Colburn Comments: Miscellaneous musings
I could have saved myself some work writing last week's column if I'd known ahead of time about the picture I'd capture this week of Warrior cross country runner Luke Bowers.
If you can't feel the determination and effort of Bowers' end-race sprint in this photo, then all you probably got out of last week's column was a nice liner for your birdcage.
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Looking ahead to Saturday's Class 3A state cross country meet in Wamego, Danielle Cope and Daniel Goentzel should have good chances at top 10 finishes.
Combining the results from all four regional cross country meets held Saturday, Cope's time was 10th best in the girls' competition. Goentzel's finish in Wichita was the 15th fastest.
Marion's other state qualifier, Camille Christensen, has performed well this season, but will have to step to the next level to claim a medal.
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High school volleyball fans should consider making the short drive to Salina Friday and Saturday for the Class 3A state volleyball tournament at the Bicentennial Center.
This is the last chance to see two phenomenal Marion County players exhibit their skills. JuliAnne Chisholm and Tina Frick, both of whom have given verbal commitments to play collegiate volleyball, will lead the second-seeded Hillsboro Lady Trojans into tourney action. Having seen them play, I'll guarantee the trip would be worth the effort.
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Speaking of volleyball, kudos go out to the Marion High School squad for claiming its first match win of the season this past week against Nickerson, and playing a competitive match against Hillsboro in sub-state play. While the Lady Warriors had a difficult season, it's good to see them finish on a positive note.
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Kansas Jayhawk football fans have experienced their fair share of angst this season, as the 'Hawks appear to have mastered the art of blowing leads to lose games in the final quarter. A repeat trip to a postseason bowl game is in serious jeopardy.
It may well be time for Jayhawk fans to join voices in their most storied traditional football chant: "Wait until basketball season."
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Peeking ahead at college basketball (my absolute favorite spectator sport), I'm excited about the possibilities for the Kansas State squad, with Bob Huggins at the helm.
I became a pariah to my fellow Jayhawkers last spring when I rooted for K-State to beat KU in the game at Bramlage Coliseum.
Sorry, 'Hawk fans, but I think after 18 years of futility, the Wildcats deserve to get a win in Bramlage.
The arrival of Huggins should turn KU-K-State basketball into a real rivalry again. Huggins has already brought some top-level talent to Manhattan, and he's a proven winner. As long as he can run a clean program and not run afoul of the NCAA, I believe Huggins will have K-State in the AP Top 25 within three seasons.
KU fans haven't considered K-State a serious basketball rival for over two decades. It's high time for this in-state competition to return to the intense rivalry it had in the days when KU's Ted Owens and KSU's Jack Hartman were butting heads on the sidelines. Both programs would benefit from a healthy, spirited rivalry, and fans (particularly Wildcat fans) would be happy.
