March 15, 2006
Release courtesy of Matt Turk, Simpson College sports information director

INDIANOLA, IOWA . . . Simpson College has announced the Apr. 28 Simpson Twilight Open has been renamed in honor of former Simpson athlete Kip Janvrin. The meet, which is traditionally run on the last Friday of April, will now be known as the Kip Janvrin Open.

"It is a great honor and I appreciate the (Simpson) administration for keeping my name alive," Janvrin said. "I hope some of the athletes who compete in the meet will figure out who I am and it helps motivate them to greater success."

"This is a very well deserving honor," said Simpson head men's and women's track coach Dave Cleveland. "We are so fortunate to have some one of his stature to have represented Simpson College. Being such a diplomat of the sport of track and field at the collegiate, professional, and world level, this will ensure that his name will be never be forgotten."

Janvrin, a 1988 Simpson College graduate, is one of the most acclaimed performers in the history of NCAA Division III track and field. Janvrin dominated the decathlon, winning the national title in three consecutive years (1986-88). Janvrin also won a national title in the pole vault (1988) and 400 hurdles (1988). Janvrin concluded his college career as a 10-time Division III All-American. He became the first Division III athlete to win three individual championships at the NCAA meet in one year (1988, 400 hurdles, pole vault and decathlon). He scored 33 points in five different events (pole vault, 400 hurdles, 110 hurdles, and 4x400m relay) at the 1988 national meet. He advanced to the 1988 NCAA Division I Championships just a week after the D-3 championships and placed eighth in the decathlon. Janvrin set Division III national records in the decathlon (7,528 points) and the pole vault (16'5 1/2") during his career.

Janvrin won 12 Iowa Conference titles in six different events (the 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 400 meters, javelin, pole vault and triple jump). He was named Iowa Conference men's track MVP from 1986-1988. Janvrin's 1988 Iowa Conference Outdoor Championship performance is still being talked about. Janvrin competed in 11 events at meet, scoring in 10. He won five individual events (pole vault, triple jump, 110m hurdles, 400m, and 400m hurdles) and anchored the IIAC winning 4x400m relay team. His winning time the 110m hurdles (:14.70) tied the then Iowa Conference record. He was second in the javelin, third in the long jump, fourth in the high
jump, and fifth in the discus. Janvrin scored 72 1/2 of Simpson's 166 1/2 points in the meet.

Janvrin remains the school record holder in the indoor (15'6") and outdoor pole vault (16' 5 1/2"), 400m hurdles (:52.02) and decathlon (7,528 points).

Upon his graduation, Janvrin made his mark on the national and international track scene. Janvrin has won the Drake Relays decathlon a record 15 times, setting the event record with 8,198 points in 1996. Janvrin rallied from 13th place after day one of the 2000 Olympic Trials to finish third and earn a ticket to Sydney where he finished 20th. Janvrin was the decathlon alternate for the United States in the 1996 Olympics. He was eighth in the decathlon at the 1992 Olympic Trials and 12th at the 2004 Olympic Trials.

Janvrin is the world record holder for the masters (40+ age) decathlon (2005) and the world record holder for the double decathlon (2002). He has won a world best 40 decathlons and has posted a world best 78 scores over 7,000 points. Janvrin is the American record holder for most 8,000 point decathlon scores with 26. His highest point total in the decathlon (8,462) is the seventh best in U.S. Track and Field history.

A two-time member (1995, 2003) of the U.S. Pan American Team, Janvrin won the 1995 Pan American Games decathlon, setting a meet record. The Panora, Iowa native won the 2001 U.S. Track and Field Decathlon National Championship.

Janvrin is a member of the Iowa Track Coaches Hall of Fame, the Drake Relays Hall of Fame, the Simpson College Athletic Hall of Fame, the Division III Track Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Track/Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Since 1988, Janvrin has been a part of the coaching staff at Central Missouri State. He is in his 11th season as co-head coach with former Simpson All-American and national champion Kirk Pedersen. The duo has led the Central Missouri State men to 10 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) men's indoor championships (1996-2003, 2005-2006), and five MIAA outdoor championships (1998, 2001-2004).

Janvrin and Pedersen have led the Central Missouri women to three MIAA indoor championships (1999, 2005-2006). At least one Central Missouri State athlete has won a NCAA Division II National Championship in nine of their 11 seasons. Janvrin and Pedersen have been named MIAA Men's Indoor Coaches of the Year four times and have been selected MIAA Men's Outdoor Coaches of the Year three times. In 2002, Janvrin and Pedersen were named USTCA National Indoor Coaches of the Year.

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