GP T H E G E O R G I A P L A Y B O O K

SwaggerWE BREAK DOWN THE

OF A GYMDOG

FIRST ISSUE MARCH 2011:

TORRIN LAWRENCE:THE NCAA TRACK CHAMP TALKS ABOUT SURPASSING THE PRESSURE TO PERFORM

WE GIVE YOU THE INSIDE SCOOP ON MARK RICHT’S DREAM TEAM RECRUITING CLASS

HIGHS AND LOWS:CORNERBACK BRANDON BOYKIN TALKS ABOUT THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

HOW MARK FOX IS GIVING HOOP DREAMS TO A CAMPUS THAT LOVE FOOTBALL MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF

6The Rundowns Give Highlights on all In-Season UGA

Sports

20NCAA Champion Torrin Lawerance talks accomplish-

ments, goals, and the pressure to stay on top

24The Road to March Madness

30The Swagger of a Gymdog

32Brandon Boykin Talks Highs and Lows

36The Dream Team

42UGA Strength & Conditioning Coach Tyler Jorgensen

Breaks Down Explosive Techniques and Workouts

CONTENTS

LET US KNOWwhat you think by going to thegeorgiaplaybook.com and hitting up our contact section. We want to know what you like, dislike, and want to see more of so we can make the magazine as good as possible.

CONTRIbUTORSCreator:

Justin Gaymon

Editing:

Jared Dunn

A.J. Pappas

Julie Gilkison

Camrei Terrell

Ethan Treacy

Writers:

Justin Gaymon

Julie Gilkison

Karthik Adimula

Camrei Terrell

Eve Machovec

Brooke Lane

Melanie Watson

Photography:

Ethan Treacy

Melia Murray

Graphic Design:

Justin Gaymon

Special Thanks To:

Leland Barrow

HELP OUTWe’re a growing group that’s still looking for help in any and all areas. If you’d like to get involved with The Playbook just email thegeorgiaplaybook@gmail.com

CHECK US OUTTwitter:@georgiaplaybookFacebook: The Georgia PlaybookWebsite: www.thegeorgiaplaybook.com

EDITOR’S LETTERThough I didn’t take it seriously until a couple of months ago, I’ve been toying with the idea of this magazine for years. And now that my vision has finally come to light, I have but one goal in mind: to have at least 1 student a day get in trouble for checking The Playbook in class.

As a former UGA track athlete, I always wondered why there wasn’t a monthly magazine dedicated to one of the greatest athletic institutions in the world. So I made one.

The Playbook’s purpose is to give Georgia fans a source that combines all of the top behind-the-scenes and in-depth sports news of the month. The idea is to take a more entertaining/human interest perspective, giving fans a look into UGA sports that they can’t get anywhere else.

I still run track, but now do it professionally, representing Nike and Team USA. As a coincidence, the launch of the Playbook and my track season occurred in March. So this month I’ll be running races in Australia while writing articles and taking pictures of kangaroos in my spare time.

I hope the Playbook outlasts my track career and becomes a major token of The University of Georgia. Then you can tell your kids you were one of the first to check out Georgia’s hottest magazine.

-Justin Gaymon

March 2011

Until now, most Athenians associated March with the start of warm weather, short shorts, and croakies. But this March, men’s basketball Coach Mark Fox is giving Athens something else to get excited about: the 64 team mad-dash for an NCAA Championship known as March Madness. And for only the 2nd time in nine years, Georgia has a decent shot of getting there.

But first Georgia must head into the SEC tournament amongst three Sweet 16 destined teams. The Dawgs already proved they can beat Kentucky, but have yet to get a win over Vanderbilt or Florida. In the Dawg’s defense, the losses were close multi-lead changing battles.

Trey Thompkins, the dominant 20-plus-point game scorer and Travis Leslie, who’s arguably one of the most exciting dunkers in the country, have led this year’s squad. They along with the rest of the team are making not only Athens, but the entire nation take notice as the program climbs to success.

The RundownsFebruary’s coverage

With a huge win over Kentucky and close loss to Florida, the women’s basketball team went 4-4 during February.

On the 17th, the Lady Dawgs had five players score double digits against 16th ranked Kentucky. Meredith Mitchell, Porsha Phillips, Jasmine Hassell, Tamika Willis, and Khaalidah Miller combined to score 67 of the team’s 69 points, beating the Wildcats by 18.

The Dawgs went on to play Florida a week later. Jasmine Jones shined with a game-high 23 points while Porsha Phillips crashed the boards with 17 rebounds, but their efforts were not enough to fend off the Gators. The game was an intense back-and-fourth battle with Georgia losing in the final seconds, 71-74.

The women head to Nashville on March 3rd to compete for an SEC Championship. They started March ranked 3rd in the conference (10-6), with an overall record of 20-9.

Eager to live up to their pre-season number three ranking, the softball team started their home Red & Black Showcase tournament opener on fire. The Dawgs marked their 6th straight season opening victory with a hard fought 1-0 win over Illinios State.

They went on to take out Iowa, East Carolina, Maryland, and Lipscomb to win the tournament. With an overall tournament score of 26-8, the Bulldogs showed they can maintain a lead and rally from behind. The team carried that momentum into the Georgia Softball Classic.

At the Classic, they continued their undefeated dominance with wins over Winthrop, Buffalo, North Dakota State, Marshall, and N.C. State.

