Sprint medley sets Drake Relays record

DES MOINES, Iowa - For the second consecutive year, the No. 9 University of Arkansas women's track and field team left the Drake Relays with a meet record. The sprint-medley quartet of Gwendolyn Flowers, Tiffany Hines, Regina George and Martine Borge established a new mark with their 3:45.48 performance, breaking the 16-year-old meet and Drake Stadium facility record. The Razorbacks also collected an individual title from Brittany Hyter in the 100-meter hurdles.

Arkansas replaced the previous record of 3:46.78 set by Arkansas-Little Rock in 1996. The win was the Razorbacks' second of the weekend, coupled with the team's victory in the 4x200-meter relay Friday. The win also represented the program's first-ever meet title in the event and seventh Drake Relays title overall.

"Before the race, our coach just kept telling us to get Martine (Borge) out in front," George said. "Tiffany (Hines) was yelling at me after our handoff so that hyped me up even more. We all did our part and gave our all to give her the biggest lead possible. We've run a 3:46 before so we knew we had a shot at the record."

The Razorbacks now own two Drake Relays records in addition to the 4x400-meter mark of 3:28.63 set last season. George and Flowers were also part of that effort.

Having already competed in the 400-meter hurdles, Hyter returned to the track to win the 100-meter hurdles. Making a charge out of lane eight, the Razorback senior crossed the finish line in a time of 13.47 to secure the victory. The win was Arkansas' second-ever individual title at Drake Relays and increased the program's overall total to eight. Cynthia Moore (1991, triple jump) is Arkansas' only other individual champion at Drake.

The Razorbacks closed out their competition schedule at Drake with a runner-up finish in the 4x100-meter relay. The foursome of Flowers, George, Hines and Whitney Jones combined for a time of 44.44. Earlier in the day, Hines was on the track for the finals of the 100 meters. She finished turned in a bronze result with a personal-best and wind-legal time of 11.53. Hines entered the race as the second-fastest qualifier from Friday's preliminary round.

Competing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Shannon Klenke turned in a personal-best performance with a time of 10:44.60.  She improved upon her previous career best of 10:45.04 which she set earlier this season at the Stanford Invitational.  

Arkansas' weekend continues Sunday with members of the distance crew competing at the Payton Jordan Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif. The Razorbacks are scheduled to compete at 800 meters with Samantha Learch; 1,500 meters with Kristen Gillespie, Keri Wood and Dominique Scott; 5,000 meters with Kaitlin Flattmann; and in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with Cali George and Grace Heymsfield.

The Razorbacks return to action for their home finale next Friday with the Arkansas Twilight at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville. The meet is scheduled for an 11 a.m. (CT) start with running events beginning at 6 p.m. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Saturday Results

100 Meters (final)
3. Tiffany Hines - 11.53

100m Hurdles (final)
1. Brittany Hyter - 13.47
-.  Ivanique Kemp - DNF

400m Hurdles
15. Brittany Hyter - 1:00.56

3,000m Steeplechase
13. Shannon Klenke - 10:44.60

4x100m Relay (final)
2. Flowers/George/Hines/Jones - 44.44

Sprint-Medley Relay
1. Flowers/Hines/George/Borge - 3:45.48

Triple Jump
24. Amalie Skage - 11.69m/38-4.25
26. Tamara Myers - 11.42m/37-5.75