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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY AUGUST 18,2008
quote of the dav
"When I went to the Olympics, I had every intention of shaving the mustache off, but I realized I was getting so many comments about it - and everybody was talking about it - that I decided to keep it."
Mark Spitz, former U.S. Olympic swimmer
Kansas senior wide receiver Dexton Fields, who has 109 career receptions, needs 47 receptions this season to pass former Jayhawk Mark Simmons as the career receptions leader at Kansas. Fields, a native of Dallas, had 63 catches in 2007. Simmons finished his career at Kansas in 2005.
fact of the day
-Kansas football media guide
trivia of the day
Q: How many nations took part in the first mondern Olympics in Athens, Greece, in 1896?
A:14
THE OTHER OLYMPICS
There's badminton sometimes.
Maybe some trampoline jumping or fencing. None of that Michael Phelps or Redeem Team stuff,
that's for sure.
Late-night hours provide the best times for Olympic viewing. Try it while you still can.
Yes, after about 1 a.m., MSNBC shows Olympic Obscurity. All the events people say shouldn't be events get to shine. It's just a shame MSNBC didn't exist about 100 years ago. Then we really would've gotten a treat in strange Olympic sports. Britain's The Observer made a list of several of these ancient oddities.
We'll start with the 1900 Paris Olympics. There were only 19 events, yet these games lasted about five months. One of the events
was live pigeon shooting. Whoever shot the most birds in a certain time won.
Now, I'm sure there are plenty of New Yorkers who wouldn't mind seeing this on the streets every day. But sadly, they haven't done this event since the inaugural pigeon slaying. I wonder if one of the swimmers in 1900 pulled an Amanda Beard and posed nude to bring attention to the animal cruelty.
Motor boating was another one-Olympic wonder. In 1908, people actually raced in motor boats. Sort of. They sped through the waters off Southampton in Britain at about 19 miles per hour.
Other weird events throughout the years have included tug of war, rope climb and pistol dueling. Don't worry — they shot at dummies with bullseyes on their chests, not at people.
Those events all took place in the early 1900s, but with the '80s being the '80s, one very strange, almost scary, game started in 1984 and lasted until 1992. It was called solo synchronized swimming.
One person would swim and tread water to a song. Judges awarded the highest scores to the swimmer who was the most in sync with the beat.
A WORD ABOUT THE MORNING BREW
This column will be a new part of the Kansan sports section every day. Five different writers will give their takes on interesting information going on in the world of sports.
If you like or don't like it
or have a suggestion, story or maybe even a complaint about KU Athletics, wed like to know. Please send any questions or comments to morningbrew@kansan.com so we can tailor The Morning Brew to your liking.
- Edited by Luke Morris
NASCAR
Edwards sweeps week in Michigan
BY MIKE HARRIS ASSOCIATED PRESS
BROOKLYN, Mich. — Look out Kyle Busch, here comes Carl Edwards.
David Ragan and June Michigan winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. had stayed on track and were running 1-2, but Edwards easily passed them on the restart on lap 183 to retake the lead, then held off Busch on another restart with
Edwards completed a weekend sweep at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, beating NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Busch off pit road on their last stops and driving off to his fifth Cup win of the season and second in the last three races.
Busch, who has eight Cup wins, was just ahead of Edwards when they pitted under caution on lap 180 of the 200-lap 3M Performance 400, but Edwards beat the 23-year-old star out of the pitts.
two laps to go and gave Roush Fenway Racing co-owner Jack Roush his 20th overall victory on the 2-mile Michigan oval.
Edwards, who turned 29 on Friday, also won the Nationwide Series race Saturday, becoming only the second driver to win both races. Former Roush driver Mark Martin did it in 1993.
"The key was my crew today," Edwards said. "My guys did an unbelievable job getting me off pit road.
"This is unbelievable. We're winning races. We're gearing up for the Chase. I'm feeling stronger than ever. We're here to win championships. That's what we're shooting for.
With just three races left until the start of the Chase for the championship, Edwards moved a little closer to Busch in the seeding process, which gives drivers making the 10-race postseason a 10-point bonus for each victory.
SPORTS BRIEFS
Former Tiger earns silver
BEIJING — The U.S. track and field team thought they had an opportunity to sweep the medals in the shot put. Instead, the only man to win a medal was a former Missouri Tiger.
Christian Cantwell, a former University of Missouri athlete, won the silver medal in the shot put with a throw that went more than 69 feet. It was Cantwell's first time at the Olympics. He failed to make the team in 2004. Poland's Tomasz Majewski won the gold.
Rovals fall in New York
NEW YORK — Jason Giambi hit a grand slam, Alex Rodriguez sent a three-run hounc bounce.
ing into Monument Park and the New York Yankees battered Brian Bannister and the Kansas City Royals 15-6 on Sunday to salvage a split of the season series.
Cody Ransom added a two-run homer and Xavier Nady also went deep for the Yankees, who began the day six games behind Boston for the AL wild-card spot. Rodriguez finished 3-for-3 with five RBIs, and Derek Jeter went 4-for-4 and scored three times.
Ross Gload hit a two-run homer and Billy Butler had a two-run double for the Royals, who wasted two chances over the weekend to win their first season series against New York since 1999. Instead, they've lost nine of 11 after a modest three-game winning streak.
Favre debuts with Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.
EAST ROTHERFORD, NJ. — Brett Favre was having fun again.
His tearful retirement and tumultuous offseason were tucked away in his memory. Favre was back where he's always been happiest: in the huddle with thousands of cheers providing a perfect soundtrack.
"It's like starting all over again," the New York Jets' new quarterback said. "I had some feelings that I haven't felt in 17 years."
After throwing a touchdown pass to cap his second series against Washington, Favre urged coach Eric Mangini to let him play some more.
"He said, 'Let me think about it,' Favre said. "As he turned away, he turned back and said, 'I thought about it.'
6:30 - 8 p.m. Monday, Aug.18 Adams Alumni Center 1266 Oread Avenue
Ice Cream Social
Cool off with some FREE ice cream and enjoy some music and giveaways. Then hang with us for Traditions Night at Memorial Stadium.
A 'Hawk Week Tradition Sponsored by the Student Alumni Association and the Office of New Student Orientation www.kualumni.org 864-4760
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Whoops!
U. S. gymnast Alicia Sacramone stumbles on the balance beam during the gymnastics women's team final competition at the Olympics in Beijing on Aug. 13. The U.S. team fell just short of gold, finishing in the silver-medal position behind China.
Online College Courses BARTONline.org
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Enroll now for fall sessions. Most general education courses transfer to Kansas Regent schools.
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www.bartonline.org Online college courses offered by Barton Community College
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