University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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Jaybowl in the Kansas Union affords the opportunity for the KU club bowling team to practice and win big at competitions. Bowlers fine-tune skill for big competition Story by EMILY MUSKIN 1 Published AUGUST 28,2007 n the first two lanes at the Iaybowl, a team of nine men and one woman is bowling. The atmosphere is similar to that of a night out with friends, but these bowlers are paying more at- tention to detail, trying to hone their skills for the semesters tour- naments. Monday through Friday, for two hours each day, the KU Bowl- ing Team can be found practic- ing. The team is keeping alive a tradition that began more than 40 years ago and peaked in 2004 with an intercollegiate bowling national title. KU bowling provides an oppor- tunity for the inexperienced and advanced bowlers alike, but even though anyone can be a member of the team, it travels with only nine athletes. Coach Trent Overbey said that he appreciated the sport because a wide range of people was able to enjoy it and compete. Competition is a main ingredi- ent in the life of a KU bowler be- cause the team attends eight tour- naments each school year. ln the past, the team has traveled to Las Vegas, New Iersey Omaha, Neb., and many locations in Kansas. Overbey said bowling required a lot of practice and skill to achieve success, but he said most ofbowl- ing was mental. Every bowling alley has varied levels of oil on the lanes. Overbey said a good bowler could read how much oil there was, where it was and how it changed from the previous shot by watching the ball's movement down the lane. Depending on what the bowler sees, he or she plays a specific game for the conditions. Team members usually spend practices working on adapting to the many conditions that a lane may provide so that the members can prepare well for tournaments and not be caught off-guard, Overbey said. Returning team member Kenny Goodell, Wichita senior, said trips seemed to be a favorite activity for the team. I like the peoplef' Goodell said. The team is like a community. 'QE' i i P i i i P i i i I

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I Wil' ll' -. U, . Bri-hi-iulif-C3 Some students take the plunge and move to Washington, D.C., to start a career in politics. From the top of the Hill to Capitol Hill Story by SASHA ROE I Published SEPTEMBER 6. 2007 n her office about seven blocks from the White House, Karen Bentley, 2007 graduate, was once fascinated with the view of passing motorcades. Now, like other Washington, D.C., locals, Bentley thinks the motorcades are annoying and distracting. Bentley is a research associ- ate for the polling company inc., owned by political strategist Kel- lyanne Conway. Bentley is one of many KU alumni who recently moved from Lawrence to Wash- ington, D.C. Brandon Bohning, 2007 gradu- ate, works as a staff assistant to Sen. Chuck Grassley, CR-lowal. He said his job allowed him to meet public Hgures who he used to see only on television. Bohning said when he visited with them it was exciting to have his opinion matter just as much as theirs. There,s never a dull momentf' Bohning said. For a political junkie like me, this is where it's all happening. Sara Belfry, 2007 graduate, be- gan working as a litigation sup- port assistant for Digital Evidence Group LLC. She said she was thrilled to land her dream job and live in the city. It's such a great experience to be in your 20s, living in D.C., Bel- fry said. The excitement doesnit come without the challenges of transi- tioning from a college student to professional. Belfry said she missed the re- laxed atmosphere of college. She said she realized that her work now reflected on her company, and not her personally. In Washington, she said she felt the responsibility to act and look professional. My clothes are definitely more expensivef' Belfry said. 'And I miss the lifestyle of being able to take a nap in the afternoonf' As a staff assistant, Bohning said his job required him to always be informed. He watches more news, reads and writes blogs, and con- stantly checks his e-mail. Bohn- ing also deals with constituent calls, which sometimes require patience. 'iIt's important to develop your skills and have something to mar- ket, said Burdett Loomis, pro- fessor of political science. Rnd remember, no one gets rich on Capitol Hill when theyire 23? Loomis said the fast pace of life in Washington wasn't for every- one. 'After a while, people get the sense of whether they want to hang aroundf' Loomis said. K'You have to go in and expect the un- expected? r ggi-, fr':EZf ' ','j'Qfi5'r,, .:, f W ' ts' ' H rsezf. ---Hwy f L., .. .1 .. J