The Kansas Relays hits yet another milestone this week.

It’s the 80th anniversary of the event, one dominated by Kansas University legends Billy Mills, Jim Ryun, Al Oerter, Bill Neider and so many others who elevated their track and field resumes to a luminary level reached by few.

“This will be my fifth year running at the Kansas Relays. When I was in high school, the Kansas Relays was the biggest event of the year, even bigger than state,” said Matt Baysinger, a junior middle distance runner out of Blue Valley West. “I have always been excited to run in the Kansas Relays because it is not too often that you get to run in a venue as large as Memorial Stadium.”

He’ll be joined at the Wednesday-Saturday event by several KU standouts, including hammer throwers Egor Agafonov, the 2007 national champion in the indoor weight throw, and Zlata Tarasova.

Other KU standouts who likely will compete include distance runners Paul Hefferon, Colby Wissel and Benson Chesang, javelin thrower Hugh Murphy, discus thrower Abby Emsick, pole vaulters Jordan Scott and Kate Sultanova, long jumper Barrett Saunders and hurdlers Ashley Brown and Julius Jiles.

Suffice it to say the meet is important to the KU competitors.

“It means a lot to me to host and participate in the Kansas Relays,” senior distance runner Melissa O’Rourke of Jenks, Okla., said. “I came to the Relays all throughout high school and seeing the tradition and atmosphere that surrounded the Kansas Relays is one of the main reasons why I came to KU.”

Last year, her mother and sister also took part, placing first and second in the women’s open 5K held in the Thursday distance carnival.

“My aunt is even coming in from Atlanta to compete in the race with them, so it will truly be a family affair,” O’Rourke said.

Melissa Moody, a senior distance runner from Smithville, Mo., noted: “My best memory of the Relays was my senior year of high school. I went to a small school and the Relays were really the only big event we competed in. It allowed me to experience the KU atmosphere and traditions and it made me realize I wanted to come here for college.”

Moody missed last year’s meet because of injury.

“This year I am looking forward to running in front of my family, friends and coaches. Hopefully I will be able to perform well and run a fast time,” she said.

The meet also will be highlighted by the third Gold Zone, featuring Olympic gold medal winners Nick Hysong (pole vault) and Joanna Hayes (hurdles).

“This year I am looking forward to seeing the changes that have been made by the new meet director (Milan Donley),” said Hefferon, an Overland Park native and 2006 cross country All-American. “Coach Donley is placing more of an emphasis on bringing in quality college talent, which will result in better competition.”

Competitors from Nebraska, Oklahoma State and perennial rivals Missouri and Kansas State will attend. Also scheduled to appear are competitors from Oral Roberts, Rice University and Wichita State.

“The Kansas Relays represents our time as a university and as a track and field program to host an event of such a high caliber,” KU coach Stanley Redwine said. “We travel to others throughout the year, but the Kansas Relays is special because it is our event and that is very exciting to everyone who is involved.”