April 5, 2000
LEXINGTON, Kty. – University ofKentucky defensive lineman Grayson Smith will be competing in thenational collegiate boxing championships this week in Colorado Springs,Colo.
Smith is part of the five-man UK team that will vie for theNational Collegiate Boxing Association title. The Wildcat boxers wonthe Midwest Region crown on March 24-25 by defeating Navy, the firsttime that the Wildcats had defeated the Midshipmen.
The national championships will be held at the Air Force Academyin Colorado Springs. The 6-1, 245-pound Smith fights in the heavyweightdivision, which is for boxers who weigh at least 201 pounds. There willbe eight heavyweights competing at the championships. Smith must winbouts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to claim the crown.
Smith will be a senior on the UK football team this fall. Hehas been a dependable reserve at defensive end, totaling 21 tackles, twotackles for loss (-4) and two quarterback sacks (-8) over the past twoseasons. He is working at defensive tackle this spring in order toimprove the team’s depth at that position. Coach Hal Mumme has excusedSmith from practice on Friday and Saturday in order to compete at thechampionships.
Spring Practice Schedule:
| Wed. April 5 | 2 p.m., practice at NTC |
| Fri. April 7 | 2 p.m., practice at NTC |
| Sat. Apr. 8 | 1:30 p.m., scrimmage at Commonwealth Stadium |
| Mon. April 10 | 2 p.m., practice at NTC |
| Wed. April 12 | 2 p.m., practice at NTC |
| Fri. April 14 | 3:30 p.m., practice at NTC |
| Sat. April 15 | 12:30 p.m., scrimmage at Commonwealth Stadium |
| Mon. April 17 | 2 p.m., practice at NTC |
| Wed. April 19 | 2 p.m., practice at NTC |
| Fri. April 21 | 2 p.m., practice at NTC |
| Sat. April 22 | 6 p.m., Blue/White Spring Game at Commonwealth Stadium |
Whalen Writing Draft Diary for CNN/SI: Former UK tight end JamesWhalen is writing a draft diary for the CNN/SI website during the weeksleading up to the NFL Draft, which is April 15. The diary is targetedfor publishing on Wednesdays. Look for Whalen’s diary under the profootball section at www.cnnsi.com.
From 1997-99, Whalen went from unknown walk-on to first-teamAll-America. He caught 90 passes for 1,019 yards and 10 touchdowns as asenior, leading the nation’s tight ends in all three categories. He setNCAA records for most receptions in a season by a tight end and mostreceptions per game (8.2) by a tight end. His 90 catches also brokeUK’s single-season record for receptions, eclipsing Craig Yeast’s markof 85 set in 1998.
