6B SPORTS
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
CLUB SOCCER
Border rivalry heating up
After losing to Missouri in a shootout in last year's championship game, Hawks hope for redemption
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
A player from the Kansas club soccer team lines up a shot during practice. The team will play against Wichita State and Missouri this weekend. The team lost to Missouri twice last year and tied them once.
BY JOE PREINER
jpreiner@kansan.com
The KU men's club soccer team kicks into high gear this weekend as it seeks revenge and redemption against Missouri on Sunday.
The rematch will take place at 3:30 p.m. at Shenk Sports Complex on 23rd and Iowa streets. The team returns 16 players from last season's squad, which placed second in the national club tournament one year ago. In the championship game, Kansas lost in a shootout to its cross-river rival.
Although the team plays an away game at Wichita State on Saturday, the team is looking past that game to focus on Missouri.
Nick Allen, Boulder, Colo., senior and team president, said the returning players made for a solid and experienced lineup. He added that several new players would be counted on to make a difference in what he expected to be a close contest.
"Mizzou's team is big, fast and talented," Allen said. "They're just like us. Any time that happens it's going to be a good matchup."
Kansas' club team met Missouri in league play three times last season, with the results not falling in Kansas' favor. KU played into two losses and one tie, something Allen said he hoped to avoid this year.
"This game is crucial," Allen said. "A win on Sunday would set the tone for the entire season."
Jim Argiana, Chicago sophomore, said he was looking forward to his first KU-MU game of the season. The rookie forward said he was ready to help his team.
"Personally I'm very excited," Argianas said. "Hopefully I'll get the chance to cause havoc and chaos in the Missouri defense."
Will Poczekaj, Maple Park, Ill., junior said he hoped the team would be able to prove itself Sunday afternoon. He said that the team's energy level was always high to start the season, and that matching up with a big rival would only fuel the competitive fire.
"None of the guys, old or new, like to lose," Pocekaj said.
"Avenging last year's lose is going to be on everyone's mind. I'm hoping we get some good fans and good weather, because it's going to be one exciting game."
Edited by Adam Mowder
The Jayhawks run against the rival Tigers Saturday
CROSS COUNTRY
BY JASON BAKER
jbaker@kansan.com
Two weeks after dominating the Bob Timmons Invitational,
KU travels to Columbia Mo., to compete this weekend
the KU cross country team has been hard at work preparing for the Missouri Cross Country Challenge this Saturday in Columbia, Mo.
Imgrund
The meet is
Freshman Donny Wasinger said they've also incorporated weight training into their workouts.
one of a few new events on the team's schedule. In the past the team has competed against Kansas State in the K-State Invitational. Besides competing against MU, the team will be competing against Lincoln University and Murray State. The event will take place at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course, which the team said is known for its rolling hills.
To prepare, the team has been doing a lot of hill workouts.
"I think it'll help with going up the hills." Wasinger said.
"It's hard but it's fun. It's something you have to do," redshirt freshman Kara Windisch said about hill workouts. Windisch finished fourth last time and said she's more confident going into the MU race after getting a feel for the 5K at the Bob Timmons Invitational. Windisch sat out last season because of an injury.
Wasinger finished fifth overall and first for the Jayhawks on the men's side at Bob Timmons Invitational.
Many of the runners were
impressed with their performances at the Bob Timmons Invitational
"I think we performed well at our home meet. I felt like we got stronger," freshman Laura Nightengale said.
Senior Brock Ternes had a similar opinion.
"We had a very nice string of runners that finished very closely together," Ternes said. "If we can get a strong pack of Jayhawks in front of the Tigers, who also have quite a bit of depth, I think we can come out on top."
Junior Isaiah Shirlen said he was disappointed with his performance at Bob Timmons Invitational because he didn't race up to his fitness level.
"I just know what I need to do differently during the race," he said.
Redshirt freshman Clay Schneider like Shirlen was not happy with his performance, but said he's learning from his mistakes.
"When I run, I need to think about what I need to do at MU, like not go out as fast, be more patient and pace myself after the first mile," Schneider said.
Shirlen said the team had the potential to upset MU. "We've all gotten to know each other better; we run with each other a lot more," Shirlen said. "I have a feeling we can challenge Mizzou."
Some of the older runners on the team are aware of the talent that the Tigers have.
"Itney have a really good team," senior Levi Huseman said. "I know they sent one guy to Nationals last year and he placed well."
That runner was junior Dan Hedgecock who placed 125th
at the NCAA Cross Country Championship last November.
Junior Lauren Bonds believes that both teams have similar talents.
"Our number two and three girls are about the same as their number two and three girls," Bonds said. "It's going to be a really good team for us to race."
bonds said that at last year's Big 12 Championship, the Tigers finished one place ahead of the Jayhawks.
Junior Bret Imgrund said he's looking forward to the race and also for the new guys to contribute.
"We got two more guys in jerseys, Zarda and Austin, so we're looking forward to have them contribute." Imgrund said.
Imgrund is also looking forward to working, growing and bonding as a team as they have their first traveling meet.
The two freshmen Imgrund mentioned were Zach Zarda and Austin Bussing. Both will be running for KU this Saturday.
"It's been a dream of mine to be a KU athlete; I'm ready for it," Zarda said.
Bussing is also excited to race for the layhawks, but said he also feels a bit of added pressure.
"This time wearing the Kansas jersey and everything there's a definite added element," Bussing said. "I feel like I have to perform for my team."
The Men's 8K race start at 10 a.m., while the women's 5K race starts at 10:40 a.m.
— Edited by Ramsey Cox
AWAY GAME WATCH PARTY. "Your HOME when the team is AWAY."
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THIS FRIDAY Sept.12th
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