Dear Mr. Sportsknowitall: How can non-Americans get All-America status in track? And a lot of people don't realize that in track, to be All-American you are going against the best in the world, not just the U.S or not just the best in your conference. A.H.

Since 1982, if you finish in the top eight you get All-America status. Huskers this year getting All-America status were Bjorn Barrefors of Sweden in the decathlon, Jamaican Nicholas Gordon in the long jump, Texan Epley Bullock in the high jump and Kirkland Thornton of Illinois in the 110- and 400-meter hurdles. Now, the deal is: If a bunch of non-Americans finish ahead of you don't worry, the top eight Americans also get All-America status. In football, you can become consensus All-American if you are named to three All-America teams. For unanimous All-America, you need pretty much everybody to name you. For cross country, the top 40; for wrestling, top eight. For high school athletes, McDonalds, Army and a few recruiting mags name All-American.

Dear Mr. Sportsknowitall:

Oh, wise baseball sage, why can't right-handers snap off a hard breaking curve to left-handers the way lefties snap off curves to righties? D.G.

You know how the magnetic poles can change the way your hair lines up in the morning? And you know how you are supposed to gas up in the morning, while it's cooler, so you get more gas before it heats up and expands? And you know the heinous foreign concept that says I before E except after C? And how rouge should never be darker than your lip gloss? (Well, that's what I heard). In other words, it's a myth. Some guys, Jon Lieber, for instance, couldn't throw a slider to a lefty that didn't leave the ball park.

Dear Mr. Sportsknowitall:

I see sports folks point to the sky after a good play: a pitcher after a strikeout, a tailback after a touchdown; and I see football teams kneel in prayer after games. How does Mr. Sportsknowitall acknowledge the deities after a great column? E.W.

When I write one, I'll let you know.

Reach Mr. Sportsknowitall at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com