Washington's 4 x 800 relay team takes the win at Drake Relays for third victory of meet...
DES MOINES, Iowa--Another day, another win.
This time, the Washington men's 4 x 800 meter relay team of Derrick Daigre, Nick Harris, Brad Whitley and Izaic Yorks (left/photo by Paul Merca), hung on for the victory over a tough University of Arkansas squad anchored by Patrick Rono, as the quartet ran 7:18.59 to the Razorbacks' 7:18.82, and the University of Illinois third in 7:23.07.
According to unofficial splits taken by the Washington staff, the first three legs for the Huskies ran approximately 1:50 each, with Yorks running the fastest split in approximately 1:48 and change.
Describing the final lap, Yorks said, "“We all came here to race, that was my intention. Going up against a guy like Patrick Rono you know you are going to be up against some tough competition. But when you have such teammates like these, you can do anything. I have been gunning, whether it’s in a 800 or a relay to go under 1:50. Winning it and doing that, and having the boost of confidence, it’s the best feeling"
Although she was not listed as the winner, Vancouver native Kara Patterson had the longest throw of the day in the women's University/College javelin competition, as the Asics-sponsored athlete threw 186-10 (56.94m) to handily beat Kent State alum Kim Hamilton, who threw 181-6 (55.32m).
Georgia frosh Freya Jones was listed as the winner at 171-4 (52.22m).
Another huge highlight on Friday was the season-best performances of senior Kayla Stueckle and junior Gianna Woodruff in the 400-meter hurdles. Stueckle finished second overall in 57.96, while Woodruff was third at 58.25.
Stueckle and Woodruff were back on the track after their stellar hurdles runs for the women’s 4x400-meters, joined by sophomore Krista Armstead and junior Haley Jacobson. The quartet posted the third-fastest mark in Husky history, running 3:39.40, just edging the 2013 team’s best by .03 seconds. The Dawgs were eighth overall in a field of 29 teams, and qualified for the final, though they won’t run again as UW’s travel plans will prevent the team from remaining in Des Moines that long.
Washington State alum and 2011 NCAA and USA champion Jeshua Anderson finished fourth in the Moscow Games Rematch 400 hurdles in 49.25, as Michael Tinsley took the win in a world-leading time of 48.57, with Javier Culson of Puerto Rico second in 48.68, and Anderson's long-time rival Johnny Dutch third in 49.24.
Husky alum Katie Mackey of the Brooks Beasts was seventh in the Moscow Games Rematch women's 1500 in a time of 4:08.78, as 2013 world championships bronze medalist Hellen Obiri of Kenya took the victory in 4:04.88.
Earlier in the day, the Husky men’s 4x100-meter relay team got on the track, running 41.33 in the prelims to finish 21st overall, while sophomore Chris Williams took on the high hurdles, finishing 21st overall as well in a time of 14.71 seconds.
Washington will close out their stint at Drake tomorrow, looking to bring home still more relay titles with runs in the sprint medley relays and distance medley relays. Husky alum Brad Walker is entered in the Moscow Games Rematch pole vault, where he will go against reigning world and Olympic champ Renaud Lavillenie of France, who won the Pole Vault in the Mall competition earlier in the week.
Portions of the final day of competition at the Drake Relays will be televised on NBCSN beginning at noon Pacific time.
In San Diego, former Spokane prep Britney Henry placed second in the women's hammer throw competition at the UC San Diego Triton Invitational meet Friday.
Henry, competing for Oiselle, threw 219-3 (66.84m) to finish behind Amber Campbell's winning toss of 234-1 (71.36m).
NOTE: The Drake Relays, and the University of Washington sports information office contributed to this report.
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