Events teem with talent

Russell runner-up in javelin

Wichita State track throws coach John Hetzendorf soon may make Scott Russell an offer he cannot refuse.

“I might see if I can buy that from him,” Hetzendorf said after borrowing — and winning the Kansas Relays javelin competition with — Russell’s spear Friday night outside Memorial Stadium.

Hetzendorf, who threw a personal-best 247 feet, 3 inches to runner-up Russell’s 242-8, approached the easygoing 26-year-old former Kansas University All-American before the competition.

“Scott hurt his groin at a meet last year and couldn’t compete, and that day he let me borrow his javelin. I had a personal-best,” Hetzendorf said of a winning throw of 246-5 at Kansas State.

“Before the meet today, I said, ‘Hey, I threw my P.R. with that one last year, mind if I throw it again?”’

Russell, who prefers a different javelin, quickly agreed.

“He said, ‘Can I borrow your javelin?’ I said, ‘Sure, why not?”’ Russell said. “If I can help him throw far, I’m glad to do it. He’s a good guy, a good thrower. There’s no reason I shouldn’t let him use my javelin.”

Javelin competitors tend to be part of a fraternity.

“It’s like a lot of field events,” Russell said. “The guys all want to see the others do better. If one guy is throwing well, it brings the competition up.”

It appeared early Friday that Russell might win. The five-time Canadian national champ, who had a three-year Relays win streak broken, had some monster throws … in warmups.

“I had no idea how far they went, they just felt good,” said Russell, who has a career-best toss of 267-11. “It’s frustrating to not win the Relays when it’s your home field. I need to look at the big picture. It’s really early in the season. From what I did in warmups and long throws waiting to happen, I’ve got to be patient.

“This was my opening meet. Two weeks ago, I couldn’t throw 200 feet.”

Hetzendorf is confident Russell will rebound.

“Today wasn’t his day. He has better days coming,” Hetzendorf said.

Next for Russell is a trip to the Drake Relays next week in Des Moines, Iowa.

“I’ve never thrown well there,” Russell said. “Maybe one time I can go there and throw well.”