University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Set for Big Week of National Relay Events
4/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Gopher Track This Week:
Drake Relays
Thursday-Saturday
April 28-30, 2011
Hosted by Drake – Des Moines, Iowa
Penn Relays
Thursday-Friday
April 28-29, 2011
Hosted by Penn – Philadelphia, Pa.
Gophers Split Squad for Huge Relay Weekend
This week, the Minnesota women’s track & field team will have athletes competing at both of the most historic annual track events, the Drake Relays and the Penn Relays. Gophers will compete Thursday-Saturday, April 28-30, at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa. Minnesota athletes are schedule to compete Thursday-Friday at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.
Coverage on the Web
FloTrack.org will provide free live coverage of the Drake Relays. Fans can purchase video streaming live coverage of the Penn Relays for the Penn website: www.thepennrelays.com.
Drake Relays Once Again Draws Big Numbers
The Drake Relays carries the slogan, “America’s Athletic Classic” and in celebrating its 102nd season, the Drake Relays will welcome over 7,000 athletes to the famous blue track of Drake Stadium. A total of 128 NCAA schools (all divisions) are expected to compete in the women’s event. In addition, athletes from more than 60 countries are expected to compete in the 2011 Drake Relays.
Penn Relays is the Oldest and Largest
The Penn Relays will celebrate its 117th year in 2011 with more than 22,000 entries and 110,000 spectators expected to take part in the festivities this weekend. The Golden Gophers last competed in the Penn Relays in 1996.
Minnesota History at the Drake Relays
Minnesota has competed in every Drake Relays in the last 26 years and has 22 titles to show for its effort. The Gophers’ first title Drake Relays title was won by Rocky Racette in the 5,000-meter run in 1979. Last year, Minnesota captured its 21st and 22nd titles, winning the 4x800-meter and 4x1,600-meter relays.
Gopher 4x800m Relay Seeks Fifth Straight Title
The powerful Minnesota middle distance/distance machine has captured seven Drake Relay titles in the past five years. The Gophers’ 4x800-meter relay heads into the 2011 Relays having the chance to go for its fifth consecutive crown. Nikki Swenson has been on winning relays the last two years, while Jamie Dittmar returns after helping the Gophers to the victory last year. Katie Hill and Elizabeth Yetzer are expected to join Swenson and Dittmar on the relay in 2011. The 4x800m relay competition will be held on Friday evening.
The 4x1,600-meter relay has experienced a lot of Drake Relays success as well, winning titles in four of the last five years (2006, 07, 09, 10). Swenson and Yetzer will run this relay as well, along with Stephanie Price and Missa Varpness.
Minnesota hasn’t won the distance medley relay at Drake since 2007. Running the DMR this season is Varpness, Hill, Dittmar and Price.
Yetzer has the Chance to Do What Even Heather Dorniden Didn’t
Heather Dorniden is the most decorated Golden Gopher women’s track athlete in Minnesota history, but senior Elizabeth Yetzer has the chance to accomplish something even Dorniden can’t claim. Yetzer will anchor the Gophers’ 4x1,600-meter relay and if she carries Minnesota to victory she will have won four career Drake Relays titles in the same event.
Dorniden finished her Gopher career with a Minnesota-best six Drake Relays crowns. Yetzer comes into the 2011 Relays with four.
Sprint Relays Headed to Penn
Leading the 11-athlete contingent heading to the Penn Relays is the Gophers’ sprint crew. The Gophers will field three relays, the 4x100-meter, the 4x400-meter and the sprint medley. Alena Brooks, who was part of the Drake Relays 4x800m relay champion last year, is with the sprint crew this weekend and is expected to compete in the 4x400-meter and sprint medley relays.
Todea-Kay Willis Sails to School Record in the Long Jump
Sophomore Todea-Kay Willis won the long jump title at the LSU Alumni Gold Meet last weekend with a school-record mark of 21-1 1/2. Willis’ leap tops the Big Ten and is currently ranked third in the nation.
Big Ten Network Airs Musco on Tape Delay
The Big Ten Network will televise the Musco Twilight on a tape-delayed basis, with its debut on Sunday, May 8, at 6 p.m. CT. The production gave BTN the chance to work from the facility that will host the 2011 Big Ten Outdoor Championships.
