Kansas University soccer player Caroline Smith was named to the 2003 SoccerBuzz All-America first team, officials announced Monday.
“It is great to be recognized as one of the best in country,” Smith said. “There are a lot of great players out there, and to have my name next to theirs means a lot to me and also says a lot about the Kansas program and where it is headed.”
Smith, a first team All-American in three publications (NSCAA, CSTV and SoccerBuzz), holds the KU single-season mark for goals scored with 19 in 2003. The Edina, Minn., native also is the Jayhawks’ career goals leader with a total of 31 in only two seasons.
“Caroline has established herself as one of the best in the country. She is deserving of all the recognition she receives,” KU coach Mark Francis said. “It is a great honor for her, and I know we are all expecting great things from her in her next two seasons at Kansas.”
Kansas, which was ranked No. 11 by SoccerBuzz at the end of the season, ended its 2003 campaign with a record of 18-6-1, best-ever for the Jayhawks.
With just less than a month until Kansas University’s baseball home-opener Feb. 22 in Hoglund Ballpark, there are fewer than 50 season box seats available, KU ticket office officials announced Monday.
Plenty of general-admission season tickets are available for purchase through the ticket office at Allen Fieldhouse or by phone (1-800-34-HAWKS). Ticket information can be found at www.kuathletics.com.
The Native American Junior Golf Assn. will conduct it’s Third Annual Pro-Am Golf Tournament April 12 at Alvamar Country Club.
The golf tournament is a sanctioned PGA Midwest Section event with a four-person-team-plus-one-PGA-Professional format. Shotgun times begin at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., with registration one hour before tee-off.
Proceeds from these events will go to NAJGA golf camps in Lawrence and Topeka and for the NAJGA National Golf Tournament. NAJGA strives to provide its service free of charge to the youth who participate in NAJGA programs.
Minneapolis — Kansas University freshman Shelby Noonan qualified for the Zone D Diving Championship March 12-14 in Houston Saturday with a score of 283.28 in the three-meter diving competition.
Noonan finished second in the event and also earned a fourth-place finish in the one-meter competition during KU’s dual with Minnesota, which the Gophers won 215-85.
Kansas had a one-two finish in the 1,000-yard freestyle. Sophomore Gina Gnatzig won in 10:17.4, and senior Kristen Johnson followed in 10:26.19.
The Jayhawks play host to Arkansas in their final dual meet Feb. 7 at Robinson Natatorium.
Overland Park — Lawrence High’s Brendan Halpin was runner-up at 140 pounds Saturday in a 21-team wrestling tournament at Blue Valley Northwest. Halpin was 3-1.
Two other Lions — 130-pounder Pharouk Hussein and 145-pounder Nolan Kellerman — took third in their respective weight classes.
LHS finished 11th in the team standings, while Free State was 17th. The city rivals meet Tuesday at LHS.
KU Indoor Track: Kansas University will conduct an indoor track and field meet for youth and high school athletes at 1 p.m. Feb. 1 in Anschutz Pavilion. Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each event. For information call 864-3486 or visit www.kuathletics.com.
LHS, FSHS swimmers compete at BV North
Overland Park — At their final tune-up before next weekend’s Sunflower League meet, the Lawrence High and Free State swimming squads finished second and third behind Blue Valley North in a four-team event Thursday at Blue Valley North.
The Lions scored 132 points and the Firebirds 109, placing behind BV North’s 242 in the team standings.
LHS had an individual highlight in diver Meredith West, whose fourth-place finish with 200.90 points qualified her for the Kansas state tournament. West joins LHS diver Ellie Lloyd, who had already qualified.
“She’s a new one, so we’re excited about that,” Lions coach Ryan Adams said.
The Lions earned two seconds and two thirds at the meet, which Adams said was good heading into the league meet.
FSHS coach Jama Crady wasn’t happy with her squad’s results, but did have some pleasant individual surprises. Freshman Ashley Robinson broke the school record in the 500 freestyle, swimming 5:07.3, and the Firebirds notched another state qualifier.
“Laura Nelson qualified for state in diving and my 50 freestylers all swam personal bests,” she said.
None of those swimmers — Mandi Stebbins, Emily Hamilton, Summer Terry and Katie Towner — placed, but Crady loved their efforts.
Melaney Torres, a freshman from Grand Prairie, Texas, was the lone Kansas University softball player chosen for postseason All-Big 12 Conference honors.
Torres, a catcher/designated player, earned a second-team utility berth on the all-league team chosen by Big 12 coaches.
Pitcher Kirsten Milhoan was named to the first all-academic team. Teammates Dani May, Kara Pierce and Mel Wallach were on the second unit.
Free State High senior Keith Wooden was named All-State first team Class 6A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Assn. Monday.
Wooden, who is headed to Arizona State next fall, averaged 17.4 points and nearly nine rebounds a game for the 15-7 Firebirds. The 6-foot-9 forward also is the city’s all-time career scoring leader with 1,006 points.
