Special Edition
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
No.1
The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas
Sports 2
Wednesday, August 20,1975
Speed boosts hopes of banner track year
Waddell Smith leads around the curve
By YAEL ABQUHALKAH
With his characteristic strut, Cliff Wiley sped around the final turn, head bobbing forward.
Sports Editor
Wiley snapped the finish string, hands held high and outstretched. It was, obviously, another victory for a University of Kansas relay team.
But it wasn't just any relay. For the Jayhawks, it was "the" relay—the prestigious mile relay. And last year, KU won the relay team and relay teams in national collegiate ranks.
Now for some good news: all those quality sprinters are back.
That's a solid plus for the Kansas track team, which will be going for an incredible 10th straight Big Eight Outdoor track title in the spring.
LED BY COACHES Bob Timmons, Thad Talley and Gary Pepin, the Jayhawks are once again one of the top teams in college track circles. They placed second in the NCAA Indoor and fourth in the NCAA Outdoor last year.
Talley takes an optimistic look at the upcoming season.
"We're going to have more depth than ever this year," he said. "We're going to be more experienced. We could have one of the strongest teams in KU's history."
That's a big claim. But on paper, it has been proven that such a statement starts with the phrase *this*
Sprinters
Granted, each of KU's sprinters has his unique style of running. But it's all dedicated to one goal: getting around the track as fast as possible. That was a lot faster than most Big Eight sprinters last season.
"I don't really see a challenge from (conference) sprinters." T乳lev said.
"WE WON'T HAVE to double as much this year," he said, pointing out that the Jahyhaws can run their top-netch sprinters in three or four races every meet.
Wiley, a diminutive sophomore, has 9.4 speed in the 100, 20.9 in the 220 and a 46.14 relay link. He's a triple sprint threat, but he's not the greatest admirer of the quarter mile.
There are some Jayhawks, though, who put their priority in the 440. For example, they were the first to win.
Benson ran much of last year on a burn leg, despite that the long-legged senior had ankle pain.
Until the end of the season though, he
don't get the recognition properly.
So we want him to go.
Benson pawed at the right time, clocking an open 440 of 46.6 at the NCAA Outdoor in June, then came back to lope to an incredible 45.4 mile relay split.
Then there's smooth-running sema-
Waddell Smith.
SMITH DOESN'T REALLY get started until the 230 mark, where he has a best of 219. But his quarter mile times—an open hand on every one—give better evidence of his raw ability.
Also back will be Larry Jackson, senior,
who concentrated on the shorter distances
and came up with bests of 9.5, 21.0 and 47.2
(relay) last year.
Edie Lewis, if he returns for his senior year, will be the veteran of the KU sprint corps. Lewis had marks of 21.3 in the 220 m in a relay mile split his junior season.
Finally, there's Nolan Cromwell, who literally pounds his way around the track. The do-everything junior from Ransom took time out from spring football and turned into a solid 440 intermediate hurdle. Inurei's teammate was also a successful Outdoor champ in the 440 intermediates, recording a season-best of 50.6. He also had a 46.8 split on a mile relay.
Hurdlers
Cromwell should return for the demanding intermediates. More consistency is needed from junior Dennis Brack in the shorter hurdles.
Freshman help is expected from Anthony Coleman. With good leg speed (9.6 in the 10), Coleman overcame the disadvantage of having just three hurdles to practice on at high school, to clock a credible 14.2 the first time over 120-yard college highs.
Distances
"We haven't been strong in distance, really, for a few years," Talley admitted. "But I think our freshmen have filled some holes. And we're looking for some surprises in the school." School steaplepeace record holder Kent McDonald is gone, but his shoes should be filled by senior Lumberd, who developed surprisingly well last spring. He
See SPEED BOOSTS page 2
Benson (l) and Lewis start baton change
Women's athletics turn the corner at KU
By YAEL ABOUHALKAH
Sports Editor
It's been a difficult last few years fo. women's athletics at the University of Kansas. The next few don't promise to be any easier.
The women's program has attacked and started to overcome problems of finances and student apathy. Women's athletics are here to stay.
"We've got our foot in the door," said Marian Washington, assistant athletic director. She's in charge of the Jayhawk women's sports teams.