Against Winthrop, Freshman Morgan Montemayor and senior Katie Murphy made it easy for the rest of the defense. The two combied to pitch a 4-0 shutout. Sophomore Alison Owen also pitched a shutout against Buffalo, leading the team to a 1-0 victory.

The team closed out the tournament strong with a Jennie Auger two-run home run to cap a punishing 13-4 win over N.C. State.

The last victory marked their 43rd-straight home tournament game win, and boosted the program to its highest ranking ever: number one.

You would be sadly mistaken to believe the baseball team’s 0-3 start was due to complacency. The Dawgs still have revenge in their minds after last year’s losing season, and are determined not to repeat it.

Georgia did go on to win their 4th game: the home opener against Furman in-front of a vivacious Athens crowd. Zach Cone was the first to touch home off of a Chase Davidson single in the bottom of the first. Davidson ended up 3-for-4 with three RBI.

During the last five innings, five Georgia relief pitchers combined to give-up only two hits. After UGA went up 6-3, Sophomore lefty Blake Dieterich saved the team from near disaster as he struck out Furman’s Reese Wade with bases loaded in the top of the 7th.

Georgia went on to win 6-4, out-hitting Furman 14-7, and knocking them back to 4-2.

Swimming and diving is one of the most elite programs at UGA. The women’s team just proved that by edging out Florida in their own pool to capture their 2nd consecutive SEC title. This is the team’s 8th conference win, taking five straight in 1997-2001.

This year’s Championship team was led by Senior high point scorer Morgan Scroggy. She dominated the meet winning three, and taking 2nd in four events. Scroggy scored 57 of the teams combined 720 points. She also managed to break the SEC record with her 200 freestyle win in 1:42:46.

Scroggy and the rest of The Lady Bulldogs took command of the championships, winning six events and having three or more of their swimmers score in nine different races.

Allsion Schmitt and Megan Romano made a big impact. Schmitt took 2nd in the 200, 500, and 5th in the 100 yard free. Romano took 4th in the 100 and 200 free. Schmitt and Romano also played vital roles in the 400 free, 400 medley, and 200 free relays. The two helped the relays take two 2nd and one 4th place finish, but apparently just winning an SEC Championship wasn’t enough.

Schmitt along with Morgan Scroggy, Chelsea nauta, and Melanie Margalis went on to set a new American record in the 800 freestyle relay. They dipped under the previous record time of 6:54.02 to stop the clock at 6:54.02.

With 15 top five finishes, the men’s swimming and diving team took 4th at this past month’s SEC Championships. Bill Cregar, Martin Grodzki, and Mark Dylla led the charge with respective wins in the 200 IM, 1650 freestyle, and 200 butterfly.

This year marked Dylla’s 4th consecutive gold medal finish in the 200 butterfly. He is the only SEC athlete to ever to do so.

The SEC dominates college track and field, so for the men’s team to take 5th in the past month’s championships is very respectable.

Two of the nations fastest athletes, Bulldogs Torrin Lawrence and Aaron Evens, led the team. They respectively placed 3rd in the 400 meter dash and 2nd in the 800.

Despite winning the event the year before, Lawrence took 3rd in the 400. He crossed the finish line at 45.82. Alabama’s Karani James had to run a world-junior record time of 44.82 to beat him.

Evans, the reining 800 meter east region champ, lost a close one to Alabama’s Fred Samoei. Evans ran a time of 1:49.76 with Samoei crossing the line at 1:49.68

Evans and Lawrence later returned to the track with Waymon Story and Phillip Adams to close the meet, taking 4th in the 4x400 meter relay (3:08.90).

Throughout the month we also saw the team re-write the record books with freshman Paul Malquist leaping into the number four spot in the pole vault (17-0.75), sophomore Bill Matthews moving to number nine in the 5000 (14:38.75), freshman Waymon Storey running into the 4th spot in the 200 (21.13), and sophomore Danny Neff taking the 7th spot in the mile (4:07:37.)

The jumps crew led the women’s track and field team to a 4th place finish in this past month’s SEC Championships.

Junior Colleen Felix leaped and bounded to a gold medal finish in the triple jump. Maria Augustis finishing 3rd, Letroya Darrell 4th, and Saniel Atkinson 6th in the event.

Alesha Asijie and Lucie Ondraschkowa were both barely beaten for 1st place finishes. In the hammer throw Asijie finished 2nd with an impressive mark of 19.69 meters. Florida’s Fidela James edged her out with 19.83.

Lucie Ondraschkowa battled her way to 2nd in the pentathlon. She scored 3,995 points in the event, moving up to the number three spot in the school record books.

The men’s golf team opened the 2nd half of their season on February 20th traveling to Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. But unlike other college students who travel there for the long beaches and bottomless mai tais, the Dawgs went to work, finishing 4th at the Puerto Rico Classic.

The 13th ranked team shined during the 3rd round with Harris English finishing four under par (68), Hudson Swafford three (69), and T.J Mitchell going two under par (70).

The women’s golf team started last month with a 3rd place finish at The Lady Puerto Rico Classic. Junior Marta Zamora led the team finishing 3rd overall. She capped the final round with a two-under par score of 70. Overall, she was two-under par, and shot 214 for the three-day 54-hole event.

