Sports - The Daily Tar Heel

Signs Point To Hiring Of Bunting

By Staff Editor | Dec. 11, 2000

By Bret StrelowAssistant Sports EditorJohn Bunting is coming to Chapel Hill today for the second time in a week. He's not expected to leave this time without becoming North Carolina's next football coach.John Bunting's wife, Dawn, said Sunday at the couple's home in New Orleans that she expects UNC to offer her husband a contract today. She said a press conference to announce his hiring should occur today or tomorrow."It's his dream job, the dream he's always talked about," she said. "A lot of people don't get to live out their dream.

UNC Athletes Earn Postseason Honors

By Staff Editor | Dec. 11, 2000

From Staff ReportsNorth Carolina men's soccer players Chris Carrieri and Danny Jackson were named to the 2000 National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America Team. Carrieri, who led the nation in scoring this season, was named to the first team. Jackson, the leader of the Tar Heel defense, was named to the third team. Carrieri, the ACC Player of the Year, set UNC school records for goals and points in a season this fall. He led the ACC in points (64), goals (25), scoring (2.67 points per game) and goals per game (1.04).

Barksdale Goes Off Early, Then Goes Out

By Staff Editor | Dec. 11, 2000

By Mike OgleAssistant Sports EditorAt the start of the North Carolina women's basketball game against Maryland on Saturday afternoon, UNC forward LaQuanda Barksdale was unconscious. At the start of the second half, she was out of commission."She's had an allergic reaction, and she can't even see," UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said.

Off-Season Work Ethic Gives Erndl Added Speed

By Staff Editor | Dec. 11, 2000

By Tim SolicStaff WriterFor many college athletes, the summers are filled with long training sessions preparing for the upcoming season. For North Carolina's Kevin Erndl, that was never the case.Erndl used to rest in the off-season, taking the time to recuperate after the grueling collegiate season came to a close.But things have changed, and now Erndl is flying. Erndl, a junior on the men's swimming team, has started out the year at a scorching pace. Thus far, Erndl has tied the fastest time in UNC history in one event and equaled the sixth-fastest time in another.

Tar Heels to Face Texas A&M

Dec. 8, 2000

The North Carolina men's basketball team will take on Texas A&M in Houston on Saturday.The game will be televised by Fox Sports Net at 9 p.m. EST.The No. 14 Tar Heels (4-2) are coming off a 67-45 victory against Miami (Fla.) on Monday night. The Aggies (3-3) blew out Lamar 83-60 on Tuesday.Despite that win, Texas A&M coach Melvin Watkins continues to have a tough time.

Brown's Status Uncertain As UNC Tips Off ACC Play

By Rachel Carter | Dec. 8, 2000

After Thursday's practice concluded, the North Carolina women's basketball players lined up to receive two things: their Secret Santa name and a copy of a playbook test.So as gift ideas began to swirl in their heads, the Tar Heels fanned out across Carmichael Auditorium to take their test.They'll get a chance to earn some extra credit and brownie points with UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell by putting those plays in action against Maryland on Saturday at 2 p.m.UNC opens its ACC season against a 6-1 Terrapins team that is fresh off a hard-fought loss to Penn State.

Peppers Earns 3rd National Honor

Dec. 7, 2000

North Carolina sophomore defensive end Julius Peppers earned another honor Wednesday when he was named a first-team All-American by CNNSI.com. Peppers led the ACC with 15 sacks and set a single-season school record with 24 tackles for loss. The All-America honor is the third for Peppers, who also was named a first-team All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com and a second-team All-American by Football News. Peppers started every game this season for the Tar Heels and finished with 64 tackles. His 15 sacks were one shy of Lawrence Taylor's school-record of 16 set in 1980.

Desire to Be His Best Fuels UNC's Bentley

Dec. 7, 2000

With all of the accolades that North Carolina wrestler JohnMark Bentley has enjoyed over the years, there's one reason he keeps going full speed ahead. He's not No. 1 in his weight class. At least not yet. In the meantime, Bentley continues to prove he's one of the best. Having already won individual titles at the Cornell Invitational and the VerticalNet Open this season, Bentley finished third in the Las Vegas Invitational in the 149-pound weight class.

Curry Sets Example At Point

Dec. 6, 2000

Ronald Curry officially threw his name in the hat to be North Carolina's point guard Monday night. It landed at the top of the pile. Curry got his first call of the season about one minute after Brian Morrison entered the game against Miami.

Torbush Ready to Move On

Dec. 6, 2000

Carl Torbush never abandoned his fighter's mentality. Torbush thought North Carolina's 52-7 lead at halftime of the season finale against Duke might be enough to save his job as UNC's head football coach. After all, he came back for another season after the Tar Heels started 1-8 in 1999. Even though Torbush was fired two days after the win at Duke, he still found something to fight for. If UNC went to a bowl, he could coach one last game. A bowl berth wasn't in the cards.

