Columbia, Mo. ? Kansas University senior Scott Russell is the headline performer entering the 2002 Big 12 Outdoor track and field championships today through Sunday at Missouri’s Walton Stadium.
Russell, a 6-foot-9 senior from Windsor, Ontario, has won four individual league outdoor titles two in the hammer throw (1999-00) and two in the javelin (1998, 2000).
He will throw the hammer, javelin and discus again this year. He leads the Big 12 in the javelin at 243-1. He’s third in the hammer at 208-9 and sixth in the discus at 181-10.
“I think he can win two of the three. In my mind he’s the favorite in the hammer and javelin and I look for hopefully fourth in the discus,” KU throws coach Doug Reynolds said.
Russell had some elbow pain recently, but enters the meet 100 percent, Reynolds indicated.
“He had some twinges so we decided to take the safe route. We rested him and he’s been doing more drilling and less hard throwing,” Reynolds said.
Several Jayhawks enter the meet with top marks and/or times.
On the men’s side, Leo Bookman has the league’s top time in the 200 (20.77) and seventh best time in the 100 (10.51). Charlie Gruber is ranked first in the 1,500 at 3:41.08. Benaud Shirley is ranked second in the triple jump (52-83/4) and seventh in the long jump (24-13/4).
Also, Andy Morris is ranked fourth in the decathlon (7,143 points); Mark Menefee fifth in the 5,000 (13:52.8); Anson Jackson fifth in the 110 hurdles (14.05) and Brian Franklin fifth in the triple jump (50-10).
Vadim Gvozdetskiy is ranked seventh in the pole vault (17-23/4); Brent Behrens eighth in the 10,000 (32:12.35) and Pete Prince ninth in the steeplechase at 9:11.2.
On the women’s side, Katy Eisenmenger has the league’s best time in the 1,500 (4:17.19). Laurie Lavoie is sixth in that event (4:23.63).
Brooklyn Hahn is second in the triple jump (42-6) and Andrea Bulat third in the javelin (160-11).
Jennie Wonder is fourth in the 100 hurdles (13.48) and fifth in the 400 hurdles (1:00.07)
Paige Higgins is sixth in the 10,000 (35:27.52); Jennifer Foster seventh in the discus (160-2). Shameika McField is eighth in the 400 (54.7); Higgins eighth in the 3,000 (10:10.54) and Monique Peters eighth in the long jump (19-51/2). Sondra Rauterkus is ninth in the high jump (5-8) and Sarah Schraeder 11th (5-71/4). Erika Hamel is ninth in the lon jump (19-4) and Jamie Waters ninth in the hammer (161-1). Robbie Harriford is 10th in the 100 (11.89).
