Softball

Team strikes victories in the Houston Invitational

The University of Kansas softball team continued its solid start to the season with four victories and only one loss in the Houston Invitational Tournament. The Jayhawks’ only loss was to the Houston Cougars, 7-3, who are ranked 20th in the USA Softball Collegiate Top 25. The KU offense was powered by home runs this weekend. Sophomore first baseman Amanda Jobe had two home runs, while junior third baseman Val Chapple, sophomore second baseman Sara Ramirez and freshman catcher Brittany Hile also hit home runs. The Jayhawks reached the run rule against Cal State Northridge, and put up nine runs in the first inning. They went on to win 10-2. The Jayhawks put up four runs in their first two games against Texas State and Centenary, winning 4-2 and 4-0 respectively. Freshman pitcher Allie Clark shutout Centenary through six innings and junior pitcher Valerie George struck out all three batters she faced to complete the shutout. The Jayhawks had some last inning heroics from Jobe and Chapple, who both hit home runs against Boston College in the bottom of the sixth inning to earn the victory. The Jayhawks are now 12-4 this season and travel to Carbondale, Ill. for the Southern Illinois Invitational Tournament March 1 and 2.

— Kelly Breckunitch

Men’s Golf

Team competes in All-American Golf Classic, Hermreck begins play

The University of Kansas men’s golf team is in Houston trying to defend last year’s team title in the All-American Golf Classic. The Jayhawks won the 2007 event with a three-round team score of 872.

This year, the Jayhawks will be led by freshman Brad Hopfinger, who has finished in the top 30 in four of his first five starts. Senior Joey Mundy and junior Walt Koelbel are the only Jayhawks to have competed in the 54-hole event, which takes place today and Tuesday.

Sophomore Bobby Knowles and freshman Nate Barbee are both coming off of career-best performances in the Hawaii-Hilo Invitational. Knowles recorded a three-round score of 216 and Barbee finished with a score of 217.

Making his debut for the Jayhawks is junior Brandon Hermreck. He transferred from Wichita State after an impressive sophomore season in which he had an average 18-hole score of 73.4.

Because of the cold Kansas winter, the Jayhawks have not played a full round of practice outside.

“We are just looking forward to getting into some good weather again and allowing us to play a little bit,” coach Kit Grove said.

The Jayhawks have been limited to practice indoors and have even gone to the Anschutz Sports Pavillion. Though the Jayhawks competed in the Hawaii-Hilo Invitational earlier this month, they said it has been hard to stay prepared.

“With the weather, it’s almost like we’re almost starting over again,” Hopfinger said. “It’s up and down.”

— Bryan Wheeler

Football

Looking fine

Former Kansas tight end Derek Fine entered this week’s NFL combine with a whisper, but went out with a bang. Before the combine, Fine was ranked anywhere from the 16th to 19th best tight end in the 2008 Draft Class according to ESPN.com, NFLDraftCountdown.com, and NFLDraftScout.com. According to NFL.com, Fine performed 24 bench press repetitions, tied for third best at his position. The 6-foot-3, 251-pound former Jayhawk ran a faster time in the three-cone drill than any other tight end and finished second among tight ends in the 20-yard shuffle. Fine’s 4.84 second 40-yard dash time was not one of the 10 best at his position. Fine caught 46 passes and scored four touchdowns last season at Kansas.

Other players

Two other former Jayhawks didn’t fare as well at the combine over the weekend. Offensive tackle Anthony Collins, who left Kansas after his junior season for the NFL Draft, and wide receiver Marcus Henry participated in drills Saturday and Sunday. Neither finished in the top 10 among players at their positions.

This week

Defensive tackle James McClinton will work out at the combine today and cornerback Aqib Talib will participate in drills Tuesday. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. slated Talib as the No. 7 pick in the 2008 Draft in his most recent mock draft.

— Asher Fusco