Annual KU Relays draws track's 'best'
By BRUCE CARNAHAN Kansan Sports Editor
If the recent sunshine and warm weather of spring continues (a rarity for the Kansas Relays), the second leg of the famed Texas-KU-Drake relays circuit shapes up to be an excitement-packed weekend carnival full of possible record-shattering performances.
A sparkling sprint field, featuring John Carlos, generally acclaimed the "world's fastest human," an outstanding shot put assemblage, and three of the world's top milers will be featured in the 45th Kansas Relays, April 16-18, on the Jayhawks' new all-weather Tartan track.
Top-flight century cluster
Carlos, who paced San Jose to the NCAA outdoor championship by three points over KU last year, was ranked number one in the world in the 100-yard dash and the 220 distance last year. Last summer Carlos clocked the only 9 flat 100 ever recorded, although it was wind aided and couldn't be recognized as a new world mark. The Olympic sprint ace, who shares the world 100-yard dash mark at 9.1, will compete in a special invitational century dash.
Possibly joining Carlos in the invitational feature, will be Charlie Green, the ex-Nebraska flash. The former Cornhusker trackster is one of four who share the 100-yard dash record with Carlos. Green won the open 100 here the past two years.
Bob Timmons, KU track coach and Relays director, has also pointed out that three of the world's premier sprinters are already entered in the collegiate 100-yard dash and may also participate in the special race.
Timmons of course is referring to Ivory Crockett, the National AAU sprint king from Southern Illinois, and two Big Eight sprinters—Mel Gray of Missouri and Earl Harris of Oklahoma State.
Crockett nipped Carlos at 100-yards in the National AAU last year with a 9.3 recording. Gray, winner of the Texas Relays' 100 two weeks ago, has also logged a 9.3 time. Harris, the world's most consistent sprinter during the recent indoor season, turned in a world record-equaling 5.9 in the 60-yard dash during the indoor campaign.
The open 100 event is scheduled for 2:15 Saturday afternoon and the collegiate century dash begins with preliminaries starting at 8:50 Friday morning.
A dream shot put field
The "dream" shot put field will feature outdoor world record-holder Randy Matson, former Texas A & M great. Matson's world mark is 71-51½.
Although unbeaten in six indoor meets with a best toss of 66-6 at the Los Angeles Times Games, Matson will be making his first outdoor appearance of the year at the KU Relays.
"I'm in better shape now than I was last year," Matson assured meet director Timmons, "but I don't have as much time to train
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now as I did when I was in college."
Opposing Matson will be the Jayhawks' duo of Karl Salb and
Randy Matson
Steve Wilhelm, who are currently the ten two collegiate shot putters
Wilmel, who are currently the top two collegiate shot putters. Salb has won three NCAA championships (two indoor and one outdoor) and Wilhelm finished second to the 'Hawk giant in all three championships.
Salb's all-time best is 67-5% indoors and he owns a 67-0%
outdoor mark. Wilhelm has heaved the 16-pound shot 65-3 indoors and 63-6/4 outdoors.
Also joining the elite group is Emporia State's Al Feuerbach, Feuerbach, NAIA king, owns a personal best of 62-111/4 which he threw during the past indoor campaign.
Indoor record-holder Neal Steinhauer and KU's third member of the Jayhawk weight trio—Doug Knop—will not compete in the event. Steinhauer, who has posted a 67-10 indoor toss, informed Timmons last week that he will not make the competition. Knop will pass up the shot in order to throw in his speciality—the discuss.
Excentional mile field
Exceptional mile field Three of the country's best middle distance runners have accepted invitations to compete in the Glenn Cunningham Mile.
John Lawson, Tom Von Ruden and John Mason, all representing the strong Pacific Coast Club contingent that will be present at the Relays, will run in the mile competition.
Lawson, a former KU great,
has a best time of 3:59.3.
He turned in one of the top indoor
performances during the recent
indoor campaign when he upset
Kip Keino, Olympic 1,500 meter
champ, at Los Angeles with a
4:00.6 time, the fastest of the 1970
indoor season.
Mason, ex-Fort Hays State standout, finished third nationally behind Lawson and Keino who posted identical clockings in the LA meet with a fine 4:00.8 recording he hit at Vancouver during the indoor campaign.
Von Ruden, one-time Oklahoma State distance ace, owns the best mile of the trio with his 3:56.9 recording in 1967. Von Ruden, a member of the U.S. 1,500 meter triate at the 1968 Olympic
(Continued to page 10)
MEYER'S DAIRY
welcomes relays weekend guests.
Meyer's delivers to all apartments as well as to your favorite store.
Your local home-owned dairy. 710 W.6th
WELCOMES YOU TO THE 45th ANNUAL KU RELAYS
Enjoy fine food and warm hospitality during your stay in Lawrence by dining in one of Carriage Lamp's tastefully decorated dining rooms. Featuring a complete menu to serve all tastes and budgets.
Steaks Sea Foods Chicken
Lasagne Spaghetti Sandwiches
Dining Rooms Open 11:30-9:30 Sandwiches Available Until Midnight
Open Sunday 11:30-8:00
We invite you to visit the Carriage Lamp Private Club.
Located in The Malls Shopping Center