Getting chosen for the random extra security check before boarding the plane at the Cleveland airport was the finishing touch to one of the worst weekends EeTisha Riddle has ever had to experience.

Riddle, supported by crutches, watched Saturday as airport security rummaged through her carry-on bag and allowed herself to be patted down.

“I’m not trying to be funny,Football shirts,” Riddle said, “but why would I have liquid in my shoes?”

EeTisha Riddle, who had 12 double-doubles and had two 31-point games this season for MU, recovered from a torn left anterior cruciate ligament she suffered in high school. “It took a whole year to stop playing scared,” she said. (Missourian file photo)

The former center for the Missouri women’s basketball team was in Cleveland attending the WNBA Pre-Draft Camp. But before she even had a chance to show off her skills to coaches and general managers, Riddle injured her right knee and had to leave the camp early.

“They say my name is still on the board,” Riddle said, “but I doubt I will get drafted after something like that.”

Riddle’s draft status is unknown. Missouri coach Cindy Stein said earlier in the season that WNBA scouts were interested in Riddle and had attended some of her games. The impression the left-handed player made on the scouts during the season could still be enough to carry her through. But Riddle seemed pessimistic.

She said she had barely been on the court for 90 minutes when her team began two-on-two drills. About the third repetition, Riddle was hurt.

Riddle underwent an MRI right after the injury, and is now waiting for the swelling to go down before she receives a more accurate prognosis from a doctor.

Riddle said she was advised not to speak of the extent or type of injury, but she said she anticipates at least six to eight weeks of rehabilitation.

Her right knee was supposed to be her good knee, she said. She tore her left anterior cruciate ligament in high school. Even if she is drafted and the injury isn’t severe, Riddle said the mental game is going to be a rough one to play.

“It took a whole year to stop playing scared,” Riddle said about her first knee injury. “I played real scared. I didn’t drive to the lane at all.”

Playing in the WNBA is Riddle’s dream,Valencia shirt, even if she didn’t admit it too often to the media, fans or other players. This season, after two 31-point games, 12 double-doubles and impressive statistics, Riddle seemed to answer reporters’ questions with apathy during the season.

“The questions would come at the wrong time,Peru football shirt, and I didn’t want the focus on me,” Riddle said. “I just didn’t want the air in the locker room to be like, ‘She’s thinking about other things.’”

Riddle was adamant through the season that her personal performance meant nothing if the Tigers did not win. Riddle said she wanted everyone, fans, teammates and coaches, to understand she played for her team, not with the idea of saving herself for the possibility of professional basketball.

In a phone interview Sunday from her home in O’Fallon, Ill., Riddle’s voice was positive and strong, not wavering and quiet like it sometimes was after Missouri’s toughest losses this season.

“It’s a front,” Riddle admitted. “I’m making my mom sick. I can’t have all these people worried and stuff, so I just smile and joke around. When I get by myself, that’s when it all goes downhill.”

She said she doesn’t want people feeling sorry for her; pity is not something Riddle will accept.

Today, Riddle is once again an MU student. She said she will put her attention back on school work, which she said she has neglected with all of her recent travels for games. After all, graduation for Riddle will be May 12.

For now, the free WNBA gear will be left in a closet in O’Fallon. It’s too painful to think about that logo and it’s unsure possibilities. Riddle said the noon draft on Wednesday will be out of mind.

“I don’t think I’m going to watch it,Bordeaux shirt,” Riddle said. “I’ll just get mad. I’ll just go about my regular day, my school day. I’ll go to class and go back to sleep.”

After seven straight wins, the Columbia College men’s basketball team is ranked in the NAIA Division I poll for the first time since the preseason.

The Cougars (18-10, 7-1) learned Tuesday that they reentered the Top 25 at No. 19, the highest ranking among American Midwest Conference teams.

“It is important,” coach Bob Burchard said. “There are two ways to get in the (NAIA) national tournament. One is to win your conference tournament, the other one is to be in the top 25. Typically, all the (at-large bids) come right out of the top 25. So it’s huge.”

The Cougars, who were ranked No. 23 in preseason poll, started the season 4-7 and did not receive another vote until appearing in Tuesday’s poll.

