After a remarkable turn-around season for Matt Maloney, the UM Sophomore has decided to leave school to train for a career in the marathon.
Maloney, who is referred to as “Moose” by his teammates due to his relatively sizeable frame, capped off his 2002 season with a courageous race at the NCAA South Regional in Knoxville, Tennessee. His performance placed him fourth on Miami’s team, a career-best.
“The kid ran out of his gourd. He ran ridiculous,” the team’s top runner Matt Mulvaney said. “That was probably one of the gutsiest races I’ve ever seen.”
Maloney’s teammates could not believe the ferocious kick he unleashed in that race.
“We’ll all be able to see Moose’s kick from the NCAA South Regional when Fox airs their next episode of When Animals Attack,” freshman teammate Alex Brutvan joked.
But Maloney’s speed is no mystery. He began his collegiate career as a 400-meter runner, then joined the UM cross-country team last fall and consistently finished as the team’s number six runner, an astounding feat, considering the 8,000-meter races were much farther than what he was used to racing.
Now looking to jump up in distance again, Maloney will go from a 6.2-mile race, to the grueling 26.2-mile distance of the marathon.
“If you look at Moose’s season,” senior teammate Dan Boniface said, “his best races were on the most difficult courses we ran. That tells a lot about his heart. I think he’ll do well at the marathon distance.”
Maloney plans to debut in the marathon on May 25 in Burlington, Vermont.
“It’s hard to pick out a goal when you’re not really certain what you can do,” Maloney said. “But I would say I’m shooting for 2:45. And as always, I want to have fun doing it, no matter what my times are. A hard effort is what I’m looking for.”
But why would Maloney leave UM now, after proving he can be a solid performer in big races?
Maloney said that an extreme distaste for classes was one of the major contributing factors to his decision. However, he admits, he was never completely sold on the idea of college in the first place.
“It just always seemed that everyone I ever talked to in school not only felt they should go on to college, but that they had to,” Maloney said. “Even in speaking with guidance counselors I got the feeling you would be viewed as something of a failure if you didn’t take that next step.”
But Maloney did take that next step and wound up at UM, where he battled through his first year valiantly.
“I really started to dislike school, I would say more than I ever have which is saying something,” Maloney said. “Everyday was a struggle to go to school and then go and run in the evening. I remember waking up so many days and just thinking, ‘I hate my life.'”
Those closest to Maloney were surprised to even see him return to UM at all, following last spring.
“He really did not want to go back this year,” long-time friend Chris Hartmann said. “I tried to convince him to stay, because I was taking off the semester, myself and it seemed like that’s what he needed. But he just wouldn’t budge. He said he had to go back to redeem himself in cross-country. I don’t know; he must really love running.”
Maloney admits, he had unfinished business in cross-country.
“It really was the main, if not the only reason I returned,” Maloney said. “I just felt like I wanted to leave UM cross-country with a good taste in my mouth, so-to-speak”
Maloney put together an unbelievable summer of training in New Hampshire in preparation for the 2002 season, running a steady 60-plus miles per week.
But, a death to a close family member brought Maloney home for services, causing him to miss a race, and re-evaluate his life at UM. He had made his decision; he would leave UM and begin training in New Hampshire for the marathon.
“My family is a huge part it. I really feel like a lot of who I am is a product of New Hampshire. I just can’t imagine feeling so comfortable being anywhere else,” Maloney said.
Maloney will move on, and it’ll leave a difficult spot to fill on the UM cross-country team.
“We’re definitely going to need someone step up to fill in for him because he was definitely a key to our team this year,” Mulvaney said.
As for Maloney’s plans for formal education, he says he hasn’t completely given up on them, and plans to return to classes, possibly nearer to home, at some point.
“Even with all the things I dislike about UM, I have enjoyed some of the times I’ve had and the people I’ve met. There are ups and downs with every situation and this is no different,” Maloney said. “I will definitely be keeping in touch with the good friends I’ve made here.”

