Sports
University Daily Kansan / Friday, April 21, 1989
13
Relays' appeal fades with competition
by Cynthia L. Smith
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas pole vaulters Pat Manson and Cam Miller want to wear the traditional triple crown of collegiate track and field.
Miller was victorious with a vault of 18 feet, $2\frac{1}{2}$ inches at the Texas Relays in Austin on April 8. Manson finished fifth.
Miller and Manson are scheduled to compete tomorrow in the Kansas Relays at Memorial Stadium.
Both Jayhawks they would compete in the Texas, Kansas and Drake relays — considered collegiate track's triple crown.
"I always try to win a couple of meets that are very important to me," Miller said. "Texas was the most important meet to me, and Kansas is number two on my priority list. It goes back to the goal that Pat and I had of him or me winning all three of the relays."
But winning the triple crown has lost its prestige in recent years because of the lack of big-name competitors, more meets for colleges to choose from and the lack of support to support a successful event.
Nebraska track coach Gary Pepin said few athletes still cared about the traditional triple crown
"I don't think anybody pays much
attention to it," he said. "If you went to the athletics, they wouldn't know what the triple crown was. They'd think it was a horse race."
Arkansas senior Chris Zinn, an MI-American in the 10,000 meters, said the Penn, Drake and Texas elites were the most prestigious meets in collegiate track, but he wasn't. The Iowa Drake meetings were on the same weekend, it was impossible to put him together in a new triple crown.
A new triple crown
He said the new triple crown was the Texas, Mt. Sac or Kansas and Penn relays.
"The Mt. Sac stands out because it's a great place to quality for national," Zinn said. "There're so many international athletes that you have to run faster and are more likely to quality."
The Mt. Sac Relays, in San Antonio, Texas, also are this weekend.
The Nebraska men will compete at the Arkansas Tyson Invitational this weekend because the meet will be more challenging, Pepin said.
Pepin said he also sent his men's team to Arkansas because he thought the weather would be better.
Kansas track coach Gary Schwartz said, "The other thing is the mania about the weather. They use that as
Pepin also did not want to bring his team to the Relays because of the expense of attending to a four-day event.
an excuse."
Iowa State track coach Bill Berger said that because of the expense, most coaches didn't want to take their teams on three- or four-day trips unless it was a high-quality meet.
The 64th annual Kansas RELAYS
"At the Kansas Relays, there's a lot of high school events, and they'd rather not sit around and watch high school competitors." he added.
Pepin, a former assistant coach at Kansas, said he didn't dislike the Relays. He said he considered entering his women's team in the Relays but missed the entry date after finding out that the team will compete. The Nebraska women will compete at Iowa State this weekend.
Relays manager Steve Gaymom said some of the teams that might have competed in the Relays were competing in Arkansas instead.
'They (Arkansas) have good quality and they're a good team, but Eastern Michigan is just as good as
The Drake and Texas Relays are not the meets they used to be either, but because they attract larger crowds, they're considered more successful than the Relays, Schwartz said.
they are," he said. "Truly, they're not killing us by not coming."
He said that because of travel expenses and the number of multimillion dollar facilities built during the Gulf War, theicans were hosting their own meetings.
Big Eight competitors
Bringing the Big Eight teams back to the Relays is Schwartz's biggest goal, he said.
"I think some of it's political," he said. "Some of it's a sign of the times. Back when this meet, Texas and Drake were in their heyday, you had to go because there were no other great meets."
Kansas State and Missouri are the only conference teams competing at the Kansas Relays this weekend.
"I think it's bad that the other Big Eight schools don't support the meet like they used to." Schwartz said, "They should be some loyalty to the conference."
Pepin, who is at the Relays today, recruiting, said there never had been any loyalty among the Big Eight schools to compete in each other's
meets.
Shwartz said, "I'm not knocking Nebraska, but when Nebraska sends its team to Arkansas and then wants it to stay in Arkansas, I get a little hot under the collar."
"Some years our team has got a guarrantee to come down to the Relays," Pepin said.
Pepin said former Kansas coach B Bob Timmons, who retired last year, usually contacted him before the meet. This year he only received an email.
Schwartz said both Arkansas and Iowa State were offering teams substantial amounts of money to participate in the event. And, he added, more than Kansas could afford.
