University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Drake Relays
Shuttle Hurdle Relay Scores UNI Record At Drake Relays
4/29/2017 4:59:00 PM | Track and Field
DES MOINES, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa wrapped up the final day of competition at the 2017 Drake Relays today with the relay teams finishing the week off strong.
The Panthers got started in the men's shuttle hurdle relay, the men's team coming away victorious. The team of Jon Rus, Connor Ham, Daurice Fountain and Cole Phillips turned in the fastest time in the first round race of 57.71 that would rank second in school history before going on to break the UNI record in the finals for the win. Their time of 56.74 beat the previous school record of 56.95 that was set in 1993.
The women's sprint medley relay team also landed on the UNI all-time list with a time of 3:54.25. Jasmine Blue, Maddie Bell, Maddie Irmen and Lyndsie Schinkel put together the third fastest time in school history to place second overall in the event.
On the men's side, the Panthers also notched a top-five finish, finishing third. Corey Hertz, Jalen Rima, Brett McCalla and Colynn Black were able to put together a fast time of 3:23.90 for the finish.
Staying on the track, senior Brandon Carnes won the 100 meter dash finals for the second consecutive year. Carnes, who won the event with a time of 10.28 in 2016, finished in first place today with a time of 10.17.
Moving into the distance races, senior Shane Kirchoff scored a personal-best in the men's 3,000 meter steeplechase, also claiming a top-10 finish. Kirchoff ran a time of 9:17.04 to place 10th overall and rank himself in the top-three in the Missouri Valley Conference heading into the weekend.
In the field, Anna Loken came away with a huge personal-best in the women's pole vault competition. Her mark of 12-1.50 ranks her No. 4 all-time at UNI and in the top-five in the Valley.
Tom Yezek pushed himself into the NCAA West rankings in the men's discus throw today, placing fifth in the event with a career-best toss of 176-5.00. The mark puts him in the top-five in the MVC and in the top-35 in the NCAA West. The Panthers also posted two other top-10 finishes in the discus with Isaac Holtz placing sixth with a mark of 175-9.00 and Brad Walski placing ninth with a season-best throw of 170-5.00.
The Panthers ended the day with both the men's and women's 4X400 meter relay teams competing in the finals. Blue, Irmen, Bell and Lindsey Kite finished in seventh on the women's side with a time of 3:49.34 while Bryce Newcomb, Evan Long, McCalla and Jacob Smith ran a time of 3:15.59 for the men to place fourth.
UNI returns to action on Friday, May 5 when they compete in its final regular season meet before the MVC Outdoor Championships. The Wisconsin Twilight will begin at 2 p.m. on May 5 in Madison.
Players Mentioned
