KU RELAYS

Free State Track and Field athletes receive an invite to compete at the 100th Anniversary of the KU Relays

Story by Thomas Patton

The 100th Anniversary of the KU Relays was hosted on April 13-15. After a four year absence due to COVID19, the University of Kansas Track and Field program returned to host the event at Rock Chalk Park.

The relays were filled with college and high school athletes from around the Midwest. Among them were several Free State athletes who were invited to participate in this competition. Junior Gretchen Weinkauf spoke about the experience and the feeling of being selected.

Because there were so many high-profile athletes competing at this event, college scouts were everywhere evaluating the athletes. Athletes who desire to compete at a higher level have the opportunity to show their skill set to local colleges.

“There are always college coaches watching,” junior Cooper Stone said. “If you perform well, they will see and can start recruiting you.”

Senior Michael Romito reflected on the impact this event brought for those athletes seeking to be recruited. It brought a chance to take a look at the type of competitions college athletes participate in.

However, some athletes received a tough draw because of the weather. Throughout the weekend, conditions shifted from hot to stormy which resulted in seven events being canceled due to rain.

“It was a rough weekend as far as weather goes with the first day being windy and hot and the second day being cold and rainy,” Romito said. “Our boys and girls 4X400 team didn’t get to run due to weather which was really disappointing.”

Free State ended the weekend with some notable outcomes. Senior Reese Hulcher finished seventh in girls’ high jump and both the boys’ and girls’ 4X800 teams broke school records. The athletes will use this experience to help them prepare for the state competition coming at the end of May.