RCW: Bird's Eye View 3.24

Each week the Bird’s Eye View captures some of the best moments for Kansas Athletics. From the playing field, practice gym or behind the scenes, don’t miss this exclusive perspective into the Kansas Jayhawks.

 

Bird's Eye View

Glowing Start – The setting sun streaming through fronds of palm trees outside the right field fence etched an outline of KU pitcher Sean Rackoski during his season-opening start against The Citadel at the Joseph P. Riley Jr., Park in Charleston, South Carolina. The redshirt junior threw five innings, giving up two runs on two hits, in the Jayhawks’ 7-5 victory on Friday, February 17.

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen 

Bird's Eye View

Packing – First base coach Scott Hood’s uniform waistband and left arm became a repository for the elbow and ankle protective pads of Rudy Karre after a base hit by the sophomore in the game against Liberty on Saturday, February 18 in Charleston, South Carolina. Hood, the volunteer assistant coach, also carried a blue “oven mitt” to protect the injured fingers of two players should they reach first base. In his right pocket, a stopwatch tracked the time of the opposing pitcher’s delivery to the plate. 

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen 

Lawrence Memorial Hospital Ad 

Bird's Eye View

Spider-Man – Junior pitcher Jeider Rincon used a Handmaster Plus to strengthen the extender muscles on the top of his left forearm before his first start for KU against Liberty in Charleston, South Carolina on Saturday, February 18. The throwing motion overdevelops the flexor muscles on the bottom of the forearm. The spider-web cords of the Handmaster balance the muscle development of the extenders to prevent injury. 

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen 

Bird's Eye View

On Dry Land – KU diving coach Gabe Downey spotted Nadia Khechfe as the junior flipped through a dive after jumping from a trampoline to land on a mat inside Robinson Center on Wednesday, February 15. Dry land training allows the replication of a dive without the physical damage breaking water can cause dive-after-dive. KU’s swimming & diving teams will compete at the Big 12 Championship, February 22-25, in Austin, Texas.

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen 

Bird's Eye View

Do the Twist – Strapped into a rotating waist belt and anchored by roping, freshman diver Peri Charapich twisted through a dive inside Robinson Center during dry land training in preparation for the Big 12 Swimming & Diving Championship, February 22-25 in Austin, Texas.

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen 

Bird's Eye View

Captain America –  A KU student dressed in a stars and stripes unitard tried to distract a West Virginia free throw shooter during the Jayhawks’ 84-80 overtime victory over the Mountaineers inside Allen Fieldhouse on Monday, February 13.

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen 

Nissan Ad 

Bird's Eye View

Devonte’ Divine – After draining two 3-point shots late in regulation to help KU overcome a 14-point deficit with 2:58 to play, and then two more treys in the overtime, junior Devonte’ Graham celebrated “the most remarkable win I have ever been a part of,” boasted proud coach Bill Self on Monday, February 13, inside Allen Fieldhouse.

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen 

Bird's Eye View

Weary Warriors – Sophomore Lagerald Vick seemed to be the only Jayhawk with the energy to celebrate KU’s overtime victory over West Virginia inside Allen Fieldhouse on Monday, February 20. Other players slumped in their locker room chairs trying to overcome their fatigue after coming back from 14 points down with 2:58 left in regulation to force overtime.

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen