Fayettville, Ark. ? Kansas University’s Scott Russell placed third in the weight throw at Friday’s NCAA track and field championships.
Russell, a senior from Windsor, Ontario, had a throw of 76-73/4. Winner was Georgia’s Andras Haklits, who threw 80-2. Libor Charfreitag of SMU was second in 78-93/4.
In an odd twist, Haklits won the event but three-time champion Charfreitag was credited with an all-time collegiate best because Haklits’ throwing apparatus did not conform to regulations after the event. Charfreitag threw 78-93/4, bettering his own NCAA record by 6 inches.
Haklits used an apparatus in which the heavy ball sits inside a mesh bag. It was weighed and measured prior to the event and met all specifications. But, the mesh bag apparently stretched during the competition and failed to pass when re-certified after the record throw.
Haklits’ throw was the best ever indoors behind eight throws by American Lance Deal.
“I’m always trying to catch Lance … and I’m coming closer,” Haklits said.
Stanford’s Gabe Jennings responded to some Arkansas hog-calling with a spurt that left the Razorbacks’ Sharif Karie helpless as the Cardinal won the distance medley relay. Jennings started the 1600-meter leg more than 10 yards behind Karie and quickly closed the gap. He tracked the Arkansas anchor until there were less than three laps remaining and the Razorback fans were screaming ‘Woo, Pig Sooie.”
Jennings silenced them with a burst that left no doubt about the outcome.
“My race is all about excitement and getting pumped up,” Jennings said. “I think for Saturday you had better hold onto your horses.”
Jennings’ anchor leg came barely two hours after he broke four minutes in a qualifying heat in the mile and stamped Stanford as a genuine threat to end the Razorbacks’ string of Indoor titles. Arkansas has won the last four Indoor titles and 16 of the last 17.
Jonathan Stevens, who ran the 800 prior to Jennings’ anchor, fell behind Arkansas by more than 20 yards, but made up some ground late to put Jennings in position.
Karie outfinished Florida’s Chris Duncan for second and eight points.
