Kip Janvrin’s second day is his best in the decathlon and Thursday was no different. The Panora native won four of five events to pull away for his lucky number 13th Drake Relays decathlon crown. He says he’s been lucky to be healthy for many years. Janvrin says most competitors don’t stay healthy and end up battling injuries.Janvrin says though trailing after the first day, he remained confident he could win. He says he’s one of the few people who can end the event so strong.Iowa State’s Barbara Szlendakova won the final event, the 800-meter run to claim her second straight heptathlon crown. She is a senior at Iowa State and will pursue an advanced degree in genetics but is considering a bid to make the 2004 Olympic team for the Czech Republic.Szlendakova says the country of ten million people has a limited budget for their Olympic team, but with the games in Athens they will send more competitors.The Relays swings into high gear this morning with nearly nine thousand athletes taking part. Second-year director Mark Kostek has put together a field that includes a number of world-class and Olympic competitors but admits there is one event that stands out to him. He says the mens’ mile is a race that everyone in the stadium stops to watch.That race will be Saturday afternoon. Kostek says another of the top events will be the women’s shuttle hurdle relay.
