Sunday, September 12, 1999
HIGH SCHOOL INSIDER
Golfer wins right to use cart after leg surgery
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
Enquirer conbtributor
No lawsuits were filed, and appeals were unnecessary.Instead, the Ohio High School Athletic Association listened to the facts and quickly approved the use of a golf cart for McNicholas senior Tara Papp.
On Sept.10 last year, Papp was diagnosed with cancer of the femur in her left leg, which led to months of chemotherapy and eventual surgery Jan.28 to remove the lump.
“Tara had 7 inches of her femur removed along with 30 percent of the muscle,” said Papp's mother, Janet. “A titanium rod was also put in the left leg.”
Papp was overwhelmed after learning the news about her disease.
“I couldn't believe I had cancer, and it hit me pretty hard,” Papp said. “It was like the lump popped up overnight. When it was found to be cancerous, it was hard for me to accept.”
Despite the chemotherapy, Papp continued to play for McNicholas last season. But after the surgery in January, Papp needed crutches to walk.
“The (chemo) treatments made me feel like I had flu all the time,” Papp said. “It also numbed the tips of my fingers, which made it hard for me to putt.”
For Papp to play this season, either her mother or father, Terry, must assist. They place the ball on the tee, drive the cart, hand her the requested club and hold her the crutches while she takes each shot.
“A groundskeeper yelled at Tara the other day for walking on the green with the crutches,” Janet Papp said. “When he found out that the crutches are rubber-tipped, he backed off.”
St.Ursula coach Tony Kountz is amazed at Tara Papp's accomplishments.
“Tara shot a 44 against us, and what's she's doing is admirable,” Kountz said. “She's showed people who are faced with adversity what can be done when challenged.”
In Papp's honor, St.Ursula wore green ribbons (McNicholas colors) last season and is doing so again this year.
In the spring, the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Women's Sports Association presented Papp with the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award.
Despite the impediment, Papp is averaging about 45 strokes per nine holes and has been medalist three times.
Papp will be on crutches for at least another six weeks. That will make it difficult for her in the sectional (Sept.28) and district (Oct.5) tournaments, the qualifiers for the state tournament in Columbus.
“My goal is to qualify to state,” Papp said. “But my long-range goal is to play college golf.”
ATHLETE APPEALS: Will common sense prevail at Thursday's Board of Control of the Ohio High School Athletic Association?
Although more than 95 percent of all appeals by athletes are denied, if the seven members of the Board of Control consider the facts, Charlie Wilson may get a chance to play soccer this season.
Wilson, 18, is a fifth-year senior at Cincinnati Country Day. Diagnosed with neurally mediated hypotension (low blood pressure), Wilson has been unable to compete for the past two years.
In fact, though he was technically enrolled in school, Wilson did not attend classes his sophomore year. But the OHSAA considers an athlete's prep tenure to be eight semesters, and Wilson is in his ninth. Hence, his appeal for more eligibility.
“Charlie didn't attend classes as a sophomore and he's a year behind,” CCD soccer coach Greg Hirschauer said. “He played in two scrimmage games, but we pulled him until the appeal is ruled on.”
Wilson said there's no medication to remedy the disorder.
EICHMANN TO XU: Kelly Eichmann, St. Ursula's 6-foot senior middle blocker, has committed to Xavier University.
Eichmann was a starter for the Bulldogs' Division II state championship teams the past two seasons.
JACKSON MOVING ON: Kirwin Jackson, Mount Notre Dame's track coach the past three years, has been named head cross country and track coach at Muskingum College.
CLASSIFIEDS: Kings is looking for freshman and junior varsity girls basketball coaches and a freshman football game for Oct.11, 12 or 13. Call Greg Darbyshire at 459-2937.
• Marion Catholic, a Division IV school with two major-college boys basketball prospects, is looking for two scrimmages. Call Ben Patrick at 614-895-1684.
• Goshen is looking for a junior varsity boys basketball coach. Call Bill Schmidbauer (722-2227) or Mike Young (336-6633).
Sports Stories
REDS 12, MARLINS 4
Reds could win 95, miss playoffs
Pick one: Reds or Bengals?
Box, runs
REDS NOTEBOOK
Rotation key in recent stretch of wins
Astros 5, Cubs 3
Mets 6, Dodgers 2
Reds move into post-Schott era
Trio has reputation for low profiles, high profits
Buying Reds matter of dollars and sentiments
Coleman gently pried Schott's fingers off team
Stakes high, expectations low
Bengals' opener will color season
Pickens set to go back to work
Who has the edge?
By the numbers
TROY STATE 31, UC 24
Game statistics
UC NOTEBOOK
NEXT: WISCONSIN (2-0)
