SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1. 1994
District meet is next for cross country
SECTION B
Women heal injuries after Big Eight meet; teams eve nationals
By Kent Hohlfeld Kansan sportswriter
For Kansas, the bright side of the Big Eight Conference meet Saturday was that a postseason bid was not on the line.
Had the conference meet in Manhattan decided who went to the NCAA championship meet in three weeks, the Jayhawks would be spending Thanksgiving at home
The men's team finished fourth, a definite improvement from last year's eighthplace finish.
But, say team members, the result still was not as high as they expected.
"We had hoped to do a little better," said senior co-captain David Johnston. "It's what the league coaches expected us to do, though."
The men's results mirrored where the teams stood in the national polls. Fourthranked Iowa State won the meet followed by No. 5 Colorado, No. 10 Oklahoma State and the 25th-ranked Jayhawks.
"So far, we've failed to put together five great races," Johnston said. "All we need to do is put all our talent together."
In previous meets, the team had consistent races from team-captains Johnston and Michael Cox. Johnston said that he and Cox ran sub-par races Saturday.
Last weekend's meet wasn't the first time the teams had run on the course in Manhattan. Kansas competed on the course during the Kansas State Invitational Sept. 24. During that meet, Johnston's time was 14 seconds better and Cox's time was 16 seconds faster than Saturday's performances.
Kansas coach Gary Schwartz said he was at a loss to explain the slower times by the team's top runners.
"Mike and David just didn't have a good race," Schwartz said. "The majority of the kids ran well."
Juniors Chris Gaston, Brian Watts and sophomore Cord Criss all bettered their times from a month ago by at least 25 seconds.
"We have the talent to beat teams like Oklahoma State," Johnston said. "Our goal is to get to nationals anyway we can, so we really need to knock off Oklahoma State."
Although a couple of bad races hurt the men's effort, the No. 17 women's team had
to battle the injury bug. The women's team came in sixth behind three unranked teams.
Senior co-captain Kristi Kloster sat out Saturday's race because of an ankle injury, while her fellow-captain Melissa Swartz battled through a respiratory infection.
"We weren't really happy with our performance," the senior Swartz said. "It makes us angry knowing we're capable of beating the teams that beat us."
Kansas coach Schwartz said that the injuries definitely effected the team, which was one of three ranked Big Eight teams.
"You can't have your No. 2 runner go down and then have your top runner run a sub-par race," he said. "That may have cost us as many as 60 points, which is the difference between second and sixth."
Help is on the horizon for both teams. They will have two weeks off to prepare for the District V meet Nov. 12 at Springfield, Mo. The top two teams in each district meet will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA championship meet Nov. 21.
"I'll give us time to get healthy," said coach Schwartz. "If we're healthy, we have a very good shot at a bid to nationals."
Melissa Swartz said the team needed to move on from the Big Eight meet.
Big Eight meet results
Men Women
1. Iowa State 29 1. Colorado 29
2. Colorado 49 2. Nebraska 65
3. Oklahoma State 77 3. Kansas State 103
4. Kansas 112 4. Missouri 112
5. Nebraska 118 5. Oklahoma 125
6. Missouri 161 6. Kansas 135
7. Kansas State 195 7. Iowa State 173
8. Oklahoma 203 8. Oklahoma 204
Note: The low score wins in cross country competition.
Source: Kansas sports information KANSAN
"There wasn't much good about that race," she said. "Now we just have to focus on the District meet."
Oklahoma State will be the primary focus for the men's team during the next two weeks. Colorado isn't in Kansas' district which helps the Jayhawks' chances of being one of the top two teams in the district.
"Iowa State is very strong," said coach Schwartz. "Districts will be like a duel meet between us and Oklahoma State for that second spot."
Jonathan Kirsch, Englewood. Colo. sophomore and Kansas Rock Climbing Club member, practices his technique at Robinson Center. The Kansas Rock Climbing Club will compete Sunday at 1 p.m.at Robinson.The competition is open to all Kansas students. Richard Devinki /
Golfer sets sights on LPGA Tour
Former Jayhawk misses collegiate camaraderie
By Jenni Carlson Kansan sportswriter
People may remember Holly Reynolds for her red hair, but everyone should think of her as one of Kansas' best, said Kansas women's golf coach Jerry Waugh.
Reynolds, who closed out her collegiate career last spring, was the best female golfer to play at Kansas for several years, Waugh said. In addition to her athletic ability, Reynolds was respected by those in the college golfing community, which, Waugh said, was unique.
"She was well-received around the country by her contemporaries," he said.
Holly Reynolds
Reynolds, who closed out her col-
In the first tournament, 210 players competed for 30 spots in the final tournament, which was in Daytona Beach. Fla. Reynolds did not place in the top 30.
