DES MOINES, Iowa – The Northern Illinois University women's track and field team made its final appearance before the conference championship this weekend as the Huskies traveled to the famed "Blue Oval" for the 112th Drake Relays.
"We didn't see the results we were hoping for at the historic Drake Relays this weekend, but the athletes' efforts were top notch," said NIU Director of Track and Field
Connie Teaberry. "It's hard with the work the athletes put in not to want them to PR every weekend, but that's not realistic. The weather and some execution issues hindered several results.
"But when an athlete has an unfavorable competition and has the ability to pick themselves up and prepare for the next event or competition with a positive outlook, the weekend is still a success. Their resilience, unity, support and positivity were rewarding to watch. We will go back to the lab and prepare for the MAC Championships in a week and a half."
Brooke Lytle (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha West) ran a season-best time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, taking nearly 10 seconds off her previous best time of the year. Lytle clocked a time of 10:46.76, just missing out on a top-20 finish while posting the sixth-best time in the conference this spring.
Skylynn Blue (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) claimed a top-10 finish in the 200 meters at Drake, running a time just shy of her season-best. Blue ran 23.97, three-tenths off her conference leading time this season (23.67).
Malia Watkins (Upper Marlboro, Md./Missouri State) was just outside the top-10 in the 200, finishing 11th in 24.43.
A small group of Huskies also competed at the Kip Janvrin Open this weekend where
Kaitlin Miller (Rochester, Minn./Rochester Century) and
Sara Atkins (Warrenville, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South) both ran season best times in the 5,000 meters. Miller ran a time of 17:49.32 while Atkins crossed the line in 18:04.78.
NIU will now turn its attention to the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships, May 12-14, at Western Michigan in Kalamazoo.
Drake Relays
100-meter Dash
14.
Malia Watkins, 12.15
18.
Skylynn Blue, 12.38
200-meter Dash
7.
Skylynn Blue, 23.97
11.
Malia Watkins, 24.43
100-meter Hurdles
13.
Scout Regular, 14.26
400-meter Hurdles
21.
Kennedy Crawford, 1:02.57
3,000-meter Steeplechase
21.
Brooke Lytle, 10:46.76
4x200-meter Relay
19. Lewis, Rowe, Ramsey, Jeffery, 1:43.09
4x400-meter Relay
7. Rowe, Lewis, Crawford, Jones, 3:49.67
Long Jump
19.
Kenyae Majors, 5.66m (18-07.00)
Triple Jump
18.
Katrina Small, 11.75m (38-06.75)
Kip Janvrin Open
800-meter Run
14.
Emma Vorpagel, 2:20.50
26.
Julia Finegan, 2:23.38
54.
Meagan Biddle, 2:32.55
1,500-meter Run
14.
Brooke Lytle, 4:47.87
5,000-meter Run
11.
Kaitlin Miller, 17:49.32
20.
Sara Atkins, 18:04.78
36.
Hannah Ricci, 18:38.78
3,000-meter Steeplechase
11.
Grace Louis, 11:29.64
