Kansas sports fans may not be too enthused about turning out Saturday to witness the KU-Oklahoma A&M grid contest because the Jayhawk football record is not sparkling, but these same sports fans have an opportunity to see what may be one of, if not the best athlete in the nation today.
By STAN HAMILTON Kansan Sports Editor
Fans, by showing up half an hour before they customarily go to the stadium will be treated to one of (parts of, at least) the toughest forms of athletics ever invented—cross country. And this meet is not just a dual, but the Big Seven championship, the only title that will be held on Mt. Oread this school year.
Several promising runners from five other league schools are scheduled to run the 3-mile course, all hoping to unseat the fabulous Wes Snee and gain national fame immediately.
Everyone here has heard of Santee, both pro and con, but few have seen him run in competition—a real treat even to those who think runners are a bit off their rocker for running in a scanty costume in freezing temperatures.
The lanky 145-pound running dyna probably ranks alongside such former Jayhawk athletic greats as Clyde Lovellett, Glenn Cunningham, Jim Bauch, Howard Engleman, and possibly Ray Evans when Kansas greats are mentioned in any conversation.
Reams and reamy of copy have been written about him and his trips overseas three years have spread the name of the University of Kansas throughout the world, probably even more so than any of the others mentioned.
The reader likely already knows all about Santee, or at least as much as he cares to know, but remember he is the author of the fastest mile run in the U.S.—4.02.4, and holds a score of other records. His medal and trophy collection would rival that of any fraternity.
What possibly has held down the Ashland resident more than anything is his seeming cockiness. He knows he is good, will tell you how badly he is going to tromp a rival, and then goes right out and does just that. Cunningham did not do this, but Cunningham, whose every record has since been smashed by Santee, was not as colorful a character.
People remember such stars as Babe Ruth almost as much because of his unorthodox maneuvers as for booming home runs. Such fellows as Casey Stengel, Billy Herman, and Dizzy Dean insured their places in memory lane by zany antics as well as by their assigned chores.
Opposing fans filled stadiums hoping to see the magnificent Ruth go out on strikes so they could give him a hard time, but when he teed off on one even the most stunch Ruth hater had to give the big boy credit where credit was due.
The same is true of Santee just as was true of other cinder stars as Mel Patton, Mal Whitfield, Dick Attelsey, Thane Baker, and others.
Everyone is for the underdog. When the unfavored whips the big boy he is toasted far and wide. He makes all the headlines. He is billed after that as "the man who knocked out Joe Louis," for instance.
Santee, the machine, is the head of one of the finest track units in the nation today. Backed up by real top notchers as Art Dalzell, Lloyd Koby, Al Frame, and Dick Wilson, he has helped lead the distance men of KU to 27 consecutive victories, believed to be an all-time high for triumphs by any KU athletic outfit ever!
Before he assumed a starring role here Bob Karnes and Herb Semper, another pair of great thinclads, got the string started. That string now has reached six loop championships in a row, another mark unrivaled in sports history at the University.
Prior to this record, which began in 1947, Kansas had won only one (yes, ONE) other distance crown, that in 1928.
Which brings us to a conclusion. Here is the greatest consistent winner KU has had since any student has been on the campus. Here is KU's chance for real supremacy, so much so that most opponents when facing the Jayhawks, are merely in the race for third place.
A wish that all KUers may put aside personal feelings Saturday, both at the track meet and the football game, and cheer loudly for the masters of cross country, and the gridders, who, in the face of almost overwhelming student apathy, still are giving their all.
The best evidence of student spirit we have seen all year (outside of such groups as the pep clubs and band) was the attempt Saturday to defend the KU goal posts. And that group was largely composed of athletes in other sports at the University.
Notre Dame Ranked First
Notre Dame, with a 6-0 record, was picked as the No.1 team in the nation this week in the United Press poll. Second is Maryland (8-0); third, Illinois (6-01); fourth, Michigan State (6-1); fifth, UCLA (6-1); sixth, Oklahoma (5-1); seventh, Georgia Tech (6-1-1); eighth, Bayor (6-1); ninth, West Virginia (7-0), and tenth, Southern Cal (6-1-1).
Big 7 Teams Buckle Down
Manhattan—The Kansas State Wildcats, hungry for a victory Saturday over Big Seven foe Missouri, faced bad news today.
Coach Bill Meek revealed that starting left guard and team captain Tom O'Boyle was hospitalized with food poisoning and may not be ready for the game.
The Wildcats already were without the services of two other first unit linemen—right guard Dean Peck and right tackle Earl Meyer.
Columbia—More light practice was on tape for Missouri university's Tigers today.
By UNITED PRESS
Dick Gillham and Wayne Swetna will fill in for injured Ted Follin and Perry Roberts when the Tigers meet Kansas State's Wildcats here Saturday.
Lincoln—There will be no change in the starting Nebraska lineup when the Cornhuskers meet Colorado in a loop clash Saturday.
Coach Bill Glassford said tackle Ted Connor, who suffered a head injury against the Cyclones last weekend, has been given a doctor's okay to play against the Buffers.
Stuber stressed defense all week, and had planned a full scrimmage yesterday but called it off after cold weather made the practice
Ames—There was no rough work on tap for Iowa State's Cyclones today, but Coach Abe Stuber drilled his gridmen intensely on defense in hopes of upsetting the mighty Oklahoma Sooners Saturday.
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University Daily Kansan
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He said he decided then to skip the rough work the remainder of the week and concentrate on fundamentals. The squad is scheduled to leave by bus tomorrow afternoon to go to Des Moines where it will entrain for Norman, Okla.
Boulder—The trio of top Buffalo tailbacks will all be in action for the first time this season when they meet Nebraska at Lincoln.
Injuries have kept Carroll Hardy, Ron Johnson, and Homer Jenkins sidelined parts of this season, but it was announced yesterday all three will be in condition for the Huskers.
Norman—Coach Bud Wilkinson, crying because he has 14 players not able to engage in scrimmage, yesterday worked his squad out in sweat clothes. He ran his Sooners mainly on pass defense.
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