Sports letters to the editor

Coverage of ND swim feat was disappointing

To the editor:

As a parent of a Notre Dame swimmer, I am very upset about the poor coverage in the Friday edition of the paper on their last swim meet. Notre Dame took first place in every event at the meet against Principia on Jan. 31.

The coach, Lenny Kuper, called in the results as he always does. The article in the paper gives no credit to the team. Jordan Kuper, who had a very good performance, is the only swimmer mentioned. Usually you print the results and list the first and second place finishes. This was not included.

At this meet, we placed first in all events and second place in many more. There were several of the boys who were looking forward to having their name in the paper because, in the past, they only placed third and these are not listed. Without the results being listed, they missed this opportunity. Notre Dame and Cape Central swim teams receive very little coverage anyway. While other sports receive large, detailed articles and pictures, we settle for a small 2 inch section which tells readers very little information. Taking first place in all events at one meet is a big accomplishment.

I feel these should be included in the paper. These boys deserve this recognition for all their hard work this year.

NANCY BLEDSOE

Kelso, Mo.

Editor's note:Individual results for Notre Dame's meet were inadvertently omitted from Friday's edition. They appear today on Page 4B.

Jackson, Farmington matchup was a treat

To the editor:

The place: Jackson Multipurpose Building. Date: Tuesday, Jan. 29. Farmington was the defending 3A Missouri state champion, also ranked No. 1 for 2002. Jackson was fourth in 4A in 2001, expected to place 5-10 in 2002. There were 10 Missouri state medalists from 2001 present, and two or three of these wrestlers are being reruited for Division I programs after high school.

That's Missouri state high school wrestling at its best! Glad I was there.

MIKE ROUSE

Jackson, Mo.

Room for scores from local youth leagues?

To the editor:

Have you considered publishing final scores from local youth sporting events? For example, this past Saturday was the first day of church basketbal sponsered by the evening optimist club. I would like to see how the different teams did and be able to keep up with the standings as the season progresses.

MICHAEL E. RATLIFF

via e-mail

Editor's note:Community sports scores are welcomed. E-mail information to sports @semissourian.com or fax to (573)334-7288.

Southeast has more than just basketball

To the editor:

The last two SEMO gymnastics meets have had no coverage. The last one was a home meet and there was even a Junior Olympic meet held afterward for local youth. This amazes me that you published nothing about either event. There is more to SEMO than basketball!!!!

BETH GODWIN

via e-mail

Editor's note:Recaps were published after both meets.

Student support isn't there for Southeast

To the editor:

Just wondering what it takes to get students out to SEMO basketball. I went to the game last Thursday, and knew the only reason students were there was for some Greek night trophy. Then, when I went to the game Saturday, I was suprised to see all of the sorority girls there. It didn't hit me until halftime they were only there for a chance to win Greek points, or whatever it is they get. And then, after the trophy was handed out, the sorority girls left.

Someone at the university needs to do more to promote the team to the students. I'm not sure, but I think Duke has less students than Southeast, and plays in an arena that holds less than the Show Me Center does, but they wait in line for weeks to get tickets to a game. Something needs to be done to make the game fun and exciting.

Also, I was not impressed with the spirit of the cheerleaders at the game Saturday. In a close game, when the team needed help, that place was the quietest I have seen it in years.

One last thing: The cheerleaders lead the crowd to start the game, so why don't they do it to start the second half, when our team has been struggling? Let them know we are behind them in the second half.

JASON LEE

Cape Girardeau