Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Basketball season is over, but that doesn’t mean you cannot see more great performances from Kansas athletes in the upcoming weeks. This week provides one of the best opportunities to watch a high-level sporting event, as the Jayhawks host dozens of teams at the annual Kansas Relays.
Last year, the fi eld of competitors was highlighted by distance runner Alan Webb, who ran the mile in under four minutes to win first place in the event. It is not every day that you have the chance to see someone achieve this feat, and those who witnessed it last year will not forget about it anytime soon.
The names of some of the events also add to the atmosphere at the relays, as events such as the Glenn Cunningham Invitational Mile pay tribute to some of the best track and field athletes in Kansas history.
This year’s field promises to be great once again. Among others, the list of competitors includes Veronica Campbell Brown, a sprinter who won the gold medal in the 200-yard dash at the Olympics in 2004 and 2008, and Nichole Denby, a hurdler who is a former NCAA Champion.
Not only does the Kansas Relays attract a field from all over the United States and other countries, but it also gives Kansas athletes the chance to showcase their talents on one of the biggest stages.
Senior Lauren Bonds has been running really well so far this season, and she currently holds one of the nation’s best times in the 1,500-meter run. On the men’s side, senior Jordan Scott is tied for the nation’s best finish in the pole vault this season. Both athletes are among several Kansas sprinters, pole vaulters, and throwers who have a chance for a great finish to this season.
For 83 years now, the Kansas Relays have given thousands of athletes the opportunity to compete in the presence of some of the all-time greats. Some high school students even get the chance to participate at the relays, which certainly provides them with an unforgettable experience. The Kansas Relays are also a big event for the Lawrence community because the event requires many volunteers to help make it a success.
More than anything, the Kansas Relays provide members of the community with a chance to witness history. The event has consistently produced memorable moments and outstanding performances. In 2001, the relays paid tribute to some of the great Kansas athletes who competed at the event, including Jayhawks Billy Mills, Wes Santee, and Jim Ryun. All three athletes made history in their respective events, and they all made it back to Memorial Stadium for the Kansas Relays.
Few sporting events on campus consistently produce as many outstanding performances as the Kansas Relays. With the number of athletes participating in each event, the level of competition is always very high and the event’s records are frequently challenged.
If you get a chance this weekend, make it down to the Kansas Relays. The event starts today and runs through Saturday and features a wide range of track and field events that will keep it interesting for anyone who attends.
You might not have another chance to see the same number of great athletes up close as you will at this year’s event.
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