Friday, April 8, 2011

COLUMBIA, Mo.- Sophomore Dan Karys (Bartlett, Ill.) earned a fourth-place finish in the long jump, while senior Colin Coomer (Overland Park, Kan.) placed fifth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Tom Botts Invitational on Friday (April 8).

Karys's jump of 21 feet 11.5 inches was a quarter-inch shy of his performance last week at the Razorback Spring Invitational.

In the steeplechase, Coomer's time of 9:47.55 was over 13 seconds faster than his mark from last week.

"Colin competed very well and took a huge chunk off of last week's race in Arkansas," said Drake assistant track coach Dan Hostager. "He is ahead of pace from last year and we look forward for him scoring again at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship in May."

Freshman Ryan Flynn (Bettendorf, Iowa), in his first collegiate steeplechase, was 10th in 10:17.77.

Freshman Andy Curtis (Manchester, Iowa) earned a 16th place finish in the discus with a throw of 133 feet 4 inches.

The men's track team will return to action tomorrow (April 9) for the conclusion of the Tom Botts Invitational. The men's javelin throw at 10 a.m. will kick off action from Audrey J. Walton Stadium.