The team finished the tourney at 43-over. Sophomores Emilie Burger and Abby Johnson finished plus-one.

With only 2 opportunities to compete in the month of February, it’s only fair for us to assume that our womens tennis team added 2 wins to their stats, right? Absolutely!

After serving a 5-2 win against rival GA Tech early in the month, they felt the need for a repeat. At the Clemson Indoor Tennis Center they battled it out with the Tigers for another 5-2 win. Both of these wins turned out to be the first losses for GA Tech and Clemson of the season. Leave it up to us to remind the Yellow Jackets and the Tigers that they’re far from invincible.

Georgia will attend their first SEC match of the season when they hit the road and play the Auburn Tigers March 4th.

Our men’s tennis team had no problems starting February off with a win against USC Upstate. With a 7-0 final score, the men clearly had no intentions of sending Upstate any love for Valentine’s Day.

Ohio State proved that they were more of a threat to the Bulldogs. After putting up a long fight, Georgia fell short letting Ohio State take the 6-1 win. But you can’t keep a dog down for long. The dogs returned home for a competition against ETSU, earning another 7-0 victory.

Georgia fought it out with the GA Tech, but after a long battle the Yellow Jackets took the “W”. The next loss for Georgia came at Lloyd Nordstrom Tennis Center in Seattle against Tennessee. Although Georgia played very well, the Vols came out on top with a 4-2 final score.

After losing 2 consecutive games Georgia decided it was time to get back on top where they belong. When the opportunity arrived they played Louisville and won the match 4-1. A 4-2 triumph followed shortly after against Stanford.

The gymnastics team started February with a tough loss to the number 11 ranked Razorbacks. The number four Gymdogs suffered the upset despite capturing individual wins in all four events.

The Bulldogs went on to lose close matches against Florida and Alabama, but came back strong to beat LSU. It seems the Gymdogs bring the best out of their competitiors, as each of their opponents scored their season highs against them.

During the four matches, Cassidy McComb led the team with six 9.9-plus performances. McComb along with Noel Coach, Kat Ding, Shayla Worley, Gina Nuccio, and Hilary Mauro combined for 20 9.9-plus performances.

The Gymdogs head into march ranked 4th. They face UCLA, Arizona, and Michigan before heading into SEC Championships on March 19th in Alabama.

The five-time national champion equestrian team went 3-1 for the month of February, (8-2 for the season).

They’re last win came on February 27th over Tennessee-Martin in the Bulldog Invitational tournament. The Dawgs did work over their opponent, winning the match 14-0 and the tournament all together.

Carly Anthony kicked the meet off with a 91-point hunt seat ride. Kacy Jenkins went on to lead the Bulldogs scoring a meet high 95 on fences. Olivia Dorey and Abby O’Mara followed shortly after with 93 and 90 point efforts.

As of February 15th the equestrian coaches poll has the team ranked 3rd behind Texas A&M and Auburn. The team will ride on against Delaware State and TCU before they hunt for another equestrian championship in late-March and mid-April.

Accomplishments: My biggest accomplishment… Actually it came this season when I went 45.8 at Tyson Invitational. I know I’ve gone 45.3 but this past season I tore my quad and it’s been kind of hard to get back into shape. I honestly couldn’t believe I ran that fast. I thought I had ran one of the worst races in my life, and to find out that I actually ran a world leading time, I was pretty surprised. I was shocked. It gave me a lot of confidence to carry into the rest of the season.

Nationals Pressure:I don’t really look at it as pressure. People always expect a lot from people in my type of situation. But if you just think about what people expect out of you, you’re probably going to fail. So you just have to focus on the task at hand. My task at hand is to do better then I’ve done before.

Fears:Fears? Other then spiders, none that I can think of. But before a race, if all is well then there’s nothing going on in my head. If I’m thinking a lot then something’s probably going to go wrong.

Goals:I make goals per week for each track meet that I go into, and my goal for this week is to get the 4x4 into nationals. That’s what I’m really focusing on right now.

Tension:I don’t feel any tension toward my competitors, but I’m pretty sure they feel some tension against me. I’m not saying this myself, but I’ve heard I’m a pretty hard guy to beat and I think it frustrates them sometimes.

4 0 0 n a t i o n a l c h a m p

Torrin Lawrencetalks about the pressure of living up to past success

We had to give it up to senior high point scorer Morgan Scroggy. She led the women’s swimming and diving team to their 2nd consecutive SEC title, dominating the meet by

winning three, and taking 2nd in four events. She scored 57 of the teams 720 points and also managed to break the SEC record with her 200 freestyle win in 1:42:46. On top of that, she helped the team set an American record in the 800 freestyle relay, 6:54.02.

February’s Lucky Numbers

23 game and month high points for

women’s basketbal player Jasmine James against Floida

15Basketball Forward Trey Thompkins scored 15 points in six of the month’s eight games

89runs scored by the softball team in just ten games. Their opponents combined for 19

4time 200 butterfly SEC Champion Mark Dylla received his 4th consecutive medal in the event this past month

14This year’s football recruiting class has 14 members ranked within the top15 of their position. According

to ESPN

2 games and wins against top 15 opponents

for the women’s tennis team

In-case You Missed It

Shortly after poisoning Auburn’s beloved Oak Tree, die-hard 62-year-old Alabama fan Harvey Updyke was arrested

and charged with criminal mischief. The mid-February attack on one of the oldest athletic traditions in the country left Auburn fans in mourning. For decades Auburn fans would gather ‘round the 130-year-old tree and teepee it’s limbs after football victories.

