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SPORTS
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
1B
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2003
Sophomore leads team
Brandon Baker/Kansan
In her short time at the University, sophomore guard Blair Waltz has proven herself a fierce competitor and team leader. "I strive for that, I strive to be in the leadership position," said Waltz. "I came to this school because I knew we was going to be put in this position."
Waltz subjects herself to heavy workload wants to win championships for Jayhawks
By Ryan Greene
rgreene@kansan.com
kansan sportswriter
At 8:30 yesterday morning, most University of Kansas students were tucked away snug in their beds, silently dreading another week of classes.
Not Blair Waltz.
The sophomore guard was recovering from a harsh 5 a.m. practice following her team's 77-61 loss to Baylor on Saturday. The day would only get worse for Waltz.
She not only had class, but also weightlifting with the team and individual meetings with coaches. It may seem like a heavy workload, but it's something Waltz has been used to since high school.
Just like it is now, almost all of her time in high school was dedicated to athletics. Waltz, who attended Blue Valley North High School, was a three-sport standout. Besides basketball, she was also recruited by schools to play softball and volleyball.
"It was a really tough decision coming out of high school not knowing what you wanted to do," Waltz said. "It was a really stressful time for me, but in the end I think it turned out OK."
Waltz opted for the proximity and tradition that Kansas brought, but meeting coach Marian Washington was what pushed her over the top.
"Coach Washington stood out more than any coach that came into my home," Waltz said. "She's an unbelievable person, she's just like a mom."
For Waltz, her first season at Kansas was a transition. In high school, she played on powerhouse teams with three other players who moved on to Big 12 Conference competition. Going from the top of the rankings to an 0-16 conference record at Kansas was challenging but beneficial.
"It was a change and it was a very good learning experience for me," Waltz said. "After that season, after Ive
"Coach asks you why are you coming to Kansas. You need to say that you're coming to go to school, get an education and win championships."
Blair Waltz Sophomore guard
had my ups and downs, I feel like I can conquer and do anything I want."
"I strive for that. I strive to be in the leadership position," Waltz said. "I came to this school because I knew I was going to be in this position."
Waltz has also been a leader by example in game situations. She has played through both the stomach flu and severe back pain this year.
"I'd go to war with my team," Waltz said. "During the Colorado game, I was for sure not going to play, but then a minute before the game was about to start, I was like 'screw it, I'm gonna try.'"
In the game, Waltz made a valiant effort despite a bad back, but was only able to play two minutes.
Waltz knows that her teammates support her the way that she supports them. However, she has another form of support both at home games and on the road—her parents.
John and Marlene Waltz have made the commitment to their daughter to be at every game since high school. They have made trips to everywhere from Manhattan to Puerto Rico. When at Allen Fieldhouse, they occupy the same two seats every game across from the Kansas bench.
"We always sit here just so she does not have to look for us," Marlene said.
For Blair, having family at every game is never a mental distraction, but provides more of a comforting feeling.
"During the national anthem, I'll look over at my mom and she'll smile," Waltz said. "It's just incredible to come after every game out of the locker room no matter where we are and see them."
Even though the team is still fledgling in the Big 12 standings, Waltz has her goals set high for the next few years.
"I want a national championship, period," Waltz said. "Coach asks you why are you coming to Kansas. You need to say that you're coming to go to school, get an education and win championships. I think we're very capable if we keep working hard and working together."
- Edited by Erin Chapman
Softball team takes victories in tourney
By Steve Schmidt
sschmidt@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Despite going 3-2 in the Softball by the Beach Tournament, the Jayhawks are off to their best start under the reigns of coach Tracy Bunge.
In the Jayhaws (10-3) first victory in Santa Barbara, Calif., Kansas upended CalPoly San Luis Obispo 6-0 on Friday and gave Bunge her 200th win as Kansas coach. Junior pitcher Kara Pierce threw her third consecutive shutout in the contest.
Later on Friday, it was Kansas on the losing side of a 4-3 outcome against the University of California - Santa Barbara as the layhawks were plagued by costly fielding errors.
On Saturday, Kansas had a clean sweep with the Utah team, defeating it 6-3 and then defeating Brigham Young University 4-2.
Against Utah, Kansas was able to light up the scorecard and recorded 10 hits in the game. Three of those were by sophomore first baseman Lindsey Weinstein who went 3-for-3. Senior pitcher Kirsten Milhoan got the victory, giving her an overall record of 3-1.
In the BYU contest, the Cougars managed to get two runs off of Pierce—the first time a team was able to do so in 22 innings. Offensively, the 'Hawks posted eight hits, five of them coming in the fourth inning.
Kansas capped off their stay in Santa Barbara by losing to San Diego State 2-1 on Sunday. Pierce only gave up two unearned runs late in the ninth and tenth innings. That proved to be all the Aztecs needed to average their earlier 6-3 loss to Kansas a week before in the Campbell/Cartell Tournament in San Diego. Pierce fell to 7-2 on the year.
The Jayhawks will be next in action a couple of thousand miles away in Tuscaloosa, Ala., to participate in the Crimson Classic from Feb. 28 to March 2.
Edited by Melissa Hermreck
Youngsters to dominate draft
Hinrich, Collison few seniors who will be available in June when NBA teams make picks
From high school phenom LeBron James, to Syrcacuse's fantastic freshman Carmelo Anthony, or to 17-year-old Yugoslavian big man Darko Millicic, this year's NBA draft will be based on teenagers going in the first few picks. Even though the market for seniors is not as dense as it used to be, Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich will be making some noise.
