Track and Field Readies for Drake Relays and Kip Janvrin Open

Select athletes will compete at the Drake Relays while the remainder travel to the Janvrin Open

DRAKE RELAYS SCHEDULE KIP JANVRIN OPEN SCHEDULE

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois track and field team will split squad one last time before competing in the Summit League Championships (May 10-12). The week will see some Leathernecks attend the Drake Relays (April 26-28) while others will head to the Kip Janvrin Open (April 26-27).

DRAKE RELAYS: In the three-day meet hosted by Drake, the Leathernecks will open action on Wednesday when Michaela Busch competes in the heptathlon at 11:30 a.m.

KIP JANVRIN OPEN: The Kip Janvrin open is scheduled to take place at the Bill Buxton Stadium on the campus of Simpson. Thursday will feature the hammer throw and discus at 10 a.m. then conclude with shotput. Friday will start at noon with field events.

LAST TIME OUT: The Leathernecks displayed another strong showing at the 20th Annual Tom Botts Invitational last weekend.

On day one, Nick Olson posted a top-5 finish for the Leathernecks in the men's javelin by throwing 51.01 meters, while Swanagan set her new mark at 45.79 meters in the women's hammer throw. C'Andria Campbell tossed the hammer 42.25 meters. On the men's side in the 5000, Lucas Lingle led the Leathernecks with fifth place finish, while Smetzer's posted new personal best of 16:00.06 followed by Grant Kaiser who came in at 16:12.70.

The final day, Western notched 11 personal records as well as a season-best in the 4x400 meter relay. In one of the largest fields, 36 competed in the 800-meter run, and Jamieria Stennis etched her name in the top-10. The Leathernecks also posted a season-high in the 4x400 relay, where Megan Reed, Brasseur, Richardson and Stennis recorded an effort of 3:57.59.

'PRESEASON ATHLETES TO WATCH': Senior Jasmine Brown, sophomore Michaela Busch and sophomore Josh Kirby were all named The Summit League 'Preseason Athletes to Watch.

STRONG START: Sophomore Michaela Busch has already shown why she was named Summit League Preseason Athlete To Watch. At the first meet of the season, Busch jumped a mark of 1.65 meters (5'5") in the high jump to etch her name in Western's record book with a tie for ninth place all-time.

PRs: At the Tom Botts Invitational last weekend, the Leathernecks finished the day with 14 collegiate bests across the board.

UP NEXT: Following the split squad meets, the Leathernecks travel to Oral Roberts to compete in the Summit League Championships starting on May 10.