TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2004
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
3B
Junior leader adds to tennis team
BY RAHUL SHARMA
rsharma@kansan.com
KANSAN SWIMMER
The 2004 Kansas women's tennis team is young.
After graduating three seniors last season - Emily Haylock, Courtney Steinbock and Kristen Steinbock - the Jayhawks will have to look to a new leader.
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less. program sk of the week ing in program fee.
Enter junior Christine Skoda. "I'm ready to take that role." Skoda said in response to embracing team leadership.
Skoda is a different type of leader.
"I'm not vocal, but you don't have to be." she said.
Skoda, a native of Edmonton. Alberta, is exemplified by her composure on the court, rarely showing emotion.
Freshman Lauren Hommell follows through on a ground stroke during a practice this fall.
"I want to be the person who can be looked up to," Skoda said.
For the team, Skoda embracing a leadership role could not have come at a better time.
win three incoming freshmen, Lauren Hommell, Anna Jackson and Stephanie Smith and two sophomores, Brittany Brown and Ashley Filberth, Skoda is joined by junior Luiza
Loureiro as the eldest members of the team.
"Skoda has been working extremely hard in practice and taking on the challenge of being a leader," coach Amy Hall-Holt said.
Skoda understands the value of her presence.
"When the team is depending on me, that is when I play my best." Skoda said.
Skoda, who was named the Big 12 player of the week in March, is constantly looking to improve her game, as well.
"I want to see improvement in my serve, shot selection, and having the discipline to play harder." Skoda added.
With regards to Hall-Holt, Skoda spoke highly of the second-year coach.
"She's always there for us," Skoda said. "It's comforting for the entire team."
Assistant Frank Polito, who was named to the coaching staff this July, also influences Skoda, she said.
"His coaching philosophy suits our team because we are younger," Skoda said. "He understands we are eager to learn and listen."
team, Skoda said unity was important.
"We need to be there for each other and put in the effort that's expected of us." Skoda said.
After two and a half weeks of rest, Skoda and the Jayhawks travel to South Bend, Ind., home of the Fighting Irish, for the
Notre Dame Fall Invitational this weekend. Action begins on Oct. 15 and continues through the 17.
Schools competing include Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Virginia and Kansas.
— Edited by Johanna M. Maska
Former Padres player dies of heart attack
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — On the field, Ken Caminiti's all-out style served him well. Off the field is where it got him in trouble.
The 1996 National League MVP, who later admitted using steroids during his major league career, died Sunday. He was 41.
Caminiti died of a heart attack in the Bronx, said his agent-lawyer Rick Licht.
"What we all loved about Cammy was his devotion to the game and his desire for the game. But it went into uncontrollable levels with no discipline," said one of his former coaches, Houston manager Phil Garner.
Caminiti's 15-year big league career ended in 2001, five seasons after he led the San Diego
Padres to a division title and was a unanimous pick for MVP. But the three-time All-Star third baseman often was in trouble the last few years.
Just last Tuesday, he admitted in a Houston court that he violated his probation by testing positive for cocaine last month, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail.
State District Judge William Harmon gave Caminiti credit for the 189 days he already served in jail and a treatment facility since he was sentenced to three years probation for a cocaine arrest in March 2001.
"This is the largest mistake I've made in my life," Caminiti said when he pleaded guilty in March 2002. "I had a real good thing going for me and I got sidetracked. It doesn't have to be
that way. It doesn't have to be drugs. It doesn't have to be alcohol. That part of my life is over."
In May 2002, Caminiti told Sports Illustrated that he used steroids during his MVP season, when he hit a career-high 526 with 40 home runs and 130 RBIs. He estimated half the players in the big leagues were also using them.
Licht said Caminiti hoped to get back into the game, possibly in a position that would allow him to mentor younger players about avoiding the mistakes he made.
"I'm still in shock." Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. "He was one of my favorite all-time players."
Caminiti did return to baseball this year, serving as a spring training instructor with San Diego.
"He didn't look good," Towers said. "The best way to describe him is that he was a warrior in every sense of the word. I can't tell you how many times I remember him hobbling into the manager's office, barely able to walk, and saying, 'Put me in the lineup.'"
Licht said Caminiti was in New York this past weekend to help a friend, but did not go into detail.
"Man, that's just a tough one. I played with him for eight years," Dodgers outfielder Steve Finley said Sunday night.
"He was a great player, but he got mixed up in the wrong things — taking drugs. It's a sad reminder of how bad drugs are and what they can do to your body. It's a loss all of us will feel."
---
Prague Philharmonia
Tuesday, October 17 - 7:30 p.m.
Celebrating the international "Year of Czech Music"
Program:
Dvorak's Concerto in a Minor for Violin and Orchestra, and works by Mozart and Beethoven.
" ... a chamber orchestra from
Prague that must rank among
the finest of our time ..."
David Denton,
Yorkshire Post
Amazones The Women MasterDrummers of Guinea Friday October 22-7:30 p.m.
The Aquila Theatre Company in
H.G. Wells'
The Invisible Man
Wednesday, October 27
7:30 p.m.
• This is a new production based on Wells' classic
1897 science fiction novel.
• Coffee & Conversation with the Artists
after the performance.
"...Aquila productions are simply mag
Counselored Savings
Capital Federal Savings
True that. We offer 90% less
UIP Savings
simply magical!' — Backstage
ORSCHELN INDUSTRIES
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