Sophomore cross-country runner Melanie Schultz is steering the Hurricanes in the right direction. During her career at UM, Schultz has learned that following a lead is a necessary step in becoming a leader.
Schultz began her career by running road races during the summer months in her hometown of Davison, Michigan. A small mistake during one of them turned out to helpful for her training.
“I started doing a 5k and it ended up being a half-marathon,” Schultz said. “We were in the wrong race.”
Now training at 50 to 60 miles per week, Schultz has turned the clock forward, the temperature higher, and the mileage up. She contends that while the South Florida humidity doesn’t affect her running capabilities, the urban environment can be a challenge.
“Up [in Michigan] you can run on the same road for 15 miles,” Schultz said, “but here you have to stop every three minutes and the sidewalks tear your shins up.”
Schultz’s grandfather is credited with her initial interest in the sport, which she observed at a very young age.
“I always wanted to run,” Schultz said. “My grandfather…used to run in a lot of road races, so when I was little I’d go watch that and I just kind of picked it up.”
Schultz has never experienced any lack of encouragement from her family. In fact, they keep her going.
“My mom and grandparents, they’re the best,” Schultz said. “They’re behind everything I do. They think it’s wonderful.”
Schultz’s experience running for Davison High School was a positive one. The family atmosphere of the team helped keep her motivated and satiated through the late autumn cold snaps in Michigan. Her coaches made a point to let their team know that cross country wasn’t just about the clock.
“My coach in high school cared so much about us,” Schultz said. “One coach would make us breakfast, the other would have a spaghetti dinner. My teammates were my best friends.”
Schultz contemplated attending the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, where she would have been able to balance running and studying marine science. Ultimately, however, she decided that her career goals were more important. UM’s renowned marine science program, coupled with its location, won her over.
“I’ve always had an interest in it,” Schultz said, adding that she wished she could be closer to the ocean while growing up in the Midwest.
Schultz left her comfortable life in Michigan and tried her hand (and feet) in the Magic City. Running, ironically, fell into her lap after she arrived.
“Coming here I said there’s no way I’ll ever play on any team,” She said.
But soon after Schultz’s arrival, Hurricane shot-putter Megan Cobbs (also a Michigan native) accidentally stumbled upon her talent and urged her to pursue it.
“She happened to ask my mom if I ran because she saw me in the Wellness Center running like crazy on the treadmill,” Schultz said. “She got me in touch with Coach [Amy] Deem.”
It didn’t take long for Schultz to become a division one athlete. She says any and every thought races through her mind while she runs the long-distance races.
“[I think about] everything under the sun. The first mile I’m able to keep myself in control, but once I start getting a little less oxygen, I just think of crazy things,” She said. “I’ve thought up some weird recipes while running. I’ve got plenty of time to think.”
Daydreaming doesn’t appear to hinder Schultz’s performance. She came in first place in both the Sailfish Invitational in late August and the Florida International Invitational earlier this month. She led the ‘Canes to an overall second finish in both races. She completed the FIU Invitational’s 5,000-meter course at Tamiami Park in 18:59.59.
Schultz is preparing for higher levels of competition at the Disney Invitational in Orlando on October 11. She is thankful for every opportunity she gets as a competitor for the Hurricanes.
“I’m just glad I’m here running,” Schultz said.

