Football

UTM’s Skyhawk football team’s first practice in pads, held earlier this week, was filled with enthusiasm and “very spirited,” said head coach Sam McCorkle.

“I thought it was a really good practice. We had a lot of enthusiasm and we did a lot of things well,” McCorkle said.

“We had a little live team at the end of practice and that's where the only negative hit us,” the coach said. Offensive lineman Michael Jackson injured his knee and strong safety Mikkie Patton was transported to the hospital because of the heat.

Martin native Kendrick Edwards made an impression during the first practice in full pads, as did Joseph Threats, freshman defensive lineman. Gleason native Lee Lawrence, an All-OVC first-team selection, showed why he was named to the conference’s honor squad. John Gray also turned in a good effort at practice.

“John Gray made several good plays,” McCorkle said. “We could hardly block him. I don't know if that’s a question of our blocking or if John Gray is just a good football player.”

Among the others who made their presence known at practice were running backs Sam Berrien and Arthur Bryant and defensive end Andre Plummer from Collierville.

The Skyhawks had one intra-squad scrimmage yesterday and will have another one at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17.

The Skyhawks open their 2002 campaign Thursday, Aug. 29, at home against Southwest (Mo.) Baptist University. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Hardy M. Graham Stadium. Season tickets are on sale now. For more information call 587-7685 or go to www.utmsports.com.

Volleyball

Defending Ohio Valley Conference volleyball champion UTM is the overwhelming favorite to win the league again in 2002, according to a preseason poll of the league's coaches.

The Skyhawks, who claimed their first regular-season OVC crown in 2001, received seven first-place votes. Southeast Missouri and Morehead State split the remaining two first-place votes and were picked to finish second and third, respectively.

Eastern Illinois, which captured its first OVC Tournament title a year ago, was chosen fourth. Rounding out the balloting were Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee Tech, Murray State and Tennessee State.

UTM returns eight letterwinners, including all six starters, from a team that set school records for both OVC and Division 1 wins, posting a 14-2 mark in conference play in 2001 while compiling a 25-6 overall effort for head coach Chris Rushing.

The Skyhawks, who finished as the OVC Tournament runners-up for the second straight year, are led by a pair of two-time first team All-OVC seniors in middle hitter Rachel Ahlers and setter Lindsey Vicknair.

Ahlers led the league in hitting percentage (.397) for the second consecutive year and also ranked second in blocks (1.21 bpg) and fifth in kills (3.70 kpg), while Vicknair topped the OVC with 12.44 assists per game.

The team opens its season with matches at noon Friday, Aug. 30, against California Berkeley; 5 p.m the same day against San Jose State University; and 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, against Northern Arizona in the Golden Bear Classic.

Golf

The annual UTM Skyhawk golf fund raiser is set for Friday, Aug. 23, at Persimmon Hills Golf Course in Sharon. Registration will continue through Aug. 17. Tee time is 12:30 p.m.

Golfers may register at the local pro shops or by calling (731) 587-7660. There will be no changes or substitutions after teams have been organized. Teams will be formed by handicap and UTM golf team members will be playing. Golfers age 65 and over will hit from the gold tees.

The entry fee is $60 per golfer and includes a cart and dinner at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Dresden Elks Lodge. Guests are welcome to attend the dinner at $10 per person.

All proceeds from the tournament will be used to help fund the UTM golf program. For more information or to register, call Jerry Carpenter at 587-7665 or 587-7660.

The golf team’s first Fall 2002 appearance will be at noon Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 9-10, at the Morton B. Harris Intercollegiate in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Soccer

More than 50 percent of the UTM Skyhawk soccer team met last year’s fitness goals and one-third of the team has exceeded this year’s standard, which was increased.

UTM head soccer coach Nathan Pifer had 30 players report for preseason camp and participate in the recent fitness run on campus.

“This is an exciting and positive beginning for us,” Pifer said. “It’s a sign of improvement and it puts us in line to have a much better season.”

Pifer uses the Cooper Test, which requires athletes to run one-and-one-half miles in 12 minutes. This year he raised the standard and required his players to run an additional one-eighth of a mile in the 12 minutes.

The fitness run marked the beginning of a week of three-a-day practices for the Skyhawk soccer team.

“We practice at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. every day through Friday,” Pifer said. “We will use the first practice as a fitness session, the second session as a tactical and learning time, and in the third practice we will scrimmage.”

Pifer said the Skyhawks will face Western Kentucky in a preseason scrimmage set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24. The soccer team’s regular season opens with a home match at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, against the University of Louisville.

Track/Cross-country

The track/cross-country team will open its season with an appearance at the Memphis Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 31.

Information provided courtesy UTM Sports Information.