Kansas Relay briefs

Nike’s Arnold top male

Nike’s Dominique Arnold was named most outstanding male performer after winning the 110 hurdles in a Relays-record 13.33, the best time in the world so far this year.

“I’m glad there weren’t any tornadoes. The weather was better than I thought it’d be,” said Arnold, a native Californian attending his first Relays.

“I was really focused. Last week I ran 13.35 (also a world best), to follow that with a 3.3 says a lot about my conditioning.”

Nike’s Lee top female

Nike’s Muna Lee, a recent LSU graduate who attended Kansas City Central High, was named most outstanding female performer after winning the 100 in a Relays-record 11.1. Her time was sixth-fastest in the world this year.

“It’s great to run at home before my family members who haven’t seen me run in a long time,” said Lee, swamped by autograph seekers after her media session. “This was just a test run. I was mainly focused on my start and trying to have fun.”

Prep pair honored

Named elite high school athletes were Topeka Highland Park’s Jared Huske, who won the 100 and 300 hurdles, and Rachel Talbert, a Wichita home-school student who won the discus and javelin.

“I was freaked out here at the Kansas Relays,” Talbert said with a smile. “I only got one good throw off (148-0 in discus). This is the first big meet I’ve been to this year. Besides winning at USTA nationals, this is the biggest win I’ve ever had.”

Big crowd

The weekend’s total attendance was at 24,200, second-most in Relays history. Only the 1972 Relays had a bigger turnout.

KU athletic director Lew Perkins gave meet director Tim Weaver the honor of announcing the attendance during a ceremony, and Weaver did so with a huge grin.

“Like any athlete, we set for the highest of goals, and I did have it in my head that it was possible to break the all-time record,” Weaver said. “Any athlete thinks the world record can be theirs. But over 24,000 people for a track meet is something that University and this whole area can be so proud of.”

Wentland delivers

Former Kansas State athlete Gwen Wentland won the high jump in 6-03/4. Amy Acuff of Asics was second at 5-103/4.

Wentland is just rounding into top shape after the birth of her first child, Paris.

“It’s nice to get away from the baby a day,” she said with a smile. “Last year when I was here, I was out to here,” she added, patting her midsection.

Ex-Jayhawk Manson 4th

Former KU standout Pat Manson placed fourth in the pole vault in 17-61/2. Nike’s Jacob Pauli was winner at 18-81/4, while 2000 Olympic gold medalist Nick Hysong notched fifth in 17-61/2.

“This was a great wind,” Manson said, “but a very strong great wind. There was the potential to have a huge jump. It’s frustrating because we couldn’t hit it.”

Hysong, who hails from Arizona, wore gloves after the competition on a chilly day.

“It’s a big adjustment. I’d been practicing with a light wind. I just ran out of poles,” Hysong said. “With this kind of wind you need a bigger pole. I have a bigger one, but it’s at home.”

Hemingway top jumper

Olympic silver medalist Matt Hemingway won the high jump in 7-21/2.

“It was really hard to run into this wind,” Hemingway said. “You come off this surface (artificial grass) onto a hard surface (by the mat), and it’s tough. I’m used to running on a hard surface the whole way.”

Beyer shot champ

Jamie Beyer won the shot put in 68-6, defeating Nike’s Christian Cantwell.

“This turned out to be a really good day,” said Beyer, who competes unattached. “It was great competition with some world champions here. This was my second-best throw ever, and being this early in the season it’s very promising.”