Winter begins a new era at Bluejays helm

Written by Andrew Ottoson Wednesday, 21 November 2007 06:51

Sometimes the inevitable cycle of coaching changes works out in a way that puts a familiar face in a new role—as happened when Rusty Allen resigned the head-coaching job for Tabor College women’s basketball and became vice president of enrollment management.

First-year head coach Shawn Winter is the first coach to take the reins of the women’s basketball program in the post-Allen era.

“I think the temptation is to think and feel that the program is still in Rusty’s shadow, but I think that’s more of a perception than it is a reality,” Winter said.

On account of a 128-59 record—including a run of 42 consecutive regular-season conference wins—in six seasons that culminated in three consecutive trips to the second...

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Bonds dwarfs A-Rod, puts greatness under review

Written by Andrew Ottoson Wednesday, 21 November 2007 06:49

When A-Rod signed with the Yankees, I thought I had this week’s column pretty well mapped out: two thoughts about why the Yankees would pour $275 million worth of batter into a cake they already know will turn out half-baked; two jokes about how Scott Boras will cope with standing in line for his unemployment check and two observations about other times when baseball history has repeated itself.

Then Barry Bonds got indicted, completely dwarfing that A-Rod idea roughly 25 minutes after I finished typing it up. After 35 minutes of irrational ranting and raving about asterisks and Don Shula and hat sizes, I decided that I’ve already said everything I have to say on the subject on Aug. 15:

“...because money and fame and records are...

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Kleinsasser runs injured at finale

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 21 November 2007 06:47

An ankle injury hobbled Tabor College freshman Liz Kleinsasser’s efforts at the NAIA national cross-country championships Saturday in Kenosha, Wis.

“It was a tough racing day for Liz,” said Tabor coach Karol Hunt. “Her injury hampered her ability to attack the hills. She was really disappointed about that.”

Kleinsasser, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., ran the 5-kilometer course in 20 minutes, 52 seconds, placing 240th out of 268 finishers.

To qualify for the national race, Kleinsasser had run a 19:32 and finished 11th at the Region IV Cross Country Championship Nov. 10 in Omaha, Neb.

According to Hunt, qualifying for nationals as a freshman was a major accomplishment for Kleinsasser, who led her team to third place at the KCAC...

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Conference fetes eight Bluejay

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 21 November 2007 06:46

The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference selected Tabor College senior Caleb Marsh, Hillsboro, to receive first-team all-conference honors at the wide-receiver position.

Senior offensive lineman Billy Hickman, Bakersfield, Calif., received second-team honors for Tabor.

Bluejays receiving honorable mention were: sophomore wideout Jay Medellin, Pasadena, Texas; junior offensive lineman Darrin Fisher, Englewood, Colo.; junior defensive back Sean Retting, Colorado Springs, Colo.; sophomore linebacker Kyle Bassinger, Pretty Prairie; senior defensive lineman Lance Baar, Joes, Colo.; and senior punter Derrik Martinez, Foothill Ranch, Calif.

Tasting wins makes losing hard to swallow

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Wednesday, 14 November 2007 07:01

Watching Tabor College football this fall was deja vu all over again.

Tabor’s football history has far more lows than highs. And while the past four to five years ranked anywhere from good to great to amazing, this year came closer to resembling the norm.

Only two years ago, Tabor won the KCAC and its first-ever NAIA playoff game. This year’s seniors have experienced the highest highs and some of the lowest lows in their collegiate career, which is far better than many Bluejay football alumni can say. Most only experienced lows.

In any case, it didn’t take long for the football program to fall from the penthouse to the outhouse. It’s funny how fast fortunes can go south, only no one wearing blue and gold is laughing.

Losing is...

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