Despite being under 24-hour video surveillance, Updyke decided to roll his rivalry hatred out on the poor old tree by mixing large amounts of the harmful herbicide Spike 80DF in it’s soil.

Unable to contain his excitement, Updyke called a local radio show the next day and bragged about his dastardly deed, giving his name away in the process.

athlete of the month

1According

to USA Today/

National Fast Pitch Coaches

Association Division I

Top 25 Poll;for the first

time in program

history, the softball team is

ranked the numero

uno team in the

country.

On February 26th, former quarterback/head coach Ray Goff and former national champion tennis player Lisa Short were inducted into the state of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Goff played for the Dawgs in the 70s, leading the team to an SEC Championship. He returned as the team’s head coach from 1989-95. Spain went down as the first of many women in UGA tennis history to receive All-American honors. She played during the early 80s, winning an NCAA singles title in 1984.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dawg Years: 2005 -2008Left UGA ranked 4th in receiving with 2,282 yards.

Time in the NFL:Drafted 1st overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Became the 4th rookie ever to lead the Browns in receiving yards in a season.

MohAmmed Massaquoi

Knowshon Moreno- - - - - - - - - - - - - Dawg Years: 2006 -2008Finished no. 2 on the school’s all-time list and no. 4 on the SEC’s all-time list for most yards rushing by a freshman with 1,334 yards.

Time in the NFL:Drafted 12th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.

In 2010 became the 4th running back in team history to average seven yards per carry.

H i n e s W a r d- - - - - - - - - - - - -Dawg Years: 1994-1997Totaled 3,870 all-purpose yards while playing tailback, 2nd only to Herschel Walker in bulldogs history.

Time in the NFL: Drafted 93rd overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1998 NFL Draft.

Has caught a pass in 14 straight postseason games, the second-longest streak in history.

DREAM TEAM ASPIRATIONS

@g e o r g i a p l a y b o o kWe asked our twitter followers which member of the Dream Team they thought would have the biggest 2011 impact:@rtdew: Ray Drew simply because the team needs strong leaders and this young man is obviously a natural leader of men!@ugacharlotte: Jenkins is the missing link. He will command a double team to free the LB’s to raom and reak havoc. Go #dawgs

the

road to

madnessAt A school thAt loves footbAll more thAn life itself, Georgia’s basketball team is starting to make a big impression. With huge wins against top ranked teams like Kentucky and Tennessee, not only Georgia, but the entire nation is starting to take notice of the programs growth and potential for success.

Heading into the glorious month of March, the Bulldogs have a tournament resume that shows them beating everyone they were supposed to, and making top ranked teams like Xavier and Florida work there butts off to top them.

Selection Sunday is March 13th with the opening round starting two days after. Georgia appears to be on the bubble for receiving one of the 37 at-large berths, but we along with the rest of the Bulldog Nation are very optimistic.

Season Overview à

march

Dustin Ware and Trey Thompkin’s shined hitting 21 points each. They lead the team to it’s second road win against the nerds in 14 years.

1/08 vs. Kentucky,

77-70 W

As UGA students turned Stegeman Coliseum into a mad-house, Georgia picked up a huge 9th straight win against the then #1o team in the

country. Georgia had four players hit double-digits; Trey Thompkins 25 points, Gerald Robinson 17, Travis Leslie 15, and Dustin Ware 10. With a triumphant smile Trey Thompson commented, “This is the type of game we needed to make a run for the NCAA tournament. We feel we can play with anybody.” With that win, people started taking serious notice of Fox’s up-and-coming program.

1/29 at Kentucky,

66-60 L

In Kentucky’s treacherous Rupp Arena, The Bulldogs fell to 1-1 against one of the countries toughest teams. It was a hard fought battle that despite losing, showed Georgia’s resilience.

Despite Dustin Ware’s 18 points, the team shot a

season-low 37 percent. Trey Thompkins was doubled as usual, but this time was held to just nine points.

Kentucky’s Doron Lamb scored a game high 19 off the bench, including a few critical shots to cut-short a late Georgia surge.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12/07 at GA Tech,

73-72 W

The hustle of Auburn’s Earnest Ross almost lead to Georgia’s demise. He had 30 points and forced an overtime with just 10 seconds left in regulation. Georgia finally turned it on

in OT, and was able to safely pull away from the Tigers in the end.

2/05 vs. Abuurn, 81-72 W

marchtoto

1/12 at Vandy, 73-66 L After a triumphal win against Kentucky, Georgia’s 9 game winning streak and

top 25 ranking came to a close. The team’s longing to better it’s 24 spot was exemplified by Coach Mark Fox’s late game frustrated walk out to mid-court, resulting in a technical. Travis Leslie had a nice run with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists, but it wasn’t enough to beat one of the best teams in the country.

1/25 vs. Florida, 104-91 LAt the end of regulation, Trey Thompkins was there to finish a Dustin Ware miss and the team’s eight-point rally to the game at 73. Florida’s Kirby Walker forced a double overtime after knocking down a 3-point buzzer beater from downtown. Florida went on to score

nine straight points and close out the game. Walker contributed 24 points to the Gator victory with Leslie having 21.

