Dawgs fall short of repeating in thrilling 4 x 1600 at Drake Relays...

DES MOINES, Iowa—The University of Washington women’s 4 x 1600 meter relay squad, which entered the Drake Relays as the defending champions, ran ten seconds faster than last year’s team, but fell short of repeating, as Oklahoma State edged the Huskies in a meet record 18:58.11 to 18:59.38.

Washington opened with Eleanor Fulton, where she positioned the Huskies in the lead pack before handing off to Katie Knight.  Knight then gave way to Maddie Meyers, who had the team’s best split at 4:38 as Washington took the lead going into the anchor leg with Baylee Mires (left/photo courtesy Drake Relays) on the carry.

Mires gamely hung on to the lead, but was passed by Oklahoma State anchor Natalja Piliusina as the Cowgirls took the victory in a new meet record time of 18:58.11, breaking the old meet record of 18:58.82.

The Washington men’s 4 x 1600 relay team of Meron Simon, Johnathan Stevens, Keith Williams, and Izaic Yorks, which also entered the meet as defending champions, finished eighth in a time of 16:42.38, as Oklahoma State also took the victory in 16:19.47, with Central Kitsap HS alum Shane Moskowitz running the third leg for the Cowboys, coached by Olympia native Dave Smith.

The Huskies have entries over the next two days in the 4 x 800 and the distance medley.

Two time US Olympian Kara Winger will throw the javelin at Drake Friday.

Thursday results from the Drake Relays are available here.

NOTE:  The Drake Relays and the University of Washington contributed to this report.