Wichita State’s Mellanee Welty came from behind to edge first-day leader Barbara Szlendakova of Iowa State to win a third consecutive Drake Relays heptathalon title. Welty stayed right behind Szlendakova in the final event, the 800-meters to sew it up.Welty says the turning point came when she beat Szlendakova in the long jump. She says she knew then she was ahead enough that she just had to stay close in the 800 to win.Welty says this win was even more satisfying because it came against a better field. Kip Janvrin won his 11th Drake Relays decathalon title, cruising to a win in the final event, the 15-hundred meter run to overtake Kamau Sullivan. Janvrin has reached an advanced age for competitors in the decathalon but says it still feels good to win.Janvrin has his sights set on the Olympic trials this summer and says he is off to a good start. He says his running events are very good which means he can get back to form in the jumping events.
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