Tell us your news
Contact Donovan Atkinson or Matt Rodriguez at 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com
SPORTS
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
23
sports commentary
www.kansan.com
SEE DAVIS ON PAGE 25
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN—WEEKLY SUMMER EDITION
Fred A. Davis III sports@kansan.com
The 2004 Jim Ryun, minus the notoriety
There is currently a foul stench permeating through United States Track and Field. The stink is wrought with accusations of cheating, drug-use and promises of lifetime bans for those found guilty of any wrongdoing. And with the Olympics less than two months away, nose plugs could be replacing track spikes.
Enter track's "smell-good" story, Alan Webb. Alan Who? Alan Webb, the most dangerous U.S. miler since The University of Kansas' own Jim Ryun and a legitimate threat for gold in Athens. In fact, Alan Webb is the best U.S. miler ever. He proved it this year on June 19 when he ran the fastest mile ever run by an American on U.S. soil. Webb's time of 3:50.85 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon broke Ryun's time of 3:51.1, a mark unchallenged for 37 years.
However, that was not the first time Webb knocked the Sunflower State's finest from the record books. Three years ago as a high school senior, Webb became only the fourth prepster ever to run a sub-4-minute mile, finishing in a blistering 3:53.43. Webb's record-setting jaunt eclipsed Ryun's best of 3:55.3 by nearly 2 seconds and ended Ryun's 36-year 'run' as the fastest prep miler in American history.
While being the fastest American prep may guarantee success on prom night, it does not equate to Olympic gold. Just ask Jim Ryun. Rewind to 1968 and the Summer Olympics in Mexico City. The United State's Jim Ryun and Kenya's Kip Keino were the favorites to win the 1500M (the mile is not an Olympic event).
Courtney Kuhlen/Kansan
Megan Boecker, Lake St. Louis, Mo., junior, tries to stay warm as she listens to her coach's instructions. Under overcast skies, last Friday's practice had cooler early morning tempertures.
Team trains all year
Women's swim team fights sleep, clock
By Joe Burke
jburke@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Summer is a time for students to get some much needed rest and relaxation. But for the 16 members of the Kansas swim team, summer means 6 a.m. practices Monday through Friday — Saturdays the girls can sleep in a little longer because practice doesn't begin until 7 a.m.
Becca Zarazan, Overland Park senior, said her motivation every day came from her teammates.
"The worst part of the morning is jumping in," Zarazan said. "It is hard to complain when your teammates are right there with you each morning."
Coach Clark Campbell organizes the practices so each day a specific goal is accomplished.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday practices focus on endurance, while Tuesday and Thursday practices involve speed drills.
Campbell said the goal was to make each swimmer better for the regular season.
The opportunity for the team to practice on a long-course, a 50-meter pool helps with their efficiency, he said.
He said he could already see a marked improvement this summer in Gina Gnatzig, Whitewater, Wis., junior, and Megan Boecker, Lake St. Louis, Mo., junior.
"Gina has picked up everything very quickly. She is going to be very successful next season," Campbell said. "I can tell this is the most long-course that Megan has ever swam and I can see it is making a huge difference for her."
SEE SWIM ON PAGE 25