The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana • Page 9

CALL ON US Editor John Marcase: 487-6431 FAX; 487-6488 or 487-2959 E-mail: sportsSthetowntalk.com SATURDAY AUGUST 15, 1998 SPOCTS Injury doesn't deter Ryland from lofty track goals Sidelined for the remainder of the competition, Ryland could only sit in the stands distraught as to the turn of events. "Track is very big in Jason I -h f1 Russell The Town Talk -'V 1 1 5i Europe, almost as big as football is here," said By Philip Timothy Assistant sports editor Daniel Ryland has hit a second major hurdle, literally, in his budding track career. The former Buckeye star clipped a hurdle while competing in the decathlon at the World Championships, which were being held in Anecy, France. The mishap on the second day of competition cost him dearly as he hyper-extended his knee and blew out his ankle, which knocked him out of the competition. "I was devastated to say the least," said Ryland.

"Going into the second day, I was among the top six competitors in the event. "My best events were still ahead of me, so even with average finishes, could have finished in the top three easily," he said. "As it was, I was done." tions," he said. "But as I was watching the discus competition from the stands, I had tears in my eyes." Ryland, who was coming off a stress fracture suffered early in the indoor season, appeared a lock to finish strong in the decathlon. "I was fully recovered from my stress fracture," he said.

"And I was feeling good. I did okay in the 100 meters; only went 5-9 in the high jump, but I really ran strong in the 400 meters. "I was pumped up, because my legs weren't hurting like they usually do," he said. "I was excited because the second day's events are usually my strongest." A state champion in the hurdles his senior season, Ryland admits he was overly excited at the start of the race. It was a mistake that would cost him dearly.

"I was just too excited," he said. "I came out of the blocks too hard, and I was too close to the first hurdle. I clipped the first one as I went over it." In excruciating pain, he laid on the track for a long time, not daring to move. The medical staff were quick to determine his injuries and he was carried from the track to the medical area. "I knew it was bad as I lay there, but I didn't even dare to move," he said.

"I was devastated. I had overcome one injury that had knocked me back for 12 weeks, but now, five short months later, I had another. "A lot of things kept running through my head," he said. "Foremost, though, was how would I ever come back from this injury. Please see RYLAND, B-6 nyicuiu.

i luiew a mue French and I had the crowd behind me that first day. "After my injury, I Ryland Fantasy football is back could only sit in the stands and watch. It was very tough," he said. "I tried to keep up a good front, because little kids would come and ask for my autograph. "I did the best I could to control my emo- mm it mm iTuiucj If I r'r Vyay wants redemption at PGA Championship L'-v 0 V'- -v it-A 7- wet 1 ''MM 9' Tatum Dutile Staff photographer Alexandria's Will Roland doesn't quite beat the throw to first by Rio Grande Friday in the Aces' 1 2-4 win.

Matos' bombs lead Aces to win over WhiteWings REDMOND, Wash. (AP) The second round of the PGA Championship turned into a second chance for Vyay Singh and Colin Montgomerie. Both of them know the pain of coming close to winning their first major. By keeping it straight and simple at Sahalee Country Club, both of them got into contention once again Friday. Singh made five birdies on the first nine holes and matched the course record that Tiger Woods set the day before, a 4-under-par 66 that put him at 136 going into the weekend.

"Each year you play, you gain a little more experience, a lot more know-how to handle a situation like I'm in now," said Singh, who came up two strokes short of a playoff in the 1993 PGA Championship. Right behind him was Montgomerie, in pursuit of his first major championship and in contention for the first time since he lost by one stroke to Ernie Els in the U.S. Open last year. He made three key par saves in a round of 67 that put him at 137, along with Scott Gump and Steve Strieker. "I haven't come over here to finish second," said Montgomerie, who has done just that in three previous majors.

"The hardest thing to-do is get into contention. We'll go from there." The high, heavenly ground of Sahalee was full of high hopes for a couple of players chasing history. Davis Love III is trying to become the only repeat winner since the PGA went to stroke play in 1958 and the first since Denny Shute in 1937. He worked his way into the hunt with a 2-under 68. That left him just two strokes back at 138, along with Woods, Brad Faxon, Andrew Magee and former PGA champion Steve Elkington.