2/19 at Tennessee, 69-63 W The Dawgs jumped out and stayed out ahead of the Volunteers, racking up a 22-7 lead to start the first half. Tennessee’s number 32 Scotty Hopson matched his jersey, and bettered his career-high with 32 points. Most of his points came toward the end, but weren’t enough to stop Georgia from closing Tennessee’s nine-game win streak.

Shortly after the game, the Volunteers fell into some unfortunate trouble as documents revealing their 22-month NCAA investigation came out of the closet. The school’s basketball and football programs were found guilty of violating multiple recruiting rules and are currently under review.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After coming off a tough loss to Florida, the Dawgs took revenge on South Carolina. Georgia held USC to a meager 48 points. The home team, led by another 20-plus point Trey Thompkins game, scored 64 points.

2/26 vs. S. Carolina,

64-48, W

64-48 W

SwaggerThe

of a Gymdog

Unlike other athletes among the university, the Gymdogs are known for putting on excellent performances. After all, gymnastics continues to be the second largest spectator sport at UGA.

The fireworks that luminate the interior of Stegeman during the opening act are only the beginning to a spectacular showcase of grace and athletic ability.

“We train to perform,” said senior Hilary Mauro. “So much about it (gymnastics) is what you go out there and show for that moment.”Tanella also strives to present a crowd-pleasing performance. “I get the most pleasure when I can make the crowd gasp or watch my teammates do well,” she said.

According to Tanella, The Gymdogs are fighters. They scratch and claw for every tenth of a point that they can get. And yet, the style in which they go about “scratching” and “clawing” is impeccably graceful. They carry themselves in a way that demands respect, while simultaneously exemplifying admirable character. Indeed, it seems the Gymdogs have a swag they can call all their own.

quipped with 10 national titles under their rhinestone-embellished leotards, the University of Georgia’s Gymdogs

undoubtedly have skills that simply cannot be taught. One skill in particular is swag.

Urban dictionary defines the term “swag” as “appearance, style, or the way he or she presents/carries themselves.” After speaking with a few of the girls I would argue that the swagger of a gymdog is built upon their humble confidence and love for performing. I would go further to say the swagger of a Gymdog is unique in that they scratch and claw their way to success while appearing calm, naturally graceful, and effortlessly talented.

The Gymdogs seem to derive their confidence by concentrating on themselves and their goals for that meet -- not the other team. They know what they are capable of and nothing else matters.

“We just focus on us,” said sophomore Noel Couch. “I don’t know what’s going on with the other team when we compete. I don’t even know what they’re ranked.”

Sophomore Christa Tanella adds that, “We’re competing against Georgia. We’re not looking at scores, we’re always on offense and that’s where a lot of teams fail because they focus on the other team. We intimidate by what we do on the floor.”

That tactic for mental preparedness must work -- considering the Gymdogs are ranked No. 5 in the nation, even with a trying season.

They scratch and claw their way to success while appearing calm, naturally graceful, and effortlessly talented.

E

By Brooke LanePhotos by Ethan Treacy

MOST FUN PART ABOUT PRACTICE:Actually getting a chance to hit.

HARDEST PART:Meetings after class because I’ve been in class all day and have no energy left.

TEAM CLOWN:Brandon Burrows, without a doubt.

TEAM HARD ASS:I don’t think we really have one.

TO ALL YOUR FANS, CRITICS, AND VULTURES:I’d say the same thing to all of them. It takes a special person to be an athlete at the college level.

JOKES:We joke about everything. We have this joke where we walk up to someone with your fingers down in a circle and if they look they get punched. It’s that same old game everyone used to play in middle school.

ARGUEMENTS:Offense and Defense argue every day. But it motivates us to compete harder.

BEST AND WORST PART ABOUT BEING A BULLDOG:The best part is getting the recognition from the fans, fellow students, and teachers. But the worst part is when we get the negative recognition in the media for losing or whenever things aren’t going well.

HARSH COACHES: The harshest thing a coach could tell you is that you’re not worthy of your scholarship.

BIGGEST MISTAKE:I decided to play in a game even though I had a concussion. I kept playing and then for like 3 plays I had no idea what was going on.

BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:Breaking the SEC Kick Return Record.

BIGGEST DREAM AND WORST NIGHTMARE: My biggest dream is to

We asked the cornerback the easy and tough questions, going over his highs and lows as a UGA athlete.

Brandon Boykin

High: The best part [about being a Bulldog] is getting the recognition from the fans, fellow students, and teachers.

become a broadcast journalist on ESPN. My worst nightmare is that the world will end in 2012 and I won’t be able to play in the NFL or raise a family.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT:My first game as a Freshman. We were #1 in the nation and I actually got to play.”

ONE MOMENT THAT YOU WANT TO FORGET:Losing the bowl game to Central Florida

BEST OVERALL GAME: Our game against South Carolina in 2009.

WORST: Freshman year when we

played LSU. I didn’t think I would start, but I did. I ended up messing up a play.

COOLEST FAN MOMENTWell about two years ago, I gave a little boy my gloves after a game and a few months ago he actually found me and let me sign them for him.

GAME DAY RITUALS:I read from a prayer book that I got back when I was in 8th grade. It’s very old and the pages are falling out but I still make sure to read it.

