THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAS
MONDAY, AUGUST 14 2006
SPORTS
9B
Last year's success instills confidence
As the school year kicks off, and teams prepare for their upcoming seasons, the Kansas swimming and diving teams are doing all they can to duplicate what they achieved as a team last season.
"We want to come together as a team, and last season did that for us. It really built up our confidence and momentum heading into this season," assistant coach Jen Fox said. "We are excited for the competition we will face this season. It is hard to expect to accomplish more than we did last season but we are doing just that and it has given us motivation."
After losing to Minnesota to open the 2005-06 season, the girls regrouped and went on to go 5-1 against the next six meets before winter break. The success was carried on past the holidays as the team defeated Nebraska, Drury and Iowa State to go undefeated after the break.
The Jayhawks' season ended in impressive fashion after they finished fourth. The team will look to continue that momentum during the 2006-07 season.
"Practice starts the 21st, so we have been working hard all summer to train for this upcoming season," said sophomore Ashley Leidigh, who received team rookie of the year honors in 2005-06. "We are required to train in Lawrence or back at home. Individually, I swam often this summer and reevaluated myself to prepare for this season."
Producing the success that was seen last season will prove difficult for the team, as it will have one of its largest class of newcomers. These new members will be expected to step in and fill roles immediately, which could cause some problems while competing against other Big 12 programs.
"We are excited for the new members of our team. It is the largest class we have had in a long time, but we are looking for them to step up right away. Some will be asked to contribute right away, and others might take awhile, but they will all be expected to step up as teammates." Fox said.
The season will begin on Oct. 6 as the Jayhawks compete in their annual intrasquad meet that will take place at Robinson Center. From there, the girls will travel to Lincoln to compete against Nebraska for the Big 12 Relays on Oct. 13 and a dual meet on Oct. 14 against Nebraska-Omaha. The team will take on Northern Iowa and travel to Maryland and Ohio to wrap up their 2006 season before heading into winter training.
"We are trying to compete in the Big 12 and finish in the top three," Fox said. "In order to do that, we need to complete all our goals along the way. In the dual meets, we want to go undefeated and have a winning dual meet season. We try to peak at the Big 12 and prepare all season long for that. Overall, we are excited and ready for the up and coming season. We are looking forward to it."
Kansan sportswriter Daniel C. Weixeldorfer can be contacted at dweixeldorfer@kansan.com.
Edited by Brett Bretterson
Hitting rubber
Charlie Berch/The Associated Press
NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip hits the tire barrier in Turn 11 during the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series AMD at the Glen auto race at Watkins Glen, N.Y., Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006.
CROSS COUNTRY
Chesang leads experienced team
At last year's Midwest Regional Championships in Iowa City, Iowa.
The goal for the Kansas cross country team this year sounds simple. Finish better than last year. This is easier said than done, especially in light of how well the men's and women's squads performed last year.
The women's team added new faces to the squad, but has experience from seniors Laura Major and Melissa Moody. The women's team will welcome seven freshmen onto the squad this year.
The men's team is also coming off an impressive 2005 campaign. Led by senior Benson Chesang, the two-time defending Big 12 Conference champion, the men's team returns five of its top seven runners from last year.
"It's hard to know what to expect," coach Stanley Redwine said. "The best way to be a runner is to run, so we'll see what we have when we get there."
the Jayhawk men's runners had their best results at the event in more than a decade, taking third place.
"It's definitely an advantage having so much experience, but there are no guarantees." Redwine said.
The cross country team will be competing in several recognizable meets this season, the first being in Lawrence.
Kicking off the season is the Bob Timmons Invitational on Sept. 2 at Rim Rock Farm on Highway 40 north of Lawrence.
From there the team will travel to Manhattan to compete in the Kansas State Wildcat Invitational on Sep. 8. Last year the women's team defeated the Wildcats and the men's squad settled for a tie.
Oct. 14 brings the NCAA Pre-nationals Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind. The Big 12 Championships follow, taking place in Lawrence at Rim Farm on Oct. 27.
The team will have a break before heading to Minneapolis, Minn., to compete in the Roy Griak Invitational on Sep. 23.
The team then travels back to Minneapolis, Minn., for the Midwest Regional Championships.
The season ends in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 20, with the NCAA Championships. The men placed 12th last year, their best result at the event since 1994. In order for the teams to meet the goals of the season, Redwine said there would have to be a total team effort.
Redwine said it's difficult to say whether expectations were higher this year than last year.
"We have to take care of business at each meet and the results will show how talented this year's team really is," he said.
The 2005 season included five AllRegion performers and three All-Big 12 performers.
The team begins practice later this week.
Kansan sportswriter Evan Kafarakis can be contacted at ekafarakis@kansan.com.
》 CLUB SPORTS
Scholarships assist rugby recruitment
BY KAYVON SARRAF
The University of Kansas men's rugby team anticipates scholarships can turn the team into one of the nation's elite.
After setting up its own endowment from alumni contributions, the
As a club sport with little financial support, the team found it difficult to compete with schools that had access to their athletic department's facilities and scholarship money.
Edited by Erin Wiley
team hopes it can now join those elite schools and entice top-notch athletes to the field.
Clarke said the team hoped to have 50 players this season after having 40 last season. Teams are split into an A team and a B team, with 22 players on the active roster for the A team. Each team plays with 15 players on the field at a time.
"We feel like scholarships can make us more competitive," assistant coach Larry Clarke said
"We feel like scholarships can make us more competitive."
Last season the team lost several close games on its way to a 3-5 record in league play. Clarke hopes that adding scholarships can help the team get over the hump and qualify for the national tournament.
LARRY CLARKE
Rugby assistant coach
This will be the first season of the team's scholarship program. The team will give out two to four scholarships depending on how many deserving walk-on players it finds. Past rugby experience is not necessary, however.
"They just need to be a good athlete," Clarke said. "When they come out to practice, we'll approach them and say, 'Hey, we can turn you into a good rugby player.'"
He added that the assumption that only football players can play rugby is incorrect. He said the best players typically had a history in wrestling, basketball or soccer. Wrestlers are often the best tacklers; basketball players have the best hands, while soccer players are skilled with their feet.
The team plays its games at Westwick Rugby and Athletic Complex, its own fully-lit 55-acre facility south of Lawrence. Practices will move to Westwick after daylight-saving time ends, with practices taking place at Shenk Sports Complex, 23rd and Iowa, in the meantime.
In addition to recruiting walk-on players,scholarships will be available to recruit high school players and foreign exchange students.
"Some of the
foreign kids have been playing rugby their whole lives, and they can really help out the team," Clarke said.
The scholarships are given out at the end of the semester. If a student already has their tuition paid for, they can still receive money for other expenses.
"We can give out money for books and housing if tuition is already covered. We want to see both an on and off the field commitment to the team and the university." Clarke said.
Practices will be at 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday at Shenk and at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Westwick. Anyone interested in the sport should show up to a practice to get a better perspective. Important qualities the coaches look for in players include fitness and dedication to the program. For more information, individuals can visit www.jayhawkkrugby.com.
Kansan sportswriter Kayvon Sarraf can be contacted at ksarraf@ kansan.com.
CRIME
Edited by Nicole Kelley
Clarett court trouble continues
BY RACHEL HOAG THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Maurice Clarett was ordered to have a mental health evaluation following a bizarre and violent encounter with police in which the former Ohio State football star was caught with four guns after a highway chase.
The judge delayed a trial set to begin Friday on previous charges in which the player was accused of holding up two people outside a bar on New Year's Day.
Judge David Fais ordered the evaluation against the wishes of Clarett and his attorneys, citing the events surrounding the arrest early Wednesday.
"I clearly understand everything and I don't know why we have to drag this thing out," Clarett said, who so scoffed, smiled and rolled his head back when Fais announced his ruling.
Clarett's latest run-in with the law began when police noticed a
vehicle driving erratically, prompting a chase that ended with police spiking the SUV's tires.
Officers said they could not easily subdue Clarett because he was wearing a bulletproof vest that thwarted their stun guns.
After several police using pepper spray finally got him into handcuffs, the 6-foot, 245-pounder continued to struggle, kicking at the doors of the transport vehicle.
Officers also secured a cloth mask over Clarett's mouth after they say he spat at them.
As a freshman, Clarett led Ohio State to the 2002 national championship. It was the last game he played for the Buckeyes.
The Broncos made him a surprise third-round pick the following year, but he was cut during the preseason.
He was suspended for the following season after being charged with falsely reporting a theft to police.
After dropping out of school, he unsuccessfully challenged the NFLs draft eligibility rule.
Bring your college I.D. from August 14 to September 15 and get an 18-hole round of golf and cart rental for only $25. ($9 savings.)
need a study break already?
Take your mind off of school with our Welcome Back Special at Eagle Bend Golf Course.
Offer available Monday through Thursday. Not available with any other offer. Must have valid LR. Golf lessons available in September.
Eagle Bend Golf Course
125 E. e90 Rd. (Below Clinton Dam)
765-748-1020 or 1-877-GOLF.
GOLF
EagleBend GOLF COURSE
August Rent FREE! Water & Trash Paid for the First Year! Valid w/ 1 vr lease. Call Now!
Resident Luxuries
Full Size W/D in All Units
High Speed Data Line
Connections
Full Size Microwaves
Ceiling Cans in All Rooms
In Unit Security Available
Private Balconies Patio
9 Foot Ceilings
Beautiful Tiled Floors
Solid Surface Counter Top
Attached Garage
Community Features
Resident Lounge
Fitness Center
Garage Room
Hot Tub
Swimming Pool
Models open Daily! Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 12-4, Sun 12-4
785-832-8200
Located in Northwest Lawrence off 6th Street & Folks Road
Enjoy All the Luxuries of Homeownership with A Maintenance Free Lifestyle.
Another #1 Premier Property Built by First Management, Inc. Construction
小
---