THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2006
SPORTS 9A
MEN'S GOLE
Golfers gain experience in summer play
Several Jayhawks prepare for season by competing in state, national amateur tournaments
BY ASHER FUSCO
Two top-five finishes propelled senior Gary Woodland to 22nd place in the national amateur golf rankings this summer.
Woodland and his teammates on the Kansas men's golf team used their summers to hone their skills and gain experience by competing in various tournaments across the nation.
Woodland finished second in the medal play competition of the Western Amateur in Benton Harbor, Mich., and made the trip
to Niagara Falls, N.Y., where he tied for fourth place in the Porter Cup.
Woodland was already among the most experienced golfers on the Kansas roster. He used his time away from Lawrence to build on an already impressive repertoire, and his work with a sports psychologist could lead to heightened confidence on the course.
"This summer I worked on the mental aspect of my game," Woodland said. "It's important to have the confidence to know I can compete with the best players in the world."
Offseason events like the Western Amateur and the Porter
WOODLAND
Cup provided the Jay hawks with the opportunity to tee off against some of the nation's most formidable golfers. With up to 75 of the best players from around the country taking part, the summer tournaments are matched only by the
NCAA Championships in terms Martens and of the level of competition.
Another Jayhawk, senior Tyler Docking traveled north to Chaska, Minn., for the US Amateur. Earlier in the summer, Docking competed in the Kansas
"It's important to have the confidence to know I can compete with the best players in the world."
GARY WOODLAND Senior golfer
Amateur alongside several team-mates, including senior Barrett
mer," Randall said. "He has really increased his national ranking by a
sophomores Joe Mundy and Zach Pederson.
Coach Ross Randall was pleased with how his team stacked up against some of the best amateur players from across the nation.
" G a r y Woodland had a great sum-
huge amount."
Randall will soon witness first-hand the improvements his players have made.
The Jayhawks start practice this weekend and will spend the next several weeks playing qualifying rounds to find a starting lineup.
The team's first tournament will be Sept. 9 at the Fall NCAA Preview in Sugar Grove, Ill.
Edited by Catherine Odson
Kansan sportswriter Asher Fusco can be contacted at afusco@kansan.com.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Fans meet, greet seven freshmen at picnic
Jayhawk enthusiasts gather for the 2006 Welcome Back Picnic
BY CASE KEEFER
Around 100 eager Jayhawk women's basketball fans gathered at Centennial Park Saturday.
The 2006 Welcome Back Picnic was an opportunity for enthusiasts to interact with the team and anticipate the upcoming season in the beautiful weather at the park, Ninth and Iowa streets.
"Mother Nature was a Jayhawk today, not a Wildcat," coach Bonnie Henrickson said. Early reports of possible afternoon showers were nowhere to be found.
One by one, all the players had a chance to briefly tell a little about themselves and what they did this summer.
After having a chance to meet, converse and eat lunch, fans were treated to a brief program in which all the players on the roster, including the seven freshmen, introduced themselves.
"It was just something I had always wanted to do." Smith said.
Senior guard Sharita Smith's introduction received the biggest reaction from the crowd. Smith shared her most exciting summer experience: bungee jumping.
Henrickson shook her head at
that statement. Smith insists she has nothing to worry about and that although exciting, bungee jumping comes no where close to being on the basketball court.
Freshmen Rebecca Feickert said that she is just enjoying being a Jayhawk.
After the program ended, the children at the event played water balloon games and ran sack races with the team.
During this time, the tight-knit group of women's basketball fans stuck around to visit with the coaches.
By the time people started to leave, their mood was estatic in hopes that this season would be a special one.
"Today was important for both groups," Henrickson said. "It gives our players a chance to thank the fans for their tremendous support and for the fans, it's a great way to get to know these players and say thank you."
Smith enjoyed the event and loves interacting with the people who will be in the stands watching the team compete when the season starts.
"It feels good to be around people that really support us and want to talk to us. They want to talk about
basketball, what classes were taking, and everything." Smith said.
