High in the indoor sky

KU pole vaulters sweep top spots at invite

Jordan Scott and Kate Sultanova admitted they weren’t in top shape Saturday at the Jayhawk Invitational at Anschutz Sports Pavilion.

But the pair of Kansas University pole vaulters prevailed in a sweep of the event – picking up provisional marks for the NCAA meet in the process.

“I made a few mistakes, but it’s kind of good for me because I was in Russia a whole month, and I’m still (adjusting to) the time changing for me, so I feel really tired,” said Sultanova, a native of Krasnodar, Russia. “So I just did my best, and I think I did pretty good for my condition right now.”

Sultanova cleared the bar at 13 feet, 31â2 inches – 41â2 inches higher than what is needed for a provisional NCAA berth.

However, she came up short of the 13-9 needed for an automatic spot at the NCAAs.

Sultanova’s performance set an Anschutz record, which was previously 12-61â4, set back in 2004 by Libby Harmon – who finished fourth at the meet this year with a height of 11-113â4.

With Sultanova capturing first place, teammate Britany Parker had to settle for second with her vault of 13-11â2 – earning her a second provisional in the last two meets.

While the women pole vaulters were leaping to new heights at Anschutz, Scott wasn’t anywhere near setting records. Scott cleared a height of 17-03â4 – barely clipping the 17-0 mark needed to earn a provisional.

But what was impressive about Scott’s performance was it was just his third indoor meet at the collegiate level.

“I didn’t feel my best today, but I’m really happy with the jump with how I felt,” said the freshman pole vaulter from Watkinsville, Ga. “It’s not the best I’ve done all year. But still, to jump for KU and get a provisional mark … I’m definitely happy about that.”

KANSAS UNIVERSITY FRESHMAN NATE SCHERZER attempts to clear the high-jump bar during the Jayhawk Invitational at Anschutz Sports Pavilion. The Jayhawks nabbed four provisional NCAA marks during Saturday's event.

Egor Agafonov received his second straight provisional in the weight throw with a toss of 20.63 meters, eclipsing the 19.0 provisional mark.

Although there were only four provisionals earned at the meet, Ashley Brown came up just shy of the necessary time of 8.43 seconds to get a provisional in the 60-meter hurdles. Brown had a time of 8.48 in the prelims and then fell off that pace in the finals, finishing at 8.67 – which was still good enough for first place.

“The last couple of years, I’ve been battling injuries, so this is my first time running indoors,” Brown said. “It’s still early … and I’m just trying to keep my head up and keep working hard, and hopefully it will all fall into place for me.”

The Jayhawks weren’t only impressed with how they performed, but with the turnout of support – despite the wintery weather conditions fans had to battle to get to Anschutz.

“I guess you could give some of it to Facebook – we sent out invitations to every single person we knew,” said Mat Baysinger, who finished first in the 600-yard run with a time of 1:10.35. “And there were quite a lot of people – parents and students – who came out this time. Especially for them to come out in the snow, we really appreciate that, I think, more than they realize.”

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Battle back: Former KU thrower and six-time All-American Sheldon Battle returned to compete in the men’s shot put.

The 2005 Big 12 Conference Outdoor Performer of the Year threw for a distance of 66-21â4. His closest competition came from Pittsburg State’s Brian Allen, who mustered up a throw of 52-81â4.

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Up next: The KU sprinters and throwers will attend the Lobos Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday. Due to the high altitude, the distance runners will not compete in the event.