Track heads to Big 12 Championships

Friday, February 23, 2007

The Big 12 Indoor Championships, the biggest meet for Kansas thus far, begin today in Ames, Iowa.

Despite their regular season success, the Jayhawks know that doesn’t always translate to top performances in the championship.

“That’s the fun thing about the Big 12,” junior pole vaulter Libby Harmon said. “You’re ranked, but you never know what’s going to happen.”

With that in mind, the team is focusing on setting personal records, rather than getting caught up in matching their ranking heading into the weekend.

“I’m not looking at my competition, I’m just going in to do my best,” Horton said. “I don’t care how far you girls have thrown or how far you’re going to throw, I’m going to do my best and go for broke.”

Not every athlete, though, is as prepared for the pressure of competing at the conference meet.

“I’m a little nervous, but you can’t let that get in your head,” freshman pole vaulter Jordan Scott said. “I’m just trying to stay positive.”

The event will take place at the Lied Recreational Center, which boasts a 300-meter track, a help to runners like junior Colby Wissel who will compete in both the 3,000 and 5,000 meters. The track’s length is different from the 200-meter track that is standard at most schools.

Wissel said the larger curves, like those in Ames, help distance runners run faster times.

“It’s a huge advantage for distance runners because the curves are what slow you down,” Wissel said.

Wissel has also benefited from the running of fellow junior Paul Hefferon, whom Wissel credits with pushing him throughout his races.

On the men’s side, junior Egor Agafonov is the heavy favorite in the weight throw, and several other Jayhawks are sitting in good position to take top spots.

Junior Kate Sultanova and freshman Britany Parker rank first and third, respectively, in the women’s pole vault in the Big 12 heading into the weekend. Junior Crystal Manning has the second best conference mark in the women’s triple jump.

Kansan sportswriter Taylor Bern can be contacted at tbern@kansan.com.

— Edited by Ryan Schneider

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