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Drake University Athletics

Aerts Cofer
Doug Wells

Women's Track and Field Drake Athletic Communications

Track And Field Opens Jim Duncan Invitational With Strong Performances In The Jumps And 5,000 Meters

Bulldogs continue competition on the Blue Oval Saturday

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University track and field team's men's triple jumpers took three of the top four spots to open up competition at the 2016 Jim Duncan Invitational on Friday night at Drake Stadium while a pair of Bulldogs recorded personal bests in the women's 5,000 meters.

Johnathan Osifuye (Woodbury, Minn.) led those jumpers with a season-best jump of 49-1.75 to win the triple jump. The jump, which was aided by a strong southern tailwind of 2.4 m/s, was the second longest of his career. He was followed by Ethan Turner (Woodbury, Minn.) in third at 44-9.75 and Sean Buczek (Crystal Lake, Ill.) in fourth with a jump of 44-1.5.

"We're excited about Johnathan's jump as that puts him on the cusp of a 50-foot jump, which is one of his goals," said Drake head coach Natasha Kaiser-Brown. "It also positions him well to earn a berth to the NCAA West Regional meet."

Kayla Bell (Bolingbrook, Ill.) led the women's jumpers by matching a season-best jump of 19-0 in the long jump to finish second with Taryn Rolle (Nassau, The Bahamas) coming in fourth with a leap of 18-1.

On the Blue Oval, Cassie Aerts (David City, Neb.) won the 5,000 meters with a big personal best of 17:43.32 while Bailee Cofer (Overland Park, Kan.) finished third with a personal best of her own in 17:51.35.

"They both ran gutsy races at a distance they are not used to but they ran it extremely well," said Drake assistant coach Dan Hostager said of Aerts and Cofer. "That should give them some good confidence heading into the second half of the season."

In the throws, David Silkman (Leawood, Kan.) recorded a throw of 175-6 into the win to finish second in the javelin. 

The Jim Duncan Invitational resumes on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. with a full day of action scheduled. 

2016 Jim Duncan Invitational
Des Moines, Iowa - Drake Stadium
April 15-16, 2016

Drake Individual Women's Results
5,000 Meters

1. Cassie Aerts, 17:43.32
3. Bailee Cofer, 17:51.35

3,000 Meter Steeplechase
13. Theresa McAlister, 14:30.30

Long Jump
2. Kayla Bell, 19-0
4. Taryn Rolle, 18-1

2016 Jim Duncan Invitational
Des Moines, Iowa - Drake Stadium
April 15-16, 2016

Drake Individual Men's Results
3,000 Meter Steeplechase

4. Chris Kaminski, 9:43.13

High Jump
3. Ryan Cook, 6-2.75
5. Forest Moses, 6-2.75

Triple Jump
1. Johnathan Osifuye, 49-1.75
3. Ethan Turner, 44-9.75
4. Sean Buczek, 44-1.5

Shot Put
3. Ryan Lemke, 48-5.5

Javelin
2. David Silkman, 175-6

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Players Mentioned

Cassie Aerts

Cassie Aerts

Distance
Senior
Kayla Bell

Kayla Bell

Jumps
Senior
Bailee Cofer

Bailee Cofer

Distance
Sophomore
Theresa McAlister

Theresa McAlister

Distance
Freshman
Taryn Rolle

Taryn Rolle

Sprints/Jumps
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Cassie Aerts

Cassie Aerts

Senior
Distance
Kayla Bell

Kayla Bell

Senior
Jumps
Bailee Cofer

Bailee Cofer

Sophomore
Distance
Theresa McAlister

Theresa McAlister

Freshman
Distance
Taryn Rolle

Taryn Rolle

Sophomore
Sprints/Jumps