Drake Relays Await No. 19 Track and Field

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 19 Arkansas Lady Razorback track and field team will travel a full roster of competitors for the Drake Relays, Thurs.-Sat., April 24-26. A small contingent of athletes will also compete at the MSSU Invitational in Joplin, Mo. Live results for Drake Relays can be found at www.godrakebulldogs.com.

Also competing in Des Moines at Drake Relays will be Alabama, Arizona State, Baylor, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Missouri, Ohio State, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.

Arkansas has won four Drake Relays titles over the years including a world leading 4×800-meter relay title in 2005. Arkansas has also won the 4×200-meter championship twice before and the 4×400-meter relay at Drake. The Lady’Backs took two Drake Relays titles in 2007, the 4×200-meter and 4×400-meter relays.

This year, Arkansas is scheduled to compete in both the 4×200-meter and 4×400-meter relays. Additionally, the Lady’Backs will have entries in many of the distance events, the pole vault and the long jump, just to name a few.

In the current U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association ranking, Arkansas sits at No. 19. LSU, Arizona State and Texas A&M compile the top three, respectively. Arkansas is one of six SEC schools ranked in the top 25.

Catherine White was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after an outstanding race at Mt. SAC Relays last weekend. White made her collegiate 10,000-meter debut and finished third in a packed race of collegians and professionals with a time of 33:52.06. The top collegiate finisher in her race, she clocked an NCAA provisional-qualifying time of 33:52.06.

Her time is a personal best, leads the SEC and ranks eighth nationally (No. 1 among freshman nationally). Just a freshman, she dipped below the US Olympic Trials "B" standard for the event.

For more information on Lady’Back track and field, visit www.ladybacks.com.

Download: Fact Sheet #13 – Drake Relays.pdf