Scott Russell pumped his left fist, twirled his index finger in the air, then to the rhythmic clapping of several hundred fans, unleashed the longest season-opening javelin throw of his track and field career early Friday night outside Memorial Stadium.

Russell, a 6-foot-9, 270-pound gentle giant out of Kansas University, blew away the competition at the Kansas Relays. His second of six throws sailed 264-8 and buried runner-up John Hetzendorf, who threw 225-6.

“I am shocked and surprised it went as well as it did,” said Russell, a 28-year-old KU graduate student from Windsor, Ontario, who shattered his own Relays record of 258-2 set last year.

“I didn’t expect it with conditions like this. Ideally, you want a tailwind blowing at your back, not left to right.”

The wind actually was in the competitors’ faces at times, making Russell’s winning heave that much more impressive to fellow Canadian standout Trevor Snyder, who placed third at 217-4.

Snyder, 24, defeated Russell at last year’s Canadian championships and made the trip to KU for his first Relays at Russell’s request.

“The sun in your eyes : the wind blowing 20 miles an hour in your face. Those are not peak conditions. Scott was able to do unbelievable things today,” Snyder said.

Former Kansas University standout Scott Russell races down the runway during the javelin competition at the Kansas Relays. Russell won the event Friday outside Memorial Stadium.

Snyder – he slapped himself in the face before taking off on the runway for each of his six throws – beat himself up afterward as well.

“I don’t know what to say after that,” Snyder said. “I have to do some serious training.”

Yet he was happy for his Canadian comrade.

“I don’t have good camaraderie with many people I compete with : just because,” Snyder said. “With Scott, it’s hard not to be good friends with him.”

Russell will head to Brazil for a series of meets in mid May as he tries to make a strong push for the world championships and 2008 Olympics. He credits working with KU throws coach Andy Kokhanovsky this past winter for his quick spring start.

“I’ve been working on a lot of technical stuff with him. It was a smart decision to work with him,” Russell said. “All the stuff I did with ‘Coach K’ paid off.”

Former Kansas University thrower Sheldon Battle puts the shot. Battle placed second in the event Friday at Memorial Stadium.

Russell strolled over to talk to Kokhanovsky during Friday’s competition.

“Run and react,” Russell said of the advice given to him. “The javelin is easy. Just run and react.”

Russell, who has a lot of fans in town – he worked at Haskell as trainer the past couple of years before returning to KU to work on his masters in physical education while working as a grad teaching assistant – had the crowd of 300 or so supporting his every move.

Russell motioned for the fans to clap rhythmically for his competitors’ final throws, also.

His request, of course, was granted.

“I should have done that earlier, probably,” Russell said. “It’s part of the game – on the field, off the field, there’s a switch to it, right?”

Kansas freshman Jordan Scott makes an attempt in the pole vault. Scott placed fourth.

“I love living in Lawrence. I love competing here. I know they (fans) are out here to have a good time and see a show. I try the best I can. I am not KU basketball : maybe I’m close.”

KU’s Hugh Murphy placed ninth in the event in 192-2.

¢This, that: Kaylene Wagner of Kansas State won the high jump in 6-1 1/2. She rivaled the meet record of 6-2 1/4. KSU’s Marianne Schlachter won the triple jump in 42-11 3/4. It was especially impressive considering she competed in the heptathlon Wednesday and Thursday. … Lauren Bonds, a KU freshman from Hutchinson, placed second in the 3000 steeplechase in 11:11.86. Trina Cox of Pacers/Brooks won in a Relays-record 10:07.3. … KU’s Jordan Scott placed fourth (16-6 3/4) and Kirk Cooper eighth (16-6 3/4) in the pole vault. … Stephanie Horton placed fourth (49-3) and Abby Emsick sixth (48-5 1/2) in the shot.