Former Parade All-American and University of Florida backup quarterback Brock Sterling Berlin asked for and received a release from head coach Steve Spurrier on December 12th, 2001. Coach Spurrier gave him a blessing to transfer to another school, rather than continue as a backup to Heisman runner-up, Rex Grossman.
On January 11th, 2002, Brock Berlin made the final decision to go south, down the freeway, and play for the National Champions, the Miami Hurricanes. He knew he would have to sit out the next year, but after that, he will then have two years of eligibility to play for the National Champions.
“I think just the biggest thing was opportunity,” Berlin stated. “Me and Rex were both in the same grade, neither of us took a redshirt year, but there was still a chance of him coming back next year, no body really knows what he’s going to do right now. The opportunity was there for me to put myself in the position to play for two years, which I wanted.”
Altering uniform colors from Orange and Blue to Orange and Green seems only a slight transition of one color, however it’s a transformation of heart as well. Changing squads in midst career is colossal enough, however Berlin left one rival to play for the other. In the beginning it was tough, his new teammates definitely gave him a hard time coming from Florida, however as time wore on, he was warmly welcomed to the family.
“It was definitely different playing against UF back in September. I was really glad we won that game though,” Berlin said. “I had really good friends on both sides of the ball, so it was unusual. I’m on a new team now; I’m with the Hurricanes, wearing the orange and green. You know, that’s just the way competition is.”
UM head coach Larry Coker was very supportive of the situation. He did not deceive Berlin in any way and make promises that he would not be able to keep. He told it like it was, and his approach was persuasive enough to acquire Berlin from the Gators.
“Coker was really great. I was always able to call him and talk to him,” Berlin said. “He was just super nice, and he just explained the whole situation to me. But I think a big thing too was that in high school Coker was also one of the guys who recruited me. I remembered him and the kind of guy he was.”
It was a huge transition, extreme to extreme for Brock Berlin. Playing as starting quarterback in the Orange Bowl for University of Florida against University of Maryland to conclude the 2001 season, then to watch from the sidelines and work with the UM scout team this season. However, he enjoyed practicing with young receivers and new offensive linemen.
“Oh it’s been fun. I’ve actually had a good time with it,” stated Berlin. “We’ve had a good chance to get to know each other, and see each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
It is always good for a player to have time under his belt observing a position that he is to play in the future. Pending the situation, Berlin was able to watch two-time candidate quarterback Ken Dorsey in action, while waiting in the wings for the 2003 season. He learned a lot, and especially making the transition from another squad, it was vital for him to learn how the ‘Canes do their thing.
“Our whole thinking is, as soon as this season is over, in another month, then we’ll be able to decide,” explained Hurricane Quarterbacks coach Dan Werner. “We’ll then begin working on that and start analyzing who’s going to be the quarterback. It’s going to be a long ways away. We’ve got all off season, all of spring football, all summer, all two-a-days, then probably a week before the 1st game we’ll figure out who’s going to be our next quarterback.”
Berlin has been thinking about next year more and more as the season comes to a close. However he keeps himself in check and realizes winning as a team comes first, and after the season he will have time to prove himself again to up his chances for the 2003 term.
“Yes, in the back of my mind I’m thinking about next year and getting excited about having the chance to play,” Berlin said. “The year has come to an end and it’s starting to get fun now. It’s been a while, I have just been kind of in the back, in the shadows watching everything, and running the scout team. But now I’m back in it, and I’m really excited to get into the competition again.”

You can reach Dana Strokovsky at Hoopg1rl6@aol.com.