A coach always enjoys having experienced veterans to rely on for leadership. Head Coach Bryan Getz is looking to sophomore Eric Hechtman to assume this role.
Hechtman earned 22 wins as a freshman and posted a 15-4 record in doubles play.
Sitting on top of the Big East at the end of last year was great for the team, but Hechtman has personal goals as well.
“I’d like to get to the NCAA championships at the end of the season,” Hechtman said.
Hechtman learned a lot of valuable things as a freshman that he hopes to put to use in the 2003 campaign.
“You just have to stay mentally tough the whole time,” Hechtman said. “And of course pull for your team.”
The men’s tennis team has one of the longer seasons of any program at UM. The squad only has two months off in between the fall and spring seasons. Hechtman has to keep that in the back of his mind all the time.
“It’s real tough because there’s no real off-season in tennis,” Hechtman said. “You just have to stay really tough out there all year”
A native of Miami, Hechtman attended Sunset Senior High, where he led his team to three state championships in four years as the team captain. He also was given All-Dade County honors in each of his four years. When he was 18, he was ranked No. 28 in the country by the USTA.
The physics major considers one of the greatest tennis players in history as his idol.
“Pete Sampras is my favorite player because he’s just the most talented,” Hechtman said.
As far as this year’s squad goes, Hechtman thinks that they have the talent to duplicate last season’s success.
“So far we’ve got a limited amount of players,” Hechtman said. “But we’ve all got a lot of heart so we’ll be able to pull it together and do well.”
Hechtman’s choice of UM was made easy for a couple of reasons. The obvious being that he is a Miami native and the other is that his uncle is an orthopedic surgeon for the school.
“There were some other schools after me, but I felt that Miami was really the place for me,” Hechtman said. “Good weather, close to home, and the girls all made it easy to choose.’
Hechtman is all about being a team player.
“I don’t really have a greatest moment in my career,” Hechtman said. “For me, when our team goes out there and wins a match, it’s a great moment.”
Hechtman has the utmost respect for his coach Bryan Getz.
“I thought he did an excellent job as an assistant and I’m sure he’ll do the same as the head coach,” Hechtman said.
The ‘Canes opened up the season this past weekend at the UM Fall Classic. On Friday, Hechtman won his No.1 singles match 6-4, 6-3. On Saturday and Sunday he won his No. 2 doubles matches while paired with Josh Cohen.
The ‘Canes will return to action this weekend at the Florida Invitational in Gainesville.

Intramural Reminders

Cane Craze is just around the corner and it is an ALL-NIGHTER this year! Be sure to sign up for this co-rec event by TODAY at NOON at the Wellness Center. Also, don’t forget to sign up for Volleyball, Innertube Water Polo and the Slam Jam 3-3 Basketball Tournament by next Friday!