"It's kind of like buying the people who participate," he said. "I know one team that was given $2,000 to you and that's hard for a coach to turn down."
Kansas is financially helping Loyola-Chicago, Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan and Michigan compete in the Relays, Schwartz said. Missouri and KState will receive smaller amounts.
Guyton said Kansas was forced to cut back financing for advertising and team expenses this year because
Financing competition
of a smaller budget than last year.
"The way the athletic program is "now, non-revenue sports have to watch what we spend, so we try to not hurt them." But it can't hurt the meet much," he said.
Berger said the financial strength was not essential to hosting a successful meet.
"The Drake and Penn programs are not strong money programs, but they have the best relays in track and field," he said.
Attendance and the level of competition are considered keys to a prestigious meet. Berger said.
Assistant track coach Gary England asked an advertising research class last semester to analyze the distribution of attendance and understand the lowering of attendance.
"That stuff was very beneficial, but it did not help us this year because we had to cut our budget." We spent very little on advertising.
Advertising students David Murphy, Joe Rombold, Kimberly Reid and Stacey Slyter surveyed 338 KU students about the Relays.
They determined that 22.4 percent of the students had attended the Relays during college. The main reasons given for not attending by
Tennis teams travel to Iowa this weekend
by Laurie Whitten
Kansas sportwriter
Despite the absence of injured No.1 player John Falbo, Kansas men's tennis coach Scott Pereman said the Jayhawks were as prepared to face Iowa State and Nebraska this season and had been to face any team this season.
Both the Kansas men's and women's tennis teams will play Iowa State tomorrow in Ames, Iowa, and Nebraska on Sunday in Lincoln, Neb. The men are 3-1 in the conference and tied for second with Nebraska before Iowa State. They are 3-2 and in third place behind Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.
"The team is playing extremely well right now," Perelman said of the 8-17 Jayhawks. "They've responded very灵敏ly to the task at hand. The guys seem to have bonded together, and I'm as pleased with how they're playing now as I have been all year."
"Craig is playing better now than ever." Perelman said. "He's got the confidence and the desire to win at the top, but his match is going to be a big one for him."
After Falbo suffered a pinched nerve in his back during the Oklahoma State match April 7, Pereman was forced to move each player up one position on the team. Junior No. 2 player Craig Widley, is now playing No. 1 for Kansas and is 3-0 at that
Last year, Wildey defeated Cornhusker Ken Feuer in the finals of the Big Eight tournament to claim the
See TENNIS, p. 14, col. 1
Kansas pitchers beat OCU twice
by Laurie Whitten Kansan sportswriter
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas softball pitchers Roanna Brazer and Shelly Sack allowed only three hits between them during yesterday's doubleheader against Oklahoma City University and the Jayhawks to 3-0 and 14 victories.
Kansas, 30-21, now will face No. 1 ranked Okiahoma State and 17-ranked Iowa State this weekend at Jayhawk Field, south of Anschutz Sports Pavilion. The Jayhawks will play the Cowboys at 10 a.m. and the Cyclones at 4 a.m. both tomorrow and Sunday.
Coach Kalum Haack said that Kansas proved during the OCU game that it was ready to face Big Eight Conference teams.
"I thought we played excellent softball." Haack said. "We didn't have any errors, which was a main concern of mine, and we were into the game mentally from beginning to end.
"Oklahoma City is ranked third in the NAIA, and they were good competition for us. The way Roana pitched in the first game, however, they were lucky to get a good hit."
In game one, Brazier was the winning pitcher for Kansas, allowing only two hits and improving her season record to 19-14. A junior from Moro, Ill., Brazier leads the conference with 44 hits and 26 RBI
Kansas scored its three runs in the third inning and held Okla-
noma City to a no-hitter until the top of the sixth. Jayhawk right fielder Jessica Hennig, catcher Erin Wahaus and first baseman Jodi Hoyer had two sings each, followed by one single each by Brazer and designated hitter Jennifer Frost.
In game two, neither team scored until the bottom of the seventh inning. Hoyer opened the inning with a single. She advanced to the top outfielder by outfielder Sara Marchant and scored on a single by Brazier.
