Top Performances of Week 2!

Performances of the Week -- Through March 30

        This season, we're highlighting the state's best in our Performances of the Week. Every week, we'll pick out six performances from a wide range of events that wowed everyone at the meet. These performances could be a crazy mark in a single event, a combination of several events, or something else entirely. A great performance doesn't have to be the top time in the state, there's always more than one way to impress the crowd.

First up is Matti Price, a junior from Riverton. The Southeast Kansas speedster started off at the Galena Bulldog Relays with a 12.78 in the 100m dash, winning her heat by nearly 1.5 seconds and setting a PR in the process. At that point, she was just getting started. When the 400m rolled around, she rounded the track in 60.69 seconds, 2 seconds faster than her season opener a year ago. To cap it all off, she went out and blew everybody away in the 200m, because why not?

Setting a personal record is a great feeling, but they just don't normally happen this early in the season. Wichita East's Jack Walsh decided "normally" doesn't apply to him, setting a ridiculous 22 second PR in the 1600m. The junior outkicked Maize South's Britt Magnuson to cross in 4:27.5 at the Wichita- Southeast Invitational. The 1600 was his only open event of the meet, but it will be interesting to see how he will do in the other distance events this season.

Another runner that decided early season PR's were their style was Manhattan's Clara Mayfield. The senior standout has run plenty of fast two miles during her career, but none faster than her 11:03 at the Mid-Winter Relays. This was shortly after an excellent 5:08 mile that was just a few seconds behind her personal best. Both marks were set without being pushed, as she won by 24 seconds in the 1600 and 42 seconds in the 3200.

It's difficult to decide whether Timmy Lambert is a better sprinter or hurdler. He sits at or near the top of Kansas in the 100m, 200m, 110 hurdles, and 300 hurdles. Lambert won each of those events this week at Republic County, but we'll focus in on his hurdling ability. The Smoky Valley senior is familiar with gold medals, especially in the 300 hurdles, where he hasn't seen anyone cross the line ahead of him since state TWO years ago. He cruised to a 3 second victory with a 39.85 this time around. The brightest spot on the day may have been in the other hurdle event, where he PR'd in the 110's with a 15.1, sealing another dominating victory.

A new elite jumper has entered the scene, and his name is Julius Bolden. The Wichita-Northwest sophomore launched himself 22 feet 9.5 inches into the sand to win the long jump at the Wichita- Southeast Invitational. The jump was a PR for him by almost 2.5 feet, so it's safe to say that he's been putting in some work since last spring. That work is already beginning to pay off, as he currently holds the top mark in the state.

Rounding out or top performers is Katelyn Fairchild, a sophomore from Andale. She put on a show at her home meet on Thursday, winning both the discus and javelin throws. Her throw of 134' 2'' in the discus was good for a 7-foot PR, and her javelin mark of 149' 10'' edged out her previous best by 4 inches. She has certainly started the season on the right foot. To round out a great day, she placed 2nd in the shot put with a throw of 36' 9'', a solid trio of throws to start the season.