The University of Kansas Relays, a long-term tradition in American track and field dating back to 1923, took center stage once again this year for a three-day spectacle from April 17–19 at Rock Chalk Park.
Now in its 102nd year, the qualifying-only meet drew over 5,500 entries and featured more than 4,600 athletes, representing 106 colleges and 447 high schools from Kansas and across the midwest region.
Senior distance runner and three-time participant Cayman Barnes said that KU Relays continues to solidify its status as one of the nation’s premier track and field events where even Olympians have competed. She said in addition that the meet’s prestige offers a rare and valuable opportunity for high school athletes to shine beyond local competition.
“It provides an opportunity to be on that bigger stage, especially for those that might not qualify for state due to difficulty to rise in their region,” Barnes said. “It’s definitely the biggest meet that athletes attend… It’s a different experience than a state tournament, and like any other meet that we have.”
The KU Relays proved to be a successful meet for the team, with athletes competing in 15 events over the three days. Sophomore Parker Jones and junior Jonah Frye each earned medals for their performances.
Among the hundreds of competitors, for senior middle-distance runner Austin Drewry, the KU Relays held a special meaning since this was his first time participating at the meet. Beyond just competing in races, Drewry said that the meet was a personal milestone for him as someone who has long admired the event from the stands.
“It was just really surreal for me. I had grown up watching it as a kid my entire life and have always wanted to run in it,” Drewry said. “I’ve always wanted to go to KU and run track. It was kind of as if I got to do that.”
With the opportunity of running at the Relays, Drewry said that he was proud to represent and bring a positive reputation to the school’s track and field program at the highly competitive meet. In addition to that, he also said the meet served as vital preparation for the championship races ahead as he looks forward to the postseason.
“It’s really good to tune up just to shock your body into what championship racing is like,” Drewry said. “Going there, not everyone is necessarily trying to get a fast time. They’re just trying to win. And that’s a really different style of racing than what we’re used to.”
