DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Augustana track team had stellar performances in the distance carnival portion of Drake Relays Thursday with every Viking obtaining personal-bests and NCAA Provisional Qualifying times and even a school record. 

Senior Alec Kray won the 5,000m in school-record fashion, running a time of 13:56.24. His time broke the school record by 12 seconds and currently sits the Sioux Falls native sixth in the nation. This is the first time 14:00 has been broken at Augustana.

In the steeplechase, Rebekah Rairdon and Rachel Rairdon both lowered their personal-bests. Rebekah ran a time of 10:31.77 placing her fifth within the race which is also good for No. 2 in the NCAA Division II. Rachel ran a time of 10:41.42 to rank her fifth nationally. 

Breakthrough performances also came in the women's 5,000m where junior Nicholette Schmidt ran a personal-best time of 16:30.16 that placed her eighth in the seeded section. Her time narrowly missed the school record putting her No. 2 on the all-time list and ranks her fifth nationally. Patty Jo English followed closely placing 11th in the field running No. 3 on the all-time list clocking in at 16:37.31 to rank her 12th within the nation.

Mia Salas ran in the unseeded 5,000m where she placed sixth in a new personal-best time of 17:18.12.

"Drake Relays is a meet we always circle on our schedule," Augustana head coach Tracy Hellman said. "Alec winning a Drake Relays title is a huge accomplishment especially considering it was in the university seeded section.

"All of our distance athletes set personal-bests tonight so it was a special evening and we are excited for what tomorrow brings."

The Vikings return to compete in day two of Drake Relays on Friday while another portion of the team will be competing in the Kip Janvrin Open in Indianola, Iowa.

--GoAugie.com--