Kansas claims bragging rights, Sunflower Triangular title
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas track & field won 11 events and scored 235 points to bring home the title at the KU-KSU-WSU Triangular on Friday in Anschutz Sports Pavilion. The victory marks the third time in the five years of the meet’s history the Jayhawks have laid claim to bragging rights in the Sunflower State, having also won in 2016 and 2017. KU junior Bryce Hoppel won two events to score a total of 14 points to secure a three-way tie for the meet’s top performer with K-State’s Ariel Okorie and Jullane Walker.
Hoppel’s victories came in the one-mile run and his signature event, the 800-meter run. In the mile, Hoppel edged out teammate Dylan Hodgson for the win, with the pair hitting the line at 4:16.57 and 4:16.70, respectively. Hoppel then coasted to a win in the 800 later in the meet, clocking in at 1:56.10.
Sophomore Honour Finley broke the meet record in the women’s 400-meter dash by notching a time of 55.23 seconds. The mark bested her time recorded last year in Manhattan, Kansas, in which she clocked in at 55.49 seconds to tie the meet record held by K-State’s Belinda Hope. Junior Mariah Kuykendoll finished behind Finley for second place, timing in at 56.35 seconds.
Freshmen Xavier Wolf, Ally Ryan and Rylee Anderson all took home victories from their first Sunflower Triangular. Wolf won the men’s 600-yard run (1:12.78), Ryan notched a victory in the 1,000-meter run (2:54.55) and Anderson won the women’s high jump (1.78m/5-10 ft.), her second victory in as many outings for the Jayhawks.
Isaiah Cole, Michael Melgares, Jedah Caldwell and Marleena Eubanks all recorded individual victories as well. Cole took the men’s 400-meter dash title (48.65), Melgares won the 3,000 meters (8:22.12), Caldwell notched the victory in the 200-meter dash (24.53) and Eubanks secured the win in the 800 meters (2:11.71).
The Kansas mixed 4×400-meter relay team of Finley, Cole, Nicole Montgomery and Cody Johnson finished the night with flare, taking the win and sealing the team victory by clocking in with a combined time of 3:29.57. The mixed 4×400-meter relay was implemented at last year’s triangular, which the Jayhawks won as well.
STANLEY SAID IT
Quotes from Kansas head coach Stanley Redwine
“I thought it was a really good meet for us, it was fun. Our athletes love it and it is a great competition with our in-state rivals. It was a lot of fun and the hard work paid off for us.”
OTHER QUOTES
Hoppel ESPN+ Interview
Anderson ESPN+ Interview
UP NEXT
The Kansas pole vaulters will compete on Saturday, January 19 at the National Pole Vault Summit at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center in Reno, Nevada. Following the weekend, the Jayhawks will then host the Jayhawk Classic at Anschutz Pavilion, January 25-26, to conclude the home portion of the indoor season.
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