Some of Nation's Best to Compete Friday at Jayhawk Classic

Jan. 26, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. – As KU track and field takes part in their final home indoor meet of the 2012 season Friday, several athletes will be in action that may garner more attention than others. Some of the top male and female performers in the country will be in action, not only trying to garner individual victories in their events, but attempting to achieve the best marks and times of their careers in this Olympic year. Below are some athletes to highlight in Friday’s meet.

ATHLETES TO WATCH

Crystal Manning – Triple Jump
–Two-time All-American won several events in the long jump and led several relay teams to gold in her four years in Lawrence.
–Last week she notched an indoor personal record jump of 13.81 meters (45-03.75ft.) which currently ranks No. 8 in the world in 2012.
–Still holds the KU school record in the triple jump with an eye-popping mark of 13.71m (44-11.75ft.).
–Her senior year she was the Big 12 champion in the indoor long and triple jumps, and brought home the highest individual score for the meet, becoming the first Jayhawk in history to accomplish that feat.
–After graduation, continued her dream of turning professional and began training with the U.S.A. Track and Field Team. She has kept a stringent training schedule all while keeping the dream of representing the U.S. in the 2012 Olympics.
–Is currently training with world-famous horizontal jumps coach and Olympic gold medalist Al Joyner. Joyner has been training Manning at the Olympic Training center in Chula Vista, Calif., while she has been a resident-athlete there.

Monica Hargrove – 400 meters
–As a collegian at Georgetownfrom 2001-04, she was selected as an All-American in 2002, 2003 and 2004 for her part in the Hoyas distance medley relay team. She competed for the in the Big East Conference Championships numerous times, forming part of the outdoor champion 4×400 meter relay team in 2002, and winning the indoor 500 meter race in 2003.
–In 2006,she finished fourth in the 400 meters at the US indoor championships

–Also in 2006, she was selected for the US relay team at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships. Running with Debbie Dunn, Tiffany Williams, and Mary Danner, she won the silver medal in 3:28.63, her first major medal in international competition.

–She experienced more team success in 2006, setting a world best of 3:37.16 in the distance medley relay at the Penn Relays with Rachelle Boone-Smith, Lauryn Williams, and Hazel Clark.
–In 2007 she won 400m at the Boston Indoor Games, setting an indoor best of 52.85 seconds. She also had fifth place finish at the Reebok Grand Prix in 2007. She competed in Europe in the summer of 2008, taking third at the DN Galan, and fourth at the London Grand Prix and DecaNation meetings.
–In 2009, she set a world leading time in the 4×400-meter relay with Natasha Hastings, Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards at the Penn Relays. This time was only bettered by the medal winning teams at the World Championships that year.
–She quickly became a prominent fixture on the European athletics circuit, competing at IAAF Golden League and Super Grand Prix meets. This included a win at the 2009 DecaNation competition, and second place finish at the Athens Grand Prix, where she set a new 400m best of 50.39 seconds.
—Near the end of the 2009 season, Hargrove was among the top twelve 400 m runners (and the fifth fastest American) that year. As one of the top ranked runners on the IAAF World Athletics Tour, she was entered in the 2009 IAAF World Athletics Final.

Kimberly Williams – Triple Jump
–Williams was a four-year letterwinner for Florida State from 2008-11
–Selected as the NCAA Field Athlete of the Year in 2009
–Two-time NCAA Scholar Athlete of the Year
–Earned All-American status an unprecedented 11 times in the long and triple jumps
–Claimed five NCAA National Championships (four triple jump, one long jump)
–Won four-consecutive indoor and outdoor triple jump conference titles and three long jump conference crowns
–Owns three Florida State school records. One for the outdoor triple jump (14.08m/46-02.50ft.), the indoor triple jump (14.03m/46-00.50ft.), and the outdoor long jump (6.66m/21-10.25ft.)

Jordan Scott – Pole Vault
–One of the most decorated athletes in Kansas track and field history, Scott was the Jayhawks’ top pole vaulter from 2007-11
–Won seven Big 12 conference titles, four indoor and three outdoor
–Earned All-American honors three times
–Claimed the 2010 NCAA championship in the outdoor pole vault
–Holds second-best outdoor pole vault clearance in Kansas history, 18-08.75 feet

Alena Krechyk – Weight Throw
–2010 Big 12 Champion in the indoor weight throw
–Holds KU records in both the weight throw (64-01.25ft.) and hammer throw (211-10ft.)
–Redshirted for the 2011 indoor and outdoor seasons.

Rebeka Stowe – 3,000 meters
–Two-time All-American in the Steeplechase and distance medley relay
–Holds school record in the 3,000m-Steeplechase with a time of 9:53.12
–Two-time All-Big 12 Cross Country runner

Andrea Geubelle – Triple Jump
–Five-time All-American in the long jump and triple jump in her first two seasons at KU.
–Ranks No. 2 in the nation this season in the triple jump
–Holds the second-best triple jump mark in KU history, hitting a mark of 43-11.25ft.
–Top American finisher at the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships in the triple jump.

Kyle Clemons
–Ran to a Second Team All-American distinction in 2011 in the 400 meters.
–As a freshman, posted the fourth-best 400-meter time in KU history, clocking in at 45.98 at the NCAA West Preliminary.
–Three-time All-Big 12 performer

Taylor Washington – 600 yards
–Won the 2010 Big 12 title in the 600 yards as a freshman
–Member of 2011 All-American indoor 4×400-meter relay team
–Has the second-best 600-yard time in KU history
–Holds the third-best 400-meter time in school history

Diamond Dixon – 400 meters
–Ranks fourth in the NCAA this season in the 600 yards with a time of 1:22.57
–As a freshman at KU was a four-time All-American in the 400 meters and 4×400-meter relay.
–Broke the school records in both the indoor and outdoor 400 meters with season’s top time a 51.55.
–Big 12 Outdoor Champion in the 400 meters.
–2011 Midwest Region Female Track Athlete of the Year
–2011 Big 12 Freshman Track Athlete of the Year

Paris Daniels – 400 meters
— As a sophomore at Coffeyville JC, won the 2010 NJCAA national championship in the 400m
–An eight time All-American at the junior college level in the 400m, 200m, 4x400m relay and the 4x100m relay
–Personal bests included: 11.78 in the 100m, 23.5 in the 200m and 53.35 in the 400m.