Spinnaker [Distributed: Wednesday, January 24, 2007]

With a chance to record its first win in the Atlantic Sun Conference this season, the University of North Florida men's basketball team fell short by three points.

The Ospreys took the visiting Stetson University Hatters to overtime Jan. 18 to start a competitive conference weekend.

North Florida stayed close to Stetson throughout the game and finished tied 50-50 at the end of regulation. Junior point guard Chris Timberlake made a running lay-up to force the game into overtime at the buzzer.

The Ospreys faltered at the free throw line during overtime however, making two of seven, a pattern they took from regulation.

The Ospreys made two 3-point shots out of seven attempts during the game, and recorded 41 percent of shooting for the game. The Hatters shot 37 percent from the game, but scored six more shots behind the arc than the Ospreys.

"All you can ask for is that guys keep trying and not give up," manager Evans Davis said. "Sometimes games will come down to the wire, and other times the game can let you down."

North Florida lost the game 63-60.

Junior center James Grimball led the Ospreys, scoring 18 points, while Timberlake scored his season high of 17 points.

The team played its second conference game of the weekend Jan. 20 against Mercer University. The Ospreys scored 17 points off turnovers and scored 10 fast break points for the game, only to lose 77-58.

Both Timberlake and Grimball continued to lead the team, as Grimball recorded his sixth double-double this season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Timberlake added to the Osprey offense with 18 points. The slow start to the game was one of several factors that contributed to the loss, including shooting 25 percent in the first half and making one 3-point shot out of eight attempts.

"They [Mercer University] had guys that could really contribute some solid minutes and we struggled with that," Davis said. "We just have to make sure that our guys contribute as much as they can."

The Ospreys will have another chance to win a conference game when they travel to North Carolina take on Campbell University Jan. 25 and Gardner-Webb University Jan. 27.

Regulations hinder senior year of competition

One collegiate athletic career may be over for a University of North Florida swimmer, as NCAA rules bring a halt to her final year in the pool.

Senior Monique Salles-Cunha is fighting against the odds - and the NCAA - to join her team one last time at the 2007 Pacific Coast Conference Meet. If the NCAA doesn't address her case in two weeks, she won't get past the Jacksonville airport.

The problem with the NCAA is that this is Salles-Cunha's sixth consecutive year on a college roster.

"College athletics is a time clock that begins the first day of your freshman year and continues for four years, five years at most," said Michele Bronner, the UNF compliance officer who is handling the case. "Salles-Cunha's five years are up, but she still hasn't gotten her four years in to compete."

The reason: Salles-Cunha did not swim for two years, due to a personal injury early in her career, a fact that is not recorded on the NCAA file.

If Salles-Cunha had suffered an injury such as a broken her leg or a torn ACL, the case would be much easier to present, said Bronner. Instead, the senior suffered from post-traumatic stress and depression during her freshman year at Duke University.

"My case is unique," Salles-Cunha said. "The NCAA doesn't normally deal with situations like this. They have rules written for physical injuries, not mental."

The division is cautious which athletes it gives six-year petitions to because it can be abused. The process includes a decision as to who was in control of their situations and who was not. Through 80 pages of documentation, Salles-Cunha hoped to show that she was unable to function in an ordinary way during her first "official" year on a college team.

When the process started eight months ago, Salles-Cunha thought she would have been cleared long before the end of the season.

"In the beginning, I expected that she would be swimming already," Bronner said. "I didn't think we'd have to fight so hard or so long."

At the 2006 Pacific Coast Conference Meet, Salles-Cunha led the team in the 100-yard and 200-yard breastroke events, finishing sixth and third, respectively. She also posted eight top-three finishes throughout the season. This year she has been able to practice with the team but not travel or compete - something she said has been disappointing.

If the ruling comes back negative, or too late, Salles-Cunha says she prefers cheering for her team from the bleachers rather than staying dry in Jacksonville.

"I would rather fly out to California and support the team at conference," she said.

But for now, the swimmer must wait for the ruling.

Team loses battle against A-sun conference foes

The University of North Florida women's basketball team lost its first road game of the week to East Tennessee State University Jan. 18, before losing 73-68 in a hard-fought overtime game against Kennesaw State University, Jan. 20.

East Tennessee State shot 53 percent from the field, including eight 3-point baskets, to outscore North Florida 87-48.

East Tennessee guard Sierra Evans, who went 3-3 from behind the three point line, obtained a double-double with a game high of 21 points and 12 rebounds. Teammate Michele Devault contributed 18 points to the game.

Sophomore guard Jennifer Bowen led the Ospreys in scoring with nine points, six rebounds and three steals, while freshman guard Shandrea Moore followed with eight points and five assists.

Bowen and senior guard Cecilia Woolfolk shared a team high in rebounds with six rebounds a piece. The Ospreys collected a total of 38 rebounds, including 16 on the offensive end, while ETSU recorded 43.

The East Tennessee State Bucs ended the first half with a 49-20 advantage. They continued the second half by increasing their lead to as many as 44 points before handing UNF their fourth loss in a row.

Freshmen Shennette Sheffield and Shaina Strozier each contributed six points, while on the defensive end Sheffield collected five rebounds and two steals. Freshmen Willonda Windham and Tiffany Williams also contributed with four points each.

