Saturday, April 2, 2011

The Drake men's track and field team, in its first spring meets of the season, received notable performances from both veterans and newcomers at the Spring Razorback Invitational and Central Invite on Saturday (April 2).

Throwers Lead Bulldogs At Razorback Invitational

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.- Drake head coach Natasha Brown has been waiting for the first outdoor meet of the season so the  throwers could compete in their regular events.

"It's hard for them to sit on the sidelines for seven months waiting for the spring to arrive so they compete in their regular events," said Brown.

The throwers didn't disappoint as all of them turned in solid performances at the Spring Razorback Invitational on Saturday (April 2).

Freshman Phillip Beeler (Lenexa, Kan.) and sophomore Kevin Harp (Iowa City, Iowa) were fifth and sixth in the javelin. Beeler's longest throw was 197 feet 5 inches, while Harp's throw of 186 feet 9 inches in the fourth round was his best on the day. 

"The javelin throwers opened the season well," commented assistant coach Mark Kostek, who oversees the throwing events. "Phillip had a personal best and I am encouraged that he has plenty of room to improve as the season progresses. Kevin opened up his sophomore season very well and once he grasps the concept of  initiating the throw with his legs I am certain a much farther throw lies ahead."

Sophomore Isaac Twombly (Baldwin, Kan.) was third in the hammer throw with a toss of 145 feet 10 inches, and ninth in the discus with a throw of 136 feet. Freshman Andy Curtis (Manchester, Iowa) placed fifth in the hammer with a heave of 131 feet 10 inches and 11th in the discus (127 feet 8 inches).

"Isaac and Andy competed hard today," said Kostek. "It was evident though this was our first outdoor meet. We have identified areas to improve upon in both the hammer and discus."

Junior Jon DeGrave (Lake Villa, Ill.) finished second in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 52.75.

Junior Matt Jurysta (Oshawa, Ontario) was 11th in the 800-meters finishing in 1:55.52, while senior Brandon Lewis (Plymouth, Minn.) placed 20th with a time of 2:00.81.

The distance trio of freshman Omet Kak (Des Moines, Iowa), junior Charlie Lapham (Golden Valley, Minn.) and freshman Brogan Austin (Boone, Iowa) finished 12th (3:57.41), 15th (3:58.90) and 16th (4:00.54) respectively in the 1,500-meter race.

Freshman Ian Wells (Champaign, Ill.) was 13th in the 400-meter dash crossing the line in 50.39.

In the 3,000-meters, junior Ben Jaskowiak (Madison, Wis.) had a time of 8:54.68 to finish 15th.

Senior Colin Coomer (Overland Park, Kan.) was sixth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase clocking in at 10:01.25.

Newcomers Shine At Central Invite

PELLA, IOWA -- Freshman Alex Kaster (Omaha, Neb.) took home the triple jump title while fellow freshman Jason Wood (Overland Park, Kan.) was second in the 110-meter hurdles to highlight action for the Bulldogs at the Central Invite.

Kaster soared 42 feet 10.75 inches to win the triple jump crown, while Wood finished second in the 110-meter hurdles clocking in at 16.26.

Junior Colin Hagan (Wichita, Kan.) was third in the 1,500-meter race crossing the finish line in 4:06.78, while freshman Ryan Flynn (Bettendorf, Iowa) was fifth in the 800-meters with a time of 2:01.96.

Drake will travel south next Friday and Saturday (April 8-9) to compete in the Tom Botts Invitational hosted by the University of Missouri.