Saturday, April 23, 2011

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Senior Casey McDermott (Newton, Iowa) took home the steeplechase title to win her third event in as many weeks Saturday at the Musco Twilight.

McDermott crossed the line in 10:49.17, which is the second best time in the Missouri Valley Conference this season. McDermott won the steeplechase two weeks ago at the Tom Botts Invitational and won the 1500 at the Jim Duncan Invitational last weekend.

"I am proud of Casey," commented head coach Natasha Brown. "It was not an easy steeplechase win but she competed well and ran superb between the barriers."

Sophomore Marissa Smith (Ajax, Ontario) was fourth in the 100-meter hurdles crossing the line in 14.37, while fellow sophomore Sarah Yeager (Ottumwa, Iowa) was clocked in 14.66 to finish fifth. Yeager also earned a fourth-place showing in the 400-meter hurdles finishing in 1:02.94.

"She had a nice breakthrough in the 400-meter hurdles," said Brown. "She was very aggressive from the start and had a tremendous finish."

Senior Cambria Pardner (Aurora, Colo.) soared 37 feet 6.50 inches to earn second-place in the triple jump and registered an eighth-place finish in the 200-meter race (25.82).

Senior Beth Hamling (Council Bluffs, Iowa) was ninth in the 400-meter dash clocking in at 57.06.

Senior Katie Coomer (Overland Park, Kan.) finished seventh in the 1500-meter run with a time of 4:45.24.

Senior Tyse Samani (Kansas City, Mo.) tied for fourth in the high jump with a jump of 5 feet 3 inches.

Senior Johanna Sprang (New Brighton, Minn.) soared 10 feet 11.75 inches to finish fourth in the pole vault.

"Overall, I liked what I saw tonight," said Brown. "The team seems to be moving in the right direction, which is very encouraging."

The Bulldogs will divide and conquer next weekend as some athletes will compete in the Drake Relays (April 28-30). Others will travel south to Indianola, Iowa for the Kip Janvrin Invitational (April 28-29).