WICHITA, Kan. – Decorated Drake University senior Reed Fischer (Minnetonka, Minn.) added to his burgeoning legacy by winning the Missouri Valley Conference title in the 10,000 meters on Friday night during the first day of the MVC Championship in Wichita, Kan.
 
Fischer's win marked his fourth MVC crown of the year after winning the conference cross country title and the indoor 3,000 and 5,000 meters titles. He will attempt to add to those lofty accolades on Sunday when he races in the 5,000 meters.
 
SIU's Josh Maier took an early 200-meter lead in the race and led 23 laps, but Fischer chased him down in the final three laps to win by nearly two seconds with a time of 30:17.82
 
Fischer's win in the event was the first by a Bulldog since 2000 when Zac Schendel crossed the line first.
 
Minutes before Fischer's title, Bailee Cofer (Overland Park, Kan.) scored in the women's 10,000 meters with an eighth-place time of 37:05.40.
 
In earlier preliminary heats, freshman Caulin Graves (Kansas City, Mo.) clocked the second-fastest qualifying time of the evening with a wind-aided mark of 21.02 to qualify for the finals. His time was a personal best by nearly a quarter of s second and would rank fourth in Drake history if not for the wind over the allowable limit.
 
Sophomore Josh Yeager (Center Point, Iowa) also advanced in the men's 1,500 meters with the ninth-fastest qualifying time of the night in 3:56.64.
 
The Bulldogs return to action Saturday for the second day of the MVC Championship at Cessna Stadium. Competition for the team begins at 3 p.m.
 
2017 MVC Championship
Friday, May 12, 2017
 
Drake Individual Men's Results
200 Meters (Prelims)
2. Caulin Graves, 21.02
19. Blair Barrow, 22.22
20. Deonne Witherspoon, 22.24
23. Nihad Ejubovic, 22.47
24. Aaron Chier, 23.52
 
1,500 Meters (Prelims)
9. Josh Yeager, 3:56.64
17. Xavier Lechleitner, 4:04.90
18. Matt Cozine, 4:05.43
 
10,000 Meters
1. Reed Fischer, 30:17.82
12. Kyle Brandt, 32:10.43
 
Hammer Throw
9. Michael Dolan, 159-8 (48.68m)
 
Javelin
10. Erik Olson, 147-3 (44.89m)
 
 
Drake Individual Women's Results
200 Meters (Prelims)
13. Mariah Crawford, 24.56
23. Ebele Okoye, 25.34
 
1,500 Meters (Prelims)
20. Morgan Garcia, 5:01.24
22. Olivia Rogers, 5:10.44
23. Paige Nicholson, 5:11.79
24. Mykaela Cole, 5:12.35
 
10,000 Meters
8. Bailee Cofer, 37:05.40