Men’s Basketball

Earnest Crumbley scored 25 points and hit a school-record eight 3-pointers, as Florida Atlantic beat Miami for the first time Tuesday, 74-73 in overtime.
Miami’s James Jones, who led the Hurricanes with 19 points, missed the final shot in overtime to give FAU its first win in 16 tries against Miami.
The Owls (4-3) scored the first six points of overtime, and held Miami to 1-of-5 shooting from the field in the extra period.
Jeff Cowans scored 12 points and Nick Neumann added 10 for the Owls.
Darius Rice and Robert Hite each had 12 for Miami (3-1). Rice played only 25 minutes because of foul trouble.
The loss snapped Miami’s 27-game winning streak against teams from the state of Florida, dating back to 1992, as well as its 20-game regular-season winning streak against non-conference opponents.
Hite could have tied the game for Miami with 47 seconds left in overtime but missed the first of two free throws. The Hurricanes got their last chance by forcing a Crumbley turnover with eight seconds left, but Jones missed at the buzzer.
Crumbley scored the Owls’ final nine points of regulation, including a game tying 3-pointer with 44 seconds left. He was 8-of-15 from 3-point range in the game, while Miami missed all but two of its 17 tries from behind the arc.
UM Swimming
Several members of the University of Miami swimming team are competing in the US Open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Minneapolis, Minn. The competition began yesterday and resumes today and tomorrow.
Among those competing will be top Hurricanes Christine Williams (Trenton, NJ), Manon Van Rooijen (Westdorpe, Holland), Katalin Ferenczi (Pa’ Pa’, Hungary), and Megan Kinsella (Calgary, Canada).
Van Rooijen will participate in the 200-yard IM, the 100 freestyle and the 200 freestyle. Williams will race in sprint events including the 50, 100 and 200 free, while Ferenczi will compete in the 100 and 200 backstroke.
Kinsella will take to the lanes for the Hurricanes in the 100 and 200 free.

Led by freshman Sara Lowe’s 18 points, the Florida women’s basketball team (5-1) defeated the Miami Hurricanes 76-67 in a wire-to-wire game Tuesday night in the O’Connell Center. The Gators now have won eight consecutive games versus the Hurricanes (3-2) and extended their winning streak against instate opponents to 42 straight.
Florida’s freshmen continued to make huge contributions, as they combined for 56 points, 28 rebounds and 15 assists in the Gator victory. For the third time this season, a Gator freshman led the team in scoring as Lowe turned in a career-high offensive performance, in addition to adding nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Three other freshmen – Brittany Davis (13), Danielle Santos (13) and Bernice Mosby (10) – scored in double figures, as well. Vanessa Hayden led the upperclassmen with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Hayden also had seven blocked shots to up her streak of 52 consecutive games with a blocked shot.
Florida pounded the glass, as they out rebounded Miami 53-39. Hayden led the team with 11 rebounds. Santos came off the bench and grabbed eight boards. The Gators tallied 15 offensive rebounds, their third highest total this season.
“The biggest stat I was impressed with was the offensive rebounds Miami had,” UF head coach Carolyn Peck said. “That’s been a problem area for us this season and there was a focus there tonight. I was pleased with our effort limiting them to 10.”
In the opening half, the Gators missed their first seven shots and committed four quick turnovers as Miami opened with an 8-0 run. Bernice Mosby finally put the Gators on the board with a layup at 16:19 to start a 7-0 run. Lowe nailed a three-pointer to give Florida its first lead of the game, 12-10, with 13:55 left in the half. The Gator freshmen teamed up to score Florida’s first 20 points. Florida held Miami scoreless from the 3-point line until 3:33 remaining in the first half. That sparked a 13-2 Hurricane run to close out the first half. The Gators headed into the locker room down by five as Miami led 36-31.
Brittany Davis made a layup to give Florida its first lead of the second half at 46-45 with 12 minutes left in the game. UF went on a 10-1 run to take the lead 48-44. Florida maintained its lead in the second half. Davis nailed a three-point play to give the Gators a 64-59 lead over the Hurricanes. Danielle Santos sank a three-pointer to give Florida a 69-61 edge over Miami. UM canned six consecutive free throws to close the gap 69-67 with one minute remaining. Vanessa Hayden tipped in the ball with 36 seconds left in the game. The Hurricanes sent Santos to the line where she sealed the win with two free throws and gave the Gators a 73-67 lead. Florida took three more trips to the line to finish the game 76-67.
Miami freshman Tamara James led the Hurricanes with 17 points and six rebounds. Chanivia Broussard added 16 points, seven rebounds and five blocks in 18 minutes, while Yalonda McCormick tallied 10 points in the loss.

Information provided by the UM Sports Information Department.