ALWAYS EXPECT FROM TEAMMATES:I expect for them to compete. I want you to

play every game like it’s important to you.

DON’T TOLERATE FROM TEAMMATES:I don’t tolerate any disrespect from the underclassman. They have to earn respect.

CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON:Sanders Commings. We’ve been best friends since we got to UGA and I know he will always have my back.

EXPECT OF YOURSELF: I expect to be more knowledgeable and help others whenever I can. I want to become more of a leader on and off the field.

HOBBIES:Outside of football I like to draw. I also like music. I actually just got a piano and I’m learning how to play that. I also want to get a guitar and learn how to play it.

Interview by Camrei Terrell

Low: I decided to play in a game even though I had a concussion. I kept playing and then for like 3 plays I had no idea what was going on.

Calm and relaxed

I like to be excited and amped up before a meet. What gets me to performing my best is all the adrenalin and excitment that comes with competition.

You know, Its crazy, sometimes I am re-ally amped and other times I am serious and relaxed. I guess both.

Definitely excited, until I get to the breaking point of so nervous I’m ready to vomit.

I’ve learned that when I ‘m pumped up for too long, it takes too much energy out of my body.

Trey Thompkins

Hilary Mauro

Tavarres King

Chelsea Nauta

Nicole Lomnicka

Basketball first-team All SEC Trey Thompkins, gymdog multi-high point scorer Hilary Mauro, football stand-out split end Ta-varres King, 800 freestly relay American record holder Chelsea Nauta, and All-American ham-mer thrower Nicole Lomnicka talk pregame jitters

I pray. I think about ev-erybody I play for.

I try to focus on myself and doing my rou-tines just like I train in the gym... Having the crowd cheering in the background is just ic-ing on the cake.

Waiting for the play its “I hope they call my number.” When we break the huddle “Okay throw me the rock Aaron.”

Well, before the race starts, it’s “There’s no way she’s gonna beat me...” or if it’s a really long race, ‘how many laps is this again?

In the past I used to bee too focused on winning the meet...Now I just try to stay relaxed.

Injury (knocks on wood), or forgetting something I need in order to play.

There are a lot of things that could happen, but its not about them, but the way you handle it.

You have to pee at a key moment, that’s never good.

Probably get a huge rip down my backside like what happened to a Georgia teammate, who will remain name-less.

I would say that rain and tornado delays are the worst.

Amped or Calm Before the Game Worst Nightmare

The Pregame

Interviews by Eve Machovec and Julie Gilkison

For Dawg fans, this past football season can be best described—without using profanity—as not going according to plan. Capping the year with the team’s first losing season in over a decade with a Central Florida Liberty Bowl loss left a lot of fans…perplexed.

Naturally it was hard for them to go in a few short years from raving about the team closing in on a national championship, to praying for at least a .500 season. So over time and the anonymity of the internet, discussions about the programs future seemed to grow from friendly debates, to an all out civil war.

With forum threads as the battlefields and comments sections as the ammunition, shots were fired between the optimistic “Disney Dogs” and the disgruntled fans that couldn’t let even the slightest of Mark Richt sympathies go without a negative reply.

But the recent upswing of events in the offices of Butts-Mehre have seemed to slow down the haters pessimistic crusade for online dominance. And though you can’t exactly call it a cease-fire, it’s at least now safe to return to the forums and speak positively about the Dawgs.

Some of the surge in confidence can be attributed to Richt’s change in strength and conditioning staff, putting in-charge two decedents of the former Head Coach Erk Russell to reinstate his junkyard mentality. Part of the lighter mood in Athens is due to the recent updates in the offensive and defensive personnel. But most everyone can agree that it’s safe to be a real Dawg fan again because of the “Dream Team” recruiting class Richt and his administration hauled in this year.

With its in-state members comprising four of the state’s top five prospects, and eight of the top 12 (according to the AJC), Richt was able to successfully build a red and black fence around the state of Georgia.

Every legitamte source ranks the class within the top six of the country. Many of it’s talented 27 members are expected to come in and make immediate impacts in 2011. But this group offers more than just talent, they’re animated, enthusiastic, and motivated to finish the drill of putting UGA back on top of the SEC. à

i s a i a h crowellRunning BackCarver High School5’11” 210 lbsPosition Rank: 1Overall Rank: 4

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few months, you should already know a decent amount about Isaiah Crowell. His status as the top player in Georgia, and perhaps number one running back in the country, merited a signing day ceremony that included everything from a guest appearance from the Mayor of Columbus, to his own designated time slot on ESPNU.

Crowell made his TV appearance as suspenseful as possible, taking about thirty minutes to pull off his jacket and announce his decision. But it was all worth it when he placed that bad ass UGA hat over his dreads, and held up the cutest little bulldog puppy. He definitely got our vote for coolest signing day moment of the year.

But besides his apparent

ability to drum up suspense, the thing that stands out most about Crowell is his explosive speed.

Watching him fly out of the backfield as fast as he does is almost scary. But for a guy whose greatest attribute is speed, he possess a promising aptitude for running up the gut and through tacklers, if they can get a hold of him.

His highlight film is testimony to how hard he runs, showing he has the size, strength, and tenacity to carry out the laborious duties of an every-down back. He’s also shown that he has great eyes and instincts for spotting seams and cutback opportunities while his agility allows him to hit them before they

close. He’s crafty.

