CYCLING Shane Kucera talks to cyclist Matt Spencer in this week's Going Deep. PAGE 9A
SPORTS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2004
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL
www.kansan.com
9 named All-Big 12
BY JONATHAN KEALING
jkealing@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRIETER
Amanda Kim Stairret/KANSAN
Charles Gordon tries to slip out of the grasp of a Missouri defensive player during the first quarter of the game Nov. 20 at Faurot Field. The Jayhawks won the game 34-31.
Joining Gordon on the first team is senior defensive end David McMillan. The selections were made by the Big 12 coaches in balloting revealed by the Big 12 Conference. According to conference officials, coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.
Kansas has not had a first-team selection since defensive tackle Nate Dwyer was selected three years ago, according to the Kansas Athletic Media Relations office. In addition, the defensive tandem's selection is the first time two Jayhawks were elected to the first team in one season.
Just one team in the Big 12 had a single player selected to the All-Big 12 Team on offense and defense.
Kansas sophomore Charles Gordon, who led the nation in interceptions with seven, was a first team All-Big 12 selection on defense. He also received honorable mention honors as a wide receiver. Gordon caught a pass, including several for touchdowns, in most of Kansas' games this season.
SEE BIG ON PAGE 8A
Miles silently boosting offense
BY JESSE NEWELL
jnewell@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTSWRIVER
Kansas coach Bill Self said there was a difference between his team's close opening victory against Vermont and its two blowout victories over St. Joseph's and Nevada.
"If you were just going to say what's been the biggest difference," Self said, "I may just say Aaron Miles."
While freshman guard Russell Robinson has received a lot of attention — and rightfully so after scoring 13 points in 16 minutes against Nevada — Miles has remained the most steady and efficient performer for the Jayhawks.
Against Nevada Monday, Miles scored eight points, but more importantly involved his teammates by distributing 10 assists without a single turnover.
"He does his thing, but it's never really recognized," senior guard Mike Lee said. "Every night he goes out and gets the job done, despite all the criticism he's faced since he's been here."
Sometimes chided for lacking a consistent outside shot, Miles has found
other ways to contribute.
"Aaron has taken care of the basketball," Self said. "We've run more and probably more effectively. Our perimeter defense has gotten us more easy baskets and our perimeter players have lent the defense honest."
Self complimented the senior guard on both his defensive intensity and also his ability to push the ball in transition.
Miles said he felt that the team had performed better since the opening game against Vermont because it had been able to get more into the flow of the game.
"It was the first game and everyone was anxious," Miles said. "The biggest thing we've done is calmed down, relaxed and played under control. I think I in particular was out of control in the Vermont game."
"He's done that since day one."
Miles, who is Kansas' only four-year starter, has earned respect from teammates with the most important statistic: victories. While a starter, Kansas has compiled a 90-21 record with Miles leading from the point guard position.
"He does what I think all point guards in college, NBA and high school basketball should do, and that's win," Lee said.
Lee said he had also noticed Miles leadership in practices, where the guard has come early for extra shooting, become more vocal and spent extra time helping the freshmen learn the new plays.
more conscious of that lately."
Miles said he wouldn't mind adding a few more double-digit assist games this season.
"I try to tell Aaron a lot of times, Whatever you do, we're going to take your lead." Lee said. "I think he's been
"As long as we win," Miles said, "I would love to have ten assist-games every game."
— Edited by Steve Vockrodt
'Hawks finally find hoop
BY PAUL BRAND
pbrand@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
The women's basketball team is in the middle of a three game winning streak and is coming off its best offensive performance of the season. But an unexpected Division II challenge from Topea will visit the 3-1 Jayhawks tonight at Allen Fieldhouse.
Tonight's 7 p.m. contest against the Washburn Lady Blues, 3-0 and ranked ninth in the WBCA Division II poll, could be the most difficult matchup so far for Kansas.
"Most people don't realize how good Washburn is." Kansas coach Bonnie Henrickson said. "They have excellent guard play and we understand that."
In addition to solid backcourt play, the Lady Blues have relied on a potent front court duo in three blowout victories. Senior center Carla Sinatra leads the Washburn offense with 16 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. She is teamed with sophomore forward Brooke Uberlaker, who averages 10 points.
