THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
KANSAS RELAYS
WWW.KANSAN.COM
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2006
PAGE 1C
PROFILE
Kansan file photo
Sheldon Battle, Jamestown, NY senior, and member of the KU Track and Field team, throws the hammer during practice on March 29 in the field by Memorial Stadium. Battle is competing in the hammer throw, discuss and shot put in the Kansas Relays this year. He said he hoped to get a personal best in each event.
Battle ready to succeed
BY EVAN KAFARAKIS
ekafarakis@kansan.com
kANSAN SPORTSWRITER
This year's Kansas Relays
This year's K are looking to break the attendance record of 30,000.
Some of the biggest names in the track and field world coming into Lawrence for the weekend. But senior thrower
Sheldon Battle is taking the relays as just another meet.
"I'm going through the same preparations I would as if this were a meet anywhere else," Battle said.
It's the only home meet of the season, and the time to show what he's been working on all year.
But just another meet?
Battle said he did not want to over think and over prepare just because it was the Kansas Relays. The Jamestown, N.Y., native said he was excited for the Relays and more focused on staying consistent in his technique.
"My goals are to P.R. in every event I compete in," Battle said, about competing for a personal record. "I can't worry about placing."
Battle will compete in the collegiate hammer throw, the discus throw and the shot put invitational.
"TheSheldon is a competitor," Kansas track and field coach Stanley Redwine said. "He has the drive to compete at any level."
Throughout his career, Battle has been a big-time performer in the hammer throw, discus and shot put.
SEE BATTLE ON PAGE 3C
PREVIEW
On your mark...
Relays to be well worth watching
BY EVAN KAFARAKIS
ekafarakis@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
The 79th Annual Kansas Relays could go down in history as the meet that breaks the attendance mark,
With strong match ups from the high school level to the professional level, the entertainment factor could bring in a record number of fans, one that the Kansas Relays haven't seen since 1972 when Jim Ryun ran the mile in a time of 3:57.1 in front of a crowd of 32,000 people.
"A great track meet draws a great crowd, and to draw a great crowd, a meet must assure people that they will be entertained," Kansas Relays meet director Tim Weaver said.
With celebrity names of the track and field world such as Justin Gatlin, Maurice Greene and Allyson Felix, the GOLDZONE II should be quite an experience.
"There are only so many household names in track and field. The fact that many of them will be in Memorial Stadium on April 22 speaks to the strength of the Kansas Relays and the reputation that the local fans are getting around the world. Athletes want to go where the crowds are," Weaver said.
Shawn Crawford, Olympic gold medalist in the 200-meter dash, said on the Memorial Stadium track after some practice runs, that he feeds off of the crowd.
"Athletes get hyped with the energy the crowd brings," Crawford said.
Also competing in the event will be new Kansas hammer throw distance holder Egor Agafonov.
The sophomore from Togliatti, Russia crushed former Jayhawk Scott Russell's previous hammer record by more than 10 feet.
Last weekend, Tarasova broke that record at the Mesa Classic with a toss of 199 feet, 11 inches.
Last weekend, Tarasova broke
Agafonov's heave of 228-6 broke the old record of 218-5 moving him into fourth on the national performance list.
Also competing in the men's hammer throw will be Kansas
senior Sheldon Battle.
Battle's personal best this season in the hammer has been 197-3.
Not to be overlooked by Agafonov and Battle is the 2-time Kansas Relay hammer throw champion, Nick Wiellihozik.
Keeping in the field side of the match ups, Battle will compete against former Missouri athlete Christian Cantwell, a World, U.S. and NCAA champion, and Kansas State's senior TJ Staab, a Junior Olympic champion.
On the track will be a 100-meter dash of 111 competitors whose personal bests are within a second of one another.
Finishing the Kansas Relays will be Main Event, featuring Maurice Greene's 4x100-meter dash squad, HSI, against Justin Gatlin's relay squad, Sprint Capitol.
With the weather predicted to be perfect all weekend long. Weaver said the environment should be good for everyone.
"Even if you don't know track, the Kansas Resilies will be
KANSAS RELAYS
When April 20-22
Where
Memorial Stadium
Cost
KU Students get in free with valid KUID; $10 for adults and $5 for students/ youth and seniors; children under 5 years old are admitted free. All seating is general admission.
Main event GOLDZONE II. Saturday, April 22, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Highlights
Men's Invite 4 x 100-meter relays (Maurice Greene, Lenard Schott, Kaaron Conwright, Pierre Browne vs. Justin Gatlin, Shawn Crawford, DwightThomas, Rodney Martin).The men's main event will showcase Maurice Greene and Justin Gatlin, Both Olympic champions in the 100 meter dash, facing off as anchors of their respective 4 x 100-meter relay teams. The women's featured 100-meter race will feature World Champions Alysson Felix and Muna Lee and World Silver medalist Rachelle Smith.
a great meet to watch."
Kansas track and field head coach Stanley Redwine said he wanted the student body to come check out the only home meet the team has this outdoor season.
Much like the saying, "if you build it, they will come" the Kansas Relays are built to entertain.
The meet has been built, now the fans must come.
- Edited by Meghan Miller
HISTORY
66 years of pride in Kansas sports
Fan's loyalty withstands test of time
BY ANNE WELTMER
aweltmer@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Bob "Nelly" Nelson is a world traveler, but for the past 66 years, the only place he's wanted to be is sitting in Allen Fieldhouse or Memorial Stadium watching the Inkwhaws.
Nelson has been to most of the Kansas Relays to watch
the track team perform. Today, Friday, and Saturday, many Jayhawk fans like Nelson will gather to watch the Jayhawks and other world-athletes in the University's biggest track meet.
sphere the athletes brought to Lawrence. He also enjoyed seeing all of his friends not only in attendance, but in the events. One of his favorite times was when Olympic gold metalists Jim Ryun and Al Oterer participated in the relays.
"He went to more KU basketball, track and football games than any other Jayhawk except Max Falkenstein," Eleanor said.
But Max got in free; Bob had to pay. she added.
Although Nelson has been attending the Kansas Relays since approximately 1940, he will probably not be able to make it this year for health reasons, his wife Eleanor said.
He went to more KU basketball, track and football games than any other Jayhawk except Max Falkenstien."
As his nickname hints, "The Ol' Jayhawk" has missed very few games, home or away, for
Eleanor said Nelson's favorite part of the relays was the atmo-
"I've always been a sports fan through the years." Nelson said.
That could be the understatement of the century.
Eleanor Nelson Wife of Bob Nelson
the Kansas basketball and football teams since he moved to Lawrence in 1939 to finish his senior year in high school.
the Kansas
Nelson doesn't only attend games, but also many of the practices. For
mer Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams said "Nelly" would come to practices with Dick Harp, KU assistant basketball coach under Phog Allen and then-Kansas coach from 1956 to 1964.
SEE NELSON ON PAGE 3C
Anna Faltermaier/KANSAN
Bob Nelson, Lawrence resident, sits in his basement in front of some of the KU paraphernula he has collected over decades of dedication to KU athletics Nelson made friends with several former KU athletes and coaches during his life, and remains friends with several today.