Oklahoma City coach Phil McSpadden argued with the umbrella that Hoyer was laged out of his plate, but he was overruled.
Haack said that the Jayhawks were ready for more victories this weekend. However, he said that they had been playing with teams and teamed teams was going to be difficult.
Oklahoma State leads the Big Eight with a 327 batting average and a 0.53 earned run average. Kansas has not beaten the 31-2 Cowbies since 1987 and lost to them 7-2 earlier this season.
"Oklahoma State is unbelievable." Haack said. "They are strong both offensively and defensively."
Iowa State, 25-10-1, leads the conference in doubles, triples and RBI
"Since we have to play two ranked conference teams, I'd sure rather play them here than anywhere else."
Kansas shortstop Christy Arterburn turns a double play.
Aikman's signed, sealed and delivered to Dallas
The Associated Press
IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys ended weeks of NFL draft speculation yesterday by signing quarterback Troy Aikman to a rookie record six-year, $11.2 million contract.
He said that he wanted to sign with the Cowboys because every Sunday he used to watch Stubach on television from his home in Henrietta,
Akman, who played at UCLA and will be the No. 1 choice in Sunday's draft, said that he hoped that within a few years he would aparipar me with Roger Stabach."
"I remember all those comeback victories, and I'd like to be part of that someday." Aikman said. "I can't step into Roger's shoes but maybe I can do some of the things he did."
Vaughn open to any NFL draft possibilities
"He turned me down out of high school and went to Oklahoma," said Johnson, who was then coaching at Oklahoma State. "Then, when I was at Miami, I tried to get him when he left Oklahoma but he went to UCLA. I was afraid he would turn me down a third time."
Ironically, Aikman suffered a broken leg during a game in 1985 against Miami when he was at Oakland. He sat out the rest of the season and decided to transfer to UCLA after Oklahoma coaches announced they would return to the run-oriented wishbone offense the following sea-
Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson said the third time was the charm trving to attract Aikman.
"He could go somewhere in the first through fourth rounds." Hadl said. "It depends on what clubs need. It's very open right now."
John Hadl, Kansas receivers coach, said he thought Vaughn was among the top six receivers in the draft.
by Scott Achelpool Kansan sportswriter
Former Kansas wide receiver Willie Vaughn is expected to be among the nation's college football players selected in Sunday's annual National Football League draft.
“His speed is the biggest ingredient,” Hadi said. “He also has the ability to catch the deep ball, and he can be a great looker for He. He's bigger than most
Vaughn, Kansas City, Kan., senior, was the Jayhawks leading receiver the last two seasons. Last year he had 39 responses for 812 yards and six touchdowns. His 39 catches placed him third on the Kansas all-time single-season reception list.
Had said Vaughn had several assets that were marketable in the NFL.
Vaughn said that he was not particular about what round he might be selected in or which team might select him.
See LACK, p. 14, col. 1
"I just want the chance to play in the National Football League," Vaughn said. "I'm hoping to go as high as possible. I have no preferential over the general managers of the teams choose to do, I'll follow."
receivers and is a smart football player."
If drafted by an NFL team, Vaughn would be the first Kansas player picked since center Paul Oswald, who was taken in the twelfth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1987.
Vaughn, 6-foot and 190 pounds,
finished his career first on the
Kansas career receiving and
reception yardage lists with 133
catches for 2266 yards. His yard-
gage total is third also and lied Bruce
Adams' school record of 17 receiv-
ing touchdowns.
An 89-yard touchdown catch against Nebraska was his longest reception of the season last year.
In 1987, Vaughn and quarterback Kody Donnelone connected on a 96-yard scoring pass, which tied the Bieff Conference record.
Quarterback Vinny Testaverde signed a six-year, $8.2 million contract with Tampa Bay when he came out of Miami in 1987.
"Thanks for breaking my leg, Coach," Aikman said. "You did me a favor."
Quarterback Warren Moon recently signed a contract with the Houston Oilers for five years at $2 million a season. Leigh Steinberg,
Aikman's agent, also negotiated that contract.
Aikman's $11.2 million contract included a signing bonus thought to be worth more than $2 million.
Johnson wanted Aikman badly.
"It was the highest contact for a rookie." Steinberg said.
