1979-80 Lancers were hard to top.

Byline: Nick Manzello

COLUMN: SPORTS STREET

Our local colleges have had some outstanding women's teams over the years, but few have come close to what the Worcester State basketball squad accomplished during the 1979-80 season.

Coached by Donna Devlin, the Lancers compiled a 24-2 record, including a four-game sweep at the national AIAW tournament in Spokane, Wash.

Worcester State won a number of other trophies along the way - the Worcester City Holiday Tournament, the MAIAW state tournament, and the EAIAW regional and national tourneys.

The Lancers were led by All-American Kathy Westall, JoAnn Medeiros, Joan O'Donnell, Barbara Williams, Lora Bremner, Jackie Shaker, Kathy Williams, Sharon Pike, Maureen Feyre, Kathy Feen and Margaret Collins.

Devlin was named AIAW Coach of the Year.

Celebration for Herbie's

Sports Street: Buzzing over the start of the major league playoffs. ... Where are they now? Al Richards, a former North High athlete, is a retired home builder who lives in Maine and plays softball in a senior league. Charlie Barry, a former city bowling champion and avid golfer, is a retired pharmacist. ... The 32nd annual Ben Conti Golf and Bocce Tournament recently was won in golf by the foursome of Paul Luskowski, Paul Kondratowicz, Dave Longone and Ray Cozzolino. The bocce event was won by Paul Conti, Nick Mazzamurro, Kondratowicz and Cozzolino. ... City Councilor Mike Germain's golf tournament has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 10 at Leicester CC. ... Members of Herbie's touch football team will celebrate the 25th anniversary of three Worcester Parks Touch Football League championships on Nov. 8 at Halligan's in Auburn. All former players are invited. For information, contact Steve Bradley at [phone]. ... Congratulations to boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield, who was named the Italian-American Club of Rhode Island Man of the Year. ... Worcester has had its share of outstanding athletic families. One that stands out is the Ricciardis. Pat, 92, still plays a couple of rounds of golf a week at Pleasant Valley CC. Joe was an outstanding football player. Frankie played both football and baseball. Johnny captained two sports at Boys Trade, and his son, J.P., is general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, while his other son, Steve, played two sports at Boys Trade. ... Johnny Williams wished for two things for his birthday - tickets to a Red Sox-Yankees game, which he attended on Friday, and an autograph of Derek Jeter, which he also obtained. Following the game, Johnny joined friends for a late dinner in Boston's North End, where he was presented a cake on his 95th birthday.

Don't forget Turnesa

Sports Street was reminded again that when mentioning outstanding Holy Cross athletes, golfer Willie Turnesa - who put HC on the golf map by winning the U.S. Amateur in 1938 - should be mentioned. Turnesa later repeated his national championship and won the British Amateur. ... Patrick Motors' annual "Home" Run 5K Road Race will take place at 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at the Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester. The entry fee is $15 before Oct. 16, and $18 on race day. For more information or to register, go to homerun5kroadrace.com. ... The old Yankee Stadium, built in 1923, had its share of outstanding events and baseball players. Phil McCarthy of Worcester was at the last game against Baltimore. "Although I'm a big Red Sox fan, being in Yankee Stadium for the last time was a thrill," he said while sending along his all-time Yankees team. The list includes Bill Dickey, Yogi Berra, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri, Home Run Baker, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, Whitey Ford, Red Ruffing, Goose Gossage and manager Joe McCarthy. ... Years ago, Worcester had two semipro baseball leagues - the Community League and the Industrial League. Most of the games were held at Lake Park (now Tivnan Field). Frankie George, who did some umpiring then, recalls that the city was loaded with outstanding pitchers. His list includes George "Lefty" Kadis, Art Euranius, Ernie Balser, Johnny Fitzgerald, Frank Giaquinto, Lefty Brunelle, Bill Laconto, Lefty Dufresne and Bob Dube. Balser and Fitzgerald played minor league baseball - Fitzgerald with the Yankees and Balser with the Braves.