April 23, 2005

Photo Gallery

LAWRENCE, Kan. – There will be two kinds of people in the Midwest tomorrow: those who attended one of the most exciting Kansas Relays in the history of the prestigious meet — and those who will lie and say they were there. The final day 78^th running of the Relays was filled with drama, enthusiasm and featured some of the top track and field athletes in the world.

<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

“This is a banner day for the Kansas Relays and the University,” Kansas Relays Meet Director Tim Weaver said. “To have 20,000 thousand people share your vision for three hours is a remarkable feeling. The performances on the track and the turnout in the stands were equally phenomenal. This was exactly what we wanted to show everyone – how entertaining this track meet can be. Someone told me yesterday that there is a page on the internet calling me the Don King of track and field. Well, it that’s the case then all I can say is ‘only in America, only in America’.”

Several Kansas athletes competed well on the last day of the meet. Junior thrower Abby Emsick achieved a regional qualifying mark in the women’s discus with a toss of 168-08, while junior thrower Sheldon Battle placed second in the men’s discus and was the top collegiate finisher in the event.

Senior Brooklyn Hann won the women’s triple jump with a mark of 43-03.75. Senior Jeremy Mims won the men’s 800 meter with a regional qualifying time of 1:50.00. Junior Benson Chesang won the men’s mile going away with a time of 4:05.63 as former Jayhawk Charlie Gruber finished third with a time of 4:08.66.

The second largest crowd in Kansas Relays history (24,200) watched as several world-class athletes performed at the highest level in the newly formed GOLD ZONE – a three-hour window in the meet that featured over 30 former Olympians.

Muna Lee (Nike) bolted to the 100-meter dash title in a time of 11.10 – the fastest mark in the history of the meet. Meanwhile, Dominique Arnold (Nike) brought the crowd to its feet by logging the fastest time in the world this year by clocking a 13.33 in the men’s 110-meter hurdles.

Former Olympian Amy Acuff (Asics) finished second in the invitational high jump to Gwen Wentland (Nike) who leaped 6-00.75.

Marion Jones (Vector Sports Management) competed in the women’s 4×200-meter relay, but a bad handoff between her teammates caused the team’s winning time of 1:34.56 to be disqualified. Kansas City native Maurice Green (H.S.I.) finished third in the men’s 100-meter dash with a time of 10.15. The winner of that event, John Capel, ran a time of 10.10.

Most Outstanding Performers Named

Following an eventful 78^th annual Kansas Relays, Dominique Arnold, Muna Lee, and two high school athletes were named Most Outstanding Performers of the men’s and women’s divisions.

Arnold, of Nike, posted a new relay record of 13.33 in the men’s 110-meter hurdles. The previous mark of 13.43 was held by Anwar Moore. Arnold’s finish was also the fasted time in the world this year.

Lee, also of Nike, took gold in the women’s 100-meter dash. Her finish of 11.10 was the 6^th fastest tally in the world this year, as well as a new relay record. She topped Merlene Ottey’s mark of 11.18.

Records

Jared Huske, Highland Park High School (Topeka), 13.92

Boys’ 110 Meter Hurdles

Relays Record

13.92

Previous Record

14.00 (1982, Brian Reffner, Hutchinson, KS)

Dominique Arnold, Nike

Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles

Relays Record

13.33

Previous Record

13.43 (2004, Anwar Moore, Unattached)

Ladue High School

Danielle Oliver, Azraa Rounds, Elizabeth Prewit-Allen, Ysatis Williams

Girls’ 4×100 Meter Relay

Relays Record

48.43

Previous Record

48.50 (1997, NW Classen)

Muna Lee, Nike

Women’s 100 Meter Dash

Relays Record

11.10

Previous Record

11.18 (1982, Merlene Ottey, Nebraska)

———————–

Notes

Abby Emsick, University of Kansas, achieved a regional qualifying distance with a mark of 168-08 (51.42m) in the Women’s Discus.

The winner of the men’s triple jump, Stelios Kapsalis, Kansas State, qualified for the Division 1 Regionals with a mark of 52-04.75. Two other individuals also qualified: Fabian Florant, SMS (51-09.25, Benaud Shorty, Kansas (51-06.25).

Frances Keating, University of Nebraska, qualified for the Division 1 Regionals with a mark of 13.51 in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.

The crowd at Memorial Stadium witnessed the fastest time in the world this year in the Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles. Dominique Arnold, Nike, set a new Kansas Relays record with a mark of 13.33. The previous 2005 record was held by Mateus Inocencio, Brazil (13.37).

Muna Lee, Nike, ran the world’s sixth fastest time this year, and set a new Kansas Relays record with a mark of 11.10. The old record of 11.18 was held by Merlene Ottey, Nebraska).

Egle Uljas qualified for Division 1 Regionals with time of 2:08.87 in the Women’s 800 meter run.

Jeremy Mims, University of Kansas, won the Men’s 800 Meter Run. His time of 1:50.00 qualified him for D1 Regional. Also qualifying was Dmitrijs Melkevics of Nebraska with a time of 1:50.29.

Attendance for the Relays was 24,200–the second largest Relays crowd in 78 years.

Kansas senior Brooklyn Hann won the Women’s Triple Jump with a mark of 43-03.75. She qualified for D1 Regionals along with fellow competitors Kwonya Ferguson (Nebraska), Crystal Manning (Kansas), Luan Weeks (SMS), Donavette Martin (SMS) and Marianne Schlatchter (Kansas State).

Bershawn Jackson, Nike recorded the fastest time in the U.S. this year with a 48.67 in the Men’s 400 Meter Hurdles Invitational. The previous leader on the year was Bennie Brazell (LSU) with a time of 49.40.

Kansas junior Sheldon Battle took second in the men’s discus with a regional qualifying mark of 182-08.