6B
Wednesday, August 23.1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Team captains plunge into senior seasons
By Bill Kenealy
Kansan sportswriter
Two senior captains of the Kansas swimming and diving teams are entering their final seasons intent on making a splash.
Rob Putnam and Kris Hoffman are both expecting to end their collegiate careers on high notes.
Putnam, a psychology and communications major, began swimming when he was 9 years old in his hometown of Longmont, Colo. He lettered in swimming four times in high school, was an All-American and was the team's most valuable player three times.
finish in the top three in the backstroke and butterfly events at the Big Eight Conference Champi
This season Putnam said hoped to
onship. He would like to qualify for the NCAA Championships and gain All-American honors.
As a team captain, Putnam would especially relish a Big Eight team championship in the
Rob Putnam
last year of the conference.
Being a team captain entails great
responsibility for Putnam. He must serve as a liaison between coaches and swimmers. He must lead by
Kris Hoffman
example, especially during grueling practice sessions.
all his high school accolades, Putnam knows firsthand how tough the
transition can be.
"When you come to college, everybody is good. Everybody works hard. Everybody is fast," he said. "You really have to be on top of things if you want to come in and start winning events. I know I'm working twice as hard as I did in high school."
For freshmen, live outside the pool can be just as challenging.
"You really have to manage your time a lot more." Putnam said. "You're practicing a lot more, so you have to make sure you set aside time to study, to keep your grades up, to remain eligible."
Putnam likes this year's freshmen.
I think we have some really good
swimmers coming in," he said. "Most of them should contribute right away, score in the meets."
He is looking forward to the first meet of the season, the unique Open Water Invitational at Lone Star Lake.
"It's fun to go out to the lake," Putnam said. "It takes a while to get used to because when swimming in the pool, you are used to watching the bottom. When you get out there, it's straight swimming. No turning around. No walls to hang on.
"It's a good way to start out the season. We spend so much time throughout the year in the pool, it's nice to start the year with other activities."
Diver Kris Hoffman is also ready to
get started.
Hoffman is the reigning Big Eight champion in both the one-meter and three-meter boards. Like fellow captain Putnam, Hoffman is relaxed and confident, and would love a Big Eight team championship.
"I'm excited for the season to start," he said.
Hoffman, from Enid, Okla., began diving in high school after being involved in gymnastics as a youth. He had the opportunity to dive with Greg Louganis when the Olympic champion visited campus in April.
"This is my last season, so I want to enjoy it, make it memorable," Hoffman said. "I want to have a good time."
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August 30,
1995
7:00 PM
Kansas
Union
Ballroom
STUDENT UNION AGITIVES
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An extensive question and answer session will follow the Chancellor's opening remarks.
with Chancellor Robert Hemenway
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