Section B · Page 10
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, February 27, 1998
Get your Supplies for the Parade!
Bow Ties
Wigs
Hairspray
Make-up
Leprechaun suits for rent
Barb's Vintage Rose
927 Mass 841-2451
Mon-Sat 10-5:30
KU track team sprints to indoor meet
Veterans, rookies set to face Big 12
By Angela Johnson
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Expectations will be running high for the Kansas men's and women's track teams this week-end at the second annual Big 12 Conference Indoor Championships in Ames, Iowa.
"We have the biggest freshman class we've ever had, so we're developing and growing," head coach Gary Schwartz said. "It's going to be a challenge across the board."
A first-place team finish may be unrealistic at the meet, which occurs today and tomorrow, but the Jayhawk track team's main goal is to compete well in entered events.
The team may have a total of 53 freshmen, but it also returns 12 standouts from last year's conference team. One such standout is Candace Mason, who placed fifth in the pentathlon at last year's conference meet.
Mason, Nevada, Mo., senior, and Nebraska's Kim Stewart will be the major contenders in the women's pole vault, the first time women will compete in this event in a conference meet. Both Mason and Stewart have cleared 12-7 1/2 feet for an NCAA provisional qualifying mark. Mason holds the school record in the pole vault and the pentathlon, with 9.347 points.
Another competitor nearing the Kansas record books is Tamra Montgomery, whose time of 6.85 seconds in the 55-meter dash is four-hundredths of a second off the school record, set by Sheila Calmese in 1978.
Montgomery, a Kansas City, Mo., sophomore, will compete this weekend in the 55-meter dash. The Texas women sprinters dominate this event, holding the top six times in the Big 12.
"My goal this weekend is to break the school record." Mont
gomery said. "I've been working on my starts and on my slow reaction time. I'll need to be the first person out of the blocks. Once I'm out of the blocks I'm fine."
Scott Russell, Windsor, Ontario,
Canada, freshman, will battle
Nebraska's Scott Warren in the
35-pound weight throw. Warren's
best throw of 66-2/1 feet is less than
that a foot better than Russell's
best throw of 65-5/1, which
is a Kansas record and is 11th best
in the nation.
Russell said his throws had been inconsistent this season but he hoped to peak at the conference meet.
"I'm putting this in perspective and setting personal goals for myself." Russell said. "I'd really like to place in the top three. I'm looking at it as another track meet, and at every meet I shoot to do my best."
Long-and triple-jamper Lester Smith, St. Louis junior, also will be striving for his best.
"At KU, track isn't as publicized
it is at other schools," Smith
said. "I think I have a good chance to surprise people because not too many people know who I am."
Smith said a knee injury from the Feb. 6-7 Notre Dame Invitational still bothered him slightly in practice, but not at all in competition.
"When it's time to compete, the adrenaline just takes away the injury," he said.
Another Kansas athlete to watch is Ricardo Amezcua, Acambaro, Mexico, sophomore, in the 3,000-meter and 5,000-meter races. Last year, Amezcua placed third in the 5,000 and sixth in the 3,000.
"I'll need to keep in front of the group, stay there, fight, and do the best I can do to win." Amezcua said.
Nebraska, last year's indoor men's and women's champions, is expected to be a strong contender for a first-place team finish.
The Texas men's and women's teams also will contend for the championship. The Longhorns swept the Big 12 Outdoor Championships last year.
TRACK BRIEFS
The Kansas men's and women's track teams begin competition today at the 1998 Big 12 Conference Indoor Championship in Ames, Iowa. The Jayhawks hope to set new school records today and tomorrow at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center. Some old records have already fallen this season, and others have been challenged.
Candace Mason has the fourth best pole vault in the nation.
Mason's vault in 12'7"/s is a school record and is tied for the top mark in the B1a 12.
Scott Russell's 65-5'1/2 feet mark in the 35-pound weight throw broke a 28-year-old record set by Penny Ross. Russell's mark is six feet farther than Penny's.
Lester Smith's mark in the triple jump, $10^{8} / 4_{s}$, ranks second in the Big 12.
Track stars race for titles
At last year's inaugural Big 12
Indoor Championships, the Kansas
men and women finished eighth and
12th, respectively.
