PAGE 46E AUGUST,1996
KUED·SPORTS
LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD
League loaded in swimming
KU ready for Big 12
BY NEAL SHULENBURGER
JOURNAL-WORLD SPORTS WRITER
Kansas' men's swimming team last won a Big Eight title in 1979. The Jayhawks have been quite competitive, however, placing second the league's final 10 seasons.
"Basically we swam well overall as a team," coach Gary Kempf said, referring to last year's runnerup finish behind Nebraska.
Second will prove an even greater accomplishment in the
"But we had a couple of weak events that we didn't do well in and that added up to finishing second."
MEN'S SWIMS
Big 12. Kempf said.
"There is a huge difference in doing well in the Big Eight Conference and doing well in the Big 12 Conference," Kempf said."To win the Big 12 Conference, you have to be among the national elite."
In addition to Nebraska, the Jayhawks now must face defending national champion Texas, plus Texas A&M. The Aggies were ranked in the top 20 a year ago.
Kempf is optimistic despite losing seven seniors to graduation.
Top returnees include senior Erik Jorgensen, an All-American in the 500 freestyle who placed finished fifth in the 1,650 at the NCAA meet; junior Kostaki Chiligiris, a major contributor in freestyle, backstroke and the individual medley and senior Brian O'Mara, who will be a utility man for the Jayhawks.
FILE PHOTO
"We have an excellent returning group," Kempf said. "These guys have got as much ability as anyone in the nation. They just have to condition themselves, and commit themselves to doing the little things you need to do. They do have the ability to win the conference. They do have the opportunity. Now it's just a question of doing it."
Eleven swimmers will be joining the Jayhawks.
"We recruited to try and fill the weak spots on the roster," Kempf said. "Now we have probably come back with as balanced a team as I have ever had. Nearly every one of these freshmen has the ability to step up and swim at this level. This may be as talented a
See Jayhawks', page 47
Gary Kempf coached KU to a runner-up league finish last year.
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FILE PHOTO
Erik Jorgensen, an All-American in the 500 freestyle, placed fifth in the 1,650 free at last year's NCAA meet.