Mike Waldner Features

U.S. should be Fair

Young star, 20, stays focused Young star, 20, stays focused You're 20. You're the baby of the U.S. national team in the Women's World Cup.

No doubt you're wide-eyed and in awe of everyone and everything leading into the tournament, which begins a week from Saturday in New York and ends July 10 at the Rose Bowl.

Not if you're Lorrie Fair.

Oh, Fair is excited about the Women's World Cup. She had a camera to take pictures during a recent press conference.

But the 20-year-old North Carolina junior was nonchalant enough to quietly write letters, perhaps to her twin sister Ronnie at Stanford, while her teammates were interviewed.

�I really don't feel like the youngest,� she said.

That's because she's been training with the national team since late 1995, a few months after her 17th birthday. A defender who can move to midfield, she began playing for the U.S. in '96 while still 17, and now has appeared in 46 matches with the national team.

�I'm not treated like a baby,� she said.

Fair was not being obstinate. Or perky. Just unassuming. And informative.

�I'm expected to take on the same role as any member of the team,� she said.

That's because she's a wonderfully skilled soccer player who was considered the top recruit in the nation coming out of northern California's Los Altos High. She was also a part-time starter as a freshman on North Carolina's NCAA championship team, a starter and star of the Tar Heels' NCAA championship team as a sophomore, and an even bigger contributor last season when the Tar Heels lost once, that being in the NCAA championship game.

She's a star of the future for the national team and possibly the present, depending on how Tony DiCicco, the coach, sets his lineup during the next month.

Fair will be ready because of her international experience only 21 women have played in more matches in the history of the U.S. national team and maturity.

Maturity is easier talked about than attained. Witness how 18-year-old tennis brat Martina Hingis and tae kwan do master Chan Ho Park, 25, of the Dodgers came unraveled by the pressures of competition.

�I've grown a lot since '96,� Fair said. �It was hard then because there I was training with the best players in the world and I was not in college yet. It was hard adjusting to the lifestyle.�

That's when she was the baby of the team, a bundle of raw talent who had to learn how to prepare herself for intense daily practices and international friendly matches that were not always so friendly.

�It prepared me for college,� she said.

Going from northern California to North Carolina was not such a big deal after boot camp in Florida with the national team.

�I wasn't homesick,� she said. �I've never been homesick. I love being away from home. I love the independence and the responsibility.�

This bright, articulate young woman is serious about her responsibilities.

One assignment she has apart from soccer is a research project for a two-unit communications course.

Why is she taking a class while the U.S. team is preparing for the World Cup?

�To be eligible for next season at North Carolina,� she said.

She needs the class to comply with NCAA regulations. When did she find out she needed two units to be eligible?

�In February,� she said.

Can you imagine academics intruding on athletics?

�It's fine with me,� Fair said. There was an infectious little grin on her face.

�It keeps me busy,� she said.

Publish Date:Friday June 11