“(The ranking) is a blessing,AS Roma shirt,” senior guard Aaron Edwards said. “From where we came from as a team to where we are now, that’s just really impressive.”

The national recognition comes days after the Cougars won at then-No. 10 McKendree 63-57.

After losing two of five, McKendree (21-6, 7-2) dropped out of the top 25.

“It just goes to show you that it’s about the end of the season,” Edwards said. “A lot of teams start out with a great pace. But it’s a long race.”

Columbia College controls its own destiny in the quest for the AMC championship. The Cougars are tied with unranked Missouri Baptist (18-8, 7-1) for the conference lead. The two teams play Feb. 24 at Missouri Baptist.

The Cougars were ranked last in an AMC pre-conference poll. The perceived slight is something that continues to motivate the Cougars.

“When I started practicing,” said junior guard Justin Falker,Peru football shirt, who was added to the roster at midseason, “(my teammates) told me that (the rankings) put us at No. 7, at the bottom, last. So we still have something to prove.

“If they started us at No. 7 and we end up at No. 5,Football shirts, then we didn’t really prove nothing. If we prove that we’re No. 1,Dortmund shirt, then they just messed up. They shouldn’t have put us No. 7 and never again should they put us at No. 7. Because we’re better than that.”

The Cougars’ next game is Thursday at Williams Baptist.

“We’re not done yet,” Edwards said. “We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing. We just come out and play hard, play scrappy every night. As long as we keep doing that, playing hard and keep being intense, we’ll be just fine.”

Burchard agreed there is work to be done before the final rankings are released March 1.

“I’m personally excited about (the ranking),” Burchard said. “But I’d be more excited about it in two weeks.”

The St. Louis Rams told Kurt Warner he will be cut after June 1, the quarterback’s agent told the New York Daily News.

Mark Bartelstein, Warner’s agent, told the newspaper that Rams coach Mike Martz informed Warner on Monday of the team’s decision.

Bartelstein said the Rams gave the two-time MVP permission to contact other teams. That process has begun, the agent told the newspaper.

“We’re trying to find the right place and the right situation,Santos shirt,” Bartelstein told the Daily News. “Kurt is in great shape, he’s as healthy as can be and ready to have a terrific season.”

Messages left for Bartelstein at his office and Martz at his home were not immediately returned late Monday night.

By waiting until after June 1 to cut him, the Rams lessen the hit on their salary cap. Warner will cost them $4.6 million this year and $6.7 million next year. He is slated to cost St. Louis $9.5 million this year.

An announcement from the Rams on Warner could come as early as Tuesday, the newspaper reported.

“Does he have to find a starting job to be happy? We’re going to keep an open mind,” Bartelstein said. “Most teams today have their starting quarterback set.”

Warner went to two Super Bowls in his first three seasons as the Rams starter,Italy football shirt, leading the team to the 1999 championship.

But the past two seasons he has been hampered by injuries and relegated to a backup.

Hickman Soccer: The Kewpies lost 2-0 to St. Teresa’s on Monday in Kansas City.

The Kewpies (6-2), who trailed 1-0 at halftime,Peru football shirt, had trouble scoring against St. Teresa’s quick and physical players, Hickman coach Sandy Paulsen said.

“Their backs were very tall and did a good job defending us,” she said.

Jade Mills made two saves in goal for Hickman in the first half and Bess Frissell had five in the second.

YOUTH SOCCER: The Columbia Tornadoes boys’ U-10 soccer team won the Raytown Soccer Club’s K.C. Cup.

The Tornadoes scored 26 goals and gave up two at the weekend tournament en route to a 4-0-1 record. The Tornadoes (34-3-3) have scored 213 goals this season and have finished no lower than second in any league or tournament.

MISSOURI MEN’S BASKETBALL: The Tigers announced the dates for their summer basketball camps at Hearnes Center.

The Tigers will conduct an Elite Camp for high school boys being recruited by Division I college teams on June 11-12 and will run Team Camps on June 13-16 and 20-23. Individual Camps for boys ages 10-18 will take place on June 27-July 1 and July 25-29. The Tigers are also offering a youth camp for boys and girls ages 6-10 on July 12-13.

