Nichole Denby Returns for 2010 Kansas Relays

April 10, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

After a one-year hiatus from competition at the Kansas Relays, Nichole Denby will return to Lawrence to run in her specialty event; the invitational 100-meter hurdles. Denby is a three-time Kansas Relays champion in the event, as well as the Kansas Relays record holder.

A native of Los Angeles, Calif., Denby took home Relays’ gold in 2006, 2007 and 2008, while her winning-time of 12.72 in 2007 stands as the Kansas Relays meet record.

In 2008, Denby competed at the U.S. Olympic team trials, and was leading the race until suffering a spill on one of the final hurdles, damaging her Olympic aspirations for that year. She holds a personal best time of 12.54, which was achieved in Eugene, Ore., in 2008.

Denby was a seven-time All-American at the University of Texas, as well as a multiple Big 12 Champion in the indoor 60 and outdoor 100-meter hurdles. In 2004, Denby was crowned NCAA Division I Champion in the 100-meter hurdles after recording the fifth-fastest time in NCAA history of 12.62.

Denby will run in the Invitational 100-meter hurdles Saturday, April 17 at 1:25 p.m. Admission into the meet will be granted to those wearing a 2010 Kansas Relays button. The buttons are $10 for adults and $5 for students, youth and seniors. Children under five are admitted for free, as are KU students with a valid KU ID. There is also a Kansas Relays family plan which includes two adult and two student/youth buttons for $20.

This year, Kansas Relays is partnering with Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Research Center to promote breast cancer awareness. The Kansas track and field team will be wearing special singlets during the event to show their support, while fans and spectators who donate to the “Jayhawks for a Cure” campaign will receive a commemorative button.