Sports shorts

By Lenny Goldman

Published May 9, 2008

2008 National Baseball Team invites two MU players to trials

Twelve collegiate baseball players have accepted invitations to attend the 2008 National Team Trials. MU sophomore pitcher Kyle Gibson and sophomore left fielder Aaron Senne both made that initial list. A total of 32 players will receive invitations, and 22 will make the final roster. Trials for the National Team will be held June 11-23 in the northeast and southeast. Gibson, Senne and the rest of the baseball team received an unexpected day off Wednesday as their home match against Missouri State University was cancelled because of rain. The game will not be rescheduled, so the Tiger’s next game is against Kansas on Friday in Lawrence.

MU soccer recruit earns local award

Hebron High School senior Kelsey Blincow of was named the 2008 Dallas Area Girls Soccer Player of the Year. The incoming freshman played forward and midfield in high school, where she scored 21 goals and contributed 17 assists in her senior season. Throughout Blincow’s entire high school career, she racked up 98 goals. This is not Blincow’s first major award, as she was named the District 6-5A Most Valuable Player and currently ranks within the top 75 high school recruits.

Annual swimming and diving banquet provides optimism for next season

At the swimming and diving banquet last weekend, only one award was issued to an athlete that will not be returning next season. Sophomore Colleen Gordon received the Most Valuable Player award. At the Big 12 Championship last March, Gordon tied the school record while taking fourth place in the 200 free. Gordon also competed in two other championship finals. The Newcomer of the Year award went to Francie Szostak, whose times rank among the top five in school history for three different events.

Women’s golf begins NCAA Regional play

The first round of competition for the NCAA East Regional began yesterday in Athens, Ga., on the University of Georgia’s 72-par course. The Tigers entered play as the 16th seed out of 21 total. Most recently, Missouri finished in fourth place at the Big 12 Conference Championships. The team is led by sophomore Julia Potter, who was named to the All-Big 12 team last week. Potter was one of 10 golfers to make the squad, and one of only four who was selected unanimously.