Kansas Completes Spooky Triathlon, Fall Practice

Jayhawks past and present gather for an alumni game. LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas softball wrapped up a successful October with a fun-filled week highlighted by the annual Spooky Triathlon. After a month of team practices and a perfect 8-0 fall slate, the Jayhawks spent the week bonding as a team with several friendly competitions, including intra-squad scrimmages, pumpkin carving, a spooky triathlon and an alumni game.

The final week of team practices before the 2016 season began with KU softball’s version of the World Series, which was called the Own It All Series. In the first game, the two teams dressed in Halloween costumes to get into the holiday spirit. The Diamond Divas dressed as their favorite Disney princesses, while the 80’s Ladies dressed like they stepped out of an 80’s workout video. The Diamond Divas prevailed in the opening game of the series with a 3-0 victory over the 80’s Ladies.
 
In game one, freshman Heaven Benavidez gave the team full of princesses a fairy tale ending with the lead after driving in the first run of the game in the fifth inning. Senior Briana Evans and freshman Ania Williams each added a run in the fourth and sixth innings, respectively.
 
In the second game, the 80’s Ladies and Diamond Divas took to the field again, but this time dressed as each other. The Jayhawks drew a teammate out of a hat and donned an outfit that best represented their chosen teammate. Sophomore Daniella Chavez gave the Diamond Divas an early lead with a two-run home run in the opening frame. The 80’s Ladies answered in the bottom of the second with three runs to take the lead, after sophomore Mikayla Warren recorded a RBI double and senior Kylee Kennedy hit a two-run homer. The Diamond Divas bounced back after relinquishing the lead and scored nine unanswered runs to win, 11-3, and take the ‘Own It All Series’ crown.
 Triathlon winners Andie Formby, Shannon McGinley
and Ania Williams.
Senior Briana Evans, sophomore Andie Formby and Williams were named the Own It All Series MVPs. Evans finished the series 3-for-6 with a walk and two RBIs. In the circle, Formby faced 19 batters in two games and struck out five, while only allowing one hit. Williams concluded the series 2-for-5 with a walk and two RBIs. She also faced 10 batters in the circle and struck out one without allowing a hit. Prior to the game, the Jayhawks decorated and carved pumpkins. Each team’s pumpkin had a theme that fit within the Own It All mantra.
 
The final team competition of the week was the annual Spooky Triathlon where the team biked six miles, ran 2.2 miles and swam six lengths of the pool. The top-three individual performers earned points for their Rock Chalk Team. In years past, the Rock Chalk Teams dressed in coordinating Halloween costumes, but this year the team decided to dress as one to showcase KU’s unity. A box of 24 crayons took to the course that started in the Anderson weight room, ran around Memorial Stadium and concluded in Robinson Natatorium.
 
Senior Shannon McGinley was the top finisher of the Spooky Triathlon followed by Formby and Williams, who both were competing in their first triathlon.
 
The action-packed week concluded on Homecoming with an alumni game at Rock Chalk Park. Over 20 Kansas softball alumni returned to the diamond for a fun morning of catching up and playing softball. Lots of laughter and a fun took place for Jayhawks past and present.
 
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