Nov. 21, 2002

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Thanksgiving has always been a holiday meant for reflection. And as Kansas State's fans, coaches and athletic teams pause briefly next week for the holiday, there's much for which Wildcats everywhere can be thankful.

Heading into late November, three Kansas State athletic teams are ranked among the top 20 in the nation.

The Wildcat football team broke into the Top 10 just before its game with Missouri. The K-State volleyball team was ranked 19th and looking at a potential berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcat women's basketball team enjoyed a rousing start to its season, using its run in the Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament to gain a ranking as high as third in a recent ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

ÒIt's been fun for all of us to watch our student-athletes succeed this fall,Ó said athletics director Tim Weiser. ÒFans, coaches, staff members and all our teams should be very proud of our accomplishments so far.

ÒOur teams have put themselves in position to have tremendous success this season,Ó Weiser added. ÒHopefully, the momentum from the fall will inspire all our programs to have exciting and successful seasons throughout the rest of the academic year.Ó

The momentum seems to have carried over to the recruiting season as well.

The K-State men's basketball team had possibly its best recruiting class ever commit to the Wildcats. Four highly-touted high school players and a talented junior college forward will be joining the improving Wildcat men's basketball team in the fall of 2003.

Similar recruiting success took place in the women's basketball program during the early-signing period, as five prep recruits signed to continue their academic and athletic careers in Manhattan.

Other Wildcat teams are on the upswing as they head into the main part of their seasons.

Both the K-State men's and women's golf teams, as well as the equestrian team had outstanding falls. The Wildcat women's rowing team swept Kansas in the final event of the fall.

The Kansas State women's track and field team is coming off back-to-back team titles at the Big 12 Conference outdoor meet, while the Wildcat men's team is hoping to build on its finishes from a year ago.

For more information, please contact the Kansas State Sports Information Office. And we wish everyone a joyous and safe holiday season.

--ksu--