One last practice
AC Milan and Manchester United fit in a final session before the title game of the Champions League.
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
PAGE 1B
》 JAVELIN THROW
Former KU athlete aims high
Scott Russell prepares to release the javelin during the final round of competition during the Kansas Relays, Russell, a former KU track athlete, won the javelin throw with a meet-record 264 feet. 8 inches.
Amanda Sellers/KANSAN
Student tries to qualify for '08 Olympics
BY ERIN SOMMER
An Olympic flag hangs in Scott Russell's office in Robinson Gymnasium as a simple reminder of his goal: to throw the javelin in the Olympics.
"That flag will stay there until I make an Olympic team," Russell said.
his groin a month
Russell, a Windsor, Ontario, graduate student and teaching assistant, is a former track-andfield athlete at the University of Kansas. He received a bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University in 2002, but returned last year to earn a master's degree in physical education.
Since his graduation from the University in 2002, Russell has been throwing the javelin in international track meets. According to the International Association of Athletics Federations, he is ranked first in Canada and 31st in the world. He hopes to make the Canadian Olympic team in 2008.
Last weekend at the Kansas Relays, Russell made his first attempt at a qualifying throw for the 2008 games. His throw of 264.8 feet won the competition but did not meet the Olympic qualifying standard of 267.65 feet.
"I wasn't too worried about it," Russell said. "I had a lot of years left."
This year isn't Russell's first time trying to qualify for the Olympics. He tried in 2000, but didn't make a qualifying throw.
Russell said he had thought 2004 would be his year to compete in the Olympics. He wrote "I am going to the Olympics" at the top of each page in a journal that he logged all of his workouts in that year. But
Russell strained before the Olympic trials. He threw almost 20 feet below the Canadian qualifying standard that year.
"I remember getting a phone call," said Candace Dunback, a friend and former KU track-and-field athlete." He was absolutely heartbroken."
"For someone to put that much belief in me, it was mind-bogging. I competed for them for the rest of that season."
SCOTT RUSSELL Javelin thrower
2005. After three years without any major accomplishments, the Canadian government pulled the funding it had given Russell to train and support himself.
the sport. Then he received a check for $2,500 from an anonymous
Russell con
Canadian couple who wanted to see him qualify for the 2005 World Track and Field Championship. He decided to compete in a few more meets.
"For someone to put that much belief in me, it was mind-boggling." Russell said. "I competed for them for the rest of that season."
In his first competition after receiving the anonymous donation, Russell set a new Canadian record with a throw of 276.94 feet.
government decided to reinstate his funding for two years.
The throw qualified Russell for the 2005 World Track and Field Championship and the Canadian
"That one throw ended three years of frustration," said Russell's father, Dan Russell. Scott is putting the past behind him as he begins his quest to qualify for the 2008 Olympics.
"Come into this year. I'm pretty positive," Russell said. "I'm kind of expecting big things this year."
Russell is coached by Andy Kokhanovsky, the throwing coach
SEE TRACK ON PAGE 8B
MLB
White Sox defeat Royals
Chicago's home runs sink K.C.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mark Buehrle didn't pitch another no-hitter. Paul Konerko made sure didn't need to.
Buehrle allowed five hits in seven innings, leading the Chicago White Sox against the Kansas City Royals 7-4 Monday night.
Konerko, who had not homered since opening day, hit a pair of two-run homers and drove in five runs for the White Sox, the 20th multihomer game of his career. He connected in the sixth off Gil Meche to tie the score 2-2, then homered in the eighth on David Riske's fifth pitch of the night for a 5-3 lead.
Last Wednesday against Texas, Buehrle pitched the major leagues' first no-hitter of the season. He didn't get very far in his quest to match Johnny Vander Meer's feat of consecutive no-hitters, allowing a two-out double in the second to Esteban German, who had entered 0-for-6 against him.
Buehle had retired 38 of his previous 39 batters, allowing only a walk to the Rangers' Sammy Sosa — who was picked off.
Buehrle (2-0) gave up two runs, struck out four and walked one, improving to 16-6 against the Royals. Bobby Jenks worked
FOOTBALL
SEE ROYALS ON PAGE 8B
Talib settles in on offense Junior shows impressive skill on both sides of the ball
BY ASHER FUSCO
It must be the jersey. First, Charles Gordon did double duty for Kansas, serving as both a wide receiver and cornerback in 2005. When Gordon exited early for the NFL, it appears junior Aqib Talib inherited some of
his versatility along with the number three jersey.
"Aqib's a gifted player," said coach Mark Mangino. "He can do a whole lot of things for us."
reputation as one of the best cover cornerbacks in the nation, intercepting six passes and leading the nation in passes defended per game. For his work on defense Talib was named to the All-Big 12 First Team. But the most memorable play of his 2006 season was not an interception or a
"I didn't work on offense much last year at all. I've been working on it a little bit every day during the spring.I'm a lot more comfortable right now."
Talib, from Richardson.
Texas, emerged as the lahvawks'
In Kansas' final game, a 42-17 drubbing at the hands of Missouri, number three lined up at wide receiver in the third quarter. Quarterback Kerry Meier promptly delivered a pass to Talib who caught
best defensive back in 2005 as a redshirt freshman, garnering an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection. Talib's dominance on defense allowed the coaching staff to use Gordon as a wide receiver, where his big-play potential was better served.
AQIB TALIB Cornerback
Last season, Talib made the move from the number 28 jersey to number three, formerly worn by Gordon. As a sophomore, he solidified his
big tackle.
Aqib Talib will pull double duty this season, just like the last Jayhawk to wear the number three jersey did.
Talib's score showcased what fans had received short glimpses of every time he picked off an opponent's pass: the quick initial burst, a knack for finding the football, soft hands and breakaway speed.
the ball and raced down the sideline for a 42-vard touchdown.
"He's got all that defensive venom in him," Mangino said. "When you put him on offense, it's more of a
Talib merely showed hints of his promise in his offensive debut last season. After a month of work at wide receiver this spring, the junior has begun to grasp the nuances of the position.
"I didn't work on offense much last year at all," Talib said. "I've been working on it a little bit every day during the spring. I'm a lot more comfortable right now."
During the Spring Scrimmage, Talib lined up as the slot receiver several times with the first string offense. He did not appear to be the best route-runner on the field, but he used his speed and leaping ability to secure two receptions for 31 yards. Talib's second catch was an impressive 26-yard grab of a high delivery from Meier that not many receivers would have been able to reach.
controlled environment. It takes him a little while to get settled."
Despite indications that Talib will see plenty of playing time at receiver, fans need not fear Talib's transition to a full-time offensive player — the jayhawks' best defender is staying on defense.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Sophomore safety Darrell Stuckey's return to health and the addition of junior cornerback Kendrick Harper will keep offenses from avoiding Talib's dangerous hands.
He is the cornerstone of a defensive secondary that appears much more formidable than last year's version.
"We're so much more experienced on defense," Talib said. "We mature-
ing now that we've got more plays under our belt."
Talib is the wild card and the best player on the 2007 Kansas team for one simple reason — no matter which team's quarterback is throwing the ball, Talib could end up in the
end zone
Kansan sportswriter Asher Fusco can be contacted at afusco@kansan.com.
Edited by Sharla Shivers