Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • Page 29

B6 THE HARTFORD COURANT: Thuruloy, Sptmbr 3, 1992 Competing as a master has its merits Montana's stand: sitting notforhin -te Hodson to back up Patriots' Millen "I really feel confident this year. I feel stronger, faster, although I'm -CM't er is cool, course records could be broken. The men's record (58:26) was set in 1983 by Greg Meyer, the women's (1:05:38) in 1985 by Rosa Mota. Jane Welzel of Colorado, the top American woman at Boston this year, will run, as will New Yorker Gordon Bloch. Duathlons suit her Two weekends ago, fellow competitors kidded Mary DeGeorge after she finished second in the Coors Light Duathlon Series event in Dallas.

Michellie Jones, who won, is 22. DeGeorge of Cheshire is 40. "They're all talking about how I was old enough to be her mother," DeGeorge said. DeGeorge finished sixth in the series last year, her first as a professional. This year, she has competed twice, finishing fifth last weekend in Chicago in 1:24:17.

The standard Coors Light Series course consists of a 5K run, 30K bike and another 5K run. Duathlons aren't as popular as tri-athlons, but DeGeorge says the event is up-and-coming. She began competing two years ago. Her husband, Peter, sponsors the DeGeorge Racing Team, which includes such top triathletes as Karen Smyers, Melissa Mantak, Brad Kearns and Brett Rose. "I met someone who did triathlons and found it interesting," Mary DeGeorge said.

"I've been a little bit more serious about it the last couple years. very dedicated." Monday, Kurtis' main masters competition will be former New Haven winner Bill Rodgers, who recently ran a 15-minute, 4-second 5K in Hartford, and Domingo Tibaduiza, a four-time Olympic marathoner from Costa Rica. Grayson will be challenged by Barbara Filtuze and Carol McLat-chie, who won masters races at Falmouth, and Asbury Park, N.J. McLatchie also won last weekend at the Maggie Valley (N.C.) S-mile Moonlight Run; Grayson was second. "I'm kind of in the middle right now," said Grayson, who is nursing a slight hip strain.

"Carol, Barbara and I have kind of traded off races. Any of the three of us has a fair chance to win on Monday." Kurtis' best 20K time is 1:02:37, but he is best known as a marathoner. He was this year's first American finisher at Boston (2:17) and over his 20-year running career, has run 65 marathons. Only Kjell Eric Stahl of Sweden, who has run 69 has done more. "I've been around a long time," Kurtis said.

"I guess that's sort of my claim to fame, just hanging in there." The competition for the New Haven open men's and women's titles won't be too shabby, either. Kenyans Simon Karori (second at Falmouth, course record 28:02 at Asbury Park 10K) and Sammy Nyangincha (second at Parkersburg Half-Marathon) will push the pace. And if the weath By LORI RILEY Courant Staff Writer If Doug Kurtis hadn't turned 40 this year, he probably wouldn't have met Nancy Grayson. Almost two weeks after his birth-mmmh day in March, he ran wmmj for the first time as a master (40 and over) in an 8-kilo-V meter road race at Virginia Beach. 1 Grayson, 42, also ran in the race.

Af Running notebook ter the race, someone introduced them as fellow masters runners. "I didn't really know him," Grayson said. "When we looked back, we saw we'd both been at the same races a number of times." As Kurtis put it, they're "an item" now. Monday, the two plan to run the New Haven 20K road race (8:30 a.m., New Haven Green), which has been designated the masters TAC 20K national championship. In three weeks, Grayson is moving from South Carolina to Michigan, where Kurtis works as a computer systems analyst for the Ford Motor Co.

"It's kind of an ideal situation we have a lot in common," Grayson said. "And at this level of running, if you weren't involved in racing, competing nationally, you probably wouldn't understand what the other person's going through. We're both Staff and wire reports Joe Montana would rather play elsewhere than sit on the bench if he recovers fully from the elbow injury now keeping him off the field, according to a report Wednesday. "If I am 100 percent, I am not the kind of guy who would sit on the bench and happily collect his money," the 49ers quarterback told the San Francisco Examiner. "I would rather go to another team and be able to play." Montana, 36, was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, meaning he must sit out the first four games.

