LINCOLN, Neb. - The Drake University track and field teams' distance runners turned in some of the top performances in school history on Saturday at the University of Nebraska's Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational.

The Bulldogs competed against a strong field comprised of 36 teams including track and field heavyweights such as Arizona State, Auburn, UCLA, Texas, Missouri and Kansas.

"This meet is literally a pre-NCAA Championship preview," said Drake head coach Natasha Kaiser-Brown.

The Bulldogs responded to that challenge in fine fashion, especially in the women's mile and men's 3,000 meters.

Emma Huston (Des Moines, Iowa) continued her stellar senior season by finishing second in the 'special' section of the mile in 4:50.70. That personal-best time ranks as the fourth fastest in Drake history and was the fastest collegiate time of the day. Professional Laura Thweatt won the race while Huston bested collegiate competitors from Texas, Kansas, Kansas State and Auburn.

In the 'special' section of the men's 3,000 meters, Reed Fischer (Minnetonka, Minn.) finished fourth overall with a personal best of 8:13.83. That time puts Fischer fourth all-time in Drake history and he was the third collegian across the finish line behind a pair of UCLA Bruins. The remainder of the field was comprised of runners from Texas, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri. Fischer's teammate, Rob McCann (Mississauga, Ontario) was 11th in the talented field with a 8:23.05 finish.

"It was a great day for our distance runners," Kaiser-Brown said. "Reed and Emma have traditionally run very strong at this meet and this year was no different."

In the men's 800 meters, James Saxton (La Crosse, Wis.) posted an indoor personal best of 1:53.72 to finish ninth while Bailee Cofer (Overland Park, Kan.) was sixth in the women's regular section of the 3,000 meters in 10:18.96.

"We competed well, but just didn't have the extra 'umph' we needed against competition as strong as this weekend's," Kaiser-Brown said. "Many of our athletes hovered near their personal bests."

The Bulldogs return to action next week at the Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa, Feb. 12-13.
 

Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational Lincoln, Neb. – Feb. 5-6   Drake Individual Women's Results 400 Meters 15. Rai Ahmed-Green, 56.45 24. Virginia Hill, 57.04 42. Kaylen Rettig, 59.91   600 Meters 5. Danielle Griesbaum, 1:36.97   800 Meters 15. Laura Gann, 2:18.54 16. Meghan Kearney, 2:18.66   Mile - Special 2. Emma Huston, 4:50.70   Mile 6. Taylor Scholl, 5:02.59 11. Cassie Aerts, 5:07.67   3,000 Meters 6. Bailee Cofer, 10:18.96   60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims) 17. Mary Young, 8.67 26. Destani Welch, 9.05   High Jump 13. Taylor Patton, 5-2.25   Long Jump 11. Kayla Bell, 18-7.25   Triple Jump 12. Taryn Rolle, 38-4.25

Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational Lincoln, Neb. – Feb. 5-6   Drake Individual Men's Results 60 Meters 20. Pierce Vincent, 6.91   200 Meters 10. Pierce Vincent, 22.21 15. Aaron Chier, 22.57   400 Meters 20. Bas Van Leersum, 48.62   800 Meters 9. James Saxton, 1:53.72   3,000 Meters  - Special 4. Reed Fischer, 8:13.83 11. Rob McCann, 8:23.05   High Jump 16. Ryan Cook, 6-6.75   Triple Jump 13. Johnathan Osifuye, 46-0