SPORTS COMMENTARY
This is a rough NBA scouting report that I have compiled on Kansas's favorite seniors, plus where they could be headed.
Kirk Hinrich
The Specs: In the NBA, Hinrich will most likely earn his living playing point guard. His ball-handling skills and tenacity when attacking the hoop make him a potent playmaker. Hinrich, who has not been Kansas's starting point guard since his sophomore year, will have to play the position as a pro because of his size. At 6 feet 3 inches, Hinrich would have defensive troubles against the league's bigger shooting guards like Trace McGrady and Kobe Bryant.
Hinrich's all-around ability makes him a solid first-round selection right now. Teams looking for point guards are mostly in the Eastern conference. Hinrich would be a perfect fit for a team like New York or Boston. In either franchise, he would be the glue that would help tie together a group of potent scorers.
Greene's Pick: I see Hinrich going out
Ryan Greene
rgreeene@kansan.com
west to Utah.
Second-year forward Andrei Kirilenko is a Dirk Nowitzki-type big man who can shoot the outside jumper or bang inside. Matt Harpring is a veteran forward who is starting to come into his own at the small forward position.
The Jazz's veteran duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton is on its last leg, and they will most likely not play for more than another year. When the two retire, they will not be leaving the organization bare in terms of talent.
With their first-round selection, Utah has to address finding the heir to John Stockton. True, Hinrich may never be the NBA player that Stockton has been for so long, but he would fit the mold in Utah.
The Specs: There will be many power forwards selected ahead of Collison in the draft. Most of those guys, however, are foreign teenagers and underclassmen who are all drafted based on potential. The one idea that may hurt Collison is the fact that most scouts will feel he has reached his full potential.
Others taking notice: New Orleans, Washington, Seattle, Boston, New York, Portland and Denver.
Nick Collison
Collison has the most polished array of post moves compared to any other forward in the draft. Not only has he proven he can consistently score against elite competition, but he has shown that he can bang inside with the best for rebounds over the course of his KU career.
Greene's Pick: I see Collison landing in Detroit. I see him slipping out of the lottery-range, but he will still be a mid-to-late first-rounder. Detroit has not had a consistent low-post scoring threat in a long time, and putting Collison in the power forward slot will allow the NBA's top defender, Ben Wallace, to play center permanently. The advantage Collison brings to a team like Detroit is that he can come in and start right away.
The Pistons are in dire need of an inside offensive threat to complement Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups on the perimeter. If Collison were to land in Detroit, he would be setting himself up for a solid career in the pros.
Others taking notice: Minnesota,
Philadelphia, New Orleans and Atlanta.
Collison seems very comfortable in the half-court set both offensively and defensively, which will bode well for him in the NBA, but he can also be effective in a fast-break style of play.
No matter where Collison and Hinrich show up on the draft board in June, both are looking at satisfying and lucrative professional careers. Whether they land in a situation where they start right away or have to ride the bench, once their opportunities present themselves, these two will be more than prepared to perform.
Greene is a Vernon Hills, Ill., junior in journalism
Tennis loses twice in N.M. competition
Lobos dominate singles, Pioneers clinch doubles altitude impairs Kansas
1
by Jonah Ballow
jballow@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Coach Kilmeny Waterman said altitude played a big role in the losses.
The first road trip for the No. 46 Kansas tennis team proved unsuccessful with losses to the Denver Pioneers on Saturday, 4-3, and to the New Mexico Lobos Sunday, 7-0, in Albuquerque, N.M.
"The altitude change got us off to a slow start and we lost the doubles point," Waterman said. "As we started to adjust and get better spin on the ball, we tried to play catch up in singles, but it was too little too late. Denver came out much more energized than us."
Kansas lost matches at No.1 doubles and No.2 doubles resulting in the loss of the crucial doubles point. No.3 doubles freshman Luiza Loureiro teamed with freshman Christine Skoda to defeat Stephanie Ginsburg and Rossi Thomas 8-6 with the sole doubles victory.
In singles play, junior Courtney Steinbock started strong at the No. 1 singles position by winning the first set. Steinbock then dropped the next two sets and the match to Yanick Dullens 0-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Junior Emily Haylock earned the
KANSAS
TENNIS
first victory at No. 3 singles with a straight set win over Jenny Trettin 6-4, 7-6 (9-7). Skoda followed by
beating Barbara Kourim 6-2, 7-5 at the No.4 position. Lorenz was the third and final victory for the Jayhawks at No.5 singles with a comeback win against Ginsburg 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Kansas could not bounce back Sunday against the Lobos.
Waterman made a line-up change from the usual combination of Courtney and Kristen Steinbock.
"It was hard keeping balls in play because of the altitude." Brown said. "We could have played a lot better but we just need to get rested up for the matches this weekend."
At No. 2 doubles Kristen Steinbock teamed with Skoda and lost to Maria Ruiz-Fabrega and Rachel Hatley 8-5. Tiffany Robertson and Michelle Heidbrink defeated Haylock and Loureiro at No. 3 doubles 8-4.
Kansas could not manage a victory in singles play against the Lobos.
Courtney Steinbock jumped out early but could not sustain and lost to Kovacek 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. Kansas dropped to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in the Big 12. The team travels to Iowa Friday to face the Hawkeyes. It will then play the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday. The team plays Sunday against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Topeka.
—Edited by Andrew Ward