Men's Track and Field 1/18/2020 7:22:00 PM Drake Athletic Communications

Second School Record of the Weekend Falls At Nebraska

Yinka Ajayi cruised to a 200m school record in her first meet as a Bulldog

LINCOLN, Neb. - For the second-straight day, the Drake University track and field teams shattered a school record at the season-opening Nebraska Graduate Classic.

Newcomer Yinka Ajayi became the Bulldogs' newest record holder as she won the women's 200 meters in 24.63. Her time bested the previous mark by more than two-tenths of a second that was set by Beth Hamling in 2011 at 24.86.

Ajayi's school record was the second of the weekend for the Bulldogs after newcomer Maja Gebauer set the women's pole vault record Friday night. A total of five Bulldogs recorded performances that rank on Drake's all-time top-10 list.

"I am supremely proud of the team and staff for their efforts this weekend," said acting head coach Asha Gibson. "As a season opener, we are in a good position. The athletes have created a standard that we will continue to stretch forward. We saw two school records fall and a large number of athletes set personal bests. Further training and competitions will yield even greater outcomes for us."

Ajayi's time allowed her to win the event by nearly half a second in the first collegiate competition for the African Championships medalist. A 400-meter specialist, Ajayi returned to the track later in the afternoon to lead off the Bulldogs' 4x400-meter relay that finished second in 3:56.89. She was joined by Ellie Mendlik, Keaton Kester and Mariah Crawford on the relay.

Crawford and Kester started their day by finishing in the top eight of the 60 meters with Sophia Jackson. Jackson took fifth in 7.83 followed by Kester in a personal best 7.86 and Crawford in 7.90.

In the women's field events, Chandler Haight moved into third on Drake's all-time list with a throw of 45-1.75 (13.76m) to take fourth in her first collegiate competition after missing her freshman season with injury.

Victor Peka led Drake's efforts on the men's side as he took third in the 60 meters with a time of 6.93 after posing a 6.91 finish in his qualifying heat. Peka also ran the leadoff leg of the 4x400-meter relay that finished fifth in 3:22.97.

Drake's men's distance medley relay, led by Adam Fogg, finished second in 10:08.94 with Andrew Berndt, Xavier Lechleitner and Isaac Basten each running legs.

"The weekend was a success on the distance side," said distance coach Jay Koloseus. "I was pleasantly surprised to see the women run away with some great PRs with ease. The men once again put their talents on display since a good fall campaign. Overall, it was a very good weekend and we got some great work from the effort."

The final day of the Graduate Classic caps a successful opening weekend for the Bulldogs as Friday's action saw a school record set in the women's pole vault and three other marks that set all-time Drake marks.

2020 Nebraska Graduate Classic
Saturday, Jan. 18

Drake Men's Results
60 Meters
3. Victor Peka, 6.93

Pole Vault
6. Erik Olson, 14-9 (4.50m)

4x400-Meter Relay
5. Peka, Forbes, Romagna, Malau, 3:22.97

Distance Medley Relay
2. Fogg, Berndt, Lechleitner, Basten, 10:08.94

Drake Women's Results
60 Meters
5. Sophia Jackson, 7.83
7. Keaton Kester, 7.86
8. Mariah Crawford, 7.90

200 Meters
1. Yinka Ajayi, 24.63
19. Rutendo Mafuta, 27.89

400 Meters
3. Ellie Mendlik, 58.75
13. Iris Hertting, 1:03.26
22. Kirstin Skriver, 1:06.81

4x400-Meter Relay
2. Ajayi, Mendlik, Kester, Crawford, 3:56.89

Distance Medley Relay
4. Rogers, Avenson, Rowatt, Bretl, 12:51.24

Shot Put
4. Chandler Haight, 45-1.75 (13.76m)

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Players Mentioned

Mariah Crawford: Sprints; Senior

Chandler Haight: Throws; Sophomore

Sophia Jackson: Sprints; 5' 8"; Senior

Keaton Kester: Sprints; Sophomore

Ellie Mendlik: Mid-Distance; Sophomore

Kirstin Skriver: Sprints; Sophomore

Andrew Berndt: Distance; Sophomore

Xavier Lechleitner: Mid-Distance; Senior

Erik Olson: Multi-Events, Pole Vault, Throws; Senior

Victor Peka: Sprints; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Mariah Crawford
: Senior
: Sprints

Chandler Haight
: Sophomore
: Throws

Sophia Jackson
: 5' 8"; Senior
: Sprints

Keaton Kester
: Sophomore
: Sprints

Ellie Mendlik
: Sophomore
: Mid-Distance

Kirstin Skriver
: Sophomore
: Sprints

Andrew Berndt
: Sophomore
: Distance

Xavier Lechleitner
: Senior
: Mid-Distance

Erik Olson
: Senior
: Multi-Events, Pole Vault, Throws

Victor Peka
: Sophomore
: Sprints