April 23, 2009
DES MOINES, IA — The University of Iowa had its men’s and women’s 5,000-meter runners out for Thursday races at the 100th annual Drake Relays at Drake University in Des Moines, IA.
Sophomore Amanda Hardesty was Iowa’s top finisher (11th, 17:19.78) in the women’s 5,000-meter race, earning a new collegiate best time. Joining her was junior Jolly Burke (13th, 17:32.68) running a season best, finishing neck-and-neck with freshman Brooke Eilers (14th, 17:32.77). In the men’s 5,000 meters, junior Brendan Camplin (11th, 14:55.56) edged out senior Tommy Tate (21st, 15:26.73), who earned a new season best mark.
Also finishing out the women’s heptathlon on Thursday was former Iowa athlete Peaches Roach. Roach performed extremely well, finishing second overall with 5,586 points and winning the high jump (5-11 1/4) and the 200-meter dash (23.52) portions of the heptathlon. Roach competed for Iowa from 2004 to 2007 and was a four-time all-American and Five-time Big Ten Champion in the High Jump.
Events for the Drake Relays continue Friday and Saturday, with competition slated to start both days at 8:00 a.m.