Sports
Kansas Relays Exchange Zone
The University Daily Kansan
Today students can stop on the Stauffer-Flint Hall lawn and receive cheap food and an opportunity for a free T-shirt at the Kansas Relays Exchange Zone. PAGE 2B
1B
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Metcalf on pace for team record
By Shane Kucera skucera@kansan.com Kansan sportwriter
Considering the Kansas baseball program has been around for 125 years,breaking the all-time home run record would be no small accomplishment.
6-foot-3, 200-pound Travis Metcalf
leads the Big 12 Conference with 13 home runs and is on the verge of breaking the all-time home run record at Kansas.
The record of 27 career home runs was set in 1980 by Matt Gundelfinger. With at least 22 games left in the
Metcalf
season, Metcalf is at 24. At his current pace, the Wamego native should hit seven more home runs to end the season with 20 and have 31 career home runs. Those numbers
"Right now I think I'm physically and mentally ready to move onto the next level."
would break Kansas' all-time records for most home runs in a single season and most career home runs.
What may be the most impressive statistic when it comes to Travis Metcalf is his age. He's only a junior. In his sophomore and junior seasons alone, he has accomplished more at the plate than almost any other Kansas player in history has in more than three
Travis Metcalf
Junior third baseman
or four seasons.
Coach Ritch Price said Kansas was lucky to have Metcalf back for the 2004 campaign.
Following last season, the Minnesota Twins drafted Metcalf in the 38th round. Metcalf caught the eye of scouts by earning Big 12 Player of the Week, NCBWA Hitter of the Week and College Baseball Insider Player of the Week honors in 2003.
The Jayhawks won't be as fortunate next season. Metcalf has already decided to go in the draft as long as this season goes well. Judging by his success at the plate this season and being named preseason top defensive third baseman in the Big 12, Metcalf should easily go before the 38th round in the draft.
"Right now I think I'm physically and mentally ready to move onto the next level," Metcalf said. "All the coaches know I want this to be my last year so I can play major league baseball."
Metcalf's explosive power has given the pitching staff more confidence on the mound this season.
"As a pitcher, I don't have to worry about a shutout," said junior Mike Zagurski. "With a guy like Metcalf in the middle of the lineup you know you'll score some runs."
Despite being drafted and having a successful year at the plate, Metcaf said he was left with a sour taste in his mouth after the Big 12 Tournament.
The Jayhawks had their best season in almost a decade, but were knocked out of the tournament by Missouri in a one-run extra inning game.
After last year's experience, it wouldn't be surprising to see Metcalf step up big in this year's Big 12 tournament and show what he has in the final games of his college career.
— Edited by Guillaume Doane
Kansas Relays this weekend
Events relaxed for today
By Michael Phillips
mphillips@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas Relays will have a laidback feel to it before the craziness starts today.
The day features several special events and some long distance running.
There is only one field event all day: the hammer throw. The women will throw first at 11:00 a.m. to begin the Relaws.
Jayhawks Jennifer Widerstrom and Jamie Waters could start the meet off right. Waters' career best was at last year's Relays.
That will be followed at 3:30 p.m. with the men's hammer throw.
There could be a definite lack of drama in this event, as Stanford's Nick Welihozkiy should destroy the field. The next 11 best athletes are all from Kansas schools.
The track events combine to make up what is being called the "distance carnival."
Between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. the unseeded runs will take place. These are typically events for less-experienced runners.
The collegiate competition will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the Women's 3,000-meter run.
SEE EVENTS ON PAGE 6B
Abbv Tillerv/Kansan
Leo Bookman, senior sprinter taking a red shirt, practiced yesterday in Memorial Stadium. The Kansas Relays start today and will continue through Saturday.
Relays to bring fans, athletes, commerce
By Michael Phillips
mphillips@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
"It's not just a track meet."
Kansas Relays director Tim Weaver's words take on significance this week when more than15,000 visitors will come to Lawrence for the 77th annual Kansas Relays.
While visitors are in the area, they will spend an estimated $4 million, with just over half being spent in the city of Lawrence.
Troy Roberts, director of convention and sports sales at the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, compiled these numbers in 2003 based on figures from the Athletics Department.
Roberts' report shows that there are 1,147 available hotel rooms in the city,and they will all be booked this weekend.
General manager of the Lawrence Holiday Inn Tom Rost said all of the rooms there are booked. Last-minute travelers should call and ask if there have been cancellations, he said.