The picnic was a great way to wrap up the summer as the team enters the next phase of preparation. Until November, the fall semester will be all about getting into the daily routine of classes and practice.
"We've been on the court for a week now and we're already excited and anxious," Henrickson said.
Smith is also eager as the season rolls closer and is sure her team feels the same way.
"We're learning a lot as we go. The freshmen are really getting good at learning the system," Smith said.
The team's togetherness and competitive spirit shined even in something as small as a game of catching water balloons. The women laughed and challenged each other until senior Shaquina Mosley outlasted the rest and won the game.
The women's basketball team hopes these elements translate into a successful season come November.
Kansan sportswriter Case Keefer can be contacted at ckeefer@kansan.com.
Edited by Kate Shipley
Jean Tyrrell, 9. Leawood resident, and University of Kansas women's basketball sophomore forward Marija Zinic compete in the sack race during the Women's basketball Welcome Back Picnic Saturday afternoon at Centennial Park in Lawrence.
Toronto pitcher doesn't put up a fight this time, Kansas City still loses
MLB
Lilly won in his first start since tussling with manager John Gibbons, and Bengie Molina hit a grand slam that led the Toronto Blue Jays over the Kansas City Royals 10-6 Sunday.
"What happened last start was unlike both of us, I think we learned a lot from it," Lilly said. "It's good to come back and contribute a little bit, enough to help us win."
TORONTO — This time, Ted Lilly gave up the ball without a fight.
Last Monday, Lilly refused to hand Gibbons the ball during a pitching change against Oakland.
"It's all behind us. We get along just fine," Gibbons said. "It's just one those things that happens. It's gone. You know what, he showed me something today. He bounced back today with a big win and he
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
This time, one fan yelled out "Fight! Fight!" when Gibbons went to the mound to replace Lilly in the sixth.
Gibbons told Lilly he did a great job when he removed him in the sixth and gave his pitcher a pat of encouragement.
Lilly (11-11) allowed six runs — five earned — in 5 1-3 innings. He struck out six and walked three.
deserved it"
Molina connected against Odalis Perez (1-2) in the third inning for his first slam of the season and the third of his career.
Gregg Zaun and Vernon Wells also homered for the Blue Jays. Zaun hit a two-run homer in the fifth off Todd Wellemeyer and Wells hit his 30th in the eighth off Joel Peralta.
They later scuffled in the tunnel leading from the dugout to the clubhouse, and Gibbons wound up with a bloody nose.
Mike Swween homered for the Royals, who have lost three of four.
terday in (Roy) Halladay. We came into today thinking, 'Let's win a series.' We knew Lilly was coming off a pretty emotional start," Sweeney said. "We swung the bats pretty well, but we just didn't make it happen."
Kansas City has not won a series in Toronto since Aug. 19-21, 2002.
"We beat the best in baseball yes-
athletics calendar
TUESDAY
FRIDAY
TUESDAY
Volleyball vs. UMKC, 7 p.m., Horejsi
Family Athletics Center
Soccer vs. Cal, 6.30 p.m., Cal Invitational, Berkeley, Calif
Volleyball vs. Temple, 6 p.m., Temple Classic, Philadelphia, Pa
Volleyball vs. Rutgers, 2 p.m.
Temple Classic, Philadelphia, Pa.
SATURDAY
Football vs. Northwestern State, 6 p.m., Memorial Stadium
Volleyball vs. Maine, 9 a.m., Temple Classic, Philadelphia, Pa.
SATURDAY
Cross Country, Bob Timmons
Invitational, 9 a.m., Rinn Rock Farm
SUNDAY
**Soccer vs. Saint Marys, noon, Cal Invitational, Berkley, Calif**
sports brief Men's basketball to have tryouts Oct.15
The University of Kansas men's basketball program has released information for the 2006 walk-on tryouts.
Tryouts will be held Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Allen Field house.
Full-time students at the University are eligible to try out, but must first pick up forms at the Basketball Office, Room 250 of the Wagnon Student Athlete Center, adjacent to Allen Fieldhouse, and turn the forms back in by Oct. 12.
Source: Kansas Athletics Department
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