Section B • Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, October 18, 2000
Walk-on runner Jayhawks' fastest
By Ryan Malashock
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportwritter
After his senior year of high school, junior runner Brent Behrens couldn't have expected to be the top men's runner for the Kansas cross country team.
But Behrens overcame the lack
At that point, he wasn't even sure if he would be running cross country and track for a Division I program.
of recruiting interest, walked on to the Kansas cross country and track programs and hasn't looked back.
The Atalissa, Iowa, native almost stayed in his home state for school.
"I was decent in high school, not great, but I wanted to run at a Division I school, and when I visited I got the right feel about Kansas," Behrens said. "I was looking at Iowa, but that was too close to home, but I wanted to get away."
Behrens has come a long way since his first race in seventh grade. Behrens said he tried out for the track team because it was something to do.
His laid-back attitudte escalated into a distinguished high school career at West Branch High School in Atallisa. Behrens was a three-time conference champion in the 3,200 meter race, and he holds school records at West Branch in the 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter races. He was also a member of the 1997 Iowa State
Cross Country Championship Team.
Behrens said he has learned that cross country brought out his competitive side
"I've found that the longer the distance, the more competitive I get," Behrens said. "I like running in a big group of people."
Kansas coach Stanley Redwine said Behrens' performance this season had been remarkable.
"Brent has done an excellent job for us this season." Redwine said. "We gave him a chance to contribute this season, and he's just been getting better and better. Brent's improving day by day, meet by meet."
Behrens got off to a strong start with a fourth-place finish at Kansas' home meet, the Bob Timmons Invitational — and he hasn't tailed off.
Behrens has been the highest- placing Jayhawk the past two meets.
"Brent can determine just how much better he can get," Redwine said. "If he maintains his work ethic, he's got unlimited potential in my mind."
Behrens said he hoped to continue his successful season with a high finish at the Big 12 Conference Championships.
"I'm aiming for all-conference, which is finishing in the Top 15 at the conference championships." he said. "I didn't think that I could get that at the start of the season, but my outlook has changed."
Behrens and his dayhawk teammates have one more week to prepare before heading to Boulder, Colo., on Saturday. Oct. 28 for the Big 12 Championships.
Competitive team means captain sees less playing time
Edited by John Audlehelm
Soccer midfielder remains positive
By Yashitaka Ebisawa sports@kansan.com Kansan writer sportman
Senior midfielder Katie Lents needed only one minute and thirty-three seconds to score a goal against Weber State on Sep. 5, 1999, but her first goal this season didn't come until Sunday, when the Jayhawks played the season's 16th game against Texas in Austin, Texas.
The reason is simple: She hasn't played many minutes this season.
Katie Lents, senior midfielder, passes the ball downfield during a scrimmage against Baker. Lents, a co-captain, scored her first apail this season against Texas Sunday. Photo by Aaron Lindberg/KANSAN
Lents, the team's co-captain, played every game last year, but her appearance has been limited in nine games, including only one start, because of increased competition within the team.
"I know I only have a little bit of time," she said. "I know I don't get to start and get to play very much. It's really discouraging."
Despite the limited opportunities, the Overland Park native remains an emotional leader and contributes many things to the Javhawks.
"It's frustrating, but I'm the captain this year," she said. "So I have to keep my head up, keep cheering everybody else on. I'm a team player, and as long as people out there on the field doing their job and doing right stuff, I'm fine."
"She's a very good leader on and off the field," Francis said. "A lot of games she came in, I think, she raised the level of intensity."
Coach Mark Francis said Lents was a good captain and had done a great job in the games she played.
Lents attributed the success as a
reserve to her involvement in the game.
"I don't just sit on the bench and talk to my friends about what was going on the week," she said. "I keep my stuff involved in the game and look what's going on, what's going right, what's going wrong. And once you get a chance, you know how to improve it."
The 5-foot-6-inch captain's best attribute has been described as the ability to make people laugh.
"She kind of has timing," said assistant coach Donna Holyman.
Lents said that characteristic had always helped her be a good leader.
"I've just been really outgoing," she said. "I remember just being a leader just like when I was in high school. I think a lot of people find it easy to talk to me."
lost its three previous conference games, Kansas (7-9, 3-5 Big 12 Conference) may need to beat one of its next two conference foes on the road to achieve its season goal
Maybe now is the time Kansas needs a plaver like her. Having
making the Big 12 Tournament, for which the top eight teams in the conference qualify. Lents said the challenge had already begun.
"I have to start here, make sure we all get our work done on the field and practice," she said. "And hopefully, we can just carry it on the game."
Edited by J. R. Mendoza
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