Wayne Simien’s missing truck has been found in Topeka.
One week after the Kansas University senior-to-be forward’s 1992 GMC Sierra was stolen from Simien’s Lawrence apartment-complex parking spot, Topeka police found the vehicle parked Tuesday on a Topeka street.
“It was found on a side street with the license plate gone,” Simien’s mother, Margaret, said Tuesday night. “We will go to Topeka tomorrow to find out what condition it’s in and have it towed back to Leavenworth. We want that truck no matter what condition it’s in.
“If it was found sitting on the street, it has to have some wheels on it,” she added in a hopeful tone.
The Simiens have yet to learn the condition of the truck or whether Wayne’s two Bibles, which were in the truck at the time it was stolen, still were in the vehicle. Wayne Simien is at Nike camp in Indianapolis this week working as a counselor.
“We called Wayne to tell him the police found the truck. He said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding,”‘ Margaret Simien said. “He was thrilled.”
It was believed the individuals who stole the truck had not been caught.
Williams turned down L.A.
The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly approached North Carolina’s Roy Williams about their head coaching vacancy before they approached Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski.
ESPN’s Andy Katz reported Tuesday that Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak spoke to former the former Kansas University coach about the vacancy June 19, a day after Phil Jackson stepped down as coach.
Williams said Kupchak called him on Father’s Day and asked, “Do you want to come out here and join us?”
Williams said he responded that he “couldn’t tell coach (Dean Smith) that, after one year, I’m leaving.”
Williams said he spoke to Kupchak one other time on the phone before telling the Lakers that he couldn’t pursue the job.
Former Kansas University center Eric Chenowith will be playing for the Los Angeles Lakers’ summer-league team.
The 7-foot-2 Chenowith made it to Lakers’ veteran camp last year and lasted until the final cut.
Former Kansas University baseball player Ryan Baty was taken off the disabled list Monday by the Hudson Valley Renegades, but did not play in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ Class A farm team’s game against Staten Island.
Renegades’ manager Dave Howard said he planned to ease Baty into the lineup.
“We’ll see how he feels,” Howard told the Poughkeepsie (N.Y.) Journal. “I don’t want to throw him to the dogs.”
Baty, who graduated from KU in May, suffered a concussion when he was beaned during an extended spring training game in early June.
Frank Polito was named assistant coach for Kansas University’s tennis team Tuesday, marking his second stint with the Jayhawks.
“I am thrilled to have Frank on staff,” KU coach Amy Hall said. “With his knowledge of the national and international field of players, as well as his instructional on-court expertise, he will be a great weapon for us.”
Polito served as interim head coach for KU in 1996, after former coach Chuck Merzbacher left for Ohio State. He later was named assistant coach of the men’s team.
He had been working with junior tennis players in Ohio for the last six months. Polito has been head coach at Akron and Louisiana-Monroe.
Columbus, Ohio — Vanderbilt basketball coach Kevin Stallings is a candidate for the Ohio State men’s basketball job, the Nashville Tennessean reported Monday.
Stallings, a former Kansas University assistant coach, interviewed for the OSU post in 1997. Last season, he led Vandy to the program’s first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance since 1993. The Commodores went 23-10 after losing to eventual national champion Connecticut.
ESPN reports that OSU athletic director Andy Geiger will meet with Rice coach Willis Wilson today.
Monroe, La. — Former Kansas University athletic director Al Bohl, who last week interviewed for the athletic director’s job at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, is not a finalist.
The Div. I-AA school will tap either Bobby Staub, senior associate AD at Alabama Birmingham, or Mack Rhoades, senior associate AD at UTEP, the Monroe News-Star reported.
Bohl has been living in St. Augustine, Fla., working on a book since being fired at KU in April, 2003.
“In dealing with coaches, I recognize that as an AD, I’m the Eisenhower, and they’re like the Pattons. It’s my job to get the ammo, to get them gasoline for the tanks,” Bohl told the paper.
Of his stay at KU, he said: “We had success, great fund-raising and a great relationship with the Kansas people throughout the state.”
Basketball
Future Jayhawk thrives
Colorado Springs, Colo. — Future Kansas University point guard Mario Chalmers finished as the third-leading scorer out of 48 players at last weekend’s Olympic Festival.
The 6-foot-2 native of Anchorage, Alaska, scored 111 points in five games for a 22.7 average. He hit 44.7 percent of his shots, including a festival-leading 16 three-pointers in 38 tries.
Chalmers also had 32 assists, the second-best mark in the tourney, against just 11 turnovers. He ranked first in steals with 17.
Louis Williams was leading scorer with 152 points. Future KU shooting guard Micah Downs averaged 6.8 points off 37.1 percent shooting.
Golf
Jayhawk wins in Missouri
Weldon Springs, Mo. — Kansas University senior-to-be Kevin Ward, of Leawood, won the 96th Missouri Amateur championship Sunday at the par-71 Persimmon Woods Golf Club. Ward won the 36-hole final match against Steve Groom, 6 and 5.
Jose Rodriguez, the younger brother of Kansas University lineman Cesar Rodriguez, has made an oral commitment to play for KU.
Jon Kirby of rivals.com reported late Tuesday night that the younger Rodriguez — a 6-foot-6, 255-pound offensive tackle who will be a senior next fall at Bishop Amat High in La Puente, Calif. — had decided to follow his brother to Lawrence.
Cesar Rodriguez is expected to compete for the starting job at left tackle next season after taking a red-shirt year as a freshman in 2003.
KU assistant coach Dave Doeren recruited both brothers.
Pat Ruel, a former Kansas University football aide, was hired Tuesday as assistant offensive line coach of the New York Giants.
Ruel spent eight years (1988-96) as offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at KU under Glen Mason. He spent the 2003 season as the offensive line coach of the Buffalo Bills, but he was dismissed when head coach Gregg Williams was fired at the end of the year.
Ruel, 53, was hired to help line coach Pat Flaherty while Flaherty undergoes treatment for colon cancer.
Former Kansas University coach Marian Washington will be one of six inductees into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.
Washington and the others formally will be enshrined during a ceremony Saturday night at the Knoxville Convention Center Lecture Hall.
Washington retired in February after 31 years as the Jayhawks’ coach. During that span, she compiled a record of 560-363, won seven conference titles and had KU in 16 postseason tourneys.
The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, which opened in June of 1999, will have 79 members following the inductions.
Tim Eatman, who had two stints on Marian Washington’s staff at Kansas University, was hired Monday as an assistant women’s coach at Louisville.
Eaton spent the last two seasons at KU, rejoining Washington’s staff after four seasons as a head coach at Illinois-Chicago University.
Eatman’s first stint at Kansas was from 1996-1998. He has also coached at South Alabama, Iowa, Houston and Mississippi State.
Matt Baty has become the first Kansas University baseball player named to the coaches All-Big 12 Conference first team.
Baty, a sophomore center fielder from Wichita, was one of four first-team outfielders on the coaches’ all-league team. Baty hit .344 and was among the league leaders in hits, runs scored and stolen bases.
KU shortstop Ritchie Price and catcher Sean Richardson were named to the second team. Infielders Ryan Baty and Travis Metcalf, pitchers Mike Zagurski and Ryan Knippschild and outfielder Matt Tribble earned honorable mention.
Former Kansas University distance standout Charlie Gruber finished second in the 1,500-meter run at Monday night’s U.S. Open track championships in Stanford, Calif.
Laban Rotich of Kenya won the 1,500 in a time of 3:36.32. Gruber was runner-up in 3:38.42. Boaz Cheboiywo of Kenya was third in 3:38.47.
Gruber, 25, is a four-time former Big 12 Conference champion who spent last season as a volunteer assistant with the KU program.
Kansas University athletic director Lew Perkins has returned to work after being hospitalized for four days last week for treatment of bleeding ulcers. Perkins, who was released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, returned to his Parrott Complex office Friday, and was on hand for the annual Jayhawk Classic fund-raising golf tournament Monday at Alvamar.
Mitch Germann, director of media relations for the Kansas University athletic department, has resigned. Germann will join the Fleishman-Hillard public relations firm in Kansas City, Mo., on June 1.
Germann, 31, is a 1996 KU graduate who later earned a masters degree in sports administration from Wichita State. He spent five seasons as assistant director in the KU media relations office before being promoted to director two years ago.
Kansas University’s softball team gathered Sunday night in hopes of learning it had been invited to play in the NCAA Tournament.
Left out of the 64-team field, the Jayhawks held their annual postseason banquet instead.
KU’s season ended with a 33-28-1 record, not good enough to make the tourney field. Five Big 12 Conference teams were invited — Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor and Missouri.
Kansas last was invited to the NCAAs in 1999, when it finished 31-30 overall.
At the team’s award banquet, senior first baseman Leah Mountain was given the Jayhawk Pride, Most Improved Player and Defensive MVP awards. Sophomore left fielder Heather Stanley was Offensive MVP, and senior Kara Pierce — who also was named to the Big 12 all-tournament team — was named Team MVP.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. — After winning its first two races Saturday, Kansas University’s First Novice 8 boat took home a gold medal Sunday at the South-Central Regionals.
With a time of 7:05.3, KU defeated Ohio State by four seconds to win the Grand Final. The victory caps a successful spring season for the KU boat, which only lost one race.
The Jayhawks’ First Varsity 8 boat finished sixth in the Petite Final, with a time of 7:05.4, good for seventh in the Central Region. KU’s Second Varsity 8 notched third place in its C Final with a time of 7:18.2, four seconds behind first-place Miami. The Jayhawks’ Varsity 4 finished fifth with a time of 8:36.0.
As a team, Kansas finished eighth in the Central Region and 12th overall with 189 points. Virginia won the event with 404 points, while Ohio State won the Central Region with 391 points.
Kansas University senior Adrian Jones was arrested early Saturday morning for operating a vehicle under the influence. Jones later posted $500 bail and was released from Douglas County Jail.
Jones, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound left tackle who was a team captain last season, was the New York Jets’ fourth-round pick in last month’s NFL draft.
Jones’ agent declined comment Saturday night.
Tradition-rich college basketball programs Kansas University and Kentucky are zeroing in on a date for next year’s game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky.
CBS officials have indicated they’ve set a tentative date of Sunday, Jan. 9, for the game. The teams would conclude the two-year home-and-home series in 2005-06 in Lawrence.
“I think we’ll get the series done. I don’t know about the date until I hear from the (Big 12) conference office,” KU senior associate athletic director Larry Keating said Saturday.
“It’ll be a January/February date. It’s got to be a bye date (for KU in league play). We have talked about that weekend (of Jan. 8, 9).”
Kansas University’s Kassie Humphreys mowed down Nebraska and Texas, and the Big 12 Conference couldn’t help but notice.
Humphreys, a freshman from Glendale, Ariz., has been named the league’s softball pitcher of the week after handing Nebraska its first league defeat — a 3-0 shutout — and following with a 3-0 blanking of Texas.
In 121/3 innings, Humphreys didn’t allow a run, fanned 12 and held batters to a .171 batting average. Humphreys’ overall record is 14-10 with a 1.50 earned-run average.
Kansas University officials are continuing efforts to raise funds for a football complex at Memorial Stadium. KU hopes to move its football offices and other facilities to a building that would be constructed behind the south end zone.
Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams, a former KU letterman, has been mentioned as a potential benefactor for the project, which has an estimated price tag of $20 million to $30 million.
Adams founded ADA Oil Company, the forerunner of Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., in 1946. His other business interests include farming and ranching, real estate, auto dealerships and a travel agency.
Adams, a founding member of the AFL, declined an interview request from the Journal-World this week.
Mario Chalmers, a 6-foot-1 high school junior point guard from Anchorage, Alaska, will make an official recruiting visit to Kansas University on May 14-15.
Chalmers, who met with KU coach Bill Self on Friday, has visited Arizona and also is considering Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and UCLA.
“Kansas has always been in Mario’s top five, but I would say that Kansas Arizona and Wake Forest are the top three schools right now,” Chalmers’ dad, Ronnie, told Shay Wildeboor of rivals.com.
Malik Hairston, a 6-5 senior from Detroit, who visited Oklahoma and Michigan last weekend, tells theinsiders.com he likely would have a final decision “later in the week.” He still has KU, UCLA, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Oklahoma on his list.
Eudora — Former Kansas University javelin thrower Scott Russell will put on a turbo-jav throwing demonstration at 5 p.m. today at Laws Field. He’ll be joined by former high school standout Darrin Kurtz.
The turbo jav is lighter than a regular javelin, designed for use by young athletes to train for a career in the javelin.
Norman, Okla. — Kansas University’s women’s track team placed 10th and the men finished last Saturday at the Big 12 Conference championships.
Nebraska won the men’s crown with 172 points. Texas claimed the women’s title with 151 points. KU’s men scored six points, while the women notched 38.
KU senior Laura Lavoie placed second in the 1,500 in 4:27.82. Junior Brooklyn Hann placed sixth in the triple jump with a leap of 41-8. She also was eighth in the 100 hurdles in 13.78.
Freshman Octavia Garret finished sixth in the 400 in 55.27. Junior Kim Clark earned seventh in the 800 in 2:10.31.
The women’s 400 relay team of Tiffany Cherry, Duchess Williams, Charisse Bacchus and Garrett finished fifth in a regional-qualifying time of 45.56. Williams, Hann, Garrett and Clark placed fourth in the 1,600 relay in a season-best time of 3:42.42.
For the men, senior T.J. Hackler finished eighth in the high jump at 6-83/4. Junior Chris Jones placed eighth in the 5,000 in 14:40.98.
The 1,600 relay team of Ryan Mathisen, Aaron Thompson, Mark Gdowski and Jeremy Mims placed seventh in 3:13.25.
Next for KU will be the Haylett Invitational on May 15 in Manhattan.
Manhattan — Due to inclement weather Saturday, the Big 12 Conference Invitational could not be run. It was scheduled to feature the three women’s rowing squads in the league — Kansas University, Kansas State and No. 20 Texas. The Jayhawks next will be at the South-Central Sprints on May 15-16 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Jenna Cooper wasn’t just another face on another Big 12 Conference team to Kansas University soccer coach Mark Francis.
Cooper, the Nebraska University soccer player who died Sunday in a tragic shooting, was a member of the U.S. Under-21 National team last summer, and Francis was an assistant coach on that gold-medal-winning team.
“She was a good player and a great kid,” Francis said. “I was just shocked when I heard about it. You never expect those things.”
Francis, now in his fifth season as the Jayhawks’ head coach, talked to his players Tuesday about the incident.
“Although it sounds like she was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Francis said, “I chatted with our guys about making smart decisions about the environment you’re in.”
Football
Magazine taps Vaughn
Kansas University center Joe Vaughn has been selected to The Sporting News All-Spring Team. Vaughn, a senior from Del City, Okla., was listed as one of the top five offensive lineman in the country after an impressive showing during spring football drills.
Vaughn, who was an NJCAA All-American at Northeastern Oklahoma, was the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year last fall.
NBA
Hinrich All-Rookie teamer
New York — LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade were unanimous members of the NBA All-Rookie Team announced Tuesday.
Chris Bosh and Kirk Hinrich also made the first team in voting by the league’s 29 head coaches.
James, taken No. 1 overall in last year’s draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, is just the third rookie to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists (Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan are the others).
Anthony led all rookies in scoring average at 21 points and helped the Denver Nuggets reach the playoffs for the first time since 1995.
Miami’s Wade ranked among the top five rookies in five statistical categories, while Toronto’s Bosh led first-year players in rebounding (7.4 per game) and blocks (1.41), and Chicago’s Hinrich, a Kansas University product, led them in assists (6.8).
Big 12 golf
Jayhawks tie for fifth
Hutchinson — Kansas University’s men’s golf team finished the Big 12 Conference Championship in a three-team tie for fifth place.
KU shot a three-round total of 893 at the tournament, which concluded Tuesday at the 6,598-yard, par-70 Prairie Dunes Country Club.
“We didn’t play very well in today’s round,” KU coach Ross Randall said. “We just weren’t clicking like we would want in a tournament like this. It was disappointing for us because we didn’t compete as well as we would have liked.”
The Jayhawks, who tied Colorado and Texas Tech, finished 29 strokes behind the team champion, seventh-ranked Texas, which shot a three-round total of 864 to win its third straight conference crown.
KU’s Tyler Hall, Kevin Ward and Tyler Docking each shot 224 and tied for 20th.
Kansas expects an at-large berth in the NCAA Central Regional, to be played May 20-22 at Birck Boilermaker Kampen Course in West Lafayette, Ind.
Jayhawks to meet SMS
Springfield, Mo. — Kansas University’s tail-spinning baseball team will try to stop the bleeding when it meets Southwest Missouri State tonight. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Bears’ new 8,000-seat Hammons Field.
Kansas has dropped six straight games and 12 of its last 14. The Jayhawks are in ninth place in the Big 12 Conference, a half-game ahead of last-place Kansas State. KU is 24-22-1 overall and 2-12 in the Big 12.
The Bears, 21-19 overall, have an 11-8 record in the Missouri Valley Conference and stand in third place behind Wichita State and Creighton.
Hutchinson — Kansas University’s No. 24-ranked men’s golf squad is in good position after the first day of the Big 12 Conference Championship at Prairie Dunes Country Club.
The Jayhawks opened with a two-round total of 592 on the par-70 layout. KU currently sits in fifth place behind leaders Texas and Oklahoma State (577 each), Kansas State (579) and Oklahoma (587).
Junior Andrew Price was the top KU finisher after the first day, carding a two-round total of 147 for a tie for 14th place.
The final round begins at 8 a.m. today.
Tyler Hansbrough, a 6-foot-9 high school senior forward from Poplar Bluff, Mo., will visit Kansas University the weekend of May 7, according to rivals.com. That’s also the weekend former Texas-El Paso signee Alex Galindo, 6-7 of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, will visit KU.
Rivals.com says KU, Kentucky and North Carolina are the finalists for Hansbrough, who reportedly has eliminated Missouri and Florida.
Malik Hairston, 6-5 of Detroit, visited Oregon on Saturday and as of Sunday still was slated to visit Oklahoma, his dad told theinsiders.com.
College Station, Texas — Rain washed the final round of the Big 12 Conference women’s golf championships Sunday at Pebble Creek Country Club.
Scores reverted to Saturday’s 36-hole totals, meaning Kansas University placed eighth of 12 teams with 617 strokes. Champion Texas had 592.
Freshman Amanda Costner tied for seventh place with a 36-hole total of 148. Sophomore Chelsey Pryor tied for 16th place after shooting 152.
San Antonio — Kansas University’s tennis team managed just one singles victory in a 4-1 loss to 11th-ranked Texas on Sunday.
UT improved to 20-4 overall, 11-0 in the Big 12 Conference, while KU fell to 6-15, 4-7.
Kristen Steinbock was KU’s lone winner — 6-4, 6-0 over Texas’ Kendra Strohm.
The dual was moved to an indoor facility in San Antonio because of bad weather.
“We competed and played pretty well today,” KU coach Amy Hall said. “Kristen Steinbock played a great match, and I am proud of her. Texas is an outstanding team. I think we are ready to show what we can do at the Big 12 tournament this week.”
The Jayhawks will compete in the Big 12 tournament starting Thursday in Norman, Okla.
Kansas University left tackle Adrian Jones was left waiting Saturday night after the first three rounds of the NFL draft.
Jones had posted some of the top marks among offensive linemen during drills at the NFL Scouting Combine in February at Indianapolis, but 12 offensive linemen — including five tackles — were selected among the first 96 picks Saturday while Jones waited.
The seven-round draft resumes at 10 a.m. today.
Tyler Hansbrough, a 6-foot-9 high school junior power forward from Poplar Bluff, Mo., will make an official recruiting visit to Kansas University.
Hansbrough, who met last week with KU coach Bill Self and interim assistant Danny Manning, already has visited Florida, North Carolina, Kentucky and Missouri and has decided to make KU his fifth stop, eliminating Duke.
“I have already called the Duke coaching staff and let them know of this decision. The Duke coaching staff will not be coming to my school next week,” Hansbrough told rivals.com.
Saturday’s baseball game between Baylor and Kansas University was postponed due to inclement weather. The Bears (17-22, 7-8) and the Jayhawks (24-21-1, 2-11) have scheduled a doubleheader at 10 a.m. today.
College Station, Texas — Kansas University’s women’s golf team was eighth out of 12 teams after the second day of the Big 12 Conference championships Saturday at Pebble Creek Country Club.
The Jayhawks shot 312 in round two, for a 617 total. Texas leads entering the final round with 592 strokes. Freshman Amanda Costner is tied for seventh after a second-round score of 73 for a 148 total.
The final round begins at 8 a.m. today.
St. Paul, Minn. — Minnesota won all five races against Kansas University’s rowing squad at a three-team regatta Saturday. Southern Methodist also competed in two of the five races.
The Jayhawks next travel to Manhattan on May 3 for the Big 12 Championships.
Bryan, Texas — Kansas University’s tennis squad had no answer for Texas A&M in a 7-0 rout Saturday at the Bryan Tennis Center. KU’s lone victory came at No. 1 doubles, as seniors Courtney and Kristen Steinbock earned an 8-2 victory. The Jayhawks lost the other two doubles matches and all six singles matches.
The Jayhawks conclude their season at noon today against Texas.
One goal in the first half was enough as the Kansas University soccer squad beat Drake, 1-0, in spring soccer action Saturday at SuperTarget Field.
KU’s goal came in the first half when junior forward Rachel Gilfillan scored off a pass from junior forward Monica Brothers.
KU wraps up spring play May 4 against the U17 Kansas City Legends Boys team at SuperTarget Field.
Basketball recruiting
Hairston spurns Michigan
The Malik Hairston saga continues.
Hairston, a 6-foot-5 guard from Detroit who has had six colleges on his list, tells ESPN’s Andy Katz that Michigan is not one of his finalists.
That would cut his list to Kansas University, UCLA, Ohio State, Oregon and Oklahoma, with visits to Oregon and Oklahoma still planned.
“They’re not a fit for me,” Hairston said of in-state schools Michigan and Michigan State.
There have been reports UCLA and Kansas now appear to be the leaders.
NFL
Texans sign Norris
Houston — The Houston Texans signed former Kansas University fullback Moran Norris, a restricted free agent, to a contract Monday. Terms were not disclosed. Norris, who has played the last two seasons with the Texans, caught seven passes for 40 yards in 2003. He also returned five kicks for 71 yards and made five special-teams tackles. Norris played at KU from 1997 to 2000.
Kansas University will take on No. 15 Oklahoma in tennis today with or without senior standout Courtney Steinbock (ankle). Her status will be determined today, coach Amy Hall said.
Kansas University’s women’s lacrosse team split a pair of games Sunday at Free State High. KU beat Iowa, 9-4, but fell to Truman State by the same score. KU also split two games Saturday in Columbia, Mo., losing to Washington, 5-4, but beating St. Louis, 11-4.
Kansas University sophomore tennis player Christine Skoda was named Big 12 Conference women’s player of the week Tuesday by the league office.
Skoda, a native of Edmonton, Alberta, won three singles matches last week, raising her spring record to 7-6. She also teamed with Brittany Brown for three doubles wins.
Stevinson, Calif. — Kansas University’s men’s golf squad shot a three-round total of 858 to win the 14-team Colorado-Stevinson Ranch Invitational on Tuesday by three strokes over second-place Kansas State.
KU senior Tyler Hall tied for second place after a three-round total of 210, while freshman Gary Woodland was fourth after shooting a 211.
“We got the job done today,” KU coach Ross Randall said. “We’re pleased to get other win this season.”
KU travels April 9-10 to the Intercollegiate at MacGregor Downs in Cary, N.C.
Lincoln, Neb. — Kansas University’s scheduled baseball game with 20th-ranked Nebraska on Saturday was called off because of bad weather and will be made up as part of a doubleheader today.
KU (21-10-1 overall, 0-1 Big 12 Conference) lost the series opener, 3-2, Friday. NU improved to 15-4, 1-0 with the win.
Today’s doubleheader will begin at noon.
Tucson, Ariz. — Freshman Amanda Costner is tied for second place, leading the Kansas University women’s golf squad at the Mountain View Collegiate. Costner shot a two-round total of 143, helping the Jayhawks heading into the final round.
The event concludes today.
Santa Cruz, Calif. — Kansas University’s men’s golf team tied for eighth place in the 15-team Western Intercollegiate, which concluded Tuesday.
KU shot a three-round total of 869 strokes over the 6,445-yard, par-70 Pasatiempo Golf Course.
“We didn’t play very well at all in today’s round,” KU coach Ross Randall said. “It was disappointing for us because we know we could have played much better in this tournament.”
The Jayhawks finished 17 strokes behind team champion Colorado, which shot a three-round total of 852. California took second (854) and third place went to Georgia Tech with a three-round 855 total.
Senior Tyler Hall led the Jayhawks with a three-round total of 214 and finished in a ninth-place tie. Junior Kevin Ward shot a three-round total of 217 and finished tied for 21st. Junior Andrew Price finished the tournament tied for 25th with a 218 total. Freshmen Tyler Docking, Gary Woodland and sophomore Pete Krsnich, who played as an individual, finished tied for 57th after they carded 226 three-round totals.
“We will have to practice harder this week and try to play better in our next tournament,” Randall said.
KU will travel to the Colorado-Stevinson Ranch Invitational Monday and Tuesday in Stevinson, Calif.
Austin, Texas — Kansas University’s women’s golf team placed 15th in an 18-team field at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational, which ended Tuesday. The Jayhawks shot a third-round score of 324, for a final score of 1,006 on the 6,247-yard, par-72 Hills Country Club.
“The course played difficult, but we are proud the way we finished the tournament,” KU coach Megan Menzel said. “The performances out of Amanda (Costner) and Jill (Womble) today were big considering the condition we were in going in the final round.”
Vanderbilt won the tournament with a final score of 935. Texas placed second after shooting a three-round score of 937. California shot a 938 to finish third.
Costner placed in a tie for 52nd with a three-round score of 249. Sophomore Chelsey Pryor tied for 64th with a final score of 253. Senior Jennifer Bawanan and sophomore Tiffany Woods tied for 76th with final scores of 258. Womble finished in 89th place at 271.
KU will travel to Tucson, Ariz., for the Mountain View Collegiate, which runs Saturday and Sunday.
Kansas University’s rowing team will open its spring season Saturday with a home dual against the University of Texas.
The race will begin at 9:15 a.m. at Burcham Park.
Saturday’s race is the first of five events leading up to the Big 12 Conference Rowing Championships, May 1 in Manhattan.
College Station, Texas — Kansas University swimmer Amy Gruber placed 24th in the 100 butterfly and 26th in the 100 freestyle Saturday at the NCAA Championships at Texas A&M.
Gruber set a personal-best time of 1:01.09 in the butterfly and clocked 55.83 in the freestyle.
Gruber will compete today in the Aggie Invitational, giving her an opportunity to receive Olympic trial times in the 50 and 100 freestyle.
Boulder, Colo. — Kansas University’s tennis squad lost, 5-2, to Colorado on Saturday. The Jayhawks fell to 3-9 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12 Conference.
Christine Skoda and Brittany Brown were the only KU doubles winners, and Skoda and Kristen Steinbock were KU’s singles winners.
The Jayhawks will travel to Honolulu for matches Tuesday against Boise State and Wednesday against Hawaii.
Kansas University’s second spring football practice session was postponed Monday because of inclement weather.
The Jayhawks’ first workout open to the public has been rescheduled for 3:15 p.m. Wednesday on the practice field behind Anschutz Pavilion.
The Jayhawks opened spring drills with a closed practice Sunday.
Kansas University’s baseball and softball teams are scheduled to play on the road today.
The baseball team (18-8-1) will take a five-game winning streak to Tulsa, Okla., for a 3 p.m. game against Oral Roberts. KU has won five in a row.
The softball team (15-8) will go to Kansas City, Mo., for a 4 p.m. doubleheader against UMKC.
CARBONDALE, ILL. ? Carbondale, Ill. — Kansas University’s softball squad rebounded from two losses Saturday with two victories Sunday at the Saluki Round Robin.
The Jayhawks needed extra innings for each win, beating Illinois State, 4-3, in 11 innings, and tripping Tennessee Tech, 2-1, in 10 innings.
In the first game, the Jayhawks pulled ahead in the 11th when Mel Wallach ripped an RBI triple and was driven in by Nettie Fierros.
The second game was scoreless until the ninth, when KU and Tennessee Tech each scored one run. In the 10th, Heather Stanley’s RBI single scored Wallach and ended the game. Kassie Humphreys (8-4) allowed three hits in 10 innings.
Kansas travels Tuesday for a doubleheader against Missouri-Kansas City.
KU’s tennis squad lost, 6-1, to Texas Tech on Sunday at Robinson Courts, as the Jayhawks won all three doubles matches but lost all six singles matches. KU (2-8 overall, 1-1 Big 12 Conference) travels Wednesday to Manhattan for a match against Kansas State.
Houston — Jayhawk freshman diver Shelby Noonan placed 12th in the one- and three-meter competitions Sunday at the Zone D Diving Championships. Noonan scored 453.73 in the one-meter and 418.40 in the three-meter. The event ended the KU diving team’s season.
Kansas University’s athletics ticket office is unveiling a new online ticketing system, available 24 hours a day at www.kuathletics.com.
Customers who go online to renew their football season tickets will be eligible to win two season tickets, one season parking pass or one of 10 footballs autographed by KU coach Mark Mangino.
Single-game tickets for home KU football games will available online in July, while online ticketing for other sports will available later this summer.
Lafayette, La. — Kansas University junior Andrew Price is in first place, helping the men’s golf team to fourth place after two rounds of the Louisiana Classics Invitational.
Price leads all individuals after carding rounds of 72 and 68 for a two-round total of 140.
Kansas opened the two-day, 15-team tournament with a first round total of 291, then followed with a second-round score of 290 for a two-round total of 581 at the 7,083 yard, par-72 Oakbourne Country Club.
Kansas trails first-place SMU, which carded a two-round 574 total, by seven strokes. Texas Tech is in second after shooting a 579 total, while LSU is in third after a two-round total of 580.
The tournament concludes today.
Iowa City, Iowa — Kansas University edged Lindenwood and bowed to Wisconsin in a pair of women’s lacrosse games Saturday. The KU club team nipped Lindenwood, 5-4, in double overtime as Lindsey Johnson scored three goals, including the game-winner. Karen Schmelz and Jessica Wright scored the other goals. Kansas played a player short against Wisconsin after Johnson suffered a leg injury, and lost, 8-0.
San Antonio — Two rounds into the Roadrunner Intercollegiate, Kansas University’s men’s golf team holds a nine-stroke lead over second-place Wichita State.
KU opened the tournament with a two-round total of 574 strokes on the 6,691-yard, par-71 Oak Hills Country Club.
“We played erratically in today’s rounds, but we also played well at times and made a few birdies,” KU coach Ross Randall said. “We are leading so far, so we can’t really complain with our effort after two rounds.”
KU senior Tyler Hall is tied for second after he carded two season-best rounds of 71, for a two-round total of 142. Freshmen Gary Woodland and Tyler Docking are tied for fifth after each shot a two-round total of 143. Junior Andrew Price is tied for 24th after at 148. Junior Kevin Ward shot 152 to tie for 42nd. Sophomore Ryan Rainer, who is competing as an individual, is in a tie for 36th after shooting 151.
“Overall, it seems like we are getting better in each round we play,” Randall said. “If we play as well as we can, we will have a chance to compete for the tournament title.”
Houston — Freshman Amanda Costner tied a career-best with a round of even-par 72 and sits in second place after Monday’s first two rounds of the Texas A&M “Mo”Morial college golf tournament.
Costner shot 72-74-146 and is a stroke behind leader Karen Dennison of Indiana.
As a team, KU is tied with Indiana for second place with 604 strokes on the 6,118-yard, par-72 Blackhorse Golf Club.
Missouri leads with 602.
“I think as a team we played very well; it was a very steady day,” KU coach Megan Menzel said. “We’ve been working hard during the off season, and we look forward to an opportunity like tomorrow to win a tournament.”
Lindsey Johnson scored five goals to lead Kansas University’s women’s lacrosse team to a 9-7 win over Bethel (Minn.) College Sunday in Lincoln, Neb. Goalkeeper JoEllen Wang recorded 17 saves, tying the KU single-game record. Also Sunday, the KU team dropped a 10-7 decision to Nebraska. Johnson had three goals.
A former Kansas University running back was booked Saturday afternoon into Douglas County Jail for a dispute that happened Friday.
Harold McClendon, a 23-year-old KU senior from Jacksonville, Fla., was jailed at 12:26 p.m. Saturday on charges of violating a restraining order, battery and misdemeanor theft. He was being held at the jail in lieu of $500 bond.
A call came into the KU Public Safety Office about 5 p.m. Friday, but officers didn’t find McClendon until Saturday, said Capt. Schuyler Bailey, public information officer for the Public Safety Office.
Austin, Texas — Kansas University’s swimming and diving team finished in third place Saturday at the Big 12 Conference Championships. The Jayhawks’ score of 503 was 83 points more than fourth-place Nebraska.
The final day was highlighted by two school records. Gina Gnatzig finished the 200 backstroke in fourth place in a time of 1:59.80. The 400 freestyle relay team consisting of Amy Gruber, Ashley Dower, Kim Bolin and Gnatzig placed third at 3:22.39 and broke the previous school record.
Salt Lake City — Kansas University’s tennis team fell to Utah, 4-3, Saturday.
Kansas (0-3) won two of three doubles matches to earn the doubles point. Seniors Courtney and Kristen Steinbock picked up their first win of the season, 8-2 at the No. 1 spot.
At No. 3 doubles, sophomore Christine Skoda and freshman Brittany Brown earned an 8-5 victory.
In singles play, Skoda and Brown won at the No. 3 and 4 singles spots, but Utah took the other four singles matches and the overall victory.
Ames, Iowa — Three Kansas University track and field athletes met NCAA provisional marks Saturday at the ISU Classic.
Benson Chesang finished fifth in the 3,000 meters (8:06.56), while Jeremy Mims was second in the 800 (1:49.15). On the women’s side, Laura Lavoie was fifth in the mile (4:47.24).
In another meet at Fayetteville, Ark., KU’s Leo Bookman was second in the 200 to Tyson Gary of Arkansas. Bookman’s 20.82 was his second-fastest time of the season.
Next up for the Jayhawks is the Sooner Invitational Saturday at Norman, Okla.
Indianapolis — Former Kansas University track standout Charlie Gruber won his first United States title Saturday at the 2004 UCA Cross Country Championships.
Gruber covered the snowy 4K course in 11:14, holding off Luke Watson at the finish line. The top six finishers were eligible to represent the United States at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, March 20-21 in Brussels, Belgium.
“The course got narrow real fast, which made it difficult to move up in place,” Gruber said. “I took the lead with about a kilometer to go and concentrated on keeping a fast rhythm. I stayed focused on keeping my form because I felt that the snow was jostling me around. I wanted to make that World team — that was my motivation.”
The Denver native already has qualified for the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships in two events. Gruber won the 3,000-meter run (8:08.35) at the Arkansas Invitational and took a fourth-place finish in the mile run (4:00.19) at the Adidas Boston Indoor Games.
Kansas University senior Leo Bookman earned Big 12 Conference athlete-of-the-week honors for his record-setting performance this past weekend at the Husker Invitational, the conference announced Monday.
Bookman broke the Husker Invitational record in the 200-meter dash during the weekend with a time of 20.97. The stadium record had not been broken since 1991, when Brigham Young’s Frank Fredericks broke the mark with a time of 21.21 seconds.
The 2003 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor 200-meter dash champion already has won five individual titles this season.
“It feels really good to be named Big 12 Athlete of the Week,” Bookman said. “I have done a lot in my four years of running track here but this is the first time that I have ever received this honor. It’s a great addition to all of my other accomplishments.”
Bookman is the first Jayhawk to receive the athlete of the week honor since Scott Russell won February 11, 2001.
“This is just another step for Leo and what he has been able to accomplish,” KU coach Stanley Redwine said. “We appreciate the effort that he has set forth on the track and for the team. He is well deserving of the honor.”
Inclement weather has forced the cancellation of Kansas University’s scheduled baseball game Feb. 21 in Omaha, Neb., against Creighton. KU will attempt to open its home slate Feb. 22 against Creighton at Hoglund Ballpark.
The Kansas University swimming and diving squad had eight swimmers sign national letters of intent Monday for the 2004-05 season.
Signees include Lauren Bonfe, Canisteo, N.Y.; Lindsey Herre, Bonner Springs; Anne Liggett, Portland, Ore.; Nikki Maples, St. Charles, Ill.; Beth Roach, Elkhorn, Neb.; Allie Rubino, Naperville, Ill.; Terri Schramka, Madison, Wis.; and Sierra Slavin, Shawnee.
“All of these eight swimmers will have an immediate impact on our program,” KU coach Clark Campbell said. “Each swimmer will help make us a Top 25 program.”