“I think it’s a well-deserved honor,” FSHS coach Jack Schreiner said. “He played like he was an all-state player this year.”
Olathe North pulls away from FSHS in soccer, 7-1
Olathe — Trailing by a goal at halftime, Free State High’s girls soccer team was defeated by Olathe North, 7-1, Thursday at Olathe District Activities Center.
Rebekah Berkley scored in the first half off an assist by Wallis Romzek to pull the Firebirds within 2-1. FSHS goalkeeper Alicia Sellon made some “phenominal saves” in goal, and Celese Siebert played well according to coach Jason Pendleton. The Firebirds (5-5) play host Saturday to Topeka Hayden at the FSHS field.
Seabury soccer falls to Immaculata, 3-0
Leavenworth — Seabury Academy’s girls soccer team fell to Leavenworth Immaculata, 3-0, Thursday. Alex Lesnikowski was cited for her defensive play after shutting out Immaculata’s top scorer. Seabury goalkeeper Lindsey Ahlen had 26 saves. Seabury (1-5) will play Monday at the Youth Sports Inc. fields against Lutheran.
KU’s Shoemaker wins high jump
Several Kansas University track and field athletes placed in the UMKC Invitational over the weekend in Kansas City, Mo.
The two-day meet featured over 400 athletes from around the midwest.
Shanna Shoemaker and Sarah Schraeder placed 1-2 in the high jump, both clearing 5-6. Ashley Pyle notched second in the pole vault and Megan Wray fourth at at 10-11 and 10-51/2 respectively.
Also, Jennifer Foster was third in the discus in 146-5, Erika Hamel fourth in the 100 low hurdles and Sherry Khan Blackmon fifth in the 400 in 56.55.
On the men’s side, Justin Stancil earned third in the pole vault (14-5), Derec Lacio fifth in the 800 (1:58.14) and Alex Thomas seventh in the hammer throw (156-11).
As reported Sunday, Scott Russell and Charlie Gruber highlighted KU’s effort at the Drake Relays. Russell won the javelin while Gruber placed second in the 1,500.
Jayhawk rowers capture two races
Redwood City, Calif. Kansas University’s rowers defeated Stanford and Oregon State and lost to Southern California on Saturday.
The Jayhawks defeated Stanford with the varsity eight clocking 7:01.5 to Stanford’s 7:15.9. KU’s second varsity eight was timed in 6:47.7 to Stanford’s 6:50.4.
USC’s varsity eight finished in 6:36.07 to KU’s 6:39.27. USC’s second varsity eight won 6:36.98 to 6:38.9 for KU.
The Jayhawks beat Oregon State 7:34.68 to 7:36.68.
“I am really pleased with our team. To be within three seconds of the ninth ranked team (USC) makes me very happy,” coach Rob Catloth said.
KU club crew second
Kansas University’s Varsity Women’s Four club coed rowing team finished second at the Midwest Rowing Championships last weekend in Madison, Wis. Members of the crew were Lindsay Jacobs, Natalie Clark, Christi Hill and Melanie Moore. Brian Fansler was coxswain.
Rowers in California
Kansas University’s women’s varsity rowing team will return to action this weekend in Redwood City, Calif. The Jayhawks will race against No. 9-ranked USC and Stanford on Saturday, then tangle with No. 16-ranked Washington State on Sunday.
Free State wins, 2-0
Katie Rhodes scored off a free kick and Hailey Sisco scored in the final 10 seconds to lift Free State High to a 2-0 junior varsity girls soccer victory over Olathe North on Thursday at Youth Sports Inc. fields. FSHS (4-6-1) will play at Leavenworth on Monday.
LHS girls tie, 1-1
Karah Roelofs scored with 45 seconds remaining as Lawrence High tied Pembroke Hill, 1-1, in junior varsity girls soccer Thursday at YSI. Lena Fox had an assist on the goal by Roelofs. Goaltender Halston McAtee allowed just one goal. Skye Riggs, Megan Bates and Aly Barland were cited for their play. The Lions are now 1-7-3.
Firebirds’ Erb decides
Free State High senior Brian Erb will be playing football for Middlebury College in Vermont this fall. Erb, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound safety, set the school record with four interceptions last season.
Seabury girls win
Olathe Seabury Academy defeated Olathe Christian, 3-0, Thursday in junior varsity girls soccer. Caitlin Rose, Leni Dorfmeister and Janie Schneider scored goals for Seabury (1-1-1).
FSHS JV falls
Lenexa Shawnee Mission Northwest swept a junior varsity baseball doubleheader from Free State on Thursday at Johnson County 3&2, winning the first game, 11-5, and the second, 8-6. Brad Pohl went 3-for-8 with a home run and Matt Berner went 3-for-8 with a homer and four RBIs to lead Free State (8-4). Next for the Firebirds is Olathe South on Monday at FSHS.
