The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 25

CollegesD2 HockeyD4 High SchoolsD5 ScoreboardD6 NBAD7-8 The Indianapolis Star www.lndyStar.com Tuesday, February 5, 2002 Section InfoLine: 624-INFO (4636) NCAA puts on mock college basketball tournament drawD2 IOC rips Athens' preparations for 2004D3 dor I III mi i rA? i ank MM Sft WjdWfc rV mum 7 -A- Pacers welcome upcoming All-Star break, during which they will try to get healthy for season's playoff run. Today's game Dario Franchitti won last season's CART race in Paul Tracy has competed in four Indy 500s with a best finish of 20th. Who: Pacers vs. Dallas (33-14) Tip-off: 8 p.m. TV: Fox Sports Net mm Out of the line-; up? Jermaine O'Neal goes up to shoot against the de fense of Wasrf ington's Jahid White.

O'NeaiV later left the game Sunday with a sprained ankle. He has missed several games this season with various injuries. Radio: WIBC-1070 AM Regardless, the Pacers are grateful for some time off. "The break's coming at a great time," coach Isiah Thomas said. "We need healthy bodies and healthy minds.

Physically we're worn down and mentally we could use some rest also." The Pacers appeared to be hitting stride in their previous meeting with the Mavericks. They played as well as they have all season In the second quarter and over the first nine minutes of the third, building a 15-point lead. But a fourth-quarter collapse In which they were outscored 39-23 led to a defeat that initiated a five-game losing streak. O'Neal suffered a hyperextended left knee in the game following the loss at Dallas and missed four games. In his first game back, at Boston, Harrington was lost with a torn anterior cruciate ligament In his right knee.

O'Neal's absence wouldn't bode well for the Pacers in tonight's game or any others. They are 1-6 See O'Neal, Page 07 By Mark Montieth mark.montiethindystar.com It was just three weeks ago, but now it seems like a distant era for the Indiana Pacers. Heading into their game at Dallas on Jan. 12, they were 21-16 and challenging Milwaukee for the Central Division lead. They had won three of their previous four games, with the only loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, and were as healthy as an NBA team can hope to be midway through the season.

Tonight, when they face the Mavericks again at Conseco Field-house, the Pacers can only hope that fleeting moment doesn't turn out to be the zenith of their season. They're 25-24, have lost Al Harrington for the season, and might lose Jermaine O'Neal for a third time. O'Neal, who suffered a sprained left ankle in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss at Washington, said Monday he's uncertain if he'll play ST Franchitti, Tracy get rides for Indy 500 CARTs Team Green will bring its entire operation for the veteran drivers in this year's race. tonight, and might have to sit out Sunday's All-Star game in Philadelphia as well. "If I can't Jog or run by (today) I'm not going to play," O'Neal said.

"If I can't jog or run by Thursday I'm not going to play in Philly." O'Neal said he will undergo treatment twice a day through Thursday in an attempt to recover for the All-Star game. If he's not ready to play by then, he said he prefers to stay in Indianapolis and prepare for the Pacers' first game after the break, against Utah a week from today. Stephen J. Boitano Associated Press Back home again in Indiana WINTER GAMES mraAi, won be same for Recker Feb. 8-24 Salt Lake CUy, Utah Short-track speedskater Ohno has had tough journey By David Woods david.woods indystar.com SALT LAKE CITY Apolo Anton Ohno has been cast as an anuhero of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

He is supposed to be the antithesis of Midwestern wholesome-ness associated with speedskaters, an Games adaptation. It all depends on your all-Ameri- 'A fju -j i. ZH 't-K-- hJ IU basketball withwithout Recker Luke Recker played his first two seasons of college basketball at Indiana, before transferring to Arizona, and then finishing his career at Iowa. Here's a look at IU basketball with Recker, and how the Hoosiers have fared without him. With Recker overall, 9-7 Big Ten 1998-99: 23-11 overall, 9-7 Big Ten Totals: 43-23 18-14 (.563) Without Recker 1999-00: 20-9 overall, 10-6 Big Ten 2000-01: 21-13 overall, 10-6 Big Ten 2001-02: 14-7 overall, 7-2 Big Ten Totals 55-29 27-14 (.659) can ideal.

An immigrant's son grows up without wealth, escapes from undesirable elements, discovers his passion and rises to the top of the world. Some A I -i By Steve Ballard steve.ballardindystar.com The 2002 Indianapolis 500 gained two more quality entrants Monday when team owner Barry Green announced plans to field cars for Paul Tracy and Dario Franchitti. Green, who won the 1995 Indy 500 with driver Jacques Villeneuve, returned last year for the first time since with driver Michael Andretti and support help from the Indy Racing League's Panther Racing. But his effort this year will be with his Championship Auto Racing Teams operation, including chief sponsor Brown Williamson, which is funding the program although it will be prohibited by a tobacco settlement with states attorneys general from putting its Kool brand on the cars. Green expects his Chevrolet-powered Dallaras to carry the customary green and white Team Green colors and said the fact that Brown Williamson pondered a jump to the IRL during the off-season was not a factor.

"Don't read too much into that," he said. The fact is they support what we do and the schedule makes it possible for us to do it right this year." Green said he felt guilty last year leaving Tracy and Franchitti behind. He plans to have three cars this May, but the deal for Andretti has yet to be completed. Tracy, a four-time starter returning to Indy for the first time in seven years, said he was forced to turn down an offer from rival CART team owner Chip Ganassi last year because details couldn't be worked out. "I'm excited.

