WOMEN'S DMR | MEN'S 4x800
KIP JANVRIN RESULTS
DES MOINES, Iowa - Augustana's women's distance medley relay set a school and state record and captured a title Friday afternoon at the prestigious Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa. The Vikings' men's 4x800-meter relay team also placed second to round out a successful afternoon for Augustana.
It's the third title in two years by the Vikings at the Drake Relays. A year ago, the men's and DMR squad and women's 4x800-meter relay team returned with titles.
The women's DMR team turned in a time of 11:40.01 to win the event. The previous school record, set last season, was 11:49.56, while the former South Dakota state record was 11:47.09, set by South Dakota State in 1989.
The DMR unit was made up of Kristin Brondbo, Colleen Everson, Molly Kokesh and Runa Falch. Brondbo covered her 1,200 meters in 3:34, Everson took care of her 400 in 57.8 seconds, Kokesh ran her 800 in 2:14 and Falch scorched her 1,600 in 4:50 (unofficial). Kokesh turned her third leg into a lead that Falch made stick down the stretch.
"Winning a Drake Relays championship is always a tremendous accomplishment," said head coach
Tracy Hellman. "All the ladies ran a great race and put themselves in a great spot to be successful."
The men's 4x800 squad clocked in at 7:41.53 for second place. The relay team was made up of Travis Beniak, Jordan Slusser, Tom Karbo and Halvard Lange. They turned in splits of 1:53, 1:56, 1:53, and 1:57, respectively (unofficial). The Vikings held a lead until the final lap when Wisconsin-Stevens Point moved ahead for the win.
"Our men ran a phenomenal race and almost pulled out the victory," Hellman said. "Runner-up honors in a strong field at the Drake Relays is a great accomplishment."
Just down the road in Indianola, Iowa, Augustana had athletes competing in the Kip Janvrin Open.
Diego Oquendo compiled sparkling performances in the 100-meter dash and 110-meter hurdles, setting meet records in both events. He won the 100 in 10.71 seconds and the 110 hurdles in 14.52 seconds. Oquendo's time in the hurdles provisionally qualified him in the event, something he's already done this season.
Paul Yak captured second-place honors in the men's 5,000-meter run with a time of 15:06.30.
Justin Grassmeyer took sixth in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase, checking in with a time of 9:52.38.
Dylan Buehler's toss of 159 feet, 10 inches in the men's javelin earned him fifth-place honors.
LeAnn Severson was eighth in the women's 800-meter run (2:18.84).
The Vikings will wrap up competition at the Drake Relays tomorrow.
