Friday, February 6, 2009
This weekend, sophomore pole vaulter Cooper Merrill is looking forward to revealing a hidden passion: singing Broadway tunes.
“They may have to leave me behind so I can pursue it full time,” he joked.
Today, the Kansas track and field team is heading to New York City to compete in the New Balance Collegiate Invitational. Coach Stanley Redwine said that the event was a great opportunity for the team.
Kansas sprinters Keyen Porter, left, and Alex Carey push through to the finish line in the mens 60 meter dash during the Jayhawks' Jan. 16 track meet against Missouri. Members of the team begin competing today in the New Ballance Collegiate Invitational today in New York.
This weekend’s meet is the largest competition the Jayhawks have faced so far this season and will feature schools from all across the country including track powerhouses and Big 12 rivals Baylor, Texas and Texas A&M.
But Redwine welcomes the challenge, “I’ve never been one to shy away from competition,” he said. “In order to be there, we have to compete against the best and I think this is an opportunity to do that.”
Last year at the meet, senior Jarrell Rollins set a school record in the 500-meter dash with 1:04.19 and is looking to improve that record.
“Last year was my first time running it. I was pretty much timid on the track,” he said. “This time I’m just going to attack it.”
For many this is the farthest they have travelled to compete. However for freshman Shayla Wilson, this weekend will be somewhat of a home meet for her. The Milford, Del., native said that this would be the only time that her family would be able to see her compete.
Wilson will be competing in the 400-meter dash and the 4x400 relay. Along with Wilson, sophomore Kendra Bradley, and seniors Charity Stowers and Victoria Howard will round out the 4 person squad. Howard is filling in for senior Sha’Ray Butler who had to drop from competing to attend to family matters.
“It’s going to be tough to fill her shoes, but I just have to trust my training and make it around two times,” Howard said about competing on the infamous 200-meter track. Howard also will be competing in the 200-meter and the 60-meter dash.
Despite the degree of competition this weekend, to freshman Keith Hayes, it’s another track meet. Hayes will be competing in the 4x400 relay and the 60-meter hurdles. Hayes said in the past he has tried to make predictions but won’t worry about this weekend.
“I’m just going to let the times take of themselves now and go out compete and run,” he said.
Last year Kansas made a name for itself on the field courtesy of Jordan Scott and Kate Sultanova. Sultanova set the record for the women with a jump of 14-01 feet while Scott jumped 18 feet. This year Scott is looking to repeat his record performance.
The team is looking forward to making a statement this weekend even with all the tough competition that it faces.
MEMBERS TO COMPETE IN HUSKER INVITATIONAL
While some of the Track and Field team are traveling to New York, others will be heading back to Nebraska to compete in the Husker Invitational.
The team had competed last weekend in the Adidas Classic where the women took second place and the men placed fourth.
On the track junior transfer Aubree Dorsey will be competing in the 60-meter and 200-meter dash. Dorsey finished sixth place last weekend in the 200-meter competition.
In the distance races, sophomores Dan Van Orsdel and Nick Caprario and junior Isaiah Shirlen will compete in the men’s 3,000 meter run. Seniors Colby Wissel and Megan James will represent Kansas in the 1-mile run.
On the field freshman Jamaica Collins will compete in the Long Jump. Collins took ninth place last meet with a jump of 5.21 meters. While freshman Corey Fuller will compete in the Triple Jump. Fuller placed third last weekend with a best jump of 14.80 meters.
Redwine said he was looking for a total team performance this weekend.
“That’s what going to help us down the road,” Redwine said.
— — Edited by Sam Speer
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