Dwight runs for both kinds of dirty birds

IOWA CITY (U-WIRE) - Since the end of Super Bowl XXXIII, Hawkeye fans have been asking questions about Iowa hero Tim Dwight and not receiving many answers.

Tuesday, Dwight and track coach Larry Wieczorek spoke out in a press conference at the Hayden Fry Football Complex.

"I came back because I want to compete and I think I'm a team player," Dwight said. "I also missed being around the guys."

Wieczorek was the first to comment that the return of Dwight to Iowa's track and field team is for the betterment of the team, and not a distraction.

"It is real important to have Tim back," Wieczorek said. "Just being around him is a great experience for our guys."

Wieczorek also stressed the importance of having Dwight around his team which consists of mainly younger athletes.

"Even though it is a younger group, it is a good group," Dwight said.

Dwight has dropped around eight pounds to reach 175, and sees his times in the 200-meter dash around 21 seconds and in the mid 10's in the 100-meter dash.

He has yet to show his newly refined body and skills. He was scratched from competition at the Hayward Relays in Eugene, Ore., due to cramping in his hamstring before the meet. "I felt like excess baggage out in Eugene," Dwight said. "I had a deep tissue massage two days before the meet and it should have been three."

Wieczorek did not want to jeopardize the rest of Dwight's future over one meet.

"I didn't want (Atlanta Falcons coach) Dan Reeves calling me up," Wieczorek said.

Even though Dwight could not compete in the meet his impact was felt by the members of the team.

"After the meet Tim said some very wise things to our team," Wieczorek said. "It is just how hard he works and how disciplined he is."

Dwight will hopefully be in action this weekend at the Mt. SAC Relays in Calif., one of the major events in the country.

"We are hoping he will be ready," Wieczorek said. "We will use him in the 4x100, 4x400, the 200-meter dash and the 100-meter dash."

An estimated 4,700 people showed up in Eugene to watch Dwight and others run on an unpleasant day. Again, the impact of Dwight's return is already being felt.

"Why is it that he is of such interest?" Wieczorek said. "It is because of his attitude, desire and his aggressiveness."

04-15-99