Dear Hurricane Fans,

As we enter the last regular season game of this year, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your support throughout this 2002 campaign. Your unwavering enthusiasm for our student-athletes and coaches has been tremendous.
The eyes of the nation will be upon us on Saturday as ABC will carry the game live across the country. We -as student-athletes and coaches- and you -as Hurricane fans- have the opportunity on Saturday to represent the University of Miami and the South Florida community in the highest regard.
Let us use this moment to demonstrate good sportsmanship to our respected opponent, Virginia Tech, and their fans -especially those that will make their way to the Orange Bowl to enjoy the game.
Saturday will be especially unique for our senior student-athletes as they run through the smoke for their final game in the Orange Bowl. I speak for them when I thank you again for your continued support -you have made their experience a memorable one.
I invite you to join me on Saturday as we show the nation why it is great to be a Miami Hurricane.

Sincerely,
Larry Coker
Head Coach
University of Miami Football

They just won’t quit. The Hurricane volleyball team will once again take the court after splitting matches and finishing second in the conference at the Big East Tournament two weeks ago. An at-large bid has landed them in the NCAATournament for the first time ever, as they will take on Duke tonight in a first-round match up. The Blue Devils finished their season third in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Hurricane sophomore outside hitter Valeria Tipiana was named Big East Player of the Year, while sophomore setter Mallorey James was given Big East Setter of the Year honors. Tipiana led the Hurricanes in hitting percentage, with .336. James was first in assists (13.53 per game). Both were named to the All-Big East First Team, along with Senior Marcela Gamarra.
Miami (25-5 overall, 10-3 in the Big East) advanced to the second round of the Big East tournament after defeating Virginia Tech 3-2 on November 23, but were shut down by Notre Dame 3-1 in the second round.
“[Beating Notre Dame at home] was such a good win, and that’s what put us in the Big East Championships,” said sophomore Jamie Grass. “So when we lost [at the tournament] I think it was hard because we had already beaten them, and we knew we could beat them again.”
This weekend’s tournament will christen the first ever meeting between Miami and Duke (24-9 overall, 11-5 in the ACC). The Devils faced a parallel situation to the ‘Canes’ in their conference, claiming a victory over Maryland in the first round of the ACC Tournament and then losing to Georgia Tech in the semi-finals.
Duke is sixth in the ACC with a hitting percentage of .232, fifth in assists (13.74 per game), second in service aces (1.67 per game), and fourth in kills (15.47 per game). On the defensive front they take number three in blocks (2.52 per game) and number two in digs (17.60 per game). Senior outside hitter Jill Sonne led the conference in service aces with .52 per game.
“They don’t do anything out of the ordinary that we haven’t seen against all the teams we’ve played this year,” said UM head coach Nicole Welch. “It’s pretty much just tuning up our play and worrying about Miami volleyball.”
Miami is on top of the Big East in assists (14.83 per game) and kills (16.45 per game). They placed second in hitting percentage (.261) and fifth in service aces with 1.55 per game. Defensively, the ‘Canes are fourth in blocks (2.5 per game) but are less impressive with their digs (16.28 per game), which left them in eighth place in that category. James leads the Big East in assists.
In the tournament win over Virginia Tech, Tipiana had 21 kills and 61 total attacks. Gamarra had the high hitting percentage (.349), while Grass posted an impressive 40 digs.
With a win over Duke, the ‘Canes will face the victor of Wisconsin vs. Alabama A+M. The Badgers are seeded 14th and host the four team tournament in Madison.
“There’s definitely a strong energy right now,” said Welch. “The players…are preparing to go to the tournament and win.”
Tonight’s match will mark Duke’s third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and their 10th of all time. The Blue Devils are 5-9 in all-time matches at the Tourney. UM faces them at five o’clock in Madison, Wisconsin.

You can reach Melissa Teich at melissateich@hotmail.com.