*With progress each year, we're going to be all right. I believe if we see steady growth,*
*we'll be in the top 10%.*
SPEAKING OF PROGRESS, there's been plenty in the nast few years at Kansas
There are now 10 different sports in which women can compete, greatly expanded
"It's just a matter of pushing," Washington said of the ability to get more money. "We're going to have more and more people involved in women's sports—and with more and more emphasis on the skill level."
It hasn't been easy to get that money, of course. Cries have been raised from coaches and directors of KU's men's sports program. More often than not, the men have decried such rapid escalations in spending on such an unproven quantity.
Funding is on the rise. In fact, money has steadily increased the past two years
About $13,000 is budgeted for women's sports this year. That's barely a drop in the bucket when compared to the staggering men's program. $2.1 million spend for the men's program.
Those programs are a good start, Washington said. But they can be better. One such way is improving the quality through scholarships. This year, partial scholarships are being awarded through the Ruth Hoover fund to about 30 women.
WOMEN CAN COMPETE in field hockey,
tennis, cross country and volleyball in
the fall; basketball, gymnastics, swimming
and indoor track and field in the winter;
softball and outdoor track and field in
the spring; golf in both the fall and swir.
WASHINGTON, OF COURSE, would like as much money as possible.
"I have three prime concerns: that we have good facilities, decent equipment and a strong staff."
More than 150 women participated in the 10 sports last year.
Here are capsule previews of each women's sport at the University:
FIELD HOCKEY
Coach Jane Markert
Last year's team finished with a sparkling 10-2-4 mark, allowing just six goals all year. Am Hartstein was selected as a secondteam All America player.
Washington said, "They should be even better this year." Many of the team's
Inside...
--games are played in Missouri, which has a stronger field hockey program, she said. Underclassman Beth Llewellyn and Nancy Lambros helped spark the last fall.
Cross country . . . . . . . . . 3
Tennis preview . . . . . . . . . 4
Intramurals . . . . . . . . . 5
Baseball preview . . . . . . . 6
Golf preview . . . . . . . . . 8
Although no coach has been named to replace Washington, Johnson is enlisted as a substitute.
TENNIS
"It's going to be a young team, no doubt about it," she said. "The freshmen will give
Scholarship winners are Mary Broadle, Wichita; Debbie Hunt, Hutchinson; Tracy Spellman, Salina; Astrid Daksa and Cecilia Lonez.
VOLLEYBALL Coach Jack Isgur
For continuing success in the women's program, nothing can touch the volleyball teams in the past six years. In that span, the Jawahresh have wined six straight state titles and five straight regional crowns, including last year's. They've thus qualified for the
national meet the past five years. But they've never won it.
"We've gotten the recognition here," Washington said. "Now we need to do something at nationals—like win it, maybe." she added with a smile.
Scholarship winners from volleyball are Blioo Booster, Lawrence; Karen Eppersen, Overland Lawn; Kahn, Atchison; and Leslie Stockard, endumilk, Wichita; and Leslie Stockard, Carskale City, Mp.
GOLF Coach Nancy Boozer
"We're going to be right up at the top of the Big Eight this year," claimed coach Nana Cano.
Spurring those high hopes is freshman signee Anne Hoins of Leavenworth, who capped the state title in the Kansas high school ranks last year. Beer Boozer, Nancy's daughter, might be able to play in a few tournaments, doubling with her volleyball duties. Also expected to help will be Kathy Keyshaw. Barb Boozer, mother of the coach's daughters, will be student teaching this fall but may attend a few meetings.
BASKETBALL
Coach Martian Washington
Washington said she was relatively pleased with last year's second place finish in state, but maintained the Jayhawks would be much improved this season.
Prime signee was Wichita's Vietta Sanders, who stands close to 6-0. Other varsity hopefuls are Susan McJohn, Sioux City, Iowa; Melaney McWhirt, Jetmore; and Kelly Phipps and Rowanna Riggs, both of Wichita.
"I'll admit that they didn't play well at times last year," she said. "But we've got some older players back now. And we did a good, no, a great job of recruiting."
Back to give the team some leadership
are Debbie Laudermilk, Karen Schaller or
Jason Kelley?
"The competition will be up on the squad this year, that's for sure." Washington said.
"sure for sure" Washington said. The Jayhawks are in a four-member conference with the N.C. State and Fort Hays State. About 20 games are on the regular season schedule.
the first Women's Jayhawk Classic, with
Women's Jayhawk Classic, with See WOMEN TURN page 6
Photo by DAVE REGIER
Grappling . . .
KU player battles for loose basketball against Kansas State