Leo Bookman probably doesn’t think of himself as a pioneer.

But as a Big 12 champion in track and the heir apparent to start at free safety for the football squad, the sophomore from Dickinson, Texas, certainly is blazing a trail  in more ways than one.

Bookman, who set school records in the 200- and 60-meter dashes in finishing first and third respectively at the Big 12 Indoor track and field meet, has qualified for this weekend’s NCAA Championships in the 200.

KU is hoping Bookman’s success  both on the track and on the football field  could lead to more football/track standouts.

“I can’t say enough about him,” KU track and field coach Stanley Redwine said. “First of all, you have to thank the football coaches for giving him the opportunity to do track because the guy loves track and he also loves football. He’s already a Big 12 champion in the 200, but my goal is to see him play Sundays (in the NFL) in football. I think track is definitely a means to help him do that.

“Hopefully, that will help us recruit speed guys. A lot of athletes want to know if they can do both. Well, we’ve got a guy who’s a Big 12 champion that is doing both. He’s been nothing but great for our team,” Redwine added.

When KU football coach Mark Mangino introduced his first recruiting class a few weeks ago, he said speed is the name of the game. Which is why it makes sense for the new football staff to work closely with the track and field squad.

“I like them,” Bookman said of the new football coaches. “They’ve been supportive of me running track. They understand, and I appreciate that.”

Joining Bookman at the NCAAs, which take place today and Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark., will be senior Scott Russell in the weight throw, junior Vadim Gvozdetskiy in the pole vault, freshman Brooklyn Hann in the triple jump and senior Katy Eisenmenger in the mile.

Russell, who set the all-time NCAA mark with a toss of 81 feet, 1 1/4 inches during the Iowa State Classic, is the favorite to win the event he placed second in last season. He has won six straight meets, including the Big 12 championship.

“I think the athletes are ready to compete. They’re well prepared,” Redwine said. “It’s an honor to get to the NCAA. But once you get there, you can’t be satisfied with that, but go there with a purpose. I think our athletes are ready to do their best.”

Bookman, who holds the ninth-best time in the nation in the 200 at 21.03, hopes to move up at least one position in the final standings.

“I just want to make it to the finals and see how I finish up,” Bookman said. “If I make it in the top eight, I’m All-America for track and field so I just want to get in (the finals). I’m pretty excited and I’m blessed.”

Bookman, who was listed at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds last fall during his red-shirt freshman season with the football team, said he’s sliced more than a second off his 200 time this year. He also has been pleased with his splits while running with the 4×400 relay team, being clocked a couple of times at 46 seconds.

Participating in track has been a welcome alternative to the grueling, early-morning conditioning his football teammates are enduring.

“Waking up at 6 a.m. alone is tough,” Bookman said of the football conditioning, shaking his head. “But I’m in great shape.”

After toiling on the bench behind senior free safety Jamarei Bryant, Bookman is looking forward to entering the spring practice session atop the depth chart. He didn’t start any games last fall, but was named the special teams player of the week once.

“It feels pretty good,” Bookman said. “I just hope I can maintain it. I’m pretty confident, though.”

Bookman will leave the track team for the football field next week in preparation for the spring drills, then return to track for the outdoor season after KU’s spring game.

“It’s going real well,” Bookman said. “I’ve improved a lot from last year. Hopefully I’ll do better outdoors.”