Untracked, But Not Unappreciated : Costello, Middleton Contribute From a Back Seat in Basketball

During track season at Cal State Northridge, one is a jumper and the other is a sprinter. But during the basketball season, most of their jumping is off the bench to root for their teammates and most of their sprinting is to the showers after a game before all the hot water is gone.

Lori Costello and Julie Middleton have always had a jump on the opposition, Costello in the triple and long jumps, Middleton in the sprint relays.

But when basketball season rolled by, they were shown to their seats.

Coach Leslie Milke might be the first to admit they are her two best athletes. Not basketball players. Regardless, Costello and Middleton have a place in Milke’s plan.

“They get frustrated with the situation,” she said. “But it’s never had a negative effect on the team. I know both think they can give more to our team, but they’re already giving more than they really think.”

It’s not that Costello and Middleton never play. The two guards have contributed greatly to the Lady Matadors’ 15-4 start and No. 13 national ranking.

Costello averages more than eight points per game, and Middleton averages almost six.

It’s just that they’re not playing as often as they would like.

“People come out to our games and ask me why I’m not starting,” said Middleton, who last year helped a few CSUN relay teams reach the Division II finals. “I keep telling myself that my time will come.”

Costello said: “They felt that if I didn’t start, and came off the bench instead, I could help get things rolling and give the team a spark.”

Middleton has another year left, but Costello is a senior.

“I’ve had the attitude, ‘Maybe next game, maybe next game,’ ” said Costello, an All-American in both field events. “But we only have a few games left. “Now, well, I figure I’ve still got track. That’s my way of dealing with it.”

Costello, 22, was the Metropolitan Conference MVP as a sophomore at Pasadena City College. She rarely started at CSUN last year, but was still named to the All-California Collegiate Athletic Assn. team.

Middleton, 21, sat out last season to concentrate on track. Milke respects Middleton’s decision, although Northridge suffered through a 9-15 season.

“I think she matured a lot during the year off,” Milke said. “She’s grown tremendously as a basketball player. She’s very good at analyzing. When she comes out of a game, she gives me an excellent breakdown of what’s going on on the court.

“Lori is a very vital part of our team,” Milke said. “She’s very unselfish and team-oriented. She’s so refreshing as a person, too. Lori is always so up, and it’s very contagious to the rest of the team.”

Middleton is considered Northridge’s best outside shooter and is used primarily against zone defenses. Costello, whose strength is driving, usually plays against man-to-man defenses.

“Between us, one will have a good game,” Costello said. “Whoever gets to play usually does well.”

Marcella Nino, who averages 2.6 points, and Renee Loch, averaging more than eight, have started at guard most of the season.

The success of the Lady Matadors’ front line--Tara Flanagan, Denise Sitton and Regan O’Hara--has caused the guards to be overlooked and underplayed.

All three are averaging more than 10 points per game.

“It’s true that a lot of Lori’s and Julie’s talents go unused because of the needs of the team,” Milke said.

Another reason, she said, was on defense. “That’s both of their weaknesses,” Milke said. “We lose a lot on defense when they’re both in. They are improving in that area, though.”

Costello and Middleton believe they can contribute all the same.

“I was once told that starting wasn’t the big thing,” Middleton said. “But that’s the way I’ve always been taught.

“I don’t think my expectations are too high. But, then again, they might be too high for here.”