Gruber chats online

Former Kansas University track and field standout Charlie Gruber took time out of his preparation for the Athens Games to take part in an online chat Friday on KUsports.com. For the full transcript, go to kusports.com.

Football

Whittemore joins Arena2

Bill Whittemore is taking a stab at Arena football.

Whittemore, who set a Kansas University record with 18 touchdown passes last fall, has joined the Peoria, Ill., Pirates of Arena Football League 2.

“A couple of Arena coaches suggested he go try this thing in Peoria and get the experience and see if he likes it,” said his father, Bill Whittemore Sr. “He’s hanging out and learning a little bit about Arena ball.”

Whittemore joined the team as a third-string quarterback and was not activated for last week’s 33-30 loss to Green Bay in the regular-season finale. He is expected to suit up for today’s first-round playoff game at Oklahoma City.

“If the Arena2 season ends in time, he’d like to try to get back to Kansas and get back into grad school, if possible,” Whittemore Sr. said.

KU Basketball

Simien, Langford honored

Kansas University senior basketball players Wayne Simien and Keith Langford have been named to the John R. Wooden Award preseason All-America team. Other Big 12 Conference players on the preseason list are Oklahoma’s Kevin Bookout, Oklahoma State’s Joey Graham and John Lucas, and Texas’ P.J. Tucker.

Baseball

Maddux tries for 300th

San Francisco — Greg Maddux appeared relaxed all week, as if the major milestone he is about to add to his impeccable resume was just a distant thought.

At Coors Field, the humble and focused right-hander stopped to socialize with the clubhouse attendants and casually chatted up his Chicago teammates, seemingly his calm self even as he’s about to make history.

“I’m trying,” Maddux said with a smile Thursday as the Cubs wrapped up a series in Colorado. “What are you going to do? I guess I could worry and panic about it, but I’m not going to.”

Today, the four-time Cy Young Award winner will try for the second time to get his 300th career victory when the Cubs face San Francisco.

The 38-year-old Maddux, 299-170 and winner of 13 straight NL Gold Glove awards, would become the 22nd major-league pitcher to reach 300 victories.