8B SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY OCTOBER 6 3
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2006
SWIMMING
Annual intrasquad prepares Jayhawks for competition
BY DANIEL C. WEIXELDORFER
Ryan McGeeney/KANSAN
Lisa Tilson, Mercer Island, Wash., senior and team captain, executes the breast stroke during Friday's intramuid meet at Robinson Center.
Standing by the side of the pool, Kansas swimming coach Clark Campbell was shouting encouragement to both teams.
The Jayhawks kicked off their season with the annual intrasquad meet, held at the Robinson Center on Friday afternoon. Campbell said he was pleased with the performance, adding that the team was just getting warmed up for the season.
"If I had to grade the team today, I would give them a 'B'. We had some really good performances and we built a good foundation," Campbell said. "Our goal is to peak in February so if we are at a 'B' level now, we are good to go. This is one step in a long process and I feel like our girls did a great job."
The intrasquad meet typically features the team split into two different squads, pinning the team against each other for one day.
However, at least five swimmers had to miss the meet for personal reasons, so the two squads were forced to combine into one team. This ongoing tradition proves to be an important stepping stone for the team.
"It itt off the year in a non-pressure situation. This is the first time the team has swam together since July, so it is very vital to our success," Campbell said.
Senior captain Jenny Short had a solid performance on Friday, taking first in the 100-yard backstroke, as she looked to lead the jayhawks throughout the season. Freshman Maria Mayrovich, sophomore Danielle Herrmann and junior Lauren Bonfe had impressive performances as well in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, backstroke and butterfly events.
"We looked very strong today," Short said. "We had some great swims for the beginning of the year and we will continue to improve."
Along with the two senior captains, the other being Lisa Tilson, 22 returning letter winners and 12 incoming freshmen complete the roster.
The success of the team will depend greatly on the 12 freshmen swimmers, who replace a strong senior class from last season. The freshmen came from around the world, from Singapore to San Diego, Calif.
"We had the chance to view the incoming freshmen and for them to gain some experience," Tilson said. "About half of our team are freshmen so it is somewhat scary for the upperclassmen, but today they stepped up in a big way, as I
am positive they will throughout the season."
The Jayhawks continue their season this weekend as they travel to Nebraska for the Big 12 Relays on Friday. This meet could be a crucial meet as the team finished perfect in the Big 12 last year during its 2005-06 campaign.
"This looks to be a great season," Tilson said. "We are excited to see where our team will lead us throughout the year."
Kansan sportswriter Daniel C.
Weixeldorfer can be contacted at
dweixeldorfer@kansan.com.
Edited by Kristen Jarboe
SOCCER (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Texas A&M took control of the game early in the first half. The Aggies had the ball on the offensive end for nearly the entire half and attempted eight shots. The second half was nearly the opposite. The Jayhawks possessed the ball for almost the entire half. The offense, which produced only three shots in the first half, erupted for 12 second-half shots.
"Our offense did really well today," sophomore midfielder Kristin Graves said. "You can get good chances, but it just depends if you finish them or not."
Kansas did not. Graves was one of nine players with a shot during the game and was part of one the jayhawks' best chances to score. In the 76th minute, Graves crossed the ball to senior forward Jessica Kilpatrick, who was standing behind the defense a few feet in front of the goal. Kilpatrick's one-timer off her head curved slightly wide of the goal. Kilpatrick's shot on goal was one of seven for the jayhawks.
Texas A&M, unlike Kansas,
played as if it had to pay a toll to
cross midfield in the second half.
The Aggies rarely passed the midline
and attempted just three second-
half shots. Kansas' defense held Texas A&M to 13 shots, 10 less than its season average.
"We did pretty good and got a lot of help from the forwards," junior defender Afton Sauer said. "It was a team effort."
The second half ended with several close calls in the last 10 minutes, but none of Kansas' attempts found the back of the net. The Jayhawks entered the overtime period with all the momentum, but they didn't end the game they way they wanted.
Aggie midfielder Amy Berend capitalized on one of the few Kansas mistakes on defense and dribbed past the defenders rushing at her. Berend took a wide-open shot from the top of the box that bent perfectly into the left corner of the net in the 94th minute.
"They got a good shot off before we did," Graves said. "It sucks to come off on the other end especially when you feel like you played really well, but that's just the game."
Kansan sportswriter Mark Dent can be contacted at mdent@kansan.com.
Edited by Catherine Odson