1. The University of Miami
2. Ohio State
3. Iowa
4. Georgia
5. USC
6. Kansas State
7. Washington State
8. Oklahoma
9. Texas
10. Penn State
11. Notre Dame
12. Michigan
13. Colorado
14. Alabama
15. West Virginia
16. NC State
17. Florida State
18. Virginia Tech
19. Boise State
20. Florida
21. Maryland
22. Arkansas
23. Auburn
24. Colorado State
25. Pittsburgh

Ask anyone associated with the University of Miami, and they would tell you their most vivid memory of the 2001 season of course has something to do with the Hurricanes winning the Rose Bowl and the national championship. However, if it were not for a dropped two-point conversion, those memories might have only been classified as fantasies.
The drop came from Virginia Tech wide receiver Ernest Wilford in the back corner of the end zone, allowing Miami to preserve their 26-24 victory in Blacksburg to close out the regular season at 11-0. Wilford and the Hokies return to face the green and orange tomorrow afternoon at the Orange Bowl, looking for a chance to perhaps ruin Miami’s chances at a second straight undefeated regular season. The Hokies snapped their three game skid last Saturday with a win over Virginia, and look to thrive off the victory against their state rivals.
“Nothing will make them happier than spoiling our season,” said offensive lineman Brett Romberg. “Virginia Tech is going to bring a ball game like they do every year.”
This year’s contest marks a striking resemblance to the setting before last year’s match up in Blacksburg. While the Hurricanes reeled off 10 consecutive victories and held the No. 1 ranking in both polls for much of the season, Virginia Tech went on a tailspin after a strong start, thanks to injuries to some key players. Head Coach Larry Coker is quick to point out that the Hokies have experienced a similar situation this year.
“They [Va. Tech] may have been the best team in the country earlier in the season before injuries to a few players,” Coker said. “They are starting to get some of those players back.”
One of those players, sophomore running back Kevin Jones, returned to full power against Virginia and together with senior Lee Suggs, gives Miami’s run defense their most challenging assignment of the season. Suggs and Jones have combined for 2,035 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2002, while averaging nearly 170 rushing yards a game between them.
“They are probably the best 1-2 tandem of running backs in the country. They use them very well and are going to present a tremendous challenge to us.”
The Hurricanes offensive line awaits an equally tough assignment trying to open holes for Willis McGahee and company against a surprisingly strong Hokie front four. Virginia Tech’s defensive line may be young, but that doesn’t detract from their effective play, as they have allowed just 101 yards on average. In addition, Romberg says that Miami must adjust to some of the Hokies unconventional defensive schemes.
“They pack a lot in the box and move around a lot,” Romberg said. “Their defense is based on confusion and last year, in the first quarter, we didn’t know what was going on as an offensive line.
While the Hokies rushing attack has been atop the Big East over the past couple years, and their defensive line has constantly frustrated opposing offenses, Virginia Tech special teams continue to be the pinnacle of the program. Appropriately named after head coach Frank Beamer, “Beamerball” has been responsible for 97 blocked kicks over Beamer’s 16-year tenure with Virginia Tech. This year, the Hokies have blocked seven kicks while recording three special team’s touchdowns.
Coker is well aware that a Hokies special teams play could change the face of the game, although he will not let that aspect dictate Miami’s preparation for tomorrow’s contest.
“We are going to work extremely hard on special teams, but I’m not sure that we’ll be doing much really different. We’d like to think that we make some plays on special teams as well and that they will be putting in a little extra work for us.”
Meanwhile, tomorrow marks the final regular season game for 19 Miami seniors, including the team’s two offensive leaders, Ken Dorsey and Brett Romberg, both whom have significantly increased their play during the stretch run. Dorsey comes off a 345-yard performance against Syracuse that might have vaulted him to the top of the Heisman leader board, while Romberg was named a finalist for the Rimington trophy. The Hurricanes center is uncertain what his emotions will be coming out of the Orange Bowl tunnel for the final time.
“I can’t really say what my reaction will be, but I got a little emotional watching Joaquin [Gonzalez] last year,” Romberg said. “You have a lot of pride in what you do around, putting so much into this program and everybody appreciates what you do around here. It’s a great moment.”
Miami remained the No. 1 team in all three major polls including the BCS this week, and a win assures them a spot in the national championship Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State. The first step towards getting there, as Coker will tell you, is not overlooking the Hokies.
“It’s kind of natural to want to think ahead,” Coker said. “The thing we need to do is get back to reality. We don’t have anything guaranteed beyond having the opportunity to beat Virginia Tech.”
“We are in great position but we can’t look ahead. We need to just play the game and take it one play at a time.”

You can reach Jeremy Marks-Peltz at jmp310@hotmail.com.