Throwers Shine as Kansas Competes at Wildcat Open

April 27, 2013

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BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Jayhawk throwers notched three victories as members of the Kansas Track & Field men’s and women’s teams took part in the Wildcat Open at Baker University Saturday. Senior Alena Krechyk posted a season best in the hammer throw, while sophomore Jonathan Miller turned in a career best in the discus.

Krechyk, who is one of only two collegians to have passed the 219-foot mark multiple times this year, had another outstanding outing in the hammer throw Saturday inside Liston Stadium. The Grodnos, Belarus native only needed three fair throws on the day to claim the overall victory, however it was her third attempt that once again moved her up the NCAA leaderboard. Krechyk unwounded for a throw that measured out to 67.89 meters (222’9″), the third time this season she has surpassed the 219-foot mark. Her toss, which garnered her third win of her season, was her best of the 2013 campaign and ranks fourth among the NCAA standings.

Krechyk will look to defend her hammer throw conference title next week at the Big 12 Championships. At last season’s league meet, she broke the Big 12 record with her career-best and school record mark of 69.02 meters (226’5″) en route to her second conference championship in the event.

Miller had a career day inside the throws cage at Baker as the sophomore hit a personal best mark in the discus. The Tribune, Kan., product launched the discus to a distance of 54.47 meters (178’8″) on his third throw of the day. The mark improved upon his previous best by nearly a foot and gave him a lead over the nearest competitor by 24 feet. Miller would not be able to go any further during the rest of the event but his third-attempt mark was more than enough to earn him his first victory as a Jayhawk.

His career toss ranks him at No. 28 in the NCAA’s West Region and seventh in the conference standings with the Big 12 Championships looming just a week away.

Elsewhere in the field, Anastasiya Muchkayev continued her outstanding freshman campaign with a win in the women’s discus. Muchkayev tallied her top mark of the day on her second attempt, hitting a distance of 49.98 meters (164’0″).

Brian Katzfey also came away victorious Saturday. The sophomore out of Eudora, Kan., need just two fair jumps to notch his first win as a Jayhawk. He soared to a mark of 6.85 meters (22’5.75″) on his second trip down the runway, a leap that eventually earned him the title. The mark was the best outdoor performance in Katzfey’s young career.

Four Jayhawks managed to notch runner-up performances as well; junior Timmie Morris in the 400-meter hurdles (1:04.06), freshman Teddy Oteba with a personal best in the 400 meters (49.89), sophomore Aaron Blevins in the pole vault (15’5″), and freshman Richard Smith in the triple jump (46’6″).

The KU men and women will now send their teams to Waco, Texas for the 2013 Big 12 Outdoor Championships set to take place May 3-5. Get updates and meet previews by logging on to KUAthletics.com and following on Twitter at KUTrack.

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