ShawneeDispatch.com

We already know Justin Woods is the fastest man in Kansas. Next we'll get to find out if Woods is one of the fastest high schoolers in the Midwest.

Woods is one of 17 Mill Valley athletes who will compete this weekend in the Kansas Relays at KU's Memorial Stadium. Woods is the No. 2 seed in the 100 meters entering the Relays with a 10.56 seconds qualifying time. He has the chance to be the first Jaguar in school history to ever win an event at the KU Relays.

"He's got a great shot," MVHS coach Mark Peck said. "He's as good as anybody in that field. They're all good, and a lot of it will come down to getting a good start. You make a mistake at the beginning of the race, and sometimes that's the difference because of the quality of the kids there. He'll have to run well."

Woods finished fourth at the Relays last year. Thomas Brown from Fulton, Mo., finished third last year and is the only returning runner to finish ahead of Woods. Brown is the No. 7 seed entering the race. The top seed belongs to Maurice Mitchell from Raytown South. Mitchell did not run in the Relays last year and enters the race with a 10.5-second qualifying time.

Woods might have the best chance to bring home a first place medal this weekend, but he is not the lone Jaguar competing. He's joined in the 100 meters by junior teammate Matt Sittenauer. Sittenauer will also team up with Woods, senior Josh Grimes and sophomore Nicholas Woods for the 400-meter relay. The same foursome will also run in the 800-meter relay, a relay race that is unique to the Kansas Relays.

Sittenauer also qualified in the long jump, along with MVHS senior Myron Collins. Senior Andrew Wendorff will compete in the javelin.

A trio of relay teams lead the way for the Mill Valley girls. Seniors Sara Exon and Elise Umbarger and sophomore Katie Bauer were the only MVHS girls to qualify for the meet as individuals; however, eight other MVHS girls will get the chance to compete on relay teams.

"It's tough to get into the KU Relays," Peck said. "It's an honor."

Mill Valley is the No. 3 seed in the 400-meter hurdles relay, another relay unique to the KU Relays. Exon, sophomore Bethany Gagelin and freshmen Kirsten Moore and Alaina Fairbanks will compete for the Jags in that race.

The Jaguars will also compete in the traditional 400-meter relay and 1,600-meter relay. Exon, sophomore Becky Newhouse and freshmen Briana Childs and Jenna Gilliland set the school record Monday at Shawnee Mission West in the 400-meter relay and won the race. That same foursome will be at the KU Relays.

Exon, Newhouse, and freshmen Jasa DuMontelle and Whitney Hartman will run in the 1,600-meter relay.

Exon, Umbarger and Bauer all competed in the Relays last season. Exon finished 13th in the 300-meter hurdles and 25th in the 100-meter hurdles. Umbarger finished 16th in the shot put last year and Bauer finish 20th in the triple jump.

Peck, unlike some coaches who prefer a regular event over the Relays, said he opts to go to the KU Relays because it's a great opportunity for his top athletes.

"I try to take kids there because I think it gives them a look at where they're at and what they need to do to try to get better," he said, "and to see how good the competition is out there."

The prelims for the KU Relays start Friday and the finals are Saturday. The Relays also include college and open fields. Some professionals will compete in the open field called the Gold Zone. Last year Olympic gold medal winner Maurice Greene competed in the 400-meter relay.

"If you're a real track enthusiast, it's a great venue," Peck said.