Intramural Scores

Flag Football

Bite Me – 7
Suck It – 6

Dem Cats – 19
Krusty – 6

Regulators – 26
Windward Wildcats – 6

Ballin Boyz – 30
RT 8 Balls – 29

Get Lucky – 26
Scrubs – Women – 0

Surgeons – Women – 24
Tenacity – 0

Boobelikin Again – 34
Scrubs – Men – 0

Juvenile – 25
Macro-orchidism – 0

Sigma Phi Epsilon – 21
Lambda Chi Alpha – 0

Pi Kappa Alpha – 20
Alpha Sigma Phi – 0

Kappa Sigma – 13
Sigma Alpha Epsilon – 0

Sigma Alpha Mu – 13
Sigma Chi – 6

DPT 1 – 19
Springs Boys – 12

$$$ – 13
Sizzle this Dizzle – 6

Animal House – 26
Team Subway – 7

Wahine – 30
PT Players 2006 – 0

Pigskin Pussycats – 40
Walsh 9’ers – 0

The Camel Toes – 40
Tea Bags – 0

Disasters – 20
Scented Tony Danzas – 0

R.D.’s – 13
Booty Jackers – 6

Bozak – 6
Miami Hurrigangsters – 0

3L Scrubs – 19
GBSA – 0

Delta Phi Epsilon – 26
Delta Delta Delta – 0

Da Kine – 26
Scrubs – Corec – 19

Scrubs – Corec – 28
College Republicans – 0

Spirals – 34
MS 3 – 0

Air Show – 31
Wasps – 0

Legal Beagles – 20
Team Highlight – 0

Wasps – 32
Team Highlight – 18

Dirty – 18
Air Show – 6

Shock & Aww – 20
The Department – 14

Old School – 28
The Agents – 6

Shock & Aww – 26
The Agents – 6

JSO – 31
Phi Alpha Delta – 6

Push, Shove, Score – 7
The Simpsons – 0

Push, Shove, Score – 27
Phi Alpha Delta – 0

JSO – 12
Biohazard – 0

Freaks of the Industry – 18
Mike Ditka vs. Hurricane Ditka – 0

He Hate Me – 27
Team Law – Men – 6

He Hate Me – 31
Freaks of the Industry – 12

Fully Staffed – 20
Mike Ditka vs. Hurricane Ditka – 0

Penthouse Pimps – 31
Tri Beers – 0

Boss Players – 19
Studz – 0

Boss Players – 19
Penthouse Pimps – 18

Studz – 33
Tri Beers – 0

Blow Out – 33
Reginators – 0

King of Beers – 18
Reginators – 0

Floor Hockey:
Puckheads – 1
Scrubs – 0

Sunday Evening Chinese – 1
Icing on the Cake – 0

Animal House – 1
Free Agents – 0

District 5 Hawks – 2
Mother Puckers – 1

Sigma Phi Epsilon – 1
Pi Kappa Alpha – 0

Zeta Beta Tau – 6
Lambda Chi Alpha – 0

Team Billiards Playoffs:
Ball Scratchers – 3
The Immigrants – 0

Bankshot – 3
Animal House – 0

Kappa Sigma – 2
Sigma Alpha Epsilon – 1

Pre-Season Flag Football Champions:

Soo Tough defeated Pi Kappa Alpha 6-0
They have earned the entry into the Regional Flag Football Tournament in Gainesville called the Swamp Bowl on October 24-26.

Volleyball
The University of Miami volleyball team knocked off cross-town rival Florida International, 3-0 on Tuesday night at the Knight Sports Complex.
The Hurricanes (10-4) re-gained the inner-city bragging rights by overpowering FIU (8-4), out hitting the Panthers .259 to .071, the second lowest hitting percentage by a Hurricane opponent this season, to sweep the match in three games.
“I thought it was a great overall team effort,” Head Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch said. “Jamie Grass had an excellent match, both passing and on the defensive side. Jill Robinson set the best match we’ve seen so far this season. We clicked as a team. We were hungry for the win and got after it from start to finish.”
The Hurricanes rolled through the first game, taking FIU, 30-24 on a game-winning kill by junior Valeria Tipiana on an assist by Robinson.
The Panthers refocused to give Miami a run the second game, jumping out to an early lead. The Hurricanes tied the game up at 10-10 on a kill shot by sophomore Robin Lewullis. From that point on the two teams would swap the lead seven times before Miami would edge out the Panthers, 30-24 on kill by Lewullis to take a two-game lead into the third frame.
The Hurricanes used the momentum to take a 13-5 lead on FIU in the third game before going on a 6-2 run to lead the Panthers 19-7. Miami would not look back, leading by as much as 14 at 29-15. Miami would seal the game, 30-16 and the match on junior Elizabeth Tyson ninth kill of the match.
Senior Leyre Santaella Sante teamed with Tipiana for 10 kills each. Jill Robinson had match-high 37 assists for the Hurricanes and Grass collected 13 digs in the win. Lewullis paced Miami with a .400 hitting percentage with eight kills on 15 attempts.
FIU’s Jennifer Owens led all players with 11 kills.
The Hurricanes will open Big East play this weekend, traveling to New Jersey to take on Seton Hall on Sept. 27 and Rutgers on Sept. 28.

Golf
University of Miami junior Tina Miller is ranked fourth in the nation, and Hurricane Women’s Golf Team ranks No. 7 in the nation in the season opening Collegiate Golf poll released Sunday evening by Golfweek.com.
Miller, the defending Big East Champion, opened the 2003-04 season with a victory at the Cougar Classic in Charleston, SC earlier this week. Miller was the only woman in red numbers posting a two-under-par 214 to record her third career victory.
As a team the Hurricanes finished third posting a three-round total of 897 to finish behind fourth-ranked Notre Dame and sixth-ranked Furman.
Also ranked among the top-100 golfers in the nation is UM freshman Tiffany Prats. Prats finished tied for 21st at the Cougar Classic, her first collegiate tournament, with a score of 228.
Miami returns to action October 3-5 at the Lady Kat Invitational in Lexington, KY.