When the (CART-IRL) split happened, I Wasn't so interested, but now there's so much crossover, I feel like I'll be competing against the best guys," he said. "There's going to be some good teams not qualify. It's going to be tough just to get in." Besides the IRL regulars, which now include Roger Penske's defending Indy 500 champions, the field will have a strong CART presence, including 2000 winner Ganassi (the car was driven by Juan Montoya) and Team Rahal (with driver Jimmy Vasser) for the first time since '95. Franchitti will be making his Indy 500 debut. The Scotsman's lone lap of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway came during a visit last year in the backseat of a street car.

"It's a big place," he said. Call Steve Ballard at 1-317-444-6184. rv A Charlie Neibergall Associated Press Friends now foes: Iowa's Luke Recker (left) and Indiana's Dane Fife were roommates during Recker's time at IU. would say he Apolo Anton Oh-; embodies the no used to hang American dream. That's a lot to Out With Who he lay at the feet of now calls "gang1, a 19-year-old.

Dan9ere- Yet Ohno stays on his feet better than anyone in the roller-derby, sport of short track. He survived an unconventiona) upbringing as the latchkey son of a Japanese-born single father. He en dured disappointment so profound that he spent a week alone broodj ing in a remote cabin. He was at the center of a scanda that could have kept him out of the Olympics. If he can survive Sports Illustrated cover jinx, his crossover appeal could make hin the Tiger Woods of skating.

"That's a big name. I think defi nitely I can make a big impact on short-track speedskaUng," OhnJ said. "For me personally, I just want to promote the sport." Short-track, or pack-stylei speedskating was popular in North America as long ago as the 1920si Skaters race others instead of th clock, advancing through a series Today's game It will be former Indiana Mr. Basketball's first game at Assembly Hall since transferring from IU in April of 1999. Who: Iowa (15-8, 4-5 Big Ten) at Indiana (14-7, 7-2) Tip-off: 7 p.m.

every home game for four years and I know our fans, and it's going to be brutal (tonight). "Every time he touches the ball, he will be reminded what people felt about his decision to leave Indiana." Jack Westfall, sporting purple hair, head-to-toe red body paint, and the IU emblem painted in white over his nose and around his eyes for the Purdue game, said he thinks an anticipated sellout crowd of 17,456 at Assembly Hall is going to make its opinion known. "I think it's going to be a rough night for Luke," said Westfall, a sophomore from Fort Wayne. "I See Recker, Page 02 Iowa tonight at 7 at Assembly Hall. "When they used to say 'Luke, Luke, Luke' it always sounded like 'boo, boo, said IU senior Sarah Allen from Dayton, Ohio.

"I think (tonight) it's going to sound like boo, boo, boo for a different reason. "I think most people don't think he made the right decision in leaving Indiana. He was a good player, and he had a chance to be a great player. He said it was for personal reasons, but the way he transferred left a bad taste In people's mouths." Allen said in her opinion nearly By Terry Hutchens terry.hutchensindystar.com BLOOMINGTON, Ind. Indiana University basketball fans have had Feb.

5 circled on their calendars in red since the day Big Ten basketball schedules were released in August. The significance? It's the day that Luke Recker will finally face the music. And if a sampling of fan opinion at last Thursday's IU-Purdue game is an accurate barometer, the former Indiana standoutcurrent Iowa Hawkeye could be in for a night to remember when IU hosts TV: ESPN Radio: FM three years of time hasn't healed the wounds for IU basketball fans. In fact, if anything, seeing him playing on an opposing team in the Big Ten has made it that much worse. "Going to Arizona was one thing, but then to come back and play for a team In our conference I think was a very bad decision on his part," Allen said.

"I've been to of rounds on a 111-meter oval! Spills are common. The sport was added to thi See Ohno, Page 03 'Stair Master races to top in Big Apple Cindy Moll defends her Empire State Building Run-Up title in the unusual and grueling sport of stair climbing. A First year back Championship Auto Racing Teams drivers and teams that have returned to or debuted in the rival Indy Racing League's Indianapolis 500: Drivers (with team) 2002: Paul Tracy, Dario Franchitti (Team Green) Jimmy Vasser (Team Rahal) Kenny Brack (Ganassi Racing) 2001: Michael Andretti (Team Green) Helio Castroneves, Gil de Fer-ran (Team Penske) Bruno Junqueira, Nicolas Mi-nassian (Ganassi Racing) 2000: Juan Montoya, Jimmy Vasser (Ganassi Racing) competition. Aside from dominating locally in the annual Bop To The Top race at the downtown American United Life building, she's won races in Chicago and Los Angeles. She won the New York City race in her first attempt in 1998.

Moll competes against women from around the world. Some are Olympians in recognized sports. Others are accomplished distance runners. "It's neat to be doing something unique," said Moll, 33. "But, I don't know.

If more runners tried it, they would probably do well, too." See Master, Page 03 sary run-up at The Big Apple, a signature race by invitation only for the world's best stair climbers. The stairs are 40 inches wide. The elevation equivalent is 1,050 feet, or about a fifth of a mile. While some stair-climbing races have staggered starts, with runners beginning at 30-second intervals, the Empire State Run-Up sends off the 40 women competitors at once. The saying on the stairs is "take two steps at a time." Moll (pronounced Mall), may not have a female equal at the unusual By Phillip B.

Wilson phillip.wilson indystar.com Cindy Moll is climbing the Empire State Building today. She's not King Kong. The 5-2, 95-pound Indianapolis accountant isn't scaling the New York City skyscraper's exterior. Moll is climbing stairs. That's 1,576 steps, or 86 floors, preferably in less than 13 minutes, to claim an unprecedented fourth Empire State Building Run-Up title in flvj years.

It's the silver anniver A Mpozl Mshale Tolbert staff photo Training run: Cindy Moll prepares for today's Empire State Building Run-Up inNew York by practicing in the stairwell jpf a downtown hotel..