Steve Young was named starting quarterback. "It has nothing to do with my contract, the 49ers or Steve," said Montana, who will make $3 million this season. "I think it's just a natural reaction for a competitor." Hodson No. 2: Tommy Hodson, who lost the starting quarterback job with the Patriots three games into last season, will be the backup to Hugh Millen after beating out Scott Zolak. Hodson was 12-for-22 for 161 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in the exhibition season.

Zolak was 20-for-34 for 153 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The Patriots signed five players to their practice squad but are still looking for a wide receiver. The team did not claim any players from the waiver wire after the NFL's mandatory cutdown to 47 players Monday. Because they have only three wide receivers on their roster, the Patriots had hoped to find one among the waived players. Irving Fryar, Greg McMurtry and Michael Timpson are the only wide receivers on the Patriots roster.

For Britsox's Blosser, success 1992 New Britain Red Sox statistics Playwt who completed mmoii In Now Britain QB quandary for 49ers NFL Wayne Hawkins, a 1992 sevenths round draft pick and one of the prac tice squad players, probably would-be activated in case of an emergency. Also signed to the practice squad; tight end Al Golden, center Steve Gordon, defensive end Tim Edwards' and linebacker Reggie Clark. Bears sign Perry: Defensive tack-' le William Perry, 322 pounds, signed, a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears that includes a series of weight clauses that will reward him' for keeping trim and penalize him for getting fat Coach Mike Ditka said if Perry plays against the Lions. it will be in short-yardage situations." Perry's deal is worth close to million. Holdout cornerback Eric Allen signed with the Eagles, getting, three one-year contracts worth an4 estimated $3.6 million.

Allen made' the Pro Bowl in 1989 and '91. Second-year linebacker Huey Richardson, the 15th pick in the 1991 draft who had two tackles last season with the Steelers, was traded to! the Redskins for an undisclosed; draft choice Cowboys defensive tackles Tony Casillas and Russell Maryland are doubtful for the Monday night opener at Washington. The Raiders said Eric Dickerson will start at running back Sunday against the Raiders in Denver. The Raiders also re-signed quarterback Vince Evans, 37, whom they cut The Colts claimed former Jets cornerback Tony Stargell off waivers. Former UConn receive? Mark Didio has signed to play on the Steelers' practice squad.

Simms starting at quarterback for the Giants? You won't know for sure: until you turn on your TV set Sunday: "There is a point where I'll make a decision and the players will know," coach Ray Handley said. "But it will come right down to game time as far as an announcement" Why so elusive? "I thought it would be a little gamesmanship with the Handley said. Hostetler, who has had elbow, low- er back and pelvis injuries in preseason, ran Monday and Tuesday and: alternated with Simms in practicing with the first team Wednesday. Hostetler, practicing for the first time in 11 days, was obviously hindered by the back in practice, moving mechanically and throwing without following through. "He's still shy of 10Q percent" said Jim Fassel, the of fen-; sive coordinator.

"But he was a lot better than I thought he was going to be." Running back Ottis Ander- son, 35, on re-signing with the Giants 24 hours after they waived him: "It's a good feeling to know you're still wanted and your team thinks you can still do something for them." Anderson said he was so nervous Monday, he couldn't eat and lost three pounds. He weighed in at 230 Tuesday. Linebacker Bobby Abrams, waived by the Giants Moi-day, was claimed by Dallas and will be at Giants Stadium as an opponent Sept. 13 The Giants signed five of their final cuts to the developmental squad: defensive backs Michael Wright and Brian Allred, offensive tackle Jeff Novak, tight end Ted Popson and defensive tackle Stacey Dillard. Feature matches Today at the U.S.

