LINCOLN, NEB. ? Kansas University sprinter Leo Bookman will try to defend his 200-meter dash title during the Big 12 Conference Indoor track and field championships today and Saturday at the Devaney Center.

Bookman, a junior, claimed the 200 gold medal last year with a school-record time of 21.03. He also finished third in the 60 hurdles with a school-record time of 6.76 after running 6.73 in a semifinal.

The Jayhawks also return three conference silver medalists in senior pole vaulter Vadim Gvozdetskiy, senior triple jumper Benaud Shirley and sophomore triple jumper Brooklyn Hann.

Also back are sophomore Kim Clark, third in last year’s 600; sophomore Sondra Rauterkus, fourth in the high jump (5-81/2); junior Stacy Keller, fifth in the 400 (55.67); and junior Laura Lavoie, fifth in the 800 (2:11.06).

The 4×400 relay team of Hann, Keller, Shameika McField and Clark that finished fourth at the 2002 Big 12 Indoor with a school-record time of 3:41.87 also will pass batons this weekend.

Kansas finished sixth in the women’s competition and seventh in the men’s standings last year.

The meet will begin with multi-events at 10 this morning and will conclude with the 4×400 relay at 6:45 p.m. Saturday.