Kansas Dominates Jayhawk Invitational
Jan. 20, 2007
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
A trio of Jayhawk pole vaulters scored NCAA provisional marks for the University of Kansas track and field team at the Jayhawk Invitational Saturday at Anschutz Pavilion. In all, Kansas won 16 different events.
Jordan Scott, a freshman from Watkinsville, Ga., cleared 17-00.25 in the men’s pole vault, surpassing the NCAA provisional mark in the event of 17-00. Fellow rookie Kirk Cooper finished second for KU with a vault of 15-11 and sophomore Ryan Hays cleared 14-05.25 for fourth place.
“To come out here for KU and get a provisional, I am definitely happy,” Scott said. “I am very happy to do well at this home meet and I feel comfortable jumping here because we practice here.”
On the women’s side, both freshman Britany Parker and junior Kate Sultanova broke the Anschutz Pavilion record with their performances. Parker cleared 13-01.50 for second place while Sultanova vaulted 13-03.50 to win the event.
“I feel good about my performance today, especially considering I just got back Monday from Russia,” Sultanova said. “The time difference is still affecting me, but I think as I continue, I will able to reach my goal of making it to nationals.”
Junior Egor Agafonov, the defending Big 12 champion in the weight throw, registered a provisional mark for the second-straight meet with a winning heave of 67-08.25. Senior Cody Roberts finished second in the event with a toss of 57-09.
Sophomore Zlata Tarasova won the women’s weight throw with a toss of 60-03, just under two feet from provisionally qualifying for the NCAA Championships. Senior Shatoya Hill won the triple jump with a season-best leap of 37-10.50. Sophomore Charity Stowers (1:27.58) and junior Maresia Pencil (1:27.87) finished first and second, respectively, in the women’s 600-yard run.
“I feel good with how I did today, almost setting a new personal best in the event,” Tarasova said. “I did what I wanted to accomplish today and I hope to add to my distance at our next meet.”
Also winning for the Jayhawks were juniors Colby Wissel and Paul Hefferon. The pair of 2006 cross country All-Americans took home victory for the Jayhawks in the 3000 meters and mile run, respectively. Hefferon finished in 4:13.16, while Wissel finished in 8:20.02. Junior Matt Baysinger was also victorious for KU in the 600-yard run with a time of 1:10.35. Senior Clif Mitchell finished second in the event in a time of 1:13.25.
“I won, which is always the first objective,” Baysinger said. “It was not quite the time I was hoping for, but we have just completed a tough week of practice and once we start tapering down, I think our times will really begin to improve.”
In all, Kansas won 16 different events. Among other winners for the Jayhawk women were senior Melissa O’Rourke, who won the 1000 meters (2:57.33), senior Crystal Manning in the 60 meter dash (7.74 seconds), sophomore Stephanie Horton in the shot put (48-11.50) and sophomore Ashley Brown, whose preliminary mark of 8.48 seconds in the 60 meter hurdles narrowly missed an NCAA provisional mark, won the event in a time of 8.64 seconds. However, Brown’s preliminary time set a new facility record for Anschutz Pavilion.
On the men’s side, freshman Jack Sachse won his third-straight 800 meters in a time of 1:53.51.
“It felt great to make that turn and have the fans cheering me on,” Sachse said. “Although the time was not quite as good as I would have liked, I am happy with my performance today.”
KU head coach Stanley Redwine echoed the thoughts of many his athletes, pleased with their performances and the support of the home crowd.
“I was very pleased with not only today’s winners, but how we performed overall,” Redwine said. “It was great to see all the fans, parents and former athletes out here today supporting all of our student-athletes .”
Kansas returns to the track next Saturday when it ventures to Albuquerque, N.M., to compete in the Lobos Invitational. Check back with kuathletics.com for all the latest news, information and results.