"I was really nervous and had a tough opening day." Reynolds said.
Even though she did not make the finals, the second regional tournament gave Reynolds another opportunity to qualify. She made good on the opportunity by making the cut for the finals.
Reynolds recently completed the Ladies Professional Golfers Association's qualifying school. The school consisted of two regional qualifiers, the first in Venice, Fla., and the second in Palm Sorings, Calif.
Reynolds placed 99th in the tournament, but was only four shots out of qualifying for the tour. After a one-under-71 in her opening round. Reynolds shot a 78 and a 78.
The first hole of the second and third rounds proved to be the difference, Reynolds said. She double-bogeyed the hole to open her second round and triple-bogeyed it during the third round.
Reynolds felt the pressure by the third day of competition. But with her father caddying throughout the qualifying tournaments, his knowledge of her swing and alignment eased some of the stress.
"I was a little surprised how well Holly did this first time around." Waugh said.
"I think having my father as the caddy helped me," she said. "It was relaxing."
"I still hear his voice when I am over my shots and when I'm walking down the fairway," she said.
Reynolds also gave credit to Waugh for his guidance during her four years as a Jayhawk.
In addition to losing a coach like Waugh, Reynolds no longer has the camaraderie and friendship that comes from playing on a collegiate team.
"There are not four smiling faces to pat you on the back after a good round." Reynolds said.
The Kansas women's golf team also felt the loss of Reynolds. Waugh said she led the team by example, was a hard worker and could make the best of a bad situation.
"She had that ability to reflect on what was ahead and not what was behind," he said.
Even though Reynolds did not qualify for the tour this year, she said she was hoping to make the most of the experience when she competed in the qualifying school again next year.
"Holly could well be someone who'll be heard from," Waugh said.
Freshmen start to take more active part on the gridiron
Richard Devinkl / KANSAN
Kansas freshman defensive lineman Brett McGraw sets himself to tackle Oklahoma sophomore fullback Dwayne Chandler. Kansas football coach Glen Mason said younger players were getting a chance to contribute because of injuries.
And Saturday, cornerback Jason Harris became the first true freshman to start this season.
Young defenders prove their worth
On a Kansas football team with 20 seniors, most of whom contribute significantly, several true freshmen are getting ample opportunity to prove themselves.
"It felt pretty good," Harris said. "I was a little nervous the first series. After that I settled in."
Bv Matt Irwin
Harris started in place of injured sophomore cornerback Tony Blevins, who had started all 19 games of his career, including his freshman season.
Kansan sportswriter
When Harris didn't play, redshirt freshman Avery Randle played cornerback. Randle started one game, replacing Dorian Brew at cornerback in the Alabama-Birmingham game.
Harris said he had expected to play two quarters and then rotate with the other cornerbacks.
But instead, Harris played the
Harris intercepted a pass in the end zone to stop an Iowa State drive and help Kansas defeat the Cyclones 41-23.
"Now that I'm playing, I'm happy that they did it," Harris said about the decision not to redshirt him. "When ever they felt I was ready to play, I was ready."
Though Harris was the first freshman to start for the Jayhawks, he was not the first to play.
But Mason decided not to redshirt Harris, and the freshman played in the fourth quarter against Iowa State.
majority of the game and had three tackles.
"When they kept me in, I was like, I've got to show them I can go all four quarters," Harris said.
Harris said the more experienced players in the defensive backfield have helped him make the transition to college football.
Harris' playing time increased dramatically Saturday, compared to the rest of the season. Until Kansas' defeat of Iowa State on Oct. 15, Kansas coach Glen Mason was considering redshirtning Harris.
"They tell me, 'You're one of us,' Harris said. "It allows me to play with more confidence."
Freshman tailback Eric Vann scored a touchdown the first time he carried the ball during Kansas' 35-13 defeat of Houston.
Freshman tight end Dewey Houston III played and caught a touchdown pass in Kansas 17-10 defeat of Michigan State.
He impressed Mason during the season. So much that Vann has worked his way into the rotation of Kansas running backs that includes junior L.T. Levine and sophomores June Henley and Mark Sanders.
"One time, I looked out there and we had four freshman playing on defense," Mason said. "We're getting some guys playing at an early age."
In Kansas' 24-14 victory over Oklahoma State, the defense was vowed.
1.
Freshman Jason Thoren replaced junior middle linebacker Ronnie Ward when Ward's shoulder was injured Saturday.
Sharpe came in when senior defensive end Steve Harvey left the game with a knee injury. Sharpe, whose previous claim to fame was being the cousin of NFL offensive players Sterling and Shannon Sharpe, had two tackles, including a sack.
Freshman defensive lineman Brett McGraw, also had two tackles.
!