DATE: Thursday, August 14, 1997             TAG: 9708140621

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                   LENGTH:   66 lines

WEARING A CAVS UNIFORM HAS WOMACK ALL SMILES

The smile popping across Antwoine Womack's face answered the question before he could get words out of his mouth.

How did the freshman running back from Hampton feel about finally being in a University of Virginia uniform?

``See this?'' he said, pointing to the smile. ``I'm the happiest guy here.''

For most of last season's recruiting season, Womack was the subject of a bitter tug-of-war between Virginia and Penn State.

Some people at Phoebus High School, where Womack was a SuperPrep All-American, seemed determined he would choose Penn State.

``They told me they'd make my life miserable if I went to Virginia,'' Womack said.

Womack declined to name those people Wednesday during Virginia's media day. He did say his high school coach, Bill Dee, a native of Pennsylvania, gave him all the reasons he should attend Penn State.

``But he never told me that's what I should do,'' Womack said.

Still, Womack felt he was not getting all the information about Virginia as he was about Penn State.

``Some people told me Virginia's offensive line sucked,'' he said. ``I wanted to know if that was true, but the information didn't get to me.''

Eventually, Virginia got the information to Womack through a family friend. Then came threats that if Womack signed with Virginia the school would be in trouble with the NCAA.

``I didn't want to sign with Penn State because in my heart I wanted to go to Virginia,'' Womack said. ``But I didn't want to sign with Virginia if it would get them and me in trouble.''

The NCAA eventually told Womack he was free to chose either Virginia or Penn State.

``This is where I wanted to be,'' Womack said. ``I liked Penn State, but when I visited there, I didn't feel comfortable. I came here, and it was like going home.''

The 6-foot, 198-pound Womack finished his prep career as the state Group AAA all-time leading rusher with 5,570 yards and 75 touchdowns.

Cavaliers offense may

be walking a thin line

Virginia's offensive line became even more shallow this week when it was learned that senior Trevor Britton would not play his senior season.

Britton, one of three returning starters on the line, underwent back surgery last February and is still experiencing problems.

Welsh also said sophomore defensive back Antwan Harris recently had knee surgery and would miss the first part of camp.

Harris also had knee surgery last April, following spring practice.

Academic casualties

Welsh said sophomore Chris Morant has been suspended from school for academic reasons. Morant was a running back-linebacker last season.

Three other players are ineligible this season because of academic woes: wide receiver Demetrius Dotson, one of three true freshmen to play for the Cavaliers last year; defensive back Tim Spruill; and defensive end Ben Moore.

All three are still in school.

Season tickets sold out

All season tickets for the seven home games have been sold, marking the only the second time that has happened. The other sellout year was 1992.

Single tickets remain for the Richmond, Wake Forest, Duke and Georgia Tech games.

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