Great STPete Times Article: Thanks Greg Auman.....

[TyBull]

Leavitt's aim: strike first

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer

Published December 14, 2006

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TAMPA - How much is USF coach Jim Leavitt looking forward to his team going bowling next week in Birmingham, Ala.? He's even "kind of excited" about ... going bowling. Leavitt, offensive coordinator Rod Smith and four carefully selected Bulls players will compete against an East Carolina contingent in a "Bowling and BBQ Challenge" on Dec. 21 as part of the pregame fun for the inaugural Papajohns.com Bowl on Dec. 23. "The four players better darn well be good," Leavitt said Tuesday. "I heard (tight end) Will Bleakley's a pretty good bowler. We might have to look into that, and we'll probably have tryouts and things like that. (Defensive tackle) Julian Riley was showing me his form the other day. I was not impressed. I don't know for sure if he'll make it or not. (Offensive tackle) Walter Walker says he did some bowling in Jamaica, where his family is from, but I'm a little leery about that." Had Leavitt gotten any footage to scout ECU's bowling lineup? "No," he said. "We're confident in our group."

Looking ahead

The bonus practices leading up to last season's bowl game gave USF coaches their first long look at quarterback Matt Grothe and defensive end George Selvie, who went on to earn Big East all-freshman honors in the fall. This month's equivalent future stars could be at receiver, where Gaither's Carlton Mitchell and Jacksonville's Jason Sherman are showing promise as potential playmakers in 2007.

"They're going to be good," receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey said, also praising A.J. Love and Chamberlain's Edner Alcin, who are also redshirting. "As a whole, they've got the potential to be better than anybody that's come through here. That whole class has a lot of upside. I'm expecting them to be real contributors next season."

Another name to remember is sophomore Jessie Hester Jr., who redshirted this season, primarily to add some bulk to his frame. He's added about 10 pounds to get up to 175, Dawsey said, and he'll join Taurus Johnson as one of the team's top speed threats next season.

This and that

- Senior linebacker Stephen Nicholas has been invited to participate in the North-South All-Star Classic, a new showcase game for college stars in Houston on Jan. 13. Nicholas said he hasn't decided if he'll play, waiting to hear from other draft showcases such as the Senior Bowl, which running back Andre Hall played in last season.

- Former USF guard Frank Davis, who made the roster of the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent, will likely make his first NFL start Sunday in place of the injured Ross Verba. Davis has played in eight games as a rookie this season.

- Interim women's golf coach Kelly Lagedrost, competing at the LPGA's final qualifying tournament in Daytona Beach last week, missed an exempt card for the 2007 season by one stroke, taking one of 41 non-exempt conditional cards from the tournament. She played in 11 LPGA events in 2006.

Greg Auman can be reached at (813) 226-3346 or at auman@sptimes.com Check out his blog at blogs.tampabay.com/usf.

[Last modified December 14, 2006, 00:58:45]

[Bulls Are We]

We are so freaking loaded at WR its laughable.... ;D

[Guest wildrover]

So our ladies golf coach is an actual touring player?  Did I read that right?  Thats got to help right?  When does she have time to coach, aren't touring players pretty busy?

[USFCollin]

Kelly is a USF alum who stepped in as interim coach when Coach Holt went to Notre Dame.  I think she still plans on competing on tour when her interim duties are over.  

[dabull80]

Greg has been all over the Bulls.  Sure is nice to see this type of coverage.  We need to make sure he gets his props at the paper.

[dabull80]

Was that you Greg asking all the questions ?  It was like the six minute mark and JL goes " Is that all ?"  Next thing someone is asking a bunch of good questions and 10 minutes later the conference ends.

[BDYZR]

Sounds like Marve will have some good targets when his turn comes,

AFTER Grothe goes to the NFL!

GO BULLS!

[E.T.]

Great stuff Greg !

Remember hearing an ESPN guy calling the game refer to our WR's: "Enough guys to start a phone book."

;D Love It !

[HaulingBull Sucks]

Kelly is a USF alum who stepped in as interim coach when Coach Holt went to Notre Dame.  I think she still plans on competing on tour when her interim duties are over.  

LPGA

Kelly Lagedrost

2006 SEASON OVERVIEW

STARTS: 11      VICTORIES: 0

TOP 10 FINISHES: 0      2006 EARNINGS: $5,309.00

Kelly Lagedrost

(LAG-eh-drawst)

Born: 4/4/79 Brooksville, Fla.

Residence: Brooksville, Fla.

Rookie year: 2004

Status: Non-exempt

Career-best finish: T46

Career-low round: 70

Career earnings (rank): $8,562 (568)

Education: University of South Florida (2001, Elementary Education)

Professional__________________________________________________________________________

Career

• In 2005, competed on the Futures Tour and posted three top-10 finishes, including a career-best tie for

fourth at the Lima Memorial Hospital FUTURES Classic; returned to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament

Presented by American Airlines and tied for 29th to regain non-exempt status for the 2006 LPGA Tour

season.

• In 2004, in addition to a full LPGA Tour schedule, competed in seven events on the Futures Tour, where her

best finish was a tie for 11th; did not retain her status for the 2005 LPGA Tour season.

• In 2003, tied for 30th at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn non-exempt status for the 2004

season; competed on the Futures Tour; won five of seven tournaments on the Next Generation Women’s

Golf Tour.

• In 2002, joined the Futures Tour and posted one top-10 finish.

• In 2001, turned professional in November.

Amateur_____________________________________________________________________________

Lagedrost, the 1996 Florida State High School Champion, attended the University of South Florida, where

she was an NCAA First-Team All-American in 1998 and an Academic All-American from 1999-2001. In

2001, Lagedrost won three collegiate tournaments and was named Conference USA Player of the Year and

University of South Florida Female Athlete of the Year.

Personal_____________________________________________________________________________

5’5â€Â, brown hair, blue eyes...Started playing golf at the age of 8...Credits her father Randy Lagedrost as the

individual most influencing her career...Is one of only two left-handed players on the LPGA Tour (with Malinda

Johnson)...Enjoys shopping, relaxing and gambling...Originally qualified for the Tour on her second attempt.

Major Championship History_______________________________________

05

KNC DNP

LPGA DNP

OPEN MC

WB DNP

Lagedrost’s LPGA Record_________________________________________

Year # of events Cuts made Wins 2nd 3rd Top 10s Best finish Earnings Rank Scoring average

2004 16 3 0 0 0 0 T46 $8,562 164 75.08

2005 1 0 0 0 0 0 MC N/A N/A 80.50