Sitting on the track infield, Bershawn “Batman” Jackson signed a Kansas Relays T-shirt for a high school competitor before addressing media members Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

It was one of the few times the elite 23-year-old Jackson – who blazed to victory in the 400 hurdles for the third straight year – was recognized in town all weekend.

“I am not Justin Gatlin (a 100-meter specialist and last year’s featured performer). I am not going to stop and pout,” Jackson said after battling a strong wind down the stretch to cross the finish line in 48.75 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year. He was well ahead of Derek Williams and Ian Weakley, timed at 49.31 and 49.84, respectively.

“People in the sport don’t watch the hurdles. The hot event is the 100 dash. Anybody good in the 100 is going to be known. They promote the 100. It’s a blessing for somebody to know me. You guys report on me, so I feel good,” Jackson added.

Jackson – who was named outstanding male performer of the meet – did receive about the loudest cheers of any competitor from what appeared to be about 5,000 fans in the stands. The four-day attendance total was announced at 10,421, well below the announced four-day figure of 26,211 a year ago.

“Last year when it was the 100 (as the featured event) there were signs everywhere, billboards (that said) ‘Come to the Kansas Relays,”’ Jackson said. “I don’t see anything with me on there. You see the difference in promotion? They promoted it a little different last year than this year. That’s why the stands are halfway empty.”

There was less emphasis on the elite pro athletes this year, more on the collegiate portion of the meet.

“I’m not upset. It’s always a great meet to come to,” said Jackson, winner at the 2005 world championships, indicating he’d return next spring.

Jackson started quickly, grabbed an early lead and had no problem winning as he appeared to effortlessly glide over the hurdles.

“The wind (estimated at 30 mph) was terrible. It was like a winter wind down the homestretch,” said Jackson, who was born in Miami and now resides in Raleigh, N.C. “I feel if there was not as much wind I could have easily went sub-48 today. The wind threw me off. This shows you there’s a lot more good stuff to come.”

Former Texas All-American Nichole Denby was named women’s most outstanding performer after winning the 100 hurdles for the second straight year in a Relays-record 12.72.

Denby, of HSI Management, clipped 2004 Olympic 100 hurdle champion Joanna Hayes, who crossed in 12.78. KU’s Ashley Brown, who also placed fourth in the 400 hurdles, was sixth in 13.33.

“Joanna is a great competitor. We are really good friends. We come from the same stock, the same high school,” said Denby, a graduate of J.W. North High in Riverside, Calif.

“I could feel her on my peripheral (vision at the finish line). I knew I had it though,” Denby added. “It was a good field. I knew it’d be a fast time today with this great weather (upper 70s, sunny).”

Sprinter Rae Edwards, who promised a victory in the 400 relay, delivered with Hobson’s Choice teammates Marty Scales, Mark Jelks and Ivory Williams, anchoring the squad to a winning time of 39.18. Barton County CC was second in 40.2.

“I don’t want to say total domination, but I would like to say domination,” Edwards said of the result. “Yesterday we guaranteed victory and we did that. It’s one of the fastest times in the 4×1 this year. I think we have some good performances ahead of us.”

Jelks, who like Edwards attended Kansas City (Kan.) CC, won the 100 in a meet record 10.03.

Allyson Felix and Muna Lee were joined by Virginia Powell and Tina Madison on the winning Bobby Kersee 400 relay team. They were timed in 43.77, well ahead of Illinois (45.09).

“I have a lot of family here,” Kansas Citian Lee said. “I’m ready to go get some barbecue.”

Lee’s Summit, Mo., native Matt Tegenkamp, one of the country’s top 5,000 runners, took the 1,500 run in 3:43.01. KU’s Colby Wissel was second in 3:47.08.

It marked the University of Wisconsin graduate’s first race in the K.C. area in six years.

“It was a good opener for my outdoor season,” he said. “It’s nice to come back to my roots, go out there and try to get a win.”

The mile was not contested this year, to Tegenkamp’s chagrin.

“I definitely wish it would have been the mile,” he said. “I think overall the crowd can relate better to the mile – a sub 4-minute mile is more exciting than a conversion to the 1,500. It’s something that would have been nice. Maybe next year.”

Jeff Hartwig, a 39-year-old former Arkansas State standout and 1996 Olympian, won the pole vault with a leap of 18-9 1/4. Russ Buller was second in 18-5 1/4, two-time Relays champ Jacob Pauli fourth in 18-1 1/4, 2004 Olympic champ Nick Hysong sixth in 17-7 1/4 and ex-Jayhawk Pat Manson 10th in 17-1 1/2.

Hartwig cleared his second attempt at 19-1 but was called for a foul for touching the bar with his hand. He then ran through the pit on his third attempt, not getting a chance to vault a Relays record 19-5, which would have been his next height.

“It’s OK,” Hartwig said of the ruling. “It’s my first meet. I’m very happy to come here and work on some details. I had a shorter run than usual because of the (windy) conditions. It’s really good jumping for me.”

Olympian Grace Upshaw won the long jump in 21-8. KU’s Crystal Manning notched fifth in 19-5 1/4. Anwar Moore took the 110 hurdles in 13.38.