2013 Drake Relays Results

Des Moines, IA – On Saturday, Academy of Art University Track & Field did much more than break program records.

With three 1st place finishes in women's relay events highlighted by a time in the 4x100m shuttle hurdle relay that tied a NCAA all-time record, the Urban Knights closed the book on another extremely successful weekend at the 104th Drake Relays. After competing in the 4x100m shuttle hurdle for the first time in program history just one week ago at the Mt. SAC Relays, Academy of Art made the world aware of its dominance in both the preliminaries and finals of the event inside Drake Stadium.

"I really cannot put into words how proud I am of the performances our women delivered this weekend," head coach Charles Ryan said. "Drake Relays have been on the biggest NCAA showcase meets for over 100 years. There is so much history to this event, so much greatness has been displayed on the Blue Oval and now Academy of Art University will be a name that lives forever in that venue. It's spectacular!"

"I have to commend our women's team," assistant coach Lauren Smith said. "They were a prime example of what a team really means. They stepped out of their comfort zones, made sacrifices, and rose to the challenge; representing the Academy in an honorable fashion. Many great performances for both teams."

In the prelims, Vashti Thomas, Jesseka Raymond, Dinesha Bean, and Julian Purvis combined for a 54.45 mark that placed them 1st overall of 13 competitors. Then, with Briana Stewart taking Raymond's place in the finals, the NCAA record was matched as the quartet dropped down to 52.50 for what was also a Drake Stadium record. The time, currently #3 in the history of the world, was the same as that posted by Division I Texas A&M in 2010 and, on this occasion, bested host Drake University and Lincoln (MO) by more than two full seconds.
 
"I hope the ladies didn't feel any pressure coming into this meet but I know I did," Coach Ryan said. "People cannot fully understand how hard it is to live up to expectations when the pedestal you're trying to stand on is 'all-time greatest.' We knew what these women could accomplish, and I have not been shy in saying so. But when you're virtually unknown and you're speaking about being the best ever, people look at you like your crazy. This group of women is special, and to witness such a performance, on the stage that is Drake relays, in front of thousands of people, it brought me to tears, I am so proud of them! Throw in the context that 10 years ago, on this same weekend, my own college quartet set the all-time NCAA record in the exact same event is too cool. So many people have been contacting me asking how could I miss my induction ceremony at Penn Relays for the Wall of Fame? Well, I knew our girls would deliver, I knew what they were ready to do and the experience I had at Drake watching them take their victory lap in historic glory was priceless! I wouldn't have missed that for anything in the world."

The finals of the women's 4x100m relay saw another first in Drake Stadium history. The team of Raymond, Stewart, Thomas, and Bean collectively posted a 44.19, currently #4 in NCAA DII history and #9 in all divisions this season, which beat out Lincoln (MO) and Iowa Central for 1st overall by another impressive margin. Lincoln (MO) had dominated the 4x100m event at Drake, having won 10 times in the past 11 years and serving as the record holders.

"In the shuttle hurdle relay it was just us against the clock, but in the 4x100 we had a real race on our hands and were up against the queens of the event in Lincoln," Coach Ryan said. "Our ladies have demonstrated time and again that they respond best to the biggest challenges and did they ever here. The 4x100 is a huge piece to our Outdoor Championship hopes and the road to that title goes through Lincoln (MO). Our women showed poise under pressure and executed very well. Jesseka had never ran leadoff before, but she stepped up to that challenge and owned it. Briana ran her best back-stretch of the season and the combination of her into Vashti is simply dangerous. Dinesha once again left no doubt on anchor. The just continue to deliver. No matter what the situation, they are ready, and that NCAA record in the 4x100 is now officially in danger."

ART U also competed in the finals of the women's 4x400m relay Saturday where Stewart, Thomas, Dominique Berry, and Keanna Moody came through with a 3:40.94 which set a new program record for the Urban Knights. Academy of Art would place 3rd in the event.

"In the 4x400, I was most proud of Dom and Keke as they competed very well and ensured our new school record in this event," Coach Ryan said. "They also seem to just get better every week and, if they are running like that, we will have a very dangerous team when it comes time for NCAA Championships."

Stewart made the most of her opportunity to challenge 20 others in the 400m hurdles on Saturday, setting a new season-best with time of 58.60. She placed 7th overall just behind Indiana State top hurdler.

"Briana handled herself with a level of commitment and poise that I have never seen from her before," Coach Ryan said. "She grew more this weekend as an athlete then she may ever realize. She had the hardest schedule by far and delivered four national class performances. She broke four records plus ran a huge PR in the 400m hurdles. If there was one person who impressed me the most this weekend, it was Briana Stewart. This meet was a huge mental test for her and she passed with flying colors!"

Following up her prelims qualifier in the 100m hurdles on Friday, Purvis claimed 6th in the finals with a time of 13.76. She surpassed runners from both Illinois and Lincoln (MO) in the process.

Appreciative of how spectacularly the 104th Drake Relays was run, Coach Ryan expressed his feelings afterwards.

"Brian Brown and the whole Drake relays staff put on a world class event this weekend in Des Moines," Coach Ryan said. "I cannot properly articulate just how well this event is run. The track game needs more events like this. It's not just about the relays, Drake delivered a 'diamond league' caliber professional meet on top of a relay carnival, on top of a high school/collegiate showcase event. They packed the house and made life as easy as possible for the athletes and coaches, I love this event and ART U will continue to be a part of the Drake Relays for a long as they will have us."

Though the weekend is complete for nearly all Urban Knights, one more will compete tomorrow in Stanford University's Payton Jordan Invitational. Senior Jenny Bergren is scheduled to run in the 1500m for the second time in three days after she snagged 2nd place at Cal's Brutus Hamilton Invitational on Friday.  Bergren will be in Section 6 of the 1500m and is scheduled to run at 4:17 PM.