Kansas University men’s golf coach Ross Randall announced the signing of Walt Koelbel to a national letter of intent Monday.
Koelbel is a senior at Cherry Creek High in Cherry Hills Village, Colo.
Kansas University’s men finished third in a 48-team field and the KU women were 12th in a 36-team field at the National Collegiate Match Games bowling tournament last weekend in St. Louis.
Sophomore Rhino Page paced the men by finishing 10th overall with an average of 220. Senior Marc D’Errico averaged 203 for 40th place. Other KU men’s averages were Alan Emmons 200, Chris Dilley 190, Jason Reese 190 and Trent Overbey 175.
Junior Kelly Zapf paced the KU women and earned all-tournament honors with a 200 average. Leanne Downey averaged 195, Kelly Sanders 170, Sarah Roenfeldt 163, Kimber Jantz 154 and Jennnifer Van Ruyven 142.
Both Jayhawk teams will travel this weekend to the Leatherneck Classic in Moline, Ill.
Tessa Jones, a high school All-American volleyball player from Kansas City (Mo.) O’Hara High will sign a letter of intent with Kansas University this afternoon. O’Hara is two-time defending Class 3A state champion in Missouri.
Jones set numerous state-tournament records. She also owns most of the state career marks, including the kills record.
Kansas University soccer players Caroline Smith, Rachel Gilfillan and Lauren Williams have earned second-team berths on the Academic All-District VII selections.
Nebraska fans who spent Friday night in Lawrence hotels got a rude awakening Saturday morning.
Many of them discovered tires had been slashed on their vehicles.
Lawrence Police said they had at least 25 tire-slashing incidents reported to them, mainly from people staying at the Lawrence Holidome, 200 McDonald Drive, and Ramada Inn, 2222 W. Sixth St.
“We are very sorry to hear that several of our guests from Nebraska had their cars vandalized at various area hotels last night,” KU athletic director Lew Perkins said. “The few individuals who committed these senseless acts are not true Kansas fans, and certainly do not represent in any way the legions of outstanding fans that support KU.”
Manhattan — The Kansas University rowing squad ended its fall season with a 22-3 loss to Kansas State Saturday. The Jayhawks’ lone win came in the varsity four race, with the team notching a 21-second victory over the Wildcats. KU lost its other five races Saturday.
Gainesville, Ga. — Kansas University’s rowing doubles team of Beth Olson and Kristy Hainer placed second Saturday at the Head of the Chattahoochee regatta. The KU team finished in 20:58.8.
Missouri defeated Kansas University, 153-147, in a swimming and diving dual meet Saturday at Robinson Natatorium. Kansas won eight of the first 10 events and finished with nine first-place finishes.
Stanford, Calif. — The Kansas University men’s golf squad is in third place after the second round of the 15-team Nelson Invitational Saturday at Stanford Golf Course.
The Jayhawks, who shot 279 in Friday’s first round, totaled 283 Saturday on the par-71 layout.
KU trails first-place Washington by five strokes and second-place Duke by three strokes.
KU junior Andrew Price is tied for second after a 68 Saturday and a two-round total of 135. Junior Kevin Ward is tied for 22nd at 141 total, freshman Tyler Docking is tied for 38th at 143, freshman Gary Woodland is tied for 42nd at 144, and sophomore Ryan Rainer is tied for 47th at 145.
Salt Lake City — The Kansas University doubles team of seniors Emily Haylock and Kristen Steinbock lost in the semifinal round of the Intercollegiate Tennis Assn. Women’s Regional Saturday at Eccles Tennis Center.
The Jayhawks won their quarterfinal match Saturday, beating Denver University’s Yanick Dullens and Suzana Maksovic, 8-5, but lost to New Mexico’s Maja Kovacek and Sandy Lukowski, 9-7, in the semifinals.
KU now must await word whether any of its players will play in the National Indoor Championships Nov. 1.
Iowa City, Iowa — Kansas University’s swimming and diving team won a double-dual meet here Saturday, defeating Iowa, 131-130, and Northern Iowa, 180-90.
KU had eight first-place and four second-place finishes. Rebecca Zarazan was first in the 100-yard (57.24) and 200-yard butterflies (2:06.54), and Amy Gruber won the 100 and 200 freestyles with times of 52.01 and 1:52.24, respectively. Zarazan and Gruber also swam on the 400-yard medley relay (3:51.39) that took first place and included Whitney Sondall and Hannah Bakke.
Maegan Himes won the 400-yard individual medley (4:31.30), Miranda Isaac won the 200 breaststroke (2:23.32) and Bakke won the 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.56).
“Today, our program took a couple of big steps forward,” KU coach Clark Campbell said. “We had a great victory against a good Iowa team. I thought the entire team stepped forward today and contributed. The fact that our times are this fast this early in the year is pointing to great things the rest of the season.”
The Jayhawks will entertain Missouri at 2 p.m. Nov. 1.
Cedar Falls, Iowa — Kansas University’s men’s and women’s cross country teams finished 10th and 28th, respectively, Saturday at the NCAA Pre-Nationals.
The Jayhawk men were led by freshman Benson Chesang, who placed 19th on the 8K course with a time of 24:03. Chris Jones finished 44th (24:30), Cameron Schwehr 68th (24:43), Dan Ferguson 106th (25:11) and Joshy Madathil 111th (25:13).
The KU men are ranked second in the Midwest region and 32nd in the nation.
“We were very excited about the effort we saw out of our men’s team today,” KU coach Stanley Redwine said. “We defeated teams that were ranked in front of us, both nationally and regionally.”
The Jayhawk women were paced by junior Megan Manthe, who placed 79th on the 6K course in 22:03. Laura Lavoie finished 107th in 22:22, Laura Major 146th (22:52), Lauren Brownrigg 165th (23:12) and Jessie Violand 177th (23:23).
“I’m a bit disappointed at where we finished as a team on the women’s side,” Redwine said. “We are not where we need to be right now.”
The Jayhawks will take one week off before competing at the Big 12 Championships Oct. 31 in Austin, Texas.
New York — Kansas University’s doubles team of seniors Kristen Steinbock and Emily Haylock finished second Monday in the main draw of the USTA National Women’s College Invitational.
The two Jayhawks lost in the finals to Kentucky’s Sarah Foster and Aibika Kalsarieva, 8-1. KU will return to action Oct. 22-26 at the Omni Hotel Regionals in Salt Lake City.
Manhattan — The Kansas University women’s golf squad finished fourth out of 12 teams in the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational Tuesday at Colbert Hills. The Jayhawks finished with a team score of 944. Kansas State won the tournament with a 925.
KU freshman Jill Womble was the top Jayhawk finisher, placing eighth after a three-round score of 234.
KU returns to action Nov. 3-4 at the Edwin Watts Palmetto Invitational in Kiawah, S.C.
Kansas University goaltender Meghan Miller has been named defensive soccer player of the week by the Big 12 Conference. Miller, a junior from Seattle, led KU to wins over Iowa State and Missouri with her school-record sixth and seventh shutouts of the season.
Manhattan — Kansas University’s women’s golf team was in fifth place after the first round of the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational Monday at Colbert Hills Golf Course. KU shot a first-day 305.
Host school Kansas State is in first with 614. Southern Methodist shot a 618 for second place.
Sacramento, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings Monday released Ashante Johnson, a 6-foot-9 power forward out of Kansas University. Johnson, last played at Kansas in 2000.
Somis, Calif. — Kansas University’s men’s golf team is tied for fourth place after two rounds of the 12-team Pepperdine Intercollegiate Tournament.
The Jayhawks, who, like Tulsa, carded a 36-hole score of 598 Monday at Saticoy Country Club, trail Pepperdine (571), Arizona State (589) and Colorado State (592).
KU junior Kevin Ward shot rounds of 74 and 71, good for a fourth-place total of 144. Michael Putnam of Pepperdine leads at 140. Freshman Tyler Docking tied for 16th at 149. Junior Andrew Price is tied for 26th at 151.
The tournament will conclude with 18 holes today.
Franklin, Ind. — Kansas University’s women’s golf team fired a two-round score of 626 Monday, good for a tie for 16th place at the Shootout at the Legends Tournament.
Kent State leads the 18-team tourney with 578 strokes.
KU’s Jill Womble fired rounds of 73 and 75 and is tied for 21st at 148.
San Diego — San Diego State University has named Mike Bohn athletic director, SDSU President Stephen Weber announced Monday.
Bohn, a 42-year-old Kansas University graduate who worked as AD at Idaho the past five years, will receive a five-year contract and officially begin his tenure with SDSU Oct. 17. He is a former KU football/baseball player and graduated in 1982.
Big 12 honors Correa
Kansas University freshman Janaina Correa was named Big 12 Conference Volleyball Player of the Week Monday. She averaged 4.22 kills and 2.67 digs per game with a .305 hitting average against Missouri and Texas Tech.
Lubbock, Texas — Josi Lima recorded 21 kills as Kansas University beat Texas Tech, 3-1, in Big 12 Conference volleyball Saturday at United Spirit Arena.
The Jayhawks (11-5 overall, 3-2 Big 12) won, 25-30, 30-24, 33-31, 30-25. It was KU’s first league road win.
“I was very pleased with our balanced attack,” Kansas coach Ray Bechard said. “We had four players with 15 or more kills, and I think that it was our best attacking match of the year. It was a big match for us because any time you can get a win on the road in this conference, it’s great.”
Sara Rome had 19 digs and 16 kills for KU, and Janaina Correa had 15 kills and 14 digs. It was KU’s first win in Lubbock since 1999.
Stillwater, Okla. — Kansas University freshman Benson Chesang placed second in the men’s race to help KU to a third-place team finish Saturday at the Cowboy Cross Country Jamboree.
KU was third with 117 points. Megan Manthe was 24th to pace the KU women.
Tulsa, Okla. — Kansas University won three out of five singles matches against Oklahoma Sunday in the final round of the Polo Tennis National College Preview. The Jayhawks finished 5-11 in singles and 5-0 in doubles.
KU’s Emily Haylock was a 6-2, 7-6 winner over OU’s Irina Lykina. Luiza Loureiro topped Amanda Pratzel, 6-2, 6-4, and Ashley Hiberth also won for KU, 6-3, 6-1 over Anne Carter.
Kansas University’s men’s soccer team defeated Wichita State, 3-1, Sunday at Shenk Complex. Sean Murray led the Jayhawks (7-0-2) with two goals, and Oumar Seck added a goal and an assist. Peter Dillett and Andy Nussbaum also had assists. Eighth-ranked Kansas will play host to Central Missouri State at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Topeka — Kansas University’s men’s and women’s cross country teams finished first and second Saturday at the Kansas State Wildcat Invitational.
KU freshman Benson Chesang took second in a time of 20:19.40 behind only his brother, K-State’s Matthew Chesang, who finished in 20:19.30. .
The top Jayhawk women’s finisher was senior Paige Higgins, placing fifth in 14:57.70.
Jonesborough, Tenn. — The Kansas University men’s golf squad was in 12th place at the Ridges Intercollegiate when darkness postponed Saturday’s second round.
Kansas University has been picked to finish seventh in Big 12 Conference soccer this fall. Texas was the choice to win the league title in the preseason poll of conference coaches.
Texas A&M, last year’s conference champ, was picked second, followed by Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, KU, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Baylor and Texas Tech. Kansas State does not field a team.
Kansas sophomore forward Caroline Smith, of Edina, Minn., was named to the preseason All-Big 12 team. Smith broke KU’s single-season record for goals scored last season with 12.
The Jayhawks will open their season at 5 p.m. Aug. 29 against Northwestern at SuperTarget Field.
Two Kansas University women’s basketball games have been tapped for telecast as part of the Fox Sports Net Big 12 Conference package.
KU’s Jan. 24 game at home against Missouri and the Jayhawks’ Feb. 14 game at Oklahoma will be broadcast live on FSN.
FSN, which is available locally on Sunflower Broadband Channel 51, will show 18 regular-season Big 12 games and seven Big 12 tournament games this season.
Kansas University softball coach Tracy Bunge announced the Jayhawks’ 2004 schedule Tuesday.
KU will begin play with three February tournaments in Arizona, Texas and California.
Kansas also will play host to the Hampton Inn/Jayhawk Classic March 5-7 for their debut at home.
The Jayhawks, who last year finished 26-22 overall and 4-14 in the Big 12 Conference, will play in under-construction Arrocha Ballpark next season.
KU will open conference play March 27-28 at Baylor, then play host to Nebraska March 31.
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