KU heptathlete Vollmer begins title defense

Georgia's Kendall Williams, left, and Kansas' Lindsay Vollmer run during the heptathlon 200 meters at the NCAA track and field championships Thursday, June 12, 2014, in Eugene, Ore.

? Kansas University junior Lindsay Vollmer sits in second place after the first four events of her heptathlon title defense, Thursday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Vollmer, who won the 2013 national title with a school-record 6,068 points, has 3,493 points — 192 points behind Georgia’s Kendall Williams — with three events remaining. Vollmer placed fifth in the 100-meter hurdles, eighth in the high jump, sixth in the shot put, and seventh in the 200. She will try to make up the deficit this afternoon in the long jump, javelin and 800.

Maroszek sixth in discus

Senior discus thrower Jessica Maroszek earned first-team All-America honors for the third time in her KU career.

Maroszek placed sixth on Thursday with a throw of 54.78 meters (179 feet, 9 inches). Maroszek finished eighth her freshman year and fourth last year as a junior.

Men’s 4×4 falls short

The Kansas men’s 4×400 relay team — sophomore Drew Matthews, senior DeMario Johnson, sophomore Jaime Wilson and junior Michael Stigler — ran a 3:12.22 and did not advance out of the semifinals.

Stigler, who ran the top qualifying time in the 400 hurdles on Wednesday, is the only Jayhawk men’s athlete still in competition in Eugene. He finished runner-up last year at the NCAA Outdoor and will compete in the 400 hurdles final tonight.