After taking a fall to ETSU, the Ospreys came out energized against Kennesaw State.

Senior guard Denisia Andrews scored the first two UNF points with a jumper before assisting Woolfolk to complete a three-point shot, giving UNF a 7-1 advantage early on.

Kennesaw State kept the game close throughout the half, however, and was ahead 34-28 at halftime. The Ospreys opened the next half on an 8-2 scoring run to tie the scoreboard at 36.

The game continued and finished at a very close pace, leaving both teams tied 60-60 at the end of regulation.

In overtime, Kennesaw State put together a 9-0 run that the Ospreys were unable to recover from.

"We lost in overtime and missed big free throws down the stretch," said head coach Mary Tappmeyer. "We initially played good defense but Kennesaw State got 26 offensive rebounds. We need our guards to do a better job boxing out in the zone."

Bowen scored a team high 16 points and six rebounds while teammates Guldager and Andrews followed with 12 points each.

The Ospreys return to the nest Jan. 25 to host Mercer University at 7 p.m. and Stetson University Jan. 27 at 2 p.m.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

Excuse-proof your workout

Part 2 of a 3-part series on fitness

When it's time to exercise, most people can dream up countless reasons to skip. But the secret to boosting your fitness motivation for good is to dodge the inner escape artist for just a few months.

Here are some tips to sidestep seven common excuses.

Exercise excuse: It's boring!

Fitness fix: Doing anything over and over again, whether it's 20 minutes on the treadmill or eating the same breakfast every morning, is a recipe for monotony. But when you mix up your routine, you're more likely to enjoy it and stick with it. The key is to vary your workouts right from the start, rather than waiting until the boredom sets in.

Exercise excuse: I'm too busy!

Fitness fix: "No time" is a top reason people quit a fitness program. So schedule workouts just as you would lunch with a friend or a doctor's appointment. Every Sunday evening grab your calendar or PDA and block out 30 minutes each day of the upcoming week for workouts. If you truly can't squeeze in a half hour one day, plan to do 10-minute bursts at lunch.

Exercise excuse: I'm too tired to go to the gym.

Fitness fix: Many people think they're too worn out to work out, but research shows that exercise actually gives you energy by boosting circulation, elevating your heart rate and releasing feeling-good chemicals like serotonin.

Exercise excuse: I'm overweight or out of shape.

Fitness fix: It's natural to feel self-conscious in the gym if everyone else looks like they've stepped out of the pages of a magazine. Work out in the privacy of your home at first, until you feel more confident. Then tour different health clubs until you find one where you fit in.

Exercise excuse: I should be spending time with my friends.

Fitness fix: The easiest way to squeeze in a workout without sacrificing precious time with your friends is to exercise together. Develop a fitness schedule that includes a 30-minute walk or bike ride in between classes.

Exercise excuse: I'm clueless as to where to begin.

Fitness fix: With so many machines and classes, starting a workout program can be daunting. Sign up for two or three sessions with a personal trainer to get you going.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

Walls of fame

On-campus restaurant honors Osprey athletes

Students who have dined at WackadooÕs Grub and Brew may have noticed the walls are not just painted blue and gray. Instead, school spirit and a little history are shown through the pictures of those who have made their marks at the University of North Florida.

Team pictures, athletes in action, and Osprey notables have adorned the walls, tables and bar top since 1974, when the restaurant opened as a temporary service to a campus under construction.

Athletes who have received recognition and accolades vary with the history of the athletics program. The very first Osprey athletes competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, then the Peach Belt Conference, and now the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Recent graduate Dyann Busse is one such athlete featured in the restaurantÕs decor.

Busse participated in womenÕs basketball and softball during her four years as an Osprey, and currently has a framed tribute to her career.

ÒI think someone just told me that I was on the wall,Ó Busse said. ÒOne of my friends said ÔHey, I had lunch with you today! I ate lunch with you at WackadooÕs!ÕÓ

With numerous talented athletes at UNF, the decision to recognize certain athletes rests on the shoulders of WackadooÕs management and the athletic coaches.

ÒWe check with the coaches and decide whoÕs notable or worthy,Ó WackadooÕs manager Brian Woods said. ÒI get in contact with the athletes for pictures and information, and then we get it framed and up on the walls.Ó

Woods said he hopes fans notice the atmosphere created by the pictures, jerseys and old newspaper articles as they watch the games on the big screen. Some students and employees have expressed interest in specific athletes or teams already placed on the walls.

ÒWe do try to update once a year,Ó Woods said. ÒUnfortunately weÕre not able to redo them every semester because of costs. Any preferences from customers or employees usually do stay up even if theyÕre a couple years old.Ó

Now that the Ospreys are Division I and a student union is on the horizon, renovation updates to the memorabilia are in store.

ÒWe are planning on changing the concept,Ó Woods said. ÒAs far as the pictures and shrines go, weÕll probably take the ones that are still a tradition with us and then start on some new ones.Ó

Print Edition

SPORTS

Overtime hopes crushed by Stetson

Regulations hinder senior year of competition

Team loses battle against A-sun conference foes

Excuse-proof your workout

Part 2 of a 3-part series on fitness

Walls of fame

On-campus restaurant honors Osprey athletes

Sports in Brief

Volleyball coach resigns

Flight Schedule

Osprey Scoreboard