PAGE 40E AUGUST,1996
KUED·SPORTS
LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD
Sprinter spent summer at Olympics
Lisk track headliner
BY GARY BEDORE
J-W ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
An Olympian returns to lead Kansas University's men's track team this year.
Pierre Lisk, a senior from Pierre Leone, Africa, competed for his country at the Atlanta
Games. He gained invaluable experience just being around
MEN'S TRACK
competitors like Carl Lewis.
"Being at the Games, participating in the Games, can only help him," KU coach Gary Schwartz said of Lisk, who placed first in the 100 and third in the 200 at the Big Eight Outdoor and second in the 55 dash at the Big Eight Indoor.
"Pierre is a bright young man. He'd really have to have his head elsewhere to not bring home valuable lessons from the Olympics."
FILE PHOTO
Schwartz says it has been rewarding to see the improvement in Lisk the past two seasons.
"I think he's grown as an athlete — his competitiveness, composure in big meets and his work ethic have improved," Schwartz said. "It's what you hope kids would all do. He's practicing so much
Lawrence High product Brian Martin returns for his senior year.
harder as he matures. It takes some kids a while to see how the work at practice pays off. I couldn't be more pleased with his progress.
"It will be tougher this year because there will be lots of competition with the Southwest Conference schools coming in. He'll be projected as one of the top runners in the 100, but there will be great competition."
Spinter Brian Martin also returns for his senior year. The former Lawrence High standout is KU's indoor 400 record holder. He placed fourth in the 400 at Outdoor, also sixth in the 600 and seventh in the the 200 at Indoor.
"Put Brian in a competitive situation ... he finds a way when it's showtime," Schwartz said. "He is somebody people on the team look up to because of his competitiveness and his spirit."
spirit. It's also nice to have a local athlete perform well.
"We had another (local) success story with Joe Pickett,"
See Ryun twins, page 41
FILE PHOTO
Pierre Lisk competed for Sierra Leone in the Atlanta Olympics.
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