Freshman finds KU Relays gold in 3,200

 

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Cameron Gueldner did not look like a freshman Friday at the Kansas Relays.

The Olathe Northwest newcomer sat back and waited like a veteran in the 3,200-meter run before moving into position to take over the race on the final lap and winning in 10:51.09 after a final lap split of 1:14.

“I honestly didn’t expect that to happen at all,” Gueldner said. “I was just striving to get first. It just happened I guess. I just wanted to tuck behind someone to block the wind a little bit and when I felt like I was ready to pass then go up in front.”

Gueldner is the daughter of former Kansas basketball player Jeff Gueldner, who was a member of the 1988 national champions.

Herculaneum senior Kaitlyn Fischer led the first seven laps almost by default as no one else wanted to take the lead and block the wind, but Fischer could not hold off the charging Gueldner and slipped to third in 10:55.48.

Valley Center’s Morgan Wedekind also came out of the pack to capture second in 10:55.09 as she edged Fischer at the line.

“I was feeling good, and I knew how to stay up with the pack if I wanted to do well,” Wedekind said after running a PR. “Let the other girls set the pace and see what I could do as the race was coming to an end.

“I had no idea who (Gueldner) was. I didn’t know if I could catch them, but I was going to try my hardest. Now I understand what I can do, and it does excite me for later on in the season.”