Seven other Lady Blues average at least four points per contest, which demonstrates the balance and depth of Washburn's roster. Washburn's lineup also features 10 players that play at least 10 minutes per game
The depth and balanced scoring has the undefeated Lady Blues blowing away the competition. In its first three games of the season, Washburn has beaten the competition by an average of 36 points.
Kansas, which is coming off a blowout of its own with a 67-44 victory versus Denver, is taking the game seriously.
"We're going to go in there like we do any other game," junior forward Crystal Kemp said. "We can't underestimate any team."
Washburn is a top 10 team, has posted impressive victories and has not lost, but Kansas has momentum of its own. The Jayhawks have won three games in a row and used their best offensive performance yet in Tuesday's victory.
Junior guard Erica Hallman said that nothing changed in Tuesday's game, but that the offense just finally got some shots to fall.
Kansas finally found its offensive rhythm in the Denver game and continued its string of solid team defensive games. Jayhawk shooters shot early and often to jump on top of the Pioneers with a 26-point halftime lead and shooting 64 percent from the field.
Two local Charles Grubers equal twice the fun
Charles Gruber, Lawrence resident of 33 years, makes the most of sharing a name with a famous KU alumnus runner. Charlie Gruber is a 2002 KU graduate and ran the 1,500-meter in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Charles Gruber is a real estate broker in Lawrence.
Edited by Steve Vockrodt
BY FRANK TANKARD
fankard@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
You are about to embark on a tale of two Charles Grubers. The older of the two is a 59-year-old real estate broker and well-known character. The younger goes by Charlie and is a 26-year-old distance track star, 2004 Olympian and University of Kansas alumnus. Both live in Lawrence.
At 15th and New York streets there is a house known for the large mural of a garden painted on its side. A dead cherry tree painted blue with matching blue bottles strung from the branches stands in the yard.
The house belongs to Charles Gruber and his wife, Khabira. Gruber is known around town for what he calls his "outre antics."
He runs an advertisement in the Lawrence Journal-World every Friday, each with a philosophical or comical saying or quotation. Tomorrow's will be, "What hits the fan is not always evenly distributed."
"I was traveling across the country in a school bus with a bunch of hippies, cats and dogs on the way to yet another concert," he said. "We ran out of gas here and it seemed like a good place to
Gruber arrived in Lawrence by accident in 1971 and never left.
During the next 26 years he was the only Charles Gruber in town. He started an auto shop called Charlie's VW Service about a year after moving
stay."
However, Gruber's name would soon be synonymous with something other than reality. In 1997, a kid from Denver came to town to run track at the University of Kansas.
He made a name for himself at Hedges Real Estate and was named Realtor of the Year by the Lawrence Board of Realtors in 1998.
to Lawrence, which later became Metric Motors. After operating his garage for more than a decade, he moved into the real estate business in 1987.
The runner garnered the attention of the Lawrence community by placing 11th in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA Championships as a sophomore.
He made headlines his senior year by breaking the four-minute mile.
The kid's name, of course, was Charlie Gruber. When he graduated from KU in 2002 as a five-time All-American, outdoor and indoor track combined, he had become Lawrence's most recognizable Gruber.
Charlie stayed in town after graduating. Was Lawrence big enough for two Grubers? Apparently it is, though both
"People ask me about him," Charlie said. "And I've seen his signs around town. A lot of people ask me if we're related."
Charles said he had received dozens of phone calls and letters in the last couple of years from people mistaking him for the runner. When Charlie qualified for the Olympics this summer, Charles said he got a call from a reporter, fan or old friend of Charlie's every few days.
Grubbers said people frequently inquired about the other.
Charlie doesn't list his number in the phone book.
Khabira, who has been married to Charles for 20 years, usually picks up the phone at home. She now responds "Which one?" when callers ask for Mr. Gruber.
"I've tried to get his number so we can give it to the people who call for him," she said. "But I haven't been able to."
Khabira said they had also received letters from fans and friends of Charlie, writing to wish him good luck in races.
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