Monday, April 21, 2008
Fans at the 81st annual Kansas Relays were treated to an Olympic preview Saturday afternoon as some of America’s best athletes were in action in the invitational competitions.
With the U.S. Olympic trials set to start on June 27 in Eugene, Ore., this was the first chance this season for several Beijing hopefuls to perform at an outdoor meet. While all the athletes understand there’s still a ways to go before they’re ready, that didn’t stop them from putting on a show.
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It means a lot to me, coming here, and you’ll most definitely see me here in years to come.
— Bershawn "Batman" Jackson, 400-meter hurdle champion
In the shot put, 2008 Indoor World Champion Chris Cantwell won with his first throw, a toss of 67 feet 6 1/4 inches. A Missouri graduate, Cantwell hasn’t been able to get outside to practice much because of the weather in Columbia. Describing his transition from indoor to outdoor competition, Cantwell likened himself to a newborn deer trying to walk.
“It’s easy to get off-kilter when you haven’t had a lot of ring time,” Cantwell said.
The distance wasn’t what Cantwell was looking for — he joked that a “world record would have been nice” — but he knows what’s ahead and believes he can handle it.
“I’m ready now. It’s just that consistency right now is the killer. That’s more than enough time,” Cantwell said referring to the 12 weeks leading up to the trials. “I’m right on track, and I feel really good about it.”
The biggest name coming into the weekend was that of Bershawn “Batman” Jackson, a 24 year old who has won the 400-meter hurdles five out of the past six years. A competitive field was there to challenge him, but Jackson rose above everyone else with a new record time of 48.32 seconds, breaking his 2006 time of 48.34.
That’s the fastest outdoor season-opening time Jackson has ever run, and it’s also the best time in the world this year.
“It feels great to be running fast again after coming off a terrible season,” Jackson said.
Jackson injured his hamstring during the indoor season and called himself a bit out of shape, but after seeing Saturday’s time he can’t wait to see what’s next in store.
Jackson said that he doesn’t yet own the Kansas Relays, but he’ll keep running here until he does.
“It means a lot to me, coming here, and you’ll most definitely see me here in years to come,” Jackson said.
Another elite athlete on Saturday was Muna Lee, a native of Kansas City, Mo.
Lee competed in a pair of relays, the 4x100 and 4x200, for her team Total Sports. Total Sports won both races, thanks in large part to Lee’s anchor legs, though she was quick to defer compliments.
“Those girls came out, and really did all the work, I really didn’t have to do anything,” Lee said.
Lee enjoyed being able to see her friends and family, but similar to most other competitors, she just likes the Kansas Relays environment.
“This is one of the most fun meets we’ve been to,” Lee said. “Usually everything is so serious, and the competition is crazy, but then you come here, and you can relax and run.”
— Edited by Katherine Loeck
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