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SPORTS
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
21
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN—WEEKLY SUMMER EDITION
www.kansan.com
Big 12 football provides preview of battles ahead
I spent nearly four years in New England, where this time of year in sports is devoted to Boston Red Sox baseball and anything that opposes the Yankees. That's why it was refreshing to attend last week's Big 12 media days in Kansas City and usher in the unofficial start to college football.
It was my first chance to sports commentary
It was my first time cover the three-day affair, which ran from Tuesday through Thursday, with four teams introduced each day to radio, TV and print media from around the Big 12 region.
Only able to attend the final day, I was treated to
Fred A. Davis III editor@kansan.com
arguably the most intriguing and star-studded of the three days. Rounding out the event were Kansas and three of this season's opponents: Texas, Nebraska and Colorado, four teams with significant uncertainties looming on the dawn of a new season.
The early morning festivities were kicked off by Texas head man Mack Brown, entering his seventh season at the helm and a generous donor of "good-game" pats, which I found out a few hours later. Brown, despite his generosity, is still looking for that conference crown that has eluded him while at Texas.
The Longhorns should be a force in the South division, although much depends on the arm of Vince Young, last season's Offensive Freshman of the Year. Young will have help, though, in the form of pre-season All-Big 12 running back Cedric Benson, who is fresh entering the season after electing not to play baseball over the summer.
SEE DAVIS ON PAGE 24
The defense remains the main question for the Longhorns, who will bring in ex-Kansas City coach Greg Robinson, the man blamed for the Chiefs' playoff loss to the Colts. Robinson will have the services of pre-season Big 12 Defensive Player of the
Nailing the hammer
Courtney Kuhlen/Kansan
Kortney Holeman, a 16-year-old from Independence, Mo., releases the hammer while participating in Jayhawk Track & Field Summer Camp. Holeman and other high school students received throwing technique instruction from Doug Reynolds, KU throwing coach on Monday afternoon near Memorial Stadium. The students were outside practicing for a total of six hours on Monday. The camp session, which started Saturday, ends tomorrow.
Golfer continues winning streak
By Joe Burke
jburke@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
University of Kansas senior golfer Kevin Ward continued his winning ways and made a little history in the process.
The Leawood native won the 94th Kansas Amateur by defeating teammate Pete Krsnich 9 and 7 at Shadow Glen Golf Club, 26000 W.104th Terrace, Olathe.
It was the third victory of the summer for Ward who won the Kansas Association Fourball Tournament and the 97th Missouri Amateur.
His victory this past weekend made him the first golfer to claim the Missouri and Kansas Amateurs in the same summer.
In all three of Ward's victories he closed out his opponents at least six holes early, ending each day well before the
Ward continues to be hard to beat when he is at the top of his game.
final hole, including his seven-hole victory on Sunday.
"I did not give Pete many chances to get back in the match after the first nine holes," Ward said.
The match was even after nine holes, but Ward only needed 20 more to close out the match, winning on the 29th hole.
The week for Krsnich had been great
until he ran into Ward on Sunday.
The No. 52 seed in the match play portion of the tournament won his quarterfinal and semifinal matches in the extra holes. He defeated University of Missouri golfer Chris Mabry in 21 holes earlier that day.
Krsnich was able to even the match after winning the eighth and ninth holes.
SEE GOLFER ON PAGE 23