Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 43

5d SE7 Friday, August 17, 1984 The Arizona Republic Sports )D0TI5) gJPSKal Walker studies to be understudy State ttittlists go long rout to nationals By MICHAEL ANDERSON Arizona Republic Staff John Walker spent the summer preparing to make the transition from high school to college football. So did many others. There is one major difference: Walker also spent the spring getting ready. Walker, a freshman quarterback at ASU, graduated a semester early from Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe. That enabled him I to enroll at Arizona State University and go through spring drills.

He was listed No. 2 on the depth chart at the end of spring football. ASU coaches say Walker is a rarity, one of the few incoming freshmen who is ready mentally and physically to play from day one. And that may put head coach Darryl Rogers back in another quarterback controversy. For the last two years, Todd Hons and Sandy Osiecki were the central figures.

For the next three years, it could be Walker and Jeff Van Raaphorst. Van Raaphorst is a redshirt sophomore who came out of spring ball listed No. 1. Walker grabbed the No.2 spot when Tim A John Walker Salem, a fifth-year senior, missed the spring session with an elbow injury. History may be on Walker's side.

According to Rogers, every player in his programs who has enrolled a semester early has become a four-year starter. Walker waited until December before deciding to graduate and enroll for the spring semester at ASU. But the other schools that pursued him Washington, California, Brigham Young and Colorado State figured early that Walker would become a Sun Devil. "I really wanted to get out of high school," Walker said. "In my mind, I was not totally committed to ASU.

But once I started taking the correspondence classes, everybody stopped calling." He had to take three correspondence classes, including two required courses, in order to graduate in Janauary. Rogers then visited, and the final arrangements for early enrollment were made. Even though academics are obstensibly the first reason any student goes to college, for freshmen football players, their sport is the prime concern the first weeks. ASU practice began Thursday at Camp Walker, Extra 8 iilnifliniiiiii ii ti i iiii an i in Ken Akers Republic Former Marcos de Niza Padre John Walker got in threw his first Camp Tontozona tosses as Arizona his first passes as a Sun Devil during Arizona State opened its 1984 preseason camp. Walker left State's spring football practice, after graduating a spring ball as the Devils' No.

2 quarterback behind semester early from high school. Thursday, he redshirt sophomore Jeff Van Raaphorst. Chandler plans Ron Brown tribute By DICK OBERT Arizona Republic Staff Kevin Long was an unlikely hero for Tony Subia's Senior Babe Ruth baseball team this year. First, there was doubt that Long would even play for Subia. Long, a senior at Thunderbird High School, was playing for his father's team in the Connie Mack League when Subia called.

"I wasn't sure if my dad would let me play for two teams at the same time," said Long, who is expected to start in the outfield for Subia in the Senior Babe Ruth (16-18 year-olds) World Series in Jamestown, N.Y., which opens Saturday. "I was surprised when he said it was alright," Long said. "I thought maybe he would take it as being unfaithful." Long, who batted about .480 for Subia's team in the regular season, was quiet in the state tournament, when the team rolled over four straight opponents for that title. And he had only one hit in the Pacific Southwest Regional entering the second -to-last game of the double-elimination tournament. But after striking out twice and going hitless in four previous at bats, Long drilled a grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning against host Santa Maria, moving Subia's team into the championship game against Santa Maria the next day.

"Coach told me to just try to hit a fly ball in the outfield," Long said. "I never thought I'd end up hitting a grand slam." In the title game, Subia's team was clinging to a 6-4 lead in the last inning, when Santa Maria loaded the bases with nobody out. Enter Long. "I told coach that if Brian (Dodd) gets into trouble, he's got me," Long said. Subia didn't want to get into that situation.

After all, Long hadn't pitched all season. "I knew he had a great curve ball," Subia said about Long. "And we ran out of pitchers. So I had no choice but to put Kevin in there." Long got the first batter he faced to ground into a fielder's choice. Then, he struck out the last two batters, ending the game and earning the Most Valuable Player trophy.

"My catcher said, 'It was you against the said Long, who also plays running back in football and guard in baskeball at Thunderbird. "Every time the crowd got fired up, I got fired up. It was a great feeling. I've never played in a national tournament before." Subia said it was the first time an Arizona team won the Pacific Southwest Regional Babe Ruth tournament. California had always dominated.

"The team that won the Pacific Southwest Regional went on to win the national championship five of the last nine years," Subia said. "It should be great competition." Long was just one of several players Subia recruited. Among others are All-Arizona outfielder Larry Kearsley of Camelback and three Westwood players, pitcher Nick Felix, outfielder Anthony Felix and second baseman Mark Wagner. "There's open recruiting, so I wanted to put together the best team possible," Subia said. "We've played together all season.