Open (seeds bt, parentheses): Stadium Court, first match at a.m.: Jim Courier (1), Dade City, vs. Andrei Chesnokov, RusC sia; Martina Navratilova (3), Aspen, vs. Magdalena Ma-T leeva, Bulgaria; John McEnroe1-(16), New York, vs. Diego Nargiso, Italy. Stadium Court, 7:30 ArP" dre Agassi (8), Las Vegas, vs.

Francisco Roig, Spain. TV: USA, 11 mjn. and 7:30 pjihf Ch. 3,1 1:30 p.m. (highlights).

BATTING AB 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVO. Mike Beams, OF 87 262 33 58 15 2 10 44 2 .221 Scott Bethea. SS 99 313 39 74 6 0 0 16 5 .236 Greg Blosser. OF 129 434 59 105 23 4 22 71 0 .242 Bruce Chick, OF 128 435 53 96 19 0 9 51 7 .221 Mike DeKneef, 2B 118 409 51 93 10 5 3 33 9 .227 Joe Demus. 23 62 5 12 0 0 1 3 0 .194 Colin Dixon, 3B 83 266 24 56 6 1 1 26 1 .211 Greg Graham, SS 104 347 32 78 6 1 0 19 9 .225 Scott Hatteberg, 103 297 28 69 13 2 1 30 1 .232 Jeff McNeely, OF 85 261 30 57 8 4 2 11 10 .218 Bill Norris, 3B 122 384 36 80 15 0 1 24 5 .208 Ruben Rodriguez, 39 119 10 30 14 0 0 14 1 .252 Willie Tatum, 1B 133 446 65 108 25 4 7 54 16 .242 PaulThoutsis.OF 108 326 31 79 21 3 4 47 0 .242 Othoro 64 5 14 1 2 0 6 2 .219 Totals 4425 501 1009 182 28 61 449 68 .228 PITCHING Sv IP ER BB SO CG SH ERA Bret Donovan 1010 6.1 6774100 9.95 GarFinnvold 25 7 13 0 165.0 156 69 64 52 135 3 0 3.49 Don Florence 58 3 1 6 74.2 65 23 20 27 51 0 0 2.41 GettysGlaze 2 0 1 0 10.0 5 2 2 5 6 1 0 1.80 TonyMosley 48 2 4 1 88.0 101 65 48 34 41 0 0 4.91 Gary Painter 21 7 2 0 95.0 106 41 35 24 57 0 0 3.32 Ed Riley 19 10 8 0 121.0 108 38 33 38 63 1 1 2.45 Al Sanders 36 5 9 0 113.2 121 66 57 48 69 2 1 4.51 Aaron Sele 7 2 1 0 33.0 43 29 23 15 29 1 0 6.27 Tim Smith 27 3 20 0 154.0 186 1 04 91 53 71 2 1 5.32 Kevin Uhrhan 43 3 5 1 83.2 94 42 39 32 54 2 0 4.20 Othra 76 16 17 22 248.1 225 118 92 78 179 6 2 3.33 Total 58 82 30 1192.1 1216 604 511 410 756 18 5 3.86 getting older, I'm getting better." Unlike most triathletes and duath letes, DeGeorge had no athletic background before competing.

She still finds swimming difficult, which is why she races in age-group com' petition as a triathlete. She com petes professionally as a duatmete. Still, DeGeorge qualified for the World Triathlon Championships in Canada this month in her age group (40-45). She will be part of the U.S. team, which will race against teams from other countries.

She will race in four more Coors Light Series races this fall including one in Boston Sept. 20. She also will run the New Haven 20K Road Race. Footnotes The Bud Light Series Triathlon, held Aug. 9, probably will return to Hartford next year, said Kara Lovelace, public relations director for CATS Sports, which coordinates the series.

"It's very, likely we'll be back," she said. The decision will be made by the end of September Larry Helfant of Middletown com-peted in his longest race of the sea son and won the 16-19 age group at the Bud Light Bay State Triathlon in Medford, last weekend. Helfant, 18, completed the 1-mile swim, 37-mile bike and 9V4-mile run in 3:03:56. He has won his age group in six ot eignt new England Triathlon Series races. Helfant is a fresh man at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.

