Five-time All-America pole vaulter Andrea Branson has decided to stay at Kansas after all.
Branson, a senior from Shawnee Mission East, said earlier this week she was seriously considering transferring.
She was devastated vault coach Rick Attig was not a member of new KU coach Stanley Redwine’s Jayhawk staff. But upon further review, Branson, who competed at the 2000 Olympic Trials, will complete her career at KU.
“I’m happy to be back, but I will miss my coach,” Branson, the school-record holder with a mark of 13-10, said Friday.
“I am looking forward to seeing how the coaching change works out. The new staff is excited and really into it. We have a bunch of newcomers who will add some great things to the team. So I am excited to be back.”
Branson said former KU coach Attig is looking into job possibilities, but has not yet landed a coaching post.
“My individual coach … it didn’t work out for him. He is seeking better job offers and I wish him the best of luck. He hasn’t found what he’s looking for,” Branson said. “If I couldn’t follow him, there’s noplace else to go. I love KU.”
Branson was surprised to see some media outlets report she had definitely decided to leave Kansas when in fact she had not finalized her decision last week.
“I thought it was kind of funny. They said I was going because I’d moved from Lawrence. The only reason I moved (to Prairie Village last week) was my lease was up. I had to move out. I just smiled at the reports. I’m staying at the University of Kansas.”
