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The University Daily Kansan
Sports
Wildcat riot
Fans overturned vehicles and set them on fire in Tucson, Ariz., after the Arizona Wildcats lost to Duke in the NCAA Championship game on Monday night in Minneapolis. Police eventually resorted to firing rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Inside: Kansas track athletes Jennifer Foster and Andy Tate will both compete in the Texas Relays today.
SEE PAGE 3B
Inside: Texas Tech coach Bobby Knight plans to challenge an NCAA rule preventing him from replacing scholarship players.
For comments, contact Shawn Hutchinson or Shawn Linenberger at 864-4858 or sports@kansan.com
SEE PAGE 4B
KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
Jayhawks hope to rock Shockers
sports@kansas.com
Kansas sportswriter
The importance of Kansas' battle at 7 p.m. tonight against Wichita State at Hoglund Ballpark stretches far beyond just a simple victory or defeat.
Granted, it would be nice for the Jayhawks to snap their seven-game losing swoon, but more importantly, bragging rights in the state of Kansas are up for grabs tonight.
Kansas (14-18, 2-13 Big 12 Conference) swept both of last year's games against the Shockers, 10-5 in Lawrence and 9-8 in Wichita. Last year's sweep helped the Jayhawks recruit in Kansas, and junior infielder Ryan Klocksien said winning the title of "best team in Kansas" again was crucial. In addition to sweeping the Shockers, the Jayhawks took two out of three from Kansas State, earning the unofficial title.
BASEBALL GAME
Wichita State at Kansas
- **Time:** 7 p.m.
- **Place:** Hoglund Ballpark
- **Probable Starters:** Kansas: junior Jeff Davis (2-1, 4.84 ERA); Wichita State: senior Erich Bryan (2-0, 4.37 ERA)
guys for this year," Klocksien said. "It was great being able to say that we were the best in the state last year, and I think we're the best in the state this year."
Kansas coach Bobby Randall said the recruiting battle between Wichita State and Kansas was always heated. He said many players on the Shockers' roster were recruited by Kansas, and vice versa.
Ten of Kansas' players are originally from Kansas, and Randall said the rivalry between the Shockers and Jayhawks was evident.
"There's a whole bunch of guys on that team that we recruited," Randall said. "The guys
we have that are from Kansas know how much this series means."
Wichita State started its season slow, but has been on fire lately. The 19-11 Shockers have won ten of their last 13 games and currently stand in first place in the Missouri Valley Conference standings.
"They're such a quality baseball team, and they remember that we swept them last year," Randall said. "They don't like that at all, and we do. They've got so much pride and tradition in that program, and it's always a battle."
Kansas junior Jeff Davis takes the mound for Kansas tonight and has been one of the Jayhawks' most reliable pitchers this season. Randall has used Davis out of the bullpen during Big 12 Conference action, but Davis has also started two games in non-conference play.
"We've been very pleased with Jeff all year," Randall said. "He gives us a spark every time he pitches, whether he starts or comes out of the bullpen."
Randall also said Kansas would have a full
Kansas third baseman Dan Stucky anticipates a throw from home as a Texas Longhorn attempts to steal third. The Jayhawks will battle in-state rival Wichita State at 7 p.m. tonight at Hoglund Ballpark. Photo by Laurie Sisk/KANSAN
bullpen ready for tomorrow's game, and he would not hesitate to use senior Pete Smart or junior Doug Lantz should Davis get in trouble. — Edited by Sydney Wallace
Senior outfielder,
Erin Garvey,
sharpens her
swing during
women's softball
practice. The team
will take on
Southwest
Missouri State
University in
Springfield, Mo.
today.
Photo by
Nick Krug/
KANSAN
'Hawks' hot bats spark Big 12 charge
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
By Brent Briggeman
Just two months ago, Big 12 Conference coaches picked the Kansas softball team to finish last in the league.
Now, more than halfway through the season, the 'Hawks are perched at a tie for second in the league standings and playing their best ball of the year.
"We didn't have a lot of success last year," said Kansas coach Tracy Bunge, who thought the team was deserving of its low preseason ranking. "Based on the people we lost, who we had coming back, and how we performed last year, I understand why we were down there."
