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When Wagner beat St. Francis, N.Y., last Monday, it was the 100th career victory for coach Tim Capstraw.

The next day, at the weekly New York-area writers luncheon, Capstraw was given a round of applause for the milestone.

“Take it easy. This is my ninth season,” the 37-year-old Wagner graduate said. “I checked with the math department: I can catch Dean Smith when I’m 147 years old.”

Men behaving … like men

Orlando Sentinel columnist Brian Schmitz was impressed with woman referee Dee Kantner at a recent NBA game at the O-rena. Kanter was the recipient of a attaboy pat on the backside by Karl Malone, but it hardly fazed her.

“Some fans spotted Malone’s mitt on her backside and howled,” wrote Schmitz. “But before we have a Rump Roast for the Ref on ESPN, CNN and Jerry Springer, and women marching on Washington claiming sexual harassment … let it be known that Kantner was cool as a cucumber. She turned to the audience, shrugged her shoulders and smiled sheepishly. No big deal, Dee seemed to be saying. She turned the other cheek. (Sorry.)”

To Schmitz, however, Malone’s move brought up a bigger issue.

“Maybe everybody ought to keep their hands to themselves - like my mom always said. That’s the, uh, bottom line. I’m no sports psychologist, but why do we guys - macho creatures that we are - pat other guys’ butts in the first place? Who started that ritual?”

Ready, set, mow!

That will be the rallying cry at the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association’s STA-BIL Nationals later this month, an event featuring what organizers call “America’s Fastest Mowing Sport.”

The nationally televised competition features three divisions: Stock (10 mph), Prepared (35 mph) and Factory Experimental (50 mph).

Among the mowers will be The Turfinator, Mowin’ For Broke, the Lawn Ranger, Haulin’ Grass and Shake, Rattle and Mow.

The telecast will feature the first Mow Cam, which will be mounted on top of a rider’s helmet to bring viewers closer to the “action”.

Says the organization’s top official, “Being on national television takes lawn mower racing to a new level.”

A man in search of misery

Retired auto racing driver Skip Barber, who operates a professional racing school, is getting involved in high school drivers’ education programs.

Instructors at Barber’s school speak to teen drivers about safe driving techniques. The program is called “Crashing is a Bummer.”

The last word …

“The people who are into tennis or racquetball and whatever other sports, they say their biggest complaint about golf is that it’s so time consuming. But that’s exactly what I love about it. Once a week or so, I need my 6 hours away from everything… . That’s my escape and a real pleasant one - unless I shoot 88.”

Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo