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Wednesday, October 13, 1976
7
two out,
ve by Al
th. Brett four pit- it for the
D. Down to Nelson to quick trip a bouncer
Roscoe bears burden.
By STEVE CLARK
5. 8
John Rosece has run well during his three guests at the University of Korea.
Sports Writer
At most universities, his ac-
counts are from students.
Here he gets critical job
In 1975, he was the team's top cross country runner. His 2:31 time makes him the second fastest marathon runner in KU history. And his 8:44.3 time ranks him fourth on the school's all-time steeplechase list.
The reason that Roscoe—and other KU runners—hasn't been esteemed by KU students is that students have been spoiled by the outstanding feats of Jim Rvun.
ANY DISTANCE RUNNER who wears KU's pink and blue will inevitably—and unpredictably—leave spectations of students and fans have even greater when an athlete has had the type of success that Roscoe had at Southwestern Michigan Junior College in 1970.
At Southwestern, Roscoe captured three National Junior College Athletic Association national championships, cross country, steeplechase and marathon, and set several national records. During his two years at the university, he won two international cross country tours.
Staff photo
"It's been a burden," she said yesterday, referring to his past success. "People fail to realize that a championship in juco is ruthless—one's championship in GAIA."
1 "I was really happy about last year's
eason season and I don't have any com-
munity friends."
THE INJURIES, which might keep him from achieving results that others expect
But Roscoe has managed to satisfy himself, and that's what counts.
Three metatarsal bones on his right foot were hurt. he said. When the injury was finally mended, the track season was almost over. Roscoe still managed to make it to the NCAA championships in Philadelphia in the stelechase.
If the break had other effects on Roscoe, he kept it a secret during the team's first game.
Once there, however, his right foot began acting up.
"It started hurting me the day I ran my first race, but I didn't think it was much," he recalled. "The day after the finals it was hurting and I had to laff off all summer."
At the Wichita State University Gold Classic, he placed sixth, a couple runners behind teammate George Mason. In the next race, Oklahoma State's Jamboree, he was sixth again, but a couple of strides ahead of Mason.
John Roscoe
HOWEVER, DURING last Saturday's duel with Southern Illinois at Carbondale.
Ill., the foot began to hurt. He managed to pain and finish fourth.
Since then he has had the injury X-ray and diagnosed as tendonitis, which, in turn, has put pressure on a nerve in his foot. Treatment has consisted of taping the foot and taking medication to keep the tendon from swelling.
The problem has reappeared at an inportunity time for Roscoe. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Colorado come to town Friday for a five-mile race, which could provide an accurate preview of the Big Eight meet. It is a race that Roscoe, a Terre Haute, Ind., senior, doesn't want to miss.
"ALL THE TEAMS have about the same amount of talent, which gives everybody a chance," he said. "If our last couple of men give it a good effort, we're going to have a really good shot at winning it and the conference."
Roscoe, whose goals for 1976 include a possible Big Eight title and all-America honors, should have an advantage over the Clippers, who can call on his international experience.
In 1974, Rocose went to Italy as a member of the United States junior squad to run in the International Cross Country Championships. He placed sixth--third on the team—and helped pace the Americans to the team title.
The following year, though, things didn't go quite as smoothly.
runs well
He qualified for the junior team again and left for the race, which was run in Morocco. However, upon arriving in that country he met his opponent, Bennie Roseo. He'd been told that if a runner was 19 years old at the time of the trial races, which Roscoe was, the runner would be eligible. The Moroccans didn't agree. They thought it would have been worse after the race. Roscoe was to turn 20.
IN AN EFFORT to avoid additional bickering, Roscoe was switched to the seniors team, which included Frank Shorter, former Olympic marathon runner, Gayle Goldaway, a top U.S. marathoner; and Bill Rodgers, a 1976 U.S. Olympic squad member.
Running with those teammates, and the World Champion athletes in the World. Rosace placed 27th.
"But they didn't give me 75th," he said.
"They moved me back to 128th."
The Moroccan had already won the men's junior and women's races and were trying to make a clean sweep, he said.
Roscoe put it another way.
"They were really trying to cheat the teammate back, and move another teammate back," said.
Roscoe still seemed to enjoy the experience.
"It was like the Olympics for me," he said. You got the U.S. A uniform. it was really cool.
The Olympics. The U.S.A. uniform. Based on his past success, some people think that Roscoe should some day run in the Olympics and wear the red, white and blue. But it will be the same way they happen, and that's why Roscoe's philosophy on running, though simple, makes sense.
"I try to give my total effort. Nobody can ask any more than that." He never asked.
Tryouts Friday for basketball
Troys for both the men's and women's basketball teams will begin Friday.
The men's varsity tryouts will be at 4 p.m. in Allen Field House. All candidates must be cleared through the basketball office in the field house and see one of the coaches before trying out. Candidates must bring their own clothing and shoes.
The women will have tryouts at 2:30 p.m. in Robinson Gymnastium. Tryouts will continue the following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in the field house for interested female undergraduates.
TAN MAN SAYS GIVE THE HAWKS A HAND
WITH
SPIRIT GLOVES
- CAMPBELL'S MEN'S WEAR
- JAYHAWK CAFE
- TOWN SHOP
- WEAVERS DEPT. STORE
- BRITCHES CORNER
- THE JAY SHOPPE
- KANSAS UNION BOOKSTORE
- ALICE'S CLOSET
- RAG TAG
- CASSEM'S CLOTHING
THAT'S RIGHT SPIRIT GLOVES A DIVISION OF
LTD.