Sports THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FORMER LAWRENCIAN BECOMES MANAGER
WWW.KANSAN.COM
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2009
NBA, PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS BORE
SOFTBALL CELEBRATION
One-sided games do not make for dramatic finishes. MORNING BREW 12B
PAGE 1B
Senior softball players Val Chappe, 3rd baseman; Dougie McCaulley, outfielder; Valeria George, pitcher; Stevie Crisosto, shortstop; and Elle Pottorf, catcher, will play in their final Big 12 Tournament April 8 in Oklahoma City. The five seniors have had their shares of highs and lows as Jayhawks, but leave the field with positive memories.
Ryan McGeeney/KANSAN
Seniors reflect on Jayhawk careers
Five players from all over the field look back at the highlights of their time in a Kansas uniform
BY BEN WARD bward@kansan.com
Kansas softball coach Tracy Bunge has seen her fair share of graduating seniors during her 13 years at the helm. She hasn't seen too many like this year's group, however.
"This group is definitely a special one," Bunge said. "All five have made major contributions to this program in one way or another during their time here." Third baseman Val Chapple, left fielder Stevie Crisosto, pitcher Valerie George, center fielder Dougie McCaulley, and catcher Elle Pottorf will likely play their last games in Jayhawk uniforms this weekend at the Big 12 tournament.
BIG 12 SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
No. 9 Kansas vs. No. 8
Iowa State
5 p.m. Friday
ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Oklahoma City
"They all have done so many things they can and should be proud of," Bunge said. "During their time here they've been great representatives of this University."
As their time in crimson and blue nears its end, all five took a moment to reflect on their experiences as a Jayhawk.
VAL CHAPPLE
Perhaps the ultimate embodiment of a student athlete, Val Chapple excelled both on and off the field during her tenure at the University. Chapple, an Overland Park native, has been a rock for Kansas at third base — starting all but one game in her career. Chapple also fondly recalled winning the Big 12 Championship her freshman year.
"Being a student-athlete has re
For all her achievements on the field, Chapple has just as many in the classroom. Recognized as an academic All-American and AllBig 12 numerous times, Chapple boasts a cumulative 4.0 GPA.
ally helped my time management" she said. "The athletics department has a great support staff in place, and they've really helped me develop those skills."
Chapple may be modest, but the University has taken notice of her dedication in the classroom. Chapple was selected by the School of Education to be a student banner carrier for this
year's commencement ceremony.
STEVIE CRISOSTO
"They all have done so many things they can and should be proud of."
"I'm so honored to be nominated to carry the banner at graduation," she said. "It's a very flattering honor."
After coming to Lawrence from northern California, Stevie Criso- adjusted well to life in the Midwest.
"Having never been to Kansas before, it was different at first," she said, "but I was pleasantly surprised."
Still, it wasn't all easy.
"Getting used to the weather
was something else though," she joked.
Crisosto, a Palo Cedro native, has had to make adjustments on the field as well, as she moved all
over the field during her career — playing everywhere from first base to the outfield.
Still, she has been productive, with her best season coming in 2007, when she started 60 games at shortstop while hitting .302.
Though she has experienced some struggles in her junior and senior seasons, Crisosto has always held her head high.
"There were lots of highs and lows," she said.
BASEBALL
"But it's that experience that has prepared me for anything and everything. The struggles only make doing well more rewarding in the long run."
SEE SOFTBALL ON PAGE 5B
Jayhawks head south to face Shockers
Junior infielder David Narodowski high-fives other Jayhawks as he returns to the dugout after crossing home during the team's 8-0 shutout against Wichita State March 11. The Jayhawks will face Wichita State again today.
BY JOSH BOWE jbowe@kansan.com
A hundred and sixty-three miles south on Interstate 35, Wichita State is waiting for revenge.
Jerry Wang/KANSAN
Not only was it a shutout, but Kansas also put quite a few runs on the scoreboard. The 8-0 drubbing of Wichita State was an early highlight of the season and a turning point for Kansas.
Two months ago, the Jayhawks did something they normally don't do against the Shockers: shut them out.
"It'll be a huge rivalry game for them after we spanked them so good at our place," coach Ritch Price said. "They are going to give it everything they got to try to make sure they even the series for the year."
But don't expect the Shockers to be pleased with the Jayhawks when they match up again today at 7 p.m. in Wichita.
Kansas will try to continue its success after winning two out of
Ridenhour's last midweek start was the 8-0 shutout. He went eight innings while striking out five in
the first inning in Sunday's game against Oklahoma.
that game.
Price said he hoped this game
COMMENTARY
SEE BASEBALL ON PAGE 3B
Sports distractions are a saving grace
In a coffee shop downtown, there sits a belegued student. His right hand loosely grips what was once an ice mocha. Several hours have passed since he ordered it, and now the drink more closely resembles dirty water than an espresso-infused treat.
The student's left hand dances across the keyboard and grazes the finger pad of an Apple laptop, popping up tab after tab of information detailing the lives and ideas of long-dead white men — the subject of an epic research paper that demands completion by the next day.
To his left, there sits a figure with a similar disposition. The table in front of him displays a haphazard collage of notes, books and sticky notes. An arsenal of highlighters sits available at his right hand, next to a three-times filled and emptied mug, stained with its former dark roasted contents. His earbuds betray faint whispers of indie rock;
his head nods a tacit confirmation that yes, the studying will continue.
Some would say that these are
Spending any length of time pondering which NBA team might have a starting point guard opening with Kirk Hinrichs' name on it seems to be an unequivocal waste of time with so much work to complete. Continuing to daydream about how dominant Kansas' basketball team will be next season seems equally foolish, as does expending mental energy stressing about the question marks littering Kansas' defensive secondary
SEE BEECHER ON PAGE 3B