TEMPE, Ariz. – Kansas saw victories in events covering nearly every one of the track & field disciplines, eight to be exact, as the Jayhawks took part in the 35th Annual Sun Angel Classic Saturday. Junior pole vaulter Casey Bowen again flirted with history en route to the second victory of his season, while the men’s 4×400-meter relay team turned in their fastest time of the season and elevated their national rank to inside the top-15. Two weeks removed from his career outing at the Texas Relays, Bowen again proved his name belongs near the top of the NCAA’s pole vault chart. A junior out of Gardner, Kan., Bowen broke the 18-foot barrier for the first time in his career at the meet in Austin, Texas on March 27, and came centimeters away from pulling it off for a second time in less than a month. Bowen got his day started on the right foot with two quick clearances at 5.21 meters (17’1″) and 5.36 meters (17’7″). He then had to take all three tries at 5.46 meters (17’11″) but got over on his final attempt, which posted the second-highest mark of his career. No other competitor was able to equal Bowen’s top height, giving him his second win of his 2014 campaign. He did get three attempts at 5.56 meters (18’3″) but despite three near makes, was unable to add another clearance on the night. He came just inches away from getting over on two of his attempts, which would have made him the No. 7 performer in the school’s illustrious pole vaulting history. more