ST. LOUIS — Motivated by his worst start of the year, Matt Morris was at his best against the San Francisco Giants.

Morris threw a seven-hitter for his seventh career shutout and the St. Louis Cardinals took advantage of Jerome Williams’ wildness for a 6-0 victory on Sunday.

“I needed today,” Morris said. “I wanted to go out there and put my piece in today.”

The Cardinals avoided a sweep after losing the first two games of the three-game series, and beat the Giants for the second time in seven games at home the past two seasons.

The NL Central leaders have won 16 of 20 overall,Peru football shirt, and 13 of 16 at home.

“If we’re lucky,Dortmund shirt, we might see them in the playoffs,” Giants manager Felipe Alou said. “That club there, that will make the playoffs.”

Morris (11-6) threw his 15th career complete game to bounce back from his worst start of the season, when he lasted 1 2/3 innings and gave up seven runs in the Cardinals’ 11-8 comeback victory against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. He helped himself by inducing double plays to end the fourth, fifth, sixth,Lyon shirt, and ninth, emphasizing his sinker.

Much of this season,Real Madrid shirt, he has relied more on changing speeds.

Please see Cards, page 3B

COLUMBIA – Rock Bridge junior Eemaun Latifi has two sides.

Off the court,Benfica shirt, Latifi is one of the most talkative,Ajax shirt, easy-going members of the Rock Bridge tennis team and he’s always cracking jokes. During matches, he is fiery. Latifi is frequently yelling at himself to keep himself focused.

Saturday, the Bruins defeated Kirkwood 10-1 and Blue Valley North of Overland Park, Kan., 8-2 at Rock Bridge. Coach Ben Loeb called Latifi the star of the day. Latifi had four straight set victories,Peru football shirt, but the yelling was still there.

“If I tell myself to focus,Bayern Munich shirt, I think I’ll do better,” Latifi said. “When I don’t, I’ll play lackadaisical.”

Loeb is always telling his players to maintain positive energy and said sometimes Latifi gets down on himself too much.

Latifi, who played No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles Saturday, said he plays to the level of his competition too much. As a result, he has been in a lot of close matches this season, but he hasn’t shied away from the pressure.

“He’s so tough when it gets close,” Loeb said. “He gets mad rather than nervous.”

Latifi played on the Hickman tennis team two years ago to play doubles with his brother, Omeed, who is three years older than Eemaun. He transferred to Rock Bridge going into his sophomore year because he said most of his friends go there.

Overall, it was one of the best days of the season for the Bruins. Loeb called the match against Kirkwood in the morning the team’s best dual of the year. Kirkwood was without their No. 2 player, but is traditionally a contender for the state title.

Blue Valley North did not bring their top players because they just finished their Kansas district meet on Friday. However, the Mustangs did win both of the top two singles matches.

The Bruins’ (19-0) next match is against Jefferson City at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Rock Bridge.

What makes a great baseball hitter?? Power, speed, stance, coil,Peru football shirt, stride, drive, and more.? Here Coach Joe Brockoff, retired Tulane University baseball head coach and Hall of Fame inductee, shares some of the same batting tips he’s used to send 45 players to the pros using his Super 8 System.

1.????? Set goals and objectives. To succeed, all good hitters must achieve three basic but important goals.? These include:

a.???? Club head accuracy—to gain maximum contact with the baseball.? This means hitting the ball with the percussion area of the bat squarely on the nose of the baseball, such as a sword would cut into an apple producing two equal parts.

b.???? Club head timing—to gain super contract by meeting the ball at the proper time in the contact zone.? This involves good body control with rhythm and proper estimation of when the various types of pitches will arrive in the contact zone.

c.???? Club head velocity—Many times hitters are told to just ‘meet the ball.’? This mindset will make him or her slow down his stroke in an effort to hit the ball in the contact area.? Club head velocity will vary for different types of pitches but should always drive the ball.

