Another page in the history books was written Wednesday as the 81st annual Kansas Relays began. Beautiful weather and impressive performances made day one exciting and enjoyable.

Two Kansas athletes competed Wednesday in the decathlon and heptathlon. Sophomores Chelsea Helm and Jacob Breth competed in the first half of the events, which conclude today. The two posted solid performances and head coach Stanley Redwine was pleased.

“For me personally, I’m just happy to be a part of it,” he said. “The meet’s director is doing a great job in putting it together. We have great fields and we have better universities coming and more competition.”

Redwine said that home meets in track and field were rare, and were valued by Kansas athletes.

“Being at home is good because you have the whole crowd here to pump you up and all your coaches and teammates are here to cheer you on,” senior Crystal Manning said.

Manning will be competing in the triple jump, long jump and 4 x 100 meter relay. Last weekend at the John Jacobs Invitational in Norman, Okla., Manning won the long jump with her leap of 6.29 meters and posted the fifth best jump in University history.

Manning feels that the Jayhawks are off to a great start this outdoor season and have made improvements from the indoor season.

“I think everybody’s getting stronger,” she said. “We all have more confidence in ourselves and more confidence in our teammates. Everybody’s just ready to get out here and step out of their comfort zone.”

Senior sprinter Jarrell Rollins is definitely ready to step out of his comfort zone this weekend. Rollins will compete in the 400-meter dash and is excited to run if front of his home crowd and campus.

Rollins is also pleased with the meet’s pleasant weather.

“I always consider myself as an outside man so I love running outdoors,” he said. It might be tough to run with this wind, but it’s not even going to be a factor in my mind.”

After nine regionally qualifying times posted by the Jayhawks last weekend in Norman, Rollins feels that the team has the momentum they need to take home a victory this weekend.

“We just need to keep riding our success through the KU relays all the way to the Big 12 Championship,” he said.

Rollins credited the Jayhawks’ outdoor success to the addition of several events that are not offered with the indoor season.

“I honestly believe we have an outdoor team simply because we have certain events like the javelin that are only outdoors,” he said. “Outside, I think we are a stronger team.”

The Kansas Relays take place today through Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Cost is free for students and $10 for adults. Events start at 8:30 this morning and last until 9:20 p.m.

—Edited by Madeline Hyden