The Viking Views Senior Issue • May 13, 2005 - North Canton City ...

on parDominic ReolfiA peek into the futureAlas, as all great things must come to anend, so must the last sports column. Butbefore I leave, I would like to leave you witha few predictions for the coming months.1. Next year is the Cavs’ year.Okay, so I was wrong halfway throughthe season when I said that they would makethe playoffs, but who wouldn’t have agreedwith me. Cleveland is a city where teamsmiss going to the Super Bowl because of a99-yard, last second drive, or they get withina strike of winning the World Series, only toblow it. Does a late season collapse reallysurprise anyone?This off-season is important. New ownerDan Gilbert better make the right decisions,or LeBron could be gone.2. The Browns will get better, but won’tmake the playoffs.I like what Phil Savage has done. Newrunning back Reuben Droughns, acquiredfrom Denver, along with Braylon Edwards andKellen Winslow, will make a tough offensiveattack, but the offensive line is still weak. Isee new quarterback Trent Dilfer leading theBrowns all the way to first; a first pick innext years draft. Rookie Charlie Frye lookslike he could get some playing time if Dilfermesses up.The defense is better with draft picksBrodney Pool and Antonio Perkins, along withGAME FACESJeff WallickSean Jones who was hurt last year, but thedefensive line is going to be the problem.This team is still a season or two awayfrom making the playoffs.3. Look for North Carolina to have aterrible season.Sorry Mrs. Nicodemo (as I can see myEnglish grade dropping), but it doesn’t takea brain surgeon to figure out that the TarHeels are in trouble. They lost their seventop players, including Sean May, whoreceived the Most Outstanding Player Awardin the championship game.Everyone knows that they practicallywalked into the championship game, facingOakland then Iowa State before nearly losingto Villanova. The Tar Heels were the bestteam in the Nation this year, but they didn’tface anyone leading up to the Championshipgame. They would be lucky to finish third inthe ACC next year, due to the loss of a lot oftalent from other teams.4. Maurice Clarett will be a star.It doesn’t matter that he hasn’t playedfootball for two years, or the fact that hehad a bad combine workout. Clarett can flatout run the football. I’m still not convincedhe got a fair deal at Ohio State, but having aloud mouth and a “me, me, me,” attitudedoes one thing: it puts him in the samecategory as half the players in the NFL.Since he wasdrafted by Denver,which turns outhigh caliber runningbacks every year,look for Clarett toleave his mark onthe NFL. Let’s justhope it’s in the formof a record, not awin against the Browns.5. What is going on with the Indians?I’m stumped on this one. Last year, theBullpen was horrendous, blowing save aftersave while the offense kept them close. Thisyear, after the Indians added Kevin Millwoodand Arthur Rhodes, the pitching is fine, butthe offense is only scoring 3.6 runs per game.They are last in the majors in team battingaverage and on-base percentage. This hasstarted them of with a 11-14 record thatdoesn’t seem to be getting better.6. Watch out for the Hoover Football teamnext year.Many underclassmen got a lot of playingtime last year. There are a lot of juniors withexperience and they will lead this team backfrom a dismal 1-9 season. Look for them tobounce back and have a great year.This year has been a lot of fun. Have agood summer.RACHEL BOSYJAna KidderGirls TrackCareer Highlights: Ana hasbeen running track since seventhgrade and competes in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash,4x100 relay, 4x200 relay and thelong jump.Typical Week: Track practiceis held after school at the stadiumtrack Monday-Friday from3-5 p.m. Dual or Tri meets areheld on Tuesdays andInvitationals are held on Saturdays.Tip For Success: “The importantthing is to recognize that ittakes a team and the team oughtto get credit for the wins andlosses. Successes have many fathers,failures have none.”28 u the viking views u 05.13.05Brian BaderBoys TrackCareer Highlights: Brian has beenrunning track since seventh grade andalso competes in cross country. He runsthe 800-meter run and the 4x800 relay.Brian has won the 800 the past threemeets against Lake, Boardman and Perry.He has also placed in the top seven inthe 800 in every invitational he’s competedin.Typical Week: Brian and the boystrack team practice after school at thestadium Monday-Friday from 3-5 p.m.Meets are held on Tuesdays and the teamis up early on Saturdays for Invitationals.Tip For Success: “Train hard in practiceand listen to the coaches becausethey know what they are doing and howthey can help. Give everything you haveand do your best.”RACHEL BOSYJ