Notebook Gallo tied for lead Carl Gallo of Berlin is tied for first place with Robert Kerr of Pointe Claire, Quebec, after the second round of the Cape Cod Junior Golf Classic (ages 1 5-1 8) in Mashpee, Mass. Gallo shot a 5-over 76 Wednesday after for a two-day total of 1 53. Brian Ahem of West Hartford is tied for second, one stroke back with rounds of 77-77-154. In the 13-14 age division, Kevin Henry of Fairfield is in seventh place with an 86-88-174. Nulli's, Dawgs win titles Nulli's Italia of Manchester won the Federal League of the United Baseball Association men's baseball league by defeating the Mad Batters of East Hartford 9-3 Wednesday at Mount Nebo Field in Manchester.

Nulli's swept the best-of-3 In the Union League championship, the Dawgs of South Windsor defeated the Rebels of East Hartford 7-2 to win the best-of-3 series. Jerry Hollis went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI for Nulli's (16-1-1). Paul Sciano had three hits including a double and an RBI and Ron McLean a two-run single for Nulli's. John Niemeyer pitched a four-hitter with nine strikeouts to earn the victory. John Eldridge had two doubles for the Mad Batters (8-6-2).

In the Union League, winner Duane Stupienski pitched four innings of three-hit relief for the Dawgs (14-2-2). Matt Wutka had a triple and two RBI, and Archie Henderson and Robert Sten-house had doubles. Brian Molinari and Frank Punzo had two hits each for the Rebels (12-6-0). Thees to coach Amity Paul Thees, who had a 51-13 record as head volleyball coach at Platt-Meriden High School, is coaching this season at Amity-Woodbridge. Thees replaces Kathy Symonds, who led Amity to seven state championships, and a 64-match winning streak mat ended in last season's state championship game.

"It really is going from one great program to maybe even another step higher," Thees said. "I really got lucky." Thees has taught at Amity for 1 3 years. "It was time to be loyal to the students I taught," he said. Thees is succeeded by Gail Bennett at Piatt In another coaching appointment Tim Mulligan is the new girls soccer coach at East Granby. Mulligan replaces VTckl Hebeler, who had other commitments, East Granby athletic director Herb Neuhauser said.

"Tim has coached in the town soccer program and has been very successful," Neuhauser said. Around and about Moore to defend: Charles Moore of The Farms Country Club in Wallingford will defend his title Friday in the Connecticut Section PGA Senior Championship at Farmington Woods County Club. The winner earns a spot in the PGA Senior Club Professional Championship Oct 27-30 at Bal-lenlsles CC in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Field hockey coaches meet: The Connecticut High School Field Hockey Coaches Association win meet Sept 9 at 7 p.m at Maloney High School, not Sept 19, as stated in the CIAC information packet All high school coaches are encouraged to attend. Coaches will join officials for discussion of the new interpretation of the obstruction rule.

For information. caN Dawn O'NeO Continued from Page Bl Bono, 30, played in nine games, starting six, while Young was injured last season, completing 141 of 237 (59.5 percent) for 1,617 yards, 11 TDs and four interceptions. Bono was 5-1 as the starter, Young 5-5. And some players, such as wide receiver Jerry Rice, expressed a preference for Bono. "Last year, too many people were waiting to see what was going to happen with the quarterbacks instead of just playing," Seifert said.

"The responsibility of the offensive line, for instance, is to protect the quarterback even in the unlikely event it's me playing quarterback. If we didn't learn a lesson from that last year, we never will." This preseason, in which the 49ers were 5-0, Young completed 38 of 58 (65.5 percent) for 362 yards and two TDs; Bono completed 57 of 94 (60.6 percent) for 603 yards and four TDs. But as it became clear that Montana would not be able to play in the opener, the 49ers were preparing Young to be the No. 1, and Bono usually faced second-team defenses. "My role has been different from other preseasons," Young said.

"I've been here a long time and played well. And as long as you play well, that's the key. So I feel like the team is 100 percent go behind me." Bono makes $600,000 a year. Young, acquired from Tampa Bay in 1987, makes about $2 million a year. If you consider him a backup, he's the highest-paid backup in the NFL.

Handley elusive on QBs Will it be Jeff Hostetler or Phil Continued from Page Bl "There's no telling what kind of year we could have had if we could have had him in the starting lineup, leading off every game," Pankovits said. "We projected him there before the season. There were very high expectations for him this season, but he just didn't have a chance." McNeely, 22, could be back in New Britain next year, especially with Boston acquiring Triple A center fielder Sean Ross from Atlanta Monday, completing the trade for reliever Jeff Reardon. Right fielder Bruce Chick, another disappointment, could also be back. Chick, 23, was coming off a solid season at Lynchburg: .271, 10 home runs, 73 RBI.

But while Chick played well defensively, he did not hit well. Chick had a .221 average with nine home runs and 51 RBI. "He probably learned more than any other player," Pankovits said. "He had never had any adversity before, so he was faced with something new. He'll bounce back." Others who had down years after good seasons in Class left-handed-hitting first baseman Willie Tatum (.287 in 1991, .242 in 1992), left-handed-hitting third baseman Bill Norris (.252, 10 home runs in 1991, .208 in 1992) and left-handed-hitting catcher Scott Hatteberg (.277 at Winter Haven, .232 with the Brit-sox).

Not all the numbers were negative. Left fielder Greg Blosser, 21, had a breakthrough year. The left-handed hitter set a team record with 22 home runs and finished with a career-best 30 surpassing the total of 24 by Ellis Burks, who is now the Red Sox center Blosser hit .242 with 71 RBI and his defense improved dramatically over 1991. When Blosser, a No. 1 draft choice in 1989, arrived in New Britain as a Carolina League All-Star in Lynchburg, he was 19 and had never been in the Northeast He hit .217 with eight home runs and 46 RBL He also matured and it showed this season.

After a slow start, Blosser hit well most of the season and re-established himself as a prospect. After the season ended Tuesday night, he was promoted to Triple A Pawtucket. "I had a feeling they would give me a shot," Blosser said. "I feel I proved to people in the organization that I was worth it. A lot maybe felt I was not worth it I took more pride this season to prove to the critics that I'm trying, that really want it" Another who impressed was in-fielder Scott Bethea, who might have been the Britsox's best all-around player.

Bethea hit .236, but was fundamentally sound he advanced runners and bunted well. Whether at shortstop or second base, Bethea's defense was excellent "He's earned a shot at Triple Pankovits said. "Especially with his glove." Gloves were never a problem. Tatum, 6 foot 7, the best defensive first baseman in the league. And pitchers raved about Hatteberg behind the plate.

In fact Hatteberg and veteran catcher Ruben Rodriguez, 28, may have contributed to the Britsox's pitching, which was better than the team's record shows. Three of New Britain's best pitchers were promoted to Pawtucket during the season: right-handed starters Derek Livernois, 25, and Brian Conroy, 24, and right-handed reliever Ken Ryan. Ryan, 23, who has since been promoted to Boston, set a Britsox record with 22 saves. Left-handed starter Ed Riley became a fan favorite and one of the league's best pitchers. Riley, 22, the Britsox's representative at the Double A All-Star Game, was 10-8 with a 2.45 ERA.

Riley, who. is from Capriati an easy winner Worcester, is the youngest of 16 children and when he pitched, most of his family was in attendance. "That really helped," Riley said. "It was like being home again." Riley was highly regarded when he graduated from St Peter-Marian High in Worcester in 1988. He was a sixth-round draft choice, yet never distinguished himself in four years in Class A.

