RCW: Faces in the Crowd 4.28
Each week in Rock Chalk Weekly, the top Kansas Jayhawk performances are recognized as Faces in the Crowd. Get to know last week’s stars, including information on their latest accomplishments and a link to their full bio.
LAURA TAYLOR
Senior | Tualatin, Oregon
Full Bio
Senior Laura Taylor opened the outdoor season with a bang. She won the women’s pole vault at the Arkansas Spring Invitational Saturday with a clearance of 4.20 meters (13-9.25 ft.), which currently ranks first on the Division I West qualifying list and second in the NCAA. Taylor didn’t miss on an attempt until her sixth bar of the day where she was unable to clear 4.30 meters (14-1.25 ft.), but wrapped up the victory as the only other competitor at the height was unable to clear it as well and had faulted on earlier heights.
DESPOINA VOGASARI
Senior | Athens, Greece
Full Bio
Senior Despoina Vogasari guided the Kansas tennis team though a tough time. With KU’s top player, No. 3-ranked nationally, Anastasia Rychagova sidelined due to injury, Vogasari took the reins of the No. 1 singles position and didn’t miss a beat. Vogasari swept the Big 12 Conference competition in both singles and doubles, with partner Maria Toren Ribes, to push the Jayhawks to road victories over No. 16 Texas Tech (Friday) and TCU (Sunday). The impressive 4-0 win at Texas Tech snapped a 13-game losing streak in the series for the Jayhawks.
RYAN CYR
Redshirt Sophomore | Leawood, Kansas
Full Bio
Relief pitcher Ryan Cyr logged 5.2 innings of work over three games, all Kansas wins, without allowing an earned run. In Wednesday’s 6-5 victory at Grand Canyon, Cyr earned his fourth victory of the season while working a pair of innings. Cyr also preserved wins Friday and Sunday at Baylor. For the week, he struck out five batters, while allowing four hits and walking just two.
MALIK NEWMAN
Redshirt Sophomore | Jackson, Mississippi
Full Bio
Guard Malik Newman etched his name in Kansas basketball lore from his overtime performance alone in the 85-81 regional final victory over Duke Sunday in Omaha. Scoring all 13 of Kansas’ overtime-point total, Newman finished the contest with a game-best 32 points. Adding to his effort against Clemson Friday night, Newman scored 49 points during the regional games, while shooting 14-for-30 (.467) from the field. He also added 14 rebounds, five assists and four steals.
