SPORTS
12
RUNNERS PARTICIPATE IN 5K, HALF MARATHON
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WWW.KANSAN.COM
PAGE 8B
TRACK AND FIELD
PAGE1B
Junior sprinter Nickesha Anderson takes first place in the finals for the 100-meter dash. Anderson finished with a time of 11.23 seconds, which broke a 30-year-old Kansas record in the event. Anderson also set a regional mark in the 400-meter race, and ran the final leg in the regional-qualifying 1,600-meter relay team.
Thousands of fans fill Memorial Stadium for 81st annual event
Jayhawks succeed, break records in Kansas Relays
BY DANNY NORDSTROM
dnordstrom@kansan.com
As junior Nickesha Anderson took the baton from junior Charity Stowers in the women's 4x400-meter relay. Anderson knew she had the victory for the Jawahra.
for the Jayhawks.
Although in second place at the time,
Anderson knew exactly what she had to do.
"When I got the baton in second place, I knew it was all over," the Hanover, Jamaica, native said. "It didn't matter where (the competition) was because I
"I love competing here at home. It just gives me more of a drive. Having all my friends and family here makes me want to compete well."
and the rest of the Kansas track and field team.
know this is my home track, and I have to represent. This is where I train every day."
"I think KU had some really good performances today," head coach Stanley Redwine said of the 81st annual Kansas Relays. "We're really excited about a lot of the athletes. We had some school records and some great wins, and it's been really
SHA'RAY BUTLER Junior sprinter
Anderson took home the victory for her team in the final stretch of the race, making for an exciting finish. It was only one of many great performances for her
good competition.
Overall, it was a great meet for us"
The Kansas Relays played host to an array of athletes, ranging from high school standouts to world-class Olympians. Great weather and exciting events on Saturday made for a fantastic
Kansas' athletes had been waiting for a great home atmosphere like the one Saturday offered.
final day as more than 13,500 fans came out to Memorial Stadium.
"I love competing here at home," junior sprinter Sha'Ray Butler said. "It just gives
Butler competed well at the Relays, posting a second-place regional-qualifying time in the 400-meter hurdles and running the second leg of the 4x400-meter relay for the victorious Jayhawks.
Brown also placed fifth, respectively, in the women's 400-meter hurdles invitational. The invitational division consisted of numerous world-class athletes and Olympians.
me more of a drive. My family gets to come from Texas. Having all my friends and family here makes me want to compete well."
In the 4x400-meter relay, the Jayhawks posted a regionally qualifying time of 3 minutes, 39.43 seconds. Senior Ashley Brown joined Anderson, Butler and Stowers to run the first leg of the event.
"I feel pretty good," she said of her second place in the 400-meter hurdles. "I was definitely trying to get that regional mark because I hadn't hit it all year, so I'm pleased with it. I wanted the win, but I'll take regionals, too."
SEE RELAYS ON PAGE 4B
BASEBALL
Chris VanKat/Daily Nebraska
Kansas's Robbie Price is greeted by teammates after scoring off of a Buck Afenir hit with two outs in the first inning of Sunday afternoons game at Hawks Field in Lincoln, Neb. The Jayhawks held off a sweep by the Huskers. Winning Sunday's game 6-3.
Jayhawks avoid sweep at Nebraska
Freshman walk-on pitches team to victory
BY SHAWN SHROYER shroyer@kansan.com
LINCOLN, Neb. — Six runs weren't enough Friday or Saturday, but six runs were plenty for Nebraska native T.J. Walz Sunday.
With Kansas in danger of being swept for the third time in Big 12 play, Walz - a freshman right-hander from Omaha - shut down No. 9 Nebraska to hand the Cornhuskers their first home loss to a conference opponent.
Walz lasted a career-high 7-2/3 innings, struck out five, and held Nebraska (28-7-1, 13-4-1) to three runs while junior closer Paul Smyth protected a 6-3 lead for his seventh save and the only victory of the weekend for Kansas (25-18, 5-10).
home state and, if he got out of the first inning, he'd be really good, or he might not get out of the first inning if he let the nerves get to him a little bit," Kansas coach Ritch Price said. "He's really calm, cool and poised. It was a great performance by a freshman."
"We thought one of two things would happen: Hed come home and pitch in his
What was most impressive about Walz was his ability to adjust his approach with the weather conditions. All afternoon, winds blew from 20-30 mph, taking away the option of throwing his curveball as often as he usually does.
"It wasn't breaking near as much just because the wind was blowing," said Walz, who pitched in front of about 30 friends and family members. "I just had a lot more confidence in my fastball location."
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SEE BASEBALL ON PAGE 3B
》 TENNIS
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Weston White/KANSAM
Junior Yuliana Svistun returns a shot during a singles match Sunday afternoon against Iowa State. Kansas will start the Big 12 Championships Thursday at College Station, Texas.
Kansas sweeps Iowa State; sets for Big 12 Champion-
BY ALEX DUFEK
adufek@kansan.com
Sunday was a senior day to remember for the Kansas tennis team.
Two days after knocking off No. 67 Nebraska, Kansas swept the Iowa State
Cyclones, 7-0; en route to a fifth place finish in the Big 12 conference this season. Sunday's victory over Iowa State gives Kansas a 32-1 advantage all-time in the series and its 29th consecutive victory of the Cyclones.
"Coming out and winning 7-0 on senior day is the most important thing for the girls."
Hall-Holt said that this year's seniors were great examples of what a Jayhawk should be.
"Right now we're feeling pretty good about our chances to do well in the Big 12. Everyone is pumped up."
ELIZAVETA AVDEEVA
Obninsk, Russia senior
coach Amy Hall-Holt said. "We don't look at the streak or anything like that."
The senior class left on a high note as the three seniors Elizaveta Avdeeva, Lauren Hommell and Stephanie Smith combined for a 5-0 record on the day.
The day was especially memorable for senior Avdeeva, who with the help of junior Edina Horvath, notched her 23rd career Big 12 doubles victory after defeating Iowa State's Kara Hickey and Chrissy Derouin 8-4. Avdeeva's 23 Big 12 doubles victories are the most in school history.
"I wasn't nervous. I just knew these two matches were important against Nebraska and Iowa State, and I just came and played as usual." Avdeeva said. "I feel great right now."
SEETENNIS ON PAGE 3B
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