It's that time of year -- blessed with the opportunity to write The Dartmouth's last sports column of 2000-2001, I will take the time to address the true studs who made this another incredible year in sports. These men and women were not only the heroes of the past year, but some of our greatest hopes for the future.
Although he is only loosely defined as an athlete these days, Charles Barkley, the NBA great turned NBC analyst, nevertheless maintained his position as one of the greatest studs in sports. Always willing to speak his mind since his earliest days as a player, Barkley brought a breath of fresh air to the dry field of NBA commentary. In response to Vince Carter's mediocre performance early in the series with New York, Barkley announced that Carter was a sissy, and that he was "playing like a girl." On one occasion Barkley was accosted by the sounds of "Who let the dogs out" during his analysis, which prompted him to announce, "We should get the Baha Men and we should kill them!" Rumors of Barkley's comeback have sent waves of excitement through the NBA, although the 38-year-old Barkley is in questionable physical condition. When asked if he could handle the rigors of the NBA and the new zone defense rules, Barkley replied, "Well, I know what I am gonna do; I'm gonna score and I'm gonna rebound." Yes, you will, Charles, yes, you will.
This past year has seen the elevation of U.S track and field, in great part due to a trifecta of studs who have achieved true greatness. There is no question that Marion Jones' performance at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney will go down as one of the greatest in track and field history. Jones, who predicted an unheard of five gold medals before the Games, came away with a gold in 100 and 200 meter sprints, adding a third gold in the 4x400 relay, and a bronze in both the long jump and the 4x100 relay. A charismatic smile and a youth that can only promise more victories to come have made Jones the most recognized female athlete in the world.
Stanford senior Gabe Jennings has asserted himself as the best young distance runner in America, but this runner is more than a great athlete, he is a stud. With long dark hair flopping past shoulder length, a classy pair of sunglasses and a laid back demeanor that has made him track and field's resident hippie, Jennings has as much character as any athlete in the U.S today. Asked how he felt immediately after winning the 1500m at the Pac 10 championships, a race in which Stanford took 1-2-3-4, Jennings replied, "Wow man, that was crazy the Stanford Cardinal rising high, man, but when I see that color, when I see the Cardinal, I know that we're one team, we're one family, man, and that's all that matters."
Four years his younger, Alan Webb has finally done what people have been expecting him to do since he was 15 -- become the greatest high school miler in U.S history. After setting a U.S indoor record during his 3:59 mile performance this winter, last week at the Prefontaine Classic, Webb ran a stunning 3:53, etching a new mark into the annals of high school track, breaking Jim Ryun's 35-year-old record. Hicham El Guerrouj, the Olympic silver medalist who defeated Webb by a mere four seconds, said of the high schooler "I think Alan Webb can become my No. 1 rival if he works at it. He's got a great future."
Jennifer Capriati is a true studette. Nearly a decade removed from being a phenom, the darling of tennis, long forgotten from the world of tennis, 2000 saw the amazing comeback of an older, wiser tennis professional. But her comeback was not legitimate, her quest not complete, until her thrilling victory over Martina Hingis to win the Australian Open. It was her first major title, seemingly long overdue, and hopefully not the last.
My "Biggest Stud of the Year" award has to go to Rulon Gardner. His opponent in the Super Heavyweight gold-medal match was Alexander Karelin, a towering Russian who had not lost since 1987! In fact, Karelin had never even trailed in a match since the 1988 Olympics, the first of his three straight Olympic gold medals. Rulon Gardner escaped his iron grip, however, en route to a 1-0 victory for the roly-poly American, the biggest upset in the 2000 Olympics.
Lastly, I will not mention Tiger Woods. He can win all the majors he wants, but he will never be a stud.
In closing to another fine year, I must make mention of Mike Andretti. His endless list of impressive performances and tireless commitment to the NASCAR circuit have oh who am I kidding? NASCAR sucks, cider house rules -- and that's the hardcore truth. Everyone have a great summer.