Rain and wind for Hogs at Drake Relays

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Razorback women’s track and field team wrapped up the Drake Relays with the finals of the 4×400-meter relay and the championship sprint medley relay on Saturday.

As the mile relay teams got in the blocks, Mother Nature wreaked havoc and the rain started to pour. Senior Etienne Chaplin, sophomore Shelise Williams, freshman Courtney Blair and freshman Whitney Jones combined for a time of 3:43.67. The quartet finished eighth.

"The wind and rain definitely played a factor today and the wind all weekend," head coach Lance Harter said. "Our sprint crew ran in a lot of races and got some good experience. Coming back day after day to race is good preparation for the SEC, regional and NCAA meets. Overall it was a good weekend and we came away from it fairly healthy. Shelise Williams is consistent and a tough competitor. Our young sprints crew is really starting to come in to its own."

The sprint medley relay picked up a fourth-place finish in the university race Saturday morning. Whitney Jones, Courtney Blair, Shelise Williams and Lauren Lewis combined for a time of 3:56.34.

Chaplin also finished ninth in the university long jump. Her best jump of the day measured 18-9.75. Freshman Brittany Hyter finished 19th in the university 400-meter hurdles. She clocked a time of 1:02.90.

The Razorbacks will compete next when they host the Arkansas Twilight, Fri., May 1, at Fayetteville’s John McDonnell Field. For more information on Razorback Athletics, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.