When the team suffered a six game losing streak in early March, it appeared the predictions were accurate. The team stood at 8-12 with the difficult Big 12 schedule looming on the horizon.
But Kansas has won 11 of 15 since that point, including four of six in the conference,
improving its season mark to 19-16.
Players and coaches credit a revamped offense and tight team chemistry for the improvement.
"Almost every hitter across the board has improved on offense," said Bunge, who singled out third baseman Megan Quuart as an example of the offensive turnaround.
"You look at Megan last year and she was hitting down in the .220 to .230 range," she said. "Now she's right around .350. Well, that's over a 100 point increase; that's pretty significant."
"I think we've been more consistent as a team," said Urquhart, who earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors when she hit .643 with 10 RBI in four games March 17 and 18. "We don't just have our good hitters like last year, we're good all the way through the line-up."
As a team, Kansas has hit .285, a jump of more than 60 points from a year ago.
Bunge credited maturity and intensity for the team's improvement.
"I think a big part of it was that kids were underachieving last year and they've grown this year," she said. "Their work ethic is incredible, better than any team I've coached. I think my arm is longer now from throwing so much batting practice."
Bunge also said the 'Hawks 12 games against ranked teams had been beneficial.
"We've seen some of the best pitching in the country," Bunge said. "As a hitter that's very important."
Both Urquhart and junior shortstop Courtney Wright said improved team chemistry off the field helped the team perform on the field.
"Usually you have that one person you're kind of annoyed with." Wright said. "But not on this team. There isn't a girl on the team that I wouldn't want to spend a whole day with."
Bunge said shared affection allowed Kansas to play as a single unit.
"They like each other and support each other one through 16." Bunge said. "With
SOFTBALL GAME
Kansas at Southwest Missouri State
■ Time: 3 p.m. (double-header)
■ Place: SMSU Softball Field in Springfield,
Mo.
women, that's a big thing. Men can sometimes want to kill each other and still play well together, women don't always seem to do that."
The 'Hawks travel to Springfield, Mo., today for a doubleheader against Southwest Missouri State, followed with a two-game series at Texas Tech.
Bunge said the team had to finish strong to be considered for postseason play.
"Almost everything is based on the last few weeks of the season and the conference tournament," Bunge said. "If we beat the teams we should beat and surprise a few people in the Big 12 then we'll be in good shape."
Australian emerging as women's tennis star
— Edited by Brandy Straw
By Aaron Johnson
Kansan sportswriter
nortonjohnson.com
A new coach, new teammates and a pivotal new role on the team all played a part in the uncertainty that evolved at the beginning of the season for Monica Sekulov.
Sekulow, a native of Perth, Australia, has been accustomed to change since she decided to come to Kansas to play tennis four years ago.
It's a format that Sekulov has apparently come close to mastering in her four years at Kansas, jumping from No. 4 in singles two years ago to No. 1 in singles this season.
"They don't have college tennis in Australia," said Sekulov, the lone senior on the Kansas women's tennis team. "This whole tennis format is new to me."
this season's success for the Jayhawks (10-7, 4-4 Big 12 Conference).
"Monica has played really well at No.1 in a very tough conference," said Kansas first-year coach Kilmeny Waterman. "She has really stepped up and become more aggressive."
That consistency has proved vital to
Sekulov; Australia native thriving for Javhawks
Sekulov (17-9) has en squad that has three freshman and one sophomore among its eight members.
Sekulov (17-9) has emerged on a Kansas
Sekulov, meanwhile has nothing but praise
for the job Waterman has provided.
"She is a great coach and is so knowledgeable," Sekulov said. "She is doing
really good things for the women's tennis program."
A significant victory this year for the Jayhawks against Brigham Young was sparked by a Sekulov upset against No. 40 Jodi Richardson 6-2, 0-6, 7-6. And last month, Sekulov was able to outlast No. 46 Irina Tereschenko of Texas Tech 6-4, 6-4.
The knowledge seems to be contagious. Sekulov has provided a number of upsets at the No.1 singles position for the 'Hawks this year, a big reason why Sekulov was named the Big 12 Women's Player of the Week last week.
The knowledge seems to be contagious
Sekulov credited the team for its positive environment this season.
"We have a really great group of girls." Sekulov said. "Practice and matches are fun because the girls and the staff are really great."
Waterman said she was thankful she coached Sekulov.
"I feel lucky that I am able to get this year with her," Waterman said. "She is such a hard worker and a quality person. We will miss her a lot next year."
Waterman also praised the improved doubles aspect of Sekulov's game. Teammates Cheryl Malliaah and Emily Haylock have posted winning records with Sekulov as a doubles partner.
Sports Columnist
"The three freshman are really outgoing and help make the team really fun." Sekulov said. "The good team chemistry is very important this year."
"This season has worked out really well, so I just want to compete as hard as I can every match and do well for the rest of the year," she said.
Sekulov has an 85-49 career singles record, and said she hoped to improve as the Big 12 Championships approached later this month.
Edited by Joshua Richards
Brian Hanni
sports@kansan.com
Dunleavy Jr. comparisons not so rotten after title game
This column is dedicated to all of you who've ever been called "string bean," "skin and bones" or "skinny as a rail."
It goes out to those special scrawny athletes who've persevered despite their lanky bodies and less-than-ripped muscles; for the 7-foot-7 former NBA player Manute Bol's of the world who have calf muscles that look like twigs. It's for the king of all skinny stars - Duke swingman Mike Dunleavy, Jr.
It's been almost a year and a half since I contracted Mike Dunleavy Jr. disease. I was playing a pick-up game at Robinson Center and unfortunately was chosen to play on the skins team instead of the shirts. Although I do have some decent rebounding skills and have been known to stick the three, my bare chest is not exactly Fabio material. My 6-3 155-pound frame drew some foul comments from the peanut gallery as my opposition tabbed me "Mr. Mike Dunleavy Jr."
My new identity was at first a disappointment, but I soon realized there were far worse names. Mike Dunleavy Jr. was a McDonald's All-American who had a full ride at Duke and great jumpshot — maybe this wasn't such a bad deal after all.
At the time, I took my new nickname as an insult and vowed to hit the weight room and bulk up. Maybe in a year's time I could get a slight upgrade and they'd call me Luke Axtell or something. Unfortunately, my promised trips to pump iron fell through and the Weight-Gainer 2000 was a bust as well. Before I knew it, the nickname had stuck.
About the time I finally started to become comfortable with my latest label, Dunleavy Jr. was capping off a freshman campaign in which he averaged nine points a game and saw his Blue Devils lose to Florida in the Sweet Sixteen of last year's NCAA Tournament. His skinny frame still got tossed around inside just as much I did, but he was going strong with his jumper and a promising career at Duke was well underway.
During the offseason, Dunleavy Jr. hit the weight room hard but still came out looking more like Olive Oyl than Popeye, and the scrawny comments still came ringing down from the rafters. Sure, the Cameron Crazies loved him, but most average college basketball fans still saw him as that skinny, baby-faced kid whose dad coached in the NBA.
Dunleavy's role at Duke increased this season as he started every game for the Blue Devils and averaged just more than 12 points. His basketball skills started to draw more attention than his not-so-beefy body, but with teammates like Jason Williams and Shane Battier, he sure didn't look to be stealing the spotlight anytime soon.
On a night in which Williams laid enough bricks to build a small house and Battier also lacked his best stuff, the gangle gunner turned in his best performance. Dunleavy Jr. hit a career-high five three-pointers — including three consecutive — during an 11-2 run that helped put Duke up 50-39 early in the second half. He tallied 18 second-half points and 21 for the game, helping lead Duke to its third national title. Dunleavy wasn't Duke's only star Monday night, but he certainly was the brightest.
That all changed Monday night.
His clutch performance in the national spotlight capped off a great season for Dunleavy Jr. and surely gave hope to thousands of kids with chicken legs across the country. He proved winning with hustle is just as good as muscle and a killer jump shot beats banging inside any day. After all, three points will always be worth more than two.
So, if you ever happen to see me on campus, feel free to shout, "Hey, Dumleay!" After Monday night's game – I'm holding my head high.
Hanni is a Topeka junior in Broadcasting.
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