DeLoach repeats as Kansas Relays champ [Track]
It was an unusual venue with a familiar result.
Janay DeLoach of Fairbanks captured the women’s long jump title for the second straight year at the Kansas Relays in Lawrence, leaping to a mark of 22 feet, 4½ inches.
The defending Olympic bronze medalist won last year’s event at 21-8¼.
Last year’s competition was held on the streets of downtown Lawrence, with fans lining the sidewalks to watch some of the country’s top long jumpers in the nation.
This year’s meet was held in a livestock arena on the county fairgrounds, moved indoors because of cold weather.
“It’s different … different, to say the least,” she told reporters. “The crowd is here. That’s all that matters. I love this atmosphere. When the crowd is here, so close to you, they can give you high fives. I’ll definitely be coming back next year.
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“The fans here are great. How often can you get this close to long jumpers and get sprayed in the face with sand? Who wouldn’t want that?”
DeLoach, of Eielson High fame, was a four-time state champion in Alaska.
She is a two-time U.S. Indoor champ and 2012 runner-up at the world championships. Did we mention she won a bronze at last year’s Olympics?
“In all honesty, what kind of athlete would I be if I didn’t say I wanted to win? I wanted to win … I was very content with having a bronze medal,” she said. “I’m still going to go for a gold. Long jump, field events,
“The fans here are great. How often can you get this close to long jumpers and get sprayed in the face with sand? Who wouldn’t want that?”
DeLoach, of Eielson High fame, was a four-time state champion in Alaska.
She is a two-time U.S. Indoor champ and 2012 runner-up at the world championships. Did we mention she won a bronze at last year’s Olympics?
“In all honesty, what kind of athlete would I be if I didn’t say I wanted to win? I wanted to win … I was very content with having a bronze medal,” she said. “I’m still going to go for a gold. Long jump, field events,
“The fans here are great. How often can you get this close to long jumpers and get sprayed in the face with sand? Who wouldn’t want that?”
DeLoach, of Eielson High fame, was a four-time state champion in Alaska.
She is a two-time U.S. Indoor champ and 2012 runner-up at the world championships. Did we mention she won a bronze at last year’s Olympics?
“In all honesty, what kind of athlete would I be if I didn’t say I wanted to win? I wanted to win … I was very content with having a bronze medal,” she said. “I’m still going to go for a gold. Long jump, field events,
“The fans here are great. How often can you get this close to long jumpers and get sprayed in the face with sand? Who wouldn’t want that?”
DeLoach, of Eielson High fame, was a four-time state champion in Alaska.
She is a two-time U.S. Indoor champ and 2012 runner-up at the world championships. Did we mention she won a bronze at last year’s Olympics?
“In all honesty, what kind of athlete would I be if I didn’t say I wanted to win? I wanted to win … I was very content with having a bronze medal,” she said. “I’m still going to go for a gold. Long jump, field events,
running … it’s anybody’s game. I’m going to keep pushing.
One day maybe it’s mine.”