by Phil Parker
Daily Lobo
With their injuries healed and considerable hype dying down, Lobo kickers are coming into this season as an improved unit ready to fill their role on the team.
Wes Zunker, Kenny Byrd, Aaron Barret and Katie Hnida entered fall practices competing for the position of the team's starting kicker.
"The competition has been very close through fall camp," said special teams coach Jeff Conway. "The two ahead in kickoffs are Barret and Zunker, and in extra points and field goals it's those three (including Byrd) competing."
Against Texas State-San Marcos tomorrow, Conway said Zunker will start with all kicker duties.
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Zunker is looking to rebound from a season hampered by injuries. A sore quad and then an injured groin forced the end of his 2002 season after just six games.
"He's shown that he's close to being back to full form like he started off last year," Conway said. "We hope he stays healthy."
Zunker has had bright moments, along with not-so-bright ones during the preseason. He nailed a 53-yarder during a game situation in practice, then missed an extra point attempt during a scrimmage this fall.
When Zunker was sidelined last year it was freshman walk-on Byrd who filled in as the team's number one. Now a sophomore, he is prepared to take that role again if the need arises.
Before last year, Byrd had never played organized football. At a family barbecue last year, his sister's fiancee, starting quarterback Casey Kelly, had a football with him and Byrd asked Kelly if he could kick a few. The quarterback was impressed enough to suggest that Byrd, a high school soccer player, try out for the Lobo football team.
"I thought I might just make the team and get to hang around for a while, but then Wes got hurt and I got to get in," Byrd said.
Hnida made a big splash for Lobo athletics last year when she became the first woman to appear in an NCAA Division 1 game. Her blocked extra point against UCLA was lauded nationally, and Hnida appeared on ESPN, CNN, Good Morning America, CBS's The Morning Show, and Fox News This Morning.
"Katie's role with the team depends entirely on her performance," Conway said. "No one has worked harder coming into their senior year. Usually good things happen for somebody who prepares that hard."
Gaus will handle the punting after a successful freshman campaign. Named third team Freshman All-American last year, he worked hard in the off-season to improve his consistency.
"I did alright last year but I wasn't great," Gaus said. "I had a lot of stuff to improve on."
He has practiced tightening his footwork and slowing down his movements.
"Last year I was rushing through my punts too much and kicking more line drives," he said.
The work Gaus has done should improve hang time to get a better overall punt.
Zunker and Gaus will have the opportunity tomorrow night to show off new and improved skills they have developed during the off-season.
