Sports Shorts Sports Shorts (May 05, 2004)

SWIM TUNEUPS . . . Stanford sophomore Dana Kirk produced a pair of impressive victories to highlight the 2004 Novaquatics/Speedo Grand Challenge swim meet last weekend in Los Angeles. Kirk won the 100-meter (long course) butterfly in 59.87 and captured the 200 fly in a career-best 2:10.77. Kirk defeated former Stanford All-American Misty Hyman in both races. Hyman, the defending Olympic champion in the 200 fly, clocked 1:00.12 and 2:12.18, respectively, while taking second in each event. Cardinal senior Peter Marshall won the men's 100 backstroke in 55.33, defeating Olympic champion and world recordholder Lenny Krazelburg plus Stanford grad Jeff Rouse (55.76) and Stanford senior Markus Rogan (56.29). Rogan won the 200 IM and 200 back (2:00.31) while Cardinal junior Jayme Cramer won the 200 free (1:51.82). Stanford senior Tara Kirk won the women's 100 breast in 1:08.47 and took second in the 200 breast in 2:26.36. Cardinal grad Gabrielle Rose won the women's 200 IM in 2:15.80.

MAKING A SPLASH . . . The Stanford synchronized swimming team was able to take some satisfaction from its third-place finish at the U.S. Nationals, which were held at Stanford over the weekend. Stanford finished ahead of Ohio State in the overall team standings, reversing its finish from the NCAA Championships. Meanwhile, Stanford junior Katie Norris finished second to Bill May of the Santa Clara Aquamaids in the solo event. Norris' composite score of 95.634 was 4.266 behind May's gold medal performance. Norris and Ashley McHugh placed second in the duet competition. The Aquamaids won their 12th consecutive team title, and 13th straight overall title.

RUGBY SHOWDOWNS . . . California has made a habit of winning USA Rugby College Championships and this year was no different as the Bears overcame an early deficit to defeat Cal Poly, 46-24, on Saturday for their 13th national title in the past 14 years, and 20th overall in the Division I matchup at Stanford's Steuber Stadium. After Cal Poly took a 7-0 lead, Cal responded in championship fashion, with 19 unanswered points. Jacques Wilson scored to put Cal ahead to stay. All-American Mike MacDonald was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player . . . Penn State won its third Division I women's title with a 24-8 decision over Princeton as Jenny Lui scored early to spark a 28-3 run for the Nitanny Lions ... In Division II action, Salisbury defeated Arkansas, 43-24, for the men's title while Temple topped Providence, 17-7, for the women's title.

COACHES' CORNER . . . Menlo School is accepting applications for the position of boys' varsity basketball coach. Resumes should be sent to the attention of Craig Schoof, Director of Athletics, via email at cschoof@menloschool.org, or by mail to 50 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton, CA 94027 . . . Gunn High is accepting applications for the position of boys' varsity basketball coach. Interested persons should contact Tom Jacoubowsky, Director of Athletics, at 354-8290 . . . Sacred Heart Prep has openings for a boys' varsity basketball coach and a girls' varsity soccer coach. Interested applicants should send resumes to Rich Dioli, Principal, Sacred Heart Prep, 150 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton, 94027. Further information: 473-4020.

TENNIS TICKETS . . . Individual tickets for the Bank of the West Classic are now on sale. The Classic, a WTA Tour Tier II event, will be held July 12-18 at the Taube Tennis Stadium on Stanford's campus. Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters and Lindsay Davenport have all committed early to compete at Stanford. The trio represent the past six championships in event, with Clijsters the defending champion. She also won in 2001, while Williams won the title in 2000 and 2002 and Davenport won in 1998 and 1999. Williams, who missed last year's tournament with a strained abdominal muscle, won the Family Circle Cup title on Sunday in Charleston, South Carolina. It was her first tournament win since February of 2003. "We are excited to be able to announce that Kim, Venus and Lindsay are coming back this year," said Tournament Director Gus Sampras. "We are expecting a great week of tennis." Tickets are priced between $10-$80 per session and are available through City Box Office at 1-415-392-4400 or through Tickets.com at (650) 478-2277. Day sessions Monday through Thursday begin at 10 a.m. and Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. Evening sessions begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday's final is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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