83rd Annual Kansas Relays Off to a Running Start
April 14, 2010
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
It was a warm and slightly windy opening day of the 83rd Annual Kansas Relays, as 28 athletes competed in the various events of the men’s decathlon and women’s heptathlon. The men completed five of their 10 events, while the women wrapped up four of their seven on Wednesday at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kan.
Skyler Reising, who is competing unattached, leads the men’s decathlon field with 3,937 points. Reising took a commanding lead after leaping 2.07m (6-09.50 ft.) in the high jump, which was nearly a foot higher than any of the competition.
Aaron Hannon of Baker is in second place after the first five events, as he earned 3,615 points on the day. He won both the 100 and 400-meter dashes, which contributed 1,643 points to his score.
After the first day of the women’s heptathlon, Anna Kay Campbell of Lincoln University (Mo.) holds a slim 22 point-lead on Megan Wheatley of Nebraska. Campbell finished the day with 3,197 points, while Wheatley, a two-time Big 12 champion in the heptathlon, is currently in second with 3,175 points.
Campbell was trailing Wheatley by 102 points going into the final event, but she ran an impressive 24.24 in the 200-meter dash, garnering 958 points to take over the lead. Wheatley’s best event of the day was the 100-meter hurdles, where she tallied 928 points after posting a winning-time of 14.36.
Kansas’ Kelsey Grimm was among the field of multi-event athletes competing at the Relays on Wednesday, marking the first heptathlon competition of her career. Grimm tallied 2,082 points through the first four events, with her best performance coming in the 200-meter dash. She clocked in at 28.15, earning 619 points.
The combined events will continue Thursday, starting with men’s decathlon 110-meter hurdles at 8:30 a.m. The collegiate hammer throw events will also take place on Thursday, beginning at 12 p.m. with the men’s competition, followed by the women’s at 4:30 p.m. Kansas’ standout thrower Alena Krechyk will compete in the women’s hammer throw as the top-ranked athlete in the West region of Division I track and field. Krechyk is the school-record holder in the event with her mark of 211-10 ft., set at the Texas Relays two weeks ago. Thursday evening will feature several distance events, including finals for both the men’s and women’s 5,000 and 10,000 meters.
2010 Kansas Relays
Day One Quotes
April 14, 2010
Decathlon Leader Skyler Reising – Unattached
On his performance on the first day:
“My best after the first day is 4117 so I am a little down, but I’ve improved a lot of my second day events. I am looking forward to the discus and pole vault tomorrow.”
On his history in the decathlon:
“I was a three-time NCAA qualifier. My sophomore year I finished 20th. My junior year my mom died right before Big 12 Championships and I ended pulling my hamstring there. I was already qualified, but I couldn’t get healthy, so I didn’t get to go in 2008. Last year I severely sprained my left ankle, which is my jumping leg, two weeks before the Big 12 Championships. I was able to recover in time for the NCAA Championships, but I ended up no marking in the long jump. I really haven’t been able to peak at the end of the season. My goal is to qualify for the USA Championships and hopefully get a chance to get a full season of training in.”
On the competition in the decathlon:
“To be honest I don’t think there is anyone that can challenge me, but there are a lot of good athletes out here. I won the long jump, high jump and shot put today, but there was a guy that ran faster than me in the 100 and a few that ran faster than me in the 400. It’s good to have a good mix of athletes that can kind of push you.”
On his competitions so far this season:
“This is my first outdoor meet. I finished third at the Indoor NCAA Championships in the heptathlon.”
On his previous experience at the Kansas Relays:
“I was on a shuttle hurdle relay that won two or three years ago.”
On his history in the decathlon at the Kansas Relays:
“This is my first time. I like it. The weather has been awesome and the jumping was great. All the facilities are great.”
Heptathlon leader Anna Kay Campbell – Senior, Lincoln (Mo.)
On how this year’s Kansas Relays compares to past years:
“It’s kind of quiet starting with the multi-events, but it will get better on Friday and Saturday.”
On the competition so far:
“It’s been a good competition. I kind of messed up in certain events, but I’m on track right now.”
On her goals for finishing out the competition:
“My goal is to PR in the events that are left.”
