 301
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS (MSU ONLY)
t8. Ben Smith 69=69 (-3)
t13. John Mueller 70=70 (-2)
t75. Codie Mudd 74=74 (+2)
t96. Alex Rocha 75=75 (+3)
Michael Trailov 76=76 (+4)
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU athletic department
Early in the 2000 indoor track season, Pierre left an indelible impression upon a certain sprinter with very strong credentials. Coby Miller from Auburn University just happens to be the number one ranked sprinter in the NCAA. Miller immediately recognized the significance of this young talent and bestowed upon Browne the name, 'Rookie.' Now, each time the two cross paths in competition Miller greets him with this nickname. Throughout the SEC sprinting ranks, anyone who is somebody knows 'The Rookie' when they see him. Just ask any sprint coach for that matter. They all know the deal! The Rookie from MSU is a known entity these days. When the competition recognizes you, it is a show of major respect.