Monday, January 25, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section B·Page 5
Track team scores seven titles
Bv Mike Miller
Kansan Sportswriter
Seven titles by six athletes, including two by sophomore All. American Scott Russell, propelled the Kansas men's track team to victory at the Kansas State Triangular meet Saturday.
In addition to winning the shot put, Russell set a new personal best in the 35-pound weight throw with a mark of 67 feet 9 1/2 inches. The throw also established new meet and Kansas records.
"I went in wanting to set a
new personal best and I'm pleased that I could do that and give points to the team," Russell said.
The women's team did not fare as well, as injuries left the Jayhawks with a depleted squad. There was only one individual winner, freshman Caroline Lareo, in the shot put.
"The performance on the men's side was very strong."
coach Gary Schwartz said, "But I'm frustrated that we're so beat up with the women's team that we can't put out the team that we want."
Accompanying Russell's performance, junior Garrett Attig won the pole vault and senior Lester Smith marked his return to the team with a win in the triple jump.
Three more titles by senior Kevin McGinn in the mile, sophomore Jabari Wamble in the 400-meter run and sophomore Eric Patterson in the 55-meter hurdles allowed the Jayhawks to assume command of
the meet.
The depth provided by the rest of the team showed with second-place finishes by David Tomlin in the 200-meter dash. Charlie Gruber in the 800-meter run, Robert Hamm in the 55-meter hurdles, Ryan Spears in the shot put and Greg Steele in the pole vault.
The women's team received strong showings from not only Larose, but from Sherre-Khan Blackmon with second in the 600-meter run and Shannon Agee and Andrea Branson, who placed second and third in the pole vault.
'Hawks win men's tennis tournament
By Melinda Weaver
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas men's tennis team returned with a vengeance this weekend in the Ice Volleys by defeating Western Michigan and Minnesota and winning the tournament in Minnesota.
The return of No. 9 Lau Uribe and Quentin Blakeney helped the team kick its play into gear and rebound from the Louisville loss with a tournament win.
Uribe missed the Louisville match because of chicken pox, and Blakeenay was limited to doubles play with a back burr.
Uribe didn't miss a beat,
defeating Western Michigan's
Mohammed Dakkil 6-2, 6-3 and
Minnesota's 6. No. 14 Tom
Chicoine 3-6, 6-1 and 3-No. 1 singles, continuing a nine-match winning streak. The victory increased his record to 18-2 overall.
KANSAS TENNIS
"Luis is having an incredible year," said Kenny Powell, No. 2 singles. "He's phenomenal. It makes me happy to play next him because he motivates me to do better."
Powell continued his strong play with his 6-2, 6-1 win over Western Michigan's Ryan Thomlinson and his victory over Minnesota's No. 81 Tyson Parry, marking his first win against a ranked opponent.
"Luis and Kenny played outstanding," coach Mark Riley
said. "As I've said, senior leadership is the key."
New recruit Rodrigo Echagaray put together his first win of the season, defeating Western Michigan's Kyle Gernhofer 6-2, 6-4. He also continued his outstanding doubles play by putting together two wins in No. 3 singles with partner Quentin Blakeney.
After defeating Western Michigan on Friday, the Jayhawks faced No. 24 Minnesota on their home court and came away with a 4-3 victory for their first team title since winning the Big Eight tournament in April 1996.
"We've come a long way in a week," Riley said. "We have a young group, and beating the No.24 team is a big win for this program."
Doubles remained a team strong point as they finished 3-0 against Western Michigan and 2-1 against Minnesota, earning the doubles point against both teams.
In collegiate tennis, the team earns only one point for the best of three doubles matches.
Powell and Alex Barragan won 8-6 against Western Michigan and 8-5 against Minnesota to remain undefeated in the spring season.
Riley said he hoped the team had built enough confidence to perform better at home in its Feb. 10 match against Wichita State.
" our next goal is to play better at home," Riley said. "We need to get our mystery back by performing better at home."
Commentary
So, is it just me, or are Jayhawk fans spoiled?
'Hawks' season troubled, but don't give up on them
Calm down, Jayhawk faithful, hear me out.
I'm not complaining about being the Kansas college with the most Suburbans, the most homecoming queens or the most Prattiness boys
I'm talking about our basketball program.
Seth Jones
sports @ kansan.com
Yes. I know that we lost to the hated Missouri Tigers yesterday, a team that got blown out by lowly Colorado last Saturday, a team that we handled decisively at Missouri. Sure, the 'Hawks looked a little less than spectacular. Whenever T. J. Pugh is the man
that provides the most excitement in a game, we must be in some type of trouble.
Losing leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Having to witness the 'Hawks fall to the Tigers in their own gym is something you hope not to witness too often in your college career.
But that is the catch — you won't have to witness the Jayhawks fall to the Tigers in Allen Fieldhouse too many times.
Feb. 20, 1994 was the last time it happened. Were you a college student at the time? It wasn't just the last time we lost to the Tigers at home, it was also the last time we lost to a conference rival at home. If you were in attendance as a student, you've
now witnessed this horrible sight twice. Now, pay less attention to college basketball and focus on graduating.
I don't like to watch Kansas lose. But it doesn't happen that often, does it? Sure, it's happening more often this season than the last two combined ... but those two teams were supposed to win a national championship.
Don't give up on a program when it still is at the top of the conference, when it is still working on putting together a great season. Don't even get up and walk out of Allen Fieldhouse when there is a minute left and we're only down by five points. Don't give up on your team at all. There really is just about nothing worse than a fair-wheeet fan.
The 'Hawks might not be on the same level as the best teams in the nation, but this is a team that is working to achieve that level.
Right now we are still waiting for the mysterious Mr. Go-To to emerge for the Jayhawks. We're still watching Jeff Bosche and Marlon London get better as the season progresses. We're watching Coach Williams have to really coach a team rather than just make plays for Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce.
Who knows, maybe this year we'll have a team that isn't expected to go far, but does — rather than a team that everyone expects to win, but bails out early. Which would you rather watch?
Remember, we're Kansas. We're tough.
We have history. We're spoiled with a winning tradition. Both of the above make me smile.
Jones is a Mulvane junior in journalism.
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