CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - In its final meet before the 2012 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track And Field Championship, the Drake men's track and field squad claimed three titles at the Messersmith Invitational hosted by Northern Iowa on Friday, May 4.

Three-time Missouri Valley Conference champion Jon DeGrave (Lake Villa, Ill.) won the 200-meter dash in 21.78, as the senior strives to win his third straight MVC 400-meter hurdles title next weekend. Sophomore Brett Wright (Longmont, Colo.) was third in 21.97.

The Drake 4x100 and 4x400 squads snared titles, as the 4x100 team crossed the line in 42.42 and the 4x400 relay squad won in 3:21.19.

Head coach Natasha Brown was pleased with the efforts of DeGrave, who also made appearances on both of the relays.

"DeGrave took a break from the hurdles to get in some sprint work before conference," said Brown. "He had a great leg on the 4x100 and his time in the 200-meters was impressive."

Sophomore Travis Marsh (Ankeny, Iowa) was fourth in the 400-meter hurdles clocking in at 55.95.

"It was great weather for a track meet," said Brown. "We competed in events that thought would keep the team sharp going into conference. Across the board the squad looked great."

The Bulldogs will travel to Wichita, Kan. to compete in the State Farm MVC Outdoor Track And Field Championship on May 11-13.