University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Defend 4x1,600m Relay Title at Drake
4/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Minnesota won its second title of the 2010 Drake Relays on Saturday defending its title in the4x1,600-meter relay. The Gopher foursome of Nikki Swenson, Elizabeth Yetzer, Megan Duwell and Gabriele Anderson clocked a Drake Relays record time of 18 minutes, 58.82 seconds. The title is Minnesota’s 22nd at the annual relays dubbed, “America’s Athletic Classic.”
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Swenson and Anderson were also members of the Gophers’ winning 4x800-meter relay. Anderson finished her Gopher career with five Drake Relays title. Swenson, a junior, has four.
Kelly Stalpes competed in the 400-meter hurdles placing eighth with a personal-best time of 59.62 seconds. The time ranks as the fifth fastest in school history.
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The Gophers’ sprint medley relay of Adrienne Thomas, Rikita Butler, Alena Brooks and Kathryn Ritter placed seventh in a time of 3:54.99.
Drake Relays Quotes
Minnesota, winner, women’s university-college 4x1600 relay (Nikki Swenson, Elizabeth Yetzer, Megan Duwell, Gabriele Anderson), 18:58.82. Drake Relays record. Old mark 19:05.80, Baylor, 2008. Second straight victory for Minnesota in the event. Anderson and Swenson also ran on the winning 4x800 relay team Friday night.
Gabriele Anderson, senior, anchor
On breaking the record: “I knew we were going to have a shot at it after the second leg. We were really strong in the first two legs and we knew if we ran how we were capable then we would definitely have a shot at it. Coming in, it was definitely a goal of ours and as we got into the race it seemed more and more like it actually could happen.”
Nikki Swenson, junior, first leg
On running against second-place Iowa (also under the old record) at the Drake Relays: “It’s so wonderful when there is a team that can push you and you can run together in a relay. The danger in a 4x1600 race is that you can get spread out. It was a gift for us to have someone to run with and keep us going fast. We were able to run our race and make a run for the record too. When you have someone pushing you, you can go faster to break that record.”
Megan Duwell, senior, third leg
On her leg: “I was privileged to be sandwiched between two amazing legs that put us in a great position to win the race. I just had to run my best, take care of my splits, and keep up with the Iowa runner.”
Players Mentioned
