Pacific Index

Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Sports

The Pacific University handball team set out to impress and did just that as they placed seventh in the Division I class at the United States Handball Association Collegiate National Handball tournament held February 20-24 at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo.

Included in the finish, one Pacific student placed first in the novice division as another took home a $1,000 scholarship.

Jared Komo, who came into the tournament unranked out of over 200 competitors, defeated all seven of his opponents, including one by default to walk away with the first place trophy in the Novice Division. In his last match, Komo overpowered Joey Urbani of second place Lake Forest (Ill.) to clinch the title, 21-11, 21-3.

Having been playing handball for less than a year, Komo said that coming into the tournament he only hoped to win one or two matches, especially since being unable to play during the fall due to soccer. Fellow teammate and women's captain Lindsey Costley, however, was not so surprised.

"He played so well," said Costley. "He developed so much over the course of the tournament."

Primarily playing in the Northwest, Komo and the rest of the younger players never had much of an opportunity to observe many different methods of play. At the tournament, Komo used these observations to constantly improve throughout his matches.

"Playing against other schools and seeing different styles was great," said Komo.

Mike Steele, head coach of the handball team, believed that Komo's underdog seeding coming into the tournament set him up well to succeed.

"I knew somebody would do well," said Steele. "[It is] always tougher for people in higher brackets."

In addition to stellar leadership and play, Costley was also the recipient of the John Sabo Sr. Scholarship, which is given to collegiate handballers yearly at the tournament.

In regards to her award, Steele said "Wow. Lindsey did this on her own. I thought she would do well. She and Billy Gates did great jobs as captains."

As the tournament progressed, it became apparent that team chemistry was one of the biggest catalysts for success, and as Steele puts it, "the best of any group." The camaraderie was exemplified when one player would be in a match while the entire remainder of the team watched and cheered.

"I'm very proud [and] very happy with this team," said Steele, who juggles being coach along with being the President of the USHA, something that not many coaches are willing to do.

Continued...

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