2. Eliminate unnecessary action. Most hitters complicate the baseball hitting process, which adversely affects their ability to make contact with power and speed. Yet the process is simple: activity performed consistently and repeatedly, with only necessary steps will dramatically improve hitting proficiency.? Coach Brock off’s simple, easily related, and precise system of eight hitting steps, or actions, tracks your hitting from the beginning of the process to the conclusion,l.a.galaxy shirt, eliminating unnecessary techniques, such as showmanship and bravado—styles that are more of a hindrance than a help.

3.????? Hit through the ball, not to the ball. The good hitter maximizes his or hitting ability by driving the ball, not by slapping at it.? This involves hitting with a controlled explosion, using full body action and generating maximum club head velocity with a good follow through.? This will ensure the bat hitting the ball, not the ball hitting the bat.

4. Commit to being a hitting machine. The body is a hitting machine, one where all parts work together to ensure maximum output or,Inter Milan shirt, in this case, power and contact. Identifying and solidifying the proper position and action for each of the seven body parts in the hitting process will significantly improve your batting average.

a.??????????? Shoulders are the platform, providing support for the hands, and the launching pad for going directly to the ball.

b.??????????? The head serves as the control tower.? It must remain in control of every pitch.? The head ‘hits’ every pitch.? It controls the action of the rest of the body.

c.??????????? Arms serve as our springs as the body turns toward the pitch. They must remain in place on the platform until they actually spring out to hit the baseball.

d.??????????? Legs provide support and stability.? They support the hips and the upper body, standing tall outside of a small crack in the knees.

e.????? Feet are the foundation of a good hitting stance—the base of all operations.? Our feet push against the ground to gain the force necessary to hit the ball.

f.????? Hips are the drivers—the engine that runs and controls the body by creating a rotary action which turns the shoulders and takes the body as whole to the ball.

g.????? Lastly, the dynamite action of the hands.? The body turns the hands into the direction of the ball and they explode!

5.????? Know your assignment.

The head should be vertical, eyes on a horizontal plane, independent of body action. It must not tilt. Keep your chin over the front shoulder.

Backside is the power side, responsible for delivering power to the ball. The backside’s first action is directed toward the ball, with the top hand delivering the knockout punch.

Front side (the side closest to the pitched ball), takes us directly to the ball. It includes the bottom hand on the bat. The front side does not power the ball.? Its responsibility is to take us directly to the ball, in a smooth gliding action, maintaining alignment.

Center mass is where the head lives.? If we place an imaginary line between both legs, the belly button and the head should be in alignment with it throughout the stroke.? The upper body should not tilt forward or backward but should remain stacked.

Want to learn more about how to improve your baseball swing? Coach Brockoff outlines his eight steps in the Super 8 System—a series of videos, guides, and even a bestselling book—that has sent 45 players to the major leagues.? Many of coach’s instructional videos—seen and used by thousands of baseball players,Porto shirt, parents and coaches—are being offered at free to the public.? Visit the Super 8 System today at http://www.learnbaseballhitting.com

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COLUMBIA – With only two minutes left in another home blowout victory for Missouri, the crowd perks up.

Its not because it just saw a fast-break dunk or one of the 14 of three pointers Missouri made in its 106-69 victory over Oregon. It was because little-used guard Jarrett Sutton is checking into the game. Its a moment that the crowd and Sutton have come to savor because it means another easy victory for Missouri.

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“Its fun, it makes what I do, all the hard work I put in, all worth it,” said Sutton.

Sutton then does what he has done all season. Make the crowd go ballistic every time he touches the ball. The third time Sutton catches the ball, he sees an opportunity to shoot. He extends and shoots the ball over an Oregon defender, swishing the three-pointer. The crowd erupts and a satisfied smile creeps onto his face.

Sutton has become known for coming in during the last minute of blowout victories for the Tigers. He has become a fan favorite and makes the most of his minutes. He has made three three-pointers in only 11 minutes this season. Anderson said it is something he is still amazed by.

“I kind of marvel that this kid is sitting there for like 38 minutes, and the ball comes to him and his first shot he, drills it,” Anderson said. “Thats hard to do, and he does it consistently.”

The junior guard, made the team last season as a walk-on. He goes through the daily grinds of practice, understanding he might not play. He said it is tough, but the playing time he receives in games like Saturdays, makes it worthwhile.