There's not a weak spot in the lineup." Subia's team finished 32-2, losing only to Santa Maria in the regionals and to a Glendale-based Babe Ruth team in the regular season. Subia feels that his all left-handed pitching staff might be an advantage in the World Series. Greenway's Dodd, who signed a national letter of intent to play baseball next year at Lubbock Christian, 1983 NAIA national champions, was voted the regional tournament's Most Valuable Pitcher, even though he lost one game. But it was one of the best games Dodd ever pitched, Subia said. Dodd locked horns with Matt Martinez of Santa Maria, one of California's top pitchers.

Dodd, who was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 26th round this summer, struck out 13 batters and gave up just three hits and no earned runs in a 3-2 loss. In the championship game, Dodd threw three innings of shutout ball. "Brian is my top pitcher," Subia said. "If ever I need an out, I ideally want Brian to be in there pitching. He throws extremely hard and has great breaking stuff.

"I think he could play pro ball right now." Long likes playing for an all-star caliber high school team. "This whole team is easy going," Long said. "They're out there to play ball. The pitcher feels safe, because we can all make the plays behind him." STATE iABI RUTH CHAMPS Rotter Eddie Buerlein, catcher, Arcadia; Dava Brennan, pitcher-outfield, Coronado; Brady Brojni, third baM, Shadow Mountain; David Ceaeidy, pitcher, Shadow Mountain; Brian Dodd, pitcher, Greenway; Scott Goldby, catcher, 8hadow Mountain; Frank Good, ahortetop, Shadow Mountain; Matt Huetead, aecond bate, Shadow Mountain; Mario Moccia, first bate, Shadow Mountain; Anthony Fein, outfield, Waatwood; Nick Falii, pitcher, Weetwood; Mark Wagner, aecond beae, Weetwood; Larry Kearaley, outfield, Camelback; Kevin Long, outfield, Thunderbird; Mike Miller, third baae, Paradiee Valley; Steve Soto, outfield, Tolleeon; Mike Callat, ahortetop, Alhambra. Update Gymnast collects his gold Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in both events to male and female winners in each age group: under-20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60-and-over.

10K RACES UPCOMING Valley Events will sponsor several road races during September. The first 10K race is scheduled for Sept. 1, 7:30 a.m., at Eldorado Park in Scottsdale. There is a $10 entry fee. On Sept.

15, starting at 6:30 a.m., a 10K will be run at South Mountain Park "(10491 S. Central). Entry fee is $7. Sept. 22, at 7 a.m., is the first Inn Suites 10K and 2-mile Fun Run at Eldorado Park.

There is a $7 fee before Sept. 17, and $9 after that date. REGISTRATION IN CHANDLER Registration for the Chandler Parks and Recreation Department's women's 12-inch slow-pitch softball league continues through Aug. 25. Rosters are limited to 20 players and must be turned in with fee payment.

Fee for Class I teams is $155, $220 for Class II teams id $250 for Class III teams. The season runs from Sept. 10 through Nov. 21 at Arrowhead Park. Games will be played Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6:30, and 9.

LEAGUES FORMING A series of co-ed volleyball and men's softball and basketball tournaments are being organized by the East District of the Phoenix Parks and Library Department. Registration has begun for the sports competition, which will be held in conjunction with the Fiesta de Amigos celebration Sept. 8-9. Play will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

at. Harmon Park, 5th Avenue and Yavapai. The entry fee is $90 a team for softball and basketball and $20 for softball. Further information is available by contacting 256-3112. MEN'S FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE HOLDS REGISTRATION A men's adult flag football league is being formed by the Glendale Parks and Recreation Department.

Team representatives should plan to attend an informational meeting Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. at the Ocotillo building of the Glendale Senior Center, 7121 N. 57th Ave. The seven-man teams must provifle their own jerseys and flags.

Games are Sundays, beginning Sept. 30. Eight teams are needed to form the league. High school officials are being sought lo referee games. To register, call 931-5585.

The city of Chandler plans Tuesday to honor Chandler-resident Ron Brown, who earned a gold medal in the 1984 Olympic Games in the 400-meter relay. Brown was supposed to be honored last Monday, but he was detained in Los Angeles. He signed a contract Thursday to play for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League. Ken Reinig, public information officer for the city, said the Chandler Chamber of Commerce still is hammering out last-minute details for Tuesday's celebration. "It's very tentative right now," Reinig said.

