Earl Richardson/Journal-World PhotoFirst place just isn’t good enough for Kansas University senior Scott Russell.
Russell broke two records in the 35-pound weight throw on Friday, setting a school record and Anschutz Pavilion record with a personal best of 73 feet, 81/4 inches at the Kansas Invitational track meet.
“I knew it was a good throw,” said Russell, who has practiced relaxation techniques to help improve his throws.
In 1999, Russell set both the school record and the Big 12 meet record with a throw of 73-6. He is ranked second in the country in the weight throw this season and has already qualified for the NCAA Championships. Russell, who improved his personal-best mark by nearly11/2 feet, outdistanced teammate Ryan Speers, who notched second in 52-6.
KU assistant coach Doug Reynolds credited Russell for his hard work while training.
“We’re definitely moving in the right direction,” Reynolds said. “Now, we can’t get complacent because there is a lot more in him.”
Russell did have several fouls in the following throws and said that he would be working hard for the upcoming meets to get off clean throws.
“Every meet, Scott’s becoming more comfortable and is turning into a mature competitor,” Reynolds said. “He has the talent and the athletic ability. Now it’s just putting them together. But he has the opportunity to do something really special with the national championships approaching, and the way he’s dealing with competition will only make him better and better.”
Russell wasn’t the only Jayhawk setting records on Friday. Charlie Gruber won the 1,000 in 2:21.72, breaking the KU and Anschutz records. He clipped teammate Brian Blachly, who was second in 2:26.17.
“We were definitely impressed with Charlie breaking the school record in the 1,000 meters by about two seconds and with Scott breaking his own record and the stadium one as well,” KU coach Stanley Redwine said. “Those athletes I think are ready to go and compete well at conference and the NCAA Championships.”
Other KU winners included Speers in the men’s shot put (58-31/4) and Jennifer Foster in the women’s shot (46-51/2). Jabari Wamble won the 200 in 21.71.
Andrea Branson placed first in the pole vault with a mark of 11-113/4. The All-American has won at three straight meets.
“They really came out and are giving their all today,” Redwine said. “We may not win every event, but as long as they give their best, that’s all the coaches can ask for.”
Second-place finished were turned in by KU’s Shanetta March (200), Sherre-Khan Blackmon (400), Laura Lavoie (1,000), Jennie Wonder (60 hurdles), Pete Prince (5,000), Brandi Taylor (triple jump), Jeremy Hull (pole vault) and Andy Tate (mile).
Team scores were not kept in the 41-team event. KU has one more meet the Iowa State Invitational on Feb. 9 and 10 before the Big 12 Championships Feb. 23-24 in Lincoln, Neb.
Russell has high hopes for both of the meets.
“It always feels good to get a personal best, but I know there’s so much more,” he said.
Friday at Anschutz Pavilion
60 4. Robbie Harriford, 7.81. 200 2. Shanetta March, 24.96 6. Harriford, 25.35. 400 2. Sherre-Khan Blackmon, 57.67. 3. Stacy Keller, 57.90. 5. Eniola Ajayi, 58.06. 600 3. Amanda Reves, 1:29.92. 1,000 2. Laura Lavoie, 2:55.49. 3. Katy Eisenmenger, 2:59.92. 4. Eve Lamborn, 2:59.99 5. Courtney Deutsch, 3:00.75. 5,000 4. Paige Higgins, 18:41.67. 60 high hurdles 2 Jenni Wonder, 8.79. 1,600 relay 1. Kansas, 3:50.01. 3,200 relay 2. Kansas, 9:28.58. High jump 3. Jenaya Carman, 5-41/4. 6. Emily Hess, 5-13/4. Pole vault 1. Andrea Branson, 11-113/4. 4. Ashley Pyle, 10-6. Long jump 6. Brandi Taylor, 17-03/4. Triple jump 2. Taylor, 38-03/4. Shot put 1. Jennifer Foster, 46-51/2. Weight throw 5. Foster, 46-103/4.
200 1. Jabari Wamble, 21.71 800 5 Keith Wellman, 1:57.81 6. Steve Vockrodt, 1:58.27. 1000 1. Charlie Gruber, 2:21.72. 2. Brian Blachly, 2:26.17. 4 . Derec Lacio, 2:30.15. Mile 2. Andy Tate, 4:09.25. 5,000 2. Pete Prince, 16:36.98. 60 hurdles 4. Anson Jackson, 8.32. 1,600 relay 2. Kansas, 3:17.46. Pole vault 2. Jeremy Hull, 16-03/4. Triple jump 3. Benaud Shirley, 46-83/4. Shot put 1 Ryan Speers, 58-31/4. Weight throw 1. Scott Russell, 73-81/4. 2. Ryan Speers, 52-06. 3. Alex Thomas, 50-11.
