In the third installment of mailbag this semester, the CUI sports staff answers questions about the lackluster football team, the advent of the 2012 cross country season and the fate of the women’s volleyball coach.
1) Was the game against Washington State a fluke? How will the game against UCLA play out?
Fluke win? No. Last week the Buffs earned their win over Washington State and managed to prevent this season from becoming the first winless season in the school’s long history. However, they most certainly aren’t out of the dog house yet. Things begin to pick up beginning this weekend when the team faces the Bruins, who are undoubtedly better than the Buffaloes. From there, things get even worse as they face ASU followed by No. 13 USC and No. 2 Oregon on the road before returning home to play No. 8 Stanford. If you felt these first four games were bad, you’re in for a rude awakening.
2) I’ve been waiting all month for the start of the cross-country! When does the team start its regular season?
The CU cross-country team will kick off its season this Saturday, September 30 at the Buffalo Ranch — CU’s home cross-country course in south Boulder. The men’s race kicks off at 9 a.m., with the women’s race starting at 9:45 a.m. With weekly United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association polls ranking the men’s team 7th in the nation and the women’s 15th, the 27th Annual Rocky Mountain Shootout promises to be a great showcase for the Buffs. For more information on how to watch the Rocky Mountain Shootout and witness the utter domination served by the hands of the Buffs — a perennial NCAA powerhouse — click here.
3) Is there any merit to the rumors that CU volleyball head coach Liz Kritza is going to be fired after this season?
CU Independent cannot comment on the truth of this rumor. While the University of Colorado’s volleyball team has been mediocre in the past, its 2012 season is off to a great start (11-3). The team is 1-1 in the Pac-12 and is enjoying its best opening since the 1980s. Head coach Liz Kritza also recently celebrated her 100th career coaching win as well as her fourth year with the Buffaloes.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editors Caryn Maconi and Ryan Sterner at
Caryn.maconi@colorado.edu and Ryan.sterner@colorado.edu.