Des Moines, Ia - The Stanford women's 4 x 1 mile relay team easily cruised to victory on Thursday during first day action at the Drake Relays.
Stanford's team of Lindsay Hyatt, Katie Hotchkiss, Alicia Craig and Sara Bei was timed in 19:25.91. Colorado State finished second (19:52.82) while Kansas placed third (19:53.42).
"We just go out and try to do what we do in every race," said Hyatt. "We just want to go out and compete and try not to think of ourselves as the big favorite to win the race."
Bei was competing in her first relay event for Stanford. "This was really exciting for me," said Bei, a sophomore from Santa Rosa. "I felt a huge responsibility since Stanford has such a history of being so consistent and doing so well and I'm just happy to be a part of this."
Jeane Goff, a sophomore competing in her first collegiate 5,000 meters, finished fourth in an NCAA West Regional qualifying time of 16:55.28. Debbie Thornill of Baylor win the event in a time of 16:24.46.
Jacob Gomez, a freshman from Klamath Falls, Or, ran his first collegiate 5,000 meters and was timed in 14:40.73, good enough for 12th place. Westly Keating of Texas-Pan American was the winner at 14:12.47.
Drake Relays
Thursday, April 24, 2003
Drake Stadium
Men's Results
5,000 meters - 1. Westly Keating (Texas-Pan American), 14:12.47; 2. Matt Pearson (South Dakota State) 14:18.32; 3. Philip Bett (Georgia) 14:18.32; 12. Jacob Gomez (Stanford) 14:40.73
Women's Results
5,000 meters - 1. Debbie Thornhill (Baylor) 16:24.46; 2. Jamie Krzyminski (Michigan State) 16:24.96; 3. Casey Owens (SW Missouri State) 16:51.37; 4. Jeane Goff (Stanford) 16:55.28
4 X 1 mile relay - Stanford (Lindsay Hyatt, Katie Hotchkiss, Alicia Craig, Sara Bei) 19:25.91; 2. Colorado State 19:52.82; 3. Kansas 19:53.42
For complete results, go to www.drakerelays.org