Each week, MoMileSplit.com brings you a new Tuesday Top 10. In celebration of the upcoming Kansas Relays we are excited to bring you the Top 10 Performance by a High School Athlete at the KU Relays over the past 10 years.
Top 10 HS Performances over the past 10 years at the Kansas Relays
1 James White 7-3.5 High Jump. (2009) This Grandview MO star wowed the crowd with a jump that still leads all other prep athletes by over 5 inches over the past 10 years! White's best was yet to come as he jumped 7-5.75 the following week. This performance earned our vote for #1, ahead of some other names track and field fans will be sure to recognize.
photo credit: Tracy Rollins
2.Leo Manzano 1:51.54 800 Meters (2003). Leo won the 800-meter race in 2003 by over 4 seconds. The 2012 Olympian leads all other guys in the high school 800 by over 2 seconds. Leo will be back on the track at KU this Saturday in attempt to break Jim Ryun's Mile Record at the Kansas Relays.
3. Maurice Mitchell 10.26/2.3 wind (2008), 10.40 100 M Dash (2009) – Yet another prep athlete who went on to become and Olympian making our list. The Raytown South star had a couple of memorable years at the Relays. While his wind-aided time is not officially recognized as a meet record his performances in Lawrence still deserve top recognition.
photo credit: Tracy Rollins
4. Emily Sisson 10:25.42 3200 Meters (2008) Emily's high school career began in Nebraska. Of course we all know that Emily went on to move to Missouri before the start of her junior year and currently holds the Missouri state record in this event but it’s her time as a sophomore that still stands at KU.
5. Alishea Usery 54.61 400 Meter Dash (2008) – It’s shocking that Aliesha is this far down any list of high school athletes but as can see the KU Relays have been a showcase for future stars.
photo credit: Tracy Rollins
6. McCluer South-Berkley 4 x 400 Meter Relay 3:49.12 (2008) Ashley Usery, Kianna Ruff, Angel Williams & Alishea Usery shattered the old meet record held by John Marshall of 3:53.83 that was set in 1983. Evanston (2012) and Ladue (2009) have come close in recent years the record still belongs to MSB
photo credit: Tracy Rollins
7. Jenks (OK) Boys 4 x100 Meter Relay 41.60 (2003) This relay time has stood the test of time and only the 2008 Raytown South squad is within a half second of this record.
8 .Chase Cooper 16-9.25 Pole Vault (2009) This Colorado state champion went on to vault 17-2 as a member of the United States Air Force Academy.
photo credit : Alan Versaw
9. Lee’s Summit West 21:17.74 4 X 1 Mile (2011)The Titans keep raising the bar when it comes to girl’s distance running. The 2011 squad of Chelsey Phoebus, Kennadee Williams, Elizabeth Nolke & Kiersten West currently hold the KU Meet record in this event that kicks off the Relays.
10. Alli Cash 4:50.71 1600 Meters (2012) – Last year was a special season for this Shawnee Mission West star. After winning the KU Relays, Alli went on to win a state championships and a sub 4:40 mile at the Adidas Grand Prix. Alli will be attending Oregon this fall but we are thrilled to see her on the list of athletes scheduled to run this season.
Who is on your top 10? We would love to hear your comments.
MileSplit will once again be on-site to cover the 2013 Kansas Relays. Check out our Meet Preview as we expect a number of great performances with this field.
2013 Meet Preview
2013 List of Accepted HS Athletes