The Associated Press
AMES, Iowa — The Texas schools have brought speed aplenty to Big 12 Conference track, and they will have a perfect showcase for it at the league's indoor meet starting today at Iowa State.
While most indoor tracks are 200 meters, Iowa State has a 300-meter oval that is not as sharply banked as the smaller layouts, enabling runners to go faster on curves and produce better times.
BIG 12 CONFERENCE
For schools like Texas and Baylor, normally loaded with sprinters, it is ideal.
from the outdoor track."
"It's a huge advantage," said Nebraska coach Gary Pepin, whose men's and women's teams are the defending Big 12 indoor champions. "The bigger the track, the better off you are as a southern school. There's less transition
Nebraska is favored in the men's competition, with Texas, Baylor and Colorado also expected to contend. Iowa State, the runner-up in last year's meet at Nebraska and winner of 25 conference titles in track and cross country since 1981, has too many injuries to make a run.
Texas, loaded in the sprints, is likely to end Nebraska's string of 18 consecutive Big Eight and Big 12 titles in the women's division.
"You go from the 55 (meters) up through the 400 and include the 55 hurdles, they are the dominating team in the nation now," Iowa State women's coach Dick Lee said. "They could score 80 or 90 points in just four events if they
really get rolling."
Nebraska, strong in the field events, has four of the eight returning champions on the men's side: Bryon Topps in the 55 meters, Chris Wright in the long jump, Shane Lavy in the high jump and Scott Warren in the weight throw.
Missouri's Derrick Peterson will defend his title in 800 meters, Iowa State's Jason Wood returns in the 55 meter hurdles and Colorado's Adam Goucher is back in the 3,000.
Iowa State's Jamie Beyer is the defending shot put champion, but he is among the injured athletes who will not compete.
"Losing Jamie Beyer, as far as the difference when you compare us and Nebraska, he's probably worth 25 points because of the points he scores and the points he takes away," Lynn said.
Track championship copes without big stars
ATLANTA — There's a fresh look to the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships, and the sport's national governing body is hoping it's a hit with both athletes and spectators.
There's also a sad refrain to the meet — the absence of many big-name stars — and that will be a major deterrent when the two-day event starts today.
The changes are numerous, and USA Track & Field executive director Craig Masback has aimed them at being fan-friendly. One move involves bringing the track closer to the stands.
Secondly, all events will be contested in full view of the spectators. In the past, the weight events had been held in virtual obscurity, behind a dark fabric curtain
pulled down in the Georgia Dome,
hiding the athletes from the fans
"We're delighted to be able to bring the weight throws into the main arena," said meet director Duffy Mahoney. "Years ago, while in Japan, I made a promise to Lance Deal (nine-time winner of the 35-pound weight throw) to do everything possible to help the weight throwers."
A third change is the addition of the heptathlon for men and the pentathlon for women.
The championships would be even more successful if all of the nation's top athletes were participating.
But many have opted to compete outdoors in Australia. The meets were scheduled as an opportunity for Australians to see some of the world's best athletes before the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Big 12 Tournament Kick-Off Party Wednesday, March 4 at 4:30pm
Tuesday Nights Margarita Night Mexican Entrees 2 for 1
Wed Thru Sat Great food til 2:00A.M. Featuring our new South of the Border Menu
Wednesday Nights Ladies Night No Cover!
Sponsored by the KU Alumni Association (includes coaches, former players, cheerleaders and mascots)
Thursday Nights & Sunday Nights with Sonny Kenner
"Great food. Fresh brew. Amen." Kansas City, Missouri
Manor Square in Westport 4050 Pennsylvania 816·931·4499
SNEAK PREVIEW TODAY
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 ONLY
THE CREATORS OF
INDOOR PLUMBING,
• HIGHWAYS,
THE AUTOMOBILE,
THE MICROCHIP,
AND THE AIRPLANE
BRING YOU
"Some Assembly Required"
Engineering Expo 1998
A FORESEIGHT INTO FUTURE TECHNOLOGY AND CONVENIENCES
SHOWING ALL DAY LONG AT LEARNED HALL
SO COME BY AND THANK AN ENGINEER FOR MAKING YOUR LIFE EASIER
SPONSORED BY: