Kansas Relays notebook

By J-W Staff Reports     Apr 20, 2008

Denby dominant again: Nichole Denby, who was named Most Outstanding Female Performer at last year’s Kansas Relays, won the 100 hurdles in a time of 12.78. Competing for Total Sports, she bested Josannne Lucas of Trinidad Tobago, who was timed in 13.05.

“I love the Kansas Relays. There’s always really good weather here with a great crowd, great support. I’ve been opening up here for three years. It’s become a little tradition for me,” Denby, a former NCAA champion from the University of Texas, said.

Representing Nike, she placed fourth at the 2007 USA Outdoors and has designs on the Olympics this year.

“I’ve picked up a new little event – the 400 hurdles. It’s a surprise. Nobody knows yet,” Denby said, informing the track and field world on Saturday. “I’ve been training for it since January. I open April 30 at Illinois, so that’ll be funny,” she added with a laugh.

¢ Lee excels on two relays: Kansas City fan favorite Muna Lee didn’t disappoint. She anchored Total Sports to victories in the 400 relay (43.65) and 800 relay (1:32.61).

“I had so much fun today,” said Lee, who presented a signed baton to a fan and also signed autographs for many others. “This is one meet I can come home and have fun and work on some things that I can’t focus on at big (international) meets.”

Lee, a sprinter who has designs on the 2008 Summer Olympics in China, couldn’t have asked for more in her outdoor debut.

“I’m going for it (Olympics). This is the best I’ve felt in a long time,” Lee said.

¢ High schooler wins honor: Emily Sisson, a sophomore from Omaha (Neb.) Millard North High, who set Relays records in winning the 1,600 (4:51.42) and 3,200 (10:25.42), was named Relays Most Outstanding Female Performer. Bershawn “Batman” Jackson was tapped Most Outstanding Male Performer after winning the 400 hurdles in a meet-record 48.32.

¢ Crowd totals: Kansas University officials estimated the crowd as 13,500 for Friday and Saturday. There appeared to be about 8,000 fans in the Memorial Stadium stands for Saturday’s featured events contested in sunny, 70-degree weather.

¢ Mims back on track: Former KU runner Jeremy Mims, who hopes to compete in the ’08 Summer Games, won the 800 in 1:50.38. Wichita State’s Girts Azis was second in 1:50.59.

“It’s always good to get a win at the Relays,” said Mims, who grew up in Iowa City, Iowa, graduated from KU in 2005 and now makes his home in Lawrence.

“I ran it five straight years and didn’t run it last year. It was kind of tough to watch it last year from the sidelines and not race.”

Mims stormed from behind on the second and final lap to win.

“I don’t like to lead. You’ll never see me in front of a race unless I get stuck out there,” Mims said. “It’s the way I like to run, to keep up with the leaders, draw off their pace and finish fast.”

¢ KU fares well: KU’s Nickesha Anderson won the 100 in 11.23. Teammate Victoria Howard placed third in 11.63. Anderson also anchored the victorious 1,600 relay in 3:39.43. … Seconds were snared by Jordan Scott in the invitational pole vault (17-03â4), Sha’Ray Butler in the 400 hurdles (59.71), Kate Sultanova in the pole vault (13-31â2) and the women’s two-mile relay team (9:29.99) … Julius Jiles placed third in the 110 hurdles (13.69) and Crystal Manning fourth in the long jump (20-61â2).

¢ Shot standout Cantwell wins: Former Missouri standout Chris Cantwell of Nike placed first in the shot put in 67-61â4.

“This is the fifth time I’ve thrown outside all year,” said Cantwell, 2008 World Indoor shot champ. “Coming from indoors to outdoors, it’s like watching a newborn deer try to walk. Indoors to outdoors is tough.

“My consistency is a killer, but I have plenty of time (before June Olympic Trials).”

¢ Records: Rosemarie Whyte of Stellar Athletics won the women’s 400 in a meet-record 51.71. Abraham Jones set a meet record in the men’s 400 hurdles in 50.04.

¢ Quotable: Male outstanding performer Jackson had perhaps the quote of the meet. A baseball standout in high school, Jackson was asked to describe his strength as a left fielder: “Stealing balls out of the sky,” he said.

Kansas Relays notebook

By Jesse Newell     Apr 21, 2006

It was a matter of seconds for the Kansas University track and field team Thursday at the Kansas Relays.

Though the Jayhawks didn’t grab any victories, they did garner four runner-up showings in the opening-day events.

Egor Agafonov and Zlata Tarasova (hammer), Matt Baysinger (800 meters) and Adrian Ludwig (1,500) each posted a second-place performance.

Mike Putzke was third in the men’s 5,000.

¢ Watch and win: Kelli Benton swears she came to watch the Kansas Relays.

She just happened to end up winning them.

The Prairie Village native won the women’s open 5K run with a time of 19:23.08.

“My sister runs the 800 here for Kansas,” Benton said. “My mother and I decided to run the race because we were already here to watch her.”

Mother Martha O’Rourke was second behind her daughter in the open 5K with a time of 22:59.57.

Meanwhile, Melissa O’Rourke – a junior for KU – placed eighth in the 800 earlier with a time of 2:19.00.

Benton’s feat was especially impressive given her recent life events.

“I just wanted to come out and run,” Benton said. “I just had a baby, and I have not been able to run in so long.”

¢ Close to 1,000: Kansas track officials estimated the first day’s attendance at 900 spectators.

¢ Big day today: The Relays gets under way in earnest today, with events slated to start at 8 this morning.

The GOLDZONE II showcase extravaganza will run from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

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