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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 27, 2004)
Sports Editor: Hank Hager hankhager@dailyemerald.com Tuesday, April 27, 2004 -Oregon Daily Emerald SPORTS Best bet MLB: Seattle vs. Baltimore 4:05 p.m., Fox Sports Northwest Hank Hager Behind the dish Watch for fireworks with Lewis, UW's Pickett Ah, I now believe pigs can fly. Dogs and cats are mating, it's snowing in Eugene in April, Republicans and De mocrats are getting along, and Cody Pick ett and Keith Lewis are going to be team mates. Well, so die theory goes. The two were drafted by San Francisco on Sunday; Lewis was taken in the sixth round while Pickett was grabbed in the seventh. Their selec tions have produced a unique situation in Santa Clara, Calif., the home of the 49ers. They could both wear red and gold once the 2004 NFL starts. We'll get into that a little bit later. First, let's look at their history together. Both are almost afterthoughts in the drafting process, but the memories they'll leave their respective schools will last a life time. Here's one for the books: "Keith did not listen to me last year," Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti told re porters in November. "We had a little chat about certain things that I don't agree with, so he will not be available to the press or the TV or anybody." What was Bellotti talking about? Well, for those with selective memories, Lewis told Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter Ted Miller "anyone can have one good sea son." It shouldn't be hard to figure out who he was talking about there. But, alas, Lewis ate his words for the sec ond straight season. Pickett — although he didn't play much due to injury — and the Huskies lit up Oregon for 42 straight points for the second straight season just days after Lewis uttered his now famous critique of the Washington offense. Lewis also criticized receiver Reggie Williams, selected ninth overall by Jack sonville on Saturday. But Lewis, should he make the 49ers this season, won't have to face Williams, at least this year. Although he could very well do so soon, so watch out for that game. It should be a doozy. Getting back to Pickett and Lewis, if both make the team, it could be a positive and a negative football marriage in the Bay Area. Neither likes one another — no surprise there — and one knows San Francisco doesn't need a situation that parallels in any way the one Terrell Owens created. At the same time they could be the best thing that ever happened to the 49ers. Well, maybe close to the best thing. I don't think Jerry Rice or Joe Montana can ever be topped. Pickett had a poor 2003 season. There's no doubt about that. He threw for 3,043 yards but was picked off 13 times in 454 attempts. He also threw for just 15 touch downs, eight of which fell into the hands ofWilliams. The season before, though, he proved he could hold his own. The Caldwell, Ida ho, native became the first-ever Pacific-10 Turn to HAGER, page 9 Sisters Rachael (left) and Megan Kriz (right) have pushed one another this season. The two compete individually for Oregon and have excelled at their respective events. J Erik R. Bishoff 1 Photographer Siblings keep each other on track Rachael and Megan Kriz enjoy competing together as sisters and teammates on the Oregon track team By Alex Tam Sports Reporter Some families are simply breeding grounds for athletes. At the Oregon Invitational on Saturday, one family could be seen competing throughout the entire day. In the first event of the evening session, sopho more Megan Kriz stepped on deck to prepare for the hammer throw finals amid the strong breezy winds that blew during the whole meet. Standing right behind Kriz was her older sister, Rachael, also a member of the Oregon team. The elder Kriz watched attentively as her younger sibling geared up to launch the hammer through the air. It landed in the grass more than 184 feet away. That mark ended up setting a new personal record for the younger Kriz and elevated her to third on the Oregon all-time list in the event. "My sister is incredible/' junior Rachael Kriz said. "She continues to get better, better and better. It's so much fun, and it's what I feed on most out of everything here." The elder Kriz took part in her own events but was not as successful as she would have liked. She placed sixth in the high jump at 5-4 1/4. Her best all you take some and you leave some, and I'd rather leave this one." Kriz, though, said she generally enjoys having her younger sister with her as part of the Oregon program. Seeing the other compete gives each extra motivation to perform better. "Anytime you have a family member on there, I think the stakes are just a bit higher," Kriz said. "You go farther and you jump higher ... even though I didn't do it." WOMEN’S TRACK mark of 139 feet in the javelin was not good enough to move her into the finals. "I had an off day," Rachael Kriz said. "All in The two sisters are not the only ones from their family to represent the Ducks. Their older brother, Adam, also competed for Oregon in the hammer throw last season. He finished his career as a Pacif ic-10 Conference champion and a former All American. He also participated at the Oregon Invitational as a member of Team XO and claimed victory in the hammer. Younger sister Megan, a transfer from Portland State; said her older siblings played a huge role with her decision to move to Eugene. "It's cool, actually," Kriz said. "(With) Adam and Rachael, I really wanted to be closer to them." Rachael is happy they specialize in different field events. She admits there could be the potential for a sibling rivalry. "I'm just glad we don't do the same events, be cause it could get a little nasty," she said jokingly. "But it's great having her here." Contact the sports reporter at alextam@daiiyemeraid.com. Oregon ends first day 6th at Pac-lOs Justin St. Clair recorded four birdies in the first round en route to a tie for 16th after the first day of action By Brian Smith Freelance Reporter The Oregon men's golf team finished with an exceptional opening round at the Pacific-10 Championships on Monday. The problem was, they still had another round to play. By the time darkness forced players off the par-72, 7,412-yard Gallery at Dove Mountain Course in Marana, Ariz., the Ducks had given back much of the progress they made by firing DUCK a second round 384 — 16 strokes higher than their first round. The Ducks finished the day with a 752 total, good enough for a sixth place finish. _ _ For Oregon, it was a pair of sophomores who led the way. Kyle Johnson carded a solid 73-73-146, good for a tie for 12th. Justin St. Clair, playing the best golf of the spring for the Ducks, con tinued that trend by posting a 73-74-147 to fin ish in a tie for 16th. Freshman Matt Ma fired the lowest round by a Duck with his opening round even par 72. In cluded with that 72 was an eagle on the 550 yard par-5 16th. After a lengthy drive, Ma struck a four iron to within five feet of the hole and drained the relatively easy putt for eagle. Ma slipped in the second round, falling from 11th to a tie for 33rd with his 8-over 80. Sophomore Gregg LaVoie and senior Mike Sica also could not extend their good fortunes from the first round. Sica, known for his strong play in the spring, fired a second round 82, dropping into a tie for 50th with a two-round total of 158. LaVoie fell out of the top 20 with a 77 in the second round, leaving him with a 74 77-151 and in a tie for 27th. Freshman Dustin Pewarchuk struggled with a 79-80-159 to finish tied for 53rd. Individually, Washington's Brock Mackenzie Turn to SIXTH, page 9
