WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2003
---
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3B
Mile race,shot put events highlight Kansas Relays
By Chris Wintering
cwintering@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
The 76th Annual Kansas Relays will take place tomorrow through Saturday. Meet director Tim Weaver said at a press conference that the relays were a three-ring circus.
"It's just a four-day carnival, with all sorts of things going on," Weaver said.
Kansas coach Stanley Redwine echoed Weaver's feelings and said he was excited about the Kansas Relays and what they brought for the community.
"Since coming here, it's been a community event, and we love to have the community out to support us." Redwine said.
Two key events to watch for this year are the mile and the shot put. The Invitational mile will feature Alan Webb, who Weaver said was a household name in track and field. Webb holds the national high school record for the indoor and outdoor mile races.
"We have a number of international athletes as well who will round out that field."
Weaver said. "We'll probably build it up to eight or so competitors, all of whom have gone under four minutes or will be right around that four-minute mark."
Former Kansas runner Charlie Gruber will be one of the athletes in the mile.
The shot put will feature Nike's Kevin Toth, Missouri's Christian Cantwell and Nebraska's Carl Meyerscoff. All three of these athletes have thrown over 70 feet in this event.
Jeff Jacobsen/KUAC
"For those who saw it last year at the U.S. Nationals, when three big guys like that really get putting that shot out there, it's a pretty exciting show," Weaver said.
Redwine said he was happy to see the competition from this meet come from all around the country. When he first came to Kansas, the Relays were limited to only midwest athletes and schools,he said.
"I think that colleges know there has been really good competition here, and so colleges go where there is going to be good competition," Redwine said.
Scott Russell, Kansas track and field volunteer assistant coach, threw the javelin for the Jayhawks from 1998 through 2002. He will be a competitor at this year's 76th Annual Kansas Relays.
— Edited by Anne Mantey
KANSAS RELAYS SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY APRIL 16
Jim Bausch Decathlon/Candace
Mason Heptathlon
10:00 a.m. Decathlon, 100 Meter Dash
10:30 Heptathlon, 100 Meter Dash
10:45 Decathlon, Long Jump
11:15 Heptathlon, High Jump
12:35 p.m. Decathlon, Shot Put
1:45 Heptathlon, Shot Put
2:25 Decathlon, High Jump
3:15 Decathlon, 200 Meter Dash
4:30 Decathlon, 400 Meter Dash
HISTORY
The Kansas Relays, which begin today, are among the nation's premier track and field competitions and have been that way since 1923. April 20, 1923 — The first Kansas Relays
were held at the University of Kansas. John Outland, a former All-American lineman at Penn in football and former coach of the football team, encouraged basketball coach and athletic director Phog Allen to start the event. More than 600 athletes competed from across the country.
1920s and 1930s — Former Olympian and Jayhawk Glenn Cunningham won the mile every year from 1934 to 1935 and the two-mile from 1932 to 1936. Many notable people served as referees and officials including James Naismith, former Kansas basketball coach and the inventor of basketball, Adolph Rupp, former Kansas basketball player and coach of Kentucky from 1930 to 1972, and Knute Rockne, football coach of Notre Dame from 1918 to 1931.
1950s and 1960s — Kansas athlete Al Oterer won consecutive shot put titles at the Relays
from 1956 to 1958. He went on to win four consecutive Olympic gold medals in the discus in the 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968 Olympics.
1962 The first women compete in the Relays.
1966-1971 — Jin Ryun won four Kansas Relays most outstanding performer awards in 1966, 1967, 1969 and 1971. He also still holds the Kansas Relays' record for the mile with a time of 3:54.94 in 1967. Ryun is now a U.S. representative for Kansas.
1970s and 1980s — Famous Olympians such as Bruce Janner, Merlene Ottey and Naval El Moutawakal all competed at the Relays.
EL MONTAVAKER on compulsory education
1989-1999 — The high school division of the Kansas Relays moved to Olathe East High School because of construction at Memorial Stadium.
Chris Wintering
Social events planned to draw people to Relays
By Jessica Palimonio
jpalimenio@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
In order to compete with the other large relays around the country the Kansas Relays are attempting to improve the social events calendar surrounding the event.
Committees have been formed to plan on- and off-campus events throughout the weekend.
Tony Daniels, associate director of multicultural affairs, stepped up to help plan events for the "1st Annual Relayz Weekend." The Kanzaz Relayz group has planned off-campus and after party events.
"We wanted to offer a social component to really put the relays out there," Daniels said.
The group planned concerts and events at places like Buffalo Wild Wings, Abe and Jake's Landing, and the Holiday Inn Holidome.
The group said it hoped that the social events would draw people out to the relays in spite of this.
"We want to pack the stands with people supporting the KU Track and Field program, and while they're in town come on out and socialize," Daniels said.
All of the elite athletes and the men's basketball team have been invited to take part in the events.
The relays week committee is also planning events before and during the events on campus.
On Friday afternoon the group is holding a concert on the Hill with bands "Sounds Good" and "Anything but Joey." Friday evening, TC, disc jockey for Nelly and the St. Lunatics, will be performing at the "Celebrity Jam."
Group member Ann Hermann, St. Louis junior, said the group was hoping to draw a lot of
KANSAS RELAYS SOCIAL EVENTS
Thursday
Friday
Out of the Blocks Party at Buffalo Wild Wings, 1012 Massachusetts St., featuring recording artist "The One" from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Concert on the Campanile Hill near Memorial Stadium featuring "Sounds Good" and "Anything But Joey" at 3:30 p.m.
"Celebrity Jam" at the Holiday Inn Holidome, 200 McDonald Drive, featuring a performance by TC disc jockey of Nelly and the St. Lunatics from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday
Kids Zone activities during the days events.
Relaxy After Party at Abe and Jake's Landing, E. 6th Street, at 8:30 p.m.
Relayz Concert at Holiday Inn Holidome at 10 p.m.
people to the concert because local high school students didn't have class on that day.
The group is also organizing a Kids Zone throughout the events Saturday. Herrmann said Kids Zone would add to the family atmosphere and keep younger fans entertained throughout the events. This will include large blow-up toys such as "the moon walk" and EA Sports events and games.
Daniels said everyone was working hard to make sure everything was done well so the social atmosphere could become a regular part of the relays.
— Edited by Julie Jantzer
Blue Mesa Management Now Leasing for August
Country Club Apartments:
512 Rockledge
2 Bedroom 2 Bath Apartments
$675-695
Summer Tree West:
600 & 605 Eldridge
2 Bedroom 1 Bath Townhomes
$595-$650
- Troon Townhomes:
5111 Congressional Circle 2 Bedroom 1 Bath Townhomes $650
Single Unit:
3 Bedroom 3 Bath Townhome
$1200
All Appliances • Cats Accepted
Call (785) 840-9467 for appointments.