Coach Mark Richt minced no words when he stated that Crowell will be expected to contribute “heavily” this upcoming season. Crowell seems 100 percent up to the challenge stating, “[I want to be] a Freshman All-American. If I can win the Heisman, I want to...” An attitude he’ll need to meet the laborous demands of being an SEC tailback.

Coach Quote: “I expect him to come right in and compete right away… I wouldn’t be shocked to see him running that rock in the Dome against Boise State on the opening play if he does what he’s supposed to do.” – Mark Richt

*Ranking in accordance with ESPN

Drew, an ordained minister, is just the man Richt’s been praying for to become the team steeple, and the player Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham’s been searching for to fit into his 3-4 defense.

Drew fits right into the mold, having spent his fall weekends running down quarterbacks on Fridays, watching film on Saturdays, and preaching at Paradise Missionary Baptist Church on Sundays.

Along with his senior season’s 64 tackles and six sacks, he’s nabbed nearly every high school football honor you could think of. And though nearly every school in the country recruited him, Georgia was the first to offer him a scholarship.

Taking a risk on the then-unpolished, sophomore defensive end paid off as Drew grew to become one of the most sought after players in the country. He’s now one of the many guys from this class who are expected to make an immediate impact in 2011; and possesses the explosiveness, speed, and 6-foot-10 wingspan to do so.

His skills are showcased on his highlight film, displaying his abilities to stop full speed tailbacks in their tracks and rush quarterbacks into the dirt. And though Drew plays as tough and mean as any Bulldog fan would hope, he’s been reported to say, “God bless you” to his opponents after flattening them on the field. What more could Richt ask for?

DAWG QUOTE:“This kid is grounded and he has goals. You listen to his goals and what he wants to do, it’s pretty outstanding.” – David Pollack, reported through the AJC

r a y d r e wOutside LinebackerThomas County Central6’5” 253 lbsPosition Rank: 2Overall Rank:13

He’s been called “The Pastor of Pass Rushing” and “The Pastor of Disaster,” but to the Bulldog nation, he’s an answer to our prayers.

TOP 10 CLASSES: 1. Florida State 2. Alabama 3. Auburn 4. USC 5. Texas 6. Georgia 7. Ohio State 8. Clemson 9. Notre Dame 10. LSU

n i c k marshallCornerbackWilcox County High School6’2”185 lbsPosition Rank: 31Overall Rank: -

Nick Marshall is another versatile talent who as of right now will be the only dual-sport athlete at UGA next fall.

Football will be Marshall’s primary concern, choosing to play cornerback over QB so he’ll have time to play for Mark Fox on the hardwood as well.

Marshall’s high school resume is impressive on all sides of the ball; holding the state high school career touchdown pass record as a quarterback, snagging 13 career interceptions with five returned for touchdowns as a defensive back, and taking his only punt return back for a touchdown on special teams. Equally impressive on the basketball court, he averaged 29.8 points per game as a shooting guard. Simply put, he’s a playmaker.

He’s one of those guys that could probably pick up any sport and wind up being good at it after a couple days. Don’t be surprised to see him in the X-games or Wimbledon once he finishes his football/basketball career.

Coach Quote:“Marshall is one of the most amazing athletes that I think we have in this class… I don’t usually get to coach guys like this. He’s very athletic. He’s physical. He’s got good size to him.” – Defensive Backs Coach Scott Lakatos

j a y r o m eTight EndValdosta High School6’5” 230 lbs Position Rank: 1Overall Rank: 18

Though Jay Rome hasn’t even received a Butts-Mehre locker yet, he’s so far made the biggest contribution out of the Dream Teamers toward a great 2011 season. After committing to UGA on national television, Rome urged the other uncommitted Dream Team prospects to come and make it a reality. Rome called out to key prospects Isaiah Crowell and Ray Drew on air pleading, “Isaiah, Ray, come be a Dawg. We can have the Dream Team

c h r i s t i a n champion l e m ayQuartberackButler High School6’2” 195 lbsPosition Rank: 5Overall Rank: 100

Christian Champion LeMay is often described as one of the most naturally smooth and fundamentally sound quarterbacks you could find. He’s a highly rated pro-style QB with great agility, accuracy, velocity, and decision-making capabilities. During his junior year he threw 44 touchdowns, only two interceptions, and led his high school team to an undefeated season.

Though he’ll most likely have to wait his turn behind Aaron Murray and Hutson Mason, LeMay will eventually have his time to shine. For now he offers great depth to Coach Richt’s quarterback club, and in case you were wondering, Champion is his real middle name.

Coach Quote: “He has impressed not only our coaches but our players, and that’s what you’re looking for in a quarterback.” - Offensive Coordinator Mike Bobo

and we’re going to do it. Be a Dawg, baby!” And they listened.

On top of his persuasive capabilities, Rome is often regarded as the number one tight end in the country. He, along with fellow Valdosta high teammate and Dream Teamer Malcolm Mitchell, has so far had his way with defenses.

Having great size, hands, and a deceptively high level of elusiveness, Rome has showed he can easily pluck the ball from the air and make tacklers miss after the catch. Rome also possesses an incredible amount of speed for a guy his size. He clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.4, and made a habit of burning defensive backs who were half his size.