And never count out Mark O'Meara, undaunted by the pressure of trying to become the first Phil Mickelson hits from the rough behind a tree during the second round of the PGA Championship Friday. By Bruce M. Viergutz Staff reporter Move over, St. Louis Cardinal slugger Mark McGwire, and make a little room for Malvin Matos. Matos had a night Big Mac would've been proud of Matos said he didn't stand at home plate to admire the home run.

"I was just waiting for (the home plate umpire's) decision to see if he ruled fair or foul," said Matos, who was drilled in the back in the eighth by reliever Cerleston Cuchetti. If 01 loci f-pl by clubbmg two three-run homers to lead the Alexandria Aces to a 124 victory over Rio Grande Valley Friday night in front of 1,602 at Bringhurst Field. Matos' two homers, his 24th and 25th of the season, vaulted him into the Texas-Louisiana League lead in home runs and broke the Aces' single-season home run record of 24 set by John O'Brien last year. "I felt very good," said Matos. "The first one I hit was a curveball and I got good contact on that one.

The second one came off a fastball inside. "He threw me a fastball inside earlier and I hit it foul, so I was looking for another one. I didn't hit it very good, but I hit it well Alexandria manager Stan Cliburn said he knew Matos would have a good night at the plate after seeing him swing the bat his first time up. "He's really looked good in pre-game workouts this past week, too," said Cliburn. "I told him it was time for a big three-run homer and he got two of them.

(I thought) Malvin's second three-run homer really took the wind out of the WhiteWings' sails. It was just an outstanding performance, not only by Malvin, but the whole ballclub." Every Aces' batter got at least one hit in totaling 15 hits off three RGV pitchers. Defensively, the Aces turned in four double REDMOND, Wash. (AP) Scores Friday after the second round of the PGA Championship: SATURDAY Alexandria 12 Rio Grande 4 TODAY WhiteWings vs. Aces 6:35 p.m.

104.3-FM It's that time of year again. Football season is fast approaching and for some people that means getting ready for fantasy football. Don't play or even know what fantasy football is? Well, here's one view from someone who has played for eight years. The key to winning at fantasy football is preparation. If you go into your draft without knowing what type of team you want or who is the best at their respective positions, then it will be a long year for you.

No matter what the rules of your particular league are, everyone still must know who to pick when their turn comes up in the draft. While Imay not know everything, hereOs my picks for the best at each position in each league. NFC Quarterback No doubt about it here. Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers is the best. He is a winner for his team and will rack up the fantasy points for your team.

Don't expect him to last past the third overall pick, however. AFC Quarterback Most would assume Denver's John Elway has the edge, but the edge in fantasy play has to go to Pittsburgh's Kordell Stewart. Unlike Elway, Stewart can run as well as pass, which makes him invaluable as a fantasy quarterback. NFC Running Back After last year's performance, who could bet against i Barry Sanders. This Detroit Lion has always been considered one of the best in the game, but somehow he always drops to seventh or eighth overall in our draft.

That won't happen this year. A sleeper this season may be Dallas' Emmitt Smith. AFC Running Back Another no-brainer. Denver's Terrell Davis is by far the best of the lot. He plays for a team that has all the weapons, therefore no team can concentrate on just him.

Pittsburgh's Jerome Bettis is another who is high on this list. NFC Wide Receiver Wide receivers are always an easy position to fill because there are always so many to choose from. Cris Carter of the Vikings is the best in the NFC because, as ex-coach Buddy Ryan once said, all he does is catch touchdowns. Don't forget about Detroit's Herman Moore though. AFC Wide Receiver Joey Galloway should have a good year because of Warren Moon coming back.

Seattle always racks up the yards. Don't forget about Tim Brown of Oakland, though, as the Raiders should improve offensively this year. NFC Kicker Everyone likes Carolina's John Kasay, but I still say Philadelphia's Chris Boniol is the most consistent. The only question is whether his team can get him any scoring chances. With problem running back Ricky Watters gone, the Eagles offense should be a bit better this season.

AFC Kicker Go with Mike Hollis of Jacksonville. The Jaguars score in bunches, so he'll rack up the points quickly. Doug Pelfrey of Cincinnati is always a good pick, too. Whether you pick and NFC or AFC kicker, don't choose one before the fifth round. Kickers are a dime a dozen and you can get a good one in the later rounds.

Defense Defenses are tough to pick, especially if you draft the whole team like our league does. Any defense you pick up will suffice, but if I had to pick one, take the Packers. They score an average number of touchdowns and get a good bit of sacks and turnovers. Don't draft a defense until the eighth round. And finally, what would be the top five choices in my draft? In this order, I would take Terrell Davis, Barry Sanders, Brett Favre, Cris Carter and Jerome Bettis.

Loading up on running backs is the way to go, especially if your league relies heavily on scoring. Of course, if any one of these players doesn't pan out, I disavow any knowledge of ever writing this column. Jason Russell is a sports reporter for fhe Town Talk. He can bo reached at 487-6354. Vijay Singh 70-66136 Colin Montgomerie 70-67137 Scott Gump 68-69137 Steve Strieker 69-68137 Five tied at 138 enough to go out (of the park)." Matos' second three-run homer, which came in the fourth, put the Aces up 9-0.

Matos drilled a 2-1 pitch off RGV losing pitcher Brandon Mozley (1-7), then stood at home plate to see if his high-arcing jack would stay fair in left field. plays and did not commit an error. The Aces scored two runs prior to Matos' homer in the fourth on O'Brien's sacrifice fly and Marvin Cole's run-scoring single to left. Please see ACES, B-6 player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in one season. Please see PGA, B-6 We ems finishes first round as medalist at four-under it for a birdie.

He had 2-foot birdie putts at 15 and 17. Ryan Wilmore hit his drive in a "gopher hole" to the right side of the 13th fairway, triggering an eruption from the temperamental but talented golfer who was cast in the favorite's role prior to the tournament. On the same hole, Yates lost his drive in the right ditch and put his next shot over the trees close to the green. However, he sent a wedge shot into the front bunker and popped a sand wedge shot into the side bunker before finally reaching the green and two-putting. "Making the cut is what I needed to do today, though," said Yates, who did just that with a 76.

Weems missed two 3-foot putts on the front nine at No. 1 and No. 9, the latter where he got his only bogey of the day. Yet, he holed an eagle shot from 60 yards on the second hole with a lob wedge, spurring him to birdies on three of the next four holes to go 5-under after six holes. Please see WEEMS, B-6 By Bob Tompkins Staff reporter A two-time city champion didn't make the cut.

The pre-tournament favorite erupted at the troublesome par-4 13th en route to a bogey and a 1-underroundof71. Corky Yates, club champion of the Rapides Golf and Country Club many times over, took a "snowman" quadruple-bogey 8 on the 13th and finished the round 4 over par. When the qualifying round of the 11th annual City Championship golf tournament was over Friday, the medalist was Charlie Weems with a 4-under-par 68. "I have a sinus infection and I was just hoping I could survive," said Weems, who will play next week in the Louisiana Seniors Four-Ball championship with Yates at Shenandoah Country Club in Baton Rouge. "As it turned out, I had a great ball-striking round." Weems' first foe in the first round of match play this morning will be Kent Roberts, whose foot-long par putt at the final hole put City Championship him 5-over for the day.

That made him the 16th player with a score of 77 or better, and eliminated a trio at 78 from being forced into a playoff for the final position in the match-play rounds. Among that threesome was two-time city champion Frank Brame, who suffered a triple bogey at the par-5 eighth hole to set the tone for a disappointing round. Brame, who won the title in 1992 and '94, said he missed too many greens, one of the problems he has been having in a "very sporadic" summer of golf. "I'd chip to five feet or four feet instead of two feet and missed em," he said. "I've got a very mechanical swing right now, trying different things.

I'm thinking too much instead of just going out there and hitting it." Rod Baronet, the 1995 champion, was 6-over through 10 holes before scrambling for three birdies on the last eight to finish at 75. He drove the green on the par-4 12th and missed a 12-foot putt for an eagle before settling ilM'Vr' I i Todd Drumwright Staff photographer Charlie Weems tees off on the 7th hole Friday during the qualifying round of the Alexandria City Championship at the Rapides Golf and Country Club. MCini? New Odeans Saints kxk on the Denver Brorras in I my Baltimore Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles had two I a 1 II Ll a DO preseason NFL action Friday night. I grand slams Friday night against the Indians..