"But I did talk to Brown, and he said Tuesday sounded good for him." A banner, reading "Congratulations Ron Brown," is hanging over Arizona Avenue in Chandler. Frank Flynn of the Chamber of Commerce said there will be a champagne celebration Tuesday night at San Marcos Country Club if Brown arrives. Brown, a wide receiver for Arizona State University from 1979-82, was part of the U.S. 400-meter relay team that set a world record while winning a gold medal Saturday. A week earlier, Brown finished fourth in the 100 despite an inflamed tendon in his left leg.

WESTERN WORLD SOFTBALL TO BE IN MESA More than 100 women's slow-pitch softball teams will be competing in the Class B-C Western World Tournament beginning Aug. 31 at three different locations, including Riverview Park in Mesa. Teams from California, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Washington and Oregon will compete in the four-day tournament, which is sanctioned by the United States Slo-Pitch Softball Association. The tournament begins at 6 p.m. Friday, following opening ceromonies.

Hall Brake of Mesa, Arizona Wall Systems of Apache Junction, TBS of Scottsdale, Phoenix Horizon, Big Apple of Phoenix and Flagstaff Marine are six of the top seeded teams from Arizona. Games also will be at Chaparral Park in Scottsdale and at Papago Park in Phoenix. Last year's Western World champions, the Evettes from Santa Monica, will not be participating in the tournament. The Evettes will be competing in the Class A World Tournament in Detroit. CHAPARRAL SOCCER COACH RESIGNS Jim Stephens has resigned as soccer coach at Chaparral High School to take a full-time teaching position in Couchella Valley, Calif.

"I've recommended that Van Taylor come in and take over the coaching job at Chaparral," said Stephens, a graduate of Tempe High School whose team was 7-3 last season, his only year at Chaparral. In 1982-83, with Taylor as coach, Chaparral was state runnerup. Taylor resigned to join the Phoenix Pride as a backup goalie. LOCAL DIVER FOURTH IN NATIONALS Heather Hurt of Tempe finished fourth in the 3-meter springboard event Wednesday at the 1984 National Age-Group Diving Championships in Woodlands, Texas. Hurt, competing in the girls 13-14 year-old division, also placed seventh in the 1 -meter event.

Amy Garner of Mesa was a finalist in the girls 12-and-under competition. FAST-PITCH REGIONAL BEGINS TODAY AT PAPAGO Forty men's fast-pitch softball teams in Class A and divisions will battle this weekend for titles in the 1984 Amateur Softball Association's Cactus Regional at Papago Park. Play will start at 7 tonight on all four diamonds. Several Arizona teams, including entries from Mesa and Tempe, have qualified. Games are scheduled all day Saturday and Sunday morning, with the championships in both A and divisions beginning at 7 p.m.

Sunday. The winner of the Class A division advances to the nationals in Fargo, N.D. The finalists in the Class division advance to the area championships in Modesto, Calif. Ticket information and times for the three-day tournament can be obtained by calling 246-0183. SOFTBALL TOURNEY IN LAKE HA-VASU Entry deadline is Aug.

27 for Ron Grap's Softball Tournament, a men's class and slow-pitch tournament Sept. 1-2 at Sara Park in Lake Havasu. Team and individual awards will be presented in the double-elimination competition. To enter, contact Grap at 714-591-5856. TRIATHLONS SET SEPT.

9 Arizona Triathlon and Fun Triathlon will start at 6.p.m. Sept. 9 at Firebird International Raceway Park. Gates open at 4 a.m.. Admission is $1.

The Arizona triathlon is a 5-mile run, a swim, and a 21-mile bike race. The other triathlon is a 3-mile run, swim and a 12.4-mile bike race. By BOB McMANAMAN Arizona Republic Staff After being short-changed of the chance to compete in the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, Kurt Thomas finally got his gold from the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. The gold was actually green good, old-fashioned American bucks. Thomas, an ABC commentator at the Games, increased the earning power of his Tempe gynastics club with his Olympic TV appearances.

"We've picked up 84 new kids at the studio since the Olympics," said Ellie Thomas, Kurt's mother. "They said they all saw Kurt on the Olympics and watched the American men's team win the gold. "The kids all wanted to train under Kurt. Our enrollment is up to 300 now." Michael Pena, the boys coach for the club, says the exposure is more than just helpful. "It's pride," Pena said.

"It's really something to see your coach on TV. It's a big thing. "A lot of these new kids watched Kurt doing the gymnastics coverage at the Games and wanted him to be their coach." Two senior elite gymnasts Paul Linne, 16, and Tim Lederer, 1 8 joined the club, which won the girls Class III state title this year. Thomas has not returned to Tempe since the Olympics, which ended Sunday. He is in San Diego producing and starring in an exhibition Kurt Thomas Gymnastics America..