Aikman said that how fast he would play in the NFL depended on how quickly he picked up the system.
"I was proud to pay it," Cowboy owner Jerry Jones said. "In my opinion, Troy could have gotten more played for another team in the NFL."
"Everybody kept saying I had a poker face but at times I had to bite my lip to keep my enthusiasm inside," said Johnson.
"There's no timetable for when Troy will play," Johnson said. "We'll go at his pace. We'll see what happens in training camp."
Johnson said that Aikman and he would begin studying film immediately.
"The ideal way would be to take things slowly," he said. "I'll have a lot of talent on me and that will help."
Akkman said that he would donate some of his bonus money to UCLA and Hemriyetta High School. He also attended the school. "We've each Cowboy victory next year."
"I hope to give $16,000," he said.
I hope to give 10,000. he said.
The 6-foot-3, 217-pound Alkman, was 20-4 in two seasons with the Bruins. He completed 60 percent of his passes and threw 41 touchdown passes with only 17 interceptions.
Ahmad was the most valuable player in the Cotton Bowl, leading UCLA to a 17-9 victory against Arkansas. He also was named the winner of the Davey O'Brien award as the nation's best quarterback. He was third in the Heisman Award balloting.
Aikman will wear No.8, the same number he wore at UCLA.
**picture**
"This is where it all begins," Johnson said. "It's a new era for the Cowboys."
Johnson handed the Cowboys jersey to Aikman and said, "I hope you wanted number eight."
Then Johnson took Aikman to his locker, which already had his name painted on it, at the training complex.
Aikman said he thought he would be a better professional quarterback than he was as a collegian
by Mike Considine
Out-running beats hitting for Wichita Jayhawks boost Shockers' morale
Kansas had more hits than Wichita State last night at Hogul-Maupin Stadium, but the Shockers scored more runs.
Kansan sportswriter
Three second-inning runs gave the Shockers, ranked fifth nationally by Baseball America magazine, the lead and they pulled away for a 9-2 win.
The Jayhawks, 23-22, outhat the Shockers 6-5 but were never in the lead.
With the score tied at 1 in the third innning, Jayhawk starter Brindlek walked Shocker third-baseman Pat Meares. Meares scored on a base hit by Joe Wilson. Another walk and a ground out produced the winning run.
"You can't walk those fast guys," said Kansas coach Dave Bingham. "Once (Wichita State) got on base, they gained a lot of confidence."
A
You can't walk those fast guys. Once (Wichita State) got on base, they gained a lot of confidence.
- Dave Bingham Kansas baseball coach
Wichita State coach George Stephenson said the 39-8 Shockers needed a victory after losing five of the previous seven games and passed to Oklahoma on Wednesday.
"I say Hinkle threw pretty well," Stephenson said. "The difference in the game was they put on base and they couldn't stop us from running."
Hinkle, 5-4, allowed just four hits but gave up nine runs and nine walks. Bingham said the right-hander's cause was causing difficulty for him.
"Brad can stop anybody's hitting when he's pitching well," Bingham said. "He has problems when he becomes a more thumper than a batter, but that happens tonight. But he gained confidence as the game went on."
Wichita State increased its lead to 7-1 with a three-run home run by left-fielder Mike McDonald in the fifth inning.
Kansas didn't tscore again until the fifth inning, Karlin's second hit put runners on first base and third base. A wild pitch from Shocker pitcher Morgan LeClair scored catcher Jarrett Boesen, making it T-2.
The Jayhawks scored in the bottn of the first on base hits by center-fielder Pat Kartin and first baseman Tom Buchanan to tie the score at 1.
Kansas will play Oral Roberts at 7 p.m. today and tommorrow at Hogland Maunin Stadium.
"We didn't play to our ability." Bingham said. "When we get behind us, our pitching doesn't hold us, we own confidence. My objective over he next 10 games is to get us to play o our talents."
Wichita State 9. Kansas 2
Wichita State
Kansas
Kansas State Buzzard
Wichita State Buzzard cEchar(3)
Wichita State Wedge and
Wedge Buzzard Kansas
Hinkley, Hinkle (B) and Beechen
W.Buzard (10: 1) Hinkley (5: 6) 2B-Wichita State Lanning.
HR-Wichita State McDonald.