THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2006
WWW.KANSAN.COM
MEN'S GOLF
PAGE 1B
Dedicated golfer shines
Enthusiasm drives junior to succeed
BY ASHER FUSCO
afusco@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
When asked to list the positives he saw from his team during an all-around poor showing in Cary, N.C., last week, Ross Randall couldn't find many. But the Kansas coach didn't hesitate to mention one incredible sight he bore witness to.
"The last hole is a 415-yard dogleg to the right over a big, huge lake, and Gary Woodland knocked his tee shot on the green." Randall said.
After pausing for emphasis, Randall added,
"On the fly."
Judging by the disbelief and near giddiness Randall spoke with, it is not every day that a golfer like Woodland comes along.
Randall has guided a strong Kansas men's golf program for nearly three decades and has coached more than a few great golfers, such as PGA golfer Matt Gogel. Randall said he was impressed by Woodland's potential.
"We've had some good players, but Gary has the strongest potential," Randall said.
Woodland, a junior from Topeka, brings a competitive fire to the course every time he steps onto the green. His desire to win was crafted not only through practice at the driving range, but also from his experience on the basketball court.
After graduating from Shawnee Heights High School, where he played golf and basketball for four years, Woodland received a scholarship from Washburn University to play basketball. Soon after, Woodland left the hardwood in favor of his 3-wood, and has since firmly planted himself among the best in the history of Kansas men's golf.
Woodland won the Cleveland State Invitational in September, firing rounds of 67, 66 and 69 to win the tournament. He also won the 95th Kansas Amateur Match Play Championship in July.
"I know as long as I get myself in contention, I'm always 100 percent positive I can come through and win," Woodland said.
Woodland's success can also be attributed to an extraordinary work ethic and to the countless hours spent honing his game. Woodland said he traveled to Dallas several times each month to visit a swing specialist. He said he also met with a sports psychologist on a regular basis.
Many days, Woodland wakes up for a 6 a.m. work-out, attends classes all morning, and hits the course for an afternoon of drives, putts and approach shots.
The intense devotion and ambition Woodland dedicates to his craft goes far above and beyond the practice habits of most student athletes.
When asked about his future in golf, Woodland showed his optimism.
"I have high goals and high expectations, and I really think the sky is the limit." Woodland said.
Randall said Woodland had the talent and drive to take his career in golf as far as he wanted.
"He needs to work on a couple more things, but he's very, very talented, and people around the country know who he is." Randall said.
Amanda Sellers/KANSAN
Gary Woodland, junior golfer, devotes most of his day to practice, waking up at 6 a.m. to work out and then spending time on the course works on shots. Woodland is being played on a team since high school and one day home to play a name with TOM
— Edited by Vanessa Pearson
BASEBALL
Kansas looks to end tourney dry spell
BY ALISSA BAUER
abauer@kansan.com
KANKSAN STAFF WRITER
The day-to-day goals of the team seem to take precedence over the big picture of making the tournament, though.
Kansas is on a mission to do what it hasn't done in 11 years — make it to the NCAA tournament.
This will be the case for tonight and Wednesday night's match-up against North Dakota State (2-24). First pitch is set for 6 tonight at Hogglund Ballpark.
Despite the Jayhawks dismal record, Kansas coach Ritch Price said he knew the importance of each game and how instrumental this series would be for the little picture and the big picture.
Kansas (23-13, 6-6) is doing what needs to be done, winning its past two Big 12 Conference series against Missouri and Texas Tech, while also jumping to 500 in conference play. That 6-6 conference start is the best the Jayhawks have put together since their 7-5 start in 1997.
"Right now we're in the NCAA tournament," Price said. "We have to continue to win weekday games to make it as well."
The North Dakota State series will be the last of a five-game homestand for Kansas, which has played seven of its past eight games at home.
The Bison cannot say the same. Their trip to Lawrence will mark the end of a 28-game road trip. They have not played a single game at home this season.
Although only a member of the Division I Independent league, North Dakota State coach Mitch McLeod has not set up an easy road for his team. Wichita State, Kansas State, Kentucky and Northern Iowa, among others, have all swept North Dakota State this season.
Regardless of the team, Kansas ballplayers said they viewed the opposing players all the same. "We've got to come to the ballpark everyday with the same mentality," sophomore outfielder John Allman said.
SEE BASEBALL ON PAGE 10B
BASEBALL
League play continues
Randall Sanders/KANSAN
Senior pitcher Don Czyz closes out the Jayhawks 3-2 victory against Missouri March 3. Czyz and the Jayhawks are tied with the Missouri Tigers for fifth in the Big 12.
BY SHAWN SHROYER
sshroyer@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
Editor's note: Big 12 baseball reporter Shawn Shroyer writes a story every Tuesday about the previous week's Big 12 baseball action.
With its series victory against Texas Tech last weekend, Kansas got back to .500 in the Big 12 at 6-6. Kansas is in a tie with Missouri for the fifth spot in the conference, but holds the tiebreaker over the Tigers. The Jayhawks went 2-2 for the week and dropped out of the Baseball America poll.
Sophomore outfielder John Allman dominated Texas Tech pitching, going 5-for-10 with five RBL.
Senior closer Don Czyz had the biggest series of any Jayhawk. Czyz broke the Big 12 career appearance record and the Kansas single-season saves record. Czyz and the rest of the Kansas bullpen allowed only two runs on 11 hits and one walk in 11 innings. The bullpen struck out 12 Texas Tech batters.
Kansas will stay busy this week with a pair of midweek games against North Dakota State at Holglund Ballpark. Then Kansas will travel to Stillwater, Okla., to face Oklahoma State for a three-game set. If the Jayhawks take the series, it will be their third straight Big 12 series victory — a feat Kansas has never accomplished in the Big 12.
SEE BIG 12 ON PAGE 10B
Coming off its most successful season and first bowl victory since 1995, the Kansas football program is only looking up these days. But questions still remain, and KU fans will catch glimpses of their answers at 7 Friday night.
▼ 'HORN BORN, 'HAWK BRED
Gear up for scrimmage
The main question everyone is trying to figure out: Who will start at quarterback next season? Redshirt freshman Kerry Meier has been the name most often mentioned for the job, but almost every KU fan has yet to see him play a single snap.
The annual spring football scrimmage is only three days away, and this year's scrimmage could prove to have more fan interest than any other in Kansas football history. And why not?
Incoming freshman Todd Reesing will challenge for the starting spot as well. Reesing would still be in high school, but he graduated early to come to Kansas this semester and
TRAVIS ROBINETT
trobinett@kansan.com
Meier, listed at 6 feet 3 inches, has a four-inch advantage over Reesing, but Reesing is known for playing far above his stature. Not everything will be revealed, but we'll at least get to see a small amount of what both are capable of, and hopefully walk away knowing that the offense is in good hands with either one taking the snaps.
practice with the team.
Another question mark will be on the KU defense, the most important aspect of the 2005 campaign. Seven starters graduated, including all three starting linebackers, who were the backbone of the defense. In addition to those seven, backup sack man Brandon Perkins
KU fans now have to put their faith into Kansas coach Mark Mangino's recruiting. The new defense is younger and will probably make a lot more mistakes than the near-perfect play of last year's squad, but it might be more talented. Friday's scrimmage should show us something, good or bad, about the KU defense.
graduated, former cornerback Charles Gordon decided to enter his name into the NFL draft and would be senior Rodney Harris will probably never play football again because of a back injury he suffered earlier this semester. That leaves sophomore Aqib Talib as the only returning starter
Even though the game might just be a tease for what's to come, it's still a good reason to start getting excited for the next season of KU football.
Robinett is an Austin, Texas, junior in journalism. He is Kansan correspondent editor.
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