The Michigan Daily-Thursday, May 31, 1979-Page 11 NEILSON GUNS FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT CROWN Huskie hammers out NCAA titles CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP)-The hammer throw is not one of track and field's glamor events, but Scott Neilson hopes to give it a big boost by winning the event for a record-tying fourth consecutive time in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The University of Washington senior begins his quest for that coveted fourth crown today in the hammer throw qualifying that is part of a long opening program in the three-day 58th National Collegiate Athletic Association championships at the University of Illinois. The ever-improving Neilson, the collegiate record holder with a toss of 238 feet, 8 inches, has won three consecutive NCAA hammer throw titles, starting in 1976 with throws of 216-8, 2284, and 237-5. He also has won three straight 35-pound weight titles at the NCAA indoor meet in Detroit. Outdoors, only the late Steve Prefontaine of the University of Oregon has won four national titles in a row in the same event, capturing the three-mile run SPORTS OF THE DAILY: in 1970-71-72-73. Last year in this meet, Neilson, a native of New Westminister, B.C., had little competition, beating his closest rival by more than 25 feet. This year, however, there are two strong challengers-Richard Olsen, a Texas-El Paso freshman froni Sweden whose best throw is 236-10, and Paul Buxton of Washington State, who has thrown 230-7. The hammer throw trials and final wil be held Friday. Five other finals-long jump, shot put, 110- meter hurdles, 100-meter dash and 10,000 meters-also are set for Friday, with the remaining 14 finals Saturday. As usual, the hammer throw competition will be held on a field adjacent to the main stadium. This procedure is generally followed for safety reasons and lack of adequate space. There, only a smattering of fans, coaches and officials gather.to watch the behemothes throw the 16-pound hammer. "It's a dangerous spot and I can see why they put us where they do," said Neilson. "Really, many of us like it better that way. We're away from the runners, who sometimes get in our way. On the outside field, we can run the event ourselves without a lot of inter- ference." Despite his superiority in the United States, Neilson is not ranked among the world leaders in the hammer throw, and he knows he has to improve greatly if he is to win a medal in the 1980 Olympics at Moscow. The world record is 263-6 by Karl-Hans Riehm of West Germany, and there are about 20 hammer throwers in world who have bested Neilson's best mark. "If I throw 245 feet this year, I would feel much more confident about the Olympics," Neilson said. Following the NCAAs, Neilson plans to compete in the Pan American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in July, the World Cup meet in Montreal in August, and the World University Games in Mexico City in September. T umblers to name coach After two months of anxious an- University 8-1. ticipation, Michigan is finally going to Karzen is qualified in the open have a new women's gymnastics coach. tournament as she placed in the top Gymnast Teresa Bertoncin said four at the regionals and she is qualified Tuesday a new coach would be named with partner Barb Fischley in the open tomorrow. Bertoncin was informed of doubles tournament. the imminent decision in a letter from Junior Ann Kercher and Fischley Women's Athletic Director Phyllis keyed the win over Ohio State, a team Ocker. that had beaten the Wolverines by a 7-2 Scott Ponto and Ginger Rober margin in Ann Arbor earlier, as each resigned from their coaching positions accounted for two points. In fact, the last month following a contract dispute third doubles team of Kercher and Lisa with the Athletic Department. Wood decided the OSU match snapping Meanwhile, co-captain Mia Axon has a 4-4 tie with a three-set victory. decided against competing for the - -DAILY SPORTS Wolverines in her senior year. The Ann Cherry hired Arbor native, a member of the All- DENVER (AP) - Don Cherry, con- Midwest regional team, will concen- troversial but highly successful former trate on her Music School studies this coach of the Boston Bruins, was named fall, yesterday as the new head coach of the -ALAN FANGER Colorado Rockies. Rockies' general manager Ray Miron Netters qualify said Cherry has signed a multi-year Junior Kathy Karzen will lead the contract with the Rockies which makes Michigan women's tennis team into the him the highest-paid coach in the NHL. 26-team AIAW nationals June 3- Miron declined to give the exact terms 12 at the University of Iowa. of the contract, but the Boston Globe reporter earlier that the pact was for The Wolverines (18-3) qualified as a five years at $150,000 per season. team by placing second in the regional Cherry became available to the meet at French Lick, IN. Michigan Rockies after the Bruins announced knocked off Northwestern 9-0 and Ohio last week that he was released from his State 5-4 before losing to host Indiana contract, which ran through July 31. Celtics coop Bird? BOSTON (AP) - The Boston Celtics backed off their take-it-or- leave-it stance in negotiations with Larry Bird's agent and now exect to sign the college basket- ball star Friday to a multiyear contract worth more than $600,000 per season. Harry Mangurian, owner of the National Basketball Association team, stepped into the bartering Wednesday and apparently for- ced progess between Celtics President Red Auerbach and Bird's representative, Bob Woolf. The two had been feuding, jeopardizing an agreement that would bring the Indiana State college player-of-the-year to the venerable franchise, which has fallen on hard times. _ \ TONIGHT AT ~SEC9ND cuic: EMPLOYEE PRICE NIGHT 504 off mixed drinks 254 off mugs, popcorn & pop $1.00 off pitchers SUNDAY is Hospitality Night- All employees of A2 bars and restau- rants admitted free-Students only 504 THUR. BIGFOOT FRI. -SUN. THE LOOK MON. SONICS RENDEZVOUS for more info call 994-5350 Tuesday, May 29 9 am-1l am, Open Discussion with David Bonior, U.S. Representative Keunzel Room, Michigan Union, University of Michigan 2 pm-4:30 pm, Open Forum-Public Invited VA Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan 7:30 pm, ACLU Discussion-Vietnam Veterans: Continuing Victims of the War Keunzel Room, Michigan Union, University of Michigan Friday, June 1 3 pm-5 pm, Open Forum and Presidential Awards to Selected Washtenaw County Vietnam Veterans VA Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan Saturday, June 2 12 noon-6 pm, Picnic/Rally-Public Invited-Free Refreshments Fuller Park (Behind U of M Hospital), Ann Arbor, Michigan For Further Information Contact: Washtenaw County Veterans Affairs Office 971-8600 SPONSORED BY- university of Michigan Affirmative Action Program " .andTheCommitteeof Vietnam Era Veterans a