Twenty-four regional meets are in the books, and more than
2,000 Kansas track and field athletes have punched their tickets to state. Let
the fun begin.
There were very few surprises as regionals wrapped up across
the state on Friday. Many of the stars of Kansas track and field -- names you
likely already know -- are heading to Wichita for the country's largest two-day
high school track and field championship.
Two of Kansas' brightest even solidified their spot at the
top of the national rankings. That would be Olathe North's Dana Baker and Manhattan's
Sam Hankins.
They both throw the javelin a very, very long ways. Baker
took over the No. 1 spot in the United States when she let loose with a throw
of 175-6 to win the regional title. Baker, in fact, won three regional titles,
also winning the shot put and discus.
Hankins won his regional with an 8 foot personal best,
throwing the javelin 220-9. He was already No. 3 in the United States, but
moved within an inch ...