4B
Friday, November 10, 1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Pam Dishman/KANSAN
Sophomore Emily Miles, sophomore Brian Watts, freshman Ann Deveaux, junior Colleen McClilmon and the rest of the Kansas men's and women's cross country teams will compete tomorrow in the District V Championships.
Women will run for third title
Kansas cross country teams must finish first or second to qualify for the NCAA meet
By Adam Herschman Kansan sportswriter
Athree-peat.
The Chicago Bulls won three consecutive NBA titles, and now the Houston Rockets will try to match that accomplishment in the NBA. A team from Lawrence is also in search of a third consecutive championship — the Kansas women's cross country team.
"I think being in the position of going for a three-pair is pretty exciting," Kansas junior Colleen McClimon said. "We do have to prove that we're a better team than what we were at Big Eights."
The Jayhawks will get that chance tomorrow at the District V Championships in Stillwater, Okla.
After finishing fifth and sixth the past two seasons at the Big Eight Conference Cross Country Championships, the Kansas women's cross country team gathered behind a fervent focus, captured the District V Championship in 1983 and 1994 and advanced to the NCAA championships.
This year's team is in the same position after placing sixth at the Big Eight championships two weeks ago at Rim Rock Farm.
Kansas junior Erin Anderson
and McClimon are the only members remaining from the back-to-back championship teams. McClimon placed 15th her first time at districts her freshman year.
"Every year we never, ever expected to win," McClincoln said. "This year we're in the same position — we're underdogs. I don't doubt that we can win again this year."
Kansas hopes that its freshmen, Erica Blackwell, Ann Deveaux and Tiffany Spratt, will race as well as McClimon did in her first race at districts.
"If we run like we think we're capable of and like we practiced, and if we put everything together, I think we can do it — qualify for the national meet." Deveaux said.
Although the men's cross country team will not be trying for a three-peat, it will be trying to get back to the NCAA championships after receiving an at-large bid last season.
Tomorrow's race could be the last race of the season unless the Jayhawks can qualify for the NCAA championships, which will be on Nov. 20 in Ames, Iowa. Kansas will need to finish in first or second place at the District V Championships to qualify.
"If we don't run well as individuals or as a team, this will be the season-ending meet," Schwartz said. "In that case, they need to try to put together their best race."
Dixon follows in dad's footsteps
Determined point guard welcomes challenges of new position and role
By Bill Petulla Kansan sportswriter
PROFILE
Everything about Tamecka
Dixon speaks of basketball.
From the junior guard's loose-fitting USA basketball warm-up suit to the shiny No. 33 pendant that hangs around her neck, Dixon is a true product of the game.
"I grew up around the game," Dixon said.
As a youth, Dixon shadowed
As a youth, her father, Russell "Boo" Bowers, who had a brief stint in the NBA after being one of the nation's leading scorers at American University.
"I grew up around guys like Mario Elie of the Houston Rockets and Anthony Mason (of the New York Knicks)." Dixon said.
hawks this season. But the Linden, N.J., native doesn't shy away from the challenge.
"I don't really feel that there are any pressures put on me this year," Dixon said. "The only pressure that I have is to give my all-out pressure every game, and that's something I'm going to give regardless."
"When Tamecka was growing up, she always strived to the best, whether it was in basketball or in academics," Bowers said. "She was always hungry. Even when she would have a good game, she always felt that she could do
Determination and a work ethic were values that Dixon learned at a young age.
"At first, I'm really shy,and I'm really softspoken. But once I get to know people, I open up."
Pam Dishman / KANSAN
Dixon also will be called upon to play a larger role for the Jay.
"This season is going to be much more fun at the two guard spot," Dixon said.
With the addition of Erinn Reed, a sophomore transfer point guard, Dixon is expected to move to the shooting guard position. For Dixon, who played two seasons at point guard, taking over the more comfortable two slot game is a welcomed change.
something better."
Tamecka Dixon
Kansas juniorguard
To Dixon, however, she's just taking after her dad.
NBA scouts backed away from the once-sure lottery selection.
Bowers played at American from 1977 to 1981. He became the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,065 points. After he suffered a severe knee injury in his senior season many
Dixon said she was reserved and laid back when she was off the court.
"He did end up playing in the NBA for a year or two, and then he went to play professional basketball overseas," Dixon said.
"I would say I am pretty shy around people. I don't know," she said. "At first, I'm really shy, and I'm really soft-spoken. But once
Kansas junior Tamecka Dixon will move to her natural shooting guard position this year with the addition of point guard Erinn Reed to the team.
get to know people, I open up." But her shyness definitely ends when the ball is put into play.
Last season Dixon scored 30 points against Connecticut, which was ranked No.1 and eventually won the national championship. Two weeks before the Connecticut game, she scored 19 points in a Big Eight Conference victory against Nebraska.
Last summer Dixon injured her ankle, and the injury never healed. After unsuccessful rehabilitation, she underwent surgery, which kept her sidelined
Although she has enjoyed success in the past, this season began on a sour note.
for the third and fourth week of practice.
However, Dixon said that the rehabilitation had been going well.
"Right now, I'm doing really good. It is a little sore right now, but I'm working through that," she said. "I should be full go by Monday."
Dixon said that she hoped to play professional basketball overseas after she graduated. When her playing days are finished, Dixon said she would pursue a career in child psychology
"I hope that in the future I can open up a clinic for underprivileged children," she said. "I kind of see that as being a long-term goal."
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