Coming into the season, the biggest question mark on the women’s soccer team was goaltending. Freshman Alex Alford has helped alleviate those concerns.
Alford, an Atlanta native, has compiled a 5-4 record with a 1.66 goals against average through her first nine games. Alford has stabilized the goaltending position so much that it has become one of the strengths of the team.
“It’s very exciting to come in and have such an experienced back line,” Alford said. “I was very nervous at first to go in and play, being a freshman from the beginning, but they helped me through it and got me to the level I need to be at.”
Alford’s success should come as no surprise to anyone associated with the team. In high school, Alford’s team won back-to-back AAA State Championships in her junior and senior seasons. During that stretch, Alford allowed just 18 goals in 47 matches, and accumulated a combined record of 38-6-3 in those two seasons. In her senior season, Alford was named the AJC All-State Player of the Year for the state of Georgia. Her high school success led her to South Florida as a member of the Hurricanes.
“I’m so glad to be a part of the team here, and to play a division one sport.” Alford said. “It is such a great experience and everyday when we come out and play, I’m so thankful and blessed for the opportunity to play for the awesome coaches and players here.”
Alford has the perfect mentality for a goaltender, being confident and outgoing, striving for nothing short of victory.
“You don’t always get all the glory as a goalie and it’s a lot of work but you are there supporting your team and just try to be a leader for the team,” Alford said.
Alford’s first experience in soccer came in a recreational league when her dad put her in as the goalie. Even as an eight-year-old, Alford showed what she could do between the posts.
“My dad put me in at goalie when I used to play when I was a little kid,” Alford said. “I remember I played in my friend’s soccer game once and they put me in goal and I made some good saves and I got really excited about that.”
It has always been a dream of Alford’s to play in the NCAA Tournament. With a talented and young team, Alford should be able to reach this goal sooner rather than later.
“I want to make the NCAA Tournament, it has always been a dream of mine to play in that and to do well,” Alford said.
This season has been a different experience so far for Alford. Coming from a high school that won state championships, the team’s slow start is a bit unfamiliar.
“I strive to do my best and I won’t settle for average, I want to be the best that I can be and do the best that I can for the team,” Alford said.

From C-A-N-E-S to P-I-K-E-S. Chris Myers, Eric Winston, and Joel Rodriguez have opted to widen their horizons and add another element to their college experience.
Between the times spent together for games, practices, meetings, and workouts, an everlasting unspoken bond is formed within a football team. However, football player or not, the curiosity of a typical college student prevails sometimes.
“Pledging Pike is an opportunity for us to try something new,” Rodriguez said. “Chris and I been here for four years, and have been occupied with football. Even though we go out and mingle with others in The Grove, it’ll be nice to see what the other side of college life has to offer.”
“For football, the silent agreement is that anyone has anyone’s back,” Myers said. “We’ll do anything for each other, like brothers. Hopefully Pike is the same way.”
In each of the last four seasons, the Hurricanes’ offensive line has produced one or more first-team All-Americans. Myers, a junior, is a returning starter for the ‘Canes at right guard. Rodriguez, also a junior, has replaced Brett Romberg at center this season. Winston, a sophomore, moved up to 290 lbs to switch from tight end to the offensive line.
As important parts of the offense, one must wonder if they have time for anything but football. With regulation under the appropriate supervision, they are able to balance their schedule.
“There are the athletes, the regular students, and the Greek life,” Myers said. “Everyone interacts when they go out, but for the most part each group stays to themselves. I just thought this would be something new to try while I’m still in college, something I won’t be able to experience when I leave.”
The Preamble of Pi Kappa Alpha states: “We believe in the importance of virtue and commit to living the values of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. We recognize that truth is the foundation of all lasting association, and we will seek wisdom and knowledge while serving others in modesty and dignity.”
In ways, there are many similarities between the camaraderie of a football team and the bonds of brotherhood. In different forms, both organizations push the members to be strong in mind and body. Some students, when beginning at a university, are tempted to explore Greek life. Winston, Rodriguez, and Myers chose another path at first, but were not closed minded to the option when it surfaced.
“Eric is 2 years younger than Joel and I,” Myers said. “So he’s still trying out new things. We are probably the closest with him on the team, and he told us he was thinking about pledging. One of the equipment managers is actually the President of Pike, so he approached us with the offer. We talked about it, and met with some of the guys in the fraternity. They just seemed pretty cool so we thought, why not?”
“Pledging is normally very time consuming,” Rodriguez said, “but it helps that the President is involved with our team, as well as understands the fact that football comes first. We don’t have as much time as the typical student has to pledge, so they will take that into consideration.”
The guys seem to be getting the best of both worlds. They do not need to sacrifice what they love, football, yet are offered the chance to meet new people and balance a new social experience into their schedules.
“I never thought I’d have the time,” Myers said. “Then I realized I can work it into my schedule. Basically we’ve already experienced a lot in college. My sister is in a sorority, and Greek life is just something I haven’t experienced. Maybe we will meet people that we will know for the rest of our lives, or people that can help us down the road.”
The players will find out who their big brothers are this week.
“Some of the guys on the team were shocked that we decided to do this,” Myers said. “Hopefully we are opening new doors for the team at the same time. We get a few wise cracks because it’s just out of the ordinary. It should be something new and exciting for all three of us that we are all looking forward to.”

