LAWRENCE, Kan. - Four members of the Drake University track and field teams advanced to the finals of the Kansas Relays during preliminary action in the hurdles on Friday afternoon.
Sophomore Mary Young (Urbandale, Iowa) was one of the Bulldogs' top qualifiers on the day with the fastest 100-meter hurdle time of the day at 13.83. Her teammate, Destani Welch (Des Moines, Iowa) also advanced to the finals by finishing sixth in the qualifying heats with a time of a 14.12.
In the women's 400-meter hurdles, Virginia Hill (Haymarket, Va.) won her heat and finished sixth overall in 1:01.10 to also move on to Saturday's finals.
For the men's team, Bas Van Leersum (Zaandam, The Netherlands) turned in a season-best time of 52.18 to win his heat of the men's 400-meter hurdles and advance to the final round on Saturday. His qualifying time was the fourth fastest of the day.
In the field events, David Silkman (Leawood, Kan.) finished sixth in the javelin by uncorking a season-best throw of 185-11 on his final throw of the day to move into six. Former Bulldog Philip Beeler won the event with a toss of 203-6.
On Thursday, Michael Dolan (Lincolnshire, Ill.) took 10th in the hammer throw with a mark of 166-7.
The Bulldogs at the Kansas Relays resume competition in Saturday's finals starting at 5:30 p.m. With Mary Young in the 100-meter hurdles. The majority of the team will compete on Saturday evening in Iowa City, Iowa, in the Musco Twilight.
