KSU Women?s DMR Team Sets New School Standard At Drake Relays
4/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Kent State women's distance medley relay team overcame a collision on a baton handoff to set a new school record time at the 100th Drake Relays Friday (April 24).
The DMR team of freshman Audrey Maheu (Bristolville, Ohio/Warren John F. Kennedy) and juniors Rachel Crafton (Hubbard, Ohio/Hubbard), Jessica Lhotsky (Medina, Ohio/Highland) and Kelly Gephart (Oak Harbor, Ohio/Oak Harbor) took fifth place in the event with a time of 11:32.30. The previous fastest time in the women's DMR for the Golden Flashes was established in 2006 (11:37.62).
“It was a great race,” said KSU head coach Bill Lawson. “I was really happy with the whole crew. They fought a tough field, some tough wind and confusion at the handoff. The relay officials held Kelly on the arm after they couldn't see Lhotsky coming in and there was a huge collision between the two. They almost dropped the baton. Despite all that, they still broke the school record.”
The record was the second set in as many days for Kent State. Freshman Diana Dumitrescu (Campulung, Romania/LNPA Campulung Muscel) set the new school overall points mark in the heptathlon Thursday (April 23).
It was another day at the office for senior LeVania Henderson (Westland, Mich./Churchill), who tossed a season-best 16.03 meters in the shot put to take second place and surpass the NCAA regional qualifying mark yet again.
Senior Kimberley Hamilton (Cave Junction, Ore./Illinois Valley) also passed regional qualifying standards again, hurling the javelin 48.89 meters to place fourth in the event.
“It was a very good performance for Kim,” said Lawson. “In tough conditions, I thought she did well. We had severe headwinds that were really knocking some of the javelins down.”
Both the men's and women's 4x800-meter relay produced successful outings. The women's unit of Maheu, Gephart, Lhotsky and junior Jessica Moore (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) clocked in at 8:50.33 for fourth place. Sophomore John Minen (Medina, Ohio/Highland), freshman Colin Pettiford (Toledo, Ohio/St. Francis de Sales), senior Tony Jordanek (Lexington, Ohio/Lexington) and sophomore Destin Heasley (Massillon, Ohio/Massillon Washington) teamed up to give the men's squad an eighth-place finish in 7:28.11, just shy of the school record.
The Golden Flashes also competed in the Gina Relays in Hillsdale, Mich. Friday, and it was another banner outing for the field athletes.
Junior Samantha Fetter (Darragh, Pa./Hempfield Area/Marshall) won the women's shot put and surpassed the regional qualifying mark for a second time this season with a throw of 15.12 meters.
Hurling a season-best 53.60 meters in the women's hammer was junior Effua Ampadu (Columbus, Ohio/Mifflin).
The men's hammer proved to be business as usual for junior Matthew Pfleger (Garrettsville, Ohio/James A. Garfield), who passed the regional qualifying standard for the fifth time this year with a toss of 61.08 meters.
Both the Drake and Gina Relays conclude Saturday afternoon. For live results for the Drake Relays, click here. For complete day two results from the Gina Relays, click here.
