Hancock runnin’ Ivy style

Tony Altobelli

For friends and family of Princeton University freshman Bruce

Hancock, the pride stretches from here all the way to New Jersey.

“We’re happy for him, but obviously we miss him back here,” said John

Carney, Hancock’s former track coach at Costa Mesa High. “We still keep

in touch and it’s great to hear he’s doing so well back there.”

At a recent Princeton Invitational Indoor meet, Hancock ran a 4:11 mile,

bettering his previous personal best time by over six seconds.

His time is also the fastest time by a freshman in the Ivy League this

year and he set the time with a familiar face in the crowd.

“I was able to be at that meet when he set that time,” Bruce’s father,

Tom Hancock said. “I’m really proud of the way he’s handled himself, both

on the track and in the classroom.

Hancock, a class of ’99 graduate for the Mustangs, was the class

valedictorian, the male athlete of the year and an all-state selection in

both cross country and in track (1,600 meters).

Now as a Tiger, Hancock has become an integral part of the Princeton

men’s track and cross country teams.

The Tigers are two-time “Triple Crown” winners, winning the Ivy League

crown in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track for the past two

years. This year, they have taken the first two legs of the tri-fecta,

thanks in large part to Hancock.

“Bruce is really learning to appreciate all the hard work that his dad

spent with him growing up,” Carney said. “He’s doing a fine job of

fitting in and getting adjusted to weather and classes and training

around both of them.”

Hancock was unavailable for comment. He’s currently “suffering” down in

Miami, Florida for “Spring Break” and to participate in a track meet down

there. Aaaah, the college life....

Former Orange Coast College women’s basketball standout Jen Ludwicki, now

a junior for the University of New Orleans, has been named the Sun Belt

Conference’s Newcomer of the Year by the league’s head coaches.

It was the first time in 13 years that an UNO player has received one of

the conference special awards, which include player, coach, newcomer,

freshman and defensive player of the year.

Ludwicki was also named to the 10-player All-Sun Belt Conference Team.

She leads the Privateers with a 15.9 scoring average and a .781

free-throw percentage.

Her 139 free throws made are the third-highest season total in school

history and the most in the last 15 seasons.

UNO (11-17) finished its season with a 64-60 loss in the quarterfinals in

the Sun Belt Conference Women’s Basketball tournament.

Senior All-American Katie Grogan is leading the University of

Massachusetts to a solid beginning to the 2000 season.

In just six games, Grogan, a standout on the Costa Mesa High’s girls

water polo team four years ago, leads the Minutewomen with 14 goals and

seven assists.

UMass is ranked No. 12 in NCAA Division I with a 5-1 record and have

posted wins against No. 17 Indiana and No. 18 Harvard.