Drake Relays
Thursday-Saturday
April 28-30, 2011
Hosted by Drake – Des Moines, Iowa
Penn Relays
Thursday-Friday
April 28-29, 2011
Hosted by Penn – Philadelphia, Pa.
Gophers Split Squad for Huge Relay Weekend
This week, the Minnesota women’s track & field team will have athletes competing at both of the most historic annual track events, the Drake Relays and the Penn Relays. Gophers will compete Thursday-Saturday, April 28-30, at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa. Minnesota athletes are schedule to compete Thursday-Friday at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.
Coverage on the Web
FloTrack.org will provide free live coverage of the Drake Relays. Fans can purchase video streaming live coverage of the Penn Relays for the Penn website: www.thepennrelays.com.
Drake Relays Once Again Draws Big Numbers
The Drake Relays carries the slogan, “America’s Athletic Classic” and in celebrating its 102nd season, the Drake Relays will welcome over 7,000 athletes to the famous blue track of Drake Stadium. A total of 128 NCAA schools (all divisions) are expected to compete in the women’s event. In addition, athletes from more than 60 countries are expected to compete in the 2011 Drake Relays.
Penn Relays is the Oldest and Largest
The Penn Relays will celebrate its 117th year in 2011 with more than 22,000 entries and 110,000 spectators expected to take part in the festivities this weekend. The Golden Gophers last competed in the Penn Relays in 1996.
Minnesota History at the Drake Relays
Minnesota has competed in every Drake Relays in the last 26 years and has 22 titles to show for its effort. The Gophers’ first title Drake Relays title was won by Rocky Racette in the 5,000-meter run in 1979. Last year, Minnesota captured its 21st and 22nd titles, winning the 4x800-meter and 4x1,600-meter relays.
Gopher 4x800m Relay Seeks Fifth Straight Title
The powerful Minnesota middle distance/distance machine has captured seven Drake Relay titles in the past five years. The Gophers’ 4x800-meter relay heads into the 2011 Relays having the chance to go for its fifth consecutive crown. Nikki Swenson has been on winning relays the last two years, while Jamie Dittmar returns after helping the Gophers to the victory last year. Katie Hill and Elizabeth Yetzer are expected to join Swenson and Dittmar on the relay in 2011. The 4x800m relay competition will be held on Friday evening.
The 4x1,600-meter relay has experienced a lot of Drake Relays success as well, winning titles in four of the last five years (2006, 07, 09, 10). Swenson and Yetzer will run this relay as well, along with Stephanie Price and Missa Varpness.
Minnesota hasn’t won the distance medley relay at Drake since 2007. Running the DMR this season is Varpness, Hill, Dittmar and Price.
Yetzer has the Chance to Do What Even Heather Dorniden Didn’t
Heather Dorniden is the most decorated Golden Gopher women’s track athlete in Minnesota history, but senior Elizabeth Yetzer has the chance to accomplish something even Dorniden can’t claim. Yetzer will anchor the Gophers’ 4x1,600-meter relay and if she carries Minnesota to victory she will have won four career Drake Relays titles in the same event.
Dorniden finished her Gopher career with a Minnesota-best six Drake Relays crowns. Yetzer comes into the 2011 Relays with four.
Sprint Relays Headed to Penn
Leading the 11-athlete contingent heading to the Penn Relays is the Gophers’ sprint crew. The Gophers will field three relays, the 4x100-meter, the 4x400-meter and the sprint medley. Alena Brooks, who was part of the Drake Relays 4x800m relay champion last year, is with the sprint crew this weekend and is expected to compete in the 4x400-meter and sprint medley relays.
Todea-Kay Willis Sails to School Record in the Long Jump
Sophomore Todea-Kay Willis won the long jump title at the LSU Alumni Gold Meet last weekend with a school-record mark of 21-1 1/2. Willis’ leap tops the Big Ten and is currently ranked third in the nation.
Big Ten Network Airs Musco on Tape Delay
The Big Ten Network will televise the Musco Twilight on a tape-delayed basis, with its debut on Sunday, May 8, at 6 p.m. CT. The production gave BTN the chance to work from the facility that will host the 2011 Big Ten Outdoor Championships.
Players Mentioned
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints/Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints/Jumps
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
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