Williams Enjoys Being on USD Stage

Larry Williams came to the University of San Diego a freshman outfielder hoping to get some playing time. It wasn’t until the Toreros took a trip to Loyola Marymount last month that his coaches and teammates became aware of his other talent.

When Williams invited the team and coaching staff to his house for a barbecue, his mother slipped in a tape of the “Mary Thomas Story,” a made-for-television movie about the mother of Detroit Piston point guard Isiah Thomas.

The movie featured Williams playing the role of Isiah Thomas from ages 13 through 18.

“He was in most of the movie and nobody even knew about it,” USD Coach John Cunningham said.

It turns out Williams was in more than one movie. He has appeared in more than 30 television shows since he began acting at the age of 6.

Williams’ first role was a bit part in the “Trapper John, M.D.” series. He was later a regular on the series “Busting Loose.”

But his biggest role came three years ago when he played Thomas. Williams spent two months in Chicago filming the movie.

“They hired me as an actor, not a basketball player,” Williams said. “So at the same time, they hired a stunt double for the basketball scenes. They weren’t aware I could play basketball.”

Soon after, the production company fired the stunt double and expanded Williams’ role to include all the basketball scenes.

Williams, who attended regular schools for the most part, was graduated from St. Bernard’s High in Los Angeles. After hitting .349 for St. Bernard’s last season, Williams decided to delay his acting career.

“I made a decision out of high school to play baseball,” he said. “My agent wasn’t really pleased with that decision. But this is a one-time shot. I love baseball. I can always resume my acting career. It’s not like (playing college baseball) is going to set back my acting career. I’ve never taken an acting class in my life.”

Williams’ agent had hoped Williams would attend UCLA or USC so he could keep his hand in acting. Instead, Williams chose USD and a major of pre-law.

He began the season at the Toreros’ starting center fielder, but since he started slumping at the plate, he is platooning with senior Ed Scofield. Williams is hitting .245 (23 for 94), with 16 runs scored, 17 RBIs, nine doubles, a homer and three steals. He also has a team-leading 26 strikeouts.

Injuries Hit: The USD women’s tennis team had two big victories last weekend against 22nd-ranked Brigham Young and Wisconsin, despite having two starters out of lineup.

Tracy Ishii, who normally plays No. 4 singles, was out with shin splints. Maddy Diekmann, the Toreras’ No. 5 singles player, couldn’t play because of pain caused by kidney stones.

But the play of juniors Karen Lauer and Laura Mannisto compensated for the absence of Ishii and Diekmann.

Lauer won both of her matches at No. 6 singles and Mannisto and Lauer teamed at No. 2 doubles to go 1-1.

“There was a lot of pressure on the both of them,” USD Coach Sherri Stephens said. “They weren’t nervous and they went out and competed well. I was surprised.”

Ishii and Diekmann are expected back for the 14th-ranked Toreras’ home match with UC Santa Barbara Saturday. Stephens said she will have some tough decisions to make.

“Karen and Laura both showed me they can play,” she said. “A lot of it depends on how much Tracy and Maddy practice this week.”

In the new NCAA rankings, USD’s Laura Richards dropped from 22 to 24 and Julie McKeon fell from 17 to 30. Tuck Kacharoen showed up in the rankings for the first time at 67. McKeon and Richards, the Toreras’ No. 1 doubles moved up from 26 to 24.

USD’s Jose Luis Noriega stayed at No. 1 in the men’s rankings, despite missing the past two weeks with a rotator cuff injury. However, Noriega probably will lose his top ranking to Stanford’s Alex O’Brien in the next rating period. Noriega is not expected back until the NCAA tournament in mid-May.

Field Day: More than 1,300 track and field athletes are expected Saturday for the third UC San Diego Invitational.

Willie Banks, the world record-holder in the triple jump, will be the featured performer. Jose Luiz Barbosa from Brazil, ranked No. 1 in the world in the 800 meters in 1991, will run in the 1000 meters. Robert Keter of Point Loma Nazarene also will compete in the race.

The Australian national sprint team, which has run a 38.79 in the 4 x 100 relay, will have two teams competing. Central Arizona College, which has a run a 40.04, might give the Australians a race.

The hammer throw will feature a duel between UCSD’s Scott Sargeant, who has qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials with a toss of 209-10, and PLNC’s Per Karlsson, who has a toss of 230-9.

Darcy Arreola, a former Grossmont High and Cal State Northridge star, will be the featured attraction in the women’s events. Arreola, who made U.S. team for 1991 World Championships last year, will compete in the 1500 meters.

Open running events and field events begin at 10 a.m. at UCSD’s track. Invitational running events start at 1 p.m. The invitational triple jump begins at 1:30 and the 1000 meters is scheduled for 3:25.