Thursday, March 27, 2008
Jordan Scott grimaced in pain and let out a booming roar as he completed another push-up.
“I can’t talk right now,” the sophomore pole-vaulter said between breaths. “I’m in the middle of a super-set.”
After finishing the grueling super-set workout, a winded Scott said, “I just did 184 push-ups. I can’t feel my arms.”
Workouts like these are fueling Scott’s fire, after a disappointing ninth place finish at the Indoor National Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. last weekend.
“All of my energy from indoor nationals will go to outdoor-and more,” he said. I’m a lot more determined now.”
While Scott’s bid at a national title was unsuccessful, several Jayhawks posted impressive performances. As a team, the women experienced their best finish in school history, placing 10th, while the men placed 22nd.
Senior weight-thrower Egor Agafonov took home his second consecutive national title with the furthest toss in the NCAA this year at 22.71 meters.
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I was nervous the whole week. I didn’t really want to talk about it. I was trying to keep my mind somewhere else, but it’s impossible.
—senior pole-vaulter Kate Sultanova
“It was difficult,” Agafonov said. “I don’t look at the other guys’ distance. I watch for my own mistakes, don’t collect others and just throw as far as I can.”
Agafonov is the first Kansas athlete to earn the All-American honor three years in a row in the men’s weight throw.
Also successful was senior pole-vaulter Kate Sultanova. She took home third place at nationals for the second year in a row and also earner All-American honors.
“I feel pretty good, but I’m a little disappointed,” she said, adding that she might have competed better with a thicker pole.
Sultanova talked about her feelings before the meet.
“I was nervous the whole week,” she said. "I didn’t really want to talk about it. I was trying to keep my mind somewhere else, but it’s impossible.”
Sultanova’s third place finish was only one of several impressive showings for the women. Junior sprinter Nickesha Anderson placed second in the 200-meter dash, posting the second fastest time in the world this year at 20.62 seconds. Anderson also finished sixth in the 60-meter dash.
Senior shot putter Stephanie Howard also scored for the Jayhawks finishing in eighth place with a 16.8 meter toss. She earned her first All-American honors. Senior triple jumper Crystal Manning placed 13th and also earned All-American honors.
The Jayhawks can now look ahead to a promising outdoor season. The team is excited to get outside and compete this spring.
“I can’t wait for it to get warmer,” Sultanova said. “I can’t compete in this cold weather. I’m going to be competing in my Russian furry hat and my boots,” she said with a laugh.
Also excited was Scott who hoped to come out strong after a disappointing finish at indoor nationals. “I’m a lot more determined for outdoors even though I thought I was for indoors,” he said. “It just keeps building up.”
Kansas begins the outdoor season on March 28th at the Missouri Relays in Columbia Missouri. The team’s first home meet will take place at Memorial Stadium April 16-19.
—Edited by Nick Mangiaracina
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