Junior Jodie Meeks has become a national sensation since scoring 54 points on Tuesday. Photo by Allie Garza | Staff
The semester certainly got off to a rousing start in the world of UK athletics when, on the eve of the Spring 2009 semester, Jodie Meeks blazed his way into UK’s record books. While Meeks’ performance will be nearly impossible to top, here is a top-10 list of Cats headlines you might read this semester:
10) UK Hoops climbs Rocky Top:
The UK women’s basketball team will have its chance to avenge a five-point loss to the defending national champion Lady Vols in their SEC opener. Tennessee comes to Memorial Coliseum on Feb. 19. UK coach Matthew Mitchell and his team are still looking for the first marquee victory of the Mitchell era, and a win against the Vols would surely qualify.
9) Cats hope for Ryder Cup holdover:
2008 was a big year for UK golf. The program’s most famous alumnus, J.B. Holmes, sank a putt to secure a United States win in the Ryder Cup in August — all while sporting a UK logo on his golf bag. Coach Brian Craig and the men’s golf team return to the links on Feb. 16 at the Jacksonville University Invitational in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
8) Gym Cats tame Tigers:
The gymnastics team will face LSU in their next home meet on Jan. 23. Fans looking for a little gymnastics action after the riveting competition between the United States and China at the 2008 Summer Olympics would be well served to check out the Cats in tumbling action.
7) Johnson leads softball turnaround:
The UK softball team will look to rebound from a disappointing 17-37 record in 2008. The Cats kick off their season on Feb. 13 against Oregon in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic in Las Vegas. Shortstop Molly Johnson returns to lead the softball Cats after posting a .401 batting average with six home runs and 40 RBI in 2008.
6) Swimming and diving trumps Edgar Sosa:
Those of you looking to continue your hatred of all things Louisville will have your next chance on Jan. 24 when the swimming and diving teams hit the lanes against the Cardinals. The men’s team is coming off a first-place finish on Jan. 10 in a meet in Fayetteville, Ark., against Arkansas and Missouri. Cats sophomore diver Jessie Snowden was just named the SEC Diver of the Week on Tuesday.
5) Agostinelli leads Cats … again:
The men’s tennis team will host the 2009 SEC Coaches’ Indoor Championships starting Jan. 16. The Cats coming off a sweep of the three doubles matches against Hawaii in Honolulu over the break. The team is currently No. 36 in the country. Keep an eye on senior Bruno Agostinelli — he’s currently ranked as the No. 4 singles player in the country.
4) Tennis, anyone?:
The women’s tennis team opens the 2009 season ranked No. 23 in the nation. Sophomore Megan Broderick is ranked No. 61 in the country, and the doubles tandem of senior Carolina Escamilla and junior Christine Johnson is ranked at No. 42.
3) Brooks recruiting, Cats improving:
The football coaching staff will look to reel in its most highly touted recruiting class in the Brooks era. Scout.com currently has UK’s class at No. 26 in the nation, headlined by five-star quarterback Morgan Newton and four-star quarterback Ryan Mossakowski. The staff will look to secure an additional commitment from a running back in the last weeks of the recruiting season to shore up that position going into camp.
2) That lonesome SEC road:
Lost in the hysteria surrounding Meeks’ 54-point outburst against Tennessee on Tuesday was the importance of the road victory for the Cats’ resume. The Cats can’t afford to drop more than one game at Rupp Arena in SEC play and will need to take care of business on the road to ensure they make it to the big dance again.
1) Henderson at the helm:
While most of you are probably focused on the basketball Cats and nothing else this spring, the upcoming baseball season may be more important to the athletic department. New coach Gary Henderson will welcome the country’s No. 4 recruiting class in the nation according to Baseball America. The class is headlined by left-handed pitcher Alex Meyer, who turned down a $2 million signing bonus from the Boston Red Sox to attend UK. According to Baseball America, Meyer could be in the mix for the first pick in the draft following his junior season. The best class in school history will be counted on heavily to continue the baseball team’s recent success and make a run at the program’s second SEC championship.
Jon Hale is a journalism senior. Email jhale@kykernel.com.
Former Cats left fielder Colin Cowgill won't be around this season at Cliff Hagan Stadium, but expect UK to do good things under new coach Gary Henderson. File photo by Ed Matthews | Staff
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