"I put pressure on myself just because I was playing for the team I grew up with," Riley said. "This year I decided to just go out and have fun. I think this season has really boosted my confidence." Riley's fastball isn't overpowering and his curve is loose, so pitching coach Rick Wise helped him develop a hard slider. That was the key to Riley's success. Riley had tendinitis in his left shoulder and missed his last few starts.

He had planned to pitch in a winter league, but instead will rest the shoulder. Wise said he is certain that Riley will be in Pawtucket and also expects righthander Gar Finnvold to move up. Finnvold was 7-13 with a 3.49 ERA and had 135 strikeouts, fourth-best in the league. Left-handed reliever Don Florence (3-1, 2.41 and six saves) and righthander Gary Painter (7-2, 3.32) also were dependable. The biggest disappointment was righthander Tim Smith (3-20, 5.32), the former Boston College player who was 12-9 with a league-best 2.19 ERA at Lynchburg last season.

"Smith kept going out there and working," Wise said. "He just has to make some adjustments next year. In this game, you're always learning" Pankovits said he learned more from this season than any of the players did. Despite the on-field problems, he was encouraged. "Effort was never an issue," Pankovits said.

"Certainly, I would like to have won more games. But as a first-year manager, it was nice to see them never give op. That's a starting point" Continued from Page Bl verses of "Happy Birthday." A year ago, fans bowed to him during each of his matches in the stadium. "I couldn't think of a better place to have a 40th birthday than right here," Connors said. "I've been playing here 22 years." Stefan Edberg wouldn't do it Michael Chang, doubtful.

Lendl, not likely. John McEnroe, no way. Boris Becker, forget it Monica Seles just giggled. Martina Navratilova, well, maybe. Hardly anyone could imagine still running down shots like Connors with the same vigor as pros half his age.

Edberg, 26, shuddered at the thought of another 14 years on the tour after he began defense of his U.S. Open title Wednesday with a smooth 7-5, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Luiz Mattar. "No, I don't think I will be playing at that stage," Edberg said. "He is very exceptional He has been lucky, hasn't had too many injuries. He has a very light body, and he has been able to keep going, having the motivation.

I don't think I can. It would be too tough." Seles, the women's defending champion and top seed, reached the third round by beating NCAA champion Lisa Raymond, 7-5, 6-0, smiled about the notion of playing at the age of 40. "It's incredible," she said. "I mean, I am still 18, but to think at age 40 you might play, that is unbelievable. But then again, when I don't play, when I am hurt, I miss it so much.

It is definitely going to be Blosser in New Britain Greg Blosser, 21, above, played 263 games for the New Britain Red Sox the past two seasons. He is the New Britain career leader in home runs and Is fifth In career RBI. He had a two-year hatting average of .229. Career home run leaders Player HR Years 1. Greg Blosser 30 1991-92 2.

Ellis Burks 24 1985-86 3. TonyBeal 21 1983-86 4. Sam Horn 19 1985-86 5. Jose Birriel 13 1986-87 Career RBI leaders Player RBI Years 1. Birriei 137 1986-87 2.

Horn 128 1985-86 3. Beal 127 1983-86 4. John Marzano 118 1985-86, 88 5. Blosser 1171991-92 Since the team's move from Bristol 1983 hard to put the racket down. I will have to find something.

Like Chris Evert, having the baby helped a lot stopping tennis. I am sure Martina will play well into her 40s." Chang, 20, and a pro for five years, couldn't imagine playing another 20 years. "I honesUy feel that it would be difficult" said Chang, the No. 4 seed who beat Ellis Ferreira 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1). "When Jimmy was 20, the game was not quite as intense.

I don't think they played as many tournaments back then. I think now players put more demands on their bodies and minds." Lendl, 32, is growing weary of the grind as his family expands with three daughters in the past two years. McEnroe, 33 and also the father of three, will not play full time after this year. "Connors feels like he has got nothing to lose now. Every match he wins, that is big.

He just goes out there and enjoys himself," Edberg said. 1 -J-J'afcJfctaBkJ8s-.