Columbia,MO. ? Scott Russell overcame bouts of tendinitis in the throwing arm and both knees to win the Big 12 hammer competition.
Columbia, Mo. Scott Russell’s throwing arm has bothered him off and on the past two years, ever since a freak accident on a mountain bike.
“I took a short cut to practice, hit a ditch and spilled over the handlebars,” said Russell, Kansas University’s massive 6-9, 275-pound junior thrower from Windsor, Ontario.
“The doctor said it’s tendinitis in the bicep. It’s gotten a little worse every year. It bothers me, but when the adrenalin gets going, you block out any pain.”
Russell shrugged off any discomfort Friday in winning the hammer competition at the Big 12 Outdoor track championships at Missouri University’s track.
Russell he also has tendinitis in both knees threw 195-1, outdistancing Nebraska’s Jeff Armitage (193-7). KU’s Chris Dunback placed fifth in 186-11.
“This is a great conference. To win in it is special,” said Russell, who also won the hammer at last year’s Big 12 outdoor in Waco, Texas.
Russell unleashed his winning throw on his second attempt in the prelims. He had a pair of throws over 200 feet wiped out by fouls.
“Scott has been a little erratic in that event. He threw far enough to win. A win is a win and to win it two years in a row is quite an accomplishment,” KU coach Gary Schwartz said.
“Chris Dunback had an outstanding competition. He was on. He kept improving on his throws. I’d say that’s the best meet I’ve seen Chris have. He stepped up,” Schwartz said.
In all, KU’s men scored 14 points the first day, good for third place behind Nebraska (19) and Texas A&M (15). KU’s women did not score Friday.
KU’s Andy Morris, winner of the Kansas Relays decathlon, is in first place after five events of the Big 12 decathlon.
Morris totaled 3,902 points. Kansas State’s Justin Robinson totaled 3,769 and Nebraska’s Guy Emry 3,472. KU’s Dorian Jordan is in 13th at 3,466 points.
“Andy looked very, very under control. He was focused and on a mission,” Schwartz said. “It’s the best I’ve seen him from start to finish on the first day in his career.”
Morris had a personal best mark in the 100 (11.04), the high jump (6-71/2), the shot put (41-01/2) and long jump (six meters 54).
“Sometimes you get hot and Andy did that,” Schwartz said of Morris, who entered ranked fourth in the league in that event.
“He has a good second day. He will not be fading. He’s a good hurdler. The most important thing is he feels pumped and ready to go.”
KU’s Jen Foster placed 13th in the women’s hammer at 141-9 and Sara Brinkley 19th in the 10,000 at 40:03.95.
Today, Ryan Speers and Foster will try to place in the top six in the shot put and discus respectively.
“We’re off to a good start. We’ll see if we can keep it going,” Schwartz said.
Scott Lengefeld of Texas A&M was the other first-day winner, taking the 10,000 in 29:47.61. Nick Smith of Missouri was second at 29:51.4.
Michelle Moran of Missouri was the first-day heptathlon leader, winning the 100 low hurdles. A junior, Moran had 3,418 points after four of the seven events, a first-day Big 12 record. Janet Dutton of Nebraska was in second place at 3,309 points.