Rome also has the pedigree of a champion. His father Stan Rome was a football/basketball stand-out at Clemson in the 70s. Just be happy Mr. Rome didn’t push his son to follow in his Tiger paw prints.

johnathan jenkinsNose GuardMississippi Gulf Coast Communitty College6’4” 340 lbs

Though Isaiah Crowells praised as the center, you can think of Johnathan Jenkins as the final piece to the Dream Team puzzle.

Choosing to commit to UGA after the Dream Team was completed, he will most likely make the biggest impact of the 2011 class.

He’s an extremely powerful nose guard that can dominate the middle and fits perfectly into defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense. His massive size coupled with his explosive power and infectiously energetic attitude is just what Georgia’s defensive line needs to handle the dirty work in the trenches.

Coach Quote:“He’s going to show up to work every day with a smile on his face ready to go. For a guy that big to be a high-energy guy, it’s hard to find. His attitude is going to be very contagious on this defense, on the team and even our fans.” - Mark Richt

malcolm mitchellATHValdosta High School,6’0” 185 lbsPosition Rank: 7Overall Rank:45

returner this upcoming season. Possessing 4.4 speed, glue-like hands, and a knack for making big plays, the only problem he presented to the team was which side of the ball he’d play on.

But for now it looks like Mitchell will stick to the wide receiver position. He’ll join a great group of recruited receivers including Justin Scott-Wesley, Sanford Seay, and Chris Conley.

He may need to get an earlier jump on the weight room and pack on a few extra pounds of muscle, but after hauling in 77 passes for 1,419 yards last year, we’re sure he’ll be alright.

Malcolm Mitchell can be best described in two words: athletic beast. He’s one of the most dynamic players in this class, and could easily ball out as a wide receiver, cornerback, free safety, or kick

Ever wonder why A.J. Green can get off the line so quickly, or how Travis Leslie is able to get so high above the rim? It’s not because they can squat 600 pounds or bench twice their weight. Their extreme athletic abilities stem from their high degrees of explosive power.

UGA strength and conditioning coach Tyler Jorgensen explains, “It’s pretty simple. Most plays in a sport happen in a matter of seconds, most times less then that. So you want to develop a high rate

of force production. How fast can you create that force and power are huge in development.”

For the past six years, Jorgensen has been coaching at collegiate strength and conditioning programs all over the country. He’s trained athletes in every sport from cheerleading to football. Jorgensen’s been working with UGA’s program for four years and on the next page breaks down how you can obtain the explosiveness of a top Dawg.

UGA strength and conditioning coach Tyler Jorgensen demonstraits how to:

WORKOUT LIKE A DAWG

How it’s Done: Load your hips and apply

as much force as you can into the ground to jump onto the box. You can start by using a box that’s a little higher than your knees. à

Hurdle HopsHow it’s done: Start with your hips and knees bent. Load your hips to develop power, and jump back and forth over a hurdle.

Reps and Sets: Do 3 to 4 sets of 10. 5 jumps each way.

Rest: If it takes you 30 seconds to complete, I would rest 2 minutes. You want your body to be fully recovered so its just as explosive. Its not supposed to be a conditioning type exercise.

Why Do It? This not only works on your power off the ground, but when you go back over you’re working explosiveness.

Tips: Essentially you want to keep your feet underneath your hips and have a good center of gravity. You want to stabilize your core. Essentially work on your lateral explosiveness. It’s a quick reaction drill, so as soon as you land you wanna go right back over. You don’t want to over-train doing this because you want it to be an explosive exercise.

Box Jumps

Hang CleansHow it’s Done: We’re trying to develop triple extension through our hips, knees, and ankles. With your back tight and knees slightly bent, start with the barbell slightly above your knees. Shrug your shoulders, lift up, and pull the weight quickly to chin level, catching it quickly by flipping your wrists.

Reps and Sets: For beginners, start with just the barbell. Try four set of five.

Rest: Take a couple of minutes between sets.

Why Do it? Rate of force development. The athlete that can move the quickest is going to be the most successful on the field.

Tips: We’re trying to be as explosive as we can with the barbell. Driving through with your hips knees and ankles being as explosive as you can. This is a power excersice. Try to move the bar as fast as you can in the shortest amount of time possible.

Reps and Sets: You wanna stay around three or four sets of five.

Rest: It impacts your central nervous system, so you want to make sure you have enough recovery betweens sets. Take a little longer rest then you would for the hurdle hops.

Why Do it?Rebounding and driving out of the starting position, that’s what this is going to correlate too.

Tips: You reset every time for power, not for reactive ability or quickness.

Photo Credits________________

Ethan Treacy:Cover, all Torrin Lawrence photos, pg 28 (photos 2,3,4,5,7,10,15, & 16, all Gymnastic photos, Workout Like a Dawg

Melia Murray:pg 5, 28 (photos 6 & 15)

Steven Colquit:All swimming & diving photos

GA Sports Comm:pgs 6, 13-14, 23

Parker MooreAll men’s tennis photos

John Kelley:All football & softball photos

Phil Sandlin:UGA vs. FL basketball photo pg 26

Ashley Strickland:UGA vs. UK photo pg 26

Lexington Harold Getty Images: Second photo to right pg 6 and 24

Andy Lyons Getty Images: right image pg 31

N EXT ISSUE:

CHASING THE P E R F E C T

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