The Northern Illinois track and field team reset the NIU Distance Medley Relay school record Friday afternoon at the Drake Relays in Des Moines , Iowa . The Huskies have now set and reset nine school records in just four competitions during their 2010 outdoor campaign.
“The girls competed very well in the first day of the Drake Relays,” NIU track and field coach Connie Teaberry said. “We faced a lot of tough competition and the girls held their own. They had a few mishaps and became a little timid because of the weather conditions, it was chilly and rainy. They got off track in their performances, but overall the girls performed very well.”
Sunsea Shaw , Rasheta Butler , Amanda Trancoso and Courtney Oldenburg represented NIU in the distance medley relay. The Huskies set a school record in the event when they crossed the finish line in a time of 12:14.80. They broke the previous school record (12:16.19), which was set by Shaw, Camille Smith, Trancoso and Oldenburg at the Texas Relays, April 3.
Trancoso, Shaw, Oldenburg and Jenelle McCalla combined forces in the 4x800-meter relay to set a season-best time. The Huskies finished 13th in the event, with a time of 9:28.28.
Roneisha Frye, Megan Gregory , Rhonda Lee and Butler comprised the 4x100-meter relay team that finished 21st , at the relays in a time 47.81. Gregory ran the 100-meter hurdles for the Huskies. Gregory finished the race in a time of 14.21, to finish 11th of 26 competitors.
In the field events, Cora Caulfield competed in the discus throw. Caulfield recorded a throw of 144-08 (44.09m), to place 22nd.
“We are very proud of how they performed,” said Teaberry. “We are ready to go into the second day of competition and we are very confident that we will do well tomorrow.”
NIU will continue action at the Drake Relays tomorrow with events slated to begin at 8 a.m.
