Friday, April 21, 2000

LSC TRACK
Powerhouses
Newhouse twins lead ACU women as they gun for another LSC crown
By Ted Dunnam
Reporter-News Staff Writer

Jon Murray can’t tell you which is the better athlete.

When the girls are asked who’s superior, they can’t provide a definitive answer, either.

So let’s leave it at this. In the first race ever staged between Dawnyel and Shawntel Newhouse, the former won it by 14 minutes.

But since that shared March 6 birthday 21 years ago, the margin of victory has diminished dramatically.

More accurately, the Newhouses have shared the victory pedestal more than they’ve divided it. The twin sisters, juniors at Abilene Christian University, will attempt to lead the Lady Wildcats to a Lone Star Conference outdoor track and field championship today and Saturday in San Angelo.

Shawntel is currently ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II in the 100-meter hurdles, while Dawnyel is the nation’s top-ranked long jumper.

The parallels between the sisters are eerily similar in other areas of track and field, but the common denominator is always excellence.

“As competitive as they are, I would say they are more supportive of each other than anything else,’’ said Murray, ACU’s head track and field coach. “Both are ultimate team players. They’ll do anything they can to help the team.

“They’ve always been great athletes, but they’ve developed into excellent team leaders.’’

Not only are the Newhouses indistinguishable in their athletic ability, even the most ardent observer would have a 50-50 chance of determining which of the identical twins is Shawntel and which is Dawnyel.

“When I get close to them, I can usually figure out who’s who,’’ Murray said. “Sylvia’s (Dyer, assistant coach) a lot better than I am. She can tell by their mannerisms and personalities which is which.’’

It is of little surprise that both are excellent athletes. Their father is former University of Houston and Dallas Cowboys fullback Robert Newhouse.

Although both are top-ranked in the nation in their respective events, neither Newhouse feels pressure to win every week, although that’s often the case.

“I know what I can do, so I don’t put any extra pressure on myself,’’ Shawntel said. “I’ve already beat Coach Dyer’s indoor hurdles record so that gives me some reason to be relaxed.’’

Shawntel has won the hurdles at four meets this season, claiming victory at the Red Raider Invitational (Jan. 22), the Red Raider Classic (Feb. 19), the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships (March 11), and at the Indian Relays (March 31).

The first three victories were all indoors, and Shawntel capped that stellar season by blazing to a 7.81 clocking in the 55-meter hurdles at the Division II championships in Boston. She recently recorded the fastest time in the 100-meter hurdles (outdoors) with a 13.70 clocking April 7 at the Texas Relays.

“I think I can win this weekend,’’ said Shawntel, who is currently bothered by a strained left leg muscle, “and I hope I can place in the 100. I’m happy with the year I’ve had, and hopefully our relay teams can come through, also.’’

While Shawntel will run on the ACU 400- and 1,600-meter relay teams, Dawnyel will attempt to win her specialty, the long jump, and possibly pull off a victory in the triple jump.

“If I can go 20 feet in the long jump and 40 feet in the triple jump, I’ll be happy,’’ Dawnyel said. “Hopefully, we can run in the 45s in the sprint relay, too.’’

Dawnyel has a best leap of 20 feet, 3¦ inches in the long jump, an effort that came March 24 at the All-America City Track Classic in Abilene and gave her the nation’s best mark this season in that event.

At the Division II indoor championships, Dawnyel finished third in the long jump (20-1¦ ) and was fourth in the triple jump (39-0¤ ). Each runs on the ACU sprint relay.

“I ran the third leg in high school and I’m running the third leg now,’’ Dawnyel said. “I don’t like that block leg. I’ll leave that to my sister.’’

Dawnyel was diplomatic when asked to compare her athletic ability to her sister’s.

“We do totally different events,’’ Dawnyel said. “She’s better in the hurdles, and I’m better in the jumps. But we do try to help each whenever we can.’’

While their father is the most inquired about member of the family, it’s mother, Nancy, who attracts the attention.

“She’s a very loud, outgoing person,’’ said Dawnyel, while laughing boisterously. “She’s a very open-minded lady, but she’s easy to get along with.’’

Shawntel agreed with that assessment of mom.

“You know when she’s around,’’ the younger sister said. “She likes to talk, and she’s definitely loud. I guess you could say she’s very supportive of us.

“You can’t help but get along with her.’’

Before setting foot on the ACU campus, neither Newhouse had heard of the school. Now, both are happy with what has transpired.

“To get to go to the national championships every year, not a lot of athletes get to do that,’’ Shawntel said.

“This is a really strong track program,’’ Dawnyel said. “So far, it’s been a good experience.’’

“They’ve both been great additions to this program,’’ Murray said. “It’s always nice to have great athletes, but it’s even more special when those athletes are great competitors, too.’’

Contact assistant sports editor Ted Dunnam at dunnamt@abinew.com or at 676-6771. We are on the Web at http://sports.texnews.com.