THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008
RIDAY, MAY 2, 2008
---
SPORTS
3B
TRACK & FIELD
Pole-vaulting in a foreign land
BY DANNY NORDSTROM
dnordstrom@kansan.com
Weston White/KANSAN
Senior pale vaulter Kate Sultanona looks down while clearing the bar at the Kansas Relays. Sulivanova finished second overall while finishing at 4.05 meters.
Kate Sultanova was completely terrified. The senior pole-vaulter was in a foreign land where she knew no one, couldn't speak the language and could still remember exactly how she had gotten to the University of Kansas.
"It was scary for me because you're just going to another planet basically," she said. "I was thinking, I don't know what kind of people they are. Are they mean or nice? I can't speak the language."
Only one week earlier Sultanana was in her hometown of Krasnodar, Russia, completely unaware that she was about to embark on an incredible journey across the world.
"My dad decided everything," she said. "He gave me a week before I had to say goodbye to my friends. He didn't want me to think about it. He said that he knew it was best for it, and I trusted him."
A former Kansas pole-vaulter and friend of Sultanova had informed her father that KU was looking for female athletes. Sultanova's father, who is a professional track and field coach, then made all necessary travel arrangements and explained the situation to his daughter.
Sultanova said that her biggest influence in life has been her dad. Growing up in a Russian town of 800,000 people, just northeast of the Black Sea, Sultanova was introduced to track and field at a very young age.
"My dad was always taking me to meets because he was a track coach," she said. "I was five years old, and I was already holding the pole."
Originally involved in rhythmic gymnastics, Sultanova's father felt his daughter would make an excellent pole-vaulter. Sultanova was reluctant at first, but eventually followed her dad's advice to "just try it."
At age 16 she began competing in the pole vault for her high school. Initially Sultanova was not
entirely excited about the sport.
"When you start you don't know the technique," she said. "You don't get the feeling like I do now."
Several years later Sultanova landed in Kansas, and the rest is history. The once terrified freshman, who could only say phrases like "Hi, my name is Kate from Russia," transformed into the four-time All American and three-time Big 12 champion that she is today.
More recently, Sultanova placed third at the 2008 Indoor National Championships in Fayetteville, Arks. and took home second place at the Kansas relays two weeks ago.
When not winning track and field meets Sultanova simply enjoys relaxing with her friends.
"I'm always hanging out with my American sister, Laura," she said with a laugh. "She's my best friend,
that's why I call her my sister."
Sultanova also enjoys spending time with her eight-year-old niece who is involved in rhythmic gymnastics just like she was at the same age.
After graduating this May, Sultanova hopes to continue her pole-vaulting career. She said that she wanted to compete professionally and eventually coach track and field.
"It's just me," she said. "I've been in sports all my life."
This weekend, Sultanova will travel to the University of Arkansas where she will compete in the Arkansas Twilight Meet. With the conference championships only two weeks away, she will be that much closer to bringing home another Big 12 title.
Edited by Russell Davies
SOFTBALL
Weston White/KANSAN
Senior outfielder Betsy Wilson slides safely into second base for Kansas' first stolen base of the game. Kansas also stole one other base in a 8-1 loss to Oklahoma State Saturday afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark.
Jayhawks split two-game series against Nebraska
BY KELLY BRECKUNITCH
kbreckunetch@kanansan.com
The University of Kansas softball team split its second straight series on Wednesday night. A one-run loss in the first game of the night led the Jayhawks to salvage the series with a victory in the late game.
In the first game, the team trailed by one run going into the sixth inning but rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth. The Jayhawks couldn't contain Nebraska though, which scored three runs of its own in the bottom of the sixth to win 5-4. Junior third baseman Val Chapple and shortstop Stevie Crisosto both had two hits in the game and Chapple had one run and one RBI. Junior pitcher Valerie George allowed 11 hits during the course of the game and only struck out two batters in the loss.
Freshman pitcher Allison Clark has come on strong in the last part of the season and sees the pitching staff working together now to overcome tough outings.
The second game went much better for the Hawks. Clark pitched a complete game to earn the 6-3 victory in extra innings. Senior left fielder Betsy Wilson, sophomore second baseman Sara Ramirez and freshman catcher Brittany Hile all had multiple hits in the game and Wilson and Ramirez both drove in a run for the team. The second game was full of errors, as Kansas committed three in the game while Nebraska had four. Clark allowed only one earned run and has come on strong at the end of the season.
Clark said the Jayhawks' tough loss in the opening game was what motivated her in the second game.
"We're going through struggles, but we're helping each other out and we're getting the job done when we need to," Clark said.
"That's why I came out in the second game and I was like, 'You know what, I'm gonna shut this
The Jayhawks now prepare for their final series against Iowa State at Arrocha Ballpark this weekend. It will be the last series at home for Wilson, senior first baseman Addy Lucero and reserve catcher Sara Sidebottom. Clark said the Jayhawks were confident heading into the last two games against Iowa State and they wanted to win the games for the senior class.
team down," Clark said.
The game on Saturday will start at 1 p.m. and Sunday's game will be at noon. Then, the Jayhawks will move on to the Big 12 conference tournament.
Clark said the Iowa State games would be an opportunity for the team to fine-tune some aspects of the game and prepare for the tournament.
CAUZILLO (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
open arms. He said her enthusiasm, compassion for helping others and megawatt smile was contagious.
"The season's really long and we're all pretty tired, but we all just have to fight and find that little fire within ourselves," Clark said.
"She loves people," Casey said. "I felt like every person she met, every kid she met, she was just so excited to meet them and speak with them. She always had a smile on her face."
Cauzillo said she would remember the countless friendships she made among the women she played with and against for the rest of her life. None more so than the friendship that developed between herself and 19-year-old Ethiopian women's national team prodigy and Addis Ababa Eagle, Birtukan.
Edited by Jared Duncan
"She is the Michael Jordan of women's soccer there," Cauzillo said.
After spending nearly two weeks training and playing together in Addis and at Lake Lagano, the two went head to head in the Eagles' final game of the trip in front of a raucous crowd at the Ethiopian national stadium in Addis.
Following Cauzillo and the Eagles' dramatic victory against Birtukan and the Ethiopian national team, the two swapped jerseys. a traditional sign of respect between players. Cauzillo said after the game Birtukan brought her to her home and introduced her to her family, an experience she will treasure the rest of her life.
In fact, Cauzillo promised to travel back to Ethiopia in December for a week to visit. She is even considering an offer to
return in the summer of 2009 to play for the Addis Ababa Eagles in Ethiopia's women's league.
While Cauzillo plans on returning to Ethiopia, Birtukan may get the opportunity to make the trip to the U.S. Casey said the Eagles had already begun the process of getting Birtukan a visa to play in Charlotte this summer.
As for Cauzillo, she said she was counting the days until she can return to Ethiopia. After all, she made a promise.
KANSANCLASSIFIEDS
- Edited by Jared Duncan
"They remember promises," Cauzillo said. "If they say they're going to do something, they do it. I have to go back in December. I've left a part of my heart there."
PHONE 785.864.4358
HAWKCHALK.COM CLASSIFIEDS@KANSAN.COM
AUTO
1987 BMW 325iS White, 2 Door, Standard Shift, Sunroof, 200,000+ miles, Good condition, $150 hawkchall/fc183
2002 Subaru AWD legacy L sedan, auto,
immaculate condition, brand new
Goodrich tires, hunter green, 83k high
miles, $6,800. Call 838-3885. Lawrence.
STUFF
Want to buy reliable small car for around $2000 or less. Small dents ok. Rick at SheridanRD@mail.com
One of a kind 1918 KU Basketball trophy goblet for sale - serious inquiries only. Please call 618-808-6470
Silver iPod mini for sale. Zero scratches and a long lasting battery. Flexible price ($75), can include earplugs and USB if youneededt. 785-383-580hawkchalk-com/1527
2 - Boston Acoustics Rally Series (RS8)
*8' subs. They have amazing deep, solid bass. 4 ohm, 300W peak input power. Asking $45 each or $80 for kevin 913-707-5225 hawkhalk.com/1533
JOBS
hawkchalk