But the spending extends beyond just the hotel rooms. Last year 6,073 people ended up staying in Topeka or Kansas City, spending an estimated
SEE RELAYS ON PAGE 6B
Kansas softball falls to Missouri
By Jonathan Kealing jkealing@kansan.com Kansan sportwriter
Hays to nop out, bringing freshman centerfielder Leanna Bowers to the plate.
It was a shoot out at Arrocha Ballpark yesterday between Kansas senior pitcher Kara Pierce and Missouri junior pitcher Erin Kalka.
Midway through the at-bat, Masterson stole second base and moved into scoffing position. The call was close, with the empire ruling her safe.
Kansas lost the competition 3-0, but Pierce was only partly responsible. Kansas' record is now 24-21-1 and 2-7 in the Big 12 Conference, while Missouri improves to 19-21 and 6-2 in the conference.
Pierce recorded 13 strikeouts and faced the minimum number of batters through five innings. The sixth inning did not turn out quite as well.
After walking the lead-off batter, freshman catcher Kathy Masterson, she struck out freshman Amanda White. She forced junior left fielder Ashley
Abby Tillery/Kansom
Kansas coach Tracy Bunge immediately stepped onto the field to have a few words.
Destiny Frankenstein, sophomore shortstop, tagged out Missouri centerfielder Mary Masterson at second base yesterday. Missouri defeated Kansas 3-0.
"I wish I could show you that on tane." Bunge said.
A couple pitches later Bowers hit a rocket over the second basemen and into center field. Masterson made it home with Bowers notching the double. Pierce had thrown her one bad pitch of the game.
In the seventh inning, a poor performance by the defense allowed another two runs. None of the runs were earned as they came off of errors by the first and third basemen.
"I'm not disappointed in my teammates at all," Pierce said. "I know we're better than that and it won't happen again."
Kansas made an attempt to tie in the bottom of the seventh, sending the tying run to the plate three times, only to see all three batters sent back to the dugout.
Kansas will play two games over the weekend against Oklahoma State. Saturday's game is at 2 p.m. and Sunday's is at 1 p.m.
Both games are available via LiveStats on kuathletics.com.
- Edited by Kevin Flaherty
Mangino: We'll be better on defense
By Kevin Flaherty
kflaherty@kansan.com
Kansan senior swriter
Amanda Kim Stairroad/Kansas John McCoy, junior defensive end, ran around Tony Coker, junior offensive lineman, during a drill on April 5. McCoy is the fastest defensive end on the Kansas team, running a 4.56 second 40-yard dash.
Amanda Kim Stairrott/Kansas
When fans look at the 2004 team, one question always seems to arise:
"Will there be a defense this season?"
Kansas' defense is often viewed as what could hold back the Jayhawks this season. Last year's defense allowed 30.5 points per game while the offense averaged 29.5 points per game.
One of the main problems was that the defensive line struggled last season, allowing 4.9 yards per carry, and the team only notched 23 sacks. Many of the players return, and Mangino added several newcomers through recruiting, so this is a unit that he looks at to make improvements.
"We'll be better on defense."
Mangino said. "I'm confident of that. The overall speed of the defense has improved a bit."
McMillan had 31 tackles and three sacks last season, and is quick around the end.
TALK TO SPORTS: Contact Henry C. Jackson or Maggie Newcomer at SPORTS@KANSAN.COM
The defensive ends have looked strong throughout spring practice. John McCoy, senior, and David McMillan, senior, are working with the first team, while Jermail Ashley, junior, and Greg Tree, senior, are with the second team.
The recruiting class included Anthony Collins, freshman, a versatile athlete who is also a good basketball
McCoy was used as a situational pass rusher at defensive end last season after starring at linebacker at Victor Valley College. He is the fastest defensive end, running a 4.56-second 40-yard dash, and had 114 tackles, 45 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks as a sophomore at Victor Valley.
player, and Charlton Keith, junior, who was a freshman All-American at Minnesota.
He is heavier this season, and Mangino said this was the most active he had seen Watkins since Mangino came here.
Travis Watkins, senior, is one of the players to watch on the defensive line.
Tim Brandt, a freshman walk-on, is in the other starting spot, but there is every indication that newcomer James McClinton will make an immediate impact.
McClinton was rated one of the top defensive tackles in Texas as a senior in high school. The Jayhawks have also just signed Chadd Felps, a defensive tackle from Coffeyville Community College to help out. He was second team All-Jayhawk
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SEE MANGINO ON PAGE 6B