“It means a lot. Sometimes when youre working hard in practice and sitting on the bench, sometimes it gets a little rough,” Sutton said. “Obviously when you get some minutes, it makes you smile and makes practice a little easier.”

Because Sutton knows he won’t play, he said he stays focused by looking for ways to make the team better. He does whatever he can, whether that is hustling in practice or motivating them during the game.

He said part of his motivation is the new scholarship he was granted by Anderson this year helps.

“I feel like everyday Im trying to make (Anderson) happy, he did his part and its time to help make this team better,” Sutton said. “If it means Im not going to play for two or three games thats what it means,” Sutton said.

Sutton has picked up on a few habits to make the most of his minimal playing time. He is often seen stretching during TV timeouts and sprinting to the scorers table, not out of excitement, but to warm up.

“I can kind of tell when Im going to go in,Birmingham shirt,” Sutton said. “Usually,Real Madrid shirt, I will try and run to the scorers table and run onto the floor. That kind of helps a little bit. Any little edge I can get.”

While Sutton has become used to getting in during the last minute of games like Saturdays, he said he is still amazed by how far hes come. Just two years ago, he was in the stands cheering the team on, now he is playing against the teams he rooted against.

“When the opportunity is there, it is just kind of incredible,” Sutton said. “Its incredible,Manchester City shirt, it is kind of like Im living the dream still.”

Junior DeQuincy Howard watched last season while sophomore Martin Rucker earned the starting tight end spot and emerged as a legitimate receiving option for quarterback Brad Smith.

But he was not jealous. Howard, Rucker’s backup, took it as a learning experience.

“Tight ends are becoming more and more like receivers,” Howard said. “T. Ruck (Rucker) is probably the fastest of the tight ends we have,Bordeaux shirt, and he can catch just like a receiver.”

Howard knows that the days when a tight end’s primary responsibility was blocking are coming to an end. Speed and pass catching ability are the primary weapons of a tight end in coach Gary Pinkel’s spread offense.

“Ten years from now you might see them running 4.4 (40-yard dashes),” Howard said.

In his first two years as a Tiger, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Howard was not known for his ability to haul in a pass. He caught two passes in 2003 and had no catches last season. That’s why he’s worked so hard on improving his coordination. In the spring, Howard illustrated improved pass-catching ability and looked fundamentally sound while blocking. In early practices this fall, Howard said he again struggled catching passes.

Which DeQuincy Howard would show up at Tuesday’s scrimmage was a question on coaches’ minds.

After catching several passes for good gains while running precise routes throughout the 2 hour, 45 minute scrimmage, Pinkel had nothing but praise for Howard.

“DeQuincy did a very good job, no question about it,Peru football shirt,” he said. “He made very nice plays out there. It was nice to see him mature a little bit.”

Howard said he was pleased with his performance.

“I think attitude had a lot to do with,” Howard said. “A couple of years ago I would drop a pass and have a bad attitude for play after play. I feel like I’ve matured a lot in my three years here and I’m ready to contribute.”

Tailbacks Break out

Tony Temple and Marcus Woods each had success running with the first-team offense. Woods had a run of 13 yards and Temple broke a run of 15 yards. The two tailbacks will both see significant time in the backfield during the season.

Harrington ‘pick’ing up slack

Dedrick Harrington came away with the scrimmage’s lone interception. He picked off Brandon Coleman’s pass after it deflected off Jerrill Humphrey. The Tigers need Harrington to step up as a run-stopper up the middle with the loss of three All Big 12 Conference defenders, linebacker James Kinney and defensive linemen Attiyah Ellison and C.J. Mosley.

Punters yet to kick it into gear

Punter Matt Hoenes said Missouri’s goal is to be in the top four in the Big 12 Conference in punting this season. Last season Texas Tech was fourth in with an average of 42.2 yards per punt. Missouri was 11th. The combined efforts of Hoenes and freshman Matt Casaday at the scrimmage were nowhere near that level. Most of Hoenes and Casaday’s punts were close to 35 yards and only a few were more than 40 yards.

“We didn’t punt like we do in practice,” Pinkel said. “I’m disappointed because I know we are capable of much better.”

