Page:
8A
Raider retires
Sports
Oakland running back Napoleon Kaufman retired yesterday so that he could devote his life to ministry. Kaufman, 27, was scheduled to make $2.5 million next season in what was the final year of his contract.
The University Daily Kansan
Inside: Arizona's Jason
Gardner and Michigan
State's Zach Randolph
announced they would
enter the NBA Draft.
SEE PAGE 7A
Inside: The Royals lost
their sixth game against the
Yankees this season.
SEE PAGE 6A
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2001 For comments, contact Shawn Hutchinson or Shawn Linenberger at 864-4858 or sports@kansan.com
KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
Hitting streak builds slowly, takes player by surprise
By Ryan Malashock sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
Jesse Gremminger has hit safely in every Kansas game in the past three weeks, but as of last Sunday, Gremminger didn't know about it.
In fact, it took a post-game comment from Kansas' radio announcer after the Jayhawks' victory at Texas A&M for
Gremminger to realize that he was in the middle of a 12-game hitting streak.
"I didn't really know about it because it started out real slow," said Gremminger, a right-fielder. "I think the first six games were all one-hit games, but I've found my swing the last six games. I'm just being more relaxed at the plate.
Grenminger: has hit safely in his past 12 games.
and I have more control of my body at the plate."
Gremminger's 12-game streak began with Kansas' 7-3 victory against Southwest Missouri State on March 21. After that win, Kansas dropped 10 games in a row, but Gremminger's bat stayed hot.
"He gave us a lot of offense during that time," Kansas coach Bobby Randall said. "I didn't realize he had that long of a streak going at the time, but he was just doing a great job of staying back and using the whole field."
Gremminger hit .268 last season as a junior after transferring from McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. Before embarking on his 12-game hitting string, Gremminger's average was hovering around that same number this season.
The Rowlett, Texas, native's average is now up to .298, and Gremminger said he had been beginning to hit up to his capability because of his team-first approach.
"Lately, I've been consistent, and that's what I bring most to the team," he said. "Whether it's moving guys over or making contact with a guy on third, I always try to do what's best for the team."
Because this is his senior season and he could possibly have only one month left in his baseball career, Gremminger said it was important to cherish the game.
"If you're not having fun, you shouldn't play the game," Gremminger said. "I have a good time playing baseball for the most part, and I enjoy going out every day and competing."
In his second and final year at Kansas, Gremminger has earned the reputation of being not only a fun-loving player but also a nonstop hustling player. Gremminger prides himself in performing in all aspects of the game and working hard every day.
Senior John Nelson said that attitude rubbed off on the rest of the Kansas squad.
"He brings a lot of energy to the field and plays hard through the whole game," Nelson said. "He's always willing to get dirty and leads by example. He's always enjoying the game."
Gremminger will attempt to stretch his hitting streak to 13 games when the Jayhawks (15-21 overall, 3-15 in Big 12 Conference) open a three-game series against Iowa State (11-18, 4-7) tomorrow in Ames, Iowa.
Edited by Melinda Weaver
Kansas golf
Senior returns to inspire team
By John Domoney sports@kansan.com Kansan sportwriter
Native Kansan Sarah Mahoney wasn't about to stay and attend college in her home state, not with a high school state championship and an individual Regional and League Championship in hand.
No, the senior from Overland Park wanted to experience new places and people, so she signed to play golf as far away from Kansas as possible — the University of San Francisco.
The lure of home was too much for Mahoney, though, and she decided to return to Kansas after a short career with the Dons.
"I wanted to come closer to home because I needed a bigger school with more school spirit," Mahoney said. "When I wanted to come back here everything worked out perfectly."
As a junior last year, Mahoney joined a Kansas team that featured new coach Nicole Hollingsworth and a determination to be one of the best programs in the Big 12.
Mahoney didn't wait long to make her mark on the team. She competed in all 12 tournaments and had six of the top individual finishes for the Javhawks.
Much of Mahoney's success can be attributed to her short game, which helped her win the Jayhawks' putting average award and the up-and-down percentage award for the 1999-2000 season.
"I don't mind practicing my short game." Mahoney said. "I'm not necessarily a player that likes to just hit balls, and if you work at your short game, it can help you."
Mahoney's hard work on her golf game compounded into her being named a captain on this year's team along with fellow senior Ashely Bishop.
With such a young team, Mahoney realizes she sets an example for the underclassmen in the way she approaches practice and the rigors of college academics — something she doesn't take lightly. She was on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll in the fall.
"I hope I'm a good leader for the younger girls, and that they feel comfortable talking to me." Mahoney said.
Kansas coach Nicole Hollingsworth has come to count on Mahoney for directing the Jayhawks in the right direction as the season nears its end. Hollingsworth is also counting on Mahoney to raise her level of play because the Jayhawks need their more experienced players to play well as the younger players follow their lead.
"Being a senior, Sarah knows she has to step it up because we're at the end of the season." Hollingsworth said.
This weekend the 'Hawks will participate in the Iowa Invitational in Iowa City
Mahoney and the rest of the team are looking forward to competing at the Big 10 course because this is the last test for Kansas before the Big 12 Championships on April 23 through 25.
"We're just hoping everybody plays well," Mahoney said. "This will be a great predictor for how we do in Big 12s."
— Edited by Joshua Richards
Sarah Mahoney, senior golfer, battles the windy weather while practicing Wednesday on the Alvamar Public Driving Range. Photo by Joanna Fewits (KANSAN)
Captain helps lift team's spirits
By Brent Briggeman
By Brent Briggeman sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
As the only senior on the Kansas softball team, Erin Garvey understands the ups and downs of a season.
Now, with Kansas (21-20) losing four of its past five contests and facing three games in three days, she hopes to help her teammates handle the adversity.
"With as many games as we're playing, we're just trying to take it day-by-day," said Garvey, the team's captain. "We haven't been taking the same mental approach to every game. We need to play every game as hard as we play our conference games."
Kansas third baseman Tiffany Urquhart slides unsuccessfully into second base against Arkansas on March 28. The Jayhawks will play Division II opponent Washburn at 3 p.m. today in Topeka. Photo by Joanna Fewins/KANSAN
On the field, Garvey is leading by example. She leads the team with 42 hits, 23 runs and a .356 batting average — all career-highs. Last year she finished the season with a .215 average.
"I'm just trying not to press this year," said Garvey, a rightfielder. "I'm more confident with the things I'm doing and the coaches have more confidence in me."
In addition to her on-field performance, Garvey has adjusted to her role as a team leader.
"A lot of the younger girls, even the juniors, will come up to me and ask me questions." Garvey said. "I'm not real vocal. I just do what I can to help."
said. "We've got a lot of problems right now. A lot of it is a lack of focus and intensity, but at the same time, we've got a lot of players playing with injuries."
Kansas coach Tracy Bunge is counting on all the help she can get as the season reaches the final month.
Centerfielder Shelly Musser is the latest Jayhawk to suffer aches and pains this week, joining third baseman Megan Urquhart and pitcher Kara Pierce. Back pains caused Musser to pull herself from
"Things are tough right now," Bunge
a game against Wichita State Tuesday after just one at bat.
Urquarth has experienced back stiffness while Pierce, the ace of the pitching staff, has fought tendinitis in her pitching shoulder.
"April is always tough. The weather doesn't allow us the luxury of scheduling a lot of game games in the early sea
"We've got a lot of problems right now. A lot of it is lack of focus and intensity, but at the same time, we've got a lot of people playing with injuries."
son like the teams in the south and in the west," Bunge said. "We have to use this time of the year to play teams from the area. What happens is we get kind of boxed in and don't get a lot of time to practice, we also don't get time to heal injuries."
bunge doesn't want sympathy, she wants her team to step up. The Jayhawks can't afford to waste any time either.
Although Washburn is a Division II school, the Ichabods are a formidable opponent.
Led by coach Kim Newbern, a former Kansas player and assistant, Washburn handed Kansas a 2-1 loss in the fall exhibition season.
The memory is still fresh in the Javhawks' minds.
"A lot of girls have been talking about that," Garvey said. "We plan on coming out and taking it to them."
Game time is 3 p.m. in Topeka.
- Edited by Brandy Strau
Kansas Relays to ignite nationwide rivalries
By Michael Sudhalter
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Some of the world's best track athletes, including triple jumpers Robert Howard and Melvin Lister, and sprinters Brian Lewis and Passion Richardson, are among those competing.
Memorial Stadium will become a track bonanza when 20 Olympians, 122 collegiate teams and 252 high school teams from across the nation compete in the Kansas Relays next week.
In addition to the Olympic athletes, Kansas throws coach Doug Reynolds will compete in the discus and shot put.
Last year,
track fans wit-
nessed Maurice
Greene, a, 2000
Olympic gold
medalist and a
native
of Kansas City,
Kan. Greene
will not be back
this year
another commitment.
But meet director Tim Weaver said yesterday the plethora of Olympic athletes would please the Memorial Stadium crowd.
"I expect a bigger crowd than last year," Weaver said. "Fans may not know who some of these Olympians are when they come here, but they will know who they are when they leave."
Although the Olympians may be a key part of the Relays' attraction, the event is also a showcase for the Kansas track team.
"This is a tremendous chance for Kansas athletes to perform in front of the home crowd," Weaver said. "For many of them, the Relays was part of the reason that they came to the University."
Weaver said the collegiate competition would ignite some strong rivalries between Big 12 Conference teams. Six Big 12 track programs — Kansas, Colorado,
"There are going to be some of the best races here outside of the national and world championships," Weaver said, "And to have it here in Lawrence is amazing."
Weaver said the high school teams competing from around the country would also create a championship atmosphere. Many of the high school competitors are expected to be state champions.
Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma State — will compete in the Relays.
The Relays will also be a special event for two Kansas athletes who have provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championship Meet. Senior Andy Tate is ranked sixth in the NCAA in the 3,000-meter steeplechase,
"It is fun having a meet here in town." Tate said. "I hope the fans enjoy the meet. Track is a pure sport and a family sport that everyone can relate to."
Bulat, who also competed in cross country, basketball, softball and volleyball in high school, said Reynolds had helped her improve her performance.
and junior Andrea Bulat is ranked 10th nationally in the javelin throw.
"Last year, I wasn't as consistent," Bulat said. "I have been impressed with Doug's weight programs this season."
The Relays begin Wednesday morning at 9:30 and conclude Saturday, April 21 at 6:10 p.m.
Edited by Brent Wasko