By Ryan Ernst
Cincinnati Enquirer

With time running down in Pittsburgh's 38-13 win over Oregon State in Thursday night's Insight Bowl, running back Brandon Miree went over to coach Walt Harris and gave him a bear hug.

While he held the coach, Miree's teammates came from behind with the water cooler, drenching Harris as Miree walked away bone-dry, smiling into a television camera.

Things went well all night for Miree, as the Winton Woods grad stole the spotlight, rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown en route to winning the game's MVP award.

Miree's teammate, Hamilton grad Tez Harris, also took advantage of the national stage. His interception and 35-yard return in the second half set up the go-ahead score.

So far Miree and Harris have turned in the best bowl performances by local athletes. But not even halfway into the college football postseason, other Tristate products also have had big games, and plenty more are waiting in the wings.

The University of Cincinnati and its 23 local prep products got the bowl season off to a shaky start in a 24-19 loss to North Texas in the New Orleans Bowl. Highlands grad Gino Guidugli threw for a score and 224 yards, but his five interceptions proved insurmountable.

In the Motor City Bowl, St. Xavier grad and Boston College coach Tom O'Brien led his team to a 51-25 win over Toledo. Three local players, Ricky Brown (Elder), Pat Ross (St. X) and Leo Bell, are on the Golden Eagles' roster.

Mississippi fullback Rick Razzano rushed for only 6 yards on four carries in the Rebels' 27-23 win over Nebraska in the Independence Bowl. The Milford grad did, however, catch a pass for 9 yards, help protect Eli Manning during his 313-yard passing performance and lead the way for Toward Sanford, who ran for two touchdowns.

In Tuesday's Sun Bowl, as many as four local players could see time on defense for Purdue against Washington. Cornerback Antwaun Rogers from Middletown has 53 tackles and two interceptions this season, and Highlands' Brent Grover starts at tackle. Linebacker Jason Leimberger of Lakota West also should play, as could defensive end Doug Swann from Purcell Marian.

Also on Tuesday, the Peach Bowl features two of the best offensive linemen to come from the Tristate in recent years. All-America candidate Michael Munoz (Moeller) will start at left tackle for Tennessee against Maryland. If he or any linemate goes to the bench, Highlands grad Rob Smith will be one of the top reserves for the Volunteers.

Turpin grad Nicholas Taylor also will play Tuesday. The Air Force nose guard will help the Falcons against Virginia Tech in the San Francisco Bowl. Taylor has 38 tackles in nine games this season.

One of the first bowls of 2003 will involve five local products when Michigan takes on Florida in the Outback Bowl. Running back B.J. Askew of Colerain is the most notable of the group. The senior has rushed for 559 yards this season and averages 5.2 yards per carry. Tight end Andy Mignery of Hamilton also should see playing time, as could offensive lineman Andy Christopfel (Elder) and defensive lineman John Wood (Milford Academy). Reading grad DeShawn Wynn will suit up for the Gators.

Five local players could see action when Ohio State and Miami play for the national championship Friday in the Fiesta Bowl. Odds are Moeller grad Ryan Hamby and Hamilton alumnus E.J. Underwood will get plenty of time.

Hamby has played in 12 games and has two catches for 29 yards. Underwood has 21 tackles while playing in all 13 games. Scott Kuhnhein (Highlands), B.J. Sander (Roger Bacon) and Mike Young (Middletown) are also on the OSU roster.

Others

St. Xavier grad Kevin Kerr recently finished his kicking career at Ohio University. He is the school's all-time field goal leader with 38 and is the school's second all-time leading scorer with 229 points. Kerr's 246 points at St. X is still a state record for kickers.

Northern Kentucky sophomore basketball player Connie Myers was named last week's Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week. She averaged 22 points and five rebounds a game and shot 71.4 percent form the field as the Norse won the Community Recorder Classic.

Elder grad Ricky Brown, a linebacker at Boston College, was named to the Big East All-Freshmen Team.

For the second week in a row, Xavier freshman Tara Boothe was named Rookie of the Week in the Atlantic 10. The Highlands grad scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in the Musketeers' 82-65 win over Pittsburgh last Saturday.

Alabama junior midfielder Katie Holtzapfel, a Ryle graduate, finished her third year of collegiate soccer eighth on the school's all-time goal list, with 18.

E-mail rernst@enquirer.com