Mackey helps Team USA to silver in 4x1500 relay at IAAF World Relays...

NASSAU, Bahamas--Despite a collision as she began the second leg of the 4 x 1500 meter relay, University of Washington alum Katie Mackey (left/photo by Paul Merca) helped Team USA to a second place finish at the IAAF World Relays meet at Thomas A. Robinson Stadium.

With Kenya's lead runner Mercy Cherono pulling away from the four-country field, USA lead-off runner Heather Kampf, who was in third at the exchange, handed the baton off to Mackey.  Mackey, who runs for the Seattle-based Brooks Beasts, took about two steps before she ran right into the back of Australia's lead-off runner and Oregon alum Zoe Buckman who was slowing down after finishing her leg.

Fortunately, neither runner was injured in the crash, and Mackey got up to run a leg of approximately 4:20.

Third leg Kate Grace, who is sponsored by Seattle-based Oiselle, caught Australia on her leg, before handing the baton to Brenda Martinez on the anchor.

Kenya won in a world record time of 16:33.58, with the USA second in 16:55.33, and Australia third in 17:08.65.

“I just did what we did in practice,” Mackey said afterward. “Looked back at Heather, and moved up a little bit to the inside, and next thing I know — the Australian is right in front of me, so I kind of tripped and went down."

Courtesy of letsrun.com, here is a video interview with Mackey and the USA 4 x 1500 team:

Results from the IAAF World Relays are available here.

In Tuscon, Vancouver native Kara Patterson won the javelin on day two of the Tuscon Elite throwers and jumpers meet at Roy P. Drachman Stadium on the campus of the University of Arizona.

Patterson threw 196-9 (59.97m) in round 1 to defeat Leigh Petranoff, the winner of Thursday's competition.  Petranoff finished with a best of 182-6 (55.62m).

Club Northwest's Monika Gruszecki was sixth with a best of 164-6 (50.15m).

In the women's hammer, Spokane native Britney Henry, who competes for Oiselle, finished fourth with a best of 228-8 (69.70m).  

Canada's Sultana Frizell, who set a national record of 248-5 (75.73m) in Thursday's competition, won again with a toss of 243-11 (74.35m).

Complete results of the Tuscon Elite meet are available here.

NOTE:  The IAAF, USA Track & Field, letsrun.com, and the University of Arizona contributed to this report.