4B • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2009
File photo
Students run on campus in the Red Dog Days program, one option available to athletes to work on their conditioning over the summer.
Athletes use summer for training
By Jonah Ballow
Kansan sportswriter
While some students spent their summer relaxing and enjoying time away from school, student-athletes at the University of Kansas used their summers to develop skills and strength that will propel them through a rigorous season.
Distance runner Paige Higgins, who is starting her third season with the track team, made an effort to get in shape for the season.
"I tried to concentrate on endurance training," said Higgins, "so by the season I would feel really fresh and ready to get started."
The junior changed her routine in order to not overtrain.
"This summer I was a lot smarter." Higgins said "I took two weeks off then ran two or
three miles and worked up to eight miles. I then concentrated on weights which gave me a good balance for my workouts."
Sophomore Chris Jones split away from the cross country team to train with his high school team—a decision he now regrets.
"I thought I did a good job of staying healthy by getting necessary rest," said Jones, who returned to his hometown of Iowa City, Iowa. "I do think that it was a disadvantage to go home and not train with the team. I will definitely stay in Lawrence for the following summers so I can workout with the team to get solid competition."
While the cross-country and track athletes focused on running and endurance, others worked on strength training to improve themselves.
Senior golfer Chris Marshall worked with a trainer to build a stronger lower back and lower
"It's a must to weight train," Marshall said. "Because if I play tournaments and walk 36 holes I better be in top shape."
body.
However, the honorable mention All-American last season had to take the last part of the summer to have surgery on his abdomen.
The routine procedure suffered a serious setback and doctors had to keep Marshall breathing for three hours until they could get oxygen back into his lungs.
"I feel a little weak right now but I should be able to return to practice and gain my strength back." Marshall said.
Another student-athlete took a different route to get ready for the upcoming season.
Junior left fielder Ryan Baty played with the semi-professional Wichita Braves baseball team.
"We play year-round so I'm able to gain my conditioning through
playing 69 games in 72 days," he said. "I'm new to the outfield and this was a chance for me to get experience at the position."
These student-athletes have their own workout regiments but other athletes in Lawrence have found a local summer conditioning program.
Former Marine, police officer and football coach Don "Red Dog" Gardner started a program in 1984 called "Red Dog Days."
Gardner provides three sessions a day that include running around Memorial Stadium's track and stairs.
The program — which is free although accepts donations for cancer research — continues to attract popularity across Lawrence.
Contact Bullow at jballow®kanson.com. This story was edited by Andy Samuelson.