Jayhawks succeed, break records in Kansas Relays
Thousands of fans fill Memorial Stadium for 81st annual event
High school and college athletes, along with world-class Olympians, competed last week in the Kansas Relays in Lawrence.
Monday, April 21st, 2008
As junior Nickesha Anderson took the baton from junior Charity Stowers in the women’s 4x400-meter relay, Anderson knew she had the victory for the Jayhawks. Although in second place at the time, Anderson knew exactly what she had to do.
“When I got the baton in second place, I knew it was all over,” the Hanover, Jamaica, native said. “It didn’t matter where (the competition) was because I know this is my home track, and I have to represent. This is where I train every day.”
Anderson took home the victory for her team in the final stretch of the race, making for an exciting finish. It was only one of many great performances for her and the rest of the Kansas track and field team.
“I think KU had some really good performances today,” head coach Stanley Redwine said of the 81st annual Kansas Relays. “We’re really excited about a lot of the athletes. We had some school records and some great wins, and it’s been really good competition. Overall, it was a great meet for us.”
The Kansas Relays played host to an array of athletes, ranging from high school standouts to world-class Olympians. Great weather and exciting events on Saturday made for a fantastic final day as more than 13,500 fans came out to Memorial Stadium.
Kansas’ athletes had been waiting for a great home atmosphere like the one Saturday offered.
“I love competing here at home,” junior sprinter Sha’Ray Butler said. “It just gives me more of a drive. My family gets to come from Texas. Having all my friends and family here makes me want to compete well.”
Butler competed well at the Relays, posting a second-place regional-qualifying time in the 400-meter hurdles and running the second leg of the 4x400-meter relay for the victorious Jayhawks.
“I feel pretty good,” she said of her second place in the 400-meter hurdles. “I was definitely trying to get that regional mark because I hadn’t hit it all year, so I’m pleased with it. I wanted the win, but I’ll take regionals, too.”
In the 4x400-meter relay, the Jayhawks posted a regionally qualifying time of 3 minutes, 39.43 seconds. Senior Ashley Brown joined Anderson, Butler and Stowers to run the first leg of the event.
Brown also placed fifth, respectively, in the women’s 400-meter hurdles invitational. The invitational division consisted of numerous world-class athletes and Olympians.
Anderson’s success in the relay was just one event she dominated. The All-American took home her third straight victory in the 100-meter dash with a new school record time of 11.23 seconds.
Anderson’s finish in the 100-meter dash was similar to the 4x400-meter relay. A late kick on the final portion of the race put her ahead of professional athlete Schillonie Calvert of Stellar Athletics. Redwine commented on Anderson’s great performances at the Relays.
“She’s very special,” he said. “She brings a level of excitement and a level of ‘I can do that’ to the rest of the team. She just brings the level of competition up for everyone she trains with on the team.”
Joining Anderson in the 100-meter dash was junior Victoria Howard. She placed third in the event, winning the first section of two with a time of 11.63 seconds.
Also successful for Kansas was senior Crystal Manning. She won the women’s triple jump and placed fourth in the long jump.
“I wasn’t satisfied,” she said of her performance in the triple jump. “I didn’t reach my goal. I was happy that I won, but I didn’t reach my goals.”
Unlike Manning, senior Julius Jiles did not win his event, but did run a new personal best time in the 110-meter hurdles.
Jiles competed in the invitational division, running against a field of professional athletes. He was the only collegiate athlete in the field. Jiles’ time of 13.69 seconds was good enough for third place.
Also successful for the Kansas men was sophomore Jordan Scott. He placed second in college invitational division behind former All-American Ray Scotten. Scott had his best pole-vault of the year with an impressive 5.20 meters (17 feet, three-fourth inches).
On the women’s side of the event, senior Kate Sultanova placed second with her pole-vault of 4.05 meters.
Sophomore Lauren Bonds also took home a victory for the Jayhawks in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with her time of 11 minutes, 2.83 seconds. She dominated the race, leading the majority of the distance.
This weekend the Jayhawks travel to Des Moines, Iowa, for the Drake Relays. Events begin on Thursday.
— Edited by Jessica Sain-Baird
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