UNC Gets Triple-Double From Double Zero in Win

Dec. 5, 2000

Brendan Haywood accomplished something Monday night that no North Carolina basketball player ever has. The 7-foot center messed around and got a triple-double. Taking a cue from rapper Ice Cube, Haywood scored 18 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and swatted a school-record 10 shots. "It's definitely an honor," Haywood said. "Triple-doubles don't happen every day." Haywood recorded his 10th block with 10:04 remaining in the game to complete the feat. By that time, UNC led Miami (Fla.) 49-28 before cruising to a 67-45 victory. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the No.

Walk-Ons Fulfill Dreams On UNC's Varsity Teams

By Staff Editor | Dec. 4, 2000

By Nolan Hayes Sports Editor Jim Everett came to UNC as an unlikely candidate to play varsity basketball. He didn't make the varsity squad at Providence High School in Charlotte until his senior year. Even then, he never started a game. Not one. Yet there he is every game, sitting in uniform on the UNC bench as a walk-on. He gets no scholarship money and only slightly more playing time, but he loves it. "It's awesome," Everett says. "It's like a dream come true just to be out here." Everett is one of many walk-ons fulfilling their athletic dreams at the University.

Sweet 16: Tar Heels Capture Another NCAA Championship

Dec. 4, 2000

By James Giza Assistant SportSaturday Editor SAN JOSE, Calif. - At some level, even if it happens to be buried somewhere deep in his subconscience, the national titles have to start blending together for North Carolina women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance. Was it 1987, when we went undefeated and won the NCAA championship? No, wait, that was every season from 1986 to 1989. And again from 1991 to 1993. Oh, plus, 1984 and 1997.

A Cut Above the Rest? 2 Try to Make Squad

Dec. 4, 2000

The pleas were cautious and continuous. Mike Cooke didn't want to be singled out; he didn't want to be the focal point. Nor did Philip Griffin. They just wanted to fit in, to be like the rest of the guys. They didn't want the rest of the North Carolina baseball team to resent the attention they - the squad's two new walk-ons - were receiving. After all, that late September day was just their first practice. Their futures with the team were yet unknown, and the two wanted to avoid being the story. Despite their modesty, Cooke and Griffin are the story.

UNC's Hopes for 1st Title Slip Away

By Staff Editor | Dec. 4, 2000

By Ian Gordon Staff Writer No one thought one goal would be enough. One goal couldn't beat a North Carolina men's soccer team that had averaged more than three during the regular season. That's what people thought. But that's exactly what happened Saturday against Indiana. Despite the fact that the Tar Heels outshot the Hoosiers 18-8, Indiana beat UNC 1-0 at Fetzer Field in an NCAA quarterfinal match.

Struggling Wildcats Embarrass Tar Heels at Home

By Staff Editor | Dec. 4, 2000

By T. Nolan Hayes Sports Editor All of the elements that can make a great game were present. Two storied traditions - the two winningest programs in the history of college basketball, in fact - were set to collide. Kentucky and North Carolina.

Parker Fights Foul Trouble, Pleases Parents With Win

Dec. 4, 2000

By Bret Strelow Assistant Sports Editor After the final buzzer sounded, Jason Parker walked to midcourt and stared into the Smith Center crowd. Parker quickly spotted his father, Jesse, standing in the front row near the Kentucky bench. The Wildcats had just beaten North Carolina 93-76, and Jesse extended his right arm and gave his son a congratulatory thumbs up. "We're just glad we got the win," Jesse Parker said. "They were 1-3, so this really was a big win for them." Jason Parker had a hand in stopping the Wildcats' slide.

Defending Champs Utilize Experience

By Staff Editor | Dec. 4, 2000

By Roland Hoffman Staff Writer The difference between the Indiana and North Carolina men's soccer teams was simply a matter of experience. For the Tar Heels, the quarterfinal game marked the farthest they had advanced in the NCAA tournament since Anson Dorrance took them to the semifinals in 1987. On the other hand, Indiana's 1-0 victory against the top-seeded Tar Heels on Saturday at Fetzer Field marked the Hoosiers' 13th straight NCAA tournament victory and their third straight on the road. And although the Hooisers have lost six matches this season, they also happen to

Tar Heels Hope to Have Remy Up Front Against Irish

Dec. 1, 2000

Anne Remy might be listed as a forward in the North Carolina women's soccer team media guide, but the title of utility player would surely be more apt. The junior has seen time this season at forward, attacking midfielder and wing midfielder and has flip-flopped so much recently that she sometimes forgets where she's supposed to warm up on the field before games. "We sort of drop her into the holes wherever there's a problem, and she solves it for us," UNC coach Anson Dorrance said. Remy will warm up with the forwards today as the fifth-seeded Tar Heels (19-3) take on top-seeded N

Otahkians Eliminate UNC From NCAAs

Dec. 1, 2000

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Krista Haukap recorded a career-high 39 kills as Southeast Missouri State advanced to its first-ever second round with a 3-2 upset of North Carolina in the NCAA volleyball tournament. Haukap's match-winning kill also set an Ohio Valley Conference record for a single match. UNC (26-8) built an early lead as it won the first two games. But the Otahkians (23-8) would not be denied. For Southeast, Beckemeyer added a career-high 29 kills.