DES MOINES, Iowa – In its first time running together this outdoor season, the same women’s 4x400 meter relay group that broke a school indoor record locked up another trip to the national championships. The work of that quartet was the highlight of the day for four Concordia University track and field relays that circled the blue oval at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday (April 26).
The ‘A’ team is back. Rachel Battershell, Sarah Lewis, Jamie Nikodym and Jacee Pfeifer clocked in at 3:54.44 to come in under the ‘A’ standard time. The group placed 16th out of the 28 relays in its category. That some four athletes collaborated on third-place All-America finish at the NAIA indoor national championships with a time of 3:51.80, a new school standard.
The men’s 4x4 of Gavin Davis, Xavier Ross, Josiah McAllister and Nathan Matters recorded a time of 3:17.24, which would have met a ‘B’ national standard. However, the group was disqualified.
Saturday will be a more action packed day for the Bulldogs, who will host the Concordia Blizzard Buster. Please note that the schedule of events has been altered. An updated meet schedule can be viewed HERE.
Concordia at the Drake Relays (April 26)
Women’s 4x400 meter relay – 3:54.44 (16th of 28)
Rachel Battershell, Sarah Lewis, Jamie Nikodym, Jacee Pfeifer
Men’s 4x400 meter relay – 3:17.24 (DQ)
Gavin Davis, Xavier Ross, Josiah McAllister, Nathan Matters
Women’s 4x800 meter relay – 9:58.52 (16th of 17)
Miranda Rathjen, Rebekah Hinrichs, Tori Beran, Alyssa Fye
Men’s 4x800 meter relay – 7:51.80 (9th of 17)
Nathan Matters, Thomas Taylor, Christian Van Cleave, Josiah McAllister