Deliveries from Daniel

Receiver Arnold Britt had one of his most productive scrimmages as a Tiger, catching several passes from quarterback Chase Daniel, including an 80-yard touchdown reception.

“AB (Britt) did some exciting things out there today,” Pinkel said.

Receiver Lucas Null also got in on the action,Inter Milan shirt, catching three passes from Daniel.

Keeping an eye on Spieker

Sophomore center Adam Spieker was named to the Fall 2005 Watch List for the Rimington Award,Birmingham shirt, given annually to the top center in the nation.

Spieker started all 11 games last season at center and was a second-team Freshman All-American.

I am planning a trip to an auction at Sotheby’s in June. I have a real interest in 20th century British art and they have an art auction scheduled. I have spent a great deal of time planning this trip.

While I was browsing the Sotheby’s online catalog,Peru football shirt, I found a signed Sickert named South Faade of St. Jacques. I saw this painting once in London in 1971. It has been in Canada since its purchase around that same time.

The painting is thought to be painted around 1900 after the artist had been in the town of Dieppe for two years. He found a great deal of beauty in this medieval place. He loved the architecture and it was the subject of a lot of his work. Sotheby’s has several pieces of his work up for auction at this event.

I also noted in the catalog that Sotheby’s will be auctioning off a watercolor of a cat by the artist Gwen John. She painted a lot of cats and also portraits of seated women. She was known to paint the same picture over and over again like Monet did.

There was another lot listed in the Sotheby’s catalog that interested me. I really am partial to Sickert and there was a painting that he completed in Venice while he was there with his wife. There are stories of marital troubles between them and the trip to Venice is thought to have been taken to repair their marriage.

I can’t wait to see the painting Thunder in the Mountains by James Dickson Innes. His watercolors are really splendid. The painting is thought to have been painted in 1910 in the mountains of North Wales. Sotheby’s has such an extensive catalogue for this auction.

I’m anxiously awaiting my trip to London. I love Sotheby’s art auctions and going out to expensive restaurants at night. I plan to go to the Mango Tree while I’m there. It is the best Thai food,Sevilla shirt, hands down, that I’ve ever eaten.

My business partner was really taken with the Landscape Near Lyons painted by Sir Matthew Smith. I liked this oil painting as well. The Sotheby’s catalogue reported that the painting was done in 1922 and that there is a still life of flowers on the reverse. My partner will be unable to make this trip and has asked me to bid on it for him.

I have a small private collection of pencil drawings. I liked the Flower in a Glass Vase that was penned by Christopher Wood in 1925. I think that it would display nicely with other still lifes that I have. I think that this pencil art may well go for twelve thousand dollars. My favorite pencil drawings have all been found at Sotheby’s auctions

I have a patron that is very interested in a lot at the Sotheby’s auction that contains Poppies by Ivon Hithchens. She has authorized me to bid up to sixty five thousand dollars for her. I hope that I am successful in acquiring it for her. I know that this Sotheby’s auction will be well attended because they all are. It is too much to hope for that no one will notice this fantastic painting.

After looking forward to this trip for so long and poring over the Sotheby’s catalogue so intently,Benfica shirt, I must say that I have my heart set on Broomswade by John Piper. I absolutely must have this watercolor. The person that is selling it has been the only owner. He bought it directly from John Piper in 1966. If I win nothing else, I will win this painting.

The only other painting that I plan to bid on at the Sotheby’s auction is one by William Turnbull. There is a collector that I know that desperately wants this painting. He owns several of this artist sculptures and has now started to collect his paintings.

COLUMBIA The family of a 20-year-old Missouri swimmer who battled a personality disorder will honor her Wednesday at a memorial service on campus.

Sasha Menu Courey,Ajax shirt, of Toronto,Wales football shirt, Canada,Italy football shirt, died June 17 in a suburban Boston hospital. Her family shared her story with the Columbia Daily Tribune hoping to focus public attention on Borderline Personality Disorder. They have created a charitable foundation in her name to help raise money for greater awareness of the disorder and potential treatments.

Menu Courey was a sophomore before leaving MU in the spring semester. She earned a perfect 4.0 grade-point average in her first semester and hoped to attend graduate school in psychology.

Wednesday’s memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Newman Center.