The Drake University men's and women's track & field teams capped a successful three days at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championship as the men's team recorded its best team finish since 2000 and Yinka Mary Ajayi repeated as the women's 400-meter champion.
 
Drake's men finished fourth in the team standings with 60 points, to record the team's highest finish in the standing since the 2000 team finished third and just the third time since 1990 the Bulldogs have finished fourth or better.
 
The women's team also made history Sunday as Yinka Mary Ajayi became the second Bulldog in program history to repeat as the MVC Champion in the 400 meters. The school record holder claimed her second Valley title in 55.66. She later returned to the track and scored in the 200 meters with a fifth-place finish in 25.01.
 
She was trailed in the 200 meters by teammate Busiwa Asinga who finished sixth in a personal best of 25.09. Asinga also scored in the 400 meters with a seventh-place finish in 58.10.
 
In individual events the men also got points from newcomer David Olowookere in the 400 meters with a finish of 49.34 and Victor Peka in the 60 meters. Peka finished eighth in 7.01.
 
The Bulldogs closed the three-day MVC Championship with four individual MVC Champions in Ajayi (400m), Adam Fogg (3,000m), Isaac Basten (5,000m) and Cloud Masibhera (triple jump). Drake also got all-conference performances from Ryan Schweizer (Mile – 3^rd) and Joey Harkins (Weight Throw – 2^nd).
 
The Bulldogs await any potential NCAA Indoor Championship qualifiers before turning the page to the outdoor season in the coming weeks while the distance runners are slated to compete in this week's MVC Cross Country Championship.
 
Team Standings
Men
1. UNI, 167.5
2. Indiana State, 165
3. Illinois State, 138
4. Drake, 60
5. Bradley, 51
6. SIU, 31
7. Loyola, 26
8. Valparaiso, 18.5
9. Evansville, 6
 
Women
1. Illinois State, 138
2. SIU, 118
3. UNI, 107
4. Indiana State, 75
5. Missouri State, 73
6. Bradley, 58
7. Loyola, 46
8. Drake, 35
9. Evansville, 10
10. Valparaiso, 2
 
Drake Individual Men's Results
60 Meters
8. Victor Peka, 7.01
 
400 Meters
5. David Olowookere, 49.34
 
4x400-Meter Relay
4. Drake, 3:24.04
 
 
Drake Individual Women's Results
200 Meters
5. Yinka Mary Ajayi, 25.01
6. Busiwa Asinga, 25.09
 
400 Meters
1. Yinka Mary Ajayi, 55.66
7. Busiwa Asinga, 58.10
 
4x400-Meter Relay
5. Drake, 3:55.69