Lawrence High distance runner Chris Williams and Free State sprinter Tay Ogunnowo are among the city’s top entries heading into the Kansas Relays today at Memorial Stadium.
“It’s going to be the first Relays for all of them sophomores through seniors,” FSHS coach Steve Heffernan said of the Kansas Relays, returning after a two-year hiatus. “They’re really excited about competing against teams from other states as well as Kansas. They’re really, I think, eager to test themselves against all the competition the best in the state of Kansas and other states.”
Both Williams and Ogunnowo are ranked third in their events, the 3,200-meter run and 100-meter dash, respectively, based on qualifying times. Williams is a three-time state champion in cross country and a two-time champ in the 3,200. Ogunnowo is tied for the fastest 100 time in the state, being clocked at 10.5.
Ogunnowo is one of the city’s three burners competing in the 100-meter dash, along with FSHS senior Jake Lawrence and LHS senior Charles Brown.
“I’m extremely happy the Relays are back,” LHS coach Jerry Skakal said. “The improvements made to Kansas Memorial Stadium will improve the whole demeanor the press box, the JumboTron, everything.
“I’m just really excited about it. It brings out something special in your kids. None of the races have been won; none of the events have been contested yet. We’ll just go in with an open mind, expect better than the best from each individual, go there to compete and have fun.”
Free State qualified all four relay teams on both the boys and girls sides. The Firebirds are ranked second in the girls 4×800. LHS has boys relays teams in the 4×100 and 4×400.
FSHS senior Jamie Reed, who became the school’s first state champion last year in the high jump, headlines the girls entries. She is ranked No. 4 in today’s high jump, set to begin at 2 p.m.
“A couple other kids to keep your eyes on is Alyssa Humbarger, who is due for a really good day in the throwing events,” Heffernan said. “Pat Johnson is setting school records in the long jump and triple jump.”
The Lions two lone girls who qualified are junior Katie Bell in the javelin and junior Emily Schwartz in the high jump.
The Noonan siblings, Matt and Megan, are competing today for the Bulldogs. Megan Noonan, a senior, qualified for the 3200 and the 1,600. Matt Noonan, a sophomore, is running in the 3,200. BHS sophomore Eric Brown (javelin), the boys distance medley relay team and the boys 4×800 relay team also will compete today.
The Wildcats will send sophomore Griffin Lee (1600), senior Michelle Roellchen (pole vault), sophomore Mindy DeGroot (high jump) and their boys 4×400 relay team to the Kansas Relays this weekend.
The Cyclones have the most entries among the area schools, competing in a whopping nine events. Ottawa’s qualifiers are: senior Michael Nation (300 hurdles), senior Errol Moloto (400), senior Ryan Stringer (800), sophomore Emily Chapman (1600), senior Rachel Goetz (discus, shot put), the boys 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams and the girls 4×800 relay team.
The Chargers are sending just one athlete to the Kansas Relays, but senior Angie Heffner might have the best chance of winning among the area participants. Heffner is ranked third in the pole vault.