The women’s volleyball team emerged victorious in the battle of the Magic City as they defeated Florida International 3-0 Tuesday night at the Knight Sports Complex.
The match came on the heels of a semi-successful Florida State Tournament. The ‘Canes swept Jacksonville and handed Eastern Kentucky a 3-2 loss, but suffered a defeat at the hands of the host Seminoles Friday night, 3-1.
“We used [the loss to FSU] in the right way because we came back and had our best match against Jacksonville the following day, and topped that with an even better one tonight,” Head Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch said. “We weren’t clicking on all cylinders, and we’re hungry to get better now. I think we’ve taken [the loss] in a good light and it’s just helping us to improve.”

In the first game against FIU, junior libero Jamie Grass had five digs and freshman setter Jill Robinson managed 14 assists. A Valeria Tipiana kill opened the match for the ‘Canes. When FIU started to battle back with a Julie Doan serve, Miami fought to regain the momentum and kept it for the rest of match. Freshman middle blocker Francheska Savage had a game-high four kills. It was all downhill for FIU after a Biz Tyson ace gave the ‘Canes a comfortable lead, and they came out on top 30-24.
The ‘Canes had a tougher time pulling out the victory in game two. FIU’s Adriana Fundora widened the Panthers’ lead to 6-2 before her team began making several crucial mistakes that yielded a few critical Hurricane points. A Robin Lewullis kill tied the game at 10. The ‘Canes took the lead after a Leyre Santaella Sante kill, but struggled to hold onto it for the duration of the game. The lead seesawed back and forth until a Tyson kill put the ‘Canes ahead 27-26. An FIU net violation, another Tyson shot, and a Lewullis kill iced the game for Miami, 30-28.
Robinson posted an impressive 25 assists, while Tipiana had the game-high 7 kills.

“We were doing pretty good in game one, and then we just got a little too comfortable,” Lantagne Welch said. “[But] we talked about that on the break and kicked it into gear for game three.”
The ‘Canes appeared to awake from their slumber as they cruised to a sizable lead early in the game. A combination of Santaella Sante and sophomore middle blocker Karla Johnson’s kills and blocks shut the Panther defense down to put the ‘Canes out in front 20-9. After a short time out FIU began to come roaring back but the ‘Canes wouldn’t have it for long. A save by Robinson (who had 37 assists) led to a Miami point, and another Tyson kill finished off UM’s cross-town rival 30-16.
“You know when it’s a perfect set, you can see the blocks your teammates are dropping to you and it’s the best feeling in the world ’cause you know you’re going to kill it,” Tyson said. “And when you do it’s just great-you celebrate with your team and it’s an awesome feeling.”
Robinson finished the match with 37 assists. Santaella Sante and Tipiana tied with 10 kills and 24 total attacks each, and Grass added 13 digs. Lewullis had the team-high attacking percentage (.400). Tipiana and Tyson each totaled two service aces.

“I felt really confident tonight in our team; FIU’s always a big rival for us and we were really excited,” Tyson said. “It’s just a lot of fun to come out here and play your best.”
“FIU always battles us and they’re never going to go away,” Lantagne said. “It really all started with our passing…I thought Jill [Robinson] set the best match of her career.”
The match was a big boost for Robinson’s young career.
“I was really pumped up the whole time…our whole team was,” Robinson said. “It was fun to play during the game. It’s just a big adrenaline rush.”
The Hurricanes continue Big East play tomorrow at Seton Hall and Sunday at Rutgers.

Melissa Teich can be reached at melissateich@hotmail.com