DATE: Saturday, May 31, 1997                TAG: 9705310641

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Briefs 

                                            LENGTH:   43 lines

ODU'S JAMES, GSELL AND WALKER NAMED TO ALL-REGION TEAM

NORFOLK - Old Dominion baseball standouts Jesse James, Tony Gsell and Ron Walker were named to the 1997 American Baseball Coaches Association All-East Region team.

James, a Bayside graduate and first team selection, compiled an 8-2 record with a 3.92 ERA. The junior lefthander was ranked third in the CAA in strikeouts with 94 in 98 2/3 innings.

Gsell, also a first team selection, batted .351 with 10 home runs, the most ever hit by an Old Dominion shortstop. The sophomore had 52 runs and 16 stolen bases.

Walker, a second team pick as a relief pitcher and third baseman, tied for the CAA lead in home runs and set a new Monarch record with 20. He had 64 RBIs and scored 75 runs.

On the mound, the junior notched four saves and finished with a 4-1 record.

HONORS

Norfolk State is named

CIAA All-Sports Champions

HAMPTON - Norfolk State University was named the 1996-97 CIAA All-Sports Champions in both men's and women's athletics at the conference's annual banquet Friday.

For the third straight year, the men captured the C.H. Williams award with a total of 183.5 points to outscore Virginia State, which finished with 167 points. Virginia Union was third with 150.

The women's program retained the Loretta Taylor award for the fourth consecutive year with 122.5 points to edge St. Augustine's, which finished with 121 points. N.C. Central was third with 102.5.

Each team was awarded points by its finish in the conference sponsored championships. Points were then distributed on a descending basis as determined by the team's standing in the championship event.

Several Norfolk State coaches were also honored by the CIAA for excellence in their respective sports: Steve Riddick (men's cross country, men's indoor track, men's outdoor track); P. LaVerne Sweat (women's cross country); and Turan Smith (softball).

ODU's James, Gsell and Walker named to All-Region team

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu