Wednesday, April 4, 2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Tate: the mainstay of men's track
Kansas senior Andy Tate practices hurdling for the Texas Relays. Tate is a team captain and All-American, and is ready for the outdoor season. Photo by Nick Krug/KANSAN
By Michael Sudhalter
by Michael Jonathan
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas track and field program has been through many changes during the last five seasons. Senior team captain and All-American Andy Tate, though, has been a model of consistency during the hardships and triumphs of the program.
"My career at Kansas has been a great experience," Tate said. "We went from dead last in the conference during my freshman year to eighth in the NCAs this winter."
Tate and junior shot putter Ryan Speers are the only Jayhawk competitors from the eighth place NCAA Indoor Championships team who will compete in the outdoor season. Although Kansas may face a difficult task without the services of experienced athletes such as Scott Russell and Jabari Wamble, Tate said the younger team members would be up for the challenge.
"It itps up the door for other people to step up."Tate said.
Tate, who chose Kansas instead of Alabama, Georgetown and Washington, said the recent coaching changes had benefited the program in many ways.
"The new staff made good things happen," Tate said, "I was able to experience a new era of Kansas track and field for a year."
Coach Stanley Redwine said having leaders such as Tate was essential to building a successful program at Kansas.
"Tate is definitely a team leader and a mentor to the younger athletes," Redwine said.
"The pride that he has for the University sets an example of what we want our athletes to see. We are looking forward to his contributions in the outdoor season."
Fellow All-America senior redshirt Charlie Gruber said Tate's practice habits made the entire team work harder.
"Andy is a real hard trainer who is dedicated every day and every workout," Gruber said, "His dedication rubs off on everybody."
During his final season, Tate will compete in the 3,000 meter steeplechase and try to gain All-American status. Tate and the Jayhawks will begin competition in the Texas relays in Austin, Texas, today through Saturday, and he said the various outdoor relays created a wonderful atmosphere for competition.
"The Texas relays are great because there are 20,000 people in the stands with a carnival atmosphere," he said. "The Kansas Relays have a lot of tradition and the Drake Relays also create excitement."
Tate said he was considering running in some road races after his season was finished. However, the business administration major will begin working in his native Minnesota as a financial adviser at the NorthStar Resource Group in Minneapolis.
Although he prepares for his life beyond collegiate life and track competition, Tate said his fondest memory as a Kansas track athlete occurred this season.
"I would say National Indoors, with everyone doing well individually and relays, was a great experience," Tate said.
Extension given for individual intramurals
— Edited by Leita Schultes
It's not too late to enter the intramural bench press competition or the wrestling competition.
The entry deadline for the bench press competition was extended from March 28 to today, and wrestling entries are also due today.
To sign up for either event, stop by the rec services office by 7 p.m. today at 208 Robinson Center. Bench press is free and wrestling costs $5.
weight of the lifter.
The bench press competition begins at 5 p.m. Friday at Robinson. In most cases, weightlifting competitions involve dividing participants into body weight divisions. Individuals then compete for the division title.
Recreation services has simplified the process of determining a winner. Each contestant is first weighed, then, lifts his or her 'max' amount, then that amount is divided by the
This produces a percentage score for that contestant. This system gives each participant a chance to win the entire competition rather than just a division. Thus, a 100-pound woman can beat a 250-pound man using this method.
Wrestling weigh-ins begin at 5:30 p.m. April 10 at Robinson with competition beginning shortly after.
Wrestlingwaslastyear'smostpopularindividualintramuralevent.Thetournamentisopentobothmen and womenanddespitenonefemale participationlastyear,therewere still47maleentries.
"This is really fun event to both work and wrestle," said Jason Krone, assistant director of recreation services.
Intramural wrestling takes on a more professional look than other
events. Krone said it was the one sport where a certified official was required, to help keep the event safe given its physical nature.
Krone, however, said injuries had not been a problem in the past.
Additionally, those interested must attend a 30 minute weigh-in and safety clinic before they hit the mats. The clinic is conducted by the certified official.
Intramural notes
- Yesterday's outdoor intramural activities at the Shenk Complex were canceled due to inclement weather conditions. All students are asked to stay off the fields until they are deemed playable, and times for make-up games will be posted no later than noon today.
Game cancellations and weather conditions can be found on the rec services information line at 864-3456.
INTRAMURAL SPORTS
What: The office of recreation services is offering intramural wrestling and weightlifting for interested male and female students.
Information: Deadline for registration for both sports is 7 p.m. today at the rec services office, 208 Robinson.
- Several games in softball, ultimate frisbee and sand volleyball resulted in forfeits in the last week. Those who did forfeit must sign an "intent to play" form to remain qualified to play. If a team forfeits two games and does not sign an intent form, they will be dropped from the league and miss the tournament.
- — Steve Laurenzo
- Edited by Jennifer Valadez
Foster quickly evolving into big-time thrower
Jayhawk traveling to home-state meet
By Brandon Stinnett sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
Jennifer Foster will feel right at home during this week's Texas Relays.
Foster, a junior thrower on the Kansas track and field team, grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, about a three-hour drive from Austin, where the relays are held.
Foster is already a veteran of the meet. She won the discus three times there as a member of the Crowley High School track team.
"It was my favorite meet in high school," Foster said. "It's one of the biggest and best meets in the country."
Foster would like to win for the fourth time and give her friends and family something to cheer about. Last season she finished 17th in the shot put and seventh in the discus.
"It is always a big meet I look forward to, and my high school coach will be there watching." Foster said. "All my family will be there, and friends. It's just nice to be back in Texas."
The throwing conditions should play to Foster's favor.
Foster, who won the discus and the shot put in the Jayhawks' first outdoor meet of the season March 24 at Oklahoma State, said her throwing distances had been up this season, thanks to the addition of new throws coach Doug Reynolds.
"I know the facilities, and it's usually nice and hot, which is my favorite weather to throw in," she said.
"I've improved so much this year," Foster said. "Coach Reynolds has really helped me a lot, He knows our events so well."
Foster said she had improved steadily all season. In practice this week, she set a new personal record in the shot put by two feet*
Reynolds said a combination of factors led to the improvement.
"We've changed a lot, technically," he said. "We've done a lot of work in the weight room. She's
Junior thrower Jennifer Foster practices in Anschutz Sports Pavilion during the indoor season. Foster, a Forth Worth, Texas, native, will be back in her home state for the Texas Relays in Austin today. Photo by Christina Neff
becoming a better, bigger, stronger athlete, and in doing so, she's gaining more control over the technical aspects of the throw."
When Reynolds joined the team, he saw Foster as a threwer with a good frame and tremendous potential, and has worked to help her realize it.
"She's working really hard," Reynolds said. "We still have a lot to gain and a lot to conquer technically and athletically. But she's doing a good job and is progressing well."
Foster said she learned to revel in the individual challenges throwing presented.
"It's so individual just because you're competing all for yourself and you don't have to rely on someone else to help you perform better," she said. "It's all you."
Edited by Megan Phelps
The KU School of Fine Arts and Kansas Union present
Brown Bag Classics
Julie Mealiff
Piano
12:30 Today · Alderson Auditorium Level 4, Kansas Union
Make your lunch a classic. Join the Department of Music & Dance for this free, lunch-time performance. Just bring your lunch because the drinks are on the Kansas Union
School of Fine Arts University of Kansas
The University of Kansas
Saturday, April 7, 2001 5:00-9:00 p.m.
cordially invites you to attend our Cultural Show
African Student's Association
Pride of Africa
Ecumenical Christian Ministries (E.C.M)
A night to learn about Africa and have a taste of amazing African Cuisine.
Call ISS/SUA or 843-4837/842-0554
STUDENT for tickets
SENATE Cost of Tickets $5
April 1 $ ^{1 \mathrm{st}} $ thru 15 $ ^{2 \mathrm{th}} $ 2001
Brighton Gift with Purchase!
Come in and ask how you can receive a FREE
"Romantic Heart"
Sunglass Case
with the purchase
of any pair of
Brighton Sunglasses.
good white supplies last
aid with Brighton Readers.
Legal Services for Students
864-5665·148 Burge Union Jo Hardesty, Director
Feeling like your landlord has the upper hand?
To find out more, attend the Student Senate Town Hall Meeting tomorrow night, April 5